Prefabricated form for molding a footing of a settable structural material

Abstract

A prefabricated form for molding a footing of a settable structural material at the bottom end of a tubular form for a structural pillar is disclosed. The form is preferably constructed from a thermoplastic such as a high density polyethylene or ABS and is molded as a single disposable unit. The form is bell-shaped and has a sidewall which is inclined at an angle of about 45.degree. to about 65.degree. with respect to the bottom edge. A top flange of the form is preferably adapted to accommodate two or more different diameters of the tubular form for the structural pillar. The sidewall may include integral ribs which open inwardly to facilitate evacuation of air as the form is filled and to lend rigidity to the sidewall to ensure that it will not collapse if earth is backfilled around the form before the form is filled with settable material. The advantage is an inexpensive form which fills reliably without the entrapment of air pockets, supports a tubular form for a pillar without cross-pieces, may be left in the ground and actually protects the footing from the intrusion of water, etc. Thus significant savings in labor and a significant improvement in the quality of footings for structural pillars made using tubular forms is realized.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.