A marking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a marking device comprising an elongated body defining a holding axis and a first marking end at a distal end. A first marking means is arranged to extend from the bod

Description

The present invention relates to a marking device, in particular device for marking surfaces; more particularly a device for marking difficult to reach services in a construction or similar situation. Background In many societies across the world there is an increasing focus on effective construction and building improvement with reduced space and increasing demands on available property, Having the correct tool for the task becomes very important in such circumstances. It can be difficult to mark the underside of a surface when there is reduced space available for reaching it with a standard marking device such as a pencil. For example where two surfaces are close together, it is difficult to mark one by inserting a pencil into the space and marking upwards or downwards when there is no space to angle the pencil. Prior Art US 2019 0 217 655 (DANKO) discloses a writing instrument for primary use within carpentry a body that extends from a distal end to a proximal end having a marking tip wherein the body has a substantially round cross-sectional shape and the marking tip is offset from a center of the cross-sectional shape and wherein the round shape can non-uniform, such as ovular or egg-shaped with the marking tip offset from the center of at least the length or the width thereof such that the offset positioning of the marking tip relative to the outer surface of the body provides clearance to scribe a building material. US 2007 0 269 258 (BOWERS) discloses a marker having a thin, angled tip, a marker housing with an ink reservoir in the interior, ink within the ink reservoir, an angled felt tip connected to the ink reservoir and located inside and emanating from a felt tip cover, and a protective cap with a pocket clip, such that the housing could then be held parallel to the item to be marked or at any other orientation to allow the previously inaccessible region to be marked by the angled felt tip. GB 1 530 685 (HUBBARD) discloses a marker pen comprising an elongate ink reservoir consisting of a fibrous material sheathed in a plastics material, the fibrous material being exposed at one end of the reservoir, and a nib-holding cap sealingly engaged on the one end of the reservoir, the cap having a capillary nib extending therethrough, one end of the nib being in contact with the exposed fibrous material. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a marking device comprising an elongated body defining a holding axis and a first marking end, the distal marking end comprising a first marking means arranged to extend from the body at a deviation from the holding axis, which first marking means is arranged to mark along a second marking axis deviated from the holding axis, and wherein device comprises a orientation means for a user to establish orientation of the marking end. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a second marking means at a second end of the body, so as to allow for the second marking means to provide a standard or refillable marking means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a cap for the marking means, being either or both of the marking means. In this way an ink based marking means may be prevented from drying out, storage and transport may be rendered more successful and / or the cap may be used as part or whole of the orientation means. In some embodiments of the device the cap comprises a clip, to allow the device to be clipped to a lapel or similar and / or so as to provide a part or all of the orientation means. In some embodiments of the device therefore the orientation means comprises a cap for the first marking means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a multisided or hexagonal body, so as to enable easy or precise orientation of a distal end. In some embodiments of the device the marking means comprises ink, which may be refillable at least for the second marking means, pencil, or a scribe. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a grip means, for example so as to control or manipulate the cap, body and / or orientation means easier and more precisely. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a lanyard attachment point, enabling the device to be hung between uses. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises 25mm between the tip of the marking means and axially distal surface of body. In some embodiments of the device the marking means deviates by between 15 and 115 degrees from the holding axis. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention, with caps off; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with caps on; Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5, with cap displaced; and Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 6. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there are shown two embodiments 99,199 of the marking device generally comprising an elongated body 2,5 defining a holding axis A and a first marking end 6, the distal marking end comprising a first marking means 22,61 arranged to extend from the body at a deviation from the holding axis, which first marking means is arranged to mark along a second marking axis B deviated from the holding axis, and wherein device comprises a orientation means 1,42 for a user to establish orientation of the marking end. In particular reference to the embodiment 99 shown in Figure 1 the embodiment comprises an ink marking means and a plastic body, which may be formed in a rigid plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or similar. The body 2 is a first diameter substantially along its length, so as to provide a comfortable holding diameter as known in the art. The body is elongated, being a standard length as known in the art, ensuring that a user is enabled to have sufficient leverage and manipulation in use. The body comprises a plurality of grip portions 24, comprised by raised and lowered sections of the body surface. It may be envisaged that such grip portions may be provided by resilient material such as silicone or rubber in some embodiments. These grip portions aid in orientation of the marking means as well as provided an effective means of manipulating, turning or reorienting the body or marking means in use. The second end of the body provides a second marking means 21, which in the pictured embodiment again comprises an ink marking means. Internally it may be envisaged that the body is hollow, and the second marking means comprises a replaceable cartridge. A cap 1 at the second end of the body comprises a plurality of orthogonal grip portions 11, enabling the cap to be pulled off or put onto the second end of the body as required, as well as manipulated. The cap 1 further comprises a lanyard attachment point 13, such that the embodiment may be easily hung from a neck or hook when not in use. The cap comprises the orientation means for the first end, and thereby the deviated first marking means. The orientation means is provided in this embodiment primarily by the clip 12 of the cap. In use the user may orient this clip in line with the orientation of the first marking means, such that in use, s / he may be aware of whether the marking means is going to mark exactly where required. In addition or the alternative it may be envisaged that the user may be enabled to orient the marking means at another angle, depending on the surface to be marked and the constraints of the surrounding surfaces or structures. In particular the pictured embodiment of the cap on the second end the clip comprises two studs 14, which project beyond the rest of the clip, and which comprise substantially flat surfaces, wherein such surfaces provide a means by which the user can orient the cap, and thereby the first marking end, for example when unseen, against a surface under which s / he is marking. The distal closed end 16 of the cap comprises bipartite end surfaces which angle away from a spine that forms an orthogonal line to the clip, providing an end view that further aids in orientation, for example when only the end can be seen. In particular the round surface of the body enables precise orientation possibilities. The cap fits onto a reduced diameter section 23 of the second end of the body. The first marking end is deviated to form a marking axis at around 45 degrees to the holding axis, and comprises an ink marking means, with the tip 22 providing the marking means at this angle. It may be envisaged that the marking means may comprise a limited-use ink means, or the marking end may allow for displacement and a cartridge or tip replacement for longer usage. The first end tapers in to the tip from a fixed deviation 25 with the body 2. The first end further comprises a first cap 3, which cap comprises four grip portions 32, two to either side of the cap. The cap comprises a flat closed end 31 which provides a bevelled top edge, which bevel may be envisaged to be used as a scribe on certain surfaces. With reference to the second pictured embodiment 199, shown in Figure 5, the embodiment comprises a pencil, with a hexagonal body 5 and first end 6. The first or marking end comprises a lead marking means 61. The first end is deviated from the body at a fixed deviation 46, and the body is hexagonal. It may be envisaged that different panels of the body and first end may have different colouring. In this way orientation of the first marking end when it cannot be seen is relatively straightforward. Additionally or alternatively the embodiment as shown comprises a cap 4 at the second end, which cap is also hexagonal, whereby the user can arrange the cap on the body at a preferred angle to reflect the preferred orientation of the first end. 5 The cap comprises a flat surfaced clip 42, which may be used to be placed against a structure, to form a contact surface, spacing the body away from the structure a little to account for irregularities. 10 The cap’s end 41 is flat and hexagonal and may be envisaged to have printing or debossing to show orientation of the clip from an end view. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 15 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A marking device comprising an elongated body defining a holding axis and a first marking end, the distal marking end comprising a first marking means arranged to extend from the body at a deviation from the holding axis, which first marking means is arranged to mark along a second marking axis deviated from the holding axis, and wherein device comprises a orientation means for a user to establish orientation of the marking end.

2. A marking device according to claim 1 comprising a second marking means at a second end of the body.

3. A marking device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a cap for the marking means.

4. A marking device according to claim 3 wherein the cap comprises a clip.

5. A marking device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the orientation means comprises a cap for the first marking means.

6. A marking device according to any preceding claim comprising a multisided body.

7. A marking device according to any preceding claim comprising a hexagonal body.

8. A marking device according to any preceding claim wherein the marking means comprises ink.

9. A marking device according to any preceding claim wherein the marking means comprises pencil.

10. A marking device according to any preceding claim wherein the marking means comprises a scribe.

11. A marking device according to any preceding claim comprising a grip means.

12. A marking device according to any preceding claim comprising a lanyard attachment point.

13. A marking device according to any preceding claim having 25mm between the tip of the marking means and axially distal surface of body.5 14. A marking device according to any preceding claim wherein the marking meansdeviates by between 15 and 115 degrees from the holding axis.A

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