Apparatus and Method for Protecting In-Ground Wood

Abstract

An apparatus and method for decreasing rot and insect damage to in-ground wood increases the effective life of the wood. The combination of a waterproof sleeve that covers the in-ground portion of the wood, and a collar surrounding the wood above the ground, defines a barrier system that prevents microbes and insects from gaining access to the wood and prevents leaching of chemical preservatives and the like from the wood into the soil.

1 . Apparatus for use with wooden in-ground posts having a portion extending below ground level and a portion extending above ground level, comprising:
 a waterproof sleeve surrounding the below ground portion of said post and a portion of said sleeve extending above the ground level;   a waterproof collar adapted for being wrapped around said post and having a lower edge on or adjacent to the ground level, an upper edge sealed against said post, and a lower section that is spaced apart from said post around said post, wherein said portion of said sleeve that extends above the ground level is contained in the lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  including plural holes in said collar opening into said lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said collar includes an interior wall that is spaced apart from said post, and including a lip formed on the interior wall below said plural holes. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said lip has a distal end and the distal end is spaced apart from said post. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said portion of said sleeve that extends above the ground level is contained in the lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post, below said lip. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  including a fluid flow path from the spaced apart portion past said lip and through said plural holes. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said lip is positioned relative to said plural holes to block sunlight entering through said holes from impinging on said sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said lip is position relative to said plural holes to prevent watering from entering the lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said collar includes a circumferential seat between the upper edge and the lower portion and including a fastener extending around said collar in said circumferential seat. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the collar defines a wall thickness and the wall thickness at the lower section is relatively less than the wall thickness at the upper edge. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for use with wooden in-ground posts having a portion extending below ground level and a portion extending above ground level, comprising:
 a waterproof sleeve adapted for surrounding the below ground portion of said post wherein a portion of said sleeve extends above the ground level to define a space between the post and said sleeve, said sleeve having an open top, a closed bottom and closed sidewalls, and a circumference greater than the circumference of the in-ground post;   a waterproof collar adapted to be wrapped around said post at the ground level and having a lower edge on or adjacent to the ground level, an upper edge sealed against said post, and a lower section that is spaced apart from said post around said post around the circumference thereof, wherein said portion of said sleeve that extends above the ground level is contained in the lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post, and said waterproof collar defining a fluid flow path from the space between the post and the sleeve; and said waterproof collar including water and light blocking means for preventing water and light from outside of said collar from entering the space between the post and the sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the fluid flow path from the space between the post and the sleeve is defined by plural holes in said collar opening into said lower portion of said collar that is spaced apart from said post. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said light blocking means for preventing water and light from outside of said collar from entering the space between the post and the sleeve is defined by an interior wall that is spaced apart from said post with a lip formed on the interior wall below said plural holes and extending circumferentially around said collar. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said lip has a distal end and the distal end is spaced apart from said post. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said lip is positioned relative to said plural holes to block sunlight entering through said holes from impinging on said sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . A method for use with a wooden in-ground post having a portion extending below ground level and a portion extending above ground level, for extending the effective life of said post, comprising the steps of:
 a) forming a hole in the ground for receiving said post;   b) providing a post;   c) covering a lower portion of said post with a waterproof sleeve and inserting said post in said hole so that a portion of said waterproof sleeve extends above the ground level;   d) in-filling the hole;   e) wrapping a waterproof collar having opposite ends around said post so that a bottom edge of the collar is on or adjacent to ground level, mating the opposite ends of said collar and securing the collar to the post so that an upper portion of said collar is sealed against said post and a lower portion of said collar is spaced apart from said post, and wherein a portion of said waterproof sleeve that extends above the ground level is captured between the collar and the post in the spaced apart portion.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  including the step of providing holes in said collar in said spaced apart portion to define a fluid flow path from said post into said spaced apart portion and through said holes. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  of allowing moisture from said post to evaporate therefrom through the fluid flow path. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  including the step of blocking light and water from entering said spaced apart portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the step of securing the collar to the post includes the step of wrapping a tie around the upper portion of the collar and tightening the tie against the collar.