Improved marking means for worktops

Abstract

A device configured to trace the edges of an object, the device comprising: a sketching member 60 comprises an aperture 62 and channel configured to receive and retain a writing means 70 for marking a

Description

26 01 24 The present invention relates to an improved marking means for worktops and in particular marking means to enable the inside perimeter of a sink to be marked on to a worktop, particularly where the sink is under worktop mounted where the worktop is a mineral, such as granite or quartz. Background: Often in construction there is a need for a builder, referred herein as a user, to cut apertures into a surface material to allow them to mount objects onto the surface. One of the most common cases of this in most dwellings is when a builder, such as a joiner or carpenter, needs to cut an aperture into a side board, for example worktop, in order to mount a sink. In some cases, the user can simply trace the outside of the object to create a suitably sized aperture to house the object, when the object sits on top of the material. However, in some cases, the user may wish to have the object mounted to the underside of the side board, as this would then hide the object from view and may be considered more aesthetically pleasing. Though to achieve this effect the aperture must be size based on the size of the inside of the object, in the case of the sink the aperture would need to be no bigger than the sink bowl, and may require multiple apertures is there are multiple bowls as part of the sink. The problem with trying to trace the inside edge of an object is that in some cases, the user is not able to reach the internal edges of the object when it had been placed over the side board material. However, in the case of a sink which would comprise a drainage hole the user can reach through, it is still difficult as the user may not be able to reach the internal edges, or move their arm with enough freedom to trace the entire internal edge, further, with their hand now blocking the hole the user would not be able to see where they have traced, or any mistakes they may have made. The present invention also addresses a related and significant problem and that is particularly with stainless steel sinks aperture’s typically have sharp edges and this can give rise to significant injury, such as around the wrist. There is also a need to address this problem. Relevant prior disclosures include GB 207 5922 disclosing a tracing table fortracing a planar image on a piece of paper and US 2008 / 020 6721 disclosing a tracing member and a sketching member joined by one magnet each enabling a change in orientation of the writing means from a writing to a non-writing configuration. 26 01 24 Therefore, there is a need for a device that would allow the user to more easily trace the internal edges of an object onto a surface. Preferably this device would minimise the risk of any edges being missed during the tracing process, and where possible allow a user to see where the object has traced. It is also preferable that the device would allow the user to adjust the distance between the edge of the object and the marking made by the device, allowing the user to create an overlap between the edge of the object and the edge of the aperture on the surface with a desired width, such overlap may be used to secure the object to the surface with suitable fasteners and to permit the presence of a sealant. Summary: The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present invention provides a device that can be used to trace the edge of an object, more specifically a device that can be used to trace the inside and outside edge of an object onto a material, to provide a cutting guide on said material. In particular, the present invention is suitable for tracing the edge of a sink. Specifically, an internal edge. To this end the claimed invention provides a sketching device suitable for tracing both internal and external edges of an object placed on a surface. More specifically, the present invention comprises a sketching device that comprises two parts, a tracing member and a sketching member. Wherein the sketching member comprises a body which is configured to house a drawing means, such as a pen, pencil, pencil lead, or other suitable means of marking the desired surface. Wherein the sketching member can be used to mark the outline of the edges of the desired object by moving the drawing means around the edge, such as an internal periphery, of said object, the body of the sketching means would comprise a flat surface which would press against the surface of the object being traced, thereby ensuring the gap between the member and the object is as small as possible, but not necessarily negligible so as to account for the possibility to introduce a sealant and for aesthetic considerations. Further the body would comprise an aperture for receiving the writing means, and would be configured to releasable retain the writing means when in use, it is noted that this aperture would be connected to a channel within the sketching member that would house the writing means when in use. The body may further comprise a handle mounted to the opposite side of the body relative to the flat edge, or on the sides of the body, this handle may be used to hold the sketching member while it traces the external edge of the object, or to hold the member in place when coupling the sketching member to the respective tracing member to trace the internal edge of the object. 26 01 24 The purpose and advantage of the present invention is illustrated by figure 7A which depicts a cross-section of a finished worktop under which a sink is mounted showing how the marking enables an overlap of the worktop edge, with an installed sink to simply and quickly be defined as suitable for subsequent cutting of the worktop to provide edge. As can be seen the offset 'A’ of the writing implement (Figure 7) from the inside edge of a sink 80 corresponds to a required overlap 90A. In providing this marking out the risk of errors (which essentially can make a whole worktop surface unusable) are obviated and inconvenience and risk of marking within attacked enclosed space are also obviated. The tracing member is configured to couple to the sketching member through the wall of the object being traced, so that the user may move the sketching member within the object being traced, thus moving the coupled tracing member along the external face of the object, so to achieve this the tracing member would comprise a body with a flat face similar to the sketching member, this not only reduces the distance between the member and the object, but also reduce the space between the two members when coupled together. The body would also comprise one or more handles mounted to the opposite side of the body relative to the flat edge, or on the sides of the body to allow the tracing member to be gripped, positioned and moved more easily. To couple the sketching member and tracing members together, both member bodies would include slots or channels configured to house one or more magnets. These magnets would then be housed in the body of the member proximate the flat face of the body, so that the magnets within one member would attract the object in the opposing member, thereby coupling the members together, even when positioned on the opposite sides of a wall or side of the object being traced. Once the members are coupled together, the user may move the sketching member inside the object by moving the tracing member over the outside of the object. It is noted that each of the members would preferably hold multiple magnets. More specifically the channel within each member would be configured to receive at least two magnets, these magnets would be arranged with alternate polarity, so that there is a force of attraction between the magnets within a single member to help retain the magnets within the channel of the member body. Further the channel also enables the magnets to be readily replaced, such as where they lose magnetism due to repeated dropping of a device which is essentially a hand tool may be thus susceptible to such impacts. Furthermore, this alternative polarity arrangement would help ensure that the sketching member and tracing member align correctly when they couple together, allowing the user to be sure that the writing means is facing the correct direction and will be contacting the surface to be marked when in use. It is noted that an even number of magnets is preferable as this way the top most and bottom most magnets within the member would have the opposite polarity, this 26 01 24 ensures that the members can only couple together within one alignment, ensuring the members are facing the right way in use. The use of the magnets, particularly the magnets been self-orientating between the sketching member and the tracing member has a significant advantage in that the device of the present invention can be manually dragged over the edge of an aperture, such as that of the drainage hole and the 2 parts automatically maintain their orientation, such that the drawing means is correctly orientated, by the arrangement of the magnets. As mentioned, this obviates the issue of laceration on the wrist due to a user having to place the hand through a drainage hole when marking out a worktop. It is noted that the members may include further features to make them easier to use. More specifically, the tracing member may comprise one or more bearing, wherein these bearings would be positioned to engage the surface of the object, or the surface being marked to allow the tracing member to move more easily. In a preferred embodiment the tracing member comprises bearing to engage both the object surface, and the surface being marked, with each bearing being coupled to the body of the member with a suitable fastener such as a both or screw. In some cases, these fasteners may enter the channel containing the magnets within the member, so that the magnets are attracted towards the fastener to further secure the magnets in place within the member. In the preferred embodiment, the tracing member comprises both large and small bearing. Wherein the small bearings are mounted to the base of the tracing member, so that in use these small bearings rest on the surface being traced. It is noted that these bearings are preferably small, such as 1 cm or less in diameter, to decrease the gap between the surface being marked and the device when in use, as this in turn allow the members to be positioned closer to the surface, and reduces the size of the writing means needed to mark the surface, both of these factors allow the device to mark the edge of the object more accurately as these features reduce the risk of the writing means becoming misalign or from moving away from the surface. The tracing member also includes several, large, such as from 1 to 2 cm in diameter, bearings which are perpendicular to the small bearing, so that in use the large bearing contact the sides of the object being traced. These bearings allow the tracing member to move over the object more easily. It is preferable for these bearings to be larger as they will likely experience more force than the bearings on the base, and therefore should be larger to spread the force over a larger area. It is also noted that in the preferred embodiment there are three of these large bearings arranged in a triangle, with one bearing coupled to the top of the tracing member. This arrangement helps to further dissipate the force exerted on the bearings. The triangle 26 01 24 arrangement allows the user to rotate the member more easily by pivoting the member around the top most bearing of the triangle, also this arrangement ensures that there is always one bearing in contact with the surface of the object as it moves around the corners of the object, these factors ensure that the tracing member moves smoothly over the surface of the object regardless of the shape of the object being traced, this reduces the risk of the members decoupling as they move over the objects surface. As previously mentioned, the sketching member is configured to house a writing means which can be controllably released. In some cases, the body of the sketching member may be deformable, so that the aperture that receives the writing means closes around the writing means when inserted to retain the writing means within the member, the user may then actuate the member body for example by squeezing the member to release the writing means. In other cases, the sketching member may include additional features that are used to retain the writing means within the member, such as a clip or removable plate, which can be used to retain the writing means once it is inserted into the member, and can then be removed to release the writing means. In some cases, the channel within the body may include a ring seal which hold the writing means in place once inserted. In many of these cases the device may include a rod which can be used to decouple the writing means from the sketching member. More specifically, the top of the sketching member may include an aperture on the top side of the body, on the opposite side of the member that receives the writing means, wherein the rod can be inserted into this second aperture to remove the writing means from the member. It is noted that this rod can be stored within a separate channel within the body of either member, when the device is in use. Another option for the sketching member is a mechanism incorporated into the channel housing the writing means which would allow the user to adjust the position of the drawing tip of writing means to allow the user to adjust the distance between the object being trace and the marking made by the writing means to adjust the size of the lip or overlap between the sideboard material and the object being traced when the object is installed. This mechanism may include gears which can be actuated to tilt the writing means relative to the sketching means, or an arm which can move the writing means laterally, specifically this arm would raise the writing means relative to the flat surface of the sketching member body. Regardless of the features chosen from the options above the device may be used with the same method. In particular, a user will first overturn the object to be traced and place it onto the desired surface where they need to mark the aperture for the object. User may first prepare the device by inserting the writing means into the sketching member and then adjust the writing means to ensuring the tip of the writing means reach the surface when the 26 01 24 members are coupled together, and use the adjusting mechanism to set the gap between the object and the marking the device makes. Once prepared the user may use the sketching member to first sketch the external edge of the object onto the desired surface. Then the user may then insert the sketching member into the object being trace, holding the member against the wall of the object, then bring the tracing member closer to the sketching member on the opposite side of the object’s wall until the members couple together. Once the members are coupled the user can trace the external edge of the object with the tracing member which in turn moves the sketching member within the object to trace the internal edge, thereby creating the desired markings needed to form the aperture for the object being traced. Detailed Description: The present invention is depicted in the following Figures: Figure 1: depicting the parts of the tracing member. Figure 2: depicting the parts of the sketching member. Figure 3: depicts a plan view of the front and back of the assembled tracing member. Figure 4: depicts a plan view of the top surface of the tracing member and sketching member. Figure 5: depicts a plan view of the bottom surface of the tracing member and sketching member. Figure 6: depicts a cross-section showing how the tracing member and sketching member would be coupled to a sink. Figure 7: depicts a plan view showing how the tracing member and sketching member would be, in use, coupled to a sink. Figure 7A: depicts a cross-section of a finished worktop under which a sink is mounted, showing how the marking enables an overlap of the worktop edge 90A with an installed sink to simply and quickly defined as suitable for subsequent cutting of the worktop to provide edge 90A. Figure 8: depicts a perspective view of the complete device comprising both the tracing member and sketching member. 26 01 24 Figure 9: depicts a perspective view of the top of the complete device comprising both the tracing member and sketching member. Figure 10: depicts a perspective view of the base of the complete device comprising both the tracing member and sketching member. Figure 11: depicts a perspective view of an end of the complete device comprising both the tracing member and sketching member. The drawing comprises the following feature, please note that in the drawings depicting the present invention, like features are indicated with like numerals. 10 - Tracing member 12 - Trancing member handles 12A - Finger groove of handles 14 - Outer finger protectors 16 - End finger protectors 18 - Angled end to sketcher 20 - Large bearings 21 - Large bearing fastener 30 - Small bearing assembly 40 - First set of magnets 42 - Second set of magnets 44 - Channel in which magnets are located in sketching member 46 - Channel in which magnets are located in tracing member 48 - Felt pad 50 - Spare writing implement 60 - Sketching member 61 - Sketching member handle 70 - Writing implement 80 - Sink 26 01 24 82 - Sink hole aperture 90 - Worktop / Sideboard surface 90A - Lip of Worktop / Sideboard when cutaway based upon the marking achieved by the present invention. The present invention provides a device that is configured to mark where a user would need to cut incisions into a material. More specifically, the present invention is configured to mark where the aperture would need to be made in a piece of material when installing a sink, wherein the marked material is being used for the sideboard surrounding the sink, which made be made of wood, board, granite, marble or other suitable materials. The invention would comprise a tracing member and a sketching member coupled to opposite sides of the desired sink by magnets, wherein the sketching member marks on the surface the line where the incisions would need to be made for the sink aperture in the sideboard material, and wherein the user can move the sketching member by moving the tracing member. The invention also comprises the method for using the above-mentioned marking device and a kit of parts containing the marking device. Figure 1 depicts parts that form the preferred embodiment of the tracing member 10. Wherein the tracing member 10 comprises a body, wherein the body would be configured to have at least one flat surface so that when in use the flat surface of the tracing member 10 can be placed upon the surface of the object the user wishes to trace in order to mark where a piece of material would need to be cut to accommodate the traced object. More specifically, the claimed device would be used to trace the edges of a sink onto a material that would be used as a sideboard, to indicate where apertures would need to be made to house the sign in the sideboard. So, in use the flat surface of the tracing member would be placed upon the lateral surface of the sink and would be coupled to a corresponding sketching member 60 on the opposite side of the sink walls, thereby holding the device flush to the sink wall. Once in place, the user can move the tracing member 10 over the flat surface of the sink, this in turn moves the sketching member 60 causing it to mark around the edge of the sink, this body would preferably comprise at least one handle 12, configured to allow a user to grip and move the tracing member 10 more easily. The body would also comprise an aperture configured to receive one or more magnets which would be used to couple the tracing member 10 to the corresponding sketching member 60. In this case, the tracing member body comprises an elongated aperture that 26 01 24 forms a channel 44 through the centre of the body, though the magnet aperture may instead comprise an opening on the surface of the body which faces the sketching member when in use, in this way the material of the tracing member body does not interfere or block the magnetic force generated by the magnets 40,42. It is also shown that in the preferred embodiment, the tracing member would use a set of magnets 40, in this case, two magnets, wherein each of the magnets would be given a different orientation, which in this case refers to the whether the north or South pole of the magnet faces the tracing member. Wherein the sketching member would contain a second set of magnets with the same number of magnets as the first set, with the orientation of the sketching member magnets 42 being the opposite of the tracing member magnets 40. For example, if the topmost magnet of the tracing member has a North orientation meaning the North pole of the magnet faces the sketching member 60, then the topmost magnet of the sketching member 60 would be orientated so that its south pole faces the tracing member. This orientation ensures that tracing member 10 and sketching member 60 attract each other through the sink material. Additionally, the use of at least two magnets, more specifically an even number of magnets arranged to have alternating orientations ensure that the sketching member 60 has the correct orientation relative to the tracing member 10 when in use. This also means that the user can alter the orientation of the sketching member by changing the orientation of the tracing member, as this pattern of magnets would keep the two parts aligned relative to each other. The tracing member 10 also comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of bearings 20, 30 or wheels which can be coupled to the tracing member body. Wherein the bearings 20, 30 allow the tracing member to move more easily when in use, by contacting and rolling over the surface of either the sink or the material to be cut to accommodate the sink. In particular, each of the bearings 20, 30 would be coupled to the body of the tracing member 10 via a suitable fastener 21 such as a screw or bolt, which would pass through the bearing and into the body to secure the bearing in place while allowing it to rotate relative to the fastener 21 and the body. It is noted that in the depicted example bearing wheels can only rotate in one plane, therefore to get a wider range of motion from the bearings 20, 30 need to have different orientations. In the depicted example, there are two types of bearing, the larger bearings 20 and the smaller bearing 30 each with a respective fastener 21. In this example, the large and small bearings have perpendicular alignments relative to each other, wherein the fasteners 21 of the large bearings 20 are parallel to the elongated axis of the body, and the fasteners of the small bearings 30 are perpendicular to the elongated axis of the body. This means that, when in use, the small bearings 30 roll over the surface of the material to be cut while the large bearings 20 roll 26 01 24 over the lateral surface of the sink which is perpendicular to the surface of the material to be cut. It is noted that the small bearings 30 are used to reduce the space between the bottom surface of the racing member and the material to be cut, as this would reduce the risk of the writing means becoming misaligned when in use, as the body of the sketching means would be closer to the material being marked. It is also depicted that the large bearings 20 comprise three such bearings in a triangular formation, this formation provides a stable base when the weight of the body rests on the large bearings, but allows the tracing member to be maneuverer more easily as the body would be able to pivot around the lone bearing at the top of the body with minimal effort / force. In some cases, the aperture for the fastener on the top surface of the tracing member body may connect to the aperture for the first set of magnets 40. In this case, when the fastener 21 is inserted into the aperture in the body it will extend into the aperture 46 for the magnets 40. As the fastener is likely made of metal the magnets within the body would be attracted to the fastener 21, this would help to keep the magnet in place within the body of the tracing member 10, while also allowing the user to adjust the height of the magnets by further inserting or retracting the fastener 21. Lastly, the tracing body may include an aperture for holding a small elongated member. In some cases, the member stored within this aperture may be an alternative or spare writing means which can be coupled to the sketching member when needed. In some cases, the aperture may contain an elongated rod 50, which can be used to decouple the writing means from the sketching member. In particular, this rod 50 would be configured to be inserted into an aperture with the sketching member 60 to controllably release the writing means 70 from with the sketching member 60. In some cases when the writing member 70 comprises a stick of graphene, the rod may be used to lower the graphene once the writing end has been worn away to expose more of the graphene to allow it to be used to write once more. Figure 2, depicts the preferred embodiment for the sketching member 60. The sketching member 60 comprises a body with a flat surface so that the body of the sketching member can be placed upon the surface of the object being traced, just like the tracing member 10. The body of the sketching member may also comprise a handle 61. In the depicted example the handle of the sketching member extends from the body of the sketching member 60 in a direction away from the flat surface, in the example the handle is elongated along the body of the sketching member with sloped sides that narrow towards the body on the sketching member allowing the user to easily grip the sketching member by placing their fingers into the recess between the sketching member body and the sloped sides of the handle 61. This handle 61 allows the user to better grip the tracing member 60 when positioning the tracing 26 01 24 member 60 within an object to be traced, such as a sink 80, or when using the tracing member to mark around the outside edges of the object. The sketching member 60 also comprises a set of apertures. One aperture allows the second set of magnets 42 to be inserted into the sketching member 60, as with the tracing member 10, the body of the sketching member would contain one or more magnets for coupling to the tracing member 10, preferably there would multiple magnets to ensure that the members maintain the correct alignment relative to one another. These magnets also ensure that as the user moves or rotates the tracing member on the outside of the object being traced the sketching member will move in the same direction as the tracing member. The sketching member body comprises a further aperture 62 connected to a channel within the member body, wherein this channel is configured to receive writing means 70, wherein in use the writing means would be retained within the sketching member and is used to make the markings around the object being traced. In some cases, the aperture may include features that would help retain the writing means position within the channel of the sketching member body. These retaining features may comprise a clamp, clips, ring seals, removable plates, or other suitable features, each feature being configured to releasably retain the writing means within the sketching member 60. It is noted that the writing means can be coupled to the sketching member by being inserted into the channel within the body through the aperture 62, once inserted the above-mentioned features or, in some cases, an external feature that is separate from the body may then be used to retain the writing member in place. Whichever feature is used the retaining feature would be configured to release the writing means when a specific force is applied, in this case, the sketching member body would have a second aperture at the opposite end of the channel relative to the first aperture 62, the rod 50 or similar member may be inserted into this second aperture as a means of decoupling the writing means from the channel and retaining features. It is noted that the end of rod 50 would include a handle to prevent the rod 50 from fully entering the channel when pushing the writing means 70 out of the channel. It is also noted that some of the retaining means may be configured to be opened without the need for this aperture and rod, for example, the retaining feature may comprise a switch on the body which may be used to release the writing means, or the body of the sketching member 60 may be actuated by squeezing the aperture 62 to release the writing means 70. It is noted that the depicted writing means 70 comprises a graphene rod, or pencil lead, which is inserted into the aperture 62 as described above. However, other types of writing means may also be used such as pens, markers, or in some cases a needle that may be used to mark the surface of a material that is too rough to mark with the other writing means. 26 01 24 It is noted that the graphene rod is preferable as they are relatively cheap and the markings, they leave on the surface can be easily removed if necessary. The problem with this writing means is that it will wear over time, with the rod becoming short as it is used. This means that the writing means 70 would likely need to be adjusted after each use, which may be achieved using the rod 50 to push the graphite out of the channel to the required length. However, in some cases, the channel within the sketching member 60 may be spring loaded, wherein the spring is configured to provide a constant force, resilient bias, to the writing means 70 to ensure that when in use the writing means remains in contact with the surface being marked. It is noted that the spring-loaded system may also include retaining features as described above to help ensure that the spring does not eject the writing means from the channel, by providing a retraining force to counteract the force from the spring, to ensure that the writing means 70 is retained at the desired length. It is also noted that the channel within the sketching member 60 may include features that allow the alignment of the writing means to be adjusted. More specifically, these mechanisms would allow the space between the surface of the traced object and the marking made by the writing means 70. For example, the mechanism may be configured to tilt the writing means 70 relative to the body of the sketching member 60, alternatively, the mechanism may comprise a housing for the writing means wherein the housing can raise or lower relative to the flat surface of the sketching member body, or it may comprise a combination of these two mechanisms. These mechanisms also the gap between the flat surface of the sketching member’s body and the writing tip / end of the writing member 70 to be adjusted thereby increasing the spacing between the object being traced and the markings made by the writing member, allowing the user to adjust the amount of overhang between the edge of the aperture cut into the marked material and the object being installed in the aperture. Figure 3 depicts the cross-section of a constructed tracing member 10 comprising the parts depicted in Figure 1. This figure illustrates the relative positions and orientation of the bearings relative to the elongated axis of the tracing member body. As previously noted, the small bearings 30 are positioned near the base of the body and are preferably small in size and or recessed to reduce the gap between the member body and the surface being marked, this helps to reduce the length of the writing means that protrudes from the sketching member which reduces the risk of the writing means 70 becoming loose or misaligned when in use. similarly, the figure shows the larger bearings 20 which are perpendicular to the small bearings, this allows the large bearing to contact the surface of the object being traced, further, these larger bearings are partially recessed into the body to again reduce the distance between the body and the surface so that the field of the magnets 26 01 24 40 can more easily penetrate the object and interact with the magnets 42 of the sketching member 60. It should also be noted that when in user the user would exert force on the perpendicular bearings when moving the tracing member 10, this is why the perpendicular bearings are preferably larger to help dissipate the force and reduce the risk of wear to the bearings and the object being traced. The figure also shows that the larger bearings 20 are arranged in a triangle which also helps to dissipate the force exerted onto the tracing member 10, additionally, the single bearing on the top of the member allows the member to be pivoted around the bearing allowing the user to rotate the member more easily. Additionally, this triangular arrangement may also make it easier for the member to move around the corners of the object being traced, as at least one of the large bearings 20 would be in contact with the surface of the object as it rounds the corner. This prevents the member from sliding or becoming misaligned as it moves around the corners of the object being traced. The figure also shows how the magnets would be arranged inside the channel within the body of the tracing member 10, it should be noted that the set of magnets 40 would preferably comprise an even number of magnets so that the top and bottom magnets have the opposite polarity, this the sketching member would automatically align with the tracking member in the correct orientation, for if the polarity of the end magnets of one of the sets of magnets 40,42 is the same then the member can align in two different directions. Additionally, the magnets should be arranged so that they alternate in polarity so then the magnets inside the channel attract one another to help prevent the magnets from falling out of the channel or from becoming misaligned. The figure also depicts an aperture at the end of the magnet channel, which may be used to insert a member or cap that would controllably seal the magnets into the channel of the body. Figures 4 and 5, and Figures 8 to 10 depict the entire device from different perspectives showing how the tracing and sketching members would be aligned when in use. More specifically, the images show how the flat side of each member should be orientated to face the flat face of the opposing member, note that these flat faces would be on opposing sides of the object being traced and would allow the members to be placed flush with the vertical surface of the object being traced, with the magnets 40,42 coupling the two members together through the surface of the object. It also shows that in use the writing member 70 should face toward the base of the tracing member 10, towards the small bearings 30 which rest on the surface to be marked, and as noted the arrangement of the magnets within each member ensures that the members will only couple with this alignment. Figure 5 also illustrates the second aperture of the sketching member 60 which can receive the rod 50 to decouple the writing means. 26 01 24 Figures 6 and 7 depict an example of how the claimed device may be used. In particular, the example depicts how the claimed device may be used to trace the inner surface of a sink 80 onto a material that would form a sideboard that the sink 80 would be coupled to, more specifically, in some cases, a sink 80 may be installed on the underside of a sideboard 90, in such cases an aperture would need to be cut into the sideboard material 90 that is the size of the sink bowl, more specifically the aperture would have the same size as the inside of the sink bowl. Normally, it would not be possible to trace this area as the user would not be able to reach inside the sink and trace the inner surface onto the sideboard material. However, this is possible when using the claimed mark device. For, in-use, a user would be able to place the sketching member 60 on the inside of the sink 80, and may then move the sketching member 60 along the inside edge of the sink 80 by moving the attached tracing member 10 which is coupled to the sketching member 60 by the magnets 40,42 contained within each member 10. More specifically, to use the claimed device as described above, in use, a user would first insert the sketching member 60 into the sink 80 through the opening 82 in the top of the overturned sink 80, holding the member in place with the flat surface of the member against the inner surface of the sink 80. To facilitate this the marking end of the sketching member 60 has an angled end face 18 (see figure 11). This enables the complete device to be swept over the opening 82 of a sink, the angled end 18 then allowing the sketcher to separate smoothly from the tracing member 10 by guiding the sink edge between the two members. Whilst this action is rapidly achieved it places potentially sharp sink edges in proximity to the user’s hands. Hence, the tracing member has handles 12, comprising finger / thumb groove 12A in which the fingers are recessed, outer finger protectors14 and end finger protectors16 to provide greater safety and enhance confidence in use. Once inserted the user may hold the tracing member 10 over the outer surface of the sink 80, proximate to the sketching member 60, with the flat surface of the tracing member 60 facing the surface of the sink 80. When the members are sufficiently close, they should couple together via their respective magnetic fields, as previously noted the arrangement of the magnets 40,42 within the members should ensure the member align correctly. Once coupled together the user may release the sketching member, and then move the sketching member 60 into the position shown in figure 6 by moving the tracing member over the surface of the sink. When the members are in position the writing means would be in contact with the sideboard material 90, at this point the user can trace the inside of the sink 80 by moving the tracing member across the vertical walls of the sink 80 as depicted in Figure 7, ensuring that the small bearings 30 remain in contact with the sideboard material 90 to 26 01 24 ensure that the writing means remains in contact with the sideboard material 90 throughout the process. Once complete the user may retrieve the sketching member 60 through the sink opening 82, either by reaching into the sink and manually removing the member or by moving the tracing member 10 over the surface of the sink 80 towards the opening 82 thereby using the magnets 40 of the tracing member 10 to pull the sketching member 60 out of the sink 80. The user may also use the sketching member 60 to trace the outer edge or lip of the sink, simply by gripping the body or handle 61 of the sketching member, placing the writing means on the edge of the sink 80, and moving the sketching member around the object, similar to using a pen or pencil, without the need for other marking means to trace the entire object. Further, if necessary, the user may first adjust the height of writing means 70 within the sketching member 60 to ensure the writing means 70 contacts the surface of the sideboard material. The user may achieve this by placing the device on a suitable flat surface in the orientation shown in Figure 6, then the user may insert the rod 50 into the aperture at the top of the sketching member 60, pushing the writing means downwards until it contacts the flat surface. Note that in cases where the sketching member 60 is spring-loaded, this step would not be necessary. In some cases, the user may also adjust the height of the sketching member by using the rod 50, or the fastener 21 of one of the large bearings 20 to push the magnets 40 down the channel of the tracing member 10. This would preferably be used in cases where the fastener 21 enters the channel as the attraction between magnets 40 and the metal fastener 21 would prevent the magnets from falling out completely. It is also noted that in the cases where the sketching member includes a mechanism to adjust the spacing between the object being sketched and the mark left by the writing means 70, this mechanism would also be adjusted to the desired distance during this step prior to use. It is also noted that the claimed invention may be provided to a user as a kit of parts, such a kit would include all of the pieces illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 to construct the tracing member 10 and sketching member 60. This kit may further comprise replacement parts, in particular, additional writing means 70 as these will wear down with each use, but may also include replacement bearings 20,30 and / or a replacement rod 50. Further, the kit may include a simple lamp comprising a small light source and a clip. Wherein, the user may attach the lamp to the opening used to insert the sketching member 82 into the object being traced, in the depicted example this would be opening 82 of the sink 80, to illuminate the inside of the object, thereby allowing the user to observe whether the device is correctly aligned and has produced a mark on the surface of the sideboard material 90. 26 01 24 Preferably the sketching member incorporates a light source. The light source preferably an LED in conjunction with a power source, such as a battery. That this enables the inside of an inverted sink on a worktop to be eliminated so that a user can confirm that indeed the worktop has been suitably marked during the process and that there are no omissions. More preferably the sketching member comprises a switch, such as a microswitch, such as a microswitch located in Magnet channel 44. The switch being configured so that upon approach of the sketching member to the worktop the switch is activated so as to illuminate the LED. In addition, or alternatively writing means 70 may be similarly in communication with the switch on the writing means may be resiliently biased forward towards its writing tip so that upon pressure being applied to the tip of the writing means the LED is similarly lit. This greatly improves usability and avoids the common problem of lights being left on and batteries running out. It also means that a very small battery, such as a coin cell battery is sufficient for this task is the time in which the illumination is required is commensurately short due to the switch activation. Preferably, the sketching member is made of or coated by a material with a low coefficient of friction. Suitable materials include nylon (such as Nylon 6.6) and Teflon (PTFE). This has a significant advantage that dropping of a sink, if those numbers are made out of, for example, stainless steel, or brass can give rise to a dent or blemish, which is highly undesirable. In addition, when using relatively brittle worktops, particularly when under strain such as mounted unevenly on the surface such a blow can rise to sufficient shock to crack the material. It is therefore highly beneficial for the device to be made of such material. Additionally, the magnetic shielding of such materials is low. An intermediate step of coating the body with such a material can also be contemplated. In the present invention the bearings may preferably carry a polymeric tyre, a suitable tyre material being nylon, Teflon, ABS, polyester, EPDM, polyethylene and polypropylene. A preferred polymeric material, differing from that in the body is that the polymeric material will be readily resiliently deformable, such as a rubber. This provides improved rolling of the bearings as their cushioned reduced potential for abrasion of the mirror polished surface often found in sinks and quieter running all of which produce improved user confidence and generally better outcomes using the device. The sketching member preferably comprises a pad 48, such as a felt pad to provide smooth running over the surface being traced. This is not required to avoid scratching with a non-metal members but is still advantageous in providing smoother sliding of the sketching member. 26 01 24 By using the claimed device as described above a user can more easily create a guiding mark on a piece of material to show where apertures would need to be made to accommodate the object being mounted onto the material. More specifically, the claimed device allows the user to trace a mark of the inside of the object being mounted, which using conventional tools would either be very difficult or impossible as the user would need to insert their arm into the object and would not be able to move their marking tool across the inner surface of the object and in other cases may not be able to access the inside of the object once the object is overturned onto the material to be marked. And even if the user could access the inside of the object when tracing the claimed device provides a much easier method of tracing the inside of the object and the ability for a user to adjust their writing means to provide a desired spacing between the object and the marking produced. In the present invention the sideboard is preferably a worktop. The worktop is preferably a mineral worktop, the mineral worktop is preferably a quartz, marble or granite worktop. In the present invention the object to be traced is preferably a sink. The sink is preferably an under mounted sink. The sink is preferably a stainless steel sink. The stainless steel sink is preferably made of a non-magnetic grade of stainless steel. It is not necessary for the present invention that the stainless steel is entirely non-magnetic as trace magnetism may be present in for example, austenitic stainless steel may be slightly magnetic through work hardening such as in the forming of the shape of a sink.. Further, if austenitic steel is bent or cut, magnetism occurs along the edge of the stainless steel because the crystal structure rearranges itself, again this is not significant for the purposes the present invention. To ensure that such effects are overcome the magnets on the present invention are preferably neodymium iron boron magnets . In the present application, the term “would”, as in “would be”, can be optionally replaced by the affirmative, such as “is”.

Claims

26 01 241. A device configured for tracing the edges of a sink (80) to enable the inside perimeter of the sink to be marked on to a worktop (90), the device comprising:a sketching member (60) comprises an aperture (62) and channel configured to receive and retain a writing means (70) for marking around the edges of the sink;a tracing member (10) configured to couple to the sketching member (60) through the walls of the sink being traced;wherein each member (10, 60) comprises a flat surface which, in use, is placed against the surface of the sink being traced;wherein each member (10,60) comprises a respective set of magnets (40,42) configured so that the magnets within each member attract the magnets in the opposing member (10,60), when the members are placed against the surface of the object being traced; andwherein each member (10,60) comprises an aperture for receiving the sets of magnets (40,42) and a channel within the member coupled to the aperture configured to house the magnets within each member2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tracing member (10) comprises one or more bearings (20, 30);Wherein the bearings are coupled to the member by a fastener (21); and wherein the bearings (20,30), when in use, contact the surface of the object being traced.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the tracing member (10) comprises three bearings in a triangular formation.

4. The device of claims 2 and 3, wherein at least one bearing fastener (21) enters the magnet housing channel of the tracing member (10), and;Wherein the fastener is configured to be further inserted into the channel as the fastener is tightened.

5. The device of claims 2 to 4 wherein the tracing member (10) comprises one or more secondary bearings (30);26 01 24Wherein the secondary bearings (30), when in use, contact the surface being marked.

6. The device of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the tracing member (10) and / or sketching member (60) comprise one or more incisions in the body of the member configured to form a respective handle (12, 61) within the surface of the member (10, 60).

7. The device of any preceding claim wherein the device further comprises a rod (50) which may be inserted into the sketching means to adjust or remove the writing means (70).

8. The device of any preceding claim wherein the sketching member (60) further comprises a retaining means configured to secure the writing means (70) within the sketching member.

9. The device of claim 10 wherein the retaining means comprises a removable plate, clip or ring seal.

10. The device of any preceding claim wherein the sketching member (60) comprises an adjusting mechanism configured to move the writing means (70) relative to the sketching member (60);Wherein the adjusting mechanism is configured to tilt the writing means (70) relative to the sketching member (60) and / or move the writing means (70) laterally relative to the sketching member (60).

11. The device of any preceding claim wherein the sketching member comprises a switch configured to be switched upon approach of the sketching member to a surface being marked and the switch is configured to turn on an LED for illumination.

12. The device of any preceding claim wherein the main body of the sketching member (60) or the tracing member (10) is made of Teflon or nylon.

13. A method of using the device of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising;placing the sketching member (60) inside a sink to be traced, so that the flat surface of the member is against the inside of the sink to be traced;26 01 24placing the tracing member (10) on the outside of the sink with the flat surface of the member is against the outside of the object to be traced;moving the tracing member (10) proximate to the sketching member (60), coupling the members via the magnets (40, 42) within the members;moving the sketching member 60 around the edge of the sink, via moving the coupled tracing member (10), to mark the edge of the sink being traced with the writing means (70) onto a worktop (90).

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising;coupling a writing means (70) to the sketching member (60) by inserting the writing means 70 into a first aperture (62) of the sketching member; andRemoving or adjusting the writing means by inserting the rod (50) into a second aperture of the sketching member (60).

15. The method of claims 13 or 14 further comprising;Using the adjusting mechanism of the sketching member to increase or decrease the spacing between the making made by the device and the object being traced, by pivoting the writing means (70), and / or moving the writing means laterally relative to the sketching member (60).

16. A kit of part for the device of claims 1 to 12 comprising:A tracing member body (10), a sketching member body (60), a set of magnets (40, 42) configured to be inserted into the members, and a writing means (70) configured to be coupled to the sketching member (60).

17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising a set of bearings (20, 30) and fasteners (21) for said bearings configured to be coupled to the tracing member.

18. The kit of claim 16 or claim 17 further comprising a rod (50) configured to decouple the writing means (70) from the sketching member (60).

19. The kit of any of claims 14 to 18, further comprising a lamp comprising lighting means coupled to a clip configured to be coupled to the object being traced.

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