# US 10,480,178 B2 · Reinforced building wall > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,178 B2 - Document ID: US10480178B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/843,992 - Filed: 2017-12-15 - Published: 2018-07-19 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-23 - Assignees: Cetres Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Cetres Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Thomas M Espinosa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480178B2 ## CPC - E04B 1/4157: {Longitudinally-externally threaded elements extending from the concrete or masonry, e.g. anchoring bolt with embedded head} - E04B 1/26: the supporting parts consisting of wood - E04B 2/56: {Load-bearing} walls of framework or pillarwork; Walls incorporating load-bearing elongated members (E04B2/74, E04B2/88 take precedence; pillars E04C3/30) - E04B 2001/268: {Connection to foundations} - E04B 2001/2684: {with metal connectors} - E04B 2001/2688: {self adjusting, e.g. for compensation of shrinkage} - E04B 2001/2692: {End to end connections of elongated members along their common longitudinal axis} - E04B 2001/3583: {using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reinforced building wall, comprising: a) a first stud wall including a bottom plate and a top plate; b) a first threaded rod extending through the bottom plate, the first threaded rod having a first end operably anchored to a foundation and a second end; c) a first tie rod having a first end with a first threaded bore and a second end with a second threaded bore, the first tie rod being one piece including a solid first portion extending between the first threaded bore and the second threaded bore, the solid first portion having a length longer than a length of the first threaded bore or the second threaded bore, the solid first portion having a cross-sectional size equal to a cross-sectional size of the first end and the second end, the first threaded bore is threaded to the second end of the first threaded rod; d) a second tie rod having a third end with a third threaded bore and fourth end with a fourth threaded bore, the second tie rod being one piece including a solid second portion extending between the third threaded bore and the fourth threaded bore, the solid second portion having a length longer than a length of the third threaded bore or the fourth threaded bore, the solid second portion having a cross-sectional size equal to a cross-sectional size of the third end and fourth end; e) a second threaded rod threaded to the second threaded bore and the third threaded bore to attach the first tie rod to the second tie rod; and f) a third threaded rod threaded to the fourth threaded bore, the third threaded rod extending through the top plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein inspection openings are associated with one of the first, second, third and fourth threaded bores. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein one of the first, second, third and fourth threaded bores are multi-diameter bores. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein an intermediate portion of the first and second tie rods has a larger diameter than the diameter of the first, second, third and fourth bores. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein the first and second threaded bores together constitute about 25% or less of the length of the first tie rod. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein the third and fourth threaded bores together constitute about 25% or less of the length of the second tie rod. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein the first and second tie rods are hexagonal, circular or square in cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein the third threaded rod is operably attached to the top plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, and further comprising: a) a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall; and b) the third threaded rod is operably attached to the second stud wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A reinforced building wall as in claim 8, and further comprising: a) a bearing plate disposed on the top plate; b) the third threaded rod extends through the bearing plate; and c) the third threaded rod is attached to the bearing plate with a nut. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A reinforced building wall as in claim 9, and further comprising: a) a bearing plate disposed on a top plate of the second stud wall; b) the third threaded rod extends through the top plate of the second stud wall and the bearing plate; and c) the third threaded rod is attached to the bearing plate with a nut. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A reinforced building wall as in claim 9, and further comprising: a) a cross member operably attached to the second stud wall; b) a bearing plate disposed on the cross member; c) the third threaded rod extends through the cross member and the bearing plate; and d) the third threaded rod is attached to the bearing plate with a nut. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A reinforced building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the third threaded rod includes a distal threaded end portion and an unthreaded intermediate portion; and b) the distal threaded end portion is not disposed with the top plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A reinforced building wall as in claim 12, wherein: a) the third threaded rod includes a distal threaded end portion and an unthreaded intermediate portion; and b) the distal threaded end portion is not disposed with the cross member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A reinforced building wall as in claim 9, and further comprising: a) a bearing plate disposed on a bottom plate of the second stud wall; b) the third threaded rod extends through the bottom plate of the second stud wall and the bearing plate; and c) the third threaded rod is attached to the bearing plate with a nut. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A reinforced building wall as in claim 15, wherein: a) the third threaded rod includes a distal threaded end portion and an unthreaded intermediate portion; and b) the distal threaded end portion is not disposed with the top plate of the first stud wall and the bottom plate of the second stud wall.