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  Bracket for attaching column to a structural supportUSPTO Application #: 20070246623Title: Bracket for attaching column to a structural support Abstract: A connecting bracket, for attaching a columnar building member to a structural support member, includes a horizontal ring-shaped base surface having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, with a plurality of spaced non-uniform apertures disposed along the horizontal ring-shaped surface. A vertical ring-shaped surface extends from the inner perimeter of the horizontal surface, with the perimeter of the vertical surface conforming to the inner perimeter of the horizontal surface, and with a plurality of spaced non-uniform apertures disposed along the vertical ring-shaped surface. The columnar building member is attached to the connecting bracket via a fastening device through one or more of the spaced apertures disposed along the vertical ring-shaped surface. The columnar building member and connecting bracket are attached to the structural support member via a fastening device through one or more of the spaced apertures disposed along the horizontal ring-shaped surface. (end of abstract)
Agent: Joseph Ehrhardt - Leonardo, NJ, US Inventor: Joesph Ehrhardt USPTO Applicaton #: 20070246623 - Class: 248218400 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Supports, Brackets, Specially Mounted Or Attached, Post Or Column Attached The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070246623. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to brackets or connectors for building materials, and more particularly to a connecting bracket providing a comprehensive positive connection between a support column and a slab, pier, girder or structural frame of a building. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] With the escalating costs of building materials, especially lumber, many companies have developed pre-engineered polymer and fiberglass materials for use as support structures in commercial and residential construction. [0005] At the same time, the monumental costs for rebuilding inferior structures after natural disasters has caused communities to enact tougher building codes and standards to minimize damage from future natural disasters, thereby hopefully lowering replacement costs and saving lives. Accordingly, building designers and engineers must now factor both cost and safety requirements into their new designs. [0006] In particular, hollowed polymer and fiberglass columns are used extensively for porches, porticos, decks, as well as interior design appurtenances. A problem arises when a contractor seeks to secure these columns to the structural counterparts they transfer the loads to. While the particular column manufacturing company typically supplies a technical data sheet for installation, such data sheets are often incomplete, or provide minimal guidelines. Frequently, the contractor is instructed to check with local state and/or federal building codes for proper installation. In a bit of circular logic, many of the building codes themselves (e.g., the International Building Code or IBC) will state that a product should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's product specification. [0007] Left with minimal guidance and subjective standards, many contractors/installers resort to ad hoc or self-created connection mechanisms, with the result that such structures are not in compliance with building codes, and are inadequate to properly withstand the wind, seismic or other destructive forces experienced in natural disasters. [0008] For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, installers generally use "L" shaped brackets 90 to connect the support column 80 to wherever they can get an attachment point on the structural frame 95. In some cases, there may be three (or more) attachment points, but in other cases there are two attachment points, and in egregious cases, only one attachment point. The attachments points are usually covered with a decorative collar, so it is difficult for anyone to determine the structural integrity of the project. [0009] In any case, these "L" brackets provide limited axial load support, load transfer, lateral support and shear value from the column 80 to the structural counterpart 95. These concentrated point connections do not transfer the load around the entire circumference of the column, severely reducing the load transfer capabilities for wind, snow, seismic and lateral forces. [0010] In another typical installation shown in FIG. 2, a lag bolt 140 or concrete bolt is fastened to the end of a strap or cable 145. This device is threaded through the hollow column 80 and then secured to the structural component above the column. This method limits the lateral impact to the column and is also harder to install. That is because the process involves jacking (in the direction denoted by the arrow 150) of the upper load to slide the structural hollow column 80 into its final location. [0011] What is needed, therefore, is a connecting bracket that provides a shear connection around the entire circumference or perimeter of the column. What is also needed is a device that can connect and transfer the loads efficiently and with stronger lateral integrity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] To overcome the above described and other disadvantages of the prior art, embodiments of the invention provide for a collar-type connecting device with two surfaces; a vertical for attaching a support column to the connecting device and a horizontal surface for attaching the connecting device to a structural member. [0013] More specifically, embodiments of the invention described herein provide for a connecting bracket, for attaching a columnar building member to a structural support member, including a horizontal ring-shaped base surface having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, with a plurality of spaced non-uniform apertures disposed along the entire horizontal ring-shaped surface. A vertical ring-shaped surface extends from the inner perimeter of the horizontal surface, with the perimeter of the vertical surface conforming to the inner perimeter of the horizontal surface, and with a plurality of spaced non-uniform apertures disposed along the entire vertical ring-shaped surface. The columnar building member is attached to the connecting bracket via a fastening device through one or more of the spaced apertures disposed along the entire vertical ring-shaped surface. The columnar building member and connecting bracket are attached to the structural support member via a fastening device through one or more of the spaced apertures disposed along the entire horizontal ring-shaped surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional system for connecting a column to a structural member employing "L" brackets; [0016] FIG. 1B is a plan view of the installation in FIG. 1A; [0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of a different conventional system for connecting a column to a structural member; [0018] FIG. 3 is a side view and partial cross-sectional view illustrating the a load path and employing the novel connecting bracket disclosed herein; [0019] FIG. 4A is a more detailed perspective view of the connecting bracket illustrated in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the connecting bracket in FIG. 4A; [0020] FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4E illustrate bottom and perspective views of alternate embodiments of the connecting bracket; [0021] FIGS. 5A and 5B are alternate embodiments of the connecting brackets of FIGS. 4A and 4B, depicting multiple-piece construction; Continue reading... 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