METHOD OF USING CODED MARKING PATTERNS IN UNDERGROUND FACILITIES LOCATE OPERATIONS

• US 20100285211A1
• Filed: 04/21/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Steven, Chambers, Curtis, Farr, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/764,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20100285211A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/136
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/02 Means for marking measuring points

Abstract

Methods of using coded marking patterns in underground facilities locate operations are disclosed. Coded marking patterns may be dispensed, for example, on the surface of the ground to indicate types of facilities and any other useful information about the facilities. In one embodiment, coded marking patterns are provided that include a combination of marking material color to indicate types of facilities and unique marking patterns to indicate any other information about the facilities that may be beneficial to, for example, excavators and/or any other interested parties, such as facility owners. In another embodiment, color-agnostic coded marking patterns include unique marking patterns that may be dispensed using any color for indicating the types of facilities.

Claims

1. A method for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area using a marking device that holds a marking dispenser, comprising:

dispensing, with the marking device, marking material to form on the ground a first marking pattern that indicates a location and a type of the underground facility; and

dispensing, with the marking device, marking material to form on the ground a second marking pattern that is representative of information in addition to the location and type of the underground facility.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first marking pattern includes a plurality of first marks and the second marking pattern includes one or more second marks.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the first marks of the first marking pattern are dispensed along a path of the underground facility.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the second marks of the second marking pattern are located in gaps between the first marks of the first marking pattern.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second marking pattern comprises at least one coded mark.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second marking pattern indicates an importance of the underground facility, a class of the underground facility, an owner of the underground facility, and/or a locate company that dispensed the first and second marking patterns.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second marking pattern comprises a header with respect to the first marking pattern.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the header is delineated by header marks.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dispensing the second marking pattern includes dispensing a coded pattern of dots and/or dashes.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dispensing the second marking pattern includes dispensing one or more characters.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dispensing second marking pattern includes dispensing one or more symbols.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first marking pattern comprises a plurality of first marks separated by gaps and wherein the second marking pattern comprises second marks in the gaps between the first marks of the first marking pattern.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second marking pattern is located at or near an end of the first marking pattern.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second marking pattern is located at or near a middle of the first marking pattern.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein forming the first marking pattern and forming the second marking pattern includes moving the marking device with respect to the ground as the marking material is dispensed on the ground.

16. A method for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area using a marking device that holds a marking dispenser, comprising:

dispensing, with the marking device, marking material to form a marking pattern that indicates a location and a type of the underground facility without relying on the color of the marking pattern to indicate the type of the underground facility.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, further including dispensing, with the marking device, marking material to form a header at one end of the marking pattern, the header representative of information in addition to the location and type of the underground facility.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the header indicates the importance of the underground facility, a class of the underground facility, an owner of the underground facility, and/or the locate company that dispensed the marking pattern.

19. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprising dispensing, with the marking device, marking material to form a second marking pattern that is representative of information in addition to the location and type of the underground facility.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the second marking pattern is formed at one end of the first marking pattern.