Post sleeve positioning systems and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016333603-A1
Application number	US-201615099202-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 14, 2016
Priority date	Mar 13, 2009
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for positioning post sleeves is provided including a plurality of post sleeve positioning devices and a spacing mechanism. Each post sleeve positioning device is configured to receive a respective post sleeve and to enable selective adjustment of a position and orientation of the respective post sleeve. The spacing mechanism is coupleable between the pair of post sleeve positioning devices to determine or control the position and orientation of the post sleeve received by one of the pair of post sleeves positioning devices relative to the post sleeve received by the other one of the pair of post sleeve positioning devices. Related systems and methods are also provided.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A method of building or repairing a fence, the method comprising:
installing a first fence post sleeve in the ground; and installing a second fence post sleeve in the ground so that the second fence post sleeve is spaced apart from the first fence post sleeve.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein installing the second fence post sleeve includes adjusting a position of the second fence post sleeve relative to the first fence post sleeve and adjusting an orientation of the second fence post sleeve relative to the first fence post sleeve.

4 . The method of claim 3 wherein adjusting the position of the second fence post sleeve relative to the first fence post sleeve includes establishing a distance between the first fence post sleeve and the second fence post sleeve with a spacing mechanism.

5 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
installing a first fence post in the first fence post sleeve and a second fence post in the second fence post sleeve; and installing a fence panel between the installed first fence post and the installed second fence post.

6 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
installing a first fence post of a prefabricated fence panel in the first fence post sleeve; and installing a second fence post of the prefabricated fence panel in the second fence post sleeve.

7 . A post sleeve positioning system comprising:
a leg assembly including a plurality of legs; a post sleeve support assembly coupled to the leg assembly, the post sleeve support assembly configured to support a post sleeve within a post hole when the leg assembly is positioned over the post hole.

8 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 wherein the leg assembly includes exactly three legs.

9 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 wherein the leg assembly includes exactly four legs.

10 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 , further comprising:
the post sleeve, and wherein the post sleeve is coupled to the post sleeve support assembly.

11 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 10 wherein the post sleeve support assembly includes a casing and an adjustable latch, the post sleeve includes an internal cavity and a notch formed within the internal cavity, and the latch is configured to engage the notch to couple the post sleeve to the post sleeve support assembly when the casing is positioned within the internal cavity.

12 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 wherein each of the legs includes an adjustable foot.

13 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a level indicating mechanism attached to the leg assembly.

14 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 wherein the post sleeve support assembly is adjustable with respect to the leg assembly along a first horizontal axis, along a second horizontal axis, and along a vertical axis.

15 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 14 wherein the first horizontal axis is perpendicular to the second horizontal axis and to the vertical axis and the second horizontal axis is perpendicular to the vertical axis.

16 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 14 wherein the post sleeve support assembly is adjustable with respect to the leg assembly about at least one axis of rotation.

17 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a wheel coupled to at least one of the plurality of legs.

18 . A method of installing a post sleeve in a post hole, comprising:
coupling the post sleeve to a post sleeve support assembly supported by a leg assembly including a plurality of legs; positioning the leg assembly over the post hole so that the post sleeve is positioned within the post hole; and filling the post hole around the post sleeve.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
adjusting a length of at least one of the plurality of legs to adjust the post sleeve so that the post sleeve is plumb within the post hole.

20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
after the post sleeve is positioned within the post hole, translating the post sleeve horizontally with respect to the leg assembly.

21 . The method of claim 20 wherein translating the post sleeve horizontally with respect to the leg assembly includes translating the post sleeve horizontally with respect to the leg assembly on a first axis and translating the post sleeve horizontally with respect to the leg assembly on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

22 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
after the post sleeve is positioned within the post hole, translating the post sleeve vertically with respect to the leg assembly.

23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
after the post sleeve is positioned within the post hole, rotating the post sleeve with respect to the leg assembly.

24 . A post sleeve positioning system comprising:
a plurality of continuous tracks; and a post sleeve support assembly coupled to the plurality of continuous tracks, the post sleeve support assembly configured to support a post sleeve within a post hole when the plurality of continuous tracks are positioned about the post hole.

25 . The post sleeve positioning system of claim 24 , further comprising:
the post sleeve, and wherein the post sleeve is coupled to the post sleeve support assembly.

Assignees

• Knudsen N Eric

Inventors

• Knudsen N Eric

Classifications

• G01B5/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B5/24 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04H12/2215

  driven into the ground (ground anchors E02D5/80) · CPC title

• E04H17/26 Primary

  Devices for erecting or removing fences · CPC title

• E04H12/2284

  Means for adjusting the orientation of the post or pole · CPC title

• E04H17/22

  Anchoring means therefor, e.g. specially-shaped parts entering the ground; Struts or the like · CPC title