US4597706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and machine to mechanically pick up, store and place hollow cone markers used as lane guides
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-11-23
•
Granted: 1986-07-01
•
Expires: 2004-11-23
Abstract
Abstract The object of this invention is a machine which automatically collects hollow conical road markers, stores them, transports them and dispenses them in a line. This machine is comprised of a vehicle carrying a series of vertical cylindrical magazines open at both ends which are supported by a vertical central shaft which rotates them stepwise (into position). The machine includes a device which collects the cone markers comprised of a chain elevator having projections each of which penetrates one cone marker. When the chain reaches the top, the cone marker is released into the top of the magazine where they pile up one on top of the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Emile J. Michit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:30
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/70; E01F9/623; E01F9/654; E01F9/688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A machine for mechanically picking up, storing and transporting hollow conical road markers, said machine being mounted on a vehicle, comprising a plurality of vertically supported cylindrical containers, each being open at both ends, a vertical shaft rotatably supported on said vehicle, a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from said vertical shaft and supporting said container, a conveyor-elevator means extending downwardly from said vehicle, just above a road surface, for picking up the road markers when the vehicle moves along a line of road markers, said conveyor-elevator means including a driven continuous chain, a plurality of spaced articulated projections supported on said chain, and aligning and tipping-over means for directing a base of each road marker for engagement with one of said projections on said chain, whereby each marker is picked up by one of said projections and moved by said chain for deposit in a selected container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A machine for mechanically picking up, storing and transporting hollow conical road markers, said machine being mounted on a vehicle, comprising a plurality of vertically supported cylindrical containers, each being open at both ends, a vertical shaft rotatably supported on said vehicle, a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from said vertical shaft and supporting said container, a conveyor-elevator means extending downwardly from said vehicle, just above a road surface, for picking up the road markers when the vehicle moves along a line of road markers, said conveyor-elevator means including a driven continuous chain, a plurality of spaced articulated projections supported on said chain, and aligning and tipping-over means for directing a base of each road marker for engagement with one of said projections on said chain, whereby each marker is picked up by one of said projections and moved by said chain for deposit in a selected container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The machine according to claim 1, wherein the said conveyor-elevator means are disposed within a chain guard which has, in front along its full height, a slot through which emerge the said projections attached to the ascending portion of the chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein said means for aligning and tipping over comprises a horizontal crossbar and two uprights situated in a plane transverse to the vehicle, and a fork formed of two horizontal arms which project forwardly from lower ends of said uprights and which arms diverge forwardly of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A machine according to claim 3, including at least one transverse arm having one end coupled to said conveyor-elevator means, a motor operatively coupled to the other end of said transverse bar, whereby said motor and said transverse bar are adapted to move said conveyor-elevator means into the interior and exterior of said vehicle for pick up of markers or for normal travel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The machine according to claim 4, wherein the said arm and the motor are supported by a carriage which moves on a track across the vehicle in order to shift the conveyor-elevator means from one side of the vehicle to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
The machine according to claim 1, wherein each cylindrical container includes, near its upper end, two buttons, one above the other, which buttons are positioned relative to two electrical contacts when the said container is in loading position and the said contacts are connected in series with an AND circuit which emits a signal when the container is full, and each container also includes, near its lower end, a button which relates to a contact when the container is in position for unloading, which contact emits a signal when the container is empty and said signals activate an alarm which alerts an operator and also controls the automatic switching on of the motor driving the said vertical shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine according to claim 3, including at least one device for the mechanical placement of cone markers which device is composed of a cyclindrical gullet inclined outwardly and downwardly, and a flexible skirt which is attached around the lower edge of the said gullet, said skirt having an opening facing the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The machine according to claim 7, wherein each container includes, at its lower end, two stops, one above the other, which stops engage respectively under the bottom and the second-to-bottom cone markers, which stops are activated by articulated levers which are connected one to the other by a rod such that when the lower stop is pulled back and allows a cone marker to fall, the upper stop is engaged beneath the second-to-bottom cone marker and vice versa.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 3, including a micro-switch cooperatively mounted on said crossbar, a motor for driving said conveyor-elevator means, said micro-switch, when it detects contact with a cone marker, energizing said motor for actuating said conveyor-elevator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for mechanically picking up and storing hollow conical road markers with a vehicle which is equipped with a conveyor-elevator, with vertical hollow containers and with an inclined gullet situated above said containers comprising the following steps: moving said vehicle along a line of standing and overturned cone markers; aligning said markers and tipping forward the standing markers; picking up each marker and conveying upwardly said marker into the interior of said vehicle; ejecting said conveyed marker in its topmost position against said inclined gullet, and directing said ejected marker gravitationally into a selected container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for mechanically picking up and storing hollow conical road markers with a vehicle which is equipped with a conveyor-elevator, with vertical hollow containers and with an inclined gullet situated above said containers comprising the following steps: moving said vehicle along a line of standing and overturned cone markers; aligning said markers and tipping forward the standing markers; picking up each marker and conveying upwardly said marker into the interior of said vehicle; ejecting said conveyed marker in its topmost position against said inclined gullet, and directing said ejected marker gravitationally into a selected container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |