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RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/639,304, filed Aug. 12, 2003 and entitled PORTAL REINFORCEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD and a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/602,534, filed Jun. 23, 2003 and entitled SHRINKAGE COMPENSATOR FOR BUILDING TIEDOWNS, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,469 issued Jul. 1, 2003 and entitled SHRINKAGE COMPENSATOR FOR BUILDING TIEDOWNS, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,747 issued May 21, 2002 and entitled SHRINKAGE COMPENSATOR FOR BUILDING TIEDOWNS. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to building construction, and more specifically, to apparatus for anchoring shear walls to foundations and lower floors.  
         [0004]     2. Background  
         [0005]     Strong winds and earthquakes subject walls and others elements of a building to tremendous forces. If these forces are not distributed to the proper elements or structures capable of withstanding such force, the building may be torn apart. Foundations are often the strongest element of a building. Securely tying the walls of a building to the foundation greatly improves structural performance during periods of strong wind or earthquake. Securement promotes single body motion and limits whiplash amplification that often results in structural failure.  
         [0006]     Under extreme conditions, a building may be violently loaded or shaken back and forth in a lateral (side to side) direction. If a shear wall is tightly restrained at its base, loads may be smoothly transferred to the foundation. The loads may then be resolved in the foundation, where they appear as tension and compression forces.  
         [0007]     Buildings are often composed of long walls, (walls with a length greater than the height) and short walls (walls that have a length shorter than the height). The tendency for a wall to lift vertically off a foundation is inversely proportional to the length of the wall. Tall narrow shear walls, which may be found in nearly all homes, act as lever arms and may magnify an imposed load. In certain instances, the actual load on the securement system may be magnified to several times the originally imposed load.  
         [0008]     The as-built building is generally not the building that will be sustaining loads induced by wind or by earthquake shaking. Wood components of the building structure, including floors, joists, sill plates, top plates, and studs, will shrink. Shrinkage varies greatly but ranges typically from about one-quarter inch under the best of conditions, to well over one inch depending on the total cross-grain stack up (depth) of wood.  
         [0009]     Wall securement may prevent lateral and vertical motion between the walls and the foundation. Additionally, it may be necessary to support the wall against forces that would tend to distort the wall&#39;s general rectangular shape. Building codes often require external and load bearing walls to be shear resistant by providing a plywood plane to support shear forces that may be imposed on the wall. Many times, building codes also require lateral and vertical securement of a wall to the foundation. Lateral and vertical securement may be accomplished by employing hold-downs, also referred to as tie-downs.  
         [0010]     Hold-down systems are employed to secure walls of upper levels to walls of lower levels, as well as walls to foundations. Again the principle is to secure the entire structure to the foundation where structural forces can best be resolved. However, lower levels can present amplification of structural weaknesses to upper levels. If a hold-down system installed on a given level cannot compensate for all shrinkage and crushing affecting that level, structural weaknesses may be amplified on adjacent levels. Hold-down systems need to be able to compensate for structural weaknesses throughout the structure, and not just within a given level.  
         [0011]     Moreover, hold-down systems can be difficult to install and expensive to fabricate. Some hold-down systems require assembly within narrow tolerances, making assembly difficult and time consuming. Other hold-down systems cannot compensate for structural weaknesses throughout the structure, causing an overload of a hold-down system on a given level. Accordingly, a need exists for a hold-down system that may be easily installed and utilizes the full potential of the system over the entire structure. It would be a further advancement to provide a hold-down system that may be produced and installed in greater quantities with greater speed and less expense.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous hold-down system that may be easily and quickly installed.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hold-down system that may be mass produced inexpensively.  
         [0014]     In certain embodiments, the apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention may include a foundation with an anchor, which anchor is composed of threaded rods coupled together and extending through one or more levels of a building or structure. The anchor provides a basis for the individual components of the continuous hold-down system. The take-up units used in the system help maintain tension throughout the system, essentially securing the entire structure to the foundation. Securing the structure to the foundation enables the structure to better withstand various forces acting on the structure. These forces are transferred to the foundation where they can be dissipated more efficiently.  
         [0015]     While previous hold-down systems may be considered useful for similar purposes, the continuous hold-down system described herein is a more effective and efficient system. Previous hold-down systems may not be continuous, thereby isolating each individual level of the building. The continuous nature of the current invention allows the system to compensate for shrinkage or crushing which may occur on any level of the building. Thus, if shrinkage or crushing on one level exceeds the capacity of the system on that level, the system on other levels can compensate for the excess.  
         [0016]     Another feature of this particular continuous hold-down system is that the individual take-up units used in the system are stackable, more than one take-up unit may be stacked providing greater ability to compensate for shrinkage and crushing. This is especially helpful in the continuous system because the system is capable of compensating for shrinkage and crushing which may occur on any level of the building. Therefore, if the top level of the building has a couple of take-up units stacked on top of each other, those units can compensate for any excess shrinkage or crushing throughout the building. This can also be especially helpful on upper levels of a building because shrinkage and crushing that may occur on lower levels tend to be accentuated on upper levels.  
         [0017]     A continuous hold-down system as described herein can also be used for the specific purpose of supporting a portal frame. The system can be installed on either side of a portal frame, thereby making the portal frame self-cinching. A shear wall is generally a frame that is further supported by attaching a shear plane (e.g. a sheet of wood) over the frame. The added support helps maintain the original, intended shape of the wall. However, a portal frames an opening lacking such shear support. It does not allow the supporting sheet to be attached, thereby losing that support. The portal becomes more susceptible to shearing forces and a change of shape. As the portal is stressed, the framing material of the portal can be damaged or crushed thereby losing tension in the support system. The take-up units in accordance with the invention automatically and continuously compensate for any crushing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a continuous hold-down system;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a partially cut-away, perspective view of a coupler connecting two threaded rods of the same diameter ( 2 A) and a coupler connecting two threaded rods of different diameters ( 2 B);  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an automatic take-up unit;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of varied uses of the automatic take-up units securing a sill plate to a foundation, including allowing the take-up unit to rest directly upon the sill plate, or using a bracket to support the take-up unit;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two automatic take-up units stacked on top of each other;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hold-down system;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hold-down system;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hold-down system;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an elevation cross-sectional view of a self-cinching portal frame;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is an elevation cross-sectional view of a self-cinching portal frame;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of shearing force acting on a continuous hold-down system illustrating how crushing may occur;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is an elevation cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a self-cinching portal frame; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is an elevation cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a self-cinching portal frame.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is as broad as claimed herein. The illustrations are merely representative of certain, illustrative embodiments of the invention. Those embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.  
         [0033]     Several Figures display an automatic take-up unit. This device is described fully in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,747 issued May 21, 2002, to this inventor, and incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0034]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details of the Figures may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Thus, the following description of the Figures is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain embodiments consistent with the invention.  
         [0035]     In discussing the Figures, it may be advantageous to establish a reliable coordinate system, referring to  FIG. 1 , to aid in the description of several of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention. Coordinate axes  11  may be defined by a wall as longitudinal  11   a  along the wall, lateral  11   b  through or across the wall, and transverse  11   c  up and down the wall height. The longitudinal  11   a,  lateral  11   b,  and transverse directions  11   c  are directions substantially orthogonal to one another. In the description to follow, the embodiments will be oriented so that they are aligned and primarily configured to oppose or transfer longitudinal loads of shearing forces by precluding or resisting motion in a transverse direction  11   c.  Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are secured in a longitudinal direction to resist or transfer forces and loads along more than one axis simultaneously. Several embodiments, however, may be particularly well suited to resisting or transferring loads in a given direction, and as previously mentioned, this principal axis for shear loading will typically be substantially the transverse axis  11   c.    
         [0036]     A continuous hold-down system  10  in accordance with the present invention may include a foundation  12  with an anchor  14  extending transversely  11   c  from the foundation  12 , the anchor  14  also extending transversely  11 c through a surface to be retained and engaging a take-up unit  40  secured in place along the anchor  14  by a retainer  42 . The anchor  14  may be composed of a single threaded rod  18  or multiple threaded rods  18  secured together with a coupler  16 .  
         [0037]     The foundation  12  may be any structural foundation  12  that may be used in construction, having a lateral thickness and extending longitudinally  11   a.  Typical materials for the foundation  12  include concrete, steel, stone, and wood. The anchor  14  generally begins as a threaded rod  18  embedded in a concrete foundation  12  (often welded to reinforcing bar) and extending transversely  11   c  out from the foundation  12 . The anchor  14  may be composed of numerous threaded rods  18 . A coupler  16  may be attached to the distal end (away from the foundation  12 ) of one threaded rod  18  and the proximal end (toward the foundation  12 ) of another threaded rod  18 , thereby extending the anchor  14  transversely  11   c.    
         [0038]     Using this method, the anchor  14  is extended through successive levels of the structure and provides for transferring to the foundation  12  forces applied to the structure  70 , or shear wall  70 . Typical materials for the threaded rod  18  include steel, other metals, reinforced composites, and plastic. Typical threaded rods  18  may be continuously threaded along the length of the rod  18 , or be threaded only on the end portions of the rod  18  leaving the center portion smooth. Typical materials for the coupler  16  include steel and plastic, and will generally match the material used for the threaded rod  18 . The coupler  16  can join threaded rods  18  of the same diameter (as shown in  FIG. 2A ), or the coupler  16  can join threaded rods  18  of varying diameters (as shown in  FIG. 2B ).  
         [0039]     A sill plate  20  is a member proximate the foundation  12  and extending parallel or longitudinally  11   a  with the foundation  12 . The sill plate  20  provides a base for vertical framing members  22 , which extend transversely  11   c.  The vertical framing members  22  have a proximate end (toward the foundation  12 ) and a distal end opposite. A top plate  24  is attached to the vertical framing members  22  at the distal end of the framing members  22  and extends longitudinally  11   a.  A shear wall  70  may be formed by attaching a sheet or sheets of plywood or other structural material to the sill plate  20 , vertical framing members  22  (e.g. studs  22 ), and top plate  24 . Numerous top plates  24  may be used. However, a top plate  24  may support a header  26 , extending longitudinally  11   a,  and one or more trusses  28 , extending laterally  11   b.  The header  26  and the beams  28  or trusses  28  (e.g. joists  28 , beams  28 , etc.) may support flooring  30 . This configuration generally describes an initial level of a structure.  
         [0040]     A base plate  36  is a member proximate the flooring  30  and extending longitudinally  11   a.  The base plate  36  serves a function similar to the sill plate  20  by providing a base for vertical framing members  22  extending transversely  11   c.  The vertical framing members  22  have a proximate end (toward the foundation  12 ) and a distal end opposite. A top plate  24  is attached to the vertical framing members  22  at the distal end of the framing members  22  and extends longitudinally  11   a.  A shear wall  70  may be formed by attaching a sheet or sheets of plywood or other structural material to the base plate  36 , vertical framing members  22 , and top plate  24 . Numerous top plates  24  may be used. However, a top plate  24  may support a header  26 , extending longitudinally  11   a,  and one or more trusses  28 , extending laterally  11   b.  The header  26  and the trusses  28  may support flooring  30 . This configuration generally describes a subsequent level of a structure. Obviously, subsequent levels may be added to other subsequent levels creating a multi-level structure.  
         [0041]     The sill plate  20 , the vertical framing member  22 , the top plate  24 , the base plate  32 , the header  26 , and the trusses  28  make up the framing components and may be any structural support member used in construction. They may have a variety of cross-sectional configurations, such as rectangular, circular, I-beam, or any other suitable design. Typical materials include wood and metal. However, embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be applied to any material having the desired structural characteristics.  
         [0042]     The anchor  14  extends transversely  11   c  through the sill plate  20  of an initial level. The sill plate  20  may be secured to the foundation  12  using a take-up unit  40 . The take-up unit  40  may be placed around the anchor and rest upon the sill plate  20 , or rest upon a bearing plate  36 . The bearing plate  36  may be in the form of a plate or washer and is typically steel, but may be made of any suitable material. The take-up unit  40  is axially independent of the anchor  14 , thereby facilitating quick and easy installation of the take-up unit  40 . The take-up unit  40  is secured in place along the anchor  14  between the surface to be retained, sill plate  20  or bearing plate  36 , and a retainer  42  proximate the take-up unit  40 . The retainer  42  threadedly engages the anchor  14  to keep the take-up unit  40  in contact with the sill plate  20  or bearing plate  36 . The take-up unit  40  extends transversely  11   c  to maintain contact between the sill plate  20  and the foundation  12 .  
         [0043]     The anchor  14  may be extended using a coupler  16  and a threaded rod  18 . The coupler  16  may be threadedly attached to the anchor  14 , and then threadedly attach the threaded rod  18  to the coupler  16 . This method can be used to extend the anchor  14  through the sill plate  20  and top plate  24  of the initial level of a structure. The use of a take-up unit  40  on the initial level as previously described is optional, depending on the design of the building and the intention of the builder. A take-up unit  40  on every level has been shown effective.  
         [0044]     The anchor  14  extends transversely  11   c  through the base plate  32  of a subsequent level. The base plate  32  may be secured to the structure using a take-up unit  40 . The take-up unit  40  may be placed around the anchor and rest upon the base plate  32 , or rest upon a bearing plate  36 . which bearing plate  36  may be in the form of a plate or washer and is typically steel, but may be any suitable material. The take-up unit  40  is axially independent of the anchor  14 , thereby sliding along the anchor and facilitating quick and easy installation of the take-up unit  40 . The take-up unit  40  is secured in place along the anchor  14  between the surface to be retained, base plate  32  or bearing plate  36 , and a retainer  42  proximate the, take-up unit  40 . The retainer  42 , such as a nut  42 , threadedly engages the anchor  14  to keep the take-up unit  40  in contact with the base plate  32  or bearing plate  36 . The take-up unit  40  extends transversely  11   c  to maintain contact between the base plate  20  and the structure.  
         [0045]     The anchor  14  may be extended using a coupler  16  and a threaded rod  18 . The coupler  16  may be threadedly attached to the anchor  14 , and then the threaded rod  18  may be threadedly attached to the coupler  16 . This method can be used to extend the anchor  14  through the base plate  32  and top plate  24  of a subsequent level of a structure. The use of a take-up unit  40  on a subsequent level as previously described is optional depending on the design of the building and the intention of the builder. Obviously, this method can be used to secure any subsequent level to the structure, thereby making it possible to transfer to the foundation  12  forces applied to the structure. However, the rods  18  nearest the foundation  12  should be sized to support the additive loads of subsequent levels thereabove.  
         [0046]      FIG. 3  depicts the individual components of a take-up unit  40 . The three major components of the take-up unit  40  are the base  44 , the slide  46 , and the bias element  50 , which bias element  50  is typically a spring. The base  44  and slide  46  are engaged using the threads  48 . The bias element  50  provides a self-energizing force to urge rotation of the slide  46  relative the base  44  in a direction to effect an increase in height of the take-up unit  40 , the increase in height occurring transversely  11   c.  The bias element  50  may be attached to the base  44  using a tab  52 . The bias element  50  may be pre-loaded before the tab  53  is attached to the slide  46  using a tab fastener  54 . The base  44  and slide  46  may be rotated relative to each other until the trigger  56  may be engaged within the socket  58 . Once the trigger  56  is engaged, the take-up unit  40  is ready for installation. The anchor  14  extends through the aperture  60 , and the trigger  56  is removed to activate the take-up unit  40 . A more detailed description of the take-up unit is available in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,747.  
         [0047]     The components of the continuous hold-down system  10  used on any given level of the structure may vary.  FIG. 1  illustrates a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the initial level may have a take-up unit  40  resting on a bearing plate  36  securing the sill plate  20  to the foundation  12 . In one embodiment, the anchor  14  may be extended through any subsequent level of a structure without using a take-up unit  40  to secure the base plate  32  to the structure. In one embodiment, a take-up unit  40  may rest on a bearing plate  36  securing a base plate  32 , with the anchor  14  extended by a coupler  16  and a threaded rod  18 . In one embodiment, two take-up units  40  are stacked transversely  11   c  on the final level of the structure to compensate for shrinkage or crushing that may exceed the capacity of take-up units  40  on preceding levels.  
         [0048]      FIG. 1  also shows how a take-up unit  40  may be installed transversely  11   c  along an anchor  14  between levels of a structure. A blocking board  34  may be installed between vertical framing members  22 , thereby providing a surface to be restrained and a position where a take-up unit  40  may be installed.  
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates how a take-up unit  40  may rest directly on the sill plate  20  when securing the sill plate  20  to the foundation  12 .  FIG. 4  also illustrates how a bracket  64  may be used to provide a bearing surface  66  to support a take-up unit  40  on an initial level. The bracket  64  is secured to a vertical framing member  22  using bracket fasteners  68 . The take-up unit  40  urges the transverse  11   c  movement of the vertical framing member  22  toward the foundation  12 .  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , two take-up units  40  may be stacked transversely  11   c  on the initial level of a structure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , two take-up units  40  may be stacked transversely  11   c  on a subsequent level of a structure. Stacking two take-up units  40  on any level increases the capacity to compensate for shrinkage or crushing on that level as well as other levels throughout the system. It may also be advantageous to stack two take-up units  40  on the upper levels of a structure because problems with shrinkage and crushing created on lower levels can be accentuated on upper levels. Also, the continuous nature of the system  10  allows compensation for shrinkage and crushing to occur on any level, thereby compensating for any level where the associated take-up unit  40  may have fully extended.  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a bracket  64  may be installed between vertical framing members  22 , thereby providing a position where a take-up  40  may be installed. The bracket  64  may be attached to the vertical framing members  22  using bracket fasteners  68 . The bracket  64  provides a bearing surface  66  upon which a take-up unit  40  may be installed.  FIG. 7  also shows the use of brackets  64  and take-up units  40  on opposing sides of a transition to a subsequent level of a structure. This configuration would help secure one level of the structure to the adjacent level. Installation of a take-up unit  40  proximate the bearing surface  62  urges the vertical framing members  22 , to which the bracket  64  has been attached, in a transverse  11   c  direction away from the retainer  42 . The retainer  42  secures the take-up unit  40  to the anchor  14 .  
         [0052]     In one embodiment, as illustrated particularly in  FIG. 8 , a blocking board  34  is further supported by vertical framing members  22 . The blocking board  34  provides a surface to be restrained between levels of a building. One or more vertical framing members  22  may be used, like pillars, underneath and on either side of the blocking board  34  in order to support the blocking board  34 . The vertical framing members  22  providing support underneath the blocking board  34  keep the blocking board  34  from being pulled transversely  11   c  as tension is applied to the continuous hold-down system  10 . While one take-up unit  40  may be installed to restrain the blocking board  34 , two take-up units  40  may be also be used to increase the capacity of the continuous hold-down system  10 .  
         [0053]     The anchor  14  may be extended through the initial level of the structure without using a take-up unit  40  to secure the sill plate  20  to the foundation  12 . This configuration is generally used near portals  72 , and is illustrated in  FIGS. 9, 10 ,  12  and  13 .  
         [0054]     One use of the continuous, threaded hold-down system  10  is providing support for portal frames. As described earlier, a shear wall  70  is composed of a frame and a sheet of supporting material such as plywood attached to the frame providing extra support. A shear wall  70  is designed to help the wall support shearing loads in a longitudinal direction and maintain its shape. If a force is applied longitudinally  11   a  to a shear wall  70 , the structure of the shear wall  70  will resist this force, without distorting or lifting, and the shape and position of the shear wall  70  will be maintained.  
         [0055]     Portal frames are basically shear walls  70  that have a portal  72 . The portal  72  is typically a door or a window, but may be any portal  72  that does not allow the use of a continuous sheeting material to complete the shear wall  70 . The portal  72  will diminish the resistance to shearing forces, or longitudinal  11  a forces. The use of a continuous hold-down system  10  provides extra support to shear walls  70  that have a portal  72 .  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the continuous hold-down system  10  may be assembled on either side of a doorway  72  or portal  72 . The anchor  14  may have a foundation assembly  74  embedded in the foundation  12 . The anchor  14  extends transversely  11   c  from the foundation  12 . A coupler  16  may be threadedly attached to the anchor  14  and a threaded rod  18  may be threadedly attached to the coupler  16 , thereby extending the anchor  14  transversely  11   c  above the level of the top plate(s)  24 . A take-up unit  40  may be installed and rest on the top plate  24 , or a bearing plate  36 . A retainer  42  is then threadedly attached to the anchor  14  securing the take-up unit  40  in place. This method may be repeated for either side of the portal  72 .  
         [0057]     In one embodiment, cables  76  are attached to the sill plate  20  and the top plate  24  on either side of the portal  72 . The cables  76  travel from the sill plate  20  to the top plate  24  longitudinally  11   a  and transversely  11   c,  thus providing triangulated support to the portal  72  through tensile loading of the cables  76 . Attaching the cables  76  in this manner gives the cables  76  the appearance on an “X” circumscribed by the vertical framing members  22 , the sill plate  20 , and the top plate  24 . Again, cables  76  can be used in this manner on either side of a portal  72 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , a shear wall  70  on either side (or both) of the portal  72  provides shear support to the portal  72 .  
         [0058]     The use of the continuous, threaded hold-down system  10  in this manner results in a self-cinching portal frame. As shown in  FIG. 11 , a shearing force, or longitudinal  11   a  force, may distort the shape of a portal  72  and adjacent shear walls  70 . As the portal  72  is distorted in shape, the continuous, threaded hold-down system  10  may begin to angle in the direction of the longitudinal  11   a  force, thereby causing crushing of the top plate  24  at the point where the take-up unit  40  or bearing plate  36  contacts the top plate  24 . The angle of distortion is somewhat exaggerated in  FIG. 11  to better illustrate the crushing of the top plate  24  caused by the longitudinal  11   a  force.  
         [0059]     As the longitudinal  11   a  force abates and the portal  72  returns to its original position, the decreased dimension due to crushing may result in a loss of tension in the continuous, threaded hold-down system  10 . However, the take-up unit  40  expands to compensate for any crushing and maintains the desired tension in the continuous hold-down system  10 . It is apparent that the continuous hold-down system  10  as described would compensate for substantially any loss of tension resulting from shrinkage or from crushing caused by any longitudinal  11   a  force applied to the portal  72 .  
         [0060]     The continuous hold-down system  10  may be used on portals  72  varying in size and purpose.  FIG. 12  illustrates the use of the continuous hold-down system  10  to produce a self-cinching garage door portal  72 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the continuous hold-down system  10  in a wall containing window portals  72  and doorway portals  72 .  
         [0061]     From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides novel apparatus and methods directed to a hold-down for securing first and second support members to an anchoring device. The hold-down may have a first and a second flange, each flange having multiple securement apertures to facilitate securement to the first and second support members respectively. A base may connect the first and second flange and have an aperture for admitting and securing the anchoring device. When loaded in application, the first and second flanges may be configured to be loaded in tension.  
         [0062]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Summary:
A hold-down system used to secure a building structure to a foundation, thereby enabling the building to better withstand high winds, earthquakes, and the like. The hold-down system is characterized as being continuous and having stackable, individual take-up devices. A continuous hold-down system may include an anchor extending from the foundation through the various stories of the building structure. One or more take-up devices may limit the motion of selected stories with respect to the anchor. Accordingly, the individual take-up devices, acting alone or in a stacked configuration, compensate for settling, wood shrinkage, wood crushing, and the like throughout the entire height of the building structure.