METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A REFLECTIVE SLEEVE TO A TRAFFIC CONE

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying one or more reflective sleeves (60a, 60b) to a traffic cone (50). The sleeve is supported on a platform (14) and the traffic cone (50) is positioned in contact with one end edge (64a) of the sleeve (60a) and rotated to wind the sleeve onto the traffic cone (50).

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for adhesively applying a reflective sleeve to a traffic cone. BACKGROUND ART It has been known in the past to apply a sleeve of reflective material to a traffic cone. For the purposes of this invention, the term "traffic cone" includes, but is not limited to, bodies integrally formed from a flexible polymeric material and having a base portion for supporting an upright, generally conical or cylindrical member. In the case of traffic cones, it is desirable to adhesively apply reflectorized sheeting material to the extetior of the upright member in order to enhance the visibility of the traffic cone at night or other times of poor visibility. Application of reflective sleeves to a traffic cone has become even more important recently as the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices (Section 6C-3 Cone design) promulgated by the Federal Highway Administration (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) requires that traffic cones for use on freeways be at least 71 cm (28 inches) in height and if utilized at night, must include two reflective bands 7.62 cm (3 inches) in width, one placed a maximum of 5.08 cm (2 inches) from the top of the traffic cone and the other band spaced a maximum of 15.28 cm (6 inches) from the first band. Alternatively, a 15.28 cm (6 inch) wide reflective band may be placed nominally 7.62 cm (3 inches) from the top of the traffic cone and a 10.08 cm (4 inch) wide reflective sleeve placed two inches below the six inch band. Preferably, the reflective bands must be located within a tolerance of ± 0.32 cm (0.125 inch). Such reflective sheeting may be applied manually, but such a process is slow and therefore expensive and requires considerable skill if accuracy is desired. U.K. Patent No. 2,096,214 A entitled "Portable Road Markers", commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a method and apparatus for applying a narrow pressure sensitive adhesive tape having a reflective surface opposite the adhesive surface, to a traffic cone or "bollard". The method provides for rotating the tape applying apparatus relative to the traffic cone and means for severing the tape when a sufficient length has been applied to the traffic cone. Means are also provided so that the traffic cone and the tape applying apparatus may be axially shifted relative to each other so that the tape may be applied in a generally helical fashion, although it is contemplated that the tape may be applied in one or more concentric bands. On page 2, lines 44-79, the U.K. '214 patent discusses the difficulties in applying a preformed adjustable sleeve of adhesively secured reflective material to a precise location on a traffic cone. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for quickly and accurately applying one or more reflective sleeves to a traffic cone. Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for applying a reflective sleeve having spaced end edges to a traffic cone, comprising: a frame, a mandrel having a longitudinal axis mounted on said frame for receiving the traffic cone and including means for securing the traffic cone on said mandrel, and means mounted on said frame for rotating said mandrel about said longitudinal axis to wind the sleeve onto the traffic cone characterised by: a platform mounted on said frame for supporting the reflective sleeve with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the reflective sleeve exposed; means mounted on said frame for shifting said mandrel with the traffic cone secured thereon between a first position and a second position so that a tangent line of the traffic cone nearest to said platform is parallel to and spaced from an end edge of the sleeve; and means mounted on said frame for shifting said platform between a first position to a second position with said mandrel in said second position to place the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of adhesive sleeve along said end edge thereof in contact with the traffic cone at the nearest tangent line. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for applying a reflective sleeve onto a traffic cone, comprising the steps of: providing a traffic cone; providing a reflective sleeve having one major surface coated with a pressure sensitive and having spaced end edges; providing a frame, providing a mandrel having a longitudinal axis mounted on said frame for receiving the traffic cone and including means for securing the traffic cone on said mandrel, and rotating said mandrel about said longitudinal axis to wind the sleeve onto the traffic cone characterised by: providing a platform mounted on said frame for supporting the reflective sleeve with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the reflective sleeve exposed; shifting said mandrel with the traffic cone secured thereon between a first position and a second position so that a tangent line of the traffic cone nearest to said platform is parallel to and spaced from an end edge of the sleeve; and shifting said platform between a first position to a second position with said mandrel in said second position to place the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of adhesive sleeve along said end edge thereof in contact with the traffic cone at the nearest tangent line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein: Figure 1 is a isometric view of an apparatus according to the present invention with a mandrel in a first, or raised, position. Figure 2 is another isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a traffic cone mounted on the mandrel in the first position. Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 with the mandrel lowered to a second position spaced from a platform in a first, or lowered position, and supporting a pair of reflective sleeves. Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of the apparatus of Figures 1-3 with the platform raised to a second position to place the traffic cone in contact with the reflective sleeves and with the reflective sleeves partially applied to the traffic cone. Figure 5 is a front view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 with the reflective sleeves applied to the traffic cone and the platform lowered to its first position. Figure 6 is an isometric view of a portion of the apparatus of Figures 1-5 with the reflective sleeves applied to the traffic cone and the mandrel raised to its first position. Figure 7 is a plan view of a traffic cone with the reflective sleeves applied and removed from the apparatus of Figures 1-6. Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic circuit for controlling the apparatus of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing, there is shown apparatus according to the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Generally, the apparatus 10 comprises frame 12 for supporting the remainder of the apparatus. Platform 14 is horizontally mounted on the frame and will explained in greater detail hereinafter. Upwardly extending brackets 16 and 18 are mounted on the back edge of frame 12. Rod 20 extends between brackets 16 and 18 and is pivotally mounted thereon. Double acting first pneumatic cylinder 22 is connected at one end to frame 12 and the shaft thereof is connected by crank arm 24 to rod 20. Pneumatic motor 26 is mounted on rod 20. Bearing 30 is mounted on motor 26. Mandrel 32 includes longitudinal axis 33 and is rotatively supported by bearing 30 and connected to motor 26 to extend over platform 14. Mandrel 32 includes stationary portion 34 and adjustable portion 36 which is capable of reciprocal movement along axis 33 with respect to the stationary portion. The adjustable portion is biased by a spring or the like (not shown) outwardly from the stationary portion with sufficient force to maintain the position shown in Figure 1. Extension of the shaft of pneumatic cylinder 22 in direction 38 will cause rotation of rod 20, motor 26, bearing 30 and mandrel 32 in direction 40 about an axis 41 extending through rod 20 and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 33 of the mandrel. Retraction of the shaft in opposite direction 42 will cause rotation of rod 20 and mandrel 32 in opposite rotational direction 44 about axis 41. As is shown in Figure 2, traffic cone 50 includes base 52 and upright member 54, both shown generally frusto conical in shape, although the present invention may also be employed with traffic cones having a generally cylindrical upright member and therefore would require a generally cylindrical mandrel. Preferably, traffic cone 50 is constructed of a monolithic molded polymeric material such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride or polyolefins such as polyethylene. The following are examples of commercially available traffic cones which may be used with the present invention: Model 28 PVCS available from Work Area Protection Corp. of St. Charles, Illinois; Model TC-28FL available from Service and Materials Co. of Elwood, Indiana; Model 2850-7 available from the Lakeside Plastics Inc. of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Traffic cone 50 may be mounted on the apparatus by mandrel 32 by sliding the traffic cone on the mandrel until the interior of the traffic cone encounters stationary portion 34. Preferably, stationary portion 34 is adapted to frictionally grip traffic cone 50 to secure it thereon. For instance, a concentric ring 56 of Safety-Walk tm brand sheeting available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota may be adhered to the stationary portion for gripping the traffic cone when pushed onto the mandrel. The frictional sheeting provides sufficient force to hold the traffic cone in position while the reflective sleeves are applied, yet permits easy manual removal. Both portions 34, 36 of mandrel 32 are tapered at the nominal taper of the traffic cone to be used with the apparatus. When a traffic cone is not mounted on the mandrel, adjustable portion 36 is biased to an extreme position away from stationary portion 34, as shown in Figure 1. Due to the large tolerances inherent in the manufacture of traffic cones as well as the deformable nature of the polymeric material normally used to construct traffic cones, the internal taper of individual traffic cones may not match the nominal taper of mandrel 32. This results in misplacement of the traffic cone on the mandrel and deformation of the traffic cone in areas that the reflective sleeves are to be applied. In either case, the reflective sleeves may not be accurately or reliably applied to the traffic cone. The illustrated mandrel 32 is constructed to accommodate the variations in traffic cones due to the reciprocal movement of adjustable portion 36 with respect to stationary portion 34. If the taper of a particular traffic cone is less than the nominal taper of the mandrel, adjustable portion 36 of the mandrel will be retracted slightly as the traffic cone is slid onto the mandrel and contacts stationary portion 34. If a traffic cone has a taper that is greater than nominal, adjustable portion 36 will be pushed closer to stationary portion 34 of the mandrel. In either of the above situations, the mandrel securely holds the traffic cone in a desired location relative to the platform and each of the portions 34, 36 of mandrel 32 underlay and support the segments of traffic cone 50 on which the reflective sleeves are to be applied. Of course, a mandrel may be constructed with more than two portions to more closely conform to the actual taper of individual traffic cones. This may also be desirable if more than two reflective sleeves are to be applied to a traffic cone. Platform 14 is also shown in more detail in Figure 2. A pair of sleeves 60a and 60b are shown for application to the traffic cone. Although two sleeves are illustrated, the method and apparatus of the present invention are equally adapted to apply one or more than two sleeves to a traffic cone. The sleeves, although varying in dimensions, each include longitudinal edges 62a, 62b and spaced end edges 64a, 64b, respectively. If the upright member of the traffic cone is frusto conical in shape, then the longitudinal edges of the reflective sleeves will be arcuate and concentric to accommodate the variation in the circumference of the upright member along its length. If the upright member is cylindrical, then the longitudinal edges are linear and parallel and all sleeves would be the same length. One major surface of the sleeves includes a reflective material or coating and the opposite major surface is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Model Nos. 3840 and 3810 brand reflective sheeting available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota are examples of reflective sheeting that may be used with the traffic cones listed above, as well as others, in the process and with the apparatus of this invention. Means are provided to precisely locate the sleeves with respect to the platform. In the illustrated embodiment, the location means includes stops 66. The stops contact the longitudinal and end edges of the reflective sleeves 60a, 60b as shown to precisely determine the location of the sleeves with respect to the platform and specifically to align a pair of end edges 64a, 64b of each sleeve along a line 68 as shown in Figure 2. Preferably, a cushion or resilient strip 70 is mounted on the platform to support end edges 64a, 64b of sleeves 60a, 60b as the sleeves are applied to the traffic cone, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. Conveniently, cushion 70 is mounted within a recessed groove (not shown) formed in the platform so that the upper surface of the cushion is generally flush with the platform. Stops 66 may be made adjustable, such by threadedly securing them to the platform and by providing alternate threaded holes (not shown) in the platform so that the stops may be resecured to the platform in different locations to accommodate sleeves of different dimensions. Further, stops 66 may be eccentrically mounted to the platform so that rotation of a stop about the threaded connection enables a finer adjustment in the location of sleeves 60a, 60b with respect to the platform. Alternatively, recesses (not shown) could be formed in the platform for receipt of the reflective sleeves. Further, the position of platform 14 relative to frame 12 and mandrel 32 may be adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment of the platform is accomplished by slidingly mounting the platform on rails 72 and 74, enabling movement of the platform in opposite directions 76 and 78 parallel to line 68. Platform 14 may be secured in a desired longitudinal position relative to the mandrel by screws 82 which are threadedly engaged with the platform and may be tightened to contact rails 72 and 74. Further, screws 84 are provided and threadedly engaged with the platform so that the position of the platform may be adjusted vertically with respect to the frame and secured to rails 72 and 74 in a desired position by screws 84. In Figure 3, mandrel 32 and traffic cone 50 have been lowered from the first position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to a second position. In the second position, the tangent line 86 of the portion of upright member 54 of traffic cone 50 closest to end edges 64a, 64b of the reflective sleeves 60a, 60b respectively, is parallel to and spaced therefrom. Longitudinal axis 33 of the mandrel is inclined downwardly with respect to the platform at the angle of taper of the traffic cone. If traffic cone 50 included a cylindrical upright member (not shown), longitudinal axis 33 of the mandrel and tangent line 86 of the traffic cone would be parallel to each other and to the line 68 on the platform. Means are provided to shift the platform between first and second positions in order to place the end edge of the reflective sleeve in contact with the traffic cone at the nearest tangent point of the traffic cone. Although the platform may be shifted in any desired manner, in the illustrated embodiment, the platform is rotated about an axis 87 generally parallel to the tangent line 68 of the traffic cone when the traffic cone and the mandrel are in their second position. Axis 87 is also generally perpendicular to axis 41 about which the mandrel rotates between its first and second positions. As shown, one edge 88 of the platform 14 is hingedly mounted to frame 12 to form axis 87. Double acting second pneumatic cylinder 90 is mounted with one end mounted on frame 12 and the other end connected to platform 14 spaced from the hinged connection 88. By activating second pneumatic cylinder 90 and extending its shaft in direction 92, platform 14 rotates upwardly in rotational direction 94 from its first position to its second, upper position, shown in Figure 4. Retraction of the shaft of the second pneumatic cylinder 90 in direction 96 will rotate platform 14 in opposite rotational direction 98 back to its first position. The location of edges 64a, 64b of the reflective sleeves aligned with line 68 on the platform is determined so that when the platform is rotated to its second position, the edges 64a, 64b and the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the sleeves are brought into contact with the tangent line 86 of the traffic cone. Of course, platform 14 may be constructed so that it may be raised vertically, eliminating the hinged connection 88. The relative motion of mandrel 32 supporting traffic cone 50 and platform 14 supporting reflective sleeves 60a, 60b places the traffic cone in contact with the reflective sleeves without disturbing the position of the sleeves. If the rotative motion of mandrel 32 in direction 40 is allowed to place traffic cone 50 in contact with the reflective sleeves, the traffic cone will first encounter the upper sleeve 60a. Continued rotative motion of the traffic cone required to fully contact the both sleeves 60a, 60b will tend to pull the sleeves in direction 76, with obvious disadvantageous results for the accuracy in placement of the reflective sleeves on the traffic cone. As is then also shown in Figure 4, once the traffic cone is placed in contact with the reflective sleeves, traffic cone 50 is rotated in direction 100 about longitudinal axis 33 of mandrel 32 (which is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the traffic cone) by activating motor 26 so as to wind the reflective sleeves 60a, 60b about the traffic cone. Reflective sleeves 60a, 60b are preferably constructed so that end edges 64a, 64b of each sleeve overlap slightly when applied to the traffic cone to ensure effective adherence thereto. Preferably, the traffic cone is rotated through 1¼ turns to ensure effective application of the reflective sleeves thereto. After reflective sleeves 60a, 60b are wound upon traffic cone 50, platform 14 is rotated in direction 98 back to its first position by retracting the shaft of the second pneumatic cylinder 90 in direction 96, as shown in Figure 5. With platform 14 disengaged, mandrel 32 may be shifted back to its first position by retracting the shaft of first pneumatic cylinder 22 in direction 44, as shown in Figure 6. During the process of raising mandrel 32 to its first position, motor 26 is again activated so as to quickly rotate the mandrel and traffic cone in opposite rotational direction 102. This returns mandrel 32 and motor 16 to their original positions and acts to loosen or dislodge the traffic cone from the mandrel. The traffic cone with reflective sleeves 60a, 60b applied may then be easily removed from the mandrel. Figure 7 illustrates a traffic cone with the reflective sleeves in place and ready for use. Although each of the steps of the present invention may be controlled manually, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the motion and timing of the mandrel and platform are automatically controlled by a pneumatic circuit and activated by foot switch 110, shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 8 is a schematic representation of one such pneumatic circuit 112 for activating and controlling the first and second pneumatic cylinders 22 and 90 and the pneumatic motor 26. The pneumatic circuit is connected to a source of compressed air (not shown) which may conveniently be regulated to a pressure of approximately 4.1 x 10⁶Pa (60 p.s.i). The pneumatic circuit 112 includes portions of pneumatic conduit 114 connecting the various components of the circuit, which also includes time delay 116 (such as a PA-40 tm brand time delay available from Numatics Incorporated of Highland,Michigan) and limit switch 118 (neither shown in any of the previous Figures). In operation, the operator of the apparatus depresses foot switch 110, which activates first pneumatic cylinder 22 to shift the mandrel from its first position to its second position. The limit switch 118 is mounted on the frame adjacent the brackets 16 and 18. The location of the second position of the mandrel is determined by an adjustable screw (not shown) mounted on the mandrel so as to come in contact with limit switch 118 as the mandrel moves in rotational direction 40 and thereby interrupt the supply of compressed air to first pneumatic cylinder 22 and prevent further movement of the mandrel. The flow of the compressed air to second pneumatic cylinder 90 is regulated so that the movement of the platform from its first to its second position is achieved only after the mandrel and traffic cone have achieved their second position. Alternatively, a second time delay could be utilized in conjunction with foot switch 110 to control movement of the platform. Further, time delay 116 initiates the activation of motor 26 in rotational direction 100 only after the platform reaches its second position and places the traffic cone in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the reflective sleeves. After the application of the reflective sleeves to the traffic cones, removal of the operators foot from foot switch 110 reactivates the first and the second pneumatic cylinders 22 and 90, respectively, to return the mandrel and the platform to their respective first positions. Preferably, the motor 26 is likewise activated to rotate the mandrel in rotational direction 102, which returns the motor to its initial position. After removal of the traffic cone, the apparatus is in position for receipt of a new traffic cone and reflective sleeves. Of course, electrical or other known power and control devices may be substituted for the pneumatic devices and pneumatic circuit discussed herein, if desired. The present invention has now been described with reference to an embodiment thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures.

Claims: Apparatus (10) for applying a reflective sleeve (60a) having spaced end edges to a traffic cone (50), comprising: a frame (12), a mandrel (32) having a longitudinal axis mounted on said frame (12) for receiving the traffic cone (50) and including means for securing the traffic cone on said mandrel, and means mounted on said frame (12) for rotating said mandrel (32) about said longitudinal axis to wind the sleeve (60a) onto the traffic cone (50) characterised by: a platform (14) mounted on said frame for supporting the reflective sleeve (60a) with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the reflective sleeve exposed; means mounted on said frame for shifting said mandrel (32) with the traffic cone (50) secured thereon between a first position and a second position so that a tangent line of the traffic cone nearest to said platform is parallel to and spaced from an end edge of the sleeve; and means mounted on said frame (12) for shifting said platform (14) between a first position to a second position with said mandrel (32) in said second position to place the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of adhesive sleeve (60a) along said end edge thereof in contact with the traffic cone (50) at the nearest tangent line. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, further characterized by comprising means for delaying the shifting of said platform (14) from said first position to said second position until said mandrel (32) is in said second position. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, further characterized in that said mandrel is rotated between said first position and said second position, The apparatus of claim 3, further characterized in that said platform (14) is rotated between said first position and said second position. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, further characterized in that said mandrel (32) includes a stationary portion (34) and an adjustable portion (36) mounted on said stationary portion and adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to said stationary portion, and including means for resiliently urging said adjustable portion away from said stationary portion, said stationary portion and said adjustable portion each having a tapered exterior adapted for receipt of the traffic cone (50), wherein said adjustable portion (36) is shifted towards said stationary portion (34) when the traffic cone is mounted on said mandrel so that the traffic cone is securely mounted thereon and supported when the reflective sleeve (60a) is applied. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, further characterized in that said platform (14) includes means for locating an edge of the reflective sleeve (60a) on said platform with respect to the nearest tangent line of the traffic cone (50) when said platform (14) and said mandrel (32) are in their second positions. A method for applying a reflective sleeve (60a) onto a traffic cone (50), comprising the steps of: providing a traffic cone (50); providing a reflective sleeve (60a) having one major surface coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive and having spaced end edges (64a); providing a frame (12), providing a mandrel (12) having a longitudinal axis mounted on said frame (12) for receiving the traffic cone (50) and including means for securing the traffic cone on said mandrel, and rotating said mandrel (12) about said longitudinal axis to wind the sleeve (60a) onto the traffic cone (50) characterised by: providing a platform (14) mounted on said frame (12) for supporting the reflective sleeve (60a) with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the reflective sleeve exposed; shifting said mandrel (12) with the traffic cone (50) secured thereon between a first position and a second position so that a tangent line of the traffic cone nearest to said platform is parallel to and spaced from an end edge of the sleeve; and shifting said platform (14) between a first position to a second position with said mandrel (12) in said second position to place the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of adhesive sleeve (60a) along said end edge thereof in contact with the traffic cone (50) at the nearest tangent line. The method of claim 7, further characterized by the steps of: (a) providing a second reflective sleeve (60b) having a pressure sensitive adhesive surface; and (b) aligning an end edge (64b) of the second sleeve (60b) with the end edge (64a) of the first sleeve (60a); (c) whereby the traffic cone (50) will contact both sleeves (60a, 60b) simultaneously and both sleeves will be wound upon the traffic cone when the traffic cone is rotated.

Inventors: KELLER, LOUIS F., MCAULEY, JAMES P., STENEMANN, HEINRICH F., KELLER, LOUIS F., C/O MINNESOTA MINING AND, MCAULEY, JAMES P., C/O MINNESOTA MINING AND, STENEMANN, HEINRICH F., C/O MINNESOTA MINING AND
Applicants: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: E01F9
IPC codes: E01F13, E01F9, B65H81, B65H75, G09F13, G09F3