Method and apparatus for raising buildings

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and lowering buildings includes first and second beam support frames. Each support frame includes a horizontal base adapted to rest on the ground, a vertical beam guide extending upward from the base, a beam support member engaged in the vertical beam guide such that the beam support member moves substantially vertically up and down in the beam guide, and a jack mechanism operative to move the beam support member up and down. A beam having a length selected for use to raise a selected building has a first end supported by a beam support member of the first support frame, and a second end supported by a beam support member of the second support frame.

1 . A beam support frame apparatus for supporting a building moving beam, the apparatus comprising:
 a substantially horizontal base adapted to rest on the ground;   a substantially vertical beam guide extending upward from the base; and   a beam support member engaged in the vertical beam guide such that the beam support member moves substantially vertically up and down in the beam guide;   wherein the beam support member is configured to support an end portion of the beam to move the beam up and down.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a jack mechanism operative to move the beam support member up and down in the beam guide. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the jack mechanism comprises one of a screw jack, a hydraulic jack, and a mechanical jack. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the jack mechanism comprises a screw jack comprising:
 right and left substantially vertical threaded rods rotatably supported in an upper portion of the beam guide, and having threads engaged in threaded apertures defined by the beam support member; and   a drive operative to rotate the threaded rods in the threaded apertures to raise the beam support member.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising beam guide braces adapted to attach to the beam guide to support the beam guide in a vertical orientation. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the beam guide braces comprise:
 a base extension connected to the base and extending laterally along the ground;   a sloped angle brace connected at a lower end to the base extension and connected at an upper end thereof to the beam guide.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the beam guide includes an adjustable stop operative to engage the beam guide below the beam support member to prevent the beam support member from moving down beyond the stop. 
   
   
       8 . A building moving beam apparatus comprising:
 first and second beam support frames, each support frame comprising:   a substantially horizontal base adapted to rest on the ground;   a substantially vertical beam guide extending upward from the base;   a beam support member engaged in the vertical beam guide such that the beam support member moves substantially vertically up and down in the beam guide; and   a jack mechanism operative to move the beam support member up and down;   a beam having a length selected for use to raise a selected building and having a first end supported by a beam support member of the first support frame, and having a second end supported by a beam support member of the second support frame.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the jack mechanism comprises one of a screw jack, a hydraulic jack, and a mechanical jack. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the jack mechanism comprises a screw jack comprising:
 right and left substantially vertical threaded rods rotatably supported in an upper portion of the beam guide, and having threads engaged in threaded apertures defined by the beam support member; and   a drive operative to rotate the threaded rods in the threaded apertures to raise the beam support member.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising beam guide braces attached to the beam guide to support the beam guide in a vertical orientation. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the beam guide braces comprise:
 a base extension connected to the base and extending laterally along the ground;   a sloped angle brace connected at a lower end to the base extension and connected at an upper end thereof to the beam guide.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the beam guide includes an adjustable stop operative to engage the beam guide below the beam support member to prevent the beam support member from moving down beyond the stop. 
   
   
       14 . A method of raising a building, the method comprising:
 providing first and second beam support frames, each support frame comprising:   a substantially horizontal base adapted to rest on the ground;   a substantially vertical beam guide extending upward from the base;   a beam support member engaged in the vertical beam guide such that the beam support member moves substantially vertically up and down in the beam guide; and   a jack mechanism operative to move the beam support member up and down;   positioning a beam under the building such that the beam extends beyond first and second sides of the building;   positioning the first support frame on the first side of the building and supporting a first end of the beam on a beam support member of the first support frame;   positioning the second support frame on the second side of the building and supporting a second end of the beam on a beam support member of the second support frame; and   operating the jack mechanisms on the first and second support frames to raise the building.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising positioning a plurality of beams supported by support frames at spaced locations along a length of the building. 
   
   
       16 . A method of adding a story to a building comprising substantially vertically raising the building according to the method of  claim 15  to a vertical distance above a desired height of the new story; constructing the new story under the building; and lowering the building onto a top of the new story. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the jack mechanism comprises one of a screw jack, a hydraulic jack, and a mechanical jack. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the jack mechanism comprises a screw jack comprising:
 right and left substantially vertical threaded rods rotatably supported in an upper portion of the beam guide, and having threads engaged in threaded apertures defined by the beam support member; and   a drive operative to rotate the threaded rods in the threaded apertures to raise the beam support member.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising attaching beam guide braces adapted to attach to the beam guide and to the base to support the beam guide in a vertical orientation. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the beam guide braces comprise:
 a base extension connected to the base and extending laterally along the ground;   a sloped angle brace connected at a lower end to the base extension and connected at an upper end thereof to the beam guide.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14  comprising providing an adjustable stop operative to engage the beam guide below the beam support member to prevent the beam support member from moving down beyond the stop, and comprising raising the beam support member upward to expose a higher stop engagement location below under the beam support member, and moving the stop from a lower stop engagement location to the higher stop engagement location.