Adjustable Reusable Support Brace for Vinyl Window Frames
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vinyl window frames deform or collapse under the stress and weight of poured concrete due to their flexibility, necessitating temporary bracing with dimensional lumber or structural sheets that contribute to job site waste and environmental inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reusable support brace with complementary sections that are adjustable and provide full wall-width support, using slotted plates and corner gusset strike plates to secure the brace to the window frame, allowing for easy removal and reuse, and accommodating various frame widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dimensional lumber or structural sheets are used to brace vinyl window frames during concrete pouring, then the window frames are supported against deformation, but job site waste increases and environmental efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support brace is designed to be removed and reused at different job sites after the concrete has cured. The brace sections are detached from the window frame using corner gusset strike plates as contact surfaces, allowing the brace to be recovered and transported to another location where it can provide support during concrete pouring, thereby eliminating the need to discard the bracing material after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brace is designed with adjustable width capabilities to accommodate different window frame sizes. The slotted plates allow the brace to be configured for various widths, making a single brace unit universally applicable across multiple job sites with different window dimensions, replacing the need for multiple disposable bracing materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-width bracing is used, then installation is simplified, but adaptability to different window frame widths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support brace incorporates slotted plates that allow the width of the brace to be adjusted dynamically. The slots receive pins or fasteners that can be positioned at different locations along the slots, enabling the brace width to be changed to match different window frame widths. This dynamic adjustability maintains ease of installation while providing versatility across various frame sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brace is divided into multiple sections with slotted plates that can be positioned at different distances from each other. By adjusting the positioning of these segmented sections along the slots, the overall width of the brace can be customized to fit different window frame widths, combining simplicity with adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A support brace having two complementary sections that are matingly received in the opposite sides of the opening of a window frame to be installed in a poured concrete wall. The two complementary brace sections are secured together to form a bracing structure that is matingly received in the interior opening of a window frame. The width of the support brace is adjustable at a number of selected widths to accommodate window frames of selected widths. Both the inside section of the brace and the outside section of the brace have slotted plates that overlap each other so they can be pinned together to hold the two sections of the support brace at a predetermined and adjustable distance apart corresponding to the width of the window frame being installed. The support brace has both tie slots bars for receiving concrete form ties used with metal forms, and fastener brackets for attachments to wooden forms by nails and screws. Corner gusset strike plates in corners of both sections are used as contact surfaces for separating the inside and outside brace sections from the window frame interior opening after the poured concrete has cured. This facilitates removal from the opening of the window frame. After being removed, the brace sections may be repeatedly reused at other job sites. The reusable support brace provides 100% support on all interior contact surfaces and provides full wall width support. Also, it is adjustable to be able to provide full wall width support for various frame widths.