Method and apparatus for lifting and supporting slabs

Abstract

A method of lifting and supporting concrete slabs which includes the steps of cutting an access hole in the slab, inserting a lift plate through the access hole; rotating and drawing the lift plate up against the underside of the slab, and driving a pier through the access hole to bedrock or other load bearing strata. After a series of piers are driven, lifting means are then attached to the lift plates and therefore the slab and employed to raise the slab to the desired level. The lift plates are then secured to the piers to maintain the slab in its desired, permanent position. The apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method includes a lift plate below and engaging the bottom of the slab, a pier driven through an access hole cut in the slab and through a hole in the lift plate, a lift bracket over the slab and secured to the lift plate by threaded rods extending through the slab, and an extensible ram positioned between the pier and the lift bracket for raising the lift plate and therefore the slab to its final, desired position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.