US3334455A

US3334455A - Foundation rail and securing means therefor

Info

Publication number: US3334455A
Application number: US447366A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon C Russell
Original assignee: Lockheed Aircraft Corp
Current assignee: Lockheed Corp
Priority date: 1965-04-12
Filing date: 1965-04-12
Publication date: 1967-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-08

Description

A g- 8. 1957 cs. c. RUSSELL FOUNDATION RAIL AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1965 R m N E V m GOR DON C. RUSSELL Agent Aug. 8, 1967 cs. c. RUSSELL 3,334,455

FOUNDATION RAIL AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 12, 1965 INVENTOR. GORDON C. RUSSELL Agei'n United States Patent 3,334,455 FOUNDATION RAIL AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR Gordon C. Russell, Studio City, Calif., assignor to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, Calif. Filed Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,366 8 Claims. (Cl. 52122) This invention is directed to a foundation of such nature as to be particularly arranged to support prefabricated wall panels so as to establish the support for an enclosed buildmg.

Mans .improved technology has wrought tremendous advances in many fields, but little has been done in the field of construction of buildings. Buildings are presently built by conventional methods and to standards which have been in use for many years. For this reason a tremendous amount of expense and labor goes into the creation of the building, whether it be a public building, a factory, a storage structure or a residential unit. Improvement in building techniques which are permitted by modern technological approach and conceptual improvement can readily reduce the cost of such structures and make them more durable by the use of prefabricated panels and related structures which readily accept, position and secure the prefabricated panels to create the building.

The present invention is directed to a foundation structure particularly adapted to engage and support prefabricated wall panels of compatible construction. The foundation structure comprises a rail which is secured to the building floor and footing in such a manner as to form a correctly positioned supporting rail for the subsequently positioned and installed wall panels. The foundation rail comprises an upstanding platform extending longitudinally therealong for engagement with the wall panels, engagement means for engagement with securing means which retain the wall panels in position and locking means which retains the rail in position. Furthermore, the rail is provided with a dependent skirt and which provides a waterproof cover for the exposed portion of the foundation material. Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a foundation structure which is particularly adapted for the support and retention of prefabricated Wall panels so as to aid in the erection of a building which is sturdy and maintenance free.

It is another object of this invention to provide a foundation upon which prefabricated wall panels can be set forth, which foundation permits rapid assembly with minimum labor.

It is another object of this invention to provide a foundation structure which is economically formed and accurately defines the location of prefabricated wall panels so that the wall panels may be quickly, economically and rigidly secured thereto for proper strength of the finished buildmg.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view taken partially in section, showing the preferred embodiment of a foundation structure in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view partly broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view, partly broken away showing an alternative embodiment of a foundation according to the invention; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the foundation shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the foundation structure is shown therein and is particularly related to a wall formed floor and footer construction. The floor is indicated at 1 and suitable footers 2 are provided around the edges of the floor 1, and if necessary intermediate the edges thereof, to properly support the floor 1 and the building structure mounted thereon. Both floor 1 and footer 2 are made of compactable indigenous material to provide economy in building. Permanently hardening materials such as concrete are preferred, should the materials therefor be locally economically available. However, other compactable materials such as adobe clay and the like are also satisfactory for this service. The floor 1 and footer 2 are formed of suitable configuration and floor 1 is provided with a suitably level floor surface 3. Floor 1 and footer 2 terminate -at edge 4 and foundation rail 5 is positioned thereon. Foundation rail 5 has a substantially planar base plate 6, which rests upon the floor surface 3 and-skirt 7 which depends from base plate 6 and extends down over the edge 4 of the floor and foundation so as to engage the floor and footer. Skirt 7 protects the external edge 4 from weathering and locates base plate 6 at the edge of floor surface 3.

Supported upon and integrally formed with base plate 6 is a top plate 8. Top plate 8 is spaced from base plate 6 and through a substantial part of its area lies substantially parallel thereto. However, top plate 8 has an upwardly extending projection 9 which is substantially hemicylindrical and etxending along the length of foundation rail 5.

Positioned within foundation rail 5 is. a nut 10 which has a threaded boss 11 extending downwardly through a suitable opening in base plate 6. Nut 10 has a substantially rectangular central section 12 which carries boss 11 and which occupies the space between base plate 6 and top plate 8. Rectangular section 12 has a hemicylindrical boss 13 integrally formed therewith which occupies the hemicylindrical cavity under rail 9. Nut 10 has a hole 14 therethrongh which is threaded for the acceptance of suitable bolts.

Upon construction of floor 1 and footer 2, projection 9 is placed at the edge thereof with anchor bolt 15 screwed into the bottom of hole 14, which defines a locking mem: ber. Thus, when the floor and footer are formed foundation rail 5 is integrally secured thereto in rigid association therewith. Thus, the floor and footer are provided with a secure foundation rail which is accurately positioned and which can be subsequently employed for the location, support and securement of wall panels.

Wall panel 16 is illustrative of the several wall panels employed upon the foundation rail. Wall panel 16 is also made with its central portion of indigenous material, although if suitable compactable indigenous material is not readily and economically available, it can be fashioned with a central portion having outer surfaces of planar material, such as plywood which may in turn be suitably waterproofed. Furthermore, the wall panel formed in that manner can be filled with any light, indigenous material such as vermiculite, rock wool, clay or the like. The edges of wall panel 16 are defined by frame 17 which rigidizes the structure and defines its standard size. Frame 17 is provided along each edge with hemicylindrical recess 18 which extends along the length thereof. The hemicylindrical recesses 18 are of such dimension as to accept the hemicylindrical boss 13 which forms projection 9 so as to properly align the wall panel 16 with respect to foundation rail 5.

Wall panel 16 is suitably positioned along the length of foundation rail 5 so that its upstanding edge is positioned with its hemicylindrical recess 18 directly over hole 14 in nut 10. Retaining bolt 19 is positoned in this hemicylindrical recess and engaged in the threads in nut 10. A suitable cap is provided at the top of bolt 19 to engage upon the top of the adjacent wall panels and to suitably hold them in place. Furthermore,

clips

20 and 21 engage in suitable openings in panel 16 and foundation rail so as to hold them in close jointure with respect to each other. These clips supplement the holding force of bolt 19 and serve to secure panel 16, and the other panels, in place while the vertical securing bolts are tightened.

When interior walls are desired to be positioned upon floor 1 so as to divide the interior of the building into a plurality of separate sections, such can be managed by the positioning of a suitable base or foundation rail 22 at the place where the room divider is required. Base rail 22 is provided with floor surface engaging feet which form base plate 23 thereof. Base plate 23 engages the floor without any particular securement thereto so as to make interior Wall positioning as flexible as is possible. Base rail 22 may be secured in place, but such is not necessary for shifting or lifting of an interior wall does not normally occur. Base rail 22 extends upwardly to rail 24 which is of the same dimension and positioned at the same height as rail 9 so that interchangeability of wall panels is provided, but more importantly, wall panels of uniform nature are used throughout the structure so that selection of such wall panels is not necessary.

Wall panel 25 thus has the same characteristic configuration as wall panel 16, including a hemicylindrical recess 26 extending along the length of each of its edges. Wall panel 25 thus can be positioned upon base rail 22 with rail 24 within recess 26 along the lower edge. This positions wall panel 25 upon base rail 22 to retain it firmly in alignment therewith. Bolt 27 can be arranged in alternative manner. If the interior wall represented by base rail 22 and wall panel 25 is expected to be moved, the bolt 27 can be secured to base rail 22 so that it is moved wehn base rail 22 is moved. However, should it be anticipated that the wall will be permanent, bolt 27 can be secured into floor 1 so as to represent a rigid structure. In such a case, base rail 22 has an opening therein to accept bolt 27. Thus, bolt 27 secures wall panel 25 and base rail 22 with respect to floor 1. The top of bolt 27 is provided with securement means to urge wall panel 25 downwardly and maintain it in position. Thus, it can be seen that the interior partition including base rail 22 uses wall panels which are of the same nature as the exterior wall panels.

Clips

28 and 29 engage with both the wall panel 25 and base rail 22 so as to retain them together. Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, a further foundation structure is shown therein. The foundation structure includes floor 30 and footer 31 which are of suitable material and dimensions for the purpose of the building, the location and the available materials. The materials of floor 30 and footer 31 may be of concrete, or may be of indigenous, compactable materials. In any event the floor and footer are provided and are of adequate strength to support the building. In contrast to the structure in FIG- URE 2, however, the floor 30 is not provided with a smooth surface but is provided with an irregular top surface 32. Since floor surface 32 is irregular it becomes necessary to level the wall supporting structure so aslto make the foundation for supporting the wall panels of sufficient uniformity to result in proper fits.

Foundation rail 33 has downwardly depending skirt 34 which extends downward over edge 35 of floor 30 and footer 31. Skirt 34 serves to protect the exposed edge of these parts and serves to edgewise locate foundation rail 33. Foundation rail 33 has transversely extending top 36 which is substantially planar and establishes the level of wall panels supported thereon. One of these wall panels is generally indicated at 37. A projection 38 extends longitudinally of foundation rail 33 and is in the form of a hemicylindrical boss extending longitudinally along foundation rail 33. On the side of foundation rail 33 interior 4 of the building the foundation rail extends downward to provide wall 39 which extends part way to surface 32. At the bottom termination of wall 39 flange 40 extends toward skirt 34.

In order to level top 36 so that it lies in a plane all the way around the building, irrespective of the shape of surface 32, foundation nut 41 is located Within foundation rail 33 and is of such configuration as to extend into the hemispherical boss of projection 38 from the underside thereof. A threaded hole is furnished through nut 41 and foundation jacking bolt 42 is threaded therein from the underside. Foundation bolt 42 has a large head 43 which engages with surface 32. It is clear that by adjustment of bolt 42 in nut 41, the height of top 36 is adjusted with respect to surface 32. Thus, the top can be adjusted into the desired plane. After such leveling is accomplished dry pack material 44 is rammed under foundation rail 33 so as to fill its entire interior from the underside of top 36 down to floor surface 32. Dry pack material may be of any conventional material which is readily available, such as concrete with a minimum of water mixed therewith, adobe clay or other compactable indigenous materials. When the dry pack material 44 is dry, foundation rail 33 is permanently installed with its top 36 coplanar and level, and firmly fixed with respect to floor 30 and footer 31.

Wall panel 37 comprises a rectangular frame 45 which determines the outline configuration. Frame 45 restrains the body of wall panel 37 which is preferably of indigenous material, if suitable indigenous material is available for this service. Frame 45 has a hemicylindrical recess along each of the edges corresponding to projection 38. Thus, the bottom recess 46 is positioned upon projection 38. An opening is made in projection 38 directly over the threaded hole in nut 41. Bolt 47 is threaded into nut 41, and wall panel 37 is moved so that one of its vertical edge recesses engages over bolt 47. Bolt 47 has restraining means at its top so that it engages upon the top of wall panel 37 to hold it in position upon foundation rail 33. Thus, a rigid structure is formed.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and changes without the utilization of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A foundation rail for supporting wall panels comprising:

a plate adapted for positioning in spaced relation from a foundation and arranged to extend around a build ing employing said foundation rail, a projection extending upwardly from said plate and extending longitudinally of said foundation rail, a skirt depending from said plate, said skirt being adapted to engage the exterior edge of a floor, a nut positioned beneath said plate, said nut configured to fit within and engaging the underside of said projection so as to maintain said nut in position with respect to said rail.

2. The foundation rail of claim 1 wherein a member is screwed into said nut from its lower side, away from said projection.

3. The foundation rail of claim 2 wherein said member screwed into said nut from the underside thereof comprises a jacking bolt, said jacking bolt adapted to contact the top surface of the foundation so as to permit jacking of said plate of said foundation rail with respect to the foundation.

4. The foundation rail of claim 2 wherein a bolt is screwed into said nut from its upper side, said rail being provided with an opening adjacent said nut, said bolt extending through said rail opening and engaging in said nut, said bolt being adapted to engage wall panels and retain them in position with respect to said foundation rail.

5. The foundation rail of claim 4 wherein said member screwed into the bottom side of said nut is a bolt, said bolt being adapted to engage the upper surface of the foundation, said bolt being adapted to adjust said plate with respect to the foundation.

6. The foundation rail of claim 4 wherein said member screwed into the underside of said nut comprises an anchor bolt, said anchor bolt being positioned in the foundation of a building so as to anchor said foundation rail with respect to said foundation.

7. A building structure for a prefabricated building having a floor, a top surface, said building structure comprising:

a foundation rail, said foundation rail having a bottom plate and a top plate that lies in a single plane;

a projection located upon said top plate, said projection extending upward from said top plate longitudinally of said foundation rail and having at least one opening therethrough a nut under said top .plate engaging the underside of said projection and bearing against said bottom plate, said nut having a locking member extending from the bottom side thereof, said locking member locking said nut with respect to the floor top surface;

a skirt on said foundation ,rail, said skirt depending from said top plate and extending downward along the edge of the building floor;

a bolt engaged in said nut and extending through said opening in said projection, said bolt extending upwardly from said top plate;

a wall panel, said wall panel having recesses arranged longitudinally of the edges thereof, said projection positioned within one of said recesses and said bolt positioned partially within another of said recesses, said bolt cooperating with said wall panel so that said wall panel is restrained with respect to said foundation rail.

8. The building structure of claim 7 wherein said locking member is engaged in said nut from the unders-ide thereof and comprises an anchor bolt engaged in the floor so that said foundation rail is restrained with respect to the floor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,137,767 11/1938 Betcone 52-274 2,414,628 1/1947 Bat-tin 52-293 X 2,883,852 4/1959 Midly 52-274 X 3,083,795 4/1963 Land 52-241 X 3,190,041 6/1965 Kimball 52-294 X 3,203,147 8/1965 Penley 52-127 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

7. A BUILDING STRUCTURE FOR A PREFABRICATED BUILDING HAVING A FLOOR, A TOP SURFACE, SAID BUILDING STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A FOUNDATION RAIL, SAID FOUNDATION RAIL HAVING A BOTTOM PLATE AND A TOP PLATE THAT LIES IN A SINGLE PLANE; A PROJECTION LOCATED UPON SAID TOP PLATE, SAID PROJECTION EXTENDING UPWARD FROM SAID TOP PLATE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FOUNDATION RAIL AND HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPENING THERETHROUGH A NUT UNDER SAID TOP PLATE ENGAGING THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID PROJECTION AND BEARING AGAINST SAID BOTTOM PLATE, SAID NUT HAVING A LOCKING MEMBER EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE THEREOF, SAID LOCKING MEMBER LOCKING SAID NUT WITH RESPECT TO THE FLOOR TOP SURFACE; A SKIRT ON SAID FOUNDATION RAIL, SAID SKIRT DEPENDING FROM SAID TOP PLATE AND EXTENDING DOWNWARD ALONG THE EDGE OF THE BUILDING FLOOR; A BOLT ENGAGED IN SAID NUT AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SAID PROJECTION, SAID BOLT EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID TOP PLATE; A WALL PANEL, SAID WALL PANEL HAVING RECESSES ARRANGED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE EDGES THEREOF, SAID PROJECTION POSITIONED WITHIN ONE OF SAID RECESSES AND SAID BOLT POSITIONED PARTIALLY WITHIN ANOTHER OF SAID RECESSES, SAID BOLT COOPERATING WITH SAID WALL PANEL SO THAT SAID WALL PANEL IS RESTRAINED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FOUNDATION RAIL.