GB2290099A

GB2290099A - Line marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2290099A
Application number: GB9411390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Palmer
Original assignee: SUPATURF PROD Ltd
Current assignee: SUPATURF PROD Ltd
Priority date: 1994-06-07
Filing date: 1994-06-07
Publication date: 1995-12-13
Also published as: GB9411390D0

Abstract

Line marking apparatus comprises a mobile reservoir (2) of line marking liquid (3); a transfer wheel mounted (7) in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel (8) mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised by means for adjusting the amount of liquid transferred from the transfer wheel to the applicator wheel. Preferably the transfer wheel is arranged to rotate towards the applicator wheel and thus transfer liquid thereto and the adjusting means e.g. a brush, is arranged to return liquid in excess of a predetermined amount to the reservoir, thereby limiting the amount of liquid transferred to the applicator wheel. Means may be present to adjust the weight of the transfer wheel and the liquid carrying surface of the transfer wheel may include a replaceable outer portion. <IMAGE>

Description

LINE MARKING APPARATUS The invention reiates to a line marking apparatus and in particular a line marking apparatus having an applicator wheel to transfer marking liquid onto a substrate, e.g. grass, a tennis court, a car park; or the like.

Such a line marking apparatus normally comprises a tank containing a marking fluid such as a paint. The tank has two wheels, one on each side, and a handle to push the tank over the surface. At least one further wheel is mounted in the tank in contact with the paint and with the applicator wheel.

Such line marking apparatus is popular but little or no attempt has been made to control the application of the line marking paint. For example, if the density of paint intthe line to be painted needs to be increased or decreased it is necessary to change the paint to be used. Components are heavy and surfaces must be treated when worn.

It is one object of the invention to provide apparatus which can adjust the density of paint line without the need to change the paint. It is another object to simplify and cheapen the need to replace a worn component. It is yet another object to provide readily adjustable means to vary the weight of a component in the apparatus.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised by means for adjusting the amount of liquid transferred from the transfer wheel to the applicator wheel.

Preferably the transfer wheel is arranged to rotate towards the applicator wheel and thus transfer liquid thereto. The adjusting means is preferably arranged to return liquid in excess of a predetermined amount to the reservoir, thereby limiting the amount of liquid transferred to the applicator wheel.

Preferably the adjusting means comprises brush means arranged to wipe the excess liquid off the transfer wheel.

Preferably the brush means is movably mounted on a support for movement towards or away from the transfer wheel, whereby to adjust the amount of liquid brushed off the transfer wheel.

According to the invention in another aspect there is provided line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised in that means are present to adjust the weight of the transfer wheel.

The weight of the transfer wheel is preferably adjusted by adding weight thereto.

Preferably the transfer wheel is hollow and the weight is received therein. Preferably the weight is permanently present in the hollow wheel and is a self setting material such as concrete. The weight may instead be removable from the hollow transfer wheel and is a flowable material such as sand, water; or the like Preferably the transfer wheel comprises a hollow body formed of a lightweight material such as aluminium.

According to the invention in yet another aspect there is provided a line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised in that the liquid carrying surface of the transfer wheel includes a replaceable outer portion.

Preferably the outer portion comprises a replaceable sleeve, and is continuous about the periphery of the transfer wheel.

The sleeve is frictionally engaged with the body of the transfer wheel.

Alternatively the sleeve is secured to the body of the transfer wheel by adhesive.

The sleeve is preferably formed of rubber or like material.

Preferably the replaceable sleeve is formed with generally parallel grooves to receive the liquid to be transferred.

In a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised by means for adjusting the amount of liquid transferred from the transfer wheel to the applicator wheel, means to adjust the weight of the transfer wheel and a replaceable outer portion engaged with the liquid carrying surface of the transfer wheel.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a line marking apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of part of the transfer wheel including a replaceable outer sleeve shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of the transfer wheel of Figure 1.

A line marking apparatus 1 comprises a tank 2 containing a line marking liquid 3, such as a paint. The tank 2 has an axle upon which is mounted two wheels 4, one on each side of the tank 2. The apparatus is pushed forward using a handle 5 extending from the rear of the apparatus.

A paint pick up wheel 6 is mounted in the tank 2 such that the lower portion of the wheel 6 is in contact with the paint. The pick up wheel 6 is rotated in a clockwise direction towards a transfer wheel 7 by a drive belt (not shown) extending about the axle of the wheels 4 and the pick up wheel 6.

A transfer wheel 7, which is located above the maximum liquid level 9, is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction by the motion of the pick up wheel 6 and collects the line marking paint on its periphery. The motion of the transfer wheel 7 rotates the applicator wheel 8 in a clockwise direction, transferring the paint 3 to the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel. The applicator wheel 8 is in contact with the substrate on which a line is to be marked, and as it rotates it applies marking paint to the substrate.

A brush 10 is mounted towards the rear wall 12 of the apparatus 1 on a support 9, adjacent the pick up wheel 6 above the maximum level of the marking fluid. The brush 10 includes a bristle blade 10A which is mounted in a holder 9A. An adjusting screw 11 extends through the holder 9A and is rotated to urge the bristle blade 10A .towards or away from the pick up wheel 6, to regulate the amount of marking liquid 3 transferred to the transfer wheel.

The transfer wheel 7 comprises a hollow drum cylinder which is closed at both sides. A threaded hole 13 extends through one face 14 of the transfer wheel 7 so that the hollow cavity can be at least partially filled with a fluid or particulate substance such as water, concrete, sand or the like. A threaded sealing cap 15 can be screwed into the hole 13.

The transfer wheel 7 is mounted on the apparatus by means of two adjustable screws (not shown) mounted on the body of the tank and engaged at the centre of each face of the transfer wheel 7.

The transfer wheel 7 is provided with a replaceable outer sleeve 16 which is continuous about the periphery of the wheel 7. The outer sleeve 16 is formed of a rubber or like resiliently flexible material and is frictionally engaged with the body of the transfer wheel 7. A number of spaced parallel grooves 17 are formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 16 and extend around the periphery of the wheel 7 when the sleeve 16 is engaged on the wheel. The grooves 17 are arranged to receive the marking paint 3 transferred from the pick up wheel 6, then assist with the transfer of the marking paint 3 to the applicator wheel 8.

In use, the tank 2 of the line marking apparatus 1 is filled to the maximum fluid level 9 with line marking paint 3. The position of the brush 10 is altered relative to the pick up wheel 6 by rotating the screw 11. The closer the brush 10 is to the first transfer wheel, the less line marking fluid is supplied to the application wheel 8 thereby producing a line which is lighter in appearance.

As the line marking apparatus 1 is pushed in a forward direction the pick up wheel 6 rotates due to the action of a drive belt driven by the wheels 4 of the apparatus to collect an amount of line marking fluid 3, the excess of which is brushed off by the bristle blade 1 0A of the brush 10. The fluid 3 is transferred to the transfer wheel 7 which rotates to transfer the fluid to the applicator wheel 8. The applicator wheel 8 deposits the line marking fluid 3 in a straight line on a substrate onto which a line is to be marked.

When it becomes apparent that the rubber outer sleeve 16 of the second transfer wheel has worn considerably, it is removed from the body of the transfer wheel by stretching or slicing the sleeve 16. A new rubber sleeve is then stretched over the transfer wheel and is held in place by friction bonding.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, the apparatus may include only a pick up wheel and an applicator wheel in contact with each other for the transfer of marking liquid. The sleeve may be held to the transfer wheel by adhesive. The brush may be replaced by a blade. The invention includes an embodiment in which the pick up wheel is provided with a replaceable sleeve in addition to or instead of the transfer wheel.

Claims

1. Line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised by means for adjusting the amount of liquid transferred from the transfer wheel to the applicator wheel.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the transfer wheel is arranged to rotate towards the applicator wheel and thus transfer liquid thereto and the adjusting means is arranged to return liquid in excess of a predetermined amount to the reservoir, thereby limiting the amount of liquid transferred to the applicator wheel.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the means comprises brush means arranged to wipe the excess liquid off the transfer wheel.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the brush means is movably mounted on a support for movement towards or away from the transfer wheel, whereby to adjust the amount of liquid brushed off the transfer wheel.

5. Line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised in that means are present to adjust the weight of the transfer wheel.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the weight of the transfer wheel is adjusted by adding weight thereto.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the transfer wheel is hollow and the weight is received therein.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the weight is permanently present in the hollow wheel.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the weight is a self setting material such as concrete.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the weight is removable from the hollow transfer wheel.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the weight is a flowable material such as sand, water; or the like

12. Apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the transfer wheel comprises a hollow body formed of a lightweight material such as aluminium.

13. Line marking apparatus comprising a mobile reservoir of line marking liquid; a transfer wheel mounted in the reservoir in contact with the liquid when the liquid is contained therein; an applicator wheel mounted on the reservoir in contact with the transfer wheel and with a substrate on which a line is to be marked characterised in that the liquid carrying surface includes a replaceable outer portion.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the replaceable outer portion is continuous about the periphery of the transfer wheel.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the outer portion comprises a replaceable sleeve, engaged with the body of the transfer wheel.

16. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the sleeve is frictionally engaged with the body of the transfer wheel.

17. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the sleeve is secured to the body of the transfer wheel by adhesive.

18. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 17, wherein the sleeve is formed of rubber or like material.

19. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 18, wherein the replaceable sleeve is formed with generally parallel grooves to receive the liquid to be transferred.

20. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 19, wherein the body of the transfer wheel is made of lightweight material

21. For use in apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 20, a replaceable sleeve having means to pick up and transfer line marking liquid and adapted to be secured about the periphery of the body of the transfer wheel

22. Apparatus for line marking incorporating the features of Claims 1 to 4; 5 to 12; and 13to21.