Patent Application
20220154485
The present disclosure relates generally to post brackets, and more particularly to a connection for supporting a post above the top surface of a concrete foundation and for securing the post to embedded anchors in the concrete foundation.
In conventional fence construction employing wooden fence posts, the wooden fence posts positioned between sections of fence are typically placed in a hole dug into the ground and held in position by backfilled soil, or sometimes concrete. Unfortunately, over time the base of the fence posts (e.g., where the fence post meets the soil) is susceptible to rot; particularly where the fence post is in direct contact with soil or other generally moisture retaining materials.
Over the years, various ground engaging post brackets have been developed in an effort to address wood rot. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 1,544,863 discloses a reinforced-concrete pole base configured to anchor a round pole to a concrete foundation. Similarly, the Simpson Strong-Tie Column Base (https://www.strongtie.com/) provides a bracket configured to connect a square or rectangular post to a concrete foundation in which the bottom of the post is designed to be flush with the concrete.
Unfortunately, the process of properly anchoring these post brackets within a concrete foundation can be rather cumbersome. That is, with both of these designs, in order to secure the post bracket in place within the concrete foundation, the post bracket must be positioned into a hole in the ground as concrete is poured around the bracket. The bracket must then be stabilized in position while the concrete sets. Moreover, most conventional column base brackets (such as those discussed above) do not provide adequate resistance to inhibit post members from rotating about the base and therefore are not usable for non-top-supported installations (such as fences or un-braced carports). The present disclosure addresses these concerns.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a post bracket having structure enabling the post bracket to be inserted into a pocket of wet concrete with little resistance, thereby enabling the post bracket to be anchored to the concrete foundation more easily than conventional post brackets of the prior art. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to provide a post bracket configured to support a wooden post with a small gap (e.g., from about ¼ inch to about 1 inch) between the bottom of the post and the top surface of a concrete foundation embedded within the ground, thereby enabling the wooden post to dry more rapidly (e.g., generally reduce moisture retention) to reduce environmental impacts (e.g., rot) in proximity to the bottom of the wooden post, and eliminate moisture uptake from the ground.
One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a post bracket having a first rigid longitudinal member and an opposing second longitudinal member, the first and second rigid longitudinal members each including a distal, sharpened concrete penetrating end and a proximal, wooden post engaging end; a first lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end, the first lateral crossmember generally having a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section, the length of the first lateral crossmember so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members at a distance approximately equal to the width of a fence post, the rectangular shaped cross-section so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into a quantity of wet concrete; and a second lateral crossmember positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members and positioned proximal to the a first lateral crossmember The length of the second lateral member being approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember, the second lateral cross section configured to enable a first portion of the second lateral crossmember to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of the post to resist lateral forces.
In some embodiments, the shape of the second lateral crossmember can partially penetrate into the surface of the wet concrete. In other embodiments, the shape of the cross-section can engage the bottom of a fence post. In yet another embodiment, the second lateral crossmember can have a cross-section such that, one portion of the second lateral crossmember at least partially penetrates into the surface of the wet concrete, and another portion of the second lateral crossmember to engage the bottom of a fence post.
In one embodiment, the first and second rigid longitudinal members can be spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a wooden post. In one embodiment, the wooden post can be at least one of a nominal 4×4 inch post, nominal 6×6 inch post, or the like; although other shapes and sizes of posts, pillars and columns are also contemplated. In one embodiment, the length of the first and second lateral crossmembers can be about 3.5 inches. In one embodiment, each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members can include a pair of throughbores configured to enable a fastener to pass therethrough and into a post, thereby enabling the post to be secured to the post bracket. In one embodiment, the length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members can be about 20 inches; although other lengths of the first and second rigid longitudinal members are also contemplated. In some embodiments, all members of the post bracket can be constructed of a galvanized steel material; although the use of other materials, including stainless steel, and synthetic materials etc. is also contemplated.
The summary above is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
The disclosure can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof shown by way of example in the drawings will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the post bracket 100 can further include a first lateral crossmember 108 positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B in proximity to the distal sharpened concrete penetrating end 104A/B. The first lateral crossmember 108 can generally have a length and a rectangular shaped cross-section 110. For example, in one embodiment, the first lateral crossmember 108 can be constructed of a 3/16 inch bar stock, having a width of about 2 inches and a length of about 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length of the first lateral crossmember 108 can be so dimensioned to space the first and second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B at a distance approximately equal to that of the width of a wooden fence post. The rectangular shaped cross-section 110 can be so dimensioned as to ease an insertion of the post bracket into a quantity of wet concrete.
In some embodiments, the post bracket 100 can further include a second lateral crossmember 112 positioned between the first and second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B and positioned proximal to the first lateral crossmember 108. The second lateral crossmember 112 can generally have a length and a various cross-sections 114. For example, in one embodiment, the second lateral crossmember 112 can be constructed of a 3/16 inch t-bar stock, having a width of about 2 inches and a length of about 3.5 inches. In one embodiment, the length of the second lateral member 112 can be approximately equal to the length of the first lateral crossmember 108. In one embodiment, the cross-section 114 can be configured to enable a first portion 116A of the second lateral crossmember 112 to be inserted into the quantity of wet concrete and a second portion 116B of the second lateral crossmember 112 to reside on a surface of the quantity of wet concrete.
In one embodiment, the first and second rigid longitudinal members can be spaced apart by the first and second lateral crossmembers to accommodate the receipt of a post. In one embodiment, the post can be at least one of a nominal 4×4 inch post, nominal 6×6 inch wooden post, or the like; although other shapes and sizes and differing materials of posts, pillars and columns are also contemplated. In one embodiment, the length of the first and second lateral crossmembers can be approximately 3.5 inches.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second rigid longitudinal members can include a pair of throughbores 118A/B configured to enable a fastener (e.g., a bolt passing entirely through the first and second rigid longitudinal members or a pair of lag-bolts each passing through a single rigid longitudinal member and anchored into a wooden post, etc.) to pass therethrough and into a wooden post, thereby enabling the wooden post to be secured to the post bracket. For example, in one embodiment, the throughbores 118A/B can have a diameter of approximately ½ inch, ⅜ inch, etc.
In one embodiment, a length of the first and second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B can be about 20 inches (e.g., with about 9 inches of the post bracket 100 configured to be positioned within the concrete, and about 11 inches of the post bracket 100 configured to be positioned above the concrete); although other lengths of the first and second rigid longitudinal members 102A/B are also contemplated (e.g., the embodiment depicted in
Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.
Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.
Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/115,396, filed Nov. 18, 2020, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63115396 | Nov 2020 | US |
