Precast foundation column assembly for supporting a building frame post

Abstract

A foundation column assembly is used to support a wooden post of a building frame. The column assembly includes a concrete body supporting a bracket at the top of the concrete body for fastening the wooden post above the concrete body. Connecting rods embedded in the concrete body are fixed to the bracket. The concrete body of the column has an upper portion having cross-sectional dimensions which are equal to or less than corresponding dimensions of the wooden post and a lower portion having cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the upper portion. The column assembly is inserted into a hole formed in the ground such that backfilling material surrounds at least part of the upper portion while the bracket assembly protrudes from the ground to anchor the wooden post relative to the ground while isolating the wooden post from the ground.

Explanation of amendments in the claims: 
     
         1 . A foundation column assembly for supporting a wooden post of a building frame thereon relative to ground, the assembly comprising:
 a column comprising a unitary concrete body extending longitudinally between a top end and a bottom end of the column;   a bracket arrangement at the top end of the column, the bracket arrangement being arranged to be fastened to the wooden post of the building; and   at least one connecting rod connected to the bracket arrangement and extending longitudinally into the unitary concrete body of the column;   wherein the unitary concrete body of the column comprises:
 (i) an upper portion adjacent the bracket arrangement at the top end of the column in which the upper portion has cross-sectional dimensions which are equal to or less than corresponding dimensions of the wooden post; and 
 (ii) a lower portion below the upper portion and adjacent to the bottom end of the column in which the lower portion has cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the upper portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the upper portion spans a majority of a length of the column. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the lower portion defines a footing which protrudes radially relative to the upper portion about a full circumference of the lower portion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the lower portion are at least 50% greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the upper portion. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one connecting rod extends into the lower portion of the column. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one connecting rod comprises a plurality of rods, each including (i) a main rod portion extending continuously between the bracket and the lower portion of the column, and (ii) a transverse portion extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of the column within the lower portion of the column. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the transverse portion is spaced below a top end of the lower portion of the column. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the bracket arrangement is arranged for use with a plurality of wood screws for penetration into the wooden post, and wherein the bracket comprises a pair of plates locating a plurality of fastener apertures therein arranged to cooperate with the wood screws to fasten the bracket arrangement to the wooden post. 
     
     
         9 . A method of supporting a wooden post of a building frame thereon relative to ground, the method comprising:
 providing a foundation column assembly; according to  claim 1 ;   inserting the column assembly into a hole formed in the ground such that the bracket assembly protrudes from the ground;   fastening the wooden post to the bracket arrangement of the column assembly; and   backfilling the hole with backfilling material such that the backfilling material surrounds at least the lower portion and part of the upper portion of the column within the hole in the ground.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 providing a plurality of wood screws for penetration into the wooden post; and 
 fastening the wood screws into the wooden post through fastener apertures in the bracket arrangement to fasten the bracket arrangement to the wooden post. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of supporting a wooden post of a building frame thereon relative to ground, the method comprising:
 providing a column assembly comprising (i) a column comprising a unitary concrete body extending longitudinally between a top end and a bottom end of the column, (ii) a bracket arrangement at the top end of the column, and (iii) at least one connecting rod connected to the bracket arrangement and extending longitudinally into the unitary concrete body of the column, wherein the unitary concrete body of the column comprises (a) an upper portion at the top end of the column having cross-sectional dimensions which are equal to or less than corresponding dimensions of the wooden post and (b) a lower portion below the upper portion and adjacent to the bottom end of the column in which the lower portion has cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the upper portion;   inserting the column assembly into a hole formed in the ground such that the bracket assembly protrudes from the ground;   fastening the wooden post to the column assembly; and   backfilling the hole with backfilling material such that the backfilling material surrounds at least the lower portion and part of the upper portion of the column within the hole in the ground.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising:
 providing a plurality of wood screws for penetration into the wooden post; and 
 fastening the wood screws into the wooden post through fastener apertures in the bracket arrangement to fasten the bracket arrangement to the wooden post. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the upper portion spans a majority of a length of the column. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the lower portion defines a footing which protrudes radially relative to the upper portion about a full circumference of the lower portion. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the lower portion are at least 50% greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the upper portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one connecting rod extends into the lower portion of the column. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said at least one connecting rod comprises a plurality of rods, each including (i) a main rod portion extending continuously between the bracket and the lower portion of the column, and (ii) a transverse portion extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of the column within the lower portion of the column. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the transverse portion is spaced below a top end of the lower portion of the column.