Abstract:
A telescopically adjustable support brace is used to hold concrete form work at the proper linear distance during pouring operations. The brace comprises a pair of crossbars and telescoping adjustable arms that are locked by a pin inserted through aligned apertures. At the distal ends of each arm, a serrated cleat for digging into the form wall and prevent slippage. The cleats are connected to the arms by a threaded rod, permitting fine adjustments via mateable threads. The crossbars are connected by a pivot bolt or hinge. When the bolt or hinge is locked in place, the invention forms a horizontally rigid assembly, holding the concrete form walls or other objects apart. The hinge or bolt is released by drawing of a wire coupled through a retention member on a lock. When released, the brace pivots about the crossbars, permitting easy extraction of the brace from the forms.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 529,688 filed on Apr. 21, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122, 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and MPEP § 1706. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to an adjustable brace, and more particularly, to a telescopically adjustable support brace for maintaining a fixed distance or length between two objects. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Poured concrete walls are a common method for building and/or structure construction. They are relatively easy to build, cost-effective and very long lasting. However, they do require some work especially during the form building process to ensure consistent wall thickness and quality of the final product. Most often workers cut 2×4&#39;s to use as bracing to hold the form walls apart. However, this procedure has several disadvantages. First, the process is very labor intensive and takes a great deal of time. Second, the wood braces must be pulled out right before the concrete level reaches it, which is difficult to do, considering the rigid nature of the wood. Finally, while some wood braces can be reused for a few times, many of the braces must be discarded after just one use which wastes natural resources and increases landfill levels. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which concrete forms can be held at a constant and consistent dimension without the disadvantages as listed above. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,031, issued in the name of Melfi, discloses an adjustable concrete form apparatus comprising a pair of spaced form sections properly spaced by spreader sleeves and adjustment means; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,145, issued in the name of Coulter et al., discloses a cast-in-place concrete slab pouring form comprising exterior wall sections containing a series of vertically aligned slots arranged in parallel horizontal rows that can be telescoped into overlapping relation and locked into a free standing position; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,935, issued in the name of Lee, discloses an apparatus for positioning and supporting an inner mold panel of a form comprising a plurality of supporting members on which the inner steel form mold panels are placed and a plurality of jack devices; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,398, issued in the name of Holcomb et al., discloses an adjustable form brace for supporting elevated concrete form floors between support beams comprising two legs connected together at their top by a cradle assembly so that the legs can in a scissors manner; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,473, issued in the name of Sandwith, discloses an adjustable concrete formwork system comprising at least two spatially oriented upper sleeves with an upper web located on one side of the sleeves, and at least two spatially oriented lower sleeves, and at least two members telescopically connecting upper and lower sleeves therebetween; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,033, issued in the name of Wilson, discloses an adjustable side form concrete mold for varying the height of a side form on a casting bed to any desired height; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,410, issued in the name of Thompson, discloses an adjustable reinforcement insertion guide for a slip form concrete barrier mold comprising a vertically disposed slide gate, a vertically disposed reinforcement screen guide depending from the slide gate; and 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,906, issued in the name of Yost et al., discloses corner assemblies for concrete form panels, each assembly comprising a dihedral bend, wherein the members are spaced apart by a selected distance and a removable bridge is disposed between the pair of rigid members. 
   Consequently, there exists a continuous need for new ideas and enhancements for existing products in the concrete forming industry. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a telescopically adjustable support brace. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a telescopically adjustable support brace having a pair of crossbars cooperatively and pivotally coupled so that the crossbars are pivotal about one another when required. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having telescopically adjustable arms for expanding or contracting the length of the brace. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having pins or cotter-less hitch pins inserted through apertures formed on the arms and crossbars, the pins securing the arms and crossbars at fixed lengths. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having cleats distally affixed at the ends of the arms. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having cleats that are threadably adjustable between minor lengths for fine adjustment. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having a lock, the lock having an elongated body with a head terminus and a tail terminus, the tail terminus affixed to a crossbar, and with a downward projection at the head terminus of the body for insertion and impingement within a cavity formed in the opposite crossbar. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a brace having a guard encompassing the lock, wherein the guard prevents hyper extension of the lock and damage and/or failure of the lock. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide a retention member along an anterior surface of the lock, the retention member comprising an orifice for receiving a wire, wherein a user may collapse, pivot or fold the crossbars upward by urging the wire upward, thereby allowing the crossbars to pivot and permit extraction of the brace from a considerable distance or height. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a telescopically adjustable support brace is used to hold concrete form work at the proper dimension during pouring operations. The brace utilizes two sets of crossbars and adjustable arms, which slide inside of one another and are locked into place using a pin in a series of equally spaced apertures. At the distal ends of each arm, a cleat is provided which is serrated in nature and which digs into the form wall to prevent slippage. The cleats are connected to the arms by a threaded rod, which allows for an infinite range of fine adjustments by simply rotating the cleats. The crossbars are connected by a pivot bolt or hinge, which is held in place by a spring. When the bolt or hinge is locked in place, the invention forms a rigid assembly, which holds the concrete form walls apart. The hinge or bolt is released by pulling up on it with the aid of a wire tie, which is threaded through a retention member coupled to the clip. When it is released, the brace pivots about the crossbars, which allows it to be easily removed through the top of the form, and the concrete pour can continue. The use of the brace allows for the pouring of concrete walls in not only a quicker manner when compared to conventional methods, but in a more accurate manner as well. 
   It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a brace that is easily disassembled after use, thereby permitting a user to remove excess concrete from the brace and prevent damage and/or failure to the brace for subsequent use. 
   It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a brace that is easily extracted from the pouring forms as the level of concrete rises therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the telescopically adjustable support brace insertable between wall forms for manufacturing concrete walls; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the brace insertable between reinforcement bar (as shown); 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the brace; 
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the brace; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the brace and the pivotal articulation that the brace performs about the pivoting hinge or bolt; 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective of the brace illustrating the clip with retention member and wire inserted therethrough; 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective of the brace illustrating the lock that further secures the clip to the crossbar; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the brace also illustrating the lock in position; and 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the clip with the clock and cotter-less hitch pins for securing the arms and crossbars at fixed lengths. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 9 . 
   1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 , a telescopically adjustable support brace  10  (hereinafter “brace”) is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The brace  10  is envisioned for use in maintaining a specified linear distance or width between two objects, especially two objects that may tilt beyond a vertical or substantially vertical position. By way of example only, and not a limitation on the scope of the invention as claimed, in  FIG. 1 , the brace  10  is shown in supporting two wall forms  100  to prevent tilting of the wall forms  100  toward one another. In  FIG. 2 , the brace  10  is shown in supporting two upstanding reinforcement bars  102  (or re-bar as it is known in the trade). The brace  10  comprises a linearly elongated crossbar (generally denoted as  12 ) terminating at opposing ends  34  and  36 . The brace  10  also includes a pair of adjustable arms  38  and  40 , wherein each one of the pair of arms  38  and  40  is inserted at an end  34  and  36  of crossbar  12  and are telescopically adjustable therein. The brace  10  further includes a pair of cleats  42  and  44 , wherein each one of the cleats  42  and  44  is distally affixed to an arm  38  and  40 , respectively. 
   The crossbar  12  comprises a first crossbar  14  and a second crossbar  16  pivotally coupled about pivot means  18 . Pivot means  18  is envisioned as any mechanism that permits the first crossbar  14  and second crossbar  16  to pivot as required, the pivoting about pivot means  18  resulting in crossbar ends  34  and  36  assuming a lower profile position relative to pivot means  18 . Included among the envisioned mechanisms are hinges of various types, pivot bolt  20 , or a lock  22 , or a combination of the recited mechanisms. 
   The clip  22  comprises an elongated body having a head terminus and a tail terminus, wherein the tail terminus affixed to the first crossbar  14  or the second crossbar  16 . At an opposite head terminus of the lock  22 , a projection  24  extends downward therefrom, the projection  24  inserted into and impinged within a cavity  28  formed in the opposite crossbar  14  or  16 . The projection  24  and cavity  28  are coupled (when desired) in an impinging manner to maintain the horizontal integrity of the brace  10  during use. For illustration and example only, the lock  22  is affixed to second crossbar  16  and the cavity  28  is formed in the first crossbar  14 . Along an upper or anterior surface of the lock  22 , a retention member  30  is provided for receiving wire (denoted as W in the figures), cable, rope, string, twine or other similar items. Wire W, for example, is passed through the retention member  30 . The wire permits a user to manually pivot first crossbar  14  and second crossbar  16 , thereby releasing the brace  10  from between the objects the brace  10  supports. The incorporation of retention member  30  and wire is advantageous in use with concrete forms and reinforcement bar, wherein the user can safely and conveniently observe from a distance and then extract the brace  10  by tugging on the wire, releasing the projection  24  from the cavity  28 , resulting in pivotal collapsing of first crossbar  14  and second crossbar  16 , thus releasing the brace  10  from between the objects. A lock retainer or guard  32  may be included to further secure the lock  22  to the cavity  28 . The guard  32  is envisioned as being either permanently or semi-permanently affixed to crossbar  14  or  16  to which the lock  22  is affixed at the tail terminus and encompassing the lock  22 . As shown, the guard  32  is affixed about one or both of its ends to the crossbar  16 . To release the lock  22  from cavity  28 , the guard  32  is positioned so that a space or interstice S exists between the lock  22  and guard  32 . The space/interstice S allows the lock  22  to urge upward when influenced by tugging on wire W. Upward urging of lock  22  releases projection  24  from cavity  28 , and thus releases crossbars  14  and  16  from one another. The guard  32  further prevents hyper extension of lock  22  and potential damage and/or failure of lock  22  in subsequent uses. 
   The first crossbar  14  and second crossbar  16  each comprise a plurality of apertures  46  that traverse the respective diameters of crossbars  14  and  16 . The apertures  46  are provided to cooperatively correspond with a plurality of apertures  46  formed in arms  38  and  40 . Alignment of the apertures  46  of the crossbars  14  and  16  with the apertures  46  of the arms  38  and  40  permits insertion of pins  48  to securely position arms  38  and  40  within the crossbars  14  and  16  at a fixed length. In an alternate embodiment, cotterless hitch pins  50  are used, wherein a user would remove the hitch pin  50 , releasing the impingement on arm  38  or  40 , thereby permitting telescopic adjustment of the arms  38  and  40 . In one envisioned embodiment, the apertures  46  are provided at approximately one inch intervals, although other linear intervals are envisioned. The intervals are envisioned as providing the greatest flexibility in allowing specific linear distances between objects, and in combination with the fine adjustment provided by the cleats  42  and  44  and shafts  56  and  58 , respectively, a user will be able to achieve precise linear lengths of the brace  10  for supporting objects upstanding at specific linear distances. 
   The cleats  42  and  44  each comprise a plurality of recesses  52  for receiving a rod/bar  102 . The recesses  52  shown in the figures are formed from a V-shape, but other shapes and configurations are envisioned. The configuration illustrated by the figures illustrate the recesses  52  forming points, or crimps  54  provided for situations in which objects may be wider or larger than the recesses  52  in cleats  42  or  44 . The points  54  act to press against the objects (such as concrete wall forms  100 ), bracing the objects and maintaining a fixed length or distance between the objects. The cleats  42  and  44  are envisioned as providing resistance to inward collapse of a wall form  100  (in one example) and for preventing lateral and longitudinal displacement due to shifting that may occur during use. The cleats  42  and  44  are affixed to threaded shafts  56  and  58  depending from the arms  38  and  40 . The threads  60  are provided to allow for fine adjustment of the brace  10  once an appropriate length is established. By rotating the cleats  42  or  44  about the respective threads (the cleats having corresponding complimentary threads), a user can perform minor adjustments in length about the brace  10 . The cleats  42  and  44  may also be affixed or coupled with shafts  56  and  58  via a coupling nut (not shown) therebetween, wherein the nut is permanently affixed to the cleats  42  and/or  44  and then receives the threads  60  from shafts  56  and/or  58 . In one envisioned embodiment, shafts  56  and  58  are coupled with arms  38  and  40  via a permanent attachment, which may be accomplished by welding or another similar means. In another envisioned embodiment, shafts  56  and  58  are coupled with arms  38  and  40  by alignment of apertures  46  formed in arms  38  and  40  with apertures  46  formed in shafts  56  and  58  and impinged by pins  48  or  50 . 
   Because the invention is particularly envisioned as advantageous in use with wall forms  100  (or reinforcement bar used to reinforce poured concrete), the brace  10  is envisioned as being commercially available in dimensions particularly suited for such use. As such, three sizes are envisioned: a minimum length (between twelve inches and eighteen inches), an intermediate length (between eighteen inches and thirty inches) and an maximum length (between thirty inches and fifty-four inches). These three sizes are intended to account for a majority of the fixed lengths between wall forms  100  (or reinforcement bar  102 ) used on construction sites, spanning the desired thickness of the subsequently completed concrete wall. 
   It is envisioned that the brace  10  is constructed from a durable and sturdy material, such as steel or other suitable metals, although hardened plastics are also envisioned. It is recommended that any excess concrete or cement, or other foreign material, that accumulates on the brace  10  is removed as quickly as practicable to prevent hardening of the material and damaging, limiting the use or shortening the useful life of the brace  10 , especially concerning the apertures  46  being plugged by material, or interference of the telescopic nature of the arms  38  and  40 . 
   2. OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   To use the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brace  10  is adjusted to an approximate length spanning the linear distance or width between two objects, such as the wall forms  100  or reinforcement bars/rods  102  shown in the figures. Adjustment is accomplished by removing the pins  48  or pins  50  so as to release the arms  38  and  40  from impingement with the crossbars  14  and  16 . The arms  38  and  40  are then telescopically adjusted. Upon appropriate adjustment, the pins  48  or  50  are returned to impinge the arms  38  and  40  and crossbars  14  and  16 . The cleats  42  and  44  are then rotated about the threads  60  to finely adjust the length. A wire, cable, rope, twine or string is threaded through a retention member  30  at the top of lock  22 . When the brace  10  is no longer needed at the position it is set, a user can tug on the wire or cable, which pulls the retention member  30  upward, releasing the lock  22  from the cavity  28 , and thereby allowing the crossbars  14  and  16  to pivot upward and allow for the brace  10  to be removed from between the objects, the objects envisioned include wall forms, reinforcement bar, upstanding poles, rods, dowels, lumber, or other similar items. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.