GB2480868A

GB2480868A - Forming character elements on an information plate of a survey marker

Info

Publication number: GB2480868A
Application number: GB1009377A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Garlick
Original assignee: DATA ON SITE Ltd
Current assignee: DATA ON SITE Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-04
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2011-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-04
Also published as: GB201009377D0; GB2480868B

Abstract

A survey marker such as a stake or spike 22 includes an information plate 6. A surface of the information plate 6 remains exposed when the plate is installed on the survey marker 22. The surface has one or more character elements (10,figure 1) located therein, the character elements being readable on the exposed surface. Each character element (10,figure 1) extends into the information plate below the surface such that information displayed on the surface of the information plate is resistant to damage or removal, for example by abrasion or erosion. The character elements (48,figures 4 and 5) may be provided separately to the information plate (40,figure 4), and may be mountable on the information plate to display the desired survey data.

Description

AN IDENTIFICATION PLATE AND A SURVEY MARKER COMPRISING THE SAME

The present invention relates to an identification plate, in particular to an identification plate that is used in a survey marker. The invention further relates to a survey marker comprising the same.

Survey markers are widely used for a range of different purposes. The primary use of survey markers is during a survey, to record information relevant to a particular point on the surface of the earth. The markers may be temporary or may be installed permanently. A typical survey marker comprises a stake, spike or the like for extending into the ground and locating the marker at the desired point. The information to be recorded on the survey marker is typically provided on an identification plate attached to the top of the stake or spike. An example of a survey marker is described in WO 2008/000533.

It is often the case that survey markers placed in the ground during a survey of a plot of land remain for a considerable length of time, even in the case of temporary markers. The surveyor conducting the survey records the appropriate information relevant to the point on the land on the information plate and the plate is attached to the survey marker. Typically, the information plate is provided with a flat portion, on which the surveyor writes the relevant information with a pen. However, over time, the information recorded on the survey marker is frequently lost. As a result, persons returning to the survey marker to locate and use the relevant information are unable to read some or all of the information originally recorded at the site.

JP 7151548 describes a survey marker having a plate on which information may be recorded. The information is recorded on the plate by means of character Se.... 30 blocks, that are secured in a groove on the surface of the plate. Each character block comprises a surface bearing one or more characters. The selected blocks are driven into the groove or secured by means of an adhesive. The blocks appear to : . have the characters printed on a surface that remains exposed and readable when *SeS the block is installed in the groove. e

C Ce.. *I S. I

C SI.

S

While the system proposed in JP 7151548 offers some improvements over the conventional arrangement of recording information on the survey marker with a pen, there remain a number of problems. The printed characters on the blocks, while perhaps more permanent than ink from a pen, are still eroded and removed over time, in particular in the case of survey markers installed at positions exposed to sunlight, heat and rain. Further, any abrasion of the exposed surface of the character blocks will quickly remove the printed character. In addition, the need to drive the character blocks into the groove in the information plate and/or apply an adhesive does not render the system particularly easy to use in the field.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved survey marker system.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an information plate system for securing to a survey marker, the information plate system comprising: an information plate having a surface that remains exposed when the plate is installed on the survey marker; wherein the surface has one or more character elements located therein, the character elements being readable on the exposed surface; each character element extending into the information plate below the surface.

The information plate system of the present invention comprises a plurality of character elements to provide the relevant and desired survey information relating to the location of the survey marker on which the information plate system is installed.

The character elements are selected to provide the required information. In this respect, the term character elements' is a reference to elements in the shape of alpha-numeric characters and other characters required to be displayed on the exposed surface of the survey marker. The character elements provided on the . 30 information plate so as to be visible when the plate is installed on a survey marker. *�S.

The character elements are formed such that the character extends into the * .. .1* * information plate below the surface. In this way, the information displayed on the : *. surface of the information plate is resistant to damage or removal, for example by * abrasion, erosion or the like. This is in contrast to the known and conventional S..

S * .*. * . S * S

S

practices of recording information on the information plates of survey markers, as discussed above.

The character may extend from the surface into the character element any suitable depth sufficient to resist abrasion and erosion, and allow the character to remain visible at the surface. In particular, the character may extend from the surface partly or wholly through the character element, more particularly at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, still more preferably at least 40%, especially at least 60% through the character element.

The information plate may have any suitable form. In a preferred arrangement, the information plate is in the form of a substantially planar plate, suitable for mounting to a survey marker, in known manner. The plate may be of any suitable or desired shape, for example rectangular, circular or the like. Alternatively, the information plate may have any alternative form that is suitable for use with or as a survey marker and the term information plate' is to be construed accordingly. In the case that the information plate system of the present invention is to be fitted to an existing survey marker or the like, the shape of the plate may be determined in part or in whole by the shape and form of the existing survey marker.

The character elements are most preferably provided with their character in a contrasting colour to the surface of the information plate, so as to allow them to be more easily read.

The character elements may be formed integrally with the information plate.

More preferably, the character elements are provided separately from the information plate, such that the user may select the character elements required for a particular location and install them in the information plate, before or after installing the information plate on the survey marker. In particular, this allows the required **". 30 information to be applied to the information plate by way of the selection of character ***s elements on site, at or close to the intended location of the information plate and the survey marker to which it is attached. * ** * * * S...

S S.. * *. S. I

In one preferred embodiment, each character element comprises a surface member having the character formed therein and visible on a character-bearing surface thereof. The character is formed so as to extend into the surface member, below the character-bearing surface. The character element is mountable on the information plate, such that the surface member forms part of the surface of the information plate, presenting the character in a visible and readable way. The surface member of each character element may have any suitable shape.

Preferably, the surface member has substantially flat or planar character-bearing surface on which the character is formed. A plurality of character elements may be arranged and mounted on the information plate, so as to have their character-bearing surfaces substantially contiguously.

The character elements may be mountable to the information plate in any suitable way. For example, the character elements may be mounted to the information plate using an adhesive. Alternatively, the information plate may be provided with a receptacle for holding one or more character elements, the character elements being held in the receptacle using an adhesive, by being an interference fit therein or a combination of two such means.

In a preferred embodiment, the information plate is provided with a receptacle for receiving and holding a character element, with locking means being provided to retain the character element in the receptacle. The locking means may be disposed on one or both of the information plate and the character element. A particularly preferred form of locking means is to provide one of the character element and the receptacle with a detent for engaging with a portion of the other of the character element and the receptacle.

The receptacle may have any suitable shape or form, for receiving part or all of the character element. In one preferred arrangement, the receptacle is a channel formed in the information plate, into which the character element is inserted and retained by the aforementioned means. * *

: *. In one preferred embodiment, the character element is formed with a * substantially planar surface element, as described above, with one or more legs S...

SS S. *

S

extending therefrom. The or each leg of the character element engages with a receptacle in the information plate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each character element is provided with a pair of substantially parallel legs, each leg extending from an opposing edge portion of the surface element.

Most preferably, to provide locking means for holding the character element in the receptacle, the or each leg is provided with a detent thereon, the detent engaging with a portion of the receptacle in the information plate when the leg of the character element is inserted therein. The detent may be provided at any suitable location on the leg of the character element. In one preferred arrangement it is provided on a distal portion of the leg.

The information plate of the system of the present invention may be arranged to retain any suitable number of character elements. The character elements may be arranged individually or together, for example in one or more rows. Character elements with blank surfaces may be used to provide spaces between adjacent characters or to fill the available space in the information plate, as required to complete the representation of the survey data on the information plate.

As discussed above, the prior art describes an information plate for a survey marker that requires a separate character element to be driven into and/or adhered in a channel formed in the information plate. This is a particularly cumbersome operation to perform in the field and an improved manner of securing the character elements to the information plate is required. The system described above employing a detent for engaging the character element in the receptacle in the information plate has been found to be particularly advantageous, being simple and quick to use, in particular in the field at or near the location of the survey marker.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides an information plate system for securing to a survey marker, the information plate system comprising: * S an information plate having a surface that remains exposed when the plate is ,* installed on the survey marker; *5*S *** * * S* * *..

the information plate comprising a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of a character element; the character element having a surface bearing a character and being held in the receptacle by means of a detent on one of the character element and the receptacle engaging with a portion of the other of the character element and the receptacle.

Details of preferred forms for the character element and the detent are as described above.

As noted above, the information plate is provided with one or more characters on a surface thereof and mounted to a survey marker at the required location.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a survey marker system comprising an information plate as described hereinbefore and a plurality of different character elements as described hereinbefore.

In one embodiment, the survey marker system also comprises a survey marker to which the information plate may be attached. Survey markers are known in the art and are available commercially. The survey marker may comprise any suitable means for fixing the system to a particular location. In particular, it is well known in the art to secure the system to the ground using a spike or similar device driven into the ground. Suitable spikes are known in the art and can be formed from a variety of suitable materials, for example metals alloys, polymers or the like. One suitable material is glass-filled polymer.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of a survey marker system of the present invention *SS.

comprising an information plate mounted on a survey marker; * es Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the survey marker and information plate *5aS * of Figure 1 along the line II -II; S'S S.. S. *

S **s

I

Figure 3 is a plan view of an information plate according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the information plate of Figure 3 along the line IV -IV; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a character element for use with the information plate of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the character element of Figure 5 along the line VI -VI.

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a survey marker assembly, generally indicated as 2. The survey marker assembly 2 comprises a survey marker body 4 of generally conventional configuration and having an information plate 6 mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as one or more bolts, lugs, screws and the like 8. Character elements 10, bearing alpha-numeric characters, are retained in channels 12 in the information plate, as described in more detail below.

The survey marker assembly 2 is shown in vertical cross-section in Figure 2, as installed in the ground 20. The installation is of largely conventional arrangement, with the survey marker body 4 being secured to the ground 20 by a stake 22.

Turning to Figure 3, there is shown a plan view of an information plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, and indicated as 40. The information plate 40 is generally rectangular. The information plate may be formed * 30 from any suitable material, including metal or plastic. In one embodiment the information plate is formed from moulded plastic, for example a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or the like. * *i * * I a I.. a *.. * ) a a* S a Is

I

The information plate 40 comprises a generally rectangular body 42, having two channels 44 formed therein. The arrangement of channels shown in Figure 3 is merely exemplary and other arrangements with more or less channels may also be configured, as required. Each channel 44 is provided with a longitudinally extending bar 46, as shown in more detail in Figure 4. A plurality of character elements 48 are located in each channel 44. The character elements bear an alpha-numeric character or other symbol formed therein and are selected to provide the required information on the surface of the information plate 40. The channels 44 are shown in Figure 3 as being partially filled with character elements 48. In use, it would be preferred that each channel is filled with character elements 48, with spaces in the alpha-numeric information being provided by blank character elements 48a.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a single character element 48 for use in the information plate of Figures 3 and 4. The character element is shown in cross-section in Figure 6. The character element 48 comprises a generally rectangular surface member 50 having an upper surface 52 for presenting information when the character element is mounted in an information plate.

The surface member 50 has an alpha-numeric character or other symbol 54 formed therein in a material of contrasting colour, the character extending from the surface 52 into the surface member 50, as shown more clearly in Figure 6. In this way, erosion or abrasion of the upper surface 52 may occur without the character 54 being damaged or obliterated. The character element may be formed from any suitable material, including metal or plastic. In one embodiment the information plate is formed from moulded plastic, for example a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or the like. Moulding of the character element in a suitable plastic in particular allows the character to be formed in the *�*.

surface member in the way described above. * *

: 30 As shown in Figure 6, the character 54 extends from the upper surface 52 of ** *.

* the surface member 50 into the surface member. As shown, the character extends *** * partially through the surface member. The character may be formed in the surface *:::: member to extend wholly through the surface member from its upper surface to its * lower surface. **. *

A leg 56 extends from each end portion of the surface member 50. Each leg 56 is provided with a detent 60 at its distal end, the detent having a generally triangular cross-section, as also shown more clearly in Figure 6.

In use, the character element 48 is mounted to the information plate 40 by inserting the legs 56 into the channel 44, until the detent 60 engages with the lower inner edge of the channel 46, as shown in Figure 4. The character element 48 is preferably formed from a resilient material, such as a plastic, in particularly to provide resilience to the legs 56. The resilient nature of the legs 56 allows them to flex inwards towards each other, as they are inserted into the channel, and biases the detents 60 outwards, into engagement with the edge portion of the channel 44. The thickness of the legs 56 and the material from which the character element 48 is formed are selected to provide appropriate resilience to the legs to fully bias the detent 60 outwards from the character element and hold it in engagement with the lower edge portion of the channel 46.

Removal of a character element from the information plate may be achieved from the underside of the plate, as shown in Figure 4, with the detents 60 being pushed inwards to disengage from the lower edge portion of the channel 46. As will be appreciated, this is not possible with the information plate mounted to the survey marker body, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thereby preventing tampering with the survey marker after installation.

Movement of the character element into the channel is limited by the bar 46.

In this way, the surface 52 of the character element is held substantially flush with the surface of the information plate.

SI....

* . In use, a typical installation is as follows: * *. 30 * . S S...

The surveyor determines the information to be displayed on the survey * marker at a given location. The information is presented by a selection of the *:: : . appropriate character elements to display the correct alpha-numeric information or other symbols. Each character element is installed in the appropriate channel in the S.,

S

information plate. The information plate is mounted on a survey marker body and the survey marker installed in the ground in the conventional manner. Typically, the survey marker is installed in the ground, in particular by securing the survey marker body to the ground by means of the stake driven into the ground. The information plate is then attached to the survey marker body by known or suitable means.

The information plate of the present invention may be used in new survey marker installations. Alternatively, the information plate may be used to replace conventional information plates in existing survey marker installations. * * *I..

S

****** * S * S. * * S *5**

S *

S *.S* S S* SI *

S Se.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An information plate system for securing to a survey marker, the information plate system comprising: an information plate having a surface that remains exposed when the plate is installed on the survey marker; wherein the surface has one or more character elements located therein, the character elements being readable on the exposed surface; each character element extending into the information plate below the surface.
2. The information plate system according to claim 1, wherein the information plate is a substantially planar plate.
3. The information plate system according to claim 2, wherein the information plate is rectangular.
4. The information plate system according to any preceding claim, wherein the character elements are formed integrally with the information plate.
5. The information plate system according to any of claims I to 3, wherein the character elements are separate from the information plate and mountable thereon.
6. The information plate system according to claim 5, wherein each character element comprises a surface member having the character formed therein, the * **** character being visible when the character element is mounted on the information S...plate.S..... * .: * 30
7. The information plate system according to claim 6, wherein the surface member has a substantially planar surface on which the character is formed.S S... * * *S

S *5
8. The information plate system according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the information plate is provided with a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the character element.
9. The information plate system according to claim 8, wherein locking means are provided to retain the character element on the information plate.
10. The information plate system according to claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises a detent.
11. The information plate system according to claim 10, wherein the detent is formed on a portion of the character element and engages with a portion of the receptacle in the information plate when the character element is inserted therein.
12. The information plate system according to claim 11, wherein the character element is provided with a leg extending therefrom for insertion into the receptacle, the detent being provided on the leg of the character element.
13. The information plate system according to claim 12, wherein the detent is provide on the distal end portion of the leg.
14. The information plate system according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the character element is provided with two substantially parallel legs extending from opposing portions of the character element.
15. The information plate system according to any of claims 8to 14, wherein the . receptacle comprises a channel formed in the information plate.* ***** * S
16. The information plate system according to claim 15, wherein the channel is : ** 30 provided with a bar therein for limiting the movement of the character element into * the channel. *** * * S S. * S..

I
17. The information plate system according to claim 16, wherein the bar is positioned to retain the surface of the character element substantially flush with the surface of the information plate.
18. An information plate system for securing to a survey marker, the information plate system comprising: an information plate having a surface that remains exposed when the plate is installed on the survey marker; the information plate comprising a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of a character element; the character element having a surface bearing a character and being held in the receptacle by means of a detent on one of the character element and the receptacle engaging with a portion of the other of the character element and the receptacle.
19. The information plate system according to claim 18, wherein the detent is formed on a portion of the character element and engages with a portion of the receptacle in the information plate when the character element is inserted therein.
20. The information plate system according to claim 19, wherein the character element is provided with a leg extending therefrom for insertion into the receptacle, the detent being provided on the leg of the character element.
21. The information plate system according to claim 20, wherein the detent is provide on the distal end portion of the leg ".
22. The information plate system according to either of claims 20 or 21, wherein the character element is provided with two substantially parallel legs extending from opposing portions of the character element. * S. * S **
23. The information plate system according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the receptacle comprises a channel formed in the information plate. S...S S. *

S S..

I
24. The information plate system according to claim 23, wherein the channel is provided with a bar therein for limiting the movement of the character element into the channel.
25. The information plate system according to claim 24, wherein the bar is positioned to retain the surface of the character element substantially flush with the surface of the information plate.
26. A survey marker system comprising an information plate according to any preceding claim and a plurality of character elements.
27. The survey marker system of claim 26, further comprising a survey marker body to which the information plate may be mounted.
28. The survey marker system of either of claims 26 or 27, further comprising a stake or spike for securing the survey marker body to the ground.
29. Use of an information plate system according to any of claims I to 25 or a survey marker system according to any of claims 26 to 28 in a survey.
30. A method of conducting a survey comprising securing an information plate system according to any of claims I to 25 to a survey marker body.
31. An information plate system substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of Figures 1 to 6..
32. A survey marker system substantially as hereinbefore described having **** reference to any of Figures 1 to 6.*.. *.. * *: *. 30
33. A method of conducting a survey substantially as herein before described S..* having referencetoanyof Figures 1 to6. S... * S. S. *S S..Amendment to the claims have been filed as followsCLAMS-An nformaton olate s stern for sec:urn to a survey marker the nformatk:ri rdate system COm1rSiflQ r ntorm$Uon pate havno a sunace that remains expcsed when. the pt; !s nsta;ed on the s:rvev narkc-r wher&n the surface has one or more character eements ocatci ihoren the character &eme:nts h&nq readab'e on the: exposed sn'ace: each character eemer.t extendTha rio the n!c'nraton oate oecw ir'e surtace IC) ana b&rig separate from the format!on pftte and rncuritabe therson; the n'ormaton paa further c:oniDnsrgarecepac;e for reevnq afleast a orUor of th& ch.racter &ement and whersirt Joc.kUig niean are pmvded to retain The character eenient on the informaton pate.1 5 2 The nformaflon pate system acc:ordtng tc caim I whereri the ntormation r cftte *s a SubRtint.fflv p9nar oate. r3. The nibmaUon pate system according to dam 2, wheeTh the nfcrmat;on pate s rectanguar.$ The informauor ate system accorthnu tc ny Drecethrq cairn, w?'erer: the character &errnts as formed integray wih the nformaUnr o?ate.The ntormaton pate systcm accorthng to any r'recedng dan, vYhE;fl53fl each charcter ekrnent comrses surface member having the char3cter ftrrned theren the craracter b&ng vsb!e when the cha acter eemeru s mounted on�^ the nformat.on nate.6, The Thformaton pate system accorthng to dam 5, wher&n the surface member has a suhstantafly pJarwr surface on which the character s formed.f The ncrrnatoq pate sister accorthng to any YCJflç carr wicr"r tie bckng means corn pdses a detent.8. The information plate system according to claim 7. wherein the detent is formed on a portion of the character element and engages with a portion of the receptacle in the information plate when the character element is inserted therein.9, The information plate system according to claim 8. wherein the character element is provided with a leg extending therefrom for insertion into the receptacle, the detent being provided on the leg of the character element.The information plate system according to claim 9, wherein the detent is provided on the chstal end portion of the leg..11. The information plate system according to either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the character element is provided with two substantially parallel legs extendng from opposing portions of the character element r r 12. The information plate system accoraing to eny preceding claim, wnerein the receptacle comprises a channel formed in the information plate.13. The information plate system according to olaim 12, wherein the channel is provided with a bar therein for limiting the movement of the character element into the channel.14. The information plate system according to caim 13, wherein the bar is positioned to retain the surface of the character element substantially flush with the surface of the information plate.15. A survey marker system comprising an information plate according to any preceding claim and a plurality of character elements.16. The survey marker system of claim 15. further comprising a survey marker body to which the information plate may be mounted.17 The survey marker system of either of claims 15 or 16, further comprising a stake or spike for securing the survey marker body to the ground.18. Use of an information plate system according to any of claims I to 14 or a survey marker system. according to any of claims 15 to 17 in a survey.19. A method of conducting a survey comprising securing an information plate system according to any of claims I to 14 to a survey markerbody.20. An information plate system substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of Figures 1 to 6.21 A survey marker system substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of Figures 1 to 6.22. A method of conducting a survey substantially as hereinbefore described IC hv nq refernco to an of igt r s to 6 r r Co 0*) r