Load distribution system for composite lumber construction

Abstract

An assembly for deck construction includes a post having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the post defining a plurality of internal slots. A base is secured to the lower end portion of the post, and a post-beam cap secured to the upper end portion of the post. The post-beam cap includes a continuous load-bearing upper surface, a lower flanged portion configured to engage the upper end portion of the post, and a plurality of contoured tabs extending from a lower surface of the post-beam cap, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs are configured to engage more than one of the plurality of internal slots of the post. The continuous load-bearing upper surface is configured to abut and distribute loads from a beam of the deck construction to the post, and the beam distributes the loads to the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A post-beam cap for an upper end portion of a post in deck construction, the post-beam cap comprising:
 a continuous load-bearing upper surface, wherein the continuous load-bearing upper surface is configured to abut and distribute loads from a beam to the post;   a lower flanged portion configured to engage the upper end portion of the post; and   a plurality of contoured tabs extending from a lower surface of the post-beam cap, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs are configured to engage more than one of a plurality of internal slots of the post.   
     
     
         2 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , further comprising a central fitting extending from a lower surface of the post-beam cap, wherein the central fitting is configured to engage an internal central conduit of the post. 
     
     
         3 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower flanged portion comprises opposed flanges configured to mate with opposed side walls of the post. 
     
     
         4 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower flanged portion comprises a continuous external flange extending around the lower surface of the post-beam cap and configured to mate with at least one side wall of the post. 
     
     
         5 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , further comprises opposed vertical walls extending upwardly from the continuous load-bearing upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the contoured tabs define a hexagonal geometry. 
     
     
         7 . The post-beam cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the contoured tabs define a square geometry. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly comprising:
 a post-beam cap comprising:
 a continuous load-bearing upper surface, wherein the continuous load-bearing upper surface is configured to abut and distribute loads from a beam to a post; 
 a lower flanged portion configured to engage an upper end portion of the post; and 
 a plurality of contoured tabs extending from a lower surface of the post-beam cap, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs are configured to engage more than one of a plurality of internal slots of the post; 
   a post having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the post defining a plurality of internal slots; and   a base secured to the lower end portion of the post,   wherein the post-beam cap is secured to the upper end portion of the post, and the post distributes the loads to the base.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a number of the internal slots of the post is greater than a number of the contoured tabs. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the base further comprises a plurality of contoured tabs extending from an internal surface of the base, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs of the base are configured to engage internal slots of the post. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the base further comprises a central fitting extending from an internal surface of the base, wherein the central fitting is configured to engage an internal central conduit of the post. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the base further comprises a peripheral flange and an internal cavity configured to receive the lower end portion of the post. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a support bracket secured to an external sidewall of the post, the support bracket comprising a ledge and a sidewall, wherein the ledge and sidewall are configured to receive a joist. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the internal slots of the post define a hexagonal geometry. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the internal slots of the post define a square geometry. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one secondary post; and   a post cap secured to an upper end portion of the at least one secondary post.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the post cap is lighted. 
     
     
         18 . An assembly comprising:
 a post-beam cap comprising:
 a continuous load-bearing upper surface, wherein the continuous load-bearing upper surface is configured to abut and distribute loads from a beam to a post; 
 a lower flanged portion configured to engage an upper end portion of the post; and 
 a plurality of contoured tabs extending from a lower surface of the post-beam cap, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs are configured to engage more than one of a plurality of internal slots of the post; 
   a post having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the post defining a plurality of internal slots; and   a base secured to the lower end portion of the post, the base comprising a plurality of contoured tabs extending from an internal surface of the base, wherein the plurality of contoured tabs of the base are configured to engage internal slots of the post,   wherein the post-beam cap is secured to the upper end portion of the post, and the post distributes the loads to the base.   
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the internal slots of the post define a hexagonal geometry. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the internal slots of the post define a square geometry.