GROUND MARKER DEVICE

• US 3,709,188 A
• Filed: 02/01/1971
• Issued: 01/09/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Coupar
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Coupar
• Inventors: Coupar, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Capozi, Louis J.
• Application Number:
  US05/111,522
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 116/114 52/158,159,160,161,162,163,164,103 151/41.74 85/3,23,12
• US Class Current: 52/163
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/677 the sign posts being removable without tools, e.g. of stud-and-socket type
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/685 Subsoil means, e.g. foundations
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/06 Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/922 Nail, spike or tack having locking device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/969 Deformable retainer

Abstract

A marker device having a casing which is inserted into a hole drilled into the surface of the ground. Hinged arms are unfolded and extended through slots in the casing to secure the device against withdrawal from the hole. A suitably colored plug may be fitted into the upper end of the casing to be visible above the surface. A number of such devices placed in a row at suitably spaced intervals define a permanently marked line appearing either at or near the level of the ground surface or projecting thereabove. The device is readily converted for use as an anchoring means for a post or the like.

Claims

1. A ground marker device comprising a casing insertable into a hole formed in the surface of the ground, said casing having an internally threaded upper end and diametrically opposed slots intermediate the length thereof, a pair of anchor arms hingedly connected together at one end and having sharpened tips at their opposite ends, said anchor arms extending across the casing with the tips thereof projecting through the slots and being embedded in a side wall of the hole, a locking disc threadedly received within the upper end of the casing, and a marker plug threadedly fitted into the upper end of the casing to frictionally engage and be releasably held against rotation by the locking disc.

2. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, in which said anchor arms each have a notch adjacent the tip thereof, said notches engaging casing parts whereby resistance is offered to movement of the anchor arms below a casing anchoring position.

3. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, and including a locking pin for securing the pair of arms in extended position.

4. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, in which said marker plug has a laterally projecting flange near the lower end thereof, said locking disc having a central opening to receive the lower end of the marker plug, and a second similar locking disc threadedly fitted into the upper end of the casing to encircle the marker plug and clamp the laterally projecting flange against the first mentioned locking disc.

5. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 3, in which said pair of anchor arms having overlapping ends provided with registering openings, and said locking pin is projected through the registering openings to lock the pair of arms in extended position.