US2377780A

US2377780A - Tennis court marker

Info

Publication number: US2377780A
Application number: US503349A
Authority: US
Inventors: William H Hann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-09-22
Filing date: 1943-09-22
Publication date: 1945-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1962-06-05

Description

June 5, 1945. w. H. HANN TENNIS COURT MARKER Filed Sept. 22, 1943 II T Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- William H. Hann, Hackettstown', N. J.

Application September 22, 1943, Serial No. 503,349

2 Claims.

This invention relates to marking devices, and is particularly adapted to devices for marking tennis courts, roads, or any other surface where a line of a particular width and contour is desired.

An object of the invention is to provide a marker which will give an accurate line without overflow on the edges, which may be easily and simply guided in the desired direction.

A further object is to provide a marker in which the flow of material may be more readily and accurately controlled so that the operation of the device may be quickly started and stopped.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved marker in use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation;

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the marker in operative position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the marker in inoperative position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the controls.

In marking tennis' courts or other surfaces it is desirable that the markings be accurate and along predetermined lines. Accordingly, I have provided a device which may be guided by a cord or cable stretched over the area to be marked. This cord or cable engages an arm which determines the path of movement of the device. I also provide a tank containing the marking fluid under pressure, a pair of nozzles, the direction of which is limited by marking shields.

In the accompanying drawing my marker l includes a tank mounted by means of a band l2 on the wheels l3 and I4. The. front end l of the tank II is removable and is held in place by means of the wing nuts It so that by removing the wingnut I6 the front l5 can be withdrawn for cleaning or filling purposes. Mounted on the front I 5 is a bracket 1 in which is mounted the pivot l8 carrying the fork HI and the castor wheel 20. Fastened to the fork I9 is an angle guide 2| which is slotted at 22 to engage a guide line 23. A pump 26 having an operating plunger 27 and an operating handle 28 is mounted on the side of the tank II to maintain pressure within the tank.

It will be seen that line 23 on the stanchions bring the plate members together 24 and 25 may be set up over the area to be marked. Line 23 is engaged by slot 22 of the angle guide 2|. The operator controlling the handle 28 will push the marker along the ground and the castor wheel 20 will pass over the area immediately under the guide line 23. Guide line 23 may be attached to stanchion 24, held by a pin 29 or preferably held by a stanchion such as 25 which consists of an angle member having a weighted portion 30 engaging the ground and adapted to hold the stanchion in an upright position. When marking a tennis court point 3| of the stanchion may be set behind peg 32 normally marking the court boundary.

At the bottom of the tank there are provided a plurality of nozzles 4| and 42 which preferably are set within a nozzle member 43 and have their open inner ends 45 covered by a valve member 46 mounted on the rod 41. Nozzle protecting shields 48 and 49 are provided to prevent injury to the nozzles themselves and to define the area to be marked. The nozzles are preferably directed to cover an overlapping area as is shown in Fig. 6 so that an even fiow of material-is provided for the surface to be covered.

Shield members

50 and 5| are hinged at 52 and 53 respectively and are engaged by the

arms

54 and 55 so that their movement on the

hinges

52 and 53 are controlled by the position of these arms. Springs 56 and 51 tend to keep the shield members closed as shown in Fig. 7 when the operating lever 60 is free. The operating member 69 is fastened by means of a collar 6| to the pump 26. The operating lever 60 is adapted to be squeezed by the operator against the operating handle 28 to raise the shaft 62 against the spring 63 positioned by the rod 64 on the side of the tank I. Shaft 62 pivoted at 65 to the U-shaped member 66 is fastened by the block 61 against the bottom of the tank. Mounted on the U-shaped member 66 is a shaft 68 pivoted to the rod 41 controlling the valve 46.

It will be seen that by gripping the handle 28 and the lever 60 the operator will not only open the

plates

55 and 5| but will likewise open the valve 46 to allow the marking fluid to be discharged through the nozzles 4| and 42.

Plates

50 and 5| clearly define the area to be marked and the position of the nozzles is such that fluid is sprayed across the entire area. By releasing the operating lever 60 the spring 63 causes the valve 46 to close and the

springs

56 and 51 to as shown in Fig. 7 to completely stop the flow of material.

It will be seen that I have provided a device simple in operation containing a relatively few number of parts which will accurately mark lines along a predetermined line and which may be readily operated by one person. While my device is particularly adapted for use as a tennis court marker it can be applied to many different uses with minor adjustments.

I claim:

1. A marking device comprising a tank adapted to contain markingfiuid, a plurality of nozzles on said tank, a, valve for such nozzles, a pair of shield members pivotally mounted on the tank and adapted to enclose said nozzles when closed! and to define the area to be marked when open, means for maintaining pressure within said tank and means for simultaneously opening or closing said shield members and said valve.

2. A marking device comprising a tank mounted for movement along a surface, a plurality of nozzles on said tank, a valve for said nozzles, a pair of shield members pivotally mounted on the tank and adapted to enclose said nozzles, spring meansfor normally holding said shield members in the closed positions, and an operating handle controlling said shield members and said valve.

WILLIAM H. HANN.