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US 5,492,437 AGranted
Self-aligning devices and methods for lifting and securing structures
OwnerLeo P. Ortizinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides novel lifting devices and methods for lifting foundations and slabs. One or more power cylinders is pivotally linked to a pier and to a foundation bracket assembly. The pivotal linkage results in self-alignment between the longitudinal axis of the pier and the axis along which compressive pressure is applied to the pier.
Claims23
A lifting device suitable for lifting and securing a foundation element comprising:
- a) a first power cylinder having (1) a first end and (2) a second end;
- b) a second power cylinder having (1) a first end and (2) a second end, wherein the second power cylinder is substantially identical to the first power cylinder;
- c) a first clevis connector attached to the first end of the first power cylinder, wherein the first clevis connector has (1) a first area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a second area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first aperture;
- d) a second clevis connector attached to the second end of the first power cylinder, wherein the second clevis connector has (1) a third area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a fourth area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the third aperture;
- e) a third clevis connector attached to the first end of the second power cylinder wherein the third clevis connector has (1) a fifth area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a sixth area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter approximately equal to the predetermined diameter of the fifth aperture;
- f) fourth clevis connector attached to the second end of the second power cylinder, wherein the fourth clevis connector has (1) a seventh area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) an eighth area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the seventh aperture;
- g) a pier guiding means adapted for slidably receiving a pier, wherein the pier guiding means has (1) a center and (2) a longitudinal axis through the center;
- h) a pier securing means adapted for selectively securing the pier to the pier guiding means when the foundation element is lifted to a predetermined level;
- i) a foundation attachment means for attaching the lifting device to the foundation element, wherein the foundation attachment means is mounted to the pier guiding means;
- j) a power cylinder yoke mounted to the pier guiding means;
- k) a power cylinder yoke coupling means comprising:
- (1) a first yoke pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the first clevis connector to the power cylinder yoke, wherein the first yoke pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the first aperture and (2) a second yoke pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the third clevis connector to the power cylinder yoke, wherein the second pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the fifth aperture;
- l) an articulating bracket;
- m) a pier compression means adapted for compressibly engaging the pier;
- n) a first pier compression pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the pier compression means to the articulating bracket;
- and
- o) an articulating bracket coupling means comprising:
- (1) a first articulating bracket pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the second clevis connector to the articulating bracket, wherein the first articulating bracket pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the third aperture and (2) a second articulating bracket pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the fourth clevis connector to the articulating bracket, wherein the second articulating bracket pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the seventh aperture, whereby the pier compression means is pivotally linked to the power cylinder yoke.
15 more elements
A lifting device suitable for lifting and securing a foundation element comprising:
- a) a power cylinder having (1) a first end and (2) a second end;
- b) a pier guiding means adapted for slidably receiving a pier, wherein the pier guiding means has (1) a center and (2) a longitudinal axis through the center;
- c) a pier securing means adapted for selectively securing the pier to the pier guiding means when the foundation element is lifted to a predetermined level;
- d) a foundation attachment means for attaching the lifting device to the foundation element, wherein the foundation attachment means is mounted to the pier guiding means;
- e) power cylinder yoke mounted to the pier guiding means;
- f) a first upright member having (1) a first end and (2) a second end;
- g) a second upright member having (1) a first end and (2) a second end, wherein the second upright member is substantially identical to the first upright member:
- h) a first clevis connector attached to the first end of the first upright member, wherein the first clevis connector has (1) a first area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a second area defining a aperture having a predetermined diameter approximately equal the diameter of the first aperture;
- i) a second clevis connector attached to the second end of the first upright member, wherein the second clevis connector has (1) a third area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a fourth area defining an aperture having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the third aperture;
- j) a third clevis connector attached to the first end of the second upright member, wherein the third clevis connector has (1) a fifth area defining an aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) a sixth area defining an aperture having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the fifth aperture;
- k) a fourth clevis connector attached to the second end of the second upright member, wherein the fourth clevis connector has (1) a seventh area defining a aperture having a predetermined diameter and (2) an eighth area defining an aperture having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the seventh aperture;
- l) a yoke coupling means comprising:
- (1) a yoke first pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the first clevis connector to the power cylinder yoke, wherein the first pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the first aperture and (2) a second yoke pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the third clevis connector to the power cylinder yoke, wherein the second yoke pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the fifth aperture:
- m) a cylinder bracket mounted to the first end of the power cylinder;
- n) a fifth clevis connector mounted to the second end of the power cylinder;
- o) pier compression means adapted for compressibly engaging the pier;
- p) pier compression pivotal fastener pivotally coupling the pier compression means to the fifth clevis connector;
- and
- q) a cylinder bracket coupling means comprising:
- (1) a first cylinder bracket pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the second clevis connector to the cylinder bracket, wherein the first cylinder bracket pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the third aperture and (2) a second cylinder bracket pivotal fastener for pivotally coupling the fourth clevis connector to the cylinder bracket, wherein the second cylinder bracket pivotal fastener has a fastener shaft having a diameter which is 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch smaller than the diameter of the seventh aperture, whereby the pier compression means is pivotally linked to the power cylinder yoke.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.