# US 9,435,113 B2 · System, method and apparatus for attic rafter extension for storage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,113 B2 - Document ID: US9435113B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/717,224 - Filed: 2015-05-20 - Published: 2015-11-26 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-22 - Assignees: CertainTeed Corporation - Applicants: CertainTeed Corporation - Inventors: Andrew Clyde Brandt; David M. Pacana; Michael Lembo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435113B2 ## CPC - E04B 5/14: with beams or girders laid in two directions - B65D 85/70: {for materials not otherwise provided for} - E04B 1/388: {Separate connecting elements (Connecting devices specially adapted for embedding in concrete E04B1/41; Dowels, i.e. members adapted to penetrate the surfaces of two parts and to take the shear stresses E04B1/48)} - E04B 5/023: {Separate connecting devices for prefabricated floor-slabs} - E04B 5/12: with wooden beams (E04B5/14 takes precedence) - E04B 5/43: Floor structures of extraordinary design; Features relating to the elastic stability; Floor structures specially designed for resting on columns only, e.g. mushroom floors ({anchoring devices for balconies with means for preventing cold bridging E04B1/0038}; extraordinary constructions in general E04B1/34) - E04F 15/02044: {Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer (E04F15/02133, E04F15/0215 take precedence)} - E04B 2103/04: of plastics, fibrous material or wood - E04F 2015/02055: {with additional supporting elements between furring elements and underlayer} - E04F 2015/02066: {with additional fastening elements between furring elements and flooring elements} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract A support structure may have a base having surfaces including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and sides. A first top slot may be formed in the top and may extend at least partially between the front and the rear. A second top slot may be formed in the top and may extend at least partially between the sides. In addition, a bottom slot may be formed in the bottom. A system for attic storage can include an attic having attic joists. A plurality of support structures, each comprising a base, may be mounted to the attic joists. At least two conventional lumber studs may be included and may extend between adjacent ones of the bases. In addition, a plurality of lumber panels may be mounted to at least one of the bases and the lumber studs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support structure, comprising: a base mounted to an attic joist, the base having surfaces including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and sides; a first top slot formed in the top and extending at least partially between the front and the rear; a second top slot formed in the top and extending at least partially between the sides; and a bottom slot formed in the bottom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second top slots intersect and extend completely across the top, and the top comprises a third top slot for a total of only three slots in the top. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the top comprises a third top slot and a fourth top slot, and none of the top slots intersect each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the slots are orthogonal to each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the second top slot extends completely across the top from side to side, and the bottom slot is the only slot in the bottom, and the bottom slot extends completely across the bottom from front to back, or from side to side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a density of between about 0.5 lb/ft3and about 25 lb/ft3. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the base has an insulation rating of between about R0.5/inch and about R9/inch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a nail pull strength of between about 10 lbs and about 350 lbs; and a screw hold strength of between about 25 lbs and about 1000 lbs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the base has a compressive strength of between about 15 lbs/ft2 and about 600 lbs/ft2. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one of an inorganic material, an organic material, an organic material other than wood, fungal material, mycelium foam, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a polymeric foam, a rigid polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, a cellular plastic and a rigid plastic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The support structure of claim 1, wherein the first top slot comprises a top front slot that extends from the front to adjacent a center of the top, and a top rear slot that extends from the rear to adjacent the center of the top. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The support structure of claim 11, wherein the top front slot is separated from the top rear slot by the second top slot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The support structure of claim 11, wherein the top front slot extends along the front from the top to adjacent a center of the front, and the top rear slot extends along the rear from the top to adjacent a center of the rear. ### Claim 14 An attic storage kit, comprising: at least four support structures, each comprising a base configured to be mounted to a respective attic joist, and each of the bases comprises: surfaces including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and sides; a first top slot formed in the top and extending at least partially between the front and the rear; a second top slot formed in the top and extending at least partially between the sides; and a bottom slot formed in the bottom; and the attic storage kit further comprises: a container comprising a bag or a box for containing the at least four support structures; and at least one of fasteners, lumber, hardware, an installation tool or a template for installation.