Abstract: A concrete crack control system is provided. The system comprises a vane or angle projecting from a wall, such as a pedestal or column or other wall surfaces against which a concrete floor or slab is poured. After the concrete has set to firm consistency, a saw cut is provided of a substantial depth in line with the projecting vane. The exposed saw cut may be filled with conventional filler, such as grout or the like. Any tendency of the floor to crack upon aging will be along the line of the vane and saw cut, thereby preventing crack damage to the floor.

Abstract: An electrical powered transmission tower is modified to also support a telecommunications antenna. The tower has a plurality of legs interconnected by lattice braces. A support column is erected within the enclosure of the tower. The support column has a base anchored in the ground on a concrete foundation. The column extends upward through the tower and protrudes through the top. The antenna is mounted to the upper end of the column. Fasteners secure the column to the tower for lateral support.

Abstract: A foundation for masts, posts, pillars, etc., wherein the foundation has a foundation tube (3) which is lowered into a pre-drilled hole (2) in the ground (1), where the pre-drilled hole has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tube (3) and where at least the space between tube (3) and ground (1) is filled with a casting mixture (8), e.g. concrete, a tube (3) is used which is designed with perforations (4) in its lower area. The foundation tube (3) is equipped with a coating which gives the tube protection against corrosion, and possibly also an electrical insulation. The coatings can have a rough surface in order to create the best possible adhesion to the casting mixture. In order to ensure that the coated foundation tube (3) is safely lowered into the hole, it is first lined with a casing (13), which is removed during or immediately after the casting.

Abstract: A post device, which is yieldable when hit by a vehicle, comprises a post with a base having at least three spaced-apart fixtures fixedly attached thereto, and a foundation with a fixing device supporting at least three spaced-apart rods, which are arranged to cooperate with the fixtures, thereby securing the post to the foundation. The fixtures are arranged on the outside of the base and embrace the associated rods and are each provided with a through opening or slot which is oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the post. Stop devices each engage an associated rod and an upper portion of an associated fixture.

Abstract: An improved device for supporting and aligning anchor bolts within a light pole foundation mold. An outer ring having a downwardly projecting, circumferential lip fits atop a sonotube foundation mold. Cross members transverse the space inside the ring and have holes disposed thereon for receiving bolts. A conduit receiving hole is positioned at the intersection of the cross members. Projections on the top side of the outer ring have an outer edge that is aligned with the inner edge of the circumferential lip to provide means for securely stacking several of the devices in superimposed fashion.

Abstract: A neck piece for mounting upon a composite tubular support column. A high-strength plastic neck body includes an insertable portion and a contacting face extending radially outward from the insertable portion. The insertable portion is configured and dimensioned for telescopic insertion into the upper open-end of the composite support column. The radially-extending contacting face abuts against the upper open-end face of the column in end-to-end contact sufficient to enable axial load transfer between the neck body and the thin walls of the plastic support column.

Abstract: A post having particular utility for use in a highway sound barrier wherein a number of posts are set along the highway to support acoustical panels. Each post is made of reinforced precast concrete having side channels to mount the acoustical panels. The posts are supported on poured concrete footings having a tapered depression in the top surface which is reinforced by a surrounding array of closed loop reinforcing rods. The post is inserted in the depression and bonded thereto by a quick setting grout.

Abstract: An electrical powered transmission tower is modified to also support a telecommunications antenna. The tower has a plurality of legs interconnected by lattice braces. A support column is erected within the enclosure of the tower. The support column has a base anchored in the ground on a concrete foundation. The column extends upward through the tower and protrudes through the top. The antenna is mounted to the upper end of the column. Fasteners secure the column to the tower for lateral support.

Abstract: A support assembly for a roadside or traffic signpost includes a mounting socket cylinder (13) fixed in the ground for receiving a support post (12) therein. A resilient support means in the form of a pair of O-rings (16) is interposable between the post and the mounting cylinder. A reinforcing collar (15) prevents deformation of adjacent (1 to 11) portions of the mounting cylinder and the post.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus for securing a truss member to a concrete structural member includes a U-shaped member including an elongate plate bent end to end to form a curved portion and two leg portions, an abutment plate including a pair of spaced apart, parallel slots, so that when the apparatus is to be assembled, the leg portions of the U-shaped member are fitted through the parallel slots to protrude through the abutment plate, and a structure for anchoring the abutment plate to the U-shaped member, including tabs cut and bent out of the U-shaped member and oriented generally toward the curved portion of the U-shaped member, for engaging the abutment plate, so that the abutment plate slots ride along the leg portions and over the tabs, and the tabs block the abutment plate against moving back along the leg portions.

Abstract: Stackable construction blocks include generally parallel first and second faces and recess means on said first face including a central socket adapted to receive and support the end of a post and a channel means adapted to receive and support the end of a beam, and on the second face one or more channels adapted to receive and support a portion of a beam.

Abstract: A unit masonry fence and method for its installation. The unit masonry fence has footings, structurally rigid support posts extending upwardly from the footings and fence panels mounted over the support posts and supported by the footings. Each fence panel is made up of a beam extending generally the length of the panel and having a receptacle toward the ends thereof for receiving the support posts. A number of unit masonry courses are laid on the beam. The unit masonry courses terminate at each end with a pilaster made from pilaster masonry units laid integrally. The pilaster masonry units have a main body portion broader than the adjacent unit masonry courses and an opening extending through the body portion for receiving the support posts.

Abstract: A support pole comprising a pole member secured to a flat base plate. A majority of the length of the pole member has a square-tube cross-section. The pole member is provided with a bell-shaped portion at its lower end which is secured to the base plate.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus is provided for securing a beam to a structural member, including a first vertical support having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical support generally parallel to the first vertical support having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end of the first vertical support is affixed to the bottom end of the second vertical support. The anchoring apparatus further includes a structural member formed from concrete for engaging the first and the second vertical supports, wherein the bottom ends of the first and the second vertical supports form an engaging portion for insertion into the concrete member before said concrete cures, to anchor said engaging portion to the concrete.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable anchoring base for road sign posts, posts which are elements of a structural system, and the like. The object of the invention is to provide a pre-manufactured permanent anchoring base, intended primarily for installation approximately flush with finish grade, which allows rapid and simple initial mounting, temporary remounting of damaged posts, plumb alignment, and secure positioning of varied types of posts. The invention is comprised of a bottom component of heavy, cast material having embedded anchor bolts protruding above its top surface, the center of said component formed as a cavity of vertically slanted and tapered faces into which a post is inserted, centered, supported and restrained horizontally at the cavity's bottom surface. The top component restrains the post both horizontally and vertically, and is comprised of adjustable anchoring plates with slotted holes, flat ring washers, and threaded nuts, all secured to the bottom component's anchor bolts.

Abstract: A deck construction including a plurality of supports for anchoring deck construction elements to a building site. The supports include a body (which may be an integrally molded concrete pier) having upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes at least one slot for seating a horizontally oriented construction member. The slot includes a center socket portion having four extended corners for seating the bottom end of a vertically oriented construction member. The slot and center socket are defined by connecting wall portions which may be integral to the body or may be of plastic or metal and suitable secured to the body. In some cases, two mutually perpendicular slots are provided.

Abstract: A holdown apparatus is provided for securing a shear wall to a concrete base. The apparatus includes an upright tie member and a cooperating anchoring member. The upright tie member has (1) a tubular base, (2) a pair of spaced, upstanding anchoring plates mounted to the base and adapted to received a post, preferably an end post, of the shear wall and (3) a plurality of fasteners for extending through the anchoring plates and the post. The anchoring member includes a plate, a fastener for the upright tie member secured to the plate and a pair of support legs for the plate.

Abstract: A post for mounting in a concrete slab is disclosed. The post has an elongated rigid body with a mounting end. A pair of mounting rods extend from the mounting end. The body of the post is formed from an extruded aluminum shell. The mounting rods extend through channels which are formed in the shell and are held in place in the channels by an expandable grout. The expandable grout both holds the mounting rods in the shell and acts with the mounting rods to reinforce the shell. The shell is preferably in the form of a pair of tubes joined by a web. Attachments may be made to the post with fasteners which pass through apertures in the web. The post is quick to install, may be mounted close to the edge of a concrete slab with reduced risk of damage to the edge of the slab, and is extremely rigid.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus is provided for securing a first beam to a structural member, including a first plate having a middle section, two end sections, and two ends, each end section being divided into adjacent strip portions by at least one cut extending to one end, a first strip portion at each end section being bent essentially perpendicular to the middle section, for receiving between the first strip portions the first beam, a second strip portion, and a structural member engaging portion extending essentially perpendicular to the middle section oppositely from the first strip portion, for engaging the structural member; a second plate having openings for receiving the second strip portions, and extending adjacent to the first beam, and a mechanism for fastening the second plate to the first plate.

Abstract: First and second clamp members are arranged to secure a utility pole therebetween, with the utility pole in a spaced relationship relative to an underlying ground surface to prolong effective life of the associated utility pole. The clamp members each include a clamp base, with a clamp leg extending upwardly relative to the clamp base, with the clamp legs converging towards one another at an acute angle therebetween, with confronting semi-cylindrical clamping surfaces whose axes are coincident with a utility pole axis.

Abstract: An improved method of constructing isolation pockets for anchoring the base of a support column in a concrete floor slab structure comprises casting a footing, attaching a corrosion resistant isolation pocket form (37) to the footing with the form bounding a region of the footing and extending upwardly therefrom to an open top, securing the base of the support column to the footing in the bounded region thereof, and incorporating the form into the finished floor structure by compacting a subbase about the exterior of the form, casting a concrete slab atop the subbase, and filling the interior of the form with concrete to substantially the same level as the cast slab on the exterior of the form. A stay-in-place isolation pocket form (37) for use in performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved tank structures and apparatus for their construction. The walls of the prestressed tank are formed by inflating a membrane, applying one or more layers of rigidifying material outwardly of said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material to minimize the tension in the rigidifying material when subject to loading. In another embodiment, wall forms are placed inwardly of said membrane to aid in the forming of the walls and circumferential prestressing. In the best mode of the invention, the walls are of reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic or resin sandwich composite construction this application focuses on. Seismic countermeasures which may also be used to protect the structure against earthquakes and other tremors, by the anchoring of the tank walls to the base and permitting the seismic forces to be shared by the seismic anchors.

Abstract: A deck construction includes a concrete pier block having an upwardly opening recess forming an anchor seat for building elements. The recess opens out the side so that building elements can be laid horizontally therein. The recess also includes a central socket for receiving an upright pillar. The recess has particular dimensions for use with conventional existing lumber sizes and also for forming a strong but inexpensive concrete pier block for residential use.

Abstract: A pole support system for a carport and the like includes an anchor member for the carport having an earth piercing bottom end for being pounded into the ground with a base ring positioned on the surface of the hard top and a spacer ring interposed between the base disc and stop collar at the top end of the anchor. A pole support has the second stop collar above its first lower end which telescopically engages the open top end of the anchor member. The upper end of the pole support has two spaced parallel flanges which are secured to a saddle member that is affixed to a beam at a variety of adjusted pivoted positions. Alternatively the top of the pole support can be mounted to two support plates which are horizontally disposed and can be adjusted along two horizontal axes and secured to each other at the desired position.

Abstract: A sign post constructed of an upper channel section nested with a lower channel section at a frangible joint designed so when the sign post is struck by a vehicle, failure of the joint will occur in a predictable and consistent manner. The channel sections are preferably formed of stock channel material having a transverse cross-section in the general shape of a hat, including a longitudinally extending flat center web and outwardly divergent side walls. When the channel sections are nested together, the side walls of adjoining sections are in contact with one another, while the web portions remain spaced apart. In the present invention, the channel sections are connected together with a fastener in combination with a spacer that is engaged between the web portions to provide a reliable and strong breakaway connection.

Abstract: A floor section assembly having a post anchor built into one of the floor panels for use with portable sectionalized flooring suitable for a volleyball court or the like is disclosed. The post anchor includes a base assembly attached to the undersurface of one of the panels and is coupled to a plurality of adjacent panels by tubes attached to the undersurface of the panels and coupled together by a rigid member extending through aligned tubes. This structure provides a broad base of support for the post carrying a volleyball net which can absorb moments placed on the post without the need for connecting the post to the base on which the flooring is assembled.

Abstract: A metal pole structure includes a plurality of elongated hollow pole sections interconnected end-to-end. Each section is formed with two or more elongated angled wall sections and a space extends longitudinally along each of the sections and the pole when assembled. Interconnecting diagonal braces extend across the longitudinal space. The braces interconnect with edge portions of wall sections on each side of the space to bridge the space to provide a structural wall section and to define access openings along the pole section to permit access to the interior of the hollow pole to effect the interconnection of the pole sections and the braces.

Abstract: A post construction kit for constructing a post implanted in a base terrain which includes a first post section adapted for implantation in the base terrain, at least one other post section adapted for interconnection with the post section to be implanted underground, and an interconnecting arrangement for interconnecting the underground section and at least one other post section.

Abstract: A metal integral elevated post base for elevating the base of a wood post above a concrete base in which the post base is embedded. The post base includes a metal foot member embedded in the concrete base, a pair of metal post members integrally connected to the foot member partially embedded in and extending above the concrete base, and a pair of seat members integrally connected to the post members for supporting the wood post. Side members integrally connected to the seat members attach to the sides of the wood post. The post base is formed in two halves from a sheet metal blank and is configured as opposite halves and folded to form a single post and seat. Parts of the post base could be welded, but the preferred form is not welded.

Abstract: A monolithic plastic moldable foot is provided for supporting a wooden post in a hole in the ground. The foot includes a dish-shaped lower wall configured to be supported by the earth at the bottom of the hole and rib structure on the bottom wall for distributing loads throughout the entire extent of the bottom wall. After the hole is back filled the foot resists lateral and up-loads as well as down loads.

Abstract: A building system which utilizes flooring supported by adjustable posts and individual beams extending between the posts which may be temporarily supported in excavations to enable the floor to be erected, and then adjusted for level. The excavations are subsequently filled with concrete to form footings. The posts may extend upwardly beyond the floor beams to form wall supports.

Abstract: A timber and concrete connection which includes a steel connector formed with stirrup members embedded in the concrete and which extend above the concrete for fastening to the timber member. The timber member rests on a standoff member which holds the base of the timber member a specified distance above the concrete; usually one inch. The standoff member is constructed from a single sheet of metal and in one form of the invention is releasably connected to the stirrup members. In another form of the invention, the standoff member is restrained from horizontal movement in all directions by the stirrup members, and in still another form of the invention the standoff member may simply be placed between the stirrup members and either welded to the stirrup members or not.

Abstract: A security post assembly consisting of a base tube to be sunk into the ground or other base and a post which fits into the mouth of the tube is lockable by a mortise lock mounted inside the post above ground level. The bolt of the lock protrudes outside the post and into a receiver structure carried on the underside of a cover plate which is hinged to the base tube and which can be swivelled to stand up beside the post. The receiver structure comprises a U-shape flange which fits inside a U-shape guard plate attached to the post.

Abstract: This invention, being an improvement on the kind of fixed road railing adopted widely now, provides a new system of replaceable road railing comprising mainly of an underground sleeve, into which a pillar is inserted, a pillar with blades at its bottom, and a device inside the pillar which, by means of its upward and downward movement, controls the expanding and contracting movement of the blades of the pillar and, as a result, causes the blades to tighten against or loosen from the inner surface of the sleeve and, thus the pillar can be easily inserted into the sleeve or taken out from it thereby.

Abstract: A breakaway utility pole structure having a tubular base (11) anchored in the ground substantially at ground level and adapted to telescopically secure the bottom end portion of a pole (9), the base (11) having a circumferential shear groove (20) adjacent to its bottom end, and the base being secured in the base by adhesive material (12) and by bolts (21) spaced above the shear groove (20), the shear groove is adapted to cause failure of the base when the pole is subjected to horizontal impact at a predetermined distance above ground level from a vehicle of predetermined weight moving horizontally at a predetermined minimum speed.

Abstract: Tubular columns of approximately rectangular cross section secured and supported at their lower ends by deformable sockets, pre-cast in concrete at grade level or floor level, and support a structure at their upper ends and/or along their length. The socket has three vertical sides and one sloping side, to receive the column and a wedge, which is driven to secure the column. All forces between the wedge, column, and socket are passed through the socket and retained by the concrete, so that bending loads upon the column are limited only by the bending strength of the column itself. Vertical movement of the column out of the socket is restricted by friction from the extreme pressure generated by the driven wedge upon the column, socket, and concrete.

Abstract: A structural foundation for a building possessing improved stability wherein the combination of a moisture-pervious layer in contact with the soil surface and an overlying fluid gathering member are located beneath the foundation slab. The adjacent foundation footing, provided with a vertical anchoring system, includes air passages to the gathering system thereby permitting air circulation to remove moisture from beneath the slab.

Abstract: A body member comprising either a concrete block or molded or stamped product, includes upwardly opening recesses forming an anchor seat for building elements. The recesses may extend fully from side to side and also open out the sides so that building elements can be laid horizontally therein or fully across the body member. The recesses also include a central socket for receiving an upright pillar. Embodiments of the invention may include depending foot members. Embodiments of the inventions also include structure for fastening building elements to the body member. A further embodiment employs depending projections at outer portions thereof which frictionally fit on top of a base block and stabilize the body member against lateral movement.

Abstract: An improved tower foundation is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture and when installed, serves to securely support a leg of power transmission towers and the like. The tower foundation hereof includes a screw-type earth anchor member having a tubular cavity at the uppermost end thereof. An elongated tower leg connector member is positioned and secured in the cavity of the installed anchor by an initially flowable, solidified material (preferably a sand/epoxy resin mixture). The tower leg connector member advantageously comprises a lowermost, tubular first portion and an uppermost, L-shaped in cross-section second, apertured connection portion, with the first and second portions having approximately coincidental centroidal axes.

Abstract: A pre-measured amount of dry mix cement that is enclosed in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir is placed in a ground hole sized to the form it is receiving. It is in conical or cylindrical form with a center square or round hole receiving a square or round post or pole and is placed in the ground and the post or pole is inserted in the center hole. The water reservoir is of such volume that when it is filled the proper amount of water is provided for the amount of dry mix cement in the form. Then with dissolving of the water soluble material the cement and water may be mixed and stirred in place around the post or pole manually with a mixing rod. With drilling through a floor and into earth beneath the floor a similar product is used with the dry mix cement encased in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir. The form is placed in the hole and the reservoir is filled with water and then mixed with dissolving of the water soluble material.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete column having novel capital and base constructions so constructed that interfitting circular and annular keys are provided which ensure vertical alignment and provide for carrying the load applied to the column independently of grouting.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a device for forming a post-receiving cavity in a solid material during the solidification thereof with the device including a clamping element having first and second side walls disposed in facing relationship to each other, with each of the side walls having a vertical extent, and a resilient wall which extends between the first and second side walls and interconnects the first and second side walls intermediate the respective vertical extent of each side wall to thereby divide each side wall into an upper end portion and a lower basal portion. The resilient wall is constructed and configured to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to move outwardly in response to application of an inward lateral force to the lower basal portions of the side walls and also to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other in the absence of any inward lateral force being applied to the lower basal portions.

Abstract: In the Fibrestone Building Construction a thin fiber reinforced wall formed of sprayed concrete and short lengths of fibers, such as glass fibers, forms the outer shell of the wall exposed to atmosphere. An inner load supporting structure is secured to the inner surface of the outer shell. This load supporting structure consists for example of a metal frame aligned with the inner surface of the shell, and spaced metal studs. A differential of temperature exists between the outer surface of the fiber reinforced shell subjected to atmospheric temperatures and the inner load supporting structure because the inner members are shielded from atmospheric temperatures by the outer shell. The outer and inner members of the wall being formed of different materials have different coefficients of expansion when subjected to varying temperatures.

Abstract: An improved tower foundation is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture and when installed, serves to securely support a leg of power transmission towers and the like. The tower foundation hereof includes a screw-type earth anchor member having a tubular cavity at the uppermost end thereof. An elongated tower leg connector member is positioned and secured in the cavity of the installed anchor by an initially flowable, solidified material (preferably a sand/epoxy resin mixture). The tower leg connector member advantageously comprises a lowermost, tubular first portion and an uppermost, L-shaped in cross-section second, apertured connection portion, with the first and second portions having approximately coincidental centroidal axes.

Abstract: A post support and protector includes a pair of members having first portions for attachment to a post and second portion for anchoring within the earth.

Abstract: A low-cost fence is essentially free from ground rot. The novel fence post of this invention capitalizes on the structural rigidity of rectangular tubular members. The fence post has a concrete reinforcing rod projecting downwardly into concrete from the tubular member and small-dimensioned lumber bolted to the tubular member and extending upwardly from the other end. This fence post makes it easy to construct a variety of fences, all of which reduce toenailing and nail bracketing by using spanning rails. Long rails span fence posts in a staggered pattern, thereby gaining additional cantilever strength while reducing the number of posts required.

Abstract: A tubular portion is embedded vertically into the ground and has a screw threaded upper end substantially flush with the surface of the ground. A screw threaded stem or post detachably engages the upper end when a trailer is to be parked thereon, and the stem is provided with the ball portion of a trailer coupler assembly on the upper end thereof engageable by the coupler portion of the trailer coupler assembly situated on the front end of the hitch frame. A padlock through the release lever prevents unauthorized removal of the trailer from the post and the post can be unscrewed and stored when the trailer is not parked at the post assembly.

Abstract: A post made of one piece of molded polymeric material having a vertically upwardly extending elongated post means portion for supporting apparatus mounted thereon; a driving head means portion connected to and mounted below the lower end of the post means portion for application of force thereto without application of force to the upper end of the post means portion for forcibly driving the post apparatus into the ground; stabilizing flange means portions mounted on the driving head means portion below the lower end of the post means portion for stabilizing and supporting the post apparatus in a vertical attitude after being forcibly driven into the ground; and a ground penetrating shaft means portion connected to and mounted below the stabilizing means portion for initial penetration of the ground during forcible driving of the post apparatus into the ground.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a base receptical for releasably mounting standards for guard chains, and upon removal thereof receive and support decorative modular guard rails. A hollow sleeve bracket member is positioned on reinforcing rods or mesh to receive concrete for walks, verandas, stairs and the like, this hollow sleeve bracket receives a standard having a nut positioned thereon and a bolt extending through said standard and nut to nut to abut the sleeve bracket; and, upon tightening the bolt this temporary standard is firmly positioned in the sleeve bracket. By loosing the bolt the standard can be moved, and a permanent modular guard rail standard of a decorative nature inserted therein. A plurality of these sleeve brackets are preferably connected by one or more rods or rails, which are imbeded in the concrete when poured along with the major portion of the length of the sleeve bracket members.

Abstract: A stilt construction for a dwelling house is comprised of a core structure having a reinforced turned-down edge core slab and a plurality of wooden core pilings set into the earth to extend upward through the slab; moment-reacting connectors anchor the core slab perpendicularly to the pilings. A beam structure, horizontally supported by the tops of the core pilings, extends outward of the core to the tops of pilings remote from the core structure. Earth-supported slabs, which lay beneath the beam structure outboard of the core, are not anchored to the remote piles and are free to settle. An upper floor is supported upon the beam structure, while walls for the lower floor are suspended from the beam structure. Sill members along their lower edges adjacent to the earth-supported slab do not rely on it for bearing.