Locking Cap Foundation Retention System for Active Soil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foundation lifting systems are costly and labor-intensive, requiring expensive materials and many workers to lift and retain slab foundations over active soils, which can lead to structural damage due to soil expansion and contraction.

Innovation Solution

A locking cap foundation retention system using a foundation lift interface assembly and retainer assembly with a locking cap configuration, allowing for efficient lifting and retention of foundations using removable lifting mechanisms and simple, inexpensive components, facilitating various lift heights and adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional foundation lifting systems are used with structural supports and lifting assemblies, then the foundation can be suspended above active soils to prevent damage, but the system becomes costly and labor-intensive requiring expensive materials and many workers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoundation stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation lifting system is divided into discrete, modular components: individual lift slabs with integrated locking caps, separate structural supports (helical piers or drilled shafts), and removable lifting mechanisms. Each component can be independently installed, adjusted, and removed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability through modular redundancy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking cap mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the structural support once the foundation is lifted to the desired height, eliminating the need for continuous manual operation or complex control systems. The mechanical self-locking feature provides automatic stabilization without requiring ongoing human intervention or sophisticated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional lifting mechanisms are used to raise the foundation, then the foundation can be isolated from active soils, but the process becomes labor-intensive requiring an appreciable number of workers to manually manipulate lifting mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoundation isolationVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is extracted from complex mechanical systems and embodied in the simple, integrated lift slab component that combines the lifting surface, locking mechanism, and support interface into a single unit. This extraction simplifies the lifting operation to basic mechanical insertion and engagement, dramatically reducing the skill level and number of workers required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex lifting mechanisms that require manual manipulation from above, the system inverts the approach by having the foundation itself serve as the lifting mechanism through the integrated lift slab. The locking cap engages with the structural support to lift and hold the foundation, eliminating the need for separate, complex lifting equipment and manual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If expensive concrete forming materials are used to form the foundation in the final suspended position, then the foundation can be properly supported, but the cost of materials increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoundation supportVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is formed in its final suspended position using the lift slab as both the foundation element and the lifting mechanism. The locking cap is pre-installed on the structural support at the desired elevation, allowing the concrete to be poured directly into the final position without requiring expensive temporary forming systems or shoring materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lift slab serves multiple functions: it acts as the foundation slab, the lifting mechanism, the forming system, and the permanent structural element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate, expensive forming materials while providing reliable foundation support in the suspended position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10294628B1Systems and methods for lifted foundation retention with locking cap

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 TELLA FIRMA LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods which provide for lifted foundation retention using foundation lift retainer assemblies having a locking cap configuration are described. A locking cap foundation retention system of embodiments may include a foundation lift interface assembly supporting operations to lift a foundation and a foundation lift retainer assembly having a locking cap configuration utilized in sustaining the foundation in a lifted position. A locking cap of embodiments is configured to accommodate operation of a removable lift mechanism lifting a foundation and thereafter for sustaining the foundation in the lifted position. A foundation lift interface may be configured to allow a foundation to move with respect to components of a foundation lift retainer assembly during a foundation lifting operation, whereby the locking cap of the foundation lift retainer assembly engages one or more components of the foundation lift interface to restrict movement of the foundation subsequent to the foundation lifting operation.