Abstract: A method of marking a line includes providing a line marking apparatus including a body (21), a line marking head (29) movable relative to the body, and a positioning system (35, 37, 41, 43) for determining a geographical location of the line marking head. In addition, a mathematical model is provided for a line to be marked by the line marking head, the model being cumulatively updated in response to a position fix (61) obtained by the positioning system. The position of the line marking head is adjusted relative to the body in dependence upon the mathematical model.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus, for use in a system that includes a source of a narrow beam of radiation which extends substantially horizontally along or parallel to a line to be marked, includes a wheeled chassis and a line marking head for dispensing line marking material. The marking head is supported on the chassis for lateral movement relative thereto, which movement is controlled by a controller that includes a detector which is movable with the marking head and is positioned and directed to detect such a beam of radiation, the marking head being movable together with the detector in response to a detected beam. Lateral movement of the marking head is thereby controlled such that the head and the detector substantially follow the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the line direction.

Abstract: A user-propelled collapsible apparatus comprises a body (1) provided with wheels (21) and a retractable handle means (3) for propelling the apparatus. Bracing means (5) is provided for the handle means, the bracing means being movable between a deployed configuration in which the bracing means supports the extended handle means and a stored configuration in which the bracing means lies substantially adjacent to the body.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus comprises a body (21) mounted so as to be mobile, a line marking head (29) movable relative to the body, and means (35, 37, 41, 43) for determining the distance travelled by the apparatus from a determined point.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus, for use in a system that includes a source of a narrow beam of radiation which extends substantially horizontally along or parallel to a line to be marked, includes a wheeled chassis and a line marking head for dispensing line marking material. The marking head is supported on the chassis for lateral movement relative thereto, which movement is controlled by a controller that includes a detector which is movable with the marking head and is positioned and directed to detect such a beam of radiation, the marking head being movable together with the detector in response to a detected beam. Lateral movement of the marking head is thereby controlled such that the head and the detector substantially follow the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the line direction.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus incorporates a replaceable container (31) of line marking material. The apparatus comprises a body (3) including an opening provided with a first engaging member (21), and a replaceable container (31) for line marking material. The container comprises a base (33) and side walls (35) and is provided with an outlet (37) for the line marking material at a location remote from the base. The container is also provided in the region of the base with a second engaging member (49) adapted to co-operate with the first engaging member of the body for releasably suspending the container within the body in an inverted configuration.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus comprises a nozzle for dispensing line marking material, a first pump for supplying line marking material from a source to the nozzle, and a nozzle flushing arrangement. The nozzle flushing arrangement comprises a reservoir for a flushing fluid, and means selected from a syringe assembly and a second pump for conveying flushing fluid from the reservoir and for delivering the fluid under pressure to the nozzle.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus includes a closed circuit circulation system for line marking material. The circulation system comprises a pump (17) for circulating line marking material under pressure through the circuit from an outlet of the pump back to an inlet thereof. The circulation system also comprises an inlet (15) for introducing fresh line marking material to the circuit when required, the inlet being positioned upstream of the inlet of the pump. The circulation system further comprises means (19, 25) for controlling the pressure of line marking material downstream of the outlet of the pump. The circulation system moreover comprises an outlet for conducting pressurized line marking material to a spray nozzle (21) for marking a line (23) with the line marking material when the fluid pressure in the circulation system exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus comprises a housing (1) provided with wheels (3), means (5) for propelling the apparatus, and a spray head (9) for delivering line marking material to a surface to be marked. At least one line guide (11) is provided for defining an edge of a line to be marked, the line guide being mounted on an arm (15) which is pivotably mounted relative to the remainder of the apparatus such that the line guide is movable between a deployed configuration and a stored configuration in which the line guide is received in receiving structure (23) formed on the housing.

Abstract: A user-propelled collapsible apparatus comprises a body (1) provided with wheels (21) and a retractable handle means (3) for propelling the apparatus. Bracing means (5) is provided for the handle means, the bracing means being movable between a deployed configuration in which the bracing means supports the extended handle means and a stored configuration in which the bracing means lies substantially adjacent to the body.

Abstract: A method of marking a line includes providing a line marking apparatus including a body (21), a line marking head (29) movable relative to the body, and a positioning system (35, 37, 41, 43) for determining a geographical location of the line marking head. In addition, a mathematical model is provided for a line to be marked by the line marking head, the model being cumulatively updated in response to a position fix (61) obtained by the positioning system. The position of the line marking head is adjusted relative to the body in dependence upon the mathematical model.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus comprises a body (21) mounted so as to be mobile, a line marking head (29) movable relative to the body, and means (35, 37, 41, 43) for determining the distance travelled by the apparatus from a determined point.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus incorporates a replaceable container (31) of line marking material. The apparatus comprises a body (3) including an opening provided with a first engaging member (21), and a replaceable container (31) for line marking material. The container comprises a base (33) and side walls (35) and is provided with an outlet (37) for the line marking material at a location remote from the base. The container is also provided in the region of the base with a second engaging member (49) adapted to co-operate with the first engaging member of the body for releasably suspending the container within the body in an inverted configuration.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus, for use in a system that includes a source of a narrow beam of radiation which extends substantially horizontally along or parallel to a line to be marked, includes a wheeled chassis and a line marking head for dispensing line marking material. The marking head is supported on the chassis for lateral movement relative thereto, which movement is controlled by a controller that includes a detector which is movable with the marking head and is positioned and directed to detect such a beam of radiation, the marking head being movable together with the detector in response to a detected beam. Lateral movement of the marking head is thereby controlled such that the head and the detector substantially follow the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the line direction.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes first and second alignment devices (1) and means (9) for mounting each of the first and second alignment devices in spaced relationship one behind the other and such that one alignment device is at a higher level than the other alignment device. Each alignment device (1) includes a plate member having a surface comprising at least one area of reflective material and at least one area (3, 5) of non-reflective material. The areas of reflective material and of non-reflective material are configured such that, when an elongate beam of electromagnetic radiation is incident on both of the first and second alignment devices, the pattern of reflected radiation varies according to whether both of the first and second alignment devices are aligned with the beam.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus includes a chassis (2) provided with wheels (4) and with means (6) for propelling the apparatus. A line marking head (12) is adapted to dispense line marking material so as to mark a line upon a surface over which the apparatus is moved. A support (14) is provided for the line marking head such that the line marking head is movable laterally relative to the chassis. Lateral movement of the line marking head is controlled by a controller which includes a detector (32) for detecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation indicative of the line to be marked and which also includes control means for moving the line marking head in response to detection of the beam by the detector, whereby lateral movement of the line marking head relative to the chassis is controlled such that the line marking head substantially follows the line to be marked irrespective of whether the chassis deviates from the direction of such line.

Abstract: A line marking shoe (1) adapted in use to be advanced relative to a ground surface in a line marking direction to mark a line onto the ground surface in the line marking direction (A) includes a sole part (3) having a discharge opening region (13) formed in it for discharge of line marking material onto the ground surface The discharge opening region includes a number of discharge opening areas and the discharge opening areas are so dimensioned and arranged that discharge of line marking material onto the ground surface through different discharge opening areas produces lines of different widths on the ground surface.

Abstract: A line marking apparatus adapted in use to be advanced relative to a ground surface in a line marking direction includes a discharge opening region formed between first and second side members for discharge of line marking material therebetween onto the ground surface. The side members extend substantially parallel to the line marking direction and adjusting means is provided for moving the first and second side members towards and away from each other so as to adjust the width of a line to be marked by the apparatus. The adjusting means comprises interconnected pivotable arms, at least one of the side members being supported on the pivotable arms such that relative pivoting of the arms causes the at least one of the side members to move towards and away from the other thereof.

Abstract: A head assembly for marking a line on a ground surface includes an outrigger structure adapted to be connected to a vehicle for movement over the ground surface, and a line-marking head connected to the outrigger structure. The outrigger structure is movable, in use, between a first position in which it deploys the line-marking head at an operational position which is offset to a side of the vehicle outside the bounds of the vehicle, and a second position in which it deploys the line-marking head at a retracted position which is inwardly of the operational position.