Post sleeve assembly

Abstract

A post sleeve provides a substantially permanent base for supporting a post for a fence or sign, and from which one post can be removed and replaced with another post. The sleeve includes a concrete body that is poured on site, using a sleeve core prepositioned in the post hole, and around which wet concrete is poured. After the concrete is cured, the core is removed, leaving a post sleeve cavity configured to receive a post. The core can be rigid, or can include a flexible shell and stiffener. A preformed post sleeve top can be attached to the sleeve core and positioned therewith in the post hole, to become a permanent part of the post sleeve, once the concrete cures. A drain is attached to the core, and remains in the sleeve when the core is removed, and can be a percolation chamber, or passage extending below the sleeve.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The embodiments of the present disclosure are related in general to the field of installation of supports for uprights of fences, traffic signs, real estate signage, etc., and in particular to post supports that can be permanently installed, and from which one post can be removed and another emplaced.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]A post is a substantially straight, elongated columnar structure that is anchored at one end so as to stand upright, and that supports thereon another structure. A post can be made of any appropriate material, including wood, metal, or plastic. Posts of various lengths and compositions are used in a wide range of applications, including supporting fences, traffic control signs, temporary structures, etc. Where a post is intended to be substantially permanent, it is often placed in a hole and anchored in a concrete footing to increase its cross section and hold it firmly in place. One problem that is com...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]According to another embodiment, the sleeve core is rigid. It can be provided with a pattern draft, or a release agent is applied to a thickness sufficient to permit removal of the core, without a pattern draft.

Problems solved by technology

One problem that is commonly encountered in such situations is that posts, especially wooden posts, are subject to breakage, warpage, and decomposition.

Replacing a post that has been anchored in concrete is difficult, wasteful, and unfriendly to the environment for reasons that include excessive use of natural resources and the generation of landfill material.

In turn, this requires a much larger volume of concrete or re-compaction of the surrounding soil, to fill the hole around the new post and create the new footing in proper contact with undisturbed or adequately compacted soil.

One of the most common causes of deterioration in wooden posts is water trapped around the end of the post inside the concrete.

Water becomes trapped between the wood and the inside wall of the concrete, so that the end of the post remains wet even while the upper portion is dry.

However, this is only a partial solution.

Often the drainage gravel is not fully compacted and settles, causing more need for repair and replacement.

Furthermore, with this common method, it takes substantial time for water, once having entered the footing, to work its way all the way through the footing and out the bottom.

If the post is subjected to frequent or extended wet periods, the end of the post inside the footing may remain constantly wet even though water continues to drain out the bottom.

This constant dampness encourages the growth of organisms that digest the wood fiber and eventually destroy the post, or in the case of steel, rusts the post away.

Furthermore, direct contact between concrete and some species of wood generates a reaction that promotes deterioration of the wood.

This limits the species of wood that can be used for fence or sign posts where concrete footings will be used in direct contact with the post.

However, the chemicals used in pressure treatment are often toxic to humans and non-target organisms, and can leach into the water supply.

In other cases, the chemicals are highly corrosive, tending to cause corrosion in fasteners and structures that are attached thereto.

An additional problem with pressure treatment is that the wood cannot generally be recycled when it is replaced, and should not be composted, because of the chemicals still present.

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