Abstract
A structural column assembly and methods of use are described. The assembly comprises a column bracket adapted to secure a structural column to a structure. The column bracket comprises a vertical member and a horizonal member, the vertical member further defining an L-shaped aperture with a first point located along a horizontal portion of the aperture and a second point along a vertical portion of the aperture. A bolt may be traversed through the aperture and the structural column at the first point, permitting the structural column to be pivoted about the first point from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. The structural column may then be traversed to align the bolt with the second point of the aperture, thereby retaining the structural column into the vertical orientation. The assembly may further comprise a foundation column for preventing uplift of the column bracket and structural column after installation.
Claims
1. A column bracket for securing a structural column to a structure, the column bracket comprising: at least one vertical member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structural column, the at least one vertical member defining a primary aperture adapted to receive a fastener secured to the structural column, the primary aperture having: a horizontal portion defining a first point at which the fastener may be position within the primary aperture and about which the structural column may be pivoted from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the horizontal portion, the vertical portion defining a second point at which the fastener may be positioned within the primary aperture to retain the structural column in the vertical orientation, and at least one horizontal member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structure, wherein the fastener may be traversed from the first point to the second point to retain the structural column in the vertical orientation and wherein the column bracket may be secured to the structural column and the structure, thereby securing the structural column to the structure.
2. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical member is joined to the at least one horizontal member.
3. The column bracket of claim 2, wherein the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal member are integral.
4. The column bracket of claim 2, where in the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal member are joined by welding.
5. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the column bracket comprises two vertical members oriented parallel to each other and positioned in a spaced-apart manner to receive the structural column therebetween.
6. The column bracket of claim 5, wherein the two vertical members are joined to each other by the at least one horizontal member extending between the two vertical members.
7. The column bracket of claim 6, wherein the two vertical members are joined to each other by two horizontal members extending between the two vertical members, the two horizontal members being stacked on top of each other and secured to each other.
8. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal member are aligned with each other by an alignment means comprising a tab-and-slot system.
9. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal member are aligned with each other by an alignment means comprising at least one lateral stabilizer extending between the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal member.
10. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical member defines a plurality of secondary apertures adapted to receive fasteners for securing the at least one vertical member to the structural column in the vertical orientation.
11. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal member defines a plurality of apertures adapted to receive fasteners for securing the at least one horizontal member to the structure.
12. The column bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal member comprises at least one anchor extending downwardly from the at least one horizontal member, the at least one anchor adapted to secure the column bracket to the structure.
13. A structural column assembly for securing a structural column to a structure and preventing movement of the structure relative a substrate, the structural column assembly comprising: at least one column bracket having: at least one vertical member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structural column, the at least one vertical member defining a primary aperture adapted to receive a fastener secured to the structural column, the primary aperture having: a horizontal portion defining a first point at which the fastener may be position within the primary aperture and about which the structural column may be pivoted from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the horizontal portion, the vertical portion defining a second point at which the fastener may be positioned within the primary aperture to retain the structural column in the vertical orientation, and at least one horizontal member joined to the at least one vertical member, the at least one horizontal member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structure, and at least one foundation column having a top portion joined to the at least one column bracket and a bottom portion adapted to be embedded within the substrate, wherein the fastener may be translated from the first point to the second point to retain the structural column in the vertical orientation, wherein the column bracket may be secured to the structural column and the structure, thereby securing the structural column to the structure, and wherein the at least one foundation column may be embedded within the substrate to prevent movement of the structure relative a substrate.
14. The structural column assembly of claim 13, wherein the bottom portion of the foundation column has at least one flange extending outwardly from the bottom portion for engaging the substrate and adapted to preventing upwards or downwards movement of the foundation column relative the substrate.
15. The structural column assembly of claim 14, wherein the flange has a greater cross-section compared to a main body of the foundation column.
16. The structural column assembly of claim 14, wherein the flange has a lesser or equal cross-section compared to a main body of the foundation column and the bottom portion of the main body is tapered inwardly towards the flange.
17. The structural column assembly of claim 13, wherein the foundation column further comprises a bracket forming a plurality of apertures adapted to receive fasteners for securing the foundation column to the structure.
18. The structural column assembly of claim 13, wherein the foundation column further comprises at least one side fin extending radially outwardly from the foundation column.
19. A method of using a structural column bracket assembly to secure a structural column to a structure, the method comprising: providing a structural column, providing a fastener adapted to be secured to the structural column, providing at least one column bracket having: at least one vertical member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structural column, the at least one vertical member defining a primary aperture adapted to receive the fastener, the primary aperture having: a horizontal portion defining a first point at which the fastener may be position within the primary aperture and about which the structural column may be pivoted from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the horizontal portion, the vertical portion defining a second point at which the fastener may be positioned within the primary aperture to retain the structural column in the vertical orientation, and at least one horizontal member joined to the at least one vertical member, the at least one horizontal member adapted to secure the column bracket to the structure, positioning the structural column relative the structural column bracket such that the first point of the primary aperture is aligned with the structural column, traversing the fastener through the first point of the primary aperture and securing the fastener to the structural column, pivoting the structural column about the first point into a vertical orientation, translating the fastener and the structural column from the first point of the aperture to the second point of the aperture of the structural column bracket and allowing the structural column to be retained in the vertical orientation, and securing the vertical portion of the column bracket to the structural column and securing the horizontal portion of the column bracket to the structure, wherein the structural column is secured to the structure.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises: providing at least one foundation column for preventing movement of the structure relative a substrate, the at least one foundation column having a top portion joined to the at least one column bracket and a bottom portion adapted to be embedded within the substrate, joining the column bracket to the top portion, and embedding the bottom portion within the substrate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Embodiments of a structural column assembly and methods of use are described herein with reference to the following FIGS. 1-11:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structural column assembly, according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in perspective view of the structural column assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of a structural column bracket comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a structural column bracket comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a structural column bracket comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a structural column bracket comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a zoomed-in perspective view of the structural column bracket of FIG. 7, according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIGS. 8A-8C are a set of three side views of the structural column assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment, with FIG. 8A showing a structural column oriented horizontally and positioned relative the assembly at a first point, FIG. 8B showing the structural column oriented vertically and positioned relative the assembly at the first point, and FIG. 8C showing the structural column oriented vertically and secured to the assembly at a second point.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of a foundation column comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the foundation column of FIG. 7, according to an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a foundation column comprised by the structural column assembly of FIG. 1, according to an alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] According to embodiments, a structural column assembly and methods of use are described. The structural column assembly comprises a column bracket adapted to secure a structural column to a structure. In some embodiments, the structural column assembly also comprises a foundation column adapted to prevent uplift of the column bracket and structural column. In use, the structural column assembly provides for safe, convenient, and secure installation of structural columns at a construction site, namely by allowing a user to secure the structural column to the column bracket while the column bracket is resting on the ground (i.e. in a horizontal orientation) and then pivot and lock the structural column into final position (i.e. a vertical orientation).
[0024] Having regard for FIG. 1, according to embodiments, structure 1 is shown as comprising structural column 2, structural strapping board 3, and structural column assembly 10. Although structure 1 is shown as a portion of a framed building, it will be appreciated that assembly 10 may be used in the construction of any structure that comprises structural columns, such as commercial buildings, residential buildings, infrastructure such as bridges, fences, decorative columns and poles, and the like. It will also be appreciated that that assembly 10 may be used to secure structural column 2 to any portion of structure 1 that is intended to receive and support structural column 2, including a foundation (not shown) or any other suitable surface such as a floor of the structure, a truss of the structure, the ground, etc. The foundation, in particular, may be a poured concrete foundation, a gravel foundation, a compacted earth foundation or any other type of foundation or substrate suitable to support assembly 10 and structural column 2. The term foundation is used subsequently in this description to refer to any part of structure 1 that is suitable for the previously-described purpose and is not intended to be limiting.
[0025] It will be further appreciated that assembly 10 may be used to secure any type of structural column to structure 1, namely any elongate vertical or upwardly-angled component of a structure, whether load-bearing or not, such as load-bearing columns, components of walls, vertical members used in framing, I-beams, decorative columns and poles, subcomponents of trusses, and other substantially-vertical structural components. Such structural columns, including structural column 2, may have different shapes (i.e. rectangular cross-sections, circular cross-sections, etc.), but their suitability for use with assembly 10 will be readily apparent. Structural cross-beams, such as strapping board 3, may be similarly varied and may include skirting board, green board, girt board, and other known structural cross-beams and components of structures as will be appreciated.
[0026] Having regard for FIG. 2, according to embodiments, assembly 10 comprises column bracket 20. Column bracket 20 is adapted to secure structural column 2 to any suitable component of structure 1 (not shown) and may be manufactured from any suitable material, including steel, iron, plastic, wood, etc., or any suitable combination thereof. Additionally, as will be described in more detail, assembly 10 may comprise foundation column 80, which is adapted to prevent uplift of assembly 10 and may be adapted to secure assembly 10 to a suitable component of structure 1.
[0027] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 2, column bracket 20 comprises at least one vertical member 30 and at least one horizontal member 40. In some embodiments, the at least one vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 are joined to each other and may be integral or may be secured to each other by known means such as welding. In preferred embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 2, column bracket 20 comprises two vertical members 30 that are oriented parallel to each other and positioned in a spaced-apart manner suitable to receive structural column 2 therebetween.
[0028] Having regard for FIG. 3, according to embodiments, vertical member 30 may form a substantially rectangular plate having top portion 31, bottom portion 32, first vertical edge 33, second vertical edge 34, outer surface 36, and inner surface 38. Similarly, horizontal member 40 may form a substantially rectangular plate or flange having first portion 41, second portion 42, first horizontal edge 43, second horizontal edge 44, top surface 46, and bottom surface 48. It is contemplated that the substantially rectangular plates formed by each of vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 may have straight edges, rounded edges, sharp corners, beveled corners, a flat profile, a curved profile, or any other geometry that is suitable to receive the profile of structural column 2 or structure 1. It is also contemplated that the substantially rectangular plates may have a triangular, polygonal, or much more complex design (e.g. for aesthetic purposes), provided that the geometry is suitable to receive the profile of structural column 2 or structure 1. As such, the term substantially rectangular is not intended to be limiting. Such suitable geometry will be readily apparent based on the profile of structural column 2 or structure 1.
[0029] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 3, vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 are aligned substantially perpendicularly to each other and are joined together. The term substantially perpendicularly is intended to mean that the angle between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40, when viewed from the front and measured between first vertical edge 33 and first horizontal edge 43, may be 90, however, it is also contemplated that other angles may be suitable depending on the desired angle between structure 1 and structural column 2. It will be appreciated that the angle between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 will correspond with or be complementary to the desired angle between structure 1 and structural column 2 when viewed from the front, for example, 90, 35, 145, etc. Similarly, the term substantially perpendicularly is intended to mean that the angle of rotation between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40, when viewed from the side and measured between first vertical edge 33 and the plane of top surface 46, may be 90 (i.e. the substantially rectangular plate formed by vertical member 30 is oriented vertically while the substantially rectangular plate formed by horizontal member 40 is oriented horizontally when viewed from the side), however, it is also contemplated that other angles may be suitable depending on the desired angle between structure 1 and structural column 2. It will be appreciated that the angle of rotation between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 will correspond with or be complementary to the desired angle of rotation between structure 1 and structural column 2 when viewed from the side, for example, 90, 35, 145, etc. A suitable angle and angle of rotation between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 will be readily apparent based on the desired angle and angle of rotation between structure 1 and structural column 2 and, as such, the term substantially perpendicularly is not intended to limit the alignment of vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 to about 90 in any plane.
[0030] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 3, vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 are joined together such that column bracket 20 forms an L-shape when viewed from the front, with bottom portion 32 of vertical member 30 joined to first portion 41 of horizontal member 40. In other embodiments, first portion 41 of horizontal member 40 may be joined to vertical member 30 at any position between top portion 31 and bottom portion 32 of vertical member 30, such that column bracket 20 forms an i-shape or inverted L-shape when viewed from the front. A suitable configuration of column bracket 20 will be readily apparent based on the desired placement of structural column 2 relative to structure 1.
[0031] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 3, horizontal member 40 may extend from outer surface 36 of vertical member 30. In other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 7, horizontal member 40 may extend from inner surface 38 of vertical member 30. In yet other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 4, horizontal member 40 may extend both from outer surface 36 and from inner surface 38 such that column bracket 20 forms an inverted T-shape when viewed from the front. These embodiments will be described with reference to the figures in more detail, below.
[0032] Having regard for FIG. 4, according to embodiments, column bracket 20 may comprise two vertical members 30 joined to each other by at least on horizontal member 40. In such embodiments, vertical members 30 are oriented parallel to each other and positioned in a spaced-apart manner, such that column bracket 20 forms an inverted -shape when viewed from the front that is suitable to receive structural column 2 between vertical members 30. In other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 5, column bracket 20 forms a U-shape when viewed from the front that is suitable to receive structural column 2 between vertical members 30. In such embodiments, the at least one horizontal member 40 extends between vertical members 30 and it is contemplated that structural column 2 may seat onto horizontal member 40.
[0033] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, horizonal member 40 may be a single plate. In other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, horizontal member 40 may comprise two or more plates or flanges. In such embodiments, column bracket 20 may be formed of two L-shaped half-sections each formed by a vertical member 30 and a horizontal member 40, wherein the two resulting horizonal members 40 are stacked on top of each other and secured to each other by known means such as welding. Other configurations will be appreciated.
[0034] The suitable size, thickness, and overall geometry of vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 will be readily apparent based on the characteristics of structure 1 and structural column 2. For example, in some embodiments having further regard for FIG. 2, structural column 2 may be manufactured from four lengths of construction lumber laminated together, each length having nominal width and depth dimensions of two inches by six inches (26) and actual width and depth dimensions of about one and one-half inches by about five and one-half inches (15), resulting in a structural column having actual width and depth dimensions of about six inches by about five and one-half inches (65). In such an embodiment, it will be readily apparent that the width of vertical member 30, as measured between first vertical edge 33 and second vertical edge 34, may be any suitable width to accommodate and support the depth of structural column 2, for example, three and one-half inches (3), five and one-half inches (5), etc. Similarly, the height of vertical member 30, as measured between top portion 31 and bottom portion 32, may be any suitable length to accommodate and support the length of structural column 2, for example, seventeen and one-half inches (17). In contrast, in another embodiment having regard for FIG. 2, structural column 2 may be manufactured from construction lumber having nominal width and depth dimensions of two inches by eight inches (28) and actual width and depth dimensions of about one and one-half inches by about seven and one-half inches (17), resulting in a structural column having actual depth dimensions of about seven and one-half inches (67). In such an embodiment, the width of vertical member 30 may be seven inches (7) and the height of vertical member 30 may be eighteen and one-quarter inches (18). In such embodiments, the thickness of vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 is also readily apparent based on the material used; for example, if vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 are manufactured from standard steel, a suitable thickness may be 0.18 inches corresponding with 7 gauge standard steel.
[0035] It is contemplated that vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 may have identical, similar, or different widths, lengths, thicknesses, and materials relative to each other, the suitability of each being readily apparent based on the characteristics of structure 1 and structural column 2. For example, if structure 1 comprises a truss with an actual width of three and one-half inches (3) and column 2 has an actual depth of five and one-half inches (5), it may be suitable for vertical member 30 to have a width of five and one-half inches (5) to accommodate and support the depth of structural column 2 while it may be suitable for horizontal member 40 to have a width of three and one-half inches (3) to correspond with the width of structure 1, as measured between first horizontal edge 43 and second horizontal edge 44. Similarly, it may be suitable for vertical member 30 to have a height of eighteen and one-quarter inches (18) while it may be suitable for horizontal member 40 to have a length of two and one-half inches (2), as measured between first portion 41 and second portion 42.
[0036] It will be understood that the widths, lengths, thicknesses, and materials contemplated above are examples only and are not intended to be limiting. Suitable widths, lengths, thicknesses, and materials will be readily apparent based on the characteristics of structural column 2 and structure 1.
[0037] According to embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 2, column bracket 20 provides securing means 50 for securing structural column 2 to column bracket 20. Having regard for FIGS. 8A-8C, securing means 50 comprises primary aperture 52 defined by vertical member 30. As will be described in more detail, primary aperture 52 is adapted to provide a safe and convenient method for installing structural column 2. In preferred embodiments, primary aperture 52 is adapted to provide a pivot-point about which structural column 2 may be rotated relative column bracket 20. As will be appreciated, primary aperture 52 comprises a horizonal portion and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the horizonal portion. Although primary aperture 52 is contemplated as having an L-shape in preferred embodiments and is referred to as an L-shaped aperture herein, any shape with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the horizonal portion will be operable, including a T-shape, Z-shape, E-shape, etc. Having further regard for FIG. 8A-8C, as will be described in more detail, this configuration provides a first point located along the horizontal portion of L-shaped aperture 52, to which structural column 2 may be aligned and pivoted from a horizonal orientation (e.g. FIG. 8A) to a vertical orientation (e.g. FIG. 8B), and a second point located along the vertical portion of L-shaped aperture 52, to which structural column 2 may be aligned and retained or locked into the desired vertical orientation (e.g. FIG. 8C). As will be described in more detail, the horizontal portion and vertical portion of L-shaped aperture 52 are contiguous and adapted to permit structural column 2 to be traversed between the first point and the second point.
[0038] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 8A-8C, L-shaped aperture 52 is adapted to receive a known fastener such as bolt 54. Bolt 54 may be received within a hole extending through structural column 2. As will be appreciated, positioning structural column 2 proximate vertical member 30 such that bolt 54 traverses L-shaped aperture 52 and the hole formed by structural column 2, then providing a tightening means such as a nut to bolt 54 to tighten structural column 2 to vertical member 30, is operable to secure structural column 2 to column bracket 20. Prior to tightening of the tightening means, however, structural column 2 may be rotated about bolt 54 from the horizonal orientation to the vertical orientation and traversed within L-shaped aperture 52 from the first point to the second point.
[0039] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 4, securing means 50 may further comprise a plurality of secondary apertures 56 defined by vertical member 30, such apertures 56 adapted for receiving known fasteners such as screws or bolts. As will be appreciated, the screws may assist with tightening and securing structural column 2 to vertical member 30 and are operable to prevent rotation or movement of structural column 2 relative column bracket 20 after installation.
[0040] According to embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 2, column bracket 20 provides securing means 60 for securing column bracket 20 to the foundation (or any other suitable portion) of structure 1. In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 4, securing means 60 comprises horizontally-extending flanges 62 formed by horizonal member 40. Flanges 62 may form a plurality of apertures 64 adapted to receive known fasteners such as bolts, screws, etc., for fastening column bracket 20 to structure 1. In other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 5, securing means 60 comprises at least one anchor 68 extending downwardly from the bottom surface of horizonal member 40, anchor 68 being adapted to anchor column bracket 20 to structure 1. Anchor 68 may be any known fastener such as concrete anchors, rebar, stakes, etc. In preferred embodiments, anchor 68 is a concrete anchor adapted to be received within a poured concrete foundation or concrete foundation column 80 of structure 1 as will be described in more detail. In other embodiments, anchor 68 may be adapted to be received within or otherwise joined to foundation column 80.
[0041] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 5, anchors 68 may comprise anchoring means 69 being adapted to frictionally engage or otherwise retain anchors 68 within structure 1. Anchoring means 69 may comprise any number of hooks, threading, ribs, or any other known or combination of known anchoring means, the suitability of which will be readily apparent.
[0042] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 5., securing means 60 may comprise two anchors 68 aligned diagonally. In other embodiments, having regard for FIG. 6, securing means 60 may comprise four anchors 68. The suitable number and arrangement of anchors 68 will be readily apparent.
[0043] In some embodiments, column bracket 20 may further comprise alignment means 70 (not shown) for conveniently aligning vertical member 30 to horizontal member 40 during manufacture and for strengthening the joint between vertical member 30 and horizontal member 40 after manufacture. In preferred embodiments, alignment means 70 comprises a tab-and-slot system in which bottom portion 34 of vertical member 30 forms at least one tab 72 (not shown) extending downwardly and horizontal member 40 defines at least one slot 74 (not shown) adapted to receive and frictionally engage tab 72. In some embodiments, tab 72 may be integral with vertical member 30 and may have a length corresponding with the thickness of horizontal member 40. In such embodiments, slot 74 may extend fully through horizontal member 40, such that when tab 72 is received within slot 74, the bottom portion of tab 72 lies flush with bottom surface 48 of horizontal member 40. As will be appreciated, alignment means 70 permits vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 to be quickly and accurately aligned, and held in position relative to each other by frictional engagement of tab 72 by slot 74, while vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 are secured to each other by known means such as welding. As will be further appreciated, frictional engagement of tab 72 by slot 74 will strengthen the joint between vertical member 30 and horizonal member 40 thereby improving at least the lateral (i.e. side-to-side) load-bearing capacity of column bracket 20. In some embodiments, alignment means 70 may further comprise at least one lateral stabilizer (not shown) extending outwardly from outer surface 36 and/or inner surface 38 of vertical member 30 to engage top surface 46 of horizontal member 40 at a desired angle and orientation relative thereto (e.g. 90 degrees) and thereby further strengthen column bracket 20. The at least one lateral stabilizer may be integral with horizontal member 30 or joined by known means such as welding and may be integral with horizontal member 40 or joined by known means such as welding. In preferred embodiments, the at least one lateral stabilizer may be shaped as a triangular flange.
[0044] According to embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 1, assembly 10 may comprise foundation column 80, which is adapted to prevent uplift of assembly 10 and may be adapted to secure assembly 10 to any suitable component of structure 1 including, for example, strapping board 3. Foundation column 80 may be formed of any suitable material including pre-cast concrete, poured concrete, wood, steel, iron, plastic, etc., or any suitable combination thereof. Foundation column 80 may also have any suitable length, size, or shape (i.e. rectangular cross-section, circular cross-section, etc.), as will be appreciated. Foundation column 80 is adapted to be positioned under structure 1, extending downwardly into a suitable substrate (not shown) such as gravel, compacted earth, poured concrete, etc. In some embodiments, foundation column 80 may be formed of a mild steel pipe with a diameter of about four inches and a vertical height of between about five feet to eight feet. In further embodiments, foundation column 80 may be primed or otherwise treated with known weatherproofing compounds and methods.
[0045] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 9, foundation column 80 has a top portion 82 and a bottom portion 84. Bottom portion 84 may form at least one outwardly-extending flange 92 for preventing uplift of foundation column 80 relative the substrate. As will be appreciated, flange 92 will engage the substrate surrounding foundation column 80 and prevent foundation column 80 from moving upwards or downwards relative the substrate. In some embodiments, flange 92 has a greater cross-section as the main body of foundation column 80. In other embodiments, flange 92 has the same cross-section as the main body of foundation column 80. In such embodiments, flange 92 is formed by bottom portion 84 having inward taper 94 extending to flange 92. It is contemplated that column bracket 20 is secured directly to top portion 82 of foundation column 80 as previously described (i.e. foundation column 80 is considered to be a suitable part of the foundation of structure 1 once installed). In some embodiments, flange 92 may be integral with foundation column 80 or may be joined to foundation column 80 by known means such as welding. Flange 92 may have a rectangular cross-section (e.g. FIG. 10), circular cross-section (e.g. FIG. 11), or any other suitable size or shape, as will be appreciated.
[0046] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 10, foundation column 80 may further comprise bracket 100 adapted for securing foundation column 80 to strapping board 3 or any other suitable component of structure 1. Bracket 100 may comprise a plurality of apertures 102 adapted for receiving known fasteners such as screws. Bracket 100 may be a rectangular plate or may have any other suitable size and shape as will be appreciated. Further Bracket 100 may be integral with foundation column 80 or secured thereto by known means such as welding. Having regard for FIG. 11, bracket 100 may further comprise flanges or joints 104 extending inwardly from bracket 100 to engage foundation column 80, particularly if foundation column 80 has a circular cross-section or if it is desirable for bracket 100 to be outwardly-biased from foundation column 80, as will be readily apparent. It will be appreciated that bracket 100 may be referred to as a skirting board attachment bracket, green board attachment bracket, or girt board attachment bracket, and that other configurations, attachment means, and attachments to bracket 100 are contemplated and their suitability will be readily apparent.
[0047] In some embodiments, foundation column 80 may further comprise one or more side fins (not shown) extending radially outwardly from foundation column 80. As will be appreciated, the one or more side fins are adapted to maintain the vertical alignment of foundation column 80 as it is embedded within the substrate and prevent rotation of foundation column 80 during installation and after installation.
[0048] According to embodiments, methods of using the structural column assembly to secure a structural column to the structure are also described. In use, an assembly is provided having a column bracket that forms a primary aperture having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion (e.g. an L-shaped aperture) and a securing means for securing the column bracket to the foundation (or any other suitable portion) of the structure. A structural column is also provided, along with a fastener (e.g. a bolt) adapted to be secured to the structural column. In preferred embodiments, the structural column is provided with a hole adapted to receive the fastener. The structural column is positioned relative the column bracket, such that the structural column is aligned with a first point of the L-shaped aperture of the column bracket. In preferred embodiments, the structural column is also positioned on the foundation (or otherwise as the case may be) and oriented such that the long axis of the structural column runs parallel to the foundation (i.e. the structural column is laid out horizontally on the foundation, ground, floor, etc.). While the column bracket and structural column are aligned, a bolt may be traversed through the first point of the L-shaped aperture and the hole of the structural column. A user may pivot the structural column about the bolt from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, while maintaining alignment with the first point of the L-shaped aperture. The user may then translate the structural column from the first point of the L-shaped aperture to a second point of the L-shaped aperture, wherein the structural column is retained or locked in the vertical orientation. The structural column is retained in the vertical orientation by frictionally-engaging either the structure or the bracket (i.e. translating the structural column from the first point to the second point results in the structural column being lowered into contact with either the structure or the horizonal portion of the bracket, which contact prevents the structural column from pivoting relative the structure or the bracket). As will be appreciated, the present methods are safe, convenient, and may be used by a single user to install a structural column.
[0049] According to embodiments, having regard for FIG. 8A-8C, assembly 10 is provided. Assembly 10 comprises column bracket 20 forming L-shaped aperture 52 and securing means 60. Structural column 2 is also provided, forming a hole (not shown) adapted to receive bolt 54.
[0050] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 8A, structural column 2 may be positioned relative column bracket 20 such that a first point of L-shaped aperture 52 is aligned with structural column 2. In preferred embodiments, structural column 2 is oriented horizontally. Bolt 54 may be traversed through the first point of L-shaped aperture 52 and secured to structural column 2 (e.g. inserted into a hole defined by structural column 2) to create an axle about which structural column 2 may be pivoted. As will be appreciated, the first point of L-shaped aperture 52 is located along the horizonal portion of L-shaped aperture 52.
[0051] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 8B, a user may then pivot structural column 2 about bolt 54, while maintaining alignment of structural column 2 relative the first point of L-shaped aperture 52.
[0052] In some embodiments, having regard for FIG. 8C, the user may translate structural column 2 along the horizonal portion of L-shaped aperture 52 from the first point towards a second point. As will be appreciated, the second point of L-shaped aperture 52 is located along the vertical portion of L-shaped aperture 52, wherein the vertical portion of L-shaped aperture 52 extends downwardly from the horizonal portion. When the structural column 2 is aligned with the second point of L-shaped aperture 52, the base of structural column 2 (not shown) is proximate to and, preferably, resting on either structure 1 (not shown) or upper surface 46 of horizonal member 40 of column bracket 20. As will be appreciated, downward force (i.e. gravity) applied to structural column 2 will result in contact between structural column 2 and either structure 1 or horizontal member 40, which contact results in friction that prevents structural column 2 from translating or pivoting relative the second point of L-shaped aperture 52 (i.e. structural column 2 will be retained or locked in place). Further, in preferred embodiments, the flat base of structural column 2 resting on either structure or the upper surface 46 of horizontal member 40 prevents structural column 2 from pivoting relative column bracket 20.
[0053] Once retained in place, a user is no longer required to support column bracket 20 in the vertical orientation and is, instead, free to secure column bracket 20 to both structural column 2 and structure 1 using screws, bolts, welding, or other known fasteners. In such embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 4, assembly 10 may be provided having column bracket 20 further defining a plurality of apertures 56. In use, known fasters such as screws may be installed through apertures 56 into structural column 2 in order to further prevent translation or rotation of structural column 2 relative column bracket 20 once it is locked in place. It is also contemplated that other securing means may be used, including welding. In some embodiments, a user may also engage securing means 60 to secure column bracket 20 to the foundation (or otherwise) of structure 1. Having regard for FIG. 4, known fasters such as screws may be installed through apertures 64 formed by outwardly-extending flanges 62 into the foundation. Having regard for FIG. 5, anchors 68 may be inserted into the foundation and allowed to frictionally-engage or otherwise become fastened to the foundation.
[0054] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 9, assembly 10 may be provided comprising foundation column 80, which forms outwardly extending flange 92. A user may install foundation column 80 by sinking foundation column 80 into any suitable substrate such as gravel, compacted earth, poured concrete, etc., such that the substrate maintains foundation column 80 in an upright orientation, at a desired location and depth. As will be appreciated, flange 92 prevents uplift of foundation column 80 after installation. In such embodiments, column bracket 20 may be secured to foundation column 80 as previously described.
[0055] In some embodiments, having further regard for FIG. 10, foundation column 80 may be further provided with bracket 100 defining a plurality of apertures 102. A user may secure foundation column 80 to strapping board 3 using a plurality of known fasteners such as screws inserted through apertures 102. Other securing means such as welding will be appreciated.
[0056] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope, intent, or functionality. These terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description, not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and the described portions thereof.
