System for Forming a Movable Slab Foundation

Abstract

A system for forming a movable slab foundation comprises a support sleeve encased within a slab foundation. The support sleeve surrounds a support member that rests upon a support surface. The support sleeve is capable of moving axially along the length of the support member.

1 . A system for forming a movable slab foundation, the system comprising:
 a slab foundation;   at least one support surface;   at least one substantially vertical support member having a hollow body with first and second ends, the first end abuttingly contacting the at least one support surface; and   at least one support sleeve surrounding the at least one support member, the at least one support sleeve being encased within the slab foundation and being capable of moving axially along the length of the at least one support member.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one lifting member surrounded by the at least one support member, the at least one lifting member having a body with first and second ends and a length greater than the desired height of the slab foundation, the first end abuttingly contacting the at least one support surface, the second end adapted to be coupled to a lifting device to move the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation axially along the length of the at least one support member; and   a locking nut abuttingly contacting the second end of the body of the at least one support member and securely connected to the at least one support sleeve.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one support sleeve further comprises:
 a hollow body with inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface having threads contained therein, and the outer surface having at least one reinforcing bar connected to and extending outwardly therefrom, the outer surface also having a plurality of nuts connected to and extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to receive a plurality of bolts for attachment to the lifting device; and wherein the locking nut further comprises:   a hollow body with inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having threads in engagement with the threads on the inner surface of the at least one support sleeve to thereby secure the axial position of the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation along the length of the at least one support member.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one reinforcing bar further comprises:
 a first portion connected to the at least one support sleeve vertically along the length of the at least one support sleeve;   a second portion connected to and extending outwardly and downwardly at an angle from the first portion; and   a third portion substantially perpendicular to the at least one support sleeve, connected to and extending between the first portion and the second portion.   
   
   
       5 . A system for forming a movable slab foundation, the system comprising:
 a slab foundation;   at least one support surface;   at least one substantially vertical support member having a substantially cylindrical hollow body with first and second ends, the first end abuttingly contacting the at least one support surface;   at least one support sleeve surrounding the at least one support member, the at least one support sleeve having a hollow body with inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface having threads contained therein, the outer surface having at least one reinforcing bar connected to and extending outwardly therefrom, the outer surface of the body also having a plurality of nuts connected to and extending outwardly therefrom, the outer surface of the body and the at least one reinforcing bar being encased within the slab foundation and the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation being capable of moving axially along the length of the at least one support member;   a plurality of eye bolts connected to the plurality of nuts and extending upwardly from the slab foundation;   at least one lifting member surrounded by the at least one support member, the at least one lifting member having a body with first and second ends and a length greater than the desired height of the slab foundation, the first end abuttingly contacting the at least one support surface; and   a locking nut positioned in abutting contact with the second end of the at least one support member, the locking nut having a hollow body with inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having threads therein adapted to engage the threads on the inner surface of the at least one support sleeve to thereby secure the axial position of the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation along the length of the at least one support member.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a lifting device coupled to the second end of the body of the at least one lifting member to move the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation axially along the length of the at least one support member; and   a plurality of attachment members connected to and extending between the plurality of eye bolts and the lifting device.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one support surface further comprises:
 a concrete pier; and   a base plate encased within the concrete pier, the base plate having anchor bolts extending from the base plate and into the concrete a distance.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one reinforcing bar further comprises:
 a first portion connected to the at least one support sleeve vertically along the length of the at least one support sleeve;   a second portion connected to and extending outwardly and downwardly at an angle from the first portion; and   a third portion substantially perpendicular to the at least one support sleeve, connected to and extending between the first portion and the second portion.   
   
   
       9 . A method for forming a movable slab foundation, the method comprising:
 placing a plurality of support surfaces below an intended slab foundation area;   placing a plurality of support members in abutting contact with the plurality of support surfaces;   placing a plurality of support sleeves over the plurality of support members and sliding them down in abutting contact with the plurality of support surfaces;   forming a slab foundation such that it encases the plurality of support sleeves; and   simultaneously lifting the plurality of support sleeves to move the slab foundation along the length of the plurality of support members to a desired height.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 securely connecting the plurality of support sleeves to the plurality of support members at a desired height, so as to secure the axial position of the slab foundation along the length of the plurality of support members.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 placing a plurality of lifting members within the support members such that first ends of the plurality of lifting members are in abutting contact with the plurality of support surfaces;   connecting a plurality of lifting devices to the second ends of the plurality of lifting members;   connecting the plurality of lifting devices to the plurality of support sleeves; and   simultaneously actuating the plurality of lifting devices.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein actuating the plurality of lifting devices is performed by an automatic lifting system connected to control actuation of the lifting assemblies simultaneously. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein securely connecting the plurality of support sleeves to the plurality of support members comprises connecting the plurality of support sleeves to a plurality of locking nuts such that the plurality of locking nuts rest upon the plurality of support members. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of support surfaces comprise a base plate encased within a concrete pier.