U.S. patent application number 11/670794 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for load bearing and load anchoring, ground to structure foundation pier.
Invention is credited to Stephen J. McGuire.
Application Number | 20070187564 11/670794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38367390 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070187564 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGuire; Stephen J. |
August 16, 2007 |
Load bearing and load anchoring, ground to structure foundation
pier
Abstract
A foundation plate accepts a structural member such as a beam or
post. The foundation plate uses weep holes to prevent water damage
to the structural member. Anchor slots allow the use of earth
screws or other means to secure the foundation plate. Additional
protection to the structural member is provided by the slope and
shape of the foundation plate.
Inventors: |
McGuire; Stephen J.; (San
Anselmo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVEN A. NIELSEN;ALLMAN & NIELSEN, P.C
100 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 212
LARKSPUR
CA
94939
US
|
Family ID: |
38367390 |
Appl. No.: |
11/670794 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60766656 |
Feb 3, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 27/42 20130101;
E04H 12/2238 20130101; E04H 12/2261 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/00 20060101
A47B091/00 |
Claims
1. A plate suitable for securing objects comprising: a) a bottom
surface, a side surface, and a upper recessed well in the top
surface; b) an opening in the middle of the plate, that extends
from top to bottom and is suitable for drainage and for securing
objects into the upper recessed well; c) openings in the walls of
the upper recessed well, suitable for providing means of attachment
of the plate to the contents of the upper recessed well; d) outer
walls that slope outwardly, so as to allow drainage away from the
plate; and e) vertical openings at each corner of the plate,
suitable for allowing means of attachment of the plate to the Earth
or other structure.
2. The plate of claim 1 with four straight bottom support braces
and one bottom circular support brace.
3. The plate of claim 2 with vertical spacers on the inner sides of
the upper recessed well.
4. The plate of claim 3 with drainage channels in the bottom of the
upper recessed well that drain horizontally out of the upper
recessed well.
5. The plate of claim 4 attached on top of a flat bottom piece with
nine openings.
6. The plate of claim 5 with earth screws used to secure the plate
to the earth.
7. A method of securing mobile homes, using the plate of claim 5,
wherein legs of a mobile home are placed and secured into the upper
recessed well of the plate.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the plate is secured into the
Earth.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the Earth screws are used to
secure the plate into the Earth.
10. A method of protecting a structural member by attaching the
plate of claim 5 to the structural member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application 60/766,656 filed on Feb. 3, 2006 entitled "Load
bearing and load anchoring, ground to structure foundation pier"
which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] (1) Field of the Invention
[0005] The invention relates to means and methods of creating and
using a structure support pier suitable to support load bearing
beams, posts, and other structural members.
[0006] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,981 to Bergelt discloses a support pier
with a plurality of tubular members. Bergelt fails to provide
adequate means of drainage, lateral support for a post, means of
securing the pier to the ground, or means of securing a post to the
pier. Thus, there is a need in the art for a more robust and
versatile support pier.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes problems in the related art
by providing a support pier with ample drainage, means of
attachment to the earth and means of attachment to a post, beam, or
other structural member. Lateral and vertical drainage channels
within the upper support well remove moisture from any structural
element secured within the recessed upper well. At each corner,
vertically recessed wells create slope for drainage and access to
vertical openings, suitable for securing the invention into the
earth or other supporting structure.
[0009] The outer sides and outer recessed access wells of the
invention are sloped away from the center support well. The four
outer sides each have horizontal openings suitable for securing a
structural element within the upper recessed well and horizontal
openings suitable for drainage.
[0010] In one embodiment, a planer lower flat plate is placed under
the main base assembly, allowing for intricate molding patterns
within the main base assembly. The use of a lower flat plate allows
the main base assembly to be constructed by injunction molding,
sand casting, and other economical methods.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent
when considering the following detailed specification when taken in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom portion of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the top of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top and side of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of bottom and side of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A load bearing, load anchoring ground to structure
foundation plate is disclosed. The invention, sometimes referred to
herein as a plate or pier, allows fast, economical and secure means
to attach a supporting structural element to the ground. The
invention may be made of any structural grade material, including
but not limited to concrete, ceramic, composite plastic, wood fiber
polymer composite or other polymers, in solid or honeycombed
configurations.
[0018] Referring to the drawings, were like parts and labeled with
like numbers, the bottom portion, shown in FIG. 1, may take the
form of a square. Viewing the bottom reveals nine openings. There
are four corner opening 3 that may be used to secure the plate to
the ground or other structural member. Four inner openings 2 are
suitable for the release of moisture. The inner openings 2 extend
from the bottom to the upper recessed well. In the center of the
plate is the center opening 1, suitable for drainage or for
securing structural elements into the upper recessed well.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view looking down upon the top of the
invention wherein four recessed wells 4 allow access to two
horizontal openings that enter the upper recessed well. FIG. 4
shows the upper horizontal opening 9 and the lower horizontal
opening 8. The inner drainage channel 10 is within the bottom 11 of
the inner recessed well 12. The inner drainage channel 10 allows
moisture to exit at each lower horizontal opening 8 and removes
moisture from the bottom 11 of the inner recessed well. Vertical
spacers 13 provide an air gap between the inner recessed well and
any post placed into the inner recessed well. Two vertical spacers
13 are shown on each of the four vertical sides or walls of the
inner recessed well.
[0020] The outer side walls 14 are sloped to allow moisture and
other elements to drain or fall away from the invention. The outer
four corners have curved vertical recessed walls 15 to allow for
the drainage away from the invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the invention with no bottom
cover. Four straight bottom support braces 17 and one circular
support brace 16 add strength to the invention and economies in
manufacturing the invention. FIG. 3 shows a post 7 or other
structural element within the inner recessed well.
[0022] Side Portions
[0023] From the bottom to approximately one or two inches, the
sides are vertical. At the transition point one or two inches above
the bottom, the side/top surface of the plate is in the shape of a
pyramid. Adjusting the rise and run of the pyramid portion of the
plate is useful to adjust the structural properties of the pier
plate.
[0024] Well or Cavity
[0025] In the middle of the top surface there is an upper recessed
well or cavity suitable for holding a securing a structural member
such as a post 7. The well may be square. The well may have
vertical interior walls. The vertical interior walls may have a
number of openings 4, suitable for securing a structural member to
the plate.
[0026] The perimeter of the bottom of the well may have vertical
openings suitable for the drainage of moisture 2. These openings
may be referred to as "weep holes"
[0027] Middle Opening
[0028] An opening 1 in the middle of the pier starts at the middle
of the upper recessed well and continues through the bottom of the
bottom piece. The middle opening is suitable for securing a
structural member to the pier or for drainage.
[0029] Contemplated Uses
[0030] In an underwater setting, the plate may be secured into the
ocean floor by any means of attachment. The perimeter holes 3 in
the plate may accept bolts, pile drivings, epoxy attached members
or any other means of attachment. The upper recessed well 12 may
rest under a pole, post, or other structural member. One or a
multitude of plates may be used to secure a monolithic foundational
member or flat metal member.
[0031] On Ice
[0032] In a cold environment, the disclosed invention may be used
to secure temporary or permanent structures. The disclosed
invention may be made of strong, lightweight material allowing for
easy transport in adverse conditions. The relatively small size and
reusable nature of the disclosed pier make the disclosed invention
well suited for ice camping and/or cold weather expeditions.
[0033] In Space
[0034] The lightweight, small size and versatile utility of the
plate make the disclosed invention well suited for securing
structures or structural members on other planets, moons or space
structures. The disclosed plate is easily manipulated by robotic
arms or robots.
[0035] Mobile Homes
[0036] A contemplated method of use is to implement a number of
plates at the perimeter of a mobile structure. The plates may be
fitted with securing straps or typical "trucker hitches". The
securing straps may be fitted over the top and/or bottom of a
mobile structure to secure the structure in a stationary manner.
The use of plates presents a new means of saving structures facing
adverse weather conditions such as tornadoes, floods, and
hurricanes. The disclosed method of use may also be of benefit to
prevent earthquake damage. Additional means of securing structures
may be accomplished by using the plates in tandem wherein two rows
of plates would secure two horizontal structural plates. The
horizontal structural plates may then be used to secure straps or
other means of attachment to a mobile home or other structure.
[0037] Bridges
[0038] The disclosed plates may be used to secure bridge members.
The ability of the plates to work above and below the water surface
make the plates particularly useful in bridge construction.
* * * * *