US355701A - Pillar-step - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

G. E. MILLER.

PILLAR STEP.

Patented Jan. 11, 1887.

Lilhugraphnr. Wmlhinglon. D. c,

UNITED STATES.

PATENT @FFICE.

CHARLES EQMILLER, OF SGRANTON, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND EDWIN J. MACDONALD, OF MOOSIG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PlLLAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,701, dated January 11, 1887.

Application filed August 10. 1886. Serial No. 210,497. No model.)

To all whoin it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MILLER, of Scranton,'Lackawanna county, in the State of Pennsylvania, have inventeda certain new and usefulImprovement in Pillar-Steps for WVooden Buildings, of which the following is a specification.

The invention is adapted to apply to buildings of varioussizes and for various purposes in which wooden pillars are employed. I will describe it as applied to the piazza columns of an ordinarydwelling-house.

I support the wooden pillar on a strong, short metallic step, with provisions for leaving I 5 a cavity between the other portions of the base of the post and the supporting material below. I also provide for leading away any water which may be received in this cavity. It affords a strong and reliable support, with the wood portion of the pillar held up out of contact with the wet. The invention also facilitates relaying the floor without disturbing the column whenever such shall become necessary. I propose in all ordinary cases to make the step of cast-iron in two pieces, the lowermost being equipped to center the standard and.

also to receive and conduct away any water which may reach this point. The upper and main portion engages in a hole bored upward 0in about the center line of the pillar. The

casting is formed with a corresponding pivottenon, which engages in this hole and with a broad flange, which affords a firm bearing for the base of the pillar.

5 The following is a description of what Iconsider the best means of carryingout the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

0 Figure l is a vertical section illustrating the invention. Fig. 2 is a duplex view showing the shoe in top plan and side elevation, respectively.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre- 5 sponding parts in both the figures where they occur.

A is the pillar, which may be of Georgia pine or any other suitable wood, round, square, octagonal, or of any other suitable section,

finished plainly or elaborately.

B indicates the sills or supporting-timbers, which may rest on an underpinning of stone, or any other substantial support. (Not shown.)

I recess into or otherwise firmly support upon the timbers B a shoe, D, certain portions of which are indicated by additional marks, as D D D This shoe is preferably of cast-iron. It is of sufficient area to properly distribute the load upon a'sufficient portion of the sill. D is a conical elevation in the center; D a rim around the edge, and D a spout adapted to lead away water. I rest the pillar A and its superincumbent load upon this shoe D, through the medium of a metallic st ep, E, which is of smaller diameter, and affords a clear space or cavity, h. Specific portions of the step E will be designated, when necessary, by additional marks, as E E". The lower end, E, is pointed, to aid in centering it upon the recess-cone D. Above this is an extended horizontal flange, E The upper face is flat and of sufficient area to afford a firm bearing for the wood, which it is understood has been sawed oft square.

E is a long tenon, slightlytapered, as shown. It is matched in a hole bored to a slightly greater length in the line of the axis of the column A. l I

M M, &c., are the boards which form the upper surfaceof the door. They should match as closely as may be against the base of the post A, but they should not extend under.

O are ornamental pieces of wood, applied to form an ornamental base for the pillar The weight supported on the pillar is trans- 8 5 mitted directly from the ends of the grain of the wood to the stout flange E Through this and the metal E the strain is transmitted to the center of the basecasting D. Any water arriving at this point, either by coming down 0 the pillar within or without the base-pieces .O or traversing along on the floor-boards M, can escape freely from the cavity h. In case the floor-timber B, which supports the casting D, is narrower than the cavity h, the water may 5 escape, and air may circulate through the aperture thus provided. However that may be, D serves to lead away any water which may tend to remain near the central portion of the cavity. r00

The casting E holds the base of the wooden pillar A at such an elevation that no water can be absorbed by capillary attraction.

The invention provides for a free circulation of air and the nearly absolute exclusion of water from the timber.

Modifications may be madein the forms and proportions within wide limits. The part E may be made longer, care being taken to bore the holes of a corresponding and slightly greater length; or the part E may be shortened considerably.

I claim as my inventionl. The wood pillar A, in combination with the flooring M, and with a metallic step, as E, and with a suitable support below, arranged to provide a cavity, h, under the base of A, as and for the purposes herein specified.

2. The shoe D, having a central conical recess, D, and provisions, as the rim D and 20 O. E. MILLER,

Vi tnesses:

JOHN G. McAsKm, W. W. LATHROPE-

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