EP2085540A2

EP2085540A2 - A support for a structural member

Info

Publication number: EP2085540A2
Application number: EP20080252905
Authority: EP
Inventors: Herve Mercier
Original assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Current assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Priority date: 2007-08-31
Filing date: 2008-09-01
Publication date: 2009-08-05
Also published as: GB0716835D0; EP2085540A3; GB2452702A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support for a structural member such as a post, beam or joist, the support comprising a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure, and at least one upstanding portion which, in use, engages with the structural member and wherein, in use, the at least one upstanding portion is received in a recess or aperture provided in or on the surface of the structural member. The present invention also relates to use of the support for a structural member, and to a method of supporting a structural member using the support and comprising the steps of anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure using fasteners, and engaging the structural member with the at least one upstanding portion of the support and anchoring the structural member to the at least one upstanding portion using fasteners.

Description

The present invention relates to a support for a structural member such as a post, joist or beam, and in particular to a support which provides a hidden connection.
Supports for posts, particularly fence posts, are well known in the art. However, known supports are generally visible and aesthetically displeasing. Furthermore, due to their visibility, they are also exposed to and therefore vulnerable to the elements. Over time, the structural integrity of known supports is compromised as the support rots or corrodes.
The present invention addresses the above problems in providing a support which is hidden. Furthermore, the present invention goes further in providing a support which is not limited to supporting posts, but additionally caters for joists, beams and other structural members.
The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a support for a structural member such as a post, beam or joist, the support comprising:

a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure; and
at least one upstanding portion which, in use, engages with the structural member, wherein, in use:
the at least one upstanding portion is received in a recess or aperture provided in or on the surface of the structural member.

Preferably, the support is formed from a single strip of material.
Preferably, the support is formed from sheet metal. More preferably, the support is formed from steel or aluminium. More preferably, the support is galvanised.
Preferably, the at least one upstanding portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the ground engaging portion.
Preferably, the at least one upstanding portion further comprises at least one seat portion for engaging the base of the structural member.
Preferably, the support comprises at least two upstanding portions which, in use, engage with the structural member.
Preferably, the at least two upstanding portions are arranged substantially parallel to one another, but perpendicular to the ground engaging portion.
Preferably, the support is formed from a single strip of material with only one bend line in its plane.
Alternatively, the support is formed from a single strip of material with only two bend lines in its plane.
Preferably, the support is provided with reinforcing/strengthening ribs or embossments.
Preferably, the at least two upstanding portions are spaced apart from one another and, in use, receive a portion of the structural member therebetween.
Preferably, the support further comprises a bolt, tie or other member which, in use, bolt, tie or lock the at least two spaced apart upstanding portions elements together against the structural member.
Preferably, the support is for use with a timber structural member.
Preferably, the support is used to support a post.
Alternatively, the support is used to support a beam.
Alternatively, the support is used to support a joist.
Preferably, the support is used to support a structural member in a substantially vertical orientation.
Alternatively, the support is used to support a structural member in a substantially horizontal orientation.
Alternatively, the support is used to support a structural member in an orientation not normal to the vertical or the horizontal.
Preferably, the support is used to support a timber structural member.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of supporting a structural member using the support and comprising the steps of:

anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure using fasteners; and
engaging the structural member with the at least one upstanding portion of the support and anchoring the structural member to the at least one upstanding portion using fasteners.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of:

inserting one or more fence panels in the one or more recesses or apertures provided in or on the surface of the structural member.

Preferably, one or more fence panels cover the at least one upstanding portion of the support.
Preferably, the support is used to, and provides a method for, constructing a fence.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of a support according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic plan view from above of the support of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the support of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation view of the support of Figures 1 to 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view from above of the support of Figures 1 to 4 in use; and
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view from above of a support according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the use of a packer/spacer element.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a support 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support 10 is formed from a single strip of sheet metal, preferably steel, and preferably galvanised. A first part of the support 10 comprises a ground engaging portion 12 for anchoring the support 10 to the ground, a support surface or other support structure. The support surface is typically a concrete strip foundation or surface. Apertures 14 are provided in the ground engaging portion 12 for receiving a bolt or other fastener to engage and anchor the ground engaging portion 12 to the ground, support surface or support structure. A second part of the support element 10 comprises a pair of upstanding portions 20, 30 which, in use, engage with the structural member (not shown) to be supported. The upstanding portions 20, 30 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the ground engaging portion 12. A number of apertures 22, 32 are provided in the upstanding portions 20, 30 for receiving a screw, nail, bolt or other fastener to engage and anchor the structural member to the upstanding portions 20, 30. Between the ground engaging portion 12 and each upstanding portion 20, 30 are a pair of seat portions 40. The seat portions 40 extend laterally, in the same plane as, but in a substantially perpendicular direction to the substantially vertical upstanding portion 20, 30. In use, the seat portions receive and support the base of the structural member to be supported. Preferably, the seat portions 40 are dimensioned so as to support the base of the supported structural member above the ground, support surface or support structure to prevent contact with water or moisture ingress into the structural member. Preferably, the upstanding portions 20, 30 are substantially parallel to one another, and extend in directions substantially perpendicular to the ground engaging portion 12, although these aspects are by no means essential. Optionally, apertures 22, 32 may be provided for a bolt, tie rod, or other element (not shown) to bolt, tie or lock the two spaced apart support elements 10 together in a spaced apart manner, with the structural member sandwiched therebetween. This can provide extra structural integrity to the support 10. Optional reinforcing or strengthening ribs/embossments (not shown) may be provided to give further structural integrity to the support 10.
Referring next to Figure 5, there is illustrated a post 60 supported by the support 10 described above. The ground engaging portion 12 of the support 10 is anchored by fasteners (not shown) extending through apertures 14 into to a support surface in the form of a concrete strip foundation 100. The post 60 is provided with grooves 62 on opposing surfaces to receive the upstanding portions 20, 30 of the support 10. The post 60 rests on the seat potions 40 of the support 10 and is anchored in place by fasteners (not shown) extending through apertures 22, 32 into the post 60. A fence panel or panels 80 may be received in, and supported by, the grooves 62 of the post 60, so as to cover the upstanding portion 20, 30 of the support 10. The fence panel or panels 80 may extend between other like posts 60 (not shown) to form a fence. As shown, the post 60 marks the end of a fence and the exposed groove 62 can be capped, typically using beading (not shown) so as to cover the upstanding portion 20, 30 of the support 10.
Referring next to Figure 6, there is shown a further preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the use of a packer/spacer element. In certain installations, one or more spacers or packing elements 90 may be beneficially employed between the ground engaging portion 12 and the base of the structural member 60 (not shown) to be supported. These spacers or packing elements 90 may take any suitable form and/or dimension, and may interact with one another (in the case that there are a plurality of spacers or packing elements employed) and/or with the ground engaging portion 12 and/or with the base of the structural member 60 to be supported. This interaction may be achieved using fastening means, interference fit, interlocking means, or a shape or feature that prevents or resists removal of the spacers or packing elements from the installation in use. These spacers or packing elements 90 may be formed from any suitable material and may assist in supporting the base of the supported structural member 60 above the ground, support surface or support structure to prevent contact with water or moisture ingress into the structural member. In this regard, the spacers or packing elements 90 may compliment the seat portions 40 and may also assist in increasing the bearing area and/or the load capacity of the installation. In certain installations (not shown), the one or more spacers or packing elements 90, or at least the function of the one or more spacers or packing elements, may be an integral part of or integrally formed feature of the support 10 (e.g. a raised surface in the ground engaging portion 12).
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to supporting posts. The present invention may be used to support beams, joists or any other structural members of any material. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to supporting structural members in a vertical orientation. The present invention can be used to support structural members in a horizontal or inclined orientation.
Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, these are by way of example only and non-limiting. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternatives are possible within the ambit of the invention. For example, the support may be formed in different shape configurations. The support could be formed from separate parts or made from alternative materials. The number of apertures provided in each support for fastening and anchoring may be increased, and their relative positions, varied. Preferably, the apertures are countersunk so that, in use, the heads of fasteners may be flush with the surface of the upstanding portions. As such, the true scope of the invention is that as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

A support for a structural member such as a post, beam or joist, the support comprising:
a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure; and

at least one upstanding portion which, in use, engages with the structural member, wherein, in use:

the at least one upstanding portion is received in a recess or aperture provided in or on the surface of the structural member.
A support as claimed in claim 1 which is formed from a single strip of material.
A support as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which is formed from sheet metal.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is formed from steel or aluminium.
A support as claimed in claim 4 which is galvanised.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one upstanding portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the ground engaging portion.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one upstanding portion further comprises at least one seat portion for engaging the base of the structural member.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising at least two upstanding portions which, in use, engage with the structural member.
A support as claimed in claim 8 wherein the at least two upstanding portions are arranged substantially parallel to one another, but perpendicular to the ground engaging portion.
A support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 formed from a single strip of material with only one bend line in its plane.
A support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 formed from a single strip of material with only two bend lines in its plane.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with reinforcing/strengthening ribs or embossments.
A support as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the at least two upstanding portions are spaced apart from one another and, in use, receive a portion of the structural member therebetween.
A support as claimed in claims 13 further comprising a bolt, tie or other member which, in use, bolt, tie or lock the at least two spaced apart upstanding portions elements together against the structural member.
A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use with a timber structural member.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to support a post.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a beam.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a joist.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to support a structural member in a substantially vertical orientation.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a structural member in a substantially horizontal orientation.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a structural member in an orientation not normal to the vertical or the horizontal.
Use of the support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a timber structural member.
A method of supporting a structural member using the support of any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising the steps of:
anchoring the support to the ground, support surface or other support structure using fasteners; and

engaging the structural member with the at least one upstanding portion of the support and anchoring the structural member to the at least one upstanding portion using fasteners.
A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising the step of:
inserting one or more fence panels in the one or more recesses or apertures provided in or on the surface of the structural member.
A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the one or more fence panels cover the at least one upstanding portion of the support.
A support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Use of a support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
A method of constructing a fence substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.