Manual topographic gun printing system and use thereof

Abstract

The manual printing system (MPS) comprises:a mobile carrier (MPC) with a printing head (1);a frame (F) with a marking window (MW) and guiding means (6) for the mobile carrier (MPC);at least one topographic positioning means (5) for at least visual control of the position of the frame (F);a manual gripping means (MG) connected to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and being adapted for manual gripping by a hand of the operator;at least one control means (5) for controlling the at least one marking information to be printed, said control means emitting gap information of a gap existing between (*) an actual position of the printing head (1), and (*) a desired position thereof, andan activating means (AM) for activating the ink printing head (1) when the ink printing head (1) is in front of said portion of the marking zone.

Description

The present application is a Continuation in Part application of PCT / EP2024 / 000014 filed on Feb. 28, 2024, published on Sep. 19, 2024 under number WO 2024 / 188506, and claiming the priority of Belgian patent application BE2023 / 0019 filed on Mar. 13, 2023, now Belgian patent BE1031003 granted on May 27, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe subject matter of the present invention relates to a portable manual printing system which can be held and manipulated correctly with both hands of a single operator, for printing topographic marks, as well as topographic information on construction surfaces, like horizontal surface, vertical surface, inclined surfaces, and surface directed towards the bottom. The manual printing system can also be adapted to be manipulated with one single hand of a trained human operator.THE STATE OF THE ARTWhen conceiving a new building on construction plans, the architect defines the various levels of the building, as well as the axes (X, Y and Z directions) of the construction site, said axes serving as benchmarks on the various planes.When carrying out the real size construction of the building, said levels and said benchmarks are drawn with the help of topographic device. Often, a topographic total station with level indicator is used.Prior said drawing of the benchmarks, it is essential that said topographic devices are placed correctly following the X, Y, Z benchmarks defined by the topographer. Said work is carried out by a topographer or surveyor.However, the topographic material does not enable to materialise specific points directly in real size on the building site. For said purposes, the topographer or surveyor has still to use pencils, paint, nails, felt-tip pens, drawing points, etc. These means are very limited by their precision and by the information that can be traced and reported.

[0007] A slat with a small tubular level can help drawing horizontal lines using pencils, etc. This slat is commonly called a spirit level.

[0008] This manual tracing work is far from being able to guarantee clean, clear, unambiguous work.

[0009] Different workers are drawing them self various level benchmarks, most of the time, without checking themselves and without checking the precision. As a result, there are numerous tracings of level and axis marks on construction sites. No one knows any more who materialised them, nor with what precision, nor at what time. There is a certain lack of information on the responsibility taken by the person who drew the level and axis benchmarks. An electronic business card, e-card, would be a real advantage.

[0010] On the other hand, in recent years, certain autonomous tracing robots, such as the Bimprinter robot, are marketed. Most of these robots only trace information on the ground. They are relatively heavy and complex to set up. They completely change the way of working on construction sites. Topographers have difficulties to adopt the use of such robots on construction sites, despite their advantages. Moreover, some areas remains inaccessible for these robots. The site managers for site layout prefer to continue with the use of their old or traditional topographical marking methods without major modifications. They want to be sure to always understand the different stages of tracing on the building sites. Description of the Bimprinter device is given in US2021 / 180346 (now U.S. Pat. No. 12,116,790 patent), the said device being a topography marking system for marking in actual size at least some construction information on a construction surface, said system comprising at least:

[0011] (a) a frame adapted to form a rigid non deformable frame,

[0012] (b) a marking system,

[0013] (c) a moving support for the marking system, said moving support being moveably mounted relative to the frame by a moving system associated to the frame or to an element thereof, said moving system being adapted for ensuring movement of the marking system with respect to the frame, within a substantially horizontal plane,

[0014] (d) a displacement system for moving the frame relative to the construction surface, in which said marking system comprises at least:

[0015] (e) a spraying device which in spray operation is adapted for spraying a painting composition suitable to be burnt, on said construction surface, so as to be able to paint on said construction surface at least one painted band;

[0016] (f) an engraving laser which in a burning operation is adapted for directing a laser beam for burning said at least one painted band for marking on said at least one painted band construction information; and

[0017] (g) at least one topographic prism.

[0018] Such a Bimprinter device is not adapted to be handled by a hand of an operator, for example along a vertical wall. Indeed, due to the engraving laser used in the Bimprinter, security means will stop the working of the Bimprinter device, as soon as the presence of an worker or animal is in close vicinity of the device. In the Bimprinter device, a painted band is sprayed, while thereafter an engraving laser is used for burning said paint band for generating marks on the grounds. In the manual printing system of the present invention, an ink printing head is used, said printing head being handled by the hand of the operator, whereby enabling to direct it towards a vertical face, an inclined face, a ceiling, etc. A hand held ink printing device cannot be provided with an engraving laser.

[0019] US2021 / 372768 discloses a printing box attached to a long stick requiring the two hands of the operator for moving the printing box along a face, which is provided with a printing device. In this way, the operator is away from the printing box and the jet nozzles. However, the operator is not far away from the jet nozzles. Moreover, the fact that the operator has to held the stick with his two hands does not able to move precisely and correctly the printing box. Furthermore, the effort requested by the operator for maintaining the box in position with an inclined stick towards a vertical face is higher than the effort required for a hand held ink print jet, meaning that the operator with a stick bearing a printing box cannot operate the printing box for long periods.

[0020] KR100938937 discloses an image processing method and an image processing method capable of efficiently performing correction of an image obtained by checking whether an error between a reference point and an actual point is detected.

[0021] US2022 / 090910 discloses a method comprising: setting up a stationary surveying device at a first known positioning in a surrounding area of the object; retrieving from a memory a set of object points of an object to be surveyed and / or to be marked; surveying and / or marking from a first positioning object points of the set of object points that can be surveyed and / or can be marked from the first positioning by means of the free beam, on the basis of a target direction; ascertaining missing object points of a set of object points; relocating the surveying device to a second, unknown positioning in the surrounding area of the object; automatically determining a second positioning by the surveying device on the basis of the knowledge of the first positioning, so that the second positioning is known; surveying and / or marking missing object points by means of the free beam from the second positioning.

[0022] US2021372768, EP3874229 (corresponding to WO2020 / 088768), EP3978879 and EP3978874 discloses an auxiliary measuring instrument, configured to form together with a ground-based surveying device having range-and-direction measuring functionality, a system for surveying or staking out object points, wherein the auxiliary measuring instrument including a handheld main body of a defined length, and a man-machine interface, wherein the auxiliary measuring instrument is designed in a pen-like form and size and is configured to aim at an object point to be surveyed or staked out in a one-handed manner with a first end of the auxiliary measuring instrument and wherein a body is attached at a second end of the auxiliary measuring instrument, wherein the body is designed for optical-image-based determination of the position of the auxiliary measuring instrument by the surveying device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention relates to a manual printing system, like a gun, for topographical marking of level benchmarks, as well as on site building information. The topographic marking system for marking construction information in real size on a surface can be used on a vertical, horizontal surface or on an inclined plane, whether from above or below, following a predefined coordinate or reference system.

[0024] The objective of this manual printing system is to be able to increase the quality of tracing on site and in industry, to facilitate this tracing and to be able to print information that is difficult to trace by hand.

[0025] The hand held ink printing system is easy displaced by the operator, who has still one hand left free for other operation or for safety purposes. The hand held ink printing device can be activated by finger(s) of the hand bearing the printing system.

[0026] The invention relates to a manual printing system (MPS) for topographical marking of at least one marking topographical information on a surface of a construction provided with at least one topographic mark, said manual printing system being adapted for being handled and moved by an operator, said manual printing system (MPS) comprising:

[0027] a mobile printing carrier (MPC) with an ink printing head (1);

[0028] a frame (F) adapted to be pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with at least at least one topographical marking information, said frame (F) being provided (a) with a marking window (MW) through which the printing of said at least one topographical marking information by the ink printing head (1) is possible on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) with guiding means (6) adapted for guiding along a movement axis, a linear movement (arrow LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby the said marking window (MW) defines a marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information;

[0029] at least one topographic positioning means (5), said at least one topographic positioning means (5) being adapted for at least a visual control by the operator, of the position of the frame (F) or mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to said at least one topographic mark present on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;

[0030] a manual gripping means (MG) connected to a bearing element selected from the group consisting of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the ink printing head (1), said manual gripping means (MG) being adapted for manual gripping by a hand of the operator so as to enable the operator (a) to push the mobile printing carrier (MPC) towards the frame (F), whereby pushing at least one part of the said frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, as well as (b) to move the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) following the guiding means (6) for guiding the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC);

[0031] at least one control means (5) for controlling the at least one marking information to be printed within the marking zone, said control means emitting gap information of a gap existing between (*) an actual position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a desired position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the ink printing head (1) is in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information, said at least one control means (5) being advantageously adapted for determining or confirming at least the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the said surface (S) of the construction, as well as for controlling the activating means (AM) of the printing head (1), and

[0032] an activating means (AM) for activating the ink printing head (1) when the ink printing head (1) is in front of said portion of the marking zone to be provided with the at least one topographic marking information, so that the ink printing head (1) is adapted to print said at least one topographic marking information in the said marking zone or a portion thereof, whereby said activating means (AM) is selected from the group consisting of (a) an activating means (AM) associated to the control means controlling the at least one topographic marking information to be printed, and (b) an activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG), whereby said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG) is mobile against a return mechanism with respect to the manual gripping means (MG), at least by exerting a pressure on said activating means by at least a part of the hand of the operator, said part of the hand is advantageously a part of a finger of said hand of the operator and (c) a combination of said activating means (AM) associated to said control means controlling the at least one topographical marking information and said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG).

[0033] Such a system is easy to manipulate by one single hand of a trained operator, enabling him to have access to any places where a benchmark is required. As the system is not using any laser engraving means or laser burning means, no safety issue occurs for the operator, as well as for workers present on the site, during the use of the system of the invention by an operator.

[0034] The manual printing system (MPS) of the invention has advantageously one or more of the following details:

[0035] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) are adapted there between so as to limit the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) along a moving axis (MA), as well as so as to prevent, when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) abuts against the frame (F), a pivoting motion of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) around an axis parallel to the moving axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM). As soon as the frame is applied against a surface of the construction, it is possible to move the printing head with respect to the frame, without moving the frame with respect to the surface of the construction on which the frame abuts.

[0036] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is mounted on the frame (F) by connecting means (50) adapted in a first position to prevent the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be moved away from the frame (F), while still enabling a linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), while being adapted in a second position to enable to render the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be amovible or removable with respect to the frame (F). This is advantageous, so as to ensure that the frame is always adjacent to the printing head, and so as to prevent a fall of the frame when moving the printing head form one wall to another wall. Accidents are in this way prevented.

[0037] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with one or more bubble level means (15), adapted for manual positioning of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) in a position ensuring a horizontal or vertical linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F). This is advantageous, as enabling a visual control of the position of the frame by the eyes of the operator.

[0038] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), a first bubble level means (15) being located at the left of the printing head (1) and a second level bubble means (15) at the right of the printing head (1), whereby advantageously said at least two level bubble means (15) are sending a non printing signal to a printing control means (PCM) in case one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level, for preventing a printing of the topographic marking information by the printing head (1). This is advantageous for ensuring a proper position of the frame and thus a proper direction for the movement of the printing head. When associated to a means for sending a non printing signal, the bubble level means are adapted to prevent a printing operation when one of the two bubble level means is not correctly positioned.

[0039] the mobile printing carrier is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion. This is advantageous in order to trace on the wall a line confirming the correct position of the frame (F) on the wall, for example before actuating the printing operation. For said purposes, the marking window is preferably long enough, so that a portion of the overlapping trace portion is visible by the operator through the marking window, after movement of the mobile printing carrier from the end left position to the end right position with respect to the frame, or inversely.

[0040] the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is configured so that the tracing means (16) and / or the openings (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16) are always in front of the marking window (MW), during the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F).

[0041] the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are provided with a tracing means (16) with a marking end, said tracing means (16) being mounted mobile with respect to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) between (*) a first position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is extending through the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) for enabling a control trace selected from the group consisting of punctual control trace, linear control traces and combinations thereof to be marked on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is located with respect to the frame (F) so that the said marking end is at least no more fully traversing the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), and is preferably away from said marking window (MW). This is advantageous, so that for example by a simple push or pull operation, the tracing means can be displaced from a tracing position to a non tracing position, or inversely. Preferably the movement of the tracing means from its non tracing position towards its tracing position is operated against the action of a spring or a return system, and is maintained in its tracing position by a click system. In this way when the click system is actuated in its non holding position, the return means or spring acts on the tracing means for displacing it towards its non tracing position.

[0042] the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is an elongated window with a central axis (MA) parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), whereby said elongated window (MW) is characterized by a length (L) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and by a width (W) measured perpendicular to the axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) has a length (LI) measured in a direction parallel to the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby said length (LI) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is at least two times lower than the length (L) of the elongated window (MW), in which a portion of the elongated window (MW) is not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby defining at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information,

[0043] in which the manual printing system (MPS) is adapted to cooperate with a movable topographic device (11) adapted to emit at least one light signal (LS) towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, through the at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW) not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), so as to enable a visual control by the operator of the position of the frame (F) along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, with respect to the at least one light signal (LS) emitted by the movable topographic device (11) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW).

[0044] the topographic positioning means is provided with an optical position system or an optical control system, like a prism (12) adapted for improving the position of the frame (F) with respect to a topographic marks on the surface, by a visual control by at least one eye of the operator.

[0045] the frame (F) is provided with gliding means and / or rolling means (10) adapted for facilitating the manual positioning of the frame (F) at a desired position along the surface (S) of the construction, advantageously by manipulating the manual gripping means (MG) by a hand of the operator.

[0046] the frame (F) is provided with position facilitating means (10) selected from the group consisting of gliding means, rolling means and combinations thereof, said position facilitating means (10) being adapted for facilitating the manual positioning of the frame (F) with the ink printing head at the desired position of the ink printing head along the surface (S) of the construction, by manipulating the manual gripping means (MG) by the said hand of the operator.

[0047] the frame (F) is provided with one or more attaching means (8,9) adapted to be actuated between a first position for which the attaching means (8,9) exerts a first adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction, and a second position for which the attaching means (8,9) exerts no adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction or a second adhesion force on the surface which is at least 5 times lower than the first adhesion force on said surface (i.e. a second adhesion which is lower than one fifth of said first adhesion force). The attaching means can be magnets (8), such as electromagnets, controllable between an electromagnetic position and a non electromagnetic position (no magnetic force), and / or suction cups (9), mobile between a pressed position generating a suction force on the face to be printed, and a non pressed position not generating a suction force with the face of the building (preferably the suction cup in said position is distant from the face).

[0048] the ink printing head (1) is provided with at least one ink supply means selected from the group consisting of at least one printing ink container (2) connected to the ink printing head (1) and having a volume of less than 100 ml, and at least one connection (20) adapted to connect the ink printing head (1), in a removable way, to at least one printing ink container (2) having a volume of less than 100 ml.

[0049] the printing head (1) is provided with at least one printing ink cartridge or container (2) with a volume advantageously of less than 100 ml, preferably less than 50 ml or with at least one connection (20) adapted to connect the printing head (1), advantageously in a removable way, to at least one printing ink cartridge or container (2) with advantageously a volume of less than 100 ml, preferably less than 50 ml, advantageously with at least a series of printing ink containers or cartridges (2A,2B,2C,2D), each having a volume advantageously of less than 100 ml, preferably less than 50 ml, or with at least a series of connections (20A,20B,20C,20D) adapted each to connect a printing ink container or cartridge (2A,2B,2C,2D) with a volume advantageously of less than 100 ml, preferably less than 50 ml, the printing head (1), preferably with a series of different printing ink containers or cartridges, a first container or cartridge adapted to contain black printing ink, a second container or cartridge adapted to contain cyan printing ink, a third container or cartridge adapted to contain magenta printing ink, and a fourth container or cartridge adapted to contain yellow printing ink, or a series of different connections, a first connection adapted for a container or cartridge containing black printing ink, a second connection or cartridge adapted for a container containing cyan printing ink, a third connection adapted for a container containing magenta printing ink, and a fourth connection adapted for a container or cartridge containing yellow printing ink. The cartridges and containers can contain different colours, like black, white, red, yellow, etc., or can be multicolours cartridges or containers.

[0050] the manual printing system has a total weight of less than 3 kg, advantageously of less than 2.5 kg, such as preferably less than 2 kg, most preferably less than 1.5 kg, such as less than 1 kg, or even less than 500 g, said total weight being measured with the at least one printing container or cartridge (2) in full state. Such a low weight is easing its use by an operator, for ink printing information of various walls, even at place with difficult access. Even after a day working with the manual printing system, the operator is not tired.

[0051] the frame (F) has a plate element (Fl) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction, said plate element (Fl) having a maximal length of less than 100 cm (advantageously less than 75 cm, preferably less than 50 cm, such as less than 40 cm), and a maximal width of less than 40 cm, advantageously less than 30 cm, preferably less than 27 cm, such as 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm. The limited size of the frame enables a correct positioning of the manual printing system by an operator, even along a surface with limited width. The manual printing system of the invention can thus be easily be manipulated in vertical and horizontal directions.

[0052] the manual gripping means (MG) is mounted on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) or on the printing head (1), whereby the manual gripping means has a manual gripping portion (MGP) with a central axis (MGA) perpendicular to the movement axis (MA) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) along the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby at least a part of the manual gripping portion (MGP) extends beyond the frame (F). Said central axis (MGA) is preferably parallel to or inclined to the plane of the frame (F). When inclined, said axis (MGA) has preferably an inclination angle of 0° to 45° with respect to the plane of the frame. The length of the manual gripping portion is for example less than 20 cm.

[0053] the frame (F) has (*) a first face (FA) intended to directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second face (FB) opposite to the first face (FA) and along which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is adapted to move, whereby the said first face (FA) is provided with friction means adapted for acting against a movement of the frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the first face (FA) is pushed towards the said surface (S) of the construction, while at least one gliding means selected from the group consisting of gliding means present on the second face (FB), gliding means present on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and combinations thereof is provided for easing the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the said second face (FB) of the frame (F).

[0054] the ink printing head (1) is adapted for printing elements selected from the group consisting of letters, figures, drawings, bar codes, QR codes, and combinations thereof, said ink printing head (1) being provided with an interface provided with at least one communication means selected from the group consisting of wireless signal means adapted for receiving wireless signals from a topographic station (11), wireless signal means adapted for receiving wireless signals from an electronic system (30) adapted for furnishing the at least one topographical marking information to be printed on the said surface (S) of the construction, wireless signal means adapted for emitting wireless signals to a topographic station, wireless signal means adapted for emitting wireless signals to an electronic system (30) adapted for furnishing the at least one topographical marking information to be printed on the said surface (S) of the construction, wireless signal means for emitting wireless signals to an electronic control system (30) managed by the operator, and combinations thereof.

[0055] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is associated with a displacement measuring means (3) for determining the relative movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F).

[0056] any combinations of two or more than two of said characteristics.

[0057] The invention relates also to the use of a manual printing system (MPS) of the invention as disclosed here above for ink printing topographic information in real size on surfaces of a construction.

[0058] A process of the invention is:

[0059] a method for topographical marking of at least one marking topographical information on a surface (S) of a construction provided with at least one topographic mark, in which an operator handles, moves and operates a manual printing system (MPS) comprising:

[0060] a mobile printing carrier (MPC) with an ink printing head (1);

[0061] a frame (F) adapted to be pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with at least at least one topographical marking information, said frame (F) being provided (a) with a marking window (MW) through which the printing of said at least one topographical marking information by the ink printing head (1) is possible on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) with guiding means (6) adapted for guiding along a movement axis, a linear movement (arrow LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby the said marking window (MW) defines a marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information;

[0062] at least one topographic positioning means (5), said at least one topographic positioning means (5) being adapted for at least a visual control by the operator, of the position of the frame (F) or mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to said at least one topographic mark present on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;

[0063] a manual gripping means (MG) connected to a bearing element selected from the group consisting of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the ink printing head (1), said manual gripping means (MG) being adapted for manual gripping by a hand of the operator so as to enable the operator (a) to push the mobile printing carrier (MPC) towards the frame (F), whereby pushing at least one part of the said frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, as well as (b) to move the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) following the guiding means (6) for guiding the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC);

[0064] at least one control means (5) for controlling the at least one marking information to be printed within the marking zone, said control means emitting gap information of a gap existing between (*) an actual position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a desired position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the ink printing head (1) is in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information, and

[0065] an activating means (AM) for activating the ink printing head (1) when the ink printing head (1) is in front of said portion of the marking zone to be provided with the at least one topographic marking information, so that the ink printing head (1) is adapted to print said at least one topographic marking information in the said marking zone, whereby said activating means (AM) is selected from the group consisting of (a) an activating means (AM) associated to the control means controlling the at least one topographic marking information to be printed, and (b) an activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG), whereby said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG) is mobile against a return mechanism with respect to the manual gripping means (MG), at least by exerting a pressure on said activating means by at least a part of the hand of the operator, and (c) a combination of said activating means (AM) associated to said control means controlling the at least one topographical marking information and said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG),said method comprising at least the following steps:

[0066] a movable topographic device (11) is placed in the vicinity of the surface (S) of the construction to be provided the at least one marking topographical information, whereby said movable topographic device (11) is operated for emitting a light signal (LS) on the said surface (S) of the construction, as at least one topographic mark;

[0067] the operator moves the manual printing system (MPS) and positions it with respect to the said at least one topographic mark, so that the marking window of the frame (F) is accurately positioned with respect to the said at least one topographic mark;

[0068] the operator pushes the manual printing system (MPS) onto the said surface (S) of the construction for maintaining it along said surface (S), and

[0069] the printing head (1) is activated so as print the said at least one marking topographical information.

[0070] Preferably, in said method, said at least one control means (5) determines or confirms at least the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the said surface (S) of the construction, as well as controls the activating means (AM) of the printing head (1), whereby preventing a printing step by the printing head, in case the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier is away from a desired marking zone on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with the said at least one topographic marking information.

[0071] The said method comprises advantageously one or more of the following details:

[0072] The method uses a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least one bubble level means (15), adapted for manual positioning of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) in a position selected from the group consisting a position ensuring a horizontal linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), and a position ensuring a vertical linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), a first bubble level means (15) being located at the left of the ink printing head (1) and a second level bubble means (15) being located at the right of the ink printing head (1), and in which said at least two level bubble means (15) are sending a non printing signal to a printing control means (PCM) in case at least one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level, for preventing a printing of said at least one topographic marking information by ink printing head (1),

[0073] said method comprising the further step of preventing a printing of said at least one topographic in case at least one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level.

[0074] And / or

[0075] The method is using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the frame (F) is provided with at least one attaching means (8,9) adapted to be actuated between (*) a first position for which the at least one attaching means (8,9) exerts a first adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the adhesion force of the at least one attaching means (8,9) on the surface (S) of the construction is lower than one fifth of said first adhesion force on said surface (S),

[0076] Said method further comprising the step of activating the said at least one attaching means (8,9) when the marking window (MW) and the printing head (1) are at the desired position along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, so as to maintain in position the manual printing system (MPS) on the said surface (S) of the construction during a printing operation by the ink printing head.

[0077] And / or

[0078] The method is using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion, and

[0079] in which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is configured so that the tracing element (14,16) is in front of a predefined position defined by a topographical total station.

[0080] Said method comprising further the step of moving linearly the marking printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one marking topographical information, so as to trace onto the said surface said first and second linear markings.

[0081] And / or

[0082] The method is using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion, and

[0083] in which the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are provided with a tracing means (16) with a marking end, said tracing means (16) being mounted mobile with respect to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) between (*) a first position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is extending through the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) for enabling a control trace selected from the group consisting of punctual control trace, linear control traces and combinations thereof to be marked on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is located with respect to the frame (F) so that the said marking end is at least no more fully traversing the marking window (MW) of the frame (F),

[0084] said method comprising the further step of placing the marking end of the tracing means (16) in the said first position, so that said marking end contacts the said surface (D) of the construction, whereby enabling to provide the said surface with at least one control trace.

[0085] And / or

[0086] The method is using a manual printer system (MPS), in which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is an elongated window with a central axis (MA) parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), whereby said elongated window (MW) is characterized by a length (L) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and by a width (W) measured perpendicular to the axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) has a length (LI) measured in a direction parallel to the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby said length (LI) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is at least two times lower than the length (L) of the elongated window (MW), in which a portion of the elongated window (MW) is not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby defining at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information,

[0087] said manual printing system (MPS) is adapted to cooperate with a movable topographic device (11) adapted to emit at least one light signal (LS) towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, through the at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW) not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), so as to enable a visual control by the operator of the position of the frame (F) along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, with respect to the at least one light signal (LS) emitted by the movable topographic device (11) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW).

[0088] Said method further comprising at the following steps:

[0089] operating the movable topographic device (11) so that it emits the at least one light signal (LS) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW), on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information

[0090] visual control of the position of the frame (F) with respect to the light signal (LS), and

[0091] tuning the position of the frame (F) with respect to said light signal (LS).

[0092] And / or

[0093] Any combinations of said details.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an ink printing system of the invention with a schematic view of a movable topographic device;

[0095] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the mobile printing carrier of the system of FIG. 1;

[0096] FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame of the system of FIG. 1;

[0097] FIG. 4 is a side view of the mobile printing carrier of FIG. 1;

[0098] FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross section views of the frame of FIG. 3 (cross sections along the lines VA-VA and VB-VB in FIG. 3);

[0099] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the system of FIG. 1, along the line VI-VI;

[0100] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a topographic positioning means;

[0101] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of another topographic positioning means with an opening adapted to receive a tracer;

[0102] FIG. 9 are examples of possible ink printed information which can be ink printed on the surface of a wall of a building, and

[0103] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a frame (F) with an arm (ARM) adapted for bearing a removable mobile communication system (MCS) (like a mobile phone) provided with a camera.DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0104] The invention is further disclosed hereafter with reference to the attached drawings. Said drawings are figures of a preferred embodiments of the ink printing system of the invention, said embodiments being disclosed herein as examples only. Other embodiments of the invention can be provided with less details and characteristics.

[0105] In said drawings, same reference signs are used for designating identical means or means having equivalent or identical function.

[0106] FIG. 1 shows a manual ink printing system (MPS) for topographical marking of one or more marking information on a surface of a construction. The ink is selected for adhering quickly on the surface to be printed, so as to enable printing operation not only on horizontal faces, but also on vertical or inclined faces, and even on the underside of floors of buildings or on the underside of inclined faces.

[0107] The manual ink printing system is adapted for being handled and moved easily with both hands of non trained operator, but even easily with one single hand of a trained operator, enabling thus an easy positioning and working of the system by a single operator.

[0108] The manual ink printing system (MPS) comprises:

[0109] a mobile printing carrier (MPC) with an ink printing head (1);

[0110] a frame (F) adapted to be pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided (a) with at least one or more topographical marking information, said frame (F) being provided with a marking window (MW) through which the printing of a topographical marking information by the printing head (1) is possible on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) with guiding means (6) adapted for guiding a linear movement (arrow LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby the said marking window (MW) defines a marking zone on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;

[0111] at least one topographic positioning means (5), said at least one topographic positioning means (5) being adapted for at least a visual control by the operator, of the position of the frame (F) or mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to one topographic mark present on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;

[0112] a manual gripping means (MG) connected to the mobile printing head (1), said manual gripping means (MG) being adapted for manual gripping by an operator (a) to push the mobile printing carrier (MPC) towards the frame (F), whereby pushing at least one part of the said frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) to move the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) following the guiding means (6) for guiding the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC);—at least one control means (5) determining or confirming at least the topographic position of the printing head or the mobile printing carrier, and / or for controlling the marking information to be printed within the marking zone, said control means emitting a signal (like a light and / or a sound) when determining the printing head (1) being in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with a topographic marking information, and

[0113] an activating means (AM) for activating the printing head (1) when in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with a topographic marking information, so as to print the topographic marking information in the said marking zone or portion thereof, whereby said activating means (AM) is selected from the group consisting of (a) activating means associated to the control means controlling the topographic marking information to be printed, and (b) activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG), whereby said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG) is mobile against a return mechanism with respect to the manual gripping means (MG), at least by exerting a pressure on said activating means by at least a part of the hand of the operator, whereby said part of the hand is advantageously a part of a finger of said hand of the operator.

[0114] Such a system can be easily manipulated and operated by one single hand of a trained operator, enabling him to have access to any places where a benchmark is required. As the system is not using any laser engraving means or laser burning means, no safety issue occurs for the operator, as well as for workers present on the site, during the use of the system of the invention by an operator.

[0115] The manual printing system (MPS) of FIG. 1 has or can have advantageously one or more of the following details:

[0116] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) are adapted there between so as to limit the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) along a moving axis (MA), as well as so as to prevent, when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) abuts against the frame (F), a pivoting movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) around an axis parallel to the moving axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM). As soon as the frame is applied against a surface of the construction, it is possible to move the printing head with respect to the frame, without moving the frame with respect to the surface of the construction on which the frame (F) abuts.

[0117] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is mounted on the frame (F) by connecting means (50) adapted in a first position to prevent the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be moved away from the frame (F), while still enabling a linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), while being adapted in a second position to enable to render the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be removable with respect to the frame (F). This is advantageous, so as to ensure that the frame is always adjacent to the printing head, and so as to prevent a fall of the frame when moving the printing head form one wall to another wall. Accidents are in this way prevented. The frame (F) has a flat portion provided with the longitudinal printing window (MW), said flat portion having a first face intended to be directed towards the face of the building to be provided with an ink printed information, and a second face opposite to the first face, said second face bearing lateral edges (6) and abutments (7). The lateral edges (6) act as guiding means for a longitudinal displacement of the mobile ink printing carrier along the frame (a face of the mobile printing carrier gliding on the second face of the frame (7)). The abutment (7) are limiting the longitudinal displacement of the mobile printing carrier along the frame. The mobile printing carrier has a support plate (4) with longitudinal edge (40) adapted to glide along the edges (6) of the frame (F). Said longitudinal edges (40) are each provided with protruding elements (41) directed towards a longitudinal groove (60) of the edges of the frame (F). In this way, the mobile printing carrier (MPC) can be clipped with respect to the frame, by inserting the protruding elements (41) of each edge (40) into a groove of an edge of the frame. The clipping can be achieved by a small elastic deformation of the edge parts of the support (4) and the edge part of the frame (F). By having at least two protruding elements on each edge part of the mobile printing carrier located with a longitudinal groove (60) of the first or second longitudinal edge (6) of the frame (F), it is possible to prevent the mobile printing carrier to move away from the frame, while enabling longitudinal movement of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame. This facilitates the use of the printing system. The clips system is advantageous for easily dismantling the frame from the mobile printing carrier, for example for storing the system within a case, or for using frame with smaller or larger size.

[0118] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), adapted for manual positioning of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) in a position ensuring at least a horizontal or vertical linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F). This is advantageous, as enabling a visual control of the position of the frame by the eyes of the operator. Possibly the bubble level means (15) are mounted mobile on support (4) of the mobile carrier, for enabling to position the frame (F) with a specified angle with respect to the horizontal, so as to print information along an inclined direction.

[0119] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), a first bubble level means (15) being located at the left of the printing head (1) and a second level bubble means (15) at the right of the printing head (1), whereby advantageously said at least two level bubble means (15) are sending a non printing signal to a printing control means(PCM) in case one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level, for preventing a printing of the topographic marking information. This is advantageous for ensuring a proper position of the frame and thus a proper direction for the movement of the printing head. When associated to a means for sending a non printing signal, the bubble level means are adapted to prevent a printing operation when one of the two bubble level means is not correctly positioned.

[0120] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with two or more than two topographic positioning means (5), a first topographic positioning means (5) being on the left of the printing head (1), while a second topographic positioning means (5) being on the right of the printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing means (16) or with an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing means (16) and / or said openings (14) are located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when linearly moving the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), the tracing means (16) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) or connected to the said openings (14) of the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for marking on the surface (S) of the construction two marking traces with at least one overlapping trace portion. This is advantageous in order to trace on the wall a line confirming the correct position of the frame (F) on the wall, for example before actuating the printing operation. For said purposes, the marking window is preferably long enough, so that a portion of the overlapping trace portion is visible by the operator through the marking window, after movement of the mobile printing carrier from the end left position to the end right position with respect to the frame, or inversely. The use of such tracers is a way to guarantee that the printing operation has been accurate from the start up to the end thereof. When using two topographic positioning means or prism (5), one is on the left side of the support, so as to be useful for visual control when the topo or topographic station is located on the left side of the operator (the printing gun will be moved from the left side of the support towards the right side), while the other prism (5) is located on the right side, so as to enable visual prim control when the topo / topographic station is located on the right side of the operator and manual printing device (the printing gun will be moved from the right side of the support towards the left side).

[0121] the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are provided with a tracing means (16) mounted mobile with respect to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) between a first position for which a free end of the tracing means directed towards the surface of the construction is extending through the printing window or marking window (MW) of the frame (F) for enabling a linear control trace to be marked on the surface (S) of the construction, and a second position for which the free end of the tracing means (16) towards the surface of the construction is moved with respect to the frame (F) so that the said free end is no more fully traversing the marking window (MW), and is preferably away from said marking window (MW). This is advantageous, so that for example by a simple push or pull operation, the tracing means can be displaced from a tracing position to a non tracing position, or inversely. Preferably the movement of the tracing means from its non tracing position towards its tracing position is operated against the action of a spring or a return system, and is maintained in its tracing position by a click system. In this way when the click system is actuated in its non holding position, the return means or spring acts on the tracing means for displacing it towards its non tracing position. The tracing operation can be operated during and after an ink printing operation, for example for mechanical engraving of a line on the ink printed information. Such a click system is schematically represented in FIG. 8, in which the positioning means (5) has a central opening (50) through which the end of the stiff (16) extends. The positioning means (5) having two parts (51,52) mobile there between against the action of a spring (53), a maintaining means acting for maintaining the part (51) pushed towards the part (52) against the action of the spring (53), so as to keep the end of the marking stiff adjacent the face of the building to be marked. When no marking is required, by exerting a force on the part (51), the spring is released, so as to move the part (51) away from part (52), so that the end of the stiff is no more contacting the marking face of the building.

[0122] The tracer can also be a marking tip of a marking stiff, such as a color marking stiff, like a water based color stiff or an alcohol based color stiff.—The marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is configured so that the tracing means (16) and / or the openings (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16) are always in front of the marking window (MW), during the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F).

[0123] the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is an elongated window with a central axis (MA) parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), whereby said elongated window (MW) is characterized by a length (L) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and by a width (W) measured perpendicular to the axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby the mobile printing carrier (MPC) has a length (LI) measured in a direction parallel to the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby said length (LI) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is at least two times lower than the length (L) of the elongated window (MW), whereby a portion of the elongated window (MW) is not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby defining at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction, and whereby the manual printing system (MPS) is adapted to cooperate with a displaceable topographic device (11) adapted to emit at least one light signal (LS) towards the surface (S) of the construction through the at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), so as to enable a visual control by the operator of the position of the frame of along the marking surface of the construction, with respect to the at least one light signal (LS) emitted by the displaceable topographic device (11) within at least one of the at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW).

[0124] This enables to check by simple displacement of the mobile printing carrier, the accurate position of the frame, before a printing operation.

[0125] the topographic positioning means is provided with an optical control system (12) or prism (adapted for reflecting a laser signal from the topo / topographic total station towards the topo / topographic total station) adapted for improving the position of the frame (F) with respect to a topographic marks on the surface, by a visual control by at least one eye of the operator. Such a topographic positioning means (5) is shown schematically in FIG. 7. The topographic visual positioning means comprises for example a removable visual centring means (like a spherical visual means) (13) provided with control means (12), adapted to be associated in a removable way to the topographic positioning means (5).

[0126] the frame (F) is provided with gliding means and / or rolling means (10) adapted for facilitating the manual positioning of the frame (F) at a desired position along the surface (S) of the construction, advantageously by manipulating the manual gripping means (MG) by a hand of the operator.

[0127] the frame (F) is provided with one or more attaching means (8,9) adapted to be actuated between a first position for which the attaching means (8,9) exerts a first adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction, and a second position for which the attaching means (8,9) exerts no adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction or a second adhesion force on the surface which is at least 5 times lower than the first adhesion force on said surface.

[0128] the printing head (1) is provided with at least one printing ink container or cartridge (2) with a volume of less than 100 ml, such as less than 50 ml or with at least one connection (20) adapted to connect the printing head (1), advantageously in a removable way, to at least one printing ink container or cartridge (2) with a volume of less than 100 ml, such as less than 50 ml (as shown in FIG. 1), advantageously with at least a series of printing ink containers (2A,2B,2C,2D), each having a volume of less than 50 ml, or with at least a series of connections (20A,20B,20C,20D) adapted each to connect a printing ink container (2A,2B,2C,2D) with a volume of less than 100 ml, such as less than 50 ml (as shown in FIG. 2), the printing head (1), preferably with a series of different printing ink containers, a first container adapted to contain black printing ink, a second container adapted to contain cyan printing ink, a third container adapted to contain magenta printing ink, and a fourth container adapted to contain yellow printing ink, or a series of different connections, a first connection adapted for a container containing black printing ink, a second connection adapted for a container containing cyan printing ink, a third connection adapted for a container containing magenta printing ink, and a fourth connection adapted for a container containing yellow printing ink. The printing head is for example of the inkjet type, such as of the type used in the inkjet paper printer, except that the printing head of the system of the invention is adapted to print on an area with a width of 2 cm to 5 cm (width measured perpendicular to the direction of movement LM of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame). In order to ensure a good printing quality, the system measuring the movement length of the printing head with respect to the frame acts also as means for controlling the movement speed of the printing head with respect to the frame.

[0129] the manual printing system has a total weight of less than 3 kg, advantageously less than 2.5 kg, such as less than 1 kg, or even less than 500 g, said total weight being measured with the at least one printing container (2) in full state. Such a low weight is easing its use by an operator, for ink printing information of various walls, even at place with difficult access. Even after a day working with the manual printing system, the operator is not tired.

[0130] the frame (F) has a plate element (Fl) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction, said plate element (Fl) having a maximal length of less than 60 cm (such as less than 50 cm), and a maximal width of less than 30 cm, preferably less than 15 cm. The limited size of the frame enables a correct positioning of the manual printing system by an operator, even along a surface with limited width. The manual printing system of the invention can thus be easily be manipulated in vertical and horizontal directions. The plate element can be associated to an arm (ARM) for acting as a support for mobile phone, electronic device, laptop, or other mobile communication system. The mobile communication system (MCS) can be provided with a camera, enabling to take picture of the printed sign.

[0131] the manual gripping means (MG) is mounted on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) or on the printing head (1), whereby the manual gripping means has a manual gripping portion (MGP) with a central axis (MGA) perpendicular to the movement axis (MA) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) along the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby at least a part of the manual gripping portion (MGP) extends beyond the frame (F). Said central axis (MGA) is preferably parallel to or inclined to the plane of the frame (F). When inclined, said axis (MGA) has preferably an inclination angle of 0° to 45° with respect to the plane of the frame. The length of the manual gripping portion is for example less than 20 cm. In this way the hand of the operator in always near the printing head and the frame (F), enabling thus a good pushing of the frame against the face to be provided with a printed information.

[0132] the frame (F) has a first face (FA) intended to directed towards the surface (S) of the construction, and a second face (FB) opposite to the first face (FA) and along which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is adapted to move, whereby the said first face (FA) if provided with friction means adapted for acting against a movement of the frame (F) on the marking surface of the construction, when the first face (FA) is pushed towards the surface of the construction, while the second face (FB) and / or the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is / are provided with gliding means adapted for easing the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the said second face (FB) of the frame (F). In a specific embodiment, the rollers (10) are mounted each on a pivoting arm mobile against the action of a spring between a first position for which the roller in contact with the face of the wall prevents a contact of the friction means with said face of the building, and a second position for which the arm is moved against the action of the spring so as to enable the contact of the friction means with the face of the building, for preventing movement of the frame with respect to the face of the building, even when moving the printing head (1) relative to the frame (F).

[0133] the printing head (1) is adapted for printing elements selected from the group consisting of letters, figures, drawings, bar codes and QR codes, said printing head (1) being provided with a wireless signal means adapted for receiving wireless signals from a topographic station (11) and / or from an electronic system (30) furnishing the information to be printed on the surface, and for emitting wireless signals to the topographic station and / or to the electronic system (30) furnishing the information to be printed and / or to an electronic control system (30) managed by the operator. FIG. 9 shows schematically a series of information (given as examples only) which can be printed on the face of the building.

[0134] the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is associated with a displacement measuring means (3) for determining the relative movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), said displacement measuring means can also act as means for reducing the speed of displacement of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame (F). The displacement measuring means can also act as visual means for the operator for giving him information on the speed of the relative movement of the printing head with respect to the frame.

[0135] This manual printing system has a substantially gun like shape. It was first developed to print lines for building site levels. Indeed, on all construction sites, it is necessary to report, in function of the progress of the building works, various level information, for the different workers. These levels can be indicated globally for the site in relation to sea level, in relation to the level of the Ground Floor or floor by floor in relation to the finished level of the tiles, set by the topographer. The manually operated ink printing gun allows the user to draw a benchmark at the right level, but also to ink print all the required information enabling a good understanding of what has been drawn. For example, the topographer or site manager will be able to indicate information such as the level he has drawn with mention of measuring units and the accuracy of the drawn levels. The site manager or topographer can also indicate his name, his phone number, the date of printing, a code giving access to an electronic business card, e-card, a QR code, etc.

[0136] After said first use, the printing system of the invention was improved for drawing information, like lines along vertical walls, especially vertical lines and site axis. For said purposes, it has been observed that the guiding means was a requirement.

[0137] The printing gun movable with respect to the frame can be used with control of the total central station, and / or with control of wireless system and / or with control system incorporated within the printing gun. It can also be used independently, with control operation by the operator him self.

[0138] This guiding means (6), especially with the maintaining means (such as protruding elements (41) and grooves (60)) enabled to use the system to print lines and information, in an easy way, along the underside of ceilings or floor.

[0139] In order to guarantee the direction of the guide (6) and of the frame (F), the system is provided with positioning means (5) (advantageously with visual prism (12)), which enables the operator with the help of his topographic device (11) to measure and mark two positions of the mobile printing carrier abutting against the stops (7). These two measurements make it possible to align the guide (6) and the frame (F) following the direction of the axis of the construction site defined by the architect. The wheels or rollers (10) allow fine adjustment of the position of the guide (6) or frame (F) according to the direction desired by the operator.

[0140] For example, with the system of the invention, it is possible to draw stakeout points represented by a cross and circles, but also to print door openings and window openings, intersections of axes and levels, etc. Users of topography equipment (11) now have the possibility of materializing all the established points, using the printing gun for automatic manual topographic marking.

[0141] Additionally, there is a way to communicate information from a control computer or topographic device with the manual print gun. This information is transmitted for example via a Bluetooth interface. For example, the number of the implanted point. Another example is the level measured by the topography instrument. This level is printed with the coordinates X, Y and Z.

[0142] The system of the invention enables also to shift (parallel shifting) the printing information from a certain distance, by 20 cm for example.REFERENCE LISTMPS: Manual Printing System

[0144] MPC: Mobile Printing Carrier

[0145] F: Frame

[0146] MGP: Manual Gripping Part

[0147] MGA: Axis of the Manual gripping part

[0148] S: Surface of the construction to be provided with a ink printed information

[0149] MW: Marking Window or Printing Window of the Frame

[0150] MG: Manual Gripping means

[0151] LM: Linear Movement of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame

[0152] LI: length of the mobile printing carrier measured parallel to the axis of movement of the carrier with respect to the frame, and at the level of the marking window

[0153] LS: Light signal emitted by the topographic device

[0154] AM: Activating Means for a printing operation

[0155] PCM: printing control means associated to the printing head

[0156] 1: printing head

[0157] 2: ink container

[0158] 2A,2B,2C,2D: ink containers or cartridges for color printing on the face of a building

[0159] 3: displacement measuring means, means for controlling the movement speed of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame

[0160] 4: support plate of the mobile printing carrier

[0161] 5: Topographic Positioning means

[0162] 6: Guiding means of the frame / edge of the frame

[0163] 7: abutment of the frame

[0164] 8,9: attaching means, like magnets and suction cups

[0165] 10: sliding, gliding means, like balls, wheels

[0166] 11: movable topographic device

[0167] 12: visual control system, including topographical reflector or reflecting prism

[0168] 13: removable visual centring means provided with control means, adapted to be associated to the topographic positioning means

[0169] 14: opening of the topographic positioning means

[0170] 15: bubble level means

[0171] 16: tracing means, stiff, marker, pointer, pin tracer

[0172] 20: connection, like easy connection, for connecting the removable ink container to the printing head

[0173] 20A,20B,20C,20D: connections, like easy connections, for connecting removable color ink containers or cartridges to the printing head

[0174] 30: electronic system or control system

[0175] 40: longitudinal edges of the mobile printing carrier

[0176] 41: protruding elements of the longitudinal edges

[0177] 50: linking means between the frame and the mobile printing carrier

[0178] 51,52: first part and second part mobile there between forming the topographic positioning means

[0179] 53: spring

[0180] 60: groove of the guiding means of the frame

[0181] Fl: plate element with the marking window of the frame

[0182] FA: first face of the frame directed towards the face of the building

[0183] FB: second face of the frame opposite to the first face

[0184] FM: friction means of the first face of the frame

[0185] W: width of the elongated window or marking window

[0186] L: length of the elongated window or marking window

[0187] MA: axis of the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the frame

[0188] MW1,MW2: open free portions of the elongated window or marking window

[0189] X, Y, Z: Benchmark axes

[0190] ARM: arm

[0191] MCS removable mobile communication system

Claims

1. A manual printing system (MPS) for topographical marking of at least one marking topographical information on a surface of a construction provided with at least one topographic mark, said manual printing system being adapted for being handled and moved by an operator, said manual printing system (MPS) comprising:a mobile printing carrier (MPC) with an ink printing head (1);a frame (F) adapted to be pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with at least at least one topographical marking information, said frame (F) being provided (a) with a marking window (MW) through which the printing of said at least one topographical marking information by the ink printing head (1) is possible on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) with guiding means (6) adapted for guiding along a movement axis, a linear movement (arrow LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby the said marking window (MW) defines a marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information;at least one topographic positioning means (5), said at least one topographic positioning means (5) being adapted for at least a visual control by the operator, of the position of the frame (F) or mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to said at least one topographic mark present on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;a manual gripping means (MG) connected to a bearing element selected from the group consisting of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the ink printing head (1), said manual gripping means (MG) being adapted for manual gripping by a hand of the operator so as to enable the operator (a) to push the mobile printing carrier (MPC) towards the frame (F), whereby pushing at least one part of the said frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, as well as (b) to move the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) following the guiding means (6) for guiding the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC);at least one control means (5) for controlling the at least one marking information to be printed within the marking zone, said control means emitting gap information of a gap existing between (*) an actual position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a desired position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the ink printing head (1) is in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information, andan activating means (AM) for activating the ink printing head (1) when the ink printing head (1) is in front of said portion of the marking zone to be provided with the at least one topographic marking information, so that the ink printing head (1) is adapted to print said at least one topographic marking information in the said marking zone, whereby said activating means (AM) is selected from the group consisting of (a) an activating means (AM) associated to the control means controlling the at least one topographic marking information to be printed, (b) an activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG), whereby said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG) is mobile against a return mechanism with respect to the manual gripping means (MG), at least by exerting a pressure on said activating means by at least a part of the hand of the operator, and (c) a combination of said activating means (AM) associated to said control means controlling the at least one topographical marking information and said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG).

2. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which said at least one control means (5) is adapted for determining or confirming at least the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the said surface (S) of the construction, as well as for controlling the activating means (AM) of the printing head (1).

3. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) are adapted there between so as to limit the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) along a moving axis (MA), as well as so as to prevent, when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) abuts against the frame (F), a pivoting movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) around an axis parallel to the moving axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM).

4. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 3, in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is mounted on the frame (F) by connecting means (50) adapted in a first position to prevent the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be moved away from the frame (F), while still enabling a linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), while being adapted in a second position to enable to render the mobile printing carrier (MPC) to be removable with respect to the frame (F).

5. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least one bubble level means (15), adapted for manual positioning of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) in a position selected from the group consisting a position ensuring a horizontal linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), and a position ensuring a vertical linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F).

6. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 5, in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), a first bubble level means (15) being located at the left of the ink printing head (1) and a second level bubble means (15) being located at the right of the ink printing head (1).

7. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 6, in which said at least two level bubble means (15) are sending a non printing signal to a printing control means (PCM) in case at least one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level, for preventing a printing of said at least one topographic marking information by ink printing head (1).

8. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the mobile printing carrier is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion.

9. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 8, in which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is configured so that the tracing element (14,16) is in front of a predefined position defined by a topographical total station.

10. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 8, in which the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are provided with a tracing means (16) with a marking end, said tracing means (16) being mounted mobile with respect to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) between (*) a first position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is extending through the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) for enabling a control trace selected from the group consisting of punctual control trace, linear control traces and combinations thereof to be marked on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is located with respect to the frame (F) so that the said marking end is at least no more fully traversing the marking window (MW) of the frame (F).

11. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 10, in which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is an elongated window with a central axis (MA) parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), whereby said elongated window (MW) is characterized by a length (L) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and by a width (W) measured perpendicular to the axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) has a length (LI) measured in a direction parallel to the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby said length (LI) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is at least two times lower than the length (L) of the elongated window (MW), in which a portion of the elongated window (MW) is not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby defining at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information,in which the manual printing system (MPS) is adapted to cooperate with a movable topographic device (11) adapted to emit at least one light signal (LS) towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, through the at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW) not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), so as to enable a visual control by the operator of the position of the frame (F) along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, with respect to the at least one light signal (LS) emitted by the movable topographic device (11) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW).

12. The manual printing system of claim 1, in which the topographic positioning means (5) is provided with an optical control system (12) adapted for improving the position of the frame (F) with respect to at least one topographic mark on the surface of construction, by a visual control by at least one eye of the operator.

13. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the frame (F) is provided with position facilitating means (10) selected from the group consisting of gliding means, rolling means and combinations thereof, said position facilitating means (10) being adapted for facilitating the manual positioning of the frame (F) with the ink printing head at the desired position of the ink printing head along the surface (S) of the construction, by manipulating the manual gripping means (MG) by the said hand of the operator.

14. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the frame (F) is provided with at least one attaching means (8,9) adapted to be actuated between (*) a first position for which the at least one attaching means (8,9) exerts a first adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the adhesion force of the at least one attaching means (8,9) on the surface (S) of the construction is lower than one fifth of said first adhesion force on said surface (S).

15. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the ink printing head (1) is provided with at least one ink supply means selected from the group consisting of at least one printing ink container (2) connected to the ink printing head (1) and having a volume of less than 100 ml, and at least one connection (20) adapted to connect the ink printing head (1), in a removable way, to at least one printing ink container (2) having a volume of less than 100 ml.

16. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 14, which has a total weight of less than 3 kg, said total weight being measured with the at least one printing container (2) in a substantially full ink state.

17. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the frame (F) has a plate element (Fl) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction, said plate element (Fl) having a maximal length of less than 100 cm, and a maximal width of less than 40 cm.

18. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the manual gripping means (MG) is mounted on the bearing element selected from the group consisting of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the ink printing head (1), whereby the manual gripping means (MG) has a manual gripping portion (MGP) with a central axis (MGA) perpendicular to the movement axis (MA) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby at least a part of the manual gripping portion (MGP) extends beyond the frame (F).

19. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the frame (F) has (*) a first face (FA) intended to directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second face (FB) opposite to the first face (FA) and along which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is adapted to move, whereby the said first face (FA) is provided with friction means adapted for acting against a movement of the frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the first face (FA) is pushed towards the said surface (S) of the construction, while at least one gliding means selected from the group consisting of gliding means present on the second face (FB), gliding means present on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and combinations thereof is provided for easing the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the said second face (FB) of the frame (F).

20. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the ink printing head (1) is adapted for printing elements selected from the group consisting of letters, figures, drawings, bar codes, QR codes, and combinations thereof, said ink printing head (1) being provided with an interface provided with at least one communication means selected from the group consisting of wireless signal means adapted for receiving wireless signals from a topographic station (11), wireless signal means adapted for receiving wireless signals from an electronic system (30) adapted for furnishing the at least one topographical marking information to be printed on the said surface (S) of the construction, wireless signal means adapted for emitting wireless signals to a topographic station, wireless signal means adapted for emitting wireless signals to an electronic system (30) adapted for furnishing the at least one topographical marking information to be printed on the said surface (S) of the construction, wireless signal means for emitting wireless signals to an electronic control system (30) managed by the operator, and combinations thereof.

21. The manual printing system (MPS) of claim 1, in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is associated with a displacement measuring means (3) for determining the relative movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F).

22. A method for topographical marking of at least one marking topographical information on a surface (S) of a construction provided with at least one topographic mark, in which an operator handles, moves and operates a manual printing system (MPS) comprising:a mobile printing carrier (MPC) with an ink printing head (1);a frame (F) adapted to be pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with at least at least one topographical marking information, said frame (F) being provided (a) with a marking window (MW) through which the printing of said at least one topographical marking information by the ink printing head (1) is possible on the surface (S) of the construction, as well as (b) with guiding means (6) adapted for guiding along a movement axis, a linear movement (arrow LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), with respect to the marking window (MW) of the frame (F), whereby the said marking window (MW) defines a marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information;at least one topographic positioning means (5), said at least one topographic positioning means (5) being adapted for at least a visual control by the operator, of the position of the frame (F) or mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to said at least one topographic mark present on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with topographical marking information;a manual gripping means (MG) connected to a bearing element selected from the group consisting of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the ink printing head (1), said manual gripping means (MG) being adapted for manual gripping by a hand of the operator so as to enable the operator (a) to push the mobile printing carrier (MPC) towards the frame (F), whereby pushing at least one part of the said frame (F) on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, as well as (b) to move the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) following the guiding means (6) for guiding the linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC);at least one control means (5) for controlling the at least one marking information to be printed within the marking zone, said control means emitting gap information of a gap existing between (*) an actual position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a desired position of the ink printing head (1) relative to said surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, when the ink printing head (1) is in front of a portion of the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information, andan activating means (AM) for activating the ink printing head (1) when the ink printing head (1) is in front of said portion of the marking zone to be provided with the at least one topographic marking information, so that the ink printing head (1) is adapted to print said at least one topographic marking information in the said marking zone, whereby said activating means (AM) is selected from the group consisting of (a) an activating means (AM) associated to the control means controlling the at least one topographic marking information to be printed, (b) an activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG), whereby said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG) is mobile against a return mechanism with respect to the manual gripping means (MG), at least by exerting a pressure on said activating means by at least a part of the hand of the operator, and (c) a combination of said activating means (AM) associated to said control means controlling the at least one topographical marking information and said activating means (AM) associated to the manual gripping means (MG),said method comprising at least the following steps:a movable topographic device (11) is placed in the vicinity of the surface (S) of the construction to be provided the at least one marking topographical information, whereby said movable topographic device (11) is operated for emitting a light signal (LS) on the said surface (S) of the construction, as at least one topographic mark;the operator moves the manual printing system (MPS) and positions it with respect to the said at least one topographic mark, so that the marking window of the frame (F) is accurately positioned with respect to the said at least one topographic mark;the operator pushes the manual printing system (MPS) onto the said surface (S) of the construction for maintaining it along said surface (S), andthe printing head (1) is activated so as print the said at least one marking topographical information.

23. The method of claim 22, in which said at least one control means (5) determines or confirms at least the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier with respect to the said surface (S) of the construction, as well as controls the activating means (AM) of the printing head (1), whereby preventing a printing step by the printing head, in case the topographic position of the printing head or of the mobile printing carrier is away from a desired marking zone on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with the said at least one topographic marking information.

24. The method of claim 22, using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least one bubble level means (15), adapted for manual positioning of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and the frame (F) in a position selected from the group consisting a position ensuring a horizontal linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), and a position ensuring a vertical linear movement of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least two bubble level means (15), a first bubble level means (15) being located at the left of the ink printing head (1) and a second level bubble means (15) being located at the right of the ink printing head (1), and in which said at least two level bubble means (15) are sending a non printing signal to a printing control means (PCM) in case at least one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level, for preventing a printing of said at least one topographic marking information by ink printing head (1),said method comprising the further step of preventing a printing of said at least one topographic in case at least one of said at least two bubble means (15) indicates a bubble level away from a determined horizontal or vertical level.

25. The method of claim 22, using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the frame (F) is provided with at least one attaching means (8,9) adapted to be actuated between (*) a first position for which the at least one attaching means (8,9) exerts a first adhesion force on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the adhesion force of the at least one attaching means (8,9) on the surface (S) of the construction is lower than one fifth of said first adhesion force on said surface (S),said method further comprising the step of activating the said at least one attaching means (8,9) when the marking window (MW) and the printing head (1) are at the desired position along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, so as to maintain in position the manual printing system (MPS) on the said surface (S) of the construction during a printing operation by the ink printing head.

26. The method of claim 22, using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion, andin which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is configured so that the tracing element (14,16) is in front of a predefined position defined by a topographical total station,said method comprising further the step of moving linearly the marking printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F) pushed against the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one marking topographical information, so as to trace onto the said surface said first and second linear markings.

27. The method of claim 22, using a manual printing system (MPS), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is provided with at least a first topographic positioning means (5) and a second topographic positioning means (5), the first topographic positioning means (5) being located on the left of the ink printing head (1), while the second topographic positioning means (5) is located on the right of the ink printing head (1), said first and second topographic positioning means (5) being each provided with a tracing element selected in the group consisting of a tracing means (16) and an opening (14) adapted to receive a tracing means (16), whereby the said tracing element (16,14) is located on the mobile printing carrier (MPC) so that when the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is moving linearly with respect to the frame (F), the tracing elements (16,14) of said first and second topographic positioning means (5) are adapted for enabling respectively a first linear marking and a second linear marking on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, whereby said first linear marking and said second linear marking have at least one overlapping trace portion, andin which the first and second topographic positioning means (5) are provided with a tracing means (16) with a marking end, said tracing means (16) being mounted mobile with respect to the mobile printing carrier (MPC) between (*) a first position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is extending through the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) for enabling a control trace selected from the group consisting of punctual control trace, linear control traces and combinations thereof to be marked on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, and (*) a second position for which the marking end of the tracing means (16) directed towards the marking zone to be provided with said at least one topographic marking information is located with respect to the frame (F) so that the said marking end is at least no more fully traversing the marking window (MW) of the frame (F),said method comprising the further step of placing the marking end of the tracing means (16) in the said first position, so that said marking end contacts the said surface (D) of the construction, whereby enabling to provide the said surface with at least one control trace.

28. The method of claim 27, using a manual printer system (MPS), in which the marking window (MW) of the frame (F) is an elongated window with a central axis (MA) parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) with respect to the frame (F), whereby said elongated window (MW) is characterized by a length (L) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) and by a width (W) measured perpendicular to the axis (MA) of the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), in which the mobile printing carrier (MPC) has a length (LI) measured in a direction parallel to the linear movement (LM) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby said length (LI) of the mobile printing carrier (MPC) is at least two times lower than the length (L) of the elongated window (MW), in which a portion of the elongated window (MW) is not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), whereby defining at least one open free portion of the elongated window (MW) intended to be directed towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information,said manual printing system (MPS) is adapted to cooperate with a movable topographic device (11) adapted to emit at least one light signal (LS) towards the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, through the at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW) not covered by the mobile printing carrier (MPC), so as to enable a visual control by the operator of the position of the frame (F) along the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking information, with respect to the at least one light signal (LS) emitted by the movable topographic device (11) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW),said method further comprising at the following steps:operating the movable topographic device (11) so that it emits the at least one light signal (LS) through said at least one open free portion (MW1,MW2) of the elongated window (MW), on the surface (S) of the construction to be provided with said at least one topographical marking informationvisual control of the position of the frame (F) with respect to the light signal (LS), andtuning the position of the frame (F) with respect to said light signal (LS).

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