Post Frame Column Base

Abstract

A one-piece, sheet metal connector connects a supported member or post that is in contact with the supporting member to the supporting member to resist upload and overturning forces. The connector partially encapsulates the post and is connected to the post and to the supporting member with fastenings.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connection between a supported structural member and a supporting structural member, the connection made with a connector and back fastenings, side fastenings and flange fastenings, the connection comprising:
 a. the supported structural member including a base, a back face, and first and second side faces;   b. the supporting structural member including a support surface;   c. the connector including a back member with at least a portion of the back member being in registration with the back face of the post, the connector also including a first side member connected to the back member and the first side member extending from the back member at an angle thereto with the first side member having at least a portion that interfaces with the first side face of the post, the connector also including a second side member connected to the back member and the second side member extends from the back member at an angle thereto with the second side member having at least a portion that interfaces with the second side face of the post, the connector also including a first foot flange connected to the first side member and disposed at an angle thereto, at least a portion of the first foot flange interfacing with the support surface of the supporting member, the connector also including a second foot flange connected to the second side member and disposed at an angle thereto, at least a portion of the second foot flange interfacing with the support surface of the supporting member;   d. the back fastenings passing through the back member and entering the back face of the supported structural member;   e. the side fastenings passing through the first and second side members and entering the first and second side faces of the supported structural member respectively; and   f. the foot fastenings passing through the first and second foot members and entering the support surface of the supporting structural member.   
     
     
         2 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the connector includes a first foot strengthening member connected to the first foot flange and disposed at an angle thereto, and   b. the connector includes a second foot strengthening member connected to the second foot flange and disposed at an angle thereto.   
     
     
         3 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a. the first foot strengthening member is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the first foot flange and extends from the first foot flange in parallel relation to the first side member; and   b. the second foot strengthening member is disposed at an orthogonal angle to the second foot flange and extends from the second foot flange in parallel relation to the second side member.   
     
     
         4 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the first side member is connected to the back member along a first side bend along a first side edge of the back member; and   b. the second side member is connected to the back member along a second side bend along a second side edge of the back member opposed from the first side edge of the back member.   
     
     
         5 . The connection of  claim 4 , wherein:
 a. the first foot flange is connected to the first side member along a first bottom bend along the bottom edge of the first side member and along the first bottom bend there is provided one or more strengthening gussets with the strengthening gussets extending between the first side member and the first foot flange, the one or more strengthening gussets each being formed with a bridge member that extends between the first side member and the first foot flange, and descending from either side of the bridge member are first and second gusset side panels that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and the first side member and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and first foot flange; and   b. the second foot flange is connected to the second side member along a second bottom bend along the bottom edge of the second side member and along the second bottom bend there is provided one or more strengthening gussets with the strengthening gussets extending between the second side member and the second foot flange, the one or more strengthening gussets each being formed with a bridge member that extends between the second side member and the second foot flange, and descending from either side of the bridge member are first and second gusset side panels that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and the second side member and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and second foot flange.   
     
     
         6 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the back member is also formed with a top edge and an opposed bottom edge and the bottom edge of the back member is removed from the support surface of the supporting structural member, exposing a lower portion of the back face of the supported structural member.   
     
     
         7 . The connection of  claim 6 , wherein:
 a. the first side member has a top edge and the top edge of the first side member is disposed below the height of the top edge of the back member, and the bottom edge of the first side member is disposed below the height of the bottom edge of the back member with the bottom edge of the first side member, resting on or being closely adjacent to the support surface of the supporting structural member; and   b. the second side member has a top edge and the top edge of the second side member is disposed below the height of the top edge of the back member, and the bottom edge of the second side member is disposed below the height of the bottom edge of the back member with the bottom edge of the second side member, resting on or being closely adjacent to the support surface of the supporting structural member.   
     
     
         8 . The connection of  claim 7 , wherein:
 a. the first foot flange is connected to the first side member along a first bottom bend along the bottom edge of the first side member and along the first bottom bend there is provided one or more strengthening gussets with the strengthening gussets extending between the first side member and the first foot flange, the one or more strengthening gussets each being formed with a bridge member that extends between the first side member and the first foot flange, and descending from either side of the bridge member are first and second gusset side panels that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and the first side member and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and first foot flange; and   b. the second foot flange is connected to the second side member along a second bottom bend along the bottom edge of the second side member and along the second bottom bend there is provided one or more strengthening gussets with the strengthening gussets extending between the second side member and the second foot flange, the one or more strengthening gussets each being formed with a bridge member that extends between the second side member and the second foot flange, and descending from either side of the bridge member are first and second gusset side panels that are substantially triangular in shape with one portion of each gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and the second side member and a second portion of the gusset side panel extending between the bridge member and second foot flange.   
     
     
         9 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flange fastenings are threaded fasteners received in pre-drilled bores in the supporting structural member, and the flange fastenings have flared heads that interface with the first and second foot flanges.   
     
     
         10 . The connection of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the back fastenings and the side fastenings are self-drilling, threaded fasteners.   
     
     
         11 . The connection of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the back fastenings and the side fastenings do not extend all the way through the supported structural member.   
     
     
         12 . The connection of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the connector is not inserted in the supporting structural member.   
     
     
         13 . The connection of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a. the first foot member is formed with an opening for receiving the flange fastening, and the opening in the first foot member is bracketed by strengthening gussets formed in a bend between the first foot member and the first side member; and   b. the second foot member is formed with an opening for receiving the flange fastening, and the opening in the second foot member is bracketed by strengthening gussets formed in a bend between the second foot member and the second side member.   
     
     
         14 . The connection of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the back member is formed with horizontally disposed elongated slots that expose the back face of the supported member.   
     
     
         15 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the back fastenings and the side fastenings are self-drilling, threaded fasteners.   
     
     
         16 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the back fastenings and the side fastenings do not extend all the way through the supported structural member.   
     
     
         17 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector is not inserted in the supporting structural member.   
     
     
         18 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the first foot member is formed with an opening for receiving the flange fastening, and the opening in the first foot member is bracketed by strengthening gussets formed in a bend between the first foot member and the first side member; and   b. the second foot member is formed with an opening for receiving the flange fastening, and the opening in the second foot member is bracketed by strengthening gussets formed in a bend between the second foot member and the second side member.   
     
     
         19 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the back member is formed with horizontally disposed elongated slots that expose the back face of the supported member.   
     
     
         20 . The connection of  claim 19 , wherein:
 an additional structural member is attached to the supported structural member by fasteners that pass through additional structural member and are received in the supported structural member, and are received in the elongated slots in the back member, and the fasteners do not have any contact with the back member of the connector.