Abstract: An expandable washer for use with a fastener to maintain tension in the fastener after connection to a component comprises first and second disks. The first and second disks cooperatively define a channel having a dimension parallel to the expansion axis which decreases from a location remote from to a location closer to the expansion axis. The first and second disks are configured to pass the fastener through them and to the component. The fastener operatively engages the first disk for moving with the first disk and to place the fastener in tension when the fastener is connected to the component. The expandable washer further includes a cam located radially outward from the expansion axis and biased for movement toward the expansion axis to drive the first and second disks apart to maintain the application of force against the fastener.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A girder tie for connecting a building component to a rigid rod to resist uplift forces applied to the building component comprises a connector including a building component connector and a rigid rod connector coupled to the building component connector. The rigid rod connector attaches to the rigid rod. The building component connector includes first and second back flanges free of direct connection to one another. The first and second back flanges can each be attached to the building component. A washer is disposed between the rigid rod connector and a nut on the rigid rod that secures the rigid rod to the girder tie. The washer includes at least one back flange brace to inhibit the first and second back flanges from moving relative to one another when the building component experiences the uplift forces.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A girder tie for connecting a building component to a rigid rod to resist uplift forces applied to the building component comprises a connector including a building component connector and a rigid rod connector coupled to the building component connector. The rigid rod connector attaches to the rigid rod. The building component connector includes first and second back flanges free of direct connection to one another. The first and second back flanges can each be attached to the building component. A washer is disposed between the rigid rod connector and a nut on the rigid rod that secures the rigid rod to the girder tie. The washer includes at least one back flange brace to inhibit the first and second back flanges from moving relative to one another when the building component experiences the uplift forces.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A concealed connector for connecting a first structural component to a second structural component includes a connection portion and a connection plate. The connection portion attaches to the second structural component. The connection plate attaches to the first structural component. The connection plate is coupled to the connection portion and extends into a slot in the first structural component. The connection plate has a perforated region that is penetrated by at least one fastener to attach the connection plate to the first structural component. The perforated region is deformed by the at least one fastener to permit the at least one fastener to penetrate the perforated region of the connection plate.

Abstract: A concealed connector for connecting a first structural component to a second structural component includes a connection portion and a connection plate. The connection portion attaches to the second structural component. The connection plate attaches to the first structural component. The connection plate is coupled to the connection portion and extends into a slot in the first structural component. The connection plate has a perforated region that is penetrated by at least one fastener to attach the connection plate to the first structural component. The perforated region is deformed by the at least one fastener to permit the at least one fastener to penetrate the perforated region of the connection plate.

Abstract: A veneer tie for use in a wall to join an inner wall member and an outer wall member of the wall. The outer wall member is formed from a plurality of successive courses of masonry units with a mortar-filled bed joint between each two adjacent courses. The veneer tie includes an insertion portion configured for disposition in the bed joint and an attachment portion. The attachment portion includes an adjustment element and a securing element. The securing element defines a first opening that receives a fastener to secure the attachment portion to the inner wall member. The adjustment element is secured to the insertion portion and is movable relative to the securing element in order to move the insertion portion relative to the outer wall member to position the insertion portion in the bed joint.

Abstract: A concealed connector for connecting a first structural component to a second structural component includes a connection portion and a connection plate. The connection portion attaches to the second structural component. The connection plate attaches to the first structural component. The connection plate is coupled to the connection portion and extends into a slot in the first structural component. The connection plate has a perforated region that is penetrated by at least one fastener to attach the connection plate to the first structural component. The perforated region is deformed by the at least one fastener to permit the at least one fastener to penetrate the perforated region of the connection plate.

Abstract: An expandable washer for use with a fastener to maintain tension in the fastener after connection to a component comprises first and second disks. The first and second disks cooperatively define a channel having a dimension parallel to the expansion axis which decreases from a location remote from to a location closer to the expansion axis. The first and second disks are configured to pass the fastener through them and to the component. The fastener operatively engages the first disk for moving with the first disk and to place the fastener in tension when the fastener is connected to the component. The expandable washer further includes a cam located radially outward from the expansion axis and biased for movement toward the expansion axis to drive the first and second disks apart to maintain the application of force against the fastener.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A girder tie for connecting a building component to a rigid rod to resist uplift forces applied to the building component comprises a connector including a building component connector and a rigid rod connector coupled to the building component connector. The rigid rod connector attaches to the rigid rod. The building component connector includes first and second back flanges free of direct connection to one another. The first and second back flanges can each be attached to the building component. A washer is disposed between the rigid rod connector and a nut on the rigid rod that secures the rigid rod to the girder tie. The washer includes at least one back flange brace to inhibit the first and second back flanges from moving relative to one another when the building component experiences the uplift forces.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: A veneer tie for use in a wall to join an inner wall member and an outer wall member of the wall. The outer wall member is formed from a plurality of successive courses of masonry units with a mortar-filled bed joint between each two adjacent courses. The veneer tie includes an insertion portion configured for disposition in the bed joint and an attachment portion. The attachment portion includes an adjustment element and a securing element. The securing element defines a first opening that receives a fastener to secure the attachment portion to the inner wall member. The adjustment element is secured to the insertion portion and is movable relative to the securing element in order to move the insertion portion relative to the outer wall member to position the insertion portion in the bed joint.

Abstract: A screw with an asymmetrical thread for securing wooden members together is disclosed. The screw includes a shaft with a head at one end and a tip at the other end. A continuous asymmetrical thread extends along the shaft. The asymmetrical thread has a front surface facing the tip and a rear surface facing the head, the front and rear surfaces each having an angle relative to a plane normal to the shaft. The asymmetrical thread has a first section and a second section. The portion of asymmetrical thread in the first section has front and rear surfaces of first angles with respect to the plane normal to the shaft. The portion of asymmetrical thread in the second section has front and rear surfaces of second angles different than the first angles. The asymmetrical thread includes a transition portion between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural member to a structural support including a base sized and shaped for receiving the structural member thereon. First and second side panels extend upward from the base. First and second back panels each extend from a respective one of the side panels. First and second top flanges each extend from a respective one of the back panels. An opening in one of said first and second side panels and said first and second back panels is configured to receive a fastener to attach the hanger to one of the structural member and the structural support. A slot is adjacent the opening. An area between the opening and the slot defines a yieldable portion selected to deform at a load that is less than the shear load capacity of the fastener when received through the opening for connecting the hanger to one of the structural member and the structural support.