Patent ID: 8567743
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
1. A system for attaching a columnar building member, having a top, a shaft and a base, to one or more structural support members, wherein the columnar building member is hollow and supports an offset load at the top, the system comprising: a base connecting bracket, comprising a flat base plate and a socket; wherein the base plate has an outer perimeter in the shape of a closed plane curve or a polygon and an inner perimeter in the shape of a closed plane curve or a polygon; wherein the socket has an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, which matches the shape and size of the inner perimeter of the base plate; wherein the inner perimeter of the base plate is connected to the lower perimeter of the socket; wherein the socket defines an interior socket cavity that conforms to the base of the columnar building member, such that the base of the columnar building member snugly fits within the socket cavity; wherein a plurality of fastening means are disposed along the socket, whereby the base of the columnar building member is securely fastened to the base connecting bracket within the socket cavity; wherein a plurality of fastening means are disposed along the base plate, whereby the base connecting bracket is securely fastened to the structural support member(s); an offset load transfer structure which connects to top of the columnar building member to the offset load; a base support, comprising a flat peripheral rim and a central bevel in the shape of a frustum or an inverted bowl, the central bevel having a flat apex surface with a bevel aperture; a base reinforcing washer, comprising a flat washer disk having a washer aperture; a series of one or more interconnected tension members having an upper distal end and lower proximal end; one or more tension member couplers, which interconnect the tension members; one or more mechanical tension member fasteners; wherein a plurality of fastener apertures are disposed around the peripheral rim of the base support; wherein the base support conforms to the base plate of the base connecting bracket, and the central bevel insertably fits within the socket cavity, such that the base connecting bracket fits over the base support to form a mated base support-connecting unit; wherein the proximal end of the tension member(s) is secured by one or more tension member fasteners to the underside of the base reinforcing washer, and the tension member(s) extend(s) successively through the waster aperture, through the socket cavity, through the bevel aperture, and through the shaft of the columnar building member, and the distal end of the tension member(s) is secured by one or more tension member fasteners to the offset load transfer structure; and wherein the fastening means disposed along the base plate of the base connecting bracket extend through the fastening apertures of the peripheral rim of the base support and thereby secure the mated base support-connecting unit to the structural support member(s).