POST SLEEVE ASSEMBLY
First Claim
1. A sleeve assembly for a post, comprising:
- a body of a material that is substantially impervious to water;
a cavity extending longitudinally within the body;
an upper aperture extending in the body to a first end of the cavity;
a plurality of standoff elements extending inward from inner walls of the cavity, innermost surfaces of the plurality of standoff elements collectively defining, at a plurality of depths within the cavity, an inner space having dimensions of a selected size;
a lower aperture extending in the body to a second end of the cavity;
a plurality of drain channels within the cavity configured to permit fluid to flow through and exit the cavity via the lower aperture while an innermost surface of each of the standoff elements is in contact with a surface of a post positioned in the cavity; and
a first plurality of stops extending inward from the inner walls of the cavity without extending into the inner space, and having a bearing surface lying substantially in a first plane, the first plane lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A sleeve assembly for a post, comprising:
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a body of a material that is substantially impervious to water; a cavity extending longitudinally within the body; an upper aperture extending in the body to a first end of the cavity; a plurality of standoff elements extending inward from inner walls of the cavity, innermost surfaces of the plurality of standoff elements collectively defining, at a plurality of depths within the cavity, an inner space having dimensions of a selected size; a lower aperture extending in the body to a second end of the cavity; a plurality of drain channels within the cavity configured to permit fluid to flow through and exit the cavity via the lower aperture while an innermost surface of each of the standoff elements is in contact with a surface of a post positioned in the cavity; and a first plurality of stops extending inward from the inner walls of the cavity without extending into the inner space, and having a bearing surface lying substantially in a first plane, the first plane lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A post sleeve, comprising:
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an elongate body; a cavity extending longitudinally within the body and configured to receive an end of a post therein; and an identifier affixed to the body and uniquely differentiating the post sleeve from other post sleeves. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A post sleeve, comprising:
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an elongate body of preformed concrete; a first aperture in a top surface of the body; a cavity extending from the first aperture longitudinally within the body and configured to receive a post therein; and an upper rim extending around the first aperture and having an upper surface sloping away from the aperture, outer transverse dimensions of the upper rim being greater than outer transverse dimensions of the body below the upper rim. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification