Patent ID: 8250818
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A brace apparatus to be mounted between two portions of a structure subjected to a loading force to limit movements due to the loading force, said brace apparatus comprising: a fixed portion having a first end to be fixedly mounted to one of the two portions of the structure; said first end of said fixed portion defining a first fixed portion abutting surface, said fixed portion having a second end defining a second fixed portion abutting surface, said second end of said fixed portion being a free end positioned on a side opposite said first end of said fixed portion in a direction of movement; a movable portion having a first end to be fixedly mounted to another one of the two portions of the structure; said first end of said movable portion defining a first movable portion abutting surface, said movable portion having a second end defining a second movable portion abutting surface, said second end of said movable portion being a free end positioned on a side opposite of said first end of said movable portion in the direction of movement; a tensionable assembly mounting said movable portion to said fixed portion so that a) said first movable portion abutting surface is in proximity of the second fixed portion abutting surface, and b) said first fixed portion abutting surface is in proximity of the second movable portion abutting surface; said tensionable assembly including a first abutting element in the proximity of the first end of the fixed portion and a second abutting element in the proximity of the first end of the movable portion; said first and second abutting elements being interconnected by an adjustable tensioning element located within said movable portion; wherein: i) when a loading force moves the movable portion away from the fixed portion, said first abutting element abuts the first fixed portion abutting surface and said second abutting element abuts the first movable portion abutting surface to thereby limit the movement of the movable portion away from the fixed portion, and ii) when a loading force moves the movable portion towards the fixed portion, said first abutting element abuts the second movable portion abutting surface and said second abutting element abuts the second fixed portion abutting surface to thereby limit the movement of the movable portion towards the fixed portion.