Structural reinforcement

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members. Each of the structural members extends between first and second edges. The apparatus comprises a rigid member having first and second ends and being sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural members. The apparatus further comprises a first socket connected to the first end of the rigid member sized to receive a first edge of the first structural member therein and a second socket connected to the second end of the rigid member. The second socket is sized to receive a first edge of the second structural member corresponding to the first edge of the first structural member therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members, each of said structural members extends between first and second edges, the apparatus comprising:
 a rigid member having first and second ends and being sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural members;   a first socket connected to the first end of said rigid member, said first socket being sized to receive a first edge of said first structural member therein; and   a second socket connected to said second end of said rigid member, said second socket being sized to receive a first edge of said second structural member corresponding to said first edge of said first structural member therein.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets comprise c-shaped channels. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said c-shaped channels extend perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said rigid member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said c-shaped channel is formed of first and second opposed flanges and a web portion therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein at least one of said first and second opposed flanges is selectably deformable so as to open said c-shaped channel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said c-shaped channels include at least one fastener bore, sized to pass a fastener therethrough so as to secure said c-shaped channel to said structural member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said first flange includes a perpendicular connecting tab extending from an edge thereof away from said c-shaped channels wherein said rigid member extends from said second flange. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets are rigidly affixed to said rigid member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sockets are integrally formed with said rigid member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member and said first and second caps are formed of metal. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rigid member comprises an elongate beam. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said beam is selected from the group consisting of a tube, a box section, an I-beam, a c-shaped channel, an L-shaped channel and a triangular cross section beam. 
     
     
         13 . A kit for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members comprising a first apparatus of  claim 1  for engaging top edges of adjacent first and second structural members and a second apparatus of  claim 1  for adjacent bottom edges of said first and second adjacent structural members. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  further comprising a linking member extending between said first and second rigid members. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14  wherein said linking member is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members comprising:
 a first rigid member having first and second ends and being sized to extend between adjacent first and second structural members;   a first socket connected to said first end of said first rigid member, said first socket being sized to receive a first edge of said first structural member therein;   a second socket connected to said second end of said first rigid member, said second socket being sized to receive a first edge of said second structural member corresponding to said first edge of said first structural member therein;   a second rigid member having first and second ends and being sized to extend between said first and second structural members;   a first socket connected to said first end of said second rigid member, said first socket being sized to receive a second edge of said first structural member therein; and   a second socket connected to said second end of said second rigid member, said second socket being sized to receive a second edge of said second structural member corresponding to said second edge of said first structural member therein; and   a linking member extending between said first and second rigid members.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said linking member is substantially rigid.