Seismic foundation pier with ground anchor means

A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling and for resisting seismic forces applied to the dwelling and to the pier, the pier comprising:

• a base;
• adjustment means affixed to the base and extending upwardly therefrom for adjusting the height of the pier;
• coupling means for securing the pier to a support beam of the dwelling, the coupling means affixed to the adjustment means and comprising bracket members configured to secure the pier to the support beam;
• a plurality of force distribution members disposed equidistantly about the base and affixed thereto, the force distribution members coupled to the adjustment means for distributing force, including seismic forces of up to 3,000 pounds applied to the dwelling and to the pier;
• clamp means affixed to the force distribution members for retaining the adjustment means therein, the clamp means coupling the force distribution members to the adjustment means for preventing inadvertent movement therebetween, the clamp means causing the force distribution members to cooperate with the adjustment means to increase the ability of the pier to withstand seismic forces applied to the dwelling;
• and
• an anchor assembly for anchoring the pier to a ground surface, the anchor assembly comprising a plurality of guides with one guide affixed to each of the force distribution members, and a plurality of rods with one rod provided for each guide, the rods configured to slide through the guides and be driven into the ground, the guides affixed to the force distribution members, such that rods extend downwardly and obliquely into the ground a depth of approximately 15 to 20 inches for anchoring the pier thereto.

A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling and for resisting seismic forces applied to the dwelling and to the pier, the pier comprising:

• a base;
• adjustment means affixed to the base and extending upwardly therefrom for adjusting the height of the pier;
• coupling means for securing the pier to a support beam of the dwelling, the coupling means affixed to the adjustment means and comprising bracket members configured to secure the pier to the support beam;
• a plurality of force distribution members affixed to the base, the force distribution members coupled to the adjustment means for distributing force, including seismic forces of up to 3,000 pounds applied to the dwelling and to the pier;
• clamp means affixed to the force distribution members for retaining the adjustment means therein, the clamp means coupling the force distribution members to the adjustment means for preventing inadvertent movement therebetween, the clamp means causing the force distribution members to cooperate with the adjustment means to increase the ability of the pier to withstand seismic forces applied to the dwelling;
• and
• an anchor assembly for anchoring the pier to a ground surface, the anchor assembly comprising a plurality of elongated tubular guides with a guide affixed to each of the force distribution members, and a plurality of rods with one rod provided for each guide, the rods configured to slip-fit the guides for driving the rods into the ground, the guides affixed to the force distribution members, such that rods extend downwardly and obliquely from the base and into the ground for penetrating the ground to positively anchor the pier thereto, each of the rods having a tapered first end for penetrating the ground and a flat second end for receiving blows from a driving implement for driving the rod into the ground, the second end of each of the rods having a flange extending about the periphery thereof to prevent the second end from extending into the corresponding guide as the rods are driven into the ground, the rods extending obliquely into the ground a depth of approximately 15 to 20 inches.