WO1999009256A1

WO1999009256A1 - Line marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999009256A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iain Peter Mcguffie
Original assignee: Iain Peter Mcguffie
Priority date: 1997-08-18
Filing date: 1998-08-18
Publication date: 1999-02-25
Also published as: GB2343211A; CA2301214A1; AU8743198A; GB0004495D0

Abstract

A line marking apparatus is formed by a body incorporating a base, side walls and a top. Wheels (9, 15) are mounted on the body to permit the apparatus to be moved. At least one bulkhead is provided within the body in order to divide the body internally into at least first and second compartments (1, 3). One of the compartments (3) is adapted to receive line marking material and another of the compartments (1) is adapted to receive a pump for the line marking material and a power source for the pump.

Description

LINE MARKING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a line marking apparatus.

It has been conventional practice with line marking apparatus to provide a removable container, for example of plastics material, for line marking material supported on a wheeled frame or chassis, there also being provided a pump for supplying the line marking material to a line marking head which incorporates a nozzle for spraying the line marking material in a selected direction to mark a line of predetermined width on a ground surface.

In some prior art apparatus it is known to provide two such containers in order that the user should have a reserve supply of line marking material. More recently it has been known to replace one of the containers of line marking material with a container of water of other flushing fluid in order to flush line marking material from the supply line between the pump and the line marking head and the nozzle thereof. This permits the supply pipes to be readily cleaned after the line marking apparatus has been used.

It is a disadvantage of known line marking apparatus that the apparatus is relatively cumbersome and heavy and has no appeal to the user. Additionally, there are certain drawbacks with the known arrangement of containers for line marking material and cleaning fluid. One problem is that the supply line for line marking material to the pump is generally of significant length, and this part of the supply line cannot readily be flushed with cleaning fluid, and this can give rise to difficulties in the supply of line marking material to the pump. A further problem is that in cold weather the line marking material can increase in viscosity or solidify with the result that the line marking apparatus cannot be used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a line marking apparatus which is able overcome or minimise these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a line marking apparatus comprising a body incorporating a base, side walls and a top; wheels mounted on the body to permit the apparatus to be moved; and at least one bulkhead provided within the body in order to divide the body internally into at least first and second compartments, one of the compartments being adapted to receive line marking material and another of the compartments being adapted to receive pump means for the line marking material and a power source for the pump means.

The bulkhead may divide the body internally into forward and rear compartments, the forward compartment being adapted to receive the pump means and the power source therefor and the rear compartment being adapted to receive line marking material.

Alternatively, two bulkheads may be provided to divide the body internally into forward, intermediate and rear compartments . The forward compartment may be adapted to receive the pump means and the power source therefore, the intermediate compartment may be adapted to receive line marking material and the rear compartment may be adapted to receive a cleaning fluid. The intermediate and rear compartments may be positioned in heat conducting relationship relative to one another.

The rear compartment may be positioned with at least one side thereof abutting against a side of the intermediate compartment.

The rear compartment may be provided in the lower region thereof with an extension which extends around at least a part of a further face of the intermediate compartment, such as beneath the intermediate compartment, for example across a majority of the surface area of the base of the intermediate compartment. The extension may be provided with a strengthening rib extending in the intended direction of movement of the apparatus.

A rear axle may be mounted beneath a rear one of the at least first and second compartments or part thereof (such as an extension thereof) , the rear axle carrying rear wheels. The rear axle may be mounted beneath the rear compartment or part thereof (such as the extension) by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the apparatus.

A channel may be provided between the intermediate compartment and the rear compartment for receiving an electric cable or the like.

A longitudinally-extending rib may be provided in the base of the apparatus, for example substantially along the centre of the apparatus.

A forward one of the at least first and second compartments may be provided with a removable, for example hinged, cover .

A forward axle may be mounted beneath a forward one of the at least first and second compartments, the forward axle carrying front wheels. The forward axle may be mounted beneath the forward compartment by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the forward compartment.

A line marking head may be mounted beneath a forward one of the at least first and second compartments so as to extend forwardly of the line marking apparatus. The line marking head may be mounted beneath the forward compartment by way of an elongate member which is received between a pair of protrusions formed in the base of the forward compartment and extending in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus .

The compartment for receiving line marking material may be provided in an upper surface thereof with a large-diameter aperture. The aperture may be provided adjacent the rear face of the compartment for receiving line marking material. That face of the compartment for receiving line marking material adjacent the aperture may be deformed outwardly so as to define an outwardly extending trough to facilitate draining of line marking material from the compartment.

A handle arrangement for propelling the apparatus may be mounted in an upright groove formed in each side of the body.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational diagrammatic view from one side of an embodiment of a line marking apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevational diagrammatic view corresponding to Figure 1 but taken from the opposite side of the apparatus ;

Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the line marking apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 ; and

Figure 4 is a plan view from below of the line marking apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The line marking apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises three sections, a forward section 1, an intermediate tank 3 for line marking material, and a rear tank 5 for water or other cleaning fluid.

The forward section 1 is provided for housing a battery, a pump and valve apparatus for switching between supplying, for example, line marking material, cleaning fluid, or a mixture of line marking material and cleaning fluid to the pump. The forward section 1 is constructed as a moulding of plastics or like material incorporating a base, side walls and a sloping top surface, there being provided in the sloping top surface a removable, for example hinged, cover 7 to provide access to the components provided within the forward section.

A forward axle is mounted beneath the forward section 1 , by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the forward section, the forward axle carrying front wheels 9. A line marking head (not shown) is also mounted beneath the forward section 1 so as to extend forwardly of the line marking apparatus, the line marking head being secured to the base of the forward section 1 by way of an elongate member which is received between a pair of longitudinal protrusions formed in the base of the forward section.

The intermediate tank 3 for line marking material is mounted immediately behind the forward section 1. This has the advantage that the length of piping between the intermediate tank 3 and the pump in the forward section 1 is kept to a minimum. The intermediate tank 3 is constructed in the same manner as the forward section, that is as a moulding of plastics or like material incorporating a base, side walls and a top surface. A forward wall of the intermediate tank (or a rear wall of the forward section 1) forms a substantially fluid-tight bulkhead between the intermediate tank 3 and the forward section 1. The intermediate tank 3 is permanently secured to the forward section 1, for example by welding or by way of a suitable adhesive. An aperture 21 is provided in the top surface of the intermediate tank 3 for enabling the tank to be filled with line marking material and subsequently drained. A further drain plug 25 is removably provided in the base of the tank to facilitate the removal of any remaining line marking material. The rear tank 5 for water or other cleaning fluid is mounted immediately behind the intermediate tank 3 , with one face of the tank 5 lying adjacent to the tank 3. The rear tank 5 is constructed in the same manner as the intermediate tank 3 and the forward section 1, that is as a moulding of plastics or like material incorporating a base, side walls and a rear wall incorporating an inclined top surface. A rear wall of the intermediate tank 3 (or a forward wall of the rear tank 5) forms a substantially fluid-tight bulkhead between the intermediate tank 3 and the rear tank 5. The rear tank 5 is permanently secured to the intermediate tank 3 , for example by welding or by way of a suitable adhesive. An inlet opening 19 is provided towards the top of the rear wall of the rear tank 5 to enable the tank to be filled with water or other cleaning fluid. A drain plug 27 is removably provided in the base of the rear tank 5.

The lower part of the rear tank 5 is provided with a forward extension 11 which extends beneath the intermediate tank 3 across a majority of the surface area of the lower side of the intermediate tank 3. If desired, the drain plug 27 may be provided in the extension 11. The extension 11 offers a number of advantages. For example, the extension of the rear tank protects the underside of the intermediate tank 3 against damage from sharp stones or the like: any damage to a tank for water or other cleaning fluid is less serious than damage to the tank for line marking material. The extension 11 carries a rib 13 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the line marking apparatus substantially along the centre thereof, which rib 13 serves to strengthen the apparatus. The extension 11 also serves to conduct water or other cleaning fluid to the forward end of the intermediate tank 3 with the result that only a short length of piping is required between the rear tank 5 and the pump in the forward section 1. Moreover, in combination with the rear tank 5 lying adjacent to the tank 3, the extension 11 and the remainder of the rear tank can be filled with warm water or other warm cleaning fluid in cold weather in order to slow down any cooling of the line marking material thereby giving the user sufficient time to employ the line marking apparatus before the line marking material should solidify or become too viscous to use.

A rear axle is mounted beneath the extension 11 of the rear tank 5, by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the extension 11, the rear axle carrying rear wheels 15.

A handle arrangement 17 is provided for propelling the line marking apparatus. The handle arrangement is received in an upright groove formed in each side of the rear tank 5 and is inclined rearwardly at a level above the rear tank 5 to facilitate propulsion of the apparatus. Switch means (not shown) is provided on the handle arrangement 17 for controlling operation of the pump. For convenience and for aesthetic reasons, electric cabling (not shown) extending between the pump and the switch means may pass through a channel formed between the rear tank 5 and the intermediate tank 3.

It has been found that the arrangement of the tank for cleaning fluid behind the intermediate tank 3 for line marking material is particularly convenient for the balance of the apparatus. This is because the tank for cleaning fluid generally remains substantially full during use of the line marking apparatus, while the intermediate tank 3 for line marking material empties progressively during use. Thus, if the tank for line marking material was to be positioned at the front or rear of the apparatus, the centre of gravity of the apparatus would move rearward or forward during use of the apparatus. Nevertheless, if desired, the position of the tank for cleaning material may be modified. For example, warming of the line marking material may be more effective if the tank for cleaning fluid is positioned within the tank for line marking material. In this way, the tank for cleaning fluid can be substantially entirely surrounded by line marking material and can effectively transfer heat thereto. Access to the tank for cleaning fluid can be by way of an aperture formed in the upper face of the tank for line marking material.

The switch means has three positions, an "off" position, an "on" position where the pump is energised until such time - li as the switch is returned to the "off" position, and a momentary position in which the switch has to be held by the user in order to energise the pump, the switch returning to the "off" position when released by the user. The "on" position allows the line marking apparatus to mark a single long line on a sports field or the like, while the momentary position facilitates the marking of one or more short lines or dashes.

The aperture 21 in the intermediate tank 3 is of substantial dimensions to facilitate filling and emptying of the intermediate tank. A basket filter 23 may be removably arranged within the aperture 21 to filter out particles in excess of a predetermined dimension from the line marking material when the line marking material is poured into the intermediate tank 3.

The rear wall of the intermediate tank 3 may be curved outwardly or may be formed with a shallow outwardly extending V-shape (with the front face of the rear tank 5 being correspondingly shaped inwardly) . When emptying the intermediate tank 3, this permits the line marking material to accumulate in the outwardly extending portion or trough and also permits the periphery of the aperture to be substantially aligned with the outermost part of the rear face of the intermediate tank 3, thereby ensuring substantially complete emptying of the intermediate tank 3. To assist in ensuring the intermediate tank 3 is completely emptied of line marking material and to facilitate any cleaning thereof, the internal corners of the intermediate tank may be rounded to ensure line marking material cannot become lodged in the corners. If desired, the intermediate tank 3 and/or the rear tank 5 may be provided with calibration marks to indicate the volume of material or fluid therein.

Thus, the line marking apparatus of the present invention comprises a single body of onocoque or integral construction divided into two or more compartments (for example, one compartment for the battery, pump, valve apparatus and the like and another compartment for line marking material: a further compartment may be provided for cleaning fluid) . Thus no separate frame or chassis is required with the result that the line marking apparatus can be significantly lighter and more easily manoeuvred than known line marking apparatus. The line marking apparatus can also be more aesthetically pleasing than known line marking apparatus. Clearly, the arrangement of the various sections can be otherwise than described with reference to the drawings and the method of construction can be other than described with reference to the drawings . For example, the outer shell of the apparatus can be formed as a single construction and the bulkhead or bulkheads inserted subsequently and secured for example by welding or adhesive.

Claims

1. A line marking apparatus comprising a body incorporating a base, side walls and a top; wheels (9, 15) mounted on the body to permit the apparatus to be moved; and at least one bulkhead provided within the body in order to divide the body internally into at least first and second compartments (1, 3), one of the compartments (3) being adapted to receive line marking material and another of the compartments (1) being adapted to receive pump means for the line marking material and a power source for the pump means .

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the bulkhead divides the body internally into forward and rear compartments (1, 3) , the forward compartment (1) being adapted to receive the pump means and the power source therefor and the rear compartment (3) being adapted to receive line marking material.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that two bulkheads are provided to divide the body internally into forward (1) , intermediate (3) and rear compartments (5) .

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the forward compartment (1) is adapted to receive the pump means and the power source therefore, the intermediate compartment (3) is adapted to receive line marking material and the rear compartment (5) is adapted to receive a cleaning fluid.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the intermediate and rear compartments (3, 5) are positioned in heat conducting relationship relative to one another .

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the rear compartment (5) is positioned with at least one side thereof abutting against a side of the intermediate compartment (3) .

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the rear compartment (5) is provided in the lower region thereof with an extension (11) which extends around at least a part of a further face of the intermediate compartment ( 3 ) .

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the extension (11) is positioned beneath the intermediate compartment (3) .

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 , characterised in that the extension (11) extends across a majority of the surface area of the base of the intermediate compartment (3).

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that the extension (11) is provided with a strengthening rib (13) extending in the intended direction of movement of the apparatus.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a rear axle is mounted beneath a rear one of the at least first and second compartments or part thereof, the rear axle carrying rear wheels (15).

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the rear axle is mounted beneath the rear compartment or part thereof by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the apparatus.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a forward one of the at least first and second compartments is provided with a removable cover (7) .

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , characterised in that the cover (7) is hinged to the compartment.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a forward axle is mounted beneath a forward one (1) of the at least first and second compartments, the forward axle carrying front wheels (9) .

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the forward axle is mounted beneath the forward compartment (1) by way of a pair of transverse protrusions formed in the region of each side of the base of the forward compartment .

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a line marking head is mounted beneath a forward one (1) of the at least first and second compartments so as to extend forwardly of the line marking apparatus .

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the line marking head is mounted beneath the forward compartment (1) by way of an elongate member which is received between a pair of protrusions formed in the base of the forward compartment and extending in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the compartment (3) for receiving line marking material is provided in an upper surface thereof with a large-diameter aperture (21) .

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the aperture (21) is provided adjacent the rear face of the compartment (3) for receiving line marking material.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that that face of the compartment (3) for receiving line marking material adjacent the aperture is deformed outwardly so as to define an outwardly extending trough to facilitate draining of line marking material from the compartment.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a handle arrangement (17) for propelling the apparatus is mounted in an upright groove formed in each side of the body.