The present invention relates to a perimeter foundation wall for manufactured homes.
A problem with manufactured homes is the gap between the ground and rim joists of the manufactured home. This problem arises due to the method of construction. Pier footings are set in place first and then the manufactured home is seated on the pier footings.
In the past several types of skirting walls to cover this gap have been employed or suggested. Concrete block masonry can be used to construct a skirting wall, but an unsecured gap is left at the top of the concrete block wall which is typically covered with a trim, and the wall is not connected to the manufactured home. Wood framing can be used to provide a skirting wall, but presents a problem of appearance and short life span. Skirting walls do not provide any foundational support; they are for cosmetic purposes only. Such skirting walls require additional piers and/or tie-down straps to meed wind and seismic resistance to be classified as a permanent foundation for HUD and California regulations.
A concrete wall can be poured in place and the manufactured home lowered onto the wall; however, this approach is expensive.
The present invention provides a foundation wall for manufactured homes that installs easily like skirting using simple tools. The foundation wall of the present invention can withstand required horizontal and vertical load, and resist wind and seismic forces.
The perimeter foundation wall of the present invention includes a plurality of precast concrete panels extending around the perimeter of the manufactured home. A concrete footing is located beneath the rim joists of the manufactured home. Each of the panels has a height substantially equal to the distance between the bottom of the rim joists and the top of the concrete footing. The tops of each of the precast panels are connected to the rim joists of the manufactured home by at least one top connector. The bottoms of each of the precast panels are connected to a concrete footing located below the rim joists by at least one bottom connector.
Precast panel 10 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, right and left side walls 16 and 18, a top 20, and a bottom 22.
A V-shaped tongue 24 extends outwardly from the mid-portion of right side wall 16, preferably substantially along the entire distance from top 20 to bottom 22, and a V-shaped groove 26 is formed in the mid-portion of left side wall 18, preferably substantially along the entire distance from top 20 to bottom 22. V-shaped tongue 24 of panel 10 is adapted to fit into the V-shaped groove 26 of an adjacent panel 10 during assembly of the foundation to ensure alignment of adjacent panels 10, and to prevent movement. Right and left top connector cylindrical passageways 27, 27′ are formed in the top 20 of panel 10, spaced substantially equally from right and left side walls 16 and 18, respectively. Right and left bottom connector cylindrical passageways 28, 28′ are formed in the bottom 22 of panel 10, spaced substantially equally from right and left side walls 16 and 18, respectively.
Each panel 10 can be connected to the rim joist 30 of a mobile home by means of at least one top connector member 40, preferably by at least two top connector members 40. Top connector members 40 can be a steel strap. A preferred top connector member 40 is shown in
Each precast panel 10 includes at least one bottom connector member 50, and preferably at least two bottom connector members 50. A bottom connector member 50 is shown in
The perimeter foundation wall formed by a plurality of precast panels 10 must provide for ventilation of the crawl space.
In
In
The precast panels 10 of the present invention can be made by any suitable means, such as forming in a mold or extrusion. The outer surface of the precast panels are preferably formed to simulate stone, brick, or other building material. A preferred pattern is shown in
One method of forming the precast panels 10 is to mold a “split face block” 80, as shown in
The concrete footing 60 on which the precast concrete panels 10 of the perimeter wall rest can be formed by pouring cement at the location of the mobile home. The footing should contain appropriate steel reinforcement bars 62. A concrete seal 64 is preferably formed against the bottom of front wall 12 at its juncture with footing 60, as best seen in
Alternatively, a concrete footing can be preformed in sections or pads 160, as best seen in
A still further alternative is to temporarily support precast panel 10 in abutment with rim joist 30, such as by use of support means similar to pads 160, placing form boards adjacent the bottoms 22 of precast panels 10, and pouring cement into the forms. Attachment between the poured footing and precast panels 10 can be accomplished by pieces of steel rebar (preferably three per panel) attached perpendicularly to the bottoms 22 of the precast panels 10 and held in place by strap members similar to top connector members 40
It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments of this invention without departing from the underlying principles thereof. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/067,183, filed Feb. 25, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61067183 | Feb 2008 | US |