WO2015051412A1

WO2015051412A1 - Marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015051412A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Hillan DULLAWAY; Margaret Mary DULLAWAY
Original assignee: Dullaway Michael Hillan; Dullaway Margaret Mary
Priority date: 2013-10-08
Filing date: 2014-10-08
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: AU2014334506B2; AU2014334506A1

Abstract

A line marking apparatus for heavy equipment including a mounting assembly to mount the marking apparatus to a piece of mobile heavy equipment, containment structure associated with the mounting assembly and adapted to at least partially contain an actuable container holding a marking substance and an actuation system for actuating the actuable container as required to dispense the marking substance under the control of an operator of the heavy equipment.

Description

MARKING APPARATUS TECHNIC AL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a marking apparatus for heavy equipment and particularly to such an apparatus for operation by a controller of the heavy equipment to reduce exposure of others to injury.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Many pieces of heavy equipment, particularly earthmoving equipment are large enough that they present a danger to workers working around the heavy equipment, particularly when the heavy equipment is moving. For example, if a worker is working beside a grader and is required to proceed close to the grader in order to perform work such as marking out, that worker is placed in danger if that heavy equipment moves, simply because if the worker is not visible to the driver of the grader, the worker can easily be injured if any part of the grader accidentally strikes them.

[0003] It is also known to provide control systems for heav equipment in order to perform the desired works with more precision. One manner of doing this is to provide devices in relation to the heavy equipment which provide feedback to either the driver and/or another operator in relation to various parameters of the job to be completed such as for example angles of earthworks, desired grades, locations and the like. These control devices do not minimise the possibility of injuring bystanders using the heavy equipment but they do allow the driver of the heavy equipment and/or another operator to control the heavy equipment with better precision and accuracy during the course of the job.

[0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in an other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a marking apparatus for heavy equipment, which may at. least partially overcome at least one of .the aboveinentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a marking apparatus for heavy equipment including a mounting assembly to mount the marking apparatus to a piece of mobile heavy equipment, a containment structure associated with the mounting assembly and adapted to at least partially contain an actuable container holding a marking substance and an actuation system for actuating the actuable container as required to dispense the marking substance under the control of an operator of the heavy equipment.

(0007] Preferably, the marking apparatus is used for marking out, preferably lines or similar and will be attached relative to an alignment and/or control system or component that is mounted on the heavy equipment. The most common alignment and/or control system used with heavy equipment is manufactured by Trimble but the line marking apparatus of the present invention can be used with any system or may be directly attached to the heavy equipment.

[0008] It is preferred thai the line marking apparatus of the present invention is used with earthmoving equipment. Any suitable earthmoving equipment may be used, such as, but not limited to a grader. It is particularl preferred that the heavy equipment with which the line marking apparatus is used, is a piece of finishing equipment in order not to disrupt^" any line markings which may be created.

[0009] The line marking apparatus includes a mounting assembly to mount the line marking apparatus to a piece of mobile heavy equipment. This will preferably allow the operator of the heavy equipment to mark out lines when the mobile heavy equipment is moving without endangering bystanders or other operators which may be required to move into close proximity to the heav equipment in other circumstances,

[0.0101 Generally speaking, the mounting assembly will be mounted laterally of the heavy equ ipment, normally towards a lateral side of the heavy equipment in the direction of travel. The mountin assembly can be mounted either inside the wheel line or outside the wheel line of the heavy equipment,

[0011] The particular location of the line marking apparatus will typically depend on the type of heavy equipment, to which it is attached. Generally speaking, the mounting assembly and the line marking apparatus will be located behind the working portion of the heavy equipment. As an example, the working portion of a grader for example is the grader blade which is normally oriented at an angle to the direction of travel and in this situation, the line markin apparatus is preferably provided behind the blade in the direction of forward movement of the grader. This means that the line marking when applied will be marking an already finished surface rather than a surface which has yet to be worked.

[0012) The mountin assembly of the preferred embodiment may allow movement of the containment structure between a storage condition and a use condition. The mounting assembly may allow movement of the containment structure between these two conditions from a remote location.

[001:3] Typically, the mounting assembly will include a number of arms positioned relative to one another to mount, to the heavy equipment and have the containment structure in the desired location. Typically, there will be at least one laterally extending arm member and at least one forwardly or rearwardly extending arm member. Either arm member may mount the containment structure and either arm member may attach to the heavy equipment or alignment and/or control system component,

[0014] Typically, there will be one laterally extending arm member and one arm member extending substantially perpendicularly thereto, it is preferred that the members are oriented at 90° to one another although one or more angle bracing members may be included in order to provide sufficient rigidity to allow the containment structure to be actuated to release the marking substance without disturbing the position or orientation of the containment structure.

[0015] Preferably, a substantially vertically extending arm is used to mount the containment structure, typically at or towards a lower end thereof. This substantiall vertically extending arm will normally be length adjustable although, it .may be of fixed length. It is preferred that a telescoping assembly is used with one member at least partially receiving at least one second member in order to adjust the overall length of the vertically extending arm. Normally, a simple pin and slot fixing mechanism is used in which an opening in the outer arm is aligned with one or more openings in the inner arm and a pin inserted therethrough to at least temporarily fix the length of the vertically extending arm.

[0016] The apparatus of the present invention also includes a containment staictuxe associated with the mounting assembly and adapted to contain an aetuable container holding a marking substance. The container will normally hold an aerosol spray can or similar containing marking paint or similar. This type of container is normally configured with. depressible button which in turn actuates a nipple at. the top of the^' can, depressio of which causes release of the marking substance. The nipple is typically parallel to the long axis of the container. The actuatio system may actuate either the depressible button or the nipple directly.

[0017] The containment structure is typically a shaped containing assembl such as a box or a cage in order to hold the preferred aetuable container in an inverted position during use. The containment structure preferably has at least one sidewall but depending upon the configuration of the containing assembly, can have more than one sidewail,

[00 IS] The containment structure cart be of any shape but will typically be either cylindrical or rectangular. The containment structure will normally be hollow in order to receive a container within.

[0019] An upper flap or similar will normally be provided in order to hold the container within the containment structure. This is particularly the case as the preferred actuatio system will apply force to the bottom end of the container which will in turn attempt to force the container upwardly within the containment structure and therefore, it is important that a mechanism be provided at the upper end of the containment structure to hold the container down. The upper flap may be provided with one or more biasing members extending therefrom to assist in holding the container down. This is particularly useful when containers of varying sizes may be used, particularly when relatively small containers are used. The one or more biasing members may be of any suitable form, such as lengths of compressible material, springs or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0020] A latch is normally provided in association with the upper flap in order to allow removal and replacement of the container holding the marking substance. The upper flap or lid is typicall hinged to the at least one sidewail of the containment structure. Normally, the upper flap is hinged and secured with a pin or similar, hi a particularly preferred embodiment, an elongate finger extends upwardl from the sidewail of the containment structure to be received within an opening through the upper flap. The elongate finger has a laterally extending opening therethrough and once the flap is in the closed condition in which the finger is received in the opening through the upper flap, a cotter or spring pin can be inserted through the opening in the elongate finger i order to hold the flap closed, and typically, abutting an. upper end of the container hel d within the containment structure.

[0021 ] A lower wail is normally provided on the containment structure and the lower wall normally forms part of the actuation system to be discussed further below.

[0022] The containment structure is normally mounted at or towards a lowe end of the substantiall vertical arm of the mounting assembly. The containment structure typically receives the container relatively closely within in order to maintain the position and orientation of the container to ensure that the marking substance is released correctly and as directed ,

[0023] The actuation system provided is operable by a user of the heavy equipment to actuate the actuable container as required in order to dispense the marking substance as required. The actuation system will normally include a number of components. As mentioned above, a lower wall of the containment structure will normally be a part of the actuation system. It is preferred that the lower wall be substantially planar and extend laterally sideways further than the limit of the containment structure. The lower wall will normally be substantially planar with an opening therethrough in order to correspond in position to the dispensing opening on the actuable container.

[0024] The lower wall is normally hinged to the containment structure on one side. On the opposite side, the biasing mechanism is preferably provided in order to bias the lower wall away from the container within the containment structure. Normally, a biasing means is attached to the lower wail in order to bias the lower wall away from the container.

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a biasing means such as a spring is provided between a portion of the lower wall of the containment structure and a laterally extendin flange mounted relative to the contamment structure. A guide rod is normally provided about which the spring is located, and a guide rod i s normally attached above the flange and below the lower wall, normally using threaded guide rod and a nut above the flange and a second nut below the lower wall.

[0026] A gripping portion is normally provided at an upper end of the guide rod. The gripping portion allows the guide rod to be moved upwardly against the biasing force of the preferred biasing spring which moves the lower wall and forces the lower wall against a portion of the actuable container to dispense the marking substance. As mentioned above, the lower wall may be provided with an abutment member in order to abut the dispensing button rather than the nipple directly.

[0027] Preferably, the line marking apparatus of the present invention will be capable of remote actuation by the operator of the heavy equipment, and typically, by the driver. Any mechanism may be used to allow the remote actuation of the container to release the marking substance. One simple mechanism is to provide an elongate cable or rope or similar which can be manipulated to move the guide rod on the containment structure to dispense the marking substance as required. In this simple mechanism, the elongate, cable or rope may be required to pass over or through one or more pulleys for example in order to move the guide rod against the biasing force of the biasing means to actuate the container.

[0028] More complex mechanisms may include a hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical system involving an electrical signal initiated by the driver of the vehicle which actuates a hydraulic or pneumatic ram or similar to move the guide rod as required to dispense the marking substance,

[0029] Normally, the lower end of the containment structure (and therefore the dispensing end of the aetuable container) will be located adjacent the surface to be marked in order to minimise loss of the marking substance after dispensing. The separation distance between, the containment structure and the working surface may be adjustable using the mounting assembly. As mentioned above, the containment structure and/or mounting assembly may allow movement of the line marking apparatus between a use condition in which the containment structure is relatively closely separated from the working surface and a storage condition i which the containment structure is located away from the working surface, typically to provide increased clearance.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be provided in an electrically aetuable configuration in which the operator of a machine relative to which the apparatus is mounted can actuate the release of the marking substance by causing an electronic signal to be issued which once received and conveyed to a servo actuator, drives movement of a drive arm to actuate the aetuable container to release the marking substance,

[0031] I this configuration, the apparatus itself will typically be configured for remote operation and a message will be electronically forwarded via a cable or wireless system to operate and actuator associated with the containment structure.

[0032] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0033) The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part, of the common general knowledge;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be di scerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0035] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a line marking apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present i nvention,

[0036] Figure 2 is a left side elevation view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1,

[00371 Figure 3 is a plan vi ew of the line marki ng apparatus illustrated in. Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 from the opposite side.

[0039] Figure 5 is a view from the rear of the l ine marki n apparatus illustrated in Figure 3.

[0.0401 Figure 6 is a view from the front of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure I.

[0041 ] Figure 7 is an exploded left side elevation, view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 8 is an exploded front view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0043] Figure 9 is an exploded right side view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 10 is an exploded plan view of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 11 is an exploded isometric view from a first side of the line markin apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0046] Figure 12 is an exploded isometric view from a second side of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0047] Figure 13 is a. schematic illustration of the location of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 and showing deployment from the storage to the use condition,

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 in a storage condition and mounted to a control apparatus on a grader.

[0049] Figure 15 is a schematic illustration of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 in use condition. [0050] Figure I S is a schematic illustration, of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure I. illustrating remote actuation: using a rope or cable,

[0051 J Figure 17 is an isometric view from, a first side of the containment structure according to a. preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 18 is an isometric view from a second side of the containment structure illustrated in Figure 17.

[0053] Figure 19 is a front view of the containment structure illustrated in Figure .17.

[0054] Figure 20 is a right-hand side view of the containment structure illustrating Figure 17.

[0055] Figure 21 is a schematic view showing the operation of the line marking apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

[0056] Figure 22 is a detailed view of the portion indicated on Figure 21 showing the actuation of the line marking apparatus to release the marking substance,

[0057] Figure 23 is a schematic illustration of a general arrangement of a marker assembly according to an alternative preferred embodiment.

[005S| Figure 24 is an isometric view of a line marking apparatus illustrated in the general arrangement shown in Figure 23.

[0059] Figure 25 is a front elevation view of the portion marked "A" in Figure 24. [0060] Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the portion marked "A" in Figure 24, [0061] Figure 27 is a front elevation view of the portion marked B" in Figure 24 [0062] Figure 28 is a side elevation view of the portion marked "B" in Figure 24, DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0063] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a marking apparatus 10 for use with heav equipment and remotely actuated by the driver of the heavy equipment is provided.

[0064] The line marking apparatus of the preferred embodiment includes a mounting assembl y 11 t mount the marking apparatus to a piece of mobile heavy equipment as illustrated in Figures 13 to 16 in particular, and a containment structure 12 associated with the mounting assembly 11 and adapted to at least partially contain an actuable container holding a marking substance. An actuation system for actuating the actuable container is provided to dispense the marking substance as required under the control of a dri er of the heavy equipment.

[0065] As illustrated in. Figures 13 to 16, 21 and 22 in particular, the line marking apparatus 10 is preferably attached relative to an alignment and/or control system or component 13 that is mounted on the heavy equipment, The most common alignment and/or control system used with heavy equipment is manufactured by Trimble but the line marking apparatus of the present invention can be used with any system or may be directly attached to the heavy equipment.

[0066] It is preferred that the line marking apparatus of the present invention is used with earthmovmg equi ment such as a loader or more preferably, a grader. It is parti cul&rly preferred that the heavy equipment with which the line marking apparatus is used is a piece of finishing equipment in order not to disrupt any line markings which may be created.

[00671 Generally speaking, the mounting assembly 11 is mounted laterall of the heav equipment, normally towards a lateral side of the heavy equipment in the direction of travel. The mounting assembly can be mounted either inside the wheel line or outside the wheel line of the heavy equipment.

[0068] The particular location of the line marking apparatus will typically depend on the type of heavy equipment to which it is attached. Generally speaking., the mounting assembly and the line marking apparatus will be located behind the working portion of the heavy equipment. As an example, the working portion of a grader for example is the greater blade which is normally oriented at an angle to the direction of travel and in this situation, the line marking apparatus is preferably provided behind the blade in the direction of forward movement of the grader. This means that the line marking when applied will he marking and already finished, surface rather than a surface which has yet to be worked.

[0069] The mounting assembly 11 of the preferred embodiment allows movement of the eontainment structure between a storage condition as illustrated in Figure 14 and a use condition as illustrated in Figures 1 5 and 16 by rotati on of the containment structure 12 about a portion of the mounting assembly 11, as illustrated schematically i Figure i 3.

[0070] The preferred mounting assembly 11 includes a rearwardl extending arm member 14 and a depending arm 1 5 mounting the containment structure 12. [0071] It is preferred that the members are oriented at 90° to one another although one or more angle bracing members may be included in order to provide sufficient rigi dity to allow the containment structure 12 to be actuated to release the marking substance without disturbing the position orientation of the containment structure.

[0072] A substantially vertically extending arm 15 is used to mount the containment structure 12, typically at or towards a lower end thereof. This substantially vertically extending arm 15 is length adjustable. The illustrated embodiment includes a telescoping arm with an outer upper member 16 at least partially receiving a second lower member 17 in order to adjust the overall length of the vertically extending ami 15. Normally, a simple pin and slot fixing mechanism is used in which an opening in the outer arm 16 is aligned with one or more openings in the inner arm 17 and a pin 18 inserted therethrough to at least temporarily fix the length of the vertically extending arm 35. A cotter or similar pin 19 extends through an opening I the end of the pin 18 to prevent accidental dislodgement of the pin 18.

[0073] An upper portion of the outer upper member 16 is provided with a rotation mount to allow the movement of the depending arm 15 between the use and storage conditions. The rotation mount includes an extension 20 from, the rearwardly extending arm member 14 and a sleeve 21 attached to the end of the outer upper member 16, A spring loaded locking pin is provided in association with the outer upper member 16 and which extends into a first opening 24 at one end of a lateral plate 23 when in the use condition and when released and rotated into the storage condi tion, is received into a second opening 25 at the other end of the lateral plate 23 to lock the outer upper member 1 into one of the conditions.

[0074] The apparatus of the present invention also includes a containment structure 12 associated with the mounting assembly 1 1 and adapted to contain an actuable container (not shown.) holding a marking substance, such as an aerosol paint can. This type of container is normally configured with a depressible button which in turn actuates a nipple at the top of the can, depression of which causes release of the marking, substance. The nipple is typically parallel to the long axis of the container. The actuation system of the apparatus of the invention may actuate either the depressible button or the nipple directly.

[0075] The containment structure as particularly illustrated in Figures 17 to 20 is typically a shaped containing assembly such as a box or a cage in order to hold the preferred actuable aerosol paint can in .an inverted position during use in a space 30 within the containment structure 1.2. [0076] An upper fla 26 or similar will normally be provided in order to hold the container within the containment structure 12. This is particularly the case as the preferred actuation system will apply force to th bottom end of the container which will in turn attempt to force the container upwardly within the containment structure 1 and therefore, it is important that a mechanism be provided at the upper end of the containment structure 12 to hold the container down,

[0077] hi the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 9, the upper flap 26 is provided with a biasing member in the form of a cone spring 50 attached thereto by a bolt 51. The cone spring 50 is adapted to hold the container within the containment structure 12, particularly when the container is relatively small and the upper flap 26 alone would be insufficient to hold the container within the containment structure 12.

[0078] As illustrated in Figures 17 to 20, a latch is provided in associatio with the upper flap 12 in order to allow removal and replacement of the container holding the marking substance. The upper flap 12 is attached, at a hinge 27 to a sidewall of the eontainment structure 12. Normally, the flap 12 is secured with a pin or similar. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an elongate finger 28 extends upwardly from the sidewall of the containment structure 12 to be received within an opening through the upper flap 12, The elongate finger 28 has a laterally extending opening therethrough and once the flap 12 is in the closed condition in which the finger 28 is received in the opening through the upper flap 12, a cotter or spring pin 29 can be inserted through the opening in the elongate finger 28 in order to hold the flap 12 closed, and typically, abutting an upper end of the container held within the containment structure 12,

[0079] As illustrated, a lower wall is normally provided on the containment structure 12 and the lower wall, normally forms part of the actuation system.

[0080] The containment structure is normally mounted at or towards a lower end of the substantially vertical arm 15 of the mounti g assembly 11. The containment structure typically receives the container relatively closely within in order to maintain the positioning and orientation of the container to ensure that the marking substance is released correctly and as directed,

[0081] The actuation system provided is operable by a user of the heavy equipment to actuate the actuable container as required in order to dispense the marking substance as required. The actuation system will normally include a number of components. As mentioned above^ a lower wall 31 of the containment structure 12 will normal l y be a part of the actuation sy stem.. It is preferred that the lower wall 31 be substantially planar and extend laterally sideways further than the limit of the containment structure 12. The lower wall 31 will normally be substantially planar with an opening therethrough in order to correspond in position to the dispensing opening on the actuable container.

[00S2] The tower wall 31 is attached to the containment structure 1 by a hinge 32 to the containment structure 12 on one side. On the opposite side, a biasing mechanism is preferably provided in order to bias the lower wall 31 away from the containe within the containment structure 12. Normally, a biasing means is attached to the lower wall in order to bias the lower wall away from the container.

[0083] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, a biasing spring 33 is provided between a portion of the lower wall 31 of the containment structure and a laterally extending flange 34 mounted relative to the containment structure 12, A guide rod 35 is provided about which the spring is 33 located, and the guide rod is normally attached above the flange 34 and below the lower wall 31 , normally using a threaded guide rod and a nut 36 above the flange 34 and a second nut 37 below the lower wall 31 ,

[0084] A hook 38 is provided at an upper end of the guide rod 35 allowing the guide rod 35 to be moved upwardl against the biasing force of the biasing spring 33 which moves the lower wall 31 and forces the lower wall 21 against a portion of the actuable container to dispense the marking substance. As illustrated in Figure 20, the lower wall 3.1 may be provided with an abutment member 39 in order to abut the dispensing button rather than the nipple directly.

[0085] Preferably, the line marking apparatus of the present invention will be capable of remote actuation by the operator of the heavy equipment, and typically, by the driver. Any mechanism may be used to allow the remote actuation of the container to release the marking substance. One simple mechanism as illustrated is to provide an elongate cable or rope 40 which can be manipulated by the driver to move the guide rod 35 on die containment structure 12 to dispense the marking substance as required. In this simple mechanism, the elongate cable or rope 40 may be required to pass over or through one or more pulleys 41 for example in order to move the guide rod 35 against the biasing force of the biasing spring 33 to actuate the container.

[0086] Normally, the lower end of the containment structure (and therefore the dispensing end of the actuable container) will be located adjacent the surface to be marked in order to minimise loss of the marking substance after dispensing as illustrated in Figure 21. The separation distance between the containment structure 12 and the working surface may be adjustable using the mounting assembly 11. As mentioned above, the containment structure 12 and/or mounting assembly 1 1 may allow movement of the line marking apparatus between a use condition in which the containment structure is relatively closely separated from the working surface and a storage condition in which the containment structure is located away from the working surface, typically to provide increased clearance.

[0087] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be provided in an electrically actuable configuration in which the operator of a machine relative to which the apparatus is mounted can actuate the release of the marking substance by causing an electronic signal to be issued which once received and conveyed to a servo actuator, drives movement of a drive arm to actuate the actuable container to release the marking substance.

[0088] In this configuration, the apparatus itself will typically be configured for remote operation and a message is electronically forwarded via a cable or wireless system to operate and actuator associated with the containment structure.

[00891 A preferred embodiment of this configuration is illustrated in Figure 23. A can be seen, the marking apparatus 10 is provided with a servo 46 associated with the containment structure holding the actuable container. Upon receipt of an. electronic signal, the servo 46 actuates and moves an arm to actuate the container to release the marking substance.

[0090] The system is provided with a control box 42, which is normally located in the cabin of a machine to which the marking apparatus 10 is mounted. The control box 42 is associated with a power source 43 which in this preferred embodiment, is either a 12 V or 24 V power supply, normally one associated with the vehicle. The control box 42 is also connected via an elongate cable 44 with appropriate connection plugs 45 to the servo 46. In this way, an operator can use the control box 42 to pass a signal along the cable 44 to the servo 46 in order to actuate the servo 46.

[00911 A more detailed view of the particular apparatus preferred according to this embodiment is illustrated in Figure 24. As with the previous embodiment, the apparatus in this particular embodiment includes a rearward arm 14 extending from the vehicle relative to which the apparatus is mounted. A lateral arm 47 extends substantiall perpendicularly to the rearward arm 14.

[0092] A pivoting arm 49 is mounted to the rearward aim 44 around a pivot arrangement including an extension 20 from the rearward arm which is received inside a sleeve 21 mounted to the pivoting arm 49, A bolt 18 is received through the pivot arrangement i order to hold the pivot arrangement and to bias the pivot arrangement through the use of a spring. This allows the depending arm 1.5 which has the containment structure at a lower end thereof to pivot around the rearward arm 14.

[0093] The pivoting arm 23 can be locked relative to lateral arm 47 using the locking pin 22. As mentioned previously, the lower arm 17 and the upper arm 16 are movable relative to one another in order to set the effective length of the depending arm 15.

[0094] The containment structure is located on the lower end of the lower ann 17 and in this configuration* includes a cover 276 to cover the actuation mechanism provided according to this particular embodiment which will be discussed in relation to figures 27 and 28.

[0.0951 The portion identified as "A" in Fi gure 24 is surely more detail in Figures 25 and 26. Illustrated in Figure 25, is the pivoting and biasing structure between the pivoting ami and the rearward arm 14. A washer 21 is illustrated located between the lateral ann 47 and the pivoting arm 49. The sleeve 21 of the pivot connection is provided with a grease nipple 17 and the extension 20 is also provided with a washer 19 before the bolt 18 extends there through to form the pivoting connection. Also illustrated in Figure 25 is the locking pin 20 which is used to selectively lock the pivoting arm 4 relative to the lateral arm 47.

[0096] Illustrated in Figure 26 is front: view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 25 with the lateral arm being referred to as item 1 in this particular illustration. Also shown in Figure 26 is the enlarged upper arm referred to as item to in this illustration. The locking assembly used to lock the pivoting ann 23 to lateral arm 1 is illustrated. The locking assembly includes the locking pin 20 attached using a hex bolt .12, a washer 9 and Nylock nut 8.

[0097] A hex bolt 22 i s also used to fix the position of the lower arm 17 relative to the upper arm 2 with a pair of washers 23 being provided and the bolt being secured by a Nylock nut 24.

[0098] The lower portion of the apparatus 10 is illustrated in further detail in Figures 27 and 28, The containment structure 12 is provided on a lower end of a lower arm in this illustration referred to as item 3. The containment structure 12 is provided with an upper flap 4 which can be rotated around a hex bolt 12, washer 9 and Nylock nut 8 to open and close the containing structure 12. An annular bumper 27 is provided mounted relative to the upper flap 4 in order to hold the container of marking substance withi n the containment structure 12. The bumpe 27 is held in position using a hex bolt 12, washer 9 and Nylock nut 8 as illustrated in Figure 27. A latch mechanism 16 is provided in order to secure the flap 4 in the closed condition. [0099] A lower actuation plate 5 is provided at a lower end of the containment structure 12. The actuation plate 5 is movable about a hex bolt 12, washer 9 and Nylock nut 8 as illustrated in Figure 27. An elongate spring bias assembly 7 is provided through the actuation plate 5 and extends to within the containment structure 12. Typically, a spring or similar biasing member is provided inside, the containment structure 12 as a part of the spring bias assembly 72 bias the actuation plate 5 into the deactivated position and only when the servo is actuated, the servo move the actuation arm 10 to draw the actuation played five toward the containment structure 12 to release the marking substance from the container held withi the containment structure 12.

[00100J An opposite side of the actuation plate 5 is connected to an actuation arm 10 using a pair of washers 9 and a pair of Nylock nuts 8. An upper portion of the actuation arm 10 is attached to a ball joint 1 1 which is subsequently mounted to a servo link arm 25 using a washer 9 and a Nylock nut 8. The servo link arm 25 is driven by the servo 26, The servo 26 is mounted relative to a substantially planar plate 48 by a 10 mm hex bolt 13 and a properly sized Nylock nut 14. The upper end of the actuation arm 10 and the servo arrangement is normally covered in use by a cover 6 are attached to the containment structure 12.

[00101} In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[001,02] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment' or 'in art embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined i any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A line marking apparatus for heavy equipment including a mounting assembly to mount the marking apparatus to a piece of mobile heavy equipment, containment structure associated with the mounting assembly and adapted to at least partially contain an actuable container holding a. marking substance and an actuation system for actuating the actuable container as required to dispense the marking substance under the control of an operator of the heavy equipment.

2. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly is configured to allow movement of the containment structure between a storage condition and a use condition in which the containment structure is adjacent to a surface.

3. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mounting assembly includes at least one laterally extending arm member and at least one forwardly or rearwardly extending arm meraber with either arm member mounting the containment structure and either arm member attaching to the heavy equipment

4 A Sine markin apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, a substantially vertically extending arm is used to mount the containment structure at a lower end thereof.

5. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the substantially vertically extendin arm is length adjustable.

6. A. l ine marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding clai m s wherei n, in use, the containment structure associated with the mounting assembly contains an aerosol spray can holding a marking substance.

7. A line marking apparatus as claimed in an one of the preceding claims wherein the containment structure is a shaped containing assembly to hold the actuable container in an inverted position during use.

8. A line marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the containment str c ure includes an upper flap in order to releasably hold the actuable container within the containment structure.

9. A line marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the containment structure includes a lower wall with an opening therethrough in order to correspond in position to a dispensing openin on the actuable container.

10. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lower wall is hinged to the containment structure on one side with a biasing mechanism provided in order to bias the lower wall away from the actuable container within the containment sta!Cture,

11. A line marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the line marking apparatus is capable of remote actuation by an operator of the heavy equipment.

12. A line marking apparatus as claimed in. claim 1 1 wherein remote actuation is achieved through the provision of an elongate member which is manipulated to move the lower wall on the containment structure to dispense the markin substance as required through engagement with the actuable container

13. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim. 11 wherein remote actuation is achieved through the provision of a control to issue an electronic signal and an actuator associated with a signal receiver such that when the signal is received, the actuator drives movement of the lower wall on the containment structur to actuate the actuable container to release the marking substance.

14. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electronic signal is electronically forwarded via a cable or wireless system, to operate the actuator associated with the containment structure.

15. A line marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims mounted to an alignment and/or control system component which is mounted to the heavy equipment.

16. A line marking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein in use, the separation distance between the containment structure and the working surface is adjustable using the mounting assembly.