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 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 deadman ground-anchor comprises a heavy steel rod with several inches of machine threading at a back end, and an arrowhead with a pair of wedge-shaped wings at a front end. The wedge-shaped wings are welded to the steel rod. A pivotable fluke is hinged to the shaft with a lateral pin. The whole unit is driven into the soil, e.g., with a jack-hammer, until the threads at the back end are almost completely buried. A stabilizer vane and interlocking cap are then placed over the end flat on the ground. Nuts are put over the threaded end and tightened so that the whole unit is drawn back out a few inches. The fluke folds out perpendicular to the shaft and locks compacted soil between it and the cap. The stabilizing vane braces the top end of the anchor against lateral forces.

Abstract: A deadman ground-anchor comprises a heavy steel rod with several inches of machine threading at a back end, and an arrowhead with a pair of wedge-shaped wings at a front end. The wedge-shaped wings are welded to the steel rod. A pivotable fluke is hinged to the shaft with a lateral pin. The whole unit is driven into the soil, e.g., with a jack-hammer, until the threads at the back end are almost completely buried. A stabilizer vane and interlocking cap are then placed over the end flat on the ground. Nuts are put over the threaded end and tightened so that the whole unit is drawn back out a few inches. The fluke folds out perpendicular to the shaft and locks compacted soil between it and the cap. The stabilizing vane braces the top end of the anchor against lateral forces.

Abstract: A foundation pier coupling system is semi-permanently attached to a movable dwelling, such as a mobile home or commercial coach, is provided. The invented system includes coupling members that are attached to a support beam of the dwelling and to a pier, for securing the pier to the dwelling. The coupling members are hingably coupled together, enabling the pier to pivot relative to the support beam. The pier is pivoted against the beam when transporting the dwelling with the pier attached to the beam. A retaining member is provided for retaining the pier against the beam, to prevent the pier from accidentally contacting a ground surface when the dwelling is in transit. At an installation site, the pier is pivoted away from the beam, until it is perpendicular thereto and to the ground, for installing the dwelling. The height of the pier is then adjusted to secure the pier to the ground and support the dwelling.

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: A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling that substantially resists environmental forces, such as seismic and wind forces, and which is semi-permanently attached to the movable dwelling, such as a mobile home or commercial coach, is provided. The invented pier includes coupling members that are attached to a support beam of the dwelling and to the pier, for securing the pier to the dwelling. The coupling members are hingably coupled together, enabling the pier to pivot relative to the support beam. The pier is pivoted against the beam when transporting the dwelling with the pier attached to the beam. A retaining member is provided for retaining the pier against the beam, to prevent the pier from accidentally contacting a ground surface when the dwelling is in transit. At an installation site, the pier is pivoted away from the beam, until it is perpendicular thereto and to the ground, for installing the dwelling.

Abstract: A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling, such as a mobile home or commercial coach is provided. The pier provides enhanced seismic and wind force absorption properties over prior art piers. The invented pier includes a base plate having a threaded shaft affixed thereto. A plurality of webs are spatially positioned about the shaft at predetermined intervals. A support member has a first end threadably coupled to the shaft for adjusting the height of the pier. Couple members detachably couple to second end of the support member for attaching the pier to a support beam of the movable dwelling to prevent movement between the pier and the dwelling. A clamp member is affixed to the plurality of webs. The clamp member couples to the support member for preventing movement of the support member relative to the shaft and the clamp member. Environmental forces applied to the support member are transmitted from the clamp member and distributed through the plurality of webs to prevent the pier from collapsing.