WO1999028572A1 - Permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes and method for supporting modular and manufactured homes - Google Patents

Permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes and method for supporting modular and manufactured homes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999028572A1
WO1999028572A1 PCT/US1998/025432 US9825432W WO9928572A1 WO 1999028572 A1 WO1999028572 A1 WO 1999028572A1 US 9825432 W US9825432 W US 9825432W WO 9928572 A1 WO9928572 A1 WO 9928572A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pier
structural
support member
upright support
structural pier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/025432
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rikel M. Hoffman
Original Assignee
Hoffman Rikel M
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hoffman Rikel M filed Critical Hoffman Rikel M
Priority to AU17067/99A priority Critical patent/AU1706799A/en
Publication of WO1999028572A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999028572A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/34336—Structures movable as a whole, e.g. mobile home structures
    • E04B1/34352—Base structures or supporting means therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/01—Flat foundations
    • E02D27/02—Flat foundations without substantial excavation
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D2300/00—Materials
    • E02D2300/0004—Synthetics
    • E02D2300/0018—Cement used as binder
    • E02D2300/002—Concrete
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D2300/00—Materials
    • E02D2300/0026—Metals
    • E02D2300/0029—Steel; Iron

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a permanent foundation for manufactured and modular homes, and more particularly to a permanent foundation consisting of a plurality of structural piers and a plurality of transverse support members arranged to support the load of the home.
  • the structural piers include an adjustable upright support member, a pier base, and a receiver channel. A first end of the upright support member is secured to the pier base, and a second end of the upright support member is secured to the receiver channel.
  • the structural piers are adjustable in height to correspond to the elevation of the home.
  • the receiver channels receive the plurality of transverse support members which securely support the home.
  • manufactured homes commonly called mobile homes, lack permanent foundations. Instead, typical manufactured home foundations include concrete blocks stacked on the ground, or concrete blocks stacked upon concrete piers embedded within the ground, or in some cases the manufactured home might simply rest upon the ground.
  • windstraps are used to secure the manufactured home to the ground. This type of foundation presents numerous problems to the owners, occupants, and producers of manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are notorious for leaving their foundations during high wind conditions, generally associated with violent thunderstorms. Winds typically sweep under the exposed underside of the manufactured home, and create lift that can separate the manufactured home from its foundation. Windstraps offer limited protection against these types of storms.
  • the lack of a more secure attachment between the manufactured home and its foundation comprises a substantial danger to the occupants of manufactured homes.
  • manufactured homes offer little protection from seismic events. Manufactured homes resting on concrete blocks can not withstand the force of earthquakes, even small seismic events can crack the concrete blocks, cause settling, or even completely dislodge the manufactured home from the foundation.
  • pier foundations require a large number of piers.
  • a 28' by 60 ? manufactured home can require fifty to sixty piers.
  • Conventional piers do not provide any means to distribute the load of the manufactured home across the foundation, since the piers are isolated from each other. This means that a substantial number of piers must support the center wall, or marriage wall, of the manufactured home which partially explains the very large number of piers required to support a manufactured home.
  • the lack of a permanent foundation reduces the property value of manufactured homes, and detrimentally effects the status of manufactured homes with financial institutions. Further, the conventional type of foundation for manufactured homes does not meet the wide variety of geographical load conditions.
  • Modular homes by contrast, often sit on perimeter foundations, and therefore appear identical to site built homes. These type of foundations require digging below the frost line to pour footings, and then constructing a full masonry or poured concrete foundation. Typically this type of foundation costs thousands of dollars, and takes a great deal of time to construct. Modular homes could easily sit on the same type of foundations that manufactured homes sit on if these foundations provided the equivalent structural support and aesthetic qualities that
  • perimeter foundations provide.
  • the present invention substantially eliminates the aforementioned difficulties.
  • An object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that more securely attaches the manufactured home to the foundation.
  • Another object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that eliminates the need for periodic maintenance.
  • One more object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that will substantially reduce the number of piers required.
  • Still another object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that reduces the difficulty of aligning a manufactured home to a foundation.
  • a further object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that will enhance the property value of a manufactured home.
  • An additional object of the present invention comprises providing a substantially less expensive permanent foundation for modular homes.
  • a further object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation
  • the permanent foundation of the present invention comprises a plurality of structural piers.
  • Each structural pier further comprises a concrete pier base, an upright support member, and a receiver channel.
  • the upright support member further comprises a first member and a second member capable of telescopic engagement to allow for adjustments in height to correspond to the elevation of the home.
  • the first member is secured to the pier base and the second member is secured to the receiver channel.
  • the structural piers are accordingly sized and arranged to support the load of the home.
  • a plurality of transverse support members are secured to the receiver channels, and the transverse support members are then aligned and secured to the support beams of the home.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a permanent foundation for a manufactured home.
  • FIG. 2a is a side elevation view of a first member of an upright support member of a structural pier.
  • FIG. 2b is a side elevation view of the first member shown in FIG. 2a rotated ninety degrees.
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first member shown in FIG. 2a.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second member of the upright support member of the structural pier.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the second member shown in FIG. 4 rotated ninety
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the second member shown in FIG. 4
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a manufactured home atop the permanent foundation.
  • FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the structural pier.
  • FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the structural pier.
  • FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the structural pier.
  • FIG. i 1 is a top plan view of a manufactured home secured to the permanent foundation.
  • FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a modular home secured to the permanent foundation.
  • FIG. 13a is a left side perspective view of a support member secured to a rim joist of a modular home.
  • FIG. 13b is a right side perspective view of the support member and the rim joist shown in FIG. 13a.
  • FIG. 14a is a side elevation view of a retainer clip.
  • FIG. 14b is a bottom plan view of the retainer clip shown in FIG. 14a.
  • a structural pier 10 is shown (see FIG. 7), the structural pier 10 contains a concrete pier base 12 integrated within the ground 52 (see FIG. 8). The exact configuration of the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 will depend on the soil conditions and on the load to be supported thereupon.
  • the structural pier 10 also contains an upright support member 14.
  • the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 further contains a first member 22 and a second member 28.
  • Both the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 are hollow and cylindrical in shape such that the outer diameter of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is less than the inside diameter of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • a first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10.
  • a second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is located above the ground 52.
  • first member apertures 34 are diametrically opposed such that a plurality of passageways exists through the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 also contains four L-shaped transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 (see FIG. 3).
  • the transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are attached to the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 such that all of the flanges 40 serve to strengthen the securement between the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10, and the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are attached to the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 at ninety degree intervals about the first member 22 of the upright support member 22 of the structural pier 10.
  • the four transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are located in two pairs, with one pair located toward a bottom portion of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and the other pair located toward the top portion of the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Further, the two transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 that comprise one pair of transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are located opposite to each other across the diameter of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Of course, those skilled in the art may vary the number and location of the transversely- extending strengthening flanges 40 based on the specific applications and conditions involved.
  • the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 contains a first end 30 and a second end 32 (see FIGS. 4-6).
  • a plurality of diametrically opposed first member apertures 36 are located such that a plurality of passageways exists through the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the plurality of apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 align to the plurality of apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10 is telescopically adjustable within the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • securement bolts 38 are placed through the apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10 and the correspondingly aligned apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10, are secured with receipt nuts 90 (see FIG. 4).
  • the exact aperture 36 in the second member 28 selected to receive the securement bolts 38 and receipt nuts 90 will determine the height of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the height of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 will correspond to
  • the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the second end 32 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 (see FIGS. 4-6).
  • Four triangular shaped weld blocks 72 secure the receiver channel 16 to the second end 32 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 contains two channel flanges 74 that overhang the receiver channel base 92 (see FIG. 5).
  • the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is designed to receive a transverse support member 18 (see FIG. 8).
  • the channel flanges 72 overhang the transverse support member 18 such that the transverse support member 18 cannot vertically dislodge from the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10.
  • the transverse support beam 18 must be inserted into one of the open ends 94 of the receiver channel 16. Securable receipt of the transverse support member 18 is further provided with screws 80 (see FIG. 8). The screws 80 pass through receiver channel passageways 94, located in the receiver channel flanges 74. The screws 80 attach to the transverse support members 18. Alternatively, shims (not shown) or welds (not shown) can provide additional securable receipt of the transverse support member 18 within the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10. Furthermore, a seismic pad 48 can be added between the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 and the transverse support members 18. The seismic pad 48 acts as a seismic cushion to absorb the shock of seismic events, and allows the transverse support members 18 to move independent from the permanent foundation.
  • the seismic pad 48 may be secured to the receiver channel base 92 with a retainer clip 100 to prevent the seismic pad 48 from sliding out of the open ends 96 of the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 (FIGS. 14a, 14b).
  • the retainer clip 100 conforms in shape to the receiver channel base 92, and contain flanges 104 which align to the open ends 96 of the receiver channel 16.
  • the seismic pad 48 sits inside the retainer clip 100.
  • the retainer clip 100 is secured to the receiver channel base 92 with flush mounted self tapping screw (not shown) which passes through passageways 102.
  • the seismic pad 48 is comprised of neoprene, however, those skilled in the art will understand that
  • FIG. I shows a typical arrangement of structural piers 10 for receiving and supporting the load of a home 70.
  • the exact arrangement of the structural piers 10 will depend on the load of the manufactured home 70 and load bearing characteristics of the ground 52. Of course, these parameters will vary based on the particular application.
  • a corner structural pier 42 lies beneath each comer of the home 70.
  • a plurality of perimeter structural piers 44 lie beneath the perimeter of the home 70 and between each comer structural pier 42.
  • Interior structural piers 46 are located under the interior of the home 70. Table 1 shows the relationship between the diameters of the corner structural piers 42, perimeter structural piers 44, and the interior structural piers 46, for some typical soil conditions.
  • Table 1 shows that the perimeter structural piers 44 support a greater load than the comer structural piers 42, and that the interior structural piers 46 support a greater load than the perimeter structural piers 44.
  • a plurality of w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are located over the interior structural piers 46, and the adjacent perimeter structural piers 44.
  • a plurality of w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68 are located above the comer structural piers 42, and the adjacent perimeter structural piers 44.
  • the w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are capable of supporting a greater load than the w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68. Accordingly, the w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are positioned to receive and support a greater load than the w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68.
  • FIG. 11 shows a plurality of manufactured home support beams 76 secured by a securement means 20 to the transverse support members 18.
  • the transverse support members 18 align transversely to the manufactured home support beams 76. This allows for distribution of the load of the home 70 throughout the permanent foundation. Additionally, even if the transverse support members 18 are not exactly perpendicular to the support beams 76 of the home 70, the permanent foundation can still support the home 70 without modification to the permanent foundation.
  • the securement means 20 shown in FIG. 11 comprises welds, however, the securement means 20 could include clamps or screws. Additionally, a marriage wall support 78 can be added to further support the home (see FIG. 7).
  • the marriage wall support can be comprise of 2' x 10' blocking, or a steel beam.
  • FIG. 12 shows the transverse support members 18 secured to a plurality of modular home floor joists 86 of a modular home 98.
  • a securement means 20 secures the transverse support members 18 to the floor joists 86 of the modular home 98.
  • the transverse support members 18 align transversely to the floor joist 86 of the modular home 98.
  • the floor joist 46 of a modular home 98 do not run in the same direction as the manufactured home support beams 76 shown in FIG. 11. This means that the transverse support members 18 of the manufactured home
  • the securement means 20 comprises a connecting plate 108 (see FIGS. I3a-b).
  • the connecting plate 108 has two faces. A first face 102 that secures to the floor joist 86 of the modular home 98 with nails, and a second face 104 that secures to the transverse support member 18. Further, a rod 106 connects the first and second faces 102, 104 of the connecting plate 108.
  • FIGS. 13a-b show two connecting plates 108 mounted on opposite sides of one transverse support member 18. The second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 both contain a passageway 88.
  • the second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 are located such that the two passageways 88 align.
  • the second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 secure to the transverse support member 18, by securing a bolt and nut (not shown) through the aligned passageways 88 of the respective connecting plates 108, and through a passageway (not shown) in the transverse support member 18.
  • the securement means 20 can also comprise a gang plate. It is anticipated that other securement means 20 will become obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 10 shows a first alternative embodiment of the present invention designed for highly compact and stable soils.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 extends through the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10, and contains thread plates 50 to allow the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 to threadably engage with the ground 52.
  • the length of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 will vary depending on the load bearing characteristics of the particular soil. Generally, the more compact the soil the shorter the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • FIG. 9 shows a second alternative embodiment of the present invention designed for use in areas with little or no top soil.
  • the structural pier 10 embeds into solid rock 102.
  • the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is comprised of an anchor plate 60.
  • the anchor plate 60 contains four apertures 62 through which the four anchor bolts 64 can pass through.
  • the anchor bolts 64 are secured into the solid rock 102.
  • Leveling nuts 84 are threaded on to the anchor bolts 40 and adjusted to level, then the anchor plate 60 is secured to the anchor bolts 64 by locking nuts 100.
  • a non-shrink grout 82 fills the gap between the anchor plate 60 and the solid rock 102.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is welded to the anchor plate 60.
  • the process of installing the permanent foundation of the present invention begins with grading the ground 52 underneath the home 70 to slope away from the home 70 to allow for proper surface drainage.
  • the next step comprises laying out and sizing the structural piers 10.
  • the size and location will depend on the soil type, the size of the home 70, and the load characteristics of the home 70.
  • Table 1 above details the appropriate structural pier 10 diameters and locations for some typical soil conditions (see also FIG. 1).
  • holes are excavated into the ground 52, with the diameter determined in accordance with Table 1.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is located within the excavated hole.
  • the hole is filled with concrete, thereby forming the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10.
  • the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the ground 52 and to the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the structural pier 10 could be pre-cast, and then located within the excavated hole.
  • the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is inserted within the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and aligned to the elevation of the home 70.
  • the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 by aligning the apertures 34 of the first member 22 with the apertures 36 of the second member 28.
  • securement bolts 38 and receipt nuts 90 secure the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 to the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the transverse support members 18 are received and secured within the receiver channels 16, in the manner described hereinabove.
  • the transverse support members 18 are shimmed to meet the exact elevation of the home 70.
  • the home 70 is then slowly moved into place on top of the transverse support members 18.
  • the transverse support members 18 are then secured to the home 70 with the securement means 20 described hereinabove.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 and to the ground 52 (see FIG. 10).
  • the installation varies from the aforementioned process in the following manner.
  • the excavated hole is not as deep, and the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is equipped with thread plates 50.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is threadably secured to the ground 52 and then the excavated hole is filled with concrete.
  • the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 could be pre-cast, and then located within the excavated hole.
  • FIG. 9 shows the second alternative embodiment of the present invention, designed for use over solid rock 102. What top soil that exists is scrapped away exposing the solid rock 102.
  • the four anchor bolts 64 are secured to the solid rock 102.
  • the leveling nuts 84 are secured to the anchor bolts 64 in order to create a level support surface for the anchor plate 60.
  • the anchor plate 60 is then secured to the anchor bolts 64 through the anchor plate apertures 62.
  • the locking nuts 100 are used to secure the anchor plate 60 in place.
  • the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the anchor plate 60 with welds.
  • a non-shrink grout 82 can be applied to fill the gap between the anchor plate 60 and the rock surface 102.
  • soil may be backfilled to cover the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 to protect the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 and to create a more aesthetically pleasing permanent foundation.
  • the backfill level should leave the apertures 34 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural
  • the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is 4'-l/4' in length, and protrudes 1' out of the ground 52.
  • the w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68 are 10" inches in height and fifteen pounds per foot in weight.
  • the w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are 10" inches in height and nineteen pounds per foot in weight.
  • the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is circular and located in the ground 52 at a depth of 4'.
  • the apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 12 are 7/8" in diameter, and spaced 3" apart starting 6" above the bottom of the first member 22.
  • the apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support member 12 of the structural pier 12 are 7/8" in diameter, and spaced 3" apart about the center of the second member 28.
  • the transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are L shaped, with the horizontal portion protruding 5" in length and with the vertical portion extending l"-5/l 6" in length.
  • the upper and the lower transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are separated by l'-l 1 5/8", with the lower transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 located 9"-l/8" above the bottom of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
  • the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is circular with an outer diameter of 3"- 1/2" and with a wall thickness of .22"
  • the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is circular and is 4' in length, with an outer diameter of 2.875", and a wall thickness of .276".
  • the weld blocks 72 are triangularly shaped with the perpendicular sides 2" in length.
  • the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is 6"- 1/2" in length, 2" high, and the receiver channel flanges 74 overlap the receiver channel base 92 by 2".
  • the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 of the first alternative embodiment is comprised of concrete but only extends 4" into the ground 52.
  • the securement bolts 30 are 3/4" in diameter and 4" inches in length of type A325.
  • the foregoing description and drawings comprise merely illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
  • the foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method.
  • the foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 could slidable engage with the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.

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Abstract

A permanent foundation for modular and manufactured homes is provided, and the permanent foundation comprises a structural pier (10) for supporting the load of the home, and a transverse support beam (66) capable of supporting and transferring the load of the home. The structural pier comprises a pier base (12) for integration with the ground, a receiver channel (22), and an adjustable upright support member (28) having a first end and a second end. The pier base is integrated with the ground. The first end of the adjustable upright support member is attached to the pier base, and the second end of the adjustable upright support member is attached to the receiver channel (16). The transverse support member is received within the receiver channel, and the permanent foundation is secured to the home.

Description

PERMANENT FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORTING MODULAR AND MANUFACTURED HOMES AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING MODULAR AND MANUFACTURED HOMES
Cross-Reference to Related Application
This application incorporates herein by reference provisional application number 60/039,305 filed on February 6, 1997.
Background of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a permanent foundation for manufactured and modular homes, and more particularly to a permanent foundation consisting of a plurality of structural piers and a plurality of transverse support members arranged to support the load of the home. The structural piers include an adjustable upright support member, a pier base, and a receiver channel. A first end of the upright support member is secured to the pier base, and a second end of the upright support member is secured to the receiver channel. The structural piers are adjustable in height to correspond to the elevation of the home. The receiver channels receive the plurality of transverse support members which securely support the home.
Traditionally, manufactured homes, commonly called mobile homes, lack permanent foundations. Instead, typical manufactured home foundations include concrete blocks stacked on the ground, or concrete blocks stacked upon concrete piers embedded within the ground, or in some cases the manufactured home might simply rest upon the ground. Usually windstraps are used to secure the manufactured home to the ground. This type of foundation presents numerous problems to the owners, occupants, and producers of manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are notorious for leaving their foundations during high wind conditions, generally associated with violent thunderstorms. Winds typically sweep under the exposed underside of the manufactured home, and create lift that can separate the manufactured home from its foundation. Windstraps offer limited protection against these types of storms. The lack of a more secure attachment between the manufactured home and its foundation comprises a substantial danger to the occupants of manufactured homes.
Further, conventional manufactured home foundations require periodic maintenance. The windstraps require adjustment twice a year to account for frost heave. Also, manufactured homes that sit on concrete blocks often contain wooden shims to align the foundation to the elevation of the manufactured home. Over time the shims compress, the blocks crack, and the pressure of the home can compress the blocks into the ground. Generally a manufactured home foundation needs realignment every two years. Foundation settling, and failure to timely provide maintenance can seriously damage the manufactured home.
Additionally, manufactured homes offer little protection from seismic events. Manufactured homes resting on concrete blocks can not withstand the force of earthquakes, even small seismic events can crack the concrete blocks, cause settling, or even completely dislodge the manufactured home from the foundation.
Furthermore, typical pier foundations require a large number of piers. A 28' by 60? manufactured home can require fifty to sixty piers. Conventional piers do not provide any means to distribute the load of the manufactured home across the foundation, since the piers are isolated from each other. This means that a substantial number of piers must support the center wall, or marriage wall, of the manufactured home which partially explains the very large number of piers required to support a manufactured home.
Moreover, traditional pier foundations require careful alignment to the support beams of the manufactured home. Since each pier must align to a support beam of the manufactured home, any irregularities in the layout of the piers requires resetting any irregular piers. This proves particularly troublesome with piers set in concrete.
Additionally, the lack of a permanent foundation reduces the property value of manufactured homes, and detrimentally effects the status of manufactured homes with financial institutions. Further, the conventional type of foundation for manufactured homes does not meet the wide variety of geographical load conditions.
Modular homes, by contrast, often sit on perimeter foundations, and therefore appear identical to site built homes. These type of foundations require digging below the frost line to pour footings, and then constructing a full masonry or poured concrete foundation. Typically this type of foundation costs thousands of dollars, and takes a great deal of time to construct. Modular homes could easily sit on the same type of foundations that manufactured homes sit on if these foundations provided the equivalent structural support and aesthetic qualities that
perimeter foundations provide.
The present invention substantially eliminates the aforementioned difficulties.
Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that more securely attaches the manufactured home to the foundation.
Another object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that eliminates the need for periodic maintenance. One more object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that will substantially reduce the number of piers required.
Still another object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that reduces the difficulty of aligning a manufactured home to a foundation. A further object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation for manufactured homes that will enhance the property value of a manufactured home.
An additional object of the present invention comprises providing a substantially less expensive permanent foundation for modular homes.
A further object of the present invention comprises providing a permanent foundation
that conforms to a wide variety of geographical conditions.
The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To this end, the permanent foundation of the present invention comprises a plurality of structural piers. Each structural pier further comprises a concrete pier base, an upright support member, and a receiver channel. The upright support member further comprises a first member and a second member capable of telescopic engagement to allow for adjustments in height to correspond to the elevation of the home. The first member is secured to the pier base and the second member is secured to the receiver channel. The structural piers are accordingly sized and arranged to support the load of the home. A plurality of transverse support members are secured to the receiver channels, and the transverse support members are then aligned and secured to the support beams of the home.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a permanent foundation for a manufactured home. FIG. 2a is a side elevation view of a first member of an upright support member of a structural pier. FIG. 2b is a side elevation view of the first member shown in FIG. 2a rotated ninety degrees.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first member shown in FIG. 2a.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second member of the upright support member of the structural pier. FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the second member shown in FIG. 4 rotated ninety
degrees.
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the second member shown in FIG. 4 FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a manufactured home atop the permanent foundation.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the structural pier. FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the structural pier.
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the structural pier. FIG. i 1 is a top plan view of a manufactured home secured to the permanent foundation. FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a modular home secured to the permanent foundation. FIG. 13a is a left side perspective view of a support member secured to a rim joist of a modular home.
FIG. 13b is a right side perspective view of the support member and the rim joist shown in FIG. 13a.
FIG. 14a is a side elevation view of a retainer clip.
FIG. 14b is a bottom plan view of the retainer clip shown in FIG. 14a.
Detailed Description of the Invention
In the Figures, a structural pier 10 is shown (see FIG. 7), the structural pier 10 contains a concrete pier base 12 integrated within the ground 52 (see FIG. 8). The exact configuration of the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 will depend on the soil conditions and on the load to be supported thereupon. The structural pier 10 also contains an upright support member 14. The upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 further contains a first member 22 and a second member 28. Both the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 are hollow and cylindrical in shape such that the outer diameter of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is less than the inside diameter of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. A first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10. A second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is located above the ground 52. In particular, enough of the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 must protrude above the ground 52 to expose a plurality of first member apertures 34 (see FIGS. 2a, 2b). The plurality of first member apertures 34 are diametrically opposed such that a plurality of passageways exists through the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.
The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 also contains four L-shaped transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 (see FIG. 3). The transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are attached to the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 such that all of the flanges 40 serve to strengthen the securement between the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10, and the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are attached to the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 at ninety degree intervals about the first member 22 of the upright support member 22 of the structural pier 10. The four transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are located in two pairs, with one pair located toward a bottom portion of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and the other pair located toward the top portion of the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Further, the two transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 that comprise one pair of transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are located opposite to each other across the diameter of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Of course, those skilled in the art may vary the number and location of the transversely- extending strengthening flanges 40 based on the specific applications and conditions involved. The second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 contains a first end 30 and a second end 32 (see FIGS. 4-6). A plurality of diametrically opposed first member apertures 36 are located such that a plurality of passageways exists through the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The plurality of apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 align to the plurality of apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10 is telescopically adjustable within the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Thus engaged, securement bolts 38 are placed through the apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10 and the correspondingly aligned apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support beam 14 of the structural pier 10, are secured with receipt nuts 90 (see FIG. 4). The exact aperture 36 in the second member 28 selected to receive the securement bolts 38 and receipt nuts 90 will determine the height of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The height of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 will correspond to
the elevation of the home 70 (see FIG. 7).
The receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the second end 32 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 (see FIGS. 4-6). Four triangular shaped weld blocks 72 secure the receiver channel 16 to the second end 32 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 contains two channel flanges 74 that overhang the receiver channel base 92 (see FIG. 5). The receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is designed to receive a transverse support member 18 (see FIG. 8). The channel flanges 72 overhang the transverse support member 18 such that the transverse support member 18 cannot vertically dislodge from the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10. Thus, the transverse support beam 18 must be inserted into one of the open ends 94 of the receiver channel 16. Securable receipt of the transverse support member 18 is further provided with screws 80 (see FIG. 8). The screws 80 pass through receiver channel passageways 94, located in the receiver channel flanges 74. The screws 80 attach to the transverse support members 18. Alternatively, shims (not shown) or welds (not shown) can provide additional securable receipt of the transverse support member 18 within the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10. Furthermore, a seismic pad 48 can be added between the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 and the transverse support members 18. The seismic pad 48 acts as a seismic cushion to absorb the shock of seismic events, and allows the transverse support members 18 to move independent from the permanent foundation. The seismic pad 48 may be secured to the receiver channel base 92 with a retainer clip 100 to prevent the seismic pad 48 from sliding out of the open ends 96 of the receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 (FIGS. 14a, 14b). The retainer clip 100 conforms in shape to the receiver channel base 92, and contain flanges 104 which align to the open ends 96 of the receiver channel 16. The seismic pad 48 sits inside the retainer clip 100. The retainer clip 100 is secured to the receiver channel base 92 with flush mounted self tapping screw (not shown) which passes through passageways 102. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the seismic pad 48 is comprised of neoprene, however, those skilled in the art will understand that
the seismic pad 48 can be comprised of other materials. FIG. I shows a typical arrangement of structural piers 10 for receiving and supporting the load of a home 70. The exact arrangement of the structural piers 10 will depend on the load of the manufactured home 70 and load bearing characteristics of the ground 52. Of course, these parameters will vary based on the particular application. A corner structural pier 42 lies beneath each comer of the home 70. A plurality of perimeter structural piers 44 lie beneath the perimeter of the home 70 and between each comer structural pier 42. Interior structural piers 46 are located under the interior of the home 70. Table 1 shows the relationship between the diameters of the corner structural piers 42, perimeter structural piers 44, and the interior structural piers 46, for some typical soil conditions.
TABLE 1
Figure imgf000012_0001
Thus, Table 1 shows that the perimeter structural piers 44 support a greater load than the comer structural piers 42, and that the interior structural piers 46 support a greater load than the perimeter structural piers 44. Additionally, a plurality of w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are located over the interior structural piers 46, and the adjacent perimeter structural piers 44. A plurality of w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68 are located above the comer structural piers 42, and the adjacent perimeter structural piers 44. The w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are capable of supporting a greater load than the w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68. Accordingly, the w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are positioned to receive and support a greater load than the w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68.
FIG. 11 shows a plurality of manufactured home support beams 76 secured by a securement means 20 to the transverse support members 18. The transverse support members 18 align transversely to the manufactured home support beams 76. This allows for distribution of the load of the home 70 throughout the permanent foundation. Additionally, even if the transverse support members 18 are not exactly perpendicular to the support beams 76 of the home 70, the permanent foundation can still support the home 70 without modification to the permanent foundation. The securement means 20 shown in FIG. 11 comprises welds, however, the securement means 20 could include clamps or screws. Additionally, a marriage wall support 78 can be added to further support the home (see FIG. 7). The marriage wall support can be comprise of 2' x 10' blocking, or a steel beam.
FIG. 12 shows the transverse support members 18 secured to a plurality of modular home floor joists 86 of a modular home 98. A securement means 20 secures the transverse support members 18 to the floor joists 86 of the modular home 98. The transverse support members 18 align transversely to the floor joist 86 of the modular home 98. Generally, the floor joist 46 of a modular home 98 do not run in the same direction as the manufactured home support beams 76 shown in FIG. 11. This means that the transverse support members 18 of the manufactured home
70 are perpendicular to the transverse support members 18 of the modular home 98 (see FIG. 1 1- 12). The securement means 20 comprises a connecting plate 108 (see FIGS. I3a-b). The connecting plate 108 has two faces. A first face 102 that secures to the floor joist 86 of the modular home 98 with nails, and a second face 104 that secures to the transverse support member 18. Further, a rod 106 connects the first and second faces 102, 104 of the connecting plate 108. FIGS. 13a-b show two connecting plates 108 mounted on opposite sides of one transverse support member 18. The second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 both contain a passageway 88. The second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 are located such that the two passageways 88 align. The second faces 104 of the two connecting plates 108 secure to the transverse support member 18, by securing a bolt and nut (not shown) through the aligned passageways 88 of the respective connecting plates 108, and through a passageway (not shown) in the transverse support member 18. The securement means 20 can also comprise a gang plate. It is anticipated that other securement means 20 will become obvious to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 10. shows a first alternative embodiment of the present invention designed for highly compact and stable soils. The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 extends through the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10, and contains thread plates 50 to allow the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 to threadably engage with the ground 52. The length of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 will vary depending on the load bearing characteristics of the particular soil. Generally, the more compact the soil the shorter the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. FIG. 9 shows a second alternative embodiment of the present invention designed for use in areas with little or no top soil. The structural pier 10 embeds into solid rock 102. The pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is comprised of an anchor plate 60. The anchor plate 60 contains four apertures 62 through which the four anchor bolts 64 can pass through. The anchor bolts 64 are secured into the solid rock 102. Leveling nuts 84 are threaded on to the anchor bolts 40 and adjusted to level, then the anchor plate 60 is secured to the anchor bolts 64 by locking nuts 100. A non-shrink grout 82 fills the gap between the anchor plate 60 and the solid rock 102. The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is welded to the anchor plate 60. The process of installing the permanent foundation of the present invention begins with grading the ground 52 underneath the home 70 to slope away from the home 70 to allow for proper surface drainage. The next step comprises laying out and sizing the structural piers 10. The size and location will depend on the soil type, the size of the home 70, and the load characteristics of the home 70. Table 1 above details the appropriate structural pier 10 diameters and locations for some typical soil conditions (see also FIG. 1). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, holes are excavated into the ground 52, with the diameter determined in accordance with Table 1. The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is located within the excavated hole. Then the hole is filled with concrete, thereby forming the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10. In this manner, the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is secured to the ground 52 and to the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Alternatively, the pier base 12 of
the structural pier 10 could be pre-cast, and then located within the excavated hole. Next, the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is inserted within the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 and aligned to the elevation of the home 70. The first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 by aligning the apertures 34 of the first member 22 with the apertures 36 of the second member 28. Then securement bolts 38 and receipt nuts 90 secure the first end 30 of the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 to the second end 26 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. Then the transverse support members 18 are received and secured within the receiver channels 16, in the manner described hereinabove. Then, if necessary, the transverse support members 18 are shimmed to meet the exact elevation of the home 70. The home 70 is then slowly moved into place on top of the transverse support members 18. The transverse support members 18 are then secured to the home 70 with the securement means 20 described hereinabove. In the first alternative embodiment of the present invention, designed for very compact and stable soils, the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 and to the ground 52 (see FIG. 10). The installation varies from the aforementioned process in the following manner. The excavated hole is not as deep, and the first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is equipped with thread plates 50. The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is threadably secured to the ground 52 and then the excavated hole is filled with concrete. Alternatively, the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 could be pre-cast, and then located within the excavated hole. The length of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 will vary based on the stability and compactness of the soil, the location of the structural pier 14, and the load characteristics of the particular home 70. FIG. 9 shows the second alternative embodiment of the present invention, designed for use over solid rock 102. What top soil that exists is scrapped away exposing the solid rock 102. The four anchor bolts 64 are secured to the solid rock 102. The leveling nuts 84 are secured to the anchor bolts 64 in order to create a level support surface for the anchor plate 60. The anchor plate 60 is then secured to the anchor bolts 64 through the anchor plate apertures 62. Then, the locking nuts 100 are used to secure the anchor plate 60 in place. The first end 24 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 secures to the anchor plate 60 with welds. A non-shrink grout 82 can be applied to fill the gap between the anchor plate 60 and the rock surface 102.
In all of the embodiments of the present invention, soil may be backfilled to cover the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 to protect the pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 and to create a more aesthetically pleasing permanent foundation. The backfill level, however, should leave the apertures 34 of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural
pier 10 exposed to receive the securement bolts 38.
The following specifications, measurements, and design details comprise merely illustrative examples of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Numerous deviations from these specifications, measurements, and design details are anticipated by those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of the invention. The first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is 4'-l/4' in length, and protrudes 1' out of the ground 52. The w 10 x 15 transverse support members 68 are 10" inches in height and fifteen pounds per foot in weight. The w 10 x 19 transverse support members 66 are 10" inches in height and nineteen pounds per foot in weight. The pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 is circular and located in the ground 52 at a depth of 4'. The apertures 34 in the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 12 are 7/8" in diameter, and spaced 3" apart starting 6" above the bottom of the first member 22. The apertures 36 in the second member 28 of the upright support member 12 of the structural pier 12 are 7/8" in diameter, and spaced 3" apart about the center of the second member 28. The transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are L shaped, with the horizontal portion protruding 5" in length and with the vertical portion extending l"-5/l 6" in length. The upper and the lower transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 are separated by l'-l 1 5/8", with the lower transversely extending strengthening flanges 40 located 9"-l/8" above the bottom of the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10. The first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is circular with an outer diameter of 3"- 1/2" and with a wall thickness of .22" The second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 is circular and is 4' in length, with an outer diameter of 2.875", and a wall thickness of .276". The weld blocks 72 are triangularly shaped with the perpendicular sides 2" in length. The receiver channel 16 of the structural pier 10 is 6"- 1/2" in length, 2" high, and the receiver channel flanges 74 overlap the receiver channel base 92 by 2". The pier base 12 of the structural pier 10 of the first alternative embodiment is comprised of concrete but only extends 4" into the ground 52. The securement bolts 30 are 3/4" in diameter and 4" inches in length of type A325.
In general, structural steel shall be fabricated and erected in accordance with the "Specifications for Design, Fabrication and Erection of Structural Steel for Buildings" (Current Edition). All structural steel shall be in accordance with ASTM A36, grade 36. All steel tubes shall be in accordance with ASTM A500 grade B (Fy = 46 KSI). Steep pipes shall be in accordance with ASTM A53 grade B (Fy = 35 KSI). All electrodes shall be E70 series. All bolts shall be 3/4" in diameter and ASTM A325 high strength steel bolts. All bolts shall be tightened in accordance with AISC "Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM 325 Bolts." Steel shall be hot dip galvanized per ASTM A 123 class 100 or finish primed. Concrete shall be in accordance with the "Specifications for Structural Concrete for Buildings" (ACI 301 Current Edition). All concrete shall be 3000 psi @ 28 day compressive strength air entrained. Coarse aggregate shall be crushed limestone or gravel mix. All aggregate shall be in accordance with ASTM C33, and free of shale, chert, coal, and iron oxide. Of course, alternatives to the aforementioned process and articles of manufacture will become apparent to those skilled in the art, depending on the exact applications and circumstances. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings comprise merely illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the first member 22 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10 could slidable engage with the second member 28 of the upright support member 14 of the structural pier 10.

Claims

I claim:
1. A permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes above a substantially solid ground surface, said foundation comprising: a) a structural pier for supporting the load of said home, said structural pier further comprising: i) a pier base for integration with said substantially solid ground surface: ii) an upright support member having a first end and a second end, said first end securable to said pier base; and iii) a receiver channel securable to said second end of said upright support member; b) a transverse support member capable of supporting and transferring the load of said home, said transverse support member for securable receipt within said receiver channel; and c) securement means capable of securing said foundation to said home.
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises a first member having a first end and a second end, and a second member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first member is securable to said pier base of said structural pier, said second end of said first member is adjustably securable to said second member, and said second end of said second member is securable to said receiver channel of said structural pier.
. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first member and said second member of said upright support member of said structural pier are hollow and cylindrical in shape, said second member having an outside diameter which is less than an inside diameter of said first member, said first end of said second member of said upright support member of said structural pier thus being capable of telescopic receipt within said second end of said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first member and said second members of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprise a pair of aligned apertures thereby forming a passageway for receipt of a securement bolt.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a plurality of aligned apertures forming a plurality of passageways for adjustable securement.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises a transversely extended
strengthening flange.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 wherein said transversely extending strengthening flange of said first member of said upright support member of said
structural pier is L-shaped.
. The invention in accordance with claim 7 further comprising four of said L-shaped transversely extending strengthening flanges on said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier, said flanges provided at ninety degree intervals about said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier.
9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said structural support piers arranged to support said load of said home, said arrangement comprising: a) a comer structural pier for location beneath each corner of said home; b) a perimeter structural pier for location between each of said comer structural piers and along and beneath the perimeter of said home; and c) an interior structural pier for location beneath the interior of said home.
10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein said perimeter structural piers are capable of supporting a greater load than said comer piers, and said interior structural piers are capable of supporting a greater load than said perimeter piers.
11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a seismic pad for location between said receiver channel of said structural pier and said transverse support member.
12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pier base of said structural pier is comprised of concrete.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises threads for threadable securement to said substantially solid ground surface.
14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein said upright support member of said structural pier passes through a passageway in said pier base of said structural pier, said passageway extending from a top surface of said pier base of said structural pier to a bottom surface of said pier base of said structural pier.
15. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pier base of said structural pier further comprises an anchor plate, said anchor plate having a plurality of apertures for receipt of a plurality of anchor bolts for securement with said substantially solid ground surface.
16. A permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes above a substantially solid ground surface, said foundation comprising: a) a plurality of structural piers for supporting the load of said home, each of said plurality of structural piers further comprising: i) a pier base for integration with said substantially solid ground surface: ii) an upright support member having a first member and a second member, said first member and said second member being hollow and cylindrical in shape such that the outside diameter of said second member is less than the inside diameter of said first member, said first and said second members each having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first member is securable to said pier base and said first end of said second member is capable of telescopic receipt within said second end of said first member, said first and said second members having a plurality of aligned apertures forming a plurality of passageways for receipt of at least one securement bolt, and said first member having four L-shaped transversely extending strengthening flanges at ninety degree intervals about said first member; and iii) a receiver channel securable to said second end of said second member of said upright support member; a plurality of transverse support members arrangable to support and transfer the load of said home, wherein said plurality of transverse support members are capable of securable receipt within said receiver channels of said plurality of structural piers, said arrangement comprising i) a comer structural pier for location beneath each comer of said home; ii) a perimeter structural pier for location between each of said comer structural piers and along and beneath the perimeter of said home wherein said perimeter structural piers are capable of supporting a greater load than
said comer piers; and iii) an interior structural pier for location beneath the interior of said home wherein said interior structural pier is capable of supporting a greater load than said perimeter piers; c) a plurality of seismic pads for location between said receiver channels of said plurality of structural piers and said plurality of said transverse support members; and d) securement means capable of securing said foundation to said home.
17. A method of constructing a permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes above a substantially solid ground surface, said method comprising: a) providing a structural pier for supporting the load of said home, said structural pier comprising: i) a pier base; ii) an upright support member having a first end and a second end; and iii) a receiver channel; b) providing a transverse support member; c) providing securement means; d) integrating said pier base of said structural pier with said substantially solid ground surface; e) securing said first end of said upright support member of said structural pier to said pier base of said structural pier; f) securing said receiver channel of said structural pier to said second end of said upright support member of said structural pier; g) securing said transverse support member within said receiver channel of said structural pier; and h) securing said foundation to said home with said securement means.
18. The invention in accordance with claim 17 wherein said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises a first member having a first end and a second end, and a second member having a first end and a second end, wherein said step of securing said upright support member of said structural pier to said pier base of said structural pier further comprises securing said first end of said first member to said pier base of said structural pier, and adjustably securing said second end of said first member to said second member, and said step of securing said receiver channel of said structural pier to said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises securing said second end of said second member to said receiver channel of said structural pier.
19. The invention in accordance with claim 18 further providing that said first and second members of said upright support member of said structural pier are hollow and cylindrical in shape such that the outside diameter of said second member of said upright support member of said stmctural pier is less than the inside diameter of said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier, wherein said step of adjustably securing said second end of said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier to said second member of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises telescopically adjusting said first end of said second member of said upright support member of said structural pier within said second end of said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier.
20. The invention in accordance with claim 18 further providing that said first and said second members of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprise a pair of aligned apertures thereby forming a passageway, and said step of adjustably securing said second end of said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier to said second member of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises securing a bolt through said passageway.
21. The invention in accordance with claim 20 further providing a plurality of aligned apertures forming a plurality of passageways.
22. The invention in accordance with claim 17 wherein said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier further comprises a transversely extending
strengthening flange.
23. The invention in accordance with claim 22 wherein said transversely extending strengthening flange of said first member of said upright support member of said
structural pier is L-shaped.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 23 further comprising four of said L-shaped transversely extending strengthening flanges on said first member of said upright support member of said structural pier, said flanges provided at ninety degree intervals about said first member of said support member of said structural pier.
25. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further providing a plurality of structural support piers, and further comprising arranging said plurality of support piers to support the load of said home, said arrangement comprising: a) a corner structural pier for location beneath each comer of said home; b) a perimeter structural pier for location between each of said comer structural piers and along and beneath the perimeter of said home; and c) an interior structural pier for location beneath the interior of said home.
26. The invention in accordance with claim 25 wherein said perimeter structural piers are capable of supporting a greater load than said comer piers, and said interior structural piers are capable of supporting a greater load than said perimeter piers.
27. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further providing a seismic pad and further comprising locating said seismic pad between said receiver channel of said structural pier
and said transverse support member.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 17 wherein said pier base of said structural pier is comprised of concrete.
29. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further providing threads securable to said
first end of said upright support member of said structural pier and further comprising
threadably securing said first end of said upright support member of said structural pier to
said substantially solid ground surface.
30. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further providing a passageway extending
from a top surface in said pier base of said structural pier to a bottom surface of said pier
base of said structural pier, and wherein said step of threadably securing said first end of
said upright support member of said structural pier to said substantially solid ground
surface further comprises said first end of said upright support member of said structural
pier passing though said passageway.
31. The invention in accordance with claim 17 wherein said pier base of said structural pier
further comprises an anchor plate, said anchor plate having a plurality of apertures,
further providing a plurality of anchor bolts, and wherein said step of integrating said pier
base of said structural pier with said substantially solid ground surface further comprises
securing said anchor plate to said substantially solid ground surface by receipt of said
anchor bolts through said apertures.
PCT/US1998/025432 1997-12-01 1998-12-01 Permanent foundation for supporting modular and manufactured homes and method for supporting modular and manufactured homes WO1999028572A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2012003549A1 (en) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-12 Modak Homes Australia Pty Limited A method of transportation and assembly of building modules
CN105442870A (en) * 2015-11-11 2016-03-30 安徽大篷车移动房屋集成有限公司 Integrated mobile house
ES2568328A1 (en) * 2015-11-04 2016-04-28 Universidad De Oviedo Industrialized surface foundation (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US11946218B1 (en) * 2022-10-26 2024-04-02 SITU-Places Inc. System and method for robotics-assisted foundation installation

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US4125975A (en) * 1975-03-10 1978-11-21 Soble Bernard D Foundation on grade arrangement for manufactured structures and method of installation
US4785593A (en) * 1986-10-27 1988-11-22 Munoz Jr Jose C Structural building system
US5067289A (en) * 1990-06-28 1991-11-26 Ouderkirk Dale L Foundation system for manufactured housing

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US4125975A (en) * 1975-03-10 1978-11-21 Soble Bernard D Foundation on grade arrangement for manufactured structures and method of installation
US4037373A (en) * 1975-08-06 1977-07-26 Sigmund Echtler Earth anchor
US4785593A (en) * 1986-10-27 1988-11-22 Munoz Jr Jose C Structural building system
US5067289A (en) * 1990-06-28 1991-11-26 Ouderkirk Dale L Foundation system for manufactured housing

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012003549A1 (en) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-12 Modak Homes Australia Pty Limited A method of transportation and assembly of building modules
ES2568328A1 (en) * 2015-11-04 2016-04-28 Universidad De Oviedo Industrialized surface foundation (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
CN105442870A (en) * 2015-11-11 2016-03-30 安徽大篷车移动房屋集成有限公司 Integrated mobile house
CN105442870B (en) * 2015-11-11 2017-11-07 安徽大篷车移动房屋集成有限公司 A kind of integrated moveable house
US11946218B1 (en) * 2022-10-26 2024-04-02 SITU-Places Inc. System and method for robotics-assisted foundation installation

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