Hinged Lateral Brace for Irregular Roof Truss Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lateral braces for roof trusses are bulky to ship and difficult to install, especially when dealing with irregularly spaced or misaligned structural members.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable lateral brace with a horizontal and diagonal member connected by a hinge, fabricated from a metal sheet with fold lines to facilitate on-site adjustment and easy installation, allowing for precise fitting to irregularly spaced structural members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-fabricated lateral braces are used in standard configurations, then installation is straightforward, but they are bulky to ship and difficult to fit to irregularly spaced roof trusses
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral brace incorporates a hinge connection that allows the brace to be adjusted to different angles and configurations on-site. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the brace to adapt to irregularly spaced roof trusses while maintaining a compact form for shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral brace is divided into multiple segments connected by hinges, allowing it to be folded into a compact configuration for shipping and then expanded/adjusted to fit various spacing requirements at the construction site.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to accommodate misaligned structural members, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection provides a simple yet effective adjustable mechanism that allows the lateral brace to accommodate misaligned structural members. The hinge enables angular adjustment without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving the desired adaptability.
3Volume of moving object
If the brace is made compact for shipping, then shipping efficiency improves, but on-site adjustment capability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection allows the brace to transition from a compact folded configuration for shipping to an extended and adjustable configuration for installation. This dynamic transformation maintains compactness during transport while enabling full adjustability at the construction site.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The brace is compact for shipping and easy to install, accommodating misaligned structural members, enhancing stability and efficiency in construction.
Implementation Method 1
The pattern may comprise fold lines that have a feature for promoting the folding action during a cold-forming process
Implementation Method 2
The hinge is an adjustable hinge operatively connecting the horizontal member and the diagonal member
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable lateral brace configured for bracing adjacent roof trusses, wall studs, or similar structural elements during construction of residential and light commercial structures. The brace comprises a horizontal member and a diagonal member connected by a living hinge. The brace is shipped to a construction site in a compact configuration in which the horizontal member and vertical member are substantially parallel. The living hinge is activated to dispose the horizontal member and diagonal member at an acute angle adjusted to the spacing of the members to be braced.