Perimeter foundation panel, and method of use
One embodiment of a Perimeter foundation panel with a leveler (FIG. 7B) for the use in constructing a foundation wall assembled in plurality to affix a building structure to land. The panels erect on manufactured levelers, which create a freestanding foundation (FIG. 1) wall that adjust vertically before encasement. Formed from a single sheet of material (FIG. 3); cut in a pattern that comprise a top rail (1), bottom rail (2), top rim (5), bottom rim (6), a right tab (3) a left tab (4) and a flat smooth face (7). After fabrication vertical Z braces (14) are rigidly affixed in plurality with-in the cavity of the panel. C brace (16) installing at the inside of tab (3, or 4) of adjoining panel. Constructed within a footer void (24) and cast in-situ.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser, No. 60/802,537, filed 2006 May 22 by the present inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the building industry, specifically to the perimeter foundation
2. Prior Art
Building foundations are required for all structures. The classic method is to construct a self standing foundation, then construct or install a building onto it. This method is preferred, correcting the natural undulation within the building. Although the technique is preferred; the materials are flawed
U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,725 to Butler (2001) and incorporated herein by reference discloses an interlocking corrugated fluted panel that assembled in plurality, hung by an existing structure, and cast in-situ. In other words the panels are pre-hung from the existing building relying on the sill to hold the weight of the panel prior to casting. Thus, it is not self-standing
Further, it evades the natural load transfer of gravity that occurs when a structure is set upon, or built upon a self-standing foundation. Also the foundation mirrors the structures flaws with in the building such as undulation. Undulation occurs when a structure moves across various terrains. Distortion of the structure occurs thus, creating tension and stress on the windows, doors, cabinets, floors, joints and seams. Consequently, the use of this foundation locks-in the undulation with no way to correct it. Some manufactures of the housing industry have denounced the use of this and voids warrantees.
Further, the detail of the interlocking flute is flawed. The panel more accurately rests one edge of the flute into and onto the next. There is no rigid attachment to the adjacent panel prior to cast and thus waves, along the lateral plane, exist.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,720 to Wolfrum incorporated herein by reference discloses a prefabricated foundation panel attaches to a pre cast concrete footer. This requires various degrees of skill and is expensive along with numerous building inspections. Further, the panel has a decorative coated facing that has no shear force or load bearing properties. In addition, numerous components comprise the panel leaving it vulnerable to failure. Failures can occur due to manufacturing, inferior quality and exposure to critical areas.
The large majorities of all building foundations are either poured concrete or cinder block. Poured concrete and cinder block wall foundations are not with out problems, they frequently fail. The failures are consistent with the soil conditions and environment. Dramatic temperature change along with soil saturation, soil erosion, excessive water-bearing soil, and ground vibrations are some of the contributors. Ground vibration can be caused by mechanical means such as road traffic, construction, un-natural phenomenon (such as an explosion), and earth quakes, Another cause of failure can be attributed to a rapid undermining of surrounding soils due to floods, poor construction, or design.
Several types of peering foundations for the mobile homes and manufactured homes exist. U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,199 to Phillips (2003) incorporated herein by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,940 to MacKarvich (2001) incorporated herein by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,170 to Stuever (2003) incorporated herein by reference, are all systems that support the structures “I” beam only. The I beam is the load carrying frame of the building. The frame is typically made of steel. With respect to all of these foundations the peripheral of the structure has not been addressed which requires further expense.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one embodiment, a prefabricated foundation panel created from singular uniform sheet of metal, formed into a completed panel comprising of a top rail and rim, bottom rail and rim, a right and left side tab, and a front. The general shape of the panel is rectangular with a possible height of 14 feet and a possible width of 14 feet. However; due to the properties of the metallic material, the panel may be radius or angled. As well a metal “Z” braces of the same or lighter gauge spaced in vertical plurality at the required dimension needed for the load specification; Ridgley affixed at the top rim, bottom rim, and front of the panel. A metal C brace of the same gauge or lighter installed at each seam vertically. The panel is erected on adjustable leveler stands rigidly affixed to the bottom rail in plurality and rigidly affixed to adjacent panel with-in the void of the footer trench and cast in-situ, thus; creating a single uniform load bearing foundation structure.
Panel
Panel
Panel
The Panel
The leveler
The panel
It can be appreciated and is shown in drawings although hard to see
Further, not shown in the drawings is the ability to manipulate the face of the panel
Panel 6B galvanization on the steel should be a minimum “G90” protective coating. Further, not indicated in the drawing commencing the completion, the use of polyurethane based caulk or mastic on the joint creates a watertight seal. Also not shown upon completion of the foundation the use of an emulsified tar, epoxy based paint or a cement coating of no less than 33% Portland cement applied directly to the panel face 7 for increasing the longevity of panel from many soil types.
The concrete depth 36 is in relation to the load and forces requirement.
The manner of using the perimeter panel foundation
A footer void is created by excavating a specific amount of earth material typically with the use of hand tools such a shovel to a perspective depth determined by the load factors.
The panel
The panels are lifted off the footer floor 24 via the leveler
This process repeats longitudinally down the tabs 3L and 3R and C brace 16 until the side tabs of each panel are complete and rigidly fastened down the vertical plane.
A bubble lever or equivalent device checks along the horizontal plain making sure the top rails are level. Adjustments to the leveler stand
The previous process repeats until the entire foundation wall is level. The use of temporary braces made of wood against the face of the panel or in the back, wedged at a 45° degree angle to maintain the vertical plumb plain of the face of the panel.
With the panels level and plumb to each other; concrete 36 pumps into the footer void encasing the base of the panel and the leveler both front and back to become the footing and foundation
Prior to back filling against the wall, a coating is applied comprising of either emulsified tar, rubber based sealant, or a concrete coating. To maintain a watertight joint seam between panels a polyurethane caulking is applied.
AdvantagesFrom the above description, a number of advantages of some of the embodiments of my perimeter foundation panel become obvious.
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- (a) The simplicity of the panel allows all skill levels to assemble the foundation without extensive knowledge or training.
- (b) The simplicity in the design uses basic hand tools thus not requiring expensive proprietary devices.
- (c) The structural integrity is evident with the use of a singular uniform sheet of metallic material not requiring attachment of each separate component. The uniform panel has limited attachment points and a uniform face that integrates with-in the panel structure adding immense strength to the panel.
- (d) The face of the panel acts a structural support for shear forces, gravity loads, lifting loads and side impact loads.
- (e) The uniquely designed leveler allows for the vertical adjustment of the horizontal plain of the panels leading edge prior to encasement, allowing for an accurately level surface accepting the sill plate.
- (f) The method of assembly within the footer void is advantageous in that the panel becomes an internal component of the footing and thus creates a uniform structure with unlimited beneficial strength.
- (g) The unique method of assembly in the footer void is advantageous in that the footer void is established and the panel assembly is the only metallic material required to comprise the structural integrity of the footer after encasement, further, no special skill levels are required to construct the footing.
- (h) The simplicity in the panel design and method of use reduces the time need to erect a foundation.
- (i) The use of the perimeter foundation panel on manufactured buildings reduces the installation time.
- (j) The use of the perimeter foundation panel is beneficial in existing buildings that need foundation wall replacement.
- (k) The use of the perimeter foundation panel on new construction reduces the foundation expense whereas steel material is less expensive.
- (l) The use of the perimeter foundation panel is easily handled requiring limited installers
- (m) The encasement of the panel allows for future conversions of the building by easy detachment of the panel.
Accordingly, the reader will see that the perimeter foundation panel of various embodiments provides a more reliable prefabricated panel with limited skill requirement, comprised of light weight alternative to block or concrete, yet less expensive, free standing, that is an accelerated assembly, and adaptable for any building requiring a foundation.
While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitation on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of several preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example
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- The leveler can be changed or removed
- The thickness of the material can be changed
- The material composition of the panel can be changed
- The face of the panel can have various facade
- The shape of the panel can change
- The design of the leveler can be modified
- The method of securing the shape can change
- The method of attachment to sill can change
- Addition of alternative structural beams and supports
- Encasement methods can change
- Encasement materials can change
- C brace can be changed or removed or added
- Z brace can be changed or removed or added
Claims
1. A perimeter foundation panel system for anchoring building to the earth to support the floor sill of a building, the panel comprising: a uniform panel rectangular generally elongate, including parallel top and bottom rails, outermost tabs joining top and bottom rails, top and bottom inner rims having a metallic composition with a brace installed in the cavity running longitudinally from the top rail to the bottom rail in plurality, having a C brace installed at one end of the panel supporting the joining panel seam, erected on a leveling device in the footer void and cast in-situ.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 being of a solitary sheet of metallic material, cut to a pattern consisting of a top rail and rim, a bottom rail and rim, a right tab and left tab, and a face.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bent to form the top and bottom rim are downward with the leading edge facing each, the top and bottom rails are bent in a manner to make them parallel and perpendicular to the face, the right and left side tabs are bent parallel in the same direction as the top and bottom rail.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 is rigidly fasten into shape along the longitudinal face of the right and left side tab and the top and bottom right and left side tab with an appropriate mechanism competent to affix the joining plains.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 has Z bracing installed into the cavity running longitudinally in plurality from the top rail to the bottom rail rigidly affixed to the top and bottom rim in the panel cavity and rigidly affixed to the face of the panel running longitudinally down the face in a symmetric position.
6. The perimeter foundation panel 2 having installed components consisting of a Z braces will have a C brace firmly attached to the side tab upon assembly to another panel, by the means of a nut and bolt, the C brace face is flat against the inside face of the said side tab with the one parallel tab flush to the face of the panel and the other C brace tab flush to the top and bottom rim.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 leveling device comprises of a top resting plate that has a bent stop-tab at the front facing upward to the top of the panel and an opposing bent stabilizer tab at the back facing downward from the panel with an elliptical cut; the bottom plate has a stabilizer tab at the back bent facing upward to the top plate tab with an elliptical cut and a bent tab in the front facing upward, the two plates are conjoined by fixing through the elliptical relief's when aligned, the use of a fastening device of essential length inserts through a hole in the top plate that is mirrored in the bottom plate and securely fastened to the upper plate and bottom plate with the balance of the fastening device fixed to the bottom of the panel.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein comprising of is provided with vent holes
10. The methods of assembly and anchoring the building to the earth comprising (a) excavating a peripheral foundation footer void within said portion of the earth, said trench being in relation to the building peripheral equal to the length and width, and designed for predetermined load factors (b) wherein the perimeter foundation panel is assembled within said footer void and rigidly attached to the preceding panel in plurality encompassing the footer void, (c) the footer void is filled with a flowable hardenable building material encompassing a portion of the assembled perimeter panel foundation for anchorage, (d) a building is implemented on the foundation wall, (e) rigid attachment to the building with a suitable anchor.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 22, 2007
Inventor: Alan Wayne LaPierre (Highland, CA)
Application Number: 11/805,274