Marking paint applicator apparatus

A marking paint locator applicator, comprising:

• a portable locator, comprising;
• an elongate element;
• one or more fastener mechanisms located on the elongate element;
• and
• one or more electromagnetic antennas located along a length of the elongated element for generating output signals corresponding to a sensed electromagnetic field emitted from a hidden or buried utility;
• and
• a marking paint applicator, comprising:
• a support structure including a fastener apparatus for removably attaching the marking paint applicator to the portable locator fastener mechanisms;
• a trigger mechanism;
• a receptacle mounted to the support structure for holding an aerosol paint can and positioning a valve stem of the aerosol paint can for spraying paint onto the ground;
• an actuating mechanism for controlling the valve stem so as to cause the aerosol paint can to spray paint for deployment on the ground;
• and
• a sensor operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism to provide an output signal upon actuation to the portable locator so as to indicate paint deployment for logging on the portable locator, including time tagging;
• wherein the elongate element of the portable locator is substantially the same length as the marking paint applicator.