Cantilevered structural support

Abstract

A cantilevered structural support comprises a counterbalance and an elongate support member that is secured to the counterbalance. A cantilevered portion of the support member extends outward from the counterbalance. When one or more cantilevered structural supports are used to support a freestanding structure, the cantilevered portions of the support members are configured to support 40% or more of the footprint area of the structure.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A cantilevered structural support comprising a counterbalance and an elongate support member, the elongate support member having a secured portion that is attached to the counterbalance and a cantilevered portion extending outward from the counterbalance to support a freestanding structure having a footprint area, wherein when one or more cantilevered structural supports are used to support the structure, the cantilevered portions of the support members are configured to support 40% or more of the footprint area of the structure.  
     
     
         2 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more anchor bolts and one or more plates attached thereto, the anchor bolts extending into the counterbalance and the plates extending across the support member to attach the support member to the counterbalance.  
     
     
         3 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate secured to the counterbalance, wherein the elongate support member is secured to the plate to attach the support member to the counterbalance.  
     
     
         4 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 3 , wherein a weld is used to secure the support member to the plate.  
     
     
         5 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 3 , wherein the plate is embedded in the counterbalance.  
     
     
         6 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 3 , wherein head studs embedded in the counterbalance are attached to the plate to secure the plate to the counterbalance.  
     
     
         7 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalance is formed of concrete.  
     
     
         8 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate support member is a beam.  
     
     
         9 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 8 , wherein the beam is an I-beam formed of steel.  
     
     
         10 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 8 , wherein the beam is formed of concrete.  
     
     
         11 . The cantilevered structural support of  claim 8 , wherein the beam is formed of wood.  
     
     
         12 . A method of constructing a cantilevered structural support, comprising providing a counterbalance and attaching an elongate support member to the counterbalance, the elongate support member having a secured portion that is attached to the counterbalance and a cantilevered portion extending outward from the counterbalance to support a freestanding structure having a footprint area, wherein when one or more of the cantilevered structural supports are used to support the structure, the cantilevered portions of the support members are configured to support 40% or more of the footprint area of the structure.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 (a) securing one or more anchor bolts in the counterbalance at locations proximal to the support member;    (b) placing one or more plates across the support member; and    (c) attaching the plates to the anchor bolts, whereby the support member is attached to the counterbalance.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing a plate to the counterbalance and securing the support member to the plate, whereby the support member is attached to the counterbalance.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising welding the support member to the plate.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising embedding the plate in the counterbalance.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 (a) embedding head studs in the counterbalance; and    (b) attaching the head studs to the plate to secure the plate to the counterbalance.    
     
     
         18 . A method of supporting a freestanding structure, comprising forming one or more cantilevered structural supports having a counterbalance and an elongate support member attached thereto, the elongate support member having a secured portion that is attached to the counterbalance and a cantilevered portion extending outward from the counterbalance, and constructing the structure on the one or more cantilevered structural supports wherein the cantilevered portions of the support members support 40% or more of the footprint area of the structure.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 (a) securing one or more anchor bolts in the counterbalance of each cantilevered structural support at locations proximal to the respective support member;    (b) placing one or more plates across the respective support member; and    (c) attaching the plates to the anchor bolts, whereby the respective support member is attached to the counterbalance.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising securing a plate to the counterbalance of each cantilevered structural support and securing each respective support member to the plate, whereby the respective support member is attached to the counterbalance.