Uneven concrete slab repair system and method

Abstract

This invention is directed to a main beam having a distal end that contacts a high side of a slab to define a pivot point; an anchor removably attached to a low side of the slab; a coupling attached between the anchor and the main beam so that when a proximal end of the beam is raised, the low side of the slab is raised; a jack coupled to the distal end for raising the proximal end of the main beam; a void defined between the surface under the slab and a bottom side of the slab when the slab is raised; and, filler material inserted in the void so that when the filler supports the slab after the anchor and beam are removed resulting in an evened slab.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for repairing uneven slabs comprising:
 a main beam having a distal end that contacts a high side of a slab to define a pivot point;   an anchor removably attached to a low side of the slab;   a coupling attached between the anchor and the main beam so that when a proximal end of the beam is raised, the low side of the slab is raised;   a jack coupled to the distal end for raising the proximal end of the main beam;   a void defined between the surface under the slab and a bottom side of the slab when the slab is raised; and,   filler material inserted in the void so that when the filler supports the slab after the anchor and beam are removed resulting in an evened slab.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the coupling includes a hook that attaches to the anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the main beam includes notches defined in a top surface of the main beam to prevent the coupling from sliding toward the distal end when the system is in use. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  including a securing member to secure the coupling at a fixed position along the main beam. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  including hand openings defined in the proximal and distal ends of the main beam to allow for carrying the main beam. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  including an injection opening defined in the slab for injecting filler material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  including a buffer pad disposed under the distal end of the main beam to dissipate force exerted by the main beam over a larger area. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  including:
 lateral beams included in the main beam; 
 an opening defined between the lateral beams; and, 
 a stop disposed in the opening that protrudes above the lateral beam and contacts the coupling to prevent the coupling from sliding toward the distal end. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  including cross members attached between the lateral beams. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the filler material forms a plurality of columns between the ground and the slab so that the filler material does not contiguously fill the void. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the main beam includes a first beam and a second beam in an offset configuration joined by an extension coupling to provide a span longer than either beam individually. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the extension coupling includes an extension securing member to secure the extension coupling to the first and second beams. 
     
     
         13 . A system for repairing uneven slabs comprising:
 a main beam having a proximal end and a distal end;   a first anchor removably attached to a low side of the slab;   a first coupling assembly removably attached between the proximal end of the main beam and the first anchor;   a second anchor removably attached to a high side of the slab;   a second coupling assembly removably attached between the distal end of the main beam and the second anchor;   a first jack carried by the proximal end of the main beam and a second jack carried by the distal end of the main beam;   a void defined between the surface under the slab and a bottom side of the slab when the slab is raised; and,   filler material inserted in the void so that the filler material supports the slab after the anchor, coupling assembly and main beam are removed.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the main beam includes a first beam and a second beam in an offset configuration joined by an extension coupling to provide a span longer than either beam individually. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  including:
 lateral beams included in the main beam; 
 an opening defined between the lateral beams; and, 
 a stop disposed in the opening that protrudes above the lateral beam to prevent the coupling from sliding toward the distal end. 
 
     
     
         16 . A system for repairing uneven slabs comprising:
 attaching an anchor to a low end of a slab;   attaching a coupling included in a coupling assembly connecting the anchor and a main beam;   raising a proximal end of the main beam so that the low side of the slab is raised to create a void between the surface under the slab and a bottom side of the slab;   inserting filler material in the void so that the filler supports the slab; and,   removing the anchor, coupling assembly and main beam.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the step of inserting filler material includes inserting filler material in an area less than the area defined by the void so that the filler material forms a column between the ground and slab so that the filler material does not contiguously fill the void. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  including:
 inserting filler material for a predetermined period of time; and, 
 waiting a longer period of time that the predetermined period of time so that the filler material forms a column between the ground and slab so that the filler material does not contiguously fill the void. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  including the step of placing a distal end of the main beam on a high end of the slab to create a pivot point. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  including the step of placing a buffer pad under the distal end of the main beam to dissipate force exerted on the slab from the main beam over a larger area.