Systems and Methods for Supporting a Concrete Slab
AssigneeSmartSense Structural Systems, LLC
InventorsHyrum M. Cook, Thomas M. Richards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for supporting a concrete slab are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods may comprise an array of coupled hollow boxes to support a concrete slab monolithically poured on the array. The array of hollow boxes may be particularly suited for supporting a concrete slab to be emplaced at a construction site on expansive, collapsible, compressible, and/or rocky soils. The disclosed systems and methods may be more economically feasible and more reliable than other methods of preventing damage to a concrete slab in an expansive soil setting.
Claims20
An apparatus to support a concrete slab, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow box comprising four side walls, a top wall, and an open bottom, wherein the hollow box is configured to be placed directly on soil of a site oriented such that the open bottom abuts the soil;
- a flange extending away from the hollow box, the flange coupled to two of the side walls and adjacent to the open bottom, wherein the flange comprises one or more indentations for placing anchors to secure the hollow box to the soil;
- and
- a plurality of clip holes in the top wall to secure the hollow box to other hollow boxes via clips.
A system of supports for a concrete slab, the system comprising a plurality of hollow boxes, each hollow box comprising:
- four side walls, a top wall, and an open bottom, wherein the hollow box is configured to be placed directly on soil of a site oriented such that the open bottom abuts the soil;
- and
- a plurality of clip holes in the top wall, the clip holes spaced along and adjacent an exterior perimeter of the top wall, wherein the clip holes comprise tapered walls;
- and
- a plurality of clips comprising two or more posts and a crosspiece coupling the two or more posts together, wherein the two or more posts are configured to be selectively inserted into the clip holes to secure two or more hollow boxes together, wherein the tapered walls of the clip holes are configured to facilitate an interference fit between the clip holes and the posts,
- wherein the plurality of hollow boxes are configured to be placed in an array, the array comprising clusters of one or more of the plurality of hollow boxes with each of the clusters spaced apart from other clusters and configured to be coupled with one or more of the plurality of clips to every immediately surrounding cluster via one or more of the plurality of clip holes.
A method of laying a concrete slab, the method comprising:
- placing a plurality of hollow boxes in an array on the ground of a site, the array comprising clusters of one or more of the plurality of hollow boxes, each of the clusters spaced apart from other clusters and configured to be coupled with one or more clips to immediately surrounding clusters via one or more clip holes on top of each hollow box, wherein each of the hollow boxes comprises a flange extending away from the hollow box and adjacent to a bottom of the box bottom, wherein the flange comprises one or more indentations for placing anchors to secure the hollow box to the soil;
- securing the hollow boxes in place by driving one or more anchors through at least one of the one or more indentations of the flange and into the soil;
- and
- placing support member across one or more clips between the clusters of hollow boxes;
- and
- pouring concrete monolithically over the hollow boxes and support members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.