Wall Brace Jack Mechanism for Damaged Wall Straightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall bracing systems for interior applications lack the ability to apply sufficient force to straighten damaged walls and are not configurable for various overhead floor joist orientations, particularly failing to address commercial applications and construction configurations with obstructions like ductwork.
Innovation Solution
A wall brace apparatus that secures between overhead floor joists and a floor, utilizing a jack mechanism with alignment and pushing rod brackets, and adjustable tube bracket holders to distribute force effectively, allowing for greater range of motion and force application, suitable for different overhead configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If holding brackets are secured to one side of a single overhead floor joist to apply force to the wall, then the wall can be supported, but the range of applied force is limited and floor joists may twist under increased force
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing force is divided and distributed across multiple floor joists through multiple pushing rod brackets positioned at different locations. This segmentation of the force application prevents any single floor joist from bearing excessive load that would cause twisting or failure, while collectively providing the necessary force to support the wall.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple floor joists are combined to work together as a unified support structure. The system merges the load-bearing capacity of several joists to provide both the necessary force application and the structural stability required, eliminating the limitation of relying on a single joist.
2Length of stationary object
If longer braces are used to reach the wall surface, then the brace can contact the wall, but the jack mechanism has limited range of motion and the brace is more likely to deflect
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the brace horizontally in a straight line, the system uses vertical positioning of the pushing rod bracket attached to the overhead floor joist. This dimensional change allows the brace to reach the wall surface while maintaining a shorter effective length, thereby increasing the jack mechanism's range of motion and reducing deflection risk.
3Ease of manufacture
If a threaded rod pierces the mounting floor joist to hold the bracket, then the bracket can be secured, but the pushing rod cannot be held straight and alignment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A separate alignment bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the floor joist and the pushing rod. This alignment bracket provides a dedicated structure to hold the pushing rod straight and establish proper alignment, decoupling the installation process from the alignment requirement and making both tasks easier to accomplish with higher precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed for floor joists running parallel to the wall surface, then installation is possible, but it cannot accommodate duct work between floor joists or other overhead configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing rod bracket system is designed to accommodate multiple configurations of floor joists and overhead structures. The brackets can be positioned and oriented to work with joists running in different directions and can adapt to the presence of duct work or other obstructions, making the system universally applicable to various building configurations without requiring fundamentally different designs.
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
Enables increased force application to straighten damaged walls and supports them in a wide range of motion, accommodating various overhead floor joist orientations and configurations, including those with obstructions, thereby addressing the limitations of prior systems.
Implementation Method 1
common configurations of jack mechanisms include a screw jack
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a jack mechanism to adjustably apply force to the brace
Implementation Method 3
adjustable tube bracket holders to distribute force effectively
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wall brace apparatus for use in supporting a damaged wall from the interior of a building basement is disclosed. The wall brace apparatus includes an alignment brace positioned between a floor bracket, which is secured to a floor and a pushing rod bracket, which is secured to an overhead floor joist and aligned with the floor bracket. The wall brace is further attached to brace holders which are secured between the pushing rod bracket and the wall surface. The wall brace apparatus includes a jack mechanism positioned between the pushing rod bracket and the alignment brace with holding brackets positioned between the pushing rod bracket and the overhead floor joists. A method of supporting a wall from the interior of a building basement having overhead floor joists is also disclosed.