Signals and indicators – Indicators – By location
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-02
2001-04-24
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
By location
C403S371000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220200
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to line markers for marking the location of utility lines and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a line marker having a locking mechanism for removably securing a line marker to a post or tube.
2. Prior Art
Thousands of miles of buried utility lines form part of the infrastructure connecting communities and utility services around the world. Such utility lines include gas and oil lines, power lines, electrical and/or fiber optic telecommunication and/or cable television lines, water lines, sewer lines, and the like. In is often desirable and necessary to mark the location of these lines to assist utility workers in maintaining the lines and prevent inadvertent disturbance of the lines. Line markers are often used to identify the location of the buried lines and are located above or near ground level. The markers usually have indicia, such as writing, to indicate the type of line being marked. The markers may also contain some type of warning concerning the buried line.
In addition, some markers may double as cathodic protection test stations. Thus, the marker, or similar structure, may contain electrical wires that extend between the utility line and the marker, where they may be accessed by utility workers. The wires may be used to monitor the utility line, such as with cathodic protection
It is desirable that the markers be highly visible so that they may be readily located by utility workers and immediately observably by others. It is also desirable that the markers be durable to resist environmental conditions. Because of the number of markers required to mark long lengths of utility lines, it is desirable that the markers be inexpensive and readily available.
One disadvantage with some markers is their use of custom shaped markers which require specially shaped posts and marker members. For example, some markers employ markers with square cross sections requiring posts with square cross sections. Because many of the markers are located in remote areas, it is desirable that they be resistant to vandalism and abuse, such as theft or gun shots. Another disadvantage with some markers is their succeptability to molestation. For example, some markers are easily destroyed by bullets or are easily removed. Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a line marker which is highly visible and meets the many diverse requirements for identifying, protecting, and monitoring underground utility lines.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a line marker which is highly visible.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a line marker which is resistant to adverse whether conditions.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a line marker which is resistant to vandalism and other abuse.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a line marker which discourages unauthorized removal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a line marker which may contain a cathodic protection circuit.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are realized in a line marker apparatus having a locking ring and cap marker disposed on a support tube. The tube is an elongated tubular member having a first end configured for insertion into the ground, a second end configured for extending upwardly, and a tube wall having an outer or exterior surface and an annular cross-section. The locking ring is disposed on the exterior surface of the second end of the tube and includes at least one locking finger extending from the ring. The locking finger is preferably bendable inwardly from the ring and towards a longitudinal axis of the tube.
The cap is removably coupled to the locking ring and has a cap wall defining a contained hollow volume and an open end for receiving the locking ring. The cap advantageously has a protrusion extending into the hollow of the cap for contacting the locking finger and forcing the locking finger towards the longitudinal axis, and thus the tube. The locking ring advantageously is completely received within the cap, thus concealing how the cap is attached and discouraging tampering or unauthorized removal by vandals. The cap wall also has an outer surface and may have an indentation formed in the outer surface of the wall for receiving indicia. This indicia may include safety warnings or processing information. A transparent window also may be disposed in the indentation for protecting the indicia.
The locking ring also has a top edge and a bottom edge. The wall of the locking ring may have a slot formed therein extending between the top edge and the bottom edge to vent the hollow of the cap. Alternatively, the cap wall may have a slot formed therein extending as a vent to the hollow
The at least one finger has an upper end opposite the ring with an edge for digging into a surface, such as an outer surface of the tube. The at least one finger also has an inner surface and at least one rib advantageously is formed on the inner surface of the finger to prevent the ring from rotating on the tube.
The locking ring has an outer surface and may have threads formed thereon. The cap also has an inner surface and may have threads formed thereon which engage the threads of the locking ring. The cap is rotatable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the locking ring. As the cap rotates on the locking ring the cap advances and retracts on the locking ring along the threads
Preferably, a plurality of resilient locking fingers are provided and extend from the ring wall generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each locking finger has an outer surface. The cap is preferably elongated and also has an inner surface defining a hollow therein. The annular protrusion extends into the hollow of the cap member and contacts the outer surface of the locking fingers for forcing the locking fingers in towards the longitudinal axis As the cap rotates on the locking ring and advances and retracts, the annular protrusion advances and retracts along the length of the fingers to bend the fingers in towards the longitudinal axis, and into binding contact with the outer surface of the tubular member
These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.
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Howard Michael
Li Charles
Carsonite International
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Thorpe North & Western LLP
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