Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Intersection of a cast stonelike component
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-07-10
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Intersection of a cast stonelike component
C052S259000, C052S295000, C052S293100, C052S274000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256951
ABSTRACT:
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.
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Bielen, Jr. Theodore J.
Kent Christopher T.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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