Apparatus facilitating the collection of marker cones

Abstract

An apparatus facilitating the collection and bringing together of a plurality of sports marker cones into a stacked configuration, the apparatus comprising a pole ( 1 ) having at one end a conical plug ( 5 ) defining a shoulder ( 6 ) of diameter greater than the pole diameter and tapering away from the pole end, the other end of the pole engaging, in a telescopic sliding manner, a tubular handle ( 2 ) including a hand gripping means ( 4 ). A locking means ( 3 ) being provided between the pole ( 1 ) and handle ( 2 ) to retain same in a selected position of extension, the arrangement being such that the conical plug ( 5 ) may be pressed into and through an aperture A in a marker cone C to a position wherein the cone aperture engages around the pole ( 1 ) and is retained thereon against detachment by the plug shoulder ( 6 ), the pole being arranged to accommodate a plurality of cones in stacked relationship.

1 . An apparatus for collection and bringing together of a plurality of sports marker cones into a stacked configuration, the cones being of the kind having a centrally located aperture, the apparatus comprising a pole, an end of the pole including a retention portion having a first zone of a width greater than the adjacent pole width and greater than that of the aperture in a marker cone, whereby the retention portion may be pressed into and through the aperture in a marker cone to a position wherein the cone aperture surrounds the pole and the cone is retained thereon by abutment with the retention portion. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retention portion is resiliently deformable. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the retention portion further comprises a second zone closer to said end of the pole than the first zone and having a width less than the aperture in a marker cone. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retention portion comprises a tapered fixture which decreases in width towards the end of the pole. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retention portion has a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retention portion comprises a flexible conical or frusto-conical plug. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retention portion has a stepped shoulder for abutment against the retained cones. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pole comprises two or more tubular telescopically engaging parts. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising hanging means located at the opposite end of the pole to said retention portion. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus  claim 1 , wherein the pole holds a plurality of marker cones. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus facilitating the collection and bringing together of a plurality of sports marker cones into a stacked configuration comprising a means for collecting and holding a plurality of marker cones in a stacked manner.