U.S. patent application number 10/951404 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for column cap.
Invention is credited to Davis, Jeffrey L..
Application Number | 20050081460 10/951404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34526814 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050081460 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis, Jeffrey L. |
April 21, 2005 |
Column cap
Abstract
A column cap to simplify and improve the construction of
pergolas and arbors includes a mounting block to which roof beams
are attached by means of connecting elements such as a bolt and
corresponding nut. The column cap is rectangular to ensure proper
connection of roof beams.
Inventors: |
Davis, Jeffrey L.;
(Wilmington, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert G. Rosenthal
Suite 200
5856 Faringdon Place
Raleigh
NC
27609
US
|
Family ID: |
34526814 |
Appl. No.: |
10/951404 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60513128 |
Oct 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/169.9 ;
52/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0733 20130101;
E04F 10/08 20130101; E04C 3/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/169.9 ;
052/155 |
International
Class: |
E02D 027/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. An architectural column of the type used in the construction of
a pergola and comprising: an elongate shaft having an upper end and
a lower end; a base attached to the lower end of the shaft and
adapted to rest on a supporting surface; a cap having a lower
section, a middle section and an upper section, said lower section
being connected to the upper end of said shaft, said upper section
protruding above the middle section and being adapted to be
connected to a roof beam.
2. An architectural column according to claim 1 wherein said upper
section of said column cap is adapted to be in operative
association with a roof beam.
3. An architectural column according to claim 2 wherein said upper
section is adapted to support a roof beam and further includes a
protrusion adapted to receive connecting elements to hold a roof
beam in place.
4. An architectural column according to claim 3 wherein said
protrusion comprises an upwardly extending mounting block adapted
to be connected to a roof beam.
5. An architectural column according to claim 4 wherein said
protrusion comprises a rectangular mounting block.
6. An architectural column according to claim 5 wherein said
rectangular mounting block further includes openings adapted to
receive connecting elements for attaching the roof beam to the
column.
7. An architectural column according to claim 6 wherein said
mounting block is approximately the same height as the roof
beam.
8. An architectural column according to claim 6 wherein said
mounting block openings are positioned on opposite sides of said
mounting block such that connecting elements can pass there
through, whereby the roof beam may be connected to the column by
passing connecting elements through the roof beam and the mounting
block and attaching a nut to the opposite end.
9. An architectural column of the type used in the construction of
a pergola and comprising: an elongate shaft having an upper end and
a lower end; a base attached to the lower end of the shaft and
adapted to rest on a supporting surface; a cap having a lower
section, a middle section and an upper section, said lower section
being connected to the upper end of said column, said middle
section containing decorative elements and said upper section
further including a rectangular rectangular mounting block, said
mounting block including a pair of holes defining openings on
opposite sides thereof such that a connecting element may pass
there through, whereby a roof beam can be easily attached and
removed from the column.
10. A column cap comprising a lower section, a middle section and
an upper section, said lower section being adapted to be connected
to the upper end of said column, said middle section containing
decorative elements and said upper section protruding above the
middle section and being adapted to be connected to a beam.
11. A column cap according to claim 10 wherein said upper section
of said column cap is adapted to be in operative association with a
roof beam.
12. A column cap according to claim 11 wherein said upper section
further includes a protrusion adapted to receive connecting
elements from a roof beam.
13. A column cap according to claim 12 wherein said upper section
of said protrusion comprises an upwardly extending mounting block
adapted to be connected to a roof beam.
14. A column cap according to claim 13 wherein said protrusion
comprises a rectangular mounting block.
15. A column cap according to claim 14 wherein said rectangular
mounting block further includes openings adapted to receive
connecting elements for attaching the roof beam to the column.
16. A column cap according to claim 15 wherein said mounting block
openings are positioned on opposite sides of said mounting block
such that connecting elements can pass there through, whereby the
roof beam may be connected to the column by passing bolts through
the roof beam and the mounting block and attaching a nut to the
opposite end.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 60/513,128 filed Oct. 21, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of decorative
and structural architectural columns, and specifically to
architectural columns which are used in the construction of
pergolas and arbors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pergolas and arbors are well known and have been in
constructed for hundreds of years. A pergola generally consists of
a series of columns arranged about of the perimeter of a rectangle
or square shaped area to be shaded or upon which vine type plants
are grown. Mounted above the columns are support members upon which
cross members are placed. Thus, a grid is created which provides
shade and a support surface upon which vegetation can grow.
[0004] Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is non-trivial to attach
the support members to the column caps so that the entire structure
is square and the support members are secure. Current practice is
to use nails which are hammered diagonally into the column caps
which can damage the wooden member or the column cap. Proper
alignment and spacing of support members is also difficult to
achieve. Another method currently employed to attach the support
members to the column cap is with L-shaped brackets and screws or
nails which rust and can eventually discolor the column.
[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
solve the aforementioned problems.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
column cap that simplifies the construction of a pergola.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved column cap that enhances the structural integrity of
pergolas.
[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an improved column cap that reduces the amount of time
necessary to construct a pergola.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a column cap that enhances the appearance of pergolas.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved column cap that is inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] For a more complete understanding of this invention
reference should now be had to the embodiment illustrated in
greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by
way of examples of the invention:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a pergola.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a broken away side view of a column of the type
that employed in connection with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5a is an end view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5b is a side view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5c is a plan view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5d is an plan view of a column cap according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0020] While the present invention will be described more fully
hereinafter, it is to be understood at the outset that persons of
skill in the art may modify the invention herein described while
still achieving the favorable results of the invention.
Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as a
broad teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the
appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present
invention.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a
pergola generally indicated as P is there illustrated. The pergola
P, includes a number of columns 100. Each column is comprised of a
number of sections as shown in FIG. 2. Beginning at the base, a
column, generally indicated at 100 comprises a base 110, a shaft
120 and a cap 130. The base is further divided into a plinth 112
and torus 114 and a cincture 116. The shaft 120 is further divided
into a straight 122, an entasis 124 and at the top an astragal 126
and a necking 128. The column cap 130 is divided into a lower
section or echinus 132 and an upper section, the abacus 134.
Consumer demand has dictated that columns be manufactured in an
extraordinary number of styles and sizes. In response thereto
manufacturers are producing columns in modules wherein the customer
can customize their column by selecting a base, a shaft and a cap
which are then combined into a column. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the current invention may be easily be incorporated into
columns of conventional one-piece construction design.
[0022] The column cap includes a lower section 140, a middle
section 142 and an upper section 144. As shown in FIG. 2 the lower
section 140 slides over the upper end of shaft 120 and is held in
place by a conventional adhesive (not shown) or other means, well
known to those skilled in the art. The middle section 142 normally
contains the decorative elements such as the echinus and abacus,
but may also be undecorated, depending on the chosen design.
According to the invention the upper section 144 comprises a
protrustion or an upwardly extending rectangular mounting block and
a two pairs of oppositely located holes defining openings 146 which
extend through to the opposite side of the block. The opposing
openings are adapted to receive connecting elements nut N and bolt
B, as explained herein below. The mounting block although shown as
a square may be rectangular, contain slots or be of other
configurations. The column cap of the present invention is molded
and may be hollow or solid, depending upon application.
[0023] In operation, a series of columns are erected in the desired
configuration according to conventional construction methods.
Thereafter, a series of roof beams R are installed above the
columns such that they rest upon the column caps as best shown in
FIGS. 3 and 5a through 5d. According to the illustrated embodiment,
the roof beams R are drilled such that a bolt B can be inserted
(with proper alignment) through the beam and the mounting block 144
of column cap 130 and held in place with a nut N located on the
opposite side of the mounting block 144. Normally, for aesthetic
reasons, the mounting block 144 will be of the same dimensions as
the roof beam R. Other means of connecting the roof beam R to the
mounting block may also be employed.
[0024] The foregoing embodiments and examples are to be considered
illustrative, rather than restrictive of the invention, and those
modifications which come within the meaning and range of
equivalence of the claims are to be included therein.
* * * * *