Brace system for vertical beams

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method to selectively adjust and temporarily retain a vertical beam in a desired position quickly and with a high accuracy, while not damaging an outer surface of the beam.

1 . A brace assembly to selectively adjust and temporarily retain the position of a vertical beam, the brace assembly comprising: 
 a first head bracket and a second head bracket, each of the first and the second head bracket having an opening;    a first and a second fastening rod, each of the first and the second fastening rods extending through the respective opening of each of the first and the second head brackets;    an adjustable locking system connectable to each of the first and second fastening rods for fastening the first and second head brackets to each other; and    a bracing rod having a first end coupled to the first head bracket.    
   
   
       2 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first head bracket is positionable on a first side of the beam and the second head fastening rod is positionable on a second side of the beam; and 
 wherein the first and the second fastening rods are capable of retaining each of the first and the second head bracket in a state of compression when the beam is positioned between the first and the second head bracket and the adjustable locking system is engaged.    
   
   
       3 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the adjustable locking system comprises a retaining nut.  
   
   
       4 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the adjustable locking system comprises a cam lock.  
   
   
       5 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first end of the bracing rod is welded to the first head bracket.  
   
   
       6 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  further including: 
 a turnbuckle coupled to the first bracing rod.    
   
   
       7 . The brace assembly according to  claim 1  further including: 
 a floor coupled to the second end of the bracing rod.    
   
   
       8 . The brace assembly according to  claim 7  further including: 
 a first hole extending through the second end of the bracing rod; and    a coupling member of the floor bracing assembly being configured to receive and couple to the second end of the bracing rod.    
   
   
       9 . The brace assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the coupling member of the adjustable floor bracing system includes: 
 a first flange with a second hole;    a second flange with a third hole, the first and second flange being spaced a distance from each other for the second end of the bracing rod to be positioned between the first and the second flange; and    a retainer pin for inserting through the second hole of the first flange, the third hole of the second flange, and the first hole of the bracing rod to pivotally couple the second end of the bracing rod to the floor bracing assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The brace assembly according to  claim 7  further including: 
 a retractable pin positioned at the second end of the bracing rod, the retractable pin having a retracted position and an extended position and being connectable to a receiving member of the adjustable floor bracing system.    
   
   
       11 . The brace assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the receiving member of the adjustable floor bracing system has a first flange with a first hole spaced apart from a second flange with a second hole, the bottom portion of the bracing rod being positionable between the first and the second flange when the retractable pin is in the inward position; and 
 wherein the bracing rod is pivotally movable across a horizontal axis of the retractable pin when the retractable pin is in the outward position.    
   
   
       12 . A brace assembly to selectively adjust and temporarily retain the position of a vertical beam, the brace assembly comprising: 
 a means for retaining a top portion of the beam between a first head bracket and a second head bracket; and    a means for adjustably connecting the first head bracket to a rigid structure.    
   
   
       13 . A method of using a brace system to adjust and temporarily retain the position of a vertical beam, the method comprising: 
 positioning a first head bracket and a second head bracket on opposing sides of the vertical beam;    coupling the first head bracket to the second head bracket; and    coupling the first head bracket to a rigid structure with an adjustable bracing rod.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 positioning a protective material between each of the first and the second head bracket and the beam to protect an outer surface of the beam from marring.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 adjusting the angle of a second end of the first bracing rod connected to the rigid structure.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 adjusting the length of the first bracing rod with a turnbuckle.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 positioning a third head bracket and a forth head bracket on opposing sides of the vertical beam;    coupling the third head bracket to the fourth head bracket; and    coupling the third head bracket to a rigid structure with an adjustable second bracing rod.