Water-permeable concrete pad and form

Abstract

A concrete pad with drainage holes is created using an in-situ form that is preferably biodegradable with a matrix of spaced, vertically aligned conduits having upper ends with removable caps and connector means connecting the conduits. The form is horizontally positioned at the area where the pad is to be created and concrete is poured into the form until the concrete surrounds the walls of all of the conduits and the upper surface of the concrete is in a plane with the upper ends of the conduits. After the concrete has cured, the caps are allowed to biodegrade or are removed to permit water to flow from the top of the pad through the conduits for drainage from the lower ends of the conduits into the soil beneath the pad.

1 . A concrete form for use in producing a concrete pad with an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of spaced drainage holes extending from the pad upper surface to the pad lower surface comprising:
 a) a matrix of spaced, vertical conduits having continuous side walls, upper ends and lower ends;   b) connector means connecting said conduits; and   c) caps covering said conduit upper ends, said form being an open-top form whereby concrete can be poured downwardly into said form onto said connector means and around the side walls of all conduits in said matrix.   
   
   
       2 . The form of  claim 1 , wherein said form is made from a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       3 . The form of  claim 1 , wherein said conduits and connector means are integrally molded. 
   
   
       4 . The form of  claim 1 , wherein said conduits are truncated cones with integral caps. 
   
   
       5 . The form of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50 percent of the length of said conduits projects above said connector means. 
   
   
       6 . The form of  claim 1 , wherein said connector means is a continuous sheet having an upper surface with said conduits projecting upwardly from and being integral with said sheet. 
   
   
       7 . A concrete pad with a plurality of spaced drainage holes comprising:
 a) a form with a matrix of vertical conduits joined by a connector means, said conduits having continuous side walls, upper ends and lower ends; and   b) concrete filling said form, said concrete surrounds the walls of all conduits in said matrix and having an upper surface in a plane with the upper ends of said conduits, whereby water can enter the upper ends of said conduits and drain through said conduits to beneath said pad.   
   
   
       8 . The concrete pad of  claim 7 , wherein said form is made from a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       9 . The concrete pad of  claim 7 , wherein said conduits have a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       10 . The pad of  claim 7 , wherein said conduits are arrayed in a rectangular pattern. 
   
   
       11 . The pad of  claim 7 , wherein said connector means is comprised of spacers with opposed ends attached to adjacent conduits. 
   
   
       12 . The pad of  claim 7 , wherein said conduits and connector means are integrally molded. 
   
   
       4 . The pad of  claim 7 , wherein said conduits are truncated cones with integral caps. 
   
   
       5 . The pad of  claim 7 , wherein at least 50 percent of the length of said conduits projects above said connector means. 
   
   
       15 . A method of forming a concrete pad having drainage holes comprising:
 a) providing a form having a matrix of spaced, vertical conduits having continuous side walls, upper ends and lower ends, connector means connecting said conduits, and caps covering said conduit upper ends, said form being an open-top form whereby concrete can be poured downwardly into said form and around the side walls of all conduits in said matrix;   b) horizontally positioning the form at the area where the pad is to be formed; and   c) pouring concrete into said form until the concrete surrounds all of said conduits and the upper surface of the concrete is in a plane with the upper ends of said conduits; and   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of removing said caps. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said form is constructed of a biodegradable material. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said connector means comprises vertically oriented rectangular spacers with opposed ends, said ends being attached to adjacent conduits. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said conduits and connector means are integrally molded. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of attaching rebar to said form prior to pouring said concrete.