System for Forming a Movable Slab Foundation

Abstract

An embodiment of the system for forming a movable slab foundation as comprised by the present invention has a slab foundation, at least one support pier, at least one housing, a seal plate, and at least one support sleeve. The seal plate is positioned within the at least one housing and its outer peripheries are sealingly engaged with the inner surfaces of the at least one housing. The at least one housing and the seal plate are positioned within the at least one support pier. The at least one support sleeve is encased within the slab foundation and its lower end is positioned in abutting contact with the housing. A port is located in and extends through the upper end of the housing and into a cavity between the housing and the seal plate. The at least one housing is capable of movement upward relative to the seal plate.

1 . A system for forming a movable slab foundation, the system comprising:
 a slab foundation;   at least one support pier;   at least one housing positioned within the at least one support pier, the at least one housing having a closed upper end and an open lower end;   a seal plate positioned within and surrounded by the at least one housing, the outer peripheries of the seal plate sealingly engaging the inner surfaces of the at least one housing, the at least one housing being upwardly moveable within the support pier relative to the seal plate;   a cavity defined by the space between the upper surface of the seal plate and the upper end of the at least one housing;   a port located in and extending through the closed upper end of the at least one housing and into the cavity; and   at least one support sleeve, the at least one support sleeve being encased within the slab foundation, the bottom surface of the at least one support sleeve abuttingly contacting the upper end of the at least one housing.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one housing is cylindrical in shape; and   the seal plate is circular in shape.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an O-ring positioned between the outer peripheries of the seal plate and the inner surfaces of the at least one housing.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an injection tube connected to the port and extending upwardly through the interior of the support sleeve; and   a pumping device connected to the injection tube for pumping a support media into the cavity to thereby expand the cavity and move the housing, the support sleeve, and the slab foundation upwards relative to the seal plate.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of apertures located in and extending through the closed upper end of the housing; and   a plurality of vent tubes connected to and extending upwardly from the seal plate, the plurality of vent tubes being aligned with and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a liner surrounding and positioned in abutting contact with the outer peripheries of the housing, the liner fixably secured within the support pier.   
     
     
         7 . A system for faulting a movable slab foundation, the system comprising:
 a slab foundation;   at least one support pier;   at least one housing positioned within the at least one support pier, the at least one housing having a closed upper end and an open lower end;   a seal plate positioned within and surrounded by the at least one housing, the outer peripheries of the seal plate sealingly engaging the inner surfaces of the at least one housing, the at least one housing being upwardly moveable within the support pier relative to the seal plate;   a cavity defined by the space between the upper surface of the seal plate and the upper end of the at least one housing;   a port located in and extending through the closed upper end of the at least one housing and into the cavity;   at least one support sleeve, the at least one support sleeve being encased within the slab foundation, the bottom surface of the at least one support sleeve abuttingly contacting the closed upper end of the at least one housing; and   a pumping device connected to the port for pumping a support media into the cavity to thereby expand the cavity and move the housing, the support sleeve, and the slab foundation upwards relative to the seal plate.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the at least one housing is cylindrical in shape; and   the seal plate is circular in shape.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an O-ring positioned between the outer peripheries of the seal plate and the inner surfaces of the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a plurality of apertures located in and extending through the closed upper end of the housing; and   a plurality of vent tubes connected to and extending upwardly from the seal plate, the plurality of vent tubes being aligned with and extending through at least a portion of the plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a liner surrounding and positioned in abutting contact with the outer peripheries of the housing, the liner fixably secured within the support pier.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an injection tube connected to and extending between the port and the pumping device, the injection tube extending upwardly through the interior of the support sleeve.   
     
     
         13 . A method for forming a movable slab foundation, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a housing with a closed upper end and an open lower end, a seal plate positioned within and surrounded by the housing, the outer peripheries of the seal plate being sealingly engaged with the inner surfaces of the housing, a cavity defined by the space between the upper end of the housing and the upper surface of the seal plate, a port located in and extending through the closed upper end of the housing and into the cavity;   (b) placing a support pier below an intended slab foundation area;   (c) treating the inner and outer surfaces of the housing with a form releaser;   (d) positioning the housing and the seal plate within the support pier;   (e) placing a support sleeve in abutting contact with the closed upper end of the housing;   (f) forming a slab foundation such that it encases the support sleeve; and   (g) pumping a support media through the port and into the cavity, thereby expanding the cavity and simultaneously lifting the housing and the support sleeve to move the slab foundation upward relative to the seal plate to a desired height.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (a) further comprises:
 providing a plurality of apertures located in and extending through the closed upper end of the housing, and a plurality of vent tubes located in and extending upwardly from the seal plate, the vent tubes being aligned with the plurality of apertures; and wherein   step (d) further comprises:   lowering the housing and the seal plate into the support pier; and   venting any air trapped in the housing through the vent tubes and the apertures.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the support pier is of concrete; and
 Wherein the method further comprises between step (d) and step (e), allowing the concrete support pier to set up, thereby encasing the seal plate in the support pier.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising after step (g):
 allowing the support media to set up, thereby securing the position of the housing, the support sleeve, and the slab foundation relative to the seal plate.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising after step (g):
 sealing the port in the closed upper end of the housing, thereby securing the position of the housing, the support sleeve, and the slab foundation relative to the seal plate.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (a) further comprises:
 providing a liner surrounding and in abutting contact with the outer peripheries of the housing; and wherein   step (d) further comprises:   positioning the liner within the support pier.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (g) further comprises:
 extending an injection tube through the interior of the support sleeve and connecting the injection tube between the port and a pumping device.