marking device

The marking device addresses ergonomic challenges by using a peristaltic pump for easy paint actuation and scraper integration, enhancing user comfort and efficiency in tree marking operations.

FR3150130A1Active Publication Date: 2024-12-27OFFICE NAT DES FORETAB
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023006424
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-21
Publication Date
2024-12-27
Estimated Expiration
2043-06-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing marking devices for trees require multiple pressures on a control member for paint application, making them ergonomically challenging and difficult to use in certain positions, and can cause wrist discomfort during hammering.

Method used

A marking device with a peristaltic pump mechanism for paint distribution, allowing easy actuation through a control member, a scraper for surface cleaning, and ergonomic design to minimize wrist rotation and muscular fatigue.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates efficient and ergonomic paint application with reduced manual effort, enabling comfortable operation and optimal paint distribution without wrist strain.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A marking device (1) for a surface to be marked (71), the device comprising: - a paint applicator (2), - a paint dispensing mechanism (4) comprising: a connection fitting (16) for securely attaching a container holding paint, a peristaltic pump (18) for drawing paint from the connection fitting and delivering it to the paint applicator, a control member (19) for actuating the peristaltic pump (18), and - a scraper (3) for cleaning the surface to be marked before applying the paint. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Marking device

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

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

[0003] To facilitate the hammering operation, WO 2018 / 036725 A1 describes a device for The bark marking tool includes a scraper for cleaning the tree bark, a paint container, and a paint applicator roller for marking the tree. The paint is supplied through a distribution channel from the container. The paint flow is activated by a control mechanism.

[0004] The device described in WO 2018 / 036725 A1, however, has several drawbacks. In particular, in practice, proper impregnation of the paint applicator roller requires the user to press the control element repeatedly. Furthermore, in certain operating positions, it can be difficult to bring the paint to the applicator roller. Moreover, since the applicator roller is mounted on top of the device body, gripping the latter during hammering can cause uncomfortable wrist rotation for the user.

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

[0006] The invention relates to a device for marking a surface to be marked, the device comprising: - a paint applicator, - a paint distribution mechanism comprising: a connection fitting for securely attaching a container filled with paint, a peristaltic pump to draw paint from the connection fitting and deliver it to the paint applicator, a control device to operate the peristaltic pump, and - a scraper for cleaning the surface to be marked before applying the paint.

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

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

[0009] Preferably, the control element defines a support surface on which the user can press to actuate the peristaltic pump. Thus, the priming of The paint aspiration is particularly rapid and requires less manual action on the control element than with the device described in WO 2018 / 036725 A1. Furthermore, once the peristaltic pump has initiated the pumping of paint from the container, a simple press on the control element supplies the paint applicator, regardless of the user's position on the device. Alternatively, the control element can be fluidly connected to a pressurized gas reservoir, for example, compressed air, and configured to actuate the peristaltic pump when it receives a volume of pressurized gas from said gas reservoir.

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

[0011] Preferably, the paint distribution mechanism includes a dis-conduit paint distribution connecting upstream to downstream the connection fitting to the paint applicator, the paint distribution conduit having a flexible portion at least partly housed in the peristaltic pump.

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

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

[0014] The rotor may include a rocker arm, the rollers being attached, for example mounted rotatably, on the rocker arm.

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

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

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

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

[0019] The rotor may include a part, in particular a connecting rod having a toothed section of the connecting rod onto which the rack can be engaged.

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

[0021] Preferably, the control element is mounted, preferably rotaryly, on the rack.

[0022] Preferably, the peristaltic pump includes an elastic return element to bring the rack from a translated position to a reference position relative to the pump body. In this way, after the control element is actuation, the flexible portion of the paint distribution conduit is compressed, and a dose of paint is drawn in as a result of said actuation. The return of the control element allows the rotor to be repositioned in its initial configuration. Thus, a further actuation of the control element results in a further compression of the flexible portion of the paint distribution conduit and the transfer of a new dose of paint from the container to the applicator.

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

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

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

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

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

[0028] Preferably, the device comprises a rigid cartridge defining an internal space for receiving the container, the cartridge being inserted at least into the housing and removably attached to the casing. Thus, the container is protected by the cartridge, preventing it from being punctured and the paint from escaping. The cartridge has an opening through which the paint contained in the container can be conveyed to the paint distribution line via the connection fitting.

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

[0030] Preferably, the container is flexible and fitted with a rigid nozzle that is securely attached to the connection fitting. For example, it is a flexible pouch made of a polymeric material, for example PE and / or PET. In this way, the aspiration of the paint by means of the peristaltic pump causes the container to contract without a vacuum and with the aid of atmospheric pressure.

[0031] Preferably, the container is contained in the cartridge and the nozzle, which protrudes from the orifice provided in the cartridge, is fixed in a watertight manner on the fitting.

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

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

[0034] Preferably, the peristaltic pump is positioned between the handle and the connection fitting, and, where applicable, the container. Thus, in a vertical operating position of the device, the mass of the paint container and the peristaltic pump is distributed above the user's hand, thereby limiting muscle fatigue.

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

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

[0037] Preferably, the control element is a lever.

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

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

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

[0041] Preferably, the device includes a guard extending from the housing, with the control element positioned between the handle and the guard. The guard protects the user's hand and thus prevents it from coming into contact with the surface to be marked during the marking process.

[0042] The guard can be located at a distance from the handle, and preferably be substantially parallel to the handle.

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

[0044] Preferably, the housing, the handle and optionally the guard, are made of the same material and together form a housing.

[0045] In particular, the housing may be formed of two detachable half-shells that are fixed, in particular, screwed together. Preferably, the two half-shells are made of a thermoplastic material. They may be obtained by molding, in particular by injection molding, or by 3D printing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0055] Furthermore, when viewed from the side, the scraper, the paint applicator, and optionally the control mechanism are arranged on the same side of the handle axis, while the paint container is at least partially, or even entirely, located on the opposite side of the handle axis. This arrangement allows for the efficient distribution of the mass of the various components of the device, thus preventing muscle fatigue for the user.

[0056] Preferably, the paint applicator is mounted, preferably in a removable manner, on the paint distribution mechanism.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0063] The hub is preferably tubular and hollow.

[0064] Preferably, the hub is perforated, which allows a transfer of paint from the paint distribution conduit to the applicator roller through the hub.

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

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

[0067] Preferably, the hub is snapped onto the support arm in a removable manner. This facilitates disassembly of the applicator at the end of the operation for easy maintenance.

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

[0069] Preferably, the foam is a polymer foam, for example high-density polyurethane. Preferably, it is PU Z15650 polyurethane, which notably exhibits good compressive strength and low deformation set.

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

[0071] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, a non-limiting example of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0079] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of the underside of a device part, and

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

[0081] In figures 6 to 12, components of the device have not been shown intentionally, in order to make those described therein more apparent.

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

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

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

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

[0086] The housing 5 comprises a protective cover 7, a handle 8 extending downwards along an axis Xp from the protective cover 7. The axis Xp is shown in dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2. The housing 5 further comprises a guard 9 in the shape of an "L" and extending downwards from the base of the handle 8 to the protective cover 7, and upwards, defining an opening 10 with said protective cover 7 and the handle 8. In this way, when a person holds the handle in their hand, their fingers are positioned in the opening 10 and are protected by the guard 9.

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

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

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

[0090] The paint distribution mechanism 4 allows the paint contained in the paint container to be dispensed to the paint applicator 2. The paint distribution mechanism 4 includes a connection fitting 16, a paint distribution conduit 17, a peristaltic pump 18 and a control member 19.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0103] The separation wall 30 also has a hole through which the rotor passes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0121] The hub 56 further has an axial bead 62 in the form of a complementary skirt shaped like the annular ring 53 and which surmounts said annular ring after the hub has been snapped into place. To facilitate snapping, the hub is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, for example ABS or a styrenic polymer.

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

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

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

[0125] The scraper 3 can be held fixed relative to the housing 5 by means of a knurled clamping screw 66, once the position of the scraper has been defined by the user.

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Citation Information

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