FR2679950A1 - Snapping-line tracer - Google Patents

Abstract

Snapping-line tracer constituted by a body (1) comprising: - a reel (11) which can be actuated by a crank-handle (2) on the outside of the body; - a flexible cord (line) (3) wound on the said reel (11) and one end of which is fixed to the latter; - an outlet orifice (9) through which the dye-impregnated cord (3) passes; characterised in that it also includes a dye refill (8) for, which can be reversibly fastened to the said body (1) and communicates with the inside of the latter, the said refill (8) acting as a handle for the cord.

Description

TRACER CORD
The invention relates to a new type of tracer line.

 In known manner, a tracer cord is constituted by a body, intended to receive a coil, actuable from outside the body by means of a crank.

 A flexible cord is wound on the spool and has at its free end a hook intended to allow its gripping and possibly its fixing when using the tracer cord.

 The body is filled with a coloring matter called tracer powder, and is generally closed with a suitable cap. In this way, when the cord is unrolled, it is impregnated with coloring matter so as to be able to draw straight lines. In fact, an operator places the free hook at an appropriate location and unrolls the cord, which thus becomes impregnated with tracer powder, thereby making it possible to draw lines, in particular guide lines. When the tracing operation is finished, the hook is released and the cord is rewound via the spool and the crank, in order to reimpregnate the cord.

 One of the main drawbacks of this type of tracer line is the difficulty of filling the body with the tracer powder. Indeed, this is done by pouring powder inside the body through the hole provided for this purpose, after removing the stopper which closes it. However, this filling is generally accompanied by dispersion of powder outside the body.

As we know, this powder is particularly striking and therefore messy. In addition, in order to be able to correctly mark any type of surface, it is also tacky, so that it is quite difficult to get rid of it.

 In certain other tracer cords, the filling is carried out by a hatch situated generally on one of the lateral faces of the body, which gives the same inconveniences as in the type of cord described above.

 The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. It offers an improved tracer line, simplifying the filling conditions of the body to the extreme.

This tracer line consists of a body comprising
- a coil actuable by a crank external to the body,
- a flexible cord, wound on a coil and one end of which is fixed to the latter,
- An outlet orifice, through which the free end of the bead passes, said bead then being impregnated with coloring matter.

 This tracer line is characterized in that it also comprises a refill of coloring matter, which can be joined reversibly to said body and communicates with the interior thereof, said refill acting as a handle for the body.

 In other words, the invention consists in providing the cord with an interchangeable tracing powder refill, acting as a handle, so that the problems associated with filling the body disappear completely.

 In practice, the refill is fixed to the body by screwing or clipping or by any other suitable means.

 During certain applications, one may wish to dispense with the presence of the refill. In this case, the body is plugged by means of a plug.

 In an advantageous embodiment, this refill is fixed to the opposite end of the cord outlet orifice outside the body.

 In this case, the plug closing the refill insertion hole is tapered, allowing the tracer line to act as a plumb line. This plug can also block the refill.

 Advantageously, before use, the refill can be clogged conventionally or sealed.

 The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge from the example of embodiment which follows, given by way of nonlimiting indication in support of the appended figures.

 Figure 1 is a representation in summary perspective of a tracer cord according to the invention provided with its refill.

 Figure 2 shows a schematic section of the body characteristic of the invention.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the tracer line according to the invention basically comprises a body (1) composed of two half-shells respectively (5 and 6) fitted together, of suitable shapes, for example polygonal, round, etc ..., and made of any suitable material, such as in particular molded plastic, metal. Each of the two half-shells being secured by means of screws or clipping etc ...

 The lower half-shell (6) receives a coil (11) on which is wound a flexible cord (3).

This consists, for example, of a braid 1.5 millimeters in diameter, made of polyester / cotton. This cord typically has a length of 40 meters.

 The coil is actuated from the outside by means of an articulated crank (2), integral with the coil (11) through an orifice (not shown) formed in one of the half-shells. This crank is foldable at the upper half-shell (5) and is lockable by positioning a projection from said crank in an orifice (not shown) formed for this purpose in said body.

 In known manner, the two half-shells (5 and 6) define at their front face an orifice (9), intended to allow the passage of the cord (3) out of the body (1). In fact, this orifice (9) is partially obstructed by a plug (10) obstructed with foam, for example made of polyurethane, in order to allow only the passage of the cord (3) while keeping the tracer powder trapped inside the body. (1). Advantageously, the orifice (9) is protected from wear and tear generated by the sliding of the bead (3) by a cylindrical steel tip, which further facilitates the sliding of said bead.

 According to a fundamental characteristic of the invention, the end (7) of the body (1), opposite this orifice (9), comprises an orifice (13) at the level of which a refill (8) of tracer powder is fixed.

 This orifice (13) is provided at its internal periphery with a screw pitch (12), complementary to a thread formed on the external surface of the neck of said refill (8).

 This refill (8) can therefore be fixed reversibly on the body (1). It goes without saying that any other means of attachment could be envisaged, such as for example clipping, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

 The refill (8) once in place on the body (1), is in communication with the interior thereof, so that its filling into powder is carried out very simply by simple tilting, without causing dispersion outside the body (1).

 The refill (8), of cylindrical shape for example, has a typical capacity of 100 to 200 grams. It is made of molded plastic, and can be transparent, in order to be able to permanently view the quantity of powder remaining.

 In addition, this refill (8) once in place serves as a handle for the tracer line, thereby facilitating its use and handling.

 In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the orifice (13) can be closed in the absence of refill (8) by means of a plug, tapered in the direction opposite to that of the body, so that the tracer line can then be used as a plumb line. This plug can also be adapted to close off the refill (8) that is not completely emptied.

 Such a tracer cord therefore proves to be particularly advantageous in particular in the context of the tracer powder refill and in the context of its gripping and handling.

Claims (4)

 1 / Tracer line consisting of a body (1), comprising  - a coil (11), actuable by an articulated crank (2) external to the body;  - a flexible cord (3) wound on said coil (11) and one end of which is fixed to the latter  - an outlet orifice (9) through which the bead (3) impregnated with coloring material passes; characterized in that it also comprises a refill (8) of coloring material, which can be joined reversibly to said body (1), and communicating with the interior thereof, said refill (8) acting as a handle for the cord.  2 / tracer cord according to claim 1, characterized in that the reversible fixing of the refill (8) on the body (1) of the cord is effected by screwing or by clipping.  3 / tracer cord according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the refill (8) is fixed to the body (1) in a position opposite to the orifice (9) of the cord outlet (3) outside the body (1).  4 / tracer line according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication orifice between the refill (8) and the body (1) is closable by means of a plug tapered in the opposite direction to that of body, thus acting as a plumb line.