Flotation system for buildings

Abstract

A flotation system for a building (300) is disclosed including a watertight basement (540) having a unitary piece of concrete forming the floor and walls (615) of the watertight basement (540). Rollers (610) are attached to the watertight basement (540). As floodwater rises or recedes, the rollers (610) roll along guide posts (310) located near corners of the watertight basement (540). Attached to the guide posts (310) are a ratchet system (620) for moving the watertight basement (540) along the guide posts (310) and maintaining it at a desired height. One preferred embodiment includes pressurized cylinders (1550) for lifting the building (300) prior to a surge of floodwater. In one embodiment, the floatation system includes pressurized cylinders (1740) for lifting a foundation (1725) and a building structure (1725) off of a concrete slab (1720) prior to a rising floodwater.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.