Abstract:
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.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the bracing element of the present invention imbedded in a concrete grade beam. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing alternate foundation structures using the lateral bracing element of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the central portion of FIG. 2 depicting the fastening members. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view depicting the extension of the bracing element of the present invention through the plate of the second story of a building. 
     FIG. 6 is a right side view of the inner connection depicted in FIG. 5 with the plate in section. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the meeting of the bracing element of the present invention with the top transverse member of a building. 
     FIG. 8 is a right side view of the relationship depicted in FIG. 7, with the plate in section. 
    
    
     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  42 A and  44 A 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  42 A and  44 A 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.