Wall stud brace

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing a plurality of parallel spaced apart structural members to each other comprises a rigid member having first and second ends and is sized to extend diagonally across the plurality of adjacent structural members. Each structural member extends between first and second ends and has first and second edges. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of sockets extending from the rigid member. Each socket is oriented diagonally relative to the rigid member and sized and shaped to receive a first edge of one of the plurality of parallel spaced apart structural member therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for reinforcing a plurality of parallel spaced apart structural members to each other, each structural member extending between first and second ends and having first and second edges, the apparatus comprising:
 a rigid member having first and second ends and being sized to extend diagonally across said plurality of adjacent structural members   a plurality of sockets extending from said rigid member, each socket being oriented diagonally relative to said rigid member and being sized and shaped to receive a first edge of one of said plurality of parallel spaced apart structural member therein.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets comprise c-shaped channels. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said c-shaped channels extend diagonally across a longitudinal axis of the rigid member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said c-shaped channel are formed of a pair of opposed flanges and a web portion therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said c-shaped channels include at least one fastener bore sized to pass a fastener therethrough so as to secure the c-shaped channel to the structural member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one of the flanges includes a perpendicular connecting tab extending from an edge thereof away from the c-shaped channels. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets are rigidly affixed to the rigid member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets are integrally formed with the rigid member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member and the first and second caps are formed of metal. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member comprises an elongate beam. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said beam is selected from the group consisting of a tube, a bar, a box section, an I-beam, a c-shaped channel, an L-shaped channel and a triangular cross section beam. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member extends diagonally across said plurality of parallel spaced apart structural members. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member extends across corresponding edges of the plurality of parallel spaced apart structural members. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member may comprise first and second portions angularly oriented relative to each other.