Compression Blocking Brace Bracket for Truss Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In frame-type construction, builders face challenges in stabilizing and aligning rafters and trusses due to their limber nature, which complicates the installation of blocking braces, leading to uneven roof decking and increased susceptibility to wind and seismic forces, requiring elaborate and costly measures to ensure proper alignment and resistance.

Innovation Solution

A specialized blocking brace bracket with locating tabs and enhanced fastening points is used to stabilize and align rafters and trusses, allowing for easier installation and improved resistance to wind and seismic forces by forming a continuous line of compression resistance and maintaining parallel spacing, thus enhancing the structural integrity of the roof and wall systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If prefabricated trusses are used to construct roof systems, then construction speed is improved, but the trusses become limber and difficult to stabilize and align

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidtruss stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-cut blocking pieces with attached brackets that are prepared before installation. The blocking is precut to specific lengths and the brackets are pre-attached to the blocking, allowing for quick installation without现场 cutting or assembly. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining construction speed while ensuring proper truss stabilization through pre-prepared components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses blocking with attached brackets as an intermediary element between the trusses and the wall structure. This blocking acts as a mediator that provides both alignment and stabilization functions, resolving the contradiction by enabling quick installation (maintaining productivity) while providing the necessary structural support for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If blocking braces are installed to stabilize trusses, then structural strength is improved, but installation complexity increases due to alignment and spacing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the blocking and bracket into a single integrated component. The bracket is attached directly to the blocking, combining the structural blocking function with the fastening bracket function into one piece. This reduces installation complexity by eliminating the need to separately position and attach brackets to blocking, while maintaining the required structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The brackets are pre-attached to the blocking during manufacturing, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as one unit. This preliminary preparation reduces on-site installation complexity by eliminating field assembly steps, while ensuring proper alignment and structural integrity through factory-controlled attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If blocking is installed without proper alignment tools, then installation speed is maintained, but roof decking becomes uneven and prone to wind damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidroof decking alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket serves as an intermediary alignment tool that is integral to the blocking assembly. The bracket's design with tabs and fastening points provides built-in alignment references that ensure proper positioning of the blocking relative to trusses and walls. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining installation speed while achieving precise alignment through the built-in bracket guidance system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking with attached bracket is a self-aligning component that provides its own positioning references through the bracket design. The bracket's geometry and fastening features automatically guide proper placement and alignment during installation, eliminating the need for separate alignment tools or procedures while ensuring precise roof decking alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8833030B2Compression blocking brace bracket and method of use
Publication Date: 2014.09.16 SR SYST
  • US8833030B2 patent drawing
  • US8833030B2 patent drawing
  • US8833030B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A subassembly is positioned transverse in between two adjacent roof elements or wall elements. The subassembly includes a bracket; a construction element; and a fastener securing the bracket to the construction element. An extension tab of the bracket extends over a top surface of a roof element or a wall element. Multiple ones of the brackets installed in a roof element or a wall element define a line of compression blocking.