GB2417920A

GB2417920A - Marking device

Info

Publication number: GB2417920A
Application number: GB0419898A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Beckwith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-08
Filing date: 2004-09-08
Publication date: 2006-03-15
Also published as: GB0419898D0

Abstract

A marking device (figure 1, 1), arranged to be inserted through a preformed aperture 8 in an object 7, so that a surface 9 behind the object 7 can be marked, is described. The device (figure 1, 1) possesses an elongate housing 2 having an inner core 5 forming a carrier for the marking material and an opening 4 at the one end of the housing 2. The housing 2 also includes an actuation mechanism. This mechanism operates such that when the marking device (figure 1, 1) is inserted though the aperture 8, the mechanism can be triggered to partially eject the core 5 from the housing 2 so that the surface is marked by contact with the marking material on said core 5.

Description

24 1 7920 Marking Device This invention relates to a marking device and in

particular but not exclusively to a marking device to mark a surface that is substantially masked by an object.

Marking tools are known for marking a surface through an aperture in an object, for example US 4363173 describes a bolt hole locating tool where a marking tool is provided with a point that can be impacted into a surface such as concrete to form an imprint or indentation on a surface such as a cement slab.

In addition devices have been described such as those in GB 2366229 where a marking device comprising a IS capsule of marking liquid is attached to a screw or bolt which on impact punctures the capsule to release the marking liquid onto a surface. However, a problem with this prior art is that firstly, it may be difficult for people with poor eyesight or with less movement in their fingers to locate the capsule on the end of a screw or bolt. There is also the risk that while attaching the capsule, it may become ruptured which means that marking liquid can be spilled either on the person using the device or surrounding areas.

A problem with such prior art marking tools is that once an imprint or indentation is made, the surface has been damaged. If for some reason the point marked is not in the correct location, then the surface needs to be repaired to avoid disfiguration of the surface.

The present invention seeks to overcome problems associated with the prior art by providing an easy and clean to use marking device that can be used to mark a position on a surface, without damaging the surface being marked.

According to the present invention, there is provided a marking device arranged to be inserted through a preformed aperture in an object so that a surface behind the object can be marked, wherein the marking device comprises an elongate housing having an inner core forming a carrier for a marker material and an opening at one end of the housing, the housing also including an actuation mechanism such that when the marking device is inserted through the aperture the actuation mechanism can be operated to partially eject the core from the housing so that the surface is marked by contact with the marker material on said core.

Preferably the housing is tapered. This allows for ease of insertion of the marking device through the aperture.

The actuation mechanism preferably is a spring loaded mechanism. This allows for ease of operation so that an individual can operate the device one handed.

In an alternative arrangement, the actuation mechanism is provided as a re-coil mechanism that forces the marker unit towards the surface, with the housing then being caused to retract so that the core comes into contact with the surface to be marked.

It is envisaged that the actuation mechanism is such that the core is partially ejected from the housing and upon release of the mechanism, is withdrawn back into the housing. Preferably the mechanism is spring loaded such that the partial ejection and subsequent retraction of the core occurs as a single operation which is dependent on the pressure exerted on the core.

It is preferred that the core is provided as spongiform material having cavities containing marking material. Preferably the spongiform material is a felt or alternatively a sponge having apertures in which the marking material is contained. When the spongiform material is pressed against a surface, marking material is forced from the apertures within the core and deposited on the surface against which the core is pressed.

It is envisaged that the core is provided as a pad which allows for a dot to be marked on a surface.

Alternatively, the core is provided as an annular ring which provides a substantially circular mark on the surface.

It is preferred that the marking material is a water soluble material so that it can be easily wiped from the surface if needs be.

In a preferred arrangement, the housing may include an adapter sleeve, slidable on the elongate housing. The adaptor sleeve includes an additional core which is of a diameter that is different from that of the core in the main housing or alternatively it allows for the

introduction of a care of a different size. This

arrangement allows for the provision of a marking device that can be used to produce marked areas of different dimensions to facilitate the correct positioning of fixings such as screws of various sizes. However, the present invention has particular application to providing marked areas for standard screw sizes.

The marking device has a particular application for marking drill holes in a wall where a piece of furniture, for example a shelf is to be attached to a wall.

However, it is envisaged that the marking device may be used in other application where a point or area is to be marked but where the majority of the surface is masked by an object, for example, marking of fabric where say a button is to be stitched or where a piece of material is to be attached to another.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figure in which: Figure 1 shows a marking device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a marking device according to an embodiment of the invention that is being used to mark drill holes for a shelf support bracket; and Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

A marking device is shown generally as 1 in Figure 1. The device comprises an elongate housing 2 having an inner core 5 and an opening at one end 4. At the other end of the device there is an actuation mechanism 3 which can be operated to partially release the core 5 from the housing 2.

There may also be a cap 6 for positioning over the aperture 4 of the housing to stop evaporation of marking material from the core 5.

The core is preferably an elongate felt or sponge core that acts as a carrier for a marking fluid such as water-based ink.

The actuation mechanism is a spring loaded trigger device with on pushing towards the main body of the housing, causes a length of core to be ejected from the aperture 4. The mechanism is preferably attached to the core such that if pressure, for example thumb pressure is taken off the mechanism, the core is automatically retracted into the housing 2. This prevents marking material from coming into contact with the surface until there is a triggering of the actuation mechanism to release the core from the housing so that a surface may be marked only when and where required, without the risk of adjacent areas accidentally key marked.

As shown in Figure 2, the housing 2 is elongate so that it can easily be inserted into pre-drilled holes 8 in a shelf bracket 7. The housing may be of the same diameter along its length or there may be tapering towards the core release aperture 4. It is also envisaged that there may be that the end of the housing with the aperture is formed of a resilient material having a clamp mechanism which will enable the part of the housing near the aperture to be expanded and contracted so allowing the diameter of the housing to be altered if the device is to be inserted in smaller or larger pre-drilled holes.

Once the device is pushed through the pre-drilled holes, the actuation mechanism is depressed and the core 5 is in part ejected from the aperture 4 in the housing and the core presses against a surface that it meets. The pressure of the core against the surface causes marking material such as an ink to leave a neat and well defined substantially circular mark, corresponding to the diameter of the core 5, on the surface. This clear circular mark then forms a template for the drill positions of apertures for the bracket 7.

Figure 3 shows the exit holes 8 in the bracket 7.

It is clear that by having a device that can be pushed through a relatively thick object like a bracket 7 to mark a surface, there is the reduced risk of a drill hole being incorrectly positioned. A simple dot 9 is shown in this embodiment of the invention but in alternative embodiments, the core may be such that a circular mark is provided. This may be a single circle or for larger holes, a series of concentric circles could be marked. A person can then match the diameter of the circle to a required diameter for a fixing such as a screw or bolt.

The invention is envisaged as covering all combinations of features described. It will be apparent that modifications and variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described.

Claims

Claims 1. A marking device arranged to be inserted through a preformed

aperture in an object to that a surface behind the object can be marked, wherein the marking device comprises an elongate housing having an inner core forming a carrier for a marker material and an opening at the one end of the housing, the housing also including an actuation mechanism such that when the marking device is inserted through the aperture the actuation mechanism can be operated to partially eject the core from the housing so that the surface is marked by contact with the marker . :.: .. material on said core. e.. ..
2. A marking device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is tapered. :
3. A marking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A wherein the actuation mechanism is a spring loaded mechanism.
4. A marking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the actuation mechanism is provided as a re-coil mechanism that forces the marker unit towards the surface, with the housing being caused to retract so that the core comes into contact with the surface to be marked.
5. A marking device according to any preceding claims wherein the actuation mechanism is arranged so that the core is partially ejected from the housing and upon release of the mechanism, is withdrawn back into the housing.
6. A marking device according to claim 5 wherein the actuation mechanism is spring loaded such that the partial ejection and subsequent retraction of the core occurs as a single operation.
7. A marking device according to any preceding claims, wherein the core is provided as spongiform material having cavities containing marking material.
8. A marking device according to claim 7, wherein the spongiform material is a felt or alternatively a sponge having apertures in which the marking material is :.:.. contained. .e ë
9. A marking device according to any preceding claim, . wherein the core is provided as a pad which allows for a ë dot to be marked on a surface.

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10. A marking device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the core is provided as an annular ring which provides a substantially circular mark on a surface.
11. A marking device according to any preceding claims, wherein the marking material is a water soluble material.
12. A marking device according to any preceding claims, wherein the housing includes an adaptor sleeve, slidable on the elongate housing.
13. A marking device according to claim 12, wherein the adaptor sleeve includes an additional core which is of a diameter that is different from that of the core in the main housing.
14. A marking device according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the adaptor sleeve is arranged such that cores of different sizes can be introduced therein.
15. A marking device according to any preceding claims adapted for use in marking drill holes.
16. A marking device as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. . .. ... . :e .. . .e