Apparatus and method for a modular lifting and shoring system

An apparatus for progressively lifting or lowering a load, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongate structure having an open slot along one side of its length, said elongate structure being formed from a plurality of connectable building elements, each said building element having a first mating end, a second mating end, and a plurality of sides, for forming a generally block-shaped building element, each said building element further being open on one of said sides and on said first and second mating ends to form a open slot-like center, said first mating end and said second mating end further being configured to releasably mate with other said first or second mating ends of other of said building elements whereby a first building element may be releasably securely connected to a second building element for forming an elongate structure having an open slot along one side of its length;
• a lifting device for placement within said open slot;
• and
• a shelf member removably mountable within said open slot for supporting the load of said lifting device, each said building element being configured for receiving and supporting said shelf member;
• whereby when a plurality of said building elements are connected to each other for forming said elongate structure, said shelf member and said lifting device may be placed at a plurality of locations within said elongate structure such that said lifting device may be activated to progressively lift a load to enable additional said building elements to be added to said elongate structure or said lifting device may be activated to progressively remove said building elements from said elongate structure for lowering the load.

An apparatus for shoring or elevating a load, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongate structure constructed from a plurality of block-like building elements releasably connectable to each other for forming said elongate structure, each said building element having a first mating surface, a second mating surface located opposite to said first mating surface, and four non-mating sides located between said first mating surface and said second mating surface, with one of said sides on each said building element being open, and with said first and second mating surfaces each having a generally U-shaped opening aligned with said open side, so that when a plurality of said building elements are connected to each other to form said elongate structure, said openings form a slot extending along the length of said elongate structure to enable placement of a lifting device at a plurality of locations within said elongate structure;
• a shelf member configured to be placed in any of said building elements for supporting the load of a lifting device, said building elements being configured to receive and support said shelf member;
• and
• a lifting device in contact with said shelf member within said slot.

A method for moving a load away from a support surface, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of releasably connectable block-like building elements, said building elements having a first mating end, a second mating end, and three non-mating sides, with a fourth non-mating side being open for receiving a lifting device;
• securely connecting a plurality of said building elements to each other for forming a rigid elongate structure such that said open sides are aligned for forming a slot along at least a portion of said elongate structure, said elongate structure being positioned between the load and the support surface;
• positioning a lifting device within said slot, said lifting device being in structural communication with either the load or the support surface and also being fixed within said slot;
• and activating said lifting device to move the load away from the support surface.

A method of progressively elevating a load, said method comprising:

• forming an elongate post by connecting a plurality of releasably connectable building elements, each said building element having an upper mating end, a lower mating end, and four non-mating sides for forming a generally block-shaped building element, each said building element further being open on one of said sides and on said first and second mating ends to form an open slot along the length of said post,
• positioning said post under the load to be elevated;
• fixing a lifting device within said open slot of said post so that said lifting device is able to elevate the load;
• activating said lifting device to elevate the load a sufficient distance to enable the addition of an additional building element to said post;
• deactivating said lifting device for lowering said load into contact with the upper end of said post;
• and
• repositioning said lifting device to a location within said open slot closer to the load to further elevate the load, whereby the load is progressively elevated.

A method of progressively moving a load away from a supporting surface, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of building elements, said building elements being releasably connectable to each other, said building elements having a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a plurality of non-mating sides, with one of said sides on said elements being completely open and in communication with generally U-shaped openings in said first and second mating surfaces;
• releasably connecting a plurality of building elements to each other between the load and the supporting surface thereby assembling an elongate post having an open slot formed on one side along of its length, with a first end of said post bearing against one of said load or said supporting surface;
• fixing a lifting device in said open slot in alignment with the major axis of said post and in proximity to the other of said load or said supporting surface and also in proximity to a second end of said post so that said lifting device may be activated to move the load away from the supporting surface;
• activating said lifting device to create a sufficient distance between either the load or the supporting surface and said second end of said post to enable the connection of an additional building element to the second end of said post
• deactivating said lifting device for allowing either said load or said support surface to move into contact with the second end of said post;
• and
• repositioning said lifting device within said open slot at a location closer to said second end of said post to enable the lifting device to further move the load away from the supporting surface.