JPH1113138A - Improved all-metal reinforcing frame for building - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a brace frame to be reduced in a cost, simplify structure, and be formed in all sizes and shapes. SOLUTION: This improved frame comprises a pair of frame members 12 and 14 made of a metal horizontally extending and vertically separably arranged. Rigid connection of ends opposite to the horizontal frame members 12 and 14 is effected and extension in a vertical direction is performed. The improved frame comprises a pair of frame members 16 and 18 made of a metal separately arranged, and at least a diagonal member 26 connected to opposite ends of the horizontal frame members 12 and 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to architectural members and, more particularly, to an improved metal brace frame for reinforcing building walls and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of metal components, such as building walls, rafters, ceilings, and floors, are used to reinforce wooden structures. For example, rafters may be reinforced with metal angle plates, as well as floor beams and ceiling beams. Angle plates are often used to increase the rigidity of corners and the like of walls. Metal and wooden diagonally arranged members (st
The rip) is also used for fixing each part of the frame of the wooden wall, and for a structure with higher strength, all the frames are made of metal.

[0003]

However, the reinforcement of conventional wooden structures has been limited by the severe stresses that predominate during earthquakes in the western United States, tornados and cyclones in the midwest, and hurricanes in the south and east. Hardly achieves its purpose.

[0004] One conventional means of reinforcing the frame of a wooden wall is to apply an overlay of cellulose material such as gypsum board, plywood or the like. This has increased construction costs and sometimes made it difficult to properly install electrical wiring and piping. Furthermore, the effect of the overlay reinforcement is not sufficient in most cases as a defense against earthquakes, as well as against structural damage from strong winds.

[0005] There is still a need for improved and inexpensive construction means to adequately, quickly and permanently reinforce building walls and the like in response to the high stresses on buildings in situations such as earthquakes and high winds. I have. Preferably, the construction means obviates the need to apply a so-called furring overlay to the wooden frame to increase strength.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved reinforcing brace frame of the present invention satisfies all of the requirements set forth above. The brace frame is inexpensive, simple to assemble, can be formed in any size and shape, and is adjustable so that it can be perfectly adapted to a given space in a wall requiring reinforcement. . The frame also eliminates the need to apply plasterboard, plywood, or other covering material around the wooden frame to reinforce the frame. Thus, the brace frame reduces the time required to complete the construction of the building, while improving the wall's ability to withstand stress and shear forces.

[0007] The improved brace frame is substantially as described herein. That is, the brace frame is made of all metal, preferably all steel, and includes a set of vertically spaced horizontal frame members. A pair of laterally spaced vertical frame members are connected to opposite ends of the horizontal frame member to form a box with the horizontal frame members, and a diagonal member extends between the vertical frame members. And are connected to opposite ends of each horizontal frame member. The brace frame is permanently fixed to the wall studs, base plate, and ceiling frame members by screws, bolts, or the like.
The plurality of brace frames are directly stackable with one another and are permanently interconnected as a multi-story wall structure. For this purpose, each opening appropriately aligned with each horizontal member of the brace frame can be used for fixing with bolts, screws, or the like.

[0008] Preferably, each of the horizontal frame member and the diagonal member is provided with a set of telescoping members that allow the width of the brace frame to be adjusted to closely fit the required wall space. In this case, each end of the diagonal member can be received in each groove of the horizontal member and welded at that position after the brace frame is finally positioned.

The present invention may further include a plurality of metal vertical support members which are spaced apart from each other between the vertical frame members and are rigidly fixed to each horizontal frame member. In this case, the support member has a plurality of grooves through which the diagonal member can be inserted. When the brace frame is finally installed, the diagonal member can be welded to the support member in each of the grooves. Even when the diagonal member and the horizontal member expand and contract, each groove has a sufficient length to cope with a change in the angle of the diagonal member during expansion and contraction.
Preferably, the vertical frame members are also extendable to accommodate walls of different heights. Ultimately, all the telescoping and pivoting members of the brace frame should be weldable or rigid to increase the stress and shear resistance of the brace frame to prevent further movement. Can be fixed.

[0010] Each shim, preferably made of metal, can be attached to the outer surface of the frame member to ensure a tight fit between the brace frame and the wooden frame member of the wall. A plurality of spaced openings can be formed in each frame member of the metal brace frame, and nails, screws, bolts, and the like for rigidly fixing the brace frame to the wall can be installed in these openings. is there.

[0011] Once the brace frame is fixed in place on the wall and the brace frame itself is fixed, the strength of the wall is significantly increased, even though the brace frame itself is relatively lightweight. Multiple brace frames can be incorporated into walls or other building areas during building construction to maximize the stress resistance of the building.

Other forms of the improved brace frame of the present invention will be described in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the improved brace frame of the present invention, showing a fixed state on a stud, a top and a bottom plate of a building wall. It is. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional schematic side view of a second embodiment of the improved brace frame of the present invention, showing a narrow state without expansion and contraction. FIG. 3 shows FIG.
2 is a schematic side view, partially in section, of the brace frame shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged schematic side view of the extendable and contractible horizontal frame member of FIG. 2, showing two members constituting the extendable member. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged partial cross-sectional schematic side view showing one end of a diagonal member and a method of connecting the end to a horizontal frame member. FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the diagonal member of FIG. 2 penetrating the vertical support member of FIG. 2 with a passage or groove of sufficient diameter to permit rotation of the diagonal member within the groove. is there. FIG. 7 shows the top plate of the wooden frame and the brace frame abutting the studs, FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial schematic side view showing a metal shim fixed to an outer surface of a vertical frame member of the brace frame of FIG. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view of the horizontal frame member of the brace frame of FIG. 2, and shows a groove of the frame member into which one end of the diagonal member is inserted as shown in FIG.

First, FIG. 1 of the attached drawings shows:
1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the all-metal brace frame of the present invention. This figure shows the brace frame 10
The brace frame 10 is permanently connected to a pair of vertically spaced horizontal frame members 12, 14 by welding, brazing, bolting, etc., to both ends of each of the horizontal frame members. A pair of laterally-spaced vertical frame members 16 and 18 forming a rectangular box-shaped body 20 opened together with the horizontal frame members;
It has. The box-shaped body 20 is divided horizontally by vertical support members or studs 22,24. These vertical support members or studs 22, 24 are permanently fixed to the upper and lower horizontal frame members 12, 14 by welding, brazing, bolting or the like.

Further, the brace frame 10 has at least one diagonal support member 26, and both ends 28, 30 of the diagonal support member are connected to the upper and lower parts by welding, brazing, bolting or the like. Horizontal frame member 12, 1
4 is permanently fixed at each opposite end. The portion that intersects the vertical support members 22 and 24 in the middle of the diagonal support member 26 is permanently fixed to the vertical support members in a similar manner. Preferably, the diagonal support member 26 is arranged to pass through each groove (not shown) of the support members 22 and 24, and is fixed to the support member at each groove.

As described above, the brace frame 10 forms an all-metal (preferably steel) stress support unit having strength and rigidity by itself. The brace frame 10 can be incorporated directly into the wall frame of the building under construction to substantially increase the wall's resistance to hurricane, tornado, and cyclone collapse. The brace frame 10 has sufficient strength without the use of gypsum slabs and other coating materials for reinforcement, thus saving time and money during construction.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the brace frame 10 is fixed to a wooden frame of the wall 32. Wall 3
2 comprises a plurality of vertical wooden studs 34, a wooden upper plate 36, and a wooden base plate 38 fixed to a cement floor. Any suitable means, such as bolts or screws 42, can be used to secure the brace frame 10 to the wall 32. The securing means may extend through the base plate 38 to the cement floor 40.

If necessary, when constructing a multi-storey building, a plurality of brace frames 10 (not shown) can be stacked directly on each other where no upper plate 36 is present, welded, bolted, Alternatively, they can be fixed by other means for permanently connecting them to each other. For these purposes, to fasten the two vertically stacked brace frames 10 with bolts,
A plurality of holes (not shown) formed in the horizontal members 12 and 14
Can be prepared. In this case, in order to further improve the strength of the entire wall, the diagonal support members 26 of the upper brace frame 10 of the set of stacked brace frames 10 extend from the diagonal support members 26 of the lower brace frame 10. It is desirable to invert the upper brace frame 10 so as to extend in a direction opposite to the existing direction.

The brace frame 10 can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can be pre-manufactured as a finished product when used in the opening of a standard wall frame. The brace frame 10 is inexpensive,
It is durable and also effectively increases the strength of the wall 32 or its resistance to destruction in earthquakes and other high load situations.

A second embodiment of the improved brace frame of the present invention is shown schematically in FIGS. In these figures, the brace frame 10a is shown. Each constituent member of the brace frame 10a similar to each constituent member of the brace frame 10 is given the same reference numeral with the suffix "a" attached thereto.

The brace frame 10a is substantially similar to the brace frame 10 and differs only in the following points. a) Each of the horizontal frame members 12a and 14a, the vertical frame members 16a and 18a, and the diagonal support members 26a is extendable and contractible. For this reason, the horizontal frame member 1
Each of 2a and 14a is provided with an elongated rod 50 that expands and contracts within a tubular body 52. Vertical frame members 16a, 18
Each of a comprises an elongated rod 54 that expands and contracts within a tube 56. The diagonal support member 26 a includes an elongated rod 58 that expands and contracts within the tube 60. Here, the brace frame 10a includes a box-shaped body 20a which can be extended and contracted in the horizontal and vertical directions so as to almost exactly fit in a predetermined space of a wall (not shown) of a wooden frame. ing.

B) Each member 12a, 14a, 16a, 1
8a is extended and shortened, and at the same time, the diagonal support member 26a is extended.
When the length of the diagonal support member passes through the grooves 62 of the vertical support members 22a and 24a as shown by the dotted outline in FIG. Is formed to be sufficiently extended so that the diagonal member 26a can rotate in the groove 62.

C) When the box-shaped body 20a is extended or shortened, the angle at which both ends 28a and 30a of the diagonal support member 26a intersect with the horizontal frame members 12a and 14a also changes. Therefore, the end portions 28a, 3
5a and FIG. 8, each member 12a,
It is necessary to rotate in each groove 64 of 14a.
Once the box 20a fits into the wall of the wooden frame
Is finally determined, the ends 28a, 30
a is welded, bolted or brazed at the fixed position of each groove 64.

D) A flat or wedge-shaped metal plate is used to precisely fit the brace frame 10a to an adjacent wooden frame, such as the stud 68 and top plate 70 shown in FIG. Each shim 66 (see FIG. 7) is fixed to the outer surface of the box 20a by bolting, screwing, welding, brazing, or the like. Alternatively, each shim 66 could simply be driven in to fill the gap between the box 20a and the wooden frame.

The brace frame 10a has other advantages over the brace frame 10.

Various improvements, modifications, selections, and additions,
The improved structure of the brace frame of the present invention, its components and their parameters can be applied. However, all such modifications, variations, selections, and additions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of an improved brace frame of the present invention, showing a state fixed to a stud, top and bottom plates of a building wall.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional schematic side view showing a second embodiment of the improved brace frame of the present invention, showing a narrow state without expansion and contraction.

3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic side view showing the brace frame of FIG. 2 in a state in which the brace frame is widened. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic side view, partly in section, of the telescopic horizontal frame member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged schematic side view showing one end of a diagonal member and a method of connecting the end to a horizontal frame member.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the diagonal member of FIG. 2 penetrating the vertical support member of FIG. 2 with a passage or groove of sufficient diameter to permit rotation of the diagonal member within the groove. is there.

7 is an enlarged partial schematic side view showing the metal shim secured to the outer surface of the vertical frame member of the brace frame of FIG. 2 with the brace frame abutting the upper plate and stud of the wooden frame.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view of a horizontal frame member of the brace frame of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Brace frame 12,14 Horizontal frame member 16,18 Vertical frame member 26 Diagonal member 22,24 Vertical support member

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── front page continued (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ identifications FI E04B 2/56 622 E04B 2/56 622B 622H 632 632C 632D 632G 651 651D 651X 652 652T E04C 2/30 E04C 2/30 U E04B 2 / 00 2/46 E

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. a) a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced metal frame members; and b) each of said horizontal frames to form a rigid upright building frame. A set of vertically extending, spaced apart metal frame members rigidly connected to opposite ends of the member; and c) each of the horizontal frames to reinforce the frame against structural stresses. An improved reinforcing brace frame for use in building construction, comprising a combination of at least one diagonal member connected to each end of the member opposite each other. 2. The frame comprises a plurality of vertically supported members rigidly connected to and spaced apart from the horizontal frame members, and each of the support members is rigidly connected to the diagonal member. The improved brace frame of claim 1, wherein: 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of the support members includes a plurality of grooves through which the diagonal members are inserted.
The improved brace frame as described. 4. Each of said horizontal frame members comprises a set of telescoping members for adjusting the spacing of said frames within a building wall, and said diagonal member comprises:
The improved brace frame according to claim 3, further comprising a set of telescoping members for adjusting the length of said diagonal members. 5. Each of the grooves is formed so as to be able to cope with a change in the angle of the diagonal member when each of the extendable and contractible horizontal frame members is extended or shortened. The improved brace frame of claim 4. 6. The improved brace frame according to claim 5, wherein each of said vertical frame members comprises a set of telescoping members for adjusting the height of said frame. 7. The frame comprises means for rigidly connecting the frame to lateral studs of a wall and a base surface, and means for rigidly connecting a series of each said frame stacked together. The improved base frame according to claim 1, further comprising: 8. The improved brace frame according to claim 7, wherein said connection means comprises at least one of a bolt and a screw. 9. The connecting means includes a plurality of metal shims connected to an outer surface of each of the frame members to adjust a position of the brace frame in a wall. The improved brace frame as described. 10. Both ends of the diagonal member are arranged in respective grooves formed at opposite ends of the frame member extending in the horizontal direction, so that the inside of the wall of the building is formed. While these horizontal frame members are expanding and contracting in order to adjust and arrange the brace frame, the respective frames that are rotatable in the respective grooves and extend in the horizontal and vertical directions after the expansion and contraction are performed 5. The improved frame according to claim 4, wherein the member and the diagonal member are rigidly fixed to each other by welding. 11. A reinforced wall comprising a wooden frame member and a metal reinforcing brace frame, the brace frame comprising: a) a plurality of vertically extending metal frame members; b. A) a plurality of horizontally extending metal frame members rigidly secured to said plurality of vertically extending metal frame members; and c) a plurality of said vertically and horizontally disposed metal frame members. At least one metal diagonal member, and d) each vertically extending frame member with at least one internal support member disposed between each horizontally extending frame member. E) The reinforcing wall, wherein the internal support member is rigidly fixed to the member extending diagonally. 12. The frame includes a plurality of vertical support members rigidly connected to the horizontal frame members and spaced apart from each other, and each of the support members is rigidly connected to the diagonal member. The improved brace frame of claim 11, wherein: 13. The improved brace frame according to claim 12, wherein each of said support members has a plurality of grooves through which said diagonal members are inserted. 14. Each of said horizontal frame members comprises a set of telescoping members for adjusting the spacing of said frames in a building wall, and said diagonal member comprises a pair of said diagonal members. The improved brace frame according to claim 13, comprising a set of telescoping members for adjusting the length. 15. Each of the groove portions is formed to be extended so as to be able to cope with a change in the angle of the diagonal member when each of the extendable and contractible horizontal frame members is extended or shortened. The improved brace frame of claim 14. 16. The improved brace frame according to claim 15, wherein each of said vertical frame members comprises a set of telescoping members for adjusting the height of said frame. 17. The frame comprises means for rigidly connecting the frame to a lateral stud of a wall and a base surface, and means for rigidly connecting a series of each said frame stacked together. The improved base frame of claim 11, comprising: 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said connecting means includes at least one of a bolt and a screw.
The improved brace frame as described. 19. The connecting means includes a plurality of metal shims connected to an outer surface of each of the frame members to adjust the position of the brace frame in a wall. An improved base frame as described. 20. Both ends of the diagonal member are arranged in respective grooves formed at opposite ends of the frame member extending in the horizontal direction, so that the inside of the wall of the building is formed. While these horizontal frame members are expanding and contracting in order to adjust and arrange the brace frame, the respective frames that are rotatable in the respective grooves and extend in the horizontal and vertical directions after the expansion and contraction are performed The improved frame according to claim 14, wherein the member and the diagonal member are rigidly fixed to each other by welding.