Support Patents (Class 52/741.15)
  • Patent number: 6609346
    Abstract: A deck construction including a plurality of supports for anchoring deck construction elements to a building site. The supports include a body (which may be an integrally molded concrete pier block) having upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes at least one slot for seating a horizontally oriented construction member. The slot includes a center socket portion having four extended corners for seating the bottom end of a vertically oriented construction member. The slot and center socket are defined by connecting wall portions which may be integral to the body or may be of plastic or metal and suitable secured to the body. In some cases, two mutually perpendicular slots are provided. Upon constructing a deck, pier blocks are positioned on a building site with vertical support elements placed within the center socket of those pier blocks determined to have their upper ends below a desired predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Pro Shop Plans Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hoffman, Sam H. Bright
  • Patent number: 6601363
    Abstract: A mobile home and foundation system and method. The method includes providing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs having a pair of beveled edge surfaces. The plurality of elongated concrete slabs are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured. A fastener assembly is secured to the concrete slabs and a constraint device is connected to the fastener assembly. The foundation system includes a plurality of elongated slabs having a beveled edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Danny J. Richard
  • Patent number: 6594968
    Abstract: An improved method of making a foundation for a wind turbine comprises: a) forming a pit, b) providing a cylindrical open-bottomed steel can, c) lowering the can into the pit, d) accurately aligning the steel can, e) concreting the steel can in position in the pit, and f) back-filling the interior of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Oceans Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Neil Tracey Harris, Matthew Bristow
  • Publication number: 20030131555
    Abstract: The PowerBrace system gives a positive solution to basement wall problems. When the wall cracks and bulges are due to freeze or hydrostatic preasure, PowerBrace can hold it from further movement and in most cases straighten it. By tightening the top bracket the PowerBrace system puts preasure on the top of the beam and straightens the wall. This movement is usually gradual as the system is retightened. Unlike many other wall repair systems the PowerBrace system does not rely on questionable soils outside the wall to hold the wall, nor does it put to much stress on the beam. Any bending of the main beam constitutes a failure in the system. By anchoring to the concrete basement floor and to the solid floor joist system, the PowerBrace system is solid and will not be aloud to shift or fail. the PowerBrace system solves problems relating to the sheering effect at the base of the wall caused by hydrostatic preasure, as well as any other wall movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy P. Heady, Charles W. Heady
  • Patent number: 6568147
    Abstract: A system and method for emplacing a mobile or modular construction of the type having a supporting structure provided thereunder including multiple stanchions having upper and lower portions, fasteners for attaching each of the upper portions of the stanchions to the supporting structure of the mobile or modular construction, and load-bearing footings embedding the lower portions of the stanchions, wherein the embedded stanchions provide permanent vertical support for the mobile or modular construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: John Eugene Sumner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6550213
    Abstract: A system for forming concrete slabs has been developed for commercial buildings having a steel moment-frame structure. This system utilizes the cold-formed-steel framing members, such as the wall girts shipped with a particular building package, to be first utilized as slab foundation forming elements before being framed into the building. The system defines foundation geometry upon simple assembly of the forming elements, and efficiently provides for placement of anchoring hardware which corresponds exactly to the connections of the structural frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Michael G. Butler
  • Patent number: 6539685
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and stabilizing sunken or settled foundations, slabs, footings, etc. includes a lifting plate having a pipe section solidly secured thereto, for passing concentrically over the anchor pier used in such operations. The concentric lifting plate pipe precludes cocking or tilting of the plate relative to the anchor pier and foundation structure, thereby greatly improving the security of the lifting operation. As a result of the increased lifting plate stability provided by the present invention, only a single clamp is needed for securing the lifting assembly to the foundation. The clamp is adjustably positionable as required, to secure to a solid area of the foundation structure. The present system secures the plate to the pier using mechanical fasteners, thus precluding requirement for costly welding and other metal forming equipment. A method of raising or stabilizing a foundation or similar structure using the present apparatus, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Bell, Bill Rietveld
  • Patent number: 6536181
    Abstract: The method for building an underground structure capable of utilizing a part of a permanent structure as a strut for earth construction, comprises the steps of: driving in an H-section steel pile on a boundary line at which a building is installed; driving a center pile on a position where the pillar of the building is installed; carrying out a primary excavating work; coupling the H-section steel pile with a concrete retaining wall by means of a fixing shear connecting means, thereby constructing an underground composite retaining wall; installing a girder to be used as a part of a permanent structure on the composite retaining wall by means of an embedded plate an assembling and disposing the girder to the center pile; and carrying out a secondary excavating work and repeating the steps after the primary excavating work until the earth is excavated up to the lowermost part of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Won Kee Hong
  • Publication number: 20030009982
    Abstract: A precast and transportable mobile home foundation system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for securing a mobile home to the ground by utilizing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs that are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Danny J. Richard
  • Patent number: 6505447
    Abstract: A foundation for a manufactured home having first and secondelongate support beams, each beam having a lateral flange, generally includes a ground pan for spreading out the load to a larger surface area to prevent sinking into the ground and for providing an anchor against horizontal movement, a cross brace assembly for supporting first beam and providing longitudinal bracing, and a lateral brace assembly connected between ground pan and second beam for providing lateral bracing. Cross bracing assembly includes front and back crossing braces of adjustable length, each having an upper end pivotally connected to a connector attached to first beam and each having a bottom end pivotally supported by the ground pan. A U-bolt assembly connects cross braces at their cross point, thereby preventing relative angular movement there between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: James Oliver, Evon Oliver
  • Patent number: 6497076
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a loading dock includes a bumper that is moveable between an operative position and a stored position. In the operative position, the bumper extends well above the dock platform to prevent excessively high trucks, trailer beds, and cargo containers from being parked over the top of the dock platform. In the stored position, the bumper is positioned so as not to obstruct loading and unloading of cargo. In some cases, the bumper is biased to the operative position to encourage operators to normally leave the bumper in that position. In some embodiments, the bumper is selectively moveable away from the vehicle or container that the bumper is blocking to facilitate subsequently moving the bumper to its stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rite Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Hans van de Wiel, Henk de Lang, Reinhard E. Sander
  • Patent number: 6454632
    Abstract: A method of both hardening/densifying and polishing a concrete surface includes the steps of first applying to the concrete surface a silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane hardening/densifying compound, allowing the compound to remain in contact with the surface for a period of time sufficient to allow it to soak into the surface of the concrete, optionally allowing the surface to thoroughly dry, and polishing the surface with water or a diluted silicate, siliconate, fluorosilicate, siloxane, silazane, silicon ester, and/or silane polishing compound. The polishing step includes the steps of applying to the concrete surface water or the diluted polishing compound, mechanically polishing the concrete surface, cleaning the concrete surface, and repeating these steps with polishing pads or discs of increasingly finer grit until the surface obtains the desired level of shine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Curecrete Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald W. Jones, Perry Maxfield
  • Patent number: 6449920
    Abstract: A mobile home and foundation system-and method. The method includes providing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs having a pair of beveled edge surfaces. The plurality of elongated concrete slabs are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured. A fastener assembly is secured to the concrete slabs and a constraint device is connected to the fastener assembly. The foundation system includes a plurality of elongated slabs having a beveled edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Danny J. Richard
  • Publication number: 20020124502
    Abstract: A perimeter weighted foundation has a central pier pedestal and an enlarged base spaced outwardly and extending below the pedestal. The enlarged base includes an outer concentric perimeter wall section with a radially extending, disk-shaped spread section interconnecting the bottom of the pedestal section and the top of the perimeter wall section. The pedestal section includes vertically extending post-tensioning anchor bolts sleeved through substantially the entire height of the cylindrical pedestal in accordance with earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,586,417 and 5,826,387 and the spread section includes two layers of similarly sleeved post-tensioning bolts which extend through the bottom of the pedestal section and into or through the top of the perimeter wall section, thus tying together the enlarged base to the pier pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20020062622
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and stabilizing sunken or settled foundations, slabs, footings, etc. includes a lifting plate having a pipe section solidly secured thereto, for passing concentrically over the anchor pier used in such operations. The concentric lifting plate pipe precludes cocking or tilting of the plate relative to the anchor pier and foundation structure, thereby greatly improving the security of the lifting operation. As a result of the increased lifting plate stability provided by the present invention, only a single clamp is needed for securing the lifting assembly to the foundation. The clamp is adjustably positionable as required, to secure to a solid area of the foundation structure. The present system secures the plate to the pier using mechanical fasteners, thus precluding requirement for costly welding and other metal forming equipment. A method of raising or stabilizing a foundation or similar structure using the present apparatus, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Bell, Bill Rietveld
  • Publication number: 20020043043
    Abstract: A precast and transportable mobile home foundation system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for securing a mobile home to the ground by utilizing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs that are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Danny J. Richard
  • Patent number: 6341459
    Abstract: A steel framed building which includes prefabricated steel frames, unique pier posts, POLYSTYRENE panels, and an assembly method which in combination provides an expedited overall time frame of 21 days from start to finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventors: Bobby L. Bates, Sydney L. Bates
  • Patent number: 6295784
    Abstract: A method for securing a mobile home and foundation system. The method includes providing a plurality of elongated concrete slabs having a pair of beveled edge surfaces. The plurality of elongated concrete slabs are placed within elongated ditches formed in the ground and to which the mobile home is secured. A fastener assembly is secured to the concretes slabs and a constraint device is connected to the fastener assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Danny J. Richard
  • Publication number: 20010023563
    Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring or affixing a manufactured home to the land it is located on in a permanent or substantially permanent manner. A foundation for the manufactured home is provided by excavating a plurality of parallel trenches in a spaced relation to one another. Precast longitudinal footers are disposed in the trenches. The footers include anchoring receptacles to receive a complimentary anchoring member. Soil is backfilled around the footers to partially bury them, and then the support frame of a manufactured home is secured to the footers using an anchorage assembly with an adjustable tensioner. Support blocks are disposed between the footers and the support frame to maintain the manufactured home at a desired height above the footers or the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Dale Phillips
  • Patent number: 6220789
    Abstract: A integrated scheduling method for installing modified precast building columns, first floor grade slab and supporting beams prior to site excavation, and to use these components, together with specialized shoring panels and/or modified exterior wall panels, which are installed simultaneously with the excavation, and together with underground floor structures and beams, as a shoring system during excavation. The shoring or wall panels are forced downwardly to support the excavation sides as excavation proceeds downwards, avoiding the necessity of a conventional shoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Richard W. White
  • Patent number: 6206615
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus primarily for laying a foundation for existing building structures. The method and the apparatus are primarily directed to the re-establishment of sufficient support in combination with foundation piles that no longer offer the sufficient support. E.g. this problem may arise in connection with wooden foundation piles in which an upper part of the foundation pile is rotten due to a sinking of the groundwater level. The method comprises removal of the upper part of the foundation pile and establishment of a support between a remaining foundation pile and a foundation on a building structure. The support is established in the aforementionned primary application by casting a fluid, preferably a curable casting material, in a telecospic cylinder, which is positioned between the remaining foundation pile and the foundation of the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Adsboll Fundering A/S
    Inventor: Bjarne Adsbøll
  • Patent number: 6192649
    Abstract: A clamped support system for a structure comprising a plurality of support piers in a predetermined array, supporting the structure; and at least two rigid reinforcing pads sandwiched about an elastomer layer, the plurality of support piers extending through the reinforcing pads and the elastomer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khosrow Karim-Panahi, James H. Terhune, Charles W. Dillmann