Patent Publication Number: US-2009217542-A1

Title: Measuring roller and spray device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12064495 which in turn is a National Stage application of PCT/US2006/033116 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/710,739 which was filed on Aug. 24, 2005. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to measuring devices, and more particularly to roller and spray devices for marking locations. 
     Handheld devices that mark the ground with spray paint or other marking substances at the user&#39;s direction are well known. These devices rely either on sight or a lever actuated wheel connected to a counter to indicate the appropriate spraying area. They are used, for example, to line fields for outdoor sporting events, such as football, soccer, and baseball. The devices are also used by individuals to mark a surface indicating an underground structure, or to mark the location of landscaping features. However, all of these devices require the user to rely on their best judgment or to monitor the attached measurement device closely and manually spray the paint at the correct location. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device that alerts a user after a preset distance has been traversed. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device that automatically sprays paint or other marking substance after a preset distance has been traveled. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device with an electronic counter that measures, in commonly used landscaping increments, the distance traveled by a wheel, which is preset by the user and notifies the user when the preset distance has been traversed. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a braking mechanism to stop rotation of the rolling wheel. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a location indicator. 
     These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which in one aspect provides a measuring device including a frame, a rolling wheel carried by the frame, measuring means for determining a distance traveled by the wheel, and signal means responsive to the measuring means for indicating when the wheel has traveled a preselected set distance. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring means comprises a sensor operatively coupled to the rolling wheel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes marking means for discharging a marking material on a surface traversed by the rolling wheel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the signal means include at least one mechanical counter driven by the rolling wheel and adapted to generate a signal when the set distance is reached. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the signal means includes at least one mechanical counter driven by the rolling wheel and adapted to generate a signal when the set distance is reached. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes marking means responsive to the signal means for discharging a marking material on a surface traversed by the rolling wheel when the wheel has traveled the preselected set distance. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes a braking mechanism. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the braking mechanism includes an actuator and a stopping member connected to the actuator and located near the rolling wheel. The stopping member is movable between a first position and a second position. The stopping member does not engage the rolling wheel when the stopping member is in the first position. The stopping member engages the rolling wheel when the stopping member is in the second position such that the stopping member retards rolling movement of the rolling wheel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the actuator includes a pivotable eccentric lever and a push rod having a first end connected to the eccentric lever and a second end connected to the stopping member. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes a biasing element aligned with the push rod for biasing the stopping member towards the first position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes a location indicator. The location indicator includes a sonar emitting device and a receiver, and is configured to provide a signal indicative of the distance of the measuring device from a predetermined surface. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a measuring device is provided that includes a frame, a rolling wheel carried by the frame, a sensor for measuring a distance traveled by the wheel, and a counter for determining when the wheel has traveled a preselected set distance and generating a sensory indication in response thereto. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the sensory indication is a visible indication. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes a spray device marking means for discharging a marking material on a surface traversed by the rolling wheel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the counter comprises at least one mechanical counter driven by the rolling wheel and adapted to generate a signal when the set distance is reached. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the signal means is operable to generate an audible signal. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the measuring means comprises a sensor operatively coupled to the rolling wheel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the marking means includes a holder for a pressurized can. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roller and spray device constructed according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a control box, trigger, and handle of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a roller and spray device constructed according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of a mechanically operated repeat counter; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cam attached to a number wheel; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a braking mechanism in a first disengaged position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a braking mechanism in a first disengaged position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a braking mechanism in a second engaged position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a braking mechanism in a second engaged position; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a braking mechanism in a second engaged position; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of location indicator. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, an exemplary measuring roller and spray device is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  and is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . An elongate frame  12  has a first end and a second end. A rolling wheel  14  is carried at or near the first end of the frame  12  along with a holder  16  to hold a pressurized can  18  of spray paint or other suitable marking material positioned downward. The second end of the frame  12  is equipped with a trigger  20  positioned below a handle  22  and operable to depress or otherwise actuate the nozzle  24  of the can  18 , thereby releasing the spray paint. A control box  26 , which displays the distance the rolling wheel  14  has traveled, is located in close proximity to the handle  22 . The control box  26  may include a battery or other power supply and a programmable electronic counting and control device (not shown) of a known type 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an encoder wheel  28  is axially positioned adjacent the rolling wheel  14  with a encoder sensor  30 , for example a photosensor, located in close proximity. The encoder sensor  30  senses movement of the encoder wheel  28 , which is calibrated to accurately determine the distance the rolling wheel  14  has traversed. The sensor  30  communicates the distance traveled to the control box  26  (e.g. using a cable or wireless connection) as the rolling wheel  14  rotates. 
     The trigger  20  is pivotally connected to the second end of the elongate frame  12 , under the handle  22 . A trigger rod  32  extends from the trigger  20 , along the elongate frame  12 , and pivotally connected to the can holder  16 . An arm  34  extends outward from the trigger rod  32  over the bottom portion of the can  18 . Operation of the trigger  20  causes the trigger arm  34  to force the can  18  downward, thus depressing the nozzle  24  and discharging the can  18 . In another embodiment (not shown), the trigger rod  32  extends to the nozzle of the can, with the arm  34  extending outward so as to depress the nozzle when the trigger  20  is actuated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the manual trigger  20  and associated mechanism can be replaced by a trigger actuator  36  (e.g. solenoid or other suitable actuator) positioned directly above the bottom of the can  18 . The trigger actuator  36  contains a trigger  20 ′ operable to depresses the can  18  in response to a signal from the control box  26  once the preset distance has been traveled. In another embodiment (not shown), the trigger  20 ′ could also be located in close proximity to the nozzle  24  of the can  18 , so as to directly depress or otherwise actuate the nozzle  24  once the preset distance has been achieved. 
     It is also noted that any type of container and spraying equipment suitable to dispense paint or a marking material could be substituted for the pressurized can  18  described above. For example, a permanent refillable container could be used. 
     The control box  26  can be positioned at any convenient location on the frame  12 . The control box  26  may be located in close proximity to the handle  22  so that it can be easily set, seen, and read by a user. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the control box  26  includes electronic or mechanical counters with digital or number wheel displays. A set distance counter  38  displays the preset distance measurement, which is determined by the user. During use, the control box  26  measures, in response to the sensor  30 , the distance the rolling wheel  14  has traveled, and displays the measurements in convenient units, such as meters, feet, centimeters, or inches, on a count distance counter  40 . The control box  26  also produces a sensory indication to alert the user after the preset distance has been achieved. The sensory indication may be any device or signal that alerts the user that a predetermined distance has been traveled. Sensory indicators could include a flash of light, a noise, a vibration, or any other type of indication that stimulates the sensory organs. The sensory indicators can be adjusted to provide a satisfactory amount of notification to the user based upon the individual requirements of his sensory organs. 
     For an electronic counter, an “on” switch  42  and an “off” switch  44  are located on the control box  26  enabling a user to selectively operate the control box  26  to conserve power. The preset distance may be input to the control box  26 , for example, by a predefined sequence of keystrokes of the switches  42  and  44 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a repeat counter  48  that can be used to produce a signal indication from a signaling device  50  (such as an audio speaker) after a preset distance has been traveled. The repeat counter  48  includes a plurality of signal switches  52  adjacent to a plurality of spring loaded actuators  54 . Two cams  56  and  58 , each representative of a plurality of in-line cams are located adjacent the actuators  54 . Each of the cams are attached to a number wheel  60  and have a detent  62  formed therein, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The detents  62  are aligned with a respective actuator extension  64 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . A switch lever  66  is positioned between the distal ends of the actuators  54 , extending vertically downward and connected to the axis of a drive gear  68 , and a switch gear  70 . The drive gear  68  is mounted on the encoder wheel  28 , and engaged with the switch gear  70 . A first counter gear  72  is integrally engaged with an adjacent second two gear  74 . Depending on the position of the lever  66 , either the first counter gear  72  or the second counter gear  74  is driven by the switch gear  70 , thereby dictating the rotational direction of the first and second counter gears  72  and  74 . 
     The repeat counter  48  operates like a conventional mechanical counter. As the rolling wheel  14  is rolled along a surface (i.e. clockwise), the drive gear  68  rotates, which in turn rotates the switch gear  70 . The rotational movement of the switch gear  70  drives the first counter gear  72 , which in turn drives the second counter gear  74 . As the drive gear  68  rotates, the first counter gear  72  rotates clockwise, driving the second counter gear  74  counterclockwise. The movement of the counter gears  72 ,  74  operates the set distance counter  38  and count distance counter  40  in a known manner. The clockwise movement of the counter one gear  72  causes the set distance counter  40  to count down from the set distance to zero. 
     The counter clockwise movement of the second counter gear  74  causes the count distance counter  38  to count up from zero. When the set distance counter  40  reaches zero, all cam detents  62  of the set distance counter  40  are aligned with the actuator extension  64 , allowing the counter one actuator  54  to move forward under the urging of the illustrated spring, which pushes the switch lever  66  horizontally. This horizontal movement of the switch lever engages the switch gear  70  with the second counter gear  74 . As the first counter actuator  54  moves, the signal switch  52  is released, closing the circuit powered by the battery  78 , and producing a signal indication from the signaling device  50 . This causes the direction of counting to reverse, whereby the set distance counter  38  counts up from zero, and the count distance counter  40  counts down to zero. When the count distance counter  40  reaches zero, the second counter actuator  54  triggers the signaling device as described above and the switch lever  66  is pushed back to the left to start the cycle again. Thus, a set distance may be repeatedly measured with a single setting of the set distance. 
     According to another embodiment (not shown), a lever actuated counter is operable to measure the rotations of the rolling wheel. This counter includes a wire that extends from the wheel to a sensor, having a spring contained therebetween. One end of the wire is connected to a lever located on the sensor, while the other end of the wire is connected to the wheel. With each rotation of the wheel, the wire converts rotational movement of the wheel into radial deformation of the spring that pulls the lever, thereby actuating the sensor in communication with the control box to display the distance traveled. 
     To use the device  10 , the user inputs a distance measurement into the set distance counter  40 . Then, the user rolls the measuring roller and spray device  10  along a surface. As the rolling wheel  14  rotates, the encoder wheel  28 , attached thereto, rotates also, providing the encoder sensor  30  with a measurement. The encoder sensor  30  is in continuous communication with the control box  26  to provide an accurate account of the distance traveled, which is displayed for the user (e.g. on the count distance display  38 ). Once the distance has been achieved, as determined by the control box  26  or the mechanical repeat counter  48 , a sensory indication is triggered alerting the user of the need to pull the trigger  20 . 
     Alternatively, the paint may be automatically sprayed by operation of the trigger actuator  36  in response to a signal from the control box  26 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, once the set distance has been traveled, the trigger actuator  36  is automatically activated. The trigger actuator  36  depresses the trigger  20 ′, which produces a compression force on the bottom of the can. This compression force engages the nozzle  24 , causing paint to be expelled through the hole  76  in the can holder  16  without the need for the user to manually pull a trigger. If automatically triggered, the duration of the spray may be controlled by the control box  26 , based on time or distance. 
     The device  10  may also include a lateral buffering means. For example, a measuring device  11  such as a mechanical gage, laser, or ultrasonic sensor may be mounted on the frame  12  and arranged to measure the distance of an object from the frame in a lateral direction (e.g. parallel to the rotational axis of the rolling wheel  14 ). The measuring device  11  may be connected to the control box  26  and programmed to accept a present lateral distance, selectable by the user. The device  10  may then be rolled along a curb, wall, row of plants, etc. at then known lateral distance. If the device  10  varies from the present lateral distance, the control box  26  would sense the variation in measurement from the measuring device  11  and then generate a sensory indication as noted above to alert the user. Preferably, the sensory indication would be distinguishable from the sensory indication which indicates that a mark is to be applied. For example, two different audible tones could be used. The lateral buffering may be used if spraying is automatic as described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a braking mechanism is generally shown according to another embodiment of the present invention. The mechanism includes a pivotable eccentric lever  151  configured to impart linear movement to a push rod  152  upon rotation of the pivotable eccentric lever  151 . The push rod  152  is connected to a stopping member  153 . The stopping member is located proximal to a rolling wheel  158 . The stopping member  153  is in the disengaged position as shown in  FIG. 7 , where the disengaged position is defined by the lack of contact between the stopping member  153  and the rolling wheel  158 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the braking mechanism of  FIG. 7  is shown in an enlarged view. A biasing spring  155  is provided about the push rod  152 . The biasing spring  155  maintains the braking mechanism in the disengaged position, until the operator rotates the pivotable eccentric lever  151  thereby imparting linear movement to the push rod  152  and stopping member  153 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , the stopping member is in the engaged position. The braking mechanism is placed in the engaged position by rotation of the pivotable eccentric lever in a clockwise direction. This causes the push rod  152  and the stopping member  153  to move towards and into contact with the rolling wheel  158  where the stopping member  153 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , a location indicator  160  is provided. The location indicator includes a sonar element  161  mounted on a sonar box  162  and configured to electronically communicate with the sonar computer  163 . The sonar box  162  can be rotated to face any desired direction. The sonar computer  163  provides an indication to the operator to move the location indicator  160  to the left or right if the operator is off course. The sonar indicator could, for example, be used to determine distance from a wall within a sports stadium and could therefore maintain generally parallel travel respective of the wall. 
     A measuring roller and spray device is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.