Marker Mount Apparatus, System, and Related Methods

Abstract

A mounting apparatus for use with a marker and related systems and methods are disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a mount head. An elongated spike is connected to and extends from the mount head. A first attachment section is formed at a substantial center point of the mount head, wherein the first attachment section has a blind, stepped hole positioned therein. A plurality of attachment sections is formed within the mount head and located radially about a center of the mount head, wherein the plurality of attachment sections each have a hole formed at least partially through the mount head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting apparatus for use with a marker comprising:
 a mount head;   an elongated spike connected to and extending from the mount head;   a first attachment section formed at a substantial center point of the mount head, wherein the first attachment section has a blind, stepped hole positioned therein; and   a plurality of attachment sections formed within the mount head and located radially about a center of the mount head, wherein the plurality of attachment sections each have a hole formed at least partially through the mount head.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount head further comprises a substantially planar driving surface formed on a top side thereof, wherein a driving force is applicable to the substantially planar driving surface, and wherein the substantially planar driving surface is oriented perpendicular to a central axis of the elongated spike. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the central axis of the elongated spike intersects the substantially planar driving surface. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated spike further comprises a plurality of fins extending radially therefrom. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of fins is connected between the elongated spike and one of the plurality of attachment sections. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated spike further comprises a tapered point. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the elongated spike further comprises a plurality of fins extending radially therefrom, wherein the plurality of fins taper to the tapered point of the elongated spike. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the blind, stepped hole is positioned within the tapered point. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of each hole of the plurality of attachment sections is smaller than a diameter of the blind, stepped hole. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hole of each of the plurality of attachment sections is formed fully through the mount head. 
     
     
         11 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hole of one of the plurality of attachment sections has a different diameter size than a hole of another of the plurality of attachment sections. 
     
     
         12 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount head further comprises a curved edge positioned between a top of the mount head and a terminating edge of the mount head. 
     
     
         13 . A marker mounting system comprising:
 a mounting apparatus drivable into a ground surface, the mounting apparatus having:
 a mount head; 
 an elongated spike connected to and extending from the mount head; 
 a first attachment section formed at a substantial center point of the mount head, wherein the first attachment section has a blind, stepped hole positioned therein; and 
 a plurality of attachment sections formed within the mount head and located radially about a center of the mount head, wherein the plurality of attachment sections each have a hole formed at least partially through the mount head; and 
   at least one elongated marker, wherein the at least one elongated marker is securable within the first attachment section.   
     
     
         14 . The marker mounting system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one visual element positioned on the at least one elongated marker. 
     
     
         15 . The marker mounting system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one visual element further comprises at least one of: a flag, a reflective material, a sign, a dangling element, and a suspended element. 
     
     
         16 . A method of transporting and using a marker mounting system, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing at least two mounting apparatuses, each having: a mount head; an elongated spike connected to and extending from the mount head; a first attachment section formed at a substantial center point of the mount head, wherein the first attachment section has a blind, stepped hole positioned therein; and a plurality of attachment sections formed within the mount head and located radially about a center of the mount head, wherein the plurality of attachment sections each have a hole formed at least partially through the mount head;   providing at least two elongated markers, wherein each of the at least two elongated markers is securable within the first attachment section;   transporting the mounting apparatuses and the at least two elongated markers, wherein during transportation, each of the at least two elongated markers is secured between one of the plurality of attachment sections of each mounting apparatus, respectively; and   installing the mounting apparatuses and elongated markers in a ground surface, wherein the elongated markers are secured within the first attachment section of the mounting apparatuses, respectively.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising displaying the transported mounting apparatuses and the at least two elongated markers in a retail environment, wherein each of the at least two elongated markers is secured between one of the plurality of attachment sections of each mounting apparatus, respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein installing the mounting apparatuses and elongated markers further comprises:
 driving the mounting apparatuses into a ground surface in selected locations; and   securing the elongated markers within the first attachment section of the mounting apparatuses, respectively, thereby retaining the elongated markers in a standing position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the selected locations further comprise at least one of: an entrance, a side, an edge, a feature of at least one of: a walkway, a sidewalk, a road, and a driveway. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein installing the mounting apparatuses further comprises driving the mounting apparatuses into a ground surface, wherein a tapered point of the elongated spike prevents a quantity of ground material from entering the blind, stepped hole.