GB2276537A - Traffic cone cleaning tank - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning cones and other traffic warning devices which can accept articles having differing shapes, lengths and angles comprises four variable angle soft bristle brushes 4 spaced to allow a cone etc to be inserted until its base rests on flat brushes 7 thus giving brush contact over the length of the surface to be cleaned. Each brush 4 is hingedly mounted on a perforated tray 3 in the bottom of the tank, and at an upper end on a spring loaded guide 6. A lid 2 may be provided on the tank having a motor 9 connected to a rotator 8 which serves to rotate a cone etc to and fro when inserted in the device. Detergent is pumped to the brush heads. The tank maybe constructed for vertical (Fig. 1) or horizontal (Fig. 8) feeding on the device. <IMAGE>

Description

TRAFFIC CONE CLEANING ANK This invention relates to a manually operated cleaning tank that is fully self contained and easily transportable whilst in proper working order for the cleaning of Temporary traffic cone obolisk and Tubular devices used in Traffic Management.

Temporary Traffic cones, obolisks and Tubular warning devices are now a common feature on roads and motorways being placed to guide traffic clear of obstructions usually where repair and construction work is taking place these removable devices are required to be highlyvisiable and are manufactured with external reflection or flourescent surfaces. These must be kept clean of dirt caused by passing traffic. The cleaning is presentfi)rcarried out either by an operator with a bucket and sponge during their use or when returned to stock yards by detergent pressure cleaners and areated tanks.

According to the present invention there is provided a manually operated cleaning tank for the cleaning of the external surfaces of temporary traffic cones, obolisks and tubular warning devices comprising of an open tank containing detergent fluid and positioned to accept the insertion of one device at a time four variable anglo brushes being connected between a perforation steel tray and revertable spring loaded guides, a rotator for alternating the direction of rotation of the device placed for cleaning. A pump for the detergent flujd:.With connections to the spray jets and a hinged lid for the tank.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawing: Figure 1. Shows in perspective the cleaning tank.

Figure w. Illustrates the Temporary Traffic cone, obolisk and Tubular devices referred to.

Figure 3. Illustrates the hinges and brushes with guide extended.

Figure 4. Illustrates the hinges and brushes with guide contracted.

Figure 5. Illustrates the brush contact to inserted cone or obolisk devices.

Figure6,Illustrates the brush contact to the tubular device.

Figure 7. Illustrates the rotetor.

Figure 8. Shows alternative placing of tank and alteration to allow for horizontal feeding of the warning devices for cleaning.

Figure 9. Illustrates the Baffles and heating tubes within the fluid resevoir.

Figure 10. Illustrates the fluid spray jets and nozzles.

Figure 11. Illustrates optional gas charged cylinders in place of the coil springs within the guides.

Figure 12. Shows a typical mobile method for useing the invention to clean temporary cone and tubular warning devices in traffic management use.

Referring to the drawing of the cleaning tank fig 1.

comprises of an open tank 1. a hinged lid 2 xwhich is incorporated a motor 9. with a reciprocatirlg crive 24 alternating the direction of a spring loaded rotator 8 fig 7.

Within the tank fig 1. a removable steel tray 3 having hinges 5 to which brushes 4 are attached. The brushes 4 are in turn connected to revertable spring loaded guides 6 which are scoured to the tank 1. flat brushes 7 are fixed to the Piston 18 fig 4 of the guides 6 A sight guage 12 to determin the level of detergent fluid is provided andfluid pump 10 with connections 11 as necessary to carry the detergent to the brush heads 4 & 7 fig 1. the pump 10 is switched on before use as cleaner to clean the traffic warning devices fig 2. cone25 obolisk 26 and tubular 27 these are inserted into the centre cf the four brushes 4 by hand.In the insertion of cone 25 and obolisk 26 fig 5 the guides contract by way of the piston 18 fig 4 moving into the barrel 19 against the spring 20 varying the angle of the brushes 4 to suit the device. The lid 2 being closed the rotator 8 holds the base of the cone 25 cr obolisk 26 against the flat brushes 7 the switch 13 activated the motor 9.

The cone 25 or obolisk 26 are turned to and fro by the alternating rotator 8 fig 7 cleaning themselves on the brush bristles with the aid of the detergent. alternatively the operator may dispense with the lid 2 fig 1. and the rotator 8 fig 7. manually holding the cones 25 or obolisk 26 against the brushes 7 fig 5. and semi rotating the cone 25 or obolisk 26 by hand. To remove the devices the procedure is reversed the guides 6 returning to there maximum extension by the action of the springs 20 fig 3.

In the insertion of the tubular device 27 the positioning of the four brushes allow full insertion whilst the guides 6 fig 6 remain at the maximum extension, the cleaning procedure follows the same sequence as described previousley. To allow the devices 25,26 and 27 to be inserted horizontally the tank 1 fig 8 may be constructed as described previousley but as if placed on its side then provided for is a separate fluid resevior 28 with direct fluid drain from tank 1 and a catchment area under open section . The fluid resevior 28 fig 8 is fitted with tubular baffles 30 fig 9 to prevent fluid spillage whilst in transportable use and heating tubes 31 fig 9 able to utilize the hot exhaust gases from the carrier vehicle enabling full use in freezing conditions. Optional gas charged accumulator cylinders 32 fig 11 may be used in place of springs 20 fig 3 within the guides.

Claims (12)

1.

A manually operated cleaning tank for cleaning of external surfaces of temporary traffic cones, obolisks and tubular warning devices comprising of an open tank containing detergent fluid and positioned to accept the insertion of one device at a tin:e, four variable angle brushes being connectedietween a perforated steel tray and revertable spring loaded guides, a rotator for alternating the direction of rotation of the device placed for cleaning, apump for the detergent fluid and a hinged lid for the tank.

2.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein each variable angle brush may be moved independantly of the others.

3.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the direction of the brushes as they vary in angle is fixed by the spring loaded guides.

4.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the brushes are returned to there original setting by the action of the spring loaded guides.

5.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the four variable angle brushes are spaced to allow the acceptance of cone,obolisk and tubular shaped traffic warning devices for cleaning,

6.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pressure exerted through the brushes due to the action of the spring loaded guides offers minimum resistance to the device inserted whilst providing sufficient pressure to clean the device by brush bristle contact.

7.

A. manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein the rotatcr for providing alternating direction of rotation to the device inserted for cleaning may be incorporated within the hinged lid of the tank.

8.

A manually operated cleaning tank as claimed in any preceeding claim where the tank may be adapted forthe horizontal or vertical acceptance of the warning devices.

9.

A manually operated tank as claimed in any preceding claim wher the detergant is sprayed direct to the working area of the brush bristles.

10.

A manually operated tank as claimed in any preeeding claim where there is fitted tubed baffles within the fluid resevoir.

11.

A manually operated tank as claimed in any preceding claim where heating tubes are fitted within the resevoir to utilize hot exhaust gases from the carrier.

12. A manually operated cleaning tank substantially as described herin with-reference to figures 1 - 12 of the accompanying drawing.