GB2152848A

GB2152848A - Spray line marker

Info

Publication number: GB2152848A
Application number: GB08334451A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Stewart Partington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-23
Filing date: 1983-12-23
Publication date: 1985-08-14
Also published as: GB8334451D0

Abstract

This invention provides apparatus adapted to mark a line as it is moved upon or adjacent a surface (8), wherein marker fluid is sprayed through an aperture (2) onto the surface, the aperture being defined by one or more channels (1) adapted to conduct fluid sprayed into the channels to a location upon the line (9). The one or more channels may form a mask defining the edges of the line. Marker fluid impinging upon the channels is not permitted to drip or contact the surface at the edges of the line. The edges of the line are therefore sharply defined by the edges of the aperture. Delivery of fluid from the channels to the line is economical and keeps the apparatus free from encrustations of dried fluid. The apparatus may not therefore require frequent cleaning. The width of the line marked upon the surface is preferably dependent on the separation of the channels. The latter do not need to be located near to the surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved line marker This invention relates to line markers ofthe kind used for marking a line or surface areas,forexample in factories, warehouses, public buildings, car parks, roads and sportsgrounds.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus adapted to mark a line as it is moved upon or adjacent a surface, wherein markerfluid is sprayed through an aperture onto the surface, the aperture being defined by one or more channels adapted to conduct fluid sprayed into the channels to a location upon the line.

The one or more channels may form a mask defining the edges of the line. Markerfluid impinging upon the channels is not permitted to drip or contact the surface at the edges ofthe line. The edges ofthe line are therefore sharply defined by the edges ofthe aperture.

Delivery of fluid from the channels to the line is economical and keeps the apparatus free from encrustations of dried fluid. The apparatus may not therefore requirefrequentcleaning.

The width ofthe line marked upon the surface is preferably dependent on the separation ofthechan- nels. The latter do not need to be located nearto the surface.

The channels may comprise two troughs which converge at one or more outlets located above the line. Alternatively, a single annular channel may be provided.

The fluid collected in the channel or channels is preferably desposited on the surface and the line subsequently sprayed over the deposit. Thus the outlet of the channel or channels is preferably located forward ofthe spray in the direction of movement of the apparatus in use. The deposit may alternatively occuronthe line after it has been sprayed, the outlet being located rearwardly ofthe spray.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sides ofthe one or more channels defining the aperture are recessed so as to form an enclosed space on each side of the line. Propellantfrom the spray accumulates in use in the enclosed spaces and blows anyoversprayofmarkerfluid back overthe line preventing formation of a feathered edge or accumulation of drips.

The invention is further described by way of examplewithreferenceto Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a maskfor use in apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation ofthe mask shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on A-A of Figure 1 showing use ofthe mask in conjunction with a spraying canister; Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative mask; FigureS is an elevation ofthe mask shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a cross section on A-A of Figure 4.

Figures 1 and 2 show a mask comprising a trough 1 arranged to form an aperture 2through which the spray 3 from an aerosol canister (not shown) of marker fluid is directed. The trough comprises three generally horizontal portions 4 and two portions 5 which are inclined towards the surface to be marked. A lip 6 is provided to reduce uneven deposition of fluid from the trough. The mask may be disposed in use in a wheeled carriage or may be hand held.

Use ofthe apparatus is shown in Figure 3. A canister 7 of fluid such as paint is disposed above the mask 1 and releases a spray of fluid generally into the aperture 2 fluid falling into the aperture 2 is allowed two fall directly onto the surface 8 to be marked. Move ment ofthe mask overthe surface provides a clearly defined line offluid 9 on the surface. Fluid which falls into the trough 1 is allowed to flow down the inclined portions Sand from the lip 6 onto the surface 8. The mask 8 is preferably transported in use in the direction shown at 10 with the lip 6 at the front. The excess paint falls onto the surface and the line is sprayed upon it.

Alternatively,the excess paint may be deposited upon the line afterthe line has been sprayed.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4to 6. The trough 11 includes raised portions 13 which define the edges of the sprayed line. The cavities 14 between the raised portions and the underlying surface area 15 serve to redirectthe flow of propellant from the spray towards the downwardly falling spray. Dispersal of the spray, for example due to turbulence, is reduced, giving a neater line and reducing the incidence of drips. Surplus markerfluid which collects in thetrough is allowed to drain onto the surface area 15 onto the location ofthe line priorto application of the spray. The trough 11 is moved along the line in use in a direction shown by the arrow 16.

1. Line marker apparatus adapted to mark a line as it is moved upon or adjacent a surface, wherein markerfluid is sprayed through an aperture onto the surface, the aperture being defined by one or more channels adapted to conductfluid sprayed into the channels to a location upon the line.

2. Line marker apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said one or more channels form a mask defining edges of the line.

3. Line marker apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the line marked upon the surface is dependent on the separation ofthe channels.

4. Line marker apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the channels comprisetwo troughs which converge at one or more outlets located above the line.

5. Line marker apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a single annular channel.

6. Line marker apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in use markerfluid collected in the channel or channels is deposited on the surface and The drawings originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved line marker This invention relates to line markers ofthe kind used for marking a line or surface areas,forexample in factories, warehouses, public buildings, car parks, roads and sportsgrounds. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus adapted to mark a line as it is moved upon or adjacent a surface, wherein markerfluid is sprayed through an aperture onto the surface, the aperture being defined by one or more channels adapted to conduct fluid sprayed into the channels to a location upon the line. The one or more channels may form a mask defining the edges of the line. Markerfluid impinging upon the channels is not permitted to drip or contact the surface at the edges ofthe line. The edges ofthe line are therefore sharply defined by the edges ofthe aperture. Delivery of fluid from the channels to the line is economical and keeps the apparatus free from encrustations of dried fluid. The apparatus may not therefore requirefrequentcleaning. The width ofthe line marked upon the surface is preferably dependent on the separation ofthechan- nels. The latter do not need to be located nearto the surface. The channels may comprise two troughs which converge at one or more outlets located above the line. Alternatively, a single annular channel may be provided. The fluid collected in the channel or channels is preferably desposited on the surface and the line subsequently sprayed over the deposit. Thus the outlet of the channel or channels is preferably located forward ofthe spray in the direction of movement of the apparatus in use. The deposit may alternatively occuronthe line after it has been sprayed, the outlet being located rearwardly ofthe spray. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sides ofthe one or more channels defining the aperture are recessed so as to form an enclosed space on each side of the line. Propellantfrom the spray accumulates in use in the enclosed spaces and blows anyoversprayofmarkerfluid back overthe line preventing formation of a feathered edge or accumulation of drips. The invention is further described by way of examplewithreferenceto Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a maskfor use in apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation ofthe mask shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on A-A of Figure 1 showing use ofthe mask in conjunction with a spraying canister; Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative mask; FigureS is an elevation ofthe mask shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a cross section on A-A of Figure 4. Figures 1 and 2 show a mask comprising a trough 1 arranged to form an aperture 2through which the spray 3 from an aerosol canister (not shown) of marker fluid is directed. The trough comprises three generally horizontal portions 4 and two portions 5 which are inclined towards the surface to be marked. A lip 6 is provided to reduce uneven deposition of fluid from the trough. The mask may be disposed in use in a wheeled carriage or may be hand held. Use ofthe apparatus is shown in Figure 3. A canister 7 of fluid such as paint is disposed above the mask 1 and releases a spray of fluid generally into the aperture 2 fluid falling into the aperture 2 is allowed two fall directly onto the surface 8 to be marked. Move ment ofthe mask overthe surface provides a clearly defined line offluid 9 on the surface. Fluid which falls into the trough 1 is allowed to flow down the inclined portions Sand from the lip 6 onto the surface 8. The mask 8 is preferably transported in use in the direction shown at 10 with the lip 6 at the front. The excess paint falls onto the surface and the line is sprayed upon it. Alternatively,the excess paint may be deposited upon the line afterthe line has been sprayed. A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4to 6. The trough 11 includes raised portions 13 which define the edges of the sprayed line. The cavities 14 between the raised portions and the underlying surface area 15 serve to redirectthe flow of propellant from the spray towards the downwardly falling spray. Dispersal of the spray, for example due to turbulence, is reduced, giving a neater line and reducing the incidence of drips. Surplus markerfluid which collects in thetrough is allowed to drain onto the surface area 15 onto the location ofthe line priorto application of the spray. The trough 11 is moved along the line in use in a direction shown by the arrow 16. CLAIMS

the line is subsequently sprayed overthe deposit.

7. Line marker apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein an outlet of the channel or channels is located forward ofthe spray in the direction of movement of the apparatus in use.

8. Line marker apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein in use marker fluid collected in the channel or channels is deposited on the line after it has been sprayed.

9. Line marker apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sides ofthe one or more channels are recessed to form an enclosed space on each side of the line.

10. Line marker apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.