Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SUPPORT AND SKIRTING SYSTEM FOR FACTORY BUILT STRUCTURES
Field of the Invenrion
[0l] The present invention relates to factory built residential and commercial
structures, and more particularly, to a system and its components for
surrounding
and securely supporting factory built residential and commercial buildings.
Background of the Invention
[02] Factory built residential and commercial buildings have become
increasingly
popular. As the cost of new construction rises, the relatively lower cost of
factory
built residential and commercial buildings has attracted many new buyers.
Similarly, the design and use of these buildings has changed over the past
years.
These new designs and uses have made factory built buildings more
aesthetically
attractive to consumers. Factory built buildings are now widely used in place
of
traditionally-styled buildings including residential housing, office
buildings, such
as permanent and portable office buildings, classrooms and transportable
hospitals.
[03] As used herein, the phrase "factory built buildings" includes, but is not
limited to,
permanent "traditionally styled" manufactured structures such as those
mentioned
above and other manufactured buildings or manufactured homes where the
manufactured structure is trucked to the building site on flatbed trailers or
the like.
The phrase "factory built buildings" also encompasses structures that can be
readily moved including transportable office buildings, hospitals and
residential
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housing commonly referred to as "trailer homes." Furthermore, modular
structures including modular office buildings and modular homes are also
encompassed by the term "factory built buildings" as sections of these
structures
are built at an offsite location, such as a factory, and then transported to a
site fox
assembly as a unitary structure.
[04] Factory built buildings are traditionally built upon a frame containing
two or more
longitudinal members andJor several firansverse beams that support the floors
of
the building. Support systems for these factory built buildings typically
include
concrete blocks or a plurality of support stands placed under the frame for
supporting it and securing it to a type of foundation. Skirting, extending
from the
factory built building's rim joist to a point within the ground, is commonly
used to
secure and hide the foundation support system and provide a more aesthetic
appearance. However, conventional foundation support and skirting systems may
not provide adequate support to the factory built building in response to the
lateral
forces created by heavy winds, seismic activities or heavy snow.
Unfortunately,
those systems that may provide adequate support can be costly to produce and
install. Additionally, these systems may be aesthetically unattractive.
Further,
when a cement foundation/footing is poured for aesthetic purposes, the poured
concrete must be allowed to set at the job site, thereby delaying the assembly
of
the building at the job site.
[OS] It is also difficult to back-fill soil against conventional skirting and
supporting
systems for factory built buildings. It is the ability to back-fill dirt and
soil
against the skirting that helps to give a factory built building the
appearance of a
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site built home. However, if the support assembly of the skirting and
supporting
system does not provide sufficient structural integrity to the skirting so
that the
skirting can withstand significant lateral loads, the skirting may fail during
the
back-filling process. More seriously, if either the skirting or support
assembly
fails, the factory built building may move during the back-filling process
and/or
support stands of the support assembly attached to the factory built building
may
begin to bend and fail before the factory built building is ever occupied.
This
would present significant dangers to the occupants of the factory built
building.
[06] There is a decided need in the art for a skirting and supporting system
useable
with factory built buildings to effectively anchor the building during seismic
activities, heavy winds, heavy snows and back-filling. The skirting and
supporting system would provide support for the factory built building while
presenting an aesthetically appealing appearance.
Summary of the Invention
[07] Aspects of the present invention relate to a system and its components
for skirting
and securely supporting a factory built building against lateral and vertical
loads.
Lateral loads experienced by the building can include those created by seismic
activities, heavy winds, heavy snow and back-filling earth around the
building.
The components of the system allow the building to be easily and quickly
assembled. The components are also aesthetically pleasing, while creating a
protective and stable support system for the factory built building.
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[08] In an embodiment, the system for supporting and skirting a factory built
building
includes a footing having an elongated channel extending in a direction that
is
substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said footing and a support
assembly
comprising a plurality of support members and a base. The base has a portion
received within the channel of the footing. The system also includes a
skirting
panel positioned within the channel such that the portion of the base within
the
channel is positioned between the skirting panel and a sidewall of the
channel. In
at least one embodiment, the support assembly comprises a support stand
including the support members. In these embodiments, the support members
defining the support stand extend within a common vertical plane.
[09] According to another aspect of the invention, the system for supporting a
factory
built building comprises a footing having an elongated channel extending in a
direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the
footing. In this
embodiment, the system also includes a support assembly comprising a plurality
of support members and a base having a portion received within the channel of
the footing. This embodiment further includes a skirting panel positioned
within
the channel such that the portion of the base within the footing channel is
positioned between the skirting panel and a sidewall of the channel.
Brief Description of the Figures
[10J Figure 1 illustrates a skirting and supporting system according to the
present
invention;
[1l] Figure 2 illustrates a support assembly shown in Figure 1;
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[12] Figure 3 illustrates a footing shown in Figures 1 and 2;
[13j Figure 4 is an end view of the footing shown in Figure 3;
[14] Figure 5 illustrates a support stand shown in Figure 2;
[15] Figures 6 and 7 are side views of alternative embodiments of the support
stand
shown in Figure 5;
[16] Figures 8 and 9 are end views of alternative embodiments of a support
base
shown in Figure 2;
[17j Figure 10 illustrates cooperating ends of adjacent skirting panels
supported by the
support assembly of Figure 2;
[18j Figure 1 OA is an enlarged portion of the cooperating ends of Figure 10;
[19] Figure lOB is a top view of an alternative embodiment of cooperating
adjacent
skirting panels supported by the support assembly of Figure 2;
[20] Figures 11 A and 11 B are side views of an assembly for connecting the
support
assembly of Figure 2 to a factory built building; and
[21j Figure 11C illustrates an alternative assembly connecting the support
assembly of
Figure 2 to a factory built building in a manner similar to that shown in
Figure
11B.
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Detailed Description of the Figures
[22] As shown in Figure 1, an aspect of the present invention relates to a
skirting and
supporting system 10 for factory built buildings such as those discussed
above.
For ease of explanation, the discussion of this aspect of the present
invention will
relate to two types of factory built buildings, manufactured homes and modular
homes. However, this discussion does not prevent the application of the
skirting
and supporting system 10 to other types of factory built buildings. The
skirting
and supporting system 10 can be used with any type of factory built building,
as
discussed above.
[23] The skirting and support system 10 comprises a perimeter support assembly
50
and a skirting assembly 300. The support assembly 50 includes at least one
support stand 210 and at least one perimeter load bearing footing 100 as shown
in
Figure 2. The skirting assembly 300 includes at least one elongated skirting
panel
310.
[24] The number and/or size of support stands 210 and footings 100, as well as
the
linear feet of the skirting panels 310, can differ from building to building
depending on the length of the building, weight of the building and/or the
lateral
loads that will be experienced by the building. For example, the greater the
lateral
forces that will be experienced by the building, the more support stands 210
and
footings 100 that may be installed to support the base of the factory built
building.
[25] Figure 2 shows the support assembly 50 including the support stand 210
and the
perimeter load bearing footing 100. Each footing 100 for the system 10 is cast
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and cured prior to being delivered to a job site. The footings 100 do not
require
onsite curing. As a result, the footings 100 reduce the time needed to
assemble
the factory built building because, upon arnval, the footings 100 are ready to
be
installed and receive the lateral and vertical loads experienced by the
factory built
building when installed. As can be readily understood, the loads experienced
by
the perimeter of the factory built building will be transferred to the
footings 100
by the support stands 210.
[26] As shown in Figure 3, each footing 100 of the illustrated embodiment has
an
elongated channel 120 extending along the length of the footing 100 between
terminal ends 109. The channel 120 receives a portion of the skirting panel
310
and support member 210 as shown in Figure 1. In operation, the elongated
channel 120 positions the support rizember 210 for the proper and most
effective
transfer of loads from the exterior of the factory built building to the
footing 100,
as discussed below. The elongated channel 120 also aligns adjacent skirting
panels 310 along the length of the factory built building that they abut.
[27] The elongated channel 120 is spaced from the sloped sidewalls I 12, I 14
of the
footing 100 such that the channel 120 is offset from the longitudinal center
of the
footing 100. As illustrated in Figure 4, the center of the elongated channel
120 is
spaced a greater distance from the inner sidewall 112 than from the outer
sidewall
114. The greater distance from the inner sidewall 112 to the center of the
channel
120 permits the portion of the footing 100 that will be closer to the center
of the
factory built building to have more surface area, more volume and greater
weight
than the portion on the opposite side of the channel 120 in order to better
receive
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and distribute the forces applied to the footing 100 by the support stand 210
and
the skirting panels 310. As used herein, the terms "inner" and "outer" are
used to
describe the position of sidewalls 112, 114 of the footing 100 relative to the
center
and outer walls of the suppox'ted building. 'These terms do not limit the use
of the
footings 100 to only those instances in which the sidewall 112 is closer to
the
center of the factory built building than the sidewall 114. It is also
contemplated
that in certain embodiments, the sidewall 114 can be positioned closer to the
center of the building than sidewall 112.
[28] In Figure 4, it is seen that the channel 120 has a base 127 extending
substantially
parallel to the upper surfaces 116 of the footing 100. However, sidewalk 128,
129 that define the vertically extending portion of the channel 120 are not
parallel
to each other. Instead, the sidewalls 128, 129 extend at an angle to each
other so
that the width (A) of the upper opening 122 of the channel 120 that extends in
a
direction between the sidewalls 112, 114 is greater than the width (B) of the
base
127 of the channel 120. By these sidewalls 118, 119 of the channel not being
parallel to each other, the channel 120 posses a tolerance between its upper
and
lower limits that permits the skirting panel 310 to move in response to
lateral
forces without binding the skirting panel 100 and causing it to fail. The
amount
of tolerance can vary with the width and height of the skirting panels 310.
[29] Figure 3 illustrates a wedge slot 130 extending within the footing 100
substantially transverse to the length of the channel 120. The wedge slot 130
extends between the outwardly sloped, lateral sidewails 112, 114 of the
footing
100. In an alternative embodiment, the wedge slot 130 can extend at an angle
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greater than 90° relative to the length of the channel 120. Tn
operation, a wedge
150 (Figure 1) can be introduced into the wedge slot 130 to support the ends
of
adjacent skirting panels 310 and position the adjacent panels 310 at the
proper
height and angle relative to the factory built building. At least one wedge 1
SO can
be introduced into channel 120 at the open terminal ends 109 to support and
vertically level the ends of the skirting panels 310 extending within the
channel
120.
[30] As shown in Figure 3, the portions of the footing 100 on either side of
the wedge
slot 130 have a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross section. This shape
permits
the footings 100 to be formed of the minimum amount of concrete needed to
accept the cone of influence of a loads) applied to the footing by the support
stand 210. By being shaped and sized to receive the wide base of the cone of
influence for any point load experienced by the support stand 210, extra,
unnecessary concrete is not used in the footing 100. This helps to keep the
price
of the footings down without jeopardizing the ability of the footing 100 and
support stand 210 to safely receive and disperse the loads experienced by the
support stands 210. As understood, the overall size and specific dimensions of
one or more of the footings 100 can be changed if the size (magnitude) of the
cone of influence created by the loads) on a respective support stand 210 is
greater than those of a different portion of the same building or a different
building.
[31] The footings 100 can include one or more lengths of rebar 135. In an
embodiment, the rebar 135 extends through the footing 100 in horizontal and/or
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vertical planes. The rebar 135 could take the form of individual lengths
extending
parallel or at an angle to the length of the footing 100 and channel 120. In
an
alternative embodiment, the rebar 135 forms a rectangular shape, a U-shaped or
X-shaped orientation within the footing 100.
[3z] Figure 4 illustrates an angled passage 145 extending through the outer
sidewall
114 and the base 118. The passage 145 has a drive anchor hole 146 and a
support
collar 147 along the sidewall 114. The support collar 147 can be formed as
part
of the sidewall 114 or added as a separate element. A drive anchor rod (not
shown) for securing the footing 100 to the ground is advanced through the hole
146 and the passage 145 until it penetrates the ground below the footing i00.
In
an embodiment, the rod extends at least two feet into the ground below the
base
118 of the footing 100. The passage 145 extends at an angle of about 65
degrees
to the base 118 of the footing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle
delivers the passage 145 to a point lying substantially at the center of the
footing
100 without the passage 145 entering the channel 120. Other angles that allow
the passage 145 to extend from the sidewall 114 to an appropriate point of the
base can also be used.
[33] The footing 100 supports the support stand 210 that is securely connected
to the
factory built building and that assists in keeping the skirting panels 310 in
their
upright position as shown in Figure 1. In the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 2
and 5, the support stand 210 includes a pair of support members 215 that
extend
upwardly from a base 220 to a bushing 230 that is part of a connection
assembly
for the factory built building. The support stand 210 and its associated base
220
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transfer lateral and vertical loads from the perimeter of the factory built
building
to the footing 100 and along the dimensions of the secured footing 100.
[34] The support members 215 can be formed of angle steel or channel steel
with the
openings of the angle or channel steel opposing each other as shown in Figure
5.
This orientation of the support members 215 can provide additional strength to
the
support stand 210 for resisting lateral loads. In an alternative embodiment,
the
support members 215 are formed of steel tubes. The support members 215 extend
in opposite directions from each other while occupying the same vertically
extending plane (Figure 1 ) and extending substantially parallel to the length
of the
building along which they are placed. This allows the support members 215 to
be
positioned at the same lateral distance from the factory built building. When
the
support members 215 are positioned parallel to their respective length of the
factory built building, the support stand 210 will be free of a support member
215
that extends perpendicular to, or at another angle to, the factory built
building. As
a result, the support stand 210 can be positioned immediately proximate the
factory built building without the position of a support member dictating the
position of the support stand 210 relative to the factory built building. This
permits the crew assembling the building on site to position the support stand
210
in the most advantageous position for the building it is intended to support.
[3~] An alternative embodiment of the support stand 210 is shown in Figure 6.
In this
embodiment, the support members 215 can form the shape of an A or a triangle
having a vertically positioned cross brace 219. In an additional alternative
embodiment, the support members 215 can include more than two support
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members 215 that together form the shape of a pyramid. For example, as
illustrated in Figure 7, the support stand 210 can include a center supporting
vertically extending member 216 that carries the bushing 230. This embodiment
of the support stand also includes opposing support members 217 that extend
outwardly from a point along the vertical length of the supporting member 216
to
the base 220. As with support members 215, support members 217 occupy the
same vertical plane and extend substantially parallel to the length of the
factory
built building they support.
[36J In any of the above-discussed embodiments, the support members 215 are
welded
to the base 220 and the bushing 230. However, other known ways for securing
the support members 215, 216, 217, the support base 220 and the bushing 230
together as a support assembly 210 could also be used.
[37] The bushing 230 is located at an upper, vertical end of the support stand
210. The
bushing 230 receives a threaded rod 240 that can adjust the distance between
the
footing 100 and the frame of the factory built building. The rod 240 has an
upper
end 241 that carries a seating device 242 (Figures 11A-11C). In one embodiment
illustrated in Figures 5 and 11 C, the seating device 242 includes an L-shaped
bracket 243 that mates with and is secured to the under frame of the factory
built
building by a known fastener or connector 246 as is known. Alternatively, the
seating device 242 includes a U-shaped saddle jack 245 for mating with a floor
joist of the factory built building as is known (Figures 11A and 11B). Any
other
known member 246 for connecting a support to the frame of a factory built
building could also be used at the upper, terminal end 241 of the rod 240.
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[38] 'The threaded rod 240 includes an engagement member 247, such as a nut,
that can
be engaged in order to move the rod 240 relative to the bushing 230. Other
known members that can be engaged and moved in order to rotate the threaded
rod 240 can also be used. In the illustrated embodiment, as the movement of
the
engagement member 247 causes the threaded rod 240 to rotate relative to the
support stand 210 and the bushing 230, the height of the supported building is
leveled so that the base of the building occupies the same horizontal plane.
In one
embodiment, the threaded rod 240 has a total moveable distance of about 2.S
inches. However, the threaded rod 240 can have a total moveable distance that
is
greater or less than 2.5 inches. Also, the rod 240 can occupy an infinite
number
of positions along its total moveable length.
[39) The base 220, illustrated in Figure 2, transfers the loads from the
factory built
building to the footing 100. In one illustrated embodiment, the base 220 has a
substantially L-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the base 220 can be
formed of angle steel, angle iron or other known angle shaped materials that
are
capable of transferring the loads experienced by a factory built building to
the
footings 100. The L-shaped base 220 includes a first portion 221 that extends
into
the channel 120 of the footing 100 and a second portion 222 that extends
transverse to the first portion 221 and over a rearwardly extending upper
surface
102 of the footing 100.
[40] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the base 220 has a
substantially U-shaped cross section and can be formed of a channel steel,
channel iron or other known channel shaped materials that are capable of
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transferring the loads experienced by the factory built building to the
footings
100. In this embodiment, the first portion 223 and second portion 224 of the
base
220 extend as discussed above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure
2.
A third portion 225 of the base 220 extends at an angle over the sidewall 114
of
the footing 100 to aid in the retention of the support stand 210 in the
elongated
channel 120 of the footing 100.
[41] In yet another embodiment, illustrated in Figure 9, the base 220 has a
substantially T-shaped cross section and is made of the same materials
discussed
above. In this embodiment, the arms 226, 227 of the T extend vertically and
substantially parallel to the support members 21 S. The upper arm 227 can be
secured to the support members 21 S by welding or other known securing
techniques to add strength to the support member 215. The leg 228 of the base
220 shown in Figure 9 will extend over the rear upper surface 116 of the
footing
100 in the same manner as portion 222 shown in Figure 2.
[42] The skirting panels 310 shown in Figure 1 are precast and cured before
being
transported to the installation site for the factory built building. The
skirting
panels 310 can be preformed of a lightweight concrete that results in a
skirting
panel with the external appearance of a poured concrete stem wall. However,
unlike a poured concrete wall, the skirting panels 310 do not require time at
the
installation site to set up and cure. Hence, unlike poured walls, the skirting
panels
310 do not delay the installation of the factory built building at the site.
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[43] The precast cement skirting panels 310 can be easily painted or otherwise
decorated to change their outwardly visible aesthetic appearance.
Additionally,
the precast cement skirting panels 310 provide protection to the support
assembly
50 and the factory built building by resisting rotting and damage experienced
by
conventional skirting panels at the hands of insects and/or vermin. When
positioned within the channel 120 of the footing 100 and against the support
stand
210, thermal retention properties of the skirting panels 310 provide
temperature
insulation to the supporting assembly 50 and the factory built building. The
skirting panels 210 also protect the support assembly 50 and the underside of
the
factory built building from heat and fire damage that could result from fires
in the
vicinity of the exterior of the factory built building.
[44] As illustrated in Figure 1, the skirting panels 310 have a shape that is
similar to
that of other conventional panels such as plywood. The thickness of the
skirting
panels 310 is less than the length and height of the skirting panel 310. For
installation, the skirting panels 310 can be cut like plywood to easily size
it for
meeting the lengths of factory built building. The skirting panels 310 can be
cut
to size by a conventional masonry saw. Terminal ends 315 of the skirting
panels
310 can be shaped so that the ends of adjacent panels compliment and overlap
each other as shown in Figure 10. In such an embodiment, opposite ends 315 of
the same panel may have different shapes or angles that allow them to
compliment the end 315 of an adjacent panel 310. Alternatively, opposite ends
315 of the same panel 310 may be formed with the same angle. In such an
embodiment, adjacent panels 310 would have different shaped ends 315. In an
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embodiment, one end 315 of a panel 310 may be cut at an angle of about 101
degrees and the other end 315 of the immediately adjacent and cooperating
panel
can be cut at an angle of about 79 degrees. In such an embodiment, the angled
ends 31 S will overlap each other, appear to be substantially seamless and
eliminate any direct passageway through the joint between the adjacent
skirting
panels 310. In an alternative embodiment, the ends 315 of adjacent skirting
panels may be spaced to allow light to enter below the building. In any of the
discussed embodiments, a conventional sealing compound could be applied over
the cooperating ends 315 of adjacent skirting panels 310.
[45] In another aspect of the present invention, the support system 10 can be
secured to
the factory built building and function as a tie-down system. By securely
attaching the support system 10 to the factory built building, the entire
weight of
the support system 10 is added to the weight of the factory built building. As
a
result, the factory built building's resistance to damage from high winds is
increased.
[46] In this embodiment, the support system 10 is attached to the factory
built building
when the seating device 242 is securely attached to the building at the rim
joist or
other known attachment point; the support members 215 holding the seating
device 242 are secured to the base 220; and the base 220 is secured to the
footing
100 either by friction or a connecting member such as a bolt, pin or screw.
The
seating device 242 can be secured to the support members 215 by placing a
threaded engagement/holding member 247 on both sides of the bushing 230. In
an embodiment, the lower engagementlholding member 247 is positioned on the
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bottom of the threaded rod 240 and tightened upward toward the supported
building after the height and support of the stand 210 are set by proper
adjustment
of the engagement/holding member 247 above the bushing 230.
[47] In any of the above embodiments, the support stands 210 can be secured to
their
respective footing 100 by positioning two or more elongated members, such as
bolts, rods or pins, through holes in the portion of the base 220 overlapping
a
portion of the footing 100 and threaded inserts imbedded in the load-bearing
surface of the footing 100 during footing construction.
[48] Effectively attaching the footings 100, support stands 210 and skirting
panels 300
to the building adds the following to the effective weight of the structure:
(1) The
entire weight of the system 10 (since the footing 100 holds the weight of the
concrete skirting panels 300 and the support stands 210); (2) the weight
equivalent of the force necessary to pull-out the securing rods from within
the
imbedded inserts in the footings; and (3) the weight of the back-filled
material
that extends over the footings 100.
[49] Numerous characteristics, advantages and embodiments of the invention
have
been described in detail in the foregoing description with reference to the
accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is illustrative only and the
invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent
to
persons ordinarily skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereof
within
the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation of the claims such as to encompass all equivalents, devices,
and
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methods. Therefore, various changes and modifications may be effected therein
by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. For example, the footings 100 may be secured in position with the
previously mentioned securing rods, or by using a known geogrid-type material.
Additionally, the panels 310 could be positioned within the channels 120 of
the
footings 100 without the support stand 210. In such an embodiment, an
alternative support device, such as a metal plate, angle steel or wedge may be
positioned within the channel 120 behind the panels 310 to support the panels
310, and in some embodiments, also the building, when in their vertical
positions.
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