Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.

Abstract: One or more closed perimeter openings are formed in the compression area of a flange of a member that is to be bent transversely to the flange. The member is bent along a transverse bend line, and the flanges are bent inwardly on themselves. The bending of the member along the transverse bend line is done with a great force, and because portions of the side flanges are supported on their distal and proximal side, the material of the side flanges in the compression area plasticizes and flows into the closed perimeter opening, causing them to deform. Because the closed perimeter opening or openings are present, the side flanges are compressed in a more controlled manner, reducing cracking, wrinkling and thinning during the bending of the member along the transverse bend line.

Abstract: One or more closed perimeter openings are formed in the compression area of a flange of a member that is to be bent transversely to the flange. The member is bent along a transverse bend line, and the flanges are bent inwardly on themselves. The bending of the member along the transverse bend line is done with a great force, and because portions of the side flanges are supported on their distal and proximal side, the material of the side flanges in the compression area plasticizes and flows into the closed perimeter opening, causing them to deform. Because the closed perimeter opening or openings are present, the side flanges are compressed in a more controlled manner, reducing cracking, wrinkling and thinning during the bending of the member along the transverse bend line.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a held member to a holding member the hanger having a connection member for holding the held member, a back member which connects to the holding member and a unique connection flange which is used to strengthen the connection to the holding member. The connection flange can either wrap around or under the holding member, and in the preferred embodiment it wraps around the holding member to the side opposite the back member of the hanger. This allows each of the fasteners that connect the hanger to the holding member to be received by the hanger at two points, which better distributes the load throughout the holding member.

Abstract: A connector having a concave seat member for connecting a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysms.A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a concave seat member, formed with an opening for receiving an anchor member therethrough to attach the connector to a second building structural member such as a foundation, a first side member connected to the concave seat member, a second side member connected to the concave seat member, and a back member connected to the first and second side members. The back member attaches with fasteners to a first building structural member such as a stud in a framed shear wall. The back member can consist of two back plates each integrally connected to a side member.

Abstract: A wood screw for holding a wood structural member to another member such as a sheet metal member a heavy metal member or another wood member wherein the screw includes a shank having a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion. A knurled means is provided on the shank between the threaded and the unthreaded portion for forming an annular zone of mashed and severed, as well as unsevered, wood fibers for preventing wood splitting and laterally holding the screw to the wood structural member in a tight fit.

Abstract: A rigid intersection connection, wherein an elongated longitudinal member, a first elongated lateral member, and a second elongated lateral member are joined by a one-piece rigid tie. The one-piece rigid tie joins the first and second elongated lateral members to the elongated longitudinal member with first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth fasteners. The one-piece rigid tie has a central web member to which three gussets attach. Each gusset in turn connects to two attachment tabs. The attachment tabs are disposed against the elongated members and are connected thereto by fasteners.

Abstract: A method for anchoring a specialized structural member having an internal cavity to a foundation to resist uplift forces imposed on the structural member. Structural members having interior cavities with external openings are anchored to foundations by way of an anchor member embedded in the foundation and received and enveloped by the internal cavity. The anchor member is connected to the structural member by a plurality of fasteners. The anchor member is formed to provide multiple point-to-point contact with the structural member.

Abstract: A connector having a concave seat member for connecting a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a concave seat member, formed with an opening for receiving an anchor member therethrough to attach the connector to a second building structural member such as a foundation, a first side member connected to the concave seat member, a second side member connected to the concave seat member, and a back member connected to the first and second side members. The back member attaches with fasteners to a first building structural member such as stud in a framed shear wall.

Abstract: A connector for securing a structural member to a concrete foundation. The connector is embedded in a concrete foundation and fasteners attach the connector to the structural member to be anchored. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a foot section having a proximal portion, a distal portion, substantially planar lateral side portions and curled lateral side edges, the curled side edges being curled away from the planar lateral side portions along a substantial portion of the length of the foot section to aid the flow of uncured concrete around the foot section of the connector.

Abstract: A shelf bracket composed of a generally L-shaped bracket member and a strut member connected to distal ends of the bracket member. The bracket member comprises a perimeter flange extending angularly from substantially the entire perimeter of the bracket member and extending as an unbroken continuous structural element at the distal ends of the bracket member. The strut member comprises a projection at one end that engages a socket formed in one of the distal ends of the bracket member. The strut member comprises another end frictionally engaging an inside surface portion of the perimeter flange at the other distal end of the bracket. A fastener increases the strength of the connection of the strut and bracket member and is located at the distal end of the bracket member that frictionally engages the strut member. The bracket member further includes a projection spaced from the socket for releasably engaging the strut member for inhibiting withdrawal of the strut member from the socket.

Abstract: A one piece foundation-to-frame member connection for retrofit attachment of a wood building frame member such as a sill plate to a foundation. The connection is particularly useful where the mudsill plate was not initially anchored to the foundation by threaded anchor bolts or other metal connectors or the original anchoring installation was insufficient to give the necessary anchorage to resist uplift of the frame from the foundation by earthquake, high winds, floods or tidal activity. A uniquely S-shaped configured connector having roughly the shape of the front panel of a horse drawn sleigh is preferably attached to the sill plate by lag screws and to the foundation with threaded bolts inserted into epoxy filled drilled holes. All attachments are from the inside of the foundation at a generally horizontal or at a slight angle where the inside face of the foundation is slanted.

Abstract: A connection in wood frame construction such as in frame walls of homes, wood framed apartment buildings and light wood framed commercial buildings. Specifically, the disclosure describes a pair of connectors for joining wood studs to a wood single base plate and to a wood double top plate for framing a wall. The two connectors used in the connection are identical and include a stud member for connection to the edge face of the stud, a plate member for connection to the edge face of the respective plates and a transition member connected at one end to the stud member and the other end is connected to the plate member. A pair of tabs connected to opposite side edges of the transition member engage the sides of the stud and a pair of prong locators serve the dual purpose of locating the connector at the lower end of the stud in relation to the base plate and for temporary and permanent attachment of the connector attached to the upper end of the stud to the top plate.

Abstract: A reusable coupler for accurately setting a threaded anchor in a concrete foundation to be poured having an attachment member for releasable attachment to a supporting structure and a tongue member that is formed with means for releasably gripping the threaded portion of the anchor. The releasable mechanical grip of the reusable coupler on the anchor is strong enough to insure that the orientation and the placement of the anchor will be maintained when the lower portion of the anchor is subjected to laterel forces during the concrete pour. The reusable coupler utilizes a one-piece design, wherein the mechanical gripping means works independantly from the attachment member. The reusable coupler can attach to a single form member for a concrete structure.

Abstract: An adjustable support system for joining structural members which includes a sheet metal base member formed with a drawn and threaded opening for threadably receiving an elongated support member threaded at one end for threadably engaging the threaded opening in the sheet metal base member. In one form of the invention both support members have openings for the receipt of the elongated support member. In another form of the invention, only one of the support members has an opening and adjustment is accomplished by providing another threaded portion on the support member which then threadably engages an adjustment nut.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation-to-frame member connection including a foundation, a frame member and an adjustable foundation plate connector attached to the foundation and frame member by a frame fastener member and foundation fastener member. The adjustable foundation-to-frame member connection being easily formed and adaptable to a wide variety of installation dimensions, including those where the frame member overhangs the side face of the foundation and is not in alignment with the side face of the foundation. The foundation plate connector includes a foundation attachment member, having foundation attachment openings, guide members, and an elongated openings, releasably connected to a frame attachment member, having frame member attachment openings and a staircase openings, by a held-holding fastener and a holding member attached thereto.

Abstract: A positive fastener-angling device for positioning an elongated fastener with respect to the face of a sheet metal connector and a wood member only at a preselected angle which is substantially less than 90.degree. by forming a slit-cut in the sheet metal connector by means of a die which progressively at the same station, forms a fastener guideway in the shape of a half cone. The fastener opening and the guideway are dimensioned so that the fastener can only penetrate the sheet metal connector at a preselected angle set at the factory.

Abstract: A holdown strap connection including a sheet metal holdown strap connector for joining a generally vertical frame member such as a post or stud to a concrete foundation made from one piece of sheet metal that installs easily to otherwise identical left and right corner vertical frame members with the same load values for resistance to uplift forces. The one-piece, in-line sheet metal holdown strap connector includes a foot section embedded in the concrete, a transition section connected to the foot section and an elongated strap section integrally connected to the transition section that extends in registration with the side face of a vertical frame member and attaches thereto.

Abstract: A structural connection wherein two structural members are joined at an angle of less than 180 degrees by a sheet metal connector, formed with an integral gusset at the longitudinal line of juncture, that is attached with a plurality of fasteners. The gusset reinforces the connection against forces acting perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture and the plurality of fasteners reinforce the connection against angular displacement of the structural members perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture.