Apparatus and method for raising a foundation

A lifting assembly for use in conjunction with a pier driven generally vertically into the ground proximate an edge of a foundation for lifting the edge of the foundation, comprising:

• a lifting saddle constructed to engage the pier such that the lifting saddle is slidable upward and downward along the pier;
• and
• a bracket adapted to engage the edge of the foundation;
• the lifting saddle being configured to support the bracket such that upward movement of the lifting saddle causes the bracket to lift the edge of the foundation, the bracket being slidably connected to the lifting saddle so as to allow the bracket to slide in a horizontal direction relative to the lifting saddle and the pier.

A method for raising an edge of a foundation, comprising:

• securing a bracket to the edge of the foundation, the bracket extending outward from the foundation;
• engaging the bracket with a lifting saddle defining a pier-receiving passage therethrough, the lifting saddle supporting the bracket such that upward movement of the lifting saddle causes the bracket to be raised;
• driving a pier generally vertically into the ground proximate the edge of the foundation;
• disposing the pier within the pier-receiving passage of the lifting saddle;
• raising the lifting saddle upward along the pier to a desired height;
• and
• allowing the bracket to pivot about at least one horizontal axis relative to the pier during the raising operation.

A lifting device for raising an edge of a foundation, comprising:

• a pier adapted to be positioned in the ground such that an upper portion of the pier is disposed adjacent the edge of the foundation, at least the upper portion of the pier being tubular;
• and
• a lifting assembly including a foundation-engaging portion adapted to provide vertical support to the foundation, and a pier-engaging portion in sliding engagement with the upper portion of the pier and supporting vertical loads imposed on the foundation-engaging portion;
• the lifting assembly being constructed and arranged such that the foundation-engaging portion has multiple degrees of freedom of movement relative to the pier-engaging portion.