US2021079654A1PendingUtilityA1

Lightweight footing for support posts

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Sep 12, 2019Filed: Sep 11, 2020Published: Mar 18, 2021
Est. expirySep 12, 2039(~13.1 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jesse B. TrebilEric Leach
E04C 3/30E04C 5/16E04B 1/34352E02D 27/02E04B 1/58
36
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A lightweight footing includes a plastic shell that can be partially filled with a structural foam once placed in final position. The plastic shell can also be shaped to accommodate a steel exoskeleton that increases the load-bearing capacity of the footing significantly.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lightweight footing, comprising:
 an open bottom side;   a top surface opposing the open bottom side;   a first sidewall spanning from the open bottom surface to the top surface;   a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall and spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface;   a third sidewall spanning from a first lateral edge of the first sidewall to a first lateral edge of the second sidewall, and the third sidewall spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface; and   a fourth sidewall opposing the third sidewall, the fourth sidewall spanning from a second lateral edge of the first sidewall to a second lateral edge of the second sidewall, and the fourth sidewall spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface,   wherein each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall angle inward such that they converge towards one another as they extend from the open bottom side to the top surface.   
     
     
         2 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall terminates in a top edge vertically above the top surface to define a ridge portion. 
     
     
         3 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is planar. 
     
     
         4 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is a planar surface aligned parallel to the open bottom side. 
     
     
         5 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , further comprising an open interior surface defined upwardly from the bottom side. 
     
     
         6 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein the lightweight footing is shaped as a truncated four-sided pyramid. 
     
     
         7 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein the lightweight footing comprises a singular molded plastic body. 
     
     
         8 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending horizontally outwardly at the bottom side from each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall are planar. 
     
     
         10 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , further comprising an access aperture defined through the lightweight footing from an outer surface to an inner surface thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The lightweight footing of  claim 1 , further comprising an exoskeleton, the exoskeleton comprising:
 a horizontal base portion defining a perimeter around each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall;   a top plate portion disposed atop the top surface; and   a plurality of diagonal connector members, each of which are disposed along each of the first lateral edge of the first sidewall, the first lateral edge of the second sidewall, the second lateral edge of the first sidewall and the second lateral edge of the second sidewall,   wherein each of the diagonal connector members are secured at respective opposing ends thereof to the base portion and the top plate portion.   
     
     
         12 . A structure reinforcement system, comprising:
 a molded plastic shell, comprising:
 an open bottom side defining an open interior; 
 a top surface opposing the open bottom side; 
 a first sidewall spanning from the open bottom surface to the top surface; 
 a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall and spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface; 
 a third sidewall spanning from a first lateral edge of the first sidewall to a first lateral edge of the second sidewall, and the third sidewall spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface; and 
 a fourth sidewall opposing the third sidewall, the fourth sidewall spanning from a second lateral edge of the first sidewall to a second lateral edge of the second sidewall, and the fourth sidewall spanning from the open bottom side to the top surface, 
 wherein each of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall angle inward such that they converge towards one another as they extend from the open bottom side to the top surface; and 
   a load bearing foam disposed in the open interior.   
     
     
         13 . The structure reinforcement system of  claim 12 , further comprising a support post disposed atop the top surface. 
     
     
         14 . The structure reinforcement system of  claim 12 , further comprising an exoskeleton provided to an exterior surface of the molded plastic shell. 
     
     
         15 . The structure reinforcement system of  claim 12 , wherein an access aperture is defined through the plastic shell from an exterior surface thereof to the open interior, wherein an access path is defined through the load bearing foam from the access aperture to the open bottom side. 
     
     
         16 . A method of supporting a structure, comprising:
 placing a molded plastic shell atop a portion of soil such that the molded plastic shell is aligned under a portion of the structure that requires support;   injecting a load bearing foam into the molded plastic shell through an access aperture defined through the molded plastic shell; and   placing a support post atop a top surface of the molded plastic shell.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing an exoskeleton to an exterior surface of the molded plastic shell. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the load bearing foam is injected until the load bearing foam consolidates the soil below the molded plastic shell. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising excavating a portion of earth to define the portion of soil upon which the molded plastic shell is placed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting a vertical height of the support post.

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