Building frame bracing panel and method

Abstract

A corner of a timber building frame ( 10 ) having spaced studs ( 11 ), top plates ( 12 ) and bottom plates ( 13 ). Bottom plates ( 13 ) are located in this case on an on-ground slab ( 14 ), noggings ( 15 ) retain the studs ( 11 ) in their proper spaced relation. To prevent the frames from moving in response to wind while the frame is under construction and also afterwards to resist movement in the event of earthquakes or high winds, bracing panels ( 16 ) comprise an elongated panel dimensioned for location between adjacent vertical studs ( 11 ) and between the top and bottom plates ( 12 and ( 13 ), each panel has opposed ends ( 17 and 18 ) and opposed sides ( 19 and 20 ) and an intermediate portion between the sides shown generally at ( 21 ), the intermediate portion includes diamond shaped strengthening sections ( 22 ) displaced laterally out of the plane of the panel.

1 . A building frame bracing panel assembly comprising a major portion thereof as a deformed sheet material providing the primary bracing function and being deformed in at least two directions, the panel assembly being dimensioned for location between frame members in a building frame, the frame members forming a rectangular building frame, the panel assembly having opposed ends, opposed sides and an intermediate portion between the sides, the intermediate portion including strengthening sections of said sheet material displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel, marginal sections of said opposed ends of said sheet material being displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel to serve as anchor regions whereby said bracing panel assembly may be secured in operative bracing position relative to said frame members.  
     
     
         2 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed sides have framing attachment means comprising marginal sections of said sheet displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel so the panel can be secured to opposite frame members of said framing.  
     
     
         3 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel assembly is made from folded or pressed sheet material.  
     
     
         4 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel assembly is moulded as one piece.  
     
     
         5 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a single deformed sheet is employed between the frame members.  
     
     
         6 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a double sheet is formed as a single unit between the frame members.  
     
     
         7 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein two or more separate single sheets are employed between the frame members.  
     
     
         8 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel assembly comprises a double panel formed as a single unit between the frame members, the double panel being formed from separate overlayed single deformed sheets.  
     
     
         9 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a double panel formed as a single unit employed between the frame members, the double panel being formed from a double skin made from a single deformed sheet.  
     
     
         10 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners creating strength at the corners by the overlapping, the corners having holes for suitable fasteners.  
     
     
         11 . A bracing panel according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners, the boxed corners serve as the attachment means to the upper and lower rails of the frame upon fasteners passing through the overlapping flanges.  
     
     
         12 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed sides have framing attachment means comprising marginal sections of said panel displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel so the panel can be secured to opposite frame members of said framing, the opposed sides comprise flanges.  
     
     
         13 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners, the opposed sides comprise flanges so that the whole panel assembly is formed with an open box-like configuration.  
     
     
         14 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the opposed sides are sandwiched or otherwise secured to the respective frame members before the frame members are installed.  
     
     
         15 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein panel and opposite frame members are installed into framing as a modular unit secured in position between the other opposed frame members making up said rectangular frame.  
     
     
         16 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate portion includes spaced closed polygonal shaped strengthening deformations.  
     
     
         17 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate portion includes spaced closed polygonal shaped strengthening deformations, the strengthening deformations being spaced evenly along the panel.  
     
     
         18 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate portion includes strengthening deformations being spaced evenly along the panel, at least some of said deformations include an aperture.  
     
     
         19 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a double sheet, the panel being generally dumbbell shaped in transverse section, with hollow side rails.  
     
     
         20 . A method for bracing a rectangular building frame during construction and in the completed structure comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a preformed brace having a major portion of the brace made from a deformed sheet of material providing the primary bracing function and being deformed in at least two directions;    (b) inserting the brace between frame members in a building frame; and    (c) securing the brace to the frame members at least at opposite ends of the brace in accordance with predicted shear.    
     
     
         21 . A method for bracing a rectangular building frame during construction and in the completed structure comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a preformed brace having a major portion of the brace made from a deformed sheet of material providing the primary bracing function and being deformed in at least two directions;    (b) inserting the brace between frame members in a building frame; and    (c) securing the brace to the frame members at least at opposite ends of the brace in accordance with predicted shear and wherein:    the preformed brace comprises a building frame bracing panel assembly having opposed ends, opposed sides and an intermediate portion between the sides, the intermediate portion including strengthening sections of said sheet material displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel, marginal sections of said sheet material being displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel to serve as anchor regions whereby said sheet may be secured in operative bracing position relative to said frame members.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed sides have framing attachment means comprising marginal sections of said sheet displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel so the panel can be secured to opposite frame members of said framing.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the panel assembly is made from folded or pressed sheet material.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the panel assembly is moulded as one piece.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein a single deformed sheet is employed between the frame members.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein a double sheet is formed as a single unit between the frame members.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein two or more separate single sheets are employed between the frame members.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the panel assembly comprises a double panel formed as a single unit between the frame members, the double panel being formed from separate overlayed single deformed sheets.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the panel comprises a double panel formed as a single unit employed between the frame members, the double panel being formed from a double skin made from a single deformed sheet.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners creating strength at the corners by the overlapping, the corners having holes for suitable fasteners.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners, the boxed corners serve as the attachment means to the upper and lower rails of the frame upon fasteners passing through the overlapping flanges.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed sides have framing attachment means comprising marginal sections of said panel displaced laterally out of the plane of said panel so the panel can be secured to opposite frame members of said framing, the opposed sides comprise flanges.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed ends are overlapping flanges forming boxed corners, the opposed sides comprise flanges so that the whole panel assembly is formed with an open box-like configuration.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the opposed sides are sandwiched or otherwise secured to the respective frame members before the frame members are installed.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein panel and opposite frame members are installed into framing as a modular unit secured in position between the other opposed frame members making up said rectangular frame.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the intermediate portion includes spaced diamond shaped strengthening deformations.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the intermediate portion includes spaced diamond shaped strengthening deformations, the strengthening deformations being spaced evenly along the panel.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the intermediate portion includes strengthening deformations being spaced evenly along the panel, at least some of said deformations including an aperture that serves as a handle.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the panel comprises a double sheet, the panel being generally dumbbell shaped in transverse section, with hollow side rails.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 20  including the additional step of bracing adjacent building frames using a preformed-bracing panel for each frame, each preformed bracing panel comprising a brace having a major portion of the brace made from a deformed sheet of material having deformations in at least two directions.  
     
     
         41 . The panel assembly according to  claim 1  comprising spaced panels having opposed rails and openings formed in at least one of the panels by cutting and folding the sheet material of the panel, the cut and folded sheet material being secured to the other panel.  
     
     
         42 . The panel assembly according to  claim 1  comprising spaced rails and the deformed sheet bridges between and is coupled to the rails.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the brace comprises spaced panels having opposed rails and openings formed in at least one of the panels by cutting and folding the sheet material of the panel, the cut and folded sheet material being secured to the other panel.  
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the brace comprises spaced rails and the deformed sheet bridges between and is coupled to the rails.  
     
     
         45 . A bracing panel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly is formed as a completed bracing unit able to be inserted into a building frame.  
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the brace is formed as a completed bracing unit able to be inserted into the building frame.