Adjustable structural support

Abstract

Structural support apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed herein, where the structural support may include a rod having an upper end and a lower end, a base configured to be operatively coupled with the lower end of the rod and a foundation, and a mount assembly comprising a bracket configured to be operatively coupled with a structural member, and a mount connector operatively coupling the bracket to the upper end of the rod. The mount connector is configured to allow the rod to rotate with respect to the bracket while restricting separation of the bracket from the rod. The structural support apparatus is configured to allow for vertical adjustment of the structure without having to remove the bracket from a structural member of the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural support apparatus comprising:
 a rod having an upper end and a lower end;   a base configured to be operatively coupled with the lower end of the rod and a foundation; and   a mount assembly comprising:
 a bracket configured to be operatively coupled with a structural member; and 
 a mount connector operatively coupling the bracket to the upper end of the rod; 
 wherein the mount connector is configured to allow the rod to rotate with respect to the bracket while restricting separation of the bracket from the rod; and 
   wherein the structural support apparatus is configured to allow for vertical adjustment of the structural support without having to remove the bracket from the structural member.   
     
     
         2 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount assembly further comprises:
 a seat operatively coupled to the upper end of the rod, wherein the seat is configured to rotate with the rod with respect to the bracket.   
     
     
         3 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the seat comprises a cap defining a cap aperture, wherein the cap extends at least partially over and is operatively coupled to the upper end of the rod. 
     
     
         4 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cap aperture comprises a rod shoulder for contacting the rod. 
     
     
         5 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the mount connector operatively couples the bracket to the rod through the cap aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the upper end of the rod defines a rod aperture, and wherein the mount connector is operatively coupled to the upper end of the rod through the rod aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the mount connector comprises external threads and the rod aperture comprises internal threads for operatively coupling the mount connector and the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cap comprises a nut portion configured to aid in rotation of the cap using a tool. 
     
     
         9 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the seat is configured to rotate against a lower surface of the bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein lubricant is located between the upper surface of the seat and the lower surface of the bracket to aid in the rotation of the seat with respect to the bracket, or wherein the lubricant is located between mating surfaces of the mount connector and the bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the seat or the bracket defines a lubricant passage, wherein the lubricant passage is configured to receive the lubricant and direct the lubricant between mating surfaces of the seat, the bracket, or the mount connector. 
     
     
         12 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the mount assembly further comprises:
 one or more bearings, wherein the one or more bearings aid in the rotation of the seat with respect to the bracket.   
     
     
         13 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper surface of the seat or the lower surface of the bracket comprises one or more channels in which the one or more bearings sit. 
     
     
         14 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one projection extending outwardly from the base. 
     
     
         15 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one projection comprises at least one fin. 
     
     
         16 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop configured to restrict movement of the rod with respect to the base. 
     
     
         17 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least the lower end of the rod is threaded and the stop is a nut, and wherein the nut is configured to be positioned adjacent the base to restrict longitudinal movement of the rod. 
     
     
         18 . The structural support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be operatively coupled within the foundation made of a cementitious material. 
     
     
         19 . A structural support system comprising:
 a plurality of structural support apparatuses, a structural support apparatus comprising:
 a rod having an upper end and a lower end; 
 a base configured to be operatively coupled with the lower end of the rod and a foundation; and 
 a mount assembly comprising:
 a bracket configured to be operatively coupled with a structural member of a structure; and 
 a mount connector operatively coupling the bracket to the upper end of the rod; 
 wherein the mount connector is configured to allow the rod to rotate with respect to the bracket while restricting separation of the bracket from the rod; and 
 
   wherein the plurality of structural support apparatuses are configured to allow for vertical adjustment of the structural without having to remove the bracket from the structural member; and   wherein the plurality of structural support apparatuses may be individually adjusted to adjust the structure.   
     
     
         20 . A method for adjustably supporting a structure, the method comprising:
 assembling a plurality of structural support apparatuses to a foundation, a structural support apparatus comprising:
 a rod having an upper end and a lower end; 
 a base configured to be operatively coupled with the lower end of the rod and the foundation; and 
 a mount assembly comprising:
 a bracket configured to be operatively coupled with a structural member; and 
 a mount connector operatively coupling the bracket to the upper end of the rod; 
 
   assembling the bracket of the plurality of structural support apparatuses to one or more structural members of the structure; and   adjusting one or more of the plurality of structural support apparatuses to allow for vertical adjustment of the structure by rotating the rod with respect to the bracket without removing the bracket from the structural member.