Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
SKATE, BEAM AND TRANSPORTER DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING
AND ALIGNING MANUFACTURED HOUSES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and system for the transfer and
delivery of a
manufactured house from a factory or other location to a transporter for
transport onto the foundation
upon which the manufactured house is to be installed. More particularly, the
present invention relates
to a device and system for the transfer and delivery of a manufactured house
from a factory in which
the manufactured house was manufactured, or other location, to a transporter
for transport and
precise placement onto the foundation upon which the manufactured house is to
be installed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The manufacturing of completed or partially completed houses (both of which
are referred
to herein as "manufactured houses") within a factory for subsequent transport
to the installation
location of the manufactured house, for example in a subdivision, is well-
known. During this
manufacturing process, it may be necessary to support and move the
manufactured house, for
example, through the factory during fabrication, and then to a transporter,
for subsequent
transportation to and installation upon a housing foundation.
When the manufacturing of a manufactured house has been completed at a factory
location
or other location, it is necessary to transfer the completed manufactured
house to a transporter, for
subsequent transportation to and installation onto a foundation.
United States Patent Number 5,402,618 (Biffis et a~ discloses the
manufacturing of a
manufactured house within the factory, the manufactured house being
manufactured on a
manufacturing flatbed having rollers thereon, and upon completion of the
manufactured house, the
manufactured house is rolled onto a delivery flatbed truck, the flatbed of the
delivery truck being
positioned directly adjacent to the manufacturing flatbed, allowing the
manufactured house to be
rolled from the manufacturing flatbed, to the delivery truck, for subsequent
installation on a
Page 1 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
foundation. The process in Biffis et al utilizes a rectangular metal frame
upon which the
manufactured house is assembled to support the manufactured house during
movement so that the
manufactured house will not flex or bend during movement or transfer. This
technology is
disadvantageous, requiring significant structural upgrades to the manufactured
house to ensure that
S it does not become damaged during the transfer process. Furthermore, this
technology does not
permit convenient adjustment to the lateral or rotational alignment of the
manufactured house
relative to the delivery flatbed truck during the transfer of the manufactured
house from the
manufacturing flatbed to the delivery flatbed truck.
In addition, the previous efforts to move a manufactured house from a
transporter to a
foundation, and to align the manufactured house relative to its foundation
prior to it being lowered
onto the foundation has previously required the utilization of expensive and
difficult-to-use lifting
equipment, such as cranes, which additionally require significant site
preparation to receive and
position the crane for proper use. For example, Biffis et al discloses one
such transferring process,
1 S and the use of a mobile crane at the foundation site to remove the house
from the truck trailer or
transporter onto the foundation. The use of a mobile crane in the manner
described in Biffis et al
requires the mobile crane to be available for each move, which crane must be
positioned in a location
having access to both the transporter and the foundation, which may not be
readily achieved in all
circumstances, particularly in subdivisions where the foundations are not
close to the road, or where
there are obstacles to locating the crane is such a position, and further
requires an elaborate lifting
frame, cables, straps and attachment elements to secure the house during the
lifting, placement and
lowering processes.
United States Patent Number 4,187,659 (Blachura) also discloses the use of a
mobile crane
2S at the foundation site to remove a house from the truck trailer or
transporter onto the foundation, and
the use of lifting rods which extend through the walls of the house to engage
beams located beneath
the house. The rods extend through the roof of the house, being attached to a
rigid rectangular frame
harness located above the house, from which cables or chains extend for
lifting by the mobile crane.
However, through use of such a process difficulties may arise with respect to
the transfer of the
manufactured house from the transporter to the foundation, such difficulties
being compounded by
such factors as the weight, center of gravity and dimensions of the
manufactured house, and the
Page 2 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
levelness and stability of the surface around the foundation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and
system for the
transfer and delivery of a manufactured house from the factory in which the
manufactured house was
built to a transporter for transport and subsequent precise placement on the
foundation or location
upon which the manufactured house is to be installed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved,
efficient and safe
device and system for the support and movement of earner beams supporting a
manufactured house
or building from one location to another location along skate beams.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved
device and system
for the transfer and delivery of a manufactured house or building along skate
beams which is
durable, and efficient, and which can safely withstand the working conditions
normally prevalent in
a factory environment.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system
for the transfer
of a manufactured house from a factory or other location to a transporter for
subsequent delivery to
and placement upon a house foundation, comprising supporting means for
supporting the
manufactured house, the supporting means being engageable with the
manufactured house; at least
two skate beams which are capable of spanning a foundation ofthe manufactured
house; skate means
having an upper and lower surface, the lower surface being adapted to move
along a length of the
skate beams, and the upper surface being adapted to receive and securely
support the supporting
means and the manufactured house; aligning and securing runner beams to the
skate beams;
movement means adapted for connection to the skate means, whereby the skate
means and the
manufactured house can be transferred along the skate beams and the runner
beams by use of the
movement means to a transporter; and transporting the skate means and the
supporting means
carrying the manufactured house to the house foundation; wherein at least two
runner beams are
adapted to be supported by the transporter, and adapted to pivot about a
substantially vertical axis
Page 3 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
and to move relative to the transporter in a substantially horizontal plane,
each of which two runner
beams are detachably securable to a corresponding skate beam, whereby the
runner beams are re-
connected with and secured to the skate beams after the manufactured house has
been transported
to the house foundation, the manufactured house thereafter being repositioned
from the transporter
by means of the skate means moving along the length of the runner beams and
the skate beams with
a minimum of lateral movement, to a position above and in alignment with the
house foundation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system for the
transfer of a manufactured house from a factory or other location to a
transporter for subsequent
delivery to and placement upon a house foundation, comprising supporting means
for supporting the
manufactured house, the supporting means being engageable with the
manufactured house; at least
two skate beams which are capable of spanning a foundation of the manufactured
house; skate means
having an upper and lower surface, the lower surface being adapted to move
along a length of the
skate beams, and the upper surface being adapted to receive and securely
support the supporting
means and the manufactured house; movement means adapted for connection to the
skate means,
whereby the skate means and the manufactured house can be transferred along
the skate beams by
use of the movement means, the movement means being engageable with the skate
beams; aligning
and securing runner beams to the skate beams; moving the skate means and the
manufactured house
along the skate beams to the runner beams until the manufactured house is
positioned and secured
on a transporter; disconnecting the runner beams from the skate beams;
transporting the skate means
and the supporting means carrying the manufactured house to the house
foundation; lifting means
adapted to releasably engage the supporting means and to lift and lower the
manufactured house; and
installing skate beams across the house foundation, the skate beams being
supported within the house
foundation; wherein at least two runner beams are adapted to be supported by
the transporter, and
adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis and to move relative to
the transporter in a
substantially horizontal plane, and each of which two runner beams are
detachably securable to a
corresponding skate beam, whereby the runner beams are re-connected with and
secured to the skate
beams after the manufactured house has been lifted by the lifting means, the
manufactured house
thereafter being repositioned from the transporter by means of the skate means
moving along the
length of the runner beams and the skate beams with a minimum of lateral
movement, to a position
above and in alignment with the house foundation.
Page 4 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
device for use in
a system for the support and movement of carnet beams supporting a
manufactured house along a
skate beam from one location to another location, comprising a means for
supporting the carnet
beams carrying the manufactured house; a body member having an upper and lower
surface, the
upper surface being adapted to receive and securely support the means for
supporting the carrier
beams carrying the manufactured house, and the lower surface being adapted to
contact and move
the device along a length of the skate beam with a minimum of lateral
movement.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a device for use
in a system for the support and movement of carrier beams supporting a
manufactured house, which
in response to a movement force transfers the manufactured house along a skate
beam from one
location to another location, comprising a structure having front and rear
ends and side edges, the
structure supporting the carrier beams carrying the manufactured house on an
upper surface thereof;
at least two runners connected to the side edges of the structure, each of the
runners having front and
rear ends, the runners being adapted to contact and move the structure
supporting the Garner beams
carrying the manufactured house along a length of the skate beam in response
to the movement force,
with a minimum of lateral movement.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved device
and system
which can be used to simplify the support and movement of manufactured houses
through a factory
during fabrication to a transporter, and thereafter assist in the
transportation and placement of the
prefabricated building unit onto its building site. Furthermore, the present
invention advantageously
provides for an improved device and system which is highly durable and
efficient while in operation
under working conditions normally prevalent in a factory environment.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to
utilize a crane
or similar device to lift, move and align the manufactured house when it is
being transferred from
the transporter to the foundation and the associated difficulties in
positioning and operating a crane
or similar lifting device, and which can reduce the amount of on-site labor
and time required to
transfer the manufactured house from the transporter to a precise position
above and in alignment
Page 5 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
with the foundation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a factory which is positioned proximate to a subdivision
in which houses
manufactured in the factory are to be installed;
Figure 2 illustrates a manufactured house positioned upon carrier beams which
are supported
by factory skate beams;
Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a carrier beam;
Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a factory skate beam
in the form of
a double "I" beam;
Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a skate, upon which Garner beams
supporting the
manufactured house are placed;
Figure SA illustrates an embodiment of how a plurality of skates are connected
together to
form a train, upon which the carrier beams supporting the house are
positioned, which can
then transport the manufactured house along the factory beams and subsequently
the runner
beams and skate beams;
Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of one end of a factory skate
beam;
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a hydraulic j ack in operation to move
the skate relative
to the track segment member positioned on the skate beam;
Page 6 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
Figure 8A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic
jack
illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 8B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a hydraulic jack
illustrated in Figure
7;
Figure 8C illustrates an expanded side view of the embodiment of the hydraulic
jack
illustrated in Figure 8B;
Figure 9A illustrates a preferred embodiment of a self propelled transporter,
having a flat
load bearing platform;
Figure 9B illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, including a tractor and
trailer unit;
Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a transporter, including a
tractor and trailer
unit, the trailer unit having a flat load bearing platform;
Figures 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E illustrate an embodiment of front and rear
dollies
Which may be used for supporting and transporting the transporter, and a
hydraulic jack
which may be integrated into and form part of the dollies;
Figures 12A,12B, 12C and 12D illustrate a trailer unit and various degrees of
movement of
the trailer unit in the horizontal plane;
Figure 13 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter skate;
Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, including the tractor
and trailer unit
with transporter skates positioned on the outer beams of the trailer unit;
Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, the trailer unit having
a flat metal load
bearing platform with transporter skates positioned on the trailer unit;
Page 7 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter skate attached to one
embodiment of a
runner beam;
Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of the connection of one factory skate
beam to another
factory skate beam, and which illustrates the pin used to secure the factory
skate beams
together;
Figure 18 is a drawing of the completed connection of one factory skate beam
to another
factory skate beam, as illustrated in Figure 17;
Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the movement of the manufactured house
onto one
embodiment of a transporter;
Figure 20 illustrates a further embodiment of the movement of the manufactured
house onto
one embodiment of a transporter, wherein the runner beams are, through
movement of the
transporter, being positioned into alignment with the factory skate beams;
Figure 21 illustrates an embodiment of the movement of the manufactured house
onto one
embodiment of the transporter;
Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment of the movement of the manufactured house
onto one
embodiment of the transporter;
Figure 23 is a drawing of an embodiment of a runner beam in the form of four
upright "T"
beams which is to be securely attached to a double "I" beam factory skate
beam, including
the pins and metal plate used to secure the runner beam and the factory skate
beam in
alignment together;
Figure 24 is a drawing of an embodiment of the connection of a runner beam in
the form of
four upright "I" beams to a double "I" beam"I" factory skate beam, as
illustrated in Figure
23, and which illustrates the pins and metal plate as used to secure the
runner beam and the
Page 8 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
factory skate beam together;
Figure 25 is a further drawing of the embodiment of the connection of a runner
beam to a
factory skate beam as illustrated in Figure 24;
Figure 26 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam in the
form of an "I"
beam;
Figure 27 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam (or
factory skate
beam) in the form of a double "I" beam;
Figure 28 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam in the
form of an
upright "I" beam upon which is securely positioned a horizontally oriented "I"
factory skate
beam;
Figure 29 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the runner beam
illustrated in Figure
23;
Figures 30, 31 & 32 illustrate alternative embodiments of connections between
the runner
beams and the factory skate beams;
Figure 33 illustrates an embodiment of the foundation, with skate beams
positioned across
the foundation, and supported by skate beam supports, with hydraulic j acks
positioned on the
basement floor of the foundation;
Figure 34 is a drawing of an embodiment of a hydraulic jack positioned on an
underside of
the runner beam positioned on the transporter, wherein the hydraulic jack
depending
therefrom is operably able to raise and/or lower the runner beam supporting
the carrier
beams underneath the manufactured house from the transporter;
Figure 3 5 illustrates an embodiment of the Garner beams of the present
invention supporting
Page 9 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
a manufactured house;
Figure 36 is a drawing of one piece of the single piece carrier beam when the
house is being
installed onto a foundation;
Figure 37A is a view of one embodiment of a mufti-part carrier beam in
accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 37B is an exploded view of the components of an embodiment of a mufti-
part carrier
beam;
Figure 38A is a drawing of the mufti-part bevelled carrier beam;
Figure 38B is an exploded view of an embodiment of the connection between
carrier beam
segments;
Figure 3 9 i s a c ross-sectional v iew o f a n a mbodiment o f a c arrier b
eam i nstalled i n a
manufactured home positioned above the foundation;
Figure 40 is a perspective view of an end of the embodiment of the mufti-part
earner beam
shown in Figure 39;
Figure 41 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the two-part carrier
beam installed in
a manufactured home resting on the foundation;
Figure 42 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier beam,
featuring a
bevelled end;
Figure 43 is an end view of the bevelled end of a further embodiment of a
carrier beam in the
lowered position;
Page 10 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
Figure 44 is a three-quarter view of the further embodiment of the carrier
beam of Figure 43;
Figure 45 is a side view of the bevelled end of the mufti-part carrier beam
illustrated in
Figures 43 and 44, in the lowered position;
Figure 46 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a factory
skate beam in the
form of a double "r' beam;
Figure 47 illustrates an embodiment of the loaded transporter unit aligning
the manufactured
house relative to the foundation prior to unloading the manufactured house
onto the
foundation;
Figure 4 8 i llustrates a n embodiment o f a 1 oaded t ransport a nit p
ositioned a dj acent t he
foundation, and the subsequent alignment of the runner beams to the skate
beams,
respectively;
Figure 49 illustrates an embodiment of the transport unit positioned adjacent
the
foundation, with the runner beams in alignment with the skate beams, the skate
beams being
supported by supports; and
Figure 50 illustrates the final alignment of the manufactured house relative
to the
foundation, prior to it being lowered onto the foundation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the preferred embodiment, a house manufacturing factory 1 is established
within, or in
close proximity to a subdivision 3 which is being built, as illustrated in
Figure 1. The proximity of
the factory to the subdivision 3 may beneficially allow for the manufacture of
complete or
substantially complete manufactured houses within a factory for subsequent
delivery of the
manufactured house to the subdivision 3, with reduced or entirely eliminated
likelihood of
interference during the delivery of the manufactured house from the factory 1
to its foundation in the
Page 11 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
subdivision due to bridges, overhead wires, narrow roads or other impediments
and with reduced or
entirely eliminated need to utilize public access roads and highways (that is,
roads and highways to
which the public generally has access) during the transport of the
manufactured house from the
factory to its installation location in the subdivision. It is also understood
that the present invention
may be utilized in circumstances where the manufacturing facility is located
physically remote from
the subdivision or installation location of the manufactured house.
Referring to Figure 2, a manufactured house 2 is illustrated, ready for
transportation from the
factory 1, the manufactured house 2 resting upon parallel or substantially
parallel carrier beams 4.
In the preferred embodiment, the manufactured house 2 is supported by carrier
beams 4 which are
positioned beneath the manufactured house 2, and which carrier beams 4 travel
with the
manufactured house 2 during transportation and installation onto a foundation,
footing or like
support (any of which may be hereinafter referred to as the "foundation"). The
carrier beams 4 are
then positioned on two or more factory skate beams 94. Skates 7 (as more fully
described herein) are
then positioned on the factory skate beams 94 , the skates 7 being adapted to
support the underside
of the earner beams 4. In one embodiment, the earner beams 4 are securely
engaged with the
underside of the manufactured house 2 during the manufacturing of the
manufactured house 2 prior
to the loading of the manufactured house 2 for transportation to the
installation location for the
manufactured house. In another embodiment, the earner beams are integrated
into and form part of
the manufactured house 2. In a still further embodiment, the manufactured
house is resting upon and
supported by the carrier beams.
Referring to Figure 3, in a preferred embodiment, the carrier beams 4 are
upright "I" beams
having an upper flange 91 and a lower flange 92 as illustrated in Figure 3, it
being understood that
various different configurations or cross-sections of carrier beams may be
utilized, depending for
example on the unique characteristics of a particular house, or the
manufactured house
manufacturingprocess. It is preferred to have the carrierbeams 4 aligned
substantiallyperpendicular
to the skate beams 94, and it is preferred, when designing a manufactured
house 2, to have the joists
of the manufactured house aligned substantially perpendicularly to the carrier
beams 4, to the extent
this is possible, for improved weight distribution of the manufactured house
2.
Page 12 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
The carrier beams 4 are positioned in spaced relation to one another, the
spacing between the
carrier beams being determined by the loading and structural characteristics
of the house 2, and the
required support of the house 2 at any location.
With reference again to Figure 2, the factory skate beams 94 permit the
manufactured house
2, resting upon parallel or substantially parallel carrier beams 4, to move
across the factory floor 6,
for example, to the factory loading area 5 (which conveniently may be located
outside of the factory,
or inside the factory), which in the preferred embodiment is a concrete pad or
asphalt that is adapted
to receive the factory skate beams 94 and the manufactured house 2, and to
receive the runner beams
40 from a transporter 8, as more fully described herein. A cross-section of an
embodiment of the
factory skate beams 94 is illustrated in Figure 46, which comprises double
upright "I" beams 42,
and having upper flanges 52 which are welded to an underside of a track
segment member 13
positioned thereon, and lower flanges 54. In another embodiment, the factory
skate beams 94 are
double upright "r' beams 42, a cross-section of which is illustrated in Figure
4, the upper flanges 52
of the "I" beams being welded 53 or securely fastened together, and the lower
flanges 54 of the "I"
beams also being welded 55 or securely fastened together for additional
strength and stability.
In the preferred embodiment, and with reference to Figure 5, the skates 7 of
the present
invention comprise an elongated, generally flat shape, resembling a skid,
having an inverted "U"
shaped cross-section. In a preferred embodiment, the outer side edges of the
skate 9,11, which
provide the inverted "U" shape, extend downwardly to each respectively reside
on or above parallel
track beds 15,17 on a track segment member 13, which is positioned upon the
factory skate beam
94, as illustrated in Figure 6. A cross-sectional view of the track segment
member 13 being
positioned upon the factory skate beam 94 is also illustrated in Figure 46.
Although any plurality of
track beds may be utilized, preferably a pair of parallel track beds 15,17 are
provided on the track
segment member 13 to support the rails 73,75 which run the entire length of
the track segment
member 13. The track segment member 13 further comprises a plurality of spaced
apertures 19
along the length of the track segment member 13. The two rails 73,75 are in
spaced relation to one
another, as can be seen by referencing Figure 46. With reference to Figure 46,
each of the lower side
edges of the skate 9,11 will respectively reside on or above parallel track
beds 15,17, wherein each
of the outer side edges 9,11 of the skate are positioned such that each will
reside inside outer edges
Page 13 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
68,69 of the track segment member, but, at the same time, outside of the rails
73,75. And, by virtue
of the outer side edges of the skate 9,11 running in close proximity to and
outside of and along
parallel rails 73,75 lateral movement of the skate relative to the factory
skate beams 94, and the
runner beams 40, is inhibited.
Preferably, the track segment member 13 is welded to an upper surface of the
factory skate
beams 94, as can be seen with reference to Figure 46, though it is also
conceivable that bolts or
clamps, or other embodiments which would be known to persons skilled in the
art, could be used to
secure the track segment member 13 to the factory skate beams 94, and runner
beams 40, and skate
beams.
With reference to Figures 7, 8A,8B & 8C, preferably, the skate 7 may be moved
along the
length of the factory beam by utilizing a hydraulic jack 19 to ratchet and
propel the skate 7 (and the
manufactured house 2) in the desired direction along the factory skate beam 94
(and thereafter the
runner beams) to the transporter 8, as the hydraulic jack 19 is extended and
contracted in a step-wise
manner. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the hydraulic jack 19 is
connected, via a pivot pin
21, to a slotted receiving member 23, which operably receives and engages an
end portion of the
skate 7 which is placed therein. An opposed end of the hydraulic j ack 19 is
pivotally connected, by
a second pivot pin 25, to a shoe portion 27. The shoe portion 27 possesses, on
an underside thereof,
a hooked portion 28 (which can be seen by referencing Figures 8B & 8C), which
is designed for
placement within apertures 19 spaced along a length of the track segment
member 13. In the
preferred embodiment, an operator can alternately extend and contract the
hydraulic jack 19 which
is supplied hydraulic fluid through hoses attached at couplings 29 and 31 to
manoeuver the hydraulic
j ack 19 (and thus the skate 7) along the factory skate beam 94 (and
subsequently the runner beams
and skate beams). Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the hydraulic j acks
19 can be configured
so as to be operational (extended and contracted) automatically. A.s the
hydraulic j ack 19 is extended
and contracted in a step-wise manner, the shoe portion 27 moves the skate 7
(and the manufactured
house 2) incrementally further along the track segment member 13 positioned on
the factory beam
94. When the hydraulic jack 19 is contracted, the shoe portion 27 pivots
upwardly about the first
pivot pin 21, to release engagement of the shoe portion 27 with the aperture
19, the shoe portion 27
re-engaging another aperture when the hydraulic jack 19 is in a contracted
position, the repeated
Page 14 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
extension and retraction pushing the skate along the factory skate beam 94
(and subsequently the
runner beams 40 and skate beams). In this manner, as this process is repeated,
the skate 7 (and the
manufactured house 2) may be moved along the length of the factory skate beam
94, and
subsequently the runner beams 40 and skate beams.
Further, through connection to the hydraulic jack 19 by pivot pin 21, the
slotted receiving
member 23 can be removed from the jack 19, should repair or replacement be
necessary, or to assist
in the removal of the hydraulic jack 19 from engagement with the track segment
member 13. In a
similar manner, the second pivot pin 25 can also be removed to permit the shoe
portion 27 to be
removed, or replaced, from connection to the hydraulic jack 19. It is
understood that persons skilled
in the art will understand the various other methods and devices (such as a
vehicle or winching
structures) available to propel the skate, and the manufactured house, in the
desired direction along
the factory skate beam 94 or runner beams 40. It is also possible that a
suitable lubricant such as
graphite, silicon, or a similar lubricant known to persons skilled in the art
can be used between the
upper surface of the rails 73,75 of the track segment member 13, to facilitate
easier movement of the
skate 7 (and the manufactured house 2) along the factory skate beam 94, and
thereafter the runner
beam 40 and skate beam.
Preferably, an entire length of each of the outer side edges of the skate 9,11
resides above and
within the track beds 15,17 of the track segment member 13 (and outside of
rails 73,75), though it
should be noted that other configurations of arranging and positioning the
skate 7 in relation to the
track beds 15,17 are possible.
In the preferred embodiment described above, and with reference to Figure 5,
the skate 7 thus
presents an upper surface 31 upon which the carrier beams 4 are positioned and
supported, and a
substantially flat lower surface (not shown) which may slide along the rails
73,75 of the track
segment member 13 along the upper surface of the factory skate beam 94 and/or
any runner beams
which may be attached to the factory skate beams to move the manufactured
house onto or off of,
for example, a transport vehicle.
The skate 7 of the present invention is typically greater than 3 feet in
length, and, in a further
Page 15 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in F figure S A, a
plurality of skates can be
connected t ogether t o form a t rain, a pon w hich t he c arrier b earns 4 s
upporting t he house are
positioned, which can then transport the manufactured house 2 along the
factory beams 94 and
subsequently the runner beams 40 and skate beams. Such an assemblage of skates
can, if necessary
or desired, provide greater stability to the load being transferred by
providing a direct linkage
between the skates, such that, when a skate at one end of the train is pushed,
for example, by a
hydraulic jack such as the one illustrated in Figures 1$A and 1$B, the skate
being pushed by the
hydraulic j ack in turn pushes the other skate or skates in the train, thereby
driving each of the skates
in the train, in a synchronized manner, thereby uniformly moving the carrier
beams and the
manufactured house in the desired direction. In the preferred embodiment, the
opposed ends of each
skate 7 will each further comprise an elongated rod portion 33 and a tubular
receiving member 35,
each of which are integrally connected to a respective, and opposite, outer
side edge of the skate. In
a further embodiment, a singular tubular receiving member 35 can be connected
to one end of the
skate and the other end of the skate 7 can feature a singular elongated rod
33, whereby it is possible
to connect a plurality of skates together. It is also not entirely necessary
that the rod 33 and tubular
receiving members 3 5 be integrally connected to the skate itself, rather,
various other configurations
are possible, which may include, for example, the rod 33 and tubular receiving
members 35 being
hingedly connected to the skate. In a preferred embodiment, however, each end
of the skate will
feature a tubular receiving member 35 and an elongated rod 33 on each opposed
side edge. Thus,
when it is desired to connect a plurality of skates together, an elongated rod
of one skate can be
inserted into a corresponding tubular receiving member of another skate, as
can be seen by
referencing Figure SA.
It is important to note that, preferably, the receiving end of the tubular
receiving member 35
will not extend beyond an end of the skate, but will rather remain flush with
it, while the elongated
rod portion 33 will, conversely, extend beyond a length of the end portion of
the skate. Through such
an arrangement, once the rod 33 of one skate 7 is inserted into the tubular
member 35 of another
skate to be connected, much of the elongated length of the rod 33, once
inserted into its
corresponding tubular member (and the ends of each skate are pushed together),
will reside within
the tubular receiving member 35 of the other skate. This provides a secure and
strong attachment in
joining together a plurality of skates, as lateral movement of the skates, in
relation to each other, is
Page 16 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
greatly hindered by virtue of a substantial length of the elongated rod 3 3 of
one skate being received
within a substantial length of the tubular receiving member 35 of another
skate. In addition, by
virtue of the edges 9,11 of the skate 7 residing outside of but not proximate
to rails 73,75, lateral
movement of the skate 7 relative to the factory skate beam 94 (and thereafter
the runner beams 40
and skate beams) is further inhibited or substantially eliminated.
Additionally, in a further embodiment of the present invention, the skate 7
will have
integrally formed handles 37 on each opposed side edge of the skate 7, whereby
the handles 37 of
the skate 7 facilitate easier removal and placement of the skate 7.
Preferably, such handles 37, as
shown in Figure 5, will be positioned rearwardly of the elongated rod 33 and
tubular receiving
member 35 of the skate 7, but other configurations are possible.
With reference to Figure 9A, the preferred embodiment of the transporter 8 of
the present
invention is a self propelled unit having a platform 20 capable of supporting
a manufactured house
2 loaded thereon, and its carrier beams 4 and the runner beams, as more fully
described herein, and
which moves the manufactured house 2 from one location to another. In
operation, the driver of the
transporter 8 will sit within operational cab 15. A further embodiment of the
transporter 8 of the
present invention, as illustrated in Figure 9B, includes a tractor unit 10 and
a trailer unit 12, which
together are capable of moving a manufactured house 2 from one location to
another, for example,
from a manufacturing facility in which the manufactured house 2 is
manufactured, to the foundation,
upon which the manufactured house will be installed. In this particular
embodiment, the tractor unit
10 is a truck, it being understood that the tractor unit 10 may take a wide
range of alternative forms
known to a person skilled in the art.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 9B, the trailer unit 12 of the transporter 8
includes a
frame 14 having an opening 16 therein to permit easy access to the underside
of manufactured house
2 when positioned on the trailer unit 12. In this embodiment, the frame 14
includes two substantially
parallel outer beams 18 which are capable of supporting a loaded manufactured
house 2, and its
carrier beams 4 and the runner beams, as more fully described herein.
In another embodiment as illustrated in Figure 10, the frame 14 of the trailer
unit 12 securely
Page 17 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
supports a platform 20 capable of supporting a loaded manufactured house 2,
and its carrier beams
4 and the runner beams as more fully described herein, the platform 20 being
supported from beneath
by the frame 14 of the trailer unit 12. In one embodiment, the platform 20 is
comprised of sheet steel
having a thickness of between 1/a inch and 1 inch.
The platform 20 of the transporter 8 (in the preferred embodiment) and the
frame 14 of the
trailer unit 12 (in the alternate embodiment illustrated in Figure 9B), are
securely supported by
dollies 22 or wheels an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figures 11 A, 11
B, 11 C,11 D and 11 E,
which permit the trailer unit 12, the runner beams and the loaded manufactured
house 2 to be
transported and readilypositioned as described herein. As illustrated in
Figures 11 A, 11B, 11 C, I 1D
and 11 E, the dollies 22 or wheels may be attached to the underside of the
transporter or trailer unit
12 or frame 14 by a plate 24 bolted to the underside of the transporter or
trailer unit 12 (in the
embodiment illustrated in Figure 9B). The dollies 22 may pivot in relation to
the transporter or trailer
unit 12 about a substantially vertical axis, by means of a ball and socket or
similar arrangement 28
allowing the trailer unit 12, illustrated in Figure 9B, to be moved forward
and backward, from side
to side, and diagonally, and to pivot clockwise or counterclockwise, as
generally shown in Figures
12A, 12B, 12C and 12D. It should be noted that the pivoting ability of the
dollies 22 will similarly
allow the platform 20 of the preferred embodiment of the transporter 8 noted
in Figure 9A, to be
moved forward and backward, from side to side, and diagonally, and to pivot
clockwise or
counterclockwise.
The tractor unit 10 or other vehicle or mechanical device rnay be used to
provide horizontal
and rotational movement of the trailer unit 12 and the manufactured house. It
is understood that more
than 3 dollies 22 may be utilized, and the dollies 22 may have as few as one
wheel and tire, or may
have one or more axles, and as many wheels and tires as are required to
support the trailer unit 12
loaded with a manufactured house. In addition, in one embodiment, rather than
utilizing wheels and
tires, tracks such as those used on bulldozers can be utilized instead of
wheels to decrease the ground
pressure exerted by the loaded trailer unit 12.
Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 11 A,11 B,11 C,11 D and 11 E, in one
embodiment, each
of the dollies 22 has a hydraulic jack 26 positioned on or engaged with the
dolly 22 for raising and
Page 18 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
lowering, or re-aligning or leveling the frame 14 of the trailer unit 12, or
platform 20. When each
of the hydraulic jacks 26 is raised or lowered the same distance, the
elevation of the frame 14 and
manufactured house 2 (or platform 20) are raised or lowered correspondingly.
If one (or more) of
the hydraulic jacks 26 is not raised or lowered to the same extent as at least
one of the other
hydraulic jacks 26, the levelness and angle of the frame 14 or platform 20 and
manufactured house
2 will accordingly be adjusted, the ball and socket or similar arrangements 28
on the dollies
permitting the frame 14 or platform 20 of the trailer unit 12 to tilt relative
to the dollies 22. By
selectively raising or lowering the hydraulic jacks 26, the manufactured house
2 may be leveled in
all directions (relative to the factory floor) and raised and/or lowered to
facilitate the alignment of
the runner beams 40 with the skate beams 94 referred to herein so that the
manufactured house 2 may
be moved from the factory loading area 5 onto the transporter 8 as more fully
described herein.
In the case of trailer units having the configuration as shown in Figures 9B
and 10,
transporter skates 30, one embodiment ofwhich is illustrated in Figure 13, may
optionallybe utilized
to further assist in positioning and placing a manufactured house 2 upon the
trailer unit 12 or
platform 20, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 respectively, and which are
capable of pivoting and
rotating about a substantially vertical axis, and moving along the outer beams
18 of the frame 14 as
shown in Figure 14, or capable of moving about the platform 20 of the trailer
unit 12, as shown in
Figure 15. As illustrated in Figure 13, the transporter skate 30 has a lower
Teflon pad 32 to allow
the transporter skate to move smoothly along the outer beam 18 or across the
platform 20 of the
trailer unit 12. In one embodiment, a metal plate 36 is affixed with bolts 34
to the Teflon pad 32 for
securely supporting the Teflon pad 32. In one embodiment, the metal plate 36
is a steel plate of 1 %Z
inch to 2 inches thickness, the steel plate 36 being bolted to the Teflon pad
32. As illustrated in
Figures 13 and 16, the transporter skate 30 may be securely attached to one
embodiment of a runner
beam 40 by means of nuts 39 and bolts 3 8 or by other suitable means, it being
understood that a wide
variety of different methods could be used to securely attach the transporter
skate 30 to the runner
beam 40.
It is understood that in place of the Teflon pad 32, transporter skates 30 may
alternatively be
fabricated using one of many readily available devices known to any person
skilled in the art
including wheels, rollers, bearings, casters or other well known means to
enable the transporter
Page 19 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
skates 30 to pivot and move freely along the outer beams 18 of the frame 14 as
shown in Figure 14,
or on the platform 20, as shown in Figure 15.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the manufactured house 2 is assembled and ready
for transport
from the factory, the factory skate beams 94 being positioned on the factory
floor 6, substantially
parallel to one another. Tn one embodiment, the factory skate beams 94 are
temporarily positioned
on the factory floor 6. In the preferred embodiment, the factory skate beams
94 are temporarily
positioned in a suitable location on the factory floor 6 or to a position
outside of the factory, in an
area convenient to the manufacture or assembly of a manufactured house 2. In
the preferred
embodiment, to further assist in transporting the manufactured house 2 along
the factory floor 6, and
with reference to Figure 17, each of the factory skate beams 94 are provided
with an elongated
member 145 at one end of the skate beam, whereby the elongated member 145 of
one skate beam
94 can be interconnected and received within an end portion 147 of another
skate beam. To further
secure the factory skate beams together, connecting holes 149 are provided on
both sides of the
I 5 elongated member 145 and receiving holes 151 are provided in side portions
of the end portion 147
of the skate beam to be connected thereto. As the factory skate beams are
joined together, the
connecting holes 149 provided on the elongated member 145 and the receiving
holes 151 in side
portions of the end portion 147 of the skate beam are aligned, and secured
therethrough with pin 45.
In this manner, by joining factory skate beams 94 together, as illustrated in
Figure 18, lateral
movement of the factory skate beams, in relation to each other, is greatly
hindered by virtue of the
length of the elongated member 145 of one skate beam being received within the
end portion 147
of another skate beam. If necessary, the factory skate beams may also be
welded or securely fastened
together for additional strength and stability.
As illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, when the manufactured house is to be
transferred from
the factory 1 to the transporter 8, the transporter 8 moves into position at
the factory loading area 5,
the transporter 8 being positioned to align or substantially align the runner
beams 40 with the factory
skate beams 94. In the preferred embodiment, the runner beams 40 extend over
both sides of the
transporter 8, the trailer unit 12 or platform being raised a short distance
(by raising the hydraulic
jacks 26 of the dollies 22) to allow the runner beams 40 to move freely above
the floor in the factory
loading area 5 during the process of aligning the runner beams 40 with the
factory skate beams 94.
Page 20 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
As can be seen with reference to Figures 19 and 20, runner beams 40 are
positioned on the
trailer unit 12, the runner beams 40 being positioned generally parallel to
one another and being
oriented generally laterally relative to the principal direction of travel
(forward) of the transporter
unit, in such a way that when the trailer unit 12 is positioned to later
unload the manufactured house
2 at the foundation site, the runner beams 40 will be in substantial alignment
with the skate beams
94 referred to herein, such substantial alignment being illustrated in Figure
21. The runner beams
40 are positioned in spaced relation to one another so as to stably bear the
weight of the
manufactured house 2 and so that the center of gravity of the manufactured
house 2 when loaded on
the trailer unit 12 is safely between the outermost runner beams 40.
Additionally, bracing beams can
be provided between the runner beams for additional support and stability,
such bracing beams being
welded, for example, to the runner beams, and placed perpendicularly to the
runner beams residing
on the transporter or trailer unit 12.
To align or substantially align the runner beams 40 with the factory skate
beams 94, the
trailer unit 12 (or, in the preferred embodiment, the platform 20 of the self
propelled transporter 8)
may readily be moved through a wide range of directions, and may be pivoted as
illustrated in
Figures 12A, 12B,12C and 12D and tilted, raised or lowered, the dollies 22 of
the trailer unit 12 or
platform 20 providing increased flexibility in positioning the trailer unit 12
or platform 20 and runner
beams 40 relative to the factory skate beams 94.
Refernng to Figures 19 and 20, the transporter 8 caxrying the runner beams 40
brings the
runner beams 40 into alignment or substantial alignment with the factory skate
beams 94. If
necessary, more precise alignment may be achieved by moving the runner beams
40 a short distance
relative to the transporter 8 by utilizing a winch, chain, crowbar or similar
device known to a person
skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 22, once the runner beams 40 have
been
positioned in precise alignment with the factory skate beams 94, the runner
beams 40 are lowered
onto the floor in the factory loading area 5 by lowering the previously raised
trailer unit 12 or
transporter a short distance (for example, through use of the hydraulic jacks
26 of the dollies 22), the
runner beams 40 then being securely engaged with the factory skate beams 94
with the upper surface
Page 21 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
of the runner beams 40 being aligned with the upper surface of the factory
skate beams 94, the
connected factory skate beams 94 and runner beams 40 presenting a stable level
support surface for
the subsequent movement of the manufactured house 2 from the factory skate
beams 94 to the runner
beams 40 and onto the transporter 8 as more fully described herein.
The connection between the factory skate beams 94 and the runner beams 40 can
take on
different configurations, it being understood that the factory skate beams 94
and the runner beams
40 will be disconnected from one another prior to the transporter, loaded with
the manufactured
house 2 being moved away from the factory loading area 5. In the preferred
embodiment, as shown
in Figure 23, the runner beams comprise four "I" beams, the upper flanges 52
of the "I" beams being
welded or securely fastened together, and the lower flanges 54 of the "I"
beams also being welded
or securely fastened together for additional strength and stability. In a
preferred manner of
connecting the runner beams 40 to the factory skate beams 94, and with
reference to Figure 23, the
runner beams 40 are in the form of four upright "I" beams, which are to be
securely attached to a
double "I" factory skate beam 94, the double "I" factory skate beam 94 being
arranged so as to be
proximate to the two innermost "I" beams of the runner beam 40, as can be seen
with reference to
Figure 24. An illustration of the preferred embodiment of the factory skate
beams 94 can be seen
illustrated in Figure 23, and in Figure 46, which comprises double upright "I"
beams 42, and having
upper flanges 52 which are welded to an underside of a track segment member 13
positioned
thereon, and lower flanges 54.
As noted previously, in a preferred embodiment the runner beams 40 comprise
four "I"
beams, a cross sectional view of which is illustrated in Figure 29. In a
preferred manner of
connecting the runner beams to the factory skate beams, and with reference to
Figure 23, the runner
beams 40 are in the form of four upright "I" beams, which are to be securely
attached to a double
"I" factory skate beam 94, the double "I" factory skate beam being arranged so
as to be proximate
to the two innermost "I" beams of the runner beam 40, as can be seen with
reference to Figure 25.
Holes 41 are arranged in side portions of the "I" beam portions of the runner
beams 40 and factory
skate beams 94, whereby, when the factory skate beams 94 are aligned so as to
abut the runner beams
40, by placing a bottom surface of the runner beam 40 on the lip 137 at the
base of factory skate
beam 94, the holes 41 in the side portions of the "I" beam portions of the
runner beam 40 and the
Page 22 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
holes 43 in the factory skate beams 94 in such a position that the runner beam
and factory skate beam
may be temporarily connected, utilizing metal plates 47 having apertures
therethrough which are
aligned with, and positioned over, the holes (81,83) in the two innermost "I"
beam portions of the
runner beam 40, the plates being temporarily pinned in place by a first pin 45
which is first passed
through the first outermost hole 41 in the runner beam 40, then through the
first hole 85 in the metal
plates 47 and the holes (81,83) in the two innermost "I" beam portions 42 of
the runner beam 40, and
finally through the second outermost hole 41, linking the plates 47 to the
runner beam 40. The metal
plates 47 having second apertures therethrough which are also aligned with,
and positioned over, the
holes 43 in the double "I" beam portions 42 of the factory skate beam 94. A
second shorter pin 135
is then passed through a second hole 8? in the metal plates 47, and then
through the holes 43 in the
factory skate beams 94 to link the runner beam 40 to the factory skate beam
94, as seen with
reference to Figures 24 and 25. In this manner, when the runner beam 40 and
the factory skate beam
94 are positioned together, the base of the runner beam will abut the base 141
of the factory skate
beam, with the lip 137 of the factory skate beam 94 extending underneath a
bottom surface of the
runner beam 40 placed thereon.
In a further embodiment, the runner beams 40 (and factory skate beams) are
upright "I"
beams 42, a cross-section of one such runner beam being illustrated in Figure
26. In yet another
embodiment, the runner beams 40 (and factory skate beams) are double upright
"I" beams 42, a cross
-section of which is illustrated in Figure 27, the upper flanges 52 of the "1"
beams being welded 53
or securely fastened together, and the lower flanges 54 of the "I" beams also
being welded 55 or
securely fastened together for additional strength and stability. In a still
further embodiment, the
runner beams comprise two "I" beams, a first vertically oriented "I" b eam 42,
upon which is
positioned a horizontally oriented "I" beam 44, the top of the vertically
oriented "I" beam 42 being
welded 57 or securely fastened to the horizontally oriented "r' beam 44 as
illustrated in Figure 28.
It is understood also that, alternatively, the factory skate beams 94 may also
have a
substantially identical, cross-section and configuration as the runner beams
40. In the preferred
embodiment, the hydraulic jack 19 is used to ratchet and propel the skate 7
(and the manufactured
house 2) in the desired direction along the factory skate beam 94 (and
thereafter the runner beams
and skate beams).
Page 23 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
In a further embodiment of the connection between the factory skate beams 94
and the runner
beams 40 , as illustrated in Figure 30, connectorplates 113 are welded 58 to
the corresponding end
of each of the factory skate beams 94 and runner beams 40 respectively,
through which connector
plates 113 corresponding holes 100 are cut or drilled, and which allow for
temporary connection
between the factory skate beams and the runner beams by means of bolts 118 and
nuts 106 as
illustrated in Figure 30, it being understood that suitable connection
techniques would be known to
persons skilled in the art. In a further embodiment illustrated in Figures 31
and 32, to connect the
factory skate beam 94 to the runner beam 40, when the factory skate beams are
aligned with and
abutting the runner beam 40, a bolt 118 passes through holes in the runner
beam 40 and through the
holes 116 in the connector bars 114, the bolt 118 thereafter having a nut 120
threaded thereto thereby
securely engaging the runner beam to the factory skate beam.
In the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic jack 19 is used to ratchet and
propel the skate 7
(and the manufactured house 2) in the desired direction along the factory
skate beam 94 (and
thereafter the runner beams 40) onto a transporter 8. However, as illustrated
in Figures 20 and 21,
the movement of the manufactured house 2 from its location within the factory
resting on the factory
skate beams 94 to a position on the runner beams 40, and thereafter to a
position on the transporter
8, may also be conveniently achieved by pushing or pulling the manufactured
house 2 with a suitable
motorized vehicle 90, such as a truck or tractor, or other vehicle known to
persons skilled in the art,
or by pulling it with a chain, winch or similar device known to persons
skilled in the art, it being
understood that the points of contact between the pushing and/or pulling
equipment must be chosen
or suitably prepared to minimize the risk of damage during the movement of the
manufactured house
2 during such movement, it also being understood that braking or stopping
devices will be utilized
to ensure safety arid further minimize the risk of damage during the movement
of the manufactured
house 2 during such movement. In this manner, the manufactured house 2 may be
moved, by way
of the skates 7, from the factory skate beams 94 within the factory, to the
runner beams 40, and
thereafter positioned on the transporter 8.
In the event that the manufactured house requires angular adjustment relative
to the
transporter 8 before being positioned on the trailer unit, chains, winches,
bars and other equipment
Page 24 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
known to persons skilled in the art may be used to precisely position and
rotate the manufactured
house 2 relative to the transporter 8.
Once the manufactured house 2 has been transferred to the transporter 8, and
securely
positioned thereon and chained or otherwise effectively secured to the
transporter 8, the runner
beams 40 may be disconnected from the factory skate beams 94, and the
transporter raised a short
distance so that the runner beams are clear of the factory loading area,
allowing the transporter 8 to
freely transport the manufactured house 2 to its destination.
In the preferred embodiment, prior to unloading the manufactured house 2 at
its installation
location, skate beams 94 as illustrated in Figure 33 are installed across the
foundation 99 upon which
the manufactured house 2 is to be installed, the skate beams 94 extending
across the foundation 99,
and supported within the foundation 99, and on either side ofthe foundation 99
by skate/runnerbeam
supports 102 as illustrated in Figure 33. In the preferred embodiment, these
skate beams 94 will have
a substantially identical structure, cross-section and configuration as the
factory skate beams.
In the preferred embodiment, prior to lowering the manufactured house 2 onto
the foundation
99, hydraulic jacks 98 are positioned on the basement floor 96 of the
foundation 99 to permit the
manufactured house 2 and carrier beams 4 to be raised for the removal of the
skate beams 94 prior
to lowering the manufactured house 2 onto the foundation 6. In one embodiment,
slots 100 in the
foundation 99 (and corresponding slots in the rim joists) are positioned to
allow the carrier beams
4 to be lowered below the upper surface of the foundation/rim joist as the
manufactured house 2 is
being lowered onto the upper surface of the foundation/rim joist.
As illustrated in Figures 47, 48 and 49, when the transporter 8 loaded with a
manufactured
house 2 arnves at the foundation site, the transporter is positioned to align
or substantially align the
runner beams 40 with the skate beams 94. To align or substantially align the
runner beams 40 with
the skate beams 94, the transporter 8 may readily be moved through a wide
range of directions, as
can be seen with reference to Figures 48 and 49, and may, if necessary, also
be pivoted and tilted,
or raised or lowered, the dollies 22 of the trailer unit (and hydraulics jacks
26) providing increased
flexibility in positioning the transporter 8 and runner beams 40 relative to
the skate beams 94.
Page 25 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
Refernng to Figure 47, 48 and 49 the trailer unit 12 of the transporter 8
carrying the
manufactured house 2 is brought into close proximity with the foundation and
with the runner beams
40 in alignment with the skate beams 94.
As noted previously, in a preferred embodiment the runner beams 40 extend over
both sides
of the transporter 8. In a further preferred embodiment, the runner beams are
connected to one
another using bracing which extends from one runner beam to the other runner
beam, thereby
maintaining a solid and stable pair of runner beams, and with reference to
Figure 34, two hydraulic
jacks 79 are preferably welded to the side of each of the runner beams 40.
Generally, the connection
of the hydraulic j acks 79 to an underside of the runner beam 40 will occur in
an area of the runner
beam which is extending over the sides of the transporter, whereby the
hydraulic jacks 79, when
lowered, may contact a ground surface. In such an arrangement, prior to
unloading the manufactured
house 2 at its installation location, and once the ends of the runner beams 40
are positioned directly
above but otherwise in precise alignment with the skate beams, the hydraulic
jacks 79 are used to
first raise the runner beams 40 supporting the Garner beams 4 (and the
manufactured house) off of
the transporter 8, whereby the transporter 8 can be removed from beneath the
runner beams 40, and
the hydraulic jacks 79 are then lowered (once the transporter 8 has been
removed), so as to fully
align the runner beams 40 (which will run substantially horizontally) with the
skate beams 94,
whereby the manufactured house 2 .may then be transferred to a position upon a
house foundation.
Preferably, the hydraulic j acks 79 are positioned so as to promote the
stability of the runner beams
40 and Garner beams 4, supporting the manufactured house 2, as the runner
beams 40 are propped
up on t he h ydraulic j acks 7 9 a nd r aised a nd 1 owered. T he b racing b
etween t he r unner b earns
minimizes the ability of either runner beam to move, twist, pivot or roll
relative to the other runner
beam, thereby increasing the stability and control during the movement of the
manufactured house.
It is understood that when the hydraulic jacks 79 are loaded or partially
loaded with the
weight of the manufactured house, they are extended and retracted evenly and
in substantial unison
with one another to ensure that the manufactured house is stably supported at
all times.
Once the runner beams 40 are in precise alignment with the skate beams 94,
they are securely
fastened to one another, as previously described herein. Alternatively, the
runner beams 40 can be
Page 26 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
bolted 106 together with the skate beams 94, as illustrated in Figure 30, it
being understood that a
wide variety of alternative techniques known to persons skilled in the art may
be used to securely
and temporarily fasten the runner beams 40 to the skate beams 94.
As illustrated in Figure 33, prior to the movement of the manufactured house 2
from the
transporter 8 to the foundation 99, additional skate/runner beam supports 102
may be positioned
beneath the skate beams 94 (and runnerbeams 40) entirely independently of the
transporter to ensure
that the manufactured house 2 is securely and stably supported by the skate
beams 94 and runner
beams 40 as it moves from the transporter 8 to the foundation 99.
As illustrated in Figure 49, once the runner beams 40 are securely connected
to the skate
beams 94, the manufactured house 2 (supported by the carrier beams 4) and
skates can be moved off
of the runner beams 40 and onto the skate beams 94 using the hydraulic jack 19
illustrated in Figures
8A,8B & 8C. In addition, for example, chains, winches, hydraulic rams or other
similar devices may
also be used so as to position the manufactured house 2 directly above and in
alignment with the
foundation 99, the skates 7 permitting the manufactured house 2 and earner
beams 4 to be moved
along the runner beams 40 and, thereafter, the skate beams 94.
Referring to Figure 50, the manufactured house 2 is shown having been moved
substantially
to its desired position. Chains, winches, bars and other equipment known to
persons skilled in the
art may be used to precisely position and rotate the manufactured house 2
relative to the
foundation 99. With the manufactured house 2 now precisely positioned directly
above and in
alignment with the foundation 99, the hydraulic j acks 98 positioned on the
basement floor 96 within
the foundation 99 may now be utilized to lift the carrier beams 4 and the
manufactured house 2 a
short d istance, p ermitting t he s kate b earns 9 4 ( and r unner beams 40
connected t hereto) t o b a
removed. Thereafter the hydraulic j acks 98 may lower the manufactured house 2
onto the foundation
99 (the carrier beams 4 having been pre-aligned with slots 100 in the
foundation/rim j oists to prevent
the interference of the carrier beams 4 with the foundation/rim joists during
the lowering process).
In the case where the floor of the house 2 is entirely on a single horizontal
plane, as shown
in Figure 35, the carrier beams 4 are likewise horizontally aligned,
substantially parallel to one
Page 27 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
another, it being understood that the precise location of each carrier beam 4
will depend upon the
unique characteristics of each house.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 35, the carrier beams 4 have a substantially
horizontal
top surface, the top surface engaging the underside of the house and joists,
and a substantially
horizontal lower surface upon which the carrier beams 4 may rest when loaded
with a house 2, and
providing a surface from which the earner beams 4 and house 2 may be lifted or
lowered. When
single piece carrier beams 4 as shown in Figure 35 are utilized, the earner
beams 4 generally span
across the bottom of the house and extend beyond the external wall of the
house 2.
When utilizing single piece carrier beams 4 as shown in Figure 35 to move and
support a
house, the foundation of the house may require alteration to accommodate the
passage of the earner
beam 4 below the top of the foundation wall when the house is being lowered
onto the foundation,
as the foundation wall would otherwise interfere with the carrier beam's
movement as the house is
being lowered onto the foundation. For example, as shown in Figure 36, the
foundation wall may
need to be cut, or notched, or formed to a sufficient size 130 to allow the
earner beam to be lowered
sufficiently as to allow the house to be placed on the top of the foundation,
and to allow for the
removal of the carrier beam 4 once the house is securely positioned on the
foundation.
In one embodiment, as an alternative to the solid single piece earner beams 4
illustrated in
Figure 35, mufti-part earner beams 60, as shown in Figures 37A, 37B, 38A and
38B may be
constructed of two or more components which may be separated for easy
disassembly after the house
is positioned and lowered onto the foundation. As shown in Figure 37B, this
embodiment of the
mufti-part carrier beam includes parts 62, 64 and 66.
As illustrated in Figure 39, in the case of one embodiment of the mufti-part
carrier beams 60,
the combined length of the two part carrier beam is long enough that it
extends to within a short
distance of the inside surface of both of the foundation walls 80 and 82 at
which the carrier beam
will be positioned. Similarly, in the case of another embodiment where, for
example, three part
carrier beams are used, the combined length of the three part carrier beam is
long enough that it
extends to within a short distance ofboth of the inside surfaces of the
foundation walls at which the
Page 28 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
beam will be positioned.
The mufti-part carrier beams 60 are joined securely and temporarily in a
manner known to
a worker skilled in the art. In one embodiment, face plates S5, as shown in
Figure 37B, are securely
welded to those ends of the carrier beam sections which are to be joined to
other carrier beam
sections. Holes are drilled in the face plates 55 to receive bolts 59, as
shown in Figure 37B, the holes
being positioned to ensure that when the two face plates of two carrier beam
sections are in
alignment with and abutting one another, the holes in the face plates are
aligned to receive the bolts
59, which may then be inserted in the holes; and nuts threaded thereon.
Whether the carrier beams are of the single piece type as shown in Figure 35,
or of a multi-
piece arrangement, the manufactured house 2 and carrier beams 60 are unloaded
from the transporter
8 in close proximity to the foundation 99 and thereafter supported by skate
beams 94 while the house
and carrier beams are being positioned above the foundation 99. In one
embodiment, when the
house is properly positioned above the foundation, as shown in Figure 39, the
jacks 98 installed
within the basement of the house 2 may be used to raise the carrier beams and
house 2 allowing the
skate beams 94 to be removed, whereupon the house and carrier beams can be
lowered.
Figure 39 shows an embodiment of a two-part carrier beam 60 supporting a
portion of a
manufactured house 2 in a position directly above the foundation 99 and
suitably aligned so as to
allow the manufactured house to be lowered onto the foundation 99. Figure 39
shows a two part
carrier beam 60 the ears 70 of which are loaded with exterior walls 80 and 82
of a manufactured
house 2. An enlargement ofthis carrierbeam embodiment canbe seenbyreferencing
Figure 40. The
manufactured house 2 may additionally be reinforced and supported by a channel
110 fixedly
engaged to the ears 70, the channel abutting the exterior surface of the rim
joist of the house for
additional support. As shown in Figure 39, hydraulic or other suitable jacks
98 are positioned on the
basement floor and suitably arranged to engage with and to support in order to
lift or lower the two
part carrier beam 60 and the manufactured house 2.
Figure 41 shows, in one embodiment, the manufactured house 2 in the lowered
position,
having been suitably lowered from the raised position illustrated in Figure
39, by means of hydraulic
Page 29 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
or other suitable jacks 98, until the manufactured house rests securely on the
sill plate 120 (the sill
plates having been suitably notched to accommodate and receive the ears 70).
Figure 42 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a carrier beam, featuring
beveled end 90,
with said beam in the lowered position, a cut in the sill plate 120 being
marginally greater than the
width of the upper flange 170 of the carrier beam 60 and a cut in the
foundation 6 being marginally
greater than the width of the vertical webbing 180 of said Garner beam 60.
Figure 43 illustrates a
further embodiment of a mufti-part carrier beam with said beam in the lowered
position, a cut in the
sill plate 120 being marginally greater than the width of the upper flange 170
of the carrier beam 60
and a cut in the foundation 6 also being marginally greater than the width of
the vertical webbing 180
of said carrier beam 60. Figure 44 illustrates a further embodiment of a mufti-
part carrier beam,
showing the bevel 90 at the end of the mufti-part carrier beam and support
flange 150 extending from
the lower flange 160 to the upper flange 170, said support flange 150 being
proximate to the bevel
90. Figure 38A further illustrates the embodiment ofthe mufti-part carnerbeam
60 shown in Figure
44, with beveled ends 90 and 92. Figures 38A and 38B also illustrate an
alternative embodiment of
the face plates 55 (in the embodiment shown in Figures 38A and 38B, the face
plates are plate steel,
having a thickness of greater than 3/8", with 16 holes bored therethrough, it
being understood that
a worker skilled in the art would be aware of alternative configurations for
connecting mufti-part
carrier beams) which securely and temporarily engage one carrier beam to
another. The face plates
extend across the ends of two carrier beams, and, when the holes in the face
plates align with holes
in the carrier beams, the face plates are bolted 59 to the Garner beams,
thereby securely engaging the
two Garner beams to each other. Multiple face plates may be utilized as shown
in Figures 38A and
38B for additional strength.
When using the embodiment of the carrier beam illustrated in Figure 44, and
with reference
to Figure 45, the lower flange 160 of the mufti-part carrier beam 60 does not
interfere with the
foundation 6 when the mufti-part carrier beam 60 is in the lowered position.
With reference to
Figure 1 l, the manufactured house 2 has been installed upon the foundation
80, the rim joist 75 and
floor joist 190 and resting upon the sill plate 120, the rim joist 7S and
floor joist 190 supporting the
floor material 200, and the exterior walls 210 (supported by the floor
material 200) being ready for
the application of exterior finishing, such as brick (which will rest on the
brick ledge 220), siding
Page 30 of 36
___ ;,1
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
or other suitable material, it being understood that the builder may
alternatively apply the exterior
finish in the factory, except where to do so would make the house
prohibitively heavy or difficult
to transport or manipulate.
In one embodiment, inverted "L" shaped ears 70, as shown in Figures 37A,37B,
and 39 are
securely affixed, and preferably welded to those ends of the mufti-part
carrier beams on which no
face plate has been welded so that when a mufti-part carrier beam is
assembled, it has ears 70
extending outwardly on both ends thereof. In this embodiment, the ears 70 are
made of steel, having
a thickness generally of between 3/4" and 1 %z ", the horizontal surface
measuring approximately 12
inches by 12 inches. These ears 70 effectively extend the lifting length of
the carrier beams,
permitting the carnet beams, by means of the ears 70, to receive a significant
portion of the load of
the house through the rim joist 75 which rests upon the ear 70, as shown in
Figure 39.
In the case of the mufti-part carnet beams, once the manufactured house is
securely
positioned on the foundation, the components of the mufti-part carrier beam
may then be
disassembled one from the other at the face plates and removed in components
from the basement,
by the window 130, as shown in Figure 36, or in any other suitable manner. In
the case of the single
piece carrier beam, it may be removed through the sufficiently sized cut or
notch 130, as shown in
figure 36, in the foundation wall. The removed carrier beams may then be
reused as needed.
In an alternative embodiment, a significant segment, section or portion of a
manufactured
house can be transferred from a factory to a transporter utilizing the system
of the present invention,
which can then thereafter be combined with one or more similarly constructed
segments, sectians
or portions of a manufactured house at the installation location to form a
complete or substantially
complete manufactured house.
It is also understood that the device and system of the present invention
maybe utilized when
constructing and transporting dwellings in various formats, including, for
example, whole or
substantial parts of duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row houses, semi-
detached houses and single
detached homes.
Page 31 of 36
CA 02449159 2003-11-12
The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred
embodiments.
However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of
variations and
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as
described herein.
10
20
30
Page 32 of 36
