Liftable structure system

Abstract

A liftable building system includes a building structure. A foundation is configured for supporting the building structure. A substructure is disposable between the foundation and the building structure. At least one guide post is in communication with the building structure, the substructure and the foundation. The liftable building system includes a lifting system including a first end and a second end. The first end is in communication with the substructure and the second end is in communication with the foundation so that actuating the lifting system applies a force to axially displace in a substantially up and down direction the substructure with the building structure along or with the at least one guidepost relative to the foundation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A liftable building system, comprising:
 a building structure;   a foundation configured for supporting the building structure;   a plurality of guideposts that each extend through the building structure and the foundation; and   a lifting system that is spaced apart from the guideposts, the lifting system extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the building structure and the second end being in communication with the foundation, the lifting system comprising a motor configured to actuate the lifting system such that the lifting system applies a force to move the building structure axially relative to the foundation along the guideposts.   
     
     
         22 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the guideposts each include opposite upper and lower end surfaces that are fixed relative to one another. 
     
     
         23 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the lifting system is slidably coupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts. 
     
     
         24 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the lifting system comprises linear actuators that are slidably coupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts. 
     
     
         25 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the linear actuators axially translate in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure. 
     
     
         26 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the lifting system comprises horizontal drive shafts that are coupled to the linear actuators. 
     
     
         27 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate the horizontal drive shafts to translate the linear actuators axially in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure. 
     
     
         28 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the lifting system comprises:
 a plurality of linear actuators; and   a plurality of horizontal drive shafts connected to the linear actuators,   wherein as the horizontal drive shafts rotate via actuation of the motor and the linear actuators axially translate in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure.   
     
     
         29 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the lifting system further comprises a limit switch that limits the total axial displacement of the linear actuators thereby limiting the total axial displacement of the building structure relative to the foundation. 
     
     
         30 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the lifting system is mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, engine driven, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the guideposts are each disposed adjacent a corner of the building structure. 
     
     
         32 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a bracing structure extending between the foundation and the building structure so as to stabilize the building structure when the building structure is in a raised position. 
     
     
         33 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the bracing structure is retractable to a non-stabilizing position when the building structure is lowered. 
     
     
         34 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the guideposts are embedded in the foundation and project upwardly from the foundation about 4 feet to about 10 feet above the foundation so as to provide stability to the building structure as the building structure is being raised. 
     
     
         35 . A liftable building system, comprising:
 a building structure;   a foundation configured for supporting the building structure;   a plurality of guideposts that each extend through the building structure and the foundation, the guideposts each including opposite upper and lower end surfaces that are fixed relative to one another; and   a lifting system extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the building structure and the second end being in communication with the foundation, the lifting system comprising a motor configured to actuate the lifting system such that the lifting system applies a force to move the building structure axially relative to the foundation along the guideposts.   
     
     
         36 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the end surfaces extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         37 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the lifting system comprises linear actuators that are slidably coupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts. 
     
     
         38 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the linear actuators axially translate in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure. 
     
     
         39 . A lifting system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the lifting system comprises horizontal drive shafts that are coupled to the linear actuators and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the horizontal drive shafts to translate the linear actuators axially in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure. 
     
     
         40 . A liftable building system, comprising:
 a building structure;   a foundation configured for supporting the building structure;   a plurality of guideposts that each extend through the building structure and the foundation; and   a lifting system that is mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, engine driven, or combinations thereof, the lifting system being spaced apart from the guideposts, the lifting system extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the building structure and the second end being in communication with the foundation,   wherein the lifting system comprises linear actuators that are slidably coupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts, the linear actuators being coupled to horizontal drive shafts such that a motor of the lifting system rotates the horizontal drive shafts to translate the linear actuators axially in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on the building structure such that the building structure moves axially relative to the foundation along the guideposts.