Marking device

Abstract

Device (1) for marking a surface to be marked (71), the device comprising:- a paint applicator (2),- a paint dispensing mechanism (4) comprising:- a connection fitting (16) for sealingly fixing a container containing paint,- a peristaltic pump (18), for sucking up the paint from the connection fitting and delivering it to the paint applicator,- a control member (19) for actuating the peristaltic pump (18),- a scraper (3) for cleaning the surface to be marked before applying the paint. Figure for abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Marking device

[0001] The present invention relates, among other things, to the field of forestry.

[0002] Hammering consists of marking the trees that will be cut or left standing.

[0003] To facilitate the hammering operation, WO 2018 / 036725 A1 describes a device for bark marking which comprises a scraper for cleaning the bark of the tree, a paint container and a paint applicator roller for marking the tree, fed through a paint distribution conduit by the container. The paint supply is triggered by actuation of a control member.

[0004] The device described in WO 2018 / 036725 A1, however, has several drawbacks. In particular, in practice, good impregnation of the paint applicator roller requires multiple pressures from the user on the control member. In addition, in certain handling positions of the device, it may be difficult to bring the paint to the applicator roller. Furthermore, since the applicator roller surmounts the body of the device, gripping the latter during hammering may cause uncomfortable rotation of the user's wrist.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a new marking device, which is ergonomic and further facilitates the hammering operation.

[0006] The invention relates to a device for marking a surface to be marked, the device comprising: - a paint applicator, - a paint distribution mechanism comprising: a connection fitting for sealingly fixing a container containing paint, a peristaltic pump to suck the paint from the connection fitting and deliver it to the paint applicator, a control member for actuating the peristaltic pump, and - a scraper for cleaning the surface to be marked before applying the paint.

[0007] The device according to the invention allows optimal distribution of the paint to the paint applicator by simply actuating the peristaltic pump by means of the control member. Actuation of the peristaltic pump by the control member allows the paint to flow from the container to the paint applicator.

[0008] In particular, the surface to be marked may be the bark of a tree.

[0009] Preferably, the control member defines a support surface on which the user can press to actuate the peristaltic pump. Thus, the priming of the suction of the paint is particularly rapid and requires less manual action on the control member than with the device described in WO 2018 / 036725 A1. In addition, once the pumping of the paint from the container has been initiated by the peristaltic pump, a simple press on the control member supplies the paint applicator, in particular regardless of the position in which the device is manipulated by the user. Alternatively, the control member may be fluidically connected to a reserve of pressurized gas, for example compressed air, and be configured to actuate the peristaltic pump when it receives a volume of pressurized gas from said reserve of pressurized gas.

[0010] Preferably, the peristaltic pump is of the rotary type.

[0011] Preferably, the paint dispensing mechanism comprises a dis paint distribution pipe connecting from upstream to downstream the connection fitting to the paint applicator, the paint distribution pipe comprising a flexible portion at least partly housed in the peristaltic pump.

[0012] Preferably, the peristaltic pump comprises a pump body, a rotor mounted on the pump body and shaped to compress, during its rotation, the flexible portion of the paint distribution conduit in order to induce a depression upstream of the pump so as to transfer the paint downstream towards the applicator.

[0013] Preferably, the rotor comprises at least two rollers for compressing the flexible portion of the paint distribution conduit. The rollers are preferably each spaced from the axis of the rotor, in particular diametrically distributed relative to the axis of the rotor.

[0014] The rotor may comprise a spreader bar, the rollers being attached, for example rotatably mounted, on the spreader bar.

[0015] The flexible portion of the paint distribution conduit may extend around the rotor at an angle of at least 90°, preferably greater than or equal to 120°, preferably greater than or equal to 150°, or even greater than or equal to 180°, in particular equal to 180°, or even greater than or equal to 200°.

[0016] At least a portion of the flexible portion of the paint dispensing conduit is preferably disposed in the pump body.

[0017] The flexible portion of the paint dispensing conduit is preferably made of a polymeric material, for example silicone or flexible PVC.

[0018] Preferably, the peristaltic pump comprises a rack, the device being configured so that actuation of the control member causes translation of the rack relative to the pump body and rotation of the rotor by meshing the rack with the rotor.

[0019] The rotor may comprise a part, in particular a connecting rod comprising a toothing connecting rod on which the rack can be engaged.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting rod serration extends angularly around the rotor axis at an angle of between 45° and 180°, for example 90°.

[0021] Preferably, the control member is mounted, preferably rotatably, on the rack.

[0022] Preferably, the peristaltic pump comprises an elastic return member for bringing the rack from a translated position to a reference position relative to the pump body. In this way, after actuation of the control member, compression of the flexible portion of the paint dispensing conduit and suction of a dose of paint that said actuation induces, the return of the control member makes it possible to reposition the rotor in its initial configuration. Thus, a new actuation of the control member causes a new compression of the flexible portion of the paint dispensing conduit and the transfer of a new dose of paint from the container to the applicator.

[0023] Preferably, the device is configured so that an actuation of the return member from the reference position to the translated position at the end of travel of the rack causes the suction of a volume of paint of at least 1 ml, preferably between 1 ml and 3 ml.

[0024] The elastic return member may be a spring, preferably helical, which is compressed by the rack and the pump body in the translated position.

[0025] Furthermore, preferably, the peristaltic pump is arranged between the control member and the connection fitting.

[0026] Preferably, in order to protect the peristaltic pump, the device comprises a casing defining an interior space, the peristaltic pump and at least the flexible part of the paint distribution conduit being housed in the interior space of the casing.

[0027] The housing preferably defines a housing for receiving at least in part a cartridge containing the container, the connection fitting being disposed at least in part in the housing.

[0028] Preferably, the device comprises a rigid cartridge delimiting an interior space for receiving the container, the cartridge being inserted at least into the housing and removably fixed to the casing. Thus, the container is protected by the cartridge, which prevents it from being pierced and the paint from escaping. The cartridge has an orifice through which the paint contained in the container can be brought to the paint distribution conduit by the connection fitting.

[0029] The cartridge may comprise two removable cartridge half-shells, for example mounted to pivot relative to each other. Thus, prior to implementing the device, the cartridge may be removed from the casing, then the two half-shells The cartridges can be spaced apart, allowing the paint container to be placed in one of the half-shells. The half-shells can then be reassembled and the cartridge containing the paint container can then be inserted into the housing.

[0030] Preferably, the container is flexible and provided with a rigid tip fixed in a sealed manner on the connection fitting. For example, it is a flexible bag made of a polymeric material, for example PE, and / or PET. In this way, the suction of the paint by means of the peristaltic pump causes a contraction of the container without an air vacuum and with the help of atmospheric pressure.

[0031] Preferably, the container is contained in the cartridge and the nozzle, which projects from the orifice provided in the cartridge, is fixed in a sealed manner to the connector.

[0032] Preferably, the device comprises a handle for holding the device during marking, which is preferably fixed to the housing.

[0033] Preferably, the connection fitting and the cartridge and / or the container extend around an axis which forms with the axis of the handle an angle greater than 90°, preferably greater than 100°, in order to facilitate the gravitational flow of the paint from the container towards the paint distribution conduit.

[0034] Preferably, the peristaltic pump is arranged between the handle and the connection fitting, and where appropriate the container. Thus, in a vertical operating position of the device, the mass of the paint container and the peristaltic pump is distributed above the user's hand, which limits the user's muscular fatigue.

[0035] The shortest distance between the connection fitting and the handle may be greater than 2 cm, preferably greater than 3 cm.

[0036] Preferably, the handle is shaped such that the user can operate the control member with one or more fingers of the hand holding the handle.

[0037] Preferably, the control member is a joystick.

[0038] Preferably, the control member extends along an axis which, in the position of reference, makes an angle with the extension axis of the handle which is between 25° and 45°, for example 35°.

[0039] Preferably, the control member is rotatably mounted on the handle.

[0040] Preferably, the rotation of the control member relative to the handle takes place around an axis perpendicular to the handle.

[0041] Preferably, the device comprises a guard which extends from the housing, the control member being disposed between the handle and the guard. The guard protects the user's hand and thus prevents it from coming into contact with the surface to be marked during marking.

[0042] The guard may be distant from the handle, and preferably be substantially parallel to the handle.

[0043] Alternatively, it can connect the casing to the handle, in particular to the end of the handle opposite the casing. In particular, it can fully delimit, with the handle and the casing, the perimeter of an opening in which the control member is housed.

[0044] Preferably, the casing, the handle and optionally the guard, come from one material and together form a housing.

[0045] In particular, the housing may be formed from two housing half-shells that can be removed from one another and which are fixed, in particular screwed onto one another. Preferably, the two housing half-shells are made of a thermoplastic material. They may be obtained by molding, in particular by injection, or by 3D printing.

[0046] In a variant, the guard can be fixed, for example screwed, onto the handle and / or onto the casing.

[0047] Preferably, the scraper is fixed to the housing. Preferably, it is fixed to the guard, preferably to the base of the guard. This position of the scraper allows optimal scraping of the surface to be marked while minimizing the user's effort.

[0048] Preferably, the scraper has a scraper blade. The scraper blade may be flat or serrated, which facilitates cleaning of the surface to be marked.

[0049] Preferably, the scraper comprises a scraper base, preferably flat, inserted into a scraper housing provided by the housing. The scraper base is extended by a scraper rod forming an angle of between 90° and 180° with the scraper base. Such an angle facilitates efficient scraping of the surface, while limiting the rotation of the user's wrist.

[0050] Preferably, the scraper is removably attached to the housing. It is thus possible to equip the device with a serrated scraper, and if necessary to replace it with a flat scraper, and vice versa.

[0051] Preferably, when the device is viewed from the side, the angle between the axis of the handle and the straight line passing through the scraping surface of the scraper and through the applicator surface of the paint applicator is between -10° and 10°. In particular, the axis of the handle and the straight line passing through the scraping surface of the scraper and through the applicator surface of the paint applicator may be parallel. Advantageously, a slight rotation of the wrist around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the handle thus makes it possible to scrape the surface to be marked with the scraper blade while keeping the applicator at a short distance from the surface to be marked, then by translation and / or rotation of the handle, the user can easily bring the applicator into contact with the surface to be marked thus scraped to apply the paint thereto.

[0052] Preferably, the scraper is movable relative to the handle, so that each user can determine the optimal position of the scraper blade by relative to the handle for effective scraping of the surface to be marked. In particular, the device may comprise a scraper clamping member fixed to the housing, for example a knurled screw, the loosening of said clamping member allowing the scraper to move relative to the housing and the tightening of said member rigidly fixing the scraper to the housing.

[0053] Preferably, the housing is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry which contains the axis of the handle, and where appropriate of the guard.

[0054] Preferably, when observed from the side, i.e. perpendicular to said plane of symmetry, the handle, the control member and the scraper are arranged on the same side relative to the paint applicator. This arrangement facilitates the repetition of the scraping and paint application phases, without the user having to make large wrist movements.

[0055] Furthermore, when observed from the side, the scraper, the paint applicator and optionally the control member are arranged on the same side of the axis of the handle and the paint container is at least partially, or even entirely, arranged on the other side of the axis of the handle. This arrangement makes it possible to effectively distribute the mass of the different components of the device, so as to avoid muscular fatigue for the user.

[0056] Preferably, the paint applicator is mounted, preferably removably, on the paint dispensing mechanism.

[0057] The applicator surface of the applicator is preferably supplied from a space inside the applicator.

[0058] Preferably, the paint dispensing mechanism comprises a support arm on which the paint applicator is rotatably mounted. The support arm is rigid, for example metallic. It may be fixed to the casing.

[0059] Preferably, the paint distribution conduit comprises the support arm, which is hollow and arranged as an extension of the flexible portion of said conduit, from upstream to downstream. Thus, the paint flows through the support arm.

[0060] Preferably, the paint applicator is rotatably mounted on the support arm.

[0061] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rotary applicator relative to the support arm is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the housing.

[0062] Preferably, the paint applicator comprises a hub and an applicator roller, made of a solid foam surrounding the hub.

[0063] The hub is preferably tubular and hollow.

[0064] Preferably, the hub is perforated, allowing transfer of paint from the paint dispensing conduit to the applicator roller through the hub.

[0065] Preferably, the support arm comprises a straight shaft inserted into the hub, the hub being rotatable around the axis of the shaft.

[0066] Preferably, the shaft is provided with perforations, so as to allow paint to flow to the applicator roller through the perforations and the hub.

[0067] Preferably the hub is removably snapped onto the support arm. This makes it easier to disassemble the applicator at the end of the operation for easy maintenance.

[0068] Preferably, the foam is an open-cell foam, which allows the surface of the applicator roller to be fed by transferring paint from the hub through the foam.

[0069] Preferably, the foam is a polymeric foam, for example high density polyurethane. Preferably, it is made of polyurethane PU Z15650, which in particular has good compression resistance and low residual deformation.

[0070] Preferably, the distance between the axis of the hub and the axis of the handle, measured perpendicular to the axis of the handle, is greater than 2 cm, better still greater than 5 cm. This arrangement makes it possible to define a more comfortable application position for the user's wrist.

[0071] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, a non-limiting example of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0072] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0073] [Fig.2] is a side view of the device,

[0074] [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] are perspective views of two sides of the plane of symmetry of the device, and in which one of the respective half-shells of the housing has been removed, in order to observe the components of the device housed in the housing,

[0075] [Fig.5] is a front view of the device,

[0076] [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] are two side views in two different directions of the mechanism of paint distribution, components of the device having been omitted,

[0077] [Fig.8], [Fig.9] and [Fig. 10] are different perspective views of the dis painting tribute,

[0078] [Fig. 11] and [Fig. 12] are perspective views of the paint dispensing mechanism support arm and the paint applicator hub,

[0079] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view from below of a device part, and

[0080] [Fig. 14] schematically illustrates an example of hammering a tree trunk with the device.

[0081] In Figures 6 to 12, components of the device have not been deliberately shown, to make those described therein more clearly visible.

[0082] In the present description, the terms "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical" are defined relative to the position of the device, as shown in [Fig.2]. In this figure, the plane (x,y) corresponds to the horizontal surface and z defines the vertical direction. More precisely, the x axis defines the longitudinal direction, and is in the opposite direction to that by which the device is brought into contact with the shaft for marking.

[0083] Figures 1 to 14 show an example of a marking device 1 according to the invention.

[0084] The marking device 1 comprises a paint applicator 2, a scraper 3, and a paint dispensing mechanism 4.

[0085] It further comprises a housing 5, formed of two half-shells 6a-b substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane (PP) of symmetry of the housing, which is substantially a plane of symmetry of the marking device 1.

[0086] The housing 5 comprises a protective casing 7, a handle 8 which extends inferiorly along an axis Xp from the protective casing 7. The axis Xp is shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. The housing 5 further comprises a guard 9 which has an “L” shape and which extends, inferiorly, from the base of the handle 8 to the protective casing 7, superiorly, delimiting an opening 10 with said protective casing 7 and the handle 8. In this way, when a person holds the handle in his hand, his phalanges are arranged in the opening 10 and are protected by the guard 9.

[0087] The marking device 1 further comprises a rigid and hollow cartridge 11, which is removably mounted in a housing 12 provided by the casing 5. The cartridge 11 defines an interior cartridge space 13 which can contain and protect a flexible container, not shown, containing a paint to be dispensed to the paint applicator 2 by the paint dispensing mechanism 4.

[0088] The cartridge 11 is formed by two cartridge half-shells 14a-b, which are pivotally mounted relative to each other around a hinge 15. When the cartridge is extracted from the housing 12, the two cartridge half-shells 14a-b can be separated, allowing a container, for example newly filled with paint, to be placed in the cartridge interior space 13. The cartridge half-shells can then be reassembled and the cartridge can be engaged in the housing 12 to be fixed, for example by screwing or snapping onto the housing 5.

[0089] As illustrated in [Fig.2], which illustrates a service position of the device, the cartridge 11, the container and the paint dispensing mechanism 4 are arranged above the handle 8. Advantageously, this configuration makes it possible to arrange the majority of the mass of the device 1 above the hand holding the device. This prevents premature fatigue for the user.

[0090] The paint dispensing mechanism 4 makes it possible to dispense the paint contained in the paint container to the paint applicator 2. The paint dispensing mechanism 4 comprises a connection fitting 16, a paint dispensing conduit 17, a peristaltic pump 18 and a control member 19.

[0091] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate different components of the paint dispensing mechanism 4, which are isolated from other v of the marking device, in order to more easily understand the operation of the paint dispensing mechanism 4.

[0092] The paint distribution conduit 17 opens via one of its ends at its upstream end, at the connection fitting 16 and at its downstream end, into an interior space of the paint applicator 2, as will be described in more detail later.

[0093] The connection fitting 16 is configured to receive the tip of the paint container and ensure a sealed connection, for example by means of an O-ring seal, between the paint container and the paint distribution conduit 17. The tip of the container is for example snapped into the connection fitting 16.

[0094] The connection fitting 16 and the cartridge 11 extend around an axis Xc which forms with the axis Xp of the handle an angle 0pc greater than 90°. This thus allows, in a service position as illustrated in [Fig.2], that the nozzle of the container is located in the lower position of the container, which facilitates the flow of paint towards the paint distribution conduit 17 under the effect of gravity.

[0095] The paint distribution conduit 17 is tubular and hollow. It comprises a flexible portion 20, made for example of silicone, which is extended by a rigid portion 21, for example metallic. The rigid portion 21 of the paint distribution conduit 17 is fixed on the housing 5.

[0096] The flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit 17 is engaged in the peristaltic pump 18, within which it is compressed downstream under the effect of the actuation of the control member 19 by the user. The downstream compression of the flexible portion 20 induces on the one hand a movement of the paint towards the paint applicator and on the other hand a depression upstream of the peristaltic pump 18 which causes a suction of the paint from the container.

[0097] The peristaltic pump 18, illustrated more specifically in FIGS. 8 to 10, comprises a pump body 22, a rotor 23 and a rack 24 mounted on the pump body. In [Fig. 10], the pump body has been omitted for better visualization of the rotor 24.

[0098] The pump body 22 is rigidly fixed to the housing 5, more specifically to the protective casing 7.

[0099] The pump body 22 comprises a body wall 25 which is semi-cylindrical in shape and has a radially inner face 26 against which the flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit 17 is wound at an angle of 180° around the axis of revolution Yr of the wall. The rotor is rotatably mounted around a rotor axis which coincides with the axis of revolution Yr. It comprises a rudder 27 comprising two rudder discs 28a-b perpendicular to the axis Yr between which extend two rollers 29 radially distant from the axis Yr.

[0100] The flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit 17 is thus sandwiched and compressed by at least one of the rollers 29 against the face 26 of the semi-cylindrical body wall 25 of the pump body 22. The rollers 29 are also symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis Yr. Thus, the flexible portion 20 is always compressed by the two rollers 29 of the peristaltic pump 18, which allows continuous distribution of the paint following actuation of the control member 19.

[0101] Furthermore, the flexible portion 17 of the paint distribution conduit 20 is housed between the lever discs 28a-b, which thus define stops along the Yr axis and thus prevent said flexible portion from moving along the Yr axis and escaping from the peristaltic pump 18.

[0102] The pump body 22 further comprises a dividing wall 30 from which the body wall 25 extends transversely. The flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit and the rack 24 are arranged respectively on each side of the dividing wall.

[0103] The separating wall 30 also comprises a hole through which the rotor passes.

[0104] The rack 24 is mounted to move in translation on the pump body 22 along a translation axis Xt perpendicular to the axis Yr of rotation of the rotor.

[0105] The rack comprises first 31 and second 32 rack rods with an axis parallel to the translation axis Xt, which respectively comprise first 33 and second 34 rack teeth and the rotor 23 comprises a connecting rod 35 provided with a connecting rod tooth 36 which, in at least one position of the rack 24, is meshed in at least one of the first 33 and second 34 rack teeth. Thus, a translation of the rack along the Xt axis drives the rotor in translation along the Yr axis.

[0106] The translational movement of the rack relative to the pump body is ensured by the control member 19.

[0107] The control member 19 is a lever comprising an actuation portion 37 for at least one finger of the user's hand holding the handle, and a connecting portion 38 extending the actuation portion 37. The actuation portion 37 comprises a bearing surface 39 on which the user's fingers can exert pressure to actuate the peristaltic pump 18.

[0108] The actuating member 19 is fixed in an articulated manner to the housing 5, in particular to the upper part of the handle 8, by means of a first articulation 39 in a rotary pivot arranged between the connecting portion 38 and the actuating portion 37. The connecting portion 38 is further connected by a second articulation 40 in a rotary pivot to the rack 24. In this way, a compression of the actuating portion 37 in the direction of the handle 8 causes a tilting in an opposite direction of the connecting portion 38. The actuating member 19 and the peristaltic pump 18 being fixed on the housing, the connecting portion 38 thus drives the rack 24 in translation and thus the compression downstream of the flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit.

[0109] The second articulation 40 in rotary pivot is for example formed by a pin 41 projecting from the connecting portion 38 and which is engaged in a recess 42 formed in the rack 24.

[0110] Compression towards the handle 8 of the actuating member 19 causes a translation of the rack 24 relative to the pump body 22, from a reference position to a translated position.

[0111] In order to ensure that following the release of the control member, the rack is returned from the translated position to the reference position, the paint distribution mechanism comprises at least one rack return member.

[0112] In the illustrated example, the rack comprises first 44 and second 45 bars which extend parallel to and at a distance from the first 31 and second 32 rack rods and the peristaltic pump 18 further comprises first and second helical return springs, not shown, which are compressed in at least one translated position of the rack 24, against the pump body 22 on the one hand and against the first and second bars respectively. The helical springs are arranged in respective housings 46 and 47 formed in the pump body.

[0113] Furthermore, the connecting rod toothing 36 extends around the axis Yr by an angle 0b, preferably between 45° and 180°, for example 90° as shown, in order to ensure that as the control member 19 is actuated and released, the rotation of the rollers 29 always takes place in the same direction.

[0114] A dose of paint, after having passed through the flexible portion 20 of the paint distribution conduit 27, then circulates through the rigid portion of said conduit and is distributed to the paint applicator.

[0115] The rigid portion 21 of the paint distribution conduit 27 acts as a support arm 49 for the paint applicator 2. It has a U shape and the paint distribution conduit 27 opens downstream into an interior space of the applicator 2 via a shaft 50 which defines one of the branches of the U.

[0116] The paint applicator 2 is mounted rotating around the shaft 50. The axis Ya of the shaft 50 is perpendicular to the plane PP of symmetry of the housing.

[0117] The shaft 50 is hollow and cylindrical in revolution. It has a side wall provided of through perforations 52, to allow the flow and diffusion of the paint in the applicator.

[0118] The support arm 49 further comprises an annular crown 53 projecting radially from the shaft 50, onto which the paint applicator is removably snapped.

[0119] The paint applicator 2 comprises a hollow, tubular foam applicator roller 55 and a hub 56 inserted into the applicator roller 2. The applicator roller may have an outside diameter of between 2 cm and 6 cm.

[0120] The hub has two lateral discs 57, to hinder the movement of the applicator roller along the axis Ya of the shaft 50, and a cylindrical hub portion 58 of revolution around the axis of the shaft. The hub portion 58 extends between the two lateral discs 57, and is of complementary shape to the shaft 50, which is inserted into said hub portion 58. The hub portion is perforated right through in its thickness. It has axial and through grooves 60 for transferring the paint coming from the paint distribution conduit 17 to the applicator surface 61 of the applicator, i.e. the portion of the radially outer lateral surface of the roller intended to come into contact with the surface to be marked. Alternatively, the hub portion 58 may have through holes instead of the grooves 60.

[0121] The hub 56 further has an axial bead 62 having the shape of a skirt complementary to the shape of the annular crown 53 and which surmounts said annular crown after snap-fastening of the hub. To facilitate snap-fastening, the hub is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, for example ABS or a styrenic polymer.

[0122] Furthermore, the scraper 3 is fixed on the base 63 of the guard 9, as can be observed in particular in [Fig. 12].

[0123] The scraper 3 comprises a scraper base 64, preferably flat, inserted into a scraper housing 65 provided by the housing.

[0124] The scraper 3 is movable in translation relative to the guard 9, by displacement of the scraper base 64 in the scraper housing 65. Thus, the user can choose the position of the scraper 3 relative to the handle 8, which is the most comfortable in relation to his morphology. Preferably, the angle 0pg between the axis Xp of the handle and the extension axis of the scraper base Xg is between 60 ° and 90 °, so that the application of the scraper on the surface to be marked can be exerted by a slight rotation of the wrist around an axis perpendicular to the plane PP of symmetry of the housing, as can be observed in [Fig. 14].

[0125] The scraper 3 can be held fixed relative to the housing 5 by means of a thumbscrew 66, once the position of the scraper is defined by the user.

[0126] Furthermore, the scraper base 64 can be moved relative to the handle 8 by a distance such that the angle 0i formed between the axis Xp of the handle and the straight line D passing through the scraping surface 70 of the scraper blade and the applicator surface 61 is between -10° and 10°. Thus, the transition from the scraping phase (I) of the surface to be marked 71 to the application phase (II) of the paint as illustrated can be carried out simply, without excessive rotation of the user's wrist.

[0127] The scraper base 63 is extended by a scraper rod 72 inclined relative to the scraper base. The scraper rod 72 has, at its end, a scraper blade 73 which may be serrated or smooth.

[0128] The scraper rod extends along an inclined axis X; which forms with the axis Xg of the scraper base an angle 0gi of between 90° and 180°. The inclination of the scraper rod at such an angle 0gi promotes efficient scraping of the surface to be marked 71.

[0129] Furthermore, the device comprises a strap loop 73, fixed to the housing 5, which allows the user to wear the device on a harness when the latter is not in use. The device can be mounted on the harness to the right or left of the user, depending on whether the latter is right-handed or left-handed.

[0130] The invention is not limited to the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 14. For example, in a variant not illustrated, the device may comprise an electric battery and an electric motor powered by the electric battery. The motor is configured to drive the rotor in rotation and the device is configured so that an actuation of the control member drives the rotor in rotation. The control member may be a push button. The electric battery may be rechargeable and / or removable.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for marking a surface to be marked (71), the device comprising: - a paint applicator (2), - a paint dispensing mechanism (4) comprising: a connection fitting (16) for sealingly fixing a container containing a paint, a peristaltic pump (18) for sucking the paint from the connection fitting and delivering it to the paint applicator, a control member (19) for actuating the peristaltic pump (18), and - a scraper (3) for cleaning the surface to be marked before applying the paint.

2. Device according to claim 1, the control member defining a support surface (39) on which the user can press to actuate the peristaltic pump (18).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the paint dispensing mechanism (4) comprising a paint dispensing conduit (17) connecting from upstream to downstream the connection fitting to the paint applicator, the paint dispensing conduit comprising a flexible portion (20) at least partly housed in the peristaltic pump (18).

4. Device according to claim 3, the peristaltic pump comprising a pump body (22), a rotor (23) mounted on the pump body and shaped to compress, during its rotation, the flexible portion (20) of the paint distribution conduit in order to induce a depression upstream of the pump so as to transfer the paint downstream towards the applicator (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, the peristaltic pump (18) comprising a rack (24), the device being configured so that an actuation of the control member (19) causes a translation of the rack relative to the pump body and the rotation of the rotor (23) by meshing the rack on the rotor.

6. Device according to claim 5, the peristaltic pump (18) comprising an elastic return member for bringing the rack from a translated position to a reference position relative to the pump body.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the peristaltic pump (18) being arranged between the control member (19) and the connection fitting (23).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a protective casing (7) defining an interior space, the peristaltic pump (18) and at least the flexible portion (20) of the paint distribution conduit being housed in the interior space of the casing.

9. Device according to the preceding claim, the casing defining a housing (12) for receiving at least in part a cartridge (11) containing the container, the connection fitting (23) being arranged at least in part in the housing.

10. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, comprising a rigid cartridge (11) delimiting an interior space for receiving the container, the cartridge being introduced at least into the housing (12) and removably fixed to the casing (7).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a flexible container and provided with a rigid end piece fixed in a sealed manner to the connection fitting (23).

12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising a handle (8) for holding the device during marking, the connection fitting (23) and the cartridge (11) and / or the container preferably extending around an axis which forms with the axis of the handle an angle greater than 90°, preferably greater than 100°,

13. Device according to the preceding claim, the control member (19) being rotatably mounted on the handle (8), the rotation of the control member relative to the handle preferably taking place around an axis perpendicular to the handle.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a guard (9) extending from the housing (7), the control member (19) being disposed between the handle (8) and the guard (9).

15. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, when seen from the side, the angle (0J between the axis Xp of the handle and the straight line (D) passing through the scraping surface of the scraper and through the applicator surface of the paint applicator is between -10° and 10°.

16. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, the scraper (3) being movable relative to the handle (8).

17. A device according to any preceding claim, when viewed from the side, the handle, the control member (19) and the scraper (3) being arranged on the same side relative to the paint applicator (2)

18. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, when observed from the side, the scraper (3), the paint applicator (2), and optionally the control member (19), being arranged on the same side of the axis (Xp) of the handle and the paint container being at least partially, or even entirely, arranged on the other side of the axis of the handle.

19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the paint applicator (2) being mounted, preferably removably, on the paint dispensing mechanism (4).

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