Lateral bracing system

A lateral bracing system for one or two story frame structures utilizing a sheet member having a first portion with first and second opposite edges spanning a pair of vertical supports in the structure. The sheet member includes a second portion which imbeds in the concrete foundation or pier. The sheet member may includes flanges to aid in the connection between the sheet member and the separated studs. The sheet member may extend from the foundation of the structure to the first and second stories of the structure to provide shear strength in the structure.

BACKGROUND OF HE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a novel bracing system for use in building
 structures.
 Building structures employing vertical framing members, such as metal or
 wooden studs, have been strengthened to resist shear or lateral forces
 created by wind forces and/or seismic loading. In the past, such
 strengthening measures have taken the form of plywood shear walls fastened
 to the wooden or steel studs, held thereto by fasteners such as nails,
 staples bolts and the like. In addition, anchor bolts and hold downs have
 been employed to securely faster the frame structure to a foundation, such
 as a pier and grade beam foundation, a spread footing foundation a slab
 foundation, and the like.
 Experience in actual earthquakes have shown that the combination of shear
 walls, composed of plywood, and nails are not sufficient to prevent damage
 to structures in this situation. It is believed that the estimated yield
 strength of nails normally used to transfer horizontal forces to a sill,
 ignores rotational forces. As a result, the stresses on nails in a typical
 shear wall may be as much as three to four times higher than their yield
 strength in a seismic event. It has been found that the ignoring of the
 vertical components from overturning moments in a frame shear wall has
 resulted in major structural failures during earthquakes.
 Prior structures have been devised to reinforce buildings. For example,
 U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,875,314 and 5,448,861 show anchors which tie into the
 foundation of a building and extend upwardly therefrom through the use of
 tie rods.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,054 discloses a reinforced wooden wall in which
 foundation linked tie rods extend through the entire story of a building.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,389 shows a strengthening method against earthquake
 shock in which foundation reinforcing bars are linked to ceiling joists by
 special clamps.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,535 discloses a panel system in which the panels lock
 in side-by-side configuration to form wall ceilings and roof sections.
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,965 describes a modular wall section which employs
 plates that extend between studs. The plates possess flanges that permit
 the plate to be fastened to the studs above the sill of the building.
 A shear wall lateral bracing system which eliminates the need for
 foundation mounted tie downs and shear wall panels would be a notable
 advance in the building industry.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful lateral bracing
 system is herein provided.
 The bracing system of the present invention is used in a building structure
 having based vertical supports or studs which may be wooden, steel,
 plastic, or any other suitable material. Generally, the building structure
 possess a concrete foundation which may be formed into a pier and grade
 beam type, spread footing type, and the like. The bracing element of the
 present invention utilizes a sheet member having a first portion with
 first and second opposite edges. The edges of the sheet member span the
 pair of separated vertical studs. A second portion of the sheet member
 extends into the particular concrete foundation. A number of separated
 sheet members may be employed in the structure and each may include a
 first portion having a flange angularly connected to the first edge, and a
 second flange angularly connected to the second edge. Fastening means of
 any suitable type may be used to hold the first and second flanges to a
 pair of studs. The first and second flanges may also be connected to the
 second portion of the sheet member and, thus, extend into the foundation
 concrete.
 The sheet member may also reach upwardly from the floor of the building and
 through multiple stories thereof. Thus, the sheet member may include a
 third portion, connected to the sheet member first portion, which is
 fastened to a second story plate. In addition, the sheet member may extend
 upwardly to the ceiling of the second story of the building structure and
 be connected to separated studs in a similar manner to the connection of
 the first portion of the sheet member to the studs of the first floor.
 Fastening means holds the third portion of the sheet member to the plate
 member by the use of straps, U-shaped braces, and the like. In this
 regard, the sheet member may include a fourth portion connected to the top
 transverse member or ceiling plate of the building structure. Thus, the
 bracing element of the present invention may extend to multiple stories
 and is perfectly compatible with steel or wood frames structures. In
 addition, lateral forces due to wind, earthquakes, and the like are met by
 the bracing element of the present invention without the need for shear
 walls, tie downs, anchor bolts, and the like.
 It may be apparent that a novel and useful bracing element for use in a
 building structure is herein provided.
 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bracing
 element for use in a building structure which provides shear strength to
 meet lateral forces caused by wind or seismic loading.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element
 which is compatible with conventional vertical framing members used in
 building structures.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element for
 use in a building structure which eliminates the need for tie downs or
 hold downs in a concrete foundation.
 A further object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element
 for use in a building structure which provides lateral strength without
 the need for shear wall material nailed to the vertical framing members.
 A further object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element
 for use in a building structure which is capable of providing lateral
 strength to the structure through multiple stories.
 A further object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element
 for use in a building structure which provides superior lateral strength
 in the building and is directly tied into the foundation structure of the
 building, thus, resisting vertical forces from uplift or gravity.
 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bracing element
 for use in a building structure which is capable of resisting both
 vertical and lateral forces in concert.
 The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns
 particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent
 as the specification continues.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the
 following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which
 should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following
 detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be
 taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
 The invention as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character
 10. Bracing element 10 is employed in a building structure 12 having
 vertical framing members 14, a ground floor sill 16, and a concrete
 foundation structure 18. As shown in FIG. 1, foundation structure 18
 includes piers 20 and 22 supporting grade beam 24. Sill 16 may be a single
 member instead of the dual members depicted in the drawings.
 Bracing element 10 includes as one of its elements a sheet member 26 which
 may be a uniform sheet of metallic material, such as steel. Typically, 10
 or 12 gauge sheet steel may be employed as sheet member 26. A pair of
 flanges 28 and 30 connect to edges 32 and 34 of sheet member 26. As
 depicted in FIG. 4, such inner connection is a contiguous structure.
 Returning to FIG. 1, it may be observed that bracing element 10 includes a
 first portion 36 extending above sill 16, and a second portion 38 embedded
 in the concrete of concrete foundation 18.
 First portion 36 extends upwardly from the sill 16 and includes fastening
 means 40 for holding bracing element 10, specifically holding flanges 28
 and 30 to studs 42 and 44. Such connection forms an open chamber 46
 between sheet member 26 and flanges 28 and 30 connected thereto. Chamber
 46 may be employed to hold insulation material and the like in the normal
 fashion.
 Second portion 38 of bearing member 10 embedded in concrete foundation 18
 and, thus, becomes a composite section. Second portion 38 of bracing
 element 10 is completely compatible with reinforcing bar members 48 and
 50. In fact, flanges 28 and 30 of bracing element 10 may be formed with
 openings to permit rebar members 48 and 50 to pass therethrough. For
 example, openings 52 and 54 in flanges 28 and 30, respectively permits
 rebar 50 to pass therethrough.
 Turning to FIG. 3, it may be observed that bracing members 56 and 58 are
 shown, with foundations of various types. For example, bracing member 56
 is used in accordance with a foundation wall 60, that may be a grade beam.
 Reinforcing bars 62 and 64 act in concert with second portion 66 in the
 same manner as second portion 38 of bracing element 10 of FIG. 1. Bracing
 members such as bracing member 56 may be used along sill 16 and,
 preferably, not at the space formed between each and every vertical
 framing member. Thus, bracing element 56 may be repeated at space 68
 adjacent stud 70, although it is not depicted as such in FIG. 3.
 With respect to bracing member 58, second portion 72 extends directly into
 pier 74 without the need for engagement with a metal cage. It has been
 found that bracing member 58 provides the necessary strength to tie pier
 74, to foundation wall 76, and the remaining part of building structure
 12. Second portion 72 may extend into pier 74 to the required depth to
 provide reinforcement to pier 74.
 Fastening means 40 is shown in the drawings as a plurality of nuts and
 bolts 78. However, any fasteners may be employed in this regard including
 staples, ramsets nails, adhesives, and the like. Plurality of nuts and
 bolts 78 are also depicted as being staggered in a vertical direction from
 sill 16, upwardly.
 Viewing now FIGS. 5 and 6, bracing member 10 is shown in its extension to a
 second story floor 80 of building structure 12. Plate 82 has been divided
 into two sections 84 and 86. Bracing element 10 includes a third portion
 88. Fastening means 40 further includes a structure which connects third
 portion 88 of bracing element 10 to the plate 82 of the second floor of
 building structure 12. It may be observed, connecting structures 90 and 92
 are depicted with respect to studs 42 and 44. Second story studs 42A and
 44A serve as a virtual extension of studs 42 and 44 of the first story of
 building structure 12. In this regard, the description with respect to
 connecting structure 92 also serves to identify the particular elements of
 connecting structure 90. Connecting structure 92 possesses straps 94 and
 96 which are welded to a vertical plate 98 to form a U-shaped member 100.
 Fastener 102 sandwiches third portion 88 of bracing element 10 between
 fastener 102 and plate 98 of U-shaped member 100. A similar structure may
 be found with respect to connecting structure 90, which is the mirror
 image of connecting structure 92. Plurality of fasteners 104 hold
 connecting structures 90 and 92 to plate sections 84 and 86, respectively.
 Plurality of fasteners 104 are employed with respect to structures 90 and
 92 to sandwich structures 90 and 92 to plate sections 84 and 86.
 Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it may be observed that brace member 10
 includes a fourth section 106 which extends to the top transverse member
 or plate 108 of building structure 12. Again, plate 108 is split into two
 sections 110 and 112. Bracing member 10 is fastened to plate 108 by the
 use of U-shaped member 114 and is held to flanges 28 and 32 of bracing
 member 10 by plates 116 and 118. Fastener 120, FIG. 8, is depicted
 schematically on FIG. 7 along with another fastener 122, employed with
 respect to flange 28. Plurality of fasteners 124 hold U-shaped strap 114
 to a top plate 126. Thus, bracing element 10 may be employed to support a
 vertical load in certain cases. Of course, studs 42A and 44A may extend
 upwardly into contact with top plate 108, if desired.
 In operation, the user places bracing element 10 within the foundation 18
 of building structure 12, be it a concrete slab, a spread footing, or a
 pier and grade beam type construction. In the case where piers are
 employed, bracing members of the present invention, such as bracing member
 58, may extend directly into pier 74 obviating the need for a cage
 interconnection. In other cases, bracing members such as bracing member 56
 will be tied to reinforcing bars 62 and 64 of a foundation wall 60, FIG.
 3. Bracing element 10 extends upwardly from foundation 18 and is
 interconnectes with vertical members such as studs 42 and 44 by the use of
 plurality of fasteners 78. Plurality of fasteners 78 are staggered
 upwardly toward the second story of building structure 12. All bracing
 elements used in building structure 12, such as bracing element 10,
 include a third portion 88 which interconnect with the plate 82 of the
 second story of building structure 12. Such interconnection may take the
 form of connecting structures 90 and 92 delineated in FIG. 5. Lastly,
 exemplary bracing element 10 continues upwardly to top plate 108 of
 building structure 12 and is interconnected thereto by the use of U-shaped
 straps 114, plates 116 and 118, as well as top plate 126 by the use of
 fasteners, such as plurality of fasteners 124 and fasteners 120 and 122.
 It has been found, that bracing element 10 provides superior lateral
 support to a building structure and obviates the need for plywood shear
 walls used in the prior art.
 While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set
 forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete
 disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the
 art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing
 from the spirit and principles of the invention.