Structural brace for modular housing module

Abstract

A structural brace for a pre-fabricated housing module includes (a) a temporary beam connecting two opposite side walls of the pre-fabricated housing module along an open side of the pre-fabricated housing module; (b) ceiling bracing panels each providing horizontal temporary structural support between a third side wall of the pre-fabricated housing module and the temporary beam; and (c) wall bracing panels each providing temporary vertical structural support between the temporary beam and a floor of the pre-fabricated module. A further transverse beam may be provided to connect the ceiling bracing panels for greater structural support and to facilitate lifting of the module during transportation. A tarp may be provided to cover the top and exposed sides of the pre-fabricated housing module to prevent damage to the interior on route to an installation site.

1 . A structural brace for a pre-fabricated housing module, comprising:
 a temporary beam connecting two opposite side walls of the pre-fabricated housing module along an open side of the pre-fabricated housing module.   a plurality of ceiling bracing panels, each ceiling bracing panel providing horizontal temporary structural support between a third side wall of the pre-fabricated housing module and the temporary beam; and   a plurality of wall bracing panels, each wall bracing panel providing temporary vertical structural support between the temporary beam and a floor of the pre-fabricated module.   
     
     
         2 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , further comprising a transverse beam connecting the plurality of ceiling bracing panels. 
     
     
         3 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , further comprises a tarp covering for the top of the pre-fabricated housing module. 
     
     
         4 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , wherein each ceiling bracing panel comprises a base board and a plurality of dimensional lumber pieces secured to the base board, placed substantially parallel to each other and spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     
     
         5 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , wherein each wall bracing panel comprises a base board and a plurality of dimensional lumber pieces secured to the base board, placed substantially parallel to each other and spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     
     
         6 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , further comprises steel blocks secured to the ceiling panels and the third side wall, so as to allow the third side wall to bear the weight of the pre-fabricated housing module when the pre-fabricated housing module is moved. 
     
     
         7 . A structural brace as in  claim 6 , wherein the steel blocks are bolted to studs provided in the third side wall. 
     
     
         8 . A structural brace as in  claim 7 , further comprises hold downs bolted to structural elements of the third side wall. 
     
     
         9 . A structural brace as in  claim 1 , further comprises sound deadened steel plates for reducing sound and vibration during transportation. 
     
     
         10 . A method for providing a structural brace for a pre-fabricated housing module, comprising:
 providing a temporary beam to connect two opposite side walls of the pre-fabricated housing module along an open side of the pre-fabricated housing module.   providing a plurality of ceiling bracing panels, each ceiling bracing panel providing horizontal temporary structural support between a third side wall of the pre-fabricated housing module and the temporary beam; and   providing a plurality of wall bracing panels, each wall bracing panel providing temporary vertical structural support between the temporary beam and a floor of the pre-fabricated module.   
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising providing a transverse beam to connect the plurality of ceiling bracing panels. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprises providing a tarp to cover the top of the pre-fabricated housing module. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein each ceiling bracing panel comprises a base board and a plurality of dimensional lumber pieces secured to the base board, placed substantially parallel to each other and spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein each wall bracing panel comprises a base board and a plurality of dimensional lumber pieces secured to the base board, placed substantially parallel to each other and spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprises providing steel blocks secured to the ceiling panels and the third side wall, so as to allow the third side wall to bear the weight of the pre-fabricated housing module when the pre-fabricated housing module is moved. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the steel blocks are bolted to studs provided in the third side wall. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , further comprises hold downs bolted to structural elements of the third side wall. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprises providing sound deadened steel plates to reduce sound and vibration during transportation.