Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Means compensating earth-transmitted force – Cross bracing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-13
2001-11-20
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Means compensating earth-transmitted force
Cross bracing
C052S292000, C052S695000, C052SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318032
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported by upright piers. More specifically, this invention relates to a longitudinal wind resistance system where one portion of the system is attached to a support joist of the building, the other portion is placed under the pier supporting the joist, and the two portions are connected by a strut in order to inhibit movement of the building along its length in relation to the piers during exposure to longitudinal winds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Premanufactured buildings, such as mobile homes, trailers, prefabricated houses, and the like are manufactured at a central manufacturing site, and upon completion the buildings are moved to a location where they are to be permanently located and occupied. Because these buildings are designed to be easily moved from the manufacturing site to the permanent location, they are not originally built on a permanent foundation at the manufacturing site, but on a pair of parallel l-beam joists, and then the manufactured building is transported to and mounted upon piers, such as concrete blocks, pilings or stabilizing jacks, at a site where the building will be used. It is important that the building also be anchored in position on the piers, so as to avoid the building being shifted off of its piers by strong winds or earth tremors. A building inadvertently shifted off of its piers can cause serious damage to the building and also can cause human injury.
Various types of stabilizing devices have been used to stabilize the manufactured buildings to keep the buildings from moving in response to wind forces and earth movement, such as guy wires, straps or other ties which connect the building to anchors or ground fixtures. A traditional approach to providing lateral wind protection for manufactured buildings consists of an anchor having a shaft with one or more helical plates at the bottom of the shaft which can be rotated to move into the earth, and cold-rolled steel strapping installed as diagonal ties between the upper exposed portion of the anchor and the lower main frame of the manufactured building. A system of this type is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,288. In addition, vertical or “over-the-top” ties may be installed in case of single-wide structures.
The vertical support for manufactured buildings usually is provided by piers, such as concrete masonry piers, prefabricated steel piers, or precast concrete jack stands located under the parallel joists of the main frame of the manufactured building, with the vertical supports being spaced longitudinally along the parallel joists at approximately 8′ from one another.
While much attention has been placed on protecting the building from movement due to lateral wind forces, little effort has been placed on protecting the building from movement due to longitudinal wind forces. However, these longitudinal wind forces must be accounted for in order to prevent the building from shifting off the piers during periods of high wind exposure.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a system which protects a manufactured building from horizontal movement along its length relative to the support piers due to longitudinal wind forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention comprises a longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported above the ground by upright piers. The system is utilized to retard movement of the building along its length in relation to the piers during exposure to longitudinal winds. The system includes at least one foundation plate, a joist connector, a plate connector, and a strut. More specifically, the foundation plate supports a pier above the ground, the joist connector attaches to the support joist beneath the building, the plate connector attaches to the foundation plate, and the strut is connected to both the joist connector and the plate connector such that it is sloped downward from the joist towards the foundation plate.
The foundation plate includes a plurality of cleats that engage with the ground. An advantage of the invention is that the plates may be constructed having cleats on all four sides such that the system can be used in conjunction with a lateral wind resistance system.
The system may be used as described or in a double configuration by adding a second joist connector, plate connector, and strut on the opposite side of the pier. Use of a single system protects the building against wind loads. Use of a double system provides added resistance to withstand seismic activities.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported by upright piers to retard vertical and horizontal shifting of the building during exposure to longitudinal winds.
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“Ironroot Earth Anchors”; provided by Tie Down Engineering, pamphlet, 3 pp.
“Manufactured Housing Institute Memorandum—NIST Study on Manufactured Home Anchoring Systems”; Frank Walter, P.E., Jan. 10, 1995; 55 pp.
“Laboratory Testing of Soil Anchors For U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Washington, D.C.”, HUD USER's Document Production Service, 47 pp.
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Manufactured Home Installation in Flood Hazard Areas, Federal Emergency Management Agency, p. 27, Sep., 1985.
Mobile Home Earthquake Bracing System by Gus-Guard Products, Inc., 4 pp.
“Manufactured Housing Anchoring Installation”; provided by Tie Down Engineering; pamphlet, 5 pp.
Chavez Patrick J.
Friedman Carl D.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
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