Patent Publication Number: US-9422734-B1

Title: System and method for straightening and/or supporting a wall

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to reinforcing and/or bracing a foundation. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for straightening and/or support a wall, particularly a wall that has been damaged due to expansive soils, hydrostatic pressure, freezing ground water, and/or other reasons. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In most homes having basements, the basements are at least partially subterranean. The basement foundation walls are design to support vertical loads more so than lateral loads from the surrounding earth. As a result, upon exposure to excessive lateral forces, foundation walls often crack, bow, push inward, or even collapse. The forces are associated with expansive soils, hydrostatic pressure, water pooling from downspouts, and/or freezing ground water, foundation settlement, and the like. 
     The foundation reinforcement systems commonly known in the art are deficient for a variety reasons. For example, wall anchoring systems counteract soil pressure by anchoring walls to stable, undisturbed soil outside the wall, which often requires significant excavation of surrounding earth. Further, given the varying types of soils outside of the wall, such systems are prone to failure. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a reinforcement system that does not require excavation of and/or rely on the use of soil exterior to the wall. 
     Many indoor foundation reinforcement systems occupy a large amount of interior space. For example, braces extending diagonally from the floor to the foundation wall significantly limit interior space of a room proximate to the foundation wall, often limiting overall function and enjoyment of the room. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a reinforcement system that minimizes the intrusive effect maximizes the interior space proximate to the wall and is aesthetically pleasing. For another example, braces spaced at a predetermined distance can result in localization of lateral loads at a midpoint between two adjacent vertical support members. Therefore, a further need exists in the art for a grid-like reinforcement system that adequately supports all areas of the foundation wall. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to improve on or overcome the deficiencies in the art. 
     It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a system that not only stabilizes a wall, but also straightens the wall over time. Horizontal structural members can be supported by a compressive force between a driving member and the wall. The adjustment of the driving member forces the horizontal structural member to move relative to the vertical structural member, which forces the wall into a desired position. 
     It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to install a wall reinforcement system without disruption to lawn, gardens, foliage, and/or other landscaping. 
     It is still yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a wall reinforcement system that maximizes the interior space proximate to the wall and is aesthetically pleasing. 
     It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to straighten and/or support portions of the wall between vertical support members. The horizontal structural members extending between the vertical structural members can prevent any excessive localized stress at a midpoint between adjacent vertical support members. 
     It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a cinch plate that can be connected to the vertical structural members and/or the horizontal structural members without the use of welding or other permanent means. 
     It is still yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a system in which two cinch plates can be connected to opposite sides of the vertical support members with the same connection mechanism. 
     These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for straightening and/or supporting a wall is provided. The system includes an elongated vertical member and an elongated horizontal member positioned to abut the wall. The elongated horizontal member has a first end and a second end, the former being positioned adjacent to the elongated vertical member. A first cinch plate having a first plate and a second plate is provided. One of the plates is secured to the elongated vertical member. A driving member can be movably coupled to another one of the plates of the first cinch plate and configured to force the elongated horizontal member to move relative to the elongated vertical member. Movement of the elongated horizontal member applies a corresponding force to the wall. The elongated horizontal member may not be connected to the elongated vertical member. A compressive force applied between the driving member and the wall can vertically support the elongated horizontal member. 
     The system can include a second cinch plate having at least two plates. One of the plates can be rigidly connected to the elongated vertical member on a side opposite the first cinch plate. A bolting member can extend through the first cinch plate, the elongated vertical member, and the second cinch plate. 
     A second elongated horizontal member can be positioned to abut the wall and can have an end positioned adjacent to the elongated vertical member. A second driving member can movably connected to another one of the surfaces of the second cinch plate and configured to force the second elongated horizontal member to move relative to the elongated vertical member. 
     A second elongated vertical member can be positioned to abut the wall proximate to the second end of the elongated horizontal member. One of the plates of the second since plate can be removably connected to the second elongated vertical member. A second driving member can movably connected to another one of the plates of the second cinch plate and configured to force the elongated horizontal member to move relative to the elongated vertical member and the second elongated vertical member. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for straightening or supporting a wall includes the step of providing an elongated member, an elongated transverse member perpendicular to the elongated member, and a first cinch plate. The elongated member and the elongated transverse member are positioned to abut the wall. The elongated member is secured in a desired position to a floor. The first cinch plate is connected to the elongated member with a connector. A driving member associated with the cinch plate is adjusted to force a portion of the elongated transverse member to move relative to the elongated member. 
     The method can further include the step of providing a second elongated transverse member. The second elongated transverse member can be positioned to abut the wall. A second since plate can be attached to the elongated member with the same connector. A driving member associated with the second cinch plate can be adjusted to force the second elongated transverse member to move relative to the elongated member. 
     The method can further include the step of providing a second elongated member parallel to the elongated member. The second elongated member can be positioned adjacent to an end of the elongated transverse member opposite the first elongated member and secured to the floor. A second cinch plate can be connected to the second elongated member. A second driving member associated with the second cinch plate can be adjusted to force another portion of the elongated transverse member to move relative to the second elongated member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a device for movably connecting a vertical structural member and a horizontal structural member is provided. The device includes a first plate having a hole and a second plate connected perpendicularly to the first plate. The second plate is configured to be removably connected to the vertical structural member. A driving member extends through the hole of the first plate and is configured to apply a horizontal force to the horizontal structural member. 
     The device can further include a threaded nut rigidly secured to a side of the first plate proximate to the vertical structural member. The driving member can be threadably engaged to the threaded nut. The horizontal force applied by a face of the driving member can vertically support the horizontal structural member. The first plate and the second plate can be integrally formed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein, and where: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 1C  is a front elevation view of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front elevation view of a portion of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is an isometric view of a portion of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a portion of a wall reinforcement system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the wall reinforcement system of  FIG. 3  taken across section lines  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a cinch plate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side elevation view of a cinch plate and driving member in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6B  is a front perspective view of a cinch plate and driving member in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  illustrate an exemplary wall reinforcement system  10 . The system  10  is designed to support and/or straighten a wall  12 . The system  10  is comprised of elongated vertical members  14  extending between a floor  16  and a ceiling structure  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, the wall  12  and floor  15  comprise a basement foundation wall and floor, respectively. The ceiling structure  18  can comprise floor joists disposed below a main floor of a home. The present disclosure contemplates that the wall reinforcement system  10  can be installed with any type of interior or exterior walls of residential buildings, commercial building, and the like, as well as other types of planar surfaces having means to connect the elongated vertical members  14  at a top end and a bottom end. 
     The elongated vertical members  14 , also referred to herein as vertical structural members, are secured to the floor  16  and adjustably connected to the ceiling structures  18 , as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,505 to Heady et al., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  illustrate support brackets  20  securing an end of the elongated vertical members  14  in a desired position proximate to the floor  16 . The present disclosure envisions that the elongated vertical members  14  can be secured to the floor  16  and/or the base of the wall  12  through any means commonly known in the art, including adjustable brackets that loosely prevent movement of the elongated vertical members  14 . Similarly, while  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  illustrate an adjustable connection between the elongated vertical members  14  and the ceiling structures  18 , the present disclosure contemplates the connection may be rigid through any connective means commonly known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongated vertical members  14  are I-beams having four-inch depth and weighing 7.7 pounds per foot. The elongated vertical member  14  can be comprised of ASTM A36 hot rolled steel or other suitable metal with the flexing properties needed of the application. In another exemplary embodiment, the elongated vertical members  14  can be T-beams, square bars, or rectangular plates. The elongated vertical members  14  are positioned to abut the wall. 
     Disposed between one or more of the elongated vertical members  14  can be one or more elongated horizontal members  22 , also referred to herein as horizontal structural members. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongated horizontal members  22  are C-channel beams having four-inch depth and weighing 5.4 pounds per foot. The elongated horizontal member  22  can be comprised of ASTM A36 hot rolled steel or other suitable metal with the flexing properties needed of the application. The elongated horizontal members  22  are positioned to abut the wall. The elongated vertical members  14  and the elongated horizontal members  22  can collectively be arranged in a grid-like configuration, as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C . The horizontal structural members advantageously prevent any excessive localized stress at a midpoint between adjacent vertical support members. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , each of the elongated horizontal members  22  can have a first end  24  and a second end  25 . The first end  24  can be positioned adjacent to an elongated vertical member  14  and the second end  25  can be positioned adjacent to a second elongated vertical member  14 . Further, a second elongated horizontal member  22  can be positioned between a pair of elongated vertical members  14  above and/or below the elongated horizontal member  22 . While the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1C  has three elongated horizontal members  22  disposed between a pair of elongated vertical members  14 , any number of elongated horizontal members  22  can be installed between a pair of elongated vertical members  14  without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure. Similarly, any number of elongated vertical members  14  can be installed against the wall  12  without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure. 
     Each of the elongated vertical members  14  and the elongated horizontal members  22  are coupled with a cinch plate  26 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the cinch plate  26  is comprised of a first plate  28  or surface having a hole  30 , and a second plate  32  having a hole  34 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first plate  28  and the second plate  32  are perpendicular. The first plate  28  and the second plate  32  can be integrally formed or otherwise rigidly connected. Further, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the holes  30 ,  34  are centered along the width of the cinch plate  26 . The hole  34  of the second plate  32  allows connection to an elongated vertical member  14 , as shown illustratively in  FIG. 2A . The cinch plate  26  can be removably connected to the elongated vertical member with a connector  36 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connector  36  is a bolting member extending between the cinch plate  26  and the elongated vertical member  14 . The bolting of the two components permits for ease of installation over methods commonly known in the art such as welding. 
     The cinch plate  26  can also comprise opposing flanges  38  extending perpendicular from opposite sides of the second plate  32 , as shown illustratively in  FIG. 5 . The opposing flanges  38  can be oriented perpendicular to the second plate  32  and orthogonal to the first plate  28 . The opposing flanges  38  can be integrally formed with the first plate  28  and/or the second plate  32 , or otherwise rigidly connected to the same. The opposing flanges  38  can provide added strength to the cinch plate  26  during operation, which will be discussed in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a threaded jam nut  40  can be rigidly secured to a face  42  of the first plate  28 . The face  42  can be proximate to the elongated vertical member  14  to which the cinch plate is removably joined, as shown illustratively in  FIG. 2B . In such a configuration, the threaded jam nut  40  is forced towards the first plate  28  in operation, minimizing the stress on (and possible failure of) the interface between the two. In an exemplary embodiment, the threaded jam nut  40  is welded to the face  24 ; however, the present disclosure contemplates any means for joining the threaded jam nut  40  commonly known in the art, including but not limited to clamping, pinning, adhesion, and brazing. In another exemplary embodiment, the jam nut  40  is a cylinder formed integrally during manufacturing of the cinch plate  26 , after which the inner diameter is bored and threaded. A driving member  44  extends through the hole  30  of the first plate  28  and threadably engages the threaded jam nut  40 . In an exemplary embodiment, the driving member  44  is a Hex bolt with a one-inch diameter. In another exemplary embodiment, the driving member  44  is a Hex bolt with a five-eighths-inch diameter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 4 , a cinch plate  26  is disposed on each side of an elongated vertical member  14 . As shown illustratively in  FIG. 4 , a single connector  36 , or bolting member, connects two cinch plates  26  to the elongated vertical member  14 . In particular, the connector  36  extends through the second plate  32  of a first cinch plate  26 , the elongated vertical member  14 , and a second cinch plate  26  on a side of the vertical member  14  opposite the first cinch plate  26 . 
     Each of the cinch plates  26  engages an elongated horizontal member  22 . However, the cinch plates  26  may not be rigidly connected to the elongated horizontal member  22 . Rather, the driving member  44  has a face  46  that extends past the base of the threaded jam nut  40  and contacts the elongated horizontal member, as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Furthermore, the elongated horizontal member  22  may not be rigidly connected to the elongated vertical member  14 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 2B and 4 . Rather, the elongated horizontal members  22  are vertically supported by a compressive force  48  ( FIG. 1B ) between the driving member  44  and the wall  12 . As the driving member  44  is rotated clockwise within the threaded jam nut  40  (i.e., tightened), a greater portion of the driving member  44  extends below the base of the threaded jam nut  40 . As this occurs, the face  46  of the driving member  44  applies a horizontal force  50  to the elongated horizontal member  22 , which applied a corresponding horizontal force to the wall  12 . The horizontal force moves the wall  12  into a desired, most often straighter, position. 
     The driving member  44  associated with each cinch plate  26  can be independently adjusted, thereby advantageously providing precise reinforcement based on the needs of the application. For example, a driving member  44  may apply a horizontal force  50  to the first end  24  of one of the elongated horizontal members  22 , thereby forcing a portion of the elongated horizontal member  22  to move relative to the elongated vertical member  14  Then, a second driving member  24  associated with a second cinch plate  26  may apply a horizontal force  50  to the second end  25  of the elongated horizontal members  22 , thereby forcing another portion of the elongated horizontal member  22  to move relative to the elongated vertical member  14 . 
     To install the system  10 , at least two elongated vertical members  14  are secured to the floor  14  and ceiling structures  18 . The elongated vertical members  14  can have holes corresponding to the attachment point of a cinch plate  26 . An elongated horizontal member  22  is disposed between the two elongated vertical members  14  and temporarily held in place manually or through any means commonly known in the art. A cinch plate  26  is connected to each elongated vertical member  14  with a connector  36 . Further, two cinch plates  26  can be connected to opposing sides of the elongated vertical member  14  with the same connector  36  as previously expressed herein. A driving member  44  is threaded through the threaded jam nut  40  such that the face  46  of the driving member  44  is in contact with the elongated horizontal member. The same process is performed with a driving member  44  and the cinch plate  26  associated with the other elongated vertical member. The driving members  44  are torqued to the extent that the compressive force  48  between the wall  12  and the driving members  44  vertically secures the elongated horizontal member  22 . Each of the driving members  44  can be further torqued to place a desired horizontal force  50  on respective portions the elongated horizontal member  22  to force the elongated horizontal member to move the wall  12 . A third elongated vertical member  14  can be installed, after which the process of installing one or more horizontal members  22  is repeated. The overall process can be repeated as many times as required to appropriately reinforce a portion of a wall  12  or the entire wall  12 . 
     The disclosure is not to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. In particular, the disclosure contemplates numerous variations in the type of ways in which embodiments of the disclosure can be applied to straightening and/or supporting a wall. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects that are considered included in the disclosure. For example, the structure and function of the elongated vertical members  14  and the elongated horizontal members  22  can be switched. In such an exemplary embodiment, the elongated horizontal members  22  extend between, for example, two opposing sidewalls of a room. The elongated vertical members  14  would then extend between a pair of elongated horizontal members  22  and perform the functions of the same previously expressed herein. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the disclosure. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the disclosure. For the foregoing, it can be seen that the disclosure accomplishes at least all that is intended. 
     The previous detailed description is of a small number of embodiments for implementing the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in scope. The following claims set forth a number of the embodiments of the disclosure with greater particularity.