CA2048730C - Ground marker - Google Patents
Ground markerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2048730C CA2048730C CA002048730A CA2048730A CA2048730C CA 2048730 C CA2048730 C CA 2048730C CA 002048730 A CA002048730 A CA 002048730A CA 2048730 A CA2048730 A CA 2048730A CA 2048730 C CA2048730 C CA 2048730C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- support
- stake
- support member
- support portion
- spring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
- E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
- E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
- E01F9/627—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection self-righting after deflection or displacement
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
Abstract
A marker comprises a stake section for driving into the ground and holder section both of which are formed from pipe. The lower end of the holder and the upper end of the stake is screw threaded on the external surface thereof for cooperating with a spring of the same thread pitch to provide flexibility therebetween while normally maintaining the portions aligned. The lower end of the pipe forming the stake is pinched to form a sharpened end for driving into the ground. A marker tube formed from plastics material is applied as a press-fit onto the outside surface of the holder. In an alternative arrangement the stake is replaced by a stub shaft and apertured attachment plate.
Description
2~8730 ~ 1 "GROUND MARKER"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a ground marker for attachment to the ground or other support structure in a manner which causes an elongate portion of the marker to stand vertically upwardly from the ground.
Markers of this general type have previously been proposed for marking the boundary of an area, an elongate underground structure such as a pipeline, the edges of bridges and other locations.
In some cases substantially rigid markers are used but these have the severe disadvantage that as soon as they are knocked or engaged by any passing vehicle, they are immediately damaged usually beyond repair so that they need to be regularly replaced.
There has therefore been an outstanding requirement to provide a marker of a simple visible type which can be easily mounted, inexpensive to manufacture and in addition is sufficiently flexible so that it is not damaged when impacted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the invention there is provided a ground marker comprising a elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system 20~730 for holding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment member including a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective ends of the spring are engaged onto the end of the support portion and the end of the support member to hold the support portion and the support member in generally aligned position with flexibility between the support portion and the support member being provided by lateral flexing of the spring.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a ground marker comprising a elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system for holding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment member including a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective 2~873~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a ground marker for attachment to the ground or other support structure in a manner which causes an elongate portion of the marker to stand vertically upwardly from the ground.
Markers of this general type have previously been proposed for marking the boundary of an area, an elongate underground structure such as a pipeline, the edges of bridges and other locations.
In some cases substantially rigid markers are used but these have the severe disadvantage that as soon as they are knocked or engaged by any passing vehicle, they are immediately damaged usually beyond repair so that they need to be regularly replaced.
There has therefore been an outstanding requirement to provide a marker of a simple visible type which can be easily mounted, inexpensive to manufacture and in addition is sufficiently flexible so that it is not damaged when impacted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the invention there is provided a ground marker comprising a elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system 20~730 for holding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment member including a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective ends of the spring are engaged onto the end of the support portion and the end of the support member to hold the support portion and the support member in generally aligned position with flexibility between the support portion and the support member being provided by lateral flexing of the spring.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a ground marker comprising a elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system for holding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment member including a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective 2~873~
- 3 -ends of the spring are engaged onto the end of the support portion and the end of the support member to hold the support portion and the support member in generally aligned position with flexibility between the support portion and the support member being provided by lateral flexing of the spring, the attachment member consisting solely of an elongate stake with the support portion arranged at the upper end of the stake and the lower end of the stake being sharpened for direct driving into the ground, the support member and the stake being formed from a length of pipe of constant outside diameter, the length of the support member being less than the length of the stake so as to extend into the tube over a small proportion of the length of the tube, the lower end of the stake be sharpened by the formation of a pinched section by which the pipe is flattened from the lower end along a short length of the pipe.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through a marker according to the present invention.
2B4~ ~3~
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through a marker according to the present invention.
2B4~ ~3~
- 4 -Figure 2 is an isometric view showing an alternative embodiment of a marker according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the stake portion of the marker of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the holder portion of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view showing the spring of Figure 1.
~10 Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the marker tube of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a side elevational veiw of a driver for use in the assembly of the marker of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The marker of Figure 1 comprises a stake portion 10 and a holder 11 both of which are formed from a tubular pipe by cutting to a required length with the stake portion being longer than the holder portion. The stake portion has a lowermost section thereof pinched to flatten the pipe as indicated in Figures 1 and 3 to form a sharpened edge for driving the stake portion into the ground.
Each of the portions has a screw thread section cut into the outside surface and extending over a length of one end of the portion of the order of 3/4 inch and indicated at 2~8730
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the stake portion of the marker of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the holder portion of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view showing the spring of Figure 1.
~10 Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the marker tube of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a side elevational veiw of a driver for use in the assembly of the marker of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The marker of Figure 1 comprises a stake portion 10 and a holder 11 both of which are formed from a tubular pipe by cutting to a required length with the stake portion being longer than the holder portion. The stake portion has a lowermost section thereof pinched to flatten the pipe as indicated in Figures 1 and 3 to form a sharpened edge for driving the stake portion into the ground.
Each of the portions has a screw thread section cut into the outside surface and extending over a length of one end of the portion of the order of 3/4 inch and indicated at 2~8730
- 5 -12 and 13 respectively. The pitch of the screw thread is equal to the pitch of a spring 15 which can thus be threaded onto the screw thread section simply by rotating by hand since the direction of rotation tends to open the spring and allow it to thread freely onto the screw thread. The screw thread is cut with circular groove shape to receive the circular edges of the spring. The holder portion 11 receives as a sliding fit on the outside surface thereof a vertical marker tube 16 which is formed of a rigid plastics material.
The tube 16 slides down over the holder to a position adjacent the upper edge of the spring. The marker tube is thus substantially rigid and flexibility for the structure is provided by a flexing of the spring in a lateral direction that is by opening up one side of the spring as the axis of the holder is pivoted about a line transverse to the spring.
the marker tube is sufficiently rigid that when impacted the flexibility occurs at the spring rather than any flexing of the marker tube.
Once assembled together the spring cannot simply be extracted from the threaded sections of the stake and holder due to the characteristics of the spring which tend to tighten it onto the screw thread section. The plastic tube is sized so that it presses onto the holder but cannot be removed by hand. On the plastic tube can be provided pieces of reflective tape that can be put on in various designs so the marker is particularly visible at night. The marker tube 2~873V
The tube 16 slides down over the holder to a position adjacent the upper edge of the spring. The marker tube is thus substantially rigid and flexibility for the structure is provided by a flexing of the spring in a lateral direction that is by opening up one side of the spring as the axis of the holder is pivoted about a line transverse to the spring.
the marker tube is sufficiently rigid that when impacted the flexibility occurs at the spring rather than any flexing of the marker tube.
Once assembled together the spring cannot simply be extracted from the threaded sections of the stake and holder due to the characteristics of the spring which tend to tighten it onto the screw thread section. The plastic tube is sized so that it presses onto the holder but cannot be removed by hand. On the plastic tube can be provided pieces of reflective tape that can be put on in various designs so the marker is particularly visible at night. The marker tube 2~873V
- 6 -is formed from plastics material because it is lighter than the metal pipe and since it is a able to flex slightly upon impact without the danger of ~orming a permanent bend. It can also be made of different colors and sizes to provide a particular marker effect when standing vertically upwardly from the ground.
The driver of Figure 7 comprises an elongate body having an annular channel 20 formed at one end extending from the end into the body of the driver. In use therefore the annular channel is placed over the screw thread portion 12 at the stake 10 and the upper end of the driver defines an abutment surface 21 for receiving blows from an impact tool to drive the stake into the ground by way of the sharpened or pinched end 22. The dimensions are shown in the drawings are of course exemplary only but it will be noted that the holder is just sufficient in length to provide the screw thread section and also a sufficient length to receive the tube without danger of the tube being twisted away from its position around the exposed approximately five inch length of the holder. The stake is of sufficient length to drive into the ground leaving the screw thread portion just above the ground and it has been found that the twenty-four inches shown is a reasonable compromise length which is likely to be driven into the groun~ without ~if~icultly but leaves the marker sufficiently resistant to damage from impact with vehicles or animals such as cattle.
2~873~
The driver of Figure 7 comprises an elongate body having an annular channel 20 formed at one end extending from the end into the body of the driver. In use therefore the annular channel is placed over the screw thread portion 12 at the stake 10 and the upper end of the driver defines an abutment surface 21 for receiving blows from an impact tool to drive the stake into the ground by way of the sharpened or pinched end 22. The dimensions are shown in the drawings are of course exemplary only but it will be noted that the holder is just sufficient in length to provide the screw thread section and also a sufficient length to receive the tube without danger of the tube being twisted away from its position around the exposed approximately five inch length of the holder. The stake is of sufficient length to drive into the ground leaving the screw thread portion just above the ground and it has been found that the twenty-four inches shown is a reasonable compromise length which is likely to be driven into the groun~ without ~if~icultly but leaves the marker sufficiently resistant to damage from impact with vehicles or animals such as cattle.
2~873~
- 7 -In Figure 2 is shown a modified arrangement in which the attachment member for supporting the spring 15, the holder 11 and the tube 16 is modified for attachment by way of a bracket system to an existing structure. In this case the attachment member generally indicated at 30 includes a base plate 31 welded to a lower end of a support portion 32 of the upper end of which is formed the screw thread. The base plate 31 includes apertures 33 by which it can be screw fastened to a support structure such as a bridge or other element.
Since various modifications can be made in our invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Since various modifications can be made in our invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (2)
1. A ground marker comprising an elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system for holding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment memberincluding a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective ends of the spring engage the screw threads such that the spring is positively fixed onto the end of the support portion and the end of the support member to hold the support portion and the support member in generally aligned position with flexibility between the support portion and the support member being provided by lateral flexing of the spring, the attachment member consisting solely of an elongate stake with the support portion arranged at the upper end of the stake and the lower end of the stake being sharpened for direct driving into the ground, the support member and the stake being formed from a length of pipe of constant outside diameter, the length of the support member being less than the length of the stake so as to extend into the plastic tube over a small proportion of the length of the plastic tube, the lower end of the stake be sharpened by the formation of a pinched section by which the pipe is flattened from the lower end along a short length of the pipe, and a driver member having a lower face defining an annular slot therein for receiving the screw thread portion of the attachment member within the annular slot and an abutment surface at an upper end thereof for driving by an impact tool.
2. A ground marker comprising an elongate substantially rigid plastic tube formed from a material which renders the tube readily visible when supported in vertical orientation upstanding from the ground and a support system for hoiding the tube in a vertical orientation, the support system comprising a cylindrical support member having the tube received on an outer surface thereof coaxially therewith, a helical coil spring, an attachment memberincluding a cylindrical support portion thereof, each of the support member and support portion having a screw thread formed along the outside surface thereof having a pitch substantially equal to that of the springs so that respective ends of the spring engage the screw threads such that the spring is positively fixed onto the end of the support portion and the end of the support member to hold the support portion and the support member in generally aligned position with flexibility between the support portion and the support member being provided by lateral flexing of the spring, the attachment member comprising a bracket including an apertured plate for direct attachment to a support surface, and a driver member having a lower face defining an annular slot therein for receivingthe screw thread portion of the attachment member within the annular slot and an abutment surface at an upper end thereof for driving by an impact tool.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002048730A CA2048730C (en) | 1991-08-08 | 1991-08-08 | Ground marker |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002048730A CA2048730C (en) | 1991-08-08 | 1991-08-08 | Ground marker |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2048730A1 CA2048730A1 (en) | 1993-02-09 |
| CA2048730C true CA2048730C (en) | 1995-10-03 |
Family
ID=4148149
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002048730A Expired - Fee Related CA2048730C (en) | 1991-08-08 | 1991-08-08 | Ground marker |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2048730C (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-08-08 CA CA002048730A patent/CA2048730C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2048730A1 (en) | 1993-02-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |