Patent ID: 7305799

Claim:
A brace apparatus comprising: a core member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, wherein the core member middle portion includes one or more projections; the core member middle portion having a varying cross-sectional area and progressively widening from the core member middle portion to the core member first end, at which point the core member middle portion terminates, and from the core member middle portion to the core member second end, at which point the core member middle portion terminates; and a buckling restraining assembly circumscribing the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising; a metal support positioned external to the middle portion of the core member; and a rigid layer coupled to the metal support, wherein the rigid layer contacts one or more projections of the core member, further comprising an air gap positioned between the core member and at least a portion of the rigid layer to prevent bonding of the buckling restraining assembly to one or more portions of the core member.