Abstract:
A two-piece bracket adapted to resist forces in both tension and compression. The tension/compression bracket is formed from stamped, plate steel and is preassembled by clinching. The tension/compression bracket provides a range of adjustability of attachment to allow for a limited range of placement of other components that attach to the tension/compression bracket. In one embodiment, the tension/compression bracket includes a resilient resistance to tension forces. The resilient resistance is provided by a high spring constant coil spring. The resilient resistance provides a limited degree of movement under tension. The limited degree of movement is chosen by component selection to be non-damaging.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/226,359 filed Aug. 18, 2000, entitled “TWO-PIECE CLINCHED PLATE TENSION/COMPRESSION BRACKET.” 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to the construction industry and, in particular, concerns a method of interconnecting building members to anchor structures.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In typical residential and light industrial/commercial building frame wall construction, load bearing frame walls are comprised of a series of studs and posts that are anchored to the foundation and covered with sheathing material installed over both sides of the frame. Typically, the frame is constructed from a number of vertically extending studs that are positioned between and interconnected with upper and lower plates. The lower plates and/or vertical studs are typically anchored to the foundation in some fashion. The covering material, plywood, sheet rock, siding, plaster, etc. is then attached over the studs.  
           [0006]    Natural forces commonly occur that impose vertical and horizontal forces on the structural elements of the buildings. These forces can occur during earth movement in an earthquake and from high wind conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, or other extreme weather conditions. If these forces exceed the structural capacity of the building, they can cause failures leading to damage to or the collapse of the building with resultant economic loss and potential injuries and loss of life.  
           [0007]    A typical method of securing a frame to a foundation is to connect one end of a length of metal strapping to an end of wall stud and to embed the other end in the concrete foundation. Uplift forces acting on the building frame are resisted through the embedded strap. The use of metal strapping is convenient to install, but has strength limitations to inhibit uplift. In particular, the metal strapping is typically attached to a frame member such as a post using relatively few fasteners. Thus, each of the fasteners are subjected to a relatively large fraction of the transferring force, increasing the likelihood of the fastener or its attachment points failing.  
           [0008]    Another need in existing construction materials and techniques arises with respect to the vertical loads carried by a building&#39;s frame. The gravity weight of a building and its contents direct a vertical load that is typically transferred to and carried by the vertical load bearing studs or posts of the building&#39;s frame. These vertical members typically bear at their lower end on a pressure treated mudsill.  
           [0009]    A mudsill typically comprises a number of 2×4 pieces of lumber placed directly on a foundation so as to lay on the face defined by the 4″ dimension and the longest dimension. A mudsill is also used as a nailing surface along the lower extent of the exterior walls. The inherent structural problem with the mudsill, comprising a wooden member, is that it has less capacity to resist crushing because of the orientation of the grain of the wood. A compressive distortion in the mudsill allows the vertical load-bearing studs to move downwards due to the incident vertical load. Compressive movement of the vertical end studs in a shear panel creates deflection in the walls of the building, weakening the overall structure, providing impetus for cracks to form in the external and interior wall finishings, and potentially concentrating load stresses in unforeseen and damaging ways.  
           [0010]    Furthermore, devices that fasten vertical members such as posts to the foundation do so in a substantially rigid manner. In certain force situations, having a substantially rigid and strong interconnection of the post to the foundation may lead to failures at another location.  
           [0011]    From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a method and device to continuously secure and anchor a building frame to a foundation. The desired anchoring method should be convenient to install, yet offer strength advantages to the existing use of metal strapping. It would be an additional advantage for the device to be capable of supporting vertical compression loads as well as tension loads to thereby enable the device to transfer loads directly to the foundation. There is a need for a attachment apparatus that permits use of ductile elements so as to allow the attachment apparatus to dissipate a portion of the tension or compression loads, while transferring the rest to the foundation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the device for transferring tension and compression forces incident on a vertical support of a building of the present invention. In one aspect, the device comprises an attachment member having at least one planar surface that is sized to be attached to the vertical support of the building, the attachment member includes a laterally extending section that extends outward from the planar surface. The device further comprises, in this aspect, a load piece that is attached to the attachment member. The load piece includes a mounting section that defines a recess and the load piece receives the laterally extending section in the mounting section such that the laterally extending section reinforces the mounting section. In this aspect, the load piece has upper and lower surfaces that define opening through which the anchor bolt can be extended and coupled thereby securing device to the foundation. The use of two separate pieces, one of which is attached to the building support and the other being attached to the foundation results in a more rigid structure better able to transfer forces without deformation.  
           [0013]    In one implementation, the device includes a laterally extending piece that extends underneath the vertically extending member such that the vertically extending member is spaced from the foundation. This permits the use of non-pressure treated wood to be used in the vertical extending member thereby permitting costs savings in construction.  
           [0014]    In another implementation, the device includes a spring member that is attached to the anchor bolt such that uplift forces that are transferred from the vertical building support are at least partially absorbed by the spring structure. In one embodiment, the spring structure is mounted so as to be mechanically coupled to the mounting section of the mounting member such that uplift forces result in compression of the spring.  
           [0015]    In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a device for transferring tension and compression forces incident on a vertical support of a building to an anchor bolt extending out of the foundation of the building. The device comprises an attachment member having a planar surface that is attachable to the vertical support of the building wherein the attachment member is shaped so as to define a reinforcing section that extends outward from the planar surface. The device further comprises a mounting member that is attached to the attachment member, wherein the mounting member includes a planar surface that is shaped so as to define a mounting section that defines a recess which receives the reinforcing section of the attachment member. The mounting member further includes openings so as to permit the anchor bolt to extend therethrough such that when the anchor bolt is mechanically coupled to the mounting section and the planar surface of the attachment member is attached to the vertical support tension and compression forces incident on the vertical support of the building can be transmitted to the anchor bolt.  
           [0016]    In this aspect, the attachment member and the mounting member are formed of shaped pieces of metal wherein a generally planar piece of metal is bent and cut to form the desired shapes. In this way, significant manufacturing costs savings can be achieved.  
           [0017]    Hence, the device of the present invention provides a more effective, low cost hold down structure. These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a two-piece clinched plate tension/compression bracket interconnecting a post to a foundation so as to transfer tension and compression forces on the post to the foundation;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an inner plate of the bracket of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2B is a side view of the inner plate of FIG. 2A;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2C is a plan view of the inner plate of FIG. 2A;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2D is a front view of the inner plate of FIG. 2A;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating an outer plate of the bracket of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3B is a side view of the outer plate of FIG. 3A;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3C is a plan view of the outer plate of FIG. 3A;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3D is a front view of the outer plate of FIG. 3A;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a hold down bolt, a washer plate, a slotted bearing plate, and a coupling nut that are used to interconnect the bracket to the foundation;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the bracket wherein an additional bearing plate enables the bracket to transfer portion of the downward compression force to the foundation; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein a spring couples the bracket to the foundation so as to provide ductility when the post experiences an uplifting force. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a two piece clinched plate tension/compression bracket  100  (referred to as bracket hereinafter) interconnecting an elongate structure member such as a post  110  to a foundation  120 . The bracket  100  is attached to the post by a plurality of fasteners such as screws  150  or bolts in a substantially rigid manner. The bracket is further attached to an anchor member such as an anchor bolt  130  by an connecting assembly  140 . As will become evident with description of individual parts below, the bracket  100  is adapted to transfer tension and compression forces on the post  110  to the foundation  120 . In one embodiment, the bracket  100  is sized to allow finishing materials such a wall panels  160  to be installed.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket  100  comprises an inner plate  200  interposed between the post  110  and an outer plate  300 . The inner plate  200  is illustrated in FIGS. 2A to  2 D. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the inner plate  200  comprises a rectangular shaped upper section  202  that extends lengthwise in a first direction from a first end  204  to a second end  206 . The upper section  202  further comprises a first side  210  and a second side  212 , such that the first and second sides  210  and  212  are substantially parallel and first and second ends  204  and  206  are substantially parallel. Attached to the second end  206  is a rectangular shaped base section  214  that extends in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The base section  214  is oriented such that its attachment edge coincides with the edge on the second end  206 . In the preferred embodiment, the inner plate  200  is made of a single contiguous member that is bent into the shape shown in FIGS.  2 A- 2 D. Thus, a plane defined by the upper section  202  is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base section  214 . The upper section  202  engages one of the sides of the post  110  in a manner described below. The base section  214  engages the bottom of the post  110  in a manner described below so as to be interposed between the post  110  and the foundation  120 .  
         [0032]    The upper section  202  of the inner plate  200  defines a first recess  216  and a second recess  220 . The first recess  216  is located along the first side  210 , approximately ¾ of the way from the first end  204  to the second end  206 . The first recess  216  is defined by a first edge  222 , a second edge  224 , and a third edge  226  arranged such that the first and second edges  222  and  224  are substantially parallel to the first and second ends  204  and  206 , and the third edge  226  is substantially parallel to the first side  210 . The second edge  224  is between the first edge  222  and the second end  206 , and the third edge  226  is between the first side  210  and the second side  212 .  
         [0033]    The second recess  220  is located along the second side  212 , and is a substantial mirror image of the first recess about a plane substantially perpendicular to the first section and substantially half way between the first and second sides  210  and  212 . Similar to the first recess  216 , the second recess  220  is defined by a first edge  230 , a second edge  232 , and a third edge  234 . The second edge  232  is parallel to, and between the first edge  230  and the second end  206 . The third edge  234  is parallel to, and between the second side  212  and the first side  210 .  
         [0034]    As seen FIGS. 2A and 2C, extending from the third edge  226  of the first recess  216  is a coupling section  236 . The coupling section  236  is a rectangular shaped member that extends in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction specified above, and substantially opposite the second direction also specified above. A plane defined by the coupling section  236  is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper section  202 , and also substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the base section  214 .  
         [0035]    Extending from the coupling section  236   a  is a flange section  240   a . The flange section  240   a  is a rectangular shaped member that extends towards the first side  210 . A plane defined by the flange section  240   a  is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the coupling section  236   a  and substantially parallel to the plane defined by the upper section  202 .  
         [0036]    In a similar manner, extending from the third edge  234  of the second recess  220  is a coupling section  236   b  and a flange section  240   b , wherein the coupling and flange sections  236   b ,  240   b  are substantial mirror images of the coupling and flange sections  236   a  and  240   b , respectively, about the plane substantially perpendicular to the upper section  202  and substantially half way between the first and second sides  210  and  212 . Thus the coupling section  236   b  extends in the third direction, and is substantially parallel to the coupling section  236   a . The flange section  240   b  extends from the coupling section  236   b  towards the second side  212 .  
         [0037]    The coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and the flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  have dimensions along the first direction that are less than the separation distance between the first and second edges  222  and  224  of the first recess  216  by approximate an amount necessary to cut out the coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  from the first section  202 . The flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  sized such that when the inner plate  200  is viewed facing the first section, as in FIG. 2D, the flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  are superimposed substantially within the first recess  216 .  
         [0038]    The coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and the flange section  240   a ,  204   b , when viewed in cross section along the first direction, extend in two dimensions, so as to resist buckling when subjected to forces along (and opposite) the first direction. The coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  are sized to fit inside a portion of the outer plate  300  in a manner described below. In particular, the coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and the upper section  202  define an opening  246 , as seen in FIG. 2C, through which a bolt extends in the first direction so as to interconnect the bracket  100  to the foundation  120  in a manner described below.  
         [0039]    The upper section  202  of the inner plate  200  further defines a plurality of fastener holes  250  that permit the screws  150  (FIG. 1) to extend therethrough so as to engage the post  110 . The fastener holes  250  are arranged throughout the upper section  202  in a selected manner so as to distribute the forces being transferred throughout the upper section  202 .  
         [0040]    The upper section of the inner plate  200  further defines a plurality of clinch holes  252  that are sized to receive a plurality of clinches on the outer plate  300  described below. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D, the flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  also define a plurality of clinch holes  252  that are sized to receive clinches on the outer plate  300 . The clinch holes  252  are arranged throughout the upper and flange sections  202 ,  240   a , and  240   b  in a selected manner so as to mechanically couple the inner plate  200  to the outer plate  300  in a substantially rigid manner such that transfer of forces is further improved.  
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the inner plate  200  is formed from an ⅛″ thick steel plate. The upper section  202  has dimensions of approximately 1′-6″×3 ½″. The first and second recesses  216  and  220  are approximately ¾″ deep (distance between the first, second sides  210 ,  212  and the respective third edges  226 ,  234 ), and approximately 3″ high (distance between respective first, second edges  222 ,  224  and  230 ,  232 ). The first edges  222  and  230  of the first and second recesses  216  and  220  are separated from the first end  204  by approximately 1′. Each of the coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  has dimensions of approximately 1-⅜″ in the third direction, and approximately 2¾″ in the first direction. Each of the flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  has dimensions of approximately ¾″ towards first and second sides  210  and  212 , and approximately 2½″ in the first direction. The base section  214  extends approximately 3-⅝″ in the second direction, and is approximately 3½″ wide. The fastener holes  250  are sized to have a diameter of approximately ¼″.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 3A to  3 D illustrate the outer plate  300  that is positioned adjacent the inner plate  200  as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer plate  300  comprises a series of rectangular shaped sections connected in series, edges to edges, extending in first, second, and third directions specified above. Specifically, the second and third directions are substantially opposite to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The outer plate  300  comprises a first end  324  from which an upper section  302  extends lengthwise in the first direction. A first offset section  304   a  extends in the third direction from the end of the upper section  302 . A recessed section  306  extends in the first direction from the end of the second section  304 . A second offset section  304   b  extends in the second direction from the third section  306 . A lower section  310  extends in the first direction from the second section  304   b . The end of the lower section  310  defines a second end  326  of the outer plate  300 .  
         [0043]    The upper section  302  and the lower section  310  are substantially coplanar, and substantially parallel to the recessed section  306 . The first and second offset sections  304   a ,  304   b  are substantially parallel with each other, and substantially perpendicular to the first section  302 . The second and fourth sections  304  and  308  have substantially similar dimensions.  
         [0044]    The offset sections  304   a ,  304   b  and the recessed section  306  define a recess  312  that is located approximately ¾ of the way from the first end  324  to the second end  326 . The recess  312  is sized to receive the coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and the flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  of the inner plate  200 . The upper and lower sections  302  and  310  are sized to be engaged with the upper section  202  of the inner plate  200  in a manner described below.  
         [0045]    The upper, lower and recessed sections  302 ,  306 , and  310  comprise a plurality of clinches  322  that are sized and arranged to be secured to the clinch holes  252  defined by the inner plate  200 . In particular, the clinches  322  on the upper section  302  of the outer plate  300  are secured to the clinch holes  252  defined by the upper portion of the upper section  202  of the inner plate  200 . The clinches  322  on the lower section  310  of the outer plate  300  are secured to the clinch holes  252  defined by the lower portion of the upper section  202  of the inner plate  200 . The clinches  322  on the recessed section  306  of the outer plate  300  are secured to the clinch holes  252  defined by the flange sections  240   a  and  240   b  of the inner plate  200 . The plurality of clinches described above secure the outer plate  300  to the inner plate  200  in a substantially rigid manner so as to improve the force transferring capacity of the bracket  100 . The clinching of the outer plate  300  to the inner plate  200  is preferably performed at a factory.  
         [0046]    The upper and lower sections  302  and  310  of the outer plate  300  define a plurality of fastener holes  320  that permit fasteners such as screws  150  (FIG. 1) to extend therethrough. The holes  320  are sized and arranged in a selected manner so as to substantially match the fastener holes  250  defined by the inner plate  200 . The holes  320  and the holes  250  permit the screws  150  to pass through so as to secure the bracket  100  to the post  110 . It will be appreciated that distribution of the fastener holes  320 ,  250  and the clinches  322 ,  252  throughout the bracket  100  permit the forces being transferred by the bracket  100  to be distributed so as to reduce localization of forces that can lead to structural failures.  
         [0047]    As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the first and second offset sections  304   a ,  304   b  of the outer plate  300  defines a first slot  314  and a second slot  316 , respectively. The first and second slots  314  and  316  extend along a fourth direction that is substantially perpendicular to both first and second (and thus third) directions. The slots  314 ,  316  permit a hold down bolt  170  (FIG. 1) to extend therethrough so as to interconnect the bracket  100  to the foundation  120  in a manner described below. The slots  314 ,  316  permit limited adjustment in positioning of the bracket  100  to compensate for a possibly misaligned anchor bolt  130 .  
         [0048]    In one embodiment, the outer plate  300  is formed from an ⅛″ thick steel plate. The width of the outer plate  300  along the fourth direction is approximately 3½″, thus defining one of the dimensions of the five rectangular sections  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 . Thus, the other dimension of the five sections  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  are, respectively, approximately 1′, 1½″, 3″, 1½″, 3″. The slots  314 ,  316  are approximately 2″ long end to end, and approximately ⅝″ wide.  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 1, when the inner plate  200  is attached to the outer plate  300 , the coupling and flange sections  236   a ,  236   b  of the inner plate and the recess  246  defined therebetween are positioned within the recess  312  defined by the outer plate  300 . The coupling sections  236   a ,  236   b  and flange sections  240   a ,  240   b  extend in third and fourth directions, respectively, both of which are substantially perpendicular to the first direction so as to resist buckling under forces directed parallel to the first direction. Portions of the recess  246  of the inner plate  200  and the recess  312  of the outer plate  300  overlap to define a space interposed between the slots  314  and  316 , so as to permit the hold down bolt  170  to extend through.  
         [0050]    As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket  100  is interconnected to the foundation by the connecting assembly  140  that comprises the hold down bolt  170 , a washer plate  172 , a slotted bearing plate  176 , and a coupling nut  182 . These parts that form the connecting assembly  140  are illustrated in FIG. 4. The washer plate  172  is a rectangular shaped plate that defines a hole  174  through which the hold down bolt  170  passes through. The washer plate  172  distributes the load from the head of the hold down bolt  170  to the slotted bearing plate  176  that is positioned adjacent the washer plate  172  when the.  
         [0051]    The slotted bearing plate  176  is a substantially stiff rectangular shaped plate that defines a slot  180  substantially centered that extends lengthwise. The bearing plate  176  is interposed between the washer plate  172  and the second section  304  (FIG. 3B) of the outer plate  300 , and is sized similar to the second section. When the post  110  is under tension, the upward force is transferred to the bracket  100 , and then to the hold down bolt  170  via the bearing plate  176  and the washer plate  172 . The bearing plate  176 , being in contact with the second section  304  face to face, distributes the contact force therebetween so as to inhibit deformation of the bracket  100 .  
         [0052]    The slot  180  defined by the bearing plate  176  extends along the fourth direction specified above so as to provide limited adjustment of the positioning of the bracket relative to the anchor bolt  130 . The connecting assembly  140  further comprises a coupling nut  182  that mechanically couples the threaded end of the hold down bolt  170  to the threaded end of the anchor bolt  130  that protrudes from the foundation  120 .  
         [0053]    In one embodiment, the hold down bolt  170  is a ⅝″×5¼″ bolt. The washer plate  172  is an approximately ¼″ thick steel plate with dimensions of approximately 2″×1½. The hole  174  is sized to have a diameter of approximately {fraction (11/16)}″, and its center is located at the substantial center lengthwise, and approximately ⅝″ from one of the long sides so as to be off centered widthwise. The slotted bearing plate  176  is an approximately ½″ thick steel plate with dimensions of approximately 3½″×1½″. The slot  180  is approximately 2″ long from end to end, and is approximately {fraction (11/16)}″ wide. The center of the slot  180  is substantially centered lengthwise, and is located approximately ⅝″ from one of the long sides so as to be off centered widthwise. The coupling nut  182  is an approximately 2″ long nut that is threaded to receive ⅝″ bolts from both ends so as to provide mechanical coupling between the two bolts.  
         [0054]    To interconnect the post  110  to the foundation  120 , the bracket  100  (comprising the factory clinched inner and outer plates  200  and  300 ) is positioned so as to be interposed between the post  110  and the anchor bolt  130 . The base section  214  is interposed between the post  110  and the foundation  120  to thereby protect the bottom of the post which allows for the use of non-pressure treated wood in some applications. The first section  202  of the inner plate  200  is in engagement lengthwise with the lower portion of the post  110 , and the second section  204  is interposed between the bottom of the post  110  and the foundation  120 . As such, the first direction specified above is downward.  
         [0055]    The bracket  100  is attached to the post by a plurality of screws  150  that extend through the holes  320  of the outer plate  300  and the holes  250  of the inner plate  200  that are described above. In one embodiment, the screws  150  are ¼″×3″ wood screws.  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket  100  is interconnected to the foundation  120  by extending the hold down bolt  170  through the hole  174  on the washer plate  172 , through the slot  180  on the bearing plate  176 , through the slot  314  on the first offset section  304  (FIGS. 3A and 3C) of the outer plate  300 , through the space defined by overlapping of the recesses  246  and  312 , through the slot  316  of the second offset section  304   b  of the outer plate  300 , so as to be received by one end of the coupling nut  182 . The other end of the coupling nut  182  receives the threaded end of the anchor bolt  130  so as to be interconnected to the hold down bolt  170 .  
         [0057]    When a structure to which the post  110  is attached to experiences an uplifting force, the post experiences a tension force that can, if unmitigated, separate the post  110  from the foundation  120 . The bracket  100  resists such an uplifting force by transferring the tension force from the post  110  to the foundation  120  via the connecting assembly  140 . In particular, the hold down bolt  170  interconnects the bracket  100  to the anchor bolt  130  via the buckling resistant portion of the bracket  100  so as to transfer the tension forces effectively.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein an additional bearing plate  196  and a washer plate  192  are positioned below the lower offset section  304   b  of the outer plate  300 . In one embodiment, the bearing plate  196 , interposed between the lower offset section  304   b  and the washer plate  192 , is similar to the bearing plate  176  described above. The washer plate  192  is also similar to the washer plate  172  described above. The washer plate  192  and the bearing plate  196  are secured in place adjacent the lower offset section  304   b  by a nut  190  that is sized to receive the bolt  170 . In one embodiment, the inner and outer plates  200 ,  300  may have their respective recesses  246 ,  312  located higher to accommodate the extra vertical space occupied by the additional bearing plate  196  and washer plate  192 . Accordingly, the bolt  170  may be longer. The bolt  170  is interconnected to the anchor bolt  130  by the coupling nut  182 .  
         [0059]    The bearing plate  196  permits portion of a downward compression force on the post  110  to be transferred to the anchor bolt  130  via the hold down bolt  170 . As such, the bracket  100  and the connecting assembly provides relief to the post  110  when the post  110  is subjected to a compressive force.  
         [0060]    Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein a connecting assembly  440  comprises a spring  450  to provide a limited vertical movement when the post  110  experiences a tension force. The bracket  100  is substantially similar to that described above in reference to FIGS.  1  to  3 , as are the washer plate  172  and the bearing plate  176  described above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.  
         [0061]    In this embodiment, the spring is positioned above the washer plate  172 , and is secured in place by a bolt  470  that extends through a washer  472 , through the spring  450 , through the washer plate  172  and the parts below it as described above in reference to FIG. 1, so as to be attached to the anchor bolt  182 . Thus, one end of the spring  450  is attached to the bearing plate  176  (via the washer plate  172 ), and the other end of the spring  450  is attached to the foundation  120  via the hold down bolt  470  and the anchor bolt  130 , so as to provide spring coupling between the foundation  120  and the bearing plate  176 .  
         [0062]    In an uplifting force situation, the spring  450 , captured by the washer  472  and the washer plate  172 , compresses as the bearing plate  176  moves upwards relative to the head of the bolt  470  (and thus the foundation). This ductility provided by the spring  470  dissipates at least a portion of the uplifting force. It will be appreciated that the connecting assembly  440  illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be adapted with additional bearing plate and washer plate as depicted in FIG. 5 to provide transferring of compression forces to the foundation in a manner described above In one embodiment, the bolt  470  is a ⅝″×8½″ bolt. The washer  472  is a ¼″ thick washer adapted to receive a ⅝″ thread bolt. The spring  450  is wound from an ⅛″ spring steel into a coil that is approximately 3″ long and ¾″ wide.  
         [0063]    As will be understood, the bracket  100  can also be modified for use to interconnect vertical structures on separate floors. Two such brackets can be positioned adjacent each other with a bolt or fastener extending therebetween so thereby interconnect two vertical posts on adjacent floors.  
         [0064]    Although the foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the appended claims.