Earth-sheltered structure

Claim 2

In an earth-sheltered structure: (a) a wall including a plurality of vertically exposed studs; (b) one or more top plate members disposed and affixed atop the wall and supported by the studs; and (c) a plurality of parallel ceiling joist members having notches formed therein for at least partial disposition about the top plate members and each being directly supported above a stud, and a rim joist member disposed atop said top plate member and being connected to said ceiling joist members.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1, wherein gravel serves as a foundation footing for said foundation wall.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 1 wherein concrete serves as a foundation footing for said foundation wall.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said wood is treated with chromated copper arsenate to resist environmental forces normally destructive to wood.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said structure is comprised of structural supporting members that are all made substantially of wood.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 1 and further including a plurality of purlin clips, each purlin clip being disposed between a stud and at least one of said top plate members.

Claim 8

In an earth-sheltered structure: a wall including a plurality of vertically disposed studs, one or more top plate members disposed and affixed atop the wall and supported by the studs, a plurality of parallel ceiling joist members having notches formed therein for at least partial disposition about the top plate members and each being directly supported above a stud, and a rim joist member disposed atop said top plate members and being connected to said ceiling joist members, said ceiling joist members including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members having a given height of which one ceiling joist member is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said joists and having a height at least equal to said joist height.

Claim 9

In an earth-sheltered structure: a wall including a plurality of vertically disposed studs, one or more top plate members disposed and affixed atop the wall and supported by the studs, a plurality of parallel ceiling joist members having notches formed therein for at least partial disposition about the top plate members and each being directly supported above a stud, and a rim joist member disposed atop said top plate members and being connected to said ceiling joist members, said ceiling joist members including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members having a given height of which one ceiling joist member is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said joists and having a height at least equal to said joist height.

Claim 10

The earth-sheltered structure of claim 1 including a wooden floor, a layer of gravel or crushed rock spaced beneath the wooden floor and defining with the wooden floor an air-circulation plenum chamber.

Claim 11

In an earth-sheltered structure, a wall including a plurality of vertically disposed studs, one or more top plate members disposed and affixed atop the wall and supported by the studs, a plurality of parallel ceiling joist members having notches formed therein for at least partial disposition about the top plate members and each being directly supported above a stud, a rim joist member disposed atop said top plate members and being connected to said ceiling joist members, said plurality of parallel ceiling joist members including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members of which one is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said joists and having a height at least equal to said joist height, a wooden floor disposed between said walls, a layer of gravel or crushed rock spaced beneath the wooden floor to define with the wooden floor an air-circulation plenum chamber.

Claim 12

In an earth-sheltered structure, a wall including a plurality of vertically disposed studs, one or more top plate members disposed and affixed atop the wall and supported by the studs, a plurality of parallel ceiling joist members having notches formed therein for at least partial disposition about the top plate members and each being directly supported above a stud, a rim joist member disposed atop said top plate members and being connected to said ceiling joist members, said plurality of parallel ceiling joist members including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members of which one is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said joists and having a height at least equal to said joist height, a wooden floor disposed between said walls, a layer of gravel or crushed rock spaced beneath the wooden floor to define with the wooden floor an air-circulation plenum chamber.

Claim 13

The improvement of claim 11 wherein said blocking members are disposed between parallel ceiling joists for a distance of at least four feet from the walls parallel to the ceiling joists.

Claim 14

In an earth-sheltered structure having a roof at least substantially covered by earth, an improved ceiling-to-wall juncture including a wall comprising a plurality of vertically disposed studs, and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel ceiling joist members parallel to the wall and including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members having a given height and of which one is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said pair of joists and having a height at least equal to the given height of said joists.

Claim 15

In an earth-sheltered structure having a roof at least substantially covered by earth, an improved ceiling-to-wall juncture including a wall comprising a plurality of vertically disposed studs, and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel ceiling joist members parallel to the wall and including at least a pair of spaced ceiling joist members having a given height and of which one is affixed to a side of said wall to impart strength thereto, and a blocking member disposed between said pair of joists and having a height at least equal to the given height of said joists.