Concrete form anchor device, system and method for forming trenches

Abstract

A system for forming a concrete trench which includes an anchor device and/or method to retain a concrete form at a specific height above the ground in order to facilitate the forming of the trench. A portion of the anchor device is retained in the ground and the anchor device includes an attachment portion, ground engaging portion, and a body portion.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to concrete forms and more particularly, to concrete form anchor devices operable to support and retain concrete forms in position during the pouring and formation of a concrete trench.

Forming trenches in concrete construction presents a problem due to the nature of the typical concrete mixes being semi-liquids. Therefore, when concrete is poured, forms tend to gravitate or float upwards if not attached to the ground. Current practices for preventing floating of the form include driving rebar into the ground along one side of the form, attaching wire to the rebar, extending the wire over the form, and attaching the wire to rebar driven on the opposite side of the form. The rebar in this method sometimes releases from the soil which allows the form to float or gravitate upwards. This method of forming concrete trenches is labor intensive and costly.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present application discloses a concrete form system which is capable of maintaining a concrete form in a preset position during the pouring of concrete to form a trench. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods for maintaining concrete forms in preset positions to form concrete trenches. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a concrete form system.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing an enlarged view of a portion of the concrete form system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an anchor device.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an anchor device such as that shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the anchor device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of another concrete form system.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing an enlarged view of a portion of the concrete form system of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention is illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a concrete form system 10 cooperating with ground 12 for use in forming a trench 14 with concrete 16. System 10 could be used in a wide variety of concrete forming applications and includes a concrete form 20 and a plurality of concrete anchor devices 30. Although system 10 is illustrated in this form for use in connection with the formation of trench 14, it is envisioned that system 10 could find application in a wide variety of concrete forming applications outside of trenches such as foundations, roads, and curbs, among other applications. Concrete form 20 could be formed from any number of materials including plastics, metal, wood, composites, or any other known materials for forming concrete. Furthermore, certain forms of the present application contemplate anchor devices 30 being formed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metal, galvanized metal, steel, alloys, wood, and plastic, to name a few.

Concrete form 20 includes a plurality of concrete engaging surfaces 34 that are surrounded by concrete 16 once it is poured around concrete form 20 and a plurality of open surfaces 36 that are not contacted by concrete 16. In this form, concrete form 20 is defined by a pair of opposing side form members 40 and a bottom or base form member 50 which cooperate together to define a U-Shaped cross-section to form trench 14. In some forms, the concrete form 20 may have other shapes and may include rounded surfaces. For example, the concrete form 20 may be V-shaped, or may be D-shaped, to set forth just a few non-limiting examples. Accordingly, any shape of trench or other concrete construction may be built using the devices and methods described herein. In one form the opposing side form members 40 and base form member 50 may be separate members coupled together using any suitable technique, such as bolting, nailing, screwing, and the like, to set forth just a few non-limiting examples. Concrete form 20 could include multiple form members that define trenches 14 running in various directions. Additionally, in other forms, concrete form 20 could be a unitary structure or contain multiple components coupled together.

Referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates a close up view of the circled area indicated in FIG. 1, concrete form 20 includes at least one fastener opening 52 for each anchor device 30 being used and is removably coupled to anchor device 30 with a coupling assembly 60. In some forms, concrete form 20 may have multiple fastener openings 52 for one or more than one anchor device 30. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when concrete form 20 is connected with anchor device 30, anchor device 30 holds or positions concrete form 20 above ground 12 a predetermined distance. In other words, base 50 of concrete form 20 is held suspended above ground 12 at a desired level. This ensures that when concrete 16 is poured, concrete 16 is capable of forming a trench 14 in concrete 16 after it hardens and concrete form 20 is removed from concrete 16. The predetermined distance that the concrete form is positioned above ground 12 may be constant across any dimension of the concrete form 20, or may vary, depending on the requirements of any given application, ground surface preparation, the shape of the concrete form, among possible others. In some forms, a portion or portions of the concrete form may contact the ground 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one form of the present application, coupling assembly 60 comprises a bolt 70, a washer 80, and a nut 90. In this form, during setup of concrete form 20, bolt 70 is inserted through opening 52 of concrete form 20 and through an opening or aperture 190 of anchor device 30. Nut 90 is then attached to a respective end 72 of bolt 70 so that concrete form 20 is securely connected with anchor device 30. In another form, opening 190 of anchor device 30 can be threaded so that bolt 70 can screw into threaded opening 190 thereby securing concrete form 20 to anchor device 30. Other forms of attachment may be used to secure the concrete form 20 to the anchor device 30. To set forth just one non-limiting example, the anchor device 30 may not have an opening or aperture 190 that receives a bolt 70, but rather the anchor device 30 can take the form of a male member capable of engagingly coupling with a female counterpart member, such that the male member slidingly receives the female counterpart. Such a female counterpart member can be formed in the concrete form 20 or may be a separate assembly coupled to the concrete form 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, in one form anchor device 30 includes a body portion 100, a ground engagement member 110, and an attachment member 120. Body portion 100 is preferably in the form of a rod having a diameter D₁ of about ½ inch (½″) to about 1 inch (1″) and extends between a proximal end 130 and a distal end 140 a length L₁. Various diameters D₁ and lengths L₁ are contemplated and in one specific example length L₁ is about 20 inches (20″). Though depicted as cylindrical in shape, the body portion 100 may have any variety of other shapes. In addition, the cross sectional shape of the body portion 100 may vary over its length. One form of the present application contemplates body portion 100 extending to a tip portion 150 which includes a sharp or pointed end 152 allowing easier insertion into ground 12 during use. Tip portion 150 extends from distal end 140 a length L₂ towards proximal end 130. In one illustrative form, L₂ is at least about 1 inch (1″). The top portion 150 is formed as flat on one side of the body portion 100, or it may take on other forms in different embodiments. One such embodiment may be a tip portion 150 formed as two separate flats on opposite sides of the tip portion. Still other tip portions 150 may be formed like the head of a drill bit, a screw, or other device capable of burrowing into the ground.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, attachment member 120 is positioned at a distance of L₃, which in one form is about 1 inch (1″), from proximal end 130 and includes a bracket member 160 in the form of an L-shaped flange or bracket including a body extending portion 170 and an attachment extending portion 180, where attachment extending portion 180 extends from the body extending portion at a substantially right or 90 degree angle. Attachment member 120 may be a separate device attached to body portion 100 or may be integrally formed within body portion 100. Although depicted as L-shaped, attachment member 120 may have any variety of other shapes suitable to be coupled with a concrete form or other device. In one form, body extending portion 170 has a length of about ¾ inch (¾″) and attachment extending portion 180 has a length of about 1 inch (1″). Other different sizes of body extending portion 170 and attachment extending portion 180 are envisioned. Attachment extending portion 180 may define a flange opening or aperture 190, having a diameter D₂ which is operable to receive end 72 of bolt 70 (FIG. 2) during use. In some forms, attachment extending portion 180 may have multiple flange openings or apertures 190.

In at least one form, ground engagement member 110 is configured and arranged as a spiral shaped member or auger operable to retain anchor device 30 in a fixed position by cooperating with ground 12 to prevent anchor device 30 from backing out during operation. Ground engagement member 110 may be a separate device attached to body portion 100, or may be integrally formed as part of body portion 100. Ground engagement member 110 includes a lower member 220 and an upper member 210. One form of the present application contemplates lower member 220 having a ground penetrating portion 200 and an upper member-portion 230 where ground penetrating portion 200 is positioned at an offset angle 240 relative to upper member portion 230. Any range of offset angle 240 is contemplated herein, including 0 degrees to 180 degrees. In one form, ground engagement member 110 has a thickness of about ⅛ inch (⅛″).

As shown in FIG. 2, when in use, bolt 70 extends through opening 52 and through flange opening 190 at a sufficient distance to receive nut 90 thereon in order to retain bolt 70 in place within opening 52 and flange opening 190. As previously set forth, other forms of the present application contemplate flange opening 190 being threaded such that bolt 70 could thread directly into flange opening 190 eliminating or making optional the use of nut 90 in order to retain bolt 70. Additionally, while the use of washer 80 is shown in FIG. 2, it is also contemplated that washer 80 could be integrated as part of bolt 70 or not used at all.

In operation, after preparation of ground 12 where concrete 16 is to be poured, a user (not shown), or other force applicator, inserts at least one anchor device 30 into ground 12 by pressing tip portion 150 into the soil and turning anchor device 30. The user presses anchor device 30 into ground 12 until a portion of ground penetrating portion 200 contacts ground 12. The user then turns anchor device 30, allowing ground engagement member 110 to burrow into ground 12, until ground engagement member 110 is within ground 12 and attachment member 120 is positioned at the desired height above ground 12. This process is repeated until the desired number of anchor devices 30 are in place.

After the desired number of anchor devices 30 are in place, the user may attach concrete form 20 to each anchor device 30 by inserting bolt 70 through each opening 52 and fastener opening 190 which are positioned adjacent to each other. As such, a side surface or face 192 (see FIG. 4) of attachment extending portion 180 may be connected with an outside or concrete side surface 194 (see FIG. 1) of concrete form 20. Concrete form 20 may be positioned at the desired height by aligning openings 52 with flange openings 190. As described previously in one form of the present application, either fastener opening 190 is threaded or nut 90 is received on each bolt 70 to retain concrete form 20 to each anchor device.

Once concrete form 20 is positioned at the desired height, concrete 16 is poured into the prepared area. Once concrete 16 has hardened to the desired level, bolts 70 are removed and concrete form 20 is removed. Upon removal of concrete form 20, anchor devices 30 remain in place hidden from view in concrete 16 and concrete form 20 may be reused at a later time. A trench 14 having the shape of concrete form 20 is thereby formed in concrete 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a concrete form system 11 cooperating with ground 12 for use in forming a trench 14 with concrete 16. System 11 could be used in a wide variety of concrete forming applications and includes concrete form 20 and a plurality of concrete anchor devices 30. In this form, a different type of concrete anchor device is utilized to support concrete form 20 above ground 12 so that a trench 14 can be formed in concrete 16.

Referring to FIG. 7, which illustrates a close up view of the circled area indicated in FIG. 6, in this form concrete form 20 may be pre-drilled to receive screw 75 if concrete form 20 is manufactured of a material that requires pre-drilling to receive a screw. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when concrete form 20 is connected with anchor device 30, anchor device 30 holds or positions concrete form 20 above ground 12 a predetermined distance. In other words, base 50 of concrete form 20 is held suspended above ground 12. This ensures that when concrete 16 is poured, concrete 16 is capable of forming a trench 14 in concrete 16 after it hardens and concrete form 20 is removed from concrete 16. The predetermined distance that the concrete form is positioned above ground 12 may be constant across any dimension of the concrete form 20, or may vary, depending on the requirements of any given application, ground surface preparation, the shape of the concrete form, among possible others. In some forms, a portion or portions of the concrete form 20 may contact the ground 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one form of the present application coupling assembly 60 comprises a screw type fastener 75. In this form, during setup of concrete form 20, screw type fastener 75 is inserted through concrete form 20 and is securely fastened into a portion of anchor device 30. In this form, anchor device 30 includes a body portion 100, a ground engagement member 310, and an attachment member 320. Body portion 100 is preferably in the form of a rod having a diameter of about 5/16 inch ( 5/16″) to about 1 inch (1″) and extends between a proximal end 330 (see FIG. 6) and a first end 332 of the ground engagement member 340. Though depicted as cylindrical in shape, body portion 100 can have any variety of other shapes. In addition, the cross sectional shape of body portion 100 may vary over its length.

As shown in FIG. 7, attachment member 320 is positioned a predetermined distance from proximal end 330 and includes support member 360. In one form, support member 360 comprises a block of wood. In other forms, support member 360 is composed of any material suitable for receiving screw type fastener 75 such as plastic, wood, or soft metal. Attachment member 320 may be a separate device attached to body portion 100, or may be integrally formed as part of body portion 100. Although depicted as square shaped, support member 360 can have any variety of other shapes suitable to be coupled to concrete form 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in this form support member 360 includes an aperture 372 running through the entire length of support member 360 that receives a portion of body portion 100. Body portion 100 includes a stop or flange 370 located a predetermined distance from proximal end 330. Aperture 372 of the support member 360 receives body portion 100 and a lower end 374 of support member 360 engages or rests on flange 370. An upper portion 376 of body portion 100 is threaded for receiving a bolt 380. In this form, a washer 382 is positioned between an upper surface 384 of support member 360 and bolt 380. As such, when assembled support member 360 is secured in place on body portion 100 by bolt 380 and flange 370. Support member 360 could be affixed to the body portion 100 in a number of ways including gluing body portion 100 to the support member 360, or inserting a set screw through support member 360 into body portion 100, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in this form, ground engagement member 310 is configured and arranged as a corkscrew-spiral shaped member. In this form, the corkscrew-spiral shaped member has a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of body portion 100. As with the previous form, the ground engagement member 310 is utilized to burrow into the ground 12 to secure the anchor device 30 into the ground 12. Ground engagement member 310 can take a number of other forms including a spiral shaped member or auger member operable to retain anchor device 30 in a fixed position by cooperating with ground 12. Ground engagement member 310 may be a separate device or member attached to body portion 100, or may be integrally formed as part of body portion 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, when in use, screw type fastener 75 extends through concrete form 20 into support member 360 a distance sufficient to allow screw type fastener 75 to secure anchor device 30 to concrete form 20. As previously set forth, some forms of the present application contemplate concrete form 20 being pre-drilled to include apertures 52 for the shaft of screw type fastener 75 to fit through when installed. In other forms, concrete form 20 can be manufactured from a material (e.g.—wood) that screw type fastener 75 is capable of penetrating through to fixedly engage support member 360.

In operation, after preparation of ground 12 where concrete 16 is to be poured, a user (not shown), or other force applicator, inserts at least one anchor device 30 into ground 12 by pressing a first end 340 of ground engagement member 310 into ground 12. The user then turns anchor device 30, allowing ground engagement member 310 to burrow into ground 12, until ground engagement member 310 is within ground 12 and attachment member 320 is positioned at the desired height above ground 12. This process is repeated until the desired number of anchor devices 30 are in place.

After the desired number of anchor devices 30 are in place, the user may attach concrete form 20 to each anchor device 30 by inserting screw type fastener 75 through concrete form 20 and securing it to support member 360. As such, a side surface 392 (FIG. 7) of attachment member 320 will be aligned at a desired height at which point screw type fastener 75 is inserted into support member 360 of attachment member 320. The users may also hold concrete form 20 at the desired height, align attachment member 320 to the desired location on concrete form 20 and insert screw type fastener 75 through concrete form 20 and into support member 360 of attachment member 320.

Once concrete form 20 is positioned at the desired height, concrete 16 is poured into the prepared area. Once concrete 16 has hardened to the desired level, screw type fastener 75 is removed and concrete form 20 can then be removed from the hardened concrete 16. Upon removal of concrete form 20, anchor devices 30 remain in place hidden from view in concrete 16 and concrete form 20 may be reused at a later time. A trench 14 having the shape of concrete form 20 is thereby formed in concrete 16.

One form of the present invention discloses a system. This form of the system includes a concrete form, an anchor device, and a coupling assembly. The concrete form has at least two side walls. The anchor device has an attachment portion, a ground engaging portion, and a body portion extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the attachment portion is coupled to the body portion near the proximal end and the ground engaging portion is disposed near the distal end and is operable to retain the anchor device in position during use. The coupling assembly is operable to cooperate with the side walls of the concrete form to removably couple the concrete form to the anchor device such that the concrete form is suspended a predetermined distance above a portion of the ground.

In one embodiment of the system, the side walls include at least one fastener receiving opening and a removable fastener of the coupling assembly is inserted through at least one fastener opening to secure the attachment portion of the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form. In another embodiment of the system, the attachment portion further comprises an L-shaped bracket having a first portion and a second portion and an aperture disposed in the second portion of the L-shaped bracket configured to receive a bolt that has passed through a receiving opening in the concrete form thereby securing the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form.

Another aspect of the present invention discloses a method including the steps of a) inserting a plurality of anchor devices into a portion of ground; b) coupling a respective side wall of at least one trench shaped concrete form to each of the plurality of anchor devices such that the trench shaped concrete form is suspended at a predetermined height above the portion of ground, the trench shaped concrete form and the portion of ground forming a space in the shape of a cured concrete contour therebetween; c) pouring a concrete mixture such that the concrete mixture contacts at least two sides of the trench shaped concrete form; d) uncoupling the trench shaped concrete form from the plurality of anchor devices after the concrete has hardened; and e) removing the trench shaped concrete form and leaving the anchor devices within the hardened concrete mixture.

In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, coupling the at least one trench shaped concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices includes inserting a bolt through a fastener receiving opening defined in the trench shaped concrete form and a support member opening defined in the plurality of anchor devices and retaining the bolt within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening. In one embodiment, the bolt is retained within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening with a nut.

In another embodiment of the aforementioned method, coupling the at least one concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices is performed by inserting a screw type fastener through the concrete form into a support member of the anchor device. In one embodiment the screw type fastener is retained by the support member. In one form, uncoupling the concrete form includes removing the screw type fastener from the support member of the anchor device.

In one embodiment, inserting the plurality of anchor devices into the portion of ground includes pressing a tip portion of the anchor device into the portion of ground, rotating the anchor device to fixedly engage the portion of ground, and positioning the anchor device such that an attachment surface of a support member of the anchor device is positioned to engage a side wall of the concrete form to support the concrete form at the first height above the portion of ground.

Still another aspect of the present invention discloses a concrete form anchor device including a ground engagement member, a body portion, and a support member. In one embodiment, the ground engagement member has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to penetrate a portion of ground thereby securing the concrete form anchor device in the portion of ground, wherein the ground engagement member is retained in place following insertion into the portion of ground. In one embodiment, the body portion extends from a proximal end to a distal end where the distal end is interconnected to the second end of the ground engagement member. In one embodiment, the support member is disposed toward the proximal end of the body portion and has a portion configured to receive a removable fastener device, wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to a concrete form to support the concrete form a fixed distance off the portion of ground thereby allowing a trench to be formed around the concrete form.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A concrete form anchor device for forming trenches in poured concrete comprising: a ground engagement member configured to penetrate a portion of ground thereby securing the concrete form anchor device in the portion of ground;a body portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end where the distal end is connected to the ground engagement member;a support member disposed toward the proximal end having a portion configured to receive a removable fastener device, wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to a concrete form to support the concrete form a fixed distance above the portion of ground thereby allowing a trench to be formed around the concrete form.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the ground engagement member comprises a spiral shaped member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the ground engagement member comprises an auger shaped member.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the ground engagement member comprises a corkscrew-spiral shaped member.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises an L-shaped bracket disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion, wherein a base portion of the L-shaped bracket is configured to receive the removable fastener device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the support member is capable of receiving and locking a screw type fastener in place through the concrete form.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a first side of the support member is configured to contact the concrete form when the concrete form is coupled thereto.

8. A system for forming trenches in poured concrete, comprising: a concrete form having at least two side walls;an anchor device having an attachment portion, a ground engaging portion, and a body portion extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the attachment portion is coupled to the body portion near the proximal end and the ground engaging portion is disposed near the distal end and is operable to retain the anchor device in position during use; anda coupling assembly operable to cooperate with the side walls of the concrete form to removably couple the concrete form to the anchor device such that the concrete form is suspended a predetermined distance above a portion of ground.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the side walls include at least one fastener receiving opening and a removable fastener of the coupling assembly is inserted through the at least one fastener opening to secure the attachment portion of the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the attachment portion further comprises: an L-shaped bracket having a first portion and a second portion; andan aperture disposed in the second portion of the L-shaped bracket configured to receive a bolt that is passed through a receiving opening in the concrete form thereby securing the anchor device to the side walls of the concrete form.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the ground engaging portion comprises a spiral shaped disk.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the ground engaging portion comprises a corkscrew-spiral shaped member.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the attachment portion includes a first member extending away from the body portion and a second member extending transverse from the first member, the second member defining an attachment opening therein.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the coupling assembly includes a bolt and a nut, wherein the bolt is positioned through a fastener receiving opening, disposed in the side walls, and an attachment opening and the bolt is retained in place by the nut.

15. A method for forming trenches in poured concrete, comprising: inserting a plurality of anchor devices into a portion of ground;coupling a respective side wall of at least one trench shaped concrete form to each of the plurality of anchor devices such that the trench shaped concrete form is suspended at a predetermined height above the portion of ground, the trench shaped concrete form and the portion of ground forming a space in the shape of a cured concrete contour therebetween;pouring a concrete mixture such that the concrete mixture contacts at least two sides of the trench shaped concrete form;uncoupling the trench shaped concrete form from the plurality of anchor devices after the concrete has hardened; andremoving the trench shaped concrete form and leaving the plurality of anchor devices within the hardened concrete mixture.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the at least one trench shaped concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices includes: inserting a bolt through a fastener receiving opening defined in the trench shaped concrete form and a support member opening defined in the plurality of anchor devices; andretaining the bolt within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bolt is retained within the fastener receiving opening and the support member opening with a nut.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein uncoupling the trench shaped concrete form includes removing the bolt.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the at least one trench shaped concrete form to the plurality of anchor devices includes inserting a screw type fastener through the trench shaped concrete form into a support member of the anchor device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the screw type fastener is retained by the support member.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein uncoupling the concrete form includes removing the screw type fastener from the support member of the anchor device.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein inserting the plurality of anchor devices into the portion of ground includes: pressing a tip portion of the anchor device into the portion of ground;rotating the anchor device to fixedly engage the portion of ground; andpositioning the anchor device such that an attachment surface of a support member of the anchor device is positioned to engage a side wall of the trench shaped concrete form to support the trench shaped concrete form at the first height above the portion of ground.