FOOTING PLATES

Abstract

A footing plate (10) including a planar web (12) through or from which a plurality of tubes (14) pass, the tubes (14) being adjacent to the edges of the planar web (12) and being disposed at angles to the planar web (12), none of the angles being 90, the tubes (14) being sized to permit the passage therethrough of pins (18) for fixing into underlying ground, the upper face of the planar web (12) optionally being provided with a plurality of holes to accept bolts for retaining means to receiving a post, pole or upright structural beam, the planar web (12) also being provided with a downwardly extending flange (16) from at least one of the edges of the planar web (12).

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A footing plate comprising: a planar web, and a first tube, a second tube and a third tube, each of the tubes passing through the planar web or extending downwardly from the planar web, each of the tubes arranged at the corner of a polygon circuiting the planar web, each of the tubes having a central longitudinal axis, wherein each of the central longitudinal axes are inclined to the planar web so as to extend only over or under an area of the planar web on or outside the polygon line.

10. The footing plate of claim 9, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the first tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the second tube, or the central longitudinal axis of the first tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the third tube, or the central longitudinal axis of the second tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the third tube.

11. The footing plate of claim 9 comprising a fourth tube passing through the planar web or extending downwardly from the planar web and having a central longitudinal axis, the fourth tube arranged at the corner of a polygon circuiting the planar web formed with the first, second and third tubes; wherein each of the central longitudinal axes of the first, second, third and fourth tubes are inclined to the planar web so as to extend only over or under an area of the planar web on or outside the polygon line.

12. The footing plate of claim 9, comprising a flange extending downwardly from the planar web.

13. The footing plate of claim 12, wherein the flange extends about most or all of the periphery of the planar web.

14. The footing plate of claim 13, wherein the flange is substantially planar.

15. The footing plate of claim 9, wherein the underside of the planar web is provided with a plurality of ribs for strengthening said planar web, and at least one of the plurality of ribs is joined to at least one of the downwardly extending flanges, at least one the rib intersecting with another rib in a transverse manner so as to provide rectangular spaces for receiving ground material.

16. The footing plate of claim 10, wherein the polygon has two straight sides which are parallel to each other, each straight side having a tube disposed thereon, and wherein the central longitudinal axes of the tubes are at opposite angles.

17. The footing plate of claim 11, wherein the polygon has two opposing corners, each of the two opposing corners having a tube disposed thereon, and wherein the tubes are disposed at opposite angles.

18. The footing plate of claim 15, wherein an upper face of the planar web is provided with a plurality of threaded holes to accept bolts, and one of the plurality of holes is a threaded hole and at least one of the plurality of ribs intersects with one of the plurality of threaded holes.

19. An in-ground footing plate installation comprising a footing plate, the footing plate comprising: a planar web, a first tube, a second tube and a third tube, each of the tubes passing through the planar web or extending downwardly from the planar web, each of the tubes arranged at the corner of a polygon circuiting the planar web, each of the tubes having a central longitudinal axis, wherein each of the central longitudinal axes are inclined to the planar web so as to extend only over or under an area of the planar web on or outside the polygon line, and a flange extending downwardly from the planar web, and wherein the flange extends into the ground.

20. The installation of claim 19, wherein the planar web of the footing plate is disposed level with or below the surface of the ground

21. The installation of claim 19, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the first tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the second tube, or the central longitudinal axis of the first tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the third tube, or the central longitudinal axis of the second tube is in a vertical plane that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the third tube.

22. The installation of claim 19, wherein the flange extends about most or all of the periphery of the planar web.

23. The installation of claim 19, wherein the flange functions so as to contain a volume of ground beneath the planar web.

24. The installation of claim 23, wherein the contained volume of ground beneath the planar web contacts the underside of the planar web so as to resist sinking of the footing into the ground.

25. The installation of claim 23, wherein the tubes contact the volume of ground beneath the planar web so as to resist movement of the footing plate.

26. The installation of claim 19, wherein the flange comprises a face which is substantially planar.

27. The installation of claim 26, wherein the substantially planar face of the flange is contacted by the ground.

28. The installation of claim 26, wherein the substantially planar face is configured so as to (i) confer a resistance to the rotation of the footing plate about an axis perpendicular to the planar web or (ii) confer a resistance to lateral movement of the footing plate.

Description

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood some preferred embodiments are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment with a socket (in phantom) secured thereto and pins (in phantom);

[0016] FIG. 2 is an underneath perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4 (showing the first embodiment in use);

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment showing a socket and pins in phantom;

[0021] FIG. 7 is an underneath perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

[0022] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 9;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 12 is an underneath perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of FIG. 11;

[0028] FIG. 14 is a plan view from below of the embodiment of FIG. 11; and

[0029] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In FIGS. 1 to 10 the numerals 10 and 40, respectively, denote generally footing plates being the first and second preferred embodiments, respectively, of the present invention. Throughout the drawings the numerals 12 and 42, respectively, denote the planar webs of the first and second preferred embodiments, respectfully, and the numerals 14 and 44, respectively, denote the tubes passing through planar webs 12 and 42, respectively. The numerals 16 and 46, respectively, denote flanges extending downwardly from the edges of planar webs 12 and 42, respectively. The flanges (16, 46) typically are formed by cutting corners of the planar web and folding down portions of the planar web (12, 42) at an angle so as to not impede the passage of pins, 18 (in phantom), 48 (in phantom), respectively, through tubes 14 or 44, respectively, into the underlying ground on which the footing plate is placed in use.

[0031] Each of the planar webs 12, 42 is provided with holes in registration with holes in the base plate 50 of a means for receiving a post or pole, which means consists of a socket 52 permanently secured to the base plate 50, preferably by welding. Bolts 54 and nuts 56 secure the base plate 50 to the planar web 12 or 42.

[0032] In use a support plate 50 and socket 52 are secured to the planar web 12 or 42 by bolts 54 and nuts 56 just prior to placing the footing plate 10 or 40 in position on leveled ground. For ease of transportation the support plate 50 and socket 52 are separated from the footing plate. Pins 18 or 48 are then driven through tubes 14, 44 into the underlying ground 70 until the top ends of the pins (18, 48) are close to level with the tops of the tubes (14, 44). A jackhammer may be used to achieve this relatively quickly. FIG. 5 shows how one such pin 18 can be used as part of the anchoring of foot plate 10 to the ground. The splaying of the pin 18 leads to a stable and securely anchored footing plate. The pins (18, 48) typically are of such a length that they are securely engaged with the ground into which they are driven.

[0033] In the second embodiment 40 a plurality of reinforcing ribs 60 are fixed to the underside of the planar web 42. The reinforcing ribs 60 extend from the inner side of the flange 46 across the underside of the planar web 42 until they meet a reinforcing rib 60 extending transversely. Preferably, the intersection or meeting of the reinforcing ribs is as shown in FIG. 7. The use of such reinforcing ribs 60 enable the use of a lighter weight planar web. FIG. 10 shows how a plurality of pins 48 typically are splayed to provide a stable and secure anchorage for the footing plate.

[0034] In FIGS. 11 to 15 the numeral 80 denotes generally a footing plate in a third preferred embodiment. Throughout FIGS. 11 to 15, the numeral 82 denotes the planar web, the numeral 84 denotes tubes originating in planar web 82 and extending downwardly therefrom, and the numeral 86 denotes flanges extending downwardly from the edges of planar web 82. In this embodiment the tubes and flanges and planar web may be cast as one piece. The numeral 88 denotes threaded holes for receiving threaded bolts whilst the numeral 90 denotes slots for allowing for adjustment of structures received on the top of the planar web or to receive projections descending from structures received on the top of the planar web. On the underside of the planar web 82 is provided an array of reinforcing ribs 92 which reinforce the planar web 82 and the threaded holes 88 and slots 90. The array of reinforcing ribs 92 also reinforces central hole 94. The array of reinforcing ribs, planar web, tubes, and flanges are cast as one piece. This is aimed at achieving a reduced weight yet retaining satisfactory strength and rigidity for the footing plate.

[0035] As can be seen from FIG. 13 the tubes 84 are inclined at an angle, not being 90, to the planar web 82.

[0036] In use the third preferred embodiment may be used in the same manner as that described in relation to the first and second preferred embodiments.

[0037] It is to be understood that the invention may embrace many further modifications as would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and which would be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention. The preferred embodiments described above are by way of example only and are not to be considered as limiting.

[0038] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0039] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.