Utility location indicator apparatus

• US 7,451,721 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2006
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Surefind Pipeline Markers, LLC
• Original Assignee: Amada V. Garza, Mario J. Garza
• Inventors: Garza, Mario J., Garza, Amada V.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US11/340,750
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 116/209, 33/1.H
• US Class Current: 116/209
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/11 for the detection or protection of pipes in the ground

Abstract

A utility location indicator apparatus for indicating the location and general direction of lie of an underground utility includes a marker being configured to extend upwardly from a utility pipe to indicate a location of the utility pipe under a ground surface. The marker is elongated to extend upwardly through the ground over the utility pipe. A plurality of incremental indicia is positioned on the marker and incrementally extending along a length of the marker. The incremental indicia is configured to indicate a depth of the ground positioned over the utility pipe to alert a user to the depth the user can dig before encountering the utility pipe. A saddle is integrally coupled to a first end of the marker. The saddle is configured to extend over a portion of a circumference of the utility pipe to maintain alignment of said marker with the utility pipe.

Claims

1. A utility location indicator system comprising:

a utility pipe positioned under a ground surface;

a marker being configured to extend upwardly from the utility pipe to indicate a location of the utility pipe under the ground surface, said marker being elongated to extend upwardly through the ground over the utility pipe;

a plurality of incremental indicia being positioned on said marker and incrementally extending along a length of said marker, said incremental indicia being configured to indicate a depth of the ground positioned over the utility pipe to alert a user to the depth the user can dig before encountering the utility pipe;

a saddle being integrally coupled to a first end of said marker, said saddle being configured to extend over a portion of a circumference of the utility pipe to maintain alignment of said marker with the utility pipe, said saddle having a single aperture extending therethrough; and

a strap extending through said aperture in said saddle and extending around the utility pipe and a portion of said saddle to secure said saddle to the utility pipe, a buckle being coupled to a base end of said strap and selectively receiving a free end of said strap to secure said free end to said base end and secure said strap around the utility pipe.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said marker has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, a width of said marker being defined by a line extending between said first and second lateral edges, said saddle having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a lower surface, a length of said saddle being defined by a line extending between said first and second side edges, the length of said saddle being aligned with the width of said marker to permit said width of said marker to indicate a direction the utility pipe lies.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said saddle has a semi-cylindrical shape wherein said lower surface is concavely arcuate.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said buckle is frangible with respect to said pipe to permit said free end to separate from said buckle to inhibit said saddle inadvertently applying force to the utility pipe and breaking the utility pipe when said marker is impacted with a predetermined amount of force.

5. The system according to claim 1, further including a placard being coupled to said marker proximate a second end of said marker positioned above the ground surface, said placard being configured to indicate an owner and maintainer of the utility pipe.

6. A utility location indicator system comprising:

a utility pipe positioned under a ground surface;

a marker being configured to extend upwardly from the utility pipe to indicate a location of the utility pipe under the ground surface, said marker being elongated to extend upwardly through the ground over the utility pipe, said marker having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, a width of said marker being defined by a line extending between said first and second lateral edges;

a plurality of incremental indicia being positioned on said marker and incrementally extending along a length of said marker, said incremental indicia being configured to indicate a depth of the ground positioned over the utility pipe to alert a user to the depth the user can dig before encountering the utility pipe;

a saddle being integrally coupled to a first end of said marker, said saddle being configured to extend over a portion of a circumference of the utility pipe to maintain alignment of said marker with the utility pipe, said saddle having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a lower surface, a length of said saddle being defined by a line extending between said first and second side edges, the length of said saddle being aligned with the width of said marker to permit said width of said marker to indicate a direction the utility pipe lies, said saddle having a semi-cylindrical shape wherein said lower surface is concavely arcuate, said saddle having a single aperture extending therethrough;

a strap extending through said aperture in said saddle and extending around the utility pipe and a portion of said saddle to secure said saddle to the utility pipe;

a buckle being coupled to a base end of said strap and selectively receiving a free end of said strap to secure said free end to said base end and secure said strap around the utility pipe, said buckle being frangible with respect to said pipe to permit said free end to separate from said buckle to inhibit said saddle inadvertently applying force to the utility pipe and breaking the utility pipe when said marker is impacted with a predetermined amount of force; and

a placard being coupled to said marker proximate a second end of said marker positioned above the ground surface, said placard being configured to indicate an owner and maintainer of the utility pipe.