Patent ID: 8065856

Claim:
A marker installation system, comprising: at least one marker for marking a ground surface, the marker comprising a shaft, the shaft having a bottom end and a top end, the shaft including an insertion portion for insertion into the ground, the insertion portion being located at the bottom end of the shaft, the shaft including a mast portion for extending above the ground surface when the insertion portion is at least partially inserted into the ground, the shaft including an engagement portion located between the insertion portion and the mast portion, the engagement portion being configured to resist further insertion of the shaft into the ground beyond the insertion portion; and a marker installation apparatus for inserting the at least one marker into a ground surface, the apparatus comprising: a magazine assembly defining a magazine space in which the at least one marker is positioned, the magazine space having a push position in the magazine space for receiving the at least one marker; and a push assembly mounted on the magazine assembly, the push assembly engaging the engagement portion of the shaft of the at least one marker when the marker is located in the push position, the push assembly pushing the marker from the push position of the magazine assembly when the push assembly is actuated; wherein an axis of the engagement portion of the at least one marker is oriented at a non-zero angle to an axis of the insertion portion; and wherein the angle measures between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees.