US3811722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foundation structure for mobile home
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-12-07
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A foundation structure for mobile homes, comprising a prestressed, or post-stressed, lightweight concrete base, having longitudinally and transversely extending flanges on the underside, which give it structural stiffness and rigidity. The concrete base is much heavier than the conventional steel framework underbody, and a larger proportion of the total mass is incorporated in the foundation structure, so that the center of gravity of the complete mobile home is lowered to a level just about at the tops of the wheels, making it very stable. Cast concrete underbody requires less labor to build, its cost is less, no painting is required, needs no wood floor and therefor is less susceptible to termites, and conduits for plumbing, electric wires, and ventilation air can be cast in place. Prestressed steel reinforcing rods or cables are embedded in the flanges, and are bent to obtain maximum vertical force vectors at the ends of the concrete structure.
Inventors
- 👤 G Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:57
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34336; E04B1/34352; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S296/00; Y10S296/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, comprising a prefabricated rectangular platform of cast, concrete-like material, having a flat top surface which serves as a floor for the mobile home, and downwardly projecting flanges on the underside thereof, some of said flAnges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platform and some extending transversely with respect thereto; a plurality of longitudinally extending tensioned reinforcing members embedded in said platform to prevent vertical flexing of the ends thereof, certain of said members being located adjacent the top surface thereof, and others of said members being located adjacent the bottom edges of said longitudinally extending flanges, said certain members being bent downwardly from the midsection of the platform to the ends thereof, and said other members being bent upwardly from the midsection of the platform to the ends thereof; and a plurality of wheels supporting said platform intermediate the ends thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, comprising a prefabricated rectangular platform of cast, concrete-like material, having a flat top surface which serves as a floor for the mobile home, and downwardly projecting flanges on the underside thereof, some of said flAnges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platform and some extending transversely with respect thereto; a plurality of longitudinally extending tensioned reinforcing members embedded in said platform to prevent vertical flexing of the ends thereof, certain of said members being located adjacent the top surface thereof, and others of said members being located adjacent the bottom edges of said longitudinally extending flanges, said certain members being bent downwardly from the midsection of the platform to the ends thereof, and said other members being bent upwardly from the midsection of the platform to the ends thereof; and a plurality of wheels supporting said platform intermediate the ends thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
215 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, comprising a prefabricated rectangular platform of cast concrete, having a flat top surface which serves as a floor for the mobile home, and downwardly projecting flanges on the underside thereof, some of said flanges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platform and some extending transversely with respect thereto; said longitudinally extending flanges being deeper at the midpoint of the platform than they are at the ends; a plurality of longitudinally extending tensioned reinforcing members embedded in said concrete platform to prevent vertical flexing of the ends thereof, said reinforcing members comprising steel rods or cables extending lengthwise of the platform, some of said rods or cables being located adjacent the top surface of the platform at the midpoint thereof and bending downwardly so that their ends are adjacent the bottom edges of their respective flanges, and others of said rods or cables being located adjacent the bottom edge of their respective flanges at the midpoint of the platform and bending upwardly so that their ends are adjacent the top edges of their respective flanges; a plurality of wheels supporting said platform intermediate the ends thereof; and a draft tongue attached to one end of said platform and having means adapted for connection to a towing vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
215 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, comprising a prefabricated rectangular platform of cast concrete, having a flat top surface which serves as a floor for the mobile home, and downwardly projecting flanges on the underside thereof, some of said flanges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platform and some extending transversely with respect thereto; said longitudinally extending flanges being deeper at the midpoint of the platform than they are at the ends; a plurality of longitudinally extending tensioned reinforcing members embedded in said concrete platform to prevent vertical flexing of the ends thereof, said reinforcing members comprising steel rods or cables extending lengthwise of the platform, some of said rods or cables being located adjacent the top surface of the platform at the midpoint thereof and bending downwardly so that their ends are adjacent the bottom edges of their respective flanges, and others of said rods or cables being located adjacent the bottom edge of their respective flanges at the midpoint of the platform and bending upwardly so that their ends are adjacent the top edges of their respective flanges; a plurality of wheels supporting said platform intermediate the ends thereof; and a draft tongue attached to one end of said platform and having means adapted for connection to a towing vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, as in claim 2, wherein means is provided on the underside of the platform which defines a plenum chamber for the heating and ventilation system with register openings formed in the floor, through which air passes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, as in claim 2, wherein said reinforcing rods or cables are prestressed at the time the concrete is poured and cured.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A foundation structure for a mobile home, as in claim 2, wherein said reinforcing rods or cables are post stressed by casting said platform with a slight upward camber on either side of the midpoint, the ends of said platform then deflecting downwardly by gravity to produce a level top surface, said downward deflection of the ends serving to tension at least some of said reinforcing rods or cables.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |