# US 8,782,978 B1 · Post footing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,782,978 B1 - Document ID: US8782978B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/048,503 - Filed: 2013-10-08 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-08 - Applicants: Gerry Frenette; Richard Frenette - Inventors: Gerry Frenette; Richard Frenette - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782978B1 ## CPC - E04H 12/2269: {in a socket} - E02D 27/42: Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys {(sockets or holders for poles or masts per se E04H12/22)} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A post footing device facilitates replacement of broken posts. The device includes a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and a perimeter wall extending between the upper end and the lower end. A sleeve has a top end, a bottom end, and a peripheral wall extending between the top end and the bottom end. The sleeve is insertable into the tube and configured for receiving and laterally supporting a post. Each of a plurality of alignment bars extends between the tube and the sleeve wherein the sleeve is held in position within the tube. The alignment bars are spaced around the sleeve such that the alignment bars align the sleeve in the tube. A support is positioned in the sleeve between the top end and the bottom end wherein the support is configured for supporting the post in the sleeve above the bottom end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A post footing device comprising: a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and a perimeter wall extending between said upper end and said lower end; a sleeve having a top end, a bottom end, and a peripheral wall extending between said top end and said bottom end, said sleeve being insertable into said tube, said sleeve being configured for receiving and laterally supporting a post; a plurality of alignment bars, each alignment bar extending between said tube and said sleeve wherein said sleeve is held in position within said tube, said alignment bars being spaced around said sleeve wherein said alignment bars align said sleeve in said tube; a support positioned in said sleeve between said top end and said bottom end wherein said support is configured for supporting the post in said sleeve above said bottom end; sand positioned in said sleeve, said sand extending downwardly from said support; concrete positioned between said tube and said sleeve wherein said sleeve is held in position within said tube; and a layer of drain stone positioned in said tube under said concrete, said sleeve extending into said layer of drain stone wherein a medial portion of said layer of drain stone is positioned in said sleeve under said sand. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising said tube having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising said sleeve having a square transverse cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising said alignment bars being arranged into a plurality of linearly aligned pairs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, further comprising said support being aligned with an associated aligned pair of said alignment bars wherein said support is coplanar with said associated aligned pair of alignment bars. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, further comprising each said aligned pair of alignment bars being formed by a single bar extending through said sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, further comprising said support comprising an uppermost one of said aligned pairs of said alignment bars. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, further comprising said alignment bars being arranged into a plurality of sets of alignment bars, each set of alignment bars comprising vertically adjacent transversely oriented pairs of said aligned pairs of said alignment bars. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising said support comprising an uppermost one of said sets of alignment bars. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: concrete positioned between said tube and said sleeve wherein said sleeve is held in position within said tube; and said top end of said sleeve being vertically spaced above said upper end of said tube, said concrete having an upper surface sloping downwardly and away from said sleeve towards said upper end of said tube. ### Claim 11 A post footing device comprising: a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and a perimeter wall extending between said upper end and said lower end, said tube having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape; a sleeve having a top end, a bottom end, and a peripheral wall extending between said top end and said bottom end, said sleeve being insertable into said tube, said sleeve being configured for receiving and laterally supporting a post, said sleeve having a square transverse cross-sectional shape, said top end of said sleeve being vertically spaced above said upper end of said tube; a plurality of alignment bars, each alignment bar extending between said tube and said sleeve wherein said sleeve is held in position within said tube, said alignment bars being spaced around said sleeve wherein said alignment bars align said sleeve in said tube, said alignment bars being arranged into a plurality of linearly aligned pairs, each said aligned pair of alignment bars being formed by a single bar extending through said sleeve, said alignment bars being arranged into a plurality of sets of alignment bars, each set of alignment bars comprising vertically adjacent transversely oriented pairs of said aligned pairs of said alignment bars; a support positioned in said sleeve between said top end and said bottom end wherein said support is configured for supporting the post in said sleeve above said bottom end, said support being aligned with an associated aligned pair of said alignment bars wherein said support is coplanar with said associated aligned pair of alignment bars, said support comprising an uppermost one of said aligned pairs of said alignment bars, said support comprising an uppermost one of said sets of alignment bars; sand positioned in said sleeve, said sand extending downwardly from said support; concrete positioned between said tube and said sleeve wherein said sleeve is held in position within said tube, said concrete having an upper surface sloping downwardly and away from said sleeve towards said upper end of said tube; and a layer of drain stone positioned in said tube under said concrete, said sleeve extending into said layer of drain stone wherein a medial portion of said layer of drain stone is positioned in said sleeve under said sand.