Apparatus for use with a jack for leveling a modular home

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a jacking device utilized in leveling modular type homes at a job site which includes an elongated tubular type member having a first predetermined length and a first predetermined shape and is formed from a first preselected material. An end cap member is engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom end of the elongated tubular member which has a predetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack. The end cap member is formed from a second preselected material. Finally, there is a top plate member engageable with an upper end of such elongated tubular member for supporting a predetermined structural member attached too such modular type home. The top plate member includes each of a second predetermined length and a second predetermined shape and is formed from a third preselected material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to jacks used for leveling modular homes and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for use with such jacks which can be handled by a single person when leveling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the prior art, in order to provide reasonably priced housing home builders have gone to modular type homes which can be manufactured in a factory, transported to a home site in pieces and thereafter erected. Obviously, such modular type homes must be leveled at the job site which requires considerable skill.

To perform this leveling job requires the use of jacks which are relatively heavy due to the fact they are required to lift quite heavy loads. The jacks in use prior to the present invention required more than one person to handle which, as would be expected, adds to the labor cost that must be passed on to the home owner.

Even more importantly, because of the added weight it can add significantly to the potential for back and/or other type injuries to the workers who must handle these heavy jacks. Due to such injuries as is well known the cost of premiums for workman's compensation insurance is higher which in turn adds to the overall building cost when this cost is passed on to the home owner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for use with a jacking means utilized in leveling modular type homes at a job site. Such apparatus includes an elongated tubular type member having each of a first predetermined length and a first predetermined shape. The elongated tubular type member is formed from a first preselected material. There is an end cap member engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom end of such elongated tubular type member. The end cap member has a predetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack. Further the end cap member is formed from a second preselected material. The final essential component for the apparatus is a top plate member engageable with an upper end of such elongated tubular type member for supporting a predetermined structural member attached too such modular type home. Such top plate member includes each of a second predetermined length and a second predetermined shape and is formed from a third preselected material.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which can be handled and used by a single person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which is relatively light weight when compared to prior art type jacks used for this purpose.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which will substantially minimize injuries to workers due to lifting heavy jacks.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which will lower the construction cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which can be readily broken down into a number of parts for ease of transporting between such job sites.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which includes a handle to assist in carrying the apparatus to and from the job site.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which can be produced from a variety of materials.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which can be manufactured into a number of different heights.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes at a job site which can be readily adjusted in length as necessary for particular conditions encountered at different job sites.

In addition to the numerous objects and advantages of the present invention which have been specifically described above, it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, which illustrates a presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an end cap for the apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a handle for the apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a top plate for the apparatus for use with a jack used in leveling modular type homes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is bottom view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of the top plate illustrated in FIG. 4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that. for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

Now refer, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-7. Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of an apparatus, generally designated 10, for use with a jacking means (not shown) utilized in leveling a modular type home (not shown) at a preselected job site.

This apparatus 10 includes an elongated tubular type member, generally designated 20, having each of a first predetermined length and a first predetermined shape. The elongated tubular type member 20 is formed from a first preselected material which will exhibit a strength at least sufficient to support the load to be exerted on it by such modular type home.

Apparatus 10 further includes an end cap member, generally designated 30, which is engageable at a first end thereof 12 with a bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20. The end cap member 30 has a predetermined configuration at a second end 16 thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of the jacking means. Such end cap member 30 is formed from a second preselected material.

In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, such end cap member 30 is removable from such bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 and the elongated tubular type member 20 includes an aperture 28 formed through a side wall portion disposed closely adjacent such bottom end 14 thereof.

In this embodiment it is further preferred that such end cap member 30 include a means, generally designated 50, which is engageable within the aperture 28 formed through such side wall portion disposed closely adjacent the bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining such end cap member 30 in the bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20.

Such means 50 engageable within the aperture 28 formed through such side wall portion disposed closely adjacent the bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining the end cap member 30 in such bottom end 14 of the elongated tubular type member 20 is one of a rod like member (not shown) and a plunger 32. It is presently preferred that such means 50 is a spring loaded plunger 32.

The final essential component of the apparatus 10 is a top plate member, generally designated 40, which is engageable with an upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for supporting a predetermined structural member (not shown) attached too such modular type home. The top plate member 40 includes each of a second predetermined length and a second predetermined shape. Additionally, the top plate member 40 is formed from a third preselected material.

In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, such top plate member 40 is removable from the upper end 22 of such elongated tubular type member 20. Preferably, in order to make the top plate member 40 removable the elongated tubular type member 20 includes an aperture 34 formed through a side wall portion thereof disposed closely adjacent the upper end 22 thereof. Additionally, such top plate member 40 includes another means 50 engageable within such aperture 34 formed through the side wall portion disposed closely adjacent such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining the top plate member 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20.

As discussed above, it is preferred that the means 50 engageable within the aperture 34 formed through such side wall portion disposed closely adjacent the upper end 22 of such elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining the top plate member 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 is one of a rod like member and a plunger 32.

it is most preferred that such means 50 engageable within such aperture 34 formed through the side wall portion disposed closely adjacent the upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 for retaining such top plate member 40 in such upper end 22 of the elongated tubular type member 20 is a spring loaded type plunger 32.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such apparatus 10 further includes a handle member 24 having a third predetermined shape attached to the elongated tubular type member 20 intermediate each end 14 and 22 thereof. The handle member 24 is attached to such elongated tubular type member 20 intermediate each end 14 and 22 thereof by one of welding, clamps and screws. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the presently preferred attachment means is clamps 26.

In the presently preferred embodiments of the invention of the apparatus 10, such first preselected material, second preselected material and third preselected material will be selected from the group consisting of metals and engineered plastics and combinations thereof. The presently preferred metals are metals selected from the group consisting of light weight steel and aluminum. Regardless of the material selected, although not limited thereto, it is preferred that such first preselected material, such second preselected material and such third preselected material will be substantially identical.

Although the first predetermined shape of such elongated tubular type member 20 may be almost any geometric shape it presently preferred that such first predetermined shape of such elongated tubular type member 20 will be selected from the group consisting of cylindrical and rectangular. The most preferred first predetermined shape for such first predetermined shape of such elongated tubular type member 20 will be cylindrical.

It is also presently preferred that the predetermined configuration of such end cap member 30 at a second end 36 thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jacking means includes a cavity 38.

Finally, it is presently preferred that the second predetermined shape of such top plate member 40 includes a channel shaped portion 42 disposed normal to such elongated tubular type member 20.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have bee described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be understood that various other modifications and alterations can be made to the apparatus without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a jacking means utilized in leveling modular type homes at a job site, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular type member having each of a first predetermined length and a first predetermined shape, said elongated tubular type member formed from a first preselected material;

(b) an end cap member engageable at a first end thereof with a bottom end of said elongated tubular type member, said end cap member having a predetermined configuration at a second end thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack, said end cap member formed from a second preselected material; and

(c) a top plate member engageable with an upper end of said elongated tubular type member for supporting a predetermined structural member attached too such modular type home, said top plate member having each of a second predetermined length and a second predetermined shape, said top plate member formed from a third preselected material.

2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a handle member having a third predetermined shape attached to said elongated tubular type member intermediate each end thereof.

3. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said handle member is attached to said elongated tubular type member intermediate each end thereof by one of welding, clamps and screws.

4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said end cap member is removable from said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member.

5. An apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said elongated tubular type member includes an aperture formed through a side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end thereof.

6. An apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said end cap member includes a means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said end cap member in said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member.

7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said end cap member in said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member is one of a rod like member and a plunger.

8. An apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said end cap member in said bottom end of said elongated tubular type member is a spring loaded plunger.

9. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said top plate member is removable from said upper end of said elongated tubular type member.

10. An apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said elongated tubular type member includes an aperture formed through a side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper end thereof.

11. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said top plate member includes a means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said top plate member in said upper end of said elongated tubular type member.

12. An apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said top plate member in said upper end of said elongated tubular type member is one of a rod like member and a plunger.

13. An apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said means engageable within said aperture formed through said side wall portion disposed closely adjacent said upper end of said elongated tubular type member for retaining said top plate member in said upper end of said elongated tubular type member is a spring loaded plunger.

14. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first preselected material, said second preselected material and said third preselected material are selected from the group consisting of metals and engineered plastics and combinations thereof.

15. An apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said first preselected material, said second preselected material and said third preselected material are metals selected from the group consisting of light weight steel and aluminum.

16. An apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said first preselected material, said second preselected material and said third preselected material are substantially identical.

17. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape of said elongated tubular type member is selected from the group consisting of cylindrical and rectangular.

18. An apparatus, according to claim 17, wherein said first predetermined shape of said elongated tubular type member is cylindrical.

19. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined configuration of said end cap member at a second end thereof to enable engagement with an upper portion of a jack includes a cavity.

20. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined shape of said top plate member includes a channel shaped portion disposed normal to said elongated tubular type member.