Utility component identification systems

• US 20060006240A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Silt-Saver Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Silt-Saver Incorporated
• Inventors: Singleton, Earl R.
• Application Number:
  US11/167,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20060006240A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/04 to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion by a separate adhesive layer G09F3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer

Abstract

Various devices and systems for identifying utility components are provided.

Claims

1. A utility valve identification device comprising:

a collar having an aperture dimensioned to receive a valve opening, the collar including at least one feature identifying a utility type.

2. The utility valve identification device of claim 1, wherein the feature identifying the utility type comprises a color.

3. The utility valve identification device of claim 2, wherein the color corresponds to a particular utility type established by a color coding system.

4. The utility valve identification device of claim 1, further comprising at least one indicium providing geographic information, ownership information, or a combination thereof.

5. The utility valve identification device of claim 1, further comprising a reflective material.

6. The utility valve identification device of claim 1, having a unitary construction.

7. The utility valve identification device of claim 1, having a multi-piece construction.

8. A utility valve identification device comprising:

a marker adapted to be mountable in a substantially upright position proximate a valve opening, the marker including at least one feature identifying a type of utility.

9. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, the marker having a triangular pyramidal shape.

10. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, the marker including a flattened face.

11. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, the marker having a first end that is smaller in dimension than a second end.

12. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, the marker having a first end that is substantially equal in dimension to a second end.

13. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, wherein the feature identifying the utility type comprises a color.

14. The utility valve identification device of claim 13, wherein the color corresponds to a particular utility type established by a color coding system.

15. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, further comprising at least one indicium providing geographic information, ownership information, or a combination thereof.

16. The utility valve identification device of claim 8, further comprising a reflective material.

17. A system for marking and identifying a utility valve comprising, in combination:

a collar having an aperture adapted to receive a valve opening; and

a marker positioned proximate the collar;

wherein at least one of the collar and marker includes at least one feature identifying a type of utility.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the marker has a triangular pyramidal shape and includes a flattened face on an upper portion thereof.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the collar and marker further includes a reflective material, an indicium comprising providing geographic information, an indicium providing ownership information, or any combination thereof.

20. A system for obtaining and collecting data about a utility line comprising:

(a) at least one of;

(i) a collar having an aperture that receives a valve opening; and

(ii) a marker positioned proximate a valve opening,

wherein at least one of the collar and marker includes a feature identifying a type of utility line; and

(b) an electronic identification component for inputting and/or retrieving information about the utility line.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a portable electronic device adapted to communicate electronically with the electronic identification component.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the electronic identification component comprises a microchip, radio frequency identification tag, or a bar code.