Patent ID: 7575706

Claim:
A method of molding columns comprising the steps of: a) molding a column between an outer mold and an inner mold, said inner mold having a flexible wall and a hollow interior; b) inserting a rigid core piece into said hollow interior of said inner mold during a molding step, the rigid core piece being sized to prevent the inner mold from collapsing inward during the molding process; c) removing the rigid core piece from the hollow interior of said inner mold; d) inserting an elongated extraction member into said hollow interior of said inner mold following said molding step to extract said inner mold from the hollow part, said extraction member extending substantially the entire length of said inner mold; e) applying a vacuum to said hollow interior of said inner mold to collapse said inner mold against said extraction member while said inner mold is extracted from said hollow part; and f) withdrawing said extraction member and said inner mold from said molded column.