Cement form apparatus and method

Abstract

A cement form includes a first surface arranged vertically and configured to support a volume of cement, a second surface arranged horizontally and configured to contact a ground support surface. The cement form includes a foam material and has a wedge cross-sectional shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a monolithic foundation, comprising:
 providing a plurality of cement forms each comprising a foam material;   interconnecting at least some of the plurality of cement forms in an end-to-end arrangement;   covering at least a portion of the plurality of cement forms with backfill dirt; and   after covering, pouring cement into contact with the plurality of cement forms to form a monolithic foundation, the plurality of cement forms remaining covered and in contact with the monolithic foundation after the cement cures to provide insulation for the monolithic foundation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising staking the plurality of cement forms to a ground surface prior to covering. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein staking the plurality of cement forms includes driving a stake through the foam material, and driving the stake through the foam material concurrently forms a pass-through aperture through the foam material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cement forms each include a connector groove, and interconnecting the plurality of cement forms includes removably inserting a connecting member into the connector grooves of adjacent positioned cement forms. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising removing the connecting member from the connector grooves after the cement is cured. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising inserting a foam strip into the connector grooves after removing the connecting member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cement forms each includes a first surface arranged vertically and configured to support the cement, a second surface arranged horizontally and configured to contact a ground support surface, and a third surface extending diagonally relative to the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an inner insert at a location spaced away from the plurality of cement forms, and pouring cement over the inner insert concurrently with pouring cement into contact with the plurality of cement forms, at least a portion of the inner insert being embedded in the monolithic foundation. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a monolithic foundation, comprising:
 positioning at least one cement form on a ground surface, the at least one cement form comprising a foam material; and   pouring cement into contact with the at least one cement form to form a monolithic foundation, the at least one cement form remaining covered and in contact with the monolithic foundation after the cement cures to provide insulation for the monolithic foundation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising covering a portion of the at least one cement form with backfill dirt prior to pouring cement into contact with the at least one cement form. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one cement form is made entirely of the foam material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising staking the at least one cement form to the ground surface prior to pouring cement into contact with the at least one cement form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one cement form includes a first surface arranged vertically and configured to support the cement, a second surface arranged horizontally and configured to contact the ground support surface, and a third surface extending diagonally relative to the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one cement form includes first and second cement forms arranged end-to-end, the method further comprising securing the first and second cement forms together with a connecting member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising positioning an inner insert at a location spaced away from the at least one cement form, and pouring cement over the inner insert concurrently with pouring cement into contact with the at least one cement form, the inner insert being embedded at least partially in the monolithic foundation. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a monolithic foundation, comprising:
 securing at least one cement form to a ground surface by covering a portion of the at least one cement form with backfill dirt, the at least one cement form comprising a foam material;   pouring cement into contact with the at least one cement form to form a monolithic foundation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one cement form remains in contact with the monolithic foundation after the cement cures to insulate the monolithic foundation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising grading the cement to a top surface of the at least one cement form. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising staking the at least one cement form to the ground surface prior to covering the portion of the at least one cement form with backfill dirt. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one cement form has a single piece, unitary body member with a solid, continuous foam construction and a single wedge-shaped cross-section.