Soil retention barrier for manufactured housing

Abstract

A soil retention barrier that is connected to structure, such as a house, and is configured to inhibit soil erosion of the ground beneath the structure. The soil retention barrier includes a body. The body is comprised of a plurality of panels that are configured in a substantially vertical manner. The panels are generally rectangular in shape and have two ends. One end configured to positioned proximate the ground, and the opposite end being configured to be attached to the structure with an attachment member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vertical barrier, more specifically a soil retention barrier that is intermediate the lower portion of a manufactured house and the ground in order to inhibit soil erosion of the ground beneath the manufactured house.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individuals and families reside in manufactured housing. Manufactured housing popularity has grown rapidly in the last decade. Manufactured housing offers more models and styles and are reasonably priced making them cost effective. Individuals utilize manufactured housing either as full time residences or part-time residences. Typically, for a part time residence an individual will utilize the manufactured house as a weekend residence at a camp as a second home.

Manufactured housing is usually placed on a trailer or some suitable frame that maintains the house structure in a position whereby it is several feet off the ground. One problem with this arrangement is that an open area intermediate the manufactured house and the ground remains exposed. This open area results in the ground beneath the manufactured house being exposed to various weather conditions. These conditions increase the probability that the soil underneath the manufacture house is susceptible to movement and deterioration as a result of its exposure.

The movement and deterioration of the ground beneath the manufactured house can result in stability issues for the manufactured house. Also any grade movement can have adverse effects on the manufactured house such as but not limited to leveling problems.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be secured intermediate the ground and the lower portion of a manufactured house that can protect the soil underneath the manufactured house from erosion caused by weather that can result in soil movement or deterioration thus having a negative effect on the manufactured house.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a soil retention barrier the substantially encircles the base of a manufactured house that inhibits erosion of the soil beneath the manufactured house.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a soil retention barrier that substantially encircles the base of a manufactured house that inhibits movement of the grade by utilizing a plurality of vertically adjustable panels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a soil retention barrier that substantially encircles the base of a manufactured house that inhibits movement of the grade beneath the house so as to prevent any leveling issues with the manufactured house.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective partial view of an embodiment of the present invention engaged with a lower portion of a conventional manufactured house.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, and wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals, there is illustrated the components of a preferred embodiment of an soil retention barrier 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The soil retention barrier 100 comprises a member 10 that is configured in a substantially horizontal and planar manner and is generally rectangular in shape. The member 10 is manufactured from suitable durable and rigid materials such as but not limited to aluminum or cement board. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different materials could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the materials suggested herein for the member 10. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the materials for the member 10 be weatherproof. The member 10 is designed to engage with the lower portion 20 of a conventional manufactured house 30. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the member 10 is substantially secured to all sides of the manufactured house 30. The member 10 is secured to the manufactured house 30 by suitable mechanical or chemical methods.

Integrally mounted to one edge 40 of the member 10 and generally perpendicular thereto is a body 50. The body 50 is further comprised of a plurality of panels 60. The panels 60 are manufactured from a similar durable material as the member 10. The panels 60 are configured in a substantially vertical and planar manner and are generally rectangular in shape. Each end 65 of panels 60 is secured to the member 10. The panels 60 are secured to the member 10 with suitable mechanical or chemical methods. Opposite the end 65 the panel 60 engages the ground 70. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the panel could engage with any suitable horizontal support structure that the manufactured house has been placed thereon.

The panels 60 are interconnected along a seam 80. Proximate the peripheral edges 90, the panels 60 are connected by suitable mechanical or chemical methods. The lengths and vertical positioning of panels 60 with respect to other can vary so as to ensure that each end 67 of the panels 60 can engage the ground 70 subsequent to the soil retention barrier 100 being installed to a conventional manufactured house 30. The panels 60 are fastened to each other using conventional tongue and groove fasteners. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous suitable methods of securing the panels 60 to each other could be utilized.

The panels 60 are substantially disposed along the member 10 around the manufactured house 30. Each panel 60 is adjusted so that one end 67 of the panel 60 is proximate the ground 70 beneath the manufactured house 30. The panels 60 function to inhibit movement and deterioration of the soil immediately beneath the manufactured house 30. Manufactured houses 30 are often secured to a trailer or other suitable frame that is used as a horizontal support structure. These houses are typically moved to a location subsequent to being completely built at another location. Once installed in the desired location, the manufactured house 30 remains several feet above the ground 70. The exposed ground 70 is subject to movement or erosion from varying weather conditions. This can create an unstable situation for the manufactured house 30 resulting in possible damage to the manufactured house 30 as a result of the loss of its horizontal support structure. The panels 60 function to inhibit the accumulation and the erosion of soil beneath the manufactured house 30 in order to prevent damage to the manufactured house 30 as a result of the accumulation or erosion of the soil beneath the manufactured house 30. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the soil retention barrier 100 could be utilized on numerous different structures in addition to manufactured housing. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the soil retention barrier 100 could be utilized on a house that has a pier and beam foundation.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, a description of the operation of the soil retention barrier 100 is as follows. The member 10 is secured to the lower portion 20 of the manufactured house 30 using suitable mechanical or chemical methods. Subsequently, the panels 60 are installed in a generally vertical manner with one end 65 being secured proximate the edge 40 of the member. The end 67 opposite the end 65 is vertically oriented such that it is proximate the ground 70. The panels 60 are secured to each other along the seam 80 using suitable mechanical or chemical methods. The panels 60 are vertically adjusted as they are installed so that the end 67 of each panel 60 is proximate the ground 70.

Once panels 60 are connected to the member 10 the soil retention barrier 100 functions to prevent the erosion of the soil beneath the manufactured house 30. As the panels are manufactured from a durable and weatherproof material, only periodic cosmetic coating maintenance may be needed.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A soil retention barrier secured to a raised structure, comprising: a body, said body being configured in a substantially planar manner, said body being generally rectangular in shape, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end of said body being proximate a raised structure, said second end of said body being proximate the ground beneath said raised structure, said body for preventing the erosion of the ground beneath the raised structure.

2. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 1, and further including an attachment member, said attachment member for connecting said body the raised structure.

3. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 2, wherein said body further comprises a plurality of panels, each of said plurality of panels connected to said attachment member.

4. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 3, wherein said body is manufactured from at least one of aluminum and cement board.

5. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 4, wherein said attachment member is manufactured from at least one of aluminum and cement board.

6. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 5, wherein said panels of said body are vertically adjustable.

7. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 6, wherein said panels of said body are connected to each other utilizing a tongue and groove.

8. A soil retention barrier secured to a manufactured house that is suspended above the ground on a frame, comprising: an attachment member, said attachment member being generally manner, said attachment member being configured to be secured to the manufactured house; and a body, said body being configured in a substantially vertical and planar manner, said body further including a plurality of panels, each of said plurality of panels having a first end and a second end, said body for inhibiting the erosion of the ground beneath the manufactured house.

9. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 8, wherein said first end of each of said plurality panels is secured to said attachment member.

10. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 9, wherein said second end of each of said plurality of panels is proximate the ground when said attachment member is secured to the manufactured house.

11. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 10, wherein in each of said plurality of panels are connected to each other utilizing a tongue and groove fasteners.

12. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of panels is vertically adjustable.

13. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of panels are manufactured from at least one of aluminum and cement board.

14. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 13, wherein said attachment member is manufactured from at least one of aluminum and cement board.

15. A soil retention barrier secured to a manufactured house that is suspended above the ground on a frame, comprising: a body, said body being configured in a vertical and planar manner, said body being generally rectangular in shape, said body further including a plurality of panels with each of said plurality of panels having a first end and a second end, said first end of each of said plurality of panels being proximate the lower portion of the manufactured house, said second end of each of said plurality of panels being proximate the ground, said body for inhibiting the erosion of the ground beneath the manufactured house; and an attachment member, said attachment member being configured in a generally horizontal and planar manner, said attachment member being rectangular in shape, said attachment member being secured to the manufactured house, said attachment member for connecting said body to the manufactured house.

16. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 15, wherein said plurality of panels are connected to each other utilizing a tongue and groove fasteners.

17. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 16, wherein said plurality of panels are vertically adjustable with respect to each other for allowing the positioning of said second end of each of said plurality of panels proximate the ground.

18. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 17, wherein said attachment member is manufactured from at least one of cement board and aluminum.

19. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 18, wherein said panels are manufactured from at least one of aluminum and cement board.

20. The soil retention barrier as recited in claim 19, wherein said attachment member is secured to the lower portion of the manufactured house.