Non-Weld Joist Reinforcement System and Method

A joist reinforcement apparatus for a joist having a top chord, a bottom chord, and plurality of cross supports extending between the top chord and the bottom chord, the plurality of cross supports forming spaced panel points along the joist, each panel point located where two or more cross supports converge, the apparatus comprising:

• a panel point bracket assembly securable about one of the panel points of the joist;
• a load bracket assembly including a chord receptacle shaped to receive either the top chord or the bottom chord of the joist and a clamping element operable to retain the top chord or the bottom chord within the chord receptacle;
• and
• an adjustable coupling assembly having a first end pivotally connected to the panel point bracket assembly and a second end pivotally connected to the load bracket assembly.

A method of reinforcing a joist to support a supplemental load at a predetermined location on the joist, the joist having a top chord, a bottom chord, and a plurality of cross supports extending between the top chord and the bottom chord, the plurality of cross supports forming panel points along the joist, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) securing a panel point bracket assembly about one of the panel points on the joist;
• (b) pivotally connecting a first end of an adjustable coupling assembly to the panel point bracket assembly;
• (c) pivotally connecting a load bracket assembly to a second end of the adjustable coupling assembly;
• and
• (d) clamping the load bracket assembly to either the top chord or the bottom chord of the joist adjacent the predetermined location for the supplemental load.