MODULAR WALL STUD BRACE

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structural members to each other comprises a ridged member extending between first and second ends and having a length sufficient to extend between two adjacent structural members and a socket at each of the first and second ends of the rigid member. Each socket has a central axis therethrough and is formed of a base panel and first and second side panels. At least one of the sockets is adapted to engage with a socket of an adjacent rigid member so as to interlink successive rigid members across a plurality of structural members wherein the rigid member is connected to the first panels at an end thereof distal to the base panel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to structural reinforcement in general and in particular to reinforcing adjacent wall studs to each other.

2. Description of Related Art

In the field of construction, it is often desirable to make a structure as strong as possible. The strength of a building is desirable for the purposes of load bearing ability as well as resistance to outside loads such as earthquakes, wind and other environmental loading.

Building construction typically includes a plurality of elongate members connected each other to form walls, ceilings, floor and the like. In the case of walls, such elongate wall members are often referred to as studs while in ceilings and roofs, they may be referred to as joist.

One difficulty that exists is the tendency of relatively long structural members to lose strength and rigidity as their length increases. This is particularly a difficulty for relatively long slender members such as wall studs and the like. Such wall studs may commonly be subject to buckling failure. Another difficulty that exists with wall studs is that walls formed by conventional wall studs is that such construction techniques may be less resistant to shear loads than they are to compressive loads. Under such loads, wall studs may be prone to rotate about their end connections to the top and bottom plate. The resulting deflection of the entire load above such a wall may contribute to an entire building failing or collapsing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structural members to each other. Each of the structural members extend between top and bottom ends and have front and rear surfaces. The apparatus comprises a ridged member extending between first and second ends and having a length sufficient to extend between two adjacent structural members and a socket at each of the first and second ends of the rigid member. Each socket has a central axis therethrough and is formed of a base panel and first and second side panels. At least one of the sockets is adapted to engage with a socket of an adjacent rigid member so as to interlink successive rigid members across a plurality of structural members wherein the rigid member is connected to the first panels at an end thereof distal to the base panel.

The base panel of each socket may be abuttable at against a corresponding base panel wherein the first and second side panels are engagable with corresponding first and second side panels of the adjacent socket. The one of the first or second edge may be angularly oriented relative to the central axis. The side panels of the socket may overlap the side panels of the adjacent socket when the socket is engaged therewith. At least one of the first and second panels and the base panel may include fastener bores therethrough.

The central axes of the first and second sockets may be substantially parallel to each other. The rigid member may extend diagonally between the first and second sockets, such that the rigid member is angularly oriented relative to the central axes of the first and second socket. The second side panels may include an end tab connectable to adjacent end tabs of a corresponding socket of an adjacent rigid member located on an opposed edge of the structural member. The first side panel may have a length selected to position the rigid member at a position between proximate to the first edge and proximate to the second edge of the structural member.

The first side panel may have a length selected to position the rigid member at a midpoint between the first and second edges of the structural member such that rigid members positioned from opposed edges of the structural member are proximate to each other. The rigid members may have a space therebetween.

The structural member may comprise a channel, further comprising a reinforcing body sized correspond to the channel to be located within the channel at a position corresponding to one of the first and second sockets. The reinforcing body may have a c-shaped cross section. The reinforcing body may have a question mark shaped cross section.

At least one of the first panels of the first or second sockets may include a tab extending perpendicularly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positioned perpendicularly to the structural members. At least one of the base panels of the first or second sockets may include a tab extending co-planarly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positioned perpendicularly to the structural members. One of the first or second sockets may comprise an end plate extending substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the other of the first or second sockets for engaging a cap positioned perpendicularly to the structural members. The end plate may include a side plate extending perpendicularly therefrom to engage a side of the cap.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of apparatuses according to a first embodiment of the present invention for reinforcing structural members located across wall studs.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one of the apparatuses of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of one of the apparatuses of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front profile view of two of the apparatuses of FIG. 2 applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the two apparatus of FIG. 4 as taken along the line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming an apparatus for reinforcing structural members located across wall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front profile view of an apparatus for reinforcing structural members according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of one of the sockets of the apparatus of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing adjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of two of the apparatuses of FIG. 10 being applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of wall studs reinforced with the apparatus of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of two of the apparatus of FIG. 10 applied between two wall studs.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as taken along the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as taken along the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 12 as taken along the line 14-14 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing adjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention having tabs for securing the apparatus to top or bottom wall caps.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 17 applied to a wall stud and bottom cap.

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing adjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention having tabs for securing the apparatus to top or bottom wall caps.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing wall studs to a bottom or end cap according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 10.

FIG. 23 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 21 with the extension omitted.

FIG. 24 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 17 with an optional bottom plate.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of two of the apparatuses for reinforcing adjacent wall studs according to a further embodiment of the present invention being applied to a wall stud.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 25 with an optional bottom connector

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 25 with an optional bottom connector

FIG. 28 is a cut sheet for forming the apparatus of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a wall having staggered studs having a plurality of an apparatus for reinforcing the studs applied thereto according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing an end staggered stud according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs to a bottom member according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reinforcing staggered studs to a bottom member according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for stabilizing adjacent wall studs 6 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 20. The wall studs 6 may be of any conventional type, such as by way of non-limiting example dimensioned lumber, engineered studs, composite material studs, plastic studs, metal I or C-channel studs, or laminated veneer lumber and extend between top and bottom ends, 8 and 10, respectively. It will also be appreciated that the present apparatus may be useful for stabilizing any other type of wall structural member, such as, by way of non-limiting example, floor joists roof trusses or the like. The wall studs 6 as illustrated have front and rear surfaces, 12 and 14, respectively, as are conventionally known.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 20 comprises a rigid member 22 extending between first and second ends, 24 and 26, respectively. The first and second ends have first and second sockets 30 and 50, respectively extending therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and second sockets are adapted to receive one of the front or rear surfaces 12 or 14 of the wall studs 6 therein. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the first socket 30 of one apparatus is engagable with a second socket 50 of an adjacent apparatus so as to be interlocked therewith as will be more fully described below.

The rigid member 22 may be formed of any known shape. As illustrated, the rigid member 22 may be formed of a substantially planar member, although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a tube, a bar, a box section, an I-beam, a c-shaped channel, an L-shaped channel or a triangular cross section beam. It will also be appreciated that the rigid member 22 may also include strengthening flanges or ribs extending therefrom as are commonly known. The rigid member 22 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, by way of non-limiting example, metal, plastic, ceramics or the like. It will also be appreciated that although the apparatus 20 may be formed of bent sheet metal, it may also be formed by other means such as an extruded, cast or welded structure.

The first socket 30 is formed of a base panel 32 having first and second side panels, 34 and 36, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 34 and 36 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 32 so as to form a u-shaped socket along a central axis 42 for receiving the wall stud 6 therein. It will be appreciated that the width of the base panel may be selected to space the first and second side panels apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the wall stud such as approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) for use with a conventional 2×4 dimension lumber wall stud, by way of non-limiting example. Each of the first and second side panels includes fastener bores 38 and 40, respectively, therethrough sized to receive fasteners, such as, by way of non-limiting example, screws or nails therethrough as will be more fully described below.

The base plate comprises a substantially planar member extending between top and bottom edges, 44 and 46, respectively. As illustrated, the bottom edge 46 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis 42 of the socket while the top edge 44 is angularly oriented relative to the central axis 42. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the top edge may have a top incline angle, generally indicated at 48 of between 0 and 60 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis. As illustrated, the first side panel 34 may have a length selected to extend above and below the top and bottom edges 44 and 46 of the base panel 32 while the second side has a length selected to extend above the top edge 44 of the base panel 32.

The second socket 50 is formed of a base panel 52 having first and second side panels, 54 and 56, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 54 and 56 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 52 so as to form a u-shaped socket along a central axis 62 for receiving the wall stud 6 therein. It will be appreciated that the width of the base panel may be selected to space the first and second side panels apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the wall stud such as approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) for use with a conventional 2×4 dimension lumber wall stud, by way of non-limiting example. Each of the first and second side panels includes fastener bores 58 and 60, respectively, therethrough sized to receive fasteners, such as, by way of non-limiting example, screws or nails therethrough. As will be more fully described below the fastener bores 38, 40, 58 and 60 may be located such that a common fasteners may be passed through a pair of corresponding bores when adjacent apparatuses are secured together.

The base panel 52 comprises a substantially planar member extending between top and bottom edges, 64 and 66, respectively. As illustrated, the top edge 64 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis 42 of the socket while the bottom edge 66 is angularly oriented relative to the central axis 42. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom edge may have a bottom incline angle, generally indicated at 68 of between 0 and 60 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis. The top and bottom incline angles 48 and 68 will be selected to correspond to each other such that when sockets of adjacent apparatuses 20 are located adjacent to each other, they may be abutted against each other as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. As illustrated, the first side panel 34 may have a length selected to extend above and below the top and bottom edges 44 and 46 of the base panel 32 while the second side has a length selected to extend above the top edge 44 of the base panel 32. In such a manner, the first and second side plates of such abutted sockets may be overlapped with each other as will be more fully described below.

With reference to FIG. 4, in operation, a first apparatus 20a may be located on a wall stud 6 with the front edge 12 of the wall stud received within a first socket 30. Thereafter, a second apparatus 20b, may be located on the same wall stud 6 with front edge 12 of the wall socket being received within the second socket 50 at a position above the first socket 30 of the first apparatus 20a. Thereafter, the second apparatus 20b may be moved in a downward direction so as to engage the bottom edge 66 of the second socket 50 of the second apparatus 20b against the top edge 44 of the first socket 30 of the first apparatus 20a. In such a position, the first and second side panels 54 and 56 of the second socket on the second apparatus will overlap the first and second side panels 34 and 36 of the first socket of the first apparatus. Thereafter, fasteners 70 may be passed through corresponding sets of bores 38 and 60 and 58 and 40 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Optionally, the sockets 30 and 50 may include barbs, spikes or other suitable projections from an interior surface thereof so as to engage the wall stud when the apparatus 20 is secured thereto.

The rigid member 22 has a length selected to extend between adjacent wall studs 6. By way of non-limiting example, the rigid member has a length sufficient to space the central axes 42 and 62 of the first and sockets apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between the wall studs. Such spacing will be dictated by the wall construction type and may therefore be of any suitable range, such as by way of non-limiting example, 16 inches (406 mm) for 16 inch on center construction walls. It will be appreciated that other distances may be suitable as well. As illustrated, the rigid member extends away from each socket so as to form an incline angle, generally indicated at 72 between the rigid member 22 and the central axes 42 and 62 of the first and second sockets. The incline angle 72 is selected to permit the apparatus to extend diagonally between adjacent wall studs and may have an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees with an angle of 45 degrees having been found to be particularly useful.

As illustrated, the base panels 32 and 52 may be formed of a continuation of the rigid member 22 or may be a separate member secured thereto by fasteners, adhesives or the like. It will be appreciated that in embodiments where the base panels are co-formed with the rigid member, that the rigid member and base panels 32 and 52 will be co-planar with the rigid member 22.

With reference to FIG. 6, the apparatus 20 may be cut from a single sheet of metal, such as, by way of non-limiting example, steel, stainless steel, aluminium or galvanized steel. The sheet metal may be cut into a blank according to known methods and thereafter bend into the desired shape as illustrated and described above. Any thickness of metal as required to provide the necessary strength may be utilized such as between 12 and 22 gauge. In particular, it has been found that sheet metal of between 16 and 20 gauge has been useful. It will also be appreciated that the apparatus 20—may also be formed of non-metal materials, such as, by way of non-limiting example, carbon fibre, fibreglass, plastics, ceramics and composite materials. It will also be appreciated that although elongate, substantially straight members are shown, non-straight members may also be utilized, such as, by way of non-limiting example, arcuate, space frame, plates or any other shape as long as the sockets 104 and 106 are rigidly translationally fixed relative to each other so as to securely locate the adjacent structural member relative to each other.

The sheet metal may be cut into a blank according to known methods and thereafter bend into the desired shape as illustrated and described above. In particular, the blank may include a central portion 102 which forms the rigid member 22, top and bottom portions, 102 and 104, respectively having an outline sufficient to be bent along bend lines 108 to form the top and bottom sockets 30 and 50 as described above. Thereafter, the blank 100 may be folded along the fold lines 108 to form the desired final apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 7, a blank for forming an optional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated having extension tabs 110 extending from the second side panels 36 and 56 of the first and second sockets. The extension tabs 110 may include additional bores 112 therethrough sized to pass fasteners therethrough as described above. The extension tabs 110 may have a length sufficient to extend to and engage with a socket applied to a rear edge 14 of the wall stud when the socket is applied to a front surface of the wall stud wherein a single fastener may be passed through both bores 112. Optionally, the extension tab 110 may have a length sufficient to pass around the rear edge 114 of the wall stud to permit wrapping of the wall stud within the socket.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, an optional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 150 having a rigid member 152 with end sockets 154 at each end thereof. The end sockets are formed of base panels 156 having first and second side panels, 158 and 160, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 158 and 160 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 156 so as to form a u-shaped socket along a central axis 162 for receiving the wall stud 6 therein. As described above, the width of the base panel may be selected to space the first and second side panels apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the wall stud such as approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) for use with a conventional 2×4 dimension lumber wall stud, by way of non-limiting example. Each of the first and second side panels includes fastener bores 164 and 166, respectively, therethrough sized to receive fasteners, such as, by way of non-limiting example, screws or nails therethrough as will be more fully described below. The base panel 156 may also optionally include a fastener bore 168 therethrough.

Each of the first and second side panels 158 and 160 includes an end tab, 170 and 172, respectively extending therefrom away from the central axis 162 of the socket 154. Each end tab 170 and 172 includes a connection bore, 174 and 176 therethrough. The apparatuses 150 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be applied to the wall studs 6 such that a socket of one apparatus is adjacent to and abuts against a corresponding socket of an adjacent apparatus wherein the end tabs 170 and 172 of the sockets will abut against each other. Thereafter fasteners, such as, bolts screws and the like may be passed through the connection bores 174 and 176 so as to secure the sockets 154 to each other.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 200 in which the rigid member 22 is located at a distance away from the first or second surfaces 12 or 14 of the wall studs. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rigid member 22 extends from an edge of the first panels 34 and 54 distal from the base panels 32 and 54. In such a manner the base member will be offset from the base panels and thereby the front or rear surfaces 12 or 14 of the wall studs 6 by a distance corresponding to the length of the first panels 34 and 54. With reference to FIG. 13, the ridged members 22 may be located substantially proximate to the midpoint of the wall studs 6 such that a gap 202 is maintained between corresponding braces located on each side of the wall studs. Such a gap will be useful to separate the two sides of the wall from each and thereby to maintain a thermal barrier therebetween and may be selected to be any dimension between 0 inches and the depth of the wall stud 6 between the front and rear surfaces 12 and 14.

The apparatus 200 may include a coupling plate 155 extending from each of the second side plates 36 and 56. The coupling plates 155 of two corresponding apparatuses 200 may be aligned with each other when applied to opposing surfaces of the wall stud as illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13. Thereafter fasteners (not shown) may be passed through bores within the coupling plates so as to secure the sockets around the wall stud. The length of the second side plates 36 and 56 will be selected to permit the coupling plates 155 of the front and rear apparatuses to substantially meet each other with the sockets 30 and 50 closely surrounding the wall stud. As illustrated, a gap 204 may be provided between the coupling plates 155 so as to permit the inclusion of a gasket (not shown) or the like therebetween.

As set out above, the lengths of the first side plates 34 and 54 and second side plates 54 and 56 are selected depending upon the size of the wall stud 6. It will be therefore appreciated that any dimensions may be chosen depending upon the size of the selected wall stud, such as, by way of non-limiting example, 2×4, 2×6 for dimension lumber wall studs or up to 14 inches or greater for use with steel studs. Additionally, although the apparatus of FIG. 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13 as being applied to wall studs in matching pairs, it will also be appreciated that the apparatus may be applied to only one of the front or rear surface of the wall studs. In such applications, the length of the first side plates 34 and 54 may be selected to be up to or equal to the depth of the wall stud so as so position the rigid member 22 adjacent to and co-planar with the opposite surface from which the apparatus is applied as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26. Any depth between the front and rear surface of the wall stud may be accordingly selected. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rigid member 200 may include top and bottom strengthening flanges 21 and 23 which extend from the rigid member 22 in a direction towards the base panels 32 and 52.

With reference to FIGS. 11 through 16, the apparatus 200 may also be applied to metal wall studs 6. It will be appreciated that metal wall studs are commonly formed of a channel section having an open central passage 205 therein. Metal studs may also be formed of an I-channel section with central grooves on each side of a central web. It will be appreciated that the methods described below will be equally applicable to I channel wall studs as well by providing shallower bracing member. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the wall assembly may include a reinforcing member 210 located within the channel. The reinforcing member 210 comprises a base plate 212 having side plates 214 extending perpendicularly therefrom so as to form a c-shaped channel section. The base plate 212 and side plates 214 are selected to correspond to the dimensions of the metal wall stud passage 205 so as to form a continuous rectangular section when located therein. Optionally the side plates 214 may include end flanges 216 extending perpendicularly towards each other as illustrated in FIG. 14 or away from each other as illustrated in FIG. 15. In operation, the reinforcing member 210 may be located within the passage 205 of the metal stud at a position corresponding to the location where the first or second socket 30 or 50 is to be located as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thereafter, the first or second socket 30 or 50 may be secured to the metal stud and the reinforcing member with fasteners as set out above.

It will be appreciated that the reinforcing member 210 serves to provide a secure location along metal wall studs for the rigid member 22 to be braced against when the rigid member is offset from the front or rear surfaces of the wall stud. With reference to FIG. 16, according to an optional embodiment, the reinforcing member 210 may be formed to be located behind one of the rigid member. In such embodiments, the reinforcing member 210 may be formed with only one side plate 214 and a base plate extending only halfway across the wall stud passage to the coupling plates 155. Optionally the base plate 212 may include positioning plate 218 extending therefrom at a position between the coupling plates 155.

Turning now to FIG. 17, one of the first or second sockets 30 or 50 may include a tab 220 extending therefrom parallel to the base plate. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the tab 220 may extend from the first side plate 54 of the second socket 50 for use in securing to a bottom cap 222 (as illustrated in FIG. 18;). As illustrated in FIG. 17, the first side plate 54 may extend below the base plate 52 wherein the tab 220 extends from the first side plate 54. Optionally, the base plate 52 may be extended below the first and second side plates 54 and 56 wherein the tab extends from the base plate 52 as illustrated in FIG. 19. The tab 220 may be secured to a side of the bottom cap 222 with fasteners or the like to as to anchor the assembly of braces. As illustrated in the cut sheet of FIG. 24 for the apparatus of FIG. 17, the first side plate 54 may also include a bottom panel 221 which may be oriented along the top of or within the bottom cap 222.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the first or second ends 24 or 26 of the rigid member 22 (illustrated with reference to the second end in FIG. 21) may include an end plate 240 extending therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the apparatus may include a vertical extension 241 so as to position the rigid member 22 a distance above the end plate 240 although the extension 241 may also be omitted as illustrated in the cut sheet for such an apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 23. The end plate 240 extends perpendicularly from the rigid member 22 so as to lie in a plane substantially mutually orthogonal to the first and second side plates 34 and 36 and the base plate 32 of the first socket. In such a manner, the end plate 240 is oriented to lie on a bottom cap 222. It will be appreciated that for use on at the first end 24 of the rigid member, the end plate 240 will be positioned under a top cap (not shown). The end plate 240 engages and permits the apparatus to be secured to the bottom cap so as to anchor the assembly of braces described above. Optionally, the end plate 240 may include a further side plate extending perpendicularly downwards therefrom so as to lie against a side of the bottom cap as illustrated in FIG. 21. The apparatus may include optionally include the end plate 240 in combination with the second socket or be utilized without as illustrated in FIG. 21. Additionally, embodiments having the rigid member 22 located proximate to an opposing surface of the wall studs 6 may also include such an end plate 240 as illustrated in FIG. 26 and a second side plate 242 incorporated therein to contain the bottom cap 222 therein. Although the end plate 240 and side plate 242 are illustrated as being located outside of the bottom cap 222 or top cap, it will also be appreciated that they may also be contained within the channel of the bottom or top caps as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28. Turning now to FIG. 29, an alternative wall construction is illustrated generally at 300 having top and bottom members, 302 and 304, respectively with a plurality of wall studs 306 and 308 extending therebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the wall studs are staggered with front wall studs 306 being located proximate to a front surface of the wall and the rear wall studs 208 being located proximate to a rear surface of the wall. As illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, an apparatus for bracing the wall studs to each other is provided between the wall studs and generally illustrated at 310. As set out above, the apparatus 310 may be applied to any stud type, such as, by way of non-limiting example, metal studs as illustrated in FIG. 29 or wood studs as illustrated in FIG. 32.

The apparatus 310 comprises a rigid member 312 extending between first and second ends, 314 and 316, respectively. The first and second ends have first and second sockets 320 and 340, respectively extending therefrom. As set out above the first and second sockets are adapted to receive one of the front of the wall studs 6 therein. Additionally, as set out above, the first socket 320 of one apparatus may be engagable with a second socket 340 of an adjacent apparatus so as to be interlocked therewith.

For use on the front wall studs 306, the first socket 320 is formed of a base panel 322 having first and second side panels, 324 and 326, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 324 and 326 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 322 so as to form a u-shaped socket. Similarly, the second socket 340 is formed of a base panel 342 having first and second side panels, 344 and 346, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 344 and 346 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 342 so as to form a u-shaped socket. In use, the first and second sockets 320 and 340 are sized to receive the front surface of the front studs therein.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the rigid member 312 includes a central socket 360 located at a midpoint therealong. The central socket 360 is formed of a base panel 362 having first and second side panels, 364 and 366, respectively extending therefrom. The first and second side panels 364 and 366 extend substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 362 so as to form a u-shaped socket. The central socket 360 is sized to receive the front surface of the rear stud 308 therein. As illustrated in FIG. 30, the rigid member 312 extends from the first side panels 324 and 344 at a position corresponding to the front surface of the rear studs 308 such that the apparatus extends between two adjacent front studs while also being engaged upon an intervening rear stud. Corresponding apparatuses may be applied to the rear studs in a similar fashion. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 31, the rigid member may include a central bore 370 at a midpoint thereof adapted to permit a fastener to be passed therethrough to be secured to the front edge of the rear wall stud as set out above. As set out above, the apparatus 310 of FIG. 31 may be applied to any stud type, such as, by way of non-limiting example, wood studs as illustrated in FIG. 33 or metal studs as illustrated in FIG. 34.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 35, the central bore 370 may be located at a position other than the midpoint of the rigid member so as to permit an end stud 309 to be secured thereto wherein the end stud 309 has a spacing different from the remaining wall studs. With reference to FIGS. 36 and 37, the apparatus 310 may also include an end plate 240 as set out above for securing to a metal bottom member 304 as illustrated in FIG. 36 or a wood bottom member 304 as illustrated in FIG. 37.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reinforcing adjacent structural members to each other, each of the structural members extending between top and bottom ends and having front and rear surfaces, the apparatus comprising:

a ridged member extending between first and second ends and having a length sufficient to extend between two adjacent structural members;

a socket at each of the first and second ends of said rigid member, each socket having a central axis therethrough and being formed of a base panel and first and second side panels,

wherein at least one of said sockets is adapted to engage with a socket of an adjacent rigid member so as to interlink successive rigid members across a plurality of structural members,

and wherein said rigid member is connected to said first and second sockets at an end thereof distal to said base panel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base panel of each socket is abuttable at against a corresponding base panel wherein said first and second side panels are engagable with corresponding first and second side panels of said adjacent socket.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one of said first or second edge is angularly oriented relative to said central axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said side panels of said socket overlap said side panels of said adjacent socket when said socket is engaged therewith.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second panels and said base panel include fastener bores therethrough.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said central axes of said first and second sockets are substantially parallel to each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid member extend diagonally between said first and second sockets, such that said rigid member is angularly oriented relative to said central axes of said first and second socket.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second side panels includes an end tab connectable to adjacent end tabs of a corresponding socket of an adjacent rigid member located on an opposed edge of said structural member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side panel has a length selected to position said rigid member at a position between proximate to said first edge and proximate to said second edge of said structural member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first side panel has a length selected to position said rigid member at a midpoint between said first and second edges of said structural member such that rigid members positioned from opposed edges of said structural member are proximate to each other.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rigid members are have a space therebetween.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said structural member comprises a channel, further comprising a reinforcing body sized correspond to said channel to be located within said channel at a position corresponding to one of said first and second sockets.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing body has a c-shaped cross section.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing body has a question mark shaped cross section.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first panels of said first or second sockets includes a tab extending perpendicularly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positioned perpendicularly to said structural members.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one of said base panels of said first or second sockets includes a tab extending co-planarly therefrom adapted to overly a cap positioned perpendicularly to said structural members.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said first or second sockets comprise an end plate extending substantially perpendicular to a central axis of said other of said first or second sockets for engaging a cap positioned perpendicularly to said structural members.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said end plate includes a side plate extending perpendicularly therefrom to engage a side of said cap.