Retractable brace

Abstract

One embodiment is a retractable brace comprising a telescoping support including a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube includes a plurality of adjustment holes; a foot plate coupled to a first end of the telescoping support; and a bracket coupled to a second end of the telescoping portion, the bracket including a plurality pin holes that align with the plurality of attachment holes in the telescoping support of the retractable brace. The bracket includes in one embodiment an attachment member; a plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member; and at least two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings for securing the bracket to the retractable brace such that the bracket is prevented from pivoting when two pins are place through the two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings and through corresponding holes in the retractable brace.

1 . A method of bracing a form comprising: 
 attaching a bracket that is pivotally attached to a first end of a retractable brace to a first surface on the form, the form positioned at a first location;    attaching a second end of the retractable brace to a second surface;    detaching the second end of the brace from the second surface; and    retracting a telescoping portion of the retractable brace while the bracket is still attached to the first surface on the form such that the retractable brace is shorter than a distance on the form from the bracket to a bottom of the form.    
   
   
       2 . The method of bracing a form of  claim 1  further comprising moving the form to a second location without removing the bracket from the form.  
   
   
       3 . The method of bracing a form of  claim 1  further comprising securing the second end of the retractable brace to the form.  
   
   
       4 . The method of bracing a form of  claim 1  further comprising removing the bracket from the retractable brace without detaching the bracket from the form.  
   
   
       5 . The method of bracing a form of  claim 1  further comprising securing the bracket to the retractable brace at two pivot points such that an end of the brace opposite the bracket is suspended in air while the bracket is attached to the form.  
   
   
       6 . The method of bracing a form of  claim 6  wherein the brace is suspended in a substantially horizontal position.  
   
   
       7 . A retractable brace comprising: 
 a telescoping support including a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube includes a plurality of adjustment holes;    a foot plate coupled to a first end of the telescoping support; and    a bracket coupled to a second end of the telescoping portion, the bracket including a plurality pin holes that align with the plurality of attachment holes in the telescoping support of the retractable brace.    
   
   
       8 . The retractable brace of  claim 7  further comprising an adjustment support coupled between the telescoping support and the foot plate, the adjustment support adapted to cause relative axial motion between the telescoping portion and the foot plate.  
   
   
       9 . The retractable brace of  claim 6  wherein the bracket comprises: 
 an attachment member;    a plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member; and    at least two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings for securing the bracket to the retractable brace such that the bracket is prevented from pivoting when two pins are place through the two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings and through corresponding holes in the retractable brace.    
   
   
       10 . The retractable brace of  claim 9  wherein the attachment member further comprises a front face and a side face.  
   
   
       11 . The retractable brace of  claim 8  wherein the telescoping portion is made from at least 1/16 inch steel.  
   
   
       12 . A bracket for a retractable brace comprising: 
 an attachment member;    a plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member; and    at least two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings for securing the bracket to the retractable brace such that the bracket is prevented from pivoting when two pins are place through the two pin holes in each of the plurality of wings and through corresponding holes in the retractable brace.    
   
   
       13 . The bracket of  claim 9  wherein the attachment member further comprises a front face and a side face.  
   
   
       14 . The bracket of  claim 10  further comprising at least one hole in the attachment member.  
   
   
       15 . A method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures comprising: 
 placing the form at a first location;    attaching a bracket that is pivotally attached to a first end of a retractable brace to a first surface on the form;    forming a first concrete structure adjacent to the form; and    moving the form to a second location without removing the bracket from the form; and    forming a second concrete structure adjacent to the form.    
   
   
       16 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 15  further comprising retracting a telescoping portion of the retractable brace while the bracket is still attached to the first surface on the form such that the retractable brace is shorter than a distance on the form from the bracket to a bottom of the form.  
   
   
       17 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 15  further comprising attaching a second end of the retractable brace to a second surface.  
   
   
       18 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 15  further comprising securing a second end of the retractable brace to the form.  
   
   
       19 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 15  further comprising removing the bracket from the retractable brace without detaching the bracket from the form.  
   
   
       20 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 15  further comprising securing the bracket to the retractable brace at two pivot points such that an end of the brace opposite the bracket is suspended in air while the bracket is attached to the form.  
   
   
       21 . The method of bracing a form used in pouring cement structures of  claim 20  wherein the retractable brace is suspended in a substantially horizontal position.