Bracing panel

Abstract

A bracing panel 1 for bracing a wall having a wall frame 100 defining an internal space, wherein the bracing panel 1 includes a first bracing frame, a sheet panel 1 a having a flat planar portion dimensioned to have at least the same height or width as the first bracing frame; and a second bracing frame adapted to retain and hold the sheet panel between the first and second bracing frames wherein the bracing panel is adapted to be positioned and secured within the internal space of the wall frame of the wall to be braced such that bracing panel is dimensioned to fit within the wall frame.

1 . A bracing panel for bracing a wall having a wall frame defining an internal space, wherein the bracing panel includes:
 i) a first bracing frame;   ii) a sheet panel having a flat planar portion dimensioned to have at least the same height or width as the first bracing frame; and   iii) a second bracing frame adapted to retain and hold the sheet panel between the first and second bracing frames,   
     wherein the bracing panel is adapted to be positioned and secured within the internal space of the wall frame of the wall to be braced such that bracing panel is dimensioned to fit within the wall frame. 
   
   
       2 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing panel has a depth that is substantially the same as the depth of the wall frame. 
   
   
       3 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sheet panel has at least one end portion extending from a side edge of the sheet panel such that the end portion of the sheet panel is adapted to be positioned and retained between an outer circumferential edge of the first bracing frame and an internal outer circumferential edge of wall frame of the wall to be braced. 
   
   
       4 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the end portion extends from a bottom side edge of the panel sheet and wherein the end portion is adapted to be positioned and retained between the respective bottom outer circumferential edge of the first bracing frame and respective bottom internal outer circumferential edge of the wall frame. 
   
   
       5 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein there are four end portions that extend from respective side edges of the panel sheet, wherein each end portion is adapted to be positioned and retained between the respective outer circumferential edges of the first bracing frame and respective internal outer circumferential edges of the wall frame. 
   
   
       6 . A bracing panel for bracing a wall having a wall frame defining an internal space, wherein the bracing panel includes:
 i) a first bracing frame;   ii) a sheet panel having a flat planar portion with end portions, the end portions are adapted to be positioned adjacent to and around the circumference of the first bracing frame and the flat planar portion extends and encompasses the internal area defined by the first bracing frame; and   iii) a second bracing frame adapted to retain and hold the sheet panel between the first and second bracing frames,   
     wherein the bracing panel is adapted to be positioned and secured within the internal space of the wall frame of the wall to be braced such that bracing panel is dimensioned to fit within the wall frame and that end portions of the sheet panel are positioned and retained between the outer circumference of the first bracing frame and the internal circumference of wall frame of the wall to be braced. 
   
   
       7 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first bracing frame has a top portion, a first side portion, bottom portion and second side portion forming an open rectangular frame having an outer circumference and an inner circumference and defining an internal area. 
   
   
       8 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein there are four end portions, a top end portion, a first side end portion, a bottom end portion and a second side portion, wherein each end portion is adapted to be positioned adjacent to and on the outer surface of the said corresponding top, side and end portions of the first bracing frame. 
   
   
       9 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the sheet panel has the same width and height as the first bracing panel. 
   
   
       10 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the sheet panel is a diaphragm sheet panel. 
   
   
       11 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the sheet panel has at least the same height as the first bracing panel and has a width that is substantial less than the width of the first bracing panel, such that the sheet panel is in the form of a strip. 
   
   
       12 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the strip has a length that is at least equal to the greatest diagonal length of the first bracing panel and that the strip is positioned in a diagonal position on to the first bracing panel. 
   
   
       13 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein there are at least two strips arranged and positioned on the first bracing frame. 
   
   
       14 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein there are two strips that are arranged and positioned diagonally in a criss-cross position to the first bracing panel. 
   
   
       15 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the sheet panel is made from metal. 
   
   
       16 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the metal is a galvanized sheet material or stainless steel sheet or any sheet like metal material. 
   
   
       17 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the sheet panel is made from a rigid plastic material or any other suitable non-wooden material. 
   
   
       18 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bracing panels are made frame metal. 
   
   
       19 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bracing panels are made from a rigid plastic material or any other suitable non-wooden material. 
   
   
       20 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bracing panels are made from wood. 
   
   
       21 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing panel is adapted to be plumb relative to the wall frame by way of suitable plumb means affixed to the bracing panel. 
   
   
       22 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the plumb means includes at least one screw means affixed to the upper side portion of the bracing panel and adapted extend there-through such that an end of the screw means is adapted to be in contact with an internal surface of the wall frame so that in use the screw means can be adjusted to plumb the bracing panel relative to the wall frame. 
   
   
       23 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein, the end portions are adapted to be folded or bent. 
   
   
       24 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the end portions are foldable flaps that are adapted to be folded from a flat non-use state in the same plane as that of the flat planar portion of the sheet panel to a use state in which the flaps extend at an angle to the plane of the flat planar portion of the sheet panel. 
   
   
       25 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the end portions are folded at right angles to the plane of the flat planar portion of the sheet panel. 
   
   
       26 . The bracing panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing panel is rectangular. 
   
   
       27 . A method of assembling a bracing panel for use in bracing a wall having a wall frame defining an internal space, wherein the method includes:
 i) forming a first bracing frame;   ii) applying a sheet panel to a planar surface of the first bracing frame, wherein the sheet panel having a flat planar portion dimensioned to have at least the same height and width as the planar surface of first bracing frame; and   iii) forming a second bracing frame adapted to retain and hold the sheet panel between the first and second bracing frames, such that the formed bracing panel is dimensioned to fit within the wall frame,   
     wherein, in use, the bracing panel is positioned and secured within the internal space of the wall frame of the wall to be braced. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . (canceled)