Assemblies for line striping equipment

Abstract

An assembly can be provided to and/or on a piece of line striping equipment, wherein the assembly can move at least a portion of the line striping equipment relative to the ground. In various embodiments, the assembly can include a support member, a powered actuator configured to be used in conjunction with the support member, and a force transmitting element. The piece of line striping equipment can include a spray nozzle supported on a carriage, wherein the carriage can be moveable between an operating position where the spray nozzle is carried proximal to the ground and a transport position where the spray nozzle is elevated from the operating position. In at least one embodiment, the force transmitting element can be operably interconnected to the powered actuator, the support member, and the carriage for powered movement of the carriage between the operating position and the transport position.

1 . An assembly for use with a piece of line striping equipment, wherein the piece of line striping equipment is configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the piece of line striping equipment includes a spray nozzle supported on a carriage, and wherein the carriage is moveable between an operating position wherein the spray nozzle is carried proximal to the ground and a transport position wherein the spray nozzle is elevated from the operating position, the assembly comprising:
 a support member configured to be attached to one of the piece of line striping equipment and a hitch of the vehicle;   a powered actuator mounted on said support member; and   a force transmitting element operably interconnecting said powered actuator and the carriage for powered movement of the carriage between the operating position and the transport position.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage includes a wheel, wherein the wheel is configured to contact the ground when the carriage is in the operating position, and wherein the wheel is configured to be lifted from the ground when the carriage is in the transport position. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting element is flexible, wherein said powered actuator includes a winch, and wherein said winch is configured to coil and uncoil said force transmitting element to thereby move the carriage between the operating position and the transport position. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pulley wheel attached to said support member, wherein said force transmitting element is configured to be engaged with said pulley wheel such that said pulley wheel can be rotated as said force transmitting element is moved. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to be mounted inside the vehicle, wherein said controller is configured to control said powered actuator. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said powered actuator is configured to move said force transmitting element relative to the carriage to thereby move the carriage between the operating position and the transport position. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting element is configured to be engaged with said support member at a position above the carriage. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said force transmitting element is a cable. 
   
   
       9 . An assembly for use with a piece of line striping equipment, wherein the piece of line striping equipment is configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the piece of line striping equipment includes a wheel supported on an arm, wherein the arm is moveable between an operating position wherein the wheel contacts the ground and a transport position wherein the wheel is elevated from the operating position, the assembly comprising:
 a powered actuator mounted on a portion of the piece of line striping equipment, wherein said powered actuator is configured to engage one of the wheel and the arm to move the arm between the operating position and the transport position.   
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a controller configured to be mounted inside the vehicle, wherein said controller is configured to control said powered actuator. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the powered actuator includes a piston, and wherein the piston is movable between a first extended position and a second retracted position. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for use with a piece of line striping equipment, wherein the piece of line striping equipment is configured to be attached to a vehicle, and wherein the piece of line striping equipment includes a spray nozzle supported on a carriage moveable between an operating position wherein the spray nozzle is carried proximal to the ground and a transport position wherein the spray nozzle is elevated from the operating position, the kit comprising:
 a support member configured to be attached to one of the piece of line striping equipment and a hitch of the vehicle;   a powered actuator configured to be used in conjunction with said support member; and   a force transmitting element configured to be operably interconnect said actuator and the carriage for powered movement of the carriage between the operating position and the transport position.   
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12 , further comprising a controller configured to be mounted inside the vehicle, wherein said controller is configured to control said powered actuator. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said support member further comprises a pulley wheel, and wherein said force transmitting element is configured to be engaged with said pulley wheel such that said pulley wheel can be rotated as said force transmitting element is moved. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said force transmitting element is flexible and further comprises:
 a first end configured to be operably engaged with said powered actuator;   a second end configured to be engaged with a portion of the carriage; and   an intermediate portion configured to be engaged with said support member.   
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said force transmitting element is a cable, wherein said powered actuator includes a winch, and wherein said winch is configured to coil and uncoil said force transmitting element to move the carriage between the operating position and the transport position. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said powered actuator is configured to move said force transmitting element relative to the carriage to thereby move the carriage between the operating position and the transport position. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said force transmitting element is configured to be engaged with said support member at a position above the carriage. 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is attached to the hitch of the vehicle, the kit further comprising an adjustment member configured to connect the support member and a bumper of the vehicle such that the support member can be supported by the bumper. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is attached to the hitch of the vehicle, the kit further comprising an adjustment member configured to connect the support member and a bumper of the vehicle such that the support member can be leveled relative to one of the vehicle and the ground. 
   
   
       21 . A method of using an assembly with a piece of line striping equipment, wherein the piece of line striping equipment is configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the piece of line striping equipment includes a spray nozzle supported on a carriage, and wherein the carriage is moveable between an operating position wherein the spray nozzle is carried proximal to the ground and a transport position wherein the spray nozzle is elevated from the operating position, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a support member to one of the piece of line striping equipment and a hitch of the vehicle;   engaging a powered actuator to the support member;   operably interconnecting the powered actuator, the support member, and the carriage; and   moving the carriage between the operating position and the transport position by activating the powered actuator from inside of the vehicle.