Method and apparatus to restrain objects

An apparatus to restrain movement of an object associated with a structure which is subject to severe physical shock including at least two elongated bolts;

• two brackets with each bracket having at least one aperture and at least one hole therein, which hole is oversized and enlarged with respect to the bolt;
• a strap-like member that passes around a portion of the object to be restrained;
• the strap-like member having a plurality of openings therein;
• each aperture has a transverse dimension with respect to its bracket that is greater than the width of the strap-like member;
• the strap-like member passes through the at least one aperture to engage its bracket and to hold the strap-like member within that aperture;
• and each bolt passes through one of the oversized holes in the brackets to thereby hold the brackets against the structure and restrain movement of the object relative to the structure, whereby said apparatus provides for a dampening of the movement of the object when the object is subjected to severe physical force.

An apparatus to restrain movement of an object associated with a structure which is subject to severe physical shock during a natural disaster including, in useful and cooperative relationship:

• at least two elongated bolts;
• at least two brackets, each bracket having at least one hole therein;
• each of said at least one hole is enlarged with respect to the size of the elongated bolts so that said bolts can pass through the holes in the brackets;
• a strap-like member having a plurality of openings therein and being in contact with a portion of the object to be restrained;
• and each of these at least two brackets being in engaging relationship with the strap-like member and with one of said plurality of openings to secure the strap to the two brackets and thereby restrain the movement of the object relative to the structure;
• and threaded bolt means to apply tension on the strap-like member and hold the strap-ike member against the object being restrained, whereby said apparatus provides for a dampening of the movement of the object when the object is subjected to severe physical force.

An apparatus to restrain movement of an object associated with a structure which is subject to severe physical shock including:

• at least two elongated bolts;
• a first bracket having at least one hole that is enlarged with respect to the size of said at least one bolt;
• a second bracket having at least one hole that is enlarged with respect to the size of said at least one bolt;
• a strap-like member having a plurality of openings therein, a first end and a second end;
• a plurality of fastener means for engaging the plurality of openings in the strap-like member;
• the first end of the strap-like member is secured to said first bracket;
• the second end of the strap-like member is secured to said second bracket;
• and each of said brackets is securely engaged by one of the bolts attaching directly to the structure and thereby holding the strap-like member against the object to be restrained, whereby said apparatus provides for a dampening of the movement of the object when the object subjected to severe physical force.

Apparatus to restrain movement of an object associated with a structure which is subject to severe physical shock including:

• a first bracket having at least one hole and a first elongated slot therein;
• said first elongated slot having a slot length and a slot width, where the slot length is greater than the slot width;
• a first bolt being of a size such that a portion of the first bolt passes through and is secured in said hole in the first bracket;
• said hole in the first bracket is enlarged with respect to the size of the bolt;
• a strap-like member having a first end, a second end, and a strap width, where the slot length is greater than the strap width;
• the first end of the strap-like member passes through the first elongated slot and is held against the first bracket;
• said first bolt securing the first bracket to the structure;
• at least one opening in the strap-like member located adjacent to one end of the strap-like member;
• and a fastener means that passes through said at least one opening in the strap-like member to secure the strap-like member thereby restrain movement of the object relative to the structure, whereby said apparatus provides for a dampening of the movement of the object when the object subjected to severe physical force.

A method of restraining an object located within a structure from violent movement occurring during a natural disaster comprising:

• a. providing at least two brackets, each bracket having at least one hole and at least one elongated slot therein,
• b. providing an elongated strap-like member having two ends, and
• c. providing at least two elongated bolts;
• d. securing each end of the strap-like member to one of the brackets;
• e. placing the strap-like member around a portion of the object to be restrained so that said object is in contiguous contact with the strap-like member located between said structure and said strap-like member;
• f. attaching each of said brackets to the structure by means of said bolts passing through said holes in the brackets and into the structure;
• g. securing the strap-like member against the object to be restrained so that said object is held in contact with the stra like member and said structure;
• h. providing for a dampening of the movement of the object by the bracket undergoing a slight, controlled movement relative to the structure when the structure is subjected to a severe physical shock;
• and
• i. providing for a dampening of the movement of the object by the strap-like member undergoing a second slight, controlled movement relative to the structure when the structure is subjected to a severe physical shock.

An apparatus to restrain movement of a water heater relative to the walls of a structure having walls, which structure is subject to severe physical shock from a natural disaster such as an earthquake, including:

• two brackets;
• each bracket having substantially the same shape and configuration;
• each bracket having at least one elongated slot and at least one hole therein;
• at least two elongated bolts which can be used to attach the brackets to a wall of the structure by having each bolt passing through a hole in a different one of the brackets and into the wall;
• a strap-like member having a width and two ends;
• each end of said strap-like member is secured to different one of the brackets after the strap-like member is passed through the at least one elongated slot in bracket and is then bent backwards against and around a portion of that bracket to engage and hold the strap-like member in contiguous contact with the at least one elongated slot;
• and each of said at least one elongated slot is longer than the width of the strap-like member, whereby said apparatus provides for a dampening of the movement of the object when the object is adapted to be subjected to severe physical force.