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Retractable braceRetractable brace description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175174, Retractable brace. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/081,903 filed Mar. 15, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to braces used in construction. More specifically, the present invention relates to retractable braces. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to retractable braces used with structure forms. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005] When forming large concrete walls or other concrete structures, structure forms made from, for example, wood, steel, aluminum or any combination thereof, are used to create a barrier for which concrete is poured into to form the structure. The structure forms are used when forming the concrete structure (for example, a wall, a beam or a column) and are then stripped down and moved to another location where another concrete structure will be formed. The structure forms can be very large and heavy and thus require sturdy braces to hold them up. In many instances, large wooden braces are made to hold the wooden walls in place while the concrete is being poured. The wooden braces have weak points at cleats and turnbuckle attachments, making them undesirable. Additionally, the wooden braces are very heavy, are slow to adjust, and must be completely removed from the wooden wall forms every time the wooden wall form needs to be moved. Further, the wooden braces tend to get in the way of workers and can not be moved without completely removing them from the wooden wall form. In many cases the wooden braces are very large 4.times.6 pieces of wood. For example, the 4.times.6 wooden braces are laminated wood beams with a plywood cleat attachment at a top of the wood beam. The plywood cleat attachment has proven to be a weak point in supporting the structure form. Continually lifting, weather moving, installing or uninstalling the heavy and awkward wooden braces cut down on production and has been known to cause back and groin injures. Additionally, on many job sites there is little room for storage of the large wooden braces. Thus, the large wooden braces are continually in the way or continually being moved when not installed during a cement pour. The continual moving of the wooden braces is very labor intensive, tying up both men and forklifts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a retractable brace comprising a telescoping portion including a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube includes a plurality of adjustment holes; a first bracket coupled to a first end of the telescoping portion; and a second bracket coupled to a second end of the telescoping portion, the second bracket including a plurality pin holes that align with the plurality of attachment holes. [0007] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a retractable brace comprising a telescoping portion including a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube includes a plurality of adjustment holes; a footplate coupled to a first end of the telescoping portion; and a bracket coupled to a second end of the telescoping portion, the bracket comprising: an attachment member; a plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member, each of the plurality of wings having a length of about 6.25 inches from the end of each of the plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member to the opposite end of each of the plurality of wings; and at least two pin holes, in each of the plurality of wings, that align with the plurality of attachment holes such that the bracket is prevented from pivoting when two pins are placed through the at least two pin holes and through corresponding attachment holes. [0008] In a subsequent embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a retractable brace comprising a telescoping portion including a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube includes a plurality of adjustment holes; a footplate coupled to a first end of the telescoping portion; and a bracket coupled to a second end of the telescoping portion, the bracket comprising: an attachment member; a plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member, each of the plurality of wings having a length of about 4 inches from the end of each of the plurality of wings coupled to the attachment member to the opposite end of each of the plurality of wings; and at least two pin holes, in each of the plurality of wings, that align with the plurality of attachment holes such that the bracket is prevented from pivoting when two pins are placed through the at least two pin holes and through corresponding attachment holes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating a retractable brace in accordance with one embodiment; [0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the retractable brace of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment [0012] FIG. 3 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating a bracket of the retractable brace shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment; [0013] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating the bracket shown in FIG. 3 in an alternate pivot position in accordance with one embodiment; [0014] FIG. 5 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating the bracket shown in FIG. 3 secured with two pins in accordance with one embodiment; [0015] FIG. 6 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating a swivel adjustment of the retractable brace shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment; [0016] FIG. 7 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating an adjustment pin in accordance with one embodiment; [0017] FIG. 8 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating the retractable brace of FIG. 1 supporting a wall form in accordance with one embodiment; [0018] FIG. 9 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating the retractable brace of FIG. 1 attached to a wall form in accordance with another embodiment; [0019] FIG. 10 is a three dimensional diagram illustrating the retractable brace of FIG. 1 attached to a wall form in accordance with yet another embodiment; [0020] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of securing a retractable brace to a wall form in accordance with one embodiment; [0021] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of bracing a wall form for a concrete wall in accordance with one embodiment; Continue reading about Retractable brace... Full patent description for Retractable brace Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Retractable brace patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Retractable brace or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Board construction assembly for reducing sound transmission and method Next Patent Application: Apparatus and method of dispensing conductive material with active z-axis control Industry Class: Static structures (e.g., buildings) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Retractable brace patent info. 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