U.S. patent application number 12/964640 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for reinforcing brace frame.
Invention is credited to John Hansen.
Application Number | 20110131896 12/964640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44080592 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110131896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; John |
June 9, 2011 |
REINFORCING BRACE FRAME
Abstract
A reinforcing brace frame for providing lateral and seismic
support when used in a multi-story light-gauge steel/wood framed
building is disclosed. The reinforcing brace frame comprises a
horizontally extending upper metallic frame member, a pair of
spaced metallic frame members having a lower end and an upper end,
at least one metallic diagonal member, a plurality of slots and at
least one abutting tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The
pair of spaced metallic frame members is vertically extended and
rigidly connected at opposite ends of the upper metallic frame
member to form a rigid upright tubular frame. The reinforcing brace
frame is stacked and connected by means of the at least one
abutting tube which is then bolted in place using at least one
attachment means to secure subsequent reinforcing brace frames to
resist lateral seismic loads.
Inventors: |
Hansen; John; (Fullerton,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44080592 |
Appl. No.: |
12/964640 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61285102 |
Dec 9, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/167.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/24 20130101; E04B
2001/2421 20130101; E04B 2001/2454 20130101; E04B 2001/246
20130101; E04H 9/0237 20200501; E04B 2001/2496 20130101; E04H 9/028
20130101; E04B 2001/2448 20130101; E04B 2001/2463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/167.3 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/02 20060101
E04H009/02; E04B 1/98 20060101 E04B001/98 |
Claims
1. A reinforcing brace frame for providing lateral and seismic
support when used in a multi-story light gauge steel/wood framed
building comprising: a horizontally extending upper metallic frame
member; a pair of spaced metallic frame members having a lower end
and a upper end vertically extending and rigidly connected at
opposite ends of the upper metallic frame member to form a rigid
upright tubular frame; at least one metallic diagonal member
connected to at least one opposite end of the upper metallic frame
member using at least one compression plate; a plurality of slots
arranged in the pair of spaced metallic frame members and the at
least one metallic diagonal member; and is at least one abutting
tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
inserted through the upper end of the pair of spaced metallic frame
members of one reinforcing brace frame and the distal end inserted
through the lower end of the pair of spaced metallic frame members
of another reinforcing brace frame; whereby the reinforcing brace
frame is stacked and connected by means of the at least one
abutting tube which is then bolted in place using at least one
attachment means to secure subsequent reinforcing brace frames to
resist lateral seismic loads.
2. The reinforcing brace frame of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
slots is adaptable to allow the penetration of plumbing and
electrical elements to pass through the length of the reinforcing
brace frame.
3. The reinforcing brace frame of claim 1 wherein the at least one
compression plate allows the load to transfer across the at least
one compression plate for greater loading of the reinforcing brace
frame.
4. The reinforcing brace frame of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing
brace frame may be used in podium construction.
5. The reinforcing brace frame of claim 1 wherein the at least one
attachment means may be selected from a group consisting of self
tapping screws, shot pins and bolt.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No.
61/285,102 filed Dec. 9, 2009 by the present inventor.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates generally to reinforcing brace
frames, and more particularly to a reinforcing brace frame used for
supporting a multi-story light-gauge steel/wood framed
building.
[0004] DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0005] Earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes are common in certain
areas of the world. Lateral forces created by wind pressure or by
the seismic motion of the ground during an earthquake create
substantial shear forces in the walls of a building thereby
uplifting the building from its foundation. Moreover, even one such
event can damage or destroy large numbers of wood-framed or steel
buildings causing billions of dollars of damage; displacing
thousands of people from their homes; and seriously injuring or
killing the occupants. There are many reinforcing brace frame walls
which are used as a complete system of protection against both the
severe shear stress and uplifting encountered during tornados,
hurricanes and earthquakes.
[0006] Presently, a wide variety of brace frames are available for
reinforcing buildings to resolve the problems of shear stress and
uplift. While serving to provide permanently reinforcing building
walls against the high stress encountered by buildings during
earthquakes and high wind situations, which increases the cost of
construction and in certain instances, may make difficulty in the
proper setting of electrical and plumbing lines. Some brace frames
are fabricated in one piece and extend to the total number of the
stories of the building, making it difficult to install. These
frames are installed using crane and are hard to stabilize during
the framing of the building.
[0007] One prior art described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,789 issued to
Lucey on Feb. 6, 2007 discloses a shear wall construction and
method for assembling the same. A plywood sheet includes close
laterally-spaced pairs of vertical studs or posts proximate each
lateral end. A channel-defining member is fitted and fixed between
the spaced studs. A tie member extends from the channel-defining
member into a concrete foundation or other underlying building
element. A track is also provided for sheathing a lower edge of the
shear wall.
[0008] Protrusions from the metal track aid in anchoring the shear
wall to the concrete foundation. However, additional equipment is
required to install the wall into the concrete, making it very
difficult to plumb and level the concrete. Moreover, such shear
wall construction is relatively time-consuming, labor-intensive and
not well-suited for use in light-frame construction.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,612 issued to Adams on Oct. 9, 2001
provides a wall strengthening component for a building
construction, the building construction having a plurality of
spaced apart vertical studs within a frame of a building wall or
the like. The wall strengthening component includes first and
second vertical support members disposed in a spaced apart
relationship and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed
between the first and second vertical support members. The
reinforcing members are configured to resist lateral stress
directed against the vertical support members such that the
position of the first vertical support member is maintained
relative to the position of the second vertical support member. The
reinforcing members are configured in a truss-like arrangement
forming triangular shaped portions between the vertical support
members. The wall strengthening components configured to be
operatively placed between adjacent vertical studs within the frame
of the building wall or the like and is fastened to the building or
the frame of the building wall at opposite vertical ends of the
first and second vertical support members. However, such device
requires additional components for providing reinforcement and
includes complicated structural arrangement.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,583 issued to Hardy on Nov. 21, 2000
discloses a reinforcing brace frame which is utilized in building
walls as a complete system of protection against both the severe
shear stress and uplifting encountered during tornadoes, hurricanes
and earthquakes. The reinforcing brace frame includes two
vertically-spaced horizontally extending frame members joined at
their opposite ends to two horizontally-spaced vertically extending
frame members, and a diagonal member rigidly connected to opposite
ends of the horizontally extending frame members. The reinforcing
brace frame can also include spaced vertical support members
between the vertical frame members. The reinforcing brace frame is
directly attached to a concrete foundation by shear bolts and hold
down bolts. Consequently, the reinforcing brace frame provides
increased resistance against simultaneous shear stress and
uplifting, eliminating the need for plywood shear panels. However,
the reinforcing brace frame can be used only in small wall areas
and cannot be used for multi-story light gauge steel/wood framed
building.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a structural and stackable
reinforcing brace frame which provides lateral and seismic support
when used in a multi-story light-gauge steel/wood framed building.
Such a needed reinforcing brace frame would include a unique
compression plate system that simplifies the embedding of the
reinforcing brace frame in the concrete. Moreover, such a frame
would provide slots that allow the penetration of plumbing and
electrical elements to pass through the length of the reinforcing
frame thereby eliminates the necessity of a crane in the
installation process. Further, such a reinforcing brace frame would
also eliminate the difficult stabilization process that currently
exists with multi-story steel framed buildings. The present
invention accomplishes these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a reinforcing brace frame for
providing lateral and seismic support when used in a multi-story
light-gauge steel/wood framed building. The reinforcing brace frame
comprises a horizontally extending upper metallic frame member, a
pair of spaced metallic frame members having a lower end and an
upper end, at least one metallic diagonal member, a plurality of
slots and at least one abutting tube having a proximal end and a
distal end. The pair of spaced metallic frame members is vertically
extended and rigidly connected at opposite ends of the upper
metallic frame member to form a rigid upright tubular frame. The at
least one metallic diagonal member is connected to at least one
opposite end of the upper metallic frame member using at least one
compression plate. The compression plate allows the load to
transfer across the compression plate for greater loading of the
reinforcing brace frame. The plurality of slots is arranged in the
pair of spaced metallic frame members and the at least one metallic
diagonal member. The plurality of slots is adaptable to allow the
penetration of plumbing and electrical elements to pass through the
length of the reinforcing brace frame thereby eliminating the
necessity of a crane and provides stabilization. Preferably, the
reinforcing brace frame is secured to the foundation by hold down
bolts.
[0013] The proximal end of the at least one abutting tube is
inserted through the upper end of the pair of spaced metallic frame
members of the stacked reinforcing brace frames. The distal end of
the at least one abutting tube is inserted through the lower end of
the pair of spaced metallic frame members of another reinforcing
brace frame. Thus, the reinforcing brace frames are stacked and
connected by means of the at least one abutting tube which is then
bolted in place using at least one attachment means to secure
subsequent reinforcing brace frames to resist lateral seismic
loads. The at least one attachment means may be selected from a
group consisting of self tapping screws, shot pins and bolts. The
reinforcing brace frame may be used in podium construction.
[0014] The present invention provides an efficient way to resist
lateral seismic loads and uplift in buildings as high as 8 stories.
Further, such a frame provides more superior and cost effective
means of providing seismic and wind load resistance. Other features
and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from
the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a reinforcing brace
frame in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention,
illustrating a way of appending a stacked arrangement of
reinforcing brace frames with a subsequent reinforcing brace frame;
and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the reinforcing brace
frames stacked and connected together using at least one abutting
tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a reinforcing brace
frame 10 in accordance with the present invention. The reinforcing
brace frame 10 comprises a horizontally extending upper metallic
frame member 12, a pair of spaced metallic frame members 14 having
a lower end 16 and an upper end 18, at least one metallic diagonal
member 20, a plurality of slots 22 and at least one abutting tube
24 having a proximal end and a distal end 26. is The pair of spaced
metallic frame members 14 is vertically extended and rigidly
connected at opposite ends 28, 30 of the upper metallic frame
member 12 to form a rigid upright tubular frame. The at least one
metallic diagonal member is connected to at least one opposite end
of the upper metallic frame member 12 using at least one
compression plate 32. The plurality of slots 22 is arranged in the
pair of spaced metallic frame members 14 and the at least one
metallic diagonal member 20.
[0019] The plurality of slots 22 is adaptable to allow the
penetration of plumbing and electrical elements to pass through the
length of the reinforcing brace frame 10 thereby eliminating the
necessity of a crane and provides stabilization. Preferably, the
reinforcing brace frame 10 is secured to the foundation by hold
down bolts 34.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention,
illustrating a way of appending a stacked arrangement of
reinforcing brace frames 40 with a subsequent reinforcing brace
frame 42. The proximal end 44 of the at least one abutting tube 24
is inserted through the upper end 18 of the pair of spaced metallic
frame members 14 of the stacked reinforcing brace frames 40. The
distal end 26 of the at least one abutting tube 24 is inserted
through the lower end of the pair of spaced metallic frame members
of another reinforcing brace frame 42. Thus, the reinforcing brace
frames are stacked and connected by means of the at least one
abutting tube 24 which is then bolted in place using at least one
attachment means 46 to secure subsequent reinforcing brace frames
to resist lateral seismic loads. The at least one attachment means
46 may be selected from a group consisting of self tapping screws,
shot pins and bolts.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the reinforcing brace
frames 40 stacked and connected together using at least one
abutting tube 24. The at least one compression plate 32 allows the
load to transfer across the at least one compression plate 32 for
greater loading of the reinforcing brace frame 10. The reinforcing
brace frame may be used in podium construction. The reinforcing
brace frame 10 may be a cost effective and superior means that
provides seismic and wind load resistance. Single or multiple
diagonal members may be arranged for supporting the reinforcing
brace frames.
[0022] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
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