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.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon composite in which a carbon matrix containing a controlled amount of boron or a boron compound is reinforced with carbon fiber exhibits a low coefficient of friction, i.e., on the order of 0.04 to 0.1 at temperatures up to 600° C., which is one of the lowest frictional coefficients for any type of carbonaceous material, including graphite, glassy carbon, diamond, diamond-like carbon and other forms of carbon material.