Piling extender

Abstract

A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for raising a structure, comprising:
 a sleeve, the sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of a first vertical structural member such that the sleeve encloses a top portion of the first vertical structural member and extends past the top portion in a direction along a length of the first vertical structural member, wherein the portion of the sleeve extending past the top portion of the first vertical structural member defines a fillable interior space above the top portion of the first vertical structural member;   a second vertical structural member having a first end seated in the fillable interior space defined by the sleeve extending past the top portion of the first vertical structural member;   a cap provided at a second end of the second vertical structural member, the second end opposing the first end, the cap comprising a vertical wall defining a receptacle; and   a structure attachment device comprising vertical clamp portions extending in the direction along a length of the second vertical structural member and adapted to receive the structure, wherein the structure attachment device is seated on a top surface of the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is affixed to the first vertical structural member via a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure attachment device seated on the top surface of the cap is secured via one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical clamp portions are parallel to each other and define a space therebetween for receiving the structure. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the structure received in the space defined between the parallel clamp portions is secured via one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the vertical clamp portions. 
     
     
         6 . A system for raising a structure, comprising:
 a first sleeve, the first sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of a first vertical structural member such that the first sleeve encloses a top portion of the first vertical structural member and extends past the top portion of the first vertical structural member in a direction along a length of the first vertical structural member, wherein the portion of the first sleeve extending past the top portion of the first vertical structural member defines a first fillable interior space above the top portion of the first vertical structural member;   a second vertical structural member having a first end seated in the first fillable interior space defined by the first sleeve extending past the top portion of the first vertical structural member;   a second sleeve, the second sleeve adapted to be affixed to an outer periphery of the second vertical structural member at a second end, the second end opposing the first end, such that the sleeve encloses a top portion of the second vertical structural member;   a cap coupled to the second sleeve, the cap comprising a vertical wall defining a receptacle; and   a structure attachment device comprising vertical clamp portions extending in the direction along a length of the second vertical structural member and adapted to receive the structure, wherein the structure attachment device is seated on a top surface of the cap.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second sleeve extends past the top portion of the second vertical structural member in a direction along the length of the second vertical structural member, wherein the portion of the second sleeve extending past the top portion of the second vertical structural member defines a second fillable interior space above the top portion of the second vertical structural member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cap is adapted to enclose the fillable interior space above the top portion of the second vertical structural member. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are affixed, respectively, to the first vertical structural member and to the second vertical structural member via mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the structure attachment device seated on the top surface of the cap is secured via one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the vertical clamp portions are parallel to each other and define a space therebetween for receiving the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure received in the space defined between the parallel clamp portions is secured via one or more mechanical fasteners extending through one or more openings in the vertical clamp portions.