Safety cover for post brackets, column base connectors, and the like

A protective cover for a column base connector having a lower portion set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of spaced-apart, upstanding, first and second flanges extending upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete, each one of the first and second flanges defining a respective one of first and second flange bolt holes for use in bolting a column to the column base connector. The protective cover takes the form of an inverted pot having a lower edge and a size such that the inverted pot fits over the upper portion of the column base connector with the lower edge atop an upper surface of the body of concrete. The inverted pot includes a first side that defines a first cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the first flange bolt hole, and a second side of the inverted pot opposite the first side that defines a second cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the second flange bolt hole. In one embodiment, the inverted pot is shaped as a truncated rectangular pyramid, the first and second cover bolt holes are vertically elongated slots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to building construction equipment, and more particularly to a protective cover for post brackets, column base connectors, and the like.

2. Description of Related Art

The term “column base connector” refers to the metal brackets that secure the base of a structural column atop a concrete slab or footing. As used herein, that term includes post brackets and any other type of connector or bracket having a lower portion that is set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of two upstanding flanges that extend upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete. A typical column base connector, for example, is a one to two feet long component formed from 7 to 12 gauge, 2-inch wide, galvanized steel straps. It includes a six to nine inch long lower portion that is set in the concrete footing, and a six to nine inch long upper portion that includes two spaced-apart, upstanding flanges extending upwardly from the upper surface of the concrete footing. The upstanding flanges are spaced apart the width of the column to be secured (e.g., typically 3 9/16 inches for 4×4 and 4×6 wooden columns and 5½ inches for a 6×6 wooden column). The column is bolted in place with bolts that extend through bolt holes in the upstanding flanges and aligned bolt holes drilled through the column.

This type of construction is commonly employed for decks, patio covers, and any of various other building structures using posts or columns. The problem is that there is typically a substantial period of time between the time the concrete crew pours the concrete and sets the column base connectors and the time the carpenters bolt the columns in place. During this period, the upstanding flanges are dangerous projections that can cause lacerations and even impalement. The potential for injury is very real and serious, and so a need exists for a way to overcome this concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention alleviates the concerns outlined above by providing a protective cover for the column base connectors. The cover fits over, and is secured onto, the upstanding flanges. The cover prevents lacerations and impalement, it is easily removed when it is time to mount the columns, and it is re-useable thereafter.

To paraphrase some of the more precise language appearing in the claims, a protective cover constructed according to the invention is intended for use with a column base connector having a lower portion set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of spaced-apart, upstanding, first and second flanges extending upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete, each one of the first and second flanges defining a respective one of first and second flange bolt holes for use in bolting a column to the column base connector. The protective cover includes an inverted pot having a lower edge and a size such that the inverted pot fits over the upper portion of the column base connector with the lower edge atop an upper surface of the body of concrete. A first side of the inverted pot defines a first cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the first flange bolt hole. A second side of the inverted pot disposed opposite the first side defines a second cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the second flange bolt hole.

One preferred embodiment is in the shape of a truncated rectangular pyramid and is rectangular in horzontal cross-section. It is fabricated of tough, impact-resistant plastic, such as ABS, to be at least 8.5 inches high in order to cover most sizes of column base connectors, and no more than 12 inches high in order to limit silhouette height and fabrication cost.

Thus, the invention provides a re-useable protective cover that is conveniently installed to help avoid injury from column base connectors. The following illustrative drawings and detailed description make the foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention more apparent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1of the drawings shows a column base connector10constructed according to the prior art. It includes a lower portion11set in a body of concrete12, and an upper portion in the form of two spaced-apart, upstanding, first and second flanges13and14. The first and second flanges extend upwardly from an upper surface15of the body of concrete12, and they are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the base of a structural column between them. The column base connector10represents any of various types, kinds, and sizes of column base connectors. It is illustrated arbitrarily as a column base connector for a 4×6 wooden column or post (not shown), using 12-gauge,2-inch wide galvanized steel straps such that the lower portion extends downwardly into the body of concrete about 8 inches, the first and second flanges13and14extend upwardly from the upper surface15about 7.5 inches, and the first and second flanges13and14are paced apart about 3 9/16 inches. The first flange13defines first and third flange bolt holes16and17, and the second flange14defines second and fourth flange bolt holes18and19(e.g., for receiving ½-inch diameter bolts). Of course, those particulars may vary significantly according to the precise column base connector10set used.

With the column base connector10set in the body of concrete12as illustrated, carpenters eventually bolt a column (not shown) in place atop the body of concrete12using bolts that extend through the flange bolt holes16–19and aligned bolt holes drilled through the column (as used herein, the term “column” includes posts). Until the carpenters do so, however, the upstanding first and second flanges13and14are dangerous projections that can cause lacerations and even impalement as mentioned previously.

FIG. 2shows a protective cover in the form of an inverted pot20constructed according to the invention and installed over the column base connector10. It is in an inverted pot in the sense that it has a shape resembling a normally upwardly opening vessel or container having a bottom and an upper rim that has been turned upside down so that it is downwardly opening with its rim facing downwardly and its bottom facing upwardly. Inverted that way, the rim is then a lower edge and the bottom is a top.

The inverted pot20includes a top21, first and second sides22and23, and a lower edge26. The sides22,23are attached to and extend from the top21to the lower edge26. A circularly shaped inverted pot may be used within the broader inventive concepts disclosed (two semi-circularly shaped sides), but the inverted pot20shown in the drawings is shaped as a truncated rectangular pyramid, having a rectangular top21measuring about 6 inches on each edge and a rectangular lower edge26measuring about 6.5 inches on each edge. First and second sides22,23and third and fourth sides24,25are about 9.75 inches long and slope slightly from the top21to the lower edge26, typically providing an inch of draft along the height of each side22–25. Pot20is fabricated of suitably rigid and strong material and dimensioned to be at least 8.5 inches high in order to cover most sizes of column base connectors, and no more than 12 inches high in order to limit silhouette height (less obtrusive) and fabrication cost.

The first side22defines a first cover bolt hole27, and the second side23defines a second cover bolt hole28(FIGS. 2–4). The inverted pot20is secured to the column base connector10, such as by bolt29that extends through the first and second cover bolt holes27and28and the first and second flange bolt holes16and18. As used herein, the term “bolt” includes any sort of bolt, pin, or rod. Bolt29is secured by securing means40, such as a washer and clevis pin, or a nut or other suitable arrangement.

The first side22also defines a third cover bolt hole30, and the second also defines a fourth cover bolt hole31. The extra cover bolt holes30and31facilitate use of the inverted pot20with different sizes of column base connectors. The cover bolt holes27,28,30, and31are all elongated slots as illustrated (e.g., 0.5 inches wide by 2 inches long) to further help accommodate different column base connector sizes having flange bolt holes at different distances from the upper surface of the concrete footing, slab, or other body of concrete in which the column base connector is set. As a result, the inverted pot20has at least two cover bolt holes disposed in positions to align with two of the flange bolt holes, for any typical column base connector.

Thus, the invention provides a protective cover for the column base connectors. The cover fits over, and is secured onto, for example by a bolt secured with a nut or a pin, the upstanding flanges of the column base connector. The cover prevents lacerations and impalement, it is easily removed when it is time to mount the columns, and it is re-useable thereafter. Although an exemplary embodiment has been shown and described, one of ordinary skill in the art may make many changes, modifications, and substitutions without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.