CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.

An anchor includes a body having a first end and a second end; the body having a side wall between the first end and the second end; the body including an axial hole extending from the first end into the body, the axial hole for receiving an end portion of a rod; and the body including a first longitudinal cutout extending into the side wall to create a first opening into a first portion of the axial hole to expose an end portion of the rod to be inserted in the axial hole to be welded to the body.

A building wall includes a bottom plate and a top plate; a first stud and a second stud extending between the bottom plate and the top plate, the first stud and the second stud are spaced apart and next to each other; a tie rod including a first end portion operably anchored to a foundation and a second end operably attached to the building wall; a sheathing attached to the bottom plate, the top plate, the first stud and the second stud; a longitudinal member including a longitudinal hole, the tie rod extending through the hole; and the longitudinal member is operably attached to the sheathing.

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A holder for supporting a threaded rod for being embedded in concrete, comprising a central portion including a first opening for receiving an end portion of a threaded rod; a ring portion; arm portions connecting the central portion to the ring portion, the arm portions including respective base portions; leg portions attached to the ring portion; and the central portion extending above and below the base portions.

A hydraulic expandable connector for taking up a slack in a tie rod in a hold-down system includes an inner cylindrical body disposed within an outer cylindrical body; a first actuation spring operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to urge relative motion between the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body such that the connector expands axially to take up the slack; a first chamber and a second chamber disposed between an outer wall surface of the inner cylindrical body and an inner wall surface of the outer cylindrical body; a first passageway communicating between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a valve operably disposed in the first passageway in an open position when the connector expands and a closed position when the connector is subjected to an axial load.

An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.

A hydraulic expandable connector for taking up a slack in a tie rod in a hold-down system includes an inner cylindrical body disposed within an outer cylindrical body; a first actuation spring operably attached to the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body to urge relative motion between the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body such that the connector expands axially to take up the slack; a first chamber and a second chamber disposed between an outer wall surface of the inner cylindrical body and an inner wall surface of the outer cylindrical body; a first passageway communicating between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a valve operably disposed in the first passageway in an open position when the connector expands and a closed position when the connector is subjected to an axial load.

A holder for a rod to be embedded in concrete includes a head portion elevated from a base portion by a support portion; the head portion including an opening for receiving an end portion of a rod; and the base portion for being attached to a concrete form surface, the holder being made of plastic to protect from corrosion the end portion of the rod.