MARKER DETECTION MECHANISMS FOR USE IN MARKING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

• US 20130233883A1
• Filed: 04/22/2013
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Steven, Farr, Jeffrey, Chambers, Curtis
• Granted Patent: US 9,004,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/23
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/065 Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/067 Machines for marking
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/082 responsive to a condition of the discharged jet or spray, e.g. to jet shape, spray pattern or droplet size
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 11/00 Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00 means for manipulating or holding work B05C13/00; enclosures for apparatus, booths B05C15/00; spray booths B05B16/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/203 comprising an extension rod located between the aerosol container and the hand grip setting-out line markings on playing courts A63C19/065; marking-out on finished paving by spraying from aerosol containers E01C23/227
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/227 the marking material being supplied in aerosol containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/06 having means for controlling the supply or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/18 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network

Abstract

Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty.

Claims

1. A marking apparatus to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, comprising:

a housing configured to enable dispensing of a marking substance onto the ground for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area;

a marking dispenser holder affixed to the housing to hold at least one marking dispenser;

an actuator to cause dispensing of the marking substance from the marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility;

at least one marking substance detection mechanism to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance dispensed from the marking dispenser and to provide detector information representative of the one or more characteristics; and

a processing device to generate output information in response to the detector information, the output information representing the one or more characteristics of the marking substance.