Uneven support surface 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 relative to a jack that contacts an area outside the perimeter of the uneven slab;   an anchor removably attached into the low side of the uneven slab wherein the anchor is disposed within the outer perimeter of the uneven slab;   a coupling slidably attached between the anchor and the main beam at an attachment point configured so that when the main beam is raised, relative to the jack, the low side of the uneven slab is raised;   a jack coupled to the main beam and configured to raise a portion of the main beam;   a first arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at a proximal end of the main beam, the distal end of the main beam is in contact with the high side of the uneven slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point applying pressure to the high side of the uneven slab and raising the low side of the uneven slab;   a second arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end, the distal end is in contact with an adjacent slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point raising the low side of the uneven slab;   a third arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end and in contact with a first adjacent slab, a second jack is disposed at the distal end and in contact with a second adjacent slab disposed at the opposite end of the uneven slab, an anchor is attached to the low side of the uneven slab and a second anchor is attached to a second low side of the uneven slab wherein the jacks are configured to raise the main beam thereby raising the uneven slab;   a void defined between the surface under the uneven slab and a bottom side of the uneven slab; and,   filler material inserted in the void and configured to support the uneven 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 configured to prevent the coupling from sliding along the main beam when the system is in use. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  including a securing member configured 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 configured to allow for carrying the main beam. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  including an injection opening defined in the uneven slab configured to receive injected filler material wherein the filler material is an expanding polyurethane. 
     
     
         7 . A system for repairing uneven slabs comprising:
 a main beam having a distal end relative to a jack that contacts a buffer pad disposed under the distal end of the main beam to dissipate force exerted by the main beam over a larger area and to define a pivot point partially defined by the distal end;   an anchor removably attached into the low side of the uneven slab wherein the anchor is disposed within the outer perimeter of the uneven slab;   a coupling slidably attached between the anchor and the main beam configured so that as the main beam is raised, relative to the jack, the low side of the uneven slab is raised;   a jack coupled to the main beam configured to raise the main beam;   a first arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at a proximal end of the main beam, the distal end of the main beam is in contact with the high side of the uneven slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point applying pressure to the high side of the uneven slab and raising the low side of the uneven slab;   a second arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end, the distal end is in contact with an adjacent slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point raising the low side of the uneven slab;   a third arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end and in contact with a first adjacent slab, a second jack is disposed at the distal end and in contact with a second adjacent slab, an anchor is attached to the low side of the uneven slab and a second anchor is attached to a second low side of the uneven slab wherein the jacks are configured to raise the main beam thereby raising the uneven slab;   a void defined between the surface under the uneven slab and a bottom side of the uneven slab when the uneven slab is raised; and,   filler material inserted in the void so that the filler supports the uneven slab after the anchor and beam are removed resulting in an evened slab.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  including:
 a pair of lateral beams included in the main beam wherein the length wise axis of the lateral beams are parallel to the length wise axis of 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 configured to prevent the coupling from sliding toward the distal end. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  including cross members attached between the lateral beams and contained within an area defined by the main beam. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the filler material forms a plurality of columns between the ground and the uneven slab so that the filler material does not contiguously fill the void. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the main beam includes a first beam and a second beam in an offset over-under configuration joined by an extension coupling to provide a span longer than either beam individually wherein a distal end of a top beam overlaps a proximal end of a lower beam. 
     
     
         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 distal end relative to a jack;   an anchor attached to the uneven slab;   a coupling slidably attached between the anchor and the main beam at an attachment point configured so that when the main beam is raised, relative to the jack, the low side of the uneven slab is raised;   the main beam, jack, anchor and coupling configured to be positioning in a position selected from the group consisting of: a first arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at a proximal end of the main beam, the distal end of the main beam is in contact with the high side of the uneven slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point applying pressure to the high side of the uneven slab and raising the low side of the uneven slab; a second arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end, the distal end is in contact with an adjacent slab forming the pivot point, the coupling is disposed between the pivot point and the jack is configured to raise the proximal end so that the main beam pivots about the pivot point raising the low side of the uneven slab; a third arrangement wherein the jack is disposed at the proximal end and in contact with a first adjacent slab, a second jack is disposed at the distal end and in contact with a second adjacent slab disposed at the opposite end of the uneven slab, an anchor is attached to the low side of the uneven slab and a second anchor is attached to a second low side of the uneven slab wherein the jacks are configured to raise the main beam thereby raising the uneven slab; or a combination thereof;   a void defined between the surface under the uneven slab and a bottom side of the uneven slab; and,   filler material inserted in the void and configured to support the uneven slab.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the coupling includes a hook that attaches to the anchor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the main beam includes notches defined in a top surface of the main beam to prevent the coupling from sliding toward a low end of the main beam. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  including a securing member to secure the coupling at a fixed position along the main beam. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  including hand openings defined in the proximal and distal ends of the main beam to allow for carrying the main beam. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  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. 
     
     
         19 . 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 and contacts the coupling to prevent the coupling from sliding toward the distal end. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  including cross members attached between the lateral beams.