U.S. patent application number 10/217981 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for discsmark tm marker, a marker to locate and identify objects above and below ground.
Invention is credited to Fong, Buddy, Fong, Gerald Wayne.
Application Number | 20040031214 10/217981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31714473 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031214 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fong, Buddy ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
Discsmark tm marker, a marker to locate and identify objects above
and below ground
Abstract
A marker in the shape of a flat round disc that has varying
permanent information (18) (for identifying different objects)
imprinted upon the top of the marker that identifies the marker's
use and areas for information to be permanently inscribed by a user
with a portable electric en-graving tool or for temporary
information to be placed thereon. The marker has a varying size
holes(16), (17) through the center of the marker from top to bottom
that allows different types and sizes of anchors to be used to
attach the marker to varying surfaces or mounting devices or
materials. The marker has an additional hole (15) for other means
of attachment. The marker is solid and made of a plastic that will
flex and give and is permanent and durable and is produced in
varying colors for visibility and identifying different
objects.
Inventors: |
Fong, Buddy; (Memphis,
TN) ; Fong, Gerald Wayne; (N. Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Buddy Fong
1637 Linden Avenue
Memphis
TN
38104
US
|
Family ID: |
31714473 |
Appl. No.: |
10/217981 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/103 |
International
Class: |
E01F 009/011; E04H
013/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A marker for locating and identifying objects above and below
ground and having varying information for identifying different
objects permanently imprinted on said marker, and having areas for
information to be permanently inscribed or engraved on said
marker.
2. The marker of claim 1, having a tapering size hole in said
marker, for attaching said marker to other objects.
3. The marker of claim 1, being flattened for purpose of
visibility, ease of readability and inscribing, and of shape and
size not to be dislodged by vehicles or traffic.
4. The marker of claim 1, having color to identify different
objects.
5. The marker of claim 1, being made of high or low density
polyethylene for permanence and ability to flex to accommodate
different anchor types and sizes, and ease of engraving
thereon.
6. The marker of claim 1, having a solid body to provide
durability.
7. The marker of claim 1, having a second hole through marker for
attachment and stabilization.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to markers use to locate objects
above and below ground, permanently or temporally.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] There are objects above and below ground that could be
marked to show their location and provide information of interest
about such objects and the items they contain, as well as
information about the marker itself.
[0006] Some objects, if located and marked when installed, would
save money by not having to be located at a later date.
[0007] Other items could be marked to provide information for
knowledge and convenience of identity.
[0008] Such objects would include property line; corners,
transitions points, and benchmarks; underground utilities such as;
water, sewer, electricity, gas, water drainage, telephone, and
cable, storage tanks, septic tanks and field lines, trees, plants,
and planted garden and plant seeds.
[0009] Most states require that surveyors identify property corners
with permanent markers with the name of the surveyor. However this
is not regulated. Usually, a one half inch by eighteen inch long
reinforcing rod is used to mark a property corner, and this rod is
usually driven into the ground flush or the top is left about a
half inch above the ground surface. Where a property corner occurs
in asphalt, a concrete or PK nail is usually used and the head of
the nail is driven flush with the surface. Usually these markers
are temporally marked with a wooden stake and usually are never
permanently marked.
[0010] In the case of housing, new subdivision developments are
laid out and the corners of the individual lots are marked with
steel rods; but these markers are never permanently identified. If
these markers were permanently identified and the markers were not
moved, then the markers could be used to locate the property lines
when houses may be built at a later date. However, whenever a new
house is constructed, even when there are markers that are present
to identify the property, a new survey is required because the
markers are not identified. Therefore, if the markers were marked
as they are required to be, and if the are not moved or removed,
such marked or identified markers could be used and another costly
survey may not be required.
[0011] A plastic cap, that fits onto the end of a reinforcing rod
or a metal tag that attaches with a wire can be used to identify a
marker. Both of these are easy to put on and easily taken off and
both require that information, supplied by surveyors and engraved
by a supplier (which is time delaying, time consuming, and
expensive); and which, contributes to why surveyors do not
permanently identify their markers. Neither of these items is
suitable for use at asphalt areas.and
[0012] Providing an inexpensive marker that surveyors would use to
do what they are required and are supposed to do; identify their
markers, would benefit surveyors and those who use surveyors
services.
[0013] An invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,060(1988) to Gregory A.
Marthaler, and Robert H. Marthaler, PERMANENT MARKER FOR UTILITIES,
is a marker which claims a ground marker assembly for permanently
locating buried objects which comprises a thin wall plastic, easily
bendable marker and plastic stake assembly, which requires a
special non-removable plastic rectangular body spike with flexible
barbs. A thin wall body marker can easily vandalized with a knife
or box cutter and cannot withstand vehicular traffic as well as a
solid body marker. The marker claimed to have an opening to
accommodate the rectangular stake, which means that if the stake is
not properly oriented before driving the stake, the marker having
directional indicia integrally formed thereon cannot be rotated to
adjust for error if made when driving the stake. Additionally the
indicia shown on this marker assembly has arrows aligned and
pointing in opposite directions; which indicates the direction that
the object is running. However, it does not indicate the direction
of flow of an item inside that object; such as water, sewerage,
gas, oil, electricity. Therefore, a single arrow, indicating both a
direction the object is running and the direction of the flow of
the item inside the object and would be better design. Also, this
marker assembly claims to related to utilities underground and does
not relate to objects above ground. This invention may not be on
the market and would be costly, and certainly could not be used in
asphalt.
[0014] Even if markers are found, one cannot be certain what they
represent if they are not marked to identify themselves. This leads
to expensive survey service and time delays. If permanent markers
were installed as most states required, theses expenses and delays
can be avoided. These expenses also occur every time a house is
bought or sold or a home owner wants to add an addition or fence to
their home, since this requires a survey showing the location of
the property lines in order not to infringe upon setbacks and to
avoid putting the fence on someone else's property. Existing found
markers or pins, if not identified, may not be a reliable source to
set property lines by.
[0015] In construction, these costs become more expensive if
connections to existing utilities are required. Not only does
someone have to locate the utilities so as not to damage them,
information about the utilities has to be provided to connect to
them. If the location and information about the utilities were
marked when originally installed, this expense could be
avoided.
[0016] Botanic and garden inclined people, could benefit from an
inexpensive marker to mark to locate and identify trees, plants and
planted garden and plant seeds.
SUMMARY
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, a marker for
locating and identifying objects above and below ground and having
information permanently imprinted on marker, and having areas for
information to be permanently inscribed or engraved on the marker's
top or having temporary information placed thereon and having holes
for attachment with varying types and sizes of anchors provided by
user.
[0018] Object and Advantages
[0019] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the
marker described in my above patent, several objects and advantages
of the present invention are:
[0020] (a) to provide a marker to function for unlimited uses to
locate and identify objects above and below ground.
[0021] (b) to provide a marker only; as opposed to a marker
assembly that is for locating objects under ground; that require a
special stake for attachment only to ground. The advantages are
obvious; in that if the marker is for any use, a broader market for
sales is created. By providing only a marker; design, tooling, and
material cost; as well as packaging, storage, shipping, and
inventory costs become less, thus permitting a lower marker
cost.
[0022] (c) to provide a marker without the requirement of a special
nor specific anchor for attachment.
[0023] (d) to provide a marker that can be permanently or
temporally attached by making the design of the marker accept
different types and sizes of anchors to be used to attach the
marker. Thus giving the user choices of uses and attachments.
[0024] (e) to provide a marker whose body section is easily
designed and tooled to produce a low cost marker. The body of the
marker is formed by the bottom part of the mold, while the top part
is a flat plate sealing the body cavities and only requires
engraving. This means that only the bottom half of the mold needs
tooling, while the top half can be thinner and also can be
aluminium which is less expensive and easier to engrave.
[0025] (f) to provide a marker that has varying permanently
information imprinted thereon to provide information about the
particular object being located and identified, and different
information areas for entering other information by the user.
[0026] (g) to provide a plastic, easily engrave able marker.
[0027] (h) to provide a marker that has varying colors to provide
visibility and to distinguish different objects being located.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of marker of invention, with
different types of anchors that the marker can accommodate.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a top view of marker.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a side view of marker.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows across section through marker.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of marker.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a top view of marker with varying information
permanently imprinted.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of mold showing top and bottom
part of mold.
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a top view of marker showing varying
information permanently imprinted to identify different object.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows a top view of preferred embodiment with
permanently imprinted information.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a top view of additional embodiment with
imprinted information.
[0038] FIG. 11 shows alternative embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 12 shows a marker with different types of anchors and
devices that marker can be attached to.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0040] 13 the marker of invention
[0041] 14 assortment of different types and sizes of anchors
provided by user, that the marker can accommodate
[0042] 15 hole for attachment or stabilization of marker
rotation
[0043] 16 smaller diameter hole at top side of marker
[0044] 17 larger diameter hole at bottom of marker connected to and
centered on smaller diameter hole at top and center of marker
[0045] 18 varying information imprinted on top of marker to
identify different objects
[0046] 19 top part of mold
[0047] 20 bottom part of mold
[0048] 21 mold marker body cavity
[0049] 22 various devices, provided by user, that marker can be
mounted to
DESCRIPTION
[0050] FIG. 1-FIG. 9 Preferred Embodiment
[0051] A preferred embodiment of the marker 13 of this present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective), FIG. 2 (top view)
with no information imprinted thereon, FIG. 3 (side view) by FIG. 4
(cross section) and FIG. 5 (bottom view) and FIG. 6 (top view)
showing a variation of information permanently imprinted thereon.
The preferred shape is a round flat disc 13 with a solid body with
a varying size round hole through the center of the body to
accommodate varying types and sizes of anchors to be provided by
the user. A hole 16 at the center and top of the marker shall be
approximately 1/8 inch in diameter and the connecting hole 17 at
the bottom of the marker shall be approximately 1/2 inch in
diameter. The center of these holes shall be aligned to center on
each other. Another hole 15 can be used for attachment or
stabilization.The flat embodiment provides for visibility and for
an areas for information to be permanently imprinted on the top of
the marker and to provide areas for information to be permanently
engraved on by users or temporary information to be placed
thereon.
[0052] The marker shall be made with high or low density
polyethylene plastic which will flex and stretch without damage to
the body; will be of a permanent nature, and will provide a surface
that can be easily engraved.
[0053] The markers shall have colors that are used to distinguish
different objects identified.
[0054] FIG. 10 Additional Embodiments
[0055] An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 with permanent
information imprinted thereon.
[0056] FIG. 11 Alternative Embodiments
[0057] There are various possibilities with regards to the
disposition of shapes of the marker can be, as illustrated in FIG.
11.
[0058] Advantages
[0059] From the description above, a number of advantages of my
marker become evident:
[0060] (a) An inexpensive marker to design, tool, manufacture,
package inventory, store, and ship.
[0061] (b) A marker designed to allows user choice of usage and
attachment.
[0062] (c) A marker that accommodates different types and sizes of
anchors.
[0063] (d) A marker made of material easily engraved thereon.
[0064] (e) A marker that has color to give visibility and
distinction of use.
[0065] (f) A marker that has a solid body to provide
durability.
[0066] Operation--FIG. 12
[0067] The manner of using the marker will ultimately be determined
by the user, as the marker Is designed to accommodate different
type and sizes of mechanical anchors such as nails, screws, spikes,
lag screws, bolt and nut; which are provided by the user. The
marker can be permanently or temporarily attached. The degree of
such attachment is also determined by the user.
[0068] A simple method of temporary attachment would be to use a
double sided adhesive tape to stick to the back side of the marker
and to another surface. Or simply use a push pin to attach to a
tree or board, or a twist tie to hang from a branch or plant.
[0069] Another simple temporary attachment is to use a 1/8 inch
diameter metal rod of any length and from one end, bend 1/2 inch of
the rod 90 degrees to the length of the rod. From the back of the
marker, insert the bent end of the rod into the holes 15 or 16 and
tape the rod to the back of the marker. Insert the length of the
rod into the ground. A more positive temporary attachment to the
same rod would be be to form a 1/8 inch diameter hole at the end of
the rod and attach the marker with a bolt and nut. Similarly, a
screw and a wood or plastic dowel or tube could provide another
method of mounting the marker.
[0070] An attachment to the ground would be to simply to place the
marker on the ground, and drive a nail through the marker and into
the ground until the head of the nail seats tightly to the top of
the marker.
[0071] Additionally, if one desires that the marker doesn't rotate,
a nail can be inserted through a hole 15 of the marker to further
stabilize rotation of the marker.
[0072] Since the permanency of the marker anchor placement depends
upon the soil condition, various methods of attachment can be used
with various type and sizes of anchors. For example, a 3/8 inch
diameter by 10 length nail could be used. To check for permanency,
remove the nail. To reduce the nail removal, apply duct tape around
a length of the nail and reinsert in the same hole. The removal of
the nail from the hole will remove some of the oil that may be on
the nail.
[0073] For a more permanent attachment of a survey corner, one may
use a 3/8 inch diameter by 10 to 12 inch length lag screw. First
drive a pilot hole into the ground with a 3/8 inch by 10 inch nail.
Remove the nail from the hole and pour dry cement powder into the
hole. Insert the lag screw through the marker by setting the marker
on the ground and driving the lag screw through the marker at the
center hole 16. Drive the lag screw into the cement filled hole,
orient the marker to desired direction and drive the screw into
ground until tight against top of marker. (The dry cement will
solidify as it absorbs moisture from the ground). Again if desired,
and additional nail may be inserted into a hole 15 to stabilize
rotation of the marker.
[0074] A permanent attachment of the marker to a concrete or
asphalt surface is simply to nail the marker to the surface with a
concrete or PK nail.
[0075] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0076] Accordingly, the reader will see the marker of this
invention can be used in unlimited ways. Furthermore, the marker
has additional advantages in that:
[0077] it provides a marker that is unlimited in scope of use as it
can be used for locating and identifying objects above and below
ground;
[0078] it provides only a marker as opposed to a marker assembly
consisting of a marker and and anchor, the production cost,
packaging storage, shipping, and overall cost of the marker shall
be less than a marker and anchor assembly;
[0079] it provides a solid body marker for durability which cannot
be easily cut as a thin wall marker could be cut, and is more
durable to to withstand vehicular traffic than a thin wall marker
would be;
[0080] it allows the user a choice of how the marker is to be
used;
[0081] it allows user to use many different types and sizes of
anchors;
[0082] it allow the marker to used as a temporary or permanent
marker;
[0083] it allows permanent information to be easily engraved with
portable engraver;
[0084] it allows marker to be attached to many materials; concrete,
asphalt, ground. wood, metal plastic, paper, glass, cardboard, any
type of board, tree or plant.
[0085] Although the description contains many specificities, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope but as merely as
providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred
embodiments of this invention. For example, the marker can have
other shapes, such as square triangular, a combination of round and
angular
[0086] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the
examples given.
* * * * *