GB2567916A

GB2567916A - A Retaining Barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2567916A
Application number: GB1810723.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kiss Paul
Original assignee: Abbey Pynford Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Abbey Pynford Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2018-06-29
Publication date: 2019-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-29
Also published as: GB2567916B; GB2567892A8; GB201717970D0; GB2567892A; GB201810723D0

Abstract

A retainer 1 comprises a peripheral barrier 9 arranged to restrain a mass of settable material such as concrete from entering a closed area 10 inside the retainer. An anchoring mechanism 12 extends from the peripheral barrier and is arranged to be pegged directly or indirectly into the surface onto which settable material is to be poured. The barrier comprises an up-standing strip and the anchoring mechanism comprises a portion of the strip extending inwardly into the closed area. The inwardly extending portion includes a mechanism for securing the portion to a peg or other support. The retainer thus provides a means for forming openings in a layer of blinding concrete during the pouring and setting process, allowing for the installation of foundation piles through the openings. The retainer may comprise a first portion to form the barrier and a second portion 4 at a right angle to the first to form the anchoring mechanism. One or more lines of weakness may be provided across the strip to allow it to be bent to define the anchoring mechanism.

Description

A Retaining Barrier

The present invention relates to a retainer for forming openings in a layer of poured concrete or other settable material on a substantially planar surface.

In the course of construction projects, it is known within the building industry to pour a thin layer of blinding concrete to provide a level and stable surface on which further works can subsequently be undertaken. Such layer of blinding concrete also provide an additional barrier to moisture which may rise up from the ground on which a structure is to be built.

It is also common in construction projects to provide additional support to structures by installation of foundation piles, particularly when building on ground having insufficient bearing capacity in the surface to support loads and/or when building particularly large structures, for example. Such piling may be carried out by driving steel piles into the ground using a pile driver, or by drilling into the ground using an auger and filling with concrete, whilst withdrawing the auger for instance. Where a layer of blinding concrete is laid prior to installation of foundation piles, openings must be formed in the layer of blinding concrete through which the foundation piles may be installed and, after installation, through which they may protrude to allow a pile cap to be installed. Thus, it is necessary to enable piling through the blinding concrete layer in those locations where foundation piles are required, and this is presently achieved by marking out the location for piles on the surface of the blinding concrete layer and then subsequently breaking out the blinding concrete at each marked location, prior to piling.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide means for pouring a layer of blinding concrete, whilst leaving suitable openings through which foundation piles can subsequently be installed.

According to the present invention there is provided a retainer for use in pouring concrete or other settable material on a substantially planar surface, the retainer comprising a peripheral barrier, the peripheral barrier being arranged to restrain a mass of settable material and defining a closed area inside of the retainer, such that, in use, when the retainer is positioned on the surface onto which settable material is to be poured, settable material poured into an area surrounding the retainer is prevented from entering the closed area inside of the retainer by the peripheral barrier. The retainer further comprises anchoring means extending from the peripheral barrier arranged to be pegged directly or indirectly into the surface onto which settable material is to be poured, for, in use, securing the retainer in a desired position during pouring and setting of the settable material wherein the peripheral barrier comprises an up-standing strip and the anchoring means comprises a portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly into the closed area, the inwardly extending portion of the strip being provided with means for securing the inwardly extending portion to a peg or other support.

The invention allows the peripheral barrier to be formed as a single piece, and provides means for the retainer to be secured to a setting out peg or other support which is driven into the surface.

The present invention thus provides a means for forming openings in a layer of concrete or other settable material during the pouring and setting process, with the retainer providing a barrier to the settable material during pouring and setting, preventing the settable material from entering a closed area inside of the retainer and thus creating an opening in the layer of settable material. The present invention is of particular use in forming a layer of blinding concrete, as the openings may be subsequently piled through, without first having to break out apertures in the set layer of blinding concrete.

The anchoring means, allows the retainer to be pegged directly or indirectly into the surface. The anchoring means allows the retainer to be quickly and reliably pegged into a desired position on the surface prior to pouring the settable material, such that the retainer is held securely in that same position without moving or shifting during pouring and setting of the settable material.

The anchoring means, extending inwardly into the closed area, is protected from the settable material by the peripheral barrier and thus any peg to which the anchoring means is attached (whether integral to the retainer or separate from it) may be readily removed after the settable material has set. Preferably the anchoring means allows the retainer to be pegged in a single position in the centre of the retainer, advantageously allowing the retainer to be quickly pegged in position by a single peg without being able to be displaced from the position in which it is pegged. The anchoring means may comprise a single spur extending inwardly from the peripheral barrier into the closed area to an anchoring point. The anchoring means may alternatively comprise a plurality of spurs, each extending inwardly from the peripheral barrier into the closed area to a single anchoring point, which anchoring point is common to all of the spurs.

The upstanding strip may preferably be provided with connecting means arranged to connect two parts of the strip together such that the strip forms a continuous peripheral barrier. Thus the retainer may thereby be easily formed and subsequently quickly assembled on site.

The connecting means may preferably comprise a first engagement means provided at a first point on the strip and a second engagement means provided at a second point on the strip, the second engagement means being arranged to engage with the first engagement means. In a preferred embodiment, the first engagement means comprises one or more protrusions and the second engagement means comprises one or more slots or notches, wherein the one or more protrusions are arranged to engage with the one or more slots or notches. The provision of such corresponding engagement means thus facilitates simple assembly of the retainer on site.

Preferably, the inner most portion of the inwardly extending portion of the strip is bent to form a loop for receiving a peg, thereby anchoring the retainer to a peg in the surface onto which the settable material is to be poured.

The peripheral barrier is in the form of a ring. The ring may preferably be generally circular in shape, however the retainer may alternatively have any other desired shape, such as square or triangular, for example.

In preferred embodiments, the peripheral barrier may be formed of a stiff but pliable material. Advantageously, the retainer may provide a peripheral barrier which is sufficiently rigid to restrain a mass of settable material whilst maintaining its shape and structure, whilst also being sufficiently pliable such that it may be manipulated into the desired shape and such that the first engagement means may be brought into engagement with the second engagement means to form a continuous peripheral barrier. The retainer may therefore be supplied unassembled in a flat state and may then be quickly assembled on site. Preferably, the peripheral barrier is formed of a strip of steel.

The retainer may comprise a length of metal strip having a first portion bent to form the peripheral barrier in the shape of a ring, with a second portion bent substantially at a right angle to the first portion to form the anchoring means extending radially inward from the ring formed by the first portion and terminating centrally to the ring at a point arranged to receive a peg, in order to anchor the retainer in place. Advantageously, the retainer may be manufactured and supplied as a single piece and may be centrally pegged with a single peg such that it does not move during pouring and setting of the settable material.

The retainer may advantageously be formed by being stamped from a flat sheet of metal. Such a retainer may comprise a first portion to be bent into a ring shaped peripheral barrier and a second portion arranged to extend radially into a central area within said peripheral barrier, wherein the retainer is supplied with the first portion at a right angle to the second portion, with the first portion being arranged to, in use, be bent into a ring, with two points of the first portion arranged to be attached to each other to retain the ring together to form the peripheral barrier, with the second portion extending radially inwardly from said ring. Such an arrangement advantageously allows the retainer to be manufactured and supplied as a single piece, wherein a plurality of L-shaped retainers may be efficiently packed together so as to facilitate transport and to minimise the cost of shipping. Assembly of the retainers on site may be carried out rapidly and reliably by bending the first portion so as to form a ring shaped peripheral barrier, thus providing a simple means for forming openings in a layer of concrete or other settable material during the pouring and setting of the settable material.

As an alternative to the above, the retainer may further comprise one or more lines of weakness running transversely across the strip to enable the strip to be bent at a right angle to define the portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly into the closed area, to permit the retaining means to be supplied flat and an individual to bend the strip to form the said portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly prior to bending the remaining portion of the strip to form the peripheral barrier.

The above arrangement permits the strip to be stamped in a factory and directly shipped to an end user, without any assembly being required by the manufacturer. Furthermore, the strip being supplied as flat strips maximises efficiencies in packaging, handling and transportation costs, with the strips then being bent to shape to form the retainers on site, possibly immediately before each retainer is positioned, or batch wise, shortly before being positioned.

The retainer may comprise a plurality of further lines of weakness toward a distal end of the portion which is arranged to extend inwardly, along which lines of weakness the strip may be bent to form a loop for receiving a peg. This permits the loop for a peg to also be formed on site and permits the retainer to be supplied in a totally flat configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of pouring concrete or other settable material, comprising positioning at least one retainer according to the present invention in a desired position on a surface onto which the settable material is to be poured. The settable material is poured onto the surface, wherein any settable material poured into an area surrounding the at least one retainer is prevented from entering the closed area inside of the at least one retainer defined by the peripheral barrier, such that the settable material covers the surface onto which it was poured except for in the at least one closed area inside of the at least one retainer. The method further comprises allowing the settable material to set.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a method for pouring a layer of a settable material having openings formed in desired positions. The method is of particular use in pouring a layer of blinding concrete, providing openings which may subsequently be piled through.

The method may comprise assembling the at least one retainer prior to positioning the retainer, wherein the strip is supplied flat and has one or more lines of weakness running transversely across the strip and assembling comprises bending the strip substantially at right angles along one of the lines of weakness to form the portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly and bending the remaining portion to form the peripheral barrier extending about the inwardly extending portion.

The method may further comprise assembling the at least one retainer prior to positioning the retainer, wherein: the retainer comprises a strip having connecting means arranged to connect a first point of the strip to a second point of the strip; and assembling the retainer comprises connecting the first point of the strip to the second point of the strip such that the strip forms a continuous peripheral barrier. Such a method provides a simple way of assembling of retainers, which may be carried out quickly and reliably on site. In preferred embodiments of the method, assembling the retainer comprises engaging a first engagement means provided on the first point of the strip with a second engagement means provided on the second point of the strip.

Preferably, the method further comprises pegging the at least one retainer to the surface onto which settable material is to be poured prior to pouring the settable material, so as to secure the retainer in a desired position during pouring and setting of the settable material. Advantageously, the retainer is prevented from moving from its pegged position during pouring and setting of the concrete or other settable material, such that the opening formed in the layer of set material is in the desired location.

The method may further comprise disassembling the retainer by disconnecting the connecting means and removing the retainer after the settable material has set. This step provides the advantage of removing the retainer before subsequent works are carried out, such as foundation piling. This may be desirable for environmental reasons, such as allowing the retainer to be recycled, for example.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of piling comprising using the method described above to layout and peg a plurality of retainers in predetermined positions on a substrate, pouring said concrete or other settable material around said plurality of retainers and subsequently piling through openings in said poured concrete, which openings are defined by said retainers. Accordingly, by forming openings in the layer of settable material during the pouring and setting of the settable material, it is not necessary to break out the layer of settable material prior to piling.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an unassembled retainer according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retainer of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the retainer of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retainer of Figure 1 in an assembled state.

Figure 5 is a top view of the retainer of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top view of the connecting means of the retainer of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the retainer according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a retainer in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the retainer of Figure 8, when assembled. Figure 10 is a plan view of the retainer of Figure 9.

Figures 11 to 13 are schematic diagrams showing the method of pouring concrete according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an array of retainers positioned within a surface.

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown an embodiment of the retainer 1 according to the present invention, the retainer 1 comprising a strip 2 stamped from a sheet of metal and having a first portion 3, a second portion 4. Figures 1 to 3 show the retainer 1 in an unassembled state. The strip 2 is a single piece of material which, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, has a length L greater than its height H. The strip 2 is provided with a connecting means 6 arranged to connect a first point 3a of first portion 3 of the strip 2 to a second point 3b of the first portion 3 of the strip 2. In the embodiment shown, the connecting means 6 comprises a first engagement means 6a provided on the first point 3a, and a second engagement means 6b provided on the second point 3b. The first engagement means 6a comprises a plurality of protrusions stamped which extend outwardly from the inner surface 7 of the strip 2 (Figure 3), whilst the second engagement means 6b comprises a plurality of corresponding slots or notches stamped in the strip 2, which are arranged to receive the protrusions 6a.

Strip 2 is formed of metal which is sufficiently pliable such that it may be manipulated by hand into the desired shape and such that the strip 2 may be bent to bring the first engagement means 6a into engagement with the second engagement means 6b. As shown in Figure 5, in the assembled state, strip 2 is arranged such that the inner surface 7 of the first point 3a overlaps an outer surface 8 of the second point 3b. The protrusions 6a formed at the first point 3a engage with the notches 6b formed at the second point 3b, so as to connect the first point 3a to the second point 3b, as seen more clearly in Figure 6. Accordingly, the assembled retainer 1 forms a continuous peripheral barrier 9, defining a closed area 10 inside of the retainer 1. In the embodiment shown, the assembled retainer 1 adopts a circular ring shape, thus defining a generally circular enclosed area 10. However, in alternative embodiments the peripheral barrier 9 may adopt any other desired shape, such as a square as shown in Figure 7.

Protrusions 6a are angled inwardly as shown in Figure 6. Accordingly, the inherent tension of the strip 2, which biases the strip 2 towards an opened state, causes the angled protrusions 6a to lock into in the slots 6b. In order to disassemble the retainer 1, sufficient force must be applied in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in Figure 6, in order to disengage the protrusions 6a from the notches 6b. Thus, when assembled and at rest, the assembled retainer 1 is maintained in the assembled state.

The first point 3a may be provided with any number of protrusions 6a and the second point 3b may be provided with any number of slots or notches 6b. Preferably, the first point 3a is provided with more than one protrusion 6a and the second point 3b is provided with more than one slot or notch 6b, such that the first point 3a and the second point 3b made be securely engaged. A greater number of slots or notches 6b may be provided on the second point 3b than protrusions 6a provided on the first point 3a. The protrusions 6a may be engaged with any of the notches 6b such that the circumference of the peripheral barrier 9 may be adjusted as desired.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the retainer 1 is further provided with anchoring means arranged to secure the retainer in a desired position. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, strip 2 comprises a second portion 4 which is arranged to extend inwardly into the closed area 10 formed inside of the peripheral barrier 9 when the retainer is in the assembled state (Figures 4 to 6). When the retainer 1 is in the disassembled state (Figures 1 to 3), the second portion 4 extends substantially perpendicularly to the first portion 3 of the strip 2.

An inner most portion 11 of the second portion 4 of the strip 2 is provided with an attachment means 12 for securing the second portion 4 to a peg 13 or other support. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the second portion 4 is secured to peg 13 by attachment means 12. The attachment means 12 is formed by bending the inner most portion 11 of the second portion 4 to form a loop suitable for receiving peg 13. Alternatively, the attachment means 12 may comprise a tack welded hoop attached to the inner most portion 11 of the second portion 4 and arranged to accommodate peg 13. In use, peg 13 may be driven into the surface onto which the settable material is to be poured and the retainer 1 attached to the peg 13 using the attachment means 12 of the third portion 2. Accordingly, the retainer 1 can be secured in the desired position on the surface.

The attachment means 12 is arranged to be located centrally to the closed area 10, such that a single peg or other support may be used to secure the retainer 1 in the desired position. Accordingly, the retainer 1, when pegged into the surface, cannot be displaced during pouring and setting of the settable material.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10 these show a further embodiment of a retainer in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, a strip 14 shown in Figure 8 is stamped and supplied substantially totally flat with the exception of a number of slightly raised tabs 15, 16 and 17 which can be more clearly seen in the enlarged inserts B, C and D. The “+” signs indicate that these tabs 15, 16 and 17 are slightly raised but this occurs as part of the stamping process which forms the strip 14. A number of strips formed by a stamping process may thus be stacked one upon top of the other whereupon they will lie totally flat with raised tabs 15, 16 and 17 lying flat against adjacent raised tabs of an adjacent strip. With reference to the enlarged inserts “B”, “C” and D, the strip 14 has a first pair of slot-like apertures 18 for receiving the tabs 15, a second pair of slot-like apertures 19 for receiving the tab 17 and a single slot like aperture 20, for receiving the tab 16, as will become apparent from the below description of Figures 9 and 10.

Additionally, three lines of apertures 21 define three lines of weakness with a further lined apertures 22 defining a single further line of weakness.

Yet further slot-like apertures 23 are associated with respective tabs 15, 16 and 17, to define lines of weakness at the point where those tabs are joined to the main body of the strip 14.

Referring now Figures 9 and 10, this shows the strip of Figure 14 in perspective view and plan view respectively, after it has been bent to form a retainer, indicated generally as 24, similar to the retainer previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

The strip 14 is intended to be supplied flat to a site, in the form illustrated in Figure 8. On site the strip 14 is then intended to be bent into the form of the retainer 24, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, by the strip first being bent along the three lines of weakness 21 to permit the tabs 15 on the end of the strip 14 to pass through the first pair of slot-like apertures 18 to form a loop, or sleeve like portion 25 for receiving a peg 13. If desired, the tabs 15 may be subsequently bent over, this being assisted by the slot-like apertures 23 of the insert B of Figure 8 forming a line of weakness along with which the tabs 15 may be bent. Once the loop or sleeve like portion 15 has been formed, the strip may then be bent at right angles along the line of weakness defined by the line of apertures 22, as most clearly seen in the insert C of Figure 8, in order to form an inwardly extending portion 26. The remainder of the strip 14 may then be bent to form the peripheral barrier 27, with this portion of the strip being joined to itself by the slightly raised tab 16 passing through the aperture 20, with the tabs 17 being bent at right angles to enable them to be inserted through the apertures 19. If desired, the tabs 17 may then be bent back on themselves, to prevent the tabs 17 disengaging from the apertures 19.

Thus, as will be appreciated from Figures 9 and 10 the strip, provided substantially totally flat as shown in Figure 8, may be assembled on site into the retainer as shown in Figures 9 and 10 without the use of tools, or with the minimal use of tools, requiring nothing more than a pair of pliers to assist in the bending process. However, where a large number of retainers are to be formed, then a special tool may be provided in the form of a key with an aperture in it to accommodate the strip. This may be similar to the key used for opening traditional style sardine tins.

Figures 11 to 13 demonstrate the method of pouring concrete or other settable material onto a surface 28, using the first embodiment of the retainer 1. However, it will be appreciated that the same method may employ any of the previously described retainers.

A setting out peg 13 is embedded into the surface 28 in a position at which an opening in the layer of settable material is desired. A retainer 1 is then assembled as described above to form a continuous peripheral barrier 9 and is attached to the setting out peg 13 using the attachment means 12 of the second portion 4 of the strip 2 (Figure 11). Settable material 29 is then poured onto the surface 28 in an area surrounding the retainer 1 (Figure 12). The peripheral barrier 9 of the retainer 1 is arranged to restrain a mass of settable material 29, such that the settable material 29 is prevented from entering the closed area 10 formed inside of the retainer 1 and such that the retainer 1 maintains its shape and structure during pouring and setting of the settable material 29. Settable material 29 is allowed to set before the setting out peg 13 is removed from the surface. Accordingly, a layer of settable material 29 is formed having an opening 30 where the retainer 1 is located (Figure 10).

In practice, where a foundation pile is to be subsequently installed, the opening 30 may be piled through after removal of the setting out peg 13 using an auger bit or a pile driver with the retainer 1 still in place. However, it may be desirable for environmental purposes to remove the retainer 1 prior to piling through the opening. In such circumstances, the retainer 1 may be disassembled by firmly pulling on the second portion to detach the second point 3b from the first point 3a on the first portion 3 to permit the retainer to be removed from the opening 16 prior to piling.

Figure 14 shows an array of retainers 1 secured to a corresponding array of setting out pegs 13 for use in forming an array of openings in a layer of blinding concrete or other settable material. In practice, the retainers 1 are supplied unassembled as described above to facilitate transport and minimise the cost of shipping. The retainers 1 may then be readily assembled on site and pegged into the surface using the plurality setting out pegs 13. Only a single peg 13 is required for each retainer 1 since the attachment means 12 is provided substantially in the centre of the inner area 10 defined by the peripheral wall 9 of each retainer 1. Thus the retainers 1 are not moved during pouring and setting of the settable material even though they are pegged only with a single peg and thus and the openings 16 are reliably formed in the desired positions.

The invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, given by way of example only. It will be appreciated that many different arrangements of the invention are possible, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A retainer for use in pouring concrete or other settable material on a substantially planar surface, the retainer comprising a peripheral barrier, the peripheral barrier being arranged to restrain a mass of settable material and defining a closed area inside of the retainer, such that, in use, when the retainer is positioned on the surface onto which settable material is to be poured, settable material poured into an area surrounding the retainer is prevented from entering the closed area inside of the retainer by the peripheral barrier, the retainer further comprising anchoring means extending from the peripheral barrier arranged to be pegged directly or indirectly into the surface onto which settable material is to be poured, for, in use, securing the retainer in a desired position during pouring and setting of the settable material, wherein the peripheral barrier comprises an up-standing strip and the anchoring means comprises a portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly into the closed area , the inwardly extending portion of the strip being provided with means for securing the inwardly extending portion to a peg or other support.

2. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein the strip has connecting means arranged to connect two parts of the strip together such that the strip forms a continuous peripheral barrier.

3. A retainer according to claim 2, wherein the connecting means comprises a first engagement means provided at a first point on the strip and a second engagement means provided at a second point on the strip, the second engagement means being arranged to engage with the first engagement means.

4. A retainer according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement means comprises one or more protrusions and the second engagement means comprises one or more slots or notches, wherein the one or more protrusions are arranged to engage with the one or more slots or notches.

5. A retainer according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner most portion of the inwardly extending portion of the strip is bent to form a loop for receiving a peg.

6. A retainer according to any preceding claim, wherein the peripheral barrier is in the form of a ring.

7. A retainer according to any preceding claim, wherein the peripheral barrier is formed of a stiff but pliable material.

8. A retainer according to any preceding claim, wherein the peripheral barrier is formed of a strip of steel.

9. A retainer as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a length of metal strip having a first portion bent to form the peripheral barrier in the shape of a ring, with a second portion bent substantially at a right angle to the first portion to form the anchoring means extending radially inward from the ring formed by the first portion and terminating centrally to the ring at a point arranged to receive a peg in order to anchor the retainer in place.

10. A retainer as claimed in any preceding claim, which is formed by being stamped from a flat sheet of metal.

11. A retainer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retainer comprises a first portion to be bent into a ring shaped peripheral barrier and a second portion arranged to extend radially into a central area within said peripheral barrier, wherein the retainer is supplied with the first portion at a right angle to the second portion, with the first portion being arranged to, in use, be bent into a ring, with two points of the first portion arranged to be attached to each other to retain the ring together to form the peripheral barrier, with the second portion extending radially inwardly from said ring.

12. A retainer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising one or more lines of weakness running transversely across the strip to enable the strip to be bent at a right angle to define the portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly into the closed area, to permit the retaining means to be supplied flat and an individual to bend the strip to form the said portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly prior to bending the remaining portion of the strip to form the peripheral barrier.

13. A retainer as claimed in claim 12, comprising a plurality of further lines of weakness toward a distal end of the portion which is arranged to extend inwardly, along which lines of weakness the strip may be bent to form a loop for receiving a Ρθ9·

14. A retainer according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the lines of weakness are formed by one or more apertures stamped in the strip or one or more indentations stamped in the strip.

15. A method of pouring concrete or other settable material, comprising: positioning at least one retainer as claimed in any preceding claim in a desired position on a surface onto which the settable material is to be poured;

pouring the settable material onto the surface, wherein any settable material poured into an area surrounding the at least one retainer is prevented from entering the closed area inside of the at least one retainer defined by the peripheral barrier, such that the settable material covers the surface onto which it was poured except for in the at least one closed area inside of the at least one retainer; and allowing the settable material to set.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14, comprising assembling the at least one retainer prior to positioning the retainer, wherein the strip is supplied flat and has one or more lines of weakness running transversely across the strip and assembling comprises bending the strip substantially at right angles along one of the lines of weakness to form the portion of the strip which is arranged to extend inwardly and bending the remaining portion to form the peripheral barrier extending about the inwardly extending portion.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, comprising assembling the at least one retainer prior to positioning the retainer, wherein:

the retainer comprises a strip having connecting means arranged to connect a first point of the strip to a second point of the strip; and assembling the retainer comprises connecting the first point of the strip to the second point of the strip such that the strip forms a continuous peripheral barrier.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein assembling the retainer comprises engaging a first engagement means provided on the first point of the strip with a second engagement means provided on the second point of the strip.

19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising pegging the at least one retainer to the surface onto which settable material is to be poured prior to pouring the settable material, so as to secure the retainer in a desired position during pouring and setting of the settable material.

20. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising disassembling the retainer by disconnecting the connecting means and removing the retainer after the settable material has set.

21. A method of piling comprising using the method of any of claims 15 to 20 to layout and peg a plurality of retainers in predetermined positions on a substrate, pouring said concrete or other settable material around said plurality of retainers and subsequently piling through openings in said poured concrete, which openings are defined by said retainers.