Universal pier block

• US 6,345,474 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Triplett
• Original Assignee: David Triplett
• Inventors: Triplett, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHI Q
• Application Number:
  US09/689,290
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 522/92, 521/266, 522/99, 522/63, 526/86, 526/87, 521/699, 405/229
• US Class Current: 52/169.9
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/01 Flat foundations

Abstract

A universal block made of concrete designed to be used with different size posts and beams. The pier block is a conical, six-sided structure and includes two concentrically aligned, post-receiving voids designed to receive the ends of a (4×4) or (6×6) inch post. The (6×6) inch void is positioned above the (4×4) inch void. Formed horizontally on the top surface of the pier block are two transversely aligned beam-receiving slots. Each beam-receiving slot includes a narrow and a wide slot longitudinally aligned. The wide slot is positioned above the narrow slot. A vertically aligned drain hole is formed through the pier block from the bottom surface of the (4×4) inch void to the bottom of the pier block, which allows water to drain from the post-receiving voids.

Claims

1. A pier block comprising:

a. a body having four side surfaces and parallel bottom and top surfaces;

b. two concentrically, vertically aligned, different size post-receiving voids formed on said body, the larger said post-receiving void being located above the smaller said post-receiving void;

c. two crossing, beam-receiving slots formed on said body, said beam slots including a lower narrow beam slot and an upper wide beam slot, said narrow beam slots being the same width and same elevation as said smaller void and said larger beam slots being at an elevation as said smaller void and said larger beam slots being the same width and same elevation as said larger void;

d. a vertically aligned drain hole formed on said body and communicating with said post receiving voids; and

,

e. a height adjustable bracket selectively placed into said drain hole for supporting a post at different elevations within said post receiving voids.

2. The pier block as recited in claim 1, wherein the larger said post-receiving void receives a (6×

6) inch post.

3. The pier block as recited in claim 1, wherein the smaller said post-receiving void receives a (4×

4) inch post.