Plastic Half-Cone Form for Round Concrete Post Footings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to produce a perfectly round concrete surface around post holes, especially on uneven terrain like hillside, due to the difficulty in shaping the hole and finding suitable forms for concrete pouring.
Innovation Solution
A plastic half-cone shell form, either with or without cut lines, is used to create a clean and round concrete surface by being initially clipped to the post and adjusted during concrete pouring, allowing for easy removal after curing, with an optional locking mechanism for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional digging and concrete pouring methods are used, then the installation process is simple, but the concrete surface cannot be perfectly round and requires extensive hole shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting a form into the post hole before pouring concrete. This form pre-defines the desired round shape of the concrete surface, eliminating the need for extensive hole shaping after concrete pouring. The form is positioned and secured in advance, ensuring the concrete will take the correct shape from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a form as an intermediary object between the irregularly shaped hole and the desired round concrete surface. This form acts as a mediator that transforms the irregular hole shape into a perfect round shape by constraining the concrete during pouring and curing, without requiring the hole itself to be perfectly shaped.
2Manufacturing precision
If a form is used to create a round concrete surface, then the concrete surface quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible form made of thin plastic material that can be easily inserted into the post hole and adjusted to fit. This flexible shell approach simplifies the form structure compared to rigid molds, allowing easy installation and removal while maintaining the desired round shape during concrete curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The form is designed as a segmented or modular structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation reduces the complexity of handling and installing the complete form, allowing workers to assemble the form on-site without requiring complex manufacturing or assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the form is inserted before attaching temporary braces, then the form positioning is easier, but the process requires additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning and securing the form in the hole before attaching temporary braces to hold the post. This sequence allows the form to be easily positioned while the hole is still accessible, and the braces are then added to secure everything in place. This preliminary positioning simplifies the overall installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Post Footing Neck Forms (A & B) are inexpensive plastic forms to be used at the final stage of concrete pouring for posts by placing them on the top section of the hole, thus creating a clean and round concrete surface at the top around the post respective to the dirt and ground level, which is aesthetically more pleasing. After curing the concrete, the form does not necessarily need to be removed.This invention has 2 variations (Form A & B) to address different situations and needs. Form A is a plastic half-cone shell with no cut or split line on any side, with horizontal stabilizer flange at the bottom that allows position and adjusts the form on the freshly poured concrete more easily.Form B is a plastic half-cone shell with cut on one side, including locking cuts and tongues as a locking mechanism to connect the ends of the plastic form together without the use of taping, in order to be able to place the form around the post even after securing the holding braces. Horizontal stabilizer flanges at the bottom also allow positioning and adjusting Form B on the freshly poured concrete more easily.These forms have been designed principally to form concrete around posts. However, they could be used for other applications as well.The present invention can be better understood from the following drawings and their descriptions.