Patent ID: 7284358

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a brace apparatus to absorb kinetic energy, the method of manufacturing comprising: providing a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, said core member comprising a metal plate; providing a buckling restraining assembly comprising a support tube; positioning the core member internal to the support tube of the buckling restraining assembly; positioning at least one bearing member internal to the support tube but spacing the bearing member away from the core member so as to leave an air gap between the core member and the bearing member; filling the support tube with a rigid material so that one side of the bearing member is in contact with the rigid material but leaving the air gap between the bearing member and core member; wherein positioning the core member internal to the support tube of the buckling restraining assembly comprises; providing one or more spacers to maintain the air gap between the portions of the core member corresponding to the at least one bearing member and the buckling restraining assembly; positioning the one or more spacers adjacent to the core member; positioning the at least one bearing member adjacent to the spacers such that the spacers are positioned between the core member and the bearing member; providing a seal to maintain the position of the spacers between the core member and the bearing member; positioning a seal around the bearing member and the core member; positioning the seal, bearing member, core member, and spacers internally to the support tube; positioning the rigid layer between the support tube and the bearing member, core members, and spacers whereby a brace apparatus for absorbing kinetic energy is formed.