Foundation pier bracket system

Abstract

A foundation reinforcement system may include an elongated beam, a first bracket assembly and a second bracket assembly. Each bracket assembly includes a shaft receiving portion and a seat portion. The seat portion includes a plurality of protruding members that protrude upwardly therefrom. The elongated beam is disposed atop the seat portion of the first bracket assembly such that at least one of the plurality of protruding members of the bracket assembly is disposed on each of opposing lateral sides of the elongated beam. The bracket assemblies are horizontally spaced-apart from each other. The elongated beam is disposed atop the seat portion of the second bracket assembly such that at least one of the plurality of protruding members of the second bracket assembly is disposed on each of opposing lateral sides of the elongated beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing support to a foundation of a building, the method comprising:
 placing an elongated beam below a portion of the foundation while spanning across at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies;   locating the beam atop respective seat portions of the at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies; and   restraining movement of the elongated beam in a lateral direction by capturing the beam between opposing rows of upwardly protruding projections defined on the seat portion of each of the at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two bracket assemblies is located on opposite sides of a structural defect in the building. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising threading a bolt upwardly through a flange nut secured to the seat portion from below the seat portion such that the bolt protrudes through the seat portion and extends vertically above the seat portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging a bracket jack with a plurality of bracket jack accommodation slots defined through a jack support plate of the bracket assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising advancing a plurality of pier sections into the ground to raise a portion of the building via vertically raising the at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising arranging the upwardly protruding projections in two rows with each row having two columns. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising arranging the upwardly protruding projections to be inwardly offset from a horizontal perimeter of the seat portion of each of the at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a jack support plate to each of the at least two spaced-apart bracket assemblies such that the jack support plate in each instance is oriented parallel to the seat portion.