Patent ID: 7726912

Claim:
A support structure comprising: (a) a support panel comprising an upper support surface, an under surface, and at least one sidewall extending downwardly from said under surface, each sidewall having a lower edge; (b) at least one pile, each pile having an elongated body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and sidewalls, at least one sidewall of said pile being an apertured sidewall having at least one aperture located in said upper portion of said elongated body; (c) at least one bracket, each bracket comprising, (i) a lower portion having a first side, a second side, an upper ledge, and a base, said first side and said second side of said lower portion being substantially opposed from each other, (ii) a retainer extending laterally outward from said first side of said lower portion of said bracket, and (iii) at least one extension extending vertically upward from said second side of said lower portion of said bracket, each extension having a first side, a second side, an upper terminus, and a lower terminus, said second side of said extension extending laterally outward beyond said second side of said lower portion of said bracket, said upper terminus of said extension residing above said ledge of said lower portion of said bracket, and said lower terminus of said extension residing above said base of said lower portion of said bracket, wherein for each pile, said first side of said lower portion of said bracket abutting said apertured sidewall on said upper portion of said elongated body of said pile, said retainer of said bracket being received within said aperture of said apertured sidewall, and said first side of each extension of said bracket and said apertured sidewall of said pile together defining a vertical slot having an open top and a closed bottom defined by said upper ledge of said lower portion of said bracket; and (d) at least one mounting strap, extending tensionally around said upper portion of said elongated body of said pile and said lower portion of said bracket, thereby maintaining said first side of said lower portion of said bracket and said apertured sidewall of said pile in abutting relationship, and maintaining said retainer within said aperture, wherein, a portion of said sidewall of said support panel is supportively received within said vertical slot such that, at least one of, (i) said upper terminus of said extension abuts said under surface of said support panel, and (ii) said lower edge of said sidewall of said support panel abuts said upper ledge of said lower portion of said bracket.