Drawbar assembly and method for integrated structure

Abstract

A drawbar assembly for transporting a manufactured building comprises an A-frame. The A-frame further comprises two arm beams, each arm beam having first and second ends. The first ends of the arm beams are connected together to form the apex of the A-frame, and the second ends of the arm beams are disposed so that the two arm beams form an acute angle. There are at least first and second cross beams, the first cross beam being connected to the second ends of the arm beams; the second cross beam being connected across the arm beams between the apex of the A-frame and the first cross beam. There are two perimeter beams for supporting a structure; and, the two perimeter beams are removably connected to the cross beams of the A-frame.

1 . A drawbar assembly for transporting a manufactured building; the drawbar assembly comprising: 
 an A-frame; the A-frame comprising: 
 two arm beams, each arm beam having first and second ends;  
 the first ends of the arm beams connected together to form the apex of the A-frame;  
 the second ends of the arm beams disposed so that the two arm beams form an acute angle;  
 at least first and second cross beams, the first cross beam connected to the second ends of the arm beams; the second cross beam connected across the arm beams between the apex of the A-frame and the first cross beam;  
   two perimeter beams for supporting a structure; and,    the two perimeter beams removably connected to the cross beams of the A-frame.    
   
   
       2 . The drawbar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler attached to the apex of the A-frame.  
   
   
       3 . The drawbar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a third cross beam, the third cross beam connected across the arm beams between the first and second cross beams.  
   
   
       4 . The drawbar assembly of  claim 1 , where the cross beams are removably connected to the A-frame.  
   
   
       5 . A chassis for supporting a structure, the chassis comprising: 
 two perimeter beams,    rim joists attached to and running the length of the perimeter beams; each rim joist having first and second ends;    a front header joist; the front header joist connected across the first ends of the rim joists;    a header beam; the header beam connected across the second ends of the perimeter beams; and,    a drawbar assembly; the drawbar assembly connected to the perimeter beams.    
   
   
       6 . The chassis of  claim 5 , further including main-unit beams for connection to a pre-existing structure; the main unit beams connected to the header beam.  
   
   
       7 . The chassis of  claim 5 , further including cable cross-bracing connected between the perimeter beams.  
   
   
       8 . The chassis of  claim 5 , where the drawbar assembly is removably connected to the perimeter beams;  
   
   
       9 . The chassis of  claim 5 , where the front header joist is faced with shorter joists; the shorter joists defining the opening of a garage door.  
   
   
       10 . The chassis of  claim 5 , where the drawbar assembly further comprises: 
 an A-frame; the A-frame comprising: 
 two arm beams, each arm beam having first and second ends;  
 the first ends of the arm beams connected together to form the apex of the A-frame;  
 the second ends of the arm beams disposed so that the two arm beams form an acute angle;  
 at least first and second cross beams, the first cross beam connected to the second ends of the arm beams; the second cross beam connected across the arm beams between the apex of the A-frame and the first cross beam; and,  
   the two perimeter beams connected to the cross beams of the A-frame.    
   
   
       11 . The chassis of  claim 10 , further comprising a coupler attached to the apex of the A-frame.  
   
   
       12 . The chassis of  claim 10 , further comprising a third cross beam, the third cross beam connected across the arm beams between the first and second cross beams.  
   
   
       13 . The chassis of  claim 10 , where the cross beams are removably connected to the perimeter beams.  
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a chassis for transporting a structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 connecting perimeter beams to a drawbar assembly; the perimeter beams having first and second ends;    attaching rim joists to the perimeter beams; the rim joists having first and second ends;    attaching a header joist between the first ends of the rim joists;    attaching a header beam between the second ends of the perimeter beams;    attaching the header beam to the main-unit beams; and,    connecting cable cross-bracing between the perimeter beams.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of attaching floor joists over the main-unit beams.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , where the step of attaching a header joist between the first ends of the rim joists further comprises: 
 attaching a single full-width joist between the first ends of the rim joists; and,    attaching two less than full-width joists to the full-width header joist, so as to define the opening of a garage door.    
   
   
       17 . A method of integrating a manufactured structure with a pre-existing structure; the manufactured structure constructed on a chassis; the chassis having perimeter beams, a header joist, cable cross-bracing, and a drawbar assembly supporting the perimeter beams and the header joist; the drawbar assembly having an A-frame and cross beams: 
 locating the manufactured structure over a pre-positioned foundation slab;    installing perimeter walls under the perimeter beams;    installing support walls under the header joist;    removing the cable cross-bracing;    removing the A-frame from the cross beams; and,    removing the cross beams from the perimeter beams.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including bolting the perimeter walls and support walls to the foundation slab.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further including the steps of: 
 providing one full-width header joist and two shorter joists attached to the full-width header joist; and,    and cutting away the full-width header joist between the two shorter joists to define a door.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including the step of installing sheathing over the footers, support walls and perimeter beams.