Brace for retaining panels during cement distribution

Abstract

A brace for temporarily retaining a first panel and a second panel in abutting contact with a respective support member for each panel has two brace members, breakable end portions, removable brackets connectable to the end portions thereof, and a retaining members engageable in retaining apertures proximal disposed between the end portions and proximal thereto. The brace members are extended between the opposing panels, with the support members being placed in the brackets. The retaining member is inserted into each retaining member until each panel is held with the inner face abutting the retaining member and the outer face abutting the support member in the bracket. After application of the cementitious material, the breakable portions, brackets, and support member may be removed by breaking off the breakable end portions by application of a force thereto.

1 . A brace for temporarily retaining a first panel and a second panel in abutting contact with a respective support member for each panel on an outer face of the panel while a cementitious material is distributed between respective inner faces of the panels, the brace comprising:
 first and second brace members each having respective longitudinally opposed first and second ends, first and second respective breakable portions disposed respectively proximal said first and second ends, said breakable portions being breakable by application of a force thereto, first and second respective end portions extending respectively from said first and second breakable portions to said first and second ends, and first and second retaining members disposed respectively between said first and second breakable portions and proximal thereto;   first and second brackets connected to, respectively, said first and said second ends, wherein said brace members extend between the panels with the first and second ends thereof disposed respectively proximal the first and second panels with said retaining members abutting against the respective inner faces of the brackets and the support members abutting against the brackets and the outer faces of the panels with each breakable portion disposed between the respective inner face and outer face of the panel for breakage thereat and subsequent removal of the end portion, bracket, and support member after the cementitious material has been distributed.   
     
     
         2 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said brace members have first and second longitudinal side edges extending from said first end to said second end and first and second planar surfaces extending longitudinally from said first and second ends and laterally between first and second side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said brace members have first and second longitudinal side edges extending from said first end to said second end, each said breakable portion being defined by respective first and second indentations therefor extending inwardly toward another one from said first and second longitudinal side edges at a common predetermined longitudinal position therefor on said brace member. 
     
     
         4 . The brace of  claim 3 , wherein said respective first and second indentations for each breakable portion are defined by respective first and second tapered portions tapering inwardly towards each other and intersecting each other. 
     
     
         5 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein each respective bracket and the support member are of similar shape, said respective bracket being configured for retaining the support member in abutment against the respective outer face along at least a portion of an proximal surface of the support member extending proximally adjacent the respective outer face and abuttingly embracing a remaining portion of the supporting member extending away from the adjacent surface. 
     
     
         6 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein each respective bracket and the support member are of similar shape, said respective bracket being configured for abutting a distal surface of the supporting member situated distal the respective outer face with a proximal surface of the supporting member extending adjacently proximal the outer face in abutment therewith. 
     
     
         7 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said brace comprises, for each bracket, a retaining screw and a respective screw aperture disposed on said bracket, said retaining screw being screwed through said retaining screw aperture and into the support member with the support member abutting against the outer face. 
     
     
         8 . The brace of  claim 7 , wherein each bracket has a respective bracket plate, said respective bracket plate abutting against a distal surface of the support member with a proximal surface of the support member, situated opposite the distal surface and proximal the outer face, abutting against the outer face, the retaining aperture and said retaining screw being disposed on the bracket plate. 
     
     
         9 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second brackets each comprise a respective bracket plate and first and second respective bracket side arms connected thereto, the bracket plate extending between said side arms, said respective first and second side arms of said first bracket being connected to said first end portions and said respective first and second side arms of said second bracket being connectable to said second end portions with said bracket plate abutting against the support member and the support member abutting against the outer face. 
     
     
         10 . The brace of  claim 9 , wherein said respective bracket plate abuts against a distal surface of the support member with a proximal surface of the support member, situated opposite the distal surface and proximal the outer face, abutting against the outer face, said side arms abutting against at least a portion of member side surfaces extending between said proximal surface and said distal surface. 
     
     
         11 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second brackets are releasably connectable to, respectively, said respective first and second end portions. 
     
     
         12 . The brace of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second end portions each comprise respective bracket slots, said respective bracket slot of each first end being aligned with one another and said respective bracket slot of each second end being aligned with one another, and each bracket comprises bracket fingers sized and shaped for insertion into the bracket slots to removably connect the first and second brackets to, respectively, said first and second end portions. 
     
     
         13 . The brace of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second brackets each comprise respective a respective bracket plate and first and second bracket side arms connected thereto and extending radially therefrom with the bracket plate extending therebetween, said side arms being connectable to said first and second end portions with said end plate abutting against the support member and the support member abutting against the outer face, said respective bracket fingers being disposed on said side arms, one said bracket finger for each side arm. 
     
     
         14 . The brace of  claim 13 , wherein each side arm comprises a side plate extending from a respective intersecting edge of the end plate, a recessed portion extending from the side plate, and a finger portion extending from the recessed portion to a respective bracket end, the recessed portion being recessed relative the finger portion and the side plate and forming a side arm recess intermediate said finger portion and side plate for seating of the end of the brace member therein when the bracket finger is inserted into said bracket slot therefor. 
     
     
         15 . The brace of  claim 14 , wherein each side arm is resiliently connected to said bracket plate such that said side arm may be bent inwardly during insertion of the bracket fingers into the bracket slots to bring the side arms into at least partial abutment with the supporting member. 
     
     
         16 . The brace of  claim 13 , wherein said fingers have an inwardly tapering inner edge tapering inwardly towards said side plate. 
     
     
         17 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein said end portions comprise retaining apertures for receiving said retaining members, said retaining members being removably insertable into said retaining member apertures to abut with said inner faces. 
     
     
         18 . The brace of  claim 17 , wherein said retaining member is wedge shaped with an angled inner side extending outwardly away from an outer side thereof, each retaining member and retaining member aperture being configured for insertion of said retaining member into said retaining member aperture with the outer side extending adjacent the inner face and the inner side extending angularly away therefrom, the inner side coming into contact with an inner slot end of the aperture as said retaining member is inserted and forcing the outer side into abutment with the inner face. 
     
     
         19 . The brace of  claim 17 , wherein said retaining member is wedge shaped with an angled inner side extending outwardly away from an outer side thereof and member surfaces extending between the two sides, at least one member surface having ridges disposed thereon for grippingly abutting a side edge of the retaining slot when the retaining member is inserted therein to retain the retaining member in the retaining slot.