CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/403,471 filed on September 2, 2022. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present technology includes processes and articles of manufacture that relate to an open hole marker for an open construction or maintenance hole, including a marker device configured as a two-piece storable open hole cover.

INTRODUCTION

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] During construction and maintenance projects, service holes may pose hazards to on site workers from slips, trips, and falls. Unprotected holes and openings may contribute to falls and injuries. Even shallow holes may cause serious injuries. During construction and maintenance, it is important that these holes and openings are properly covered to prevent accidents and injuries. Working near unguarded holes and openings on a walking or working surface may significantly increase the risk of falls.

[0005] A hole cover may provide the necessary protection to mitigate the hazard of an open hole. A labeled hole cover may reduce the risk of falling through a hole or opening in the walking and/or working surface. Properly constructed and installed hole covers may provide a physical barrier which prevents workers and materials from falling through a hole. In particular, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States (OSHA) may require that a construction or maintenance hole be covered.

[0006] Current methods of covering and marking a construction or maintenance hole may include placing a piece of plywood over the hole or marking the hole with T-posts wrapped in fencing with a warning sign. However, the plywood may weaken and/or bend or warp as it is exposed to weather and the fencing may become frayed and break or blow away. Additionally, it may take considerable time to both set up and tear down the cover, T-posts, and fencing. Moreover, the materials may not be able to be reused as the materials weather, weaken, and become damaged. In addition, the T-posts and fencing may open individuals to further risk of injury if the hole is simply surrounded or marked but is not covered.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a portable hole cover that is easy to install and remove, that is durable so that it may be used multiple times, reduces potential injury frequency, and that is stackable for ease of storage and transport.

SUMMARY

[0008] In concordance with the instant disclosure, a portable hole cover that is easy to install and remove, that is durable so that it may be used multiple times, reduces potential injury frequency, and that is stackable for ease of storage and transport, has been surprisingly discovered.

[0009] Certain embodiments include a marker device for marking an open construction hole. The marker device may include a planar body including a top side and a bottom side. A post may be disposed on the bottom side of the body. The post may be configured to be placed in the open construction hole to stabilize the marker device when the marker device is marking the open construction hole. A marker may be configured to be removably coupled on the top side of the planar body opposite the post. In certain embodiments, the marker includes an elongate body that extends in a direction away from the planar body when the marker is coupled to the top side of the planar body. The marker may indicate a location of the open construction hole when the post is placed in the open construction hole.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the marker may be removably received on a protrusion on the top side of the planar body. The marker may include an aperture passing through the elongate body of the marker, such that the aperture may receive a pin for securing the marker to the protrusion. In certain embodiments, when the marker is removably received on the protrusion, the pm may be received through the aperture of the marker and through an aperture of the protrusion, thereby securing the marker to the top side of the planar body. [0011] In certain embodiments, the protrusion may be removably received within an adapter hole disposed on the top side of the planar body. The protrusion may include a lip which cooperates with a flange of the adapter hole to secure the protrusion within the adapter hole. In certain embodiments, the protrusion may be snap fit within the adapter hole. The post may include a hollow' interior.

[0012] The post may be configured to fit within a recessed area of another marker device, thereby forming a stacked configuration between the marker device and the another marker device. In certain embodiments, the post may be configured to fit within the recessed area of another marker device and mate with the protrusion of another marker device, thereby forming the stacked configuration between the marker device and another marker device. The post may taper inwardly from a top of the post near the botom side of the body of the marker device to a bottom of the post away from the bottom side of the body of the marker device. In certain embodiments, the post includes a chamfered section for removably receiving the protrusion of another marker device in the stacked configuration.

[0013] The post may be cylindrical in shape. In certain embodiments, the planar body of the marker device includes a fastener hole configured to receive a fastener for securing the marker device over the open hole. The fastener hole may include four fastener holes, where each of the fastener holes may be disposed near an edge of the body of the marker device. A fastener may cooperate with the fastener hole to secure the marker device to a surface. In certain embodiments, the fastener may include a member selected from a group consisting of a stake, a pin, a bolt, a screw; and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the planar body of the marker device may include a handle. In certain embodiments, the planar body of the marker device may be square in shape. In certain embodiments, the planar body 101 may be circular, ovoid, and/or rectangular. In particular, the planar body 101 may comprise any appropriately desired shape or series of shapes for covering the open construction hole.

[0014] A marker device for marking an open construction hole may include a planar bodyincluding a top side and a bottom side, and four through holes, each through hole disposed at an outside of the planar body. Each through hole may be configured to accept a fastener for securing the body of the marker device to a surface adjacent to the open construction hole. A cylindrically shaped hollow post may be disposed on the bottom side of the body. In certain embodiments, the post may be configured to be placed in the open construction hole to stabilize the marker device when the marker device is marking the open hole. A marker may be removably disposed on the top side of the body opposite the post. In certain embodiments, the marker may include a vertically disposed elongate body extending in a direction away from the planar body. The marker may be configured to indicate a location of the open construction hole.

[0015] In certain embodiments, a method of marking an open construction hole may include marking the open construction hole by using a marker device as described herein and placing the post of the marker device in the open construction hole. The marker of the marker device may be coupled to the top side of the planar body opposite the post to indicate a location of the open construction hole.

[0016] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a marker device for marking an open construction hole, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view thereof.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the planar body of a marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the planar body of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the planar body of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the planar body of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0024] FIGS. 7-9 are top perspective and cross sectional views thereof, showing a marker coupling with a planar body of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view' of an embodiment of the marker device. [0026] FIGS. 11-12 are top perspective and cross sectional views thereof, showing a marker device mating with another marker device to form a stacked configuration between the marker device and another marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0027] FIG. 13 is an exploded top perspective view of a marker device for marking an open construction hole, in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view thereof of the assembled marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0029] FIGS. 15-18 are partial perspective views thereof showing a protrusion and a marker coupling with an adapter hole of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0030] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the planar body of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0031] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0032] FIGS. 21 and 22 are top perspective and cross sectional views thereof, showing a marker device mating with another marker device to form a stacked configuration between the marker device and another marker device for marking an open construction hole.

[0033] FIG 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method of marking an open construction hole, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG 24 is a cross section side elevation view showing the marker device for marking an open construction hole marking an open construction hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description of the technology is merely exemplary/ in nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where specific steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from common methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0036] Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components, or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

[0037] As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values, including 1-9, 1-8, 1—3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

[0038] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or a section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments,

[0040] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0041] The present technology relates to a cover for covering a service hole during a construction or maintenance project. In certain embodiments, the present technology may include a hole cover with a hazard marker. The hole cover may include a two-piece configuration. The hole cover may have a 6” diameter post on the underside that allows for horizontal stability when inserted into a hole. This hole cover may have four holes (one in each corner) to allow the user to pin down the cover and hold it in place pending the ground conditions. The hole cover may have an adapter on a top of the base that allows for a marker to be attached. This marker may then be denoted with hazard markings, such as one or more bright colors, reflectors, and/or illuminated features, to increase visibility’ of the covered hazard. The cover may’ be removable for ease of storage, transport, and installation.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a marker device includes a body with a topside and an underside. The underside of the body may include a post for stabilizing the body when the body is placed over the hole. In certain embodiments, the post may be placed into the hole to stabilize the marker device over the hole. The topside may include an adapter for releasably receiving a marker for marking the location of the hole and raising awareness of a potential concealed hazard. For example, the adapter may? be configured to releasably receive a delineator post. The delineator post may be secured to the adapter using various fastening means, such as with a double wire safety? pin. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the delineator post may be secured using any appropriately fastening means. In certain embodiments, the body may include a plurality of through holes. Each of the through holes may be configured to receive a stake, pin, or other appropriately desired mechanism for securing the body over the hole.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the marker device may be made of various materials, including durable UV, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, and combinations thereof. In particular, the storage container may be manufactured from any appropriately desired durable material. In certain embodiments, the marker device may be manufactured by injection molding. In still certain embodiments, the marker device 100 may be manufactured using extrusion manufacturing. In particular, the marker device may be manufactured using any appropriately desired method. The marker device may be further configured to be stackable with additional marker devices. The post may have a bottom aperture and a rib or chamfered section so that the marker devices do not slip when placed in the stackable configuration and are easily stacked. In addition, the marker device may vary in size to accommodate differently sized holes.

[0044] Advantageously, multiple marker devices may be stacked and stored before and after use or during transportation. In addition, the marker device may be manufactured in different sizes for marking holes of different sizes. Moreover, the marker device may be configured to couple with a variety of different markers and delineator posts. In certain embodiments, the marker device may be used to mark a hole without a marker or a delineator post. In particular, the marker device is reusable and may easily be assembled and disassembled at a job site in a manner that is more efficient, safer, and faster than current methods.

[ 0045 j Example embodiments of the present technology are provided with reference to the several figures enclosed herewith.

[0046] FIGS. 1-2 show a marker device 100, for marking an open construction hole. The marker device 100 may include a planar body 101 comprising a top side 102 and a bottom side 103. A post 104 may be disposed on the bottom side 103 of the planar body 101. A marker 105 may be removably coupled to a top side 102 of the planar body 101 opposite the post 104. The post 104 may be placed m an open construction hole to stabilize the marker device 100 when the marker device 100 is marking the open construction hole. In certain embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the marker 105 may include an elongate body that extends in a direction away from the planar body 101 when the marker 105 is coupled to the top side 102 of the planar body 101. The marker 105 may indicate a location of the open construction hole when the post 104 is placed in the open construction hole.

[0047] As particularly shown in FIGS. 1-6, the body 101 may be planar in shape, such that the body is substantially flat and/or resides in a single plane. However, it is envisioned that the planar body 101 may be differentially shaped. For example, in certain embodiments, the planar body 101 may include one or more flat surfaces, concave surfaces, convex surfaces, and bowed surfaces. As further shown in FIGS. 1-6, the planar body 101 may be square shaped. However, the planar body 101 may be circular, ovoid, and/or rectangular. In particular, the planar body 101 may comprise any appropriately desired shape or series of shapes for covering the open construction hole. In certain embodiments, the post 104 is cylindrical in shape. However, the post 104 may be rectangular or another appropriately desired shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the structured ribs 124 may be formed on the bottom side 103 of the planar body 101. In certain embodiments, the planar body 101 may include a plurality of structured ribs 124 for providing rigidity to the marker device 100.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the marker 105 may include an aperture 115 passing through the elongate body of the marker 105. The aperture 115 may be configured for receiving a pin 106 for securing the marker 105 to a protrusion 107 of the top side 102 of the planar body 101. In certain embodiments, the marker 105 may be removably received on the protrusion 107, and the pin 106 may be received through the aperture 115 of the marker 105 and through an aperture 117 of the protrusion 107, thereby securing the marker 105 to the top side 102 of the planar body 101. In certain embodiments, the pm 106 may comprise a double wire safety pin. However, the pin 106 may include any appropriately desired mechanism for securing the marker 105 to the planar body 101. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the marker 105 may be slid over and down onto the protrusion 107 to attach the marker 105 to the body 101. In certain embodiments a shape of the protrusion 107 may substantially match a shape of the marker 105 such that the marker 105 may be slid onto the protrusion 107 to form a friction fit between the marker 105 and protrusion 107 before securing the protrusion with the pin 106. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7-9 the marker 105 and the protrusion 107 are each cylindrical in shape. However, the marker 105 and the protrusion 107 may include any appropriately desired shapes.

[0049] In certain embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 13-18, the protrusion 107 may be removably received within an adapter hole 130 disposed on the top side 102 of the planar body 101. For example, the protrusion 107 may include a lip 123 which cooperates with a flange 131 of the adapter hole 130 to secure the protrusion 107 within the adapter hole 130. Alternatively, or in conjunction the protrusion 107 may be snap fit into the adapter hole 130 such that the lip 123 is held by a flange 131 and the protrusion 107 is securely held within the adapter hole 130. In certain embodiments, the adapter hole 130 may include a recess 133 or aperture to provide relief when the protrusion 107 is fit into the adapter hole 130. In certain embodiments, this may enable a more secure and easier connection when fitting the protrusion 107 to the adapter hole 130 even when there may be debris located within the adapter hole 130. [0050] As further shown m FIGS. 13-18, to secure the marker onto the planar body 101, the protrusion 107 may be pushed down and received within the adapter hole 130. Then, the marker 105 may be slid onto the protrusion 107. The marker 105 may then be removably received on the protrusion 107, and the pin 106 may be received through the aperture 115 of the marker 105 and through the aperture 117 of the protrusion 107, thereby securing the marker 105 to the top side 102 of the planar body 101.

[0051] In certain embodiments, multiple marker devices 100 for marking an open construction hole may be stored and/or transported in a stacked configuration for ease of use. For example, in certain embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 10-12, the post 104 may include a hollow interior 140. In addition, post 104 may be configured to fit within a recessed area 127 of another marker device 100, thereby forming a stacked configuration between the planar bodies 101 of marker devices 100. In particular the post 104 may be configured to fit within the recessed area 127 of the planar body 101 another marker device 100 and mate with the protrusion 107 of the planar body 101 another marker device 100, thereby forming the stacked configuration. In certain embodiments, the post 104 may include a chamfered section 144 for removably receiving the protrusion 107 of another marker device 100 in the stacked configuration.

[0052] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer diameter of the post 104 may taper inwardly from a top 164 of the post 104 near the bottom side 103 of the planar body 101 of the marker device 100 to a bottom or base 154 of the post 120 away from the bottom side

103 of the planar body 101 of the marker device 100. In certain embodiments, the top 164 of the post 104 may have a diameter of 6.125” and the base 154 of the post 104 may have a diameter of 6”. In this manner, the post 104 may securely stabilize the marker device 100 when the marker device 100 is placed over an open hole of about the same size as the outer diameter of the post

104 and the post 104 is inserted into the hole. The taper may also enable the marker device 100 to be stacked within another marker device 100 for storage and transportation. In certain embodiments, the planar body 101 may further include a handle 108 for transporting the marker device 100.

[0053] With reference to FIGS. 3-4, the planar body 101 of the marker device 100 may include a fastener hole 109 for securing the planar body 101 and the marker device 100 over the open hole. In certain embodiments, the fastener hole 109 may include four fastener holes 109. The fastener holes 109 may be disposed near an edge of the planar body 101 of the marker device 100. The fastener may include one or more of a stake, a pm, a bolt, a screw, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the fastener hole 109 may include various types of apertures, such as Id” diameter holes at each corner of the planar body 101. The fastener hole 109 may enable a user to secure the marker device 100 by passing a fastener such as a pm or stake through the fastener hole 109 and into the ground. For example, a landscape spike may be hammered into or through the through the fastener hole 109. However, as would be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the marker device 100 may be secured using any appropriately desired pin, spike, or securing device.

[0054] FIG. 23 is a flowchart that describes a method of marking an open construction hole. In certain embodiments, at step 210 a marker device 100 for marking an open construction hole may be provided. The marker device 100 may include a planar body 101 comprising a top side 102 and a bottom side 103. A post 104 may be disposed on the bottom side 103 of the planar body 101. In step 220, a marker 105 may be removably coupled to a top side 102 of the planar body 101 opposite the post 104. Then, in step 230 the post 104 may be placed in an open construction hole to stabilize the marker device 100 when the marker device 100 is marking the open construction hole. Embodiments further include where the order of step 220 and step 230 are switched. In certain embodiments, the method may further include decoupling the marker device 100 from another marker device 100 and securing the marker device over the open hole using a fastener, such as described above.

[0055] FIG. 24 shows the marker device 100, marking an open construction hole 301. In certain embodiments, the post 104 is the same size as the construction hole 301 or may be smaller than the construction 301 hole to facilitate placement therein. The post 104 may be hollow and/or solid as appropriately desired. In certain embodiments, the post 104 may be placed in an open construction hole 301 to stabilize the marker device 100 when the marker device 100 is marking the open construction hole 301 . As shown in FIG. 24, the planar body 101 may rest on the ground 300 around the open construction hole 301, with the marker 105 extending upward such that marker device 100 clearly marks the open construction hole 301. In this manner, the construction hole 301 is covered to provide the necessary protection to mitigate the hazard of the open hole open construction hole 301. [0056] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well- known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications, and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.