Abstract: A shear panel assembly including a shear panel in combination with a shear panel hold-down. The shear panel includes a frame and a panel diaphragm including a peripheral edge. The frame includes an upper horizontal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of first and second upright frame members. A lower horizontal is connected at the lower ends of the first and second upright frame members. The peripheral edge of the panel diaphragm is secured to an inner periphery of the frame within the depth of the frame. The shear panel system includes a hold-down having a base and at least one upright frame member engagement tab pivotally connected to and extending from the base for attachment to an upright frame member.

Abstract: A protective end cap adapted to engage the distal end of a wood plank. The protective end cap may include a spine and tapered sides extending from either side of the spine. Alternatively or additionally, the protective end cap may have a generally concave curvature along a lengthwise axis of the elongate body. The protective end cap may include an internal surface formed to contiguously engage the external surface of the distal end of the wood planks. Furthermore, the protective end cap may have an internal diameter that gradually increases as the sides extend from the spine. A wood plank including a protective end cap and a method for protecting a wood plank from damage by securing an end cap to the wood plank are likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A shear panel assembly including a shear panel in combination with a shear panel hold-down. The shear panel includes a frame and a panel diaphragm including a peripheral edge. The frame includes an upper horizontal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of first and second upright frame members. A lower horizontal is connected at the lower ends of the first and second upright frame members. The peripheral edge of the panel diaphragm is secured to an inner periphery of the frame within the depth of the frame. The shear panel system includes a hold-down having a base and at least one upright frame member engagement tab pivotally connected to and extending from the base for attachment to an upright frame member.

Abstract: An improved open web structural support member having a trimmable solid web end subassembly. The solid web subassembly has an upper sub-chord having a groove in the bottom face thereof, a bottom sub-chord, having a groove in the upper face thereof, a solid web end member sized and configured to fit in the grooves provided in the upper and lower sub-chord members, the solid web end member being glued along the edges in those sub-chord members. The included angle formed between the inner edge of the solid web end member and the upper edge of the solid web end member equals an obtuse angle. The solid web end subassembly is positioned and secured between the upper and lower chord members.

Abstract: A wooden joist is described which includes a pair of flange members each having a tapered groove therein and a web member with two tapered outer edges that are glued into such grooves. The tapered outer edges are formed by cutting with a rotating cutter head to provide such edges of substantially uncompressed wood. Glue vent slots are provided at positions spaced along the length of such edges to allow glue to escape from the grooves by flowing through such vent slots. The vent slots are cut to a uniform depth into the sides of the tapered edges by feeding the web member between two pairs of cutting wheels each having raised cutter projections spaced along the surface of the wheel and extending at the same angle as the sides of the tapered edges. Preferably, the web member is made of oriented strand board, while the flange members may be made of laminated veneer lumber.