Hold down system with distributed loading for building walls

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 threaded to the tie-rod, the nut exerting pressure on the second rigid member to place the tie rod under tension loading, the tension loading is transferred by the second rigid member to the first and second supports to subject the first and second supports to compression loading, thereby causing the first rigid member to press on the horizontal member of the stud wall via the first and second lateral sections of the first rigid member, thus distributing the compression loading.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A hold down system for a building wall, comprising:
 a) a rigid member for being supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the rigid member including an opening;   b) an inner cylindrical body disposed inside an outer cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being threaded to the outer cylindrical body, a torsional spring disposed around the outer cylindrical body, the torsional spring being operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to cause rotation of the outer cylindrical body relative to the inner cylindrical body;   c) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending transversely through the opening and the inner cylindrical body, the inner cylindrical body being operably attached to the tie-rod, the outer cylindrical body bearing on the rigid member; and   d) first and second vertical studs with respective bottom ends bearing on the rigid member.   
     
     
         38 . The hold down system as in  claim 37 , wherein the rigid member is metal. 
     
     
         39 . A reinforced building wall, comprising:
 a) a first stud wall having a first top plate;   b) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;   c) a rigid member disposed on the second bottom plate;   d) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;   e) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member;   f) a first blocking and a second blocking disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.   
     
     
         40 . The reinforced building wall as in  claim 39 , wherein the first stud wall includes a first stud with a top end bearing on an underside of the first top plate below the first blocking. 
     
     
         41 . The reinforced building wall as in  claim 39 , wherein the second stud wall includes a second stud with a bottom end bearing on the rigid member. 
     
     
         42 . The reinforced building wall as in  claim 39 , wherein the fastener includes a nut attached to the tie-rod a spring between the nut and the rigid member. 
     
     
         43 . The reinforced building wall as in  claim 42 , wherein:
 a) the spring is associated with a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member;   b) one of the first and second cylindrical members being movable relative to another one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in a first direction; and   c) the spring is operably attached to the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member to urge the one of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member in the first direction.   
     
     
         44 . A reinforced building wall, comprising:
 a) a first stud wall having a first top plate;   b) a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall having a second bottom plate disposed on a subfloor;   c) a rigid member disposed on the first top plate;   d) a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being operably anchored to a foundation, the tie-rod extending through the first top plate, the second bottom plate, and the rigid member;   e) a fastener attached to the tie-rod and bearing on the rigid member.   
     
     
         45 . The reinforced building wall as in  claim 44 , wherein a first blocking and a second blocking are disposed between the first top plate and the subfloor, the tie-rod extending between first blocking and the second blocking.