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.

In several embodiments, the disclosed process may include installing one or more householder devices onto load-bearing structures of a building, installing one or more perimeter beams onto the one or more householders, installing a new exterior assembly onto the one or more perimeter beams, removing an existing roof, and constructing an additional level on the building. In at least one embodiment, installing the one or more householders onto the load-bearing structure may include cutting a hole in the existing roof above the load-bearing structure, attaching the householder onto the load-bearing structure, and sealing the hole around the householder. In some embodiments, the new exterior assembly may be partially or fully constructed on site and may be installed onto the one or more perimeter beams. In some embodiments, once the new exterior assembly is installed, the old roof may be removed from underneath the new exterior assembly.

A reinforced building wall includes a foundation and an anchor rod anchored to the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation; the first stud wall having a first bottom plate, a first top plate and first and second vertical studs operably joined to the first bottom plate and the first top plate; a horizontal first bridge member disposed between the first stud and the second stud, the first bridge member having a first vertical opening; a rod post having one end operably connected to the anchor rod and operably connected to the first bridge member to transfer downward forces from the first bridge member and the second bridge member to the rod post; the anchor rod is attached to an anchor; and the anchor is disposed in an upper portion of the foundation.

In several embodiments, the disclosed process may include installing one or more householder devices onto load-bearing structures of a building, installing one or more perimeter beams onto the one or more householders, installing a new exterior assembly onto the one or more perimeter beams, removing an existing roof, and constructing an additional level on the building. In at least one embodiment, installing the one or more householders onto the load-bearing structure may include cutting a hole in the existing roof above the load-bearing structure, attaching the householder onto the load-bearing structure, and sealing the hole around the householder. In some embodiments, the new exterior assembly may be partially or fully constructed on site and may be installed onto the one or more perimeter beams. In some embodiments, once the new exterior assembly is installed, the old roof may be removed from underneath the new exterior assembly.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

A connector that allows for the connection of a supported member to a supporting member and the supported member can be part of a prefabricated member such as a cassette, the connector having front and back members connected by a seat member.

A modular framework having a plurality of elongate structural members interconnected by brackets is provided. Each of the brackets includes at least one tubular socket to receive a structural member, and an array of holes is provided on a face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components.

The present invention relates to using interlocking spacer braces between support members to construct wood and metal framed walls, floors and building trusses. Spacer braces have indentations, extensions, fingers that interlock horizontally, vertically or diagonally between support members. The spacer braces can form diagonal and lateral wall bracing, diagonal and vertical chords within building truss with either horizontally or vertical orientations, beams, hold-downs and shear walls. The spacer braces can be installed between wood or metal framing members.

E.sup.3Lumber is comprised by novel apparatuses as engineered wood systems, methods, apparatuses, tools, adhesives, and manufacturing for construction of structures. E.sup.3Lumber has standardization and optimization surpassing state-of-the-art construction. Each of those systems, methods, apparatuses, material compositions, and material stratifications utilize one-to-many apparatus relations. All formed or machined apparatuses feature innovative features like engineered constraints, multi-tier and hybrid composites, and constrained assembly all situated within novel methods like, the Three E, 4-Tier, Cross Datum Construction, E-Stud, E-Framing, E-Truss, E-Hips, E-Bridging, Continuous Truss methods meet national and international specifications. The Three E's of E.sup.3Lumber are environmental, economic, and engineering and are characteristics found throughout invention intended for the significant improvement of environmental conditions, wood products, and technologies. As a fact, E.sup.3Lumber use decreases deforestation by increasing growth periods of trees by decreasing biomass consumption and all the while providing economic incentive to become greener.

A bracket and bracket system for constructing an A-frame structure consisting of leg frame members supporting an upper cross beam, such as that used for a children's play set. The bracket includes an elongated top with two side walls, each side wall continuous with the greater part of the top's elongated edges, with each side wall having a second side wall, hereby forming a flange on each side of the bracket for nesting of the leg frame members. The flange is situated in one side of the side wall such that there exists full integral diagonal bracing between the flange and the elongated top of the bracket, with the diagonal bracing being of the same continuous piece of bracket material as at least one of the flanges and as the elongated top of the bracket.