The present invention relates to a marker device. More especially, the invention relates to device that marks the position for a hole to be drilled in to a wall in order, for example, to hang an article.

There are numerous difficulties associated with the hanging of large articles on a wall, particularly unaided. One major problem is knowing precisely where holes need to be drilled for the article to be held in the desired position. A lengthy procedure is often required involving drawing, measuring and marking templates to establish the drill points. For bigger items, two people are required for holding the item in the desired position and aligning a template to the wall.

The present invention seeks to overcome the aforementioned problems with traditional hanging methods by providing a disposable indicator for use with fixing plates and which replaces the need to produce templates and measure distances between screws. Moreover, the apparatus can provide an effective way of hanging an article without the need for a second person.

According to one aspect there is provided a marker device having a central aperture and first and second sides carrying an adhesive, the first side carrying more, or stronger, adhesive than the second, the marker including means to facilitate removal, of the marker from a wall to which the first side is attached during use. Preferably the marker is disc-shaped.

Preferably the removal means comprises a line of weakness extending radially from the aperture to the outer edge of the marker.

Alternatively the removal means comprises a tab protruding from the edge of the marker which can be gripped by the user to pull the marker apart.

According to a further aspect there is provided a marker device having a central aperture and first and second sides carrying an adhesive, the first side carrying more, or stronger, adhesive than the second, the marker including at least one concentric line of weakness which can be broken to increase the size of the aperture of the marker.

Preferably the marker has at three concentric lines of weakness of different radii to allow a variation of sizes of aperture.

According to a further aspect there is provided a marker device having a central aperture and first and second sides carrying an adhesive, the first side carrying more, or stronger, adhesive than the second, wherein the first side of the marker has a layer of gauze or gauze-like material extending across the aperture. Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a marker device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 2(a) - (c) are schematic illustrations of a second embodiment of a marker device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 3(a) - (c) are schematic illustrations of a third embodiment of a marker device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 4(a) - (c) are schematic illustrations of a fourth embodiment of a marker device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a gauze layer for use with any one of the above embodiments;

Figure 6 illustrates the gauze layer of Figure 5 used in combination with the embodiment of figure 1 ; and

Figures 7(a) - (f) are schematic illustrations showing how the marker device is used. Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. A marker device comprises a disc-shaped structure 10 made from foam. The disc 10 has a central aperture 12 extending therethrough.

The disc 10 is constructed with a desired thickness which is generally relative to the size of the fixing with which it is to be used.

A first side 14 of the disc 10 is coated with a mild adhesive which covers the entire surface area of that side 14. A releasable backing film (shown in Figure 7) is then provided over the surface. The backing film may be coloured to indicate to the user that this is the side carrying the milder adhesive.

A second side 16 of the disc 10 is coated with a weak adhesive, or at least an adhesive weaker than that coating the first side 14. The adhesive is applied as a number of spots, or may be applied in a thin ring around the edge of the second side 16. Alternatively, provided the adhesive is significantly weaker than the mild adhesive, the adhesive may be applied to the entire surface area of the second side 16. A releasable backing film (not shown), of a different colour to the first side is then provided over the second surface 16.

Figures 2(a) to (c) illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the disc 10 has radial perforations 18, extending from the aperture 12 to the outer edge of the disc 10. The perforations 18 facilitate removal of the disc 10 once the screw for hanging the article is in place. The disc 10 is removed simply by the user breaking the perforations.

The perforations 18 provide a line of weakness to the structure, thereby allowing the disc 10 to be made from other materials less frangible than foam.

Figures 3(a) to (c) illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the disc 10 includes a tab 20 extending from the outer edge of the disc 10. The tab 20 facilitates removal of the disc 10 once the screw for hanging the article is in place. The disc 10 is removed simply by the user pulling the tab 20 to break the disc structure.

Figures 4(a) to (c) illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the disc 10 has three sets of concentric perforations 22 of increasing radii extending around the aperture 12. This allows the size of the aperture 12 to be varied to accommodate the size of the drill bit required. To vary the size of the aperture 12 the user simply removes the central section by the desired amount. It will be appreciated that the concentric perforations 22 can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments previously described.

Figure 5 shows a layer of gauze or gauze-like material 24 which can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments. The gauze layer 24 essentially consists of a circular layer formed with an array of apertures. As can be seen in Figure 6, the gauze layer 24 is adhered to the first side 14 of the disc 10 in such a way that the gauze material extends over the aperture 12. The depth of the disc 10 may be adjusted slightly to accommodate the gauze layer 24 and to ensure that the overall depth remains accurate.

In an alternative arrangement the disc 10 and gauze layer 24 are formed as a single piece.

The purpose of the gauze layer 24 is to provide a non-slip surface for the drill bit when drilling into reflective, shiny or slippery materials such as tiles, metal or glass. The gauze layer 24 provides optimum grip for the drill bit whilst also maintaining a visible surface to locate the desired position of drilling accurately. Moreover, the gauze layer 24 provides extra grip for highly polished surfaces where the disc adhesion may weaken during the drilling process.

It is clearly envisaged that the gauze layer 24 can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments previously described.

Figures 7(a) to (f) illustrate how the basic product is used. It will be appreciated that the method of use is applicable to any of the embodiments described.

The backing film is removed from the second side 16 of the disc 10 and this side is placed over the fixing hole, fixing plate or other mounting method on the rear of the object to be hung, with the aperture 12 aligned with the hole in the fixing. The back film of the first side 14 of the disc 10 is then removed and the object is placed in its desired position against the wall. Once in place the object is pushed flush against the wall. The object is then pulled away from the wall leaving the disc 10 adhered to the wall (due to the difference in adhesion between the first and second sides).

The aperture 12 of the disc 10 is then able to act as a locator for a drill bit. With the disc 10 still on the wall, a hole is drilled and a screw threaded into the hole. The depth of the disc 10 is used as a guide for threading the screw into the hole. During insertion the screw head is levelled to the depth of the disc 10. The disc 10 is then removed, aided by the features described leaving the screw protruding from the surface at an optimum length to hang the article.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing are merely an examples of embodiments and just some examples of their use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the inventions.