Abstract: A novel prefabricated shearwall is disclosed with improved structural characteristics in terms of its ability to 1) transfer lateral loads to the foundation, 2) resist bending moments normally arising in conventional shearwalls between hold-down hardware and end posts or vertical framing members, 3) effectively diffuse stresses known to result in nail fatigue, and 4) reduce slippage between the bottom of the end posts and base in response to cyclic loadings. These superior properties result partly from its geometry in lower, or shear force transfer region, accompanied by thrust block/anchor rod assemblies to provide stiffness and strength over the lower portion of the end posts. Furthermore, specialized wrap-around connector plates that cover a portion of the bottom surface of these end posts also contribute to the enhanced prefabricated shearwall design.

Abstract: A building construction connector has a horizontal seat portion, a pair of vertical side walls extending vertically upwardly from opposite sides of the seat portion, and forming a U-shaped recess therewith, an adhesive attachment on the seat portion, and a readily removable protective cover on the adhesive attachment.

Abstract: A connection between a beam and a joist by a sheet metal joist hanger employs a joist hanger comprising a pair of mutually spaced parallel side walls receiving the joist between them, a seat portion extending beneath the joist between lower ends of the side walls, a pair of co-planar rear flanges integral with the side walls and extending in opposite directions from the rear edges of the side walls at right angles to the side walls, a pair of top flanges integral with the rear flanges and projecting rearwardly from upper edges of the rear flanges, metal projections extending rearwardly from the rear flanges adjacent the first fastener openings and penetrating the beam, the metal projections being formed by punching metal from the rear flanges to form the fastener openings, with fasteners extending through the fastener openings into the beam.

Abstract: A take up device for a building structure, e.g. holdown for securing the building structure to a foundation, has a housing secured by fasteners to the building structure, the housing defining a cylindrical chamber containing a piston and fluid, with a piston rod projecting from the housing. The piston rod is connected to a foundation anchor, and a fluid passage interconnects portions of the cylindrical chamber at opposite sides of the piston. The fluid passage is provided with a one-way valve, which allows the housing to move upwardly relative to the piston, to maintain the tightness of the connection to the anchor bolt, but resists opposite movement of the housing.

Abstract: A novel prefabricated shearwall is disclosed with improved structural characteristics in terms of its ability to 1) transfer lateral loads to the foundation, 2) resist bending moments normally arising in conventional shearwalls between hold-down hardware and end posts or vertical framing members, 3) effectively diffuse stresses known to result in nail fatigue, and 4) reduce slippage between the bottom of the end posts and base in response to cyclic loadings. These superior properties result partly from its geometry in lower, or shear force transfer region, accompanied by thrust block/anchor rod assemblies to provide stiffness and strength over the lower portion of the end posts. Furthermore, specialized wrap-around connector plates that cover a portion of the bottom surface of these end posts also contribute to the enhanced prefabricated shearwall design.

Abstract: A building construction connector has a horizontal seat portion, a pair of vertical side walls extending vertically upwardly from opposite sides of the seat portion, and forming a U-shaped recess therewith, an adhesive attachment on the seat portion, and a readily removable protective cover on the adhesive attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing joists comprising a pair of load distribution members and a spanning member. The load distribution members are fastened to adjacent joists and connected together by the spanning member. The load distribution members each have a connector arm which contains a plurality of holes into which tabs on each end of the spanning member are sized to fit. The spanning member can thus connect the load distribution members over a range of distances providing a length adjustable joist bracing apparatus.

Abstract: A holdown has a back with at least one first fastener opening in the back, a pair of mutually spaced side walls extending from the back and a seat extending from the side walls, the seat having mutually spaced, elongate, flat seat surface portions extending along and adjacent the side walls at substantially right angles to the plane of the back. A second fastener opening is formed in the seat midway between the side walls and the back, the side walls and the seat are being formed in one piece of sheet metal. A sheet metal clamp member having mutually-spaced, parallel opposite, flat edges, convex and concave major surfaces between the edges and a second fastener opening extending through the clamp member midway between the edges; is dimensioned for edge-to-edge surface seeking abutment of the edges with respective ones of the seat surface portions.