Bracing system for reinforcing beams

Abstract

A bracing system and method of its installation are provided. The bracing system includes a set of support panels and a set of crossover panels. The support panels may comprise connection members at their both ends such that these panels may be connected to each other in a line. The support panels are designed to be fixed in such lines to a beam. The beam should be provided with two parallel lines of interconnected support panels. The crossover panels are designed to link the support panels. The bracing system allows adding tremendous strength to wood beams in existing buildings.

1 . A bracing system for reinforcing of a beam, the system comprising:
 a set of support panels for abutting to the one of external surfaces of the beam, wherein both ends of each support panel comprises connection means to join the support panels to each other in the form of a line; and   a set of crossover panels for connecting at least two support panels disposed in parallel to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each support panel of the set of support panels and each crossover panel of the set of crossover panels have an oblong shape. 
     
     
         3 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprising a rack rod. 
     
     
         4 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises a set of ribs and corresponding empties between them, wherein the ribs are oriented along the axis of any support panel of the set of support panels. 
     
     
         5 . The bracing system of  claim 4 , wherein the set of ribs and empties are disposed in a hollow of each one of the set of support panels. 
     
     
         6 . The bracing system of  claim 5 , wherein the hollow has a square-like shape. 
     
     
         7 . The bracing system of  claim 5 , wherein the ribs of two opposite connection means, related to the single support panel, are oriented towards the opposite surfaces of the same support panel. 
     
     
         8 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each support panel of the set of support panels further comprising one or more through holes for connecting to the beam with the help of one or more of bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and/or wire nails. 
     
     
         9 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each support panel of the set of support panels further comprising one or more recesses to receive the crossover panels. 
     
     
         10 . The bracing system of  claim 9 , wherein each support panel of the set of support panels comprises two recesses to receive two crossover panels, wherein each of said two recesses is inclined towards the side surface of the support panel. 
     
     
         11 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each crossover panel of the set of crossover panels comprising one or more recesses. 
     
     
         12 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each crossover panel of the set of crossover panels further comprising two or more through holes for connecting the crossover panel to the beam with the help of one or more of: bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and/or wire nails. 
     
     
         13 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein each crossover panel of the set of crossover panels further comprising a through hole located in the center for connecting two crossover panels to each other with the help of one or more of: bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and/or wire nails. 
     
     
         14 . The bracing system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of support panels and the set of crossover panels are made of one or more of the following: metal, plastic, synthetic and semi-synthetic materials. 
     
     
         15 . A method of reinforcing a beam, comprising:
 fixing a first set of support panels according to  claim 1  in a line to the surface of the beam;   fixing a second set of support panels according to  claim 1  in a line to the surface of the beam, wherein the first set of support panels and the second set of support panels are disposed in parallel to each other; and   fixing a set of crossover panels to the first and the second sets of support panels such that each crossover panel links one support panel of the first set of support panels and one support panel from the second set of support panels.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second sets of support panels are fixed to the same plane surface of the beam on the distance of 0.5-5 inches from the opposites edges, accordingly. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second sets of support panels are fixed to the beam with the help of one or more of the following: bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and wire nails. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the set of crossover panels are fixed to the first and the second sets of support panels with the help of one or more of the following: bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and wire nails. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein crossed crossover panels are fixed to each other with the help of one or more of the following: bolts, screws, studs, anchors, and wire nails. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each crossover panel of the set of crossover panels are placed in a recess of the corresponding support panel.