Patent Publication Number: US-2023138628-A1

Title: Geographical marker system

Description:
FIELD OF ART 
     The present invention relates to a device for marking a boundary. The present invention more particularly relates to geographical marker systems with external markings, a storage capsule inside, and electronic means of communication with persons in proximity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some geographical features, such as golf courses, require geographical marker systems to indicate where a golfer has hit a ball out of bounds. Such markers may be typically mundane purely functional items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, the invention provides an apparatus and an electronic communications subsystem. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an elongated vertical housing of rectangular cross section that snap-fits to a flat square base plate having a cruciform spike extending from the underside of the base plate for securing the geographical marker system to the ground. Three of the four sides of the housing are configured to receive snap-fit panel inserts bearing text and/or images. The sides of the housing may support snap fit panels bearing a trademark, logo, or other visual messages. A truncated pyramidal cap sits atop the housing. The interior of the housing has a cruciform support just above the base plate for structural stability and for supporting a cylindrical container within the housing. The cap includes internal cross bars for structural stability. The cylindrical container may be used for a variety of purposes, such as a time capsule, trinkets, emergency supplies, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes means for enabling electronic communication. The electronic communications subsystem may be provided on the exterior of the housing or snap-fit panel insert in the form of QR codes or URLs that may be used by smart phones to access web pages with further information and that may receive communication from the smart phone user. The electronic communications subsystem may be provided inside the housing, including inside the cylindrical container cap, in the form of passive electronic chips, such as (without limitation) RFID chips that can be interrogated by a custom application loaded on a smart phone. The electronic communications subsystem may be provided inside the housing in the form of active electronic chips that emit signals that can be received by a custom application on a smartphone. 
     Uses for the invention include, without limitation, boundary markers on golf courses, trail markers, memorials, geocaching with electronic logbooks, private property boundary markers, tributes, tour markers, cross country markers, and the like. The housing and snap-fit panel inserts may be colored as appropriate for a particular use. For example, in various embodiments camouflage, bright primary colors, heraldry or emblematic colors, and the like may suffice. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a geographical marker system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the front side of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the left-hand side of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the left-hand side of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A  and defining cross section AA, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 D  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the rear side of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 E  is a cross section view illustrating the cross section AA of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A  and defining section B, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 F  is a cross section view illustrating the section B of the exemplary embodiment geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view illustrating a baseplate of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the baseplate of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the first exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the first exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 C  is a side perspective wire frame view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 D  is a top wire frame view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 E  is a bottom plan view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a cruciform support of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a top plan view illustrating the cruciform support of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the cruciform support of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 D  is a perspective view illustrating the cruciform support of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic view illustrating exemplary electronic communications of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used and defined herein, the term “cylindrical” refers to cylinders of any cross section, including polygons, conic sections, and irregular cross sections. As used and defined herein, the terms “top”, bottom”, “side”, and other terms of orientation, refer to the geographical marker  100  in its operational orientation, as shown in  FIG.  1 A . 
       FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a geographical marker system  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Housing  102  is exemplified as a cylinder having a square cross section. In various other embodiments, various respective cross-sectional shapes may be used including, without limitation, regular and irregular polygonal shapes, conic section shapes, and irregular shapes. Preferably, housing  102  is made from a material that is transparent to radio frequencies. In a particular embodiment, housing  102  may be tapered upwardly. Housing  102  is supported by base plate  104  and is connected to base plate  104  by snap fittings  114  (one labeled of two visible of four snap fittings). Baseplate  104  has a cruciform spike  106  extending downwardly from the underside surface  124  of baseplate  104 . The spike  106  is used to secure the geographical marker system  100  to the ground. 
     Housing  102  has a rear side  108 , which is plain except for a snap fitting  114 , and a left-hand side  110  which contains a snap-in panel  112 . The snap-in panel  112  is preferably decorated via engraving, embossment, painting, or other visible means to display names, messages, snarky comments, memorials, etc. The top portion of left-hand side  110  preferably has a trademark, logo, or other identifying information displayed thereon. A truncated pyramidal cap  116  closes off the top of the housing  102 . In some embodiments, the cap  116  may not be truncated. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a top plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Plain rear side  108  is shown along with left side snap-in panel  112 , front snap-in panel  118 , and righthand side snap in panel  118 . The top surface  122  of baseplate  104  may be free of decoration. 
       FIG.  1 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cruciform spike  106  extends from the bottom surface  124  of baseplate  104 . Bottom portion of snap fittings  114  (one of four labeled) can be seen. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the front side  202  of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Front side  202  preferably supports decoration, a snap fitting  114 , and a snap-in panel  118 . Snap-in panel  118  is similar in purpose to snap-in panel  112 . Spike  106  is shown to have a narrow break-away section  206  to facilitate removal from the ground. In some embodiments, spike  106  may be releasably attached to base plate  104 , making removal even easier. 
       FIG.  2 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the righthand side  204  of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Righthand side  204  preferably supports decoration, a snap fitting  114 , and a snap-in panel  120 . Snap-in panel  120  is similar in purpose to snap-in panel  112 . 
       FIG.  2 C  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the left-hand side  110  of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A  and defining cross section AA, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Left side  110  preferably supports decoration, a snap fitting  114 , and a snap-in panel  112 , as described above. Section AA is an upward-looking view showing the interior of the geographical marker system  100  in  FIG.  2 E . 
       FIG.  2 D  is a side elevation view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the rear side  108  of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Rear side  108  may, in some embodiments, be decorated. For example, when used on a golf course, the entire housing  102  may have a green background color. For further example, in a geocaching marker, it may have a camouflage coloration over all. 
       FIG.  2 E  is a cross section view illustrating the crosssection AA of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A  and defining section B, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Housing  102  supports snap-in panels  112 ,  118 , and  120  on sides  110 ,  202 , and  204 , respectively. Snap-in panel  112 , for example, has an acutely angled edge  216  and an opposing rounded edge  218 , Acutely angled edge is initially inserted into acutely angled cavity  212 . The rounded edge  218  is then snapped into round cavity  214  to secure the panel  112  to the side  110 . Cruciform support  208  rests on baseplate  104  and supports cylindrical container  220  on its bottom flat side  222 . Upper cruciform support  210  is part of the cap  116 , thereby assisting in the structural stability of the housing  102  and securing the cylindrical container  220  in place. 
       FIG.  2 F  is a cross section view illustrating the section B of the exemplary embodiment geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The acutely angled edge  216  and cavity  212  can be seen in more detail, as can rounded edge  218  and rounded cavity  214 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view illustrating a baseplate  104  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Snap fittings  114  (one of four labeled) can best be seen in this view. In some embodiments, other types of fasteners may be used. For example, screw or bolt fittings may substitute for snap fittings  114 . In some embodiments, the spike  106  may be tapered. 
       FIG.  3 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the baseplate  104  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Snap fittings  114  are preferably made of resilient plastic, whereas the baseplate  104  is preferably made of steel. In some embodiments, baseplate  104  may be made of hard plastic, composite, or other materials of similar hardness and weather resistance. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical container  220  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cylindrical container  220  has a snap-fit, zero-relief snap-in cap  402 . 
       FIG.  4 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the first exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  220  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cylindrical container  220  preferably has no radial extensions. In various other embodiments, respective other various cylindrical cross sections may suffice. For example and without limitation, cylinders having regular or irregular polygonal cross sectional shapes, conic section cross sectional shapes, and irregular shapes may be used. 
       FIG.  4 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the first exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  220  of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cap  402  is not meant to be easily removed by hand. 
       FIG.  5 A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical container  502  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cylindrical container  502  has a shoulder  518 , a neck  512 , a threaded closure  504 , a seal  508 , a threaded cap  506 , and a passive communication chip  510 , such as an RFID chip  510  secured between the seal  508  and the cap  506 . Cylindrical container  502  has a rounded bottom edge  514 . The passive communication chip  510  runs off antenna-gathered energy from an outside interrogating source such as a cell phone. The passive communication chip  510  can provide the interrogator with information such as a name, a URL, contact information, etc. In some embodiments, other communication strategies may be used, including active communication chips, QR codes or URLs on the snap-in panels  112 ,  118 , and  120 ; housing sides  108 ,  110 ,  202 , and  204 ; or cap  116 , etc. 
       FIG.  5 B  is a side elevation view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  502  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cylindrical container  502  has a flat central bottom surface  516 . 
       FIG.  5 C  is a side perspective wire frame view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  502  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flat central bottom surface  516  can be better seen in this view. 
       FIG.  5 D  is a top wire frame view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  502  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Passive communication chip  510  rests on a non-metallic portion  520  of the seal  508 . 
       FIG.  5 E  is a bottom plan view illustrating the second exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical container  502  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flat bottom  516  rests upon cruciform support  208  within housing  102  (see  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D ). 
       FIG.  6 A  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a cruciform support  208  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The top outer corners of the four wings of the cruciform support  208  are beveled  604 . Triangular horizontal support panels  606  (one labeled of two visible of four) brace the four wings apart, two by two. Passive communications chip  510  is shown in an alternate location on a triangular horizontal support panel  606 . 
       FIG.  6 B  is a top plan view illustrating the cruciform support  208  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Passive communications chip  510  is shown also secured to a wing of the cruciform support  208 . 
       FIG.  6 C  is a bottom plan view illustrating the cruciform support  208  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system  100  of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Triangular horizontal support panels  606  (one labeled of four) can be best seen in this view. 
       FIG.  6 D  is a perspective view illustrating the cruciform support of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1   , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Top surface  606  of cruciform support  208  supports the cylindrical container  220  or  502 . 
       FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic view illustrating exemplary electronic communications  900  of the exemplary embodiment of the geographical marker system of  FIG.  1 A , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A remote electronic communications device  902  is illustrated as a smart cellular telephone  902  as a non-limiting example. Remote electronic communications device  902  has a specialized application  904  for interrogating passive communication chip  510  and receiving information therefrom. The information retrieved may lead to additional information sources, such as an internet web page or a database within the specialized application  904 . The electronic communications device  902  has an application  916  for reading QR codes such as QR code  906  and to connect to an informational and/or interactive web page via the internet  914 . Electronic communications device  902  has an internet browser application  918  which can accept a URL such as URL  908  and connect to an informational and/or interactive web page on the internet  914 . Application  920  is specialized for communication with an active communications device  922  within the housing  102 . In some embodiments, application  920  may be included in specialized application  904 . 
     The following claims include some functional claiming and contain no statements of intended use.