Device for forming post sleeves and related methods

Abstract

A method of forming a post sleeve within a post hole in the ground to include a post receiving cavity to insertably receive and support a post is provided. The method includes positioning a post sleeve core within the post hole with the aid of an elongate installation member and depositing uncured material into the post hole to at least partially surround the post sleeve core while the post sleeve core is attached to the elongate installation member. The method further includes allowing the uncured material to harden around the post sleeve core to form at least a portion of the post-receiving cavity of the post sleeve and removing the post sleeve core from the hardened material to expose the post receiving cavity to receive and support the post. Other related methods of forming post sleeves are also provided.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A post sleeve installation assembly, comprising:
 an elastomeric post sleeve core having a shape that corresponds to a selected post sleeve shape, and including a stiffener cavity;   a core stiffener having a shape that corresponds to a shape of the stiffener cavity; and   a weight positioned within the core stiffener and configured to provide the post sleeve installation assembly with approximately neutral buoyancy in uncured concrete.   
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the core stiffener comprises an aperture extending through the core stiffener, the assembly further comprising a locking element coupled to the core stiffener and configured to releasably resist translation of an installation stake through the core stiffener in at least one direction while the stake is positioned within the aperture. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the elastomeric post sleeve core includes features for forming drain channels in the post sleeve shape. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the elastomeric post sleeve core includes features for forming plate stops in the post sleeve shape. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the elastomeric post sleeve core includes features for forming stand-off ribs in the post sleeve shape. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24  wherein the stand-off ribs are sized to contact a surface of a post inserted into a post sleeve having the post sleeve shape. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 24  wherein the stand-off ribs define, between each pair of adjacent stand-off ribs, channels that permit water to drain to a bottom of a post sleeve having the post sleeve shape when a post is positioned in the post sleeve.