FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temporary support stand(s) for supporting modular units above a surface. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to stackable, reusable, quickly deployable, easily transportable, temporary support stand for supporting a volumetric modular unit above a surface.

BACKGROUND

The modular construction industry is currently utilizing wood temporary support stands, or “cribs” as they are commonly known, to elevate modular units at roughly 36″ above the ground. This occurs as the units are being stored at the manufacturing facility, at storage yards, or on construction sites prior to being lifted by a crane onto the final foundation. Current stands are expensive and labor intensive to build. They are also very heavy, awkward and difficult to adjust, move and lift. The weight of wood cribs also means they are physically taxing on workers to move into and out of position underneath a modular unit. Current stands are also expensive to transport due to volume of space each one occupies. To transport them in a manner that takes less space would require time and resources breaking them down into more manageable pieces.

The average commercial (hospitality or multi-family) project can require 500 to 1,000 support stands for supporting modular units over the course of a project. The hauling capacity needed for this many support stands, as currently configured, requires multiple semi-tractor trailer loads, resulting in unnecessary expenses, loss of time and additional burdens on a project site. Moreover, the storage area required is significant due to the unnecessary space current stands occupy. Additionally, the materials used for current stands is not durable. Because they are often made of wood, they deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the elements and can be rendered useless given the weight they are required to support. Current stands are also prone to break and be damage from use and while storing, moving and transporting them. The stability, dependability and performance consistency of each support stand is also subject to the quality of the craftsmanship and materials during their construction, which varies greatly given current stand designs, materials, manufacturing and assembly processes. The manufacturing and construction of current stands is rarely, if ever, engineered or inspected. Typically, current stands are simply being constructed by truss manufacturers or general contractors, without engineered drawings, then disposed of at the end of the project because they are impractical and cumbersome to transport, store and reuse. This is problem is further exacerbated given that most companies are not immediately building another modular project where the support stands could be reused.

Therefore, what is needed is a support stand for modular units that overcomes all the deficiencies in current stand designs, materials and practices.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide stackable, reusable, quickly deployable, easily transportable, temporary support stand for supporting a volumetric modular unit above a surface, such as the ground.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a support stand for modular units constructed according to engineering specifications, consistent in craftsmanship and from highly durable materials.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a support stand for modular units that is fully engineered, tested and inspected for quality and performance, thereby providing assurance of safety during use.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide for the sale and/or rental of support stands for modular units.

Still another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a support stand for modular units that occupies significantly less space to transport and store.

One other object, feature, or advantage is to provide a support stand for modular units that is significantly lighter than current stands reducing the risk of injury, damage and overall wear and tear to a project site, storage site, or building site.

According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a support stand for supporting a modular unit above the ground is disclosed. The support stand includes, in at least one exemplary aspect, a top portion with a top surface for contacting and supporting an underside portion of the modular unit above the ground. The top portion has a top perimeter. A bottom portion with a bottom surface supports the top portion at an elevation above the ground against the underside portion of the modular unit. The bottom portion has a bottom perimeter larger than the top perimeter. An elevating portion has a top side connected to the top portion, a bottom side connected to the bottom portion, and an elevating span between the top side and the bottom side. According to at least one aspect, the top surface is parallel with the bottom surface and the underside and weight of the modular unit is supported on the top surface.

According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a support stand for supporting a modular unit above the ground is disclosed. The support stand includes, in at least one exemplary aspect, a top portion has a top surface for contacting and supporting an underside portion of the modular unit above the ground. The top portion has a top perimeter. A bottom portion supports the top portion at an elevation above the ground against the underside portion of the modular unit. The bottom portion has a bottom perimeter larger than the top perimeter. An elevating portion has a top side connected to the top portion, a bottom side connected to the bottom portion, and an elevating span between the top side and the bottom side. One or more openings in the elevating portion extend generally between the top side and the bottom side. The one or more openings have a bottom edge and a top edge. A pad is connected to the bottom portion. The pad has a bottom surface for contacting and supporting the bottom portion against the ground, an inner pad perimeter and an outer pad perimeter. One or more interference components, such as protrusions extend inwardly from the inner pad perimeter. The one or more protrusions have a bottom surface for contacting and supporting the bottom portion against the ground during use and for contacting the bottom edge of one of the one or more openings when two or more support stands are stacked together one on top of the other. In one aspect, the outer pad perimeter is greater than the bottom perimeter and the inner pad perimeter is less than the bottom perimeter.

According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a method for temporarily supporting a volumetric modular unit above the ground with support stands and stacking the support stands when not supporting the volumetric modular unit is disclosed. The method includes, in at least one exemplary aspect, providing a support stand having a top portion with a top surface, a bottom portion having a bottom surface, an elevating portion having a top side connected to the top portion, a bottom side connected to the bottom portion, and an elevating span between the top side and the bottom side. The top portion has a top perimeter and the bottom portion has a bottom perimeter larger than the top perimeter. The volumetric modular unit is lifted to an elevation above the ground and a height of the support stand. A plurality of support stands are unstacked. A support stand is placed underneath the volumetric modular unit at each modular support point with the bottom of the support stand for contacting and supporting an underside of the modular unit above the ground. The volumetric modular unit is lowered onto each support stand, bringing each modular support point into supporting contact with the top surface for supporting the volumetric modular unit on the top surface of each support stand above the ground. The volumetric modular unit is temporarily supported at the height of each support stand above the ground. The volumetric modular unit is set by lifting the volumetric modular unit off of each support stand for building a modular constructed building.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to or by any objects, features, or advantages stated herein.

