Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship – Discrete – spaced foundation elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2002-02-19
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
Discrete, spaced foundation elements
C052S126600, C052S143000, C052SDIG001, C248S354500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06347489
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed toward the art of support columns and anchor posts and, more particularly, to fabricated structural support assemblies consisting of adjustable columns, lateral stabilizing braces, and anchor plates that function as adjustable support piers and storm anchors, providing substantial positive (downward), negative (upward), and transverse (sideways) load resistance to the supported structure in both major horizontal and vertical directions. The invention is further directed to an improved adjustable foundation column having a pair of upper saddle-type positioning members in the form of opposing walls on the column end that can be adjusted to adapt the top end of the support column to engage overhead load members of various sizes and widths.
The invention is especially well suited for use as a structural member to transfer axial compressive loads as well as lateral offsetting loads from steel or wood beams integrated into the underside of a structure to concrete footers, grade beams or foundation pads and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention has other broader uses such as, for example, use as an anchor assembly or device to connect objects other than buildings or structures, such as industrial equipment and the like, to foundations or other anchor-type members.
Adjustable columns and structural jacks are well known in the art for use in supporting structures to associated foundation pads and footers. Prior devices of this type have typically included a pair of top and bottom flat rugged plate members connected on either end of an elongate threaded rod and tube arrangement. The bottom base plate member is typically rigidly secured to the tube such as by welding or the like. The tube is disposed in a vertical orientation so that the bottom base plate member engages a concrete footing, flooring, or other firm surface. The threaded rod is normally telescopically received within the tube, the top of the tube being provided with an adjustment nut having internal threads matching the threaded rod. Rotation of the adjustment nut urges the threaded rod in directions along the longitudinal axis of the tube so that, in the above-noted vertical orientation, the adjustable column effectively becomes shorter or taller based upon the direction and number of turns applied to the adjustment nut.
In another form of the above-noted simple single jack system, the threaded rod is intermeshed with mating threads provided in the tube. The rod is rotated into and out from the tube to select the column height. In that construction, the top base plate member of the pair of planar base plate members is rotatably mounted to the top end of the threaded rod to permit relative movement between the plate and the rod. The plate adapts the top end of the column to engage an overhead structural member such as a steel or wooden beam while the rod is rotated relative to a fixed adjustment nut. In both forms of the adjustable column of the type described, axial compressive loads are transferred from the overhead beams to the concrete footers or foundation pads below.
One problem associated with prior adjustable columns, however, resides in the relative inability of the upper base plate member to positively engage the overhead beam without the use of specialized and often hard to use fasteners or the like. Typically, the upper base plate member is provided with a plurality of holes so that lag bolts, nails or other attachment mechanisms can be used to connect the base plate member with the overhead beam. For steel overhead beams, this procedure poses a problem particularly when the use of fastener holes may weaken the structural integrity of the beam.
Proper registration between the fastener holes in the plate member and the holes in the structural steel has also been a problem.
Another problem associated with prior adjustable columns is their inability to resist both negative, i.e. upward, forces tending to separate the supported structure from the foundation base and lateral, i.e. sideways, offsetting forces that tend to horizontally dislodge the supported structure from the associated foundation. Typically, prior art support systems provide either no support against vertical forces or offer only simple straps or lightweight hooks, tabs, or the like. These devices provide inadequate negative resistance and therefore fail to prevent the supported structure from being separated from the foundation base. Further, the lightweight hooks and straps have been found to be inadequate during high intensity weather conditions such as in hurricanes and tornadoes. In those situations, the buildings are often quite easily separated from their foundations or ground anchors resulting in substantial loss of property and often loss of life.
Yet another problem associated with prior adjustable columns is that they are usually difficult to install and set up. More particularly, the hole patterns in the column base plates are often incompatible with the anchor bolt arrangement provided beforehand in the concrete foundation at the job site.
Another setup problem in the prior art support columns described above is their relative inability to adjust lengthwise to any desired height. In that regard, most column jacks use a simple pin-through-hole arrangement wherein the height of the column is determined by multiple discontinuous hole positions along the length of the support column.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an adjustable foundation column of the type described and that includes an adjustable saddle-type positioning member on at least the top end of the column with opposing adjustable wall members for adapting the device to engage and fasten onto a wide range of structural support members of various sizes and shapes.
It is further desirable to provide a fabricated adjustable foundation assembly consisting of adjustable columns, lateral braces, and anchor plates that function as adjustable piers and storm anchors providing substantial positive (downward), negative (upward), and lateral (horizontal) load resistance to supported structures relative to the associated foundation bases in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Still further, it would be desirable to provide a structural anchor system that includes a concrete form plate for use with the associated foundation base as a template to locate associated anchor stud members in the associated foundation base, preferably before the concrete sets, in predetermined arrangements preferably corresponding to a hole pattern on the base of the support column. This would greatly simplify the process of installing the subject support system onto the associated foundation base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention includes an adjustable foundation or basement column of the type described which overcomes the above-noted deficiencies in the prior devices by providing a flexible saddle-type positioning arrangement at the top end of an adjustable foundation column. The saddle area includes a pair of selectively spaced apart wall members that assist in aligning the top column end with the overhead structural beams. The saddle mechanism formed by the wall members is useful to securely fasten the beams at their bottom and sides to the top of the column in a simple fashion.
Further, the subject invention provides a corner anchor system for connecting the corner of an L-shaped elongate frame member on the underside of a structure to an associated foundation base. The corner anchor system includes a first foundation column adapted to be supported on a first end in an upright vertical orientation relative to the associated foundation base and to be selectively held on a second end in a connected relationship with a first elongate section of the L-shaped frame member on the underside of the structure. A first lateral attachment member is selectively held in a connected relationship with the first elongate section of the frame member on the underside
Marshall, Jr. Chester R.
McCue James D.
A Phi Dieu Tran
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Friedman Carl D.
Marshall, Jr. Chester R.
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