Beam clamp for connecting foundation system to beam of manufactured home

Abstract

Clamp 10 for connecting foundation system 50 to horizontal support beam 80 of a manufactured home includes a pair of members 20 ; each including a channel 24 for mounting members 20 opposite one another on bottom lateral flange 83 of beam 80 . Lower portions 30 of members 20 are connected by bolt 40 such that tightening bolt 40 tilts members 20 and binds channels 24 on flange 83 . Upper end 76 of foundation arm 70 is pivotally connected to bolt 40 between members 20 . Thus, tightening single bolt 40 attaches foundation system 50 to beam 80.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A beam clamp for connecting a foundation system to a horizontal support beam; the foundation system including a ground support and a rigid arm having a bottom end connected to the ground support and a top end; the support beam having a bottom end having a lateral flange including a front flange and a rear flange; each flange having a top, a bottom, and a free end; said clamp including: 
 a front member including: 
 a top;  
 a medial side including: 
 a channel adapted for receiving the front flange including: 
 a top surface; and  
 a bottom surface; and  
 
 
 a lower portion lower than said channel;  
   a rear member including: 
 a top;  
 a medial side including: 
 a channel adapted for receiving the rear flange including: 
 a top surface; and  
 a bottom surface; and  
 
 
 a lower portion lower than said channel; and connecting means connecting said lower portions of said clamp members for urging them together such that at least one said channel binds on its received flange and holds said clamp in place on the beam.  
   
     
     
         2 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
 
     
     
         3 . The clamp of  claim 1  including: 
 mounting means for mounting the top end of the rigid arm to said clamp.  
 
     
     
         4 . The clamp of  claim 3  wherein: 
 said mounting means and said connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
 
     
     
         5 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said connecting means comprises a bolt; said clamp adapted for mounting the top end of the rigid arm between said lower portions to said bolt.  
 
     
     
         6 . In combination: 
 a horizontal support beam including: 
 a bottom end including: 
 a lateral flange including: 
 a front flange including:  
 a top;  
 a bottom; and  
 a free end; and  
 a rear flange including:  
 a top;  
 a bottom; and  
 a free end;  
 
 
   a clamp including: 
 a front member including: 
 a top;  
 a medial side including: 
 a channel receiving said front flange including:  
 a top surface; and  
 a bottom surface; and  
 a lower portion lower than said lateral flange;  
 
 
 a rear member including: 
 a top;  
 a medial side including: 
 a channel receiving said rear flange including:  
 a top surface; and  
 a bottom surface; and  
 a lower portion lower than said lateral flange; and  
 
 
 connecting means connecting said lower portions of said clamp members for urging them together such that at least one said channel binds on its received said flange and holds said clamp in place on said beam.  
   
     
     
         7 . The clamp of  claim 6  wherein: said connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 6  further including: 
 a foundation system including: 
 a ground support; and  
 a rigid arm including: 
 a lower end pivotally mounted to said ground support; and  
 an upper end pivotally mounted to said clamp.  
 
 
 
     
     
         9 . The clamp of  claim 8  wherein: 
 said connecting means comprises a bolt; said clamp adapted for pivotally mounting the top end of the rigid arm between said lower portions to said bolt.  
 
     
     
         10 . The clamp of  claim 8  wherein: 
 said connecting means pivotally mounts the top end of said rigid arm to said clamp.  
 
     
     
         11 . The clamp of  claim 9  wherein: 
 said connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
 
     
     
         12 . A method of attaching a foundation system to a horizontal support beam; the foundation system including a ground support and a rigid arm having a bottom end connected to the ground support and a top end; the support beam having a bottom end having a lateral flange including a front flange and a rear flange; each flange having a top, a bottom, and a free end; said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a beam clamp including: a front member including: a top; a medial side including: a channel adapted for receiving the front flange including: a top surface; and a bottom surface; and a lower portion lower than the channel; a rear member including: a top; a medial side including: a channel adapted for receiving the rear flange including: a top surface; and a bottom surface; and a lower portion lower than the channel; and connecting means for connecting the lower portions of the clamp members;    mounting the front member channel on the front flange;    mounting the rear member channel on the rear flange;    urging the lower portions of mounted clamp members together with the connecting means such that at least one of the channels binds on its received flange and holds the clamp in place on the beam; and    connecting the top end of the rigid arm to the clamp.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of connecting the top end of the rigid arm to the clamp includes mounting the top end of the rigid arm between the lower portions to the connecting means.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the connecting means comprises a single fastener.  
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching a foundation system to horizontal support beam; the foundation system including a ground support and a rigid arm having a bottom end pivotally connected to the ground support and a top end; the support beam having a bottom end having a lateral flange including a front flange and a rear flange; each flange having a top, a bottom, and a free end; said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a beam clamp including: a front member including: a top; a medial side including: a channel adapted for receiving the front flange including: a top surface; and a bottom surface; and a lower portion lower than the channel; and a rear member including: a top; a medial side including: a channel adapted for receiving the rear flange including: a top surface; and a bottom surface; and a lower portion lower than the channel; and an adjustable tension member connecting the lower portions of the clamp members;    mounting the front member channel on the front flange;    mounting the rear member channel on the rear flange;    urging the lower portions of mounted clamp members together with the adjustable tension member such that at least one of the channels binds on its received flange and holds the clamp in place on the beam; and pivotably connecting the top end of the rigid arm to the adjustable tension member.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein: 
 the tension member comprises a single fastener.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of pivotably connecting the top end of the rigid arm includes mounting the top end of the rigid arm between the lower portions to the fastener.