Wood post protective sleeve

• US 6,389,760 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Post Protector, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ken Mcdonnell
• Inventors: McDonnell, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/566,174
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 52/40, 521/65, 521/691.3, 521/70, 527/263, 527/264, 527/411.1, 527/451.7, 248/523, 248/524, 248/530, 248/156, 405/255
• US Class Current: 52/165
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/028 Floor sockets for removable poles
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/42 Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys sockets or holders for poles or masts per se E04H12/22
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 31/00 Protective arrangements for foundations or foundation structures protective casings for piles E02D5/60; Ground foundation measures for protecting the soil or the subsoil water, e.g. preventing or counteracting oil pollution spillage retaining means for tanks B65D90/24
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2292 Holders used for protection, repair or reinforcement of the post or pole E04H12/2276 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved wood post protective sleeve that provides protection against conditions that promote post deterioration, allows for rapid dissipation of trapped exhaust air within the sleeve upon insertion of the post into the sleeve, and provides increased resistance to uplifting or downpressing displacing forces placed upon the post. In one form, the improved post protective sleeve comprises a body and at least one extending displacement resistant projection. The body comprises an internal surface and an external surface with an open end opposed to a bottom wall. The open end slidably receives a ground insert portion of a post. The bottom wall retains the ground insert portion of the post. At least one displacement resistant projection extends from the external surface, and a retainer secures the ground insert portion of the post to the body, preventing the ground insert portion of the post from uplifting out of and separating from the body. The internal surface has at least one venting channel to provide a rapid escape path for exhaust air trapped within the protective sleeve as the ground insert portion of the post is travels downward within the body. In a different form, the venting channel is omitted. In still another form of the present invention, there is at least one bottom channel within the bottom wall. This bottom channel communicates with at least one venting channel so as to further assist in allowing trapped air to rapidly escape as the ground insert portion of a post travel downward within the body.

Claims

1. A protective sleeve for use with an elongate member, the protective sleeve comprising:

a moisture impervious body in a form having a pre-selected length and pre-selected cross section, the body cross section, adapted to closely conform to the cross section of a ground insert portion of the elongate member, the body having an open end to slidably receive an end of the ground insert portion of the elongate member, a bottom wall opposite the open end for supporting the end of the ground insert portion of the elongate member, an internal surface and an external surface;

at least one displacement resistant projection extending from the external surface, the at least one projection providing increased resistance to displacement forces;

at least one venting channel forming a portion of the internal surface;

the bottom wall for supporting the ground insert portion of the elongate member; and

at least one retainer for permanently retaining the ground insert portion of the elongate member to the moisture impervious body, thereby preventing removal of the elongate member from the protective sleeve.

2. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 further comprising at least one bottom channel in the bottom wall, the bottom channel communicating directly with at least one internal surface venting channel.

3. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a light weight, resilient, non-brittle material not subject to degradation by exposure to moisture and soil.

4. The post protective sleeve of claim 3 wherein the material includes plastic.

5. The post protective sleeve of claim 3 wherein the material includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, silicone, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one displacement resistant projection is at least about ¼

inch in thickness and extends outward at least about ¼

inch from the external surface of the body.

7. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the body is at least about {fraction (1/16)} inch in thickness.

8. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein a rounded venting channel is formed along the internal surface of the body and extends along the internal surface from the bottom wall to the open end.

9. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the venting channel is formed within at least one corner and out-puffs from the at least one corner a radius of at least about ¼

inch.

10. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein after insertion into a grade the body extends above the grade about 6 inches to about 18 inches.

11. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one retainer for permanently retaining the ground insert portion of the elongate member to the moisture impervious body includes a lag screw and a deformable washer, the lag screw adapted to pass through the external surface of the body into the ground insert portion of the elongate member and tightened such that the washer is compressed an adequate amount to create a water tight seal.

12. The post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one retainer for permanently retaining the ground insert portion of the elongate member to the moisture impervious body includes a screw with a washer face that compresses against the body to form a seal.

13. The improved post protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one retainer for permanently retaining the ground insert portion of the elongate member to the moisture impervious body includes at least one downwardly angled projection extending from the internal surface of the body.

14. A method for protecting a post from deterioration as a result of underground exposure and providing increased resistance to displacement forces comprising the steps of:

a) providing a post of a first pre-selected length;

b) providing a sleeve body to protect the post from deterioration, the sleeve body having a second pre-selected length less than the length of the post and having a pre-selected cross section extending the second pre-selected length, the body having an open end opposite to a bottom wall, an internal surface and an external surface forming an aperture extending along the second pre-selected length;

at least one displacement resistant projection extending outwardly from the external surface of the body;

at least one venting channel formed within the internal surface of the body;

the open end slidably receiving a ground insert portion of the post;

the bottom wall of the body supporting the ground insert portion of the post;

c) permanently and non-removably securing the body to the post with a retaining member;

then

d) inserting the secured, non-removable ground insert portion of the post and the sleeve body into an excavated hole of predetermined depth; and

e) back-filling material against the sleeve body.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of sealing the open end of the body by inserting a moisture resistant material between the body and the post.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying a lubricant on an interface between the post and the sleeve body to case insertion of the ground insert portion of a post into the sleeve.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying a preservative to the ground insert portion of the post prior to placement of the post into the sleeve.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying an adhesive to the ground insert portion of the post prior to placement of the post into the sleeve.

19. The method of claim 14 further including the step of extending the body above the excavated hole about 6 inches to about 18 inches.

20. A protective system for an elongate member subject to degradation by exposure to moisture comprising:

a post having a ground insertion portion and an end opposite the ground insertion portion;

a moisture impervious body having a pre-selected length and a pre-selected cross section, wherein the cross section closely resembles the cross section of the ground insert portion of the post received by the body, the body including an open end opposed to a bottom wall, an internal surface and an external surface;

at least one displacement resistant projection extending from the external surface;

the open end slidably receiving the ground insert portion of the post;

the bottom wall supporting the ground insert portion of the post; and

a permanent retainer non-removably affixing the body to the ground insert portion of the post while preventing moisture from passing from the external surface to the internal surface.