Multiple piece bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a structure

Abstract

An improvement for a bracket assembly of the type used in lifting and supporting a structure or shallow foundation element on a pile is provided. The bracket assembly rests on top of a deep foundation pile positioned adjacent to a structure. The bracket has inside and outside sections, the inside section is a weldment consisting of a bearing member which engages and attaches to the structure or foundation element. The inside section also functions as a guide for installing a pile. The outside section is further divided into upper and lower parts. The lower outside section has a pile guide and a spaced apart U-shaped adjustment bolt that together cradle the pile. The upper outside section caps the pile and attaches to the lower outside section using threadably adjustable rods. The outside section attaches to the inside section thereby fixing the bracket assembly against horizontal translation and rotation about a horizontal axis with respect to the pile.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This nonprovisional patent application claims priority to the related provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60 / 733,125 which was filed on Nov. 2, 2005; and this also is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 11 / 519,633 which was filed on Sep. 12, 2006, and which is a provisional application having Ser. No. 60 / 716,314 filed on Sep. 12, 2005; and which nonprovisional application is a Continuation-In-Part of nonprovisional application having Ser. No. 11 / 089,865 filed on Mar. 25, 2005 and which is claiming priority on provisional application having Ser. No. 60 / 556 / 540, filed Mar. 25, 2004, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A structure supported on a shallow foundation can become unstable and begin to settle as a result of unsatisfactory soil conditions or flaws in the original foundation design. Often foundation settlement results in the structure becoming out of level and structural damage can occu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] As with prior art bracket assemblies, the current invention is used to transfer vertical gravity force or ground force uplift loads from a structure to a deep foundation pile that is horizontally offset from the foundation. In order to provide for the bracket assembly to furnish stabilization and location of the foundation, with respect to any uplifting loads or forces, it may be that the bracket may be welded or otherwise secured to the top of the pile in order to resist such tensile forces. The location of the pile relative to the foundation results in a rotational force (moment) being induced into the bracket under the action of these vertical loads. The induced moment has a tendency to rotate the bracket away from the support structure, about a horizontal axis, resulting in a reduction of the effective bearing contact area between the bracket and the structure. The current invention, when fully assembled, provides a pile guide and a spaced apart threadably adjustable U-bolt mechanism that actively engages and captures the pile shaft. When the U-bolt is secured in position the bracket can no longer rotate about a horizontal axis resulting in a fixed connection. Prior art that utilizes anti-rotation adjustments typically have one or two horizontal adjustment points, one near the top of the bracket and one near the bottom. The lower adjustment typically consists of a threaded bolt that is tightened against the pile shaft forcing the upper end of the shaft to bias against the upper support thereby securing the bracket against rotation relative to the pile shaft. The lower adjustment is positioned under the structure requiring the installer to reach under the supported structure to make the adjustments. However, unlike prior art designs of bracket anti-rotation adjustment systems, the current invention U-bolt adjustment mechanism is oriented with the threads facing away from the supported structure thus allowing for easier and safer access without the need to reach under the supported structure. The adjustability of the current invention provides for a safer, more accurate and easier system installation.

[0011] Since the weight (gravity force) of the supported structure is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pile, transfer of the structure load to the deep foundation pile results in a horizontal axis rotation force, or moment, being imparted into the bracket. The induced moment has a tendency to rotate the bracket away from the structure resulting in a reduction of the effective bearing area between the bracket and the structure. This new invention utilizes an anti-rotation U-bolt mechanism which, when properly adjusted, eliminates horizontal axis rotation of the bracket relative to the pile. An additional feature of the new invention is the orientation of the U-bolt mechanism threaded adjustments away from the structure allowing the installer to safely secure the bracket to the pile without reaching under the supported structure.

[0013] Thus, there exists a need for a bracket assembly to lift and support a shallow foundation element or structure. A further need exists for a bracket pile guide design that facilitates the proper positioning of various size deep foundation pile shafts. A still further need exists for a pile guide design that will accommodate various pile shaft and coupling configurations without physical contact interference during the pile installation process. A still further need exists for a way to secure the foundation support bracket against rotation about a horizontal axis under load.

[0015] It is further an object of the current invention to provide a temporary pile installation guide to help facilitate the accurate positioning of various sizes and configurations of deep foundation piles.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to prevent horizontal axis rotation of the bracket, relative to the installed deep foundation pile, under axial compressive or tensile loads thus maintaining bearing area engagement between the bracket and the supported structure.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide pile-to-bracket horizontal alignment adjustability with an improved ease of use and improved safety of operation by permitting adjustment without requiring the installer, or the installer's tools, to reach under the supported structure to accomplish the adjustments.

Problems solved by technology

The induced moment has a tendency to rotate the bracket away from the support structure, about a horizontal axis, resulting in a reduction of the effective bearing contact area between the bracket and the structure.

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