Abstract: A device for repairing the foundation of a building comprising a base frame being defined by a front end and a rear end. The front end and rear end are supported by wheels. A plate member is transversely mounted upon the base frame proximately near the rear end. A crane assembly is supported by the plate member. The crane assembly further comprises a three hundred sixty degree swivel joint mounted upon the plate member, a vertically extending shaft being swivelly connected to the swivel joint, a horizontally extending arm being mounted on the top of the shaft, and a lifting mechanism connected to the arm such that the arm can be lowered and raised. A fifth wheel assembly is situated underneath the base frame and is pivotally connected to the wheels supporting the rear end. A steering mechanism is connected to the fifth wheel assembly for maneuvering the direction of the rear wheels. A drive stand is swivelly connected to the arm at its far end. The drive stand is adapted to contain a foundation pier assembly.

Abstract: A pile comprising a tapered steel tube of convex polygonal cross-section driven into the ground and then filled with concrete provides high load carrying capacity even in cohesive soils.

Abstract: A system and method of installing a preconstruction support system for a building, according to which the corresponding ends of two piling sections are connected together and an a auger is provided on one or more of the piling sections. The piling sections are driven into the ground in a manner so that a portion of the uppermost piling section extends above ground; and a concrete slab encases the portion of the piling sections.

Abstract: A multifunction utility pole comprising a base portion suitable for installation in the ground or mounting on a surface, the base portion including a housing for a first utility, a pole portion extending above the base portion, the pole portion including a fixture for a second utility; and a wiring path extending through the base portion and the pole portion, to provide access for wiring to the second utility, wherein the utility pole is capable of simultaneously accommodating the first and second utilities.

Abstract: A multistory apartment building complex may comprise vertically stacked modules and includes one or more vehicle parking levels grade and one or more dwelling unit levels vertically stacked above the vehicle parking levels. At least one of the parking levels includes private garages for at least selected ones of the dwelling units and occupants of the selected dwelling units may move between their own garage and their dwelling unit via an elevator extending directly to the individual dwelling units on each level. The elevators may also serve plural dwelling units on each dwelling unit level. A service corridor is provided on selected dwelling unit levels which may be accessed by a service elevator or spaced apart stairways to provide secondary access between each dwelling unit on each dwelling unit level and street level. Each dwelling unit may include a small service room having a lockable door between the service room and the dwelling unit and a door opening to the service corridor.

Abstract: A system and method of installing a preconstruction support system for a building, according to which the corresponding ends of two piling sections are connected together and an a auger is provided on one or more of the piling sections. The piling sections are driven into the ground in a manner so that a portion of the uppermost piling section extends above ground; and a concrete slab encases the portion of the piling sections.

Abstract: A method of construction includes positioning at least one support member (2) in the ground, forming a foundation (4) substantially adjacent the at least one support member, excavating ground beneath the foundation to a prescribed depth below the surface (5) temporarily forming cavities or voids (8) and supporting bridges (10) beneath the foundations, excavating the supporting bridges and dropping the formed foundation to the prescribed depth. Structures such as walls (12) may be constructed on the foundations prior to dropping the foundations and bracing members (22) may be used to prevent deflection of the walls.

Abstract: A post mounting system and method that includes individually adjustable angled gripping elements which contact the interior of a hollow post so as to hold the post firmly against a retaining wall of a base member surrounding the lower end of the post. One or more shim components having a surface area substantially the same as at least the surface area of the bottom of the base member is used to adjust the vertical angularity of a post secured to the base member. The shims may be circularly shaped with a slot extending to the center thereof for shim placement about a rod upon which the base member is mounted. There is a thicker portion of such a shim opposite the slot. Alternative embodiments include additional post reinforcing structures insertable into the interior of the hollow post to provide additional support for complying with building code requirements, such as second story dwelling uses, etc.

Abstract: A modular protection device for underpinning for protecting underpinning from lawn care equipment includes an elongated trough having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are open. The elongated trough includes a bottom wall, a front wall and a back wall each extending between the first and second ends. The trough has an open top side and defines a channel for selectively receiving a bottom edge of the mobile home underpinning. A foot is attached to and extends outwardly from the front wall. A plurality of troughs is provided. A coupler assembly for selectively couples a pair of the troughs together.

Abstract: A piling based pool system uses standard pilings, which are either pre-cast concrete, wood, or steel, etc., which pilings are drilled or driven into the ground in standard fashion with appropriate beams interconnecting the pilings. Some of the pilings are used to support a house while others of the pilings are used to hold the swimming pool shell, allowing a user to walk out of the house and use the pool without having to ascend or descend stairs. The foundation of the building as well as the swimming pool shell are each formed from a plurality of hollow core concrete panels.

Abstract: A mudmat foundation for supporting an item of subsea equipment on the sea floor comprises a mudmat on which the item of subsea equipment may be supported and a plurality of legs which are pivotably connected to and depend downwardly from the mudmat. The legs are free to pivot outwardly relative to the mudmat upon insertion of the legs into the sea floor to thereby increase the load bearing capacity of the mudmat.

Abstract: A breakaway post base includes a pair of adjacent slip plates to allow separation of the upper portion of a traffic sign or the like from its permanently mounted base. The two plates are triangular with notches at their apices, with the plates and related structure secured together by bolts through the apex notches. An impact on the upper post dislodges the bolts, allowing the upper post to move freely and preventing significant damage to the sign structure. At least one of the slip base plates includes a sleeve extending therefrom, into which one end of the post is installed. The post is prevented from rotating relative to the slip base by a series of set screws installed through the slip base sleeve and locking the post immovably therein. Thus, a sign supported by the present assembly cannot rotate relative to the slip base plate.

Abstract: This invention provides an inexpensive and plausible means of earthquake protection for personal residences in developing nations and economically distressed areas within the United States through the use of recycled tires containing a particular rock aggregate.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure of a pile head joint portion and a pile had fitting tubular body which can absorb an execution error for constructing a pile leading to a problem in the case of precasting a board for supporting an upper structure in order to intend to shorten a process, and can improve a strength of the pile head joint portion. A precast board (5) is manufactured by embedding a pile head fitting tubular body (2) which is constituted by a side plate (23) forming a pile head fitting tubular body (2) and a closing plate (22) closing open one end of a tube body, and forms an opening portion (26) in another end open so as to freely fit a pile head. The pile and the board are integrally formed by fitting the pile head portion to the pile head fitting tubular body (2) after constructing the pile, and charging an injection material (4) into the pile head fitting tubular body (2).

Abstract: A deck construction including a plurality of supports for anchoring deck construction elements to a building site. The supports include a body (which may be an integrally molded concrete pier) having upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes at least one slot for seating a horizontally oriented construction member. The slot includes a center socket portion having four extended corners for seating the bottom end of a vertically oriented construction member. The slot and center socket are defined by connecting wall portions which may be integral to the body or may be of plastic or metal and suitable secured to the body. In some cases, two mutually perpendicular slots are provided.

Abstract: The base (2) includes a base portion (4), a socket means on the base portion (4) for securely receiving an upright (8) and at least one lug extending from the base portion (4). The at least one lug including a first portion (7) extending parallel to the base portion (4) and a second portion (7) to the base portion (4) in an offset alignment. The at least one lug is adapted for substantially flush arrangement with an underside of a floor (12). In the absence of other means fixing the base (2) to the floor (12), the at least one lug prevents the barrier post (2, 8) from falling over by contacting the underside of the floor (12) when a force is applied to the upright (8) in a direction toward or oblique to the void (11).

Abstract: A fortified adobe-type construction composition includes soil, from about 12 to about 14 parts; water, from about 3 to about 4 parts; flyash, from about 2 to about 4 parts; and cement, from about 1 to about 2 parts. A wall structure includes a frame structure having spaced-apart frame elements and a support structure affixed thereto to form an interior space. A core material resides within the space, and the overlay composition is applied to an exterior surface. A method of constructing a building element includes the steps of erecting a frame structure comprising spaced-apart frame elements and affixing a support structure to the elements to form an interior space. A core material is inserted into the support structure interior space, and the overlay composition is applied to an exterior surface of the support structure.

Abstract: A system and method specifically intended for the construction of fuel distribution forecourts, in which the forecourt contains at least one distribution pump (17), possibly an attached automatic dispenser (9), a pillar (4), which is specifically installed onto a concrete footing, to support the roof and necessary electrical and pipework systems for the drawing of fuel from the fuel storage tank and dispensing to motor vehicles and equivalents. The pumps (17), automatic dispenser (9) and other necessary ground-based equipment are installed on the island (6, 7), which is in turn supported (11, 12) on the roof's concrete footing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for constructing a building. A foundation is provided, upon which is disposed one or more first-floor columns, each having a lower end, an upper end and an upper surface. One or more second-floor columns, each having a lower end, an upper end, a lower surface and an upper surface on one or more of the first-floor columns, are disposed on the top of the first-floor columns so that the lower surface of one or more of the second-floor columns abuts, and is supported by, the upper surface of one or more of the first-floor columns.

Abstract: The present invention is a free standing portable deck for use with recreational vehicles. The deck further comprises a polygonal shape lower support frame. The support frame further comprises a plurality of removably interconnected rails. A flat planar platform portion is being removably mounted upon the lower support frame. A plurality of leg members are being disposed underneath the lower support frame at each corner such that the platform portion is held in a substantially level position at a predetermined height in relation to the recreational vehicle door. Each leg member is removably connected to each corner of the lower support frame. The upper support frame is removably connected to the lower support frame and extends linearly upward. At least one step means provides for ingressing and regressing onto the platform portion. The at least one step means is located at a predetermined distance from the lower support frame and at a predetermined height in relation to the ground level.

Abstract: A pole anchor footing system for effectively supporting a post structure within a ground surface. The pole anchor footing system includes a resilient body having a neck portion and a base portion, and an elongate member extending into the body from an upper end of the body. The body is securely positionable within a ground surface. The neck portion receives a coupler that mechanically connects a post to the body. The base portion has an upwardly tapered structure with the lower end having a broad structure. A plurality of engaging members may extend outwardly from the body for providing additional gripping while positioned within the ground surface.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rotatable fairing apparatus comprises a vertical support member anchored in a foundation and subjected to an aerodynamic drag force. The rotatable fairing apparatus further comprises a hollow elongate fairing sleeve that covers at least a portion of the vertical support member. The hollow elongate fairing sleeve is rotatably secured to the vertical support member. Additionally, the hollow elongate sleeve has a shape configured to reduce the aerodynamic drag force acting on the vertical support member.

Abstract: An anchor block construction (10) for attachment to an escape line (100) extending from a drilling rig (101) wherein, the construction (10) includes a concrete block member (20) having a base (21) with a plurality of downwardly depending anchor leg members (30), at least two inwardly angled sidewalls (22) (24) provided with anchor rod members (40) (40) disposed in recessed receptacle elements (50) and a top surface (26) likewise provided with an anchor rod member (40′) disposed in a recessed receptacle (50) wherein, the escape line (100) is intended to be secured to a selected one of the sidewall anchor rod members (40) (40) which is disposed beneath the midline of the concrete block member (20).

Abstract: A swimming pool structure comprises a plurality of buttress post assemblies spaced about the perimeter of the pool and servicing to support the pool wall. Each of the assemblies include a horizontal foot beam with a vertically oriented buttress post connected thereto by angle brackets. Laterally located beams and plates interconnect the sides of adjacent buttress post assemblies and the inner ends of opposing foot beams from opposite sides of the pool are directed under the floor of the pool and are secured together.

Abstract: A block for use in construction has opposed front and rear surfaces, opposed top and bottom surfaces, and a pair of opposed ends. The top and bottom surfaces are complementarity profiled to mutually interfit. The end surfaces are shaped to permit a plurality of blocks to be laid in a course with no mortar in between blocks in a course.

Abstract: A method for casting a partially-reinforced concrete pile in the ground includes installing an elongate hollow tubular casing in a hole in the ground with an elongate portion of the hole extending downwardly beneath the lower end of the casing. Hardenable fluid concrete is conducted into the hole and casing so as to substantially fill the respective hollow cross-sections thereof. The concrete is permitted to reach a hardened state while the casing remains within the ground, thereby forming a concrete pile partially reinforced by the casing against side-loading in an upper portion of the pile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and stabilizing a foundation including a pier having a top end and a bottom end, the pier being disposed in shaft drilled proximate the foundation to a desired underground formation suitable for supporting the foundation, a slab bracket connected to a side of the foundation and not supporting the foundation from the underside thereof, a jacking bracket attached to the top end of the prier and positioned below the slab bracket, and means for supporting the foundation positional between the jacking bracket and the slab bracket.

Abstract: A one piece beam means used a post to support a longitudinal impact-resistant member, such as a guardrail along a highway. The one piece, stamped construction simplifies installation because fewer steps and parts are involved.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for reinforcing an elongated pole (3) including a plurality of anchorages (28,29), each of which are locatable at a different vertical position on pole (3) and having a tension member (30) configured to be coupled between at least a pair of said anchorages (28, 29) for increasing the load capacity of the receiving pole (3) when thereby fortified. Exemplarily, utility pole (5) is configured to receive above-ground appurtenances. In a complimentary embodiment, the arrangement further includes a compression member (36), which may take the same form as the tension member (30), but with oppositely acting forces imposed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building. At least a first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape and a second support section are coupled together by a fastening device that provides the apparatus with stability once the apparatus has been installed. A jack is used to raise the foundation of the existing building to a desired height. The apparatus is attached to the foundation of the building from underneath the building or from a location adjacent a side of the building. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.

Abstract: A swimming pool construction is of the type using metal fabricated walls and a plastics liner covering the walls and a rigid excavated pool base. The metal fabricated walls include spaced inner and outer panels defining therebetween a crawl space. The inner panels define the inner surface of the pool. The outer panels engage the surrounding soil. The panels are mounted on support members and rails supported on pairs of piles at spaced positions around the periphery of the pool. The panels are supported initially on bottom rails which are used as forms to cast a concrete layer therebetween. The panels are supported in spaced positions temporarily by a rigid arch form into which is cast a cast concrete arch allowing the rails and the arch form to be removed for re-use. The arch is cast integrally with a concrete floor which sits on supporting panels bridging the rails and resting on flat top supporting surfaces of the concrete piles.

Abstract: A pile comprising a tapered steel tube of convex polygonal cross-section driven into the ground and then filled with concrete provides high load carrying capacity even in cohesive soils.

Abstract: A method for preparing a footing for a foundation of the type for emplacement of a prefabricated building over a pattern of footing excavations, including suspending a block of rigid, but dissolvable material within each footing excavation with a prescribed distance between the lower end of the block and the bottom of the footing excavation, and pouring an unhardened load-bearing material around the sides of and under the block. When the load-bearing material has hardened, the block is dissolved so that the footing is ready to receive a vertical support stanchion.

Abstract: A pier assembly (2, 60) is provided that utilizes a rotatable shelf (12, 70) structure to place a screw jack assembly (15) under a footing (28) of a foundation.

Abstract: A connector (20) for quickly and easily connecting an anchor strap (50) having an upper end (52) and a lower end (56) to a sidewall bracket (73) of a manufactured home (70); the sidewall bracket 70 having an elongate horizonal slot (77). Connector (20) includes a central portion (22) including a cut (44) for connecting strap (50). An attachment portion (30), including a neck (31) and a head (34), is adapted to be maneuverable for easy attachment to slot (77). Attached connector (20) is pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to an attached tensioned strap (50). A connector assembly (10) includes strap (50) already attached to connector (20). The method of using connector assembly (10) includes attaching strap (50) to an anchor (80).

Abstract: A prefabricated housing unit designed to be placed on top of ground bases 42. The housing unit 10 has a housing shell 13 having longitudinal and transverse lower edges and a foundation structure 12 incorporated into and underlying the housing shell 13. The foundation structure 12 of the present invention has longitudinal beams 14 that span the entire length of the housing shell edges, and transverse beams 16 that join with the longitudinal beams at the corners. The corner junction is a load bearing point, while the remainder of the longitudinal beams remain substantially unsupported above the ground between the load bearing points.

Abstract: A low impact foundation system requiring little or no excavation, and allowing for the preservation of soil and drainage characteristics of the site upon which it is erected. The system utilizes small obliquely driven piles in combination with footing or otherwise footing components designed to engage a foundation wall and replace the common footing typically constructed below such walls.

Abstract: A reinforcing concrete pier comprising a concrete member 1a, and structural main reinforcing bars 1b embedded in the concrete member so as to extend along an axial direction of the concrete member. A high-strength core member 2, which is higher in strength than the structural main reinforcing bars, is embedded in the concrete member inside the structural main reinforcing bars so as to extend along the axial direction. One end portion 2b with a gap of the core member is fixed to the concrete member at a base portion of the pier, and the other end portion 2a of the core member is fixed to the concrete member at an intermediate portion 1d of the pier. Further, the core member has an unbounded region D in which the core member is not bonded to the concrete member between the one end portion and the other end portion.

Abstract: A pier system has a plurality of footers each formed with a base fabricated of concrete with a top face having a downwardly extending bore. A plurality of pilings are each formed with a hollow tubular shaft with a top region and a bottom region coupled to a footer. Each piling has a reinforcing bar with an upper region and a lower region coupled within the bore of a footer. Each piling further has a plurality of apertures formed within the upper region of each shaft. A deck has a plurality of stringers with spaced free ends located within the shafts. A supplemental quantity of concrete within each shaft couples the shafts, footers, reinforcing bars, and stringers. A plurality of planks have mechanisms that couple the planks to the stringers.

Abstract: A pile array assembly system for use in interaction with a ground site having adjacent building or structure footing or equivalent foundational support for reduced soil liquefaction in the event of seismic disturbance. The system is provided with a number of pile array subassemblies which relate to each other positionally and structurally to cooperate in deflecting seismic shock waves and also densifying the ground site to provide reduced soil liquefaction. Various arcuate or arc-linked pile units are placed as pile array subassemblies, in preferred embodiments, to utilize multiple configurational peripheries or perimeters of pile units. Additionally, in preferred embodiments, individual pile units within a subassembly are slanted or slanted and rotationally advanced or spun to achieve positioning for improved and advanced subground seismic wave deflection and dissipation.

Abstract: A pier or dock adjustment method permits adjustment of a height of a pier platform relative to a pier structure, the pier structure including at least a first post. The method includes the step of providing a platform height adjustment apparatus, the platform height adjustment apparatus including a platform support member and a height positioning mechanism. The platform height adjustment apparatus is slidably mounted on the first post. The post position of the platform height adjustment apparatus is fixed relative to the first post, the post position being situated above and proximate the pier platform. The platform support member is moved into a platform supporting position relative to the platform. The height positioning mechanism is actuated to thereby one of lower and lift the pier platform.

Abstract: A foundation for a manufactured home generally comprises a ground pan and a lateral brace assembly. Manufactured home has first and second elongate support beams with first beam supported by upright pier and second beam having a lateral flange having a free end. Ground pan, for disposition beneath pier includes a cleat for insertion in ground for preventing horizontal movement of pan. Lateral brace assembly includes an elongate, rigid, and adjustable-length lateral brace, having a bottom end pivotably supported by ground pan and a top end pivotably attached to a beam connector attached to second beam. Beam connector includes: a bracket including a traversing portion, traversing flange and a slot adapted for receiving flange; and a vertical retaining means for bearing on beam opposite slot.

Abstract: A lightweight construction, especially a greenhouse structure, comprises a plurality of pillars (12) arranged at the periphery of an area of said lightweight construction, said pillars (12) extending obliquely and outwardly so that an upper end (22) of said pillars (12) lies substantially in a vertical plane passing through a respective area border. According to the invention at least one of said pillars (12) comprises a supporting element (14), said supporting element being mounted onto said pillar (12) so as to define a predetermined inclination angle of said pillar (12).

Abstract: A mobile home and foundation system and method. The method includes providing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs having a pair of beveled edge surfaces. The plurality of elongated concrete slabs are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured. A fastener assembly is secured to the concrete slabs and a constraint device is connected to the fastener assembly. The foundation system includes a plurality of elongated slabs having a beveled edge.

Abstract: A foundation stabilization system is disclosed for bracing a manufactured home on its foundation of the type which includes a plurality of vertical piers spaced in longitudinal and lateral directions relative to a longitudinal axis of said home which support the home above the ground, and at least one elongated brace connected between the mobile home and base portion of the pier. The system includes foundation plate having a lower ground contact surface for contacting the ground, and an upper pier support surface on which the pier is supported. Anchor slots are formed in the foundation plates for receiving ground anchors extending through the plates into the ground. The anchor slots including first slot segments extending in the longitudinal direction of the manufactured home when supporting the piers and second slot segments extending in the lateral direction. The first and second slot segments intersecting each other at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A system and method for emplacing a mobile or modular construction of the type having a supporting structure provided thereunder including multiple stanchions having upper and lower portions, fasteners for attaching each of the upper portions of the stanchions to the supporting structure of the mobile or modular construction, and load-bearing footings embedding the lower portions of the stanchions, wherein the embedded stanchions provide permanent vertical support for the mobile or modular construction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring or affixing a manufactured home to the land it is located on in a permanent or substantially permanent manner. A foundation for the manufactured home is provided by excavating a plurality of parallel trenches in a spaced relation to one another. Precast longitudinal footers are disposed in the trenches. The footers include anchoring receptacles to receive a complimentary anchoring member. Soil is backfilled around the footers to partially bury them, and then the support frame of a manufactured home is secured to the footers using an anchorage assembly with an adjustable tensioner. Support blocks are disposed between the footers and the support frame to maintain the manufactured home at a desired height above the footers or the ground.

Abstract: A pier support system comprises a support pier with a load-spreading plate that is laterally braced at the top to an anchor plate pinned to the ground just under the periphery of a modular building. The support pier is placed directly under the support girders of the modular building at critical points, and the lateral bracing runs outboard at a down angle of 35°-55°. Sufficient working room exists just inside the periphery of the modular building for large pinning rods to be driven into the ground through the anchor plate.

Abstract: A tabletop high relocateable shelter for protecting individuals from dangerous conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes and the like, that can withstand winds of approximately 450 mph. The shelter can be attached and detached from a concrete foundation. A rectangular frame that is formed from L-shaped longitudinal members are fastened together and can be anchored to the concrete foundation by hook ended anchor bolts that have exposed threaded ends that nuts can attach thereto, or by concrete type bolts made for that purpose. Removable panels can be attached to the outside of the frame to form walls and a roof using fasteners such as screws and bolts. A door can be attached to an opening in the side of the frame, and include L-shaped members that form door braces and hinge guards that allow the door to stay in a stationary closed position. Slideable latching members can further hold the door in a locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and stabilizing sunken or settled foundations, slabs, footings, etc. includes a lifting plate having a pipe section solidly secured thereto, for passing concentrically over the anchor pier used in such operations. The concentric lifting plate pipe precludes cocking or tilting of the plate relative to the anchor pier and foundation structure, thereby greatly improving the security of the lifting operation. As a result of the increased lifting plate stability provided by the present invention, only a single clamp is needed for securing the lifting assembly to the foundation. The clamp is adjustably positionable as required, to secure to a solid area of the foundation structure. The present system secures the plate to the pier using mechanical fasteners, thus precluding requirement for costly welding and other metal forming equipment. A method of raising or stabilizing a foundation or similar structure using the present apparatus, is also disclosed.