Structural footer

• US 10,851,561 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2019
• Issued: 12/01/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARV Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: ARV Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Valentine, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Walraed-Sullivan, Kyle J.
• Application Number:
  US16/665,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20200131799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 52165, 5216913, 52170, 52298, 52835, 248156, 248545, 248530, 256 6514
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/185 Connections not covered by E04B1/21 and E04B1/2403, e.g. connections between structural parts of different material
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/30 the supporting parts being composed of two or more materials; Composite steel and concrete constructions of reinforced concrete E04B1/20
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/1413 Post-and-rail fences, e.g. without vertical cross-members
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/1465 the rails being supported within blind or through holes of the posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/20 Posts therefor

Abstract

A post assembly includes an elongate first portion having a upper first end and an opposing lower second end. The first portion configured for supporting a structure. The post assembly also includes a second portion formed from a non-deteriorating material coupled to the second end of the first portion. A coupling device couples the first portion to the second portion.

Claims

1. A post assembly comprising:

an elongate first portion having a upper first end and an opposing lower second end, the elongate first portion configured for supporting a structure;

a second portion formed from a plastic material coupled to the opposing lower second end of the elongate first portion; and

a coupling device coupling the elongate first portion to the second portion, the coupling device including a plurality of elongate inserts, wherein a first segment of the plurality of elongate inserts is received in the second portion of the post assembly and a second segment of the plurality of elongate inserts is received in the opposing lower second end of the elongate first portion of the post assembly, the plurality of elongate inserts extending longitudinally in a length direction of the elongate first portion and the second portion, and wherein a cross-section between the upper first end and the opposing lower second end of the elongate first portion is constant.

2. The post assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion is a base configured for disposal beneath a stabilizing surface.

3. The post assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a receptacle and a filler.

4. The post assembly of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is divided into a pair of compartments by a dividing wall.

5. The post assembly of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is formed from a plastic material.

6. The post assembly of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is formed from a polyethylene plastic material.

7. The post assembly of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is formed a metal.

8. The post assembly of claim 3, wherein the filler is a plastic spray foam.

9. The post assembly of claim 8, wherein the filler is a two-component polyurethane spray foam.

10. The post assembly of claim 3, wherein the filler is a cement.

11. The post assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongate inserts are staggered.

12. The post assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion is formed from a wood.

13. A post assembly configured for disposing in a ground comprising:

an elongate upper portion having an upper first end and an opposing lower second end, the elongate upper portion exposed from the ground;

a base portion formed from a plastic material removeably coupled to the opposing lower second end of the elongate upper portion, at least a portion of the base portion disposed in the ground; and

a plurality of elongate insert inserts coupling the elongate upper portion to the base portion, wherein a first portion of the plurality of elongate inserts is received in the base portion and a second portion of the plurality of elongate inserts is received in the opposing lower second end of the elongate upper portion, the plurality of elongate inserts extending longitudinally in a length direction of the elongate upper portion and the base portion, and wherein the elongate upper portion has a constant cross-section between the upper first end of the elongate upper portion and the opposing lower second end of the elongate upper portion.

14. The post assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper portion is formed from a wood.

15. The post assembly of claim 13, wherein the base portion includes a receptacle and a filler disposed in the receptacle, the receptacle formed from a plastic and the filler is one of a plastic foam and a cement.

16. The post assembly of claim 15, wherein the first portion of the plurality of elongate inserts is embedded in the filler.

17. The post assembly of claim 13, wherein a portion of the base portion is exposed from the ground, and wherein the base portion includes indicia formed on an outer surface thereof visually indicating the portion of the base portion permissible to be exposed from the ground.

18. The post assembly of claim 13, wherein a seal is disposed between the elongate upper portion and the base portion.

19. A method for installing a post assembly in a ground comprising the steps of:

forming a hole in the ground;

providing a receptacle formed from a plastic;

positioning a plurality of inserts in the receptacle;

embedding the plurality of inserts into the receptacle with a plastic foam, the plastic foam and the receptacle forming a base portion of the post assembly, wherein the plurality of inserts extend longitudinally in a length direction of the base portion;

providing an upper portion to be coupled with the base portion of the post assembly, wherein the upper portion has a constant cross-section from an upper first end to a second lower end thereof;

forming bores in the upper portion aligning with the plurality of inserts extending from the base portion; and

placing the upper portion against the base portion, wherein the plurality of inserts extend into the lower second end of the upper portion longitudinally in a length direction of the upper portion.