[0001] The present invention relates to a support base for a structural member such as a
post, joist or beam, and in particular to a support base which maintains the supported
structural member in an elevated position relative to the ground or other supporting
surface or support structure to prevent moisture ingress into the structural member.
[0002] It is well known for posts to be set in and supported by the ground or a concrete
foundation. However, moisture is readily absorbed by the post from the ground or surface
of the concrete and, over time, the structural integrity of the post is compromised
as the post rots or corrodes. Alternatively, it is known to use a metal post spike
to support a post. The spike is sunk into the ground or set in a concrete foundation
and has an integrated close fitting support "cup" which receives and envelops the
entire base of the post. Whilst this extends the life of the post to a certain degree
by providing a level of additional shielding, moisture is nevertheless entrained from
the surrounding ground levels and the post rots or corrodes.
[0003] To address this moisture ingress problem, a number of post bases have been proposed
which elevate the close fitting support cup above ground level to prevent moisture
ingress. These have proved more successful, but are complicated by the need to have
an over engineered close fitting cup which fully envelops and grips the base of the
post to provide sufficient support to the post at the elevated position. This complicates
the resulting post base which must cope with greater loads, requiring higher tolerance
fits and additional gripping elements or fasteners to provide the necessary level
of support. A further problem is that each such post base is sized to closely fit
the dimensions of the post to be supported, requiring many different sizes of post
base to be manufactured.
[0004] The present invention addresses the above problems and does so with a greatly simplified
design which is cheap and easy to manufacture, easy to install and caters for all
sizes of posts. Furthermore, the present invention goes further in providing a support
base which is not limited to supporting posts, but additionally caters for joists,
beams and other structural members.
[0005] The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a support base for a structural
member such as a post, beam or joist, the support base comprising:
at least two spaced apart support elements, each support element comprising:
a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support element to the ground, support
surface or other support structure;
an upper portion which, in use, engages with the structural member; and
a seat portion extending between the ground engaging portion and the upper portion
which, in use, receives, supports and spaces the base of the structural member above
the ground or support surface or other support structure.
[0006] 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 pair of support elements
which together form a support base according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view from below of a post supported by the pair
of support elements of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view from above of a pair of support elements
bolted together to form a support base according to a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view from below of a post supported by the pair
of support elements of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view from below of a post supported by an arrangement
of four support elements which together form a support base according to a third preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view from below of a post comprising two like
timbers supported by an arrangement of four support elements which together form a
support base according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view from below of one end of a beam supported
by just one support element according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view from above of a pair of support elements
similar to those shown in Figure 1, but without strengthening embossments, according
to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view from below of a post supported by the pair
of support elements of Figure 8.
[0007] Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a pair of support elements 10 which together
form a support base according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Each support element 10 is formed from a single strip of sheet metal, preferably steel,
and preferably galvanised. A first end of each support element 10 comprises a ground
engaging portion 20 for anchoring the support element to the ground, a support surface
or other support structure. An aperture 22 is provided in the ground engaging portion
20 for receiving a bolt or other fastener to engage and anchor the ground engaging
portion 20 to the ground, support surface or support structure. A second end of each
support element 10 comprises an upper portion 30 which, in use, engages with the structural
member (not shown) to be supported. The upper portion 30 is arranged substantially
perpendicular to the ground engaging portion 20. A number of apertures 32, 34 are
provided in the upper portion 30 for receiving a bolt, nail or other fastener to engage
and anchor the structural member to the upper portion 30. Extending between the ground
engaging portion 20 and the upper portion 30 of each support element 10 is a seat
portion 40. A first part 41 of the seat portion 40 extends substantially perpendicularly
from the upper portion 30 and, in use, receives and supports the base of the structural
member to be supported. A second part 42 of the seat portion 40 extends between the
first part 41 and the ground engaging portion 20, spacing the base of the structural
member above the ground, support surface or support structure. Preferably, the first
part 41 and second part 42 extend in directions substantially perpendicular to the
other, although this is by no means essential. Optionally, apertures 50 may be provided
for a bolt, tie rod, or other element 60 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) to bolt, tie
or lock the two spaced apart support elements 10 together. This can provide extra
structural integrity to the support base. Optional reinforcing or strengthening ribs/embossments
50 may be provided on each support element 10 to give further structural integrity
to the support base.
[0008] Referring next to Figure 2, there is illustrated a post 80 supported by the pair
of support elements 10 described above.
[0009] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the use a bolt 60 to tie the two spaced apart support
elements 10 together.
[0010] Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a post 80 supported by an arrangement
of four support elements 10, which together form a support base according to a third
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Again, a bolt, tie rod, or other element
60 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) can be used to bolt, tie or lock the four (or two
pairs of) spaced apart support elements 10 together.
[0011] Figure 6 illustrates a post comprising two like timbers 82 supported by an arrangement
of four support elements 10 which together form a support base according to a fourth
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Again, a bolt, tie rod, or other element
60 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) can be used to bolt, tie or lock the four (or two
pairs of) spaced apart support elements 10 together.
[0012] Figure 7 illustrates schematically one end of a beam supported by just one support
element according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. This arrangement
may be appropriate where the beam is lightweight, not subject to significant loading,
or where part of the beam is otherwise supported or built into a structure at the
other end.
[0013] Finally, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a pair of support elements similar to those shown
in Figures 1 and 2, but without strengthening embossments, according to a further
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] 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. The present invention may be used above ground only (i.e.
not extending into or beneath the ground). 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.
[0015] 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 members may be formed
in different shape configurations. The support members could be formed from separate
parts or made from alternative materials. The number of apertures provided in each
support member for fastening and anchoring may be increased, and their relative positions,
varied. Indeed, each seat portion of a support member may comprise a single part simply
angled between the upper portion and the ground engaging portion (but not normal to
either). As such, the true scope of the invention is that as set out in the appended
claims.
1. A support base for a structural member such as a post, beam or joist, the support
base comprising:
at least two spaced apart support elements, each support element comprising:
a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support element to the ground, support
surface or other support structure;
an upper portion which, in use, engages with the structural member; and
a seat portion extending between the ground engaging portion and the upper portion
which, in use, receives, supports and spaces the base of the structural member above
the ground or support surface or other support structure.
2. A support base as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one support element is formed
from a single strip of material.
3. A support base as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one support element
is formed from sheet metal.
4. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one
support element is formed from steel or aluminium.
5. A support base as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one support element is galvanised.
6. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper portion
of at least one support element is arranged substantially perpendicular to at least
part of the seat portion.
7. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper portion
of at least one support element is arranged substantially perpendicular to the ground
engaging portion.
8. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper portion
of at least one support element is arranged substantially parallel to at least part
of the seat portion.
9. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one
support element is formed from a single strip of material with only three bend lines
in its plane.
10. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one
support element is provided with reinforcing/strengthening ribs or embossments.
11. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a
bolt, tie or other member to bolt, tie or lock the at least two spaced apart support
elements together.
12. A support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use with a timber
structural member.
13. Use of the support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to support a
post.
14. Use of the support base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 to support a beam.
15. Use of the support base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 to support a joist.
16. Use of the support base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to support a
structural member in a substantially vertical orientation.
17. Use of the support base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 to support a structural
member in a substantially horizontal orientation.
18. Use of the support base 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.
19. Use of the support base of any one of the preceding claims to support a timber structural
member.
20. A support base for a structural member such as a post, beam or joist, the support
base comprising:
at least one support element, each support element comprising:
a ground engaging portion for anchoring the support element to the ground, support
surface or other support structure;
an upper portion which, in use, engages with the structural member; and
a seat portion extending between the ground engaging portion and the upper portion
which, in use, receives, supports and spaces the base of the structural member above
the ground or support surface or other support structure.