Shrinkage compensator for building tiedowns
OwnerAlfred Comminsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic, self-energized, length extending, take-up unit for general use in wall hold down systems. The take-up unit is generally installed as a separate element, independent of threaded retaining elements of a hold down system. One embodiment includes an internal, preloaded, coil spring to rotate a threaded sliding member relative to a threaded base member, thereby to extend a height of the take-up unit. A trigger mechanism may be included to prevent unintended actuation of the unit. Additionally, a safety mechanism may be included to prevent inadvertent separation of a base member and a sliding member, thereby to prevent loss of a preload in an energizing spring.
Claims28
An apparatus, expandable axially along an anchor between a surface and a retainer fastened to the anchor, the take-up unit comprising:
- a base, threaded for engaging a slide;
- the slide, threadedly engaging the base to provide relative linear translation during multiple revolutions of relative rotation with respect to the base;
- the base and slide configured to be axially independent from the anchor;
- and
- a bias element for urging the relative rotation.
An apparatus provided with an aperture for slidingly receiving an anchor of a hold-down system, the apparatus interposed to maintain in compression between a surface and a retainer secured to the anchor, for automatically increasing in height to take up slack between the surface and the retainer, the apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a slide;
- the base and slide being cooperatively structured for relative sliding motion therebetween to effect a change in height of the apparatus;
- the base and slide further comprising mutually engageable threaded portions to retain contact surfaces thereof in close sliding relation;
- a bias element, said bias element interposed between the base and slide and preloaded to urge the base and slide toward relative positions corresponding to an increased height of the apparatus;
- and
- a trigger configured to fix the base with respect to the slide for installation, and operable to release the base and slide for automatically increasing the height of the apparatus.
A take-up unit provided with a hole therethrough configured to receive an anchor bolt of a hold down system, said unit further configured to automatically increase in height, the take-up unit comprising:
- a base member;
- a sliding member, said base and sliding members being cooperatively structured so that relative sliding motion therebetween changes the height of the take-up unit;
- a bias element interposed between the base and sliding members and loaded to urge said members toward a position of increased unit height;
- and
- a trigger mechanism for maintaining the take-up unit in an installation configuration corresponding to a first height, and operable to release the take-up unit for automatically increasing the height thereof to a second height at a time remote from an installation time;
- and the sliding member further comprising:
- a right-hand threaded hole for engagement with the anchor bolt,
- a surface against which to receive a jam nut in engagement with the anchor bolt, and
- a left-handed threaded engagement with the base member.
A method for installing a take-up unit in a wall hold down system, the method comprising:
- providing a take-up unit comprising a trigger to activate an automatic height adjustment thereof, and an axial restraint to resist unintended separation between a base member and a sliding member after the trigger has been released;
- placing a first said take-up unit in position around an anchor bolt such that a surface of said base member rests upon a surface to be restrained;
- installing a retaining nut on said anchor bolt proximate said take-up unit;
- and
- releasing said trigger mechanism to activate an automatic height adjustment in said unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.