# US 8,751,206 B1 · Online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,751,206 B1 - Document ID: US8751206B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/761,335 - Filed: 2013-02-07 - Granted: 2014-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-23 - Assignees: Earthbound Corporation - Applicants: Earthbound Corporation - Inventors: Thomas M. Espinosa; Edward Wayne Chin; Johan Lockhart Pingree - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8751206B1 ## CPC - G06F 30/13: Architectural design, e.g. computer-aided architectural design [CAAD] related to design of buildings, bridges, landscapes, production plants or roads - G06F 30/00: Computer-aided design [CAD] - H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) - E04B 2001/2684: {with metal connectors} - 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} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - 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 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 server; a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; a program operably associated with the server and the database with 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computerized online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run comprising a tie rod extending inside 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, said system comprising: a) a server; b) a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; c) a program operably associated with said server and said database; and d) said 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) allowing the user to input load at each framing level and displaying to the user a rod size sufficient to handle the load; and iv) 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1, wherein allowing the user to select options includes a settings page for selecting run levels, applicable building code, framing details, anchor details, compression lumber species, uplift loads or plate to plate distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein: a) said settings page includes an image of the run; and b) said image is dynamically updated as the user enters options for the run. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the run levels are single story, two story, three story, four story, five story, six story or seven story. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the building code includes UBC (Uniform Building Code) 97/CBC (California Building Code) 2000, IBC (International Building Code) 2003, IBC 2006 or IBC 2009. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the framing details include selections for light framing or platform framing, wood species or plate to plate distance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the anchorage details include selections for anchor type. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 7, wherein the selections for anchor type include post tension deck (PTD), slab on grade (SOG), slab drilled and epoxy studs inserted (Epoxy), coupler welded to beam (Steelbeam), or drilled and secured from the bottom of the woodbeam (Woodbeam) foundation walls. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the compression lumber grade includes selections for No. 1 or No. 2 grade. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the bridge level includes an option of requiring a holdown device under a bridge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the compression lumber species includes selections for Hem Fir, Doug Fir, Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) (or other wood species variants) or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the load includes uplift, tension, overturning loads or user specified uplift load at each level. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1, wherein the database includes a library of DXF (drawing exchange file) templates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1, wherein allowing the user to input load includes a data input and calculated data page showing calculated rod elongation at a framing level. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 14, wherein the rod elongation is calculated as follows: Rod elongation=P*L/A*E, where, E=29,000,000, A=Rod Area, in square inches, L=Length of Wall (plate to plate height), in inches (in), P=Rod Tension Force, in pounds, specified by the user as per level tension load. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1, wherein allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing includes providing the user a print and download page. ### Claim 17 A method for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run, comprising a tie rod extending inside a frame wall structure from the foundation through the wall up to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall, said method comprising the steps of: e) connecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; b) selecting options for the run; c) inputting load at each framing level and displaying rod size sufficient for carrying the load; and d) printing a shop or installation drawing of the run meeting the load, including a table of calculated values, or a schedule of components needed to build the run using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from the database. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, and further comprising the step of calculating rod elongation at least at one one framing level. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, and further comprising the step of calculating rod elongation as follows: Rod elongation=P*L/A*E, where, E=29,000,000, A=Rod Area, in square inches, L=Length of Wall (plate to plate height), in inches (in), P=Rod Tension Force, in pounds, specified by the user as per level tension load. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the step of selecting options includes displaying on the user's computer a settings page. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the step of inputting load includes displaying on the user's computer a data input and calculation page.