Patent Application
20250188758
The present invention generally relates to the field of portable crossover devices for installation of concrete masonry units. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel telescopic plank and bracing system for facilitating the installation of concrete masonry units (CMUs) over various openings. The system includes an adjustable metal bridge with at least one vertical brace which locks the metal bridge into place, thereby preventing the metal bridge from being knocked loose accidentally. A pair of welded clips are included for abutting and securing the jamb ends of the opening. The system helps in creating a stronger and safer means to cross over a masonry opening during construction. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, masonry generally involves the building of structures from individual units of materials such as brick, stone, or concrete block, bound together by mortar. Concrete masonry units (CMUs) or blocks are essential building materials in masonry work. CMUs provide a strong and stable base for buildings, offer good load-bearing capacity, and are commonly used for constructing the external and internal walls of buildings. When constructing openings such as doorways or windows within a masonry wall, the structural integrity of the opening is a critical consideration and is required to be maintained. The area above the opening, commonly known as the lintel, is required to support the weight of the blocks or other materials laid across the opening.
Commonly, masonry operators use unstable bridges or temporary support devices to support and bridge an opening such as a doorway opening. Conventional supporting devices do not distribute the weight of the blocks above the opening, leading to pressure points where cracks can initiate. The blocks laid over the opening can also crack, sag, or even collapse, leading to structural deficiencies. Over time, the cracks may worsen, compromising the structural integrity of the wall and necessitating costly repairs. Also, operators have to carry and use different devices for supporting openings of different sizes which is not only time consuming but also expensive and difficult for storage. Individuals desire a more stable device to properly bridge an opening in a masonry project.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved supporting device for creating a bridge to support installation of concrete masonry units (CMUs). There is also a long felt need in the art for a bracing system to create a stronger and safer means to crossing over a masonry opening during construction. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel masonry device that streamlines and simplifies the installation of CMUs over a window or doorway opening. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel crossover device that can be adjusted in height to support different masonry openings. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a multipurpose telescopic plank and bracing system that supports CMUs and provides strong structural integrity in masonry projects. Also, there is a long felt need in the art for a crossover device that includes an adjustable bridge to accommodate openings of different widths. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a specially designed masonry accessory for creating stronger and safer crossing over a masonry opening during construction and preventing wastage of masonry materials.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a masonry opening crossover telescopic plank and bracing system. The system comprises a telescoping metal bridge adapted to extend horizontally across a door or window opening, a first end of the metal bridge has a first welded clip and the second end of the metal bridge has a second welded clip, each welded clip is adapted to fix to and abut with a corresponding jamb of the opening. A brace system is included which has a pair of vertical tube braces for providing lateral support to the metal bridge, each vertical tube brace has telescoping upper and lower components for length adjustment to suit different construction scenarios, and a base plate is fastened to the bottom of each brace to secure the system on a supporting surface, ensuring stability and resistance against lateral movement. A screw sleeve is included in each brace for securing the brace system to the bottom of a plank accommodating the metal bridge for providing support to the installation of CMUs over an opening.
In this manner, the masonry opening crossover device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a plank and bracing device that has a bridge designed to span across an opening and a vertical brace system to place the bridge securely. The bridge is telescoping and can accommodate different openings. Further, the height of the braces is adjustable reducing the need for multiple tools and making the device suitable for any construction project. The device streamlines the installation process of CMUs which saves time and labor, as the device can be quickly adjusted and secured in place, enabling for faster completion of the CMU installation. The secure fit and stability of the device help minimize the risk of damaging the CMU during installation, leading to fewer wasted materials and cost savings. The device is securely locked and anchored which reduces the risk of the device being knocked loose accidentally, thus creating a safer work environment.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a telescopic plank and bracing system designed for facilitating the installation of concrete masonry units (CMUs) over openings. The system further comprises a telescoping metal bridge adapted to extend horizontally across a door or window opening, a first end of the metal bridge has a first welded clip and the second end of the metal bridge has a second welded clip, each welded clip is adapted to abut with a corresponding jamb of the opening. A brace system is included which has a pair of vertical tube braces for providing lateral support to the metal bridge, each vertical tube brace has telescoping upper and lower components for length adjustment to suit different construction scenarios, and a base plate is fastened to the bottom of each brace to secure the system on a supporting surface, ensuring stability and resistance against lateral movement.
In another aspect, a construction support system is disclosed. The system includes a telescoping metal bridge adapted to support head jamb of an opening, the metal bridge is configured for extending and retracting size to different sizes of an opening, a welded clip adapted to abut with a jamb of the opening is disposed on opposite (i.e., opposing) ends of the metal bridge, a brace system including first and second vertical tube braces, the first vertical tube brace includes a first lower vertical brace component and a first upper vertical brace component with positioning holes for length adjustment and a first screw sleeve attached to the top end of the first upper vertical brace component, the first screw sleeve includes a rectangular plate at the top end thereof for securing to the metal bridge. The second vertical tube brace includes a second lower vertical brace component and a second upper vertical brace component with positioning holes for length adjustment and a second screw sleeve attached to the top end of the second upper vertical brace component, the second screw sleeve includes a rectangular plate at the top end thereof for securing to the metal bridge.
In yet another embodiment, each vertical tube brace includes a screw sleeve with a top end and a bottom end, the top end features a rectangular plate adapted to secure to the metal bridge, and the bottom end is designed to insert into the upper vertical brace component and secured by a mechanical pin. The metal bridge has a series of brace cut-outs located along the bottom surface of the metal bridge, each cut-out is adapted to receive and accommodate a corresponding rectangular plate from the screw sleeves, ensuring a stable support and preventing lateral displacement of the vertical tube braces, thereby enhancing the stability and effectiveness in bridging openings for CMU installation.
In another embodiment, the brace system comprises first and second vertical tube braces, each vertical tube brace consisting of interconnected lower and upper vertical brace components with adjustable lengths via positioning holes, and a screw sleeve with a mechanical pin for precise height adjustment, thereby offering a customizable and robust support structure capable of accommodating different opening sizes and providing vertical stability to the telescopic metal bridge.
In yet another embodiment, a telescopic plank and bracing system is disclosed. The system includes a telescoping metal bridge for supporting head jamb of an opening, welded clips are disposed at opposite ends of the telescoping metal bridge, each welded clip is adapted for insertion into a block opening jamb, at least one vertical tube brace secured to a floor using a base plate, the vertical tube brace is telescoping and includes telescoping components along with a screw sleeve, and the vertical tube brace is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the metal bridge for supporting the metal bridge.
In a further embodiment, the telescoping metal bridge is adaptable to span horizontally across door or window openings and adjustable in length to accommodate different opening sizes from 2 to 14 feet wide.
In one embodiment, each base plate has a plurality of apertures for receiving anchoring bolts to securely anchor the system to a variety of surfaces, preventing lateral movement and providing a stable support foundation for vertical tube braces and the telescopic metal bridge.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved supporting device for creating a bridge to support installation of concrete masonry units (CMUs). There is also a long felt need in the art for a bracing system to create a stronger and safer means to crossing over a masonry opening during construction. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel masonry device that streamlines and simplifies the installation of CMUs over a window or doorway opening. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel crossover device that can be adjusted in height to support different masonry openings. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a multipurpose telescopic plank and bracing system that supports CMUs and provides strong structural integrity in masonry projects. Also, there is a long felt need in the art for a crossover device that includes an adjustable bridge to accommodate openings of different widths. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a specially designed masonry accessory for creating stronger and safer crossing over a masonry opening during construction and preventing wastage of masonry materials.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a telescopic plank and bracing system. The system includes a telescoping metal bridge for supporting a head jamb of an opening, welded clips are disposed at opposite ends of the telescoping metal bridge, each welded clip is adapted for insertion into a block opening jamb, at least one vertical tube brace secured to a floor using a base plate, the vertical tube brace is telescoping and includes telescoping components along with a screw sleeve, and the vertical tube brace is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the metal bridge for supporting the metal bridge.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The metal bridge 102 is elongated and has a first end 104 and an opposite (i.e., opposing) second end 106. The first end 104 includes a first welded clip 108 adapted to rest on the jambs of a block opening. Similarly, the opposite second end 106 has a second welded clip 110 which is also adapted to rest on the jambs of the block opening. The welded clips 108, 110 help to accommodate the metal bridge 102 in large openings for double hung windows.
The plank and bracing system 100 includes a brace system 112 that has a first vertical tube brace 114 and a second vertical tube brace 116. The brace system 112 provides support to the laterally placed metal bridge 102 on top of the brace system 112. The first vertical tube brace 114 includes a first lower vertical brace component 118 and a first upper vertical brace component 120. The first lower vertical brace component 118 has a plurality of positioning holes 122 and the first upper vertical brace component 120 has a corresponding plurality of positioning holes 124. The components 118, 120 engage with each other (i.e., receive an anchor pin 125, 153 through aligned holes) to adjust a length of the first vertical tube brace 114.
A first screw sleeve 126 having a top end 128 and a bottom end 130 is secured to the top end 132 of the first upper vertical brace component 120. The top end 128 of the first screw sleeve 126 has a first rectangular plate 132 that is adapted to secure to the plank 103 as described later in the disclosure. The length of the brace system 112 and the height of the system 100 can be adjusted by threadingly adjusting the length of the first screw sleeve 126 using the adjusting screw/pin 134. The mechanical pin 136 can be used for a snug fit of the first screw sleeve 126 and the first upper vertical brace component 120. The bottom end 130 of the first screw sleeve 126 is inserted into the first upper vertical brace component 120 and is secured by the mechanical pin 136.
The bottom end 138 of the first lower vertical brace component 118 is fastened to a vertical pole member 140 of a base plate 142. A sliding pin 143 is used for fastening the first lower vertical brace component 118 and the vertical pole member 140. The base plate 142 helps in vertical orientation of the first vertical tube brace 114.
The second vertical tube brace 116 includes a second lower vertical brace component 144 and a second upper vertical brace component 146. The second lower vertical brace component 144 has a plurality of positioning holes 148 and the second upper vertical brace component 146 has a corresponding plurality of positioning holes 152. The components 144, 146 engage with each other (i.e., receive an anchor pin 125, 153 through aligned holes) to adjust a length of the second vertical tube brace 116.
A second screw sleeve 154 having a top end 156 and a bottom end 158 is secured to the top end 150 of the second upper vertical brace component 146. The top end 156 of the second screw sleeve 154 has a second rectangular plate 160 that is adapted to secure to the plank 103 as described later in the disclosure. The length of the brace system 112 and the height of the system 100 can be adjusted by threadingly adjusting the length of the second screw sleeve 154 using the adjusting screw/pin 162. The mechanical pin 164 can be used for a snug fit of the second screw sleeve 154 and the second upper vertical brace component 146. The bottom end 158 of the second screw sleeve 154 is inserted into the second upper vertical brace component 146 and is secured by the mechanical pin 164.
The bottom end 168 of the second lower vertical brace component 144 is fastened to a vertical pole member 170 of a corresponding base plate 172. A sliding pin 174 is used for fastening the second lower vertical brace component 144 and the vertical pole member 170. The base plate 172 helps in vertical orientation of the first vertical tube brace 114.
Referring to
The cut-outs 188 prevent the lateral displacement of the vertical tube braces 114, 116 along the metal bridge 102 and the plank 103. The vertical tube brace 114 remains vertical between the corresponding base plate 142 and the corresponding cut-out 188. The vertical tube brace 116 remains vertical between the corresponding base plate 172 and the corresponding cut-out 188.
The welded clips 108, 110 can be extended or retracted without removing or displacing the brace system 112 from the metal bridge 102, thereby enabling a user to easily accommodate and support different openings for installation of CMUs.
Similarly, the welded clip 110 includes a corresponding horizontal member 199 which is adapted to insert into the corresponding jamb opening 200 of the opening and vertical member 202 abuts the opposite jamb 204. The welded clip 110 is welded to the metal bridge 102 for secure movement of the welded clip 110. The metal bridge 102 supports the head jamb 206 of the opening for providing a stable support.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “telescopic plank and bracing system”, “plank and bracing system”, “crossover device”, “crossover system”, and “system” are interchangeable and refer to the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the telescopic plank and bracing system 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/607,704, which was filed on Dec. 8, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63607704 | Dec 2023 | US |
