U.S. patent application number 15/206296 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for piling extender.
The applicant listed for this patent is Composite Structural Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Gary S. Smrtic, Thomas N. Troxell.
Application Number | 20160319563 15/206296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51296446 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160319563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gable; Michael E. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
PILING EXTENDER
Abstract
A method and system for extending a vertical structural member
supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical
structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from
a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is
coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a
structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the
system to the structure.
Inventors: |
Gable; Michael E.;
(Nazareth, PA) ; Ralph, III; James D.; (Bethlehem,
PA) ; Troxell; Thomas N.; (Pottstown, PA) ;
Smrtic; Gary S.; (Morgantown, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Composite Structural Systems, LLC |
Lehigh Valley |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51296446 |
Appl. No.: |
15/206296 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14823918 |
Aug 11, 2015 |
9416556 |
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15206296 |
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|
14175748 |
Feb 7, 2014 |
9140024 |
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14823918 |
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61763677 |
Feb 12, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/40 20130101; E04G
23/00 20130101; E04G 23/0218 20130101; E04H 12/2269 20130101; E04C
3/30 20130101; E04H 12/22 20130101; E04F 15/02 20130101; E04H
12/2292 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/22 20060101
E04H012/22; E04B 1/41 20060101 E04B001/41; E04C 3/30 20060101
E04C003/30 |
Claims
1. A system for raising a structure, comprising: a sleeve, the
sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of a first
vertical structural member such that the sleeve encloses a top
portion of the first vertical structural member and extends past
the top portion in a direction along a length of the first vertical
structural member, wherein the portion of the sleeve extending past
the top portion of the first vertical structural member defines a
fillable interior space above the top portion of the first vertical
structural member; a second vertical structural member having a
first end seated in the fillable interior space defined by the
sleeve extending past the top portion of the first vertical
structural member; a cap provided at a second end of the second
vertical structural member, the second end opposing the first end,
the cap comprising a vertical wall defining a receptacle; and a
structure attachment device comprising vertical clamp portions
extending in the direction along a length of the second vertical
structural member and adapted to receive the structure, wherein the
structure attachment device is seated on a top surface of the
cap.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is affixed to the
first vertical structural member via a mechanical fastener.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure attachment device
seated on the top surface of the cap is secured via one or more
mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the
top surface of the cap.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical clamp portions are
parallel to each other and define a space therebetween for
receiving the structure.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the structure received in the
space defined between the parallel clamp portions is secured via
one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more
openings in the vertical clamp portions.
6. A system for raising a structure, comprising: a first sleeve,
the first sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of a
first vertical structural member such that the first sleeve
encloses a top portion of the first vertical structural member and
extends past the top portion of the first vertical structural
member in a direction along a length of the first vertical
structural member, wherein the portion of the first sleeve
extending past the top portion of the first vertical structural
member defines a first fillable interior space above the top
portion of the first vertical structural member; a second vertical
structural member having a first end seated in the first fillable
interior space defined by the first sleeve extending past the top
portion of the first vertical structural member; a second sleeve,
the second sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of
the second vertical structural member at a second end, the second
end opposing the first end, such that the sleeve encloses a top
portion of the second vertical structural member; a cap coupled to
the second sleeve, the cap comprising a vertical wall defining a
receptacle; and a structure attachment device comprising vertical
clamp portions extending in the direction along a length of the
second vertical structural member and adapted to receive the
structure, wherein the structure attachment device is seated on a
top surface of the cap.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second sleeve extends past
the top portion of the second vertical structural member in a
direction along the length of the second vertical structural
member, wherein the portion of the second sleeve extending past the
top portion of the second vertical structural member defines a
second fillable interior space above the top portion of the second
vertical structural member.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cap is adapted to enclose the
fillable interior space above the top portion of the second
vertical structural member.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the first sleeve and the second
sleeve are affixed, respectively, to the first vertical structural
member and to the second vertical structural member via mechanical
fasteners.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the structure attachment device
seated on the top surface of the cap is secured via one or more
mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the
top surface of the cap.
11. The system of claim 6, wherein the vertical clamp portions are
parallel to each other and define a space therebetween for
receiving the structure.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the structure received in the
space defined between the parallel clamp portions is secured via
one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more
openings in the vertical clamp portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/823,918, filed Aug. 11, 2015, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/175,748, filed
Feb. 7, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/763,677, filed Feb. 12, 2013, all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems and
methods for extending and reinforcing vertical structural
members.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Vertical structural members, often called pilings, can be as
any column, pile, bollard, post, buttress, strut, pillar, pole or
similar structure that serves as a structural support to elevate a
structure, such as a building, dock, bridge, etc. For example,
vertical members may be, but are not limited to be, pilings under
homes, structures, bridges, docks, piers, bulk heads, water or land
based platforms, utility poles, or other similar structures. Over
time, vertical structural members can be damaged due to wear and
tear from natural and/or man-made forces, such as wave action, acid
rain, ultraviolet radiation, vibrations from traffic, corrosion,
pest/insect damage, etc. Further, vertical structural members can
sustain serious damage due to events that result in strong forces
being exerted on the vertical structural member, such as a
hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, or an impact from a vehicle, a
boat, or an airplane. Vertical structural members that are already
installed may be determined to have insufficient length to provide
support at a safe height for the structure being supported. For
example, due to rising water levels, a length of vertical
structural support as designed and built may no longer be
sufficient for a structure.
[0004] Current solutions for extending the height of vertical
structural members and/or for the repair of damaged portions of
vertical structural members may not provide sufficient structural
stability or may be prohibitively expensive or difficult to
execute. Splicing of pilings to extend or repair a piling, where an
existing piling and a new piling are notched with matching notches
and then fastened together, is generally not an acceptable practice
under most building codes, because the splice does not adequately
transmit moment loading from the new section of piling to the
existing section. Additionally, the connection exposes more surface
area of the piling to the atmosphere, which can increase the risk
of dry rot and insect damage.
[0005] Further, placing of concrete, whether poured or block type
construction, on top of the piling to extend the height of the
piling or replace a damaged section of piling generally does not
provide adequate moment loading as the tensile force on the
concrete could exceed that available to the concrete. If steel
reinforcement is added to the concrete, the additional concrete
required to fully encapsulate the steel reinforcement would create
significant additional loading on the piling, reducing the
available loading capacity of the piling. Further, joints resulting
from block construction can be exposed to weathering, which can
create a long term maintenance concern.
[0006] Additionally, using helical piling drilling to extend or
repair pilings can be costly. Also, while structures can be raised
and moved away from the current location such that new pilings can
be installed, this option is not available on sites with limited
space to store the structure and can be expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a
structure. The system includes a sleeve to couple to the vertical
structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from
a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap
coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a
structure attachment device coupled to the cap, the structure
attachment device to attach the system to the structure.
[0008] The system can include a fill material, wherein the sleeve
is about the fill material. The fill material can be a flowable
fill material.
[0009] The system can include a cap spacer, wherein the sleeve is
coupled to the cap via the cap spacer. The system can include a
sleeve spacer, wherein the sleeve is coupled to the sleeve spacer
to accommodate variation in a perimeter of the vertical structural
member.
[0010] The structure attachment device can include a U-bolt. A
horizontal portion of the U-bolt can be between the cap and the
vertical structural member, and a first vertical portion and a
second vertical portion of the U-bolt can extend through openings
in the cap to couple to a joist of the structure via a bracket.
[0011] The sleeve can be coupled to the vertical structural member
via a chemical bonding agent and/or via a mechanical fastener.
[0012] The sleeve can include a first sleeve and a second sleeve,
the first sleeve to couple to a first portion of a perimeter of the
vertical structural member and the second sleeve to couple to a
second portion of the perimeter opposite the first portion of the
perimeter.
[0013] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
method of extending a vertical structural member supporting a
structure. The method can include coupling a sleeve to the vertical
structural member, wherein a portion of the sleeve extending from a
first end of the sleeve is about the vertical structural member,
coupling a cap to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first
end, and coupling a structure attachment device to the cap, wherein
the structure attachment device is to attach to the structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, and will become apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustrative exploded view of a system for
extending a vertical structural member in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustrative assembled view of the system of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the system
of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustrative assembled view of the system of
FIG. 1 without a spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustrative exploded view of attachment of the
system of FIG. 1 to a structure.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustrative assembled view of attachment of
the system of FIG. 1 to a structure.
[0021] FIG. 7 is an illustrative assembled view of a system for
extending a vertical structural member in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is an illustrative assembled view of attachment of
the system of FIG. 7 to a structure.
[0023] FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of a sleeve in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a sleeve spacer in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of a cap spacer in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of a cap in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 13 is an illustrative view of a structure attachment
device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a method of extending a vertical
structural member in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In the following description, numerous details are set
forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art,
that the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to
avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0030] In implementations, a method and system are provided for
extending and/or repairing vertical structural members, such as
pilings. A modular system including a sleeve, a cap, and a
structure attachment device, according to embodiments, provides
flexibility to accommodate irregular shapes and dimensions of
vertical structural members, which can be inherent to wooden
pilings. In an embodiment, sleeve spacers can be used to vary the
size of the sleeve, and glues and/or resins can be used to fill
voids and/or irregularities in the vertical structural member, such
that the system is easily adaptable and installable by a user, such
as an installation contractor. The use of the sleeve spacer and
glue/resin system can further provide the ability to correct
vertical alignment issues which can also be problematic with a
driven pile. In an example, alignment can be corrected by up to
about 6 degrees.
[0031] There are many circumstances, whether from legal mandate or
simply structural protection, which require structures to be raised
to a height above their existing height. The system described
herein allows a structure (e.g., a house, dock or other large
building) to be raised without the need to replace the existing
pilings. The piling extenders can be provided in a variety of
diameters to accommodate different size pilings (e.g., from about 4
inches to about 50 inches) and different lengths (e.g., from about
12 inches to about 25 feet) to accommodate different heights the
structure needs to be raised. The system can be also be used as to
replace or encapsulate damaged portions of the member or so provide
additional structural support to a vertical structure member.
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 are an exploded view and an assembled view,
respectively, of a system for extending (and/or repairing) a
vertical structural member 101 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. One or more sleeves 102 can be positioned
about the vertical structural member 101. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1, two sleeves 102 can be positioned about the vertical
structural member 101 such that each sleeve 102 is about a portion
of the perimeter of the vertical structural member 101. The two
sleeves 102 can be positioned such that a first end (or first
portion) of the sleeves overlaps a portion (e.g., a top portion) of
the vertical structural member 101 and a second end (or portion) of
the sleeves does not overlap the vertical structural member 101.
The sleeves 102 can wrap around the vertical member 101 and
extended to the desired height above the vertical structural member
101.
[0033] In an embodiment, the sleeves 102 can be wrapped around the
vertical structural member 101 to create a longer vertical
structural member to thus raise a structure supported by the
vertical structural member to a higher position. In an embodiment,
the sleeves 102 can be wrapped around the vertical structural
member 101 to reinforce the vertical structural member.
Alternately, a damaged portion of the vertical structural member
can be removed and the sleeves can be placed on the remaining
portion of the vertical structural member at the top and bottom
with a new member matching the dimensions of the existing vertical
structural member inserted in the void area left by the removal of
the damaged vertical structural member.
[0034] The sleeves 102 can be constructed of fiberglass, ferrous
materials of any suitable type, nylon, structural plastics,
composites, or any other suitable inorganic material, depending on
the environment of intended use.
[0035] The sleeves 102 can be connected or coupled to the vertical
structure member 101 by chemical bonding agents and/or mechanical
fasteners. For example, the sleeves 102 can be coupled to the
vertical structural member 101 by resins or glues, where the resin
or glue is applied to an inner surface of the sleeve 102 (e.g., by
any suitable application method, such as injection, painting,
spraying, etc.) between the sleeve 102 and the vertical structural
member 101. Examples of glues and resins include high strength
acrylic, epoxy, or urethane bonding systems. In another example,
the sleeves 102 can be coupled to the vertical structural member
101 by mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, pegs,
clamps, etc.) where the mechanical fasteners can extend (e.g.,
radially) through the sleeve 102 and into the vertical structural
member 101 and/or the mechanical fasteners can fix the sleeve to
itself or another sleeve 102 such that the sleeve(s) 102 are
coupled to the vertical structural member 101 via a friction fit.
In an embodiment, the sleeves have holes to allow for fastening to
the vertical structural member to prevent sliding and provide
additional strength.
[0036] In an embodiment, the sleeves are fabricated to the desired
dimensions. In another embodiment, the sleeves are cut to the
desired dimensions after fabrication, either prior to attaching to
the vertical structure member or after the sleeve is attached.
[0037] In an embodiment, the sleeve 102 has a flange 103 along a
vertical length of one or both sides of the sleeve 102. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two sleeve 102 can be fastened
together by their flanges 103 via a chemical bonding agent (e.g.,
glue and/or resin) and/or a mechanical fastener (e.g., screws,
bolts, nails, pegs, clamps, etc.). In another embodiment where one
sleeve is used, the sleeve can be fastened to itself with the
flanges 103 on either side of the sleeve via a chemical bonding
agent (e.g., glue and/or resin) and/or a mechanical fastener (e.g.,
screws, bolts, nails, pegs, clamps, etc.).
[0038] In an embodiment, sleeve spacers 104 can be utilized with
sleeves 102 e.g., between flanges 103 when provided, to allow for
variation in vertical structural member dimension and/or to
accommodate larger vertical structure members. In the example shown
in FIG. 3, vertical structure member 101A can be a twelve inch
piling, and two sleeve spacers 104 are utilized with two sleeves
102, where one sleeve spacer 104 is positioned between the flanges
103 at one side of the respective sleeves 102 and another sleeve
spacer 104 is positioned between the flanges 103 at the opposite
side of the respective sleeves 102.
[0039] In FIG. 4, a vertical structure member 101B is a piling with
a ten inch diameter. Here, sleeve spacers 104 are not utilized
because vertical structure member 101B is small enough that two
sleeves 102 can be wrapped all the way around the vertical
structure member 101B. In this example, the flanges 103 of the
respective sleeves 102 can be coupled directly together using a
high strength adhesive such as an acrylic or epoxy system.
[0040] In other words, though the sleeves 102 utilized with the
twelve inch vertical structure member 101A of FIG. 3 may have the
same dimensions as the sleeves 102 utilized with the ten inch
vertical structure member 101B of FIG. 4, the spacers 104 allow the
larger twelve inch vertical structure member 101A to fit within the
sleeves 102. Because the sleeves 102 can accommodate vertical
structure members of different diameters, installation can be made
easier and production costs of the system can be reduced. In other
examples, only one sleeve spacer is utilized or more than two
sleeve spacers are utilized.
[0041] The material of the sleeve spacers 104 may be any suitable
material, which may or may not match the sleeve material, depending
on the environment of intended use, such as fiberglass, ferrous
materials of any suitable type, nylon, structural plastics,
composites, or any other suitable inorganic material. The spacers
104 can be attached to the flanges 103 via a mechanical fastener
(e.g., screws, bolts, nails, pegs, clamps, etc.) and/or a chemical
bonding agent (e.g., glue and/or resin).
[0042] In an embodiment, a space defined by the sleeves 102 can be
filled (e.g., with fill material) or not, depending on the loading
conditions (e.g., of the structure to be supported by the vertical
structural member). The fill material can be concrete, whether
reinforced or not, a flowable fill material (e.g., structural foam
or resin, such as a filled epoxy or urethane system), a section of
piling or any other suitable material. In an example, the fill
material can be a Portland Cement per ASTM C150 of any type
providing a minimum compressive strength of 1000 psi, along with
any suitable aggregate and/or reinforcement.
[0043] Rather than notching a vertical structural member to connect
a structure to the vertical structural member, which can reduce the
available strength of the vertical structural member by as much as
half and expose more surface area to the environment to increase
the risk of damage from dry rot and insect damage, embodiments of
the system can utilize a cap to facilitate connection to a
structure to maintain the structural integrity of the vertical
structural member.
[0044] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cap 107 can be attached to an
end of the sleeve(s) 102 opposite the vertical structural member
101, according to an embodiment. For example, the cap 107 can be
attached via a mechanical fastener (e.g., screws, bolts, nails,
pegs, clamps, etc.) and/or a chemical bonding agent (e.g., glue or
resin). The cap 107 may include a portion that extends into a space
defined by the sleeve(s) 102. The material of the cap 107 may be of
any suitable material, such as fiberglass, ferrous materials of any
type, nylon, structural plastics, composites, or other inorganic
material, dependent on the environment of its intended use and
loading conditions.
[0045] In an embodiment, the cap 107 can protect the vertical
structure member 101 and/or the fill material from weathering,
corrosion, pests, and other environmental assaults. In an
embodiment, a glue or resin fills any space between the fill
material and/or the vertical structure member 101 and the cap 107.
The glue or resin may be inserted into this space prior to
installation of the cap 107, or the glue or resin may be inserted
or injected into this space after installation of the cap 107
(e.g., though an injection port).
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, one or more cap spacers 105 can
be utilized between sleeve(s) 102 and the cap 107, to allow for
variation in vertical structural member 101 dimension, according to
an embodiment. The material of the cap spacers 105 can be of any
suitable material, which may or may not match the sleeve 102
material, depending on the environment of intended use, such as
fiberglass, ferrous materials of any type, nylon, structural
plastics, composites, or other inorganic material. The cap spacers
105 can be attached to the sleeves 102 and the caps 107 via a
mechanical fastener (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, pegs, clamps,
etc.) and/or a chemical bonding agent (e.g., glue or resin). As
shown in FIG. 3, cap spacers 105 can allow the system to be
utilized with vertical structure members of different sizes. Here,
the twelve inch vertical structure member 101A is accommodated by
utilizing the cap spacers 105 to fill space between the cap 107 and
the sleeves 102. In an embodiment, resin or glue can be inserted in
spaces between the cap spacers 105, the cap 107, and the sleeve(s)
102.
[0047] According to an embodiment, one or more structure attachment
devices 106 can be utilized to couple the system to the structure.
The structure attachment device 106 can be coupled to the cap 107
via a mechanical fastener (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, pegs,
clamps, etc.) and/or a chemical bonding agent. Furthermore, the
structure attachment device 106 can be coupled to the structure via
a mechanical fastener and/or a chemical bonding agent. The
structure attachment device 106 can be a single molded piece or can
be constructed of individual structural pieces. For example, the
structure attachment devices 106 shown in FIG. 1 are square U-bolts
with threaded ends.
[0048] In FIGS. 5 and 6, two structure attachment devices 106
(i.e., U-bolts) are shown, where each of the threaded ends of each
structure attachment devices 106 extends through openings 108 in
the cap 107. Each of the threaded ends can then be positioned
though openings 121 in one or more brackets 120 (e.g., the ends of
one U-bolt extending though holes in one L-bracket and the ends of
the other U-bolt extending through another L-bracket) and secured
with suitable washers 122 and nuts 123. The brackets 120 can then
be coupled to the structure 130 (e.g., a joist or beam of the
structure). For example, the brackets 120 can be coupled to the
structure 130 via a friction fit, a mechanical fastener, and/or a
chemical bonding agent.
[0049] In an embodiment, resin fills and/or glue can be utilized to
bond elements of the system (e.g., sleeves, sleeve spacers, caps,
cap spacer, and/or structure attachment devices) together and the
system to a vertical structure member, seal wooden members (e.g., a
vertical structure member) to protect from dry rot, and to fill
voids between the vertical structural member and elements of the
system (e.g., the sleeves, the sleeve spacers, the cap, and/or the
cap spacer). In an embodiment, the resin fills and/or glue can have
a minimum lap sheer of about 430 MPa.
[0050] According to embodiments, performance standards can vary
from one application to another. In an example for raising
structures on circular wooden pilings, e.g., 12'' diameter Southern
White Pipe wooden pilings, the system could have a bending moment
of 65 ft-Kips, shear (e.g., lateral forces) of 10 Kips, vertical
loading (vertical compression) 90 Kips, and alignment/plumb
correction of 6 degrees. However, performance can be limited by the
available reaction force of the structure to which the system is
connected.
[0051] FIGS. 7-13 illustrate another embodiment of the system 200
for extending and/or repairing a vertical structural member 201,
which can include one or more sleeves 202 with flanges 203 coupled
to the vertical structural member 201, one or more sleeve spacers
204 positioned between the flanges 203, a cap 206 coupled to the
sleeve 102, and a structure attachment device 220 coupled to the
cap 206. The sleeve 202 (shown in FIG. 9), flanges 203 (shown in
FIG. 9), and sleeve spacers 204 (shown in FIG. 10) can be similar
to the corresponding components described above.
[0052] In an embodiment, sleeve 202 can have openings 249 for
passage of a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw, nail or bolt)
through the sleeve 202 and into the vertical structural member 201
to allow for the sleeve 202 to be mechanically fastened to the
vertical structural member 201. Sleeve 202 can also have openings
248 along a flange 203 for passage of a mechanical fastener (e.g.,
a screw, nail or bolt) through the flange 203 to allow for the
flange 203 to be mechanically fastened to the flange 203 on the
other side of a single sleeve 202, to the flange 203 of another
sleeve, or to sleeve spacer 204 positioned between flanges 203.
[0053] In an embodiment, a cap spacer 250 (shown in FIG. 11) can
have a donut shape. The height of the cap spacer 250 can be
determined such that the cap spacer 250 will rest on top of the
vertical structural member 201, and a cap 206 (show in in FIG. 12)
will rest on top of the cap spacer 250 and the tops of the sleeves
202. In an embodiment, the cap spacer 250 can be secured, e.g., by
driving lag screws through holes in the sleeves 202 into the cap
spacer 250 or by the application of glues or resins. Optionally, a
plate may be placed between the cap spacer 250 and the vertical
structure member 201 (and may also be fastened with glue or
fasteners) to provide load bearing from the top of the sleeve 202.
In certain embodiments, the plate may also include a support to,
e.g., support a load.
[0054] In an embodiment, the structure attachment device 220 (shown
in FIG. 13) is aligned such that a bottom portion 262 extends into
a receptacle 252 of the cap 206 and can be attached to the cap 206
via one or more bolts extending through opening 251 in the cap 206.
However, prior to attachment of the structure attachment device 220
to the cap 206, the structure attachment device 220 can be rotated
such that a space 263 is aligned to receive a portion of the
structure 230 (e.g., the floor joist) between vertical clamp
portions 261. Once the structure is positioned between the vertical
clamp portions 261, the structure 230 can be attached to the
structure attachment device 220, e.g., via screws or bolts
extending through openings 264 in the vertical clamp portions 261
and into the structure.
[0055] FIG. 14 illustrates a method 1400 of extending a vertical
structural member supporting a structure in accordance with an
embodiment. In an embodiment, the method can be performed utilizing
system 100 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or system 200 (shown in FIGS. 6
and 7).
[0056] In an embodiment, the vertical structural member is
initially prepared to be extended and/or repaired. For example, the
vertical structural member can be cleaned (e.g., of debris) and cut
to a suitable height (e.g., a height corresponding to other
vertical structural members being used to support the structure).
Further, damaged portions of the vertical structural member can be
removed. The vertical structural member can also be planed along a
length of the vertical structural member to correct alignment. For
example, a portion of a side of a leaning vertical structural
member can removed such that when the vertical structural member is
repaired and/or extended with a the system, the system can be
adjusted to be plumb or vertical (e.g., up to about 6 degrees of
correction).
[0057] At block 1402, a sleeve is coupled to a vertical structural
member, where a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of
the sleeve is about the vertical structural member. For example,
the sleeve can be coupled to the vertical structural member via a
mechanical fastener or a chemical bonding agent. In an embodiment,
a sleeve spacer may be utilized to accommodate a circumference of
the vertical structural member, where the sleeve spacer is
positioned along a length of the sleeve. In an embodiment, two or
more sleeves are positioned about the vertical structural member
such that each sleeve is about a portion of the vertical structural
member to extend all the way around the vertical structural
member.
[0058] In an embodiment, a resin or glue is applied, inserted, or
injected into spaces (e.g., voids) between the vertical structural
member and the sleeve to protect the vertical structural member and
provide additional coupling strength. In an embodiment, a fill
material is inserted into a space within the sleeve above the
vertical structural member. For example, the fill material can be
concrete, glue, resin, or any other suitable fill material (e.g., a
flowable fill material).
[0059] At block 1404, a cap is coupled to a second end of the
sleeve opposite the first end. For example, the cap can be coupled
to the sleeve via a mechanical fastener or a chemical bonding
agent. In an embodiment, a cap spacer is coupled between the cap
and the sleeve to accommodate a larger vertical structural member
and/or fill a gap between the cap and the sleeve.
[0060] In an embodiment, a glue or resin is inserted into spaces
between the sleeve, the cap, the vertical structural member, the
fill material, and/or the cap spacer, e.g., to provide additional
coupling strength and/or protect the system and the vertical
structural member.
[0061] At block 1406, a structure attachment device is coupled to
the cap, where the structure attachment device can be attached to
the structure. For example, the structure attachment device can be
coupled to the cap via a mechanical fastener or a chemical bonding
agent. Further, the structure attachment device can be coupled to
the structure via a mechanical fastener or a chemical bonding
agent.
[0062] In an example, the vertical structural member can be a
U-bolt (e.g., a square U-bolt), where a horizontal portion of the
U-bolt is positioned between the cap and the vertical structural
member, and vertical portions (e.g., which can have a threaded
section) of the U-bolt extend away from the vertical structural
member through openings in the cap. The vertical threaded end
portions of the U-bolt can extend though openings in an L-bracket
to be fastened to the L-bracket (e.g., via a nut). The L-bracket
can be coupled to the structure (e.g., a joist of the structure),
e.g., via a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt or a screw, glue or
resin, or a friction fit. In an embodiment, two U-bolts, each with
a corresponding L-bracket, are utilized to attach the system to the
structure.
[0063] Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present
invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary
skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is
to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described
by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered
limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments
are not intended to limit the scope of claims, which in themselves
recite only those features regarded as the invention.
* * * * *