DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The manufacturing of completed or partially completed buildings or houses within a factory (referred to herein as a"house"or"houses"), for subsequent transport to the installation location of the house, for example in a subdivision, is well-known. Additionally, the use of a transporter for moving a house from one location to another is well known.

Generally, when a new subdivision is being built, subdivision roads are constructed early in the process to allow the construction and other equipment and materials easy access to the building site. While the final asphalt or concrete surface may or may not have been laid, these roads generally provide a more stable and uniform surface for construction vehicles and other equipment than the surrounding land, which may be pitted with holes, obstacles, unstable soil or otherwise unsuited for the overland transportation of heavy construction equipment and the like.

For this reason, it is generally advantageous when transporting a house to a subdivision site, to operate the transporter on the finished or unfinished subdivision roads whenever possible, to thereby provide a relatively smooth and stable surface for improved manoeuverability of the transporter particularly when precisely positioning the loaded transporter in tight or difficult to access areas and to provide a stable surface for supporting the transporter and the house resting thereon.

Difficulties may arise with respect to the transfer of the house from the transporter to the foundation, such difficulties being compounded by such factors as the weight, center of gravity and dimensions of the house, and the levelness and stability of the surface around the foundation.

United States Patent Number 5,402, 618 (Biffis et al. ) discloses one such transferring process, and the use of a mobile crane at the foundation site to remove the house from the truck trailer or transporter onto the foundation. The use of a mobile crane in the manner described in Biffis et al. requires the mobile crane to be available for each move, which crane must be positioned in a location having access to both the transporter and the foundation, which may not be readily achieved in all circumstances, particularly in subdivisions where the foundations are not close to the road, or where there are obstacles to locating the crane is such a position, and further requires an elaborate lifting frame, cables, straps and attachment elements to secure the house during the lifting, placement and lowering processes. Furthermore, the process described in Biffis et al. requires the use of a steel base member upon which the house is assembled to support the house so that the house will not flex or bend during movement.

United States Patent Number 4,187, 659 (Blachura) also discloses the use of a mobile crane at the foundation site to remove a house from the truck trailer or transporter onto the foundation and the use of lifting rods which extend through the walls of the house to engage beams located beneath the house. The rods extend through the roof of the house, being attached to a rigid rectangular frame harness located above the house, from which cables or chains extend for lifting by the mobile crane.

The previous efforts to move a house from a transporter to a foundation, and to align the house relative to its foundation prior to it being lowered onto the foundation has required the utilization of expensive and difficult-to-use lifting equipment such as cranes, which additionally require significant site preparation to receive and position the crane for proper use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved device and process for aligning a house relative to the foundation and moving the house from a transporter to a position above the foundation for the house, and for aligning the house relative to the foundation upon which it will be placed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device and process for moving a house from the house transporter to a position above and in alignment with its final resting position on a foundation and in particular to provide an improved, efficient and safe method for moving a house from the transporter to a position above and in alignment with the foundation prior to it being lowered onto the foundation.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for positioning a house on a house foundation, comprising supporting means for supporting the house, such supporting means being engageable with the house, at least two skate beams which are capable of spanning the house foundation, transporter means for transporting the house and the supporting means relative to the house foundation, at least two runner beams adapted to be supported by the transporter means, and adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis and to move relative to the transporter means in a substantially horizontal plane, and each of which two runner beams are detachably securable to a corresponding skate beam, at least three upper skates having an upper and lower body, the lower body adapted to move along the length of the runner beams and the skate beams with a minimum of lateral movement, and adapted to support the upper body of the upper skate, and to permit the upper skate to pivot relative the lower body about a substantially vertical axis, the upper body being adapted to receive and securely support the supporting means and the house, and to allow the supporting means and the house to move longitudinally relative to the upper skate, wherein when the runner beams are in alignment with and secured to the skate beams, the supporting means and the house may be repositioned from the transporter to a position above and in alignment with the foundation by means of the at least three upper skates.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for positioning a house on a house foundation, comprising carrier beams for supporting the house, the carrier beams being engageable with the house; at least two skate beams which are capable of spanning the house foundation, and which are capable of supporting the carrier beams thereon ; a transporter for transporting the house and the carrier beams relative to the house foundation ; at least two runner beams adapted to be supported by the transporter, and adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis and to move relative to the transporter in a substantially horizontal plane, and each of which two runner beams are detachably securable to a corresponding one of the at least two skate beams ; at least three upper skates having an upper and lower body, the lower body adapted to move along the length of the runner beams and the skate beams with a minimum of lateral movement, and adapted to support the upper body of the upper skate, and to permit the upper skate to pivot relative the lower body about a substantially vertical axis, the upper body being adapted to receive and securely support the carrier beams and the house, and to allow the carrier beams and the house to move longitudinally-relative to the upper skate ; wherein when the runner beams are in alignment with and secured to the skate beams, the carrier beams and the house may be repositioned, by using movement means to move the at least three upper skates supporting the carrier beams and the house thereon, from the transporter along the runner beams and the skate beams to a position above and in alignment with the foundation.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for the transport and alignment of a house unto a foundation comprising carrier beams for supporting the house, the carrier beams being engageable with the house ; at least two skate beams which are capable of spanning the house foundation, and which are capable of supporting the carrier beams thereon ; a transporter for transporting the house and the carrier beams relative to the house foundation; at least two runner beams adapted to be supported by the transporter, and adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis and to move relative to the transporter in a substantially horizontal plane, and each of which two runner beams are detachably securable to a corresponding skate beam ; at least three upper skates having an upper and lower body, the lower body adapted to move along the length of the runner beams and the skate beams with a minimum of lateral movement, and adapted to support the upper body of the upper skate, and to permit the upper skate to pivot relative the lower body about a substantially vertical axis, the upper body being adapted to receive and securely support the carrier beams and the house, and to allow the carrier beams and the house to move longitudinally relative to the upper skate ; wherein when the runner beams are in alignment with and secured to the skate beams, the carrier beams and the house may be repositioned from the transporter to a position above and in alignment with the foundation by means of the at least three upper skates.

The advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to utilize a crane or similar device to lift, move and align the house when it is being transferred from the transporter to the foundation and the associated difficulties in positioning and operating a crane or similar lifting device.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that it significantly reduces the amount of on-site labor and time required to transfer the house from the transporter to a precise position above and in alignment with the foundation, increases safety and stability while doing so, while reducing the risk of damage to the house.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A illustrates a house positioned upon carrier beams and Figure 1 B illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a carrier beam ; Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, including the tractor and trailer unit.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, including the tractor and trailer unit with lower skates positioned on the outer beams of the trailer unit; Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, the trailer unit having a flat metal load bearing platform; Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter, the trailer unit having a. flat metal load bearing platform with lower skates positioned on the trailer unit; Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E illustrate an embodiment of front and rear dollies which may be used for supporting and transporting the trailer unit, and a hydraulic jack which may be integrated into and form part of the dollies; Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the outer beam of the trailer unit, and runner beams positioned upon the lower skates; Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the trailer unit, and runner beams positioned upon the lower skates; Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the outer beam of the trailer unit, runner beams positioned upon the lower skates and upper skates positioned on the runner beams; Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the trailer unit, runner beams positioned upon the lower skates and upper skates positioned on the runner beams; Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the outer beam of the trailer unit, runner beams positioned upon the lower skates, upper skates positioned on the runner beams and carrier beams and a house positioned thereon; Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment of a transporter unit, including the tractor and trailer unit, with lower skates positioned on the trailer unit, runner beams positioned upon the lower skates, upper skates positioned on the runner beams and carrier beams and a house positioned thereon; Figures 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D illustrate a trailer unit and various degrees of movement of the trailer unit in the horizontal plane; Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of the foundation, with skate beams positioned across the foundation, and supported by skate beams supports, with hydraulic jacks positioned on the basement floor of the foundation; Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate an embodiment of the transporter unit aligning the house relative to the foundation prior to unloading the house onto the foundation; Figure 16 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam in the form of an"I"beam ; Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam in the form of a double"I"beam; Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a runner beam in the form of an upright"I"beam upon which is securely positioned a horizontally oriented 66I" beam ; Figures 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate an embodiment of the runner beam in the form of two upright"I"beams in spaced relation to one another, securely positioned upon a flat beam with a portion of a lower skate positioned thereon; Figures 20A and 20B illustrate two embodiments of an upper skate; Figures 21A and 21B illustrate two other embodiments of an upper skate; Figures 22A and 22B illustrate two other embodiments of an upper skate ; Figures 23 illustrates an embodiment of a lower skate ; Figure 24 illustrates an embodiment of a lower skate securely attached by means of bolts to the runner beam; Figures 25A and 25B illustrate an embodiment of a loaded transport unit positioned adjacent the foundation, and the subsequent alignment of the runner beams to the skate beams ; Figure 26 illustrates an embodiment of the transport unit positioned adjacent the foundation, with the runner beams in alignment with the skate beams, the runner beams and skate beams being supported by supports; Figure 27 illustrates an embodiment of the connection between the runner beams and skate beams; Figures 28A, 28B, 28C and 28D illustrate the movement of the house from the transport unit to a position above the foundation ; Figures 29A and 29B illustrate the final alignment of the house relative to the foundation, prior to it being lowered onto the foundation; Figure 30 illustrates a cross-section of one embodiment of a typical upper skate loaded with a carrier beam, and resting upon a runner beam and lower skate; Figure 31 illustrates a cross-section of another embodiment of a typical upper skate loaded with a carrier beam, and resting upon a runner beam and lower skate; Figure 32 illustrates a house positioned on the foundation; and Figures 33A and 33B illustrate an embodiment of a runner beam having ratchet mechanism and hydraulic jack to move the skate relative to the runner beam.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1A, a house 2 is illustrated resting upon substantially parallel carrier beams 4. In the preferred embodiment, the house 2 is supported by carrier beams 4 which are positioned beneath the house 2, and which carrier beams 4 travel with the house 2 during transportation and installation onto a foundation. In one embodiment, the carrier beams 4 are securely engaged with the underside of the house 2 during the manufacturing of the house 2 prior to the loading of the house 2 for transportation to the installation location for the house. In another embodiment, the carrier beams are integrated into and form part of the house.

Referring to Figure 1B, in the preferred embodiment, the carrier beams 4 are upright"I" beams having an upper flange 91 and a lower flange 92 as illustrated in Figure 1B, it being understood that various different configurations or cross-sections of carrier beams may be utilized, depending for example on the unique characteristics of a particular house, or house manufacturing process.

Referring to Figure 2, one embodiment of the transporter 8 of the present invention includes a tractor unit 10 and a trailer unit 12, which together are capable of moving a house 2 from one location to another, for example, from a manufacturing facility in which the house 2 is manufactured, to the foundation, footing or like support (any of which may be hereinafter referred to as the"foundation") upon which the house will be installed. In one embodiment, the tractor unit 10 is a truck, it being understood that the tractor unit 10 may take a wide range of alternative forms known to a person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the trailer unit 12 of the transporter 8 includes a frame 14 having an opening 16 therein to permit easy access to the underside of house 2 when positioned on the trailer unit 12. In this embodiment, the frame 14 includes two substantially parallel outer beams 18 which are capable of supporting a loaded house 2, and its carrier beams 4 and the runner beams, as more fully described herein.

In another embodiment as illustrated in Figure 4, the frame 14 of the trailer unit 12 securely supports a substantially flat metal platform 20 capable of supporting a loaded house 2, and its carrier beams 4 and runner beams as more fully described herein, the metal platform 20 being supported from beneath by the frame 14 of the trailer unit 12. In the preferred embodiment, the flat metal platform 20 is comprised of sheet steel having a thickness of between 1/2 inch and 1 inch.

The frame 14 of the trailer unit 12 is securely supported by dollies 22 or wheels an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 6, which permit the trailer unit 12 and the loaded house 2 to be transported and positioned.

As illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, the dollies 22 or wheels may be attached to the underside of the trailer unit 12 or frame 14 by a plate 24 bolted to the underside of the trailer unit 12. The dollies 22 may pivot in relation to the trailer unit 12 about a substantially vertical axis, by means of a ball and socket or similar arrangement 28 allowing the trailer unit 12 to be moved forward and backward, from side to side, and diagonally, and to pivot clockwise or counterclockwise, as generally shown in Figures 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D.

The tractor unit 10 or other vehicle or mechanical device may be used to provide horizontal and rotational movement of the trailer unit 12 and the house. It is understood that more than 3 dollies 22 may be utilized, and the dollies 22 may have as few as one wheel and tire, or may have 2 or more axles, and as many wheels and tires as are required to support the trailer unit 12 loaded with a house. In addition, in one embodiment, rather than utilizing wheels and tires, tracks such as those used on bulldozers can be utilized instead of wheels to decrease the ground pressure exerted by the loaded trailer unit 12.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, in one embodiment, each of the dollies 22 has a hydraulic jack 26 positioned on the dolly 22 for raising and lowering, or re-aligning or leveling the frame 14 or metal platform 20 of the trailer unit 12. When each of the hydraulic jacks 26 is raised or lowered the same distance, the elevation of the frame 14 and house 2 are raised or lowered correspondingly. If one (or more) of the hydraulic j acks 26 is not raised or lowered to the same extent as at least one of the other hydraulic jacks 26, the levelness and angle of the frame 14 or metal platform 20 and house 2 will accordingly be adjusted, the ball and socket or similar arrangements 28 on the dollies permitting the frame 14 or metal platform 20 of the trailer unit 12 to tilt relative to the dollies 22. By selectively raising or lowering the hydraulic jacks 26, the house 2 may be leveled in all directions (relative to the foundation) and raised and/or lowered to facilitate the alignment of the runner beams and skate beams referred to herein so that the house may be moved from the trailer unit 12 onto the foundation 6.

In the case of the trailer units 12 having the configuration as shown in Figure 2, and in the case of the trailer units 12 having the configuration as shown in Figure 4, lower skates 30, one embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 23, are utilized, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 respectively which are capable of pivoting and rotating about a substantially vertical axis, and moving along the outer beams 18 of the frame 14 as shown in Figure 3, or capable of moving about the flat metal platform 20 of the trailer unit 12 in the case of the trailer unit 12 having the configuration shown in Figure 4. As illustrated in Figure 23, of the lower skate 30 has a lower Teflon pad 32 to allow the lower skate 30 to move smoothly along the outer beam 18 or across the flat metal platform 20 of the trailer unit 12. In one embodiment, affixed with bolts 34 to the Teflon pad 32 is a metal plate 36 for securely supporting the Teflon pad 32. In the preferred embodiment, the metal plate 36 is a steel plate of 1 l/2 inch to 2 inches thickness, the steel plate 36 being bolted to the Teflon pad 32. As illustrated in Figures 23 and 24, the lower skate 30 may be securely attached to a runner beam 40 by means of nuts 39 and bolts 38 or by other suitable means, it being understood that a wide variety of different methods could be used to securely attach the lower skate 3 0 to the runner beam 40.

It is understood that in place of the Teflon pad 32, lower skates 3 0 may alternatively be made using one of many readily available devices known to any person skilled in the art including wheels, rollers, bearings, casters or other well-known means to enable the lower skates 30 to pivot and to move freely along the outer beams 18, in the case of the trailer units 12 having the configuration shown in Figure 2, and on the flat metal platform 20, in the case of trailer units 12 having the configuration shown in Figure 4.

As illustrated in a Figures 7 and 8, runner beams 40 are positioned on the trailer unit 12, securely affixed to lower skates 30, the runner beams 40 being positioned generally parallel to one another and being oriented generally laterally relative to the principal direction of travel (forward) of the transporter unit, in such a way that when the trailer unit 12 is positioned to unload the house 2 at the foundation site, the runner beams 40 will be in substantial alignment with the skate beams referred to herein. The runner beams 40 are positioned in spaced relation to one another so as to stably bear the weight of the house 2 and so that the center of gravity of the house 2 when loaded on the trailer unit 12 is safely between the runner beams 40.

In one embodiment, the runner beams 40 are upright"I"beams 42, a cross-section of one such runner beam being illustrated in Figure 16. In another embodiment, the runner beams 40 are double upright"I"beams 42, a cross-section of which is illustrated in Figure 17, the upper flanges 52 of the"I"beams being welded 53 or securely fastened together, and the lower flanges 54 of the"I"beams also being welded 55 or securely fastened together for additional strength and stability. In another embodiment, the runner beams 40 comprise two "I"beams, a first vertically oriented"I"beam 42, upon which is positioned a horizontally oriented"I"beam 44, the top of the vertically oriented"I"beam 42 being welded 57 or securely fastened to the horizontally oriented"I"beam 44 as illustrated in Figure 18. In the preferred embodiment, the runner beams include two parallel upright"I"beams 42 which are in spaced relation to each other, the bases of which"I"beams are welded 41 or securely fastened to a flat beam 46, a cross-section of which embodiment is illustrated in Figure 19.

With the runner beams 40 positioned on the trailer unit 12, six way upper skates 60 are positioned on the runner beams 40, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. Alternatively, the upper skates 60 may be pre-positioned in engagement with the underside of the carrier beams 4, and lowered onto the runner beams 40 as the house 2 is being loaded onto the trailer unit 12.

As illustrated in Figures 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B, the six way upper skates 60 have a lower body 62 and an upper body 64, the upper body 64 being pivotable in relation to the lower body 62, such that the upper body 64 may be capable of rotating through 360 degrees about a substantially vertical axis. It is understood that the precise configuration and shape of the lower body 62 of the upper skate is such that must conform to the embodiment of the runner beam 40 and skate beams 94 being utilized and that the lower bodies 62 of the upper skates 60 may be interchanged with different upper bodies as the circumstances of a particular project dictate.

The lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B may be utilized when the single I beam illustrated in Figure 16 or the double I beam illustrated in Figure 17 is utilized, the lower body 62 of the upper skates 60 illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B having a lips 72 to engage beneath the upper flanges 52 of the upright and double upright "I"beams. In this configuration, the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 utilizes a plurality of rollers 74 which allow the upper skate 60 to roll along the runner beam 40 (and thereafter the skate beam), it being understood that a wide variety of different mechanisms can be utilized for this purpose, including wheels or casters. In an alternative configuration, a smooth lubricated load bearing contact surface may be presented on the underside of the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60, the contact surface being in contact with the upper surface 48 of the upper flange 52 of the single or double upright"I"beam configurations of the runner beam illustrated in Figure 16 and 17 respectively, which may also be lubricated with Teflon, graphite or a similar lubricant to ensure the smooth travel of the skate along the runner beam (and thereafter the skate beam).

The lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 depicted in Figure 21 may be used in conjunction with the embodiment of the runner beam 40 illustrated in Figure 18, with the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 being able to move within and along the channel 56 of the horizontally oriented"I"beam. In this configuration, the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 utilizes a plurality of rollers 74 which allow the skate to roll along the lower surface of the channel 56 of the runner beam 40, it being understood that a wide variety of different mechanisms can be utilized for this purpose, including wheels or casters. In an alternative embodiment of the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60, a smooth lubricated load bearing contact surface is presented on the underside of the lower body of the upper skate, the contact surface shaped to rest within the channel 56 presented by the horizontal"I"beam.

In this embodiment, both the contact surface and the lower and side surfaces of the channel 56 may also be lubricated with Teflon, graphite or a similar lubricant to ensure the smooth travel on the skate along the runner beam (and thereafter the skate beam). hi the preferred embodiment, a"T"shaped lower body 62 to the upper skate 60 is utilized as illustrated in Figure 22, the lower end 80 of the"T"being capable of being positioned between the two"I"beams as illustrated in Figure 19A, 19B and 19C, and the underside of the upper part of the"T"82 resting upon the upper flanges 48 of the"I"beams as illustrated in Figures 19B and 19C. In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the"I"beams 48 are coated with a Teflon, graphite or similar lubricant to allow the skate to move freely along the upper surface 48 of the runner beam (and thereafter the skate beam). Likewise, the surfaces of the"T"shaped lower body of the upper skate may be lubricated to facilitate movement of the upper skate relative to the runner beam (and thereafter the skate beam).

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lower bodies of the upper skates, may be fitted with hydraulic jacks 110 as illustrated in Figures 33A and 33B to push against spaced teeth 108 positioned within the runner and skates beams, the hydraulic j acks 110 being used to ratchet and propel the upper skates (and house) in the desired direction along the runner and skate beams as the hydraulic jacks are extended and contracted in a step-wise manner. It is understood that persons skilled in the art will understand the various devices and methods available to propel the skate/house 2 in the desired direction along the runner and skate beams.

It is understood that the upper skates 60 may be any one of many readily available devices known to any person skilled in the art and may make use of wheels, rollers, bearings or other well-known means to enable the skates 60 to move freely along the runner beams 40 (and subsequently the skate beams as referred to herein).

It is understood that in each configuration, the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 allows the upper skate 60 to move freely in both directions along the runner beam 40 (and subsequently the skate beam), and that the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60, in cooperation with the runner beam 40 (and subsequently the skate beam), eliminates or substantially eliminates lateral movement of the upper skate relative to the runner beam/skate beam.

As illustrated in Figures 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B, the upper body 64 of the upper skate 60 is adapted to allow the carrier beams 4 referred to herein to move in either direction relative to the upper skate 60, the upper body 64 of the upper skates 60 being able to rotate in either direction relative to the lower body 62 of the upper skates 60 about a substantially vertical axis. The rotation of the upper body 64 of the upper skate 60 relative to the lower body 62 of the upper skate 60 can be achieved in many alternative and conventional manners, including a substantially vertically aligned axle or bolt 66. As illustrated in Figure 20B, 21B, and 22A, the upper skates 60 may alternatively incorporate a ball and socket or similar device 68 to provide for the rotation of the upper body 64 relative to the lower body 62, as well as to permit the upper body 64 to tilt relative to the lower body 62. In one embodiment, the upper skates 60 are also height adjustable by means of a substantially vertical hydraulic jack 70 positioned between the lower body 62 and the upper body 64 of the six way upper skate 60 as illustrated in Figures 20B, 21B and 22A. This embodiment permits each of the upper skates 60 to be independently positioned and loaded. In one embodiment, the hydraulic jack 70 may be incorporated into its pivoting and tilting mechanism such as a ball and socket or similar device 68.

The upper body 64 of the upper skate 60 is adapted to support and to permit limited movement of a carrier beam 4. In one embodiment illustrated in Figures 21A and 21B, the upper body 64 of the upper skate 60 is generally"U"shaped 84, the carrier beam 4 being supported on rollers 86 positioned within the"U"84. In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 20A, 20B, 22A and 22B, the upper body 64 of the upper skate 60 has lips 88 to engage above the lower flange 92 of the carrier beam 4. In another embodiment, a smooth lubricated load bearing contact surface is presented on the upper side of the upper skate, the contact surface being in contact with the lower flange of the carrier beam, which may also be lubricated with Teflon, graphite or a similar lubricant to ensure the smooth travel of the carrier beam relative to the upper skate 60.

An illustration of a cross-section of one embodiment of atypical upper skate 60 loaded with a carrier beam 4, and resting upon a runner beam 40 and lower skate 30, is shown in Figure 30.

An illustration of a cross-section of another embodiment of a typical upper skate 60 having a T shaped lower body 62, the upper skate being loaded with a carrier beam 4, and resting upon a runner beam 40 and lower skate 30, is shown in Figure 31.

Prior to lowering the house onto the trailer unit 12, the upper skates 60 may be pre- positioned on the carrier beams 4, hanging from the carrier beams 4 by way of the lips 88 on the upper body 64 of the upper skate 60, or alternatively, may be pre-positioned on the runner beams 40. The house 2 and carrier beams 4 may then be lowered onto the runner beams 40, with the upper skates 60 positioned between the runner beams 40 and carrier beams 4. The lowering of the house 2 and carrier beams 4 onto the runner beams 40 may conveniently occur within the factory, the house 2 and carrier beams 4 being positioned and lowered, for example, by means of an overhead crane located within the factory. As illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the house 2 is positioned safely and stably on the trailer unit 12 before being chained or otherwise effectively secured to the trailer unit 12.

In the preferred embodiment, after the placement of the house 2 upon the trailer unit 12 for transport to the foundation 6, the house 2 is secured to the trailer unit 12 for safe transportation to a location near or adjacent the foundation 6.

In the preferred embodiment, prior to unloading the house 2 at its installation location, skate beams 94 as illustrated in Figure 14 are installed across the foundation 6 upon which the house 2 is to be installed, the skate beams 94 extending across the foundation 6, and supported within the foundation 6, and on either side of the foundation 6 by skate/runner beam supports 102 as illustrated in Figure 14. It is understood that the skate beams 94 will have a substantially identical structure, cross-section and configuration as the runner beams 40 to allow the house 2 to be readily and smoothly transferred by means of the upper skates 60 from the runner beams 40 to the skate beams 94 as more fully described herein.

In the preferred embodiment, prior to lowering the house 2 onto the foundation 6, hydraulic jacks 98 are positioned on the basement floor 96 of the foundation 6 to permit the house 2 and carrier beams 4 to be raised for the removal of the skate beams 94 prior to lowering the house 2 onto the foundation 6. Slots 100 in the foundation 6 (and corresponding slots in the rim joists) are positioned to allow the carrier beams 4 to be lowered below the upper surface of the foundation/rim joist as the house 2 is being lowered onto the upper surface of the foundation/rim joist.

As illustrated in Figures 15A, 15B and 15C, when the transporter 8 loaded with a house 2 arrives at the foundation site, the trailer unit 12 is positioned to align or substantially align the runner beams 40 with the skate beams 94. To align or substantially align the runner beams 40 with the skate beams 94, the trailer unit 12 may readily be moved through a wide range of directions, and may be pivoted as illustrated in Figure 13, and tilted, or raised or lowered, the dollies 22 of the trailer unit providing increased flexibility in positioning the trailer unit and runner beams relative to the skate beams.

Referring to Figure 15C, the trailer unit 12 of the transporter 8 carrying the house 2 is brought into close proximity with the foundation and with the runner beams 40 in alignment or substantial alignment with the skate beams 94.

Once the runner beams 40 are in alignment or substantial alignment with the skate beams 94, any required further alignment ofthe runner beams 40 relative to the skate beams 94 may be achieved by moving the runner beams 40 relative to the frame 14 of the trailer unit 12 as illustrated in Figure 25, the lower skates 30 permitting the runner beams 40 to pivot and to move relative to the trailer unit 12, and the upper skates 60 permitting the movement of the runner beams 40 relative to one another, and to the house 2. In one embodiment, chains, winches, or hydraulic rams attached to the transporter 8 may be used to adjust position of the ru-mer beams 40 so as to achieve or facilitate precise alignment of the runner beams 40 with the skate beams 94.

Once the runner beams 40 are in precise alignment with the skate beams 94, they are securely fastened to one another in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment, they are bolted 106 together as illustrated in Figure 27, it being understood that a wide variety of alternative techniques known to persons skilled in the art may be used to securely and temporarily fasten the runner beams 40 to the skate beams 94. In one embodiment when a lower body of an upper skate of the type illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B is used, a cut 112 is inserted into either side of the connector 113 to permit the lips 72 of the lower body of the upper skate to pass the connector 113 without interference.

Prior to the movement of the house 2 from the transporter 8 to the foundation 6, additional skate/runner beam supports 102 may be positioned beneath the skate beams 94 and runner beams 40 entirely independently of the transporter to ensure that the house 2 is securely and stably supported by the skate beams 94 and runner beams 40 as it moves from the transporter 8 to the foundation 6.

As illustrated in Figure 28, once the runner beams 40 are securely connected to the skate beams 94, the house 2, supported by the carrier beams 4 and upper skates 60 is moved off of the runner beams 40 and onto the skate beams 94, and positioned directly above and in alignment with the foundation 6, the upper skates 60 permitting the house 2 and carrier beams 4 to be moved along the runner beams 40 and skate beams 94. In the preferred embodiment, the"T"shaped lower body 78 of the upper skate slides along the upper surfaces of the runner beams and skate beams, thereby allowing the house 2 and carrier beams 4 to be moved from the transporter 8 to the foundation 6.

Referring to Figure 29A the house 2 is shown having been moved substantially to its desired position, but is requiring angular adjustment relative to the foundation 6 before being lowered onto the foundation 6. The six way upper skates 60 permit the house 2 (and carrier beams 4) to be rotated as illustrated in Figure 29B relative to the foundation 6 prior to it being lowered onto the foundation 6, as the carrier beams 4 are capable of, by way of the upper skates 60, moving and pivoting freely relative to the skate beams 94, thereby allowing the house 2 to be precisely positioned, rotated and aligned relative to the foundation 6, for final positioning before lowering the house 2 onto the foundation 6. Chains, winches, bars and other equipment known to persons skilled in the art may be used to precisely position and rotate the house 2 relative to the foundation 6.

With the house 2 now precisely positioned directly above and in alignment with the foundation 6, the hydraulic jacks 98 positioned on the basement floor 96 within the foundation 6 may now be utilized to lift the carrier beams 4 and the house 2 a short distance, permitting the skate beams 94 to be removed. Thereafter the hydraulic jacks 98 may lower the house 2 onto the foundation 6 as illustrated in Figure 32, (the carrier beams 4 having been pre-aligned with slots 100 in the foundation/rimjoists to prevent the interference of the carrier beams 4 with the foundation/rim joists during the lowering process).

Once the house 2 has been positioned and lowered onto the foundation 6, the carrier beams 4 may be disconnected from the house 2 and removed for re-use.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments.

However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention provides a device and system for aligning a house relative to the foundation and moving the house from a transporter to a position above the house foundation, and for aligning the house relative to the foundation upon which it will be placed. The present invention eliminates the need to utilize a crane or similar device to lift, move and align a house when it is being transferred from the transporter to the foundation and the associated difficulties in positioning and operating a crane or similar lifting device. The invention also significantly reduces the amount of on-site labor and time required to transfer the house from the transporter to a precise position above and in alignment with the foundation, increases safety and stability while doing so, while reducing the risk of damage to the house.