LOCATION MARKING DEVICE

• US 20140048579A1
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Longhorn Design Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Longhorn Design Group, LLC
• Inventors: Thompson, Patrick, Moore, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/961,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20140048579A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/140
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/02 Means for marking measuring points

Abstract

A location marking device is disclosed. An example location marking device includes a drive tube to receive a wire of a marker flag to be installed. The location marking device also includes a plunger rod slidably held within the lumen of the drive tube and operable between a passive state and an active state. The location marking device also includes a handle provided to a proximal end of the plunger rod and movable toward and away from a proximal end of the drive tube. The location marking device also includes a return rod extending from the handle towards a distal end of the drive tube. The location marking device also includes a resilient member configured to bias the plunger rod in the passive state.

Claims

1. A location marking device, comprising:

a drive tube to receive a wire of a marker flag to be installed;

a plunger rod slidably held within a lumen of the drive tube and operable between a passive state and an active state;

a handle provided to a proximal end of the plunger rod and movable toward and away from a proximal end of the drive tube;

a return rod extending from the handle towards a distal end of the drive tube; and

a resilient member configured to bias the plunger rod in the passive state.

2. The location marking device of claim 1, wherein a first end of the resilient member is anchored at one end of the return rod and a second end of the resilient member is anchored on an exterior of the drive tube.

3. The location marking device of claim 1, wherein applying a force to the handle acts against the resilient member to place the plunger rod in the active state.

4. The location marking device of claim 1, wherein a length of the resilient member is greater in the active state than in the passive state.

5. The location marking device of claim 1, further comprising a return guide mounted to an exterior of the drive tube and configured to guide the return rod between the passive state and the active state.

6. The location marking device of claim 1, wherein the drive tube has a flared distal end to impede penetration of the drive tube into a surface.

7. The location marking device of claim 1, further comprising a loading port in the drive tube to receive the wire of the marker flag in the lumen of the drive tube.

8. The location marking device of claim 7, wherein in the active state, the plunger rod extends distally beyond the loading port.

9. The location marking device of claim 7, wherein, in the passive state, a distal end of the plunger rod is proximal to the loading port.

10. The location marking device of claim 1, wherein movement of the handle towards a distal end of the drive tube causes the plunger rod to push the wire of the marker flag out of the drive tube and a predetermined distance past a surface of ground.

11. A system for location marking comprising:

a drive tube configured to receive a wire of a marker flag to be installed in ground;

an plunger rod slidably held within a lumen of the drive tube and operable between a passive state and an active state;

a handle provided on a proximal end of the plunger rod, the handle movable toward and away from a proximal end of the drive tube; and

at least one return rod extending from the handle towards a distal end of the drive tube.

12. The marking system as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a spring configured to bias the at least one return rod towards a proximal end of the drive tube.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a global positioning system mount.

14. The system of claim 11, a support mounted to the drive tube to hold a dispenser of marking colorant.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a trigger configured to selectively dispense colorant from a dispenser held in the support.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a cup and a stabilizer configured to support and stabilize at least one marker rod adjacent to and parallel with the drive tube.

17. The marker installation tool as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a wheel assembly detachably mounted near a distal end of drive tube.

18. The marker installation tool as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a carrying strap on an exterior of the drive tube.

19. A method of marker flag installation, comprising:

providing a drive tube sized to receive a wire of the marker flag to be installed;

slidably configuring a plunger rod within the drive tube;

orienting at least one return rod towards a distal end of the drive tube; and

biasing an actuator in a passive state spaced apart from drive tube proximal end.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising releasing the actuator from the passive state to insert the wire of the marker flag into a surface, wherein the actuator automatically returns to a passive state after inserting the wire into the surface.