US902448A - Column-base. - Google Patents

Description

BEST AVABLABLE COR G. L. PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1908.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

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G. L PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE.

APPLICATION 21mm JUNE 5,1908. Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

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Patented 0013. 27, 1908.

APPLICATION IILED JUNE 5,1908.

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G. L. PREACHER.

COLUMN BASE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5,1908.

902,448. Patented 00t.27,1908.

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anoantoz UNiTED STATES Parana errron COL U MN-B ASE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

Application filed June 5, 1908. Serial No. 436,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEOFFREY LLOYD PREACHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Augusta, in the county of Richmond and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Column Bases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bases or steps for columns, posts and the like, the object of the invention being to provide a base or step which is susceptible of being inexpensively manufactured, which is simple, strong and durable in construction, which is adapted to be interlocked with and secured to the column or post in a firm manner, and which is also adapted to prevent the accumulation of moisture between the lower end of the post or column and the supporting surface and permit of. a free circulation of air therebetween to keep the adjacent surfaces of the parts dry.

A further object of the invention is to provide a column base which, in addition to being light of structure, has its parts securely tied and braced to increase its strength to a maximum extent, and which may be cast, molded or stamped out of any one of a number of suitable materials, and employed in conjunction with posts of different materials and of different cross-sectional forms.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a base or step which may be employed as a coupling for connecting the rails of a stairway with the newel post and baluster posts, for connecting the rails of the railing of a porch with the porch columns and baluster posts thereof, and for many other analogous and useful purposes.

. The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a form of base embodying my invention adapted for use with round rails, columns or posts. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the base and lower end of the column. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of base for round columns, posts or rails. Fig.

5 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary crosssection through the base and elevation of the lower end of the column, illustrating the interlocking connection. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the column. Fig. Sis a top plan view of a form of base for square columns, posts or rails. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a base or step for baluster posts,and which may also be used as a coupling for connecting rails with newel posts, porch columns, etc. Fig. 11 is a view showing the use of the forms of the invention in a porch railing. Fig. 12 is a detail horizontal section thereof. Fig. 13 is a view showing the use of the forms of the invention for connecting the parts of a stair railing. Fig. 14is a detail side viewof a feature thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, 1 designates the column base or step, which may be cast, molded or stamped of iron, steel, fiber or any suitable plastic material, or be formed of wood or stone, as may be desired or circumstances may require. As illustrated in the'present instance, it is generally of rectangular form and comprises a top wall 2 provided with depending side walls 3, which are adapted to bear at their lower edges upon the surface of the floor or base from which the column is supported. These walls are provided with recesses 4 eX- tending through their lower edges, for a purpose hereinafter described. The walls 3 form and bound a chamber or cavity 5 below the top wall 2, which latter is provided with a central circular opening 6, and preferably with a raised surface 7 surrounding said opening and on which the lower end of the column 8 is adapted to seat. In the construction disclosed in such figures, the raised portion 7 consists of an upstanding rib, from the inner edge of which projects an annular seat flange 9 extending around and forming the marginal wall of the opening 6. This flange is provided at intervals with notches 10 and between the notches with openings 11 for the upward passage of fastening devices, such as screws, designed to enter the bottom of the column and to assist in securing the same to the base.

Depending from the top wall 2 and arranged within the chamber or cavity 5 is an annular flange or bearing member 12 provided at its lower edge in line with the corners of the side walls with recesses 13. The lower edge of this flange lies flush with the lower edges of the side walls 3 and bears with the same against the floor or supporting surface upon which the base rests, thus reinforcing the top wall 2 to effectually sustain the weight of the column or post and adding materially to the strength of the structure of the base. [it the points opposite the recesses 4 in the depending rim or side walls 3 the flange or bearing member 12 is intact, so that said flange forms a bearing at such points, thereby insuring an equal bearing of the base on all the underlying boards or surfaces of the floor or .foundation. The strength and durability of the post is further increased by the use of braces 14 disposed in the cavity or chamber and connecting the flange or bearing member 12 with the side walls at the corners or points of intersection of the latter. These braces are cut away in line with the recesses in the bearing member, as shown at 14:, and such recesses are disposed out of alinement with and between the cut away portions or recesses of the side walls, so as to cause an eflective circulation of air through and around the cavity or chamber and the base of the post to prevent the accumulation of moisture and to keep the surfaces dry. The cut away portions or recesses of the several parts also provide for the passage of water below the base of the column or post, so as to prevent the retention of water when the post or column is exposed to the elements.

The base of the column or post 8 may be plane or flat to rest upon the rim or raised portion 7, but in order to increase the strength and durability of the connection and to hold the lower end of the column slightly spaced above the level or top of the wall 2, the bottom of the column may be formed with a circular boss 15 to rest upon the said raised portion 7 and with a circular extension or step 16 to fit within the opening 6. Upon the bottom. of the column is arranged a series of radial locking keys 17 which may consist of angularly bent strip integral with or fastened to the column and having offsets or hooked portions to project beneath the looking or seat flange 7 and thus form an interlocking connection between the column and base, adding security to the connection. The locking keys are spaced and disposed to register with the notches 10 and are adapted to be brought into alinement therewith, so that upon partly rotating the column or base the keys may be brought to lie below said locking or seat flange, while by reverse rotary movement of one of said parts the column and base may be disconnected after the withdrawal of the screws or other fastenings, when such are used.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the invention provides a column base or step which, while simple of construction, possesses maximum strength and durability, and is designed to support and hold the column elevated above the surface of the floor or other foundation in an effective manner to prevent the accumulation of moisture and afford free circulation of air, whereby injury to the lower end of the column, or rotting thereof when a wooden column is used, will be obviated. The construction employed also adapts the base to be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost, and made of a variety of materials.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a base 1 of slightly modified form is shown for use in connection with a round column or post 8 which is flat or plane surfaced at its lower end. to rest squarely thereon, such a post or column being illustrated in Fig. 7. In all material respects the base is of the same form and construction as that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the most important difference being that the seat flange 6 has its upper surface lying flush with the raised portion 7 to increase the extent of supporting surface for the column, a feature of advantage where the column is not provided with a pro jection to enter the opening. In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown still another modified form of base 1 as designed for supporting square columns or posts or columns or posts of other angular form in cross-section. Here the en tire upper surface of the top wall is plane, with all of its portions flush to form a flat support for the lower end of the column, which may occupy the full extent of the surface of the top wall, thus providing for the support of angular posts or columns of considerable thickness without the necessity of increasing the size of the base. In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein the base, 1, is especially designed for supporting baluster posts or columns of stairs having inclined rails, the general structure and form of the upper surface of the base may accord with any of the other forms disclosed, but the lower edges of the side walls and the interior annular flange or bearing member are inclined, as shown at 18, from one side to the other of the base to adapt the latter to rest upon a correspondingly inclined surface, while its upper surface remains in a horizontal plane to form a seat for the lower end'of the vertical column or post.

It will be understood, of course, that the device may be used as a base or step for columns and posts of various kinds, and as a support for a part wherever it is desired to hold the part spaced from a base surface for the purpose of permitting. of the free passage of water and securing ventilation to keep the adjacent surfaces of the parts dry.

In Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, I have illustrated some of the various uses to which my improved base pieces or steps may be put. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 1 and 12, the bases are shown employed as couplings for connecting the upper and lower rails 20 of a porch railing with a column 8'" and connecting the baluster posts 21 with the lower rail. As illustrated, the column 8 a is mounted at its lower end upon the base or step 1 of the construction disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, while upon the side of the column are fixed base pieces or steps 1 corresponding in general form to the base 1 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, except that the edges of the side walls and interior flange of the bases are' curved on an are, as at 8, to conform to the contour of that portion-of the column against which they bear. These steps or base pieces operate in this connection as coupling brackets for attaching the adjacent ends of the rails 20 to the column, said brackets being fixed t0 the column in any preferred manner, as by the use of bolts passing through the openings 11 therein, while the ends of the rails are provided with keys 17 to interlock with the base pieces, as hereinbefore described, thus firmly, yet detachably, connecting the rails with the column. The lower ends of the baluster posts 21 are seated upon base pieces 1 of the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and which are secured to the lower rails 20, it being understood that said posts are provided with keys to interlock with the base pieces. By this construction the parts of the railing may be quickly and conveniently assembled, and as readily disassembled, and provision is made for the ventilation and the escape of water from between the parts at the points where they are joined.

In Figs. 13 and 14, I have shown the base pieces 1 and 1 employed, respectively, as a base support for a newel post 8 and couplings for the rails 20 and baluster posts 21 of the stairway, in which the rails are inclined in the usual manner. Where the newel post 8 is of circular form at its lower end, a sup orting base corresponding to the base 1 or ase 1 may be employed. The ends of the rails 20" are provided with keys to interlock with the brackets 1, which have their inclined bases arranged to bear against the face of the post 8 and which are secured to the post in any suitable manner, as by bolts or screws passing through the openings 11 therein. The baluster posts 21 of the rails are also detachably connected at their lower ends in a similar manner with the corresponding brackets 1 secured to the lower rail 20 and having their inclined faces bearing against said rail. The form of the brackets 1, it will be apparent, adapts them tobe attached to the newel post and lower rail in such a manner as to preserve the relative arrangement of the parts of the stairway, and the advantages of coupling such parts in this manner, so as to adapt them to be firmly held and readily disconnected when occasion requires, will be apparent without further description.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A column base comprising a body embodying a top wall having an opening therein and depending supports for holding said top wall at an elevation, said top wall being provided with recesses in the margin of said opening and communicating therewith.

2. A column base having an elevated top wall provided with an opening therein and formed in the marginal edge of said opening with recesses.

3. A column base having an elevated top wall provided with an opening therein, and formed with a raised portion beyond and surrounding the opening, and an extension projecting into the opening, said extension being provided at intervals with notches or recesses.

A column base having an elevated top wall and a cavity beneath the same, said top wall being provided with an opening communicating with the cavity and having a depressed flange surrounding and forming the margin of said opening, said flange being provided with notches or recesses.

5. A support for columns comprising a hollow base having an elevated top wall provided with an opening therein and provided with recesses communicating with said opening, and a column adapted to rest at its base upon said top wall and provided with projections adapted to be passed through said recesses and to engage beneath the top wall to interlock the base and column.

6. A column base comprising a body embodying a top wall and depending side walls, said top wall being formed with an opening and recesses in the marginal edge of the opening, and a bearing member disposed in the base and extending downwardly from the top wall.

7. A column base comprising a hollow body having an elevated top wall provided with an opening and recesses at intervals around the marginal edge of the opening, and formed with a depending bearing member, and braces connecting said bearing member with the sides of the body.

8. A column base comprising a rectangular body embodying a top wall provided with an opening and having recesses communicating with said opening, side Walls depending from said top Wall and supporting the latter the top Wall and inelosed by the side Walls, at an elevation, a bearing member connected the lower edges of said side Walls and bearing at its upper end With the top Wall around the flange being inclined from one side of the marginal Wall of the opening and depending base of the step to the other. 5 between said side Walls, and braces connect- In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature 1-5 ing said bearing member With the corner porin presence of tWo Witnesses. tions of the side Walls. GEOFFREY LLOYD PREACHER.

9. A column base or the like oornprising a 'Witnesses: top Wall, side Walls depending from the top CLAUDE P. BACON, 10 Well, and a bearing flange depending from R. J. PARKS.

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