Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Footing or foundation type – Concrete type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-04-24
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Footing or foundation type
Concrete type
C052S169900, C052S596000, C052S742140, C052S405100, C248S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219981
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support pier for blocking mobile homes and other similar structures.
2. Background of the Prior Art
In setting up a mobile home, a manufactured building or other similar structures and objects, the structure must be blocked and supported. One simple method employed for blocking the structure is to use a plurality of concrete blocks stacked up on top of each other. As each concrete block has a limited footprint, each block stack has a limited weight capacity with respect to the ground. Therefore, in order to support modern structures, wherein several thousand pounds must typically be supported, two or more side by side block stacks must be established. Not only is a series of concrete block stacks aesthetically unpleasant, the need to bring a large number of concrete blocks to the job sight is expensive and labor intensive. Additionally, a relatively high concrete block stack may tend to be unstable under various loads and environmental conditions.
In order to overcome the problems of using only concrete blocks to support a structure various devices have been proposed. Such devices, although working with varying degrees of efficiency, tend to be difficult to use and maintain and are unduly heavy ad bulky.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a structure support pier that addresses the above-stated problems in the art. Such a device must be capable of supporting several thousand pounds and must not be an eye sore. Such a device must be relatively lightweight and easy to transport, assemble and use. Ideally, such a device will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The structure support pier of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The current invention provides a pier that is capable of supporting several thousand pounds and various types of structures and objects. The structure support pier is aesthetically pleasing. The device is relatively lightweight and easy to transport, assemble, and use and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.
The structure support pier of the present invention is comprised of a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge. A first flange extends upwardly from the top surface and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A shell member having an open bottom with an outer periphery, a top with at least one side wall extending between the bottom and the top, the top having an upper surface and a lower surface, the shell member being positioned on the top surface such that the outer periphery of the bottom abuts against the inner surface of the first flange with the lower surface facing the top surface. The cross section of the top of the shell member is less than the cross section of the bottom of the shell member. A support pad is positioned on the top surface of the base and within the outer periphery of the bottom of the shell member. A support member has a first end positioned on the support pad of the base and a second end abutting the lower surface. The support member may be a honeycomb structure, a plurality of tubular members, or other similar structures. If the support member is a honeycomb structure, the support pad may have a plurality of slits disposed therein such that the honeycomb structure is disposed within the slits. If the support member is a plurality of tubular members, a plurality of depressions can be located within the support pad with each tubular member disposed within a respective one of the plurality of depressions and a similar support pad can be positioned over the opposing end of the tubular members. A second flange may extend upwardly from the top surface and is positioned between the outer edge and the first flange while a third flange may extend upwardly from the upper surface of the shell member. Each of the second flange, the third flange and the base may have any opening therein for releasing any moisture trapped by the respective flange. Concrete may be pumped into the shell member.
The structure support pier of the present invention is easy to assemble and disassemble, and several shell members can be stacked within one another for easy transportation of several devices of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3222030 (1965-12-01), Thorpe
patent: 4014517 (1977-03-01), Keagle
patent: 4517781 (1985-05-01), LeBlanc
patent: 4895335 (1990-01-01), Oliver
patent: 5561950 (1996-10-01), Collins et al.
patent: 5595366 (1997-01-01), Cuisimano et al.
Friedman Carl D.
Loffler Peter
Slack Naoko
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