The present technology is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for a modular grid foundation.
Traditional concrete foundations are very expensive, and the utilization of concrete for a foundation is subject to many restrictions. Many factors that affect installation time are beyond the control of a contractor (e.g weather, soil conditions, etc.). Notwithstanding the uncontrollable factors, there is no way around the enormous amount of time required to complete the arduous twenty-plus step on-site process to build a concrete foundation.
The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate analogous, identical, or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
The present disclosure is drawn to an apparatus, system, and method for modular grid foundations that resist environmental breakdown. The system of the present disclosure implements a plurality of foundation modules arranged in a predetermined grid and driven into an earthen formation via a mechanical force. The plurality of foundation modules can be coupled one to the other, thereby trapping earthen formation within the predetermined grid and allowing the system to resist overturning, uplifting, settling, etc. The foundation modules can include a central tubular member having a plurality of vanes extending therefrom. The plurality of vanes can have coupling mechanisms disposed at distal ends operable to engage adjacent foundation modules or modular foundation systems. The plurality of vanes can extend away from the central tubular member a predetermined distance to secure sufficient earthen formation within the predetermined grid.
Each element of the foundation system can be operable disposed within an earthen formation (or structure site) with a predetermined mechanical force and/or driven to a predetermined depth. In some instances, the predetermined mechanical force can be “refusal,” being defined as the mechanical force (e.g. excavator) unable to drive the foundation system element further, such as lifting off the ground and/or stalling.
The foundation system as described herein is modular allowing implementation with one or more components depending on the desired application and need. The modular foundation system can be adapted to specific job requirements including, but not limited to, elevational needs, soil structure, environmental conditions, and the like.
Further, the modular foundation system as described herein can be filled with earthen material, concrete, and/or any other material depending on the foundational and/or situational requirements.
The foundation module 100 can include a plurality of vanes 106 extending therefrom. The plurality of vanes 106 can extend a predetermined distance 108 away from the central tubular member 102 of the foundation module 100. The predetermined distance 108 can be determined by the desired application. In at least one instance, the predetermined distance 108 can be at least equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the central tubular member 102.
The plurality of vanes 106 can extend along the longitudinal length 150 of the central tubular member 102. In at least one instance, the plurality of vanes 106 can extend substantially from the proximal end 152 to the distal end 154. In other instances, the plurality of vanes 106 can extend for a portion of the longitudinal length 150 truncating prior to the proximal end 152 and/or truncate prior to the distal end 154. In some instances, the plurality of vanes 106 can extend substantially from the proximal end 152 to the distal end 154 with the predetermined distance 108 tapering at either of the proximal end 152 and/or the distal end 154.
The plurality of vanes 106 can be symmetrically disposed around the central tubular 102, such that an angle formed between any two adjacent vanes 106 is substantially equal to an angle formed between any two other adjacent vanes 106. The plurality of vanes 106 can include a disposed at a distal end 114 of the predetermined distance 108. The coupling mechanisms can be a lug 110, a locking channel 112, and/or combinations thereof.
The foundation module 100 can have four vanes 106 extending from the central tubular member 102. The four vanes 106 can be symmetrically disposed around the central member 102 at substantially ninety-degree (90) angles formed between adjacent vanes 106. Each of the four vanes 106 can extend the predetermined distance 108 away from the central tubular member 102, and can have substantially the same predetermined distance 108.
In other instances, each of the plurality of vanes 106 can have varying predetermined distances 108 depending on the structure and/or arrangement. For example, a first group of plurality of vanes 106 can have a first predetermined distance 108 extending away from the central tubular member 102 and a second group can have a second predetermined distance 108 extending away from the central tubular member 102. The first group and the second group of plurality of vanes 106 can be disposed around the central tubular member 102 in any order, combination, and/or arrangement.
The foundation module 100 can operably link to adjacent foundation modules (as shown in
The foundation modules 100 can be formed of fiber-reinforced polymers, steel, aluminum, carbon composites, composites, and/or combinations thereof. The foundation modules 100 can be driven into an earthen formation to a sufficient and/or predetermined depth necessary to confine enough earthen formation between the plurality of vanes. In at least one instance, upon installation of the foundation modules 100 to the predetermined depth, the foundation modules 100 can be cut and/or severed to be substantially flush with the surface of the earth. In other instances, the foundation modules 100 can be cut and/or severed at a predetermined height above the surface of the earth.
The stanchion 200 can be passed through and received into the inner bore 104. The stanchion 200 can have a smaller cross-sectional area than the inner bore 104, thereby allowing an sliding engagement therebetween. The stanchion 200 can have a substantially similar cross-sectional arrangement to that of the inner bore 104. In other instances, the stanchion 200 can have a different cross-sectional arrangement to that of the inner bore 104 with at least a portion of the stanchion 200 engaging at least a portion of the inner bore 104. In at least one instance, the stanchion 200 can have a substantially square cross-sectional area and the inner bore can be substantially circular and/or ovular, thereby allowing the stanchion 200 to sliding engage therewith while allowing sidewall contact between the stanchion 200 and the inner bore 104 to prevent longitudinal and/or lateral movement of the stanchion relative to the central tubular member 102.
The stanchion 200 can have a proximal end 202 and a distal end 204. After receipt into the foundation module 100, the distal end 204 can extend beyond the distal end 154 of the central member 102 and the proximal end 202 can be substantially even and/or flush with the proximal end 152 of the foundation module 100.
The stanchion 200 can have an inner bore 206 formed along the longitudinal length 250 thereof. The inner bore 206 can operably receive earthen formation therein and allow the formation of a compressed bell bottom, as described further with respect to
The compressed bell bottom 208 can increase resistance to compressive loads. In at least one instance, the compressed bell bottom 208 can be formed within a clay layer of the earthen formation. The compressed bell bottom 208 can be formed by clearing and backfilling the stanchion inner bore 206 with material and followed by application of a mechanical force, thereby compressing the material past the distal end 206 of the stanchion 200 and forming the compressed bell bottom 208.
While
The foundation module 100 can couple with one of the locking channel 402 and the locking lock 404 via one of the coupling the mechanisms, thereby coupling the wall panel 400 with the foundation module 100.
The wall panel 400 can have a width 408 substantially equal to the width of a foundation module 100 and a height 418. The width 408 can extend between a proximal edge 410 and a distal edge 412, and the wall panel 400 can have a coupling mechanism disposed on each of the proximal edge 410 and the distal edge 412. In at least one instance, the wall panel 400 can have a locking channel 414 on one of the proximal edge 410 and the distal edge 412 and a locking lug 416 on the other of the proximal edge 410 and the distal edge 412.
The height 418 can extend along the longitudinal length 150 of the foundation module 100. The locking channel 414 and the locking lug 416 can extend along the height 418. The locking channel 414 and the locking lug 416 can allow coupling between adjacent wall panels 400 one to the next.
As can be appreciated in
As can be appreciated in
A foundation system can be formed by grid of foundation modules 100 (shown more clearly in
The modular grid foundation system 600 can include a stanchion 200 disposed within one or more of the foundation modules 100 of the modular grid foundation system 600. The modular grid foundation system 600 can have a stanchion 200 received in each of the foundation modules 100 or in a predetermined arrangement of the foundation modules 100 depending on the requirements of the modular grid foundation system 600.
While
As can be appreciated in
As can be appreciated with specific respect to
As can further be appreciated by
In other instances, the coastal spine modular grid foundation system 1100 can be filled at least partially with concrete and/or cement to increase strength and covered with sand.
In other instances, the coastal spine modular grid foundation system 1100 can have a plurality of modules 100 in a substantially stair stepped
At block 1302, a foundation module 100 can be placed in a predetermined location on the surface of an earthen formation. The foundation module 100 can be have a predetermined length extending substantially vertically above the surface of the earth once arranged in the predetermined location. The method 1300 can then proceed to block 1304.
At block 1304, the foundation module 100 is driven into the earthen formation to an initial predetermined distance. The initial predetermined distance can be one to ten feet, thereby allowing the foundation module 100 to stand substantially vertically without assistance. The method 1300 can then proceed to block 1306.
At block 1306, a plurality of foundation modules 100 can be coupled the foundation module via one or more coupling mechanisms. The plurality of foundation modules 100 can be arranged in a predetermined grid pattern with adjacent foundation modules 100 coupled via a locking channel and a locking lug, respectively. The method 1300 can then proceed to block 1308.
At block 1308, the plurality of foundation modules 100 arranged in the predetermined grid arrangement can be sequentially driven by mechanical force into the earthen formation. In some instances, upon installation of the plurality of foundation modules 100 to a predetermined depth and/or a predetermined mechanical force, the foundation modules 100 can be cut and/or severed at a predetermined height relative to the surface of the earthen formation. The method 1300 can then proceed to block 1310.
At block 1310, a stanchion can be received into an inner bore 104 formed through a central tubular member 102 of the foundation module 100. The stanchion 200 can be driven into the earthen formation via mechanical force along the length of the inner bore 104, and in some instance can extend into the earthen surface below the depth of the foundation module 100. Due to the shape/arrangement of the stanchion relative to the foundation module 100, the stanchion can be driven further into the earthen formation, thereby further securing the predetermined grid of the plurality of foundation modules 100. The stanchion 200 can be cut and/or severed to be substantially flush with the top of the foundation module. A stanchion can be driven through the inner bore 104 of each of the plurality of foundation modules 100, or a predetermined number, arrangement, and/or pattern of the plurality of foundation modules 100. In at least one instance, a stanchion is implement in every third foundation module 100 within the predetermined grid. The method 1300 can then proceed to block 1312.
At block 1312, earthen material can be compacted and/or compressed through an inner bore formed within the stanchion 200. The earthen material can thereby form a compressed bell bottom at distal end (subsurface) of the stanchion.
The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/164,963, filed Jan. 27, 2014, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/673,696, filed May 18, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/791,501, filed Jan. 11, 2019, the contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
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Machine Translation of DE2207543; http://translationportal.epo.org/emtp/translate/?ACTION=description-retrieval&COUNTRY=DE&ENGINE=google&FORMAT=docdb&KIND=A1&LOCALE=en_EP&NUMBER=2207543&OPS=ops.epo.org/3.2&SRCLANG=de&TRGLANG=en; Oct. 15, 2018 (Year: 2018). |
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20190271133 A1 | Sep 2019 | US |
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62673696 | May 2018 | US | |
61872907 | Sep 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14164963 | Jan 2014 | US |
Child | 16417501 | US |