Method and apparatus for an insert-receiver system for relocatable buildings

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to an insert-receiver system for modular and/or relocatable buildings. A modular and/or relocatable building can be fitted with one or more receivers. Each receiver can have multiple inserts. A single receiver can interchangeably accept a shipping insert, an installation insert, a securing insert, a lifting insert, or any other type of insert.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/686,580, filed Jun. 2, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any figures, tables, or drawings.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a method and apparatus for an insert-receiver system for relocatable buildings. In an embodiment, the subject insert-receiver system can be incorporated with relocatable modular buildings.

Traditionally, relocatable buildings rest upon the ground or upon a foundation layout made up of, for example, concrete blocks and/or wood blocks at a site. In order to lift the relocatable buildings to, for example, relocate them, connectors are often located on the building. These connectors must be strong enough to support the weight of the building and be adequately and properly interconnected with the building to allow the building to be lifted without damaging the building.

With a relocatable building, high wind turn over can be a problem. Furthermore, certain applications necessitate additional performance criteria for the building such as dealing with soil content and resistance to rotation. Accordingly, there is a need to fix the building to the ground securely. Relocatable buildings are typically tied down to the ground.

In addition, traditional methods of lifting and transporting relocatable buildings can be time consuming and require extensive labor to be located at the building site. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that provides for a relocatable building to be lifted, moved, secured, and/or transported efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a rigid frame wall style embodiment with receivers in accordance with an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 1B-1H show various embodiments of inserts for use in an insert-receiver system in accordance with the subject invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the front view and the side view an embodiment of the subject invention with an insert earth anchor connection.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the front view and the side view of an embodiment of the subject invention with an alternate insert earth anchor connection.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a shear wall style embodiment with receivers in accordance with an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an embodiment of an insert incorporating a swivel connection, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an insert-receiver combination during use, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for an insert-receiver system for modular and/or relocatable buildings. In particular, the subject invention pertains to an insert-receiver system for use with transporting, lifting, securing, moving, and/or shipping modular and/or relocatable buildings.

In an embodiment, an insert-receiver system can have an insert and a corresponding receiver. In one embodiment, one or more receivers can be affixed to the side of a relocatable building. For a modular relocatable building formed with a shear wall assembly, the one or more receivers can be affixed to the shear wall structure. In another embodiment, one or more receivers can be affixed to the chassis of a modular and/or relocatable building. The chassis can be a steel structure. Then, a panelized load bearing wall assembly can be attached to the chassis. The panelized load bearing wall assembly can act in shear for wind load requirements. In another embodiment, one or more receivers can be attached to a rigid frame of a relocatable building. In an alternate embodiment, one or more receivers can be affixed to a portable shed.

In a specific embodiment, as few as one receiver can be used on a single end of a building. In an embodiment, the one or more receivers can be affixed to the side of a modular and/or relocatable building such that the one or more receivers do not protrude from the modular and/or relocatable building. In a specific embodiment, the one or more receivers can be affixed to the chassis, or alternatively, the rigid frame, of a relocatable building such that the receiving end of each receiver is flush with the outer edges of the chassis or rigid frame. In another embodiment, the one or more receivers can be affixed to the chassis, or alternatively, the rigid frame, of a relocatable building at a position recessed from the outer edges of the chassis or rigid frame.

In an embodiment, the receiver can be sized such that the longitudinal length is at least five times its width. In another embodiment the receiver can be sized such that its longitudinal length is at least three times the sum of its width and height. In a specific embodiment, the receiver can have a diameter, or width, of 3 inches and a longitudinal length of 18.5 inches.

The receiver 2 can have a variety of shapes. Various embodiments have longitudinal cross-sectional shapes such as wedge or rectangular. An insert 3 can be shaped to correspond with the shape of a receiver 2. In an embodiment, the shapes of the receiver and insert are selected to prevent axial rotation with respect to each other and allow longitudinal translation with respect to each other such that the insert can be inserted into and removed from the receiver. The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the receiver can have a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, rectangular, square, and wedge. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the receiver can have a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, rectangular, circular, square, oval, and hexagonal. In an embodiment, the insert 3 can be a solid or hollow tube that fits within receiver 2 such that axial rotation of the insert with respect to the receiver is prevented while longitudinal translation with respect to each other is allowed. In an alternative embodiment, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the receiver and insert can allow axial rotation of the insert with respect to the receiver.

FIG. 1A shows a plurality of receivers 2 affixed to a rigid frame 1 at various locations about the ends of the rigid frame 1. In a specific embodiment, the frame of a relocatable building can have a receiver 2 installed by welding into the structural frame 1 of the relocatable building. In an alternative embodiment, the frame of a relocatable building can have a receiver 2 installed by welding into the chassis 4 of the relocatable building. In an embodiment, one or more receivers 2 can be welded or fixed to a rigid frame 1 or a chassis 4 of a relocatable building on each end. In specific embodiments, a single receiver 2 can be centrally fixed to each end, or alternatively, the single receiver 2 can be fixed to the rigid frame 1 at or near a vertical column 5 of the rigid frame 1 or to the chassis 4 at or near a support column 10 of the chassis 4.

Each receiver 2 can accept an insert 3 with one or more attachments and/or one or more inserts having different shapes and functions. For example, a single receiver 2 can interchangeably accept a shipping insert, a dolly insert, a tie down insert, a bolt down insert, a lifting insert, and/or other types of insert. In an embodiment, receiver 2 can accept an insert that can utilize one or more attachments. In another embodiment, the insert 3 can be one or more different lifting brackets. In an embodiment, the insert 3 can have a means to releaseably secure the insert 3 in the receiver 2. An example of such a means to releaseably secure the insert in the receiver is a securing flange 12 as shown in FIG. 1H. The securing flange 12 can be, for example, bolted or screwed into a concrete pad or block column support 19 of a modular and/or relocatable building in order to keep the insert 3 in place. In an embodiment, the securing flange 12 can be releaseably secured to a corresponding flange on receiver 2. In another embodiment, a pin or bolt can be inserted into the chassis 1, receiver 2, and/or insert 3 to releaseably secure the insert 3 in receiver 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1C-1G, an insert 3 can incorporate various attachments to help perform functions such as lifting, transporting, shipping, and/or securing. In an embodiment, an insert 3 can incorporate a bracket attachment 23 for lifting a modular and/or relocatable building as shown in FIG. 1C. In an embodiment, an insert 3 can incorporate a tie down attachment 14 with a chain (not shown) for securing a modular and/or relocatable building to a trailer for transportation as shown in FIG. 1D. In an embodiment, an insert 3 can incorporate a tie down attachment 14 with a tie down strap 17 for securing a modular and/or relocatable building to, for example, an anchor 18 in the ground as shown in FIGS. 1E and 3B. In an embodiment, an insert 3 can incorporate a hitch attachment 8 for transporting or installing a modular and/or relocatable building as shown in FIG. 1F. In an embodiment, an insert 3 can incorporate a dolly attachment 16 for installing a modular and/or relocatable building as shown in FIG. 1G and FIG. 6. The dolly attachment 16 can have an adjustable height mechanism such as, for example, a crank 6. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a kit having an insert and one or more attachable attachments, such as one or more of the attachments shown in FIGS. 1C-1H. In another embodiment, the subject invention relates to a kit having one or more inserts having different shapes and functions, such as one or more of the inserts shown in FIGS. 1C-1H.

The above description has been provided with respect to the female receiver being located on the relocatable building and the male insert interconnecting with the female receiver. The subject invention also relates to the male insert being located on the relocatable building and the female receiver interconnecting with the male insert. In an embodiment, a male insert can be welded to a side of a modular and/or relocatable building, the rigid frame of a modular and/or relocatable building, or the chassis of a modular and/or relocatable building. A female receiver can receive the insert to connect various brackets to the modular and/or relocatable building by the insert-receiver system.

In an embodiment, one or more inserts can be provided in an insert-receiver system kit. Each kit can include one or more inserts such as a shipping insert, a dolly insert, a securing insert, a lifting insert, or any other type of insert. A kit can include a shipping insert such as, for example, an insert for truck transportation. A kit can include one or more types of securing inserts such as, for example, a tie down insert, bolt down insert, or an insert with a helical earth anchor attachment. In one embodiment a kit can include a lifting insert and a securing insert. In a further embodiment, the kit can include a plurality of lifting inserts and a plurality of securing inserts.

In an embodiment, a modular and/or relocatable building with a receiver can be placed directly on to the ground or on a block column support 19. In order to secure the modular and/or relocatable building to the ground, an insert 13 with anchor attachment 14 can be used.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a specific embodiment of the subject invention can be used to secure a relocatable modular building to the ground. In one embodiment, a helical earth anchor 18 can be used to secure the relocatable building to the ground. The helical earth anchor 18 can be secured to the relocatable building by the insert-receiver system. In an embodiment, the helical earth anchor 18 can have a tie down strap 17. The strap 17 can be connected to an insert for the insert receiver system. In a specific embodiment, the strap 17 connects to a tube 30. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the strap 17 can connect to the tube 30 at different orientations. The connection can be flush with the front of the insert as shown in FIG. 3A, or alternatively, the connection can longitudinally intersect with the insert as shown in FIG. 2A. A receiver 20 can be formed by affixing a lift tube onto the frame under the floor system 40 of a relocatable building. The tube 30 can slide into the lift tube receiver 20 to form a tight fit. The tube 30 can be slid to the end 21 of the lift tube receiver 20. Once the earth anchor 18 is secured to the relocatable building through the insert receiver system, the earth anchor 18 can be driven into ground. The relocatable building can be secured to the ground through the tightening mechanism of the strap 17 of the earth anchor 18.

The placement of the receivers can help distribute the load of the relocatable building when being lifted. In one embodiment, a relocatable building can be constructed with only one receiver on each end of the building frame. In another embodiment, two complementary insert-receiver systems can be connected to each end of the frame of a relocatable building or building section. Referring to FIG. 4, four receivers can be positioned at one end of a relocatable building and four receivers can be positioned at the other end of the relocatable building. FIG. 4 shows a floor plan and chassis 4 of a relocatable modular building where two building sections are married. In an embodiment, a securing insert 30 can be inserted into each of the receivers 20 to prevent the relocatable building from moving.

During fabrication of a relocatable building, one or more receivers 2 can be affixed to the frame or walls of the modular and/or relocatable building. In order to transport a modular and/or relocatable building to a site, an insert with a lifting attachment can be slid into one or more of the one or more receivers affixed to the frame or walls. In an embodiment, the lifting attachment can be a bracket attachment 23. A crane or lift can be connected to the bracket attachment 23 of the inserts that are in the receivers 2 and move the relocatable building onto a truck or trailer. Once the modular and/or relocatable building is placed on the truck or trailer, the lifting inserts that are in the receivers 2 can be removed and replaced with inserts for truck or trailer transportation. In one embodiment, inserts with a tie down attachment 14 as shown in FIG. 1D can be inserted into the receivers 2 and secured to a trailer or bed of a truck with a chain (not shown).

In a further embodiment, inserts with a hitch attachment can be inserted into receivers 2 on one end of the modular and/or relocatable building such that the modular and/or relocatable building can be hitched to a vehicle or trailer. In an embodiment, a single insert can be used for both lifting the modular and/or relocatable building and securing the modular and/or relocatable building to a truck or trailer for transportation. In one embodiment, at a building site, the transportation inserts can be removed and replaced with dolly inserts, for example as shown in FIG. 1G, to roll the modular and/or relocatable building into place at the building site. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a dolly insert in use. The height of the modular and/or relocatable building on the dolly inserts can be adjusted by, for example, a crank 6 on the dolly 16. Once the modular and/or relocatable building is in place on a foundation layout, the dolly inserts can be removed and replaced with securing inserts. For example, the securing insert can be a have a tiedown attachment 14 to be secured to a helical earth anchor 18. A helical earth anchor 18 can be set into the ground and a tiedown strap 17 engaged with the tiedown attachment 14 of an insert can be tightened to secure the modular and/or relocatable building in place.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an embodiment having an attachment 14 and a swivel attachment 15 is shown. The swivel attachment rotates around pin 16. The swivel attachment can allow the chain, strap, or other means for attaching to the swivel attachment to be oriented at a variety of angles with respect to the attachment 14 and, therefore, with respect to the receiver into which the insert is inserted.

In an embodiment, the insertion of an insert into a receiver can be performed by sliding the insert into the receiver until the tip of the insert reaches the back end of the receiver, and the removal of an insert from a receiver can be performed by sliding the insert completely out of the receiver.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.

Claims

1. An insert-receiver system for a relocatable building, comprising:

at least one receiver fixedly attached to a relocatable building, wherein the at least one receiver fixedly attached to the relocatable building can support the weight of the relocatable building, and

a corresponding at least one complementary insert, wherein each of the corresponding at least one complementary insert is configured to be removably insertable into the corresponding receiver.

2. The insert-receiver system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is fixedly attached to a frame of the relocatable building, wherein the frame of the relocatable building can support the weight of the relocatable building.

3. The insert-receiver system according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the at least one receiver and the corresponding at least one complementary insert prevents rotation with respect to the at least one receiver and the corresponding at least one complementary insert when the corresponding at least one complementary insert is inserted into the at least one receiver and allows longitudinal translation between the corresponding at least one complementary insert and the at least one receiver.

4. The insert-receiver system according to claim 1, wherein each of the corresponding at least one complementary insert comprises an attachment.

5. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises:

a means for securing the relocatable building to the ground.

6. The insert-receiver system according to claim 5, wherein the means for securing a relocatable building to the ground comprises a helical earth anchor.

7. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises:

a means for transporting a relocatable building.

8. The insert-receiver system according to claim 7, wherein the means for transporting the relocatable building comprises a dolly.

9. The insert-receiver system according to claim 8, wherein the dolly can raise and lower the relocatable building.

10. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises a means for lifting the relocatable building.

11. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises a means to tie down the relocatable building.

12. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises a means for securing the insert to the relocatable building.

13. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, wherein the attachment comprises a swivel attachment.

14. The insert-receiver system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a second corresponding at least one complementary insert, wherein each of the second corresponding at least one complementary insert is configured to be removeably insertable into the corresponding receiver, wherein each of the second corresponding at least one complementary insert comprises a second attachment, wherein the second attachment is different from the attachment.

15. An insert-receiver system for a relocatable building, comprising:

at least one insert fixedly attached to a relocatable building, wherein the at least one insert fixedly attached to the relocatable building can support the weight of the relocatable building, and

a corresponding at least one complementary receiver, wherein each of the at least one complementary insert is configured to be removably insertable into the corresponding receiver.

16. A method for connecting to a relocatable building, comprising:

fixedly attaching at least one receiver to a relocatable building, wherein the at least one receiver fixedly attached to the relocatable building can support the weight of the relocatable building; and

inserting a corresponding at least one complementary insert into the corresponding at least one receiver, wherein the corresponding at least one complementary insert is configured to be removably insertable into the corresponding receiver.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein each of the corresponding at least one complementary insert comprises an attachment.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

placing a corresponding at least one anchor in the ground,

securing each attachment to the corresponding anchor, wherein upon securing each attachment to the corresponding anchor, the relocatable building is secured to the ground.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

lifting the attachment of each of the corresponding at least one complementary insert, wherein lifting the attachment of each of the corresponding at least one complementary insert lifts the relocatable building.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

removing the corresponding at least one complementary insert from the corresponding at least one receiver; and inserting a second corresponding at least one complementary insert into the corresponding at least one receiver, wherein each of the second corresponding at least one complementary insert comprises a second attachment, wherein the second attachment is different than the attachment.