Abstract: A reinforced building wall comprises a foundation; an anchor rod extending from the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation, the first stud wall including a first bottom plate and a first top place; a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a second bottom plate and a second top plate; the first tie rod including first and second threaded end portions, the first end portion is operably connected to the anchor rod; a second tie rod including third and fourth threaded end portions, the third end portion is operably connected to the second end portion of the first tie rod; the second tie rod including an outer end portion operably attached to the second stud wall; an intermediate portion of the first tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the first tie rod; and an intermediate portion of the second tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the second tie rod.

Abstract: A slotted nut has a body with a top surface, a bottom surface and a central axis. The body includes a base portion with first and second corners diagonally disposed from each other, the base portion including a flat surface. First arm portion and second arm portion extend from the first and second corners, respectively. The first and second arm portions are each C-shaped with respective first and second half-circle threaded openings including respective first and second centers disposed on the central axis. The first and second half-circle threaded openings face inwardly toward the central axis. The bottom surface is ramped from a third corner on the bottom surface toward the first arm portion to define a gap between the bottom surface below the first arm portion and a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis when the third corner is on the bottom surface.

Abstract: An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.

Abstract: Reinforced building wall comprises a foundation; an anchor rod extending from the foundation; first stud wall disposed on the foundation and second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall; first tie rod including first and second threaded end portions, the first threaded end portion is operably connected to the anchor rod; second tie rod including third and fourth threaded end portions, the third threaded end portion is operably connected to the second threaded end portion of the first tie rod; the fourth threaded end portion operably attached to the second stud wall; an intermediate portion of the first tie rod is unthreaded, the intermediate portion extending through a first top plate of the first stud wall and a second bottom plate of the second stud wall and the second threaded end portion is not disposed within the first top plate and the second bottom plate.

Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.

Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.

Abstract: Computerized online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run comprising a tie rod in a frame wall structure from the foundation up through the walls to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall. The system comprises a user's computer for connecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; the server including a program operably associated with the database; and the program including the steps of i) allowing a user to login into the server; ii) allowing the user to select options for the run; iii) providing the user a data input and calculated data page for the load at each framing level and rod size sufficient to handle the load; and allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing of the run generated using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from the database.

Abstract: An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.

Abstract: An anchor holder for concrete decks comprises a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall and an opening for receiving an anchor. The body includes arms normally biased extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck. A support is attached to the body, the support to engage a top surface of the metal deck to apply an upward force on the body and keep the collapsible arms engaged against an underside of the metal deck when the body is attached to the metal deck.

Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.

Abstract: An anchor rod support comprises a support having a floor and legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs; and the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.

Abstract: A hold down system for a building wall comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member, the second rigid member being vertically spaced apart from the first rigid member, the first rigid member is supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the first and second rigid members including first and second openings, respectively; a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being anchored to an anchorage, the tie-rod extending transversely through the first and second openings, the tie-rod dividing the first and second rigid members into a first lateral section on one side of the tie-rod and a second lateral section on a diametrically opposite side of the tie-rod; first support and second support disposed between the first and second rigid members, the first support being disposed in the first lateral section, the second support being disposed in the second lateral section, the tie-rod extending through the first and second rigid members outside of the first support or the second support; and a nut threade

Abstract: An anchor holder for concrete decks comprises a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall and an opening for receiving an anchor. The body includes arms normally biased extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck. A support is attached to the body, the support to engage a top surface of the metal deck to apply an upward force on the body and keep the collapsible arms engaged against an underside of the metal deck when the body is attached to the metal deck.

Abstract: An anchor for supporting a load comprises an anchor rod having a lower threaded portion for being embedded in a concrete structure and an upper portion for extending outside the concrete structure; a metallic body attached to the lower portion, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface joined by a vertical side surface; and the side surface including at least one shoulder extending therefrom.

Abstract: A concrete anchor assembly includes a housing having a top opening; the housing including a bottom wall with a bottom opening; the bottom wall including a ramp surface extending upwardly and away from the bottom opening; a split nut disposed on the bottom wall and over the bottom opening; and a spring biased to force the split nut toward a bottom of the ramp surface.

Abstract: A checker nut for locking a threaded body to a threaded rod includes a main body portion having a bearing surface for engaging a threaded body; the main body portion including a central opening with an inside surface; and a single female thread disposed on the inside surface and extending therefrom, the female thread for cooperating with threads on a threaded rod.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching a structure to a concrete structure, comprises an anchor rod having a lower threaded portion for being embedded in a concrete structure and an upper portion for extending outside the concrete structure; an anchor body including a first threaded central opening for threadedly receiving one end portion of the lower threaded portion; and a support including a floor. The support includes a second central threaded opening through the floor portion for threadedly receiving another end portion of the lower portion.

Abstract: A fastener assembly comprises a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member. One of the first and second cylindrical members is movable relative to the other in a first direction. The other one of the first and second cylindrical members is locked relative to the one in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A spring is operably attached to the first and second cylindrical members to urge one of the first and second cylindrical members in the first direction. A removable member is operably associated with the first and second cylindrical members to prevent one of the first and second cylindrical members from moving in the first direction prior to removing the removable member. The removable member is configured to be pulled out to allow one of the first and second cylindrical members to move in the first direction.

Abstract: An anchor for supporting a load comprises an anchor rod having a lower threaded portion for being embedded in a concrete structure and an upper portion for extending outside the concrete structure; a metallic body attached to the lower portion, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface joined by a vertical side surface; and the side surface including at least one shoulder extending therefrom.

Abstract: A checker nut for locking a threaded body to a threaded rod comprises a main body portion having a top bearing surface for engaging a threaded body and radial projections extending from the main body portion. The main body portion includes a central opening with a female thread, the thread for cooperating with threads on a threaded rod. The projections extend beyond the outer periphery of a threaded body to be locked by the checker nut on a threaded rod, the projections providing leverage to a user to tighten the top bearing surface against the threaded body.