Pre-pour sleeve system

Abstract

A pre-pour sleeve system having a sleeve body and a key that cooperate to form a void in a floor, wall, or other structure. The sleeve body includes a first termination end and a second termination end defining a gap therebetween, each termination end including a mating sleeve feature. The key includes at least one mating key feature adapted to mate with each mating sleeve feature of the body, said key further having a key body that fits into the gap of the sleeve body. In an engaged position, the key is mated with the sleeve body to form a substantially continuous shape, around which concrete or other material is poured. After the concrete sets, the key is disengaged from the sleeve body, allowing the sleeve body to compress and be removed from the floor and reclaimed.

1 . A pre-pour sleeve system comprising:
 a sleeve body; and   a key adapted to cooperate with the sleeve body to form a void.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body includes a first termination end and a second termination end. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the key in an engaged position mates with the first termination end and the second termination end of the sleeve body to form a substantially continuous, substantially cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the key in a disengaged position does not mate with the first termination end and the second termination end of the sleeve body and allows for the sleeve body to compress. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing means for attaching the sleeve to a flooring support surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of positioning holes allowing for height adjustment of the sleeve relative to the securing means. 
     
     
         8 . A pre-pour system comprising:
 a sleeve body including a first termination end and a second termination end to define a gap therebetween, the first termination end and the second termination end each including a mating sleeve feature; and   a key including a key body adapted to fit into the gap of the sleeve body and at least one mating key feature adapted to mate with the mating sleeve features of the first termination end and the second termination end of the sleeve body.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mating key features are mated with the mating sleeve features of the first and second termination ends of the sleeve body to form a substantially continuous, substantially cylindrical sleeve suitable for forming a void. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the key may be disengaged from the sleeve body to allow for compression of the sleeve body for easy removal of the sleeve body from a floor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a plate having an aperture adapted to receive the sleeve and having at least one tab adapted to align with at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body,
 wherein a height of the sleeve body relative to the plate may be adjusted, and   wherein the height of the sleeve body relative to the plate may be fixed by an attachment means inserted through the at least one tab of the plate and through the at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one L-bracket adapted to align with at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body,
 wherein a height of the sleeve body relative to the at least one L-bracket may be adjusted, and   wherein the height of the sleeve body relative to the at least one L-bracket may be fixed by an attachment means inserted through the at least one L-bracket and through the at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a cap adapted to be secured to the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a void in a floor comprising:
 providing a sleeve system having a sleeve body and a key inserted therein;   positioning the sleeve system onto a support surface;   forming a floor around the sleeve system; and   removing the key in order to compress the sleeve body.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising reclaiming the sleeve body after removing the key. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inserting the sleeve system into an aperture of a plate prior to positioning the sleeve system onto the support surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting a height of the sleeve system relative to the support surface by inserting at least one attachment means through at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body and through at least one tab provided in the plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising fixing the sleeve system to at least one L-bracket prior to positioning the sleeve system onto the support surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising selecting a height of the sleeve system relative to the support surface by inserting at least one attachment means through at least one positioning hole formed in the sleeve body and through at least one hole provided in the at least one L-bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising placing a cap onto the sleeve system prior to forming a floor around the sleeve system.