# US 9,869,331 B2 · Universal marking bracket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,869,331 B2 - Document ID: US9869331B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/823,349 - Filed: 2015-08-11 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2018-01-16 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-11 - Applicants: Emadeddin Zahri Muntasser - Inventors: Emadeddin Zahri Muntasser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9869331B2 ## CPC - F16B 2/08: using bands - F16L 1/00: Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water - F16B 2200/95: with markings, colours, indicators or the like - F16L 1/11: for the detection or protection of pipes in the ground - F16L 57/00: Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear ({protection under water F16L1/123;} supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00) - G01V 15/00: Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object (record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00) - G09F 3/16: by clamps - G09F 19/228: {Ground signs, i.e. display signs fixed on the ground} - H02G 9/025: {Coverings therefor, e.g. tile} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract A universal fastener is provided. The universal fastener is connectable to a buryable element such as a pipe. A marker may be removably attached to the fastener to extend away from the buryable element allowing it to be easily identified once buried. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener comprising: a base connectable to an element; two tabs extending away from the base on opposite sides of the base, each tab extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; each of the two tabs defining an aperture through which a marker may pass, the marker connectable to the fastener by passing through the aperture of each of the two tabs, the marker frictionally connectable to the two tabs are at the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base, such that when a marker is passed through the aperture of each of the two tabs, the aperture walls are urged against the marker thereby holding the marker in place, the marker being removable when the two tabs are at the second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 further comprising four tabs, two tabs on one set of opposing sides of the base, and the other two tabs on a second set of opposing sides of the base, each of the four tabs extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; and each of the four tabs defining an aperture through which the marker may pass, the marker connectable to the fastener by passing through the aperture of two opposing of the four tabs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener and tabs are formed of spring steel having a yield strength ranging from 50 to 150 ksi. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 wherein the two tabs extend from the base at with included angle of approximately 20-25 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 further comprising a slot defined by each of the two tabs, the slots aligned with each other such that a band may extend through both of the slots to connect the fastener to the element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 further comprising at least one opening in the base, the opening in the base sized to allow a connector to pass through to hold the base to the element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 wherein the base is downwardly angled. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fastener of claim 7 wherein the base is downwardly angled at an included angle of approximately 175 to 160 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastener of claim 1 wherein the apertures of the two tabs are threaded. ### Claim 10 A fastener assembly comprising: a base connectable to an element; at least two tabs extending away from the base on opposite sides of the base, each tab extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; each of the two tabs defining an aperture through which a marker may pass; and the marker, being an elongate rod passing through the apertures of the tabs, the marker frictionally connected to two of the at least two tabs when the two of the at least two tabs are at the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base such that the aperture walls are urged against the marker, the frictional connection preventing movement of the marker, the marker being removable from the two of the at least two tabs when the two of the at least two tabs are at the second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base, the marker extending away from the base and the element to which the base may be connected. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 further comprising four tabs, two tabs on one set of opposing sides of the base, and the other two tabs on a second set of opposing sides of the base, each of the four tabs extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; each of the four tabs defining an aperture; and wherein the marker is connected to two of the four tabs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein the fastener and tabs are formed of spring steel having a yield strength ranging from 50 to 150 ksi. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein the at least two tabs extend from the base at with included angle of approximately 20-25 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein the base is downwardly angled. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 further comprising a slot defined by each of the two tabs, the slots aligned with each other such that a band may extend through both of the slots to connect the fastener to the element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 further comprising at least one opening in the base, the opening in the base sized to allow a connector to pass through to hold the base to the element. ### Claim 17 A fastener assembly comprising: a base connected to a buryable element; at least two tabs extending away from the base on opposite sides of the base, each tab extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; each of the two tabs defining an aperture through which a marker may pass; and the marker frictionally connected to two of the at least two tabs when the two of the at least two tabs are at the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base such that the aperture walls are urged against the marker, the frictional connection preventing movement of the marker, the marker being removable from the two of the at least two tabs when the two of the at least two tabs are at the second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base, the marker extending away from the fastener and the buryable element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fastener assembly of claim 17 further comprising four tabs, two tabs on one set of opposing sides of the base, and the other two tabs on a second set of opposing sides of the base, each of the four tabs extending away from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees, the tabs being movable between the angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base and a second angle approximately equal to 90 degrees relative to the base; each of the four tabs defining an aperture; and wherein the marker is connected to two of the four tabs. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The fastener assembly of claim 17 wherein the fastener and tabs are formed of spring steel having a yield strength ranging from 50 to 150 ksi. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The fastener assembly of claim 17 wherein the at least two tabs extend from the base at with included angle of approximately 20-25 degrees.