US3871536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground pipe warning and identification system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-19
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-12-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use in conjunction with excavating machinery includes a warning and identification circuit for locating underground pipes and having a first indicator signalling the inuse status of the circuit, a warning lamp and a warning horn selectively actuated in response to the physical contacting of the tool portion of the excavating machine with an underground pipe, a selector switch operable to classify the type of pipe which has been contacted, a disabling circuit for automatically interrupting operation of the excavating machine upon contact with the pipe, a by-pass switch for deactivating the disabling circuit but not the audible and visual warning features of the system, a sensory line for connection to an electrical grounding system for use when excavating in an area having active underground conduits, which are themselves connected to an electrical grounding system, to enable machine shut down or the generation of a warning signal upon contact between the tool and one of the active conduits regardless of the distance between the electrical grounding systems, and a circuit protection element for disconnecting the warning and identification circuits in the event the tool contacts an underground high voltage line.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:05
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/26; E02F9/24; E02F9/245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S37/00; Y10S37/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; solenoid means being provided in said alarm circuit and being responsive to the contact of said tool with an underground pipe for automatically disabling the excavating apparatus; and, by-pass switch means in said alarm circuit with the solenoid means for selectively deactivating said solenoid means while maintaining active the alarm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; solenoid means being provided in said alarm circuit and being responsive to the contact of said tool with an underground pipe for automatically disabling the excavating apparatus; and, by-pass switch means in said alarm circuit with the solenoid means for selectively deactivating said solenoid means while maintaining active the alarm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one Side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; and, protective means for said alarm circuit to indicate contact between said tool and an underground high voltage source and to interrupt any high current surge from such source to the alarm circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one Side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; and, protective means for said alarm circuit to indicate contact between said tool and an underground high voltage source and to interrupt any high current surge from such source to the alarm circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
233 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; and, said plurality of sensor means including a single sensory line connecting said alarm circuit to an electrical grounding system whereby contact between said tool and any active underground pipe which is also connected to an electrical grounding system will activate the alarm means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
233 words
A warning system for an excavating apparatus having an electrically conductive tool, comprising: means connecting said conductive tool to a point of reference potential and to one side of a source of operating potential; input means adapted to be connected with the other side of said source of operating potential; an alarm circuit connected with said input means and having an input terminal and comprising alarm means, said alarm means being responsive to the receipt of a generating signal on said input terminal to establish a perceptible warning signal; a plurality of sensor means in said alarm circuit, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a plurality of underground pipes at points above ground level and to said alarm means; switch means initially in a position for completing the alarm circuit whenever a particular one of said pipes is contacted by said tool whereby said alarm means is actuated and then being selectively operable to connect only the contacted one of said pipes with its respective sensor means with said alarm means so that the particular underground pipe contacted by said tool may be readily identified; and, said plurality of sensor means including a single sensory line connecting said alarm circuit to an electrical grounding system whereby contact between said tool and any active underground pipe which is also connected to an electrical grounding system will activate the alarm means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |