Lightweight support pier

• US 6,219,981 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pinellas Manufacturing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Philip R. Bergelt
• Inventors: Bergelt, Philip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SLACK, NAOKO N
• Application Number:
  US09/510,737
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 525/03, 521/699, 521/691.2, 522/99, 523/10, 522/92, 527/451.2, 52D/IG.3, 525/96, 52D/IG.11, 527/381, 524/051, 523/092, 248/352, 248/346.01, 248/146, 248/121
• US Class Current: 52/294
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/01 Flat foundations

Abstract

A structure support pier is used to support a mobile home or other similar structure. The pier has a base with a first flange and an optional second flange extending upwardly from the top surface of the base. A support pad is positioned on the top surface of the base. A shell member is positioned on the top surface of the base such that the outer periphery of the bottom of the shell member abuts the inner surface of the first flange. A support member, which may be a honeycomb structure, a plurality of tubular members, or other similar structure, has a first end resting on the support pad and a second end abutting the lower surface of the top of the shell member either directly or via a second support pad. The support member may be positioned within appropriate slits or depressions located on the support pads.

Claims

1. A support pier comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge;

a first flange extending upwardly from the top surface, the first flange having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a shell member having an open bottom and having an outer periphery, a top and at feast one side wall extending between the bottom and the top, the top having an upper surface and a lower surface, the shell member positioned on the top surface such that the outer periphery of the bottom abuts against the inner surface of the first flange such that the lower surface faces the top surface; and

a support member having a first end positioned on the top surface of the base and a second end abutting the lower surface.

2. The support pier as in claim 1 further comprising a second flange extending upwardly from the top surface and positioned between the outer edge and the first flange.

3. The support pier as in claim 2 further comprising an opening located within the second flange.

4. The support pier as in claim 1 wherein the bottom of the shell member has a first cross section and the top of the shell member has a second cross section that is smaller than the first cross section.

5. The support pier as in claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a honeycomb structure.

6. The support pier as in claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a plurality of tubular members.

7. The support pier as in claim 1 further comprising a second flange extending upwardly from the upper surface of the shell member.

8. The support pier as in claim 7 further comprising an opening located within the second flange.

9. The support pier as in claim 1 further comprising an opening located within the base.

10. The support structure as in claim 1 further comprising concrete pumped into the shell member.

11. A support pier comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge;

a first flange extending upwardly from the top surface, the first flange having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a shell member having an open bottom and having an outer periphery, a top and at least one side wall extending between the bottom and the top, the top having an upper surface and a lower surface, the shell member positioned on the top surface such that the outer periphery of the bottom abuts against the inner surface of the first flange such that the lower surface faces the top surface;

a support pad positioned on the top surface of the base and within the outer periphery of the bottom of the shell member; and

a support member having a first end positioned on the support pad of the base and a second end abutting the lower surface.

12. The support pier as in claim 11 further comprising a second flange extending upwardly from the top surface and positioned between the outer edge and the first flange.

13. The support pier as in claim 12 further comprising an opening located within the second flange.

14. The support pier as in claim 11 wherein the bottom of the shell member has a first cross section and the top of the shell member has a second cross section that is smaller than the first cross section.

15. The support pier as in claim 11 wherein the support member comprises a honeycomb structure.

16. The support pier as in claim 15 further comprises a plurality of slits located on the support pad such that the honeycomb structure is positioned within the slits.

17. The support pier as in claim 11 wherein the support member comprises a plurality of tubular members.

18. The support pier as in claim 17 further comprising a plurality of depressions disposed within the support pad such that each of the plurality of tubular members is positioned within a respective one of the plurality of depressions.

19. The support pier as in claim 11 further comprising a second flange extending upwardly from the upper surface of the shell member.

20. The support pier as in claim 19 further comprising an opening located within the second flange.

21. The support pier as in claim 11 further comprising an opening located within the base.

22. The support structure as in claim 11 further comprising concrete pumped into the shell member.