Patent ID: 7137227

Claim:
A structural brace apparatus adapted to provide flexible support between a primary building component and a secondary building component, the primary building component having X axis and Y axis deflections relative to the secondary building component, comprising: (a) a first support arm constructed of sheet stock having a longitudinal axis with opposite outer first and second edge margins substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, said first support arm extending from and adapted to be secured to the primary building component, the first support arm longitudinal axis being positioned at an intermediate angle, wherein said intermediate angle is about forty five (45) degrees from the first support arm longitudinal axis position to the primary building component x axis deflection; and (b) a second support arm constructed of sheet stock with opposite outer third and fourth edge margins substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, said second support arm extending from and adapted to be secured to the secondary building component, said second support arm has a slidable engagement with said first support arm for reciprocative movement substantially parallel to the first support arm longitudinal axis, the reciprocative movement is relative to said first support arm, said slidable engagement is constructed of a plurality of inwardly extending fingers such that at least one finger extends from said first support arm first edge margin and slidably engages said second support arm and said third edge margin, wherein said plurality of fingers contact from said first support arm and second support arm such that a retainer is created to prevent said first support arm and said second support arm from axially disengaging from one another in at least one direction along the longitudinal axis, wherein said structural brace apparatus is operative to reduce transmission of the X and Y axis deflections from the primary building component to the secondary building component.