Pole and post sleeve or boot

• US 5,090,165 A
• Filed: 03/17/1989
• Issued: 02/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bart P. Kenny
• Original Assignee: Loren D. Kenny
• Inventors: Kenny, Loren D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US07/324,772
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 52/165, 52/298, 52/296, 52/297
• US Class Current: 52/165
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2269 in a socket
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2292 Holders used for protection, repair or reinforcement of the post or pole E04H12/2276 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is a sleeve or boot designed to encase a preformed base configured diametrically smaller than the remainder of a wooden post or pole, the sleeve or boot protecting and extending the life of the base when buried in the ground. In one embodiment the sleeve or boot may be formed by a coating of a suitable material such as plastic. In a second embodiment the sleeve or boot is preformed from suitable material such as plastic and includes an umbrella-like rim upon which a shoulder of the post or pole rests and which deflects excess moisture, and a pair of hooded vents which provide room for expansion in the event water within the sleeve or boot should freeze. The sleeve or boot may be attached to the base by a pair of galvanized pins.

Claims

1. A sleeve means for providing a protective barrier for a wood post or pole set in the ground, said post or pole having an upper portion and an integral base, said base being configured to have a smaller circumference than said upper portion, thereby forming a circumferential shoulder at the juncture of said upper portion and said base, said sleeve means comprising:

a central, axially aligned opening configured to receive and closely encase said base of said wood post or pole; and

at least one vent means integral with said opening extending from a bottom of said sleeve means to a location near the top of said sleeve means;

whereby

when said base encased by said sleeve means is set in the ground said sleeve means forms a protective barrier between the ground and said base, thereby increasing the life expectancy of said base, said at least one vent means providing an expansion area for freezing of any moisture accumulated within the sleeve means.

2. A sleeve means according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hood for said at least one vent means to deflect external moisture away from said at least one vent means; and

an umbrella-like rim at the top of said sleeve means configured to provide a support for said circumferential shoulder and to deflect external moisture away from said sleeve means.

4. A sleeve means according to claim 2, further comprising:

at least two preformed holes in said sleeve means; and

at least two galvanized pins passed through said preformed holes and into said base;

whereby

said post or pole and said sleeve means are locked together.

3. A sleeve means according to claim 3, wherein:

said sleeve means is formed of plastic material;

there being at least two hooded vent means disposed diametrically opposite one another.

5. A sleeve means for providing a protective barrier for a wood post or pole set in the ground, said post or pole having an upper portion and an integral base, said base being configured to have a smaller circumference than said upper portion, thereby forming a circumferential shoulder at the juncture of said upper portion and said base, said sleeve means comprising:

a plastic sleeve having an axially aligned opening configured to closely encase said base of said post or pole;

an umbrella-like rim disposed at the top of said plastic sleeve for locating said shoulder of said post or pole a suitable distance above ground, said shoulder resting snugly on said umbrella-like rim, said umbrella-like rim deflecting excess moisture flowing from said upper portion of said post or pole away from said plastic sleeve whereby moisture is prevented from entering the plastic sleeve;

two vents molded into said plastic sleeve extending from the bottom of said plastic sleeve to nearly the top of said plastic sleeve, to provide an expansion area for freezing of moisture, should any moisture accumulate in said plastic sleeve;

two hoods provided respectively at the top of said vents to deflect external moisture away from the top of said vents;

two holes formed in the top of said plastic sleeve for two galvanized pins hammered through said formed holes into the wood base so as to lock said plastic sleeve to said wood base, whereby said post or pole cannot be readily separated from said plastic sleeve; and

said plastic sleeve providing a protective barrier between the ground and said base, and a support for said post or pole, when said base and said plastic sleeve are set into the ground.