Patent ID: 7101143
Filing Date: 2006-09-05
Classification: E01F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for serially retrieving and removing a plurality of vertically oriented normally upstanding traffic cones from a roadway surface, comprising: a framework adapted to be secured to a roadwork vehicle so as to be movable with the roadwork vehicle as the roadwork vehicle moves along the roadway surface; a knockdown element mounted upon said framework for serially engaging a plurality of vertically oriented normally upstanding traffic cones as the roadwork vehicle moves along the roadway surface in order to respectively knock down each one of the plurality of traffic cones and thereby dispose each one of the plurality of traffic cones in a substantially horizontally oriented disposition; an engagement element mounted upon said framework for serially grasping each one of the plurality of substantially horizontally oriented knocked-down traffic cones as the roadwork vehicle moves along the roadway surface so as to retrieve each one of the plurality of substantially horizontally oriented knocked-down traffic cones; at least one gate member pivotally mounted upon said framework between a first, substantially vertically oriented OPEN position at which said at least one gate member permits each one of the plurality of traffic cones to pass thereby, and a second, substantially horizontally oriented CLOSED position at which said at least one gate member forms a platform upon which the plurality of traffic cones can be disposed; first actuating means operatively connected to said engagement element for pivoting said engagement element between a first horizontally oriented position at which said engagement element can serially grasp each one of the plurality of substantially horizontally oriented knocked-down traffic cones, and a second vertically oriented position whereby each one of the plurality of knocked-down traffic cone will be oriented vertically; and second actuating means operatively connected to said engagement element for moving said engagement element, and each one of the plurality of vertically oriented traffic cones grasped thereby, upwardly toward and past said at least one gate member so as to move each one of the plurality of traffic cones toward and past said at least one gate member when said at least one gate member is disposed at said first, substantially vertically oriented OPEN position, and for moving said engagement element, and each one of the plurality of vertically oriented traffic cones grasped thereby, downwardly toward said at least one gate member so as to permit said enagement element to move past said at least one gate member and to permit each one of the plurality of vertically oriented traffic cones to be seated upon said at least one gate member when said at least one gate member is disposed at said second, substantially horizontally oriented CLOSED position at which said at least one gate member forms said platform upon which the plurality of traffic cones can be serially disposed in a stacked nested mode when successive ones of the plurality of traffic cones are successively moved upwardly past said at least one gate member.