Modular joist brace bracket

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting brace members between a plurality of adjacent parallel spaced apart joists wherein each of the joists extends between top and bottom edges comprises a joist engaging cup adapted to receive one of the top or bottom edge of the joist therein and a brace supporting platform angularly extending from each side of the cup in a direction towards the other of the top or bottom edge of the joist. A plurality of brace members may be sized to be received on the brace supporting platforms and extend diagonally between a top and bottom edges of adjacent joists.

1 . An apparatus for supporting brace members between a plurality of adjacent parallel spaced apart joists, each of said joists extending between top and bottom edges, the apparatus comprising:
 a base member;   first and second side walls extending from said base member, adapted to receive a top or bottom edge of said joist therebetween of so as to engage said base member; and   a brace supporting platform angularly extending from each side of said base member in a direction towards the other of said top or bottom edge of said joist,   wherein said first and second side walls and said base member are adapted to extend along said joist to each side of said brace supporting platform.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said side plates include fastener bores extending therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base plate includes fastener bores extending therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base plate extends substantially a length corresponding substantially to the length of said joist. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said brace supporting platform comprises a substantially planar member extending from said base member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said brace supporting platform includes fastener bores extending therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said brace supporting platform has a width between first and second side edges corresponding substantially to a width of said brace member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said brace supporting platform further includes side walls extending from said first and second side edges. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said side walls includes fastener bores extending therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base base member and said brace supporting platform are formed of a unitary sheet of material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one hanger member extending from said base member, said hanger member having fastener bore therethrough for passing fasteners so as to suspend said apparatus from a beam. 
     
     
         14 . A system for supporting a plurality of adjacent parallel spaced apart joists, each of said joists extending between top and bottom edges, the system comprising:
 a plurality of brackets comprising:
 a base member; 
 first and second side walls extending from said base member, adapted to receive a to or bottom edge of said joist therebetween of so as to engage said base member; and 
 a brace supporting platform angularly extending from each side of said base member in a direction towards the other of said top or bottom edge of said joist, 
 wherein said first and second side walls and said base member are adapted to extend along said joist to each side of said brace supporting platform; and 
   a plurality of brace members sized to be received on said brace supporting platforms and extend diagonally between a top and bottom edges of adjacent joists.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled)