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Apparatus for Retrieving Conical Highway Warning Markers

Technology Benefits

May be mounted on a range of truck chassis Only requires 1 operator for safe retrieval Can retrieve a range of cone sizes Retrieval unit can be mounted on the left, right, or both sides of the vehicle

Technology Application

Highway construction, maintenance, and repair

Detailed Technology Description

Highway construction, maintenance, and repair activities require physical separation between a designated work area and lanes that remain open to traffic. Busy highways, fast moving traffic and debris traveling at high speeds create an extremely hazardous environment that presents a danger to work crews. High visibility safety markers are commonly used to close a number of lanes and create a safety zone where crew workers can perform their duties. Traffic cones are the most common form of safety marker used for this purpose; however the retrieval of the cones often creates a great risk to workers due to their exposure to fast moving traffic. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a unique cone retrieval device. Unlike other cone retrieval devices which are bulky, only retrieve custom sized cones and do not minimize risk to the operating crew, this device may be mounted on a wide variety of support vehicles for cone retrieval from the left, right or both sides, without risk to the operator. Additionally, the device can retrieve a range of cone sizes and cones which have been knocked over. These features make the device optimal for enhancing safety in highway construction, maintenance and repair activities.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US6056498A
Application Number: US1998151254A
Inventor: Velinsky, Steven A. | Belltawn, Cornelius J. | White, Wilderich A.
Priority Date: 9 Sep 1998
Priority Number: US6056498A
Application Date: 9 Sep 1998
Publication Date: 2 May 2000
IPC Current: E01F001300 | E01F0009014 | E01F001302 | E01F001304
US Class: 414555 | 414501 | 414502 | 414551
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Apparatus for retrieving conical roadway warning markers
Usefulness: Apparatus for retrieving conical roadway warning markers
Summary: For retrieving traffic safety cones from a roadway onto a support vehicle using a funnel assembly that knocks over vertical standing cones to orient each cone base towards the equipment.
Novelty: Automated retrieval equipment for roadway traffic safety cones has a vehicle side attachment and support frame coupled to one end of a lifting arm with the other end attached to a platform and sensor actuated clamping plate

Industry

Automotive

Sub Category

Roadway Application

Application No.

6056498

Others

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

• Three-Dimensional, Non-Contacting, Angular Motion Sensor

Tech ID/UC Case

23366/1998-119-0

Related Cases

1998-119-0

*Abstract

A truck mounted device to retrieve and store variably sized roadway cones easily, without risk to the vehicle operator.

*IP Issue Date

May 2, 2000

*Principal Investigator

Name: Cornelis Belltawn

Department:

Name: Steven Velinsky

Department:

Name: Wilderich White

Department:

Country/Region

USA