WO2003056116A1

WO2003056116A1 - A device for shaping a settable substance

Info

Publication number: WO2003056116A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/001740
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas John Long
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-20
Publication date: 2003-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2004-06-21
Also published as: AUPR972301A0

Abstract

A device for shaping a settable substance comprising a body (11) having a passage therethrough and at least two parts (18, 19) which have adjacent side walls (15, 16) which are able to be detachably connected together to permit the body to be placed around an elongate member such as a post to thereby fully enclose it and having an internal surface of a predetermined shape, to thereby allow the body to be pressed onto a settable substance around a base of the post and substantially conform at least part of the settable substance to the shape of the internal surface.

Description

A DEVICE FOR SHAPING A SETTABLE SUBSTANCE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to poles and posts such as those used in building construction and fence construction. However the present invention is particularly concerned with stumps or poles used to support houses above ground. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical pole home requires poles to be supported in holes which are filled with concrete which is then allowed to set. It is important that the concrete is provided to a level above the normal ground surface, otherwise it is easy for water to build up around the pole and cause damage such as corrosion in the case of a metal pole or rotting in the case of a wooden pole.

Typically a mound is formed comprising a collector for collecting silt, a support frame for supporting the collector and pivot means connecting the connector to the support whereby the collector is able to pivot with respect to the support to assist with removal of silt when the device is lifted.

Typically a mound is formed around the base of the pole and a trowel is used to form this mound.

The present invention provides an alternative device for performing the shaping process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a device for shaping a settable substance comprising a body having a passage therethrough and at least two parts which have adjacent side walls which are able to be detachably connected together to permit the body to be placed around an elongate member such as a post to thereby fully enclose it and having an internal surface of a predetermined shape, to thereby allow the body to be pressed onto a settable substance around a base of the post and substantially conform at least part of the settable substance to the shape of the internal surface. It is preferred that the body is annular.

The body may have an internal and external wall.

Preferably the passage comprises an opening in a top surface of the body. The body preferably comprises a shell .

Preferably the body comprises a thin wall which is configured to permit the settable substance to be moulded to a predetermined shape .

The internal surface of the body preferably defines an inner chamber having a predetermined shape.

The predetermined shape may be an inverted bowl shape .

The internal surface preferably acts as a moulding surface . The internal surface may be smooth and may be made of a material which resists the settable substance from clinging thereto.

It is preferred that the device includes a connection means for connecting the adjacent side walls of the first and second parts together.

The connection means preferably comprises connection portions connected to the adjacent side walls of the first and second parts.

The connection means may include straps or latches.

The connection means preferably includes a pivot or hinge means which allows the two parts to pivot with respect to each other.

Preferably adjacent side walls extend from the top to the bottom of the body.

It is preferred that the adjacent side walls comprise edges of the body separated by a gap or discontinuity axially through the body.

It is preferred that the parts divide the body into two parts of substantially the same size.

The two parts are preferably pivotally connected at one edge thereo . The two parts are preferably pivotally connected together along adjacent edges extending axially top to bottom through the wall of the body.

The two parts may divide the body into substantially two halves.

It is preferred that the two parts are pivotally connected together along one end edge and are detachably connected together along another side edge.

It is preferred that the device includes a handle means for allowing the device to be pressed down onto the settable substance.

It is preferred that the device includes an upper and lower region, with the lower region including a moulding region which is adapted to contact the settable substance.

It is preferred that the handle means is attached to the upper portion.

The words "comprising, having, including" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in Figure 1 the device consists of a hemispherical bowl shaped shell 11 forming an inverted hollow chamber of the same shape. Above this hemispherical section 11 a generally cylindrical section 12 is provided with left and right handles 13, 14 extending from opposite side walls 15, 16 thereof.

Both the cylindrical section 12 and hemispherical section 11 have a common central longitudinal axis 17 with the passage through the centre of cylindrical section 12 opening into the hemispherical chamber inside the section 11.

The device 10 is divided into two equal parts 18, 19 which as shown in the figure are connected together by upper and lower hinges 20, 21. On the opposite side of the device latches are provided in positions corresponding to hinges 20, 21 and allow the parts to be connected or disconnected as desired.

In use the device 11 is adapted to be opened and placed around a pole or post or the like on top of a settable substance such as wet concrete which is poured around the bottom of the post . The device is then pressed down onto the concrete so as to form it into a hemispherical shape. The handles 13 and 14 can be used to assist this procedure and may also assist with rotating the device to help with the moulding process . Once the concrete has been moulded as required the device can then be lifted off the concrete and detached into its halves and then placed around another pole to repeat the same process.

It is envisaged that the shape of the device may be changed to provide alternative types of moulding shapes around the base of a pole. It is also possible to include a form of template on the inner surface of the device so that a stencilled pattern can be created on the outer surface of the moulded substance .

The upper region may also be changed in shape as required.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Claims

1. A device for shaping a settable substance comprising a body having a passage therethrough and at least two parts which have adjacent side walls which are able to be detachably connected together to permit the body to be placed around an elongate member such as a post to thereby fully enclose it and having an internal surface of a predetermined shape, to thereby allow the body to be pressed onto a settable substance around a base of the post and substantially conform at least part of the settable substance to the shape of the internal surface.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is annular.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the passage comprises an opening in a top surface of the body.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the body comprises a shell having an internal and external wall.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 including a connection means for connecting the adjacent side walls of the first and second parts together.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connection means comprises connection portions connected to the adjacent side walls of the first and second parts.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connection means comprises at least one latch.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the connection means includes a pivot which allows the two parts to pivot with respect to each other.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second parts divide the body into two parts of substantially the same size.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the two parts are pivotally connected at one edge thereof.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 including a handle means for allowing the device to be pressed onto the settable substance.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 including an upper and a lower region, with the lower region including a moulding region which is adapted to contact the settable substance and the upper region having handle portions of the handle means extending therefrom.

13. The device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .