Systems and Methods of Flood Hinge

Abstract

Flood Hinge is a novel system that allows a building to remain on its foundation in its normal resting position, to vertically and asymmetrically separate from the foundation upon application of an external force, while remaining securely tethered to the foundation, only to be guided to return to its original resting position as the external force subsides or is removed. This is accomplished by use of multiple parallel strut systems, each arranged in opposing positions. Each of these systems are anchored to the foundation on one end, and to the building on the other, effectively tethering the building to its foundation. Separation movement of the building from its foundation is freely allowed along the Z axis, but restricted to a narrow movement cone in both the X and Y axes. This movement cone exists for each parallel strut system.

Therefore, at least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an object configured to separate from a foundation system when the object is acted upon by an external force;   a stabilization system comprising:
 a tethering system configured to anchor the object to the foundation system; and 
 a buoyancy system configured to:
 allow the object to vertically separate from the foundation system; 
 allow the object to move asymmetrically until the external force subsides; and 
 return the object to the foundation system; and 
 
   a coil spring configured:
 to be pressed or pulled but return to its former shape when released, and 
 to absorb the energy of impact between the object and the foundation system when the object is transitioning its position between object at rest and separated object. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tethering system comprises a first strut system comprising:
 a first upper strut movable in a first upper strut plane, the first upper strut attached to the object;   a first lower strut movable in a first lower strut plane, the first lower strut attached to the foundation system; and   a first elbow hinge connecting the first upper strut to the first lower strut, the first upper strut plane parallel to the first lower strut plane.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tethering system comprises a second strut system comprising:
 a second upper strut movable in a second upper strut plane, the second upper strut attached to the object;   a second lower strut movable in a second lower strut plane, the second lower strut attached to the foundation system; and   a second elbow hinge connecting the second upper strut to the second lower strut,   the second upper strut plane parallel to the second lower strut plane; and   at least one second strut plane non-parallel to at least one first strut plane.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first strut system comprises:
 an object hinge configured to connect the first upper strut to the object; and   a foundation hinge configured to connect the first lower strut to the foundation system.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second strut system comprises:
 an object hinge configured to connect the second upper strut to the object; and   a foundation hinge configured to connect the second lower strut to the foundation system.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation system comprises a foundation support system comprising a shaft system connected to a grade, the shaft system configured to support and resist forces transmitted through the stabilization system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation system comprises a pier system foundation support system comprising:
 a pier configured to elevate the object above a grade;   the pier located on at least one of a grade beam, spot footing, and slab foundation; and anchored to the at least one of a grade beam, spot footing, and slab foundation.   
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a stabilization system configured to:
 receive input parameters including at least one of soil conditions, anticipated water levels, water currents, wind loads, and resultant horizontal forces acting on an object and to enable the selection of element and arrangement options; 
 anchor the object to a foundation system; 
 allow the object to vertically separate from the foundation system; 
 allow the object to move asymmetrically until an external force subsides; and 
 return the object to the foundation system, 
   the stabilization system comprising a coil spring configured:
 to be pressed or pulled but return to its former shape when released, and 
 to absorb the energy of impact between the object and the foundation system when the object is transitioning its position between object at rest and separated object. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the object is anchored to the foundation system by a first strut system comprising:
 a first upper strut movable in a first upper strut plane, the first upper strut attached to the object;   a first lower strut movable in a first lower strut plane, the first lower strut attached to the foundation system; and   a first elbow hinge connecting the first upper strut to the first lower strut,   the first upper strut plane parallel to the first lower strut plane.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the object is further anchored by a second strut system comprising:
 a second upper strut movable in a second upper strut plane, the second upper strut attached to the object;   a second lower strut movable in a second lower strut plane, the second lower strut attached to the foundation system; and   a second elbow hinge connecting the second upper strut to the second lower strut,   the second upper strut plane parallel to the second lower strut plane, and   at least one second strut plane non-parallel to at least one first strut plane.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first strut system comprises
 an object hinge configured to connect the first upper strut to the object; and   a foundation hinge configured to connect the first lower strut to the foundation system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second strut system comprises:
 an object hinge configured to connect the second upper strut to the object; and   a foundation hinge configured to connect the second lower strut to the foundation system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the foundation system comprises a foundation support system comprising a shaft system connected to a grade, the shaft system configured to support and resist forces transmitted through the stabilization system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the foundation system comprises a pier system foundation support system comprising:
 a pier configured to elevate the object above a grade, the pier located on at least one of a grade beam, spot footing and slab foundation; and anchored to the at least one of a grade beam, spot footing and slab foundation.   
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 receiving input parameters including at least one of soil conditions, anticipated water levels, water currents, wind loads, and resultant horizontal forces acting on an object; and   selecting a coil spring and arrangement options for a stabilization system configured to allow the object to move asymmetrically until an external force subsides, the coil spring configured:
 to be pressed or pulled but return to its former shape when released, and 
 to absorb the energy of impact between the object and the foundation system when the object is transitioning its position between object at rest and separated object. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 anchoring the object to a foundation system;   allowing the object to vertically separate from the foundation system;   allowing the object to move until an external force subsides; and   return the object to the foundation system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the anchoring comprises:
 attaching a first upper strut to the object, the first upper strut movable in a first upper strut plane;   attaching a first lower strut to the foundation system, the first lower strut movable in a first lower strut plane; and   connecting the first upper strut to the first lower strut with a first elbow hinge, the first upper strut plane parallel to the first lower strut plane.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein allowing the object to move until an external force subsides comprises allowing the object to move asymmetrically. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the anchoring further comprises:
 attaching a second upper strut to the object, the second upper strut movable in a second upper strut plane;   attaching a second lower strut to the foundation system, the second lower strut movable in a second lower strut plane; and   connecting the second upper strut to the second lower strut with a second elbow hinge, the second upper strut plane parallel to the second lower strut plane and at least one second strut plane non-parallel to at least one first strut plane.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising elevating the object above a grade with a pier;
 locating the pier on at least one of a grade beam, spot footing, and slab foundation; and   anchoring the pier to at least one of a grade beam, spot footing, and slab foundation.