U.S. patent application number 17/092594 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for wall reinforcement system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fortress Stabilization Systems. Invention is credited to Todd L. JACKSON, Donald E. WHEATLEY.
Application Number | 20210123253 17/092594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005324467 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
![](/patent/app/20210123253/US20210123253A1-20210429\US20210123253A1-2021042)
United States Patent
Application |
20210123253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WHEATLEY; Donald E. ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
WALL REINFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A reinforcement system for a wall includes a bracket secured to
a support disposed above the wall with a plurality of fasteners. A
strap is engaged with the bracket and is adhered to the wall for
reinforcing the wall.
Inventors: |
WHEATLEY; Donald E.;
(Holland, MI) ; JACKSON; Todd L.; (Belleville,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fortress Stabilization Systems |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005324467 |
Appl. No.: |
17/092594 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12212151 |
Sep 17, 2008 |
10858850 |
|
|
17092594 |
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|
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60973299 |
Sep 18, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 2023/0262 20130101;
E04G 23/0218 20130101; E04G 2023/0251 20130101; E04G 23/0229
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04G 23/02 20060101
E04G023/02 |
Claims
1. A structure, comprising: a concrete wall; a support member
formed from lumber and supported on top of said concrete wall and
disposed above said concrete wall; a bracket having a base portion
secured directly to said support member by at least one fastener at
a location above said concrete wall and including a strap support
portion connected to said base portion, wherein the bracket is
disposed above said concrete wall; and a strap having a length
dimension and a width dimension, said length dimension being
greater than said width dimension, said strap including first and
second end portions along said length dimension and an intermediate
portion disposed between said first and second end portions along
said length dimension, said intermediate portion being wrapped
directly around said strap support portion at a location above the
concrete wall, at least one of said first and second end portions
being secured to an inside face of said concrete wall by an
adhesive.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said bracket is made
from metal.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said strap is a
fabric webbing.
4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said strap support
portion extends at an acute angle from said base portion
5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein said strap support
portion includes an elongated aperture receiving said intermediate
portion of said strap therein.
6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said strap support
portion includes an elongated aperture receiving said intermediate
portion of said strap therein.
7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said strap includes
pre-cured adhesive with a peel applied thereto.
8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein both of said first
and second end portions extend away from said bracket in
substantially the same direction.
9. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said support member
is an end plate made from lumber and abutting an end of a plurality
of floor joists.
10. A method of reinforcing a concrete wall structure, comprising:
securing a bracket directly to a support member that is supported
on top of said concrete wall structure at a location above said
concrete wall structure wherein the bracket is above the concrete
wall structure; attaching a strap around at least a portion of said
bracket at a location above the concrete wall structure; and
adhering said strap directly to an inside face of said concrete
wall structure.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said bracket is made
from metal.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said strap is a
fabric webbing.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said bracket includes
a base portion and a strap mounting portion extending at an acute
angle from said base portion
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said bracket includes
an elongated aperture for receiving said strap therein.
15. The method according to claim 10, wherein said bracket includes
an elongated aperture for receiving said strap therein.
16. The method according to claim 10, wherein said strap includes
pre-cured adhesive with a peel applied thereto.
17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said support member
is an end plate made from lumber and abutting an end of a plurality
of floor joists.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/212,151, filed on Sep. 17, 2008, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/973,299,
filed on Sep. 18, 2007. The entire disclosures of the above-listed
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for
reinforcing structural elements. In particular, the present
disclosure relates to a system and method for wall reinforcement
including an anchor system for coupling walls and support
members.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] A variety of walls and other structural elements are known
to be generally capable of supporting residential and light
commercial structures. Over time, however, such walls and
structural elements can crack, tilt, bow, or otherwise deform due
to inherent weaknesses attributable to particular structural
characteristics thereof.
[0005] For example, walls constructed of concrete blocks have
excellent compressive strength to support structures placed upon
them. However, these walls are inherently weak with respect to
lateral loads and are particularly susceptible to cracking from
water pressure, as the mortar joints at which these walls are
connected are weak in tension and tend to separate relatively
easily when subjected to tensile forces.
[0006] Deformation, such as cracking, tilting, and bowing, if left
untreated, can become progressively greater and eventually
facilitate collapse of an entire structural element with resultant
damage to the structure supported thereon. While several methods
are known for treating such deformation (e.g., it is known to
adhere a carbon fiber material to a structural element, such as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,746,741; 6,846,537; and 6,692,595),
it would be desirable for a relatively simple and cost effective
system and method for coupling a structural element to a separate
support (e.g., a floor joist or other beam) in order to treat,
prevent, or otherwise inhibit deformation of the structural
element.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure provides a reinforcement system for a
structural element. The reinforcement system includes a bracket
secured to a support with a plurality of fasteners, a strap engaged
with the bracket and disposed on the structural element, an
adhesive material disposed on the structural element for securing
the strap to the structural element, and a laminate for covering
the assembly.
[0008] The present disclosure also includes a method for
reinforcing a structural element. The method includes securing a
bracket to a support proximate the structural element, engaging the
bracket with a strap, securing the strap to the structural element
with an adhesive, and covering the assembly with a laminate.
[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reinforcement system
according to the principles of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an exemplary wall for use with a
reinforcement system and method according to the principles of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3I illustrate exemplary steps for installing a
reinforcement system and for a reinforcement method according to
the principles of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIGS. 4A-C illustrate a variety of additional exemplary
walls for use with a reinforcement system and method according to
the principles of the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIGS. 5A-H illustrate another set of exemplary steps for
installing a reinforcement system and for a reinforcement method
according to the principles of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a reinforcement system 20 according to
the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated and
described. Reinforcement system 20 includes a bracket 22, fasteners
24, and a strap 26. Reinforcement system 20 can also include an
adhesive 28 (FIGS. 3D-31) and a laminate 30 (FIG. 31).
[0018] Bracket 22 is a relatively rigid component and can be made
from a variety of materials. By way of non-limiting example,
bracket 22 can be made of 60/61 T-6 aluminum with a 3/16''
structural T hard anodized coating. As best shown in FIG. 1, the
bracket 22 can include a base portion 22A having a plurality of
apertures 22B and a strap mounting portion 22C extending from the
base portion 22A. The strap mounting portion 22C includes an
elongated aperture 22D for receiving strap 26 therethrough. The
strap mounting portion 22C can be angled relative to the base
portion 22A with an angle up to 90.degree., although an acute angle
is preferred. Fasteners 24 are also relatively rigid components and
can be made from a variety of materials. For example,
3/8''.times.2'' zinc coated fasteners with standard threads may be
used. Additionally, washers 32 may be used with fasteners 24.
[0019] Strap 26 is a flexible material with a relatively large
tensile strength. For example, strap 26 can be made of an aramid
composite fabric webbing which includes Kevlar.RTM. or other
materials. Strap 26 can include a center portion 40 which is
traditional fabric and ends 42, 44 which are pre-impregnated with
adhesive and pre-cured in order to facilitate securing of strap 26
to a structural element as described in fuller detail herein. Prior
to installation, ends 42, 44 can be covered/protected with peels
46, 48. Peels 46, 48 can have a textured surface that creates a
roughened surface in the adhesive that is cured on ends 42, 44 of
strap 26. The roughened surface helps to facilitate bonding with
the adhesive.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, reinforcement system 20 can be
utilized with a block wall 60. With particular reference to FIG.
2A, reinforcement system 20 is installed proximate the top portion
of block wall 60. As illustrated, reinforcement system 20 may be
installed in conjunction with carbon fiber wall strengthening
assemblies 62 that can be assembled to the wall in the manner
described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,746,741; 6,846,537
and 6,692,595. Furthermore, FIG. 2B illustrates exemplary
installation locations 64 for reinforcement system 20 relative to
block wall 60 and that such installation locations 64 can vary.
Additionally, FIG. 2C is an exemplary illustration of the
preparation of an installation location 64 before installation of
reinforcement system 20. In particular, an area 66 of block wall 60
can be made free of paint and smoothed, such as by a
grinder/sander, in order to enhance the adhesive characteristics of
the area 66.
[0021] With particular reference to FIGS. 3A-3I, exemplary steps
for installing reinforcement system 20 and for a reinforcement
method according to the present disclosure are illustrated.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, bracket 22 and strap 26 are engaged and
bracket 22 is secured to a support member 70 by fasteners 24
proximate block wall 60. In a typical application , support member
70 can be an end plate (typically 2.times.10 or 2.times.12 lumber)
which abuts against the ends of floor joists 71. The floor joists
71 reinforce the support member from moving so as to provide a firm
foundation for the reinforcement system 20 to anchor to the wall
60. Referring to FIGS. 3C-3H, peels 46, 48 are removed from strap
26, adhesive 28 is applied to area 66 of block wall 60 from a tool
(caulking gun) 73, and strap 26 is engaged with an adhesive 28. By
way of example, a trowel 72 can be used to smooth out the adhesive
28 and engage strap ends 42, 44 with adhesive 28. Additionally,
referring to FIG. 31, a laminate 30 (plastic sheet) can be applied
over both strap 26 and bracket 22 to hold the straps 26 in place
while the adhesive 28 cures.
[0022] According to the principles of the present disclosure,
reinforcement system 20 can be used with a variety of types of
walls. With particular reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, reinforcement
system 20 can be used with a poured wall 160 and an intact wall
260. In particular, reinforcement system 20 can be utilized at
installation locations 164, 264, respectively. Furthermore,
referring to FIG. 4C, reinforcement system 20 can be used with a
non-load-bearing wall 360, which is oriented so as to extend along
floor joists 71.
[0023] With particular reference to FIGS. 5A-5H, exemplary steps
for installing reinforcement system 20 to non-load-bearing wall 360
are illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, selecting an
installation location 364 proximate a top portion of
non-load-bearing wall 360 and on a support member 370 and locating
bracket 22 and strap 26 within installation location 364 are
illustrated. Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 5C-5E, it may be
necessary to form apertures 374 in an obstructing one of floor
joists 71 adjacent to support member 370 with a tool 376 (e.g. a
hole saw). The bracket 22 is secured to the support member 370 with
another tool 378 (e.g. a torque wrench). Additionally, referring to
FIGS. 5F-5H, apertures 374 can be filled in with plugs 380 and an
epoxy 382 using a trowel 384. It should be understood that strap 26
can be secured to the non-load-bearing wall 360 similar as
described herein with regard to block wall 60. The support member
370 can also be reinforced by known reinforcement methods.
[0024] The present disclosure can vary in many ways. For example, a
reinforcement system according to the principles of the present
disclosure can have a variety of components which each can have a
variety of configurations and can be made of a variety of
materials. Furthermore, the installation steps for a reinforcement
system according to the principles of the present disclosure and
reinforcement methods according to the principles of the present
disclosure can vary. Additionally, a reinforcement system and
method according to the principles of the present disclosure can be
used in a variety of applications. As such, it should be understood
that the present disclosure is exemplary in nature.
* * * * *