Post sleeve assembly

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.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system, comprising:
 a database that stores information that uniquely identifies a plurality of post sleeves, wherein the plurality of post sleeves includes a first post sleeve that includes a rigid, elongate body, a cavity extending longitudinally within the body and configured to receive an end of a post therein, and an identifier coupled to the body and uniquely differentiating the first post sleeve from other post sleeves of the plurality of post sleeves.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of post sleeves are all located within a single piece of property. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the identifier comprises elements denoting one or more of: a manufacturer's serial number, a model number of the first post sleeve, a date of manufacture of the first post sleeve, a name of a manufacturer of the first post sleeve, and a place of manufacture of the first post sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the identifier is formed in the material of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the identifier is in a machine-readable form. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the identifier comprises a bar code. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the identifier comprises a radio-frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the radio-frequency identification tag includes a memory configured to receive and store data. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 installing at least a portion of a fence, including installing a first post sleeve, the first post sleeve including a rigid, elongate body, a cavity extending longitudinally within the body and configured to receive an end of a post therein, and a first identifier applied to the body and carrying a first unique identification number, the unique identification number uniquely differentiating the first post sleeve from other post sleeves of a plurality of post sleeves; and   recording the first unique identification number in a database.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein installing at least a portion of a fence includes installing the first post sleeve, a second post sleeve including a second identifier carrying a second unique identification number, and a third post sleeve including a third identifier carrying a third unique identification number. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising recording the second and third unique identification numbers in the database. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising recording a color, material, or dimension of the first post sleeve in the database. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising recording a location of the first post sleeve in the database. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising recording a location of the first post sleeve relative to other post sleeves of the plurality of post sleeves in the database. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising repairing the portion of the fence, including accessing information regarding the portion of the fence recorded in the database. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein accessing information includes accessing information via a secure website. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein repairing the portion of the fence includes fabricating fence components based on the information accessed. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein fabricating fence components includes fabricating the fence components at an off-site shop.