Line Striper

Abstract

Herein is an apparatus for overlaying a media stripe onto a media stripe previously applied to a surface (i.e., “old media strip”). The apparatus includes a mobile frame housing controls and an applicator head having a spray nozzle that applies new media. The applicator head also includes sensors and / or a camera that cast a cone of vision onto a surface. The cone of vision is positioned tangentially to a first edge of the old media stripe. If while operating the apparatus, the applicator head moves and the new media stripe is not overlaid onto the old media stripe, the sensors and / or camera will direct an actuator arm (or similar) to reposition the applicator head and spray nozzle so that the new media stripe is once again sprayed on top of the old media stripe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the application of media onto a surface from a device in motion, e.g., a line striper apparatus.[0002]Stripes are applied to roadways, parking lots, warehouse floors and the like for directing the movement and placement of people, things, and vehicles. Every year thousands of miles of roads and countless square miles of parking lots, warehouse floors, airport floors and runways, and athletic fields are re-striped when the existing surface markings fade because of the natural erosion of time and the elements. Safety, traffic flow, and athletic events rely on clearly visible surface markings and boundaries. There is a need to continuously maintain these markings.[0003]One challenge in re-striping the markings is the precision at which the new stripe overlays onto the existing stripe. While various types of video and mechanical guidance systems are known for use with vehicle mounted line stripers, all systems k...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an apparatus that can apply a new layer of media onto an old layer while correcting for any misalignment of the spray nozzle. The technical effect is a more precise and accurate application of the media layers.

Problems solved by technology

One challenge in re-striping the markings is the precision at which the new stripe overlays onto the existing stripe.

While various types of video and mechanical guidance systems are known for use with vehicle mounted line stripers, all systems known to date suffer somewhat in that while attempting to re-stripe over an existing line, despite the advancement of the guidance systems, the re-striping still relies to a great extent on the operator.

If the driver is distracted and the guide moves off of the existing line, the new, re-striped line will not properly overlay the old line.

Thus, as with any repetitive task, user operator error is the main source of error.

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