Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2024-10-24)

CLAIMS:
\[CLAIMS\]

\[Claim 1\] A buckling-restrained brace, comprising:
a core extending in an axial direction; and
a restrainer encasing the core from an outer side thereof in a state where both end segments of the core in the axial direction protrude from the restrainer, wherein the core includes a first steel plate having a first yield point, a second steel plate having a second yield point different from the first yield point, and a third steel plate having a third yield point different from the first yield point, the first steel plate being sandwiched between the second steel plate and the third steel plate, the first steel plate includes a first yielding segment provided in a center segment of the first steel plate in the axial direction and having an axial strength smaller than an axial strength of both end segments of the first steel plate in the axial direction, the second steel plate includes a second yielding segment provided in a center segment of the second steel plate in the axial direction and having an axial strength smaller than an axial strength of both end segments of the second steel plate in the axial direction, the third steel plate includes a third yielding segment provided in a center segment of the third steel plate in the axial direction and having an axial strength smaller than an axial strength of both end segments of the third steel plate in the axial direction, and a length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is different from a length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction, and is different from a length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction.
\[Claim 2\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 1, wherein:
the first yield point is higher than the second yield point, and is higher than the third yield point; and
the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is longer than the
length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction, and is longer than the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction.

\[Claim 3\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 2, wherein the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is longer than the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction, and is longer than the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction such that a ratio of steel plate yield deformations is increased compared with a case where the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is the same as the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction and is the same as the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction, the ratio of steel plate yield deformations being a ratio of a second yield displacement when an axial load, at which yielding of the first steel plate occurs, is applied to the core to a first yield displacement when an axial load, at which yielding of the second steel plate or the third steel plate occurs, is applied to the core.

\[Claim 4\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first steel plate is provided such that the first yielding segment protrudes from the restrainer.

\[Claim 5\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 1, wherein:
the first yield point is lower than the second yield point, and is lower than the
third yield point; and the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction, and is shorter than the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction.

\[Claim 6\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 5, wherein the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction, and is shorter than the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction such that a ratio of steel plate yield deformations is increased compared with a case where the length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is the same as the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction and is the same as the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction, the ratio of steel plate yield deformations being a ratio of a second yield displacement when an axial load, at which yielding of the second steel plate or the third steel plate occurs, is applied to the core to a first yield displacement when an axial load, at which yielding of the first steel plate occurs, is applied to the core.

\[Claim 7\] The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second steel plate is provided such that the second yielding segment protrudes from the restrainer, and the third steel plate is provided such that the third yielding segment protrudes from the restrainer.
\[Claim 8\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first yielding segment has a width smaller than a width of both end segments of the first steel plate in the axial direction, the second yielding segment has a width smaller than a width of both end segments of the second steel plate in the axial direction, and the third yielding segment has a width smaller than a width of both end segments of the third steel plate in the axial direction.

\[Claim 9\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising connectors which are provided to both end segments of the core, wherein each of the connectors includes a first connection segment connected to the first steel plate, a second connection segment connected to the second steel plate, and a third connection segment connected to the third steel plate.

\[Claim 10\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising connectors which are provided to both end segments of the core, wherein each of the connectors includes a first connection segment connected to the first steel plate, a second connection segment connected to the second steel plate, and a third connection segment connected to the third steel plate, wherein the second connection segment and the third connection segment are located closer to a center in the axial direction than the first connection segment.

\[Claim 11\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising connectors which are provided to both end segments of the core, wherein each of the connectors includes a first connection segment connected to the first steel plate, a second connection segment connected to the second steel plate, and a third connection segment connected to the third steel plate, wherein the first connection segment is located closer to a center in the axial direction than the second connection segment and the third connection segment.
\[Claim 12\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first connection segment is provided so as not to overlap the second connection segment in the axial direction, and is provided so as not to overlap the third connection segment in the axial direction.

\[Claim 13\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein each of the connectors includes a pair of connection plates sandwiching the first steel plate, the second steel plate, and the third steel plate in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first steel plate.

\[Claim 14\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein:
the second yield point is the same as the third yield point; and
the length of the second yielding segment in the axial direction is the same as the length of the third yielding segment in the axial direction.

\[Claim 15\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second steel plate and the third steel plate are symmetric in a thickness direction of the first steel plate, with respect to the thickness-center of the first steel plate in the thickness direction of the first steel plate.

\[Claim 16\] The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first steel plate, the second steel plate, and the third steel plate are arranged parallel to each other.
\[Claim 17\] 25 The buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a spacer provided between the second steel plate and the third steel plate.

\[Claim 18\] A seismic force-resisting structure, comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of gusset plates projecting inward from the frame; and
the buckling-restrained brace according to any one of claims
1 to 17, wherein the buckling-restrained brace spans between the plurality of gusset plates, and both end segments of the core are connected to the plurality of gusset plates using a welded, pinned, or bolted connection. 5 10 15 20 25

OFFICE ACTION:
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
None of the prior art alone or in obvious combination absent hindsight discloses applicant’s invention of “a buckling-restrained brace” comprising inter alia a core, a restrainer, first, second and third steel plates having first, second and third yield point, first, second and third yielding segment having the structural limitations as recited in the claims with the inclusion of the limitations towards “a length of the first yielding segment in the axial direction is different from a length of the second and third yielding segments in the axial direction”. Examiner believes that it will not be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the prior art of record to reach applicant' s claimed invention without impermissible hindsight.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US10858827B2: Claims:
A buckling-restrained brace with a flat energy dissipation element used as a brace for a frame, the buckling-restrained brace comprising a telescopic inner restrained member, an outer restrained member sleeved outside the inner restrained member, and the flat energy dissipation element between the inner restrained member and the outer restrained member, wherein, the inner restrained member comprises a first steel square tube and a second steel square tube with the same length and outer section, the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube are connected by insertion, and far ends of the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube are configured to be connected with the frame; the flat energy dissipation element comprises four flat fuses, and two ends of each of the four flat fuses are connected to four sides of the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube by bolts, respectively, two slots/notches are formed in a middle part of each of the flat fuses for forming a weakened yielding segment, and the two ends are non-weakened non-yielding segments; and an inner section of the outer restrained member is square, the outer restrained member covers the flat energy dissipation element, and a certain gap is disposed between the outer restrained member and the flat energy dissipation element.
the inner restrained member comprises a first steel square tube and a second steel square tube with the same length and outer section, the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube are connected by insertion, and far ends of the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube are configured to be connected with the frame;
the flat energy dissipation element comprises four flat fuses, and two ends of each of the four flat fuses are connected to four sides of the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube by bolts, respectively, two slots/notches are formed in a middle part of each of the flat fuses for forming a weakened yielding segment, and the two ends are non-weakened non-yielding segments; and
an inner section of the outer restrained member is square, the outer restrained member covers the flat energy dissipation element, and a certain gap is disposed between the outer restrained member and the flat energy dissipation element.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 1 , wherein a stiffener is disposed on an outer surface of the yielding segment longitudinally, and the outer restrained member is connected with the stiffener through the bolts.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 2 , wherein the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube have the same size, the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube are connected by a male-male adaptor, the male-male adaptor is a steel square tube, a stiffener which is arranged outside surface and perpendicular to the planes of the steel square tubes arranged at a middle part of the male-male adaptor, an outer section of the male-male adaptor is smaller than an inner section of the first steel square tube, one end of the male-male adaptor is welded or plugged into the first steel square tube, and an other end is plugged into the second steel square tube.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 3 , wherein each of the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube is 100-5000 mm long, a spacing between the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube is 20-500 mm, a gap between the outside surface of the male-male adaptor and the inside surface of the second steel square tube is 1-10 mm, and the male-male adaptor plugged into the second steel square tube is 20-800 mm long.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 1 , wherein bolt holes for connection of the first steel square tube with the second steel square tube are formed in an outer side parts of the non-yielding segments; each non-yielding segment comprises an unrestrained connection segment provided with the bolt holes, an unrestrained non-yielding segment not provided with the bolt holes and not covered with the outer restrained member, and a restrained non-yielding segment not provided with the bolt holes but covered with the outer restrained member; the outer restrained member covers the yielding segments and the restrained non-yielding segments, and the yielding segments are restrained yielding segments restrained by the inner restrained member and the outer restrained member.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 5 , wherein non-weakened non-yielding segments are arranged at the middle parts of the flat fuses for forming middle restrained non-yielding segments, a length of each of the middle restrained non-yielding segments is larger than a spacing between the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube when the buckling-restrained brace deforms due to a maximum design tension capacity, and a stiffener is arranged on the middle restrained non-yielding segments; and end stiffeners are arranged on the outer surfaces of the restrained non-yielding segments and the unrestrained non-yielding segments longitudinally.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 6 , wherein the outer restrained member is formed by buckling four W-shaped steel plates, the adjacent W-shaped steel plates are connected by the bolts, a gap between the outer restrained member and the flat energy dissipation element is 1-5 mm, and the gap is filled with a debonding material.
The buckling-restrained brace according to claim 7 , wherein a round hole is formed in a middle part of the stiffener, two oblong holes are formed beside the round hole, the bolts between the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates pass through the round hole and the oblong holes, and washers are arranged between the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates; and transition regions of the adjacent two segments of the restrained non-yielding segments, the restrained yielding segments and the middle restrained non-yielding segments are arc lines, straight lines or a combination thereof.
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 1 .
An assembly method of the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 8 , comprising the following steps: step 1: welding or plugging one end of a male-male adaptor to or into the first steel square tube, and plugging the other end into the second steel square tube to form the inner restrained member; step 2: welding the stiffener and the end stiffeners to the outer surface of the flat energy dissipation element longitudinally, adjusting the spacing between the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube, and connecting the unrestrained connection segments of the flat energy dissipation element to the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube; step 3: connecting the stiffener of the flat energy dissipation element with the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates through the bolts, and then connecting the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates by bolts.
step 1: welding or plugging one end of a male-male adaptor to or into the first steel square tube, and plugging the other end into the second steel square tube to form the inner restrained member;
step 2: welding the stiffener and the end stiffeners to the outer surface of the flat energy dissipation element longitudinally, adjusting the spacing between the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube, and connecting the unrestrained connection segments of the flat energy dissipation element to the first steel square tube and the second steel square tube;
step 3: connecting the stiffener of the flat energy dissipation element with the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates through the bolts, and then connecting the adjacent two W-shaped steel plates by bolts.
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 2 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 3 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 4 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 5 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 6 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 7 .
A building, comprising the buckling-restrained brace with the flat energy dissipation element according to claim 8 .
Ref US9593504B2: Claims:
A brace for use in a building to resist earthquake and other forces applied to the building, the brace comprising: a core with a first and second longitudinal end and first and second lateral edges; a first flange orthogonally disposed to the first lateral edge of the core; a second flange orthogonally disposed to the second lateral edge of the core, the first and second flanges each having a first and second longitudinal end surface; an upper containment web disposed atop the core and a lower containment web disposed beneath the core, the upper and lower containment webs in contact with and extending longitudinally along the core and terminating short of the first and second longitudinal ends of the core, the upper and lower containment webs extending laterally across the core and secured to the first and second flanges wherein the core is capable of longitudinal translation between the upper and lower containment webs; a slot within the upper and lower containment webs at each longitudinal end of the containment webs; at least one core stiffener secured to and extending perpendicularly from the core through each slot in the containment web; a first slope stiffener extending diagonally between the upper containment web and the first flange; a second slope stiffener extending diagonally between the upper containment web and the second flange; and an endplate secured to the core and the at least one core stiffener.
a core with a first and second longitudinal end and first and second lateral edges;
a first flange orthogonally disposed to the first lateral edge of the core;
a second flange orthogonally disposed to the second lateral edge of the core, the first and second flanges each having a first and second longitudinal end surface;
an upper containment web disposed atop the core and a lower containment web disposed beneath the core, the upper and lower containment webs in contact with and extending longitudinally along the core and terminating short of the first and second longitudinal ends of the core, the upper and lower containment webs extending laterally across the core and secured to the first and second flanges wherein the core is capable of longitudinal translation between the upper and lower containment webs;
a slot within the upper and lower containment webs at each longitudinal end of the containment webs;
at least one core stiffener secured to and extending perpendicularly from the core through each slot in the containment web;
a first slope stiffener extending diagonally between the upper containment web and the first flange;
a second slope stiffener extending diagonally between the upper containment web and the second flange; and
an endplate secured to the core and the at least one core stiffener.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the slot within the upper and lower containment webs extends longitudinally inward from the longitudinal end of the containment webs and terminates with a radius.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein an end stiffener is disposed proximate the radius of the slot atop each of the upper and lower containment webs and spans between the first and second flanges.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein a U-stiffener is disposed proximate each longitudinal end of the upper and lower containment webs, the U-stiffeners spanning between the first and second flanges and including a cutout portion to allow passage therethrough of the core stiffener.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the slope stiffeners further comprise a first longitudinal edge disposed parallel to the upper web and a second longitudinal edge disposed parallel to the first flange.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the slope stiffeners further comprise a first lateral edge disposed parallel to the end stiffener and a second lateral edge disposed parallel to the U-stiffener.
The brace of claim 5 , wherein the first and second longitudinal edges of the slope stiffeners are welded respectively to the web member and the flanges.
The brace of claim 6 , wherein the first and second lateral edges of the slope stiffeners are welded respectively to the end stiffener and the U-stiffener.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the slope stiffener extends diagonally between the web member and the flange at an angle in the range of from 35 to 50 degrees relative to the flange.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein at least one core stiffener extends perpendicularly from the uncovered core segment and through the slot opening past the upper and lower containment webs.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges each have an upper and lower edge and a mid-line half-way between the upper and lower edges.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the core has an upper and a lower surface.
The brace of claim 12 , wherein the core has a mid-line between the upper and lower surface.
The brace of claim 12 , wherein the mid-line of the brace core is aligned with the mid-line of the first and second flanges.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the endplate includes at least one hole for securing with a bolt and a nut to a matching endplate that is secured to a gusset plate.
The brace of claim 1 , wherein the core is comprised of Carbon steel Grade 55 or a lesser Grade.
A brace to restrain against buckling of the structural steel framework of a building, the brace comprising: a core with a first and second longitudinal end and a first and second lateral edge; a first flange plate disposed perpendicularly to the first lateral edge of the core; a second flange plate disposed perpendicularly to the second lateral edge of the core, the first and second flange plates each having a first and second longitudinal end; an upper containment web disposed atop the core and a lower containment web disposed beneath the core, the upper and lower containment webs extending longitudinally along the core and terminating short of the first and second longitudinal ends of the core creating an uncovered core segment at each longitudinal end, the upper and lower containment webs extending laterally across the core and secured to the first and second flange plates, wherein the core is capable of longitudinal translation relative to the upper and lower containment webs and the first and second longitudinal ends of the core are secured either to a building frame or to a gusset secured to a building frame.
a core with a first and second longitudinal end and a first and second lateral edge;
a first flange plate disposed perpendicularly to the first lateral edge of the core;
a second flange plate disposed perpendicularly to the second lateral edge of the core, the first and second flange plates each having a first and second longitudinal end;
an upper containment web disposed atop the core and a lower containment web disposed beneath the core, the upper and lower containment webs extending longitudinally along the core and terminating short of the first and second longitudinal ends of the core creating an uncovered core segment at each longitudinal end, the upper and lower containment webs extending laterally across the core and secured to the first and second flange plates, wherein the core is capable of longitudinal translation relative to the upper and lower containment webs and the first and second longitudinal ends of the core are secured either to a building frame or to a gusset secured to a building frame.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein a slot is disposed within the first and second webs at each longitudinal end of the containment webs.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein at least one core stiffener is secured to and extending perpendicularly from the core through each slot in the upper and lower containment webs.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein a first longitudinal edge of a pair of slope stiffeners extends longitudinally adjacent the slot in the upper containment web at each longitudinal end of the upper containment web.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein a first longitudinal edge of a pair of slope stiffeners extends longitudinally adjacent the slot in the lower containment web at each longitudinal end of the lower containment web.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein the at least one core stiffener extends perpendicular to the core and beyond the upper and lower containment webs.
The brace of claim 17 , wherein the core terminates in at least one of 1) an endplate, 2) a core stiffener that extends outwardly beyond the longitudinal end of the core, or 3) a core stiffener that terminates at the longitudinal end of the core.
A method for fabricating a brace, the method comprising: positioning two oppositely disposed longitudinally extending flanges in a vertical orientation, each flange being of substantially equal length and each with a first end and a second end and a longitudinal and lateral mid-line; positioning a first web between the two flanges, wherein the first web includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end with a mid-line between the first and second longitudinal ends and slots disposed within the first and second ends; aligning the longitudinal mid-line of the flanges with the mid-line of the first web; welding the first web to the two flanges a predetermined distance below the lateral mid-lines of the flanges; positioning a core with a thickness mid-line, first and second longitudinal ends and a top and bottom surface atop the first web wherein the thickness mid-line of the core is aligned with the lateral mid-line of the flanges, the core extending longitudinally beyond the first web; positioning a second web atop the core, the second web having a longitudinal mid-line between the first and second ends and slots disposed within the first and second longitudinal ends; aligning the longitudinal mid-line of the second web with the longitudinal mid-line of the core; welding the second web to the oppositely disposed flanges; and welding a core stiffener with first and second longitudinal ends to the first and second ends of the top and bottom surfaces of the core, the core stiffeners extending upwardly through the slots in the first and second ends of the first and second horizontally disposed webs, the first end of each of the core stiffeners extending longitudinally outwardly and terminating in at least one of 1) an endplate secured to the first and second longitudinal ends of the core and the first longitudinal end of the core stiffener, the endplate in-turn being secured to a plate that is secured to a gusset or, 2) a core stiffener that extends outwardly beyond the longitudinal end of the core.
positioning two oppositely disposed longitudinally extending flanges in a vertical orientation, each flange being of substantially equal length and each with a first end and a second end and a longitudinal and lateral mid-line;
positioning a first web between the two flanges, wherein the first web includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end with a mid-line between the first and second longitudinal ends and slots disposed within the first and second ends;
aligning the longitudinal mid-line of the flanges with the mid-line of the first web;
welding the first web to the two flanges a predetermined distance below the lateral mid-lines of the flanges;
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