Post Frame Column Base

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a one-piece, rigid connector for connecting an upright supported member to a supporting structure, in particular a connector for attaching a structural post to a concrete foundation or footing. The connector has particular utility in post-frame construction.

Post-frame construction is a widely used construction method for building low-rise, light-weight structures with large, open interior spaces. Such structures are typically used to store livelstock, large agricultural equipment, and agricultural supplies and products. Clear-span widths for pole structures can be up to 80 feet with modern roof trusses. In a typical post-frame building, tall poles are placed on the periphery of the structure and the poles reach to the top of the walls, and the posts support the roof trusses. Typically, open-webbed, nail-plate trusses are used to span the width of the building between the poles and support the roof. The roof of the building is made of light-weight panels that allow for long spans between the roof trusses. The roof panels are typically thin sheet metal panels. Curtain walls can be used on the exterior of the structure to enclose it. The curtain walls can be designed to carry shear and lateral loads, but often much of the lateral loading on the structure is carried by the poles. The poles can be embedded in the ground to resist lateral loading, or they can be anchored to ground supports or the foundation for the building in a manner that allows them to resist lateral and uplift loads.

Traditional post-frame buildings were constructed with the post or poles of the building partially embedded in the foundation for the building, or in cementitious footings embedded in the ground, or simply embedded in holes in the ground that have been partially filled with gravel or a similar material. Structural members that are embedded in foundations or the ground are particularly vulnerable to the effects of moisture. One solution to the problems presented by the exposure of embedded wooden posts to moisture is to treat the wood so the wood is resistant to being consumed by pests and molds. However, such preservatives can be harmful to the environment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,342 teaches constructing a post-frame building from two-part laminated wooden posts, where the lower portions of the post are pressure treated with a wood preservative and installed first. Once all the lower portions of the posts are embedded in the ground at the proper heights, the upper portions of the posts are attached with fasteners and nail plates. Another solution is to make at least the portion of the post that is embedded into the ground from a different material such as cement or other material that is less susceptible to the deleterious effects of moisture. There are a number of such patented posts.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,139 teaches a post having an embedment portion that is made from reinforced concrete and an upper portion made from wood. U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,139 teaches that the lower portion of the post can be installed first, separately from the upper portion of the post. Once the lower portion is set, the upper portion is connected to the lower portion by means of a bracket protruding from the top of the lower portion and fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 9,217,248 teaches a post having an embedment portion that is made from reinforced concrete and an upper portion that is made from laminated lumber. U.S. Pat. No. 9,217,248 teaches that the lower portion of the post can be installed first, separately from the upper portion of the post, and then the upper portion can be attached to the lower portion in a hinged manner, and then the upper portion can be lifted into position. U.S. Pat. No. 9,234,350 similarly teaches a two-part post. The upper wooden portion of the post uses laminated wooden members that are partially connected with nail prong plates. The lower portion of the post is made from plastic or another material.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,570,608 teaches a connector for attaching a post to a foundation where the connector is made up of two main pieces pivotally connected to each other. The connector has an outer frame member that is rigidly attached to the foundation and a swing arm that is pivotally connected to the outer frame. The swing arm can be rotated to a position so that the post can be connected to the swing arm while the post is lying on the ground. Then, once the post is connected to the swing arm, the post can be lifted to an upright position with the swing arm guiding the post into the outer frame of the connector. Once the post is upright the post and swing arm are rigidly connected to the outer frame with additional fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,648 teaches a connector that is partially embedded in the foundation, and the upper portion of the connector supports and is connected to the post. U.S. Pat. No. 10,704,222 also teaches a connector for supporting a post where the connector is partially embedded in the concrete foundation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,384 teaches a connector for attaching a post to a foundation where the connector attaches to a bolt protruding from the foundation, and the connector rests on support surface of the foundation, and the posts rests on the connector.

The present invention is useful when the designer has decided that they do not want to embed the base of the posts of a post-frame building in the ground or the foundation, nor do they want to partially embed the connector for the post in the foundation. The present invention is also useful when the post or supported member is already partially embedded in the foundation or supporting member, and the designer wants to add strength to the connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a one-piece, sheet metal connector that connects a supported member or post that is in contact with the supporting member to the supporting member to resist upload and overturning forces.

The present invention allows the base of the post or supported member to rest on the top of the concrete foundation or footing. The connector can be attached to the post and the foundation after the post has been erected and is supported by the foundation, or the connector can be attached to the foundation first, and then the post can be placed on the foundation and attached to the connector.

The present invention allows the post or supported member to be aligned flush with the edge of the concrete foundation or footing, or the post can be placed inwardly from the edge of the foundation.

The present invention also provides a connector that partially encapsulates the post on at least three sides. The connector is also provided with enlarged openings on its back face, and the back face does extend to the supporting member, such that additional members can be attached to the post without the connector interfering with the attachment.

The connector of the present invention does not extend into the supporting member, but rather flange fastenings pass through openings in the foot flange members and are anchored in the supporting member, and the flange fastenings have flared heads that resist movement of the foot flanges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection of the present invention. Only a portion of the post is shown, and only a portion of the supporting structure or foundation is shown. A horizontally disposed board is also shown attached to the post.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connection of the present invention similar to FIG. 1, with the rim board shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector.

FIG. 4 is an alternate perspective view of the connector.

FIG. 5 is back view of the connector.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the connector.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the connector.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the connector.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the connector.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is a connection made with a connector 1 that connects to a supported structural member or post 2. The post or supported structural member 2 has a longitudinal axis 3, a base 4, a back side 5, and first and second side faces 6 and 7.

The connector 1 connects the supported structural member 2 to a supporting structural member 8. The supporting structure 8 is typically embedded in the ground and made from concrete. The supporting structure 8 is typically a foundation or footing. The supporting structure 8 has a support surface 9 and an edge surface 10 angularly related thereto.

The connector 1 is preferably made by taking a piece of sheet steel and using cold-forming processes to cut, punch, bend and shape the sheet member into a final three-dimensional form.

The connector 1 has a back member 12 and a longitudinal axis 13. The back member 12 is a substantially planar member. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connector 1 is used in the connection at least a portion of the back member 12 is in registration with the back face 5 of the post 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 1 also has first side member 16 connected to the back member 12, and the first side member 16 extends from the back member 12 at an angle thereto. Preferably the first side member 16 extends from the back member 12 at an orthogonal angle such that the first side member 16 has a portion that partially interfaces with the first side face 6 of a post 2 made with four side faces set at orthogonal angles to each other. The connector 1 also has second side member 17 connected to the back member 12, and the second side member 17 extends from the back member 12 at an angle thereto. Preferably the second side member 17 extends from the back member 12 at an orthogonal angle such that the second side member 17 has a portion that partially interfaces with the second side face 7 of a post 2 made with four side faces set at orthogonal angles to each other that is sized to be closely received between the first and second side members 16 and 17 of the connector 1. The first and second side members 16 and 17 are preferably substantially planar members.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 1 also has a first foot flange 18 connected to the first side member 16 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the first foot flange 18 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the first side member 16 and extends from the first side member 16 at an orthogonal angle to the back member 12. The connector 1 also has a second foot flange 19 connected to the second side member 17 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the second foot flange 19 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the second side member 17 and extends from the second side member 17 at an orthogonal angle to the back member 12. When the connection is made, at least a portion each of the first foot flange 18 and the second foot flange 19 interfaces with the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8, and preferably a substantial portion of each of the first foot flange 18 and the second foot flange 19 interfaces with the support surface 9. The first and second foot flanges 18 and 19 are preferably substantially planar members.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 1 can also have a first foot strengthening member 20 connected to the first foot flange 18 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the first foot strengthening member 20 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the first foot flange 18 and extends from the first foot flange 18 in parallel relation to the first side member 16. The connector 1 can also have a second foot strengthening member 21 connected to the second foot flange 19 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the second foot strengthening member 21 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the second foot flange 19 and extends from the second foot flange 19 in parallel relation to the second side member 17. The first and second foot strengthening flanges 18 and 19 are preferably substantially planar members.

As shown in FIG. 3 and as described above, the connector 1 is preferably made from a single piece of sheet steel. As such the first side member 16 is preferably connected to the back member 12 along a first side bend 30 along a first side edge 31 of the back member 12. The second side member 17 is preferably connected to the back member 12 along a second side bend 32 along a second side edge 33 of the back member 12 opposed from the first side edge 31 of the back member. The back member 12 is also formed with a top edge 34 and an opposed bottom edge 35. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member, the bottom edge 35 of the back member 12 is preferably removed from the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8, exposing a lower portion of the back side 5 of the post 2. This allows fasteners to be easily driven into the post 2 for connecting boards to the post.

The first side member 16 is preferably formed with a free side edge 36 that is spaced from and opposed to the first side edge 31 of the back member and runs parallel to the first side edge 31 of the back member 12. The first side member 16 also has a top edge 37 and an opposed bottom edge 38 spaced from the top edge. The free side edge 36 of the first side member 16 runs between the top edge 37 and the bottom edge 38. When the connector 1 is installed on the support surface 9 of the supporting member 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the top edge 37 of the first side member 16 is disposed below the height of the top edge 34 of the back member 12, and the bottom edge 38 of the first side member 16 is disposed below the height of the bottom edge 35 of the back member 12 with the bottom edge 38 of the first side member 16, resting on or being closely adjacent to the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 3. In the preferred form of the connection 1, the back member extends above the first and second side member 16 and 17, which allows for fasteners passing through the back member 12 to be spaced far from the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8, strengthening the connection.

The first foot flange 18 is preferably connected to the first side member 16 along a first bottom bend 39 along the bottom edge 38 of the first side member 16. As shown in FIG. 2, along the first bottom bend 39 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 40. The strengthening gussets 40 extend between the first side member 16 and the first foot flange 18. The one or more strengthening gussets 40 is each formed with a bridge member 41 that extends between the first side member 16 and the first foot flange 18. Descending from either side of the bridge member 41 are first and second gusset side panels 42 and 43 that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and the first side member 16 and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and first foot flange 18.

The first foot flange 18 is preferably formed with a free bottom edge 44 that is spaced from and opposed to the bottom edge 38 of the first side member 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 1 can be formed with a first foot strengthening flange 45 connected to the first foot flange 18 at the free bottom edge 44 along a first bottom bend 46. The first foot strengthening flange 45 extends upwardly from the first foot flange 18 a short distance, preferably at an orthogonal angle.

The second side member 17 is preferably formed with a free side edge 56 that is spaced from and opposed to the second side edge 33 of the back member 12 and runs parallel to the second side edge 33 of the back member 12. The second side member 17 also has a top edge 57 and an opposed bottom edge 58 spaced from the top edge 57. The free side edge 56 of the second side member 17 runs between the top edge 57 and the bottom edge 58. When the connector 1 is installed on the support surface 9 of the supporting member 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the top edge 57 of the second side member 17 is disposed below the height of the top edge 34 of the back member 12, and the bottom edge 58 of the second side member 17 is disposed below the height of the bottom edge 35 of the back member 12 with the bottom edge 58 of the second side member 17, resting on or being closely adjacent to the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 3. The extending back member 12 with a bottom edge 35 that is lifted away from the support surface 9 of the supporting member 8 and with the bottom edges 38 and 58 of the first and second side members 16 and 17 extending below the back member 12 allows the connector 1 to be fabricated easily in a progressive die. The back member 12 of one connector 1 is inserted between the first and second side member 16 and 17 of the connector 1 preceding the connector 1 following it in the manufacturing process. This conserves the sheet steel material, avoiding waste.

The second foot flange 19 is preferably connected to the second side member 17 along a second bottom bend 59 along the bottom edge 58 of the second side member 17. As shown in FIG. 4, along the second bottom bend 59 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 40. The strengthening gussets 40 extend between the second side member 17 and the second foot flange 19. The one or more strengthening gussets 40 are each formed with a bridge member 41 that extends between the second side member 17 and the second foot flange 18. Descending from either side of the bridge member 41 are first and second gusset side panels 42 and 43 that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and the second side member 17 and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and second foot flange 19.

The second foot flange 19 is preferably formed with a free bottom edge 64 that is spaced from and opposed to the bottom edge 58 of the second side member 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 1 can be formed with a second foot strengthening flange 65 connected to the second foot flange 19 at the free bottom edge 64 along a second outer bottom bend 66. The second foot strengthening flange 65 extends upwardly from the second foot flange 19 a short distance, preferably at an orthogonal angle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector is attached to the supported structural member 2 and the supporting structural member 8 with fastenings. Back fastenings 70 connect the back member 12 to the back side 5 of the post 2. Side fastenings 71 connect the first and second side members 16 and 17 to the first and second side faces 6 and 7 of the post 2. Flange fastenings 72 connect the first and second foot flanges 18 and 19 to the supporting structural member 8. Flange fastenings 72 are preferably heavy-duty masonry screws, but other types of anchors may be used. The flange fastenings 72 preferably have flared heads 73 that resist movement of the foot flanges.

Back fastenings 70 and side fastenings 71 are preferably heavy-duty, self-drilling threaded fasteners. The back member 12 is preferably formed with a plurality of openings 74 for receiving back fastenings 20 when the back fastenings 20 are self-drilling, threaded fasteners.

The first and second side members 16 and 17 are also preferably formed with a plurality of openings 75. The openings in the side members 16 and 17 are also designed to receive similarly-sized self-drilling, threaded fasteners as the openings in the back member 12. Back fastenings 70 and side fastenings 71 preferably do not extend all the way through the supported structural member 2. The self-drilling, threaded fasteners are driven through openings 74 and 75 until the flared heads 76 of the threaded fasteners engage the connector 1.

The first and second foot members 18 and 19 are also each preferably formed with an opening 77 for receiving the flange fastenings 72. The opening 77 in each foot member is preferably bracketed by the two strengthening gussets 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, a horizontally disposed board 78 can be attached to the post 2. The elongated, slotted openings 79 in the back member facilitate the easy driving of fasteners through the board 78 into the post 2.