Mounting of tubular steel columns on concrete base

Abstract

Plural mounting bolts disposed in a concrete footing are each inserted through a respective aperture in the base plate of a tubular steel column and are connected thereto by means of respective nuts for securely attaching the column in a generally vertical orientation to the footing. A first access aperture with a removal cover plate is disposed in the tubular steel column to facilitate positioning and tightening of the connecting nuts. The column's base plate includes a second access aperture to allow for positioning electrical needs within the column for lighting, grounding, etc. An apertured template oriented with respect to a reference point of a structure which the tubular steel column forms a portion of, e.g., the center of the structure, is used for proper positioning of the bolts in the concrete footing in a designated pattern, i.e. square-, rectangular-, diamond-shaped, etc.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An arrangement for mounting a tubular steel column on a concrete base, said tubular steel column having upper and lower ends and a lateral wall portion disposed therebetween, said mounting arrangement comprising: 
 a base plate attached to the lower end of the tubular steel column and including plural spaced first apertures disposed within the lateral wall portion of the tubular steel column;    plural nut and bolt combinations attached to the concrete base and arranged in a predetermined pattern in the concrete base, wherein each bolt is inserted through a respective first aperture for mounting the tubular steel column to the concrete base; and    a second aperture in the tubular steel column providing access to said nut and bolt combinations within the tubular steel column for securing said nut and bolt combinations to said base plate.    
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising a removable cover plate disposed over said second aperture for concealing said nut and bolt combinations within the tubular steel column.  
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 2  further comprising plural connectors coupling said cover plate to the tubular steel column over the second aperture therein.  
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 2  further comprising a flange disposed on an outer surface of the tubular steel column adjacent said second aperture therein for receiving and maintaining said cover plate in position over said second aperture.  
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 2  wherein said second aperture is disposed adjacent the lower end of the tubular steel column.  
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising a template having plural spaced apertures each adapted to receive a respective nut and bolt combination for arranging said nut and bolt combinations in said predetermined pattern relative to a structure in which the tubular steel column is disposed.  
     
     
         7 . The arrangement of  claim 6  wherein said template includes first indicia for positioning said template with respect to a part of the structure.  
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 7  wherein said template includes an electrical access aperture for passing an electric lead.  
     
     
         9 . The arrangement of  claim 8  wherein said template further includes second indicia located at a center of said template to facilitate positioning of said template on the concrete base.  
     
     
         10 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said base plate further includes an electrical access aperture for passing an electrical lead.  
     
     
         11 . The arrangement of  claim 6  wherein the plural spaced apertures in said template are arranged in a square-,rectangular- or diamond-shape.  
     
     
         12 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said base plate and the lower end of the tubular steel column are generally square.  
     
     
         13 . The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined pattern of said nut and bolt combinations in the concrete base is square-, rectangular- or diamond-shaped.