Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a first support structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second support structure, the second support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support structure are configured to couple together to support and transport the building.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a building manufacturing system is provided. The system includes a manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility includes one or more walls arranged to form a substantially complete perimeter. The manufacturing facility further includes a substantially open top. The system also includes one or more component assembly areas associated with the manufacturing facility. One or more components for a large building are assembled in the component assembly areas. The system also includes one or more assembly stations associated with the manufacturing facility. The large building is assembled substantially completely from a plurality of components in the stations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a facility for manufacturing non-roadable buildings. The facility includes an enclosed area having a roof, a plurality of bays for positioning the non-roadable buildings therein, each of the plurality of bays configured to have one non-roadable building positioned therein, a plurality of movable manufacturing areas configured to manufacture elements for manufacturing and a lifting device positioned within the enclosed area and configured to move the elements for manufacturing of the non-roadable building through the facility, including movement of the elements from each of the plurality of movable manufacturing areas to each of the plurality of bays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a first support structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second support structure, the second support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support structure are configured to couple together to support and transport the building.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stick-building large buildings (e.g., single-family homes, townhouses, apartment complexes, commercial structures, multi-story buildings, buildings legally or physically too large or oddly shaped to be transported substantially intact via public roads, etc.) within a factory is presented. The factory can be constructed on or near the intended building destination(s). The factory can include a large enclosed structure that shelters the construction process, the raw materials and/or workers from the extremes or effects of the natural elements. Inside the factory, one or more buildings are constructed using stick-building construction techniques (e.g., constructing the building from raw materials without pre-manufactured panels or modular sections). The factory can use assembly line and/or assembly point stick-building techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a facility for manufacturing non-roadable buildings. The facility includes an enclosed area having a roof and a plurality of bays for positioning the non-roadable buildings therein, each of the plurality of bays is configured to have one non-roadable building positioned therein and being at least partially enclosed and separated from each other of the plurality of bays. The facility further includes an exit positioned adjacent each of the plurality of bays configured to allow the non-roadable building positioned therein to pass therethrough when the non-roadable building is substantially complete and lifting devices positioned within the enclosed area and configured to move elements for manufacturing of the non-roadable building through the facility, including movement of the elements to each of the plurality of bays.

Abstract: A building manufacturing system is provided. The system includes a temporary assembly facility configured to substantially cover one or more permanent building locations. The temporary assembly facility is further configured to enable one or more buildings to be assembled up the one or more permanent building locations. The temporary assembly facility can include a manufacturing facility. The temporary assembly facility can include a transportation system. The transportation system can include an overhead rail system. The temporary assembly facility can include a roof configured to divert precipitation. The roof can be flexible. The roof can include a canvass portion. The roof can include a plastic portion. A method of building a building is also provided. The method can include covering a permanent building location with a portion of a temporary assembly facility, assembling the building upon the permanent building location and removing the portion from the permanent building location.

Abstract: A method for placing a building on a subdivision lot includes the steps of providing a planned community subdivision having a plurality of lots, preparing at least one of the lots to accept at least one building, and assembling at least one substantially complete building in a factory. The method also includes transporting the substantially complete building from the factory to the planned community subdivision, moving the substantially complete building to a position within the subdivision that is adjacent to a first lot, traversing the substantially complete building over the first lot to a second lot, and installing the substantially complete building onto the second lot.

Abstract: A building foundation includes a molded structure being formed from a first substance and a second substance formed within the molded structure. The second substance displaces a predetermined volume of the first substance and is lighter than the first substance. The building foundation also includes a device for coupling the molded structure to a movable building in a factory. The building foundation is further adapted to be transported to a building site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device, including a movable structure configured to support and transport a building. At least four drive devices are coupled to the movable structure, each of the at least four drive devices including at least two wheels and at least two motors, each of the being motors adapted to drive one wheel. An input control device is configured to allow an operator to direct the movement of the transport device. The device can include a global positioning receiver. A control system is configured to calculate the desired heading and velocity of the transport device using differential steering based on inputs from the operators and the global positioning receiver.

Abstract: A stem wall is provided by manufacturing the stem wall and then transporting the stem wall to the house site for placement. Preferably, the stem wall is manufactured within an enclosed facility. Further, the stem wall is preferably manufactured at a location which does not require transporting the stem wall via public roadways to the house site. The stem wall can be manufactured by pouring concrete into a mold. Tension cables can be positioned within the mold and tightened after the concrete cures to provide increased tensile strength. The stem wall can be formed with one or more horizontal openings. Beams or pegs can be inserted through the horizontal openings to facilitate transportation of the stem wall to the house site. Before the stem wall is transported to the house site, a house can be built or placed on top of the stem wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for a load. The transport device includes at least one device configured to alter the orientation of the load relative to at least a portion of the transport device. At least one sensor is adapted to detect if at least one of the following occurs: the portion of the load becomes substantially non-planar and the portion of the load becomes substantially non-level. Electrical components are in communication with the sensor and are adapted to adjust the at least one device such that the portion of the load maintains at least one of the substantial planarity and the substantial levelness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a first support structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second support structure, the second support structure having at least four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support structure are configured to couple together to support and transport the building.