Bracket assembly for facilitating the installation of a concrete wall on a concrete footing and a method of forming the wall

Abstract

A bracket assembly is disclosed for facilitating the installation of a concrete wall on a concrete footing. The bracket assembly includes a bracket having a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface. First and second spaced apart flanges extend upwardly from the base member. The bracket assembly also includes a cavity formed in the base member having an opening aligned with the lower surface. An aperture is formed through the base member and is aligned with the cavity. A sealant is positioned in the cavity. The bracket assembly further includes a movable fastener positioned in the aperture which is capable of being driven through the sealant and into the concrete footing to secure the bracket assembly thereto.

1 . A bracket assembly for facilitating installation of a concrete wall on a concrete footing, comprising:
 a) a bracket having a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second spaced apart flanges integrally formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom;   b) at least one cavity formed in said base member, said cavity having an opening aligned with said lower surface;   c) an aperture formed through said base member and aligned with said cavity;   d) a sealant position in said cavity; and   e) a movable fastener positioned in said aperture, said fastener capable of being driven through said sealant and into said concrete footing to secure said bracket assembly thereto.   
   
   
       2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein said bracket has a width and said cavity extends across at least about 75% of said width. 
   
   
       3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2  wherein said cavity extends completely across said width. 
   
   
       4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 3  wherein said cavity is a channel aligned parallel to said first and second flanges. 
   
   
       5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 3  wherein said fastener extends into said channel and is movably retained therein by said sealant. 
   
   
       6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2  wherein said bracket is a C-shaped member formed from a nonmetallic material. 
   
   
       7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 6  wherein said bracket is formed from a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein said bracket has a length and said first and second flanges each having a height which is at least about 8% of said length. 
   
   
       9 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1  wherein said sealant is water repellant. 
   
   
       10 . A bracket assembly for facilitating installation of a concrete wall on a concrete footing, comprising:
 a) a bracket having a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second spaced apart flanges integrally formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, and said bracket having a length, a width and a thickness;   b) a pair of channels formed in said base member, each of said channels having an opening aligned with said lower surface;   c) a pair of apertures formed through said base member and each of said apertures being aligned with one of said channels;   d) a sealant position in each of said channels;   e) a pair of fasteners, each positioned in one of said apertures; and   f) a pair of shock absorbers each positioned about one of said fasteners and situated above said upper surface of said base member, each of said shock absorbers permitting said respective fastener to be driven through said sealant and into said concrete footing to secure said bracket assembly thereto.   
   
   
       11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 10  wherein each of said fasteners is a nail having an enlarged head, and said nail can be driven through said sealant and into said concrete footing until said enlarged head contacts said shock absorber. 
   
   
       12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 10  wherein said base member has a first end and a second end and each of said first and second flanges is located at one of said first and second ends. 
   
   
       13 . The bracket assembly of  claim 12  wherein each of said pair of flanges is aligned at a right angle to said base member, each of said pair of channels is located adjacent to and inward of one of said first and second flanges, and said sealing material is silicone. 
   
   
       14 . The bracket assembly of  claim 13  wherein silicone is a water repellant, pliable material that remains receptive to change in physical dimensions. 
   
   
       15 . The bracket assembly of  claim 10  wherein said sealing material is a foam which extends outward below said lower surface of said bracket and extends across the width of said bracket. 
   
   
       16 . A method of facilitating installation of a concrete wall on a concrete footing, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) marking a pair of spaced apart lines on an upper surface of said concrete footing;   b) positioning at least two bracket assemblies between said pair of spaced apart lines at a predetermined distance, each of said bracket assemblies including a bracket having a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second spaced apart flanges integrally formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of channels formed in said base member, each of said channels having an opening aligned with said lower surface, a pair of apertures formed through said base member and each of said apertures being aligned with one of said channels, a sealant position in each of said channels, and a pair of movable fasteners each positioned in one of said apertures;   c) securing each of said bracket assemblies to said concrete footing by driving said pair of fasteners through said sealant and into said concrete footing;   d) positioning an interior and an exterior wall form adjacent to said first and second flanges; and   e) pouring concrete between said interior and exterior wall forms to create a concrete wall.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of removing said interior and exterior wall forms after said concrete wall has at least partially cured. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein multiple brackets assemblies are secured to said upper surface of said concrete footing at predetermined distances. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said sealant is a water repellant silicone which functions to prevent water from seeping between said concrete wall and said concrete footing. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said pair of spaced apart lines formed on said upper surface of said concrete footing are formed using powdered, colored chalk.