Portable locator including a ground marking arrangement
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- configuring a portable locator that is used for locating at least one of a buried line and a boring tool to integrally support a marking arrangement for marking the surface of the ground, said locating arrangement being supported in one operating position, as part of the portable locator, in relation to said marking arrangement in another operating position, as another part of the portable locator; and
interfacing a single operator actuation mechanism with a single electronics package in the portable locator for monitoring different predetermined operator actuations such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined operator actuations of the single operator actuation mechanism (i) to detect a first predetermined operator actuation for use in controlling the ground marking arrangement, (ii) to detect other predetermined operator actuations for use in controlling the locating arrangement and (iii) to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the ground marking arrangement.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved portable locator is described which is configured for locating relative to a position beneath the surface of the ground. The improvement includes a marking arrangement for marking the surface of the ground. In one aspect, the portable locator is configured having a marking arrangement which utilizes a replaceable aerosol paint canister. Spray of paint from the canister may be initiated, for example, electrically or using a suitable mechanical actuation linkage. In another aspect, an operator of the portable locator is able to mark the surface of the ground using the portable locator and while holding the portable locator in generally the same position and/or stance as the locator is used for locating purposes.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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configuring a portable locator that is used for locating at least one of a buried line and a boring tool to integrally support a marking arrangement for marking the surface of the ground, said locating arrangement being supported in one operating position, as part of the portable locator, in relation to said marking arrangement in another operating position, as another part of the portable locator; and
interfacing a single operator actuation mechanism with a single electronics package in the portable locator for monitoring different predetermined operator actuations such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined operator actuations of the single operator actuation mechanism (i) to detect a first predetermined operator actuation for use in controlling the ground marking arrangement, (ii) to detect other predetermined operator actuations for use in controlling the locating arrangement and (iii) to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the ground marking arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for using a portable locator which is configured for locating relative to a position beneath the surface of the ground, said method comprising the steps of:
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configuring the portable locator to include a marking arrangement including a canister for emitting an aerosol paint to mark the surface of the ground;
interfacing a single electronics package that is configured for performing an inground locating function within the portable locator to (i) a single push button switch located for finger actuation by an operator in a first of a number of predetermined kinds of actuations with the operator standing in an upright position holding the portable locator and to (ii) a solenoid having a plunger, others of said predetermined kinds of actuations being provided for operating the locator such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined kinds of actuations of the single push button switch;
housing a battery back in the portable locator for providing power to the electronics package and the solenoid such that the first predetermined actuation of the push button switch causes the electronics package to electrically drive the solenoid thereby moving the plunger of the solenoid; and
connecting the plunger of said solenoid with a lever arranged proximate to the canister such that movement of the plunger, as a result of the electronics package driving the solenoid, engages the lever with the canister resulting in emission of the aerosol paint. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
with the portable locator, establishing a location on the surface of the ground relative to said position; and
marking the location on the surface of the ground using said marking arrangement.
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15. The method of claim 13 including the step of electronically monitoring operator actuations of the push button switch to detect the first predetermined operator actuation for use in controlling the marking arrangement, to detect the other predetermined operator actuations for use in controlling the locating arrangement, and to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the marking arrangement.
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16. The method of claim 15 wherein said electronic monitoring step includes the step of monitoring the switch for said first predetermined operator actuation as a sequence of closing the push button switch twice in timed succession and then holding the push button switch closed.
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17. A method for fabricating a portable device, said method comprising the steps of:
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configuring a housing arrangement to define a first operating position and to define a second operating position;
supporting a locating arrangement at the first operating position and supporting a ground marking arrangement at the second operating position such that the locating arrangement and the ground marking arrangement in the first and second operating positions, respectively, cooperate for use by an operator in identifying a location on the surface of the ground relative to at least one of a buried line and a boring tool with said locating arrangement and for said operator to mark the location using said ground marking arrangement; and
interfacing a single operator actuation mechanism with a single electronics package in the portable locator for monitoring different predetermined operator actuations of the portable locator such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined operator actuations of the single operator actuation mechanism (i) to detect a first predetermined operator actuation for use in controlling the ground marking arrangement, (ii) to detect other predetermined operator actuations for use in controlling the locating arrangement and (iii) to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the ground marking arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
interfacing the solenoid with said electronics package; and
configuring the electronics package such that the electronics package electrically drives the solenoid responsive to detection of said predetermined operator actuation.
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26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of using the solenoid further includes the steps of:
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housing a battery pack in the portable device; and
powering the solenoid and the electronics package from the battery pack.
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27. A method for fabricating a portable device, said method comprising the steps of:
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configuring a housing arrangement to support a locating arrangement and a marking arrangement; and
interfacing a single operator actuation mechanism with a single electronics package for monitoring different predetermined operator actuations of the portable device such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined operator actuations of the single operator actuation mechanism (i) to detect a first predetermined operator actuation for use in controlling the marking arrangement, (ii) to detect other predetermined operator actuations for use in controlling the locating arrangement in locating at least one of buried line and a boring tool, and (iii) to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the marking arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method for manufacturing a portable device, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing arrangement;
supporting a locating arrangement in one operational orientation in said housing arrangement, said locating arrangement being configured for permitting an operator to locate at least one of a buried line and a boring tool;
supporting a ground marking arrangement in another operational orientation in said housing arrangement for use by the operator in identifying a location on the surface of the ground marking arrangement cooperate for use by the operator in identifying a location with the marking arrangemment; and
interfacing a single operator actuation mechanism with a single electronics package in the portable locator for monitoring different predetermined operator actuations such that the single electronics package monitors all the different predetermined operator actuations of the single operator actuation mechanism (i) to detect a first predetemined operator actuation for use in controlling the ground marking arrangement, (ii) to detect other predetermined operator actuation for the use in controlling the locating arrangement and (iii) to, upon detecting the first predetermined operator actuation, initiate marking by the ground marking arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification