Footing Apparatus for a Deck Frame

Abstract

A footing apparatus provides support to a deck frame of the type having a plurality of joists supporting decking thereon above a foundation. The footing apparatus has a sleeve including internal threads formed therein and a bracket supporting the sleeve thereon. The bracket can be secured onto one of the joists such that the sleeve is vertically oriented, offset to one side of the joist, and in fixed relation to the joist. A post extends axially through the sleeve and includes external threads thereon forming a mating threaded connection with the internal threads of the sleeve. In this manner, the post is adjusted vertically relative to the bracket with rotation of the post relative to the sleeve. The post has a suitable length such that the post protrudes below a bottom side of the joist for adjustably supporting the joist spaced above the foundation.

1 . A footing apparatus for a deck frame comprising a plurality of joists supporting decking thereon above a foundation, the footing apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve extending in an axial direction between opposing open ends of the sleeve, the sleeve including internal threads formed therein;   a bracket supporting the sleeve thereon, the bracket being arranged to be secured onto a supporting joist among the plurality of joists such that the sleeve is supported offset to one side of the supporting joist in fixed relation to the supporting joist with the axial direction oriented vertically; and   a post arranged to extend axially through the sleeve, the post including external threads thereon forming a mating threaded connection with the internal threads of the sleeve whereby the post is adjusted vertically relative to the bracket with rotation of the post relative to the sleeve, and the post having a length arranged to protrude below a bottom side of the supporting joist whereby the post is arranged to support the supporting joist spaced above the foundation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the bracket comprises a ledge arranged to receive a bottom side of the supporting joist supported thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the bracket comprises a fastener plate including fastener apertures formed therein such that the fastener plate is arranged to be fastened against an upright side surface of the supporting joist. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the sleeve is mounted on the fastener plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the fastener apertures are elongated in a longitudinal direction of the supporting joist. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the bracket is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the supporting joist. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is supported on the bracket at an intermediate location spaced inwardly from opposing ends of the bracket in a longitudinal direction of the supporting joist. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the sleeve is centered longitudinally between the opposing ends of the bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is welded onto the bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a footing plate receiving the post engaged perpendicularly thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the post includes a first mating connector at a top end of the post having a non-circular shape so as to be arranged for mating connection with a second mating connector of a driver tool and for transferring torque from the driver tool to the post. 
     
     
         12 . A method of adjusting a supported height of a deck frame in which the deck frame comprises a plurality of joists supporting decking thereon above a foundation, the method comprising:
 providing a footing apparatus according to  claim 1  supported on a supporting joist among the joists of the deck frame such that the post is offset to one side of the supporting joist and a bottom end of the post protrudes below a bottom of the supporting joist so as to be supported on the foundation; and   mating a tool with a top end of the post to drive rotation of the post relative to the sleeve whereby the height of the deck frame relative to the foundation is adjusted.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  further comprising providing a footing plate on the foundation upon which the bottom end of the post is engaged, and rotating the post with the tool relative to the footing plate.