Abstract:
A building foundation anchoring and interface system for receiving supporting the base of an upright structural column. This system and interface includes an open-topped bucket-well structure which is embedded in a foundation, and which is sized so as to permit the received base of an inserted column to be adjusted laterally, in a multidirectional sense, vertically angularly, and axially rotationally, and with substantial clearance, so as to enable easy correct positioning of a column. Poured into the bucket-well structure after the same has received the base of a column is an appropriate fluid-flowable, hardenable, bulk anchoring material, such as conventional building grout material. An opening may be provided in the wall of the base of a column so that such flowable material flows into the interior of a column, as well as into the space between the outside of the column&#39;s base and the inside of the receiving bucket-well. The column which has its base received in the bucket-well optionally carries a shoulder-extending foot plate which cooperates with the bulk-anchoring material, and the configuration of the bucket well, to inhibit vertical lifting of a column out of the bucket-well.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to two currently pending, prior filed, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, one of which bears Ser. No. 60/425,442 covering an invention entitled “Pinwheel Bucket-Well Column-Base Anchor Structure”, filed Nov. 12, 2002, and the other of which is U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/460,625, filed Apr. 3, 2003, covering an invention entitled “Tripod Base with Collar Stabilizer for Upright Column”. The inventorship in both of these provisional cases is the same as that in this application, and the entireties of these two provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to installation relative to a foundation, or to what is know in the art as a podium slab, of an upright column which is to form part of a multi-story building structure. In particular, it relates to a novel bucket-well (also called a bucket-well structure), and an associated preliminary upright stabilizer system, that are designed to aid in such an installation. 
     When a column which is to be employed in a building frame structure is installed, it is, of course, necessary that the column be placed in a true vertical condition, with its central axis properly located relative to the horizontal. The column must also be suitably stabilized in the correct vertical position until it has become appropriately anchored in place. With regard to a column which rises directly from a building foundation, or from what is known as a podium slab (which typically resides just overhead the first level in a multi-story building), it is extremely important that true verticality and precise lateral locating take place, since any error committed at this stage of building frame structure can telegraph into significant positional errors in higher stories or levels in a building. It is also important that, relative to its long axis, a column be in the correct rotational disposition. Finally, once such column orienting has happened, it is important to capture and lock the disposition of a column&#39;s base so as to secure the efforts made to position it correctly. 
     The present invention specifically addresses these matters by providing what is referred to herein as a bucket-well that is suitably embedded in a building foundation or in a podium slab, with this bucket-well including a well having an upwardly facing receiving opening for receiving the base of a column inside the well. Such an opening has sufficient lateral clearance, relative to the footprint of a column, to allow that column to be adjusted laterally and vertically angularly so as to position it in a precision manner relative to the horizontal and to a plumb line. This bucket-well also freely permits column rotation about its own long axis. Providing these opportunities for adjustment is a significant feature and advantage offered by the present invention. For example, in a typical installation, there is usually only a very tiny amount, say about one-eighth-inches, of forgiveness provided for adjusting the correctness of the lateral position of the base of a column. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, as will be seen, preferably offers significantly more adjustability clearance, for example, allowing adjustment of the base of a column in substantially any lateral direction, back and forth, up to one to two inches. Additionally, this enhanced lateral clearance readily accommodates adjustments in verticality, and axial rotation. 
     During the preliminary stages of column installation with respect to a foundation or a podium slab, it is, as was earlier mentioned, very important that the column be stabilized in an upright position until it has become securely anchored in place. The present invention offers a unique openable and closeable, tripodically supported collar structure having legs which can rest on a foundation or on a podium slab, and an openable and closeable collar which can be suitably closed on and around the outside of an upright column, relatively near to the base. This structure provides initial stabilizing support against undesired tilting of an about-to-be installed column. When the column has been anchored in place, this collar support structure can be removed for use with the installation of another column. 
     With the base of a column received within the bucket-well structure of this invention, and according to practice of this invention, a suitable conventional grouting substance, initially in a fluid-flowable form, is poured into the bucket-well to fill the same around the outside of the received base end of a column. This grouting substance, referred to herein as an anchoring material, cures and hardens to capture, contain, and “position-lock” the base of a column. Preferably, the invention is employed with a hollow, tubular type column, and the wall in this column, near the base, is furnished with at least one throughbore, or access opening, that opens to the inside and to the outside of the column in order to enable poured grout within the bucket-well mentioned to flow into the inside of the column, thus to create a through-wall, bridging anchoring portion of the anchoring material, which greatly enhances the anchoring and securing of the base of a column in the bucket-well. 
     Preferably also, an optional foot plate is anchored across the bottom end of a column, with this plate having a perimeter which is larger than the footprint of the column, thus to create a shoulder/shelf-like-extension which circumsurrounds the outside of the column. With curing of the mentioned grouting substance, and as will be seen shortly, this extension functions to prevent vertical lift of a column relative to its anchored position in the preferred embodiment of the bucket-well of this invention. 
     These and other features and advantages which are attained by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description which now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, stylized and schematic isometric view illustrating the structure of the present invention in a preferred and best mode form under circumstances where upright columns are being installed relative to a concrete podium slab which will form part of a multi-story building. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary detail taken generally along the line  2 — 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view, on a slightly larger scale than that employed in  FIG. 2 , taken generally along the line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the base of an upright column received within the well of an alternative form of bucket-well foundation anchoring structure constructed in accordance with a modified form of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view taken generally along the line  5 — 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional detail taken generally along the line  6 — 6  in  FIG. 1  illustrating the operation of a collar stabilizer structure which is also shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     In none of these three drawing figures is there anything which is necessarily drawn to scale. Rather, structural elements are pictured at appropriate scales in order to enable a clear understanding of the features of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, and referring first of all to  FIG. 1 , indicated generally at  10 , in a high level schematic form, is a multi-story building frame structure, including upright columns, three of which are shown at  12 ,  14 ,  16 , which have their bases anchored to a foundation structure  18 , which herein takes the form of what is known as a podium slab. These column bases are so anchored through a bucket-well (also referred to as a bucket-well anchoring and interface system) such as the one shown at  20 , constructed in accordance with a preferred and best-mode embodiment and manner of practicing the present invention. Bucket-well  20  includes an upwardly facing well  21 . In order to simplify  FIG. 1  in the drawings, only the base of column  12 , where that base is directly anchored to foundation  20 , is specifically shown in this figure. It should be understood, however, that all other columns, such as columns  14 ,  16 , have their bases similarly anchored and contained within foundation  20 . 
     The columns in building frame structure  10  are interconnected through horizontally extending beams, such as the five beams shown at  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , with nodal connections which exist between the beams and columns represented only schematically in  FIG. 1  by three large black dots, shown at  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The exact natures of these nodal connections form no part of the present invention and thus no further details about them are given herein. 
     Shown generally  38  in  FIG. 1 , in association with column  16 , is a preferred and best-mode form of what is referred herein as an installation-assist brace structure which includes a selectively openable and closeable collar structure  40  which, in  FIG. 1 , is supported above foundation  20  by three tripodically supporting elongate legs  42 . A double ended curved arrow  44  in  FIG. 1  is provided to represent the capability of collar  40  for opening and closing around the sides of an upright column, such as around the sides of column  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     With respect to the way in which column  12  is specifically shown in  FIG. 1 , one will notice that a vertical central portion of this column is shown fragmentarily to be hollow and to have basically a square cross section. While the present invention, as will become apparent, may be used with various different styles of columns, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described herein in conjunction with such a column which is tubular and hollow, and generally square in cross-sectional configuration. 
     Shown at  46 ,  48  near the lower left side of  FIG. 1  are two doubled-ended straight arrows which cross one another, and which are provided to illustrate the capability which is afforded by the bucket-well structure of the present invention, such as the one shown at  20 , to allow for a significant and useful amount of lateral, or horizontal, adjustable positioning of the base of a column which is being installed. This allowance assures that the column&#39;s positioning, in a horizontal “plan” manner of thinking, may be precisely accomplished. As will become apparent, the bucket-well structure of this invention uniquely accommodates such positioning, and does so especially well in cooperation with an overhead stabilizing collar brace structure, such as that shown at  38  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  along with  FIG. 1 , bucket-well  20  is formed herein from plate steel material, and includes a central component  20   a  which, as viewed from a side, such as in  FIG. 2 , has a kind of double, back-to-back Z configuration, including a base  20   b , and a pair of downwardly and outwardly flaring opposed walls  20   c . Bucket-well  20  also includes a pair of appropriately shaped side plates  20   d  which close off the sides of the bucket-well. The upper edges of walls  20   c  join with outwardly and oppositely extending planar shoulders  20   e  which lie substantially flush with the top surface of foundation  18 . The remainder (lower portion) of the bucket-well is appropriately embedded within this foundation which is made of concrete. It will be apparent that, because of the particular shape thus provided for bucket-well  20 , and with particular reference made to outwardly and downwardly flaring walls  20   c , the bucket-well is positively captured and restrained from any inadvertent vertical movement upwardly out of its embedded condition in the foundation. 
     As was mentioned earlier herein, the various structural components which are illustrated in the figures herein have not been drawn particularly to scale. Given this, it should be understood that the depth of the well, which is thus created as an upwardly facing volume within structure  20 , might typically be about 1-foot or so. This depth is, of course, purely a matter of designer choice. 
     Preferably, the open top of this upwardly facing well space in structure  20  has a defining perimetral rim outline (rim) and configuration  20   f  (see  FIG. 3 ) which, with the particular column for which it is intended extending with its base downwardly into the well, is sized so as to provide a substantial lateral clearance space around the outside of the column, and between the column, and the upwardly facing opening of the well in structure  20 . In  FIG. 3  in the drawings, column  12  is shown therein in an idealized centered position relative to structure  20 , with the column&#39;s long axis, which is shown at  12   a , essentially centered in the receiving space provided by this well. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , column  12  has a defined perimetral outline (or cross-section footprint)  12   c  which is smaller than that of well rim  20   f . Under these circumstances, and again speaking from a preferability point of view, a side clearance space is afforded adjacent the four sides of column  12 , which clearance space is shown at C in  FIG. 3 , of about 1-inch. This clearance space thus offers the opportunity for a significant amount of lateral positioning orthogonally, as is indicated by previously mentioned arrows  46 ,  48 , within the receiving well in structure  20 . This clearance space assures that when the column is ready for final positioning in building frame structure  10 , it may be accurately positioned to the correct horizontal plan location. 
     Shown as a thick dark line  49  in  FIG. 2  is a horizontal foot plate which is anchored, as by welding, to the bottom end of column  12 . The perimeter of this foot plate extends as a horizontal shoulder  49   a  which circumsurrounds the outside of the column. As will become clear shortly, this perimeter-extending foot plate plays a useful role ultimately in preventing vertical lifting of the column within the bucket-well. The open top of the bucket-well is large enough to permit downward passage of this foot plate during insertion of the column base into the well. 
     Greatly aiding in this practice of positioning a column within the well of a structure like structure  20  is previously mentioned brace structure  38 . Referring to  FIG. 6  now along with  FIGS. 1–3 , inclusive, collar  40  in brace  38  includes a pair (herein) of right-angle shaped collar sections  40   a ,  40   b  which are hinged for swinging toward and away from one another, generally as indicated by double-ended curved arrow  44  in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . Such swinging takes place about a suitable hinge axis which is provided by a hinge mechanism shown generally at  50  in  FIG. 6 . In solid lines in  FIG. 6 , collar sections  40   a ,  40   b  are shown closed around the outside of column  16  whose long axis  16   a  is shown centered within the closed collar structure. In dashed lines, collar section  40   a  is shown in  FIG. 6  in a somewhat swung-counterclockwise condition, thus partially opening the collar around column  16 . Any form of appropriate latch mechanism, such as that illustrated schematically at  51  in  FIG. 6 , may be employed releasably to latch and release the collar sections for opening, and for holding them closed. For illustration purposes in  FIG. 6 , latch mechanism  51  is shown with a swingable component  52  which is hinged at  54  for reversible swinging, as is indicated by doubled-ended curved arrow  56  in  FIG. 6 . 
     Obviously, it is relevant that the particular shape which is provided for openable and closeable collar sections in a collar structure  40 , in accordance with this invention, be configured to produce a snug fit around the outside of whatever column is being installed in a building frame structure. 
     During installation of a column, the same is initially gripped and lowered in any appropriate conventional fashion to place its base within the receiving well, such as well  21 , in a bucket-well structure, such as structure  20 . An installation brace structure with a collar like collar  40  a suitably positioned with the collar closed around this column to help stabilize it in a generally upright condition. The support legs and feet of this brace structure are suitably placed on, and even temporarily anchored to, the top surface of the surrounding foundation. Then, the column is adjusted, with the supporting collar helping to stabilize it, so as to position its base within a receiving well, such as well  21 , so as to be precisely located in a horizontal plan condition as desired in the building frame structure. 
     Once a column is properly in place with its base correctly positioned and received within a bucket-well, and with the column stabilized by a brace structure, such as structure  38 , a conventional, free-flowing fluid grout substance, such as that shown at  58  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is poured into the bucket-well to fill the same in the space between the column and the inside walls of the bucket-well, thus to complete the anchoring process upon setting and hardening of this poured substance. Substance  58  is also referred to herein as a bulk anchoring material, and the region of this substance which is disposed in the well around the column is referred to as a skirt. 
     With regard to the employment of such a grouting substance, it is preferred that at least one of the side walls in the base of a column be provided with a suitable opening, or through-wall passage, which opens both to the inside and to the outside of the column. Such an opening provides an opportunity for poured grout to flow into the interior of the base of a column, thus further to assure secure confinement and anchoring of the base of the column. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , such an opening is shown generally at  12   b  in column  12 . Grout occupying the outside of the base of column  12  is referred to as a volume, and the portion of grout which extends through passage  12   b  is referred to as a continuum portion, and as a bridging anchoring portion. 
     With curing and hardening of the poured grout material, any tendency of the secured column base to lift upwardly in the bucket-well is resisted both by the “bridging” of grout from the outside to the inside of the column base through opening  12   b , and also by a wedging action which occurs between the grout skirt and the bucket-well&#39;s sloped walls  20   c  as urged by foot plate shoulder  49   a.    
       FIGS. 4 and 5  in the drawings show one potential modified form  60  of the bucket-well structure of the present invention. Structure  60  is employed and shown, as in  FIGS. 1–3 , inclusive, in the context of the base of column  12 . This alternative form of bucket-well structure is seen to be made from a welded-together plurality (four) of angular plates  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  which are disposed in what can be thought of as a somewhat pinwheel-like arrangement. A base plate  60   e  closes off the base of an open topped well  62  which is provided by structure  60 . The well in structure  60  is essentially rectilinear from every point of view, and this bucket-well structure is suitably embedded in foundation  18 , and provided with auxiliary rod and foot anchoring structures, such as the (four) shown at  64  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Focusing for a moment on a feature of the invention mentioned earlier, and seen especially well with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 , the “continuum” bridging of grout which extends through opening, or passage,  12   b  in the base of column  12  provides an important vertical lock against upward movement of the column. As can be seen, the lower extremity of this grout continuum furnishes what may be thought of as vertical abutment engagement, blockage and interference against column lifting by virtue of the fact that it directly overlies the upwardly facing lower perimetral edge of passage  12   b  (see especially  FIG. 2 ). A “facial” view of this lower edge of passage  12   b  is seen exposed (i.e. without grout yet engaging it) in  FIG. 5 . It is this “lower edge” vertical abutment engagement condition which produces the important lock against vertical, upward column movement of column  12  out of the bucket-well of the invention. 
     Thus, the invention is described. 
     It should be understood that, while a preferred embodiment, and one modification thereof, of a bucket-well structure constructed in accordance with the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is entirely possible for other differently shaped bucket-well structures, differently embedded and anchored in a foundation or in a podium slab, may be employed. In each case, it is important that the bucket-well structure be appropriately embedded and anchored against retraction upwardly from a receiving foundation, etc. It is also important that the upwardly facing, initially open top of the bucket-well be sized appropriately to receive the downward insertion of the base of a column, and to provide lateral clearance, such as clearance C shown in  FIG. 3 , to enable appropriate multi-directionally lateral repositioning of the received column base. 
     Additionally, and while shown also is a preferred embodiment of what has been referred to herein as an installation-assist brace structure, such a structure may be differently configured to handle different types of columns. 
     Accordingly, it is appreciated that other variations and modifications of bucket-well and brace structures may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.