Earthquake resistant building foundation

Abstract

An earthquake resistant building foundation includes a receptacle having a number of apertures each for slidably receiving a shaft, one or more spring members disposed below the receptacle for cushioning a vertical force, and a number of spring members engaged with the shafts for lateral cushioning purposes. A number of lateral cushioning devices are attached to the shafts and each has a casing secured to the shaft, a cover slidably engaged onto the casing, and one or more spring members engaged between the casing and the cover for cushioning between the casing and the cover and for forming a two-stage compressing or cushioning structure.

1 . An earthquake resistant building foundation comprising:
 a receptacle including a space formed therein and including a plurality of apertures formed in an outer peripheral portion thereof and communicating with said space of said receptacle,   at least one first spring member disposed below said receptacle for applying a spring biasing force against said receptacle and for cushioning a vertical force that may be applied to said receptacle,   a plurality of shafts slidably received in said apertures of said receptacle and movable into and out of said space of said receptacle,   a plurality of second spring members disposed in said space of said receptacle and engaged with said shafts respectively for applying a spring biasing force against said shafts and for lateral cushioning purposes, and   a plurality of lateral cushioning devices attached to said shafts for allowing said second spring member to apply a spring biasing force against said shaft and said lateral cushioning device, said lateral cushioning devices each including a casing secured to said shaft, a cover slidably engaged onto said casing, and at least one third spring member engaged between said casing and said cover for applying a spring biasing force between said casing and said cover.   
   
   
       2 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes at least one stud extended in said casing, and said at least one third spring member is engaged onto said stud for engaging with said cover. 
   
   
       3 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a compartment formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and includes a first anchoring member attached thereto, and said cover includes a second anchoring member attached thereto for engaging with said first anchoring member of said casing and for limiting said cover to slide relative to said casing. 
   
   
       4 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a retainer attached thereto, and said cover includes a latch for engaging with said retainer of said casing and for slidably anchoring said cover to said casing and for limiting said cover to slide relative to said casing. 
   
   
       5 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said casing of each of said lateral cushioning devices includes a bottom panel having an opening formed therein for engaging with said shaft and for attaching said casing to said shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said opening of said bottom panel of said casing includes a non-circular cross section, and said shaft includes a non-circular end for engaging with said non-circular opening of said casing and for preventing said casing from rotating relative to said shaft. 
   
   
       7 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a stop is secured to said shaft and engaged with said bottom panel of said casing for securing said casing to said shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said shafts each include a bracket attached thereto and engaged with said second spring member and engageable with said receptacle for preventing said second spring members from moving out of said receptacle. 
   
   
       9 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle includes an inner peripheral fence and an outer peripheral fence extended upwardly from a bottom panel for forming said space between said inner and said outer peripheral fences and for forming an inner compartment within said inner peripheral fence. 
   
   
       10 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said receptacle includes a plurality of pegs extended from said inner peripheral fence for engaging with said second spring members and for anchoring said second spring members to said inner peripheral fence of said receptacle. 
   
   
       11 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said receptacle includes a pole extended upwardly from said bottom panel and located within said inner peripheral fence and having a screw hole formed in said pole for coupling to a hanging member. 
   
   
       12 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a lower plate is disposed on top of said receptacle and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving said pole, and includes a plurality of orifices formed through said lower plate. 
   
   
       13 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said lower plate includes a plurality of grooves formed therein and communicating with said orifices of said lower plate. 
   
   
       14 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein an upper plate is engaged on top of said lower plate and includes a center hole formed therein for receiving said pole, and said upper plate includes a plurality of fasteners secured thereon for securing to a lower foot of a post of a building. 
   
   
       15 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a base housing includes a chamber formed therein and defined by an outer peripheral wall and a bottom wall, and includes at least one rod extended upwardly from said bottom wall of said base housing and located within said chamber defined by said outer peripheral wall, and said at least one first spring member is engaged into said chamber of said base housing and disposed around said at least one rod and extended upwardly beyond said at least one rod. 
   
   
       16 . The earthquake resistant building foundation as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said base housing includes an anchoring device having at least one barrel engaged onto said at least one first spring member and coupled to said outer peripheral wall with at least one coupling link for anchoring said at least one first spring member.