Foundation Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A foundation apparatus comprised of flat plates that is used to support above-ground structures is disclosed. A method of making, using and installing a pile foundation for those applications is also provided. The present invention relates to various flat plate foundation supports that provide a foundation anchor for various ground supported structures. Specifically, the present invention relates to a foundation anchor support that comprises flat longitudinally extending plates that are adapted to be inserted beneath a ground surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foundation apparatus for placement in the ground comprising:
 a ground-engaging portion having at least one plate adapted to allow insertion into the ground, the ground-engaging portion having a bottom end and a top end; and   an upper portion connected to the top end of the ground-engaging portion, the upper portion adapted to support an above-ground structure.   
     
     
         2 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ground-engaging portion further comprises an acute bottom end. 
     
     
         3 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is a pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is a plate. 
     
     
         5 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 3  or  4  wherein the upper portion is welded to the ground-engaging portion. 
     
     
         6 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ground-engaging portion further comprises a plurality of plates connected along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ground-engaging portion further comprises a plate with a first end, a second end, and a center portion, the first end and the second end occupying a plane perpendicular to the plane of the center portion. 
     
     
         8 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the foundation apparatus is composed of steel. 
     
     
         9 . The foundation apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the foundation apparatus is galvanized. 
     
     
         10 . A method of installing the foundation apparatus of  claim 1  comprising the steps of pushing the foundation apparatus into the ground. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using the foundation apparatus of  claim 1  comprising the steps of mounting a structure to the upper portion of the foundation apparatus.