Seismic support and reinforcement systems

Abstract

The present invention includes a set of reinforcement and support devices for existing or new roof, ceiling and/or floor systems together with numerous variations that may be installed into existing buildings or new buildings to help prevent separation of wood or metal roof, ceiling and/or floor systems from the concrete, masonry or other types of walls supporting these systems in commercial, industrial and/or residential buildings. One embodiment includes a set of three brackets that are installed in a triangularly shaped arrangement along a side of a primary support beam and to the wall underneath a ledger, thus anchoring the support beam to the wall of the structure and stabilizing the roof, ceiling or floor it supports. Another embodiment includes a single integrated unit that attaches to the wall underneath the ledger and to an adjacent support board, thus anchoring the support board (and the system it supports) to the wall of the structure. Another embodiment includes an angle iron with predrilled holes that attaches through the ledger directly to the wall to reinforce the ledger and extend the area of horizontal support provided by the ledger. Other embodiments provide support structures that may be attached and arranged to provide specific structural support at designated locations, and/or to provide wall-to-wall structural support across the span of a roof, ceiling or floor. All embodiments may be adapted for use with ceilings, roofs or floors.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A reinforcing structure for a system spanning between walls of a building comprising an integrated unit having a first elongated rigid member for attachment underneath a first support board, a second elongated rigid member one end of which is attached to one end of said first member, a third elongated rigid member one end of which is attached to an opposite end of said first member wherein opposite ends of said second and third members are attached to each other at a junction, and wherein a saddle is provided at said junction for engagement with a second support board. 
   
   
       10 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  wherein said second and third members extend outward from said first member at angles of about forty-five degrees. 
   
   
       11 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  further comprising a pair of wall mounting plates provided at opposite ends of said first member, each such plate having at least one opening therein for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said mounting plates to a wall adjacent to said first support board. 
   
   
       12 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  further comprising at least one opening provided along said first member for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said first member to an underside of said first support board through said at least one opening. 
   
   
       13 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  further comprising at least one opening provided on said saddle for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said saddle to said support board. 
   
   
       14 . In combination, a system spanning between walls of a building and a reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure comprising a support unit having a first elongated rigid member attached underneath a first support board, a second elongated rigid member one end of which is attached to one end of said first member, and a third elongated rigid member one end of which is attached to an opposite end of said first member wherein opposite ends of said second and third members are attached to each other at a junction, and wherein a saddle is provided at said junction engaged with a second support board of said system. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein said second and third members extend outward from said first member at angles of about forty-five degrees. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 14  further comprising a pair of wall mounting plates provided at opposite ends of said first member, each such plate having at least one opening therein for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said mounting plates to said wall. 
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 14  further comprising at least one opening provided along said first member for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said second member to an underside of said first support board. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 14  further comprising at least one opening provided on said saddle for receiving at least one bolt for attaching said saddle to said support board. 
   
   
       19 . A method of reinforcing a system spanning between walls of a building comprising the steps of:
 a. attaching a first elongated rigid member of a support unit underneath a first support board, said unit comprising said first member, a second elongated rigid member an end of which is attached to an end of said first member, a third elongated rigid member an end of which is attached to an opposite end of said first member wherein opposite ends of said second and third members are attached to each other at a junction, and wherein a saddle is provided at said junction; and   b. attaching said saddle to a second support board of said system.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein each of said support boards is a member selected from the group of a ledger, a beam and a purlin. 
   
   
       21 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  wherein said saddle further comprises two upwardly oriented flanges separated by a space, and wherein a mount is provide on at least one of said flanges. 
   
   
       22 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 21  further comprising at least one separate plate member for attachment to a support board, said plate having at least one bracket provided thereon. 
   
   
       23 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 22  further comprising an elongated cylindrical member for attachment between said saddle bracket and said plate bracket. 
   
   
       24 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 23  wherein said cylindrical member further comprises internal and external hollow cylindrical sleeves movably disposed over each other, and a central load bearing rod axially disposed inside said internal sleeve. 
   
   
       25 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 23  wherein a second bracket is provided on said plate for attachment to a load bearing member. 
   
   
       26 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  wherein:
 a. said saddle further comprises two upwardly oriented flanges, and wherein at least one first bracket is attached to at least one of said flanges;   b. a plate member is attached to a third support board, said plate member having at least one second bracket provided thereon; and   c. an elongated support member is attached between said first and second brackets.   
   
   
       27 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 26  wherein at least one third bracket is provided on said plate member, and a load bearing rod is attached to said third bracket. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein:
 said saddle further comprises two upwardly oriented flanges, and wherein at least one first bracket is provided on at least one of said flanges, and further comprising the steps of:   c. attaching a plate member to a third support board protruding out from said ledger, said plate member having at least one second bracket provided thereon; and   d. attaching an elongated support member between said first and second brackets.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein at least one third bracket is provided on said plate member, and comprising the additional step of attaching a load bearing rod to said third bracket. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein each support board is a member selected from the group of a ledger, a beam and a purlin. 
   
   
       31 - 85 . (canceled) 
   
   
       86 . The reinforcing structure of  claim 9  wherein each of said support boards is a member selected from the group of a ledger, a beam and a purlin. 
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 26  wherein each of said support boards is a member selected from the group of a ledger, a beam and a purlin. 
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said first support board is a ledger.