Concrete form anchor device, system and method for forming trenches

Abstract

A system for forming a concrete trench which includes an anchor device and/or method to retain a concrete form at a specific height above the ground in order to facilitate the forming of the trench. A portion of the anchor device is retained in the ground and the anchor device includes an attachment portion, ground engaging portion, and a body portion.

1 . A concrete form anchor device for forming trenches in poured concrete comprising:
 a ground engagement member configured to penetrate a portion of ground thereby securing the concrete form anchor device in the portion of ground;   a body portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end where the distal end is connected to the ground engagement member;   a support member disposed toward the proximal end having a portion configured to receive a removable fastener device, wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to a concrete form to support the concrete form a fixed distance above the portion of ground thereby allowing a trench to be formed around the concrete form.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ground engagement member comprises a spiral shaped member. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ground engagement member comprises an auger shaped member. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ground engagement member comprises a corkscrew-spiral shaped member. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises an L-shaped bracket disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion, wherein a base portion of the L-shaped bracket is configured to receive the removable fastener device. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is capable of receiving and locking a screw type fastener in place through the concrete form. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the support member is configured to contact the concrete form when the concrete form is coupled thereto. 
   
   
       8 . A system for forming trenches in poured concrete, comprising:
 a concrete form having at least two side walls;   an anchor device having an attachment portion, a ground engaging portion, and a body portion extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the attachment portion is coupled to the body portion near the proximal end and the ground engaging portion is disposed near the distal end and is operable to retain the anchor device in position during use; and   a coupling assembly operable to cooperate with the side walls of the concrete form to removably couple the concrete form to the anchor device such that the concrete form is suspended a predetermined distance above a portion of ground.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the side walls include at least one fastener receiving opening and a removable fastener of the coupling assembly is inserted through the at least one fastener opening to secure the attachment portion of the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment portion further comprises:
 an L-shaped bracket having a first portion and a second portion; and   an aperture disposed in the second portion of the L-shaped bracket configured to receive a bolt that is passed through a receiving opening in the concrete form thereby securing the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the ground engaging portion comprises a spiral shaped disk. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the ground engaging portion comprises a corkscrew-spiral shaped member. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment portion includes a first member extending away from the body portion and a second member extending transverse from the first member, the second member defining an attachment opening therein. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling assembly includes a bolt and a nut, wherein the bolt is positioned through a fastener receiving opening, disposed in the side walls, and an attachment opening and the bolt is retained in place by the nut. 
   
   
       15 . A method for forming trenches in poured concrete, comprising:
 inserting a plurality of anchor devices into a portion of ground;   coupling a respective side wall of at least one trench shaped concrete form to each of the plurality of anchor devices such that the trench shaped concrete form is suspended at a predetermined height above the portion of ground, the trench shaped concrete form and the portion of ground forming a space in the shape of a cured concrete contour therebetween;   pouring a concrete mixture such that the concrete mixture contacts at least two sides of the trench shaped concrete form;   uncoupling the trench shaped concrete form from the plurality of anchor devices after the concrete has hardened; and   removing the trench shaped concrete form and leaving the plurality of anchor devices within the hardened concrete mixture.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the at least one trench shaped concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices includes:
 inserting a bolt through a fastener receiving opening defined in the trench shaped concrete form and a support member opening defined in the plurality of anchor devices; and   retaining the bolt within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the bolt is retained within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening with a nut. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein uncoupling the trench shaped concrete form includes removing the bolt. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the at least one trench shaped concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices includes inserting a screw type fastener through the trench shaped concrete form into a support member of the anchor device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the screw type fastener is retained by the support member. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein uncoupling the concrete form includes removing the screw type fastener from the support member of the anchor device. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein inserting the plurality of anchor devices into the portion of ground includes:
 pressing a tip portion of the anchor device into the portion of ground;   rotating the anchor device to fixedly engage the portion of ground; and   positioning the anchor device such that an attachment surface of a support member of the anchor device is positioned to engage a side wall of the trench shaped concrete form to support the trench shaped concrete form at the first height above the portion of ground.