Marking device

Abstract

A marking device is disclosed. The marking device includes a marker housing. The marker housing includes an attachment portion configured to pivotally attach the marker housing to a pole. The marker housing also includes a translucent portion formed around at least a portion of the housing. The marker housing also includes an environmental seal. The marking device includes an electrical light positioned within the marker housing and oriented toward the translucent portion, and a programmable circuit configured to activate the electrical light in one or more marking flashing patterns. The environmental seal protects the electrical light and programmable circuit from external environmental conditions. Optionally, the device can clip to a marker such as a flag to indicate the existence of a hazardous condition.

1 . A marking device comprising:
 a marker housing including:
 an attachment portion configured to attach the marker housing to a pole; 
 a translucent portion formed around at least a portion of the marker housing; 
 the marker housing further including an environmental seal; 
   an electrical light positioned within the marker housing and oriented toward the translucent portion;   a programmable circuit internal to the marker housing and configured to activate the electrical light in one or more marking flashing patterns;   wherein the environmental seal is configured to protect the marking equipment and electrical light from external environmental conditions.   
   
   
       2 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further configured to hold marking equipment. 
   
   
       3 . The marking device of  claim 2 , wherein the marking equipment includes a flag mountable to the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The marking device of  claim 2 , wherein the marking equipment includes marking tape. 
   
   
       5 . The marking device of  claim 2 , wherein the marking equipment includes a chemical light. 
   
   
       6 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a clip positioned near the transparent portion and arranged to hold a flag. 
   
   
       7 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the marker housing is able to swivel around the expandable pole when attached to the pole via the attachment portion. 
   
   
       8 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further comprising an activation button configured to activate the programmable circuit to selectably activate the electrical light. 
   
   
       9 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent portion is transparent. 
   
   
       10 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID tag mounted within the marker housing. 
   
   
       11 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a charge pump electrically connected between the programmable circuit and the electrical light. 
   
   
       12 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent portion includes a lens arranged to disperse light output from the electrical light. 
   
   
       13 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental seal allows user access to the interior of the marker housing. 
   
   
       14 . The marking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to power the programmable circuit and the electrical light. 
   
   
       15 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is reusable. 
   
   
       16 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is configured to pivotally attach the marker housing to the pole. 
   
   
       17 . The marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent portion includes a Fresnel lens arranged to disperse light generated from the electrical light. 
   
   
       18 . A method of using a marking device, the method comprising:
 determining a location to place the marking device;   vertically locating a pole at the location;   pivotally attaching the marking device to the pole via an attachment portion;   initializing the marking device to activate one or more marking flashing patterns.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising twisting a cap of the marking device to release an environmental seal and access the battery compartment within a marker housing of the marking device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising replacing the battery in the battery compartment. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein initializing the marking device comprises pressing an activation button. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein initializing the marking device comprises inserting and twisting a cap of the marking device to form an environmental seal. 
   
   
       23 . A marking device comprising:
 a marker housing including:
 an attachment portion including a reusable sleeve and a snap fit structure, the attachment portion configured to pivotally attach the marker housing to a pole; 
 a transparent portion formed around at least a portion of the marker housing, the transparent portion including a lens oriented to disperse light emanating from within the marker housing; 
 an environmental seal configured to protect the marking equipment and electrical light from external environmental conditions; 
 a clip positioned near the transparent portion, the clip configured to hold marking equipment; 
   an electrical light positioned within the transparent portion of the marker housing; and   a programmable circuit internal to the marker housing and configured to selectably activate the electrical light in one or more marking flashing patterns.   
   
   
       24 . The marking device of  claim 23 , wherein the lens is further configured to direct a portion of the light emanating from within the marker housing toward the marking equipment held by the clip.