Encapsulating Post 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 building gazebos, trellises, pergolas and other outdoor shade structures where the post should be attached to the foundation, and the structure itself provides some lateral resistance bracing for the post.

There are a number of such patents to connectors for attaching uprights to their pads or foundations to resist lateral and overturning loads.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,677 teaches a rigid connector for connecting a supported structural member to a supporting structural member where the connector is partially embedded in the foundation or concrete footing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,435 teaches a connector for connecting a supported structural member to a supporting structural member where the connector is not embedded in, but rather rests upon the supporting structural member or foundation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,909 teaches a connector for connecting a supported structural member to a supporting structural member where the connector fully encompasses the post or supported member and the connector is bolted to the ground with a threaded member.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,072,940 teaches a connection where the post is fully encapsulated by the connector and the connector is partially embedded in the foundation.

US Design Patent D610,717 teaches a post base that fully encapsulates the post it connects to the supporting structural member. The connector is formed with outwardly directed bottom flanges which receive threaded fasteners that are driven into the foundation or pad.

The present invention finds particular use when the designer has decided that they do not want to embed the base of the posts in the ground or the foundation, and similarly do not want to embed the connector in the foundation. Although, the present invention can also be used to connect a post or supported member that is partially embedded in the foundation or supporting member to the supporting member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a one-piece, sheet metal connector that connects a supported member or post to a supporting member to resist upload and overturning forces that is economical to produce and easy to install.

The present invention allows the base of the post or supported member to rest on the top of the concrete foundation or footing.

The present invention also provides a connector that encapsulates the post to help resist lateral loading.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the connector of the present invention showing the inside face of the front face of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the connector of the present invention with the section taken through the front face and the overlapping face and the back face of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, 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 base 3, a front face 4, a back face 5, and first and second side faces 6 and 7. The base 3, front face 4, back face 5 and the first and second side faces 6 and 7 are preferably substantially planar.

The connector 1 connects the supported structural member 2 to a supporting structural member 8. The supporting structure 8 is typically, at least partially embedded in the ground and made from concrete. The supporting structure 8 is typically a foundation, footing or pad. The supporting structural member could also be partially built from wooden structural members such as deck or floor platform. Decks and floor platforms are typically attached to a concrete foundation or footing set below them. The supporting structure 8 has a support surface 9 that is generally flat.

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 front member 14 and a back member 15. The front member 14 is a substantially planar member. When the connector 1 is used in the connection at least a portion of the front member 14 is in registration with the front face 4 of the post 2. The connector 1 also has a first side member 16 connected to the front member 14, and the first side member 16 extends from the front member 14 at an angle thereto. Preferably the first side member 16 extends from the front member 14 at an orthogonal angle such that the first side member 16 has a at least 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 first side member 16 connects to the back member 15. When the connection is formed, the first back member 15 has a portion that at least partially interfaces with the back face 5 of the post 2. The connector 1 also has second side member 17 connected to the back member 13, and the second side member 17 extends from the back member 15 at an angle thereto. Preferably the second side member 17 extends from the back member 15 at an orthogonal angle such that the second side member 17 has a portion that at least 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 both the first and second side members 16 and 17 of the connector 1 and the front and back member 14 and 15 of the connector 1. The first and second side members 16 and 17 are preferably substantially planar members.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the connector is also formed with an overlapping flange 18 that is connected to the second side member 17 and overlaps the front member 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 also has a back foot flange 25 connected to the back member 15 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the back foot flange 25 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the back member 15 and extends from the back member 15 away from the supported structural member or post 2. The connector 1 also has a first foot flange 26 connected to the first side member 26 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the first foot flange 26 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the first side member 16 and extends away from the post 2. The connector 1 also has a second foot flange 27 connected to the second side member 17 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the second foot flange 27 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the second side member 17 and extends away from the post 2. The connector 1 also has a front foot flange 28 connected to the overlapping flange 18 and disposed at an angle thereto. Preferably the front foot flange 28 is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the overlapping member 18 and extends from the overlapping flange 18 away from the supported structural member or post 2. When the connection is made, at least a portion of each of the back foot flange 25, the first and second foot flanges 26 and 27 and the front foot flange 28 interfaces with the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8, and preferably a substantial portion of each of the foot flanges 25, 26, 27 and 28 interfaces with the support surface 9. The foot flanges 25, 26, 27 and 28 are preferably substantially planar members.

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 front member 14 along a first side bend 30 along a first side edge 31 of the first side member 16. The back member 15 is preferably connected to the first side member 16 along a second side bend 32 along a second side edge 33 of the first side member 16 opposed from the first side edge 35 of the first side member 16. The second side member 17 is preferably connected to the back member 15 along a first side bend 34 along a first side edge 35 of the second side member 17. The overlapping flange 18 is preferably connected to the second side member 17 along a second side bend 36 along a second side edge 37 of the second side member 17 opposed from the first side edge 35 of the second side member 17.

The front member 14 is also formed with a top edge 41 and an opposed bottom edge 42. When the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member 8, the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14 is preferably spaced away from the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8. The back member 15 is also formed with a top edge 43 and an opposed bottom edge 44. When the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member 8, the bottom edge 44 of the back member 15 is preferably disposed adjacent to the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8. The first side member 16 also has a top edge 45 and an opposed bottom edge 46 spaced from the top edge 45. When the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member 8, the bottom edge 46 of the first side member 16 is preferably disposed adjacent the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8. The second side member 17 also has a top edge 47 and an opposed bottom edge 48 spaced from the top edge 47. When the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member 8, the bottom edge 48 of the second side member 17 is preferably disposed adjacent the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8. The overlapping flange 18 also has a top edge 49 and an opposed bottom edge 50 spaced from the top edge 49. When the connector 1 is attached to the supporting structural member 8, the bottom edge 50 of the overlapping flange 18 is preferably disposed adjacent the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8.

When the connector 1 is installed on the support surface 9 of the supporting member 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the top edges 41, 43, 45, 47, and 49 are preferably disposed at the same height.

The back foot flange 25 is preferably connected to the back member 15 along a back bottom bend 51 along the back bottom edge 44 of the back member 15. As shown in FIG. 1, along the back bottom bend 51 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 60. The strengthening gussets 60 extend between the back member 15 and the back foot flange 25. The one or more strengthening gussets 60 is each formed with a bridge member 61 that extends between the back member 15 and the back foot flange 25. Descending from either side of the bridge member 61 are first and second gusset side panels 62 and 63 that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 61 and the back member 15 and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and the back foot flange 25.

The first side foot flange 26 is preferably connected to the first side member 16 along a first side bottom bend 52 along the first side bottom edge 46 of the first side member 16. As shown in FIG. 1, along the first side bottom bend 52 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 60. The strengthening gussets 60 extend between the first side member 16 and the first side foot flange 26. The one or more strengthening gussets 60 is each formed with a bridge member 61 that extends between the first side member 16 and the first side foot flange 26. Descending from either side of the bridge member 61 are first and second gusset side panels 62 and 63 that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 61 and the first side member 16 and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and the first side foot flange 26.

The second side foot flange 27 is preferably connected to the second side member 17 along a second side bottom bend 53 along the second side bottom edge 48 of the second side member 17. As shown in FIG. 3, along the second side bottom bend 53 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 60. The strengthening gussets 60 extend between the second side member 17 and the second side foot flange 27. The one or more strengthening gussets 60 is each formed with a bridge member 61 that extends between the second side member 17 and the second side foot flange 27. Descending from either side of the bridge member 61 are first and second gusset side panels 62 and 63 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 61 and the second side foot flange 27.

The front foot flange 28 is preferably connected to the overlapping flange 18 along a bottom bend 54 along the overlapping flange bottom edge 50 of the overlapping flange 18. As shown in FIG. 4, along the bottom bend 55 there is provided one or more strengthening gussets 60. The strengthening gussets 60 extend between the overlapping flange 18 and the front foot flange 28. The one or more strengthening gussets 60 is each formed with a bridge member 61 that extends between the overlapping flange 18 and the front foot flange 28. Descending from either side of the bridge member 61 are first and second gusset side panels 62 and 63 that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 61 and the overlapping flange 18 and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member 41 and the front foot flange 28.

The front member 14 is preferably formed with a stand-off member 70. The stand-off member 70 is connected to the front member 14 at the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14 by a stand-off bend 71. When the connector 1 is installed, the bottom edge 42 of the front member is preferably spaced away from the support surface 9 of the supporting structural member 8. This distance is preferably 1 3/16 inches. The stand-off member 70 has a ledge member 72 on which the base 3 of the post 2 rests. that is a substantially planar member that extends at an angle from the front member 14, preferably at an orthogonal angle. The ledge member 72 has an inward edge 73 opposed from the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14. An upright member 74 extends downwardly from the ledge member 72 and is preferably connected to the inward edge 73 of the ledge member 72 by an inward edge bend 75. The upright member 74 is preferably disposed at an orthogonal angle to the ledge member 72. In the preferred form of the invention, a basal foot 75 is connected to the upright member at bottom edge 76 of the upright member 74 at a basal bend 77. Preferably, the basal foot 75 extends towards the front member 14 and is disposed parallel to the ledge member 72. Preferably, the basal foot 75 does not extend all the way to the front member 14.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the preferred form of the invention, the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14 does not extend the width of the front member 14. The front member 14 is preferably formed with a free side edge 80. When the connector 1 has been formed into its final shape, the free side edge 80 is disposed adjacent to or in close association with the second side bend 36 along the second side edge 37 of the second side member 17. Preferably, the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14 starts at the free side edge 80 and extends most of the width of the front member 14 until it meets with an upwardly extending notch 81 in the material that makes up the front member 14 and the stand-off member 70. The front member 14 also has a lower edge 82 that extends from the first side bend 30 to the notch 81. The lower edge 82 of the front member 14 is preferably placed at a similar height as the bottom edges 44, 46, 48 and 50 of the back member 15, the first and second side members 16 and 17 and the overlapping flange 18. Preferably, the notch 81 extends to a height just above the bottom edge 42 of the front member 14.

The overlapping flange 18 is preferably formed with an outward side edge 83. The outward side edge 83 preferably extends the height of the overlapping flange 18 from the top edge 40 of the overlapping flange 18 to the bottom edge 50 of the overlapping flange 18 When the connector 1 has been formed into its final shape, the outward side edge 83 is disposed adjacent to or in close association with the first side bend 31 along the first side edge 32 of the first side member 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector is attached to the supported structural member 2 and the supporting structural member 8 with fastenings. Fastenings 90 connect the front member 14, the back member 15, the first and second side flanges 16 and 17 and the overlapping flange 18 to the post 2. Flange fastenings 92 connect the foot flanges 25, 26, 27 and 28 to the supporting structural member 8. Fastening 90 are preferably nails or self-drilling, self-theading threaded fasteners. Flange fastenings 02are preferably threaded members with the particular threaded member selected for the type of material of the supporting structural member 8.

The front and back members, the first and second side members and the overlapping flange 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are preferably formed with a plurality of openings 94 for receiving fastenings 90 when the fastenings 90 are screws or nails or typical fasteners. The openings 94 in the front member 14 and the overlapping flange 18 overlap each other such they will receive the same fastenings 90 through both openings 94. The openings 94 in the front member 14 are preferably formed as enlarged slots to allow for some play between the front member 14 and the overlapping flange 18 when the connection is formed. The other openings are formed as round openings.

The foot member 25, 26, 27, and 28 are also preferably formed with a plurality of openings 96.