Abstract:
The post system of the present invention is formed from a cap and a base. The cap sits flush with the ground while the base system extends into the ground towards the underground hazard. The cap is removable to access a tracer station or similarly-mounted integrated steel plate. The cap includes a superior disk, a cap housing, and a locking mechanism. The base includes an anchor system and two telescoping assemblies nested within the base so as to raise the test station or steel plate above ground level.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/761,043, filed Feb. 5, 2013 entitled “HIDEOUT UTILITY TEST STATION AND MARKER,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to marker posts and more specifically to a marker post disposed below the ground with a top metal plate that is easily locatable, and a removable cap that provides access to a tracer station. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditionally, marker posts are used to place as an above the ground warning that an underground pipe or electric line is buried in the soil. The marker post must be somewhat visually and physically unobtrusive, yet be able to warn a person that an underground utility exists at the particularly marked location. In addition, the marker post must be able to withstand the environment for an extended period of time. The marker post should also be able to remain embedded at the location of the underground utility in order to continue to convey a warning message of the existence of an underground hazard to those who may be in the proximity of the underground hazard. 
     One problem with traditional marker posts is that once embedded, those marker posts stand a good chance of being up-lifted due to a variety of reasons such as by individuals who are in the proximity of the marker post or by nature, such as due to severely windy storms. In addition there is a need for a marker that contains a tracer or test station. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention substantially addresses the aforementioned needs of the industry. The post system of the present invention is formed from a cap and a base. The cap sits flush with the ground while base system extends into the ground towards the underground hazard. The cap is removable to access a tracer station or similarly-mounted integrated steel plate. The cap includes a superior disk, a cap housing, and a locking mechanism. The base includes an anchor system and two telescoping assemblies nested within the base so as to raise the test station or steel plate above ground level. 
     The superior disk includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a lip, a first aperture, and second apertures. It should be understood that the superior disk can be customized, as required by application, including shape, or thickness. The superior disk can embody a circular, oval, or other closed curve shape. The superior disk can embody a triangular, square, or other polygonal shape. The superior disk can embody a variety of profiles including flat, concavo-convex, a convex-convex, or a concavo-concave shape. In addition, the top surface of the superior disk can be customized to include proper labeling for applications including but not limited to use of the post system with water, gas, and fiber optic utilities. The first aperture of the superior disk can be used for operably coupling the locking mechanism. The second apertures of the superior disk can be used for operably coupling the superior cap to the receiving disk. 
     The cap housing includes a receiving disk and a casing. The receiving disk includes a first aperture and second apertures. It should be understood that the receiving disk can be customized, as required, including, shape or thickness. The receiving disk can embody a circular, oval, or other closed curve shape. The receiving disk can embody a triangular, square, or other polygonal shape. The receiving disk can embody a variety of profiles including flat, concavo-convex, a convex-convex, or a concavo-concave shape. The first aperture of the receiving disk can be used for operably coupling the locking mechanism. The second apertures of the receiving disk can be used for operably coupling the receiving disk to the superior disk. The casing may be customized to embody a closed curve, or polygon tube structure. 
     It is further envisioned that the receiving disk and the superior disk could be a singular unit disk molded on to the casing unit. A warning label could then be affixed to the uppermost surface of the disk. 
     The locking mechanism includes a bolt and a locking assembly. It should be understood that the locking assembly can be customized as required depending upon application. The bolt of the locking mechanism may be any standard bolt suitable for use with the cap of the post system. The locking assembly can include a first washer, a first nut, a second washer, a locking arm, and a final nut. In assembly the cap of the bolt rests upon the top surface of the superior disk, with the thread portion of the bolt extended downward into the casing. The washers, nuts, and locking arm may then be assembled onto the bolt. 
     The base includes a base housing, an anchor, a first internal telescoping arm, and a second internal telescoping arm. The base housing, first internal telescoping arm, and second internal telescoping arm may be customized, as required by application, to embody a closed curve, or polygon tube structure. The cap fits about the top end of the base unit thus sealing off the interior passage of the base from the elements. 
     The base housing includes a lower internal stop, anchoring wings, and an aperture. The lower internal stop acts as a catch or safety that prevents the internal telescoping arms from sliding out of the bottom of the housing. The base housing may include an upper internal lip or stop that acts as a catch or safety that prevents the internal telescoping arms from sliding out of the top of the housing. The anchoring wings act as a security feature for the post system. In use the anchoring wings are hinged to the housing at the bottom of the wing and extend outward from the housing. When the housing is pulled upwards the anchoring wings engage the surrounding environment and prevent removal of the post system. It should be understood that the anchoring wings may be of any shape or form as the application may require. The aperture of the base housing allows the locking arm of the locking mechanism to pass through the base thereby securing the cap to the base. 
     The first internal telescoping arm include may include a lower internal stop, a lower external lip, and an upper internal lip. The lower internal stop acts as a catch or safety that prevents the second internal telescoping arms from sliding out of the bottom of the housing. Alternatively, the base housing lower internal stop may act as a catch of safety for the second internal telescoping arm as well. There may also be a lower external lip that acts as a catch or safety that prevents the internal telescoping arms from sliding out of the top of the housing. The upper internal lip acts as a catch or safety that prevents the second internal telescoping arm from sliding out of the top of the housing. 
     The first internal telescoping arm may be of two piece construction having a first element with a smaller perimeter than the second element, i.e. in a wedding cake design. Conversely, the first internal telescoping arm may be a single molded piece. 
     The second internal telescoping arm sits within the first internal telescoping arm. The second internal telescoping arm includes a terminal board and anchoring holes. It may also include a lower external lip that acts as a catch or safety that prevents the internal telescoping arms from sliding out of the top of the housing. The terminal or tracer board functions as a location where the user may anchor, as an example, tracer wires for underground utilities by way of the anchoring holes. 
     In use, the post system described herein allows the user access to the tracer lines of underground utilities for testing continuity and integrity of the utilities. The cap is removed by loosening a fastener which rotates the lock mechanism. The cap is then removed from the housing. The tracer board or steel plate can be lifted axially from the housing due to the telescoping arms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of post system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the post system. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the base of the post system. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the interior of the base housing and telescoping arms, of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cap. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the lock bolt, the receiving disk and the superior disk of the cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a locking mechanism of a cap, of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the housing base with cap attached, of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the internal telescoping arms with cap removed. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the internal telescoping arms. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present invention placed in the ground. 
     
    
    
     While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a post system  100  comprises, in an embodiment, cap  102  and base  104 , wherein cap  102  operably couples to base  104 . In an embodiment, cap  102  generally comprises superior disk  106 , cap housing  108 , and a locking mechanism  110 . Superior disk  106  includes aperture  112  configured to operably couple locking mechanism  110 . Superior disk  106  further comprises one or more apertures  114  for operably coupling superior disk  106  to cap housing  108 . Superior disk  106  further comprises top surface  116  wherein top surface  116  can comprise any suitable contour, including, but not limited to, the central portion of top surface  116  being superior to, or inferior to, the outer portion of top surface  116  creating a concave or convex disk. Superior disk  106  further comprises bottom surface  118 , wherein bottom surface  118  can comprise any suitable contour, including, but not limited to, the central portion of bottom surface  118  being superior to, or inferior to, the outer portion of bottom surface  118  creating a concave or convex disk. In an embodiment bottom surface  118  is flat. In another embodiment, bottom surface  118  matches top surface  116 . 
     Superior disk  106  further comprises lip  120  wherein lip  120  can embody any suitable height and may be in any suitable form such that superior disk  106  can comprise a disc of varying thickness, depending on the application or embodiment. In an embodiment, lip  120  is a closed curve wherein superior disk  106  forms a circular, oval, or other like disk. In a further embodiment lip  120  is a polygon wherein disk  106  forms a triangle, square, rectangle, or other like disk. 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cap housing  108  comprises receiving disk  122  and casing  124 , wherein receiving disk  122  is configured to receive superior disk  106 , and casing  124  is configured to receive elements of base  104 . In an embodiment, receiving disk  122  can include an aperture configured to operably couple locking mechanism  110 . Receiving disk  122  further comprises one or more openings  125  configured to operably couple cap housing  108  to superior disk  106 . Receiving disk  122  further comprises top surface  127  wherein top surface  127  can comprise any suitable contour, including, but not limited to, the central portion of top surface  127  being superior to, or inferior to, the outer portion of top surface  127  creating a concave or convex disk. Receiving disk  122  further comprises bottom surface  126 , wherein bottom surface  126  can comprise any suitable contour, including, but not limited to, the central portion of bottom surface  126  being superior to, or inferior to, the outer portion of bottom surface  126  creating a concave or convex disk. In an embodiment, bottom surface  126  is flat. In a further embodiment, bottom surface  126  matches top surface  127 . 
     Receiving disk  122  further comprises lip  128  wherein lip  128  can comprise any suitable height and may be in any suitable form. In an embodiment lip  128  is a closed curve wherein receiving disk  122  forms a circular or other like disk. In a further embodiment lip  128  is a polygon wherein superior disk  106  forms a triangle, square, rectangle, or other like disk. In an embodiment, surfaces  118 ,  127 , and  128  are flat. 
     Casing  124  comprises aperture  136 , and channel  140 . Aperture  136  is configured to receive locking arm  150 . In an embodiment casing  124  is a closed curve wherein casing  124  forms a circular, oval, or other like tube. In a further embodiment casing  124  is a polygon wherein casing  124  forms a triangular, square, rectangular, or other like tube. The circumference, in the case of a closed curve, or the perimeter, in the case of a polygon, of casing  124  is such that channel  140  configured to receive components of base  104 , as will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , locking mechanism  110  comprises bolt  142 , bolt cap  143 , washer  144 , nut  146 , washer  148 , locking arm  150 , and nut  152 . Locking mechanism  110  is assembled by passing bolt  142  through aperture  112  and the aperture of receiving disk  122  so that bolt cap  143  rests of top surface  116 . Washer  144  is then placed onto bolt  142 , followed by nut  146 , washer  148 , locking arm  150 , and finally nut  152 . Locking mechanism  110  is configured to allow a user to fasten cap  102  to base  104  by allowing user to manipulate or turn bolt cap  143  thereby causing locking arm  150  to pass through aperture  136  and aperture of base  104 , as will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , locking mechanism  110  comprises bolt  142  (not shown), bolt cap  143 , washer  144 , nut  146 , washer  148 , locking arm  150 , and nut  152 . Locking mechanism  110  is assembled by passing bolt  142  through aperture  112  and the aperture of receiving disk  122  so that bolt cap  143  rests of top surface  116 . Washer  144  is then placed onto bolt  142 , followed by nut  146 , washer  148 , locking arm  150 , and finally bolt  152 . Locking mechanism  110  is configured to allow a user to fasten cap  102  to base  104  by allowing user to manipulate or turn bolt cap  143  thereby causing locking arm  150  to pass through aperture  136  and aperture of base  104 , as will be described. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 8-10 , base  104  generally comprises base housing  154 , first internal telescoping arm  162 , and second internal telescoping arm  170 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , in an embodiment base housing  154  can comprise aperture  155 , anchoring wings  156 , channel  158 , and aperture  163 . Aperture  155  is configured to accept locking arm  150  when post system  100  is locked. Anchoring wings  156  are elements of base housing  154  articulated at joint  157  and free of base housing  154  throughout their perimeter  161 , so that anchoring wings  156  are rotated distal to housing  154 . When in use, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , anchoring wings  156  function as a security feature and are configured to prevent post system  100  from being pulled from the ground. As post system  100  is pulled in an upward direction using, as an example, cap  102 , anchoring wings  156  engage their surrounding, as an example, soil, and prevent post system  100  from being pulled from the environment in which post system  100  has been installed. Though depicted as curved in  FIG. 5  anchoring wings  156  can comprise any suitable shape or configuration depending upon the application or use of post system  100 . Base housing  154  may also include access holes  190  for tracer wire or utilities. 
     Channel  158  is configured to accept first internal telescoping arm  162 . Lower internal stop  159  is internal to housing  154 . In an embodiment lower internal stop  159  may be a single flange or other protuberance that partially block aperture  163 . In the alternative, internal stop  159  maybe a lip that runs the circumference, in the case of a closed curve, of aperture  163 . Lower internal stop  159  is configured to provide a stop for first internal telescoping arm  162  so that when installed or in transport first internal telescoping arm  162  will not slide through aperture  163 . It is envisioned that other stops could be inserted into aperture  163  to prevent internal telescoping arms from being removed out of the top of the base housing. 
     In an embodiment, base housing  154  is a closed curve wherein base housing  154  forms a circular, oval, or other like tube. In a further embodiment housing  154  is a polygon wherein housing  154  forms a triangular, square, rectangular, or other like tube. The circumference, in the case of a closed curve, or the perimeter, in the case of a polygon, of housing  154  is such that channel  158  is configured to receive first internal telescoping arm  162 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , first internal telescoping arm  162  includes channel  165 , lower section  164 , and upper section  166 . 
     In an embodiment, first internal telescoping arm  162  is a closed curve wherein first internal telescoping arm  162  forms a circular, oval, or other like tube. In a further embodiment first internal telescoping arm  162  is a polygon wherein first internal telescoping arm  162  forms a triangular, square, rectangular, or other like tube. In an embodiment the circumference, in the case of a closed curve,  162  is such that channel  165  is configured to accept second internal telescoping arm  170 . In another embodiment the perimeter, in the case of a polygon, of first internal telescoping arm  162  is such that channel  165  is configured to accept second internal telescoping arm  170 . Lower section  164  is fastened to upper section  166 . Lower section  164  has a greater cross sectional area then upper section  166  so that there is a staggered outside dimension to first internal telescoping arm  162 . 
     Second internal telescoping arm  170  in includes channel  173 , terminal board  174 , and anchoring slots  176 . Second internal telescoping arm  170  slidingly engages first internal telescoping arm  162 . Second internal telescoping arm  170  is disposed within channel  165  of the first internal telescoping arm. 
     In an embodiment, terminal board  174  is mounted to second internal telescoping arm  170  at a first end and extends axially from second internal telescoping arm  170 . In an embodiment, terminal board  174  is an exposed internal flat, in the case of a polygon, surface of second internal telescoping arm  170  wherein anchoring slots  176  are located. Anchoring slots  176  serve to provide a location for connecting, in one embodiment, a tracer wire to terminal board  174 , and may be in any shape or diameter depending on the application or embodiment. 
     In an embodiment, second internal telescoping arm  170  is a closed curve wherein internal second internal telescoping arm  170  forms a circular, oval, or other like tube. In a further embodiment first internal telescoping arm  162  is a polygon wherein second internal telescoping arm  170  forms a triangular, square, rectangular, or other like tube. The circumference, in the case of a closed curve, is such that channel  165  is configured to accept second internal telescoping arm  170 . The perimeter, in the case of a polygon, of second internal telescoping arm  170  is such that channel  165  is configured to accept second internal telescoping arm  170 . 
     In operation, assembly of post system  100  can comprise, inserting first internal telescoping arm  162  into aperture  155  of base housing  154 , inserting second internal telescoping arm  170  into aperture  167  of first internal telescoping arm  162  thereby forming base  104 , operably coupling superior disk  102  to receiving disk  122 , operably coupling internal locking mechanism  110  to superior disk  102  and receiving disk  122  thereby forming cap  102 , and operably coupling cap  102  to base  104  wherein base  124  of cap  102  is inserted into aperture  155  of base housing  154  thereby forming post system  100 . 
     In operation, installation of post system  100  can comprise, forming a void by, as an example, digging hole in the ground, inserting base  104  into the void, securing base  104  within the void by, as an example, packing dirt around base  104 , coupling cap  102  to base  104  as described above, and locking cap  102  to base  104  as described above.