Bearing brace apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.

1 - 62 . (canceled)  
   
   
       63 . A brace apparatus comprising: 
 a core member having a first end, a second end, a middle portion and an exterior surface;    one or more lateral supports adapted to provide additional support to one or both of the first end and second end of the core member;    a buckling restraining assembly surrounding at least the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising: 
 a metal support positioned external to the core member, and  
 a rigid layer coupled to the metal support and surrounding the core member and  
   surrounding a portion of the one or more lateral supports,    wherein the one or more lateral supports is spaced from the buckling restraining assembly.    
   
   
       64 . The brace apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the one or more lateral supports is partially housed within a reinforcement assembly.  
   
   
       65 . The brace apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the reinforcement assembly is located within one or both of a first end and a second end of the buckling restraining assembly.  
   
   
       66 . The brace apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the one or more lateral supports is positioned within the reinforcement assembly so as to provide rotation of the one or more lateral supports with relation to the buckling restraining assembly.  
   
   
       67 . The brace apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein the reinforcement assembly further comprises an outer surface wherein the outer surface is contained entirely within and bonded to the rigid layer of the buckling restraining assembly.  
   
   
       68 . A brace apparatus comprising: 
 a core member having a first end, a second end, a middle portion and an exterior surface;    one or more lateral supports adapted to provide additional support to one or both of the first end and second end of the core member;    a buckling restraining assembly surrounding at least the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising:    a metal support positioned external to the core member, and    a rigid layer coupled to the metal support and surrounding the core member and surrounding a portion of the one or more lateral supports,    wherein the one or more lateral supports is partially housed within a reinforcement assembly.    
   
   
       69 . The brace apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more lateral supports provide support to the first and second end of the core member.  
   
   
       70 . The brace apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the one or more lateral supports is positioned within the reinforcement assembly so as to provide rotation of the one or more lateral supports with relation to the buckling restraining assembly.  
   
   
       71 . The brace apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the partially housed end of the one or more lateral supports is beveled such that a void is created between the partially housed end of the one or more lateral supports and the inner surface of the reinforcement assembly.  
   
   
       72 . The brace apparatus of  claim 71 , wherein the void permits the one or more lateral supports to rotate relative to the core member while minimizing contact between the one or more lateral supports and the cavity of the reinforcement assembly.  
   
   
       73 . The brace apparatus of  claim 71 , wherein the walls and base of the cavity are configured such that the void is generally triangular.  
   
   
       74 . The brace apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the inner width of the triangular void is uniform and configured such that the inner width of the triangular void is greater than the exterior width of the one or more lateral supports.  
   
   
       75 . The brace apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein an air gap is present between the exterior surface of the one or more lateral supports and the inner surface of the reinforcement assembly.  
   
   
       76 . A brace apparatus comprising: 
 a core member having a first end, a second end, a middle portion and an exterior surface;    a reinforcement assembly adapted to partially house one or more lateral supports thereby providing additional strength to the lateral supports;    a buckling restraining assembly surrounding at least the middle portion of the core member, the buckling restraining assembly comprising:    a metal support positioned external to the core member, and    a rigid layer coupled to the metal support and surrounding the core member and surrounding a portion of the one or more lateral supports,    wherein a reinforcement assembly is inserted into one or both of the first end and second end of the buckling restraining assembly wherein the one or more lateral supports is positioned within the reinforcement assembly so as to provide rotation of the one or more lateral supports with relation to the buckling restraining assembly.