Adjustable vertical brace

A brace assembly for a vertical tall wall structure comprising:

• a vertical member having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section, the Z-shaped cross-section including a first flange portion separated from a second flange portion by a web portion, the first flange portion contacting the vertical wall structure, said vertical member defining a longitudinal axis having a plurality of keyed openings formed therein, said vertical member comprising a plurality of discrete vertical sections and an extension member securing said discrete vertical sections, wherein said extension member comprises a plurality of cleat members, wherein at least one of said plurality of cleat members is secured within a corresponding one of said plurality of keyed openings associated with each of said discrete vertical sections;
• a bracket having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, wherein said first lateral end is secured to said vertical member via at least two of said plurality of keyed openings and said second lateral end includes at least one second opening;
• and
• an adjustable length strut member having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said proximal end is secured to said second lateral end of said bracket member via said second opening and said distal end is pivotally coupled to a support substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal axis, wherein said at least two keyed openings of said vertical member have a key-shape defining a major axis parallel to said longitudinal axis of said vertical member, said keyed openings respectively comprising an upper section for receiving one of said cleat members and a lower section for slidably engaging said respective cleat member via an interference fit wherein the vertical member and bracket are reversibly joined without the use of a separate fastener wherein the bracket and vertical brace remain joined under a load.

A method of assembling a bracing structure for a building wall structure, the method comprising:

• attaching a vertical member to said building wall structure, wherein said vertical member has a substantially z-shaped cross-section including a first flange portion separated from a second flange portion by a web portion, the first flange portion contacting the vertical wall structure and said vertical member includes at least two keyed openings;
• reversibly securing a bracket to said vertical member via said at least two keyed openings said bracket including a first end including cleat members and a second end;
• and
• attaching an adjustable strut member to said bracket at said second end, wherein said at least two keyed openings of said vertical member have a key-shape defining a major axis parallel to said longitudinal axis of said vertical member, said keyed openings respectively comprising an upper section for receiving one of said cleat members and a lower section for slidably engaging said respective cleat member via an interference fit wherein the vertical member and bracket are reversibly joined without the use of a separate fastener wherein the bracket and vertical brace remain joined under a load.