Adjustable Post Base for Modular Construction

Abstract

A connector is constructed so as to have a lower portion that is attached to a cementitious member and an upper portion that is connected to a post or other supported member and the upper and lower portions of the connector are attached to each other in a manner that allows for the adjustment of the height of the connector so that the post can be connected to the cementitious member at various levels above the cementitious member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention provides a connection between a cementitious foundation and an upstanding vertical member or post by means of an anchored connector bottom portion, and an attached connector upper portion that are formed and joined together in a manner that allows for the level of the post with respect to the upper surface of the cementitious foundation to be set at different heights when the connection is made. The connector anchors the post to the foundation to counteract uplift forces on the post while also supporting the bottom of the post and transferring bearing forces into the foundation.

[0002] Early connectors for anchoring posts to a foundation were U-shaped metal straps that were set in the wet concrete. The post was fastened to the upstanding metal straps that extended above the concrete. Designers also realized that it is best to not have the post bear directly on the concrete foundation. If the post is made from wood, the end of the post can absorb moisture from water on the foundation surface. One solution to this problem was to connect an intermediate plate to the upstanding straps above the level of the concrete and have the post bear on this intermediate plate. US Design Patent D215,727, invented by Tyrell Gilb, and which issued in 1969, shows such a post connector. Another solution to this problem is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,757 which was invented by Eunice M. Cosgrove and which issued on Oct. 1, 1985. According to this patent, the post can be supported by tabs struck from the metal sides of the connector.

[0003] Another early solution for connecting a post to a foundation was to anchor an upstanding tubular or rod-like member in the foundation that protrudes above the surface. The tubular anchor was provided with a u-shaped or tray-shaped member at its top that could receive and support the post. The sides of the members atop the tubular anchor would be connected to the sides of the post. U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,774, granted to Alfred D. Commins in 1997, is an example of such a system.

[0004] Another system for connecting a post to a foundation uses an anchor set in the foundation that has a threaded end protruding from the foundation only a small amount. A post base having a plate that sits on the foundation and an opening in the plate for receiving the protruding end of the anchor is set over the anchor, and a nut is threaded onto the anchor to hold the plate in place. The plate has side members that project upwardly from the plate and fasteners are inserted through the side members and into the post to attach the post to the post base. A stand-off member is usually used with the post base to create a support surface above the top of the protruding end of the anchor. This creates a large bearing surface for the post and also raises the post above the top surface of the foundation to prevent water damage to the post. U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,816, granted to R. J. Wood in 1959, teaches such an anchor system.

[0005] Additional patents in this area, include U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,206, invented by Karen W. Colonias et al and which issued on Feb. 26, 1991. This patent teaches a connector for a post that is shaped similarly to a bolt which supports a tray-shaped top for receiving the post, but the connector is made from a single sheet metal blank that is folded on itself. U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,677, invented by Tyrell Gilb and which issued on Jun. 27, 1978, teaches an embedded post connector where the main body of the connector is created by bending an elongated member upon itself. The post is attached to the connector with bolts that are run through the two ends of the straps protruding from the foundation. The connector is used with a stand-off member that attaches to the two upstanding straps. United Kingdom Patent 2,275,937, invented by Martin Olsen and which published on Sep. 14, 1994, teaches a two-part connector where each part consists of an elongated strap that has a lower portion that is embedded in the ground and an upper portion that interfaces with the post, and each part also has an intermediary plate that juts from the strap and is disposed underneath the post. The elongated straps are connected to each other through fasteners received in the jutting intermediary plates below the post. U.S. Pat. No. 9,347,196, granted to Bennie R. Wagler, teaches a support for a post where the support is made up of multiple parts, with an upper support member that receives the supported post having a socket depending from it that is received in an opening in an upstanding base of the support and fasteners are used to connect the pieces together.

[0006] Additional patents teach adjustable post support systems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,774, granted to Alfred D. Commins, teaches an adjustable post support where a u-shaped base member that receives the post is connected to a threaded member that is embedded in the cementitious member. Because there is a threaded connection between the base member and the threaded member the height of the post can be adjusted with respect to the cementitious member.

[0007] The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing a connector that is inexpensive to make and install and provides for the level of the post to be set at various heights.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable, two-piece connector that can be used where posts need to be set at differing heights above the concrete foundation. In a preferred form of the invention the elevation of the post can be adjusted by as much as 2 inches by connecting the attached connector upper portion and the anchored connector lower portion at different points along their lengths such that the height of the connector is varied by as much as 2 inches. In one preferred form of the invention the base surface of the post can be set between 4.5 inches and 6.5 inches above the upper surface of the cementitious member.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector that can elevate the bottom of the post above the top surface of the foundation or cementitious member.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a support that has two or more upstanding attachment members that engage the post where it is received by the connector. The connector is connected to the post by fasteners. The fasteners are preferably self-drilling, threaded fasteners when the post is made from wood.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide that the post rests on one or more seats and the one or more seats are disposed orthogonally to the long axis of the post.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-part connector that has upstanding portions with three or more side plates to create a strong support for the post.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-part connector whose overall height can be adjusted by sliding portions of each connector with respect to each other and then locking the connector at a particular height by using fasteners that are received in both parts to fix the connector at a given height.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector, fasteners, embedded anchor and post of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector, fasteners, embedded anchor and post of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is front view of the anchored connector bottom portion of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a back view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of the anchored connector top portion of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a back view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 18 is a top view of the attached connector top portion of an alternate embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 19 is a top view of the attached connector bottom portion of an alternate embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 20 is a front view of the attached connector top portion of FIG. 18.

[0034] FIG. 21 is a front view of the attached connector bottom portion of FIG. 19.

[0035] FIG. 22 is a front view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 19 received within the anchored connector top portion of FIG. 18.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, the connector 1 is attached to and supported by a cementitious member 2 such as a concrete base or foundation. The connector 1 receives a post or supported member 3. The preferred adjustable post base or connector 1 of the present invention is formed from two sheet metal blanks which when they are cold-formed into their final positions can be joined together such that the connector 1 can be connected to the cementitious member 2 and the post 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 consists of an attached connector upper portion 4 that is attached to the post 3, and an anchored connector bottom portion 5 that is connected to the cementitious member 2. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could be partially embedded in the cementitious member 2 to attach it to the cementitious member 2, or as shown in FIG. 1, the anchored connector bottom portion 4 rests on a support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and is connected to the cementitious member 2 by means of one or more anchors 7 that is set in and held by the cementitious member 2. This can be accomplished by means of the one or more anchors 7 being threaded and making a threaded connection with the cementitious member 2, or the anchor can have a wedging portion to engage the sides of an opening in the cementitious member 2, or the anchor 7 could be set in the cementitious member while it is wet.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 has a back plate 8 that extends upwardly from the cementitious member 2. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the back plate 8 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The back plate 8 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 10. The back plate 8 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 11, an opposed top edge 12, and opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14, respectively.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4-10, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 can also be formed with left and right side plates 15 and 16 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14 of the back plate 8, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0040] The left side plate 15 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 18. The left side plate 15 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 19, an opposed top edge 20, and an outer left side edge 21. The right side plate 16 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 24. The right side plate 16 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 25, an opposed top edge 26, and an outer right side edge 28.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-10, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are connected to left and right base members 29 and 30, respectively. The left and right base members 29 and 30 extend at angles from the opposed bottom edges 19 and 25 of the left and right side plates 15 and 16, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 8 and the left and right side plates 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right base members 29 and 30 overlap each other. The left base member 15 is formed with an anchor opening 31 and the right base member 30 is formed with an anchor opening 32, and the anchor openings 31 and 32 are substantially aligned such that the anchor openings 31 and 32 can receive the anchor 7 closely therethrough.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-10, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 the back plate 8 can also be formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are each preferably formed with four connection fastener openings 33 and the back plate 8 is formed with two connection fastener openings 33. The connection fastener openings 33 preferably receive the connection fasteners 34 that connect the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the attached connector top portion 4. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably self-drilling, threaded metal fasteners that have threaded shanks that are received through connection fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably formed with flaring heads 35 that cannot pass through the fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 drill their own holes in the upstanding members 38, 45 and 66 of the attached connector top portion 4 at locations desired by the operator, allowing for the height of the connector 1 to be adjusted according to the spacing of the post 3 to the cementitious member 2.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more attachment fasteners 36 connect the post 3 to the attached connector upper portion 4 so that the post 3 and the connector 1 will resist movement as a unit. The attachment fasteners 36 are preferably self-drilling, self-tapping threaded fasteners that are driven through the connector 1 and into the supported member 3. The attachment fasteners 36 are preferably formed with flaring heads 37 which engage the attached connector top portion 4 without passing through it. The attachment fasteners 36 preferably drill their own bores in the post 3.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the attached connector upper portion 4 has an upstanding back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding back plate 38 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The upstanding back plate 38 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40. The back plate 38 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 41, an opposed top edge 42, and opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44, respectively.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11-17, the attached connector top portion 4 can also be formed with upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44 of the back plate 38, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0046] The upstanding left side plate 45 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 47 and an outer surface 48. The left side plate 45 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 49, an opposed top edge 50, and an outer left side edge 51. The upstanding right side plate 46 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 54. The right side plate 46 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 55, an opposed top edge 56, and an outer right side edge 58.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-17, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 are connected to left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. The left and right seat members 59 and 36 extend at angles from the opposed top edges 50 and 56 of the left and right side plates 45 and 46, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 38 and the left and right side plates 45 and 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 preferably extend away from each other.

[0048] The left seat member 59 is formed with an outer left edge 61 and the right seat member 60 is formed with an outer right edge 62, and the outer left and right edges 61 and 62 are disposed facing away from each other.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, a left side attachment flange 63 is attached to the outer left edge 61 of the left seat member 59, and a right side attachment flange 64 is attached to the outer right edge 62 of the right seat member 60. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend at angles from the opposed outer left and right edges 61 and 62 of the left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 38 of the attached connection upper portion 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0050] The upstanding left attachment flange 63 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 67 and an outer surface 68. The left attachment flange 63 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 69. The upstanding right attachment flange 64 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 73 and an outer surface 74. The right attachment flange 64 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 75. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 are preferably formed with attachment fastener openings 76 for receiving the attachment fasteners 35. Each of the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 is preferably formed with two attachment fastener openings 76. The flaring heads 37 of the attachment fasteners 36 are too large to pass through the attachment fastener openings 76. In the preferred form of the invention, the inner surfaces 67 and 73 of the left and right attachment flanges engage opposed side surfaces of the post 3, and the attachment fasteners 36 are driven through the attachment fastener openings 63 and 64 and into the supported member 2.

[0051] The post or supported member 3 has a bottom surface 79 and the cementitious member 2 has an upper or support surface 6 with the bottom surface 79 of the post 3 preferably being spaced apart from the support surface 6. The bottom surface 79 of the post 3 rests on the left and right seat members 59 and 60.

[0052] The attached connector upper portion 4 is attached to at least two opposed sides of the supported member or post 3 with attachment fasteners 36. The post 3 also preferably has two more opposed sides and to make a four-sided post or supported member 3.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the attached connector upper portion 4 is dimensioned so that it can be received in the anchored connector lower portion 5 with the inner surface 9 of the back plate 8 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engaging with the outer surface 40 of the back plate 38 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the inner surface 17 of left side plate 15 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the outer surface 48 of the left side plate 45 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the inner surface 23 of right side plate 16 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the outer surface 54 of the right side plate 46 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. The dimensions of the two parts could be changed so that the attached connector upper portion 4 receives the anchored connector lower portion 3.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment the anchored connector bottom portion 5 and the attached connector upper portion 4 are a three-sided structures that overlap each other providing high columnar strength to support the post 3.

[0055] In using the elevated post base 1 of the present invention, the attached connector upper portion 4 is preferably joined to post 3 at the factory where modular building components are fabricated for shipment to the building site. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 is preferably attached to the cementitious member 2 at the building site by drilling a hole at a preselected location and to a prescribed depth in the cementitious member 3 and then driving a threaded concrete anchor 7 through the anchor openings 31 and 32 in the left and right base members 29 and 30 of the anchored connector bottom portion 5. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 can be attached to cementitious member 2 prior to delivery of the post 3 to the construction site. As contemplated by the inventors, usually the post 3 will be part of a larger, prefabricated building unit. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could also be attached to the cementitious member 2 once the post 3 is located in the place it will occupy as part of the larger structure of which it is a part. After the anchored connector bottom portion 5 is attached to the cementitious member 2 and the attached connector upper portion 4 is attached to the supported member 3, the attached connector portion 4 and the anchored connector lower portion 5 are attached to each other. Another layer of cement can then be poured that covers the entire anchored connector bottom portion 5 or just a portion of it to make concrete surface for walking on.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred attachment fasteners 36 for attaching the attached connector upper portion 5 to the post are Simpson SDS self-drilling, threaded fasteners. As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred anchor 7 for connecting the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the cementitious member 2 is a Simpson Strong-Tie Titen HD threaded fastener. In the preferred form of the invention the connection fasteners 34 for connecting the attached connector upper portion 4 and the anchored connector bottom portion 5 are self-tapping, threaded sheet metal fasteners. The anchor 7 can be formed with a flaring head 80 that cannot pass through the anchor openings 31 and 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a washer 80 can be used under the flaring head 80 to further strengthen the connection.

[0057] A second embodiment of the connector of the present invention is shown in FIG. 18-22. As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 has an back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the back plate 8 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The back plate is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 10. The back plate 8 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 11, an opposed top edge 12, and opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14, respectively.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 can also be formed with left and right side plates 15 and 16 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14 of the back plate 8, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0059] The left side plate 15 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 18. The left side plate 15 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 19, an opposed top edge 20, and an outer left side edge 21. The right side plate 16 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 24. The right side plate 16 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 25, an opposed top edge 26, and an outer right side edge 28.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are connected to left and right base members 29 and 30, respectively. The left and right base members 29 and 30 extend at angles from the opposed bottom edges 19 and 25 of the left and right side plates 15 and 16, respectively. As shown in FIG. 19, when the connection is made, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 8 and the left and right side plates 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 19, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend outwardly and away from each other. The left base member 15 is formed with one or more anchor opening 31 and the right base member 30 is formed with one or more anchor openings 32, and the one or more anchor openings 31 and 32 receive the one or more anchors 7 closely therethrough.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21, and 22, a front plate 90 is attached to the right side plate 16 at the right side edge 28 of the right side plate 16. The front plate 90 is disposed parallel with the back plate 8 and is of a similar height and configuration. The front plate 90 has a bottom edge 91 to which a front base member 92 is attached that extends orthogonally to the front plate 90 and interfaces with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The front base member 92 is formed with one or more anchor openings 31 to receive one or more anchors 7 for attaching the front base member 92 to the cementitious member 2. The back plate 8 can also be formed with a back attachment flange for receiving anchors 7 to anchor the back plate 8 to the cementitious member 3.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the attached connector upper portion 4 has an upstanding back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding back plate 38 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The upstanding back plate 38 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40. The upstanding back plate 38 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 41, an opposed top edge 42, and opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44, respectively.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the attached connector top portion 4 can also be formed with upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44 of the upstanding back plate 38, respectively. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38. As shown in Fig. s2, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0064] The upstanding left side plate 45 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 47 and an outer surface 48. The upstanding left side plate 45 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 49, an opposed top edge 50, and an outer left side edge 51. The upstanding right side plate 46 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 54. The upstanding right side plate 46 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 55, an opposed top edge 56, and an outer right side edge 58.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 are connected to left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. The left and right seat members 59 and 36 extend at angles from the opposed top edges 50 and 56 of the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38 and the left and right upstanding side plates 45 and 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 preferably extend away from each other.

[0066] The left seat member 59 is formed with an outer left edge 61 and the right seat member 60 is formed with an outer right edge 62, and the outer left and right edges 61 and 62 are disposed facing away from each other.

[0067] A left side attachment flange 63 is attached to the outer left edge 61 of the left seat member 59, and a right side attachment flange 64 is attached to the outer right edge 62 of the right seat member 60. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend at angles from the opposed outer left and right edges 61 and 62 of the left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the base members and they also extend generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38 of the attached connection upper portion 4. As shown in FIG. 22, the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0068] The upstanding left attachment flange 63 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 67 and an outer surface 68. The left attachment flange 63 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 69. The upstanding right attachment flange 64 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 73 and an outer surface 74. The right attachment flange 64 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 75. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 are preferably formed with attachment fastener openings 76 for receiving the attachment fasteners 35. Each of the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 is preferably formed with two attachment fastener openings 76. The flaring heads 37 of the attachment fasteners 36 are too large to pass through the attachment fastener openings 76. In the preferred form of the invention, the inner surfaces 67 and 73 of the left and right attachment flanges engage opposed side surfaces of the post 3, and the attachment fasteners 36 are driven through the attachment fastener openings 63 and 64 and into the supported member 2.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 22, a upstanding front plate 93 is attached to the upstanding right side plate 46 at the outer right side edge 58 of the right side plate 46. The upstanding front plate 93 is disposed parallel with the upstanding back plate 38 and is of a similar height and configuration. The upstanding front plate 93 has a top edge 94 to which a front seat member 95 is attached that extends orthogonally to the upstanding front plate 93 and interfaces with the bottom surface 79 of the post 2. The upstanding back plate 38 also has a top edge to which a back seat member 96 is attached that supports the post 2. The front seat member 95 and the back seat member 96 can each be formed with upwardly extending attachment flanges 97 and 98 that engage the side faces of the post 2 and receive attachment fasteners 36 that are inserted in the post 2.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 22, the anchored connector lower portion 5 is dimensioned so that it can be received in the attached connector upper portion 4 with the outer surface 10 of the back plate 8 of the anchored connection lower portion 5 slidingly engaging with the inner surface 39 of the upstanding back plate 38 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the outer surface 18 of left side plate 15 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the inner surface 47 of the upstanding left side plate 45 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the outer surface 24 of the right side plate 16 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the inner surface 53 of the upstanding right side plate 46 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. The dimensions of the two parts could be changed so that the attached connector upper portion 4 is received in the anchored connector lower portion 3.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 21, the left and right side plates 45 and 46 are formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. The connection fastener openings 33 preferably receive the connection fasteners 34 that connect the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the attached connector top portion 4. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably self-drilling, threaded metal fasteners that have threaded shanks that are received through connection fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably formed with flaring heads 35 that cannot pass through the fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 drill their own holes in the upstanding members 8, 15 and 16 of the anchored connector bottom portion 5 at locations desired by the operator, allowing for the height of the connector 1 to be adjusted according to the spacing of the post 3 to the cementitious member 2.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0036]As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, the connector 1 is attached to and supported by a cementitious member 2 such as a concrete base or foundation. The connector 1 receives a post or supported member 3. The preferred adjustable post base or connector 1 of the present invention is formed from two sheet metal blanks which when they are cold-formed into their final positions can be joined together such that the connector 1 can be connected to the cementitious member 2 and the post 3.

[0037]As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 consists of an attached connector upper portion 4 that is attached to the post 3, and an anchored connector bottom portion 5 that is connected to the cementitious member 2. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could be partially embedded in the cementitious member 2 to attach it to the cementitious member 2, or as shown in FIG. 1, the anchored connector bottom portion 4 rests on a support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and is conn...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention provides a connection between a cementitious foundation and an upstanding vertical member or post by means of an anchored connector bottom portion, and an attached connector upper portion that are formed and joined together in a manner that allows for the level of the post with respect to the upper surface of the cementitious foundation to be set at different heights when the connection is made. The connector anchors the post to the foundation to counteract uplift forces on the post while also supporting the bottom of the post and transferring bearing forces into the foundation.

[0002] Early connectors for anchoring posts to a foundation were U-shaped metal straps that were set in the wet concrete. The post was fastened to the upstanding metal straps that extended above the concrete. Designers also realized that it is best to not have the post bear directly on the concrete foundation. If the post is made from wood, the end of the post can absorb moisture from water on the foundation surface. One solution to this problem was to connect an intermediate plate to the upstanding straps above the level of the concrete and have the post bear on this intermediate plate. US Design Patent D215,727, invented by Tyrell Gilb, and which issued in 1969, shows such a post connector. Another solution to this problem is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,757 which was invented by Eunice M. Cosgrove and which issued on Oct. 1, 1985. According to this patent, the post can be supported by tabs struck from the metal sides of the connector.

[0003] Another early solution for connecting a post to a foundation was to anchor an upstanding tubular or rod-like member in the foundation that protrudes above the surface. The tubular anchor was provided with a u-shaped or tray-shaped member at its top that could receive and support the post. The sides of the members atop the tubular anchor would be connected to the sides of the post. U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,774, granted to Alfred D. Commins in 1997, is an example of such a system.

[0004] Another system for connecting a post to a foundation uses an anchor set in the foundation that has a threaded end protruding from the foundation only a small amount. A post base having a plate that sits on the foundation and an opening in the plate for receiving the protruding end of the anchor is set over the anchor, and a nut is threaded onto the anchor to hold the plate in place. The plate has side members that project upwardly from the plate and fasteners are inserted through the side members and into the post to attach the post to the post base. A stand-off member is usually used with the post base to create a support surface above the top of the protruding end of the anchor. This creates a large bearing surface for the post and also raises the post above the top surface of the foundation to prevent water damage to the post. U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,816, granted to R. J. Wood in 1959, teaches such an anchor system.

[0005] Additional patents in this area, include U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,206, invented by Karen W. Colonias et al and which issued on Feb. 26, 1991. This patent teaches a connector for a post that is shaped similarly to a bolt which supports a tray-shaped top for receiving the post, but the connector is made from a single sheet metal blank that is folded on itself. U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,677, invented by Tyrell Gilb and which issued on Jun. 27, 1978, teaches an embedded post connector where the main body of the connector is created by bending an elongated member upon itself. The post is attached to the connector with bolts that are run through the two ends of the straps protruding from the foundation. The connector is used with a stand-off member that attaches to the two upstanding straps. United Kingdom Patent 2,275,937, invented by Martin Olsen and which published on Sep. 14, 1994, teaches a two-part connector where each part consists of an elongated strap that has a lower portion that is embedded in the ground and an upper portion that interfaces with the post, and each part also has an intermediary plate that juts from the strap and is disposed underneath the post. The elongated straps are connected to each other through fasteners received in the jutting intermediary plates below the post. U.S. Pat. No. 9,347,196, granted to Bennie R. Wagler, teaches a support for a post where the support is made up of multiple parts, with an upper support member that receives the supported post having a socket depending from it that is received in an opening in an upstanding base of the support and fasteners are used to connect the pieces together.

[0006] Additional patents teach adjustable post support systems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,774, granted to Alfred D. Commins, teaches an adjustable post support where a u-shaped base member that receives the post is connected to a threaded member that is embedded in the cementitious member. Because there is a threaded connection between the base member and the threaded member the height of the post can be adjusted with respect to the cementitious member.

[0007] The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing a connector that is inexpensive to make and install and provides for the level of the post to be set at various heights.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable, two-piece connector that can be used where posts need to be set at differing heights above the concrete foundation. In a preferred form of the invention the elevation of the post can be adjusted by as much as 2 inches by connecting the attached connector upper portion and the anchored connector lower portion at different points along their lengths such that the height of the connector is varied by as much as 2 inches. In one preferred form of the invention the base surface of the post can be set between 4.5 inches and 6.5 inches above the upper surface of the cementitious member.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector that can elevate the bottom of the post above the top surface of the foundation or cementitious member.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a support that has two or more upstanding attachment members that engage the post where it is received by the connector. The connector is connected to the post by fasteners. The fasteners are preferably self-drilling, threaded fasteners when the post is made from wood.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide that the post rests on one or more seats and the one or more seats are disposed orthogonally to the long axis of the post.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-part connector that has upstanding portions with three or more side plates to create a strong support for the post.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-part connector whose overall height can be adjusted by sliding portions of each connector with respect to each other and then locking the connector at a particular height by using fasteners that are received in both parts to fix the connector at a given height.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector, fasteners, embedded anchor and post of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector, fasteners, embedded anchor and post of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is front view of the anchored connector bottom portion of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a back view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 4.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of the anchored connector top portion of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a back view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a top view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 18 is a top view of the attached connector top portion of an alternate embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 19 is a top view of the attached connector bottom portion of an alternate embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 20 is a front view of the attached connector top portion of FIG. 18.

[0034] FIG. 21 is a front view of the attached connector bottom portion of FIG. 19.

[0035] FIG. 22 is a front view of the anchored connector bottom portion of FIG. 19 received within the anchored connector top portion of FIG. 18.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, the connector 1 is attached to and supported by a cementitious member 2 such as a concrete base or foundation. The connector 1 receives a post or supported member 3. The preferred adjustable post base or connector 1 of the present invention is formed from two sheet metal blanks which when they are cold-formed into their final positions can be joined together such that the connector 1 can be connected to the cementitious member 2 and the post 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 consists of an attached connector upper portion 4 that is attached to the post 3, and an anchored connector bottom portion 5 that is connected to the cementitious member 2. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could be partially embedded in the cementitious member 2 to attach it to the cementitious member 2, or as shown in FIG. 1, the anchored connector bottom portion 4 rests on a support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and is connected to the cementitious member 2 by means of one or more anchors 7 that is set in and held by the cementitious member 2. This can be accomplished by means of the one or more anchors 7 being threaded and making a threaded connection with the cementitious member 2, or the anchor can have a wedging portion to engage the sides of an opening in the cementitious member 2, or the anchor 7 could be set in the cementitious member while it is wet.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 has a back plate 8 that extends upwardly from the cementitious member 2. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the back plate 8 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The back plate 8 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 10. The back plate 8 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 11, an opposed top edge 12, and opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14, respectively.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4-10, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 can also be formed with left and right side plates 15 and 16 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14 of the back plate 8, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0040] The left side plate 15 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 18. The left side plate 15 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 19, an opposed top edge 20, and an outer left side edge 21. The right side plate 16 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 24. The right side plate 16 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 25, an opposed top edge 26, and an outer right side edge 28.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-10, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are connected to left and right base members 29 and 30, respectively. The left and right base members 29 and 30 extend at angles from the opposed bottom edges 19 and 25 of the left and right side plates 15 and 16, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 8 and the left and right side plates 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right base members 29 and 30 overlap each other. The left base member 15 is formed with an anchor opening 31 and the right base member 30 is formed with an anchor opening 32, and the anchor openings 31 and 32 are substantially aligned such that the anchor openings 31 and 32 can receive the anchor 7 closely therethrough.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-10, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 the back plate 8 can also be formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are each preferably formed with four connection fastener openings 33 and the back plate 8 is formed with two connection fastener openings 33. The connection fastener openings 33 preferably receive the connection fasteners 34 that connect the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the attached connector top portion 4. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably self-drilling, threaded metal fasteners that have threaded shanks that are received through connection fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably formed with flaring heads 35 that cannot pass through the fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 drill their own holes in the upstanding members 38, 45 and 66 of the attached connector top portion 4 at locations desired by the operator, allowing for the height of the connector 1 to be adjusted according to the spacing of the post 3 to the cementitious member 2.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more attachment fasteners 36 connect the post 3 to the attached connector upper portion 4 so that the post 3 and the connector 1 will resist movement as a unit. The attachment fasteners 36 are preferably self-drilling, self-tapping threaded fasteners that are driven through the connector 1 and into the supported member 3. The attachment fasteners 36 are preferably formed with flaring heads 37 which engage the attached connector top portion 4 without passing through it. The attachment fasteners 36 preferably drill their own bores in the post 3.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the attached connector upper portion 4 has an upstanding back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding back plate 38 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The upstanding back plate 38 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40. The back plate 38 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 41, an opposed top edge 42, and opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44, respectively.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11-17, the attached connector top portion 4 can also be formed with upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44 of the back plate 38, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0046] The upstanding left side plate 45 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 47 and an outer surface 48. The left side plate 45 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 49, an opposed top edge 50, and an outer left side edge 51. The upstanding right side plate 46 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 54. The right side plate 46 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 55, an opposed top edge 56, and an outer right side edge 58.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-17, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 are connected to left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. The left and right seat members 59 and 36 extend at angles from the opposed top edges 50 and 56 of the left and right side plates 45 and 46, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 38 and the left and right side plates 45 and 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 preferably extend away from each other.

[0048] The left seat member 59 is formed with an outer left edge 61 and the right seat member 60 is formed with an outer right edge 62, and the outer left and right edges 61 and 62 are disposed facing away from each other.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, a left side attachment flange 63 is attached to the outer left edge 61 of the left seat member 59, and a right side attachment flange 64 is attached to the outer right edge 62 of the right seat member 60. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend at angles from the opposed outer left and right edges 61 and 62 of the left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 38 of the attached connection upper portion 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0050] The upstanding left attachment flange 63 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 67 and an outer surface 68. The left attachment flange 63 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 69. The upstanding right attachment flange 64 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 73 and an outer surface 74. The right attachment flange 64 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 75. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 are preferably formed with attachment fastener openings 76 for receiving the attachment fasteners 35. Each of the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 is preferably formed with two attachment fastener openings 76. The flaring heads 37 of the attachment fasteners 36 are too large to pass through the attachment fastener openings 76. In the preferred form of the invention, the inner surfaces 67 and 73 of the left and right attachment flanges engage opposed side surfaces of the post 3, and the attachment fasteners 36 are driven through the attachment fastener openings 63 and 64 and into the supported member 2.

[0051] The post or supported member 3 has a bottom surface 79 and the cementitious member 2 has an upper or support surface 6 with the bottom surface 79 of the post 3 preferably being spaced apart from the support surface 6. The bottom surface 79 of the post 3 rests on the left and right seat members 59 and 60.

[0052] The attached connector upper portion 4 is attached to at least two opposed sides of the supported member or post 3 with attachment fasteners 36. The post 3 also preferably has two more opposed sides and to make a four-sided post or supported member 3.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the attached connector upper portion 4 is dimensioned so that it can be received in the anchored connector lower portion 5 with the inner surface 9 of the back plate 8 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engaging with the outer surface 40 of the back plate 38 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the inner surface 17 of left side plate 15 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the outer surface 48 of the left side plate 45 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the inner surface 23 of right side plate 16 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the outer surface 54 of the right side plate 46 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. The dimensions of the two parts could be changed so that the attached connector upper portion 4 receives the anchored connector lower portion 3.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment the anchored connector bottom portion 5 and the attached connector upper portion 4 are a three-sided structures that overlap each other providing high columnar strength to support the post 3.

[0055] In using the elevated post base 1 of the present invention, the attached connector upper portion 4 is preferably joined to post 3 at the factory where modular building components are fabricated for shipment to the building site. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 is preferably attached to the cementitious member 2 at the building site by drilling a hole at a preselected location and to a prescribed depth in the cementitious member 3 and then driving a threaded concrete anchor 7 through the anchor openings 31 and 32 in the left and right base members 29 and 30 of the anchored connector bottom portion 5. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 can be attached to cementitious member 2 prior to delivery of the post 3 to the construction site. As contemplated by the inventors, usually the post 3 will be part of a larger, prefabricated building unit. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could also be attached to the cementitious member 2 once the post 3 is located in the place it will occupy as part of the larger structure of which it is a part. After the anchored connector bottom portion 5 is attached to the cementitious member 2 and the attached connector upper portion 4 is attached to the supported member 3, the attached connector portion 4 and the anchored connector lower portion 5 are attached to each other. Another layer of cement can then be poured that covers the entire anchored connector bottom portion 5 or just a portion of it to make concrete surface for walking on.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred attachment fasteners 36 for attaching the attached connector upper portion 5 to the post are Simpson SDS self-drilling, threaded fasteners. As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred anchor 7 for connecting the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the cementitious member 2 is a Simpson Strong-Tie Titen HD threaded fastener. In the preferred form of the invention the connection fasteners 34 for connecting the attached connector upper portion 4 and the anchored connector bottom portion 5 are self-tapping, threaded sheet metal fasteners. The anchor 7 can be formed with a flaring head 80 that cannot pass through the anchor openings 31 and 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a washer 80 can be used under the flaring head 80 to further strengthen the connection.

[0057] A second embodiment of the connector of the present invention is shown in FIG. 18-22. As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 has an back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the back plate 8 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The back plate is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 10. The back plate 8 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 11, an opposed top edge 12, and opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14, respectively.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the anchored connector bottom portion 5 can also be formed with left and right side plates 15 and 16 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 13 and 14 of the back plate 8, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the back plate 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0059] The left side plate 15 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 18. The left side plate 15 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 19, an opposed top edge 20, and an outer left side edge 21. The right side plate 16 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 24. The right side plate 16 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 25, an opposed top edge 26, and an outer right side edge 28.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the left and right side plates 15 and 16 are connected to left and right base members 29 and 30, respectively. The left and right base members 29 and 30 extend at angles from the opposed bottom edges 19 and 25 of the left and right side plates 15 and 16, respectively. As shown in FIG. 19, when the connection is made, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the back plate 8 and the left and right side plates 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 19, the left and right base members 29 and 30 extend outwardly and away from each other. The left base member 15 is formed with one or more anchor opening 31 and the right base member 30 is formed with one or more anchor openings 32, and the one or more anchor openings 31 and 32 receive the one or more anchors 7 closely therethrough.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 19, 21, and 22, a front plate 90 is attached to the right side plate 16 at the right side edge 28 of the right side plate 16. The front plate 90 is disposed parallel with the back plate 8 and is of a similar height and configuration. The front plate 90 has a bottom edge 91 to which a front base member 92 is attached that extends orthogonally to the front plate 90 and interfaces with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The front base member 92 is formed with one or more anchor openings 31 to receive one or more anchors 7 for attaching the front base member 92 to the cementitious member 2. The back plate 8 can also be formed with a back attachment flange for receiving anchors 7 to anchor the back plate 8 to the cementitious member 3.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the attached connector upper portion 4 has an upstanding back plate 38. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding back plate 38 extends upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2. The upstanding back plate 38 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40. The upstanding back plate 38 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 41, an opposed top edge 42, and opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44, respectively.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the attached connector top portion 4 can also be formed with upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 that extend at angles from the opposed left and right side edges 43 and 44 of the upstanding back plate 38, respectively. As shown in FIG. 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and they also extend generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38. As shown in Fig. s2, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0064] The upstanding left side plate 45 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 47 and an outer surface 48. The upstanding left side plate 45 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 49, an opposed top edge 50, and an outer left side edge 51. The upstanding right side plate 46 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 54. The upstanding right side plate 46 is also a generally rectangular member that has a bottom edge 55, an opposed top edge 56, and an outer right side edge 58.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46 are connected to left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. The left and right seat members 59 and 36 extend at angles from the opposed top edges 50 and 56 of the upstanding left and right side plates 45 and 46, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection is made, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 extend horizontally and in parallel with the support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38 and the left and right upstanding side plates 45 and 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right seat members 59 and 60 preferably extend away from each other.

[0066] The left seat member 59 is formed with an outer left edge 61 and the right seat member 60 is formed with an outer right edge 62, and the outer left and right edges 61 and 62 are disposed facing away from each other.

[0067] A left side attachment flange 63 is attached to the outer left edge 61 of the left seat member 59, and a right side attachment flange 64 is attached to the outer right edge 62 of the right seat member 60. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend at angles from the opposed outer left and right edges 61 and 62 of the left and right seat members 59 and 60, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22, when the connection is made, the upstanding left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend upwardly and generally orthogonally to the base members and they also extend generally orthogonally to the upstanding back plate 38 of the attached connection upper portion 4. As shown in FIG. 22, the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 extend generally parallel to each other.

[0068] The upstanding left attachment flange 63 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 67 and an outer surface 68. The left attachment flange 63 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 69. The upstanding right attachment flange 64 is a substantially planar member with an inner surface 73 and an outer surface 74. The right attachment flange 64 is also a generally rectangular member that has a top edge 75. The left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 are preferably formed with attachment fastener openings 76 for receiving the attachment fasteners 35. Each of the left and right side attachment flanges 63 and 64 is preferably formed with two attachment fastener openings 76. The flaring heads 37 of the attachment fasteners 36 are too large to pass through the attachment fastener openings 76. In the preferred form of the invention, the inner surfaces 67 and 73 of the left and right attachment flanges engage opposed side surfaces of the post 3, and the attachment fasteners 36 are driven through the attachment fastener openings 63 and 64 and into the supported member 2.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 22, a upstanding front plate 93 is attached to the upstanding right side plate 46 at the outer right side edge 58 of the right side plate 46. The upstanding front plate 93 is disposed parallel with the upstanding back plate 38 and is of a similar height and configuration. The upstanding front plate 93 has a top edge 94 to which a front seat member 95 is attached that extends orthogonally to the upstanding front plate 93 and interfaces with the bottom surface 79 of the post 2. The upstanding back plate 38 also has a top edge to which a back seat member 96 is attached that supports the post 2. The front seat member 95 and the back seat member 96 can each be formed with upwardly extending attachment flanges 97 and 98 that engage the side faces of the post 2 and receive attachment fasteners 36 that are inserted in the post 2.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 22, the anchored connector lower portion 5 is dimensioned so that it can be received in the attached connector upper portion 4 with the outer surface 10 of the back plate 8 of the anchored connection lower portion 5 slidingly engaging with the inner surface 39 of the upstanding back plate 38 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the outer surface 18 of left side plate 15 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the inner surface 47 of the upstanding left side plate 45 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. Similarly, the outer surface 24 of the right side plate 16 of the anchored connector lower portion 5 slidingly engages with the inner surface 53 of the upstanding right side plate 46 of the attached connector upper portion 4 before the two parts are fixedly connected to each other by connection fasteners 34. The dimensions of the two parts could be changed so that the attached connector upper portion 4 is received in the anchored connector lower portion 3.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 21, the left and right side plates 45 and 46 are formed with one or more connection fastener openings 33. The connection fastener openings 33 preferably receive the connection fasteners 34 that connect the anchored connector bottom portion 5 to the attached connector top portion 4. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably self-drilling, threaded metal fasteners that have threaded shanks that are received through connection fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 are preferably formed with flaring heads 35 that cannot pass through the fastener openings 33. The connection fasteners 34 drill their own holes in the upstanding members 8, 15 and 16 of the anchored connector bottom portion 5 at locations desired by the operator, allowing for the height of the connector 1 to be adjusted according to the spacing of the post 3 to the cementitious member 2.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0036]As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, the connector 1 is attached to and supported by a cementitious member 2 such as a concrete base or foundation. The connector 1 receives a post or supported member 3. The preferred adjustable post base or connector 1 of the present invention is formed from two sheet metal blanks which when they are cold-formed into their final positions can be joined together such that the connector 1 can be connected to the cementitious member 2 and the post 3.

[0037]As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 consists of an attached connector upper portion 4 that is attached to the post 3, and an anchored connector bottom portion 5 that is connected to the cementitious member 2. The anchored connector bottom portion 5 could be partially embedded in the cementitious member 2 to attach it to the cementitious member 2, or as shown in FIG. 1, the anchored connector bottom portion 4 rests on a support surface 6 of the cementitious member 2 and is conn...

Claims

1. A connection for attaching a post to a cementitious member using a connector, the connection comprising:a. the post, having a bottom surface;b. the cementitious member having an upper surface;c. the connector having an anchored connector bottom portion attached to the cementitious member and an attached connector upper portion that supports the post and is attached to the post, andd. one or more connection fasteners connecting the attached upper connection portion to the anchored connection bottom portion so the connector will resist movement as a unit.

2. The connection of claim 1, wherein:one or more fasteners connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the cementitious member.

3. The connection of claim 1, wherein:one or more fasteners connect the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit.

4. The connection of claim 1, wherein:a. the anchored connector bottom portion has a back plate and left and right side plates attached to opposed left and right side edges of the back plate and extending at angles to the back plate to create a structure that has at least three sides;b. the attached connector upper portion has an upstanding back plate and upstanding left and right side plates attached to opposed left and right side edges of the upstanding back plate and extending at angles to the upstanding back plate to create a structure that has at least three sides;c. the attached connector upper portion has a left seat member attached to the upstanding left side plate and extending at an angle thereto with the bottom of the post being supported by the left seat member;d. the attached connector upper portion has a right seat member attached to the upstanding right side plate and extending at an angle thereto with the bottom of the post being supported by the right seat member;e. at least one of the one or more connection fasteners connecting the attached upper connection portion to the anchored connection bottom portion connects the back plate of the anchored connection bottom portion to the upstanding back plate of the attached upper connection portion and a portion of the back plate of the anchored connection bottom portion overlaps with a portion of the upstanding back plate of the attached upper connection portion;f. at least one of the one or more connection fasteners connecting the attached upper connection portion to the anchored connection bottom portion connects the left side plate of the anchored connection bottom portion to the upstanding left side plate of the attached upper connection portion and a portion of the left side plate of the anchored connection bottom portion overlaps with a portion of the upstanding left side plate of the attached upper connection portion; andg. at least one of the one or more connection fasteners connecting the attached upper connection portion to the anchored connection bottom portion connects the right side plate of the anchored connection bottom portion to the upstanding right side plate of the attached upper connection portion and a portion of the right side plate of the anchored connection bottom portion overlaps with a portion of the upstanding right side plate of the attached upper connection portion.

5. The connection of claim 4, wherein:a. the attached connector upper portion has a left side attachment flange attached to the left seat member and extending at an angle thereto, with the left side attachment flange being connected to the left seat member at an edge opposed to where the left seat member is connected to the upstanding left side plate, with the left side attachment flange having portions in contact with a side of the post and the left side attachment flange receiving at least one of one or more fasteners that connect the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit; andb. the attached connector upper portion has a right side attachment flange attached to the right seat member and extending at an angle thereto, with the right side attachment flange being connected to the right seat member at an edge opposed to where the right seat member is connected to the upstanding right side plate, with the right side attachment flange having portions in contact with a side of the post opposed from the side of the post with which portions of the left side attachment flange are in contact, and the right side attachment flange receiving at least one of one or more fasteners that connect the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit.

6. The connection of claim 4, wherein:the attached connector upper portion is received in the anchored connector bottom portion.

7. The connection of claim 4, wherein:the anchored connector bottom portion is received in the attached connector upper portion.

8. The connection of claim 4, wherein:a front plate is attached to the right side plate of the anchored connector bottom portion and extends at an angle thereto.

9. The connection of claim 8, wherein:the front plate has a bottom edge to which a front base member is attached and extends at an angle to the front plate, and the front base member is formed with one or more anchor openings to receive one or more anchors for attaching the front base member to the cementitious member.

10. The connection of claim 4, wherein:the back plate has a bottom edge to which a back base member is attached and extends at an angle to the back plate, and the back base member is formed with one or more anchor openings to receive one or more anchors for attaching the back base member to the cementitious member.

11. The connection of claim 8, wherein:an upstanding front plate is attached to the upstanding right side plate of the attached connector upper portion and extends at an angle thereto.

12. The connection of claim 11, wherein:a. the upstanding front plate has a top edge to which a seat member is attached and extends at an angle to the upstanding front plate, and the seat member of the upstanding front plate supports the bottom of the post, andb. an upwardly extending front attachment flange extends from the seat member of the upstanding front plate, with the upwardly extending front attachment flange having portions in contact with a side of the post opposed, and the extending front attachment flange receiving at least one of one or more fasteners that connect the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit.

13. The connection of claim 12, wherein:a. the upstanding back plate has a top edge to which a seat member is attached and extends at an angle to the upstanding back plate, and the seat member attached to the upstanding back plate supports the bottom of the post; andb. an upwardly extending back attachment flange extends from the seat member of the upstanding back plate with the upwardly extending back attachment flange having portions in contact with a side of the post opposed from the side of the post with which portions of the front side attachment flange are in conctact, and the extending back attachment flange receiving at least one of one or more fasteners that connect the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit.

14. The connection of claim 4, wherein:the left and right side plates of the anchored connector bottom portion are connected to left and right base members, the left base member being connected to the left side plate and extending at an angle thereto, and the right base member being connected to the right side plate and extending at an angle thereto, with the left base member and the right base member being in overlapping relation.

15. The connection of claim 14, wherein:the left base member is formed with an anchor opening that receives the one or more fasteners that connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the cementitious member; andthe right base member is formed with an anchor opening that is aligned with the anchor opening of the left base member and that receives the one or more fasteners that connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the cementitious member.

16. The connection of claim 4, wherein:a. the left and right side plates of the anchored connector bottom portion are connected to left and right base members,b. with the left base member being connected to the left side plate and extending at an angle thereto and outwardly from the left side plate with the left base member receiving at least one of the one or more fasteners that connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the cementitious member, andc. with the right base member being connected to the right side plate and extending at an angle thereto and outwardly from the left side plate, with the right base member receiving at least one of the one or more fasteners that connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the cementitious member.

17. The connection of claim 4, wherein:the left and right side plates are formed with four connection fastener openings and the back plate is formed with two connection fastener openings with the connection fastener openings receiving the one or more connection fasteners that connect the anchored connector bottom portion to the attached connector top portion 4.

18. The connection of claim 17, wherein:the one or more connection fasteners drill their own holes in the upstanding left and right side members and the upstanding back plate of the attached connector upper portion 4.

19. A connection for attaching a post to a cementitious member using a connector, the connection comprising:a. the post, having a bottom surface;b. the cementitious member having an upper surface;c. the connector having an anchored connector bottom portion partially embedded in the cementitious member and an attached connector upper portion that supports the post and is attached to the post, wherein:d. one or more connection fasteners connecting the attached upper connection portion to the anchored connection bottom portion so the connector will resist movement as a unit, and one or more fasteners connecting the post to the connector so that the post and the connector will resist movement as a unit, and where the one or more connecting fasteners and the one or more fasteners connecting the post to the connector are threaded fasteners.

20. A method of making a connection that attaches a post to a cementitious member using a connector, the method comprising:a. attaching an attached upper connector portion to the post, the post having a bottom surface;b. attaching an anchored bottom connector portion to the cementitious member, the cementitious member having an upper surface;c. connecting the anchored connector bottom portion attached to the cementitious member to the attached connector upper portion that supports the post and is attached to the post with one or more fasteners so that the connector will resist movement of the unit.

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