Patent Publication Number: US-2017362786-A1

Title: Traffic cone dispensing and retrieving apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing traffic cones from a vehicle onto a road surface and for retrieving the cones from the road surface onto the vehicle. 
     Traffic cones are used to provide temporary traffic control, for example when carrying out road repairs or improvements or following an accident. When large numbers of traffic cones are required, for example to create temporary lanes on a motorway, manually placing the cones along the road and later picking up the cones is time consuming and dangerous due to the close proximity of moving traffic. Also, the cones are heavy and awkward to handle making the work of manually placing the cones on the road and picking the cones up strenuous with the risk of injury. 
     There is a need for apparatus that can dispense cones onto a road surface and retrieve cones from a road surface that avoids manually placing the cones on the road surface and picking the cones up from the road surface. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface, the apparatus including a cone transfer device for transferring cones between a vehicle and the surface. 
     The apparatus may comprise a tower having a platform moveable to and from a lower transfer position for dispensing cones onto the road and for retrieving cones from the road. The platform may be movable between the lower transfer position and an upper transfer position for receiving cones from a storage area and for returning cones to the storage area. The upper transfer position may be located above, preferably substantially directly above the lower transfer position. The upper transfer position may be spaced substantially vertically above the lower transfer position. 
     The platform may receive a stack of cones from the storage area. The apparatus may include a device for releasing cones from the stack onto the platform individually or in multiples of two or more cones. 
     In one embodiment, the device comprises one or more gripping fingers. The gripping fingers may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The gripping device may retain cones in an elevated position from which cones can be released onto the platform individually or in multiples of two or more cones. Sets of gripping fingers may be provided for retaining individual cones in the elevated position. 
     In another embodiment, the device comprises on or more clamping bars. The clamping bars may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The clamping device may retain cones in an elevated position from which cones can be released onto the platform individually or in multiples of two or more cones. 
     The apparatus may be provided with a lamp transfer device for attaching a lamp unit to a cone when the cone is dispensed and for removing the lamp unit from the cone when the cone is retrieved. 
     The apparatus may be provided with a cone washing device for washing a cone when the cone is retrieved and/or when the cone is dispensed. 
     The platform may include an elevator for positioning the cone for attaching and removing the lamp unit and/or for washing the cone. The elevator may adjust a vertical position of the cone. The elevator may adjust an angular position of the cone. The elevator may lift and rotate the cone. 
     The elevator may be configured to engage a hole in the base of a cone. The engagement of the elevator in the hole may assist in securing the elevator to the cone and/or in positioning the cone on the platform. The portion of the elevator engaging in the hole and/or the hole may taper in towards the top of the base. 
     The apparatus may be mounted on a vehicle or a trailer towed by a vehicle. The tower may be movable transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle. 
     The apparatus may include a device for aligning the platform with a cone to be retrieved. The alignment device may comprise guide bars defining a channel for guiding a cone towards the platform. 
     The apparatus may include a device for tilting a cone to be retrieved. The tilting device may comprise one or more tilt bars configured to engage an upper end of the cone to tilt the cone for retrieving the cone onto the platform. 
     The apparatus may include a device for retrieving a cone onto the platform. The retrieving device may engage an underside of a tilted cone and transfer the cone onto the platform. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface, the apparatus including a lamp transfer device for attaching a lamp unit to a cone and for retrieving the lamp unit from the cone. 
     The apparatus may include any feature of apparatus according to any other aspect of the invention. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface, the apparatus including a cone washing device for washing a cone. 
     The apparatus may include any feature of apparatus according to any other aspect of the invention. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface, the apparatus including one or more of a cone transfer device for transferring cones between a vehicle and the surface, a lamp transfer device for attaching a lamp unit to a cone and for retrieving the lamp unit from the cone, and a cone washing device for washing a cone 
     The apparatus may include any feature of apparatus according to any other aspect of the invention. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a cone having a base and a body upstanding from the base, wherein the base is configured to provide access between the bases of stacked cones. 
     The base may be provided with one or more spacer formations for co-operating with the base of another cone to provide access between the bases. The base may have an underside and topside. The spacer formation may be provided on the underside of the base. Alternatively, the spacer formation may be provided on the topside of the base. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a cone having a base and a body upstanding from the base, wherein the cone is provided with a light unit at an upper end of the body. 
     The light unit may be battery powered. The cone may be configured to interconnect light units of stacked cones. In this way, cones can be connected to a common power source for charging the batteries when the cones are stacked. 
     The light unit may include an housing for a light source. The housing may be a part of the body of the cone. The housing may form the upper end of the body. The housing may be made of a light transmitting material. The housing may be made of transparent or translucent plastic. The light source may be a light module received within the housing. The light module may be detachable. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a cone having a base and body, wherein the base is offset relative to the body. 
     Preferably the base is offset relative to a vertical axis through the body. It may be that the base protrudes from the body to a greater extent on at least one side of the body. When setting the cone down onto the road, for example to close off a lane, the offset cone base can be placed on the road with a protruding side of the base facing in towards the closed lane. As a result, the possibility of the base being driven over by passing traffic in the live lane is reduced compared to a regular based cone where the protruding base is not in the driver&#39;s line of vision, leaving it prone to being knocked over. 
     In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface comprises a cone transfer device for transferring cones between a vehicle and the surface, the cone transfer device including a tower having a first platform and a second platform for dispensing cones onto the road and for retrieving cones from the road, the first platform being movable to and from a first transfer position, and the second platform being movable between the first transfer position and a second transfer position, and between outward and inward transfer positions to dispense cones onto the road and retrieve cones from the road, a device for tilting a cone and an anti-skid mechanism deployed when retrieving cones. 
     The first platform moves cones to and from the tower, while the second platform takes cones from the first platform to dispense onto the road and retrieves cones from the road to put them onto the first platform. This reduces the time taken by splitting the movement of the cones between the two platforms, rather than having one platform to perform all the movements. 
     The cones are typically hollow, and the first platform includes a securing member adapted to engage in the interior of a cone in order to stabilise it on the platform. The securing member may be movably mounted on the first platform between a lower position flush with the platform surface and a raised position in which it engages the interior of a cone. The securing member may be frusta-conical in order to engage securely in the cone. The securing member may be a turntable, for rotating the cones. The securing member may also be provided with gripping members movable into engagement with the interior of a cone. The gripping members preferably move radially into and out of engagement with the interior of the cone. The securing member and the gripping members ensure that a cone is securely held on the first platform, and may be used to pull a cone from the bottom of a stack of cones. The first platform is also provided with conveyor means, such as belts, to transfer cones onto and off the first platform. 
     The second platform may also be provided with conveyor means such as belts for transferring cones onto and off the second platform. Movement of the second platform is co-ordinated with movement of the cone tilting device and the anti-skid mechanism. 
     The cone tilting device preferably comprises a retractable toppler assembly, including a toppler collar adapted to engage the outside of a cone to start it tilting as it is retrieved. Movement of the collar may also operate switches to control movement of the second platform and the anti-skid mechanism. 
     The anti-skid mechanism conveniently comprises a slider mounted on the tower and movable inwardly and outwardly. The slider may carry an anti-skid arm which can be lowered to contact a cone being retrieved to stop it skidding on the road as it is tilted by the cone tilting device. 
     In yet another aspect the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface comprises a cone transfer device for transferring cones between a vehicle and the surface, the cone transfer device including a tower having a first platform movable to and from a first transfer position for dispensing cones onto the road and for retrieving cones from the road, and a transfer assembly movable independently of the first platform to transfer a stack of cones between the tower and the vehicle. 
     Providing the assembly to move the cones between the tower and the vehicle independently of the first platform also reduces the time taken in dispensing and retrieving the cones, as the platform does not need to transfer the cones between the tower and the vehicle as well as dispensing and retrieving them. 
     Conveniently the transfer assembly comprises a clamp assembly mounted in the tower and movable within the tower, and away from the tower towards the vehicle. The clamping bars may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The clamping device may retain cones in an elevated position from which cones can be released onto the platform individually or in multiples of two or more cones. 
     The clamp assembly can retain a stack of cones independently of the first platform. The first platform therefore moves cones between the first transfer position and the clamp assembly, and the clamp assembly moves the cones between the tower and the vehicle. 
     The vehicle may be provided with a shuttle movable transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle for transferring stacks of cones between a storage area and the tower. The transfer assembly may then pick up a stack of cones from the shuttle and return a stack to the shuttle. 
     In yet another aspect the invention provides apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface comprises a cone transfer device for transferring cones between a vehicle and the surface, the cone transfer device including a tower having a first platform movable to and from a lower transfer position for dispensing cones onto the road and for retrieving cones from the road, the first platform including a securing mechanism for engaging the internal surface of a cone. 
     The securing mechanism ensures that a cone is held securely on the platform, whether it is being dispensed or retrieved. It also ensures that a cone can be removed from the base of a stack of cones for dispensing in a timely manner, even if it is not freely movable. 
     Conveniently the securing mechanism includes a securing member adapted to engage in the interior of a cone in order to stabilise it on the first platform. The securing member may be movably mounted on the first platform between a lower position flush with the platform surface and a raised position in which it engages the interior of a cone. The securing member may be frusto-conical in order to engage securely in the cone. The securing member may also be provided with gripping members movable into engagement with the interior of a cone. The gripping members preferably move radially into and out of engagement with the interior of the cone. The securing member and the gripping members ensure that a cone is securely held on the first platform, and may be used to pull a cone from the bottom of a stack of cones. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, benefits and advantages of the invention according to each of the aspects will be apparent from the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of apparatus embodying the invention with the tower in a mid-position; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the tower in an end position; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the tower in another end position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the guide rails and tower frame; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the tower platform; 
         FIGS. 6 to 9  show the apparatus retrieving a cone from a surface; 
         FIGS. 10 to 12  show the cone washing device; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  show the lamp transfer device; 
         FIG. 15  shows a cone; 
         FIG. 16  shows another cone; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  show a modification of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 19  shows another modification of the apparatus; 
         FIGS. 20 to 25  show another modification of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 26  shows another cone; 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of the tower of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing a cone in a dispense position; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a first platform; 
         FIG. 29  is similar to  FIG. 28  with a turntable of the platform raised; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the tower showing first and second platforms and an open clamp assembly for cones; 
         FIG. 31  shows the tower in a similar position to  FIG. 6  with the first platform supporting a stack of cones; 
         FIG. 32  is a side view of the tower of the apparatus in a cone stack transfer position; 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the lower part of the tower with the components in a retracted position; and 
         FIGS. 34 to 40  show the components in the sequence of positions for retrieving a cone. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 14  of the drawings, apparatus  1  for dispensing cones  3  onto a road  5  or similar surface and retrieving the cones  3  from the road  5  is shown. 
     Each cone  3  has a base  3   a  and a conical body  3   b  upstanding from the base  3   a . The body  3   b  is hollow and can be accessed through a central hole in the base  3   a . The base  3   a  may be circular or substantially circular in plan view. 
     The apparatus  1  is mounted at a rear end of a flat bed storage area  7  on which stacks  9  of cones  3  are stored. The flat bed storage area  7  may be an integral part of a vehicle or may be separate unit towed by the vehicle. 
     The stacks  9  are arranged in longitudinal rows extending from the rear end to the front end of the flat bed storage area  7 . The stacks  9  in each row are located on a conveyor for moving the stacks as described later. 
     In this embodiment there are three rows with eight stacks  9  in each row and twenty five cones  3  in each stack  9  giving a total of six hundred (600) cones  3  for use. The number of rows and the number of stacks  9  in each row and the number of cones  3  in each stack  9  may be varied according to requirements. 
     The apparatus  1  includes a tower  11  mounted on guide rails  13  secured at the rear end of the flat bed storage area  7  by one or more brackets  15 . The guide rails  13  extend horizontally across the back of the flat bed storage area  7  transverse to the direction of movement of a vehicle provided with the flat bed storage area  7 . The tower  11  is mounted on the guide rails  13  for sliding movement transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle. The tower  11  may also be movable up and down between a lowered, working position close to the road  5  for dispensing/retrieving cones  3  and a raised position when not dispensing/retrieving cones so as to be a safe height above the road  5  for travelling. 
     A motor (not shown) such as a stepper motor may be provided to power traversing movement of the tower  11  relative to the guide rails  13 . The motor may be controlled from a control unit (not shown) for accurately positioning the tower  11 . Any suitable control unit may be employed including, but not limited to, electronic devices such as computers, laptops, palmtops and similar devices. 
     The control unit may be operated via a user interface from the driver&#39;s cab. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may be operated via a user interface on the tower  11 . Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may be operated via a hand held user interface such as a remote controller. The control unit may communicate with the motor via a wireless link to control movement of the tower  11 . The control unit may include a memory, for example for storing factory settings. The control unit may be programmable allowing the user to select and/or change operation of the apparatus. 
     The guide rails  13  include a centre section  13   a  and end sections  13   b ,  13   c . The centre section  13   a  has a width approximately equal to the width of the flat bed storage area  7 . The end sections  13   b ,  13   c  are connected to the centre section by hinges for pivotal movement between a stowed position along the side of the flat bed storage area  7  substantially at right angles to the centre section  13   a  and a deployed position extending parallel to the centre section  13   a . End section  13   b  is shown in the stowed position and end section  13   c  is shown in the deployed position in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the deployed position, the end sections  13   b ,  13   c  increase the width of the guide rails  13  to extend beyond the sides of the flat bed storage area  7  and allow movement of the tower  11  transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle from a mid-position shown in  FIG. 1  to the end positions shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the end positions the tower  11  is located outboard of the flat bed storage area  7 . The tower  11  can be moved between the end positions for dispensing and retrieving cones  3  with the tower  11  located in either end position or any intervening position between the end positions. 
     Successive cones  3  may be set down at the same position to form a line following the direction of the vehicle by maintaining the tower  11  at the same position while dispensing cones  3 . Alternatively, successive cones  3  may be set down at positions offset from one another across the width of the guide rails  13  to form a line that tapers from one side of the vehicle to the other by moving the tower  11  from one end position to the other end position while dispensing cones  3 . Such tapered line may be provided at the start and end of a section of road along which the cones  3  are to be deployed. 
     The tower  11  has a frame  17  ( FIG. 4 ) mounted on the guide rails  13  and a platform  19  ( FIGS. 5 to 8 ) movable vertically within the tower frame  17  to and from a lower transfer position for dispensing cones  3  onto the road  5  and for retrieving cones  3  from the road  5 . 
     To dispense cones  3 , the platform  19  is raised to an upper transfer position spaced above, preferably directly above, the lower transfer position. The tower  11  is positioned to align the platform  19  with the conveyor of a row of stacked cones  3  on the flat bed storage area  7 . The conveyor of the aligned row of stacked cones  3  is operated to move the stacks  9  towards the tower  11  and to insert the first stack  9  of cones  3  onto the platform  19 . In a modification described in more detail later with reference to  FIG. 19 , the apparatus includes a device for transferring a stack of cones between the conveyor and the tower. 
     The platform  19  has a pair of powered belts  21  either side of a central elevator  23 . The belts  21  assist movement of the stack  9  of cones  3  onto the platform  19  within the tower  11 . The elevator  23  can be raised relative to the powered belts  21  to engage the bottom cone  3  in the stack  9  located on the platform  19  to centre the stack  9  of cones  3  on the platform  19 . The elevator  23  can also be raised to lift the stack  9  of cones  3  above the powered belts  21  for a purpose described below. 
     The tower  11  is provided with a plurality of sets of gripping fingers  25  ( FIGS. 6 to 9 ) for holding cones  3  in the stack  9  in an elevated position when the platform  19  is returned to the lower transfer position. The gripping fingers  25  are moveable in unison between open and closed positions. The gripping fingers  25  are moveable from the open position when inserting the stack  9  of cones  3  onto the platform  19  to the closed position to locate under the base  3   a  of a cone  3  in the stack  9 . 
     The stack  9  of cones  3  is lifted a small distance by the platform, for example 50 mm, to provide clearance for the gripping fingers  25  to move from the open position to the closed position to locate under the base  3   a  of a cone  3  in the stack. If necessary the elevator  23  is operable to rotate the stack  9  of cones  3  to orientate the bases  3   a  for engagement with the gripping fingers  25 . 
     The stack  9  of cones  3  is positioned so that, when the gripping fingers  25  move from the open position to the closed position and the stack  9  of cones  3  is lowered, the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack  9  is not supported by the gripping fingers  25 . 
     As a result, the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack  9  is released from the stack  9  and, supported on the platform  19 , moves with the platform  19  from the upper transfer position to the lower transfer position, while the remaining cones  3  in the stack  9  are retained in the elevated position at the upper end of the tower  11  by the gripping fingers  25  located under the base  3   a  of the cones  3 . 
     In the lower transfer position, the powered belts  21  on the sides of the platform  19  are operable to move the cone  3  rearwards from the platform  19  and dispense the cone  3  onto the road. 
     The platform  19  is then raised to engage the bottom cone  3  of the stack  9  of cones  3  held in the elevated position within the tower  11  by the gripping fingers  25 . The stack  9  of cones  3  is then lifted a small distance to allow the gripping fingers  21  holding the cones  3  in the stack  9  to open. The platform  19  is then lowered a distance equal to one cone base so that, when the gripping fingers  25  are moved to the closed position, the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack  9  is not supported by the gripping fingers  25 . 
     As a result, the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack  9  is released from the stack  9  and, supported on the platform  19 , moves with the platform  19  from the upper transfer position to the lower transfer position for dispense onto the road as described above while the remaining cones in the stack  9  are held in the elevated position within the tower  11  by the gripping fingers  25 . One or more actuators (not shown) may be provided at the base of the stack in the tower that are operable to engage with the cone to be released and force it out of the stack. The above operation is then repeated until all the cones  3  in the stack  9  have been dispensed. 
     In a modification of the above operation, the platform  19  and gripping fingers  25  can be controlled so that two or more cones  3  can be released from the stack  9  at the same time and dispensed onto the road stacked on top of each other. This may be desirable, for example in windy conditions, to provide additional weight and stability so that the cones  3  stay in position on the road. 
     When all the cones  3  in the stack  9  have been dispensed, the tower  11  is positioned to receive another stack  9  of cones  3  from the flat bed storage area  7  and the above operation repeated until all the stacks of cones  3  in the flat bed storage area  7  have been transferred to the tower  11  and dispensed or until sufficient cones  3  have been dispensed to demarcate the required section of the road. In a modification described in more detail later with reference to  FIG. 19 , the apparatus includes a device for transferring a stack of cones between the conveyor and the tower. In this way, the device can receive the next stack of cones to be dispensed from the storage area and move the stack to align with the tower while the tower is dispensing cones from a previous stack of cones. In this way, the tower may not have to be moved to receive the next stack of cones from the storage area so that dispense of cones may continue without interruption. 
     Where the cones  3  are stacked in rows, transfer of the stacks  9  from the flat bed storage area  7  to the tower  11  may be controlled by the control unit to maintain a balanced load. For example, the tower  11  may receive a stack  9  of cones  3  from each row in turn or any other sequence to maintain a balanced load in the storage area. 
     To retrieve the cones  3 , the vehicle is driven in reverse. Cameras may be provided at the rear of the vehicle and in the driver&#39;s cab to assist the driver to position the tower  11  in line with the cones  3  on the road. 
     Sensors on the tower  11  and/or cone  3  may provide fine adjustment for accurately positioning the tower  11 . Any suitable sensors may be employed. Preferably the sensors are capable of operating under all conditions including at night when the volume of traffic using the road is often lower than in the day and it is more convenient to retrieve cones from the road. 
     The tower  11  may be provided with guide bars  27  that are deployed as the tower  11  approaches the cone  3  to be retrieved. The guide bars  27  define a channel  29  to receive and guide the platform  19  towards the cone  3 . The outer ends of the guide bars  27  are angled outwards to provide the channel  29  with a tapered section  29   a  leading to a narrower parallel section  29   b  to align the platform  19  with the cone ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The guide bars  27  are pivotal about a vertical axis at the inner ends such that, if the cone  3  is offset to one side of the parallel section  29   b , the cone  3  contacts the angled outer end of the guide bar  27  on that side causing the guide bar  27  to pivot outwards about the inner end against the biasing of a return spring or other restoring force. 
     This pivotal movement actuates a switch (not shown) that moves the tower  11  to correct the offset until the guide bar  27  no longer presses against the cone  3  and the tower  11  stops leaving the cone  3  aligned with the parallel section  29   b  central to the platform  19 . 
     In a modification (not shown), one or more sensors may be provided on the tower and/or the cones for detecting the position of a cone and moving the tower to align the platform with the cone. The sensors may be used in place of as well as the guide bars  27 . The sensors may be of any suitable type, for example infra-red sensors or laser sensors. 
     As the platform  19  approaches the cone  3 , tilt bars  31  engage the upper end of the cone  3  ( FIG. 7  causing the cone  3  to tilt about the base  3   a  so that the edge of the base  3   a  nearest to the platform  19  is raised ( FIG. 8 ). Two tilt bars  31  are employed in this embodiment but this is not essential and it may be that one tilt bar may be employed. The or each tilt bar  31  may be provided with a feature which contacts the cone and prevents the cone from twisting or toppling to one side if it is titled onto a corner of the base. For example the or each tilt bar may be provided with a formation co-operable with the cone to locate the cone in a desired orientation for retrieval onto the platform. 
     The cone  3  is tilted to an angle relative to the road so that the powered belts  21  at the side of the platform  19  can access beyond the centre of the base  3   a  of the cone  3  to retrieve the cone  3  and the tilt bars  27  gradually open guiding the cone  3  onto the platform  19  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     The tilt angle may be approximately 35 degrees although this may change according to the shape and size of the base  3   a  of the cone  3 . As the cone  3  is retrieved, anti-skid bars  33  ( FIGS. 10, 11, 12 ) are deployed to prevent the cone  3  skidding on the road. Two anti-skid bars  33  are employed in this embodiment but this is not essential and it may be that one anti-skid bar may be employed 
     When the cone  3  has been retrieved from the road onto the platform  19 , the elevator  23  may be operable to position the cone  3  centrally on the platform  19  with respect to the gripping fingers  25 . For example, the elevator  23  may engage the hole in the base  3   a  of the cone. The hole and/or part of the elevator  23  received in the hole may taper in towards the top of the base  3   a . Tapering the hole in the base of the cone  3  and the part of the elevator  23  received in the hole may better secure the cone  3  to the elevator  23 . The elevator  23  may also rotate the cone  3  to orientate the base  3   a  for engagement with the gripping fingers  25 . 
     The platform  19  is then raised to lift the cone  3  with the gripping fingers  25  closed to position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  below the bottom set of gripping fingers  25 . The gripping fingers  25  are opened and the cone  3  lifted to position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  above the bottom set of gripping fingers  25 . 
     As a result, when the gripping fingers  25  are closed, the retrieved cone  3  is supported on and held in the elevated position by the bottom set of gripping fingers  25  when the platform  19  is lowered to receive the next cone  3  retrieved from the road, 
     If one or more cones are already supported by the gripping fingers  25  when the platform  19  is raised, the body  3   b  of the retrieved cone  3  on the platform  19  is received within the body  3   b  of the cone  3  supported by the bottom set of gripping fingers  25 . When the gripping fingers  25  are opened, the stack of cones  3  is lifted one cone base to position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  above the bottom set of gripping fingers  25 . 
     As a result, when the gripping fingers  25  are closed, the stack of pones including the retrieved cone  3  is supported on and held in the elevated position by the gripping fingers  25  when the platform  19  is lowered to receive the next cone  3  retrieved from the road. This operation is repeated to reform a stack  9  of cones  3  within the tower  11 . 
     When the last cone  3  to re-form a complete stack  9  of cones  3  is raised on the platform  19 , the tower  11  is moved to align with a conveyor on the flat bed storage area  7 . The gripping fingers  25  are moved to the open position so that the complete stack  9  of cones  3  is supported on the platform  19 . The stack  9  of cones  3  is transferred from the platform  19  to the conveyor with the platform  19  in the upper transfer position level with the conveyor by means of the powered belts  21 . In a modification described in more detail later with reference to  FIG. 19 , the apparatus includes a device for transferring a stack of cones between the conveyor and the tower. In this way, the device can move the stack of cones to be returned to the storage area to align with the conveyor on the storage area while the tower is picking up cones to form the next stack of cones. In this way, the tower may not have to be moved to return the stack of cones to the storage area so that retrieval of cones may continue without interruption. 
     The conveyor then moves the stack  9  of cones  3  towards the front of the flat bed storage area  7  a distance sufficient to allow another stack  9  of cones  3  to be returned from the tower  11  to re-form the row of stacked cones  3 . The return of stacks of cones from the tower  11  to the flat bed storage area  7  may be controlled by the control unit to maintain a balanced load. For example, the stacks  9  of cones  3  may be returned to the rows in turn or any other sequence to maintain a balanced load in the storage area. This operation is repeated until all the cones  3  are recovered. 
     As will be understood, the above operation to dispense and retrieve the cones  3  is fully automated, does not require any manual lifting of the cones  3  and can be carried out by the driver of the vehicle without any additional operators. It will be appreciated however, that the tower  11  may be employed without the conveyors on the flat bed storage area  7  and that the stacks  9  of cones  3  on the flat bed storage area  7  may be manually inserted into the tower  11  and retrieved from the tower  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 , a cone washing device  35  is shown for washing a cone  3  when the cone  3  has been retrieved from the road. Alternatively, or additionally the cone  3  could be washed before it is dispensed onto the road. 
     The cone washing device  35  includes a pair of panels  37 ,  39  that are movable to a cleaning position in which the panels  37 ,  39  close onto a cone  3  located on the platform  19  in the lower transfer position. The elevator  23  is operable to lift and rotate the cone  3  relative to the panels  37 ,  39 . Although two panels are employed in this embodiment, fewer than two panels, i.e. one panel, or more than two panels may be employed. 
     The surface of the panels  37 ,  39  contacting the cone  3  is configured, for example with bristles  41  or the like, for cleaning the outer surface of the cone  3  with clean water delivered to one or both panels  37 ,  39  from a clean water tank (not shown) on the vehicle. 
     The dirty water from washing the cone  3  may be collected by a drain system placed under the platform  19  and returned to a grey water tank (not shown) on the vehicle. The collected grey water may be filtered and recycled to the clean water tank for use in washing the retrieved cones. 
     The tower  11  may include a heater unit (not shown) to dry the cones  3  after washing. For example the heater unit may be arranged to dry the cones  3  as they are moved by the platform  19  between the lower transfer position and the upper transfer position. The heater unit may be of any suitable type and may use warm air to dry the cones  3 . The heater unit may also be used to warm or dry cones  3  affected by frost or other cold/wet weather conditions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a lamp transfer device  43  is shown for fitting a lamp unit  45  to the top of a cone  3  prior to the cone  3  being dispensed onto the road and for removing the lamp unit  45  from the cone  3  when the cone  3  is retrieved from the road. 
     The lamp units  45  may be battery powered. For example the lamp units  45  may be provided with one or more batteries. The or each battery may be rechargeable. The lamp units  45  may include any suitable light source, for example one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light source may provide white light or coloured light. 
     The lamp units  45  may have one or more sensors operable to switch the lamp units  45  on and off according to the ambient light levels. Alternatively, the lamp units  45  may be operated on a timer device that may be activated when the lamp unit  45  is fitted to a cone  3  and deactivated when the lamp unit  45  is removed from the cone  3 . Any other means for switching the lamp units on and off may be employed. 
     The light units  45  may be configured for continuous or intermittent illumination. For example the light units  45  may be set to flash on and off. The light units  45  may be set to flash on and off with a fixed or variable time interval. The light units  45  may be set for sequential flashing. 
     The lamp transfer device  43  is mounted on the front of the frame  17  of the tower  11  and includes a plurality of lamp units  45  mounted on hooks  47  fixed in rows to a powered rotating belt/chain  49  to raise and lower the rows of lamp units  45  according to the direction in which the belt/chain  49  is rotated. 
     When fitting the lamp units  45  to cones  3  being dispensed onto the road, the rows of lamp units  45  rotate down one row and one of the lamp units  45  in the bottom row drops into a holder  51  positioned to receive the lamp unit  45  and the lamp unit  45  is released from the hook  47 . 
     In this embodiment the holder  51  is a box open at the front in which the lamp unit  45  is located and retained in place. The holder  51  is movable from side to side to position the lamp unit  45  in a central position with respect to the platform  19 . 
     When a cone  3  arrives at the lower transfer position on the platform  19 , it is moved to align the top of the cone  3  with a hole  53  in the lamp unit  45  at the central position and the elevator  23  raises the cone  3  to insert the top of the cone  3  into the hole  53  ( FIG. 14 ) and attach the lamp unit  45  to the cone  3 . 
     As a result, when the cone  3  is moved forwards by the platform  19 , the lamp unit  45  moves out of the holder  51  and the cone  3  with the lamp unit  45  attached is dispensed onto the road. 
     The rows of lamp units  45  rotate up one row and the holder  51  is positioned below a lamp unit  45  in the bottom row and the rows of lamp units  45  are rotated down one row to transfer the lamp unit  45  to the holder  51 . The holder  51  then positions the lamp unit  45  in the central position for transfer to another cone  3 . 
     This operation is repeated until all the lamp units in one row have been transferred to cones  3  and the rows of lamp units  45  are rotated to lower the next row for transfer to the cones  3 . In this embodiment, each row is shown having five lamp units  45  but it will be understood that there may be more than or less than five lamp units  45  in each row. 
     Lamp units  45  may be attached to each cone  3  to be dispensed onto the road. Alternatively, lamp units  45  may be attached to only some of the cones  3  to be dispensed on the road, for example where the number of cones  3  to be dispensed exceeds the available number of lamp units  45 , some cones may be dispensed without lamp units  45 . 
     It may be that the platform  19  can be controlled via the control unit to attach a lamp unit  45  to the cone  3  to be dispensed. The control unit may be programmable to operate the platform  19  to attach a lamp unit  45  to every other cone  3  or at some other interval as desired. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface may allow an operator to select the cones  3  to which lamp units  45  are to be attached as the cones  3  are being dispensed. 
     When a cone  3  having a lamp unit  45  attached is retrieved from the road, the holder  51  is located at the centre position. Sensors identify the orientation of the lamp unit  45  relative to the holder  51  and, if necessary, the elevator  23  rotates the cone  3  to bring the lamp unit  45  into line with the holder  51 . The sensors can also be used to rotate the cone/lamp unit to a preset direction when setting it. 
     The cone  3  with the lamp unit  45  attached is raised by the elevator  23  and may be rotated to position the lamp unit  45  for reception in the holder  51 . The cone  3  is then lowered to disengage the top of the cone  3  from the hole  53  in the lamp unit  45  which is held in the holder  51 . 
     The holder  51  is positioned to transfer the lamp unit  45  to a hook  47  and the lamp unit  45  lifted out of the holder  51  when the rows of lamp units  45  rotate up one row. The holder  51  is then moved to receive and transfer another lamp unit  45  from a cone  3  to a hook  47  and the process repeated to recover all the lamp units  45 . 
     The lamp units  45  may be washed when they are recovered and/or when they are dispensed. For example one or more water jets may be arranged to wash a lamp unit  45  received in the holder  51 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a cone  55  suitable for use with the apparatus above-described is shown with a light unit  57 . 
     The cone  55  has a base  55   a  and a conical-shaped body  55   b  that is hollow and can be accessed through a central hole in the base  55   a . The hole may taper in towards the top of the base. The base  55   a  may be circular or substantially circular in plan view. In use with the apparatus described above, the elevator  23  of the platform  19  is engageable within the hole to centre and/or rotate the cone  55  on the platform  19  as described previously. 
     The base  55   a  is provided on the underside with a spacer formation  59 . In this embodiment, the formation  59  is formed by an annular wall  61  inset from the perimeter of the base  55   a . The spacer formation  61  may be formed integrally with the base, for example one moulded part. In a modification (not shown), the wall  61  may be replaced by a plurality of spacer formations located at intervals around the underside of the base and inset from the perimeter. 
     When cones  55  are stacked one on top of another, the spacer formation  59  provides a gap between the bases  55   a . In use with the apparatus described above, the gap provides access when the gripping fingers  25  are closed to support the cones  55  in the elevated position within the tower  11  as described previously. The cone  55  may be symmetrical about a vertical axis through the light unit  57 . As a result, it may not be necessary to rotate the cone  55  to align the base  55   a  with the gripping fingers  25 . In other embodiments, the cone may be asymmetrical about the vertical axis. 
     The spacer formation  59  may also reduce the contact points/area between the bases  55   a  of the cones in the stack. As a result, the effect of frost etc sticking the bases  55   a  together may be reduced allowing the cones to be separated from the stack as described previously 
     The light unit  57  has a housing  63  at the apex of the body  55   b  and a light module (not shown) located inside the housing  63 . The light module may be detachable from the housing  63  for repair and/or replacement. The housing  63  may be made of a light transmitting material. For example the housing  63  may be made of transparent or translucent plastics. 
     The housing  63  may be formed integrally with the cone  55 , for example one moulded part. Alternatively, the housing  63  may be formed separately from the cone  55  and attached to the cone  55  by any suitable means, for example a push-fit or snap-fit in a hole at the apex of the body  55 . Where the housing  63  is attached to the cone  3  it may be detachable for removing the light unit  57  for repair and/or replacement. 
     The light module may comprise any suitable light source, for example one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light source may provide white light or coloured light. The light module may be battery powered. For example the light unit  57  may be provided with one or more batteries. The battery may be rechargeable. 
     The light units  57  may be configured so as to be interconnected when the cones  55  are stacked one on top of the other such that the batteries of the light units  57  in the stack can be connected to a common power source to re-charge the batteries while the cones  55  are stacked on a vehicle or while in storage. Charging may be effected via a manifold (not shown) attached to one or more stacks of cones  55 . The manifold may be attached to the top cone  55  in the stack. 
     The light units  57  may have one or more sensors operable to switch the light units  57  on and off according to the ambient light levels. Alternatively, the light units  57  may be operated on a timer device that may be activated when the cone  3  is dispensed onto the road and deactivated when the cone  3  is retrieved from the road. Any other means for switching the light units  57  on and off may be employed. 
     The light units  57  may be configured for continuous or intermittent illumination. For example the light units  57  may be set to flash on and off. The light units  57  may be set to flash on and off with a fixed or variable time interval. The light units  57  may be set for sequential flashing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , another cone  65  suitable for use with the apparatus above-described is shown with a light unit  67  at the apex of the body  65   b . The light unit  67  is similar to the light unit  57  of the cone  55  described above with reference to  FIG. 15  and the description of the light unit  57  applies to the light unit  67 . 
     The cone  65  has a base  65   a  and a conical-shaped body  65   b  that is hollow and can be accessed through a central hole in the base  65   a . The hole may taper in towards the top of the base  65   a . The base  65   a  is generally annular in plan view. The upper surface of the base  65   a  may taper from the body  65   b  to the outer edge of the base  65   a . The draft angle may be 5 to 15 degrees, preferably approximately 11 degrees. The peripheral edge of the base  65   a  may be circular or polygonal with flats. In use with the apparatus described above, the elevator  23  of the platform  19  is engageable within the hole to centre and/or rotate the cone  65  on the platform  19  as described previously. 
     The base  65   a  is provided on the upper surface with a plurality of spacer formations  69  projecting from the upper surface of the base  65   a . In this embodiment the spacer formations are provided by a series of ribs located at intervals around the upper surface of the base  65   a  and inset from the perimeter of the base  65   a . The spacer formations  69  may be formed integrally with the cone  65 , for example one moulded part. 
     Any number of spacer formations  69  may be provided. The spacer formations  69  may be of any size or shape and may be provided at any position inset from the perimeter of the base. In a modification (not shown) the spacer formations may be replaced by one formation that extends around the upper surface of the base and is inset from the perimeter of the base. 
     When cones  65  are stacked one on top of another, the spacer formations  69  engage the underside of the base  65   a  of the cone above so that the bases  65   a  of the cones in the stack are separated providing a gap between the bases  65   a . In use with the apparatus described above, the gap provides access for the gripping fingers  25  to support the cones  65  in the elevated position within the tower  11  as described previously. The cone  65  may be symmetrical about a vertical axis through the light unit  67 . As a result, it may not be necessary to rotate the cone  65  to align the base  65   a  with the gripping fingers  25 . In other embodiments, the cone may be asymmetrical about the vertical axis. 
     The spacer formations  69  also reduce the contact points/area between the bases  65   a  of the cones in the stack. As a result, the effect of frost etc sticking the bases  65   a  together may be reduced allowing the cones to be separated from the stack as described previously. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described. Various modifications are shown in  FIGS. 17 to 40 . For convenience, like reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts and the arrangement and operation of such parts is the same as previous embodiments unless indicated to the contrary and is only repeated so far as necessary for an understanding of the modifications and the previous embodiments should be referred to for a more detailed description of such parts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the gripping fingers  25  for holding cones  3  in an elevated position may be replaced by a set of clamping bars  71  movable between an open position and a closed position for engaging the base  3   a  of a cone  3  located between the clamping bars  71 . In this embodiment there are two clamping bars but this is not limiting and the number of clamping bars may be altered, for example one or more clamping bars may be employed. The clamping bars  71  may be operated by any suitable means such as powered rains  73  and scissor linkages  75 . To dispense cones  3 , the platform  19  is moved to the upper transfer position to receive a stack of cones  3  from the flat bed storage area  7  (or a device for transferring stacks of cones between the flat bed storage area and the tower such as described later with reference to  FIG. 19 ) with the clamping bars  71  in the open position ( FIG. 17 ). The platform  19  then lowers the stack of cones a distance equal to the thickness of the base  3   a  of the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack (or multiples thereof if more than one cone is to be lowered by the platform  10 ) with the clamping bars  71  in the open position. The clamping bars  71  are then moved inwards to the closed position to engage the bases  3   a  of the other cones  3  in the stack that are held in a sleeve  77  in the elevated position when the platform  19  is moved to the lower transfer position with the bottom cone (or cones) from the stack for dispense onto the road as described previously. The platform  19  is then moved to the upper transfer position and the clamping bars  71  moved to the open position to release the stack of cones. The platform  19  is then lowered to move the bottom cone (or cones) below the clamping bars  71  and the clamping bars  71  moved to the closed position to engage the bases  3   a  of the other cones  3  in the stack and the platform  19  moved to the lower transfer position to dispense the bottom cone (or cones) onto the road as described previously. The above operation is repeated until all the cones in the stack have been dispensed. The platform  19  can then receive another stack of cones from the storage area  7 . To retrieve cones, the platform  19  is arranged in the lower transfer position for transfer of a cone (or cones) from the road onto the platform as described previously. The platform is then moved to the upper transfer position. The clamping bars  71  are then opened and the platform  19  is raised to position the base of the retrieved cone (or cones) between the clamping bars  71 . The clamping bars  71  are then moved to the closed position to grip the base  3   a  of the cone  3  (or cones) and the platform moved to the lower transfer position to receive the next cone from the road. The above operation is repeated until a stack of cones has been reformed. The stack of cones can then be returned to the storage area  7 . Dispensing and retrieving of the cones may be combined with fitting/removing lamps on the cones and/or washing the cones as described previously. As will be appreciated, the clamping bars  71  engage the edge of the cone base  3  to hold the cone in the elevated position and the bases of the cones in a stack of cones therefore do not have to be spaced apart. The clamping arrangement may be used with cones having spacers to separate the bases in a stack of cones and with cones without any spacers to separate the bases in a stack of cones. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , the flat bed storage area  7  may be provided with a device for moving cones between the tower and the storage area. In this embodiment, a shuttle  79  is provided at the rear end of the storage area  7 . The shuttle  79  is movable from one side of the storage area  7  to the other side. When dispensing cones onto the road from the tower, the shuttle  79  can be positioned to align with the conveyor of any of the rows of stacked cones on the storage area. The conveyor is then operated to transfer one stack of cones to the shuttle  79 . The shuttle  79  can then be moved to wherever the tower is dispensing cones to transfer the stack of cones to the tower without interrupting the dispensing operation. Similarly, when retrieving cones from the road into the tower  11 , the shuttle  79  can be moved to wherever the tower is retrieving cones and transfer a stack of cones from the tower  11  back to the flat bed storage area  7  without interrupting the retrieving operation. Sensors (not shown) may be provided to align the shuttle  79  with the tower and conveyors. The shuttle  79  may have a conveyor  81  for transferring stacks of cones between the storage area  7  and the tower  11 . The shuttle  79  may have a turntable  83  for rotating the stack of cones to the required orientation for transfer between the storage area  7  and the tower  11 . The shuttle  79  may be used when loading/unloading the flat bed storage area  7 . For example, when loading the flat bed storage area  7 , the shuttle  79  may be positioned to receive a stack of cones to be loaded onto the flat bed storage area  7  and deliver the stack to the appropriate conveyor on the flat bed storage area  7 . Similarly when unloading the flat bed storage area  7 , the shuttle  79  may be positioned to receive a stack of cones from any of the conveyors on the flat bead storage area  7  and deliver the stack for unloading from the flat bed storage area  7 . Loading/unloading may be provided by any suitable means such as a forklift truck. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 to 25 , the tilt bars  31  may be provided with features  85  that engage the upper part of a cone  3  and inhibit or prevent the cone  3  twisting or toppling to one side when it is tilted during the retrieval operation. For example feature  85  may be a cone shaped part or any other suitably shaped part. The platform  19  may be provided with a device  87  for assisting retrieval of a cone  3  from the road. The device  87  may include a conveyor section  89  and one or more levers  91  arranged to move under the cone  3  when it is tilted by the tilt arms  31  during the retrieval operation. The levers  91  rotate up and back towards the elevator  23 , further tilting the cone  3 , drawing it back and keeping it stabilised. This movement counters the movement of the reversing truck and reduces the tilting pressure on the top section of the cone  3  during the initial tilt and also assists the antiskid bars  33  in preventing the cone  3  from skidding on the road. The conveyor  89  also rotates up and assists the smooth transfer of the cone  3  onto the elevator. The conveyor  89  preferably aligns with the elevator  23  to transfer the cone  3  onto the elevator  23 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 26 , another cone  95  is shown. The cone  95  has a base  95   a  and a conical-shaped body  95   b  that is hollow and can be accessed through a central hole in the base  95   a . The hole may taper in towards the top of the base  95   a . The base  95   a  is generally rectangular in plan view with angled corners although the base  95   a  may have other shapes. The base  95   a  is offset relative to a vertical axis through the body  95   b . The base  95   a  protrudes from the body  95   b  on three sides. Preferably one side of the base  95   a  protrudes from the body  95   b  to a greater extent than the opposed side. The opposed side may not protrude from the body  95   b  to any appreciable extent. When setting the cone  95  down onto the road, for example to close off a lane, the offset cone base  95   a  can be placed on the road with protruding side of the base  95   a  facing in towards the closed lane and the opposed side facing out towards the live lane. As a result, the possibility of the base  95   a  being driven over by passing traffic in the live lane is reduced compared to a regular based cone where the base protrudes on all side of the body and is not in the drivers line of vision, leaving the side facing towards the live lane prone to being driven over so that the cone is moved or knocked over. The cone may be used with the apparatus described herein which can set the cone down in the required orientation. The cone may include any of the features of any other embodiments. 
     The device  87  of  FIGS. 20 to 25  assists the dispensing and retrieval of the cones, but it does not move independently of the platform  19 .  FIGS. 27 to 40  show an embodiment where a first platform moves cones to and from the tower, while a second platform takes cones from the first platform to dispense onto the road and retrieves cones from the road to put them onto the first platform. This reduces the time taken by splitting the movement of the cones between the two platforms, rather than having one platform to perform all the movements. 
       FIGS. 27 to 40  also show an assembly to move the cones between the tower and the vehicle independently of the first platform, which also reduces the time taken in dispensing and retrieving the cones, as the platform does not need to transfer the cones between the tower and the vehicle as well as dispensing and retrieving them. 
     Further,  FIGS. 27 to 40  also show a securing mechanism to ensure that a cone is held securely on the platform, whether it is being dispensed or retrieved. It also ensures that a cone can be removed from the base of a stack of cones for dispensing in a timely manner, even if it is not freely movable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , the tower  11  has a frame  17  with an L-shaped profile mounted on the guide rails  13 . First and second platforms  19 ,  20  are mounted in the frame  17  for movement in dispensing cones  3  onto the road or retrieving cones from the road. The first platform  19  is movable vertically within the longer upright arm  101  of the tower frame  17  to and from a first lower transfer position  103  to move individual cones  3  up and down in the tower  11  for dispensing and retrieving the cones  3 . The first platform  19  is shown in  FIG. 27  in an upper transfer position  105  and can adopt positions in between those positions as desired. 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  show the first platform  19  in more detail, having a frame for mounting a pair of powered belts  21 , one on each side of a central turntable  23 . The turntable  23  is mounted on a scissor lift  107  and can therefore be lifted from the position shown in  FIG. 28  where it is substantially level with the belts  21  to a raised position of  FIG. 29 . The turntable  23  has a peripheral raised edge  109  spaced from a central frusto-conical portion  111 , in which are mounted radially extendable cone grippers  113 . As shown there are four grippers, in a retracted position in  FIG. 28  and an extended position in  FIG. 29 . The arrangement allows a cone  3  to be secured to the first platform  19 , with the frusto-conical portion  111  in the hollow centre of the cone, the base retained between the peripheral edge  109  and the frusto-conical portion  111 , and the grippers  113  extended radially outwardly to contact the internal surface of the cone. The grippers  113  form a securing mechanism for the cone  3 . 
     The second platform  20  is mounted in the base of the tower  11 , in the shorter arm  115  of the frame  17 . The second platform  20  is mounted on a first side  117  of the frame  17  by an arm  119  for movement from a lower position  121  shown in  FIG. 27 , to an upper position  123 . The arm  119  is mounted on the frame  17  for movement between an outer position shown in  FIG. 27  and an inner retracted position (see  FIG. 33 ). The second platform also has powered belts  125 . 
     The shorter arm  115  of the frame  17  also mounts an anti-skid assembly  127  and a toppler assembly  129 . The anti-skid assembly  127  comprises a slider  131  mounted on a second side  133  of the frame  17  for outward and inward movement. An arm  135  is mounted on the outer end of the slider  131  to pivot between a retracted position shown in  FIG. 27  and an operative position (see  FIG. 35 ). 
     The topple assembly  129  is also mounted on the second side of the frame  17 . As best seen in  FIGS. 33 and 34 , it comprises a part-conical toppler collar  137  pivotally mounted on an arm  139  which can swing between a retracted position adjacent the frame  17  in  FIG. 33  and the operative position shown in  FIG. 34 . 
     The longer arm of the frame  17  also mounts a clamp assembly  141  for a stack of cones  3 .  FIG. 30  shows the empty clamp assembly  141 , with the first platform  19  at the base of the clamp assembly, while  FIG. 31  shows the clamp assembly with a nearly full stack of cones. The clamp assembly has four clamping bars  143  movable between an open position and a closed position for engaging the base  3   a  of a cone  3  located between the clamping bars  143 . In this embodiment there are four clamping bars but this is not limiting and the number of clamping bars may be altered, for example fewer or more clamping bars may be employed. The clamping bars  143  may be operated by any suitable means such as powered rams  145  and scissor linkages  147 . The clamp assembly is also movable vertically on the tower  11 .  FIG. 27  shows the assembly in an upper position in the frame  17  used for the dispensing and retrieving of cones  3 , while  FIG. 30  shows the assembly in a lower, transfer, position, from which the clamp assembly can be swung out of alignment with the tower and over the flatbed storage area  7 , such that a stack  9  of cones  3  can be moved from the flatbed storage area  7  to the tower  11 , or from the tower  11  to the flatbed storage area  7 .  FIG. 31  shows the platform  19  supporting a stack  9  of cones  3  with the clamp assembly  141  open.  FIG. 32  shows the clamp assembly  141  in position to pick up or drop off a stack of cones, being cantilevered out over the flatbed area by means of the pivoting links  149 , 151 . 
     The components are actuated by motors (not shown), which may be operated by switches (not shown) in turn operated by movement of the components, or by the control unit as described above. 
     To dispense cones  3 , the empty clamp assembly is swung out to the position of  FIG. 32 , with the clamping bars  143  open. The clamping bars  143  close to pick up a stack  9  of cones, and the assembly is then swung back into the tower  11 , and raised to the upper position of  FIG. 27 . The first platform  19  is then raised so that it engages with the base cone of the stack  9 . The turntable is raised and the gripping members moved outwardly to grip the inside of the cone  3 . The clamping bars  143  are then opened and the first platform  19  lowered slightly to move the base cone  3  away from the bars  143 . The clamping bars  143  are then closed to clamp the remaining cones of the stack  9 . 
     As a result, the cone  3  at the bottom of the stack  9  is released from the stack  9  and, supported on the platform  19 , moves with the platform  19  from the upper transfer position  105  to the lower transfer position  103 , while the remaining cones  3  in the stack  9  are retained in the elevated position at the upper end of the tower  11  by the clamping bars  143 . 
     Meanwhile, the second platform  20  is in the position shown in  FIG. 33 , in the retracted position level with the lower transfer position  103 , while the anti-skid assembly  127  and the toppler assembly  129  are in the retracted positions shown, with the anti-skid arm  135  raised. As the first platform  19  descends, the second platform  20  moves outwardly, to the position shown in  FIG. 34 . It is still level with the first platform  19  when that reaches the lower transfer position  103 . The grippers  113  are retracted to release the cone and the turntable  23  retracted. The powered belts  21  on the sides of the platform  19  are operable to move the cone  3  outwards from the platform  19  onto the platform  20 . 
     The second platform  20  is then lowered to the position shown in  FIG. 27  and its belts  125  powered to dispense the cone  3  onto the road. The second platform  20  is then raised again to the position shown in  FIG. 34 . Once the cone  3  has transferred from the first platform  19  to the second platform  20 , the first platform  19  is raised up to the position  105  and the stack  9  to engage the new base cone of the stack  9 , while the original cone is being dispensed onto the road. 
     The operation described above is repeated with the new base cone in order to dispense it, and then with subsequent cones until all the cones  3  in the stack  9  have been dispensed. 
     As the last cone  3  in the stack  9  is lowered by the first platform  19  for dispensing, the clamp assembly  141  is swung out of alignment with the tower  1  land over the flatbed storage area  7 , to pick up another stack  9  of cones  3  from the flatbed storage area  7 , the clamp assembly  141  then being swung back into alignment with the tower  11  so that the new stack  9  is ready for dispensing. The dispensing operation can therefore be continued without interruption and can be repeated until all the stacks of cones  3  in the flat bed storage area  7  have been transferred to the tower  11  and dispensed or until sufficient cones  3  have been dispensed to demarcate the required section of the road. The shuttle device  79  of  FIG. 19  can be used for transferring a stack of cones between the conveyor and the tower. In this way, the further device can receive the next stack of cones to be dispensed from the storage area and move the stack to align with the tower while the tower is dispensing cones from a previous stack of cones. In this way, the tower may not have to be moved to receive the next stack of cones from the storage area so that dispense of cones may continue without interruption. 
     Where the cones  3  are stacked in rows, transfer of the stacks  9  from the flat bed storage area  7  to the tower  11  may be controlled by the control unit to maintain a balanced load. For example, the tower  11  may receive a stack  9  of cones  3  from each row in turn or any other sequence to maintain a balanced load in the storage area. 
     In a modification of the above operation, the first platform  19  and clamp assembly  141  can be controlled so that two or more cones  3  can be released from the stack  9  at the same time and dispensed onto the road stacked on top of each other. This may be desirable, for example in windy conditions, to provide additional weight and stability so that the cones  3  stay in position on the road. 
     To retrieve the cones  3 , the vehicle is driven in reverse. Cameras may be provided at the rear of the vehicle and in the driver&#39;s cab to assist the driver to position the tower  11  in line with the cones  3  on the road. 
     Sensors on the tower  11  and/or cone  3  may provide fine adjustment for accurately positioning the tower  11  in line with the cones to be retrieved. Any suitable sensors may be employed. Preferably the sensors are capable of operating under all conditions including at night when the volume of traffic using the road is often lower than in the day and it is more convenient to retrieve cones from the road. The sensors may be of any suitable type, for example infra-red sensors or laser sensors. 
     Retrieving the cones  3  is more difficult than dispensing them, because they need to be raised onto the second platform  20 , and may tend to skid on the road and fall over. Retrieval therefore requires the use of the anti-skid mechanism  127  and the toppler assembly  129 , as shown in  FIGS. 33 to 40 . 
     From the retracted position shown in  FIG. 33 , the anti-skid slider  131  is moved outwardly, as is the second platform  20 , to the position shown in  FIG. 34 , in which the toppler assembly  129  is also pivoted out into an operative position. Next, the second platform  20  is lowered and moved inwardly, as shown in  FIG. 35 , which also shows a cone  3  about to contact the toppler collar  137 . It will be appreciated that the configuration of the toppler collar  137  is chosen to suit the shape of the cone  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36 , the cone  3  rotates the toppler collar  137 , operating a switch (not shown) which moves the anti-skid slider  131  inwardly, lowers the anti-skid arm  135  starts the belts  125  on the second platform  20 . As a result, the cone  3  starts to tilt to an angle relative to the road. It is prevented from skidding by the anti-skid arm  135  and tilts sufficiently so that the second platform  20  can access beyond the centre of the base  3   a  of the cone  3  to retrieve the cone  3  and the belts bring it onto the platform  20 . The tilt angle may be approximately 35 degrees although this may change according to the shape and size of the base  3   a  of the cone  3 . 
     As the cone  3  moves onto the second platform  20  it rotates the toppler collar  137  to operate a further switch (not shown), to raise the anti-skid arm  135 , and move the move the second platform  20  and the anti-skid slider  131  outwardly again, as shown in  FIG. 37 . The toppler assembly  129  is then returned to its retracted position, once the cone  3  is securely on the second platform  20 , so that the cone  3  can be transferred to the first platform  19 . 
     The first platform  19 , which has been in the raised position, is lowered to the transfer position  103 , with its turntable  23  retracted, as shown in  FIG. 38 , and then the second platform  20  is raised to the transfer position  103 , and the belts  125  and  21  powered to transfer the cone  3  to the first platform  19 , as shown in  FIG. 39 . The second platform  20  is lowered again and moved inwardly and the toppler assembly  129  moved into the operative position ready to retrieve the next cone  3  while the first platform  19  is operated to stack the original cone  3 . 
       FIG. 40  shows the first platform starting to lift the cone  3 , the second platform  20  lowered, and before the toppler assembly  129  is moved to the operative position. 
     The first platform  19  is then raised to lift the cone  3  with the clamp assembly  141  closed to position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  at the base of the clamp assembly. The clamping bars  143  are opened and the cone  3  lifted to position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  within the clamping bars  143 . 
     As a result, when the clamping bars  143  are closed, the retrieved cone  3  is supported on and held in the elevated position by the clamping bars when the first platform  19  is lowered to receive the next cone  3  retrieved from the road. 
     If one or more cones  3  are already supported by the clamping bars when the first platform  19  is raised, the body  3   b  of the retrieved cone  3  on the platform  19  is received within the body  3   b  of the bottom cone  3  of the stack. When the clamping bars  143  are opened, the first platform  19  is raised by one cone base to lift the stack of cones and position the base  3   a  of the retrieved cone  3  within the clamping bars. 
     As a result, when the clamping bars  143  are closed, the stack of cones including the retrieved cone  3  is supported on and held in the elevated position by the clamping bars when the platform  19  is lowered to receive the next cone  3  retrieved from the road. This operation is repeated to reform a stack  9  of cones  3  within the tower  11 . 
     After the second to last cone  3  to re-form a complete stack  9  of cones  3  is in the stack, the clamp assembly  141  is lowered to an intermediate transfer position to receive the last cone  3 , and the clamp assembly  141  can be swung out of alignment with the tower  11  and over the flatbed storage area  7 , such that the stack  9  of cones  3  can be moved to the flatbed storage area  7  from the tower  11 . The clamping bars  143  are moved to the open position so that the complete stack  9  of cones  3  can be deposited onto the further device as described above for transferring a stack of cones between the conveyor and the tower. In this way, the device can move the stack of cones to be returned to the storage area to align with the conveyor on the storage area while the tower is picking up cones to form the next stack of cones. In this way, the tower may not have to be moved to return the stack of cones to the storage area so that retrieval of cones may continue without interruption. 
     The conveyor then moves the stack  9  of cones  3  towards the front of the flat bed storage area  7  a distance sufficient to allow another stack  9  of cones  3  to be returned from the tower  11  to re-form the row of stacked cones  3 . The return of stacks of cones from the tower  11  to the flat bed storage area  7  may be controlled by the control unit to maintain a balanced load. For example, the stacks  9  of cones  3  may be returned to the rows in turn or any other sequence to maintain a balanced load in the storage area. This operation is repeated until all the cones  3  are recovered. 
     As will be understood, the above operation to dispense and retrieve the cones  3  is fully automated, does not require any manual lifting of the cones  3  and can be carried out by the drive  11  of the vehicle without any additional operators. It will be appreciated however, that the tower  11  may be employed without the conveyors on the flat bed storage area  7  and that the stacks  9  of cones  3  on the flat bed storage area  7  may be manually inserted into the tower  11  and retrieved from the tower  11 . 
     Dispensing and retrieving of the cones may be combined with fitting/removing lamps on the cones and/or washing the cones as is known. 
     Other modifications and changes that can be made within the concepts described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Features of any of the embodiments may be employed separately or in combination with any other feature of the same or different embodiments without limitation.