Patent Application
20240110373
The invention pertains to a method and system for moving or securing mobile or prefabricated structures such as mobile homes.
Currently, the relocation or securing of prefabricated structures such as mobile homes and offices, recreational vehicles, storage sheds, tiny houses, modular homes, garages, or data centers (collectively called “prebuilt structures”) is a complex and labor-intensive process. Prebuilt structures may be transported and set in permanent or semi-permanent position by lifting the entire body by means of a crane or mechanical, helical, or other prepared hydraulic jacks and lowering the structure in position on a prepared foundation. In the circumstances in which a crane is used, cable slings are normally required to be looped underneath the prebuilt structure (rather than connecting to the more available top or side of the structure) to ensure that the substantial weight of the structure does not lift the walls of the structure from the base of the structure.
Similarly, strong winds may provide enough force to lift or move the structure from its supporting foundation. To solve this problem, Various forms of tie-down straps have been secured in the surrounding soil or to an underlying concrete pad and joined to the frame to secure the structure against damage under forces imposed by wind and the like. For example, steel straps have been placed over top of many prebuilt structures and anchored to the ground on either side of the structure, with screw-anchors physically screwed into the earth. Depending upon the local soil composition and condition, it is not unusual for such screw-anchors to be pulled out of the ground when large forces are applied to them.
However, these methods do not distribute the force evenly across the structure, which can lead to instability or even structural failure in extreme conditions. Furthermore, the current methods of moving these structures often involve lifting the entire structure off the ground, which can cause damage to the structure itself, particularly if it is not designed to withstand such forces. This can lead to costly repairs or even render the structure unusable. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an alternate system and method by which a prebuilt structure may be moved and secured to a permanent supporting foundation so that high winds and possible earth vibrations do not lift, move, or otherwise upset the structure from its supports.
So as to reduce the complexity and length of the Detailed Specification, and to fully establish the state of the art in certain areas of technology, Applicant(s) herein expressly incorporate(s) by reference all of the following materials identified in each numbered paragraph below. The incorporated materials are not necessarily “prior art” and Applicant(s) expressly reserve(s) the right to swear behind any of the incorporated materials.
U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0076835A1
U.S. Pub. No. 2022/0243419A1
U.S. Pat. No. 9,309,687B2
U.S. Pub. No. 2018/0229642A1
U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0328511A1
U.S. Pub. No. 2022/0089418A1
U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,408B1
U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0361650A1
U.S. Pat. No. 9,822,544B2
U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0067841A1
Applicant(s) believe(s) that the material incorporated above is “non-essential” in accordance with 37 CFR 1.57, because it is referred to for purposes of indicating the background of the invention or illustrating the state of the art. However, if the Examiner believes that any of the above-incorporated material constitutes “essential material” within the meaning of 37 CFR 1.57(c)(1)-(3), applicant(s) will amend the specification to expressly recite the essential material that is incorporated by reference as allowed by the applicable rules.
The present invention provides among other things a method and system for moving or securing a mobile structure, such as a prefabricated structure. The method involves the use of at least one rod with an attachment point at one end and a brace end at the opposite end. This rod is run through at least one wall of the structure, with the attachment point extending from either the exterior roof surface or the exterior floor surface. A brace is then coupled to the rod at the brace end outside of the mobile structure. This configuration allows a force created by pulling on the attachment end of the rod to be distributed at the exterior roof surface if the attachment point extends from the exterior floor surface, and at the exterior floor surface if the attachment point extends from the exterior roof surface.
It is an object of the invention to more easily move a prefabricated structure.
It is another object of the invention to secure a mobile structure to the ground.
It is another object of the invention to provide more secure mobile structures against extreme weather events.
It is another object of the invention to save time on a job site installing a mobile home.
It is another object of the invention to improve safety of jobs moving a mobile home.
The above and other objects may be achieved using devices involving a system for moving or securing a mobile structure, such as a prefabricated structure, with at least one rod passing through the walls of the structure. This rod has an attachment point at one end, referred to as the attachment end, and a brace end at the opposite end. The rod is designed to be run through the interior of at least one wall of the mobile structure. The attachment point of the rod extends from either the exterior floor surface or the exterior roof surface of the mobile structure.
When the attachment point extends from the exterior floor surface, a brace is coupled to the rod at the brace end outside of the mobile structure. This configuration allows a force created by pulling on the attachment end of the rod to be distributed at the exterior roof surface. Conversely, when the attachment point extends from the exterior roof surface, the force is distributed at the exterior floor surface.
In some embodiments, when the attachment end extends from the exterior roof surface, the attachment point of the rod is coupled to a crane. This allows the mobile structure to be lifted via the rod. In other embodiments, when the attachment end extends from the exterior floor surface, the attachment point of the rod is coupled to a pile that is anchored to the ground. This pile could be a helical pile, which is anchored to the ground to secure the mobile structure.
The method for moving or securing a prefabricated structure includes providing at least one rod with an attachment point and a brace. The rod is passed through the interior of at least one wall of the structure. The attachment point extends from either the exterior floor surface or the exterior roof surface. The brace is coupled to the brace end of the rod to distribute the force created by pulling on the attachment end of the rod.
In some embodiments, the attachment point is a threaded section or an eye hook. The rod could be a steel rod with a diameter between about ½ inch and 2 inches, or specifically a diameter of ⅝ inches. The rod has a length between the attachment end and the brace end. The end of the brace end of the rod has a greater diameter than the diameter of the length of the rod. The brace is a steel plate with a hole in approximately the center that has a diameter greater than the diameter of the length of the rod but less than the diameter of the end of the brace end of the rod.
In some embodiments, the system includes at least one pile configured to be secured to the attachment point. This pile could be a helical pile. In other embodiments, the system includes a first rod and a second rod, and the brace coupled to the first rod is coupled to the brace coupled to the second rod by a strap that further distributes the force.
A prefabricated structure may also be provided that more easily moved or secured. The prefabricated structure that is securable or movable includes a roof, a floor, and at least one wall. At least one rod passes through the interior of the wall between the roof and the floor. The rod has an attachment point at an attachment end and a brace coupled to a brace end opposite the attachment end. The attachment point extends from either the exterior floor surface or the exterior roof surface. A brace is coupled to the brace end of the rod to distribute the force created by pulling on the attachment end of the rod. The prefabricated structure may also include at least one pile configured to be secured to the attachment point. This pile could be a helical pile. In some embodiments, the structure includes a first rod and a second rod, and the brace coupled to the first rod is coupled to the brace coupled to the second rod by a strap that further distributes the force.
Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.
Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.
In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
In one application of the invention, a prefabricated structure 10 is provided comprising a floor 12, at least one wall 15, and a roof 14. The wall has a first side, a second side, and an interior. The interior of the wall may be solid or hollow encompassing electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, HVAC ductwork, structural framing, insulation, data and communication cables, wiring, ventilation ducts, conduit, piping or other building structures. A rod 20 having a an attachment point 22 on at least one end of the rod 20 is run through at least one of the walls 15 of the structure. The rod 20 may have any shaped cross section and may be composed of any material that can pass sufficient force from one end of the rod 20 to the other. In an exemplary embodiment, the rod 20 is a ⅝ ″ cylindrically shaped A307 steel rod.
The attachment point 22 is a connector and may be a separate piece from the rod 20 or may be integral to the rod 20. The attachment point may be a threaded end, an eye hook, a clevis pin, a coupling nut, a clamp, or any other connector known by those having skill in the art.
The first surface of the wall may be interior to the structure defining an interior surface and the second surface of the wall may be exterior to the structure defining an exterior surface 26. The rod 20 may be situated between the interior surface 24 and exterior surface 26 of the wall or in a cavity 28 formed by the interior surface 24, the exterior surface 26 and two studs 30. If the wall is solid, a hold may be drilled to accommodate the wall passing through the wall 15 between the roof 14 and the floor 12. The studs 30 may be any suitable size, such as 2×4, 2×6, 4×4 or other sized stud. The rod 20 may also be situated in an interior wall 32, in which case the rod 20 may be situated between a first surface 34 and a second surface (not shown) of the wall or in a cavity 28 formed by the first surface of the wall 34, the second surface of the wall and two 2×4 studs 30. In a particular embodiment, a ⅝″ A307 steel rod is passed through the wall between a pair of 2×4s each spaced approximately 3 inches from the steel rod, or approximately 6 ⅝ inches from each other. The rod 20 passes through the wall 15 and at least one of the roof 14 and the floor 12 such that at least one attachment point 22 is available outside of the prefabricated structure.
A brace 34 may be coupled to the rod 20 such that the brace 34 rests on the exterior roof surface 40 or the exterior floor surface 42 of the structure and the brace 34 is shaped to prevent the brace 34 from entering the cavity 28 in the wall 15. The brace 32 may be a plate to expand the area over which any force applied from the brace to the outer surface of the roof 40 or floor 32 may be dispersed.
As an illustrative example, the rod 20 may have a brace 34 coupled at one end and an attachment point 22 comprising an eye hook on the other. When the brace 34 is on exterior surface 42 of the floor 12 of the structure, a crane, for example, may be coupled to the eye hook. When the crane lifts on the structure 10 at the attachment point 22, the weight of the structure 10 is dispersed through the brace on the exterior surface 42 of the floor 12. With the weight passed to the floor 12 of the structure, lifting the structure 10 from above will not pull the roof 14 or the walls 15 from the base floor 12 of the structure. When the brace 34 is on the exterior surface 40 of the roof 14 and an attachment point 22 is beneath the floor 12 of the structure, the attachment point 22 may be coupled to, for example, a foundation or pile 50. When a tie-down force is applied to the rod 20 at the attachment point 22, the force is passed to the brace 34 on the outer surface 40 of the roof 14 of the structure. This removes the need for unsightly and unwieldy straps to lift the structure or to secure it down.
In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of rods 20 each couple to the column cap 52 of one or more helical piles 50. The helical piles 50 can provide kips of uplift force and 3.5 kips of downward force. The floor and/or ceiling may provide support for 7 kips of bearing capacity.
The column cap 52 may be adapted to couple to the rod 20 or the side of the structure. Referring to
A saddle 120 is secured to the base plate 106. The saddle 120 allows the pile 50 to be securely coupled to a number of different structures. The saddle 120 has a plurality of saddle bolts 108 that pass through the cutouts 114 to secure the saddle 120 to the base plate 106. A nut 110 may be tightened using a standard wrench 118 to secure the saddle 120 to the base plate 106.
In a particular embodiment, the saddle 120 has an L shape with a wall 122 that extends up from the saddle 120 base. Through-holes 124 allow the saddle 120 to be couple to the side of a structure, such as the point of a mobile home where the wall meets the floor. The cutouts 114 may have an ovular shape to allow some amount of rotation of the saddle 120 relative to the base plate 106 before the nuts 110 are tightened. The amount of rotation may be, for example, 30 degrees. A spacer plate 112 may be employed to secure, for example, a strap, between the saddle and the base plate.
In use, a prefabricated structure may be provided with the rod 20 preinstalled into the wall of the structure 10. Alternatively, a structure may have a space provided through which the rod 20 may be passed, or a tradesman may drill a hole in the roof 14 and floor 12 of a structure to allow a rod 20 to be passed through the structure 10. The rod 20 is installed either with the attachment point 22 extending from the exterior surface 42 of the floor 12 or the exterior surface 40 of the roof 14.
For moving the structure, the braces 34 of a plurality of rods 20 may be at the bottom of the structure 42. A series of straps may be coupled to the base plates to further distribute the weight of the structure during lifting. An eye hook attachment point 22 may extend from each rod 20 at the top of the roof 40. A crane may conveniently be coupled to the eyehooks and the structure 10 lifted. The weight of the structure 10 will be distributed through the braces 34 and any straps and will not wrench the roof 14 or the walls 15 from the floor 12 of the structure 10.
To secure the structure, the braces 34 of the plurality of rods will be at the top of the structure 40. The attachment point 22 at the bottom 42 of the structure may be coupled to a pile or otherwise anchored. Force from strong winds or other extreme weather will be distributed through the braces 34 at the top of the structure 40 and the braces 34 will prevent the roof 14 or the walls 15 from being wrenched off the floor 12 from the structure 10 in extreme weather.
In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.
Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. The terms “including” and “such as” are not limiting and should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” and “such as, for example,” respectively. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 63/412,079, filed Sep. 30, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63412079 | Sep 2022 | US |
