U.S. patent application number 12/513811 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for floor pier support.
This patent application is currently assigned to WEEKS GROUP PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Kevin Weeks.
Application Number | 20100031587 12/513811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39364092 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100031587 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weeks; Kevin |
February 11, 2010 |
FLOOR PIER SUPPORT
Abstract
The present invention relates to a floor pier support and, in
particular, to a pier support which allows for in-situ height
adjustment of a floor frame mounted thereabove. In particular, the
pier support includes a base adapted to be fixed to said surface, a
connection member including a first and a second attachment means,
the first attachment means used to fix the connection member to a
frame element, and the second attachment means being connectable to
the base in a configuration which facilitates height adjustment of
the frame relative to the base. The pier support of the present
invention provides for a strong, robust support for floor frames
and is advantageous in that the height of the frame can be easily
adjusted at regular intervals post-construction, for maintenance
purposes, or for height re-adjustment where for example the ground
has subsided over time.
Inventors: |
Weeks; Kevin; (Elizabeth
West, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEINER & BURT, P.C.
635 N US-23, POB 186
HARRISVILLE
MI
48740
US
|
Assignee: |
WEEKS GROUP PTY LTD
Elizabeth West
AU
|
Family ID: |
39364092 |
Appl. No.: |
12/513811 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 1, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2007/001680 |
371 Date: |
June 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/126.6 ;
52/169.9; 52/650.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02183 20130101;
E04F 2015/02061 20130101; E04F 15/02458 20130101; E04C 2003/0452
20130101; E04C 2003/0473 20130101; E04B 1/003 20130101; E04C 3/07
20130101; E04F 15/02464 20130101; E02D 27/14 20130101; E04B 5/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/126.6 ;
52/169.9; 52/650.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 5/10 20060101
E04B005/10; E02D 27/32 20060101 E02D027/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 6, 2006 |
AU |
2006906181 |
Claims
1. A pier support for maintaining a frame element a spaced distance
from a surface, said pier support characterised by: a base
including two spaced apart and parallel surfaces having coaxially
aligned apertures; a connection member between said base and frame
element, said connection member including a threaded shaft adapted
to extend through said coaxially aligned apertures; and a
correspondingly threaded levelling nut adapted to engage said
threaded shaft between the two spaced apart and parallel surfaces,
whereby tightening of the levelling nut against one of said
surfaces causes said shaft to move relative to the base, and
thereby enables height adjustment of said frame element.
2. A pier support as characterised in claim 1 wherein when said
levelling nut is tightened in a first direction whilst bearing
against a first of said parallel surfaces, the shaft moves in a
first direction relative to said base, and when rotated in the
opposite direction whilst bearing against said first of said
parallel surfaces, the shaft moves vertically in the opposite
direction relative to said base.
3. A pier support as characterised in claim 2 further including a
correspondingly threaded locking nut which is also adapted to
engage the threaded shaft between the two spaced apart and parallel
surfaces, said locking nut adapted to lock the connection member at
a desired height relative to said base by tightening said nut
against the second of said parallel surfaces.
4. A pier support as characterised in claim 3 wherein said
levelling nut bears against said first surface by the weight of the
frame element.
5. A pier support as characterised in claim 3 wherein said
levelling nut bears against said first surface by way of manual
adjustment towards said first surface.
6. A pier support as characterised in claim 3 wherein the locking
nut is adapted to be tightened against the second of said parallel
surfaces once a desired height is achieved using the levelling nut,
to thereby lock the connection member at said desired height.
7. A pier support as characterised in claim 1 wherein said base is
in the form of an upright beam and said surface to which the base
is fixed is a concrete footing.
8. A pier support as characterised in claim 7 wherein said first
and second parallel surfaces form part of a C-section bracket
mounted above said upright beam in a configuration whereby said
first and second surfaces extend substantially horizontally.
9. A pier support characterised by: a base member adapted to be
fixed to a ground surface; a frame element having a central web, an
outwardly extending flange, and at least one slot extending through
said flange; a connection member associated with said base member
for connecting said frame element thereto, said connection member
including a T-piece comprising a base plate and an upright tab,
said upright tab configured to be received in said slot whilst said
base plate supports said frame element flange.
10. A pier support as characterised in claim 9 wherein said slot is
configured such that once said upright tab is received, the upright
tab extends parallel to and adjacent the central web for engagement
therewith.
11. A pier support as characterised in claim 10 wherein said
upright tab and said central web include apertures which become
coaxially aligned once the tab has been fully inserted, and are
engageable by way of insertion of a locking bolt.
12. A pier support as characterised in claim 9 wherein said base
member further includes two spaced apart and parallel surfaces
having coaxially aligned apertures, and said connection member
further includes a threaded shaft adapted to extend through said
base member coaxially aligned apertures.
13. A pier support as characterised in claim 12 further including a
levelling nut adapted to engage said threaded shaft between the two
spaced apart and parallel surfaces, whereby tightening of the
levelling nut against one of said surfaces causes said shaft to
move relative to the base, and thereby enables height adjustment of
said frame element.
14. A pier support as characterised in claim 13 wherein when said
levelling nut is tightened in a first direction whilst bearing
against a first of said parallel surfaces, the shaft moves in a
first direction relative to said base, and when rotated in the
opposite direction whilst bearing against said first of said
parallel surfaces, the shaft moves vertically in the opposite
direction relative to said base.
15. A pier support as characterised in claim 14 further including a
correspondingly threaded locking nut which is also adapted to
engage the threaded shaft between the two spaced apart and parallel
surfaces, said locking nut adapted to lock the connection member at
a desired height relative to said base by tightening said nut
against the second of said parallel surfaces.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. A pier support as characterised in claim 15 wherein the locking
nut is adapted to be tightened against the second of said parallel
surfaces once a desired height is achieved using the levelling nut,
to thereby lock the connection member at said desired height.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. A pier support as in claim 9 wherein said frame element is a
joist comprising two opposed C-section members each having a
central web and a pair of flanges extending outwardly therefrom,
said C-section members being joined along their central webs.
22. A pier support as in claim 21 wherein each joist forms part of
a floor frame having a plurality of connecting joists and bearers,
each joist including at least one slot located in a lower flange of
a C-section member adjacent the central web and positioned
proximate a joist-bearer connection.
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. A pier support for supporting at least one frame element of a
horizontal frame, said pier support characterised by: a base; an
elongate support member extending substantially vertically from the
base and having a remote end opposed to the base; a bracket mounted
above the vertical support member, said bracket having two parallel
surfaces extending substantially horizontally and each surface
including co-axially aligned apertures; a frame connection member
including a first attachment means so that said frame connection
member can be fixed to said frame element and a second attachment
means in the form of a threaded rod adapted to extend through said
coaxially aligned apertures; and at least one levelling nut which
when rotated in a first direction whilst bearing against a first of
said parallel surfaces, causes the rod and connection member to
move vertically in a first direction, and when rotated in the
opposite direction whilst bearing against the same parallel
surface, causes the rod and connection member to move vertically in
the opposite direction.
26. A pier support as characterised in claim 25 wherein said
connection member includes a locking nut used to lock the
connection member at the height set by the first levelling nut by
being tightened against the second of said parallel surfaces.
27. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a floor pier support and,
in particular, to a pier support which allows for in-situ height
adjustment of a floor frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical pre-assembled floor frame is square or rectangular
in shape and comprises a plurality of floor bearers and floor
joists. Floor bearers are usually the outer load bearing elements
of the frame and floor joists are the inner elements which extend
between bearers and intersect one another to provide a support for
floor sheeting there above. Such floor frames are typically used in
the construction of transportable housing, decking, walkways,
multi-level construction, patios and the like.
[0003] Floor frames for such structures are required to be
positioned a predetermined distance above the ground, or in the
case of multi-level construction, above the ceiling frame of the
room below. This is typically achieved using a plurality of pier
supports positioned at various points beneath the frame to provide
the required structural support thereto. Typically, the pier
supports are positioned beneath bearer-joist connections and are
thereby arranged in a matrix-type formation beneath the floor
frame. Not every bearer-joist connection necessarily requires a
pier support, this being job specific and is something an engineer
will determine depending on structural requirements, wind speeds in
the area, earthquake risk, etc.
[0004] The current method of erecting these supports is to pour
concrete footings or piers deep into the ground where each support
is to be located. The location of each support is typically
determined by computer software whereby a printout of the pier
support locations is sent to a footing contractor. Being able to
adjust the height of the supports is essential when erecting floor
frames in that the level of the footings across the entire frame
are often not uniform and hence if the supports were all the same
height, the resultant floor frame would be uneven. Laser levels are
typically used as an indicator when adjusting the height of the
frame, and so it can be appreciated that height adjustment of only
a few millimetres at particular sections of the frame is sometimes
required.
[0005] Existing pier supports known to the present inventor include
a vertical base beam adapted to be fixed to each concrete footing,
and a frame connection member to which the floor frame is fixed,
the connection member being threadably connected to the base beam
for height adjustment. Such systems are unsuitable because they do
not allow for in-situ levelling of floor frames. In particular,
levelling must be performed prior to the floor frame being fixed to
the base frames, and the height of the frame may not be easily
adjusted thereafter. There is therefore a need for supports which
allow a floor frame to be erected with more speed and accuracy than
hitherto known supports.
[0006] Another important issue is the structural integrity of
existing pier supports, particularly in rough wind conditions and
earthquake prone areas. The strength of the support is dependant
upon its design and construction, and the way in which it is
connected to the frame. Existing supports known to the applicant do
not have a strong and robust means of connection between the base
beams and floor frame.
[0007] The present inventor is the owner of various patents and
patent applications directed to the manufacture of floor frames, in
particular, pre-assembled steel floor frames which include unique
connection means in the form of tab-slot connections. Connection
tabs are associated with one frame member and are insertable into
slots associated with another frame member for connection thereto.
There is therefore also a need for a floor pier support which is
suitable for use in association with existing floor frame systems
such as this one, but which is not limited to such systems.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide
the public with a useful alternative.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
floor pier supports which provide for more simplified and accurate
erection of a floor frame there above, as well as a more strong and
robust connection between support and frame.
[0010] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
floor pier support which allows for the height of the associated
floor frame to be easily raised or lowered in-situ. For example, in
a situation where the ground has subsided in one area of a floor
frame over time, the relevant pier support can be adjusted
accordingly without having to remove the entire frame, or parts
thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a
pier support for maintaining a frame element above a surface, said
pier support including: [0012] a base adapted to be fixed to said
surface; [0013] a connection member including a first and a second
attachment means, said first attachment means used to fix the
connection member to a frame element, and said second attachment
means being connectable to the base in a configuration which
facilitates height adjustment of the frame relative to the
base.
[0014] Preferably the pier support includes a means of locking the
frame element at a desired height.
[0015] Preferably said base includes two parallel surfaces having
co-axially aligned apertures, said second attachment means of the
connection member including a threaded shaft insertable through
said co-axial apertures for engagement with two correspondingly
threaded nuts located between the two parallel surfaces.
[0016] In preference the first nut is used to adjust the height of
the connection member and the second nut is used to lock the
connection member at a desired height relative to said base.
[0017] Preferably the first nut is adapted to bear against a first
of said parallel surfaces, said first nut raising the height of the
connection member by way of rotation in a first direction relative
to the threaded shaft, and lowering the height of the connection
member by way of rotation in the opposite direction.
[0018] Preferably said first nut bears against said first surface
by the weight of the frame element. The weight of the frame
typically bears down against the connection member causing the
lower levelling nut to bear against the first surface at all times.
Preferably through adjustment of the levelling nut relative to the
threaded rod, the level of the connection member and hence the
frame element can be raised or lowered.
[0019] Alternatively said first nut bears against said first
surface by way of manual adjustment towards said first surface. For
example, there may be circumstances where the frame does not cause
the lower levelling nut to bear against the first surface.
[0020] In preference the second nut is adapted to be tightened
against the second of said parallel surfaces once the desired
height is achieved, to thereby lock the connection member at said
desired height.
[0021] Preferably said base is in the form of an upright hollow
beam and said surface to which the base is fixed is a concrete
footing.
[0022] Preferably said first and second parallel surfaces form part
of a C-section bracket mounted above said upright beam in a
configuration whereby said first and second surfaces extend
substantially horizontally.
[0023] In preference said frame element is a joist comprising two
C-section members each having a central web and a pair of flanges
extending outwardly therefrom, said C-section members being joined
along their central webs to form said joist.
[0024] Preferably said first attachment means of the connection
member is in the form of a T-piece having a base plate and an
upright tab.
[0025] Preferably each joist includes at least one slot located in
a lower flange of a C-section member adjacent the central web, said
slot shaped to receive the connection member upright tab.
[0026] Preferably after the upright tab is inserted into said slot,
it is adapted to be fixed to the central webs of the two adjoining
C-section members forming the joist.
[0027] In preference said joist forms part of a floor frame having
a plurality of connecting joists and bearers.
[0028] In preference each slot is positioned proximate the
joist-bearer connection.
[0029] In a further form of the invention there is proposed a pier
support for supporting at least one frame element of a horizontal
frame, said pier support including: [0030] a base; [0031] an
elongate support member extending substantially vertically from the
base and having a remote end opposed to the base with a cavity;
[0032] a bracket mounted above the vertical support member, said
bracket having two parallel surfaces extending substantially
horizontally and each surface including co-axially aligned
apertures; [0033] a frame connection member including a first
attachment means so that said frame connection member can be fixed
to said frame element and a second attachment means in the form of
a threaded rod adapted to extend through said coaxially aligned
apertures; and [0034] at least one levelling nut which when rotated
in a first direction whilst bearing against a first of said
parallel surfaces, causes the rod and connection member to move
vertically in a first direction, and when rotated in the opposite
direction whilst bearing against the same parallel surface, causes
the rod and connection member to move vertically in the opposite
direction.
[0035] Preferably said connection member includes a locking nut
used to lock the connection member at the height set by the first
levelling nut by being tightened against the second of said
parallel surfaces.
[0036] In a still further form of the invention there is proposed a
steel floor frame having a plurality of interconnected floor joists
and floor bearers, said steel floor frame including a plurality of
pier supports as defined above located proximate the joist-bearer
connections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an
implementation of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In
the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a floor frame
supported above a plurality of floor pier supports in accordance
with the present invention, and an enlarged perspective view of the
connection between a single floor pier support and a floor
joist;
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded view of the
connecting pier support and floor joist of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connecting
pier support and floor joist of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 4a illustrates a side view of the frame connection
member forming part of the floor pier support of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 4b illustrates a front view of the frame connection
member of FIG. 4a;
[0043] FIG. 5a illustrates a side view of the C-section support
bracket forming part of the floor pier support of the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 5b illustrates a front view of the C-section support
bracket of FIG. 5a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] The following detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes
exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes
may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same
reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the
following description to refer to the same and like parts.
[0046] The present invention relates to a floor pier support 10 and
floor frame 12 incorporating such floor pier supports, as shown in
FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 1, a pre-assembled floor frame 12 is shown which
comprises floor joists 14 and floor bearers 16, each of which is
formed from C-section structural members rolled from light-gauge
strip steel. The frame 12 is typically covered by floor sheeting
(not shown) and is supported above a plurality of pier supports 10
positioned adjacent the connections between floor joist 14 and
floor bearers 16.
[0047] It is to be understood that the present invention is not to
be limited to use in supporting floor frames only but may equally
well be used in the support of any structure which may require
in-situ height adjustment.
[0048] Each floor pier support 10 is fixed at its base to a
concrete footing 18 which is poured a predetermined depth within
the ground to support the structure to be built above, whether it
be a transportable house, a walkway, a patio, or the like. The
position of each footing 18 is determined off-site, for example,
using computer software which calculates the required spaced apart
footing distances in accordance with the dimensions of the floor
frame 12 which, in the embodiment shown, is also assembled
off-site.
[0049] Turning now to the floor frame 12 in more detail, the floor
joists 14 and floor bearers 16 are each made up of C-section
members and for the purpose of brevity, each similar feature of the
joist 14 and bearer 16 will be referenced using like numbers. Each
C-section member comprises a central web 20 and a pair of flanges
22 extending outwardly therefrom. Each flange 22 terminates with a
flange return 24. The floor joists 14, which comprise two opposed
C-section members joined along their central webs 22, are adapted
to be inserted into the bearer 16 as shown in the enlarged view of
FIG. 1, and the flange return 24 of the bearer 16 is removed at
these parts of the bearer in order to enable receipt of the joist
14.
[0050] The ends of the central webs 20 of each C-section member in
joist 14 is folded over at approximately 90 degrees in order to
form an end portion 26, forming a box-shape at the end of the
C-section member in joist 14. The end portions 26 include a number
of dimples 28, each of which is centrally punched to receive a
fixing member such as a rivet or screw (not shown). The web 20 of
the bearer 16 is likewise dimpled or punched to assist in aligning
the floor joist 14 relative to the bearer 16 during assembly, and
additionally provide resistance against shearing when secured
together via a rivet or the like. The joist 14 includes a slot 30
extending through the lower flange 22 of one of its C-section
members, the purpose of which is described below.
[0051] As mentioned in the preamble of the invention, the floor
frame 12 is adapted to be mounted a predetermined distance above
the ground and is typically levelled using a laser level (not
shown). The present invention provides for in-situ height
adjustment of the floor frame using the adjustment means now
described.
[0052] The floor pier support 10 essentially comprises two parts, a
hollow base member 32 of square cross-section having a C-section
support bracket 34 fixed there above, and a frame connection member
36. The hollow base member 32 could equally well have a different
cross-sectional shape such as circular for example. The frame
connection member 36 is shown as a separate component in FIGS.
4a-4b, and the C-section support bracket 34 is shown as a separate
component in FIGS. 5a-5b.
[0053] The hollow base member 32 includes a base plate (not shown)
adapted to be bolted down to the footing 18 at a predetermined
position also calculated by the computer software. The C-section
support bracket 34 is fixed, preferably by a weld, to the top of
the hollow base member 32 in a configuration whereby one of the
C-section bracket parallel walls covers the open top of the base
member 32, and the opposed parallel wall extends a short distance
there above. Each parallel wall includes a vertically extending
aperture 38 and 40 which are co-axially aligned.
[0054] The frame connection member 36 is in the shape of an
inverted T-piece, that is, it includes an elongate bottom plate 42
and a transverse connection tab 44 extending upwardly from the
bottom plate 42. A threaded rod 46 extends downwardly from the
opposite side of the plate 42.
[0055] During assembly, the threaded rod 46 is firstly adapted to
be inserted through the upper aperture 38 of the C-section support
bracket 34. Then, two levelling nuts 48 and 50 are screwed onto the
threaded rod 46, and the free end of the rod is then inserted into
the second aperture 40 so that the nuts 48 and 50 are located
between the two parallel walls of the C-section support bracket 34.
The free end of the threaded rod 46 therefore extends into the
hollow base member 32 and the lower levelling nut 48 will typically
bear against the lower wall of the bracket 34 due to the weight of
the frame 12 thereabove. Although this will not always be the case,
as is described further below.
[0056] As mentioned above, the joist 14 includes a slot 30 which
extends through a lower flange 22 of one of its C-section members
adjacent the central web 20. The transverse connection tab 44
includes two vertically spaced apart apertures 52 and 54.
Therefore, once the connection tab 44 is inserted all the way into
slot 30, so that the bottom plate 42 abuts with the joist 14, the
spaced apart apertures 52 and 54 become co-axially aligned with
respective spaced apart apertures 56 and 58 extending through the
central webs 20 of the two opposed C-section members which form the
joist 14. A bolt 60 is adapted to extend through co-axially aligned
apertures 52 and 56, as is bolt 62 through apertures 54 and 58.
Both are secured by respective nuts 64 and 66 as known in the art.
Once the nuts are tightened, the frame connection member 34 is
thereby securely fixed to the joist 14.
[0057] It is to be understood that the connection means between the
pier support and frame may well vary in accordance with the type of
frame and other conditions. For example, in the case of timber
frames having timber joists, the frame connection member would be
U-shaped in order to accommodate a typically square cross-sectioned
timber beam joist.
[0058] Also, in the case of steel frames, the frame connection
means is not to be limited to only the tab-slot connection means
embodied herein, but to any connection means of suitable strength.
The tab-slot connection is used in preference to maintain
consistency with the present inventor's unique roof and floor frame
system which both incorporate a similar tab-slot connection between
frame elements. Such a connection means is preferred because it
maintains superior stiffness in steel frame joints.
[0059] The hollow base member 32 and the frame connection member 36
are now both fixed which means that the height of the frame 12 is
ready to be finely adjusted. This may be achieved using an
appropriate level such as a laser level (not shown) as mentioned
earlier, while manipulating the nuts 48 and 50 of each pier support
10 as described below.
[0060] It is to be understood that when the following description
refers to screwing of the nuts, this is intended to mean rotation
thereof in a clockwise motion when viewing the apparatus from
above, and likewise, unscrewing of the nuts is intended to mean
rotation thereof in an anticlockwise motion when viewing the
apparatus from above.
[0061] It is to be further understood that each component could be
configured differently, for example, they could be oppositely
threaded requiring unscrewing as opposed to screwing, and vice
versa. Provided the means by which the height is adjusted is the
same, then other components can equally well be used without
deviating from the scope of the invention.
[0062] In the embodiment shown, in order to increase the height of
the frame 12 the lower nut 48 is required to be screwed. The
threaded rod 46 will be forced to move upwardly thereby raising the
level of the frame 12. Of course, during this process, the upper
nut 50 will gradually move closer to the upper flange of the
support bracket 34, and so one needs to also unscrew the upper nut
50 in the meantime if/when required in order to maintain it in a
floating state.
[0063] In order to decrease the height of the frame 12, the lower
nut 48 needs to be unscrewed. The threaded rod 46 will be forced to
move downwards thereby lowering the level of the frame 12. During
this process, the upper nut 50 will gradually move closer to nut
48, and so one needs to also unscrew the upper nut 50 if/when
required in order to maintain it in a floating state.
[0064] Once a desired level is reached through adjustment of the
lower nut 48, the upper nut 50 can be tightened against the upper
flange of the support bracket 34 (by unscrewing it), thereby
locking the pier support in place. It is important during
tightening of the upper nut 50, that the lower nut 48 be maintained
in the position it was moved to earlier using a level, so that the
height of the frame is not affected during the locking process.
Because of the weight of the frame bearing down on the nut 48, it
is likely that a spanner or other rotating tool will be required to
rotate nut 48, and also to maintain nut 48 in position during
tightening of nut 50.
[0065] There may be circumstances in which the frame may not cause
nut 48 to bear against the lower flange of the C-section support
bracket, for example, where the frame is lightweight, where the
bearers/joists are not exactly straight, or where the supports at
one end of the frame have been level adjusted and tightened but at
the other end still requires adjustment. In such circumstances,
both the nut 48 and nut 50 may be floating. The pier support 10 of
the present invention is also suitable in these circumstances.
[0066] Raising of the frame is achieved using the same method
described above whereby the lower nut 48 is screwed until it bears
against the lower flange of the C-section support bracket 34. The
threaded rod 46 will eventually be forced to move upwardly thereby
raising the level of the frame 12, or at least reaching the level
of the other pier supports which have been adjusted already.
Tightening of nut 50 will then secure the pier support in place, as
above.
[0067] However, lowering the frame is achieved slightly differently
because the weight of the frame can no longer be relied upon.
Because the lower nut 48 does not bear down against the lower
flange of the support bracket 34, unscrewing of the nut 48 alone
will not cause the threaded rod to move downwardly. Therefore,
alternatively, the upper nut 50 needs to be unscrewed so that it
bears against the upper flange of the C-section support bracket 34.
The threaded rod 46 will eventually be forced to move downwardly
thereby lowering the level of the frame 12. Nut 48 can then be
tightened against the lower flange (by unscrewing it) in order to
secure the support in the desired position. Effectively, nut 50
becomes the adjusting nut, and nut 48 becomes the locking nut.
[0068] The skilled addressee should now realise the benefits
provided by the present invention. Various adjustable pier support
systems exist, however, none that are known to the present inventor
can be assembled as quickly and efficiently as the pier support 10
of the present invention. One of the improvements resides in the
use of the C-section support bracket 34 which exposes two nuts 48
and 50 used to raise, lower and lock the frame 12 at a desired
level. This configuration enables height adjustment without the
need for moving any of the supporting structures such as the base
beam or the frame connection member, allowing these components to
be assembled prior to adjusting the height of the floor. The entire
floor frame 12 can therefore be levelled in-situ.
[0069] In using the floor pier support 10 of the present invention,
the strength and integrity of the support provided to the frame 12
is also not compromised. Once the desired level is achieved and the
bolts secured, each base beam provides an extremely strong and
robust support. When using the tab-slot frame connection embodied
herein, the floor frame as a whole also has superior strength
characteristics over existing systems. Once again, because the nuts
are both exposed, they can be easily tightened at regular intervals
post-construction, for maintenance purposes, or for height
re-adjustment.
[0070] The present invention is designed to be used in combination
with unique pre-assembled floor frames which have been developed by
the present inventor. However, it is to be understood that the
present invention could equally well be used in combination with
any type of floor frame, whether pre-assembled or assembled
on-site. Existing or newly manufactured floor frames could be
modified slightly in order to accommodate the connection tabs 44
associated with the frame connection members 36. For example, slots
could be machined into the frame at appropriate positions.
[0071] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to
the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although
the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to
be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized
that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit
of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details
disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims
so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.
[0072] In any claims that follow and in the summary of the
invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to
express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is
used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may
be associated with further features in various embodiments of the
invention.
* * * * *