Retractable Hazard and Boundary Marker

• US 20100326346A1
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory Allen Tapp
• Original Assignee: Gregory Allen Tapp
• Inventors: Tapp, Gregory Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/491,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20100326346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/209
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/062 Slalom gate poles, posts or marking sticks for sport fields
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/046 the obstructing members moving up in a translatory motion, e.g. telescopic barrier posts for lane control E01F9/594
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/646 extensible, collapsible or pivotable E01F9/627, E01F9/631 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a permanently placed retractable hazard and boundary marker. The hazard and boundary marker comprises a cylinder housing placed vertically beneath the ground or a playing, walking, or driving surface, and having an upper opening at or slightly above the ground or surface level. Said cylinder housing having an enlarged removable cylinder housing cap with a diameter greater than the cylinder housing attached to its upper opening. A retractable hazard and boundary marker rod is inserted through a hole in the center of the cylinder housing cap into the cylinder housing, allowing the rod to be lowered into the cylinder housing. The rod is elevated through the cylinder housing cap into a visible position by pulling on the widened top of the rod or a pull ring inserted through a hole bored into the top end of the rod. A stopper sleeve with a widened lip covers the lower end of the hazard and boundary marker rod and prevents the rod from being pulled completely through the cylinder housing cap.

Claims

1. A retractable hazard and boundary marker for marking hazards and boundaries when needed for golf courses, hiking and other trails, racing courses, parking areas, and other areas needing such markers, comprising:

a cylinder housing for a hazard and boundary marker rod, and acting as an anchor to hold a hazard and boundary marker rod in place;

a retractable hazard and boundary marker rod for warning individuals of hazards and boundaries;

a removable cylinder housing cap designed to fit over the open top of said cylinder housing and having a central hole for allowing movement of said retractable hazard and boundary marker rod through said central hole in said removable housing cap to raise or lower said hazard and boundary marker rod;

a binding sleeve stopper placed over the lower end of said hazard and boundary marker rod for holding said hazard and boundary marker rod in an elevated position, and for preventing said hazard and boundary marker rod from exiting through the opening in sain removable housing cap.

2. The removable cylinder housing cap of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the cylinder housing cap is wider than the lower portion of the cylinder housing cap to allow easy removal and replacement of the cylinder housing cap on said cylinder housing.

3. The removable cylinder housing cap of claim 1 and 2 wherein the periphery of the central hole is beveled to match the bevel of the widened lip of the stopper inserted into the top opening of said hazard and boundary marker rod.

4. The cylinder housing of claim 1 having a threaded fitting at its upper opening for attaching the removable cylinder housing cap.

5. The cylinder housing of claims 1 and 4 also having a permanently attached bottom cap over the lower end of said cylinder housing, said bottom cap having a closed rounded end and an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylinder housing, and an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylinder housing to prevent said cylinder housing being pulled out of the ground or other surface.

6. The retractable hazard and boundary marker rod of claim 1 having a removable stopper sleeve enclosing the lower end of said hazard and boundary marker rod;

said stopper sleeve having a widened lip that prevents the hazard and boundary marker rod from being removed from the cylinder housing.

7. The retractable hazard and boundary marker rod of claims 1 and 6 having a stopper with a widened lip on its top surface inserted into the top opening of said hazard and boundary marker rod, said widened lip of said stopper being beveled to provide a water tight fit with the bevel of said central hole of said cylinder housing.

8. The retractable hazard and boundary marker of claims 1, 6, and 7 wherein the stopper has a widened lip on its top surface and/or a pull ring inserted through a hole bored through the hazard and boundary marker rod and the stopper to make raising the hazard and boundary mark rod to its fully extended position easier.

9. The retractable hazard and boundary marker rod of claims 1 and 6 through 8 wherein a removable outer plastic sleeve of sufficient diameter to accommodate advertising logos, pictures and/or text is placed over the hazard and boundary marker rod in order to advertise a golf course or other venue, an event, or event sponsor, or the like.

10. The cylinder housing, hazard and boundary marker rod, and housing cap of claims 1 through 9 when made of metal, hard plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or acetal, rubber, or other durable, weather resistant materials, and the like.