Line marking apparatus

1. A line marking apparatus incorporating a replaceable container of line marking material, the apparatus being propellable over a ground surface and comprising:

a body ( 3 ) having a line marking head arranged for applying line marking material to the ground surface, the body including an opening provided with a first engaging member ( 21 ); and

a replaceable container ( 31 ) for the line marking material, the container comprising a base ( 33 ) and side walls ( 35 ), the container being provided with an outlet ( 37 ) for the line marking material at a location remote from the base, wherein the container is 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.

2. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body ( 3 ) is formed with an outwardly protruding rim ( 7 ) which is externally threaded and provided with a removable cover ( 11 ).

3. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the interior surface of the body is threaded and the external surface of the container is formed with a substantially rigid externally threaded member in the region of the base thereof.

4. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the interior surface of the rim is threaded.

5. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a hollow member ( 13 ) is attached within the rim ( 7 ) so as to extend into the body ( 3 ).

6. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first engaging member ( 21 ) comprises a plurality of protrusions which extend radially inwardly from the body ( 3 ).

7. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first engaging member ( 21 ) comprises two diametrically opposed protrusions.

8. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the protrusions ( 21 ) are provided on the hollow member ( 13 ).

9. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the protrusions ( 21 ) are formed on members ( 23 ) which are slotted into recesses formed in the hollow member ( 13 ).

10. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein slots are formed in the sides of the members ( 23 ) to facilitate union of the hollow member ( 13 ) and the members with the protrusions ( 21 ).

11. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container ( 31 ) comprises a substantially circular base ( 33 ) and side walls ( 35 ) formed by a substantially cylindrical member in the form of a tube secured at one end around the circular base and closed at the other end with a substantially straight line seal.

12. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein an opening is incorporated in the substantially straight line seal and includes an externally threaded spout ( 37 ) which is covered by an internally threaded cap ( 39 ) provided with an outlet nozzle ( 41 ).

13. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein a filter member ( 43 ) bears against the outer end of the spout ( 37 ).

14. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein a second seal ( 45 ) bears against the inner end of the cap ( 39 ).

15. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein a removable closure ( 47 ) is provided between the second seal ( 45 ) and the inner end of the cap ( 39 ) when the container ( 31 ) is not in use in the line marking apparatus.

16. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second engaging member ( 49 ) comprises a plurality of substantially L-shaped recesses provided in the region of the base of the container ( 31 ).

17. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein two diametrically opposed substantially L-shaped recesses ( 49 ) are provided.

18. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second engaging member ( 49 ) is in the form of a plurality of apertures formed in the region of the base of the container ( 31 ).

19. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second engaging members ( 21 , 49 ) comprise a plurality of hooks formed on one of the body ( 3 ) and the container ( 31 ) and a corresponding plurality of loops formed on the other of the body and the container.

20. A line marking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a line for conducting the line marking material from the container ( 31 ) is in the form of a coil when not stressed.