# US 2013/0156532 A1 · Safety cone and barrell placement and retrieval apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156532 A1 - Document ID: US20130156532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,508 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: North Texas Tollway Authority - Inventors: Eric Hemphill; John Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156532A1 ## CPC - B60P 1/02: with parallel up-and-down movement of load supporting or containing element (in combination with tipping B60P1/34; devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes, movable on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/06 {; suspensions with electronic levelling control during loading or unloading B60G17/0157}) - B60P 1/4421: {the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide} - B60P 1/4457: {Means for immobilising the load or preventing it from rolling off during lifting; Man-rails} - E01F 9/70: Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - E01F: ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE ## Abstract An apparatus for placing and retrieving traffic devices in an efficient manner and with improved safety features is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with traffic barrels and other large items needed to block off roadway construction areas. The apparatus is also suitable for use with existing trucks, reducing the need to purchase expensive and complicated equipment, and may be adapted to allow traffic devices to be placed or retrieved from either side of the truck. The time required for placing traffic devices and the safety of operators is improved with use of the apparatus according to the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A traffic device placement and retrieval apparatus comprising: a first operator area; a second operator area; a movable platform to raise and lower one or more traffic devices between a vertical level near a lower end of the first operator area and a vertical level near a lower end of the second operator area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second operator area is located adjacent to and vertically above the first operator area and the first operator area is located vertically near a surface on which the traffic devices are to be placed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a storage area adjacent the second operator area for storing traffic devices. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a barrier unit located between the first and second operator areas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the barrier unit comprises at least one vertical bar and at least one horizontal bar to provide safety for an operator located in the second operator area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein there is an open area between the at least one horizontal bar and the lower end of the second operator area that allows traffic devices to be passed between the first and second operator areas. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flat bed truck wherein a portion of the truck bed is removed to accommodate the first operator area and the movable platform. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising walls around a portion of the perimeter of the truck bed to provide safety for an operator located in the second operator area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a harness that is releasably attached to a railing located above the second operator area and that is releasably attached to an operator located in the second operator area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first operator area comprises: a vertically moveable lower surface; side walls located on at least three sides; a controller for raising and lowering the movable platform; at least one handle bar located at the upper end of the side wall adjacent the movable platform; and a movable shield between the handle bar and the movable platform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the position of at least a portion of the handle bar is vertically adjustable and wherein the movable shield is raised when the movable platform is raised and the movable shield is lowered when the movable platform is lowered. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a ladder that may be lowered to allow an operator to access the second operator area. ### Claim 13 A traffic device placement and retrieval apparatus comprising: a first operator area; a second operator area; a third operator area; a first movable platform to raise and lower one or more traffic devices between a vertical level near a lower end of the first operator area and a vertical level near a lower end of the third operator area; and a second movable platform to raise and lower one or more traffic devices between a vertical level near a lower end of the second operator area and a vertical level near a lower end of the third operator area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the third operator area is located adjacent to and vertically above the first and second operator areas and the first and second operator areas are located vertically near a surface on which the traffic devices are to be placed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a storage area adjacent the third operator area for storing traffic devices. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a barrier unit located adjacent the third operator area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the barrier unit comprises at least one vertical bar and at least one horizontal bar to provide safety for an operator located in the third operator area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a first horizontal bar is pivotally attached to a first vertical bar and a second horizontal bar is pivotally attached to a second vertical bar, with a third and fourth horizontal bars securely attached to both the first and second vertical bars. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first and second operator areas each comprise first and second pockets to hold the first and second vertical bars of the barrier unit, so that the barrier unit may be moved between the first and second operator areas and the first and second horizontal bars may be rotated 180°. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein there is an open area between the at least one horizontal bar and the lower end of the third operator area that allows traffic devices to be passed between the third operator area and the first and second operator areas. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a flat bed truck wherein a portion of the truck bed is removed to accommodate the first and second operator areas and the first and second movable platforms. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising walls around a portion of the perimeter of the truck bed to provide safety for an operator located in the third operator area. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a harness that is releasably attached to a railing located above the third operator area and that is releasably attached to an operator located in the third operator area. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first and second operator areas each comprise: a vertically moveable lower surface; side walls located on at least three sides; a controller for raising and lowering the first or second movable platform; at least one handle bar located at the upper end of the side wall adjacent the movable platform; and a movable shield adjacent the handle bar. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the position of at least a portion of the handle bar is vertically adjustable and wherein the movable shield in the first operator area is raised and lowered in relation to the first movable platform and the movable shield in the second operator area is raised and lowered in relation to the second movable platform. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising at least one ladder that may be lowered to allow an operator to access the third operator area. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least one portion of the walls is movable to close off the first operator area. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27 wherein a second portion of the walls is movable to close off the second operator area. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising two floor covers each pivotally attached to the first and second portions of the walls that are movable and wherein the first floor cover may be lowered to cover over the first operator area and first movable platform when not in use and the second floor cover may be lowered to cover over the second operator area and second movable platform when not in use.