WALL ANCHORING SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING SHEAR STRENGTH

Abstract

A wall support system for vertically bracing a wall having a bottom base having a surface perpendicular to the wall. The system includes a carbon fiber strip having a first end secured to a top of the wall and a second end. The system further includes a bottom anchor including an L-shaped bracket having a first face and a second face. The first face may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base. The second face may be pressed flush against the wall such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip is secured against the wall by the L-shaped bracket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/764,701 filed February 28, 2025, the specification of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to vertical supports for walls at risk of collapse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over time, walls of structures (e.g. residential, commercial, etc.), especially those under constant heavy loads such as the walls of a basement, become at risk of inward collapse. In order to prevent this, it is common practice to install vertical supports on the interior of these walls that will provide additional strength. In many cases, these vertical supports implement carbon fiber strips that are run along the wall and anchored at the top and bottom of the wall for additional strength. However, the bracing of the carbon fiber strip generally involves pinning the strips to a board at the top and bunching the strip up at the bottom before inserting it into a small hole drilled into a concrete slab before the carbon fiber dries. This fails to maximize the shear strength of the carbon fiber strip against the wall and slab for optimal support. Thus, there exists a present need for a wall support capable of optimizing shear strength.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide systems that allow for a wall support capable of optimizing shear strength, as specified in the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. Embodiments of the present invention can be freely combined with each other if they are not mutually exclusive.

The present invention features a wall support system for vertically bracing a wall having a bottom base having a surface perpendicular to the wall. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a carbon fiber strip having a first end secured to a top of the wall and a second end. The system may further comprise a bottom anchor comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face and a second face. The first face may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base. The second face may be pressed flush against the wall such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip is secured against the wall and the slab by the L-shaped bracket.

In some embodiments, the present invention is advantageous over prior systems for vertically bracing a wall because the bottom anchor is able to maximize the connection from the bottom base to the wall. This transfers the vertical strength of the carbon fiber strip toward the floor, maximizing the strength that the strip is able to apply to the wall. Furthermore, the configuration of the top anchor and the top base is configured to convert the pull-out strength of the top base material (e.g. wood) into the shear strength of the carbon strip against the wall.

One of the unique and inventive technical features of the present invention is the bottom support bracket comprising a flat bottom surface and a texturized side surface, configured to pin a carbon fiber strip to the wall without pinning the carbon fiber strip to the floor. Without wishing to limit the invention to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that the technical feature of the present invention advantageously provides for anchoring a wall-strengthening carbon fiber strip to the floor while maximizing its connection to the wall. None of the presently known prior references or works have the unique inventive technical feature of the present invention.

Furthermore, the inventive technical feature of the present invention is counterintuitive. The reason that it is counterintuitive is because it contributed to a surprising result. One of ordinary skill in the art would expect that the installation of a bottom L-shaped anchor at the base of a carbon fiber strip that does not affix the strip to the floor would fail to maximize the structural strength of the strip for supporting the wall. Surprisingly, by providing a flat bottom surface and a texturized lateral surface for the bottom anchor, the system of the present invention maximizes the shear strength of the carbon fiber strips connection to the bottom anchor without any direct connection to the floor, resulting in improved strength for supporting the walls. Thus, the inventive technical feature of the present invention contributed to a surprising result.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a bottom view of the wall support system of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic diagram of the wall support system of the present invention.

FIG. 1C shows a close-up diagram of the bottom anchor of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of the bottom anchor of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the bottom anchor of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows an isometric view of the bottom anchor of the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3G show a method of installing the top anchor of the system of the present invention to a top base of a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:

100 system

110 carbon fiber strip

120 bottom anchor

122 first face

124 second face

130 top anchor

132 plate

134 loop

136 clip

1000 wall

1100 top base

1200 bottom base

The term “parallel” is defined herein as having an angle equal to the angle of the wall in relation to the floor.

The term “perpendicular” is defined herein as having an angle equal to the angle of the floor in relation to the wall and/or orthogonal to the angle of the wall in relation to the floor.

The term “surface-profiled” is defined herein as texturing applied to a surface such that shear strength is maximized between the profiled surface and another surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, the present invention features a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) with a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end secured to a top of the wall (1000) and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket.

In some embodiments, the first face (122) and the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that shear strength and bond adhesion of the FRP strip (110) against the first face (122) and the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may comprise a concrete slab. In some embodiments, the FRP strip (110) may comprise a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a FRP layer configured to be layered over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the FRP layer may comprise a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the FRP strip (110) such that the first end of the FRP strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132). In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank.

In some embodiments, the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof may comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses. In some embodiments, the one or more recesses may be configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more fastening components may comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

The present invention features a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) with a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a second end secured to a bottom of the wall (1000). The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the FRP strip (110) such that the first end of the FRP strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132).

In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank. In some embodiments, the FRP strip (110) may comprise a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a FRP layer configured to be layered over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the FRP layer may comprise a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket and shear loads transfer from the wall to the bottom base (1200). In some embodiments, the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that shear strength of the FRP strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may comprise a concrete slab.

In some embodiments, the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof may comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses. In some embodiments, the one or more recesses may be configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more fastening components may comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

The present invention features a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the FRP strip (110) such that the first end of the FRP strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132). The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket.

In some embodiments, the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that shear strength of the FRP strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may comprise a concrete slab. In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank. In some embodiments, the FRP strip (110) may comprise a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a FRP layer configured to be layered over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the FRP layer may comprise a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof may comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses. In some embodiments, the one or more recesses may be configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more fastening components may comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

The present invention features a method for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a wall support system (100). The system (100) may comprise a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132). The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124).

The method may further comprise securing the top anchor (130) to the top base (1100). The method may further comprise directing the first end of the FRP strip (110) through the loop (134) of the top anchor (130). The method may further comprise securing, by the clip (136), the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132). The method may further comprise pressing the second face (124) of the bottom anchor (120) flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000). The method may further comprise affixing the first face (122) of the bottom anchor (120) to the bottom base (1200).

In some embodiments, the FRP strip (110) may comprise a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise layering a FRP layer over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the FRP layer may comprise a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof. The present invention features a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) having a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a carbon fiber strip (110) having a first end secured to a top of the wall (1000) and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200). The second face (124) may be pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket.

In some embodiments, the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that the shear strength of the carbon fiber strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may comprise a concrete slab. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a carbon fiber layer configured to be layered over the carbon fiber strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the carbon fiber strip (110) such that the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) to the plate (132). In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank.

The present invention features a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) having a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). The system (100) may comprise a carbon fiber strip (110) having a first end and a second end secured to a bottom of the wall (1000). The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the carbon fiber strip (110) such that the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) to the plate (132).

In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a carbon fiber layer configured to be layered over the carbon fiber strip (110) against the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200). The second face (124) may be pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket. In some embodiments, the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that the shear strength of the carbon fiber strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may be a concrete slab.

The present invention may comprise a wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) having a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a carbon fiber strip (110) having a first end and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a loop (134) operatively coupled to the carbon fiber strip (110) such that the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is directed through the loop (134). The top anchor (130) may further comprise a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) to the plate (132). The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124). The first face (122) may be affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200). The second face (124) may be pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket.

In some embodiments, the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket may be surface profiled such that the shear strength of the carbon fiber strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized. In some embodiments, the bottom base (1200) may comprise a concrete slab. In some embodiments, the top base (1100) may comprise a wooden plank. In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a carbon fiber layer configured to be layered over the carbon fiber strip (110) against the wall (1000). Embodiments of the bottom anchor (120) are depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3G, the present invention features a method for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000). In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a wall support system (100). The system (100) may comprise a carbon fiber strip (110) having a first end and a second end. The system (100) may further comprise a top anchor (130). The top anchor (130) may comprise a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100), a loop (134), and a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132). The system (100) may further comprise a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124).

The method may further comprise securing the top anchor (130) to the top base (1100). The method may further comprise directing the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) through the loop (134) of the top anchor (130). The method may further comprise securing, by the clip (136), the first end of the carbon fiber strip (110) to the plate (132). The method may further comprise pressing the second face (124) of the bottom anchor (120) flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the carbon fiber strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000). The method may further comprise affixing the first face (122) of the bottom anchor (120) to the bottom base (1200).

In some embodiments, the bottom anchor may be secured to the bottom base by one or more bolts. In some embodiments, the bottom anchor may comprise one or more holes to accept the one or more bolts. In some embodiments, the one or more holes may comprise slots such that the bottom anchor can be pressed flush against the wall to eliminate gaps and maximize the shear strength of the bottom anchor against the carbon fiber strip. In some embodiments, the bottom anchor may be secured to the bottom base while the carbon fabric is still wet. In some embodiments, the material of the top anchor, the bottom anchor, or a combination thereof may comprise steel.

EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not to be limiting in any way.

Embodiment 1: A wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) with a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000), the system (100) comprising: a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a second end secured to a bottom of the wall (1000); and a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100), the top anchor (130) comprising: a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100); a loop (134) operatively coupled to the FRP strip (110) such that the first end of the FRP strip (110) is directed through the loop (134); and a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132).

Embodiment 2: The system (100) of Embodiment 1, wherein the top base (1100) comprises a wooden plank.

Embodiment 3: The system (100) of Embodiment 1, wherein the FRP strip (110) comprises a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 4: The system (100) of Embodiment 1 further comprising a FRP layer configured to be layered over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000).

Embodiment 5: The system (100) of Embodiment 4, wherein the FRP layer comprises a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 6: The system (100) of Embodiment 1 further comprising a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124), wherein the first face (122) is affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket and shear loads transfer from the wall to the bottom base (1200).

Embodiment 7: The system (100) of Embodiment 6, wherein the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is surface profiled such that shear strength of the FRP strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized.

Embodiment 8: The system (100) of Embodiment 6, wherein the bottom base (1200) comprises a concrete slab.

Embodiment 9: The system (100) of Embodiment 6, wherein the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses.

Embodiment 10: The system (100) of Embodiment 9, wherein the one or more recesses are configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 11: The system (100) of Embodiment 11 further comprising one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 12: The system (100) of Embodiment 11, wherein the one or more fastening components comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” is met.

Reference numbers recited herein, in the drawings, and in the claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application and are exemplary. The reference numbers are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.

Claims

1. A wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) with a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000), the wall support system (100) comprising:

a) a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end secured to a top of the wall (1000) and a second end; and

b) a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124), wherein the first face (122) is affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket; wherein the first face (122) and the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is surface profiled such that shear strength and bond adhesion of the FRP strip (110) against the first face (122) and the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized.

2. The wall support system (100) of claim 1, wherein the bottom base (1200) comprises a concrete slab.

3. The wall support system (100) of claim 1, wherein the FRP strip (110) comprises a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof.

4. The wall support system (100) of claim 1, wherein the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses.

5. The support system (100) of claim 4, wherein the one or more recesses are configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof.

6. The wall support system (100) of claim 1 further comprising one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof.

7. The wall support system (100) of claim 6, wherein the one or more fastening components comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

8. A wall support system (100) for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000), the wall support system (100) comprising:

a) a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end and a second end;

b) a top anchor (130) secured to the top base (1100), the top anchor (130) comprising: i) a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100); ii) a loop (134) operatively coupled to the FRP strip (110) such that the first end of the FRP strip (110) is directed through the loop (134); and iii) a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132) such that the clip (136) secures the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132); and c) a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124), wherein the first face (122) is affixed to the surface of the bottom base (1200) and the second face (124) is pressed flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000) by the L-shaped bracket; wherein the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is surface profiled such that shear strength of the FRP strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized.

9. The wall support system (100) of claim 8, wherein the bottom base (1200) comprises a concrete slab.

10. The wall support system (100) of claim 8, wherein the top base (1100) comprises a wooden plank.

11. The wall support system (100) of claim 8, wherein the FRP strip (110) comprises a carbon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof.

12. The wall support system (100) of claim 8, wherein the wall (1000), the bottom base (1200), or a combination thereof comprise one or more recesses such that the bottom anchor (120) is configured to fit into the one or more recesses.

13. The wall support system (100) of claim 12, wherein the one or more recesses are configured to be filled by a filler material to provide additional shear load transfer, the filler material comprising polymer, cement, mortar, or a combination thereof.

14. The wall support system (100) of claim 8 further comprising one or more fastening components configured to fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the second end of the FRP strip (110), fasten the bottom anchor (120) against the bottom base (1200), eliminate space between the bottom anchor (120) and the wall (1000), or a combination thereof.

15. The support system (100) of claim 14, wherein the one or more fastening components comprise wedge anchors, threaded rods, bolts, or a combination thereof.

16. A modified for vertically bracing a wall (1000) having a top base (1100) having a surface parallel to the wall (1000) and a bottom base (1200) with a surface perpendicular to the wall (1000), the method comprising:

a) providing a wall support system (100) comprising: i) a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strip (110) having a first end and a second end; ii) a top anchor (130), the top anchor (130) comprising: A) a plate (132) affixed to the surface of the top base (1100); B) a loop (134); and C) a clip (136) operatively coupled to the loop (134) and plate (132); and iii) a bottom anchor (120) comprising an L-shaped bracket having a first face (122) and a second face (124); wherein the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is surface profiled such that shear strength of the FRP strip (110) against the second face (124) of the L-shaped bracket is maximized;

b) securing the top anchor (130) to the top base (1100);

c) directing the first end of the FRP strip (110) through the loop (134) of the top anchor (130);

d) securing, by the clip (136), the first end of the FRP strip (110) to the plate (132);

e) pressing the second face (124) of the bottom anchor (120) flush against the wall (1000) such that the second end of the FRP strip (110) is secured against the wall (1000); and

f) affixing the first face (122) of the bottom anchor (120) to the bottom base (1000).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the FRP strip (110) comprises a cartoon fiber strip, a fiberglass-reinforced strip, a basalt-reinforced strip, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising layering a FRP layer over the FRP strip (110) against the wall (1000).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the FRP layer comprises a carbon fiber layer, a fiberglass-reinforced layer, a basalt-reinforced layer, or a combination thereof.