Support system for lifting and leveling existing buildings that utilizes non-cylindrical support sections and a vertically-adjustable cap that enables the building to be easily raised or lowered to a desired height

#The present invention relates to a system for lifting and leveling (i.e., repairing) existing buildings that have settled unevenly or, for some other reason, have become unstable and need to be re-leveled and stabilized. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vertically-adjustable cap that is coupled to a support section of the system and that can be vertically adjusted to enable the building to be easily raised or lowered to a desired height.

#Several methods and systems have been developed and used for lifting, leveling and stabilizing existing buildings. One common technique used for re-leveling and stabilizing buildings and houses is accomplished by digging a hole underneath a building foundation to a depth generally equal to the length of a cylindrical cement support piling (e.g., 12 inches), driving the cylindrical cement support pilings into the ground one on top of the other until a particular depth has been reached, and jacking a portion of the building up to a particular height by utilizing a jack that is located on the top surface of the uppermost piling.

#The pilings are typically driven into the ground until a rock strata is encountered or until the depth of the hole containing the pilings is believed to be sufficiently deep. In situations where a rock strata cannot be reached, the pilings are typically driven to a depth great enough to cause friction between the earth and the outer surfaces of the pilings to prevent substantial movement of the pilings.

#These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description drawings and claims.

#FIG. 1A is an end view of an H-beam that may be used to lift and level existing buildings in accordance with the method of the present invention.

#FIG. 1B is a side view of the H-beam shown in FIG. 1A.

#As stated above, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for lifting and leveling (i.e., repairing) existing structures, such as buildings and houses (hereinafter referred to collectively as “buildings”). The apparatus of the present invention in accordance with one embodiment comprises one or more H-beams 1, such as the H-beam shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A is a top (or bottom) view of an H-beam 1 of the type typically used in constructing large commercial buildings. FIG. 1B is a front view (or rear view) of the H-beam 1 shown in FIG. 1A. In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined the a beam having a non-cylindrical cross-section, such as a cross-section of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, has decreased bearing characteristics, meaning that it can be driven into the ground easier and deeper than the concrete and steel piling sections that are currently used for lifting and leveling existing buildings.

#The H-beam 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B has decreased bearing characteristics due to the fact the area of the end (end view shown in FIG. 1A) of the beam 1 that is driven into the ground is less than that typically used for cement and hollow, steel pipe pilings. However, the outside area surface of the H-beam 1 (shown in FIG. 1B) is large enough to create friction between the earth and the beam 1 to help maintain the beam 1 in place once it has been installed. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention has very desirable bearing and friction characteristics. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention is much stronger than steel pipes and cement pilings, and therefore has much greater stability than support apparatuses or systems comprised of steel pipes or cement pilings.

#FIGS. 2A and 2B show an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which I-beam support sections 4 are used by the support system of the present invention. The I-beam support sections 4 have similar bearing and friction characteristics as those of the H-beam 1, except that the I-beam 4 has a longer mid-section 5 that separates the top and bottom sections 6 of the I-beam 4. Those skilled in the art will understand, in view of the present disclosure, that non-cylindrical support sections other than those shown in FIGS. 1A-2B have similar bearing and friction characteristics and therefore are suitable for use with the present invention. For example, a second mid-section could be added to either of the H-beam or I-beam support sections (i.e., another section that would be parallel to mid-sections 3 or 5, respectively), or the support section could be constructed simply as a cross having to equal length perpendicular sections that intersect each other at their respective midpoints. Those skilled in the art will understand, in view of the description provided herein, the manner in which such alternative non-cylindrical support section designs could be used to achieve the goals of the present invention.