Support system for a structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for supporting a structure. The support system comprises an optional footing base which is placed at the bottom of a hole, which footing base has an upper surface with a textured material thereon, a post to be positioned on top of the footing base when the footing base is present, and a first cap attached to the bottom of the post. The first cap has a textured surface for engaging the textured material on the upper surface of the footing base when the footing base is present. The system further includes a second cap to be attached to an upper end of the post. The second cap is provided with a connection device for connecting the second cap to a structural member such as a wooden post. The system further has a pad for supporting a structural member. The pad may be placed on a load bearing surface such as the ground or on top of the post. To this end, the pad is provided with at least one recess for receiving the upper end of the post.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for supporting a structure which comprises: 
 a footing base which is placed at the bottom of a hole;    said footing base having an upper textured surface;    a post to be positioned on top of said footing base;    a first cap attached to a bottom of said post; and    said first cap having a textured surface for engaging the textured surface of said footing base.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said post and said first cap are each formed from a composite material.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second cap attached to a top of said post.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said second cap is formed from a composite material.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3 , further comprising means for connecting a structural member to said second cap.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said connecting means comprises a bore in said second cap for receiving a bolt.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said connecting means comprises a recess in said second cap for receiving a portion of a structural member.  
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said post has a first dimension along a first axis and said footing base has a second dimension greater than said first dimension along a second axis parallel to said first axis.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said post has a first diameter and said footing base has a second diameter greater than said first diameter.  
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said post has a central columnar structure, an outer wall, and a plurality of radially extending support arms extending between said central columnar structure and said outer wall.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 3 , further comprising means for connecting said first and second caps to said post.  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pad for supporting a portion of said structure.  
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said pad is formed from a composite material.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said pad has at least one recess for receiving an upper end of said post.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said pad has a bottom surface which is direct contact with a load bearing surface.  
     
     
         16 . A system for supporting a structure which comprises: 
 a plurality of structural support members; and    each structural support member comprising a post, a first cap attached to a lower end of said post, and means attached to an upper end of said post for supporting a structural member.    
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said support means comprises a second cap attached to an upper end of said post and wherein said second cap has means for connecting the second cap to a structural member.  
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said post is solid in construction.  
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said post has a central columnar structure, an outer wall, and a plurality of radially extending support arms extending between said central columnar structure and said outer wall.  
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 each said structural support member including a footing base having an upper textured surface; and    said first cap having a textured surface for engaging the textured surface of said footing base.    
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said supporting means comprises a pad with at least one recess for receiving said upper end of said post.