Flared reinforced pier and pier bracket assembly and methods of manufacturing and use

Abstract

A starter pier for a pier bracket assembly that is used support a structure (e.g., a foundation of a building, or the like). The starter pier has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end may be a flared first end that is swaged using a die. A reinforcing member may be inserted into the flared first end to provide support for the flared first end of the starter pier. The reinforcing member may be operatively coupled to the flared first end of the starter pier by compressing the flared first end around the reinforcing member using a mold. Additionally, or alternatively, the reinforcing member may be press-fit into the starter pier, connectors may be used, or the like to operatively couple the flared first end to the reinforcing member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pier for a pier bracket assembly, the pier comprising:
 a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a flared first end; and   a reinforcing member operatively coupled to the flared first end and located at least partially within an internal surface of the flared first end.   
     
     
         2 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is a cylindrical member. 
     
     
         3 . The pier of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical member is a ring with an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The pier of  claim 3 , wherein the ring is continuous. 
     
     
         5 . The pier of  claim 3 , wherein the ring is discontinuous. 
     
     
         6 . The pier of  claim 3 , wherein the ring has an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the outer surface and the inner surface of the ring are uniform and concentric. 
     
     
         7 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the pier is a starter pier. 
     
     
         8 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the flared first end is compressed around at least a portion of the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         9 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is press fit into the flared first end. 
     
     
         10 . The pier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more connectors to aid in operatively coupling the flared first end to the reinforcing member.   
     
     
         11 . The pier of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a circular shape. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a pier, the method comprising:
 flaring a first end of a tube to form a flared first end;   inserting a reinforcing member into at least a portion of the flared first end; and   operatively coupling the reinforcing member to the flared first end.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein flaring the first end of the tube comprises using a press and flare die to swage the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operatively coupling the reinforcing member to the flared first end comprises using a press and a mold to compress at least a portion of the flared first end around the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operatively coupling the reinforcing member to the flared first end comprises using a press to press-fit the reinforcing member to the first end. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operatively coupling the reinforcing member to the flared first end comprises using one or more connectors between the flared first end and the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         17 . A pier bracket assembly comprising:
 a pier bracket configured to be operatively coupled to a structure;   a starter pier comprising:
 a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a flared first end; and 
 a reinforcing member operatively coupled to the flared first end and located at least partially within an internal surface of the flared first end; 
   one or more push piers sections configured to be operatively coupled to the second end of the starter pier or each other; and   wherein the starter pier and the one or more push piers are operatively coupled to the pier bracket to support the structure.   
     
     
         18 . The pier bracket of  claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing member is a cylindrical member. 
     
     
         19 . The pier bracket of  claim 17 , wherein the flared first end is compressed around at least a portion of the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of installing a pier bracket assembly, the method comprising:
 assembling a pier bracket to a structure;   assembling a starter pier to the pier bracket, wherein the starter pier comprises:
 a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a flared first end; and 
 a reinforcing member operatively coupled to the flared first end and located at least partially within an internal surface of the flared first end; 
   assembling a drive assembly to the bracket and starter pier;   pushing the starter pier into the ground using the drive assembly;   assembling a push pier section to the second end of the starter pier; and   driving the push pier at least partially into the ground using the drive assembly;   wherein the flared first end with the reinforcing member pushes the ground and reduces the friction between the ground and an intermediate portion and second end of the starter pier and the push pier assembled to the starter pier.