Post sleeve assembly

• US 9,982,454 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2016
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knudsen N. Eric
• Original Assignee: Knudsen N. Eric
• Inventors: Knudsen, N. Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Maestri, Patrick J
• Application Number:
  US15/178,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20170044790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/627 self-righting after deflection or displacement
• 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 5/60 Piles with protecting cases
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/92 Protection against other undesired influences or dangers buildings providing protection against external dangers E04H9/00; shielding against dangerous radiation G21F
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/30 Columns; Pillars; Struts not designed for end loading E04C3/02; posts, masts, as independent structures E04H12/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/00 Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings ladders, e.g. climbing irons, E06C9/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2215 driven into the ground ground anchors E02D5/80
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A post sleeve, comprising:

a body of a material that is substantially impervious to water;

a cavity extending through the body along a central longitudinal axis of the body from an upper aperture at an upper end of the cavity to a lower aperture at a lower end of the cavity;

a first socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the first socket having a square cross-sectional shape in a first plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a square post having a square cross-sectional shape;

a second socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body below the first socket, the second socket having a circular cross-sectional shape in a second plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a circular post having a circular cross-sectional shape; and

a drain gutter that extends through the first socket and through the second socket.

2. The post sleeve of claim 1, further comprising 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.

3. The post sleeve of claim 2 wherein the standoff elements are spaced apart from the first and second sockets to provide a drainage passage.

4. The post sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stops extending inward from inner walls of the cavity and having a bearing surface lying substantially in a plane lying perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the cavity.

5. The post sleeve of claim 1 wherein the first and second sockets each include a respective ledge to support a bottom of the post and each include a respective sidewall to support a side of the post.

6. The post sleeve of claim 5 wherein the respective sidewalls of each of the first and second sockets are tapered.

7. The post sleeve of claim 1, further comprising an identifier coupled to the body and uniquely differentiating the post sleeve from other post sleeves.

8. The post sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a drain tube having first and second ends, the first end of the drain tube being coupled to the lower aperture such that fluid exiting the cavity passes into the drain tube.

9. A post sleeve, comprising:

a body of a material that is substantially impervious to water;

a cavity extending through the body along a central longitudinal axis of the body from an upper aperture at an upper end of the cavity to a lower aperture at a lower end of the cavity;

a first socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the first socket having a square cross-sectional shape in a first plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a square post having a square cross-sectional shape;

a second socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body below the first socket, the second socket having a circular cross-sectional shape in a second plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a circular post having a circular cross-sectional shape;

a third socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the third socket having a square cross-sectional shape in a third plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a square post having a square cross-sectional shape; and

a fourth socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the fourth socket having a circular cross-sectional shape in a fourth plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a circular post having a circular cross-sectional shape.

10. The post sleeve of claim 9 wherein the first and the third sockets are above the second and the fourth sockets.

11. The post sleeve of claim 10 wherein the first and the third sockets are larger than the second and the fourth sockets.

12. The post sleeve of claim 11 wherein the first socket is above and larger than the third socket and the second socket is above and larger than the fourth socket.

13. The post sleeve of claim 9, further comprising:

a fifth socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the fifth socket having a square cross-sectional shape in a fifth plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a square post having a square cross-sectional shape; and

a sixth socket positioned in the cavity near the lower end of the cavity and arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the body, the sixth socket having a circular cross-sectional shape in a sixth plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body and configured to receive a bottom end of a circular post having a circular cross-sectional shape.

14. The post sleeve of claim 13 wherein the first, third, and fifth sockets are above the second, fourth, and sixth sockets.

15. The post sleeve of claim 14 wherein the first, third, and fifth sockets are larger than the second, fourth, and sixth sockets.

16. The post sleeve of claim 15 wherein the first socket is above and larger than the third socket, the third socket is above and larger than the fifth socket, the second socket is above and larger than the fourth socket, and the fourth socket is above and larger than the sixth socket.

17. The post sleeve of claim 16 wherein a width of the fifth socket has a length and the second socket has a diameter that is equal to the length.