Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-1 -
STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to structural reinforcement in general and in
particular to reinforcing adjacent wood product structural members to each
other.
2. Description of Related Art
In the field of construction, it is often desirable to make a structure as
strong
as possible. The strength of a building is desirable for the purposes of load
bearing ability as well as resistance to outside loads such as earthquakes,
wind and other environmental loading.
Building construction typically includes a plurality of elongate members
connected each other to form walls, ceilings, floor and the like. In the case
of
walls, such elongate wall members are often referred to as studs while in
ceilings and roofs, they may be referred to as joist.
One difficulty that exists is the tendency of relatively long structural
members
to lose strength and rigidity as their length increases. This is often
required
for floor and ceiling joists so as to provide larger rooms unobstructed by
supporting walls and columns. Such long joists may commonly be subject to
torsional buckling failure. Another difficulty that exists with floor joists
is when
they are exposed to dynamic environmental loads such as earthquakes,
strong winds and the like. Under such loads, the floor joists may rotate
axially
along their length so as to lay flat instead of upright. The resulting
horizontal
and vertical deflection of the entire load above such a floor may contribute
to
an entire building failing or collapsing.
Conventional methods of reinforcing structural members has not been
adequate to resolve the above difficulties. Previous attempts have tried to
locate bridges or blocks between adjacent joists to distribute point loads
- -
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-2-
located near a single joist to adjacent joists so as to distribute the load
between more than one joist. Bridging involves locating a pair of crossed
diagonal wooden members between adjacent joist whereas blocking typically
includes locating a shortened length of the joist member transversely between
the joists. Such attempts have not adequately solved the above difficulties.
In particular, blocking or bridging is only able to act as a compressive
member
between the joists and will have a very limited ability to prevent the joists
from
moving away from each other.
When the joist members are subjected to torsional loading, the blocking
members on one side of the joist are subjected to opposite loads. For
example, when a torsional load is applied to the joist along the longitudinal
axis of the structural member, the blocking member abutting one side of the
top chord of the joist is subjected to a primarily compressive load, and the
blocking member abutting opposite side of the top chord is subject to a
tensile
load. Similarly, for the same torsional load, the bottom chord on the same
side of that joist will also be subjected to a tensile load. The compressive
load
may be conveyed efficiently to the blocking member abutting the top chord
through the contacting surfaces of the blocking and the joist chord. However
the tensile load on both blocking member on the opposite side of the top
chord and on the bottom blocking member is born entirely by the fastening
device used. Therefore unless such fasteners are specifically designed to
bear tensile loads under repeated loading cycles, this is likely to cause
premature failure of the structure when such fasteners, such as a nail or a
screw pulls out. Due to the inability of bridging and blocking to effectively
handle loads in tension, such reinforcing will not significantly assist in the
reinforcing of a structure under cyclical environmental loads such as
earthquakes, winds and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an
apparatus for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural
members. Each of the structural members extends between first and second
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-3-
edges. The apparatus comprises a rigid member having first and second
ends and being sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural
members. The apparatus further comprises a first socket connected to the
first end of the rigid member sized to receive a first edge of the first
structural
member therein and a second socket connected to the second end of the rigid
member. The second socket is sized to receive a first edge of the second
structural member corresponding to the first edge of the first structural
member therein.
The first and second sockets may comprise c-shaped channels. The c-
shaped channels may extend perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the rigid
member. The c-shaped channel may be formed of first and second opposed
flanges and a web portion therebetween.
At least one of the first and second opposed flanges may be selectably
deformable so as to open the c-shaped channel. The c-shaped channels may
include at least one fastener bore sized to pass a fastener therethrough so as
to secure the c-shaped channel to the structural member. The first flange
may include a perpendicular connecting tab extending from an edge thereof
away from the c-shaped channels wherein the rigid member extends from the
second flange.
The first and second sockets may be rigidly affixed to the rigid member. The
first and second sockets may be integrally formed with the rigid member. The
rigid member and the first and second caps may be formed of metal. The
rigid member may comprise an elongate beam. The beam may be selected
from the group consisting of a tube, a box section, an I-beam, a c-shaped
channel, an L-shaped channel and a triangular cross section beam.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed
a
kit for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members.
The kit comprises a pair of rigid member having first and second ends and
being sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural members.
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-4-
Each rigid member further comprises a first socket connected to the first end
of the rigid member sized to receive a first edge of the first structural
member
therein and a second socket connected to the second end of the rigid
member. The second socket is sized to receive a first edge of the second
structural member corresponding to the first edge of the first structural
member therein.
The kit may further comprise a linking member extending between the first
and second rigid members. The linking member may be substantially rigid.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed
an
apparatus for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural
members. The apparatus comprises a first rigid member having first and
second ends sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural
members. The apparatus further comprises a first socket connected to the
first end of the first rigid member sized to receive a first edge of the first
structural member therein and a second socket connected to the second end
of the first rigid member. The second socket is sized to receive a first edge
of
the second structural member corresponding to the first edge of the first
structural member therein. The apparatus further comprise a second rigid
member having first and second ends sized to extend between the first and
second structural members. The apparatus further comprises a first socket
connected to the first end of the second rigid member to receive a second
edge of the first structural member therein and a second socket connected to
the second end of the second rigid member. The second socket is sized to
receive a second edge of the second structural member corresponding to the
second edge of the first structural member therein. The apparatus further
comprises a linking member extending between the first and second rigid
members. The linking member may be substantially rigid.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-5-
specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar
characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the present invention for reinforcing structural
members as located between floor joists.
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom bracket of the
apparatus of
Figure 1 being applied to adjacent floor joists.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a connecting member being
connected
to the bottom bracket of the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a top bracket of the apparatus
of
Figure 1 being applied to the adjacent floor joists.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing
structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 8 is a plan view of a cut sheet useful for forming one of the
rigid
members of Figure 1 having sockets on each end thereof.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing
structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing
structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing
structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-6-
Figure 12 is a
perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 13 is a
perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing structural
members according to a further embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figures 1 through 3, an apparatus for stabilizing adjacent
structural members 6 according to a first embodiment of the invention is
shown generally at 20. The apparatus 20 comprises a pair of parallel spaced
apart first or top and second or bottom rigid members 22 and 24, respectively,
each spanning between one of the top or bottom edge 8 of a pair of adjacent
structural members 6. Each rigid member 22 and 24 includes a pair of
sockets 26 and 28, respectively, sized to receive the top or bottom edge 8 or
10, respectively, of the structural member therein to form either a top or
bottom bracket, respectively. The apparatus 20 also includes a connecting
member 30 extending between the first and second rigid members 22 and 24.
It will be appreciated that such a connecting member 30 will serve to retain
the top and bottom sockets 26 and 28 in engagement on the structural
member. Each set of top and bottom rigid members 22 and 24 and
connecting member 30 may comprise a single structural reinforcing device. It
will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, a single rigid member 22
or 24 with its connected sockets 26 or 28 may be utilized alone as a
reinforcing device. In other embodiments, a pair of top and bottom rigid
members 22 and 24 may be utilized without a connecting member 30
therebetween. As illustrated in Figure 1, the top and bottom sockets 26 and
28 of an opposed pair of rigid members 22 and 24 cooperate together to
retain the structural member therebetween.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, a front perspective view of the apparatus 20
is illustrated according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The
top
and bottom rigid members 24 may be formed of sheet metal bent into a c-
, __
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-7-
shaped channel. With reference to the top rigid member 22, the channel may
be formed of a web portion 32 having a pair of sides 34 and 36 at each side
thereof. The sides 34 and 36 may be bent to the same side of the web
portion 32 so as to extend from the same side of the web portion 32 as the top
sockets 26. The bottom rigid member 24 may be formed in a like manner with
a web portion 38 and sides 40 and 41. It will also be appreciated that
although the rigid members 22 and 24 illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 may
be formed of bent sheet metal, it may also be formed by other means such as
an extruded, cast or welded structure. It will also be appreciated that one or
both of the sides 34 or 36 and 40 or 41 may be omitted depending on the
strength requirements of the application. As illustrated in Figures 4 through
6,
the web portions 32 and 38 may include one or more bores 37 therethrough
so as to permit a pair of rigid members 22 and 24 to be secured to a
connecting member 30 as described below. As illustrated in Figure 2, the
sides of the rigid members may have notched portions 59 adjacent to the top
and bottom sockets 26 and 28 so as to provide some flexibility during
installation.
The top sockets 26 may comprise an open c-shaped channel formed of first
and second top side flanges 42 and 44, extending from the top web portion 43
forming a channel opening 46. As illustrated, the web portion 32 of the top
rigid member may extend from a side edge of the first side 42 of the top
socket 26. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the web portion 32, first side
42
and the rigid member 22 may be substantially orthogonal to each other
although, it will be appreciated that the rigid member 22 may be optionally
angularly offset from the top socket 26 so as to permit non-normal attachment
to the structural members.
The bottom socket 28 may comprise an open c-shaped channel formed of first
and second bottom side flanges 50 and 52, respectively extending from the
web portion 45 of the bottom rigid member so as to form a channel opening
56. As illustrated, the web portion 38 of the bottom rigid member may extend
from a side edge of the first side 50 of the bottom socket 28. As illustrated
in
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-8-
Figures 2 and 3, the web portion 38, first side 50 and the rigid member 24
may be substantially orthogonal to each other although, it will be appreciated
that the rigid member 24 may be optionally angularly offset from the bottom
socket 28 so as to permit non-normal attachment to the structural members.
The top channel opening 46 is sized and shaped to correspond to the top
edge 8 of the structural member. The bottom channel opening 56 is sized
and shaped to correspond to the bottom edge 10 of the structural member. In
many applications, the structural member 6 will comprise a floor or ceiling
joist, such as by way of non-limiting example dimensioned lumber, space
frame or I-joists formed of wood, metal or the like. Dimensioned lumber is
commonly of a 1. 5 inch width and therefore for such applications the top and
bottom channel openings 46 and 56 will be sized to have a similar width
opening. It will be appreciated that other thicknesses of structural members
in
general and joists in particular may also be utilized, such as, by way of non-
limiting example, sized to accommodate a doubled up floor joist, a 2 1/2 inch
wide floor joist or other common wood or metal floor joist sizes. In some
applications, the top and bottom channel openings 46 and 56 may be sized
slightly larger than the width of the joist so as to facilitate installation.
In
particular, the top and bottom channel openings 46 and 56 may be up to 3.2
mm (1/8 of an inch) larger than the joist for which they are designed. The
sizing of the top and bottom channel openings 46 and 56 for I-joists may be
similarly selected to correspond to the I-joist to be used.
The connecting member 30 may be formed of a rigid or resilient flexible
members such as, metal straps, bars, chain and the like, by way of non-
limiting example. As illustrated in Figure 2, the connecting member 30 may
be formed of a web portion 48 having sides 54 extending therefrom so as to
form a c-shaped channel. As illustrated in Figure 2, the connecting member
may be connected to the same sides of the top and bottom rigid members 22
and 24 together in substantial vertical alignment with each other. In other
embodiments, such as illustrated in Figure 1, the connecting member may be
secured to opposed sides 34 or 36 of the rigid members such that the top and
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-9-
bottom rigid members 22 and 24 are vertically offset from each other. The
web portion 48 of the connecting member 30 may also have bores 53 (as
illustrated in Figure adapted to
The top and bottom sockets 26 and 28 may include one or more fastener
bores 58 located in any one or more of the flanges or webs forming the
socket. The fastener bores 58 are sized to permit nails, screws or other
suitable fasteners to be passed therethrough so as to secure the top or
bottom socket 26 or 28 to the structural member 6. The top and bottom
sockets may also include apertures 55 through the side flanges 42 and 44
and 50 and 52 to permit nails, screws or other suitable fasteners to be passed
therethrough so as to secure the sockets to the structural members 6 therein.
As illustrated in Figures 11, the apertures 55 may comprise circular bores, a
plurality of bores, slots or any other suitable opening. Optionally, the top
and
bottom sockets 26 and 28 may include barbs, spikes or other suitable
projections from an interior surface thereof so as to engage the joist when
the
apparatus 20 is secured thereto. Adhesives may also be applied between the
top and bottom edges 8 and 10 of the structural member and the top and
bottom sockets 26 and 28. The top and bottom sockets 26 and 28 may also
include an optional connecting tab 60 extending therefrom for fastening
adjacent top and bottom sockets to each other with fasteners and the like. As
illustrated, the connecting tabs 60 may extend to one side of the top and
bottom sockets although it will be appreciated that they may also extend to
any combination of, opposed sides, same sides, or both sides thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the height of the connecting member 30 will
correspond generally to the height of the structural members 6. As discussed
above, the top rigid member 22 is sized to extend between a top edge 8 of
one structural member 6 and a top edge 8 of an adjacent structural member.
In practice, the length of the rigid member 22 will depend upon both the
spacing distance between them. Similarly, the bottom rigid member 24 is
sized to extend between a bottom edge 10 of one structural member 6 and a
bottom edge 10 of an adjacent structural member. Generally, the distance
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-10-
between the structural members, which is commonly expressed in centre to
centre distance will correspond to the distance to the centres of the two top
or
bottom c-shaped channel openings 46 or 56. By way of example, for a floor
constructed of 302 mm (11 7/8 inches) high joists spaced 406 mm (16 inches)
apart, length of the rigid members 22 and 24 from the center of the c-shaped
channel openings 46 or 56 of the apparatus 20 would similarly be 406 mm (16
inches) It will be appreciated that other lengths will apply for joists of
differing
spacing.
As illustrated in Figure 8, the rigid members 22 and 24 may be cut from a
single sheet of metal, such as, by way of non-limiting example, steel,
stainless
steel, aluminium or galvanized steel. The sheet metal may be cut into a blank
90 as illustrated in Figure 8 according to known methods and thereafter bend
into the desired shape as illustrated and described above. By way of non-
limiting example, the blank 90 may be formed with the rigid member having
the web portion 32 and side 34 and 36 adjacent thereto. The first and second
sides 42 and 44 of the top sockets may be also formed to either sides of the
socket web portions 43. Thereafter, the blank may be bent along bend lines
94 to form the top bracket as set out above. As illustrated in Figures 2 and
3,
the two top sockets 26 may be bent to a common side of the web portions 32
although it will be appreciated that the two top sockets 26 may optionally be
bent to opposed sides thereof as illustrated in Figure 11. Furthermore, the
two bottom sockets 28 may also be bent to opposite sides such that each set
of top and bottom sockets 26 and 28 on a common structural member 6. In
such a manner, it will be observed that an apparatus 20 formed from such
offset sockets will have each of the top sockets offset from each other and
each of the sockets along each structural member offset from each other with
the sockets located diagonally from each other being located to the same side
to facilitate interconnection with adjacent reinforcing devices as illustrated
in
Figure 1.
Any thickness of metal as required to provide the necessary strength may be
utilized such as between 12 and 22 gauge. In particular, it has been found
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-11-
that sheet metal of between 16 and 20 gauge has been useful. It will also be
appreciated that the apparatus 20 may also be formed of non-metal materials,
such as, by way of non-limiting example, carbon fibre, fibreglass, plastics,
ceramics and composite materials. It will also be appreciated that although c-
shaped channels are illustrated and described above for the rigid members 22
and 24 and the connecting member, other cross-section shapes may be
utilized as well, such as, by way of non-limiting example, bar, tube, box
section, I-beam, c-shaped channel, L-shaped channel, a triangular cross
section beam, or any other suitable member. It will also be appreciated that
although elongate, substantially straight members are shown, non-straight
members may also be utilized, such as, by way of non-limiting example,
arcuate, space frame, plates or any other shape as long as the top and
bottom sockets 26 and 28 are rigidly translationally fixed relative to each
other
so as to securely locate top and bottom edges 8 of adjacent structural
member relative to each other.
In operation, and with reference to Figures 4 through 6, a bottom rigid
member 24 may be located on the bottom edges 10 of a pair of opposed
adjacent structural members 6 by moving the bottom rigid member 24 in an
upward direction as indicated generally at 80 in Figure 3 such that the bottom
edges 10 of the structural members 6 are retained within the bottom sockets
28 thereof. A connecting member may then be engaged with bottom rigid
member 24 by aligning, in a direction generally indicated at 82 in Figure 5,
the
bores 53 of the connecting member with the bores 37 of the bottom rigid
member 24 and passing bolts 39, screws or other fasteners therethrough.
Although the bores 37 are illustrated as being located at positions
substantially in the middle of the top and bottom rigid members, in the
accompanying figures, it will be appreciated that these bores may also be
located at other locations therealong as well, such as proximate to one of the
sockets 26 or 28 so as to provide a substantially unobstructed region between
the elongate structural members 6 for locating pipes, plumbing, wiring and the
like. The top rigid member 22 may then be located such over the top edges 8
of the structural members 6 such that the top edges 8 are retained within the
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-12-
top socket 26 thereof by moving the top rigid member 22 in a downward
direction generally indicated at 84. Thereafter, bolts or fasteners 39 may be
passed through the bores 37 and 53 in the top rigid member 22 and
connecting member 30. Fasteners may also be passed through the fastener
bores 58 so as to secure the rigid members to the structural members or
through bores 62 in the tabs 60 to secure the apparatus 20 to adjacent
devices.
With reference to Figure 7, a bracket 100 for use in forming either the top or
bottom of the apparatus 20 is illustrated according to a further embodiment of
the present invention. The bracket 100 comprises a planar portion 102
extending between first and second ends, 104 and 106, respectively. The
bracket 100 may further include first and second end walls, 108 and 110,
extending perpendicularly from the first and second ends 104 and 106. The
first and second end walls 108 and 110 define first and second structural
member receiving locations 112 and 114, respectively. The bracket 100 may
also optionally include first and second strengthening ribs 116 and 118
extending along the planar portion 102. The bracket 100 may also include
connecting tabs 120 extending from the first and second end walls 108 and
110. As illustrated in Figure 12, the planar portion 102 may be angularly
oriented between the first and second end walls 108 and 110 so as to permit
the first and second end walls 108 and 110 to be offset from each other along
the structural member 6.
With reference to Figure 9, a bracket 140 for use in forming either the top or
bottom of the apparatus 20 is illustrated according to a further embodiment of
the present invention. The bracket 140 comprises a planar portion 142
extending between first and second ends, 144 and 146, respectively. The
bracket 140 further includes first and second sockets, 150 and 152,
respectively, located at the first and second ends 144 and 146 oriented to
receive the structural member therein in a direction generally perpendicular
to
the planar portion 142 as illustrated. The planar portion 142 may also
optionally include strengthening ribs 148 extending along the planar portion
_
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-13-
102. As illustrated the strengthening ribs 148 may extend away from the
planar portion 142 in an opposite direction from the orientation of the
sockets
152 although it will be appreciated that they may also extend in the same
direction. The sockets 150 and 152 are each formed of interior and exterior
walls, 154 and 156, respectively with a bridging portion 158 therebetween. As
illustrated, the planar portion 142 extends from the top most edge of the
interior walls 154 so as to form a space 170 thereunder. When the bracket
140 is installed on a pair of parallel floor joists, the space will be
maintained
between the planar portion 142 and a flooring material so as to provide a
location to contain plumbing wiring and the like. The height of the space 170
may be adjusted by providing an interior wall 154 if different heights. As
illustrated, the interior wall 154 may have a height less than the height of
the
exterior wall, although it will be appreciated that the height of the interior
wall
may also be the same or greater than the height of the exterior wall as well.
The bracket 140 may also include connecting tabs 160 extending from the
exterior walls 156 for securing to adjacent brackets, as set out above. As
illustrated in Figure 13, the planar portion 142 may be angularly oriented
between the first and second sockets 150 and 152 so as to permit the first
and second first and second sockets to be offset from each other along the
structural member 6.
Although as illustrated above, the ridged members are illustrated as being
substantially straight, it will be appreciated that other shapes between pairs
of
sockets 26 or 28 may also be utilized having other shapes or profiles as well.
In particular, the rigid members may be curved, or arcuate or formed of a
plurality of rigidly or pivotally connected member segments. With reference to
Figure 10 an apparatus for stabilizing adjacent structural members according
to a further embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 180. The
apparatus 180 comprises central plate 182 extending between first and
second sides 184 and 186, respectively and top and bottom edges 188 and
190, respectively. The plate supports the top sockets 26 and bottom sockets
28 therefrom and may optionally include an opening 192 or aperture
therethrough as desired by a user for passing pipes, wires, plumbing or the
CA 02864755 2014-08-15
-14-
like. Although the opening 192 is illustrated as being substantially circular
in
Figure 10, it will be appreciated that other shapes may also be useful as
well,
such as, by way of non-limiting example, square, rectangular, oval,
triangular,
octagonal or irregular.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the
invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance
with the accompanying claims.
