Closed wall hold downs

Abstract

A closed wall hold down system is provided including at least one closed wall panel, at least one first tie rod, at least one second tie rod, at least one coupler nut, and at least one ratcheting take-up device. The at least one closed wall panel includes a bottom plate and a top plate. The at least one first tie rod projects through the bottom plate. The at least one coupler nut is coupled to the at least one first tie rod and to a first end of the at least one second tie rod. A second end of the at least one second tie rod extends through the top plate. The at least one ratcheting take-up device engages the second end of the at least one second tie rod. A method of installing the closed wall hold down system is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closed wall hold down system comprising:
 at least one prefabricated closed wall panel including a bottom plate and a top plate, the at least one prefabricated closed wall panel includes drywall attached offsite;   at least one first tie rod configured to project through the bottom plate within the at least one closed wall panel;   at least one coupler nut configured to couple the at least one first tie rod and a first end of an at least one second tie rod, a second end of the at least one second tie rod configured to extend through the top plate; and   at least one ratcheting take-up device configured to engage with the second end of the at least one second tie rod.   
     
     
         2 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one closed wall panel further includes at least one second ratcheting take-up device coupled to a surface of the bottom plate. 
     
     
         3 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one closed wall panel further includes at least one drywall blockout where the at least one coupler nut couples to the at least one first tie rod. 
     
     
         4 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  further including a floor plate installed on the top plate. 
     
     
         5 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the floor plate, the top plate, and the bottom plate include a funnel and a pipe to serve as a guide. 
     
     
         6 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one coupler nut includes physical markings to determine a degree of rotation of the coupler nut. 
     
     
         7 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one coupler nut includes photo-emissive markings to determine a degree of rotation of the coupler nut. 
     
     
         8 . The closed wall hold down system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one coupler nut is welded to the at least one second tie rod. 
     
     
         9 . A closed wall hold down system comprising:
 at least one prefabricated closed wall;   a plurality of tie rods configured to project into the at least one prefabricated closed wall;   at least one coupler nut configured to couple the plurality of tie rods together; and   at least one ratcheting take-up device configured to engage with an end of a tie rod of the at least one tie rods;   wherein the plurality of tie rods, the at least one coupler nut, and the at least one ratcheting take-up device connect the at least one prefabricated closed wall.   
     
     
         10 . A closed wall hold down system comprising:
 a plurality of closed wall panels; and   a connection assembly including at a plurality of tie rods, a plurality of coupler nuts, and a plurality of ratcheting take-up devices configured to connect the plurality of closed wall panels.