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: A foundation element comprises a rigid monolithic prefabricated frame (10) which includes at least two opposite containing side walls (12) and cross-members (14) interconnecting the two side walls (12) so as to form a casting through-cavity between these two walls (12). The frame (10) is intended to be located on the ground (G) with the interposition of adjustable support devices (22) and is intended to receive a hardenable fluid binder material (36) poured into its through-cavity and adapted to spread onto the ground (G) between this and the side walls (12) and to fill the cavity, encapsulating the cross-members (14) and the iron rods (34) or other connecting members for connecting a superstructure element (32). The invention also relates to prefabricated structures including prefabricated tunnels, with foundation elements formed by means of the said prefabricated frames (10).

Abstract: A universal block made of concrete designed to be used with different size posts and beams. The pier block is a conical, six-sided structure and includes two concentrically aligned, post-receiving voids designed to receive the ends of a (4×4) or (6×6) inch post. The (6×6) inch void is positioned above the (4×4) inch void. Formed horizontally on the top surface of the pier block are two transversely aligned beam-receiving slots. Each beam-receiving slot includes a narrow and a wide slot longitudinally aligned. The wide slot is positioned above the narrow slot. A vertically aligned drain hole is formed through the pier block from the bottom surface of the (4×4) inch void to the bottom of the pier block, which allows water to drain from the post-receiving voids.

Abstract: A tension strap connector assembly for use in a stabilizing foundation system for a manufactured home supported by at least one flanged beam. The tension strap connector assembly is adapted at a first end so as to hook around and latch about a flange of the manufactured home support beam. At a second end, the tension strap connector has a strap slot adapted to receive a tension strap of the stabilizing foundation system, wherein the tension strap is attached at one end to a ground anchor. The tension strap connector provides a means for altering the orientation of the tension strap relative to the hook portion so that the tension strap can be arranged in non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the manufactured home without creating a torsional stress concentration within the tension strap.

Abstract: A steel framed building which includes prefabricated steel frames, unique pier posts, POLYSTYRENE panels, and an assembly method which in combination provides an expedited overall time frame of 21 days from start to finish.

Abstract: A portable fight ring for allowing users to quickly assemble their own fighting rings in their own back yard. The portable fight ring includes a base assembly; and also includes a deck assembly being removably mounted upon the base assembly; and further includes rope support members including posts extending upwardly from said deck assembly for removably interlocking said base assembly; and also includes rope members being extended between the posts and along a perimeter of the deck assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable outrigger (10) for manufactured home (60) spans between lower end (76) of main beam (70) and outer end (83) of transverse floor joist (80) for supporting outer end (83). Outrigger (10) has a longitudinal axis (21) and generally comprises an elongate central portion (20) of adjustable length, a lower end (12) adapted to be supported by lower end (76) of beam (70) such that outrigger (10) can exert a longitudinal force on beam (70) over varying vertical angles of longitudinal axis (21) and an upper end (17) adapted for supporting outer end (83) of joist (80) such that outrigger (10) can exert a longitudinal force on joist (80) over a plurality of vertical angles of longitudinal axis (21).

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: A building foundation is formed by a plurality of pre-cast concrete elements. Each of the pre-cast elements has a length corresponding to the length of a corresponding side or leg of the foundation perimeter. The foundation includes a plurality of pre-cast concrete footing pads that are dispersed along the perimeter and specifically at the corners of the foundation. The pre-cast foundation elements rest on the footing pads and are contiguously arranged to complete the foundation. A bonding agent can be introduced into the joints between adjacent foundation elements to seal the joint. Alternatively, or in addition, mechanical fasteners can be used to interconnect adjacent panels. Certain ones of the pre-cast foundation elements define an integral brick ledge, with varying configurations to ensure continuity of the brick ledge around the corners of the foundation. In a method of the invention, a trench around the perimeter is dug and the pre-cast concrete elements laid in place with a crane.

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: 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: A support structure for a building comprises a pair of steel piers (11) embedded into or supported upon a ground surface so as to extend upwardly therefrom. The structure also comprises a wall support lintel (80,90) secured to each pier (11) so as to extend substantially horizontally therebetween. The structure also comprises a respective floor support member (50) secured to each pier.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for supporting a manufactured home (1) having at least a first and second support joist (14a, 14b) for mounting horizontally on at least a first and second vertical support structure (9a, 9b). Each vertical support structure (9a, 9b) comprises an upright support pier (16a, 16b) with a support platform (12a, 12b) positioned beneath the support pier (16a, 16b) and adjacent the ground (13). A stabilization pad (30a, 30b) is positioned between the support pier (16a, 16b) and the support platform (12a, 12b). The stabilization pad (30a, 30b) can include a link (60a) and a clamping lip (36) from which a lateral compression member (20) can extend as positioned between the pair of stabilization pads (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A fixed construction (10) comprises rigid piles (12) and a monolithic concrete floor slab resting (14) on the piles. The floor slab comprises straight zones connecting in two directions, ie. lengthwise and broadwise, the shortest distance between the areas of the floor slab above the piles. The floor slab (14) is reinforced by a combination of: (a) fibres (22) distributed over the volume of the floor slab (14); and (b) steel bars (16, 16′) located in those straight zones. This construction reduces considerably the amount of reinforcement steel, increases the bearing capacity and enables to reduce the time for making such a construction.

Abstract: A fixed construction (10) comprises rigid piles (12) and a monolithic concrete floor slab resting (14) on the piles. The floor slab comprises straight zones connecting in the two directions, i.e. lengthwise and broadwise, the shortest distance between the areas of the floor slab above the piles. The floor slab (14) is reinforced by a combination of: (a) fibers (22) distributed over the volume of the floor slab (14); (b) and steel rods (16, 16′) with a yield strength of at least 690 MPa and being located in those straight zones. This construction reduces considerably the amount of reinforcement steel, increases the bearing capacity and enables to reduce the time for making such a construction.

Abstract: A longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported above the ground by upright piers. The system comprises at least one foundation plate, a joist connector, a plate connector, and a rectilinear strut. The foundation plate is placed between the pier and the ground. The joist connector attaches to the joist of the building. Plate clamps may be used in conjunction with the joist connector to grasp the joist. The plate connector attaches to the foundation plate. The strut is attached to the joist connector at one end and the plate connector at the other end such that the strut slopes downward from the joist towards the ground.

Abstract: An adjustable truss (10) for a multi-section manufactured home (70) comprising a left section (71L) and a right section (71R); each section having a beam (72) having a lower end (75) including an inner flange (77) and an outer flange (78) and a upper end (73) supporting a transverse floor joist (80) having an end (84) at a mating seam (95). In a preferred embodiment, truss (10) comprises: a joist connector (30) is disposed under mating seam (95); jacks (20L, 20R) of adjustable length spanning respectively between the lower ends (75L, 75R) of beam (72l, 72R) and joist connector (30); a tie bar assembly (50) including an elongate bar (51) attached to beam lower ends (75); and a center jack (60) of adjustable length spanning between tie bar (51) and mating seam (95).

Abstract: An anchoring system for a manufactured home and a method of anchoring a manufactured home utilizing longitudinal central and exterior slabs, strap anchors embedded in the slabs, and straps connecting the home to the slabs, where the straps extend from the central slab to an exterior I-beam underneath the home and from the exterior slab to an interior I-beam on each end of home, and where frame straps extend from the home to anchors in the exterior slabs and longitudinally spaced interior straps extend from the exterior slabs to the interior I-beams.

Abstract: An outrigger (10) for a manufactured home (90) spans between lower end (76) of main beam (70) and outer end (83) of a transverse floor joist (80) and selectively provides a push (raising force) or pull (lowering force) to joist outer end (83) to level floor (86). Outrigger (10) generally comprises and an elongate portion (20) of adjustable length for spanning between beam lower end (76) and joist outer end (83) for producing an outward force, and a bracket (50) attached to beam lower end (76) and a nut (65) fastening elongate portion (20) to bracket (50) for producing an inward force.

Abstract: A bunker construction is comprised of precast arch elements which form a semicircular roof of the bunker by engaging cast-in-place footings. A front and back plate cover the front and back of the enclosure defined by the arch elements. A crown element along the apex of the arch and footing blocks at the bottom sides of the arch along the footing facilitate a lightning protection system. Precast concrete panels form lateral sides of the front of the bunker construction and compacted earth coacts with steel stabilizing elements associated with the precast panels and the front plate of the bunker. The entire bunker exterior is covered with compacted earth thereby forming a bunker construction with enhanced structural integrity due to the mechanically stabilized earth in combination with the precast arch elements and front panel members.

Abstract: A prefabricated foundation panel for being supported on a footing to support the perimeter floor sill of a mobile home is disclosed. The panel has a generally rectangularly shaped frame including generally elongate, parallel and spaced, metallic top and bottom members as well as a plurality of spaced metallic cross members which are rigidly affixed to the top and bottom members. The outermost cross members of the frame are positioned so that they are flush with the ends of the top and bottom members. The top, bottom and cross members collectively define a plurality of spaces extending through the frame from an outer side thereof to an inner side thereof. A decorative aggregate coated facing is also provided for the panel which is attached to the outer side of the frame and which covers the plurality of spaces. A method of installing the panels around the lower periphery of a mobile home to enclose the lower periphery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a base structure assembly used in a wooden axial structure in wooden architectural construction includes the steps of forming a basic foundation, positioning a joint part having a supporting leg serving as an anchor bolt, fixing a each end of prepared base members, one after another, to base member joint portions which face each other, adjusting a level thereof, completing a base construction or a floor structure, and forming a basic concrete structure between the base foundation and the lower part of the base. Joint parts conducting the method includes pillar leg joint portions which is provided at the top end of a bar member wherein a pillar legs are inserted into, base member joint portions provided around said top end of said bar, a supporting leg provided at the lower part of said bar, and a level adjusting mechanism incorporated in the proper place of the bar.

Abstract: A knockdown garden deck, assembly and manufacture of which are simplified with a small number of components, and a fence and the like of which are built firmly, is provided.A frame member (10) and reinforcing frame members (21, 22, 23) form a deck floor. The frame member is obtained by combining longitudinal deck frames (11) and lateral deck frames (12) into a quadrilateral shape to place a decking (13) in it. The reinforcing frame members are framed to form mortices (h) at four corners of the frame member. Fence posts formed with elongated tenons projecting to extend through the mortices (h) are provided to vertically stand on the upper side of the deck floor. A fence body is fitted between the fence posts by clamping. Clustered piers (41) formed with tenon recesses at upper ends thereof are provided on the lower side of the deck floor. The tenon recesses fit on the tenons of the fence posts that extend through the mortices.

Abstract: The construction system can be achieved through the use of a novel prefabricated construction footing. The footing, can have a circular or rectangular top, and a circular base. The sides are downwardly tapered thereby forming a conical shape. If the shape is viewed as a cone or pyramid, then the top portion is truncated thereby forming a frustrum of a cone or pyramid. The top serves as a support surface for a post. The top surface can be curved thereby forming a dome like structure. The dimensions of the footing are such that the ratio of the surface area of the top to the bottom, is on the order of from about 1:1.3 to about 1:8.3. The top surface is substantially parallel to the bottom surface and the angle between the side surface and a line perpendicular to the top surface is at least about 20 degrees. That is, the footing is conical or pyramidal in shape, with a truncated top.

Abstract: A building foundation is formed by a plurality of pre-cast concrete elements. Each of the pre-cast elements has a length corresponding to the length of a corresponding side or leg of the foundation perimeter. The foundation includes a plurality of pre-cast concrete footing pads that are dispersed along the perimeter and specifically at the corners of the foundation. The pre-cast foundation elements rest on the footing pads and are contiguously arranged to complete the foundation. A bonding agent can be introduced into the joints between adjacent foundation elements to seal the joint. Alternatively, or in addition, mechanical fasteners can be used to interconnect adjacent panels. Certain ones of the pre-cast foundation elements define an integral brick ledge, with varying configurations to ensure continuity of the brick ledge around the corners of the foundation. In a method of the invention, a trench around the perimeter is dug and the pre-cast concrete elements laid in place with a crane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of a column base frame which is used for forming a column base which is used for supporting a column during construction of a building. According to the present invention, there is provided a column base frame with an opening prevention tool, wherein the opening prevention tool is mounted between protruding plates of the column base frame assembled by connecting L-shaped corner frames, each comprising fitting holes and cylindrical fitting holes on one end thereof; movable protrusions, inserting protrusions and cylindrical protrusions on the other end thereof; and protruding plates through which through holes are bored. There is also provided a column base frame with an opening prevention tool, wherein the opening prevention tool is mounted between the protruding plates, through which the through holes are bored, of the column base frame assembled by connecting increased frames to L-shaped corner frames.

Abstract: A perimeter-wall foundation is created by attaching galvanized-steel corrugated panels to an in-place structure. The freely hanging bottom edges of the panels, which have continuous deformation specific to the enhancement of bearing and anchorage within concrete, are cast in-situ with footing concrete, so becoming a cast-in-place perimeter-wall foundation, capable of residential-scale bearing and shear loadings. The panels can have screened ventilation built into the top, utilizing corrugation flute apertures, or they can be thermally optimized for cold climates.

Abstract: A longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported above the ground by upright piers. The system comprises at least one foundation plate, a joist connector, a plate connector, and a rectilinear strut. The foundation plate is placed between the pier and the ground. The joist connector attaches to the joist of the building. Plate clamps may be used in conjunction with the joist connector to grasp the joist. The plate connector attaches to the foundation plate. The strut is attached to the joist connector at one end and the plate connector at the other end such that the strut slopes downward from the joist towards the ground.

Abstract: A floor frame assembly for facilitating the construction of buildings including mobile homes and modular homes. The floor frame assembly includes longitudinally extending structural support beams which are arranged side by side. The structural support beams are rigidly connected by a plurality of cross members extending therebetween. A plurality of one-piece outriggers are separately secured to the longitudinal beams and transversely extend laterally outward therefrom. The outriggers are substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A peripheral beam system for a manufactured home comprising a multiplicity of transverse beams secured perpendicular to plural longitudinally extending beams. Plural peripheral beams are secured to the multiplicity of transverse beams to extend parallel to the plural longitudinally extending beams. The peripheral beams extend downwardly from the manufactured home for resting on a foundation to support the manufactured home relative to a foundation. The downwardly extending peripheral beams enabling the manufactured home to be mounted onto a foundation at a permanent home site through the use of simple lifting jacks and without the use of lifting cranes.

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: A seismic support module for supporting communications equipment on a raised floor includes a plurality of anchoring feet secured to the structural concrete floor and a plurality of support columns having generally horizontal top plates on one end thereof extending up from the anchoring feet. Attached to the plates are a plurality of tie rails and run rails forming a horizontal frame for supporting the communications equipment and the raised floor tiles. The outermost support columns are preferably braced by a plurality of diagonal cross-braces. The anchoring feet have a base plate, preferably a plurality of vertically extending sockets, and a reinforcing plate between the sockets. Preferably, the anchoring feet are interchangeable with each other as are support columns, tie rails, and run rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved poured concrete foundation for residential houses having foundation walls and built in expansive soil areas. The foundation consists of a perimeter trench footing which is monolithically constructed with a plurality of internal trench footings and column footings located within the perimeter footing; and the perimeter trench footing is integrated with a subsequently-constructed, overlying concrete foundation wall, throughout the perimeter of the foundation, using vertical reinforcing steel dowels of predetermined height at predetermined spacings. This ensures that the foundation wall behaves as a beam in addition to its primary functions of resisting lateral soil backfill load and transferring vertical building loads to the underlying perimeter footing. A plurality of grade beams monolithically constructed with a basement slab are placed at beam pockets provided at the footings.

Abstract: A cooling tower is disclosed that is resistant to lateral displacement while minimizing the number and type of parts, and while limiting the amount of horizontal bracing. The cooling tower has a fiber reinforced material skeletal frame. Moment-transferring connections are provided in the connections between the elements of the skeletal frame and between the skeletal frame and the base on which it sits. Further cost savings may be realized by using separable parts made of wood instead of fiber reinforced material. The moment-transferring connections between the frame members are made by bonding the joined elements to a mounting plate. The moment-transferring connections between the frame and the base are made by bonding the frame members and the base to footings. A method of constructing such a cooling tower is also disclosed. Diagonal bracing may be provided at preselected joints.

Abstract: A basement wall is formed by a series of vertical metal studs supported at their lower ends on a metal sill extending along the upper face of a concrete footing. An insulating sheathing is mounted on the metal studs to form the wall outer surface. The sheathing is formed by two panel layers of rigid foam core insulator material. Edges of the inner panels are offset from the edges of the outer panels to form labyrinth seals preventing migration of ground water through the sheathing.

Abstract: A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling, such as a mobile home or commercial coach, is provided with an anchor assembly for positively anchoring the pier to the ground. The invented pier includes a plurality of force distribution members affixed to a base and an adjustment mechanism of the pier. The force distribution members are coupled to the adjustment mechanism for distributing force, including temporarily increased environmental forces applied to the dwelling and to the pier, to prevent the pier from failing. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the height of the pier and includes coupling members for securing the pier to a support beam of the dwelling. Clamp members are affixed to the force distribution members for causing the force distribution members to cooperate with the adjustment mechanism to increase the pier's ability to withstand increased environmental forces.

Abstract: The foundation and support system for a manufactured structure comprises a plurality of vertically adjustable supports fixedly mounted on footings in an excavated area under the structure. The adjustable supports are fixedly attached to main support stringers to support the weight and anchor the structure in the ground. A plurality of thin elongated foundation wall panels are cambered outwardly with respect to the periphery of the home to serve as a flexible retaining wall for backfill with the ability to flex along the longitudinal access to accommodate small movements in the home and strong winds without breaking or pulling out the fasteners and adds stability in the nature of tie downs which resist lifting. Three variations of the panels provide lap joints for running lengths and corners which may be sealed with flexible adhesive to resist entry of water in the space under the structure.

Abstract: A cooling tower is disclosed that is resistant to lateral displacement while minimizing the number and type of parts, and while limiting the amount of horizontal bracing. The cooling tower has a fiber reinforced material skeletal frame. Moment-transferring connections are provided in the connections between the elements of the skeletal frame. The moment-transferring connections between the frame members are made by bonding the joined elements to a mounting plate. The mounting plate may be held in place by mechanical fasteners that bear construction loads until the bonding material cures. The mounting plate, columns, beam and mechanical fasteners define construction joints that are capable of bearing construction loads until the bonding material cures. The mounting plate, columns, beam and cured bonding material define post-construction joints that are capable of transferring moments from the beam to the columns and are capable of bearing post-construction loads on the joints.

Abstract: A railroad bungalow having a roof, a floor and adjoining walls forming vertically extending corners. An elongated guide sleeve is mounted on the exterior surface of each corner forming a guide slot. A support leg in the shape of an angle iron is movably mounted in each guide slot. The legs are provided with spaced openings and corresponding openings are provided in the sleeve and wall so that a pin or bolt can be inserted to hold the leg at a selected position to adjust the height of the bungalow above a supporting surface.

Abstract: A modular portable stage and floor system uses a small number of standardized modular components to construct a temporary or permanent platform that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of platform designs. The modular standardized components include a series of modular vertical and horizontal supports and a light-weight modular deck panel. The modular vertical and horizontal supports can be detachably coupled together in a slidably interlocked manner using a universal connector mechanism in to a support frame structure for supporting a plurality of modular deck panels. By using a small number of modular supports and a universal connector mechanism that is similar for all structural interconnections required to build the support frame structure, the modular portable stage and floor system is strong and stable, yet easily transported, assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure adapted to be assembled dissociably and placed on a substantially flat surface is disclosed. This structure includes a plurality of upright support members each integrally molded from concrete, the upright support members each including a base portion extending horizontally with a predetermined width, and being to be placed on the surface; and an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and having opposite side surfaces defining a widthwise thickness and opposite end surfaces defining a horizontal length. These upright support members are spaced from each other in a horizontally transverse direction and a horizontally longitudinal direction. Transversely adjacent upright support members are connected together by beam means, while longitudinally adjacent upright support members are connected together by connecting means.

Abstract: In order to provide a pre-assembled, relocatable building structure which can be transported by road from one site to another, a metal skeleton which is formed of 6.times.2 inch rectangular cross-section hollow steel tubing, is welded together and provided with horizontally extending anchor brackets at the bottom of each vertically extending column member. These anchor pads allow the building to be lowered onto foundations in which anchor bolts are imbedded, and bolted in place. The foundations are formed so as to take the form of continuous elongate blocks which break the passage of wind which tends to flow sideways under the housing structure. A shallow crawl space can formed between the foundation blocks to facilitate service connections. To prevent winds from tearing off side and roof panels of roof and wall structures secured to the skeleton, metal brackets are used to enclose or encapsulate the edges of the panels in a manner which prevents the direct contact with the wind.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete slab and girder building structures incorporate shearing connectors with lengthwise support parts to which lengthwisely spaced, transversely extending, rigid load transfer plates affix. A girder structure having one or more lengthwisely extending girders is provided and the shear connectors are fixed to the girders near their support walls below a deck for supporting the slab, the shearing connectors being positioned so that portions of the load transfer plates and support parts project above the girder structure and deck to receive compression forces in the slab which are transferred by the connectors to the girders. The lengthwisely extending connector support parts have connections for carrying a series of lengthwisely spaced rebar rods which embed in the slab when it is poured and transfer compressive load forces to the transfer plates.

Abstract: Stabilizer bars (28) and (30) extend across the lengths of the I-beam joists (12) and (14), beneath the piers (16) and (18). Tie down anchors (32) and (34) are placed in abutment with the outer ends of the stabilizer bars, so that the anchors cannot be pulled and bent toward the manufactured home due to the forces in the anchor ties (101) and (110). Tie down shoes (50) and (51) are mounted at the lower portions of the piers (16) and (18), and ties (101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110) are connected to the tie down shoes so as to increase the resistance of the manufactured home (11) from shifting laterally and from lifting off the foundation.

Abstract: A carport enclosure built around an existing carport. The carport itself includes a plurality of carport support posts secured upright by respective footings and a roof supported by the support posts and overhanging the support posts. Enclosure posts, supported upright by footings, are positioned outboard of the carport support posts. A first side or end wall is attached to and supported by at least one of the enclosure posts, disposed underneath the roof and extends at least substantially up thereto so as to appear to be an integral side wall. Similarly, a second side or end wall is attached to and supported by at least one of the enclosure posts, disposed underneath an opposite side of the roof and extends at least substantially up thereto so as to appear to be an integral side wall. A rear wall is attached to and supported by at least one of the enclosure posts so as to appear to be an integral rear wall.

Abstract: A structural beam has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional profile with a column portion and a capital portion. The capital portion has a top surface and downwardly and inwardly converging sidewalls, while the column portion has downwardly and inwardly converging sidewalls and a bottom surface, with the rate of convergence of the capital portion being greater than the rate of convergence of the column portion. Such beam can be employed as a floor beam in a flooring system for a building structure, wherein the ends of a plurality of such floor beams are supported by the inner flanges on opposed foundation beams having an inverted T-shaped profile. The foundation beams can be positioned end-to-end to form shuttering for an in situ cast concrete slab. A layer of a thermal insulating material can be positioned on top of the floor beams, and a concrete slab can be cast on top of the insulating layer such that the top of the concrete slab is no higher than the top of the foundation beams.

Abstract: A structure for encapsulating an existing building includes an underpinning system for mounting on the existing building. The underpinning system includes a perimeter frame assembly with side and end rafts, outrigger assemblies mounted on the side rails and scissor jack assemblies recounted on the end rails. A shell system is mounted on the perimeter frame assembly and includes side walls, end walls and a roof. Door assemblies are installed in the end walls. A method of encapsulating an existing building includes the steps of providing an underpinning system, fastening the underpinning system to the existing building, providing a shell system with side walls, end walls, a roof and an open bottom, and receiving the existing building through the shed system open bottom for placing the shell system in covering relation over the existing building.

Abstract: A structural member, a floor structure, and a roof structure for a wooden building, and a method of building with the same are provided. The method comprises mounting floor panels on a foundation, mounting on sills wall panels provided with L shaped pillars of a plywood laminated material to produce a wall structure of the first floor, mounting and joining second-floor panels by panel support assemblies to the first-floor wall structure, and joining the second-floor panels with their beams connecting to each other to produce a floor structure of the second floor. This is followed by assembling a wall structure of the second floor, joining roof panels to each other by retainer assemblies on a ridge beam, and joining the roof panels with arms connecting to each other to produce a roof structure. Accordingly, the steps of making the floor, wall, and roof structures are minimized in number.

Abstract: An integrated wall panel for building construction comprising a framing structure secured to a reinforced concrete stemwall. The framing structure comprises two vertical end studs and the stemwall comprises a mass of concrete surrounding reinforcing means and extending between lower portions of the studs. Additional framing members including horizontal framing members and intermediate studs are secured to the end studs and the stemwall. A mass of concrete surrounds the reinforcing means and fills the stemwall form, making an integral panel. Preferably, the concrete extends into a channel in the end studs to secure the stemwall to the end studs. The integrated wall system may be configured to receive floor joists or may have additional reinforcing rods extending perpendicularly from the panel to support a poured concrete floor.