Underground conveyance protection device and method

• US 20020085884A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Frog Harris
• Original Assignee: Mark Frog Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Mark Frog
• Granted Patent: US 6,702,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/154.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/11 for the detection or protection of pipes in the ground

Abstract

Disclosed above are a device and method for protecting underground conveyances, wherein said device comprises a carrier containing fill material and, optionally, comprising a web material reinforcing said carrier. The device is oriented over an underground conveyance above a given amount of backfill so that it is detected and encountered by an excavator before the underground conveyance is damaged. In one embodiment, the device is preferably retrieved or brought to view by means of the webbing being snagged on the teeth of the excavating equipment.

Claims

1. An underground conveyance protection device comprising an elongated carrier and a fill material contained within said carrier.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a web material.

3. A method for protecting an underground conveyance employing the device of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

backfilling above a conveyance an amount of fill between about six inches to about four feet in depth,

installing said device on said backfill, and

backfilling over said device.

4. A method for protecting an underground conveyance employing the device of claim 2 comprising the steps of:

backfilling above a conveyance an amount of fill between about six inches to about four feet in depth,

installing said device on said backfill, and

backfilling over said device.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein said fill depth above said conveyance is between about six inches and about 12 inches.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein said fill depth above said conveyance is between about six inches and about 12 inches.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said carrier has at least one end and further comprises a sheath of material closed at at least one end.

8. The device according to claim 2 wherein said carrier has at least one end and further comprises a sheath of material closed at at least one end.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cloth and metal.

10. The device according to claim 2 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cloth and metal.

11. The device according to claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises colored plastic and said fill material comprises material selected from the group consisting of glass, rock and metal.

12. The device according to claim 2 wherein said carrier comprises colored plastic and said fill material comprises material selected from the group consisting of glass, rock and metal.

13. The device according to claim 2 wherein said web comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, natural fiber and synthetic fiber.

14. The device according to claim 2 wherein said web material is wrapped around said carrier.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein said web material comprises strands forming openings wherein said openings are at least about 3 inches in diameter.