Patent Abstract:
A bracket useful for seismic bracing of conduits is described. The bracket is placeable over a threaded rod and includes sidewalls for accepting a fastener and a pair of apertures for attaching to a brace. Certain brackets are stackable, allowing for the attachment of multiple braces from a single anchored rod. Other brackets include two parts that allow the bracket to be assembled about a threaded rod without removing elements which might previously be attached to the rod.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/178,081, filed Mar. 30, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus employed in the building construction industry and more particularly to devices used to brace and/or stabilize suspended loads. 
     Background 
     The interior of commercial buildings may include numerous service elements, including conduits, pipes, ducting, systems and the like, referred to herein without limitation as “conduits.” Typically, conduits are suspended from an overhead structure using a plurality of tension assemblies that are spaced along the length of the conduit, where the tension assemblies include a hanger, clamp or trapeze, referred to herein without limitation as a “hanger,” to cradle or support the conduit. 
     While the use conventional hangers is sufficient to support conduits under normal, static loading conditions, a “seismic event,” which may be, for example, an earthquake, explosion, collision or like event, moves the conduit relative to the building and result in lateral and/or axial movement of the conduit relative to the building. This movement may, in turn, dramatically increase the load on the hanger and/or on the overhead structure to which the hangers are attached. Seismic events of sufficient intensity may damage the hanger, conduit and/or the overhead structure supporting the hanger. 
     Thus there is a need in the art for a bracket for bracing conduits suspended from overhead structures. The bracket should inhibit or prevent motion of the conduit and/or hanger relative to the overhead structure supporting the hanger. The bracket should also be compatible for use with prior art hangers, be easier to install and be lighter, smaller, and less expensive than prior art brackets, and should be easy to manufacture. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a bracket that is attachable to a hanger and/or a building surface, preferably the overhead structure that supports the hanger and can be used to brace a load to the building structure. 
     The use of inventive bracket in bracing a load may prevent damage to buildings caused by movement of conduits which are suspended from the building. In certain embodiments, the brackets may be used to provide stability to conduit hanger assemblies by reducing lateral and/or axial movement during a seismic event. 
     Further, the use of the inventive bracket allows for bracing loads using other components that are standard in the industry and will work over a broad range of load values. This is achieved by using different sized brackets. The different sized brackets all have the same basic appearance and vary slightly in dimension and gage to conform closely to the size of the anchor being used. The size of each anchor determines the load range at that location so this inventive seismic bracket addresses that range rather than a large universal bracket that is one-size-fits-all. 
     Certain embodiments provide an apparatus for mounting to a threaded rod protruding from a mounting surface. The apparatus includes a bracket including: a first portion including a first surface having a first aperture; a second portion extending away from the first portion and including a second aperture and a first fastener surface; and a third portion extending away from the first portion and including a third aperture and a second fastener surface. The first aperture is sized to accept the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the mounting surface. The first fastener surface and the second fastener surface are both parallel to the first portion and are spaced by a gap distance on either side of the first aperture. The second aperture and the third aperture are aligned to accept a fastener that is generally perpendicular to the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the mounting surface. 
     Certain embodiments provide a bracket that includes a first bracket part and a second bracket part. The first bracket part includes a pair of first walls connected by a first bottom having a first edge and separated by a distance greater than the diameter of the threaded rod. The second bracket part includes a pair of second walls connected by a second bottom having a second edge separated by a distance greater than the diameter of the threaded rod. When first bracket part is placeable with the first edge against the threaded rod and such that the second bracket part is placeable with the second edge against the threaded rod to form the first aperture between the first edge and the second edge. 
     Certain embodiments provide an apparatus for mounting to a threaded rod protruding from a mounting surface. The apparatus include a first bracket configured for mounting on the surface including: a first portion including a first surface having a first aperture; a second portion extending away from the first portion and including a second aperture and a first fastener surface; and a third portion extending away from the first portion and including a third aperture and a second fastener surface. The second aperture and the third aperture are aligned to accept a fastener that is generally perpendicular to the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the mounting surface. The first fastener surface and the second fastener surface are both parallel to the first portion, are spaced by a gap distance on either side of the first aperture, and define a plane perpendicular to and between the first fastener surface and the second fastener surface. The first aperture is sized to accept the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the mounting surface. The second bracket is configured for mounting on the first bracket, and includes a first portion including a first surface having a first aperture; a second portion extending away from the first portion and including a second aperture and a first fastener surface; and a third portion extending away from the first portion and including a third aperture and a second fastener surface. The second aperture and the third aperture are aligned to accept a fastener that is generally perpendicular to the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the mounting surface. The first fastener surface and the second fastener surface are both parallel to the first portion, are spaced by a gap distance on either side of the first aperture, and define a plane perpendicular to and between the first fastener surface and the second fastener surface. The first aperture is sized to accept the threaded rod when the first surface is placed against the first and second fastener surfaces of the first bracket. 
     The inventive brackets provide a device that is small, simple, light weight, inexpensive and easily installed. The close spacing of the sides to the anchoring fastener enables the bracket sides to be the primary load bearing portion of the bracket. The sides, being close to each other, yield a smaller conformation which provides more strength from a lighter material than is typically used in seismic brackets. Although a washer can be used in combination with the preferred embodiment, the bracket can be configured so that a washer is not required. This is a distinct advantage when overhead installation is performed. In addition, there is an alternate embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket that is easily retrofitted to existing buildings because of its ability to cooperate with standard building hardware. This embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket is composed of two cooperating elements that allow retrofit installation without the need to disassemble the existing installed assembly. Further, the invention&#39;s composition and design allows for stacking of multiple seismic brackets to be installed at a single anchorage. 
     These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the bracket the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a bracket bracing a conduit; 
         FIG. 2A  is a first perspective view of the bracket; 
         FIG. 2B  is a second perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment bracket; 
         FIG. 4B  is an end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a side elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 2A  fastened with a nut; 
         FIG. 5B  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of a nut; 
         FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the nut of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 4A  secured with a washer; 
         FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of a washer for use with the inventive bracket; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket; 
         FIG. 8A  is a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is an end elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a top plan view of the alternate embodiment of the inventive seismic bracket shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of two brackets of  FIG. 2A  stacked; 
         FIG. 9B  is an elevational view of the brackets of  FIG. 9A  after installation; 
         FIG. 9C  is a top view of  FIG. 9A  illustrating the rotational orientation of the two brackets. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of two brackets of  FIG. 7  stacked; 
         FIG. 10B  is an elevational view of the brackets of  FIG. 10A  after installation 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment bracket; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the bracket of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a bottom plan view of the bracket of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded side elevational view of the view of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12B  is an exploded top plan view of the view of  FIG. 11B ; 
         FIG. 12C  is an exploded bottom plan view of the view of  FIG. 11C ; 
         FIG. 13A  is side view of the bracket of  FIG. 11A  as installed; 
         FIG. 13B  is an end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  is the opposite end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is an exploded side elevational view of another embodiment of a bracket; 
         FIG. 14B  is an exploded bottom plan view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a side elevational view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15B  is a bottom plan view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of a first alternative brace; and 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of a second alternative brace. 
     
    
    
     Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments are presented herein of brackets which may be used to brace or stabilize loads suspended from overhead structures. By way of example,  FIG. 1  is a side view of a brace  20  that utilizes inventive brackets  110 A and  1110 B in conjunction with a conduit hanger assembly  10 . Conduit hanger assembly  10 , which may be a prior art assembly, includes an anchor  3  which may be placed in overhead structure  1 , a first threaded rod  11  extending downwards from the anchor, and a second threaded rod  13  attached to a bracket  15  that supports conduit C. There may be, in general, a plurality of conduit hanger assemblies that support a length of conduit C. 
     When overhead structure  1  is a concrete slab or formed metal decking filled with concrete, the anchor  3  may be a concrete-type anchorage that may be a drill-in, shoot-in or glue-in anchorage that is installed after the concrete has set, or a cast-in-place type anchorage that is positioned prior to the concrete being poured, so that it becomes cast into the finished concrete. An anchor will usually present a male threaded projection or female threaded aperture, allowing for a threaded connection between the conduit and the structure. 
     Typically, a length of conduit C is suspended from surface  2  by a distance of from 1 ft. to 6 ft. by hanger assemblies that are spaced from 6 ft. to 15 ft. apart along the length of the conduit. It is apparent that a plurality of conduit hanger assemblies so arranged is subject to side-to-side motion without further, lateral, restraint and thus lateral movement of conduit C is thus restrained by brace  20 . 
       FIG. 1  further shows brace  20  as including brackets  110  and fasteners  140 , and more specifically a first bracket  110 A and a first fastener  140 A, a second bracket  110 B and a second fastener  140 B, and a strut  21  with a first end  22  attached to first bracket  110 A with bolt and nut set  23  and a second end  24  attached to second bracket  110 B with bolt and nut set  25 . First bracket  110 A is attached to a threaded rod  4  in an anchor  5  in overhead structure  1 , and second bracket  110 B is attached to conduit hanger assembly  10 . Second bracket  110 A is attached to threaded rod  13  of conduit hanger assembly  10 . 
     In general, brace  20  includes at least one bracket  110 . Thus, in alternative embodiments, either first end  22  is attached to overhead structure  1  or second end  24  is attached to conduit hanger assembly  10  with attachments of some other design. 
     First bracket  110 A and second bracket  110 B are generally the same and shown as bracket  110  in  FIG. 2A  as a first perspective view, in  FIG. 2B  as a second perspective view;  FIG. 3A  in a side elevational view, in  FIG. 3B  in an end elevational view, in  FIG. 3C  in a side elevational view. 
     Bracket  110  includes a base  111  having an outer surface  113  and an aperture  115 , and two opposing sides  120  and  130  that protrude away from the base between a first bracket portion  112  and a second bracket portion  114 .  FIG. 3C  shows a top view of a plane  116  that is perpendicular to surface  113  and midway between sides  120  and  130 . Sides  120  and  130  are generally similar and include, at first bracket portion  112 , a surface  121  and  131 , respectively, that is generally parallel to surface  113 . Sides  120  and  130  also include apertures  123  and  133 , respectively, at second bracket portion  114 . 
     Sides  120  and  130  are, in certain embodiments, at a right angle to surface  113 , and are thus generally parallel to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . 
     In various embodiments, the dimensions of bracket  110  are H=⅜ inch to ⅝ inches, D=¾ inch to 1.5 inches, W=⅛ inches, and T=⅛ inch to 3/16 inch inches. Apertures  115 ,  123  and  133  have diameters of from ⅜ inch to ⅝ inch. Bracket  110  may be formed from metal, such as carbon steel or stainless steel. 
     An alternative embodiment bracket  410  is shown in  FIG. 4A  in a side elevational view, in  FIG. 4B  in an end elevational view, and in  FIG. 4C  in a side elevational view. Bracket  410  is generally similar to bracket  110 , and includes base  111  with surface  113  and aperture  115 , and two opposing sides  420  and  430  that, while similar to sides  120  and  130 , are at an angle α 1  and an angle α 2 , respectively, to surface  113  that is less than 90°. The angles α 1  and α 2  may be the same, or they may be different from one another. In general, sides  420  and  430  are generally similar and include a surface  421  and  431 , respectively that is generally parallel to surface  113  and include apertures  423  and  433 , respectively, at second bracket portion  114 . The angles α 1  and/or α 2  may, in certain embodiments, be equal to 85°, 80°, 75°, 70°, 65°, or 60°. In other embodiments, the angles α 1  and/or α 2  may vary between first bracket portion  112  and second bracket portion  114 , and may include portions with an angles α 1  and/or α 2  that is 90° or that is greater than 90°. 
     Details of the fastening bracket  110 A using first fastener  140 A is shown in the side view of  FIG. 5A  and the end view of  FIG. 5B  and the details the first fastener, which is a nut  540 , is shown in the side view of  FIG. 5C  and the bottom view of  FIG. 5B . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , surface  113  is placed against surface  2  and nut  540  is threaded onto rod  4 . As shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , nut  520  has threaded hole  545  for threading onto threaded rod  4 , and a face  541  surrounding the hole and bound by a hexagonal edge  543 . The dimensions of face  541  include the flat-to-flat spacing A/F and the corner-to-corner spacing A/C. Face  541  of first fastener  140 A seats against both surfaces  131  and  141 . The dimensions of face  541  are thus at least as wide as dimension W of fastener  110 , and thus the dimension A/F or the dimension A/C is greater than the dimension W. 
     Sides  120  and  130  are located very near aperture  115 , and are thus near anchor rod  4  so that, when a fastener  140 A is threaded onto the rod, the fastener contacts surfaces  131  and  141  of bracket  110 A, and compresses first bracket portion  112 , thus clamping surface  113  of the bracket to structure  1 . Thus, when fastener  140 A is tightened onto bracket  110 A, sides  120  and  130  of first bracket portion  112  are in compression and, with bottom  111  and the fastener, form a box-like structure. This structure is less prone to bending than if fastener  140 A had been tightened onto bottom  111  directly. 
     Similarly, fastener  140 B may be tightened against bracket  110 B with surface  113  against bracket  15 . 
     Details of the fastening of bracket  110 A using an alternative first fastener  140 A is shown in the end view of  FIG. 6A  and bottom view of  FIG. 6B  of the alternative first fastener, which includes nut  540  and washer  640 , is shown in the side view of  FIG. 5C  and the bottom view of the washer in  FIG. 5B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , surface  113  is placed against surface  2 , washer  640  is placed onto rod  4 , and nut  540  is threaded onto the rod. As shown in  FIG. 6B , washer  640  has a face  641  that extends from diameter D 1  to diameter D 2 .  FIG. 6A  shows face  641  of first fastener  140 A seating against both surfaces  131  and  141 . The dimensions of face  641  are thus at least as wide as dimension W of fastener  110 , and thus the D 2  is greater than the dimension W. 
     When first fastener  140 A is tightened onto bracket  110 A, sides  120  and  130  of first bracket portion  112  are in compression and, with bottom  111 , washer  640  and nut  540 , form a box-like structure. This structure is less prone to bending than if the nut had been tightened onto bottom  111  directly. Second fastener  140 B may also include the combination of nut  540  and washer  640  for securing second bracket  110 B. 
     An alternative bracket  710  is illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 7 , the side elevational view of  FIG. 8A , the end elevational view of  FIG. 8B , and the top plan view of  FIG. 8C . Bracket  710  is generally similar to brackets  110  and  410 , except as explicitly noted. 
     Bracket  710  includes base  111  with a surface  113  and a pair of apertures  115 A and  115 B, which are generally similar to aperture  115 , and two opposing sides  720  and  730  that protrude away from the base at a first bracket portion  712 A and a second bracket portion  712 B, which are both similar to bracket portion  112 , and a third bracket portion  714  which is similar to bracket portion  114 . Sides  720  and  730  are generally similar and include, at first bracket portion  712 A, a surface  721 A and  731 A, respectively, that is generally parallel to surface  113 , and at second bracket portion  712 B, a surface  721 B and  731 B, respectively, that is generally parallel to surface  113 . Sides  120  and  130  also include apertures  723  and  733 , respectively, at third bracket portion  714 . 
     Bracket  710  may be attached to a surface, such as surface  2  or bracket  15 , by placing either or both of apertures  715 A or  715 B through a threaded rod and fastening the bracket to the threaded rod, as illustrated above with reference to  FIG. 5 or 6 . 
     In certain embodiments, two or more brackets, which may include one of brackets  110 ,  410 , or  710 , may be stacked with the same threaded rod protruding through a corresponding aperture  115 ,  715 A or  715 B. Thus, for example, surface  113  of a first bracket  110 ,  410 , or  710  may be placed against a surface, such as surface  2  or bracket  15 , and surface  113  of a second bracket  110 ,  410 , or  710  may be placed against surfaces  131 / 141 ,  431 / 441 ,  721 A/ 721 A, or  731 A/ 741 A of the first bracket. The first and second brackets are placed with corresponding aperture  115 ,  715 A or  715 B over the same rod, such as rod  4  or  13 , and one fastener  140  is threaded onto the second bracket to mount the brackets to the a surface. The stacking of brackets allows for running multiple braces from the same anchor point. 
     Thus, for example,  FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of two brackets  110 - 1  and  110 - 2  stacked, and  FIG. 9B  is an elevational view of the brackets of  FIG. 9A  after installation. Brackets  110 - 1  and  110 - 2  are both the same as bracket  110 , with the suffix “−1” and “−2” indicating parts of bracket corresponding to the elements of bracket  110 . 
     Brackets  110 - 1  and  110 - 2  are arranged at right angles, with surface  113 - 1  of bracket  110 - 1  on surface  2  and, surface  113 - 2  of bracket  110 - 2  on surfaces  121 - 1  and  131 - 1  of bracket  110 - 1 , and with threaded rod  4  passing though both of apertures  115 - 1  and  115 - 2  and fastened with fastener  140 . This configuration allows for two braces—one attached to apertures  123 - 1 / 133 - 1  of bracket  110 - 1  and a second brace attached to apertures  123 - 2 / 133 - 2  of bracket  110 - 2 . 
       FIG. 9C  is a top view of  FIG. 9A  illustrating the rotational orientation of Brackets  110 - 1  and  110 - 2 .  FIG. 9C  shows that the planes  116 - 1  and  116 - 2  between brackets  110 - 1  and  110 - 2  intersect at an angle β about the center of apertures  115 - 1  and  115 - 2 . The angle β is limited by the size of surfaces  113 ,  121 , and  131 , and can, in general be within a range of 180°, such as from β=15° to β=345°. 
     The rotational orientation of stacked brackets can be applied to any combination of brackets described herein. Thus, for example,  FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of two stacked brackets  710 - 1  and  710 - 2 , and  FIG. 9B  is an elevational view of the brackets of  FIG. 9A  after installation. Brackets  710 - 1  and  710 - 2  are both the same as bracket  710 , with the suffix “−1” and “−2” indicating parts of bracket corresponding to the elements of bracket  710 . 
     In certain circumstances, brace  20  is assembled during installation of conduits. In other circumstances, brace  20 , or the other braces described herein, is attached to previously installed conduit hanger assemblies  10 . When this is the case, it may be difficult, for example, to place aperture  115  of bracket  110 B over rod  13 , as this may require dissembling conduit hanger assembly  10 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a bracket  1100  allows the bracket to be placed around an installed rod without the need of removing the rod or removing elements previously attached to the rod. Bracket  1100  is illustrated in  FIG. 11A  as a side elevational view of the bracket,  FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the bracket,  FIG. 11C  is a bottom plan view of the bracket;  FIG. 12A  is an exploded side elevational view of the view of  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 12B  is an exploded top plan view of the view of  FIG. 11B , and  FIG. 12C  is an exploded bottom plan view of the view of  FIG. 11C .  FIG. 13A  is side view of the bracket of  FIG. 11A  as installed,  FIG. 13B  is an end elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 13A . Bracket  1100  is generally similar to brackets  110 ,  410 , and  710 , except as explicitly noted. 
     Bracket  1100  includes two parts: a first bracket part  1200  and a second bracket part  1300 . When bracket parts  1200  and  1300  are assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C , the bracket includes apertures  115 ,  123 , and  133  and surfaces  113 ,  121 , and  131 . Bracket  1110  may thus be used as any one of brackets  110  or  410 . 
     Bracket parts  1200  and  1300  are separable, allowing bracket  1100  to be placed onto a threaded rod more easily that brackets  110  or  410 . Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 12A, 12B , and  12 C, bracket part  1200  includes a bottom  1211  and sides  1220  and  1230  which protrude away from the bottom. Bottom  1211  includes an edge  1215  forming the end of a slot between sides  1220  and  1230 . Side  1220  includes aperture  123 , a surface  1221 , and a flange  1201 , and side  1230  includes aperture  133 , a surface  1231 , and a flange  1203 . Bracket part  1300  includes bottom  1311  and sides  1320  and  1330  which protrude away from the bottom and which extend from end  1302  to end  1304 . Bottom  1311  includes an edge  1315 , forming a slot between sides  1320  and  1320 , and a surface  113 . Side  1320  includes a surface  1321 , and side  1330  includes a surface  1331 . 
     Brackets parts  1200  and  1300  are assembled to form bracket  1100  by placing end  1302  of bracket part  1300  against flanges  1201  and  1203  with bottom  1311  against bottom  1211 . Bracket parts  1200  and  1300  can either be assembled and placed over the end of a threaded rod, or can be placed on either side of the threaded rod. Thus, for example, sides  1220  and  1230  of bracket part  1200  can be moved over a rod so that edge  1215  is against the rod, and sides  1320  and  1330  of bracket part  1300  can be moved so that  1315  is against the same rod, with flanges  1201  and  1203  mated against second bracket part  1300  as shown in  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C . 
     When so assembled, surfaces  1221  and  1321  are adjacent and form surface  121  and surfaces  1231  and  1331  form surface  131 , as shown in  FIG. 11B , and surfaces  1215  and  1315  form aperture  115 , as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11C . 
     An alternative bracket  1400  is illustrated in  FIG. 14A  as an exploded side elevational view,  FIG. 14B  as an exploded bottom plan view,  FIG. 15A  as a side elevational view, and  FIG. 15B  as a bottom plan view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 15A . Bracket  1400  is similar to bracket  1100 , except as explicitly stated, and allows for the bracket to be placed around a rod. 
     Bracket  1400  includes two parts: a first bracket part  1500  and a second bracket part  1600 . When bracket parts  1600  and  1600  are assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the bracket includes apertures  115 ,  123 , and  133  and surfaces  113 ,  121 , and  131 . Bracket  1110  may thus be used as any one of brackets  110 ,  410 , or  1100 . 
     Bracket parts  1500  and  1500  are separable, allowing bracket  1400  to be placed onto a threaded rod more easily that brackets  110  or  410 . Specifically, bracket part  1500  includes a bottom  1501  and sides  1520  and  1530  which protrude away from the bottom. Bottom  1501  includes an edge  1515  forming the end of a slot between sides  1520  and  1530 . Side  1520  includes aperture  123 , a surface  121 , and a flange  1503 , and side  1230  includes aperture  133  (not shown), a surface  131  (not shown), and a flange  1502 . Bracket part  1600  includes bottom  1601  and sides  1602 ,  1603 , and  1604  which protrude away from the bottom. Bottom  1601  includes an edge  1615 , forming a slot between sides  1603  and  1604 , and a surface  113 . 
     As shown in the Figures, brackets parts  1500  and  1600  are assembled to form bracket  1400  by placing side  1602  against side  1530 , sides  1603  and  1604  against side  1520 , and sides  1502  and  1503  against sides  1602  and  1603 , respectively. Bracket parts  1500  and  1600  can either be assembled and placed over the end of a threaded rod, or can be placed on either side of the threaded rod. When so assembled, surfaces  1515  and  1515  form aperture  115 , as shown in  FIG. 15B . 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of a first alternative brace  1620  in place of brace  10  of  FIG. 1 . Brace  1620  includes first bracket  110 A and first fastener  140 A, a first link  1622  attached to the first bracket with bolt and nut set  23 , a connector piece  1621  bolted to the first link at one connector piece end and bolted to a second link  1624  at the other connector piece end, a second bracket  110 B bolted to the second link with bolt and nut set  24 , and second fastener  140 B. 
     In one embodiment, first link  1622 , second link  1624 , and connector piece  1621  are described as links  44  and connector piece  42  in co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/052,067, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/052,067, connector piece  1621  is fragile and is designed to fail before the concrete is damaged in the event of a seismic event. 
       FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of an alternative brace  1720  in place of brace  10  of  FIG. 1 . Brace  1720  connects various brackets  110  at apertures  123 / 133  to provide greater flexibility in configuring the brace. 
     Brace  1720  includes first bracket  110 A and first fastener  140 A, a third bracket  110 C, bolt and nut set  23  that attaches the first and third brackets, a strut  1721  attached at one end to the third bracket with a first bolt  1723  and a third fastener  140 C, a second bolt  1725  attached to a second end of the strut with a fourth fastener  140 D, bolt and nut set  25  which attaches the fourth bracket to second bracket  110 B, and second fastener  140 B. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
     Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5