Break-away concrete form stake with self-sealing feature

• US 7,478,510 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vista Investments and Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vista Investments and Properties, LLC
• Inventors: Foster, Gregory S., Wilson, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): KATCHEVES, BASIL S
• Application Number:
  US10/733,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20050126111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,867 Days
• Field of Search: 523/01, 527/08, 527/09, 521/53, 521/54, 521/03, 521/55, 52/98, 521/00, 521/65, 248/533, 135/118
• US Class Current: 52/677
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/01 Flat foundations
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 13/00 Falsework, forms, or shutterings for particular parts of buildings, e.g. stairs, steps, cornices, balconies foundations, sills E04G11/365 takes precedence; flat foundations, e.g. with lost forms E02D27/01; removable forms or shutterings for road-building purposes E01C19/50
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 17/14 Bracing or strutting arrangements for formwalls; Devices for aligning forms E04G25/00 takes precedence; connecting and aligning E04G17/04

Abstract

Method for securing a foundation form disposed on a moisture barrier membrane. The method can include penetrating the moisture barrier membrane with one end of a stake, sealing a breach in the moisture barrier membrane around a periphery of the stake caused by the penetrating step; and removing a portion of the stake extending above the moisture barrier membrane. A sealing member can be disposed on the stake at a location along an axial length of the stake.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing a foundation form disposed on a moisture barrier membrane comprising:

a stake comprised of an elongated body extending along a defined axis and formed of a rigid material, said stake extends from a head forming a first end of an upper portion of said elongated body to a tapered tip forming an opposing second end of a lower portion of said elongated body;

a sealing member disposed at a location along a length of said stake forming a seal around a periphery of said stake at said location and extending radially away from said axis; and

wherein said upper portion comprises a frangible section separable from a remainder of said elongated body at a location defined by at least one break-point where said elongated body includes a modified section which is configured to provide a reduced shear strength as compared to a remainder of said elongated body, said modified section comprised of a bore formed in said elongated body transverse to said axis, and a scored portion on the outer surface of said elongated body aligned with said bore which further reduces a cross-sectional area of said elongated body at said break point.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a sealant disposed on a surface of said sealing member nearest said tapered tip.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member is slidably mounted to said stake along a length thereof.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member includes a flexible portion that forms said seal around said periphery of said stake.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member includes at least one of an elastic or resilient portion that forms said seal around said periphery of said stake.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member includes a ridge disposed on an outer rim thereof spaced apart from said periphery of said stake.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a channel formed between said periphery of said stake and an outer rim of said sealing member spaced apart from said periphery.

8. A disposable stake for a foundation form comprising:

a stake comprised of an elongated body extending along a defined axis and formed of a rigid material, said stake extends from a head forming a first end of an upper portion of said elongated body to a tapered tip forming an opposing second end of a lower portion of said elongated body;

a sealing member disposed at a location along a length of said stake forming a seal around a periphery of said stake at said location and extending radially away from said axis, a sealant disposed on a surface of said sealing member nearest said tapered tip, and a non-stick tape disposed on said sealant;

wherein said upper portion comprises a frangible section separable from a remainder of said elongated body at a location defined by at least one break-point where said elongated body is modified to provide a reduced shear strength as compared to a remainder of said elongated body, said break point comprising a structural modification of said elongated body selected from the group consisting of a scored portion, a hollowed portion, and a bore formed transverse to a length of said stake.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sealing member is slidably mounted to said stake along said length thereof.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sealing member includes a flexible portion that forms said seal around said periphery of said stake.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sealing member includes at least one of an elastic or resilient portion that forms said seal around said periphery of said stake.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sealing member includes a ridge disposed on an outer rim thereof spaced apart from said periphery of said stake.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a channel formed between said periphery of said stake and an outer rim of said sealing member spaced apart from said periphery.