ADJUSTABLE FOOTING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Pile-based footings of the type used to secure an upright element such as a post to the ground. In one version, the footing has an engaging portion having an open region configured to accept an upright element from a generally lateral direction, and pile guides associated with the engaging portion. The pile guides are configured to guide a pile generally downwardly into an underlying substrate. The footings can be used to secure upright elements of various dimensions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pile-based footings of the type used to secure an upright element to the ground. The footings may be used to support a building stump, fence post or a lighting pole for example. More particularly, the invention is directed to pile-based footings which are usable for a range of upright elements.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to support an upright element (such as a pole, a post or a stump) on or above the ground using a pile-based footing.

Pile-based footings typically comprises a horizontal metal plate which sits on the ground, and designed to act as a support for the end of the upright element. A series of metal tubes are attached to the plate, the tubes forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with the plate. The tubes function as pile guides, such that in the course of installation piles are driven through the tubes and into the ground, thereby securing the footing to the ground.

An advantage of such plate-type footings is that upright elements of many different cross-sectional areas and geometries can be supported. The plate only need be of sufficient area to accommodate the upright element of the largest possible cross sectional area.

A disadvantage of the “one size fits all” approach is that materials for fabricating the footing are wasted where a large footing plate is used to support a relatively small upright element. This problem may be overcome by the provision of a range of footings having variously sized plates. A plate size appropriate for the upright element is selected, thereby avoiding the use of an excessively large and wasteful footing. This approach has its own shortcomings in that the installer must keep sufficient inventory of each footing size on hand.

A further problem is that the plate portion of a footing requires significant material. In some types of footings, the tubes (pile guides) extend through or descend from the plate. In that arrangement the plate must extend well beyond the periphery of the supported upright element to accommodate the tubes. Material costs are a large part fabricating a micropile footing, and any savings would be highly desirable.

In some micropile-based footings of the prior art an upwardly directed socket is attached to footing plate. The upright element is snugly received into the socket, and is prevented from lateral movement by the socket walls. Whilst undoubtedly useful in certain applications, a range of footings having different sized sockets must be kept in inventory to account for the range in sizes of upright elements that present.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement to prior art pile-based footings so as to improve compatibility with a range of upright elements, while still avoiding or limiting waste of materials. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a useful alternative to prior art micropile-based footings.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for engaging an upright element, the apparatus comprising:

• • a. an engaging portion having an open region configured to accept an upright element engaged by the apparatus from a generally lateral direction and make contact therewith, and
  • b. one or more pile guides associated with the engaging portion, the pile guides configured to guide a pile generally downwardly into an underlying substrate.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engaging portion comprises a contact surface for contacting a lateral surface of the upright element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the contact surface is a curved surface, or a planar surface, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions intersecting at an angle, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions intersecting at an angle of about 90 degrees, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions forming an internal corner.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the contact surface is configured to contact part but not all of the outer lateral surface of the upright element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the contact surface is configured to contact less than about 50% of the outer lateral surface of the upright element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engaging portion is, or comprises, a plate or other generally planar shape.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the plate is fabricated from steel or a high resilience polymer.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the plate is folded, bent, curved, or profiled to conform to a lateral surface of the upright element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engaging portion is molded.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engaging portion comprises or is associated with a support for supporting a downwardly facing end of the upright element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the support comprises one or more generally upwardly facing surfaces configured to contact a lower end of the upright member.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the support is a ledge associated with or connected to the contact surface.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the upright element is rigid and has a cross-section that is generally square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, circular or ovoid.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the upright element is a post, a pole, a column, or a stump.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the upright element is a component of a habitable or non-habitable building, a fence, a wall, a lighting installation, a carport, a pergola, a deck, a solar panel installation, a gate, a wind turbine installation, a sign installation, or a recreational structure.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises connection means configured to connect the apparatus to another same or similar apparatus.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the connection means comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the connection means comprises a protrusion.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the protrusion is a flange, a tab, an ear, or a lug.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener extending into the upright member.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the aperture is within the engaging portion

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more pile guides is/are connected to the engaging portion.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more pile guides is/are a tube of any cross-sectional shape.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more pile guides is/are a hollow elongate structure.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, a wall or part thereof of the one or more pile guides is formed by the engaging portion or another part of the apparatus.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more pile guides are configured so as to direct a pile into an underlying substrate at an angle to the vertical.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 pile guides.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus is configured to be resistant to corrosion.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus is fabricated from or coated with a corrosion resistant material.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for engaging an upright element, the system comprising two apparatuses of any embodiment of the first aspect.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the two apparatuses are substantially the same and/or mirror images of each other.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the two apparatus are arranged in an opposing manner.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the two apparatuses are connectable together about an upright member.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system comprises one or more connection means configured to connect the two apparatuses.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the connection means is a fastener, a screw, a bolt, a nut-with-bolt, a rivet, a clip, a strap, a wire or a clamp.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system is configured so as to fit about and engage with an upright members of different cross-sectional dimensions and/or geometries.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system is configured so as to fit about and engage with upright members of different widths.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides an upright member installation comprising the system of any embodiment of the second aspect, the two apparatuses of the system fitting about and engaging with an upright member.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, one or both of the apparatuses is/are secured to the upright member.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the apparatuses are connected together.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the connection acts to clamp the upright member between the two apparatuses.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the engaging portions contact between about 80% to about 100% of the periphery of the upright member.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the upright element is a component of a habitable or non-habitable building, a fence, a wall, a lighting installation, a carport, a pergola, a deck, a solar panel installation, a gate, a wind turbine installation, a sign installation, or a recreational structure.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the installation comprises a pile extending through each of the one or more pile guides and into an underlying substrate.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising the apparatus of any embodiment of the first aspect, or the system of any embodiment of the second aspect, and instructions for forming the installation of any embodiment of the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for installing an upright element, the method comprising the steps of fitting two apparatuses of any embodiment of the first aspect about an upright element such that the engaging portion of each apparatus engages with the upright element, and securing the two apparatuses together so as to retain the upright element.

In one embodiment of the fifth aspect, the method comprises driving a pile so as to extending through each of the one or more pile guides and into an underlying substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a footing system of the present invention as fitted to an upright wooden post.

FIG. 2A illustrates the system of FIG. 1 in unassembled form in upper perspective view.

FIG. 2B illustrates the system of FIG. 1 in unassembled form in lower perspective view. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 3 illustrates in diagrammatic form a plan view of the footing system shown in FIG. 1. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 4 illustrates in diagrammatic form a plan view of the same footing system as that shown in FIG. 3 (although with longer bolts) as fitted to a post having a larger cross-sectional area. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 5 illustrates in diagrammatic form a plan view a footing system that is secured by way of a metal strap. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 6 illustrates in diagrammatic form a plan view a footing system that is secured by way of screws. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 7 illustrates in diagrammatic form a plan view a footing system that comprises four elements, each of which is secured to the post by screws. The pile guides are not shown for clarity.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, features of the drawings labelled with the same numeral are taken to be the same features, or at least functionally similar features, when used across different drawings.

The drawings are not prepared to any particular scale or dimension and are not presented as being a completely accurate presentation of the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments, or indeed any embodiment covered by the claims.

Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises” is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

As used herein, positional terms such as “lateral”, “across”, “above”, “below”, “higher”, “lower”, upward, downward, “plan view” and the like are to be considered with reference to a footing system as used to support a post vertically (i.e. generally orthogonal to the underlying ground surface).

The present invention is predicated at least in part on the inventors'discovery that

The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the non-limiting examples of the drawings.

Turning firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown an upright element, being a wooden post (10) being supported by a footing system comprising first element (20) and a second element (30). Each element (10) and (20) is applied to respective opposing external corners of the post (10).

Although not necessarily apparent from FIG. 1, element (10) is identical to element (20), although clearly the elements are orientated differently and in an opposed manner as drawn.

Each element (10, 20) is formed of steel plate that has been bent along line (35) to form a corner at the intersection of planar portions (40) and (45), and along the lines (50) and (55) to form tabs (60) and (65) respectively.

The tabs (60) and (65) of the first element (20) comprise bolt holes which align with those in the second element (30) to allow bolts (one marked 70) to pass through and be secured with a nut (one marked 75). Each of the tabs (60, 65) of the first element (20) is angled relative to its respective planar portion (40, 45) so as to be parallel to its counterpart tab on the second element (30), and vice versa for the tabs on the second element (30). The nuts (75) may be tightened so as to firmly clamp the post (10) between the first (20) and second (30) elements. The post may be further secured by driving a screw (not drawn) through one or more of the screw holes (one marked 80).

Welded to the first (20) and second (30) elements are pile guides (85), each oriented so as to guide a pile (90) into the underlying ground at an angle. In reality each of the piles (90) is significantly longer than drawn, extending at least 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 meters into the ground. Typically, the piles are of pipe-like construction, being fabricated from a metal which is preferably corrosion-resistant. The piles (90) may be driven in manually (with a mallet, for example), although preferably a power tool such as a pneumatic or electro-mechanical jack hammer is used.

Each planar portion (40, 45) is folded at 90 degrees to provide a support (not visible in FIG. 1, although visible in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, marked (95)). The supports (95) so-formed provide a ledge allowing the lower end of an upright element to rest thereon.

The supports (95) bear mainly the downward forces applied to the element (10 or 20) by the post (10). The planar surfaces (40, 45) prevent shifting of the post (10) due to lateral forces which may induce bending moments in the post (10). In some embodiments, the supports (95) do little to assume any downward forces because the post (10) is firmly clamped by the bolts (70, 75). The clamping force may be sufficiently high so as to cause very tight frictional engagement between the elements (10, 20) and the post (10). Further engagement may be provided one or more screws driven through the elements (10, 20) and into the post (10).

The net effect of the system should in FIG. 1 is to transfer load forces from the planar regions (40, 45) to the pile guides (85), to the piles (90) and finally to the underlying ground. Advantageously, the present invention does not require any substantial horizontal plate to support the post, and to extend beyond the post to provide a point of attachment for the pile guides, as in prior art footings. This results in substantial material savings.

Reference is made to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 showing that the present system is capable of receiving upright members of different cross-sectional areas. The elements (20, 30) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 have precisely the same dimensions, although can be fitted to a post of relatively small area (FIG. 3) and also or relatively large area (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the 45 degree angling of the tabs (60, 65) to the planar regions from which they extend, coupled with the distance by the which the tabs extend allow for fitting multiple post sizes. This arrangement presents an improvement over prior art footings that provide an upwardly directly socket to receive a post. Of course, the socket must be precisely dimensioned to snugly receive the post and in that regard the installer must have access to a range of different socket sizes and to select the appropriate size for the particular post size at hand. The present invention allows the installer to carry only a single sized footing, or a lower number of different sized footings.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative to the bolted arrangement shown in the preceding figures. The elements (20, 30) and post (10) are secured together using a flexible metal strap (98) which completely encircles the arrangement. The strap is typically applied tightly, and may be secured at overlapping ends by way of a screw extending through the strap (98), element (20 or 30) and post (10).

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative whereby a series of screws (one marked 100) are used to secure the elements (20, 30) to the post (10).

FIG. 7 shows yet a further alternative using four elements (20, 22, 30, 32), each of which is secured to the post (10) with screws (one marked 100). While any of the embodiments may or may not have a support upon which the lower face of the post sits, in this embodiment a support will likely be a preferred feature given the limited engagement that would otherwise be provided by each element (20, 22, 30, 32).

In any of the embodiments, the support may connect two opposing elements. Where adjustability is required, the support may comprise two portions in mutual sliding engagement to allow the distance between the elements to be adjusted according to the particular size of the post at hand.

The present invention has been exemplified by reference to an upright member of square cross-section. The system will be useful for any type of post. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be used with a round pole with small areas of the planar regions (40, 45) contacting an engaging with the outer pole surface, and the pole end sitting on the supports 95. In that circumstance, significant clamping force may be required by tightening the bolts (70) to a high torque. Alternatively, the elements (20, 30) may have curved regions rather than the planar regions drawn which approximate the outside curvature of the pole lateral face so as to provide better surface-to-surface engagement.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to further variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention comprises all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.

Claims

1. Apparatus for engaging an upright element, the apparatus comprising:

an engaging portion having an open region configured to accept an upright element engaged by the apparatus from a generally lateral direction and make contact therewith, and

one or more pile guides associated with the engaging portion, the pile guides configured to guide a pile generally downwardly into an underlying substrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion comprises a contact surface for contacting a lateral surface of the upright element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is a curved surface, or a planar surface, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions intersecting at an angle, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions intersecting at an angle of about 90 degrees, or a surface formed by two planar surface portions forming an internal corner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is configured to contact part but not all of the outer lateral surface of the upright element.

5. (canceled)

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is, or comprises, a plate or other generally planar shape.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion comprises or is associated with a support for supporting a downwardly facing end of the upright element.

11. (canceled)

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the support is a ledge associated with or connected to the contact surface.

13. (canceled)

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright element is a post, a pole, a column, or a stump.

15. (canceled)

16. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a connection region configured to connect the apparatus to another same or similar apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the connection region comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the connection region comprises a protrusion, including a flange, a tab, an ear, or a lug.

19. (canceled)

20. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising an aperture configured to receive a fastener extending into the upright member, wherein the aperture is within the engaging portion.

21. (canceled)

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more pile guides is/are connected to the engaging portion.

23. (canceled)

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more pile guides is/are a hollow elongate structure.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wall or part thereof of the one or more pile guides is formed by the engaging portion or another part of the apparatus.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more pile guides are configured so as to direct a pile into an underlying substrate at an angle to the vertical.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 pile guides.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. A system for engaging an upright element, the system comprising two apparatuses, each of the two apparatuses comprising:

an engaging portion having an open region configured to accept an upright element engaged by the apparatus from a generally lateral direction and make contact therewith, and

one or more pile guides associated with the engaging portion, the pile guides configured to guide a pile generally downwardly into an underlying substrate.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the two apparatuses are substantially the same and/or mirror images of each other.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the two apparatus are arranged in an opposing manner and connectable together about an upright member.

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)