Patent Abstract:
A ratcheting take-up device that compensates for imperfect alignment in a tie rod continuity system in the frame of a building wall. The upper ends of the tie rods are tightly clamped within the take-up device by domed segments inserted in a bowl-shaped housing. The segments are also forced together by a compression member in the housing. The domed shape of the segments and the bowl shape of the housing cooperate so that the segments can rotate in any direction to accommodate tie rods that are not perfectly vertical, without a corresponding loss of strength in the connection.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to building construction and reinforcement, and specifically to a continuity system that resists tension from wind uplift forces or overturning forces from wind or seismic events while compensating for the downward settling of buildings caused by shrinkage of wooden members. Most specifically, the present invention relates to a ratcheting take-up device that reduces slack due to wood shrinkage and building settling in a holdown system of continuous rods, eases installation and compensates for imperfectly aligned rods. 
     A continuity system is a secondary support system that ties walls or other building elements together and resists lateral overturning forces or uplift forces from events such as earthquakes or strong winds. Earthquake and wind forces produce overturning and uplift loads in the building, which load the building elements in overturning or uplift with respect to the building foundation. A continuity system resists such movements of the building elements. A continuity system generally comprises a plurality of interconnected vertically-oriented elements, typically metal rods and bearing plates, or holdowns, that provide a discrete structural mechanism or load path framework for the transfer of loads through the building from the structural elements that are intended to resist such forces, such as roof or floor diaphragms and shearwalls, to the continuity system, and then to the foundation. For example, the presence of a continuity system enables wall panels to resist overturning and/or moments that might damage or destroy the wall. 
     A known continuity system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,314 (“the &#39;314 patent”), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The &#39;314 patent describes a system in which at least one tie rod is connected to the foundation through a simple threaded coupler and a foundation anchor. Although the tie rod system can be used in a single-story structure, it is particularly suited to multistory structures, as illustrated in the &#39;314 patent. In a multistory structure, a series of anchor elements is used to couple multiple tie rods in a line from the foundation to the top plate of the top story of the structure. The anchor elements of the &#39;314 patent, in addition to coupling tie rods together, are used to secure the tie rods at each level of the structure to eliminate initial slack in the system. The principal shortcoming of the system of the &#39;314 patent is the lack of a means of compensating for slack that builds up in the system as the wood structural members shrink over time. As slack builds up in the system, the system&#39;s capacity to resist uplift is correspondingly reduced. 
     The prior art includes a number of technical solutions to the problem of increasing slack in continuity systems. Simpson Strong-Tie Company&#39;s Anchor Tiedown System uses the TUD and ATUD take-up devices, as well as the CTUD coupling take-up device. The CTUD coupling take-up device is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,066, granted to Steven E. Pryor et al. All three devices are driven by a torsion spring. The TUD and ATUD are slipped over the tie rod between a horizontally disposed member and a nut threaded onto the tie rod, and they expand to fill the space as it expands enlarges. The CTUD threads onto and couples the vertically-aligned ends of two tie rods, drawing the two together to maintain tight connections between the wood and steel elements as the wood structural members shrink over time. 
     Similar continuity systems with ratcheting take-up devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,284 the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,322, the entire disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference. These devices, while similar in both basic form and function to the present invention, lack inventive features of the present invention. 
     The ratcheting take-up device of the present invention eases installation of continuity systems, compensates for tie rods that are not perfectly perpendicular to the top and bottom plates, and takes up slack in the continuity system after installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The take-up device of the present invention has a plurality of insert segments with concavities that form an inner bore. The insert segments are contained within a housing that has an outer bore. The lower portion of the outer bore in the housing narrows. The lower portions of the insert segments and the lower portion of outer bore contained by the housing have frusto-spherical bearing surfaces. The insert segments are formed and arranged so that they grasp and hold a tie rod received in the housing when a wind uplift or a shear wall overturning force is applied to the wall of which the take-up device is a part. When a wind uplift or a shear wall overturning force is applied to the wall, the tie rod is placed in tension from an anchoring, reactive force pulling on the tension rod from below the housing while the structural member that is part of the wall to which the take-up device is attached pushes upwardly on the housing of the take-up device. The tie rod, the insert segments and the housing are formed such that when the tie rod moves downwardly with respect to the housing, the insert segments will be pulled downwardly in the housing as well. The tension on the tie rod combined with the narrowing in the lower portion of the outer bore of the housing causes a constriction of the insert segments about the tie rod forcing them to grasp and hold the tie rod, preventing any further downward movement of the tie rod with respect to the housing and thus to the building component to which the housing is attached. 
     An important advantage of the take-up device of the present invention is that its frusto-spherical bearing surfaces allow it to anchor imperfectly aligned tie rods by swinging about a central pivot on the vertical axis of the device in any direction without a reduction in the bearing surfaces or the strength of the anchorage. The lower portions of the insert segments collectively have the geometry of a spherical segment—a spherical cap with the top truncated, or a spherical frustum. The first frusto-spherical bearing surface is the outward-facing, lower surfaces of the insert segments taken together. The second frusto-spherical bearing surface is the inward-facing lower portion of the outer bore of the housing. The insert segments are inserted in the outer bore of the housing. The frusto-spherical sections of each, solid in the segments and hollow in the outer bore, are closely matched. Because the lower bearing surfaces of the insert segments are able to rotate or swing to be in contact with a matching surface in the lower portion of the outer bore of the device housing, there is little or no reduction in the net bearing interface when the rod received by the nut segments is out of alignment with the vertical axis of the housing. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the housing and insert segments are shaped and arranged to allow a tie rod to be quickly inserted through the inner bore formed by the insert segments by pushing the tie rod up through the bore. When a tie rod is first inserted up into the housing, the upward movement of the tie rod forces the insert segments apart from a constricted position—the constriction preferably caused by the downward force of gravity and possibly by a compression member placed above the insert segments, combined with the narrowing in the lower portion of the outer bore of the housing—to the width of the tie rod. The interface between the surfaces of the tie rod and the insert segments creates a ratcheting action as the tie rod is pushed up and the insert segments move up and out laterally, allowing the tie rod to be inserted as far as needed into the housing for installation. When the building shrinks, the relative movement of the tie rod and the housing is similar to movement during installation. The relative upward movement of the rod with respect to the housing pushes the insert segments up and out laterally, and gravity and any relative downward movement of the tension rod as well as the usual tension that is placed on the rod once it is installed pulls the insert segments downwardly and inwardly in combination with the narrowing of the outer bore of the housing and thus against the rod, holding it with respect to the housing. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide insert segments that are made with flat tops and bottom edges and in the preferred embodiment are compressed by a member with a flat surface so that it allows tie rods to be inserted with a minimal risk of jamming the take-up device because the insert segments are held in place by a flat, hard washer above, which interface with flat surfaces at the tops of the insert segments to stabilize them as they expand away from and constrict towards the central vertical axis of the device. Another object of the present invention is to provide the housing with a small ledge which interfaces with the bottom edges of the insert segments to stabilize them as they expand away from and constrict towards the central vertical axis of the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  a perspective view of a connection made with the take-up device of the present invention, showing the take-up device installed on the top plate of a stud wall. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connection made with the take-up device of the present invention, showing two take-up devices of the present invention, each installed on a different level of the same structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the housing of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the housing of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the upper and lower hard washers of the compression member of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the hard washers of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the soft washer of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the soft washer of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the insert segments of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the insert segments of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15A  is a cutaway elevation view of a connection made with the take-up device of the present invention, showing a threaded rod perfectly centered within and parallel to the inner bore. 
         FIG. 15B  is a cutaway elevation view of a connection made with the take-up device of the present invention, showing a threaded rod imperfectly centered within and not parallel to the inner bore, with the insert segments rotated to accommodate the angle of the threaded rod. 
         FIG. 16  is a cutaway cross-sectional elevation view of the interface between the insert segments and the outer bore of the take-up device housing of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an insert segment of the take-up device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an insert segment of the take-up device of the present invention; the insert segment shown in  FIG. 18  has smaller inner bore than the similar insert segment shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the take-up device of the present invention; the take-up device shown in  FIG. 19  has a smaller inner bore than the similar take-up device shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the take-up device of the present invention taken along view line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ; the take-up device shown in  FIG. 20  has a smaller inner bore than the similar take-up device shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For clarity and convenience, the take-up device  1  of the current invention is described in a single, most common, orientation (except as noted otherwise) in which a top faces up and a bottom faces down. The take-up device  1  can, nevertheless, be installed in essentially any orientation, so that a top can face down or to the side and a bottom can face up or to the side. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 11 , the take-up device  1  of the present invention preferably has four insert segments  2  arranged sectionally around an inner bore  16 . Greater or lesser numbers of insert segments  2  are possible, but four is preferred. The insert segments  2  are designed to grasp a preferably vertical tie rod or threaded bolt  24 . Preferably, vertical tie rod  24  is a least threaded where it is grasped by insert segments  2 . Vertical tie rod  24  can be wholly threaded, partially threaded, or unthreaded, although if is unthreaded it is preferable to have a grooved surface that can mate with similar grooves on the insert segments  2  for achieving design load values, although alternate methods of the grasping of the insert segments  2  of the tie rod  24  are encompassed within the invention. The insert segments  2  preferably surround the tie rod or threaded bolt  24 , but with gaps between the insert segments  2 . Preferably, each insert segment  2  has a substantially planar top surface  3 . 
     The top surface  3  need not be planar, but it is generally advantageous to maximize the area of the top surface  3  because the top surface  3  is where the insert segments  2  are pushed down by compression member  46  which helps to prevent the insert segments  2  from rotating too far out of their upright orientation when the tie rod  24  pushes them upwardly and outwardly during shrinkage of the building or installation of the tie rod  24 , and thus the insert segments  2  are properly positioned to grasp the tie rod  24  as firmly as possible when the tie rod  24  is in tension again. The top surface  3  of each insert segment  2  preferably has a concave inner bore-defining edge  4  that has a first end  5  and a second end  5 . The inner bore-defining edge  4  is preferably an arc  4 . Preferably, a substantially straight first side edge  6  connects the first end  5  of the concave inner bore-defining edge  4  to the first end  8  of a convex outer bore edge  7 . Preferably, a substantially straight second side edge  6  connects the second end  5  of the concave inner bore-defining edge  4  to a second end  8  of the convex outer bore edge  7 . The first and second substantially straight side edges  6  of the top surface  3  are preferably orthogonal to each other. The outer bore edge  7  is preferably a nearly 90-degree arc  7  except where the arc  7  is interrupted by a tab  9  that projects from the convex outer bore edge  7 . Preferably, the tab  9  has a slightly curved outer edge  10  with first and second ends  11  that are connected to the arc  7  by first and second substantially straight side edges  12 , respectively. The tab  9  is preferably formed as an integral part of the insert segment  2 , rather than as a separate part attached to the insert segment  2 . 
     In the currently preferred embodiments of the invention optimized to grasp a ⅜″ or ½″ diameter threaded rod, in which there are four insert segments  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , the distance between opposite outer edges  10  of the tabs  9  of opposed segments  2  is preferably 1.375 inches. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  17  and  18 , each insert segment  2  preferably has first and second substantially planar sides  13  perpendicular to the top surface  3 . Preferably, the first substantially planar sides  13  extend downward from the first and second edges  6  of the top surface  3 . The first and second substantially planar sides  13  are preferably orthogonal to each other. Each insert segment  2  preferably has a rough, threaded, concave inner bore-defining surface  14  that extends downward from the concave inner bore-defining edge  4  and connects the first and second substantially planar sides  13 . Preferably, each bore-defining surface  14  is primarily a section of a rough, threaded, right circular cylindrical surface  15  that defines the inner bore  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 18 , each insert segment  2  preferably has an outer bore-interfacing surface  17  that extends downward from the arc  7  of the outer bore edge  7 . In the currently preferred embodiments of the invention the outer bore-interfacing surface  17  and the inner bore  16  preferably has a surface roughness of 125-250 micro-inches (3.2-6.3 μm). 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 11 , a portion  103  of the substantially planar top surface  3  of each insert segment  2  preferably extends radially outward away from the inner bore  16  to form the top surface  103  of each tab  9 , bounded by the outer edge  10  and the two sides edges  12  of each tab  9 . Preferably, each tab has a substantially planar outer surface  18  that descends from the outer edge  10 . Each tab  9  preferably has first and second substantially planar side surfaces  19  that descend from the first and second side edges  12 , respectively, of the tab  9 . Preferably, each tab  9  has a substantially planar bottom surface  20  opposite the top surface  103  of the tab  9 . In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, each tab  9  is 0.250 inches wide from the first side edge  12  to the second side edge  12 , and each tab  9  is preferably 0.120 inches thick from the top surface  103  to the bottom surface  20 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  12 ,  17  and  18 , preferably the general shape of the lower portion of the outer bore-interfacing surfaces  17  of the insert segments  2  is collectively that of a spherical segment—a spherical cap with the top truncated or a spherical frustum. In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention a radius of 0.5 inches is preferred. The insert segments  2  generally have the form of an inverted dome with the inverted apex cut off parallel to the base. If there are four insert segments  2 , each is approximately one quarter of the spherical frustum and the spherical frustum is vertically quartered, and the quarters preferably spaced slightly apart. Two segments  2  side-by-side have the general shape of an inverted semi-dome. The outer bore-interfacing surfaces  17  preferably taper from the top surfaces  3  of the insert segments  2  to bottom edges  21  of the insert segments  2 , reducing the cross-section of each insert segment  2  from the top surface  3  to the bottom edge  21 . Preferably, the general shape of the upper portion  104  of the outer bore-interfacing surface  17  of the insert segments  2  is collectively that of a cylinder with tabs  9  splayed circumferentially. The lower portion  105  the outer bore-interfacing surface  17  of the insert segments  2  curves inward. In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the substantially planar bottom surface  20  of each tab  9  joins the tapering outer bore-interfacing surface  17  of its insert segment  2  at a tab juncture  25  that has a radius of 0.020 inches. The insert segments  2  together preferably form an inverted dome with a central vertical through-bore. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  20 , the rough, preferably threaded, inner bore-defining surface  14  of each insert segment  2  extends from a top end  22  to a bottom end  23 , where the inner bore  16  flares outward with a substantially annular widening taper surface  36 , or chamfer  36 , on each insert segment  2  that meets the bottom edge  21  of each insert segment. These flared, or beveled, bottom portions  36  of the inner bore  16  are where the tie rod or threaded bolt  24  is inserted; the flared portions  36  ease insertion of the tie rod or threaded bolt  24 . Each substantially planar widening taper surface  36  is preferably oriented at 45 degrees to the top surfaces  3  of the insert segments  4  and at 45 degrees to the central axis  100  of the take-up device  1 , with the acceptable range being up to 15 degrees more or less. Preferably, each taper surface  36  is a surface section of a conical frustum. In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the flared bottom portions  36  widen the inner bore  16  to a maximum width of 0.545 inches across. In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bottom edge  21  is preferably not a true edge, but is instead a very narrow annular surface  21 , a flat base  21  that helps to stabilize the insert segments  2 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bottom edge  21  of each insert segment is preferably 0.0085 inches across parallel to the top surface  3 : the maximum width across the lowest part of the insert segments  2  collectively is 0.562 inches from edge  21  to edge  21  of opposed segments  2  when the insert segments  2  are resting on the ledge  45  of the outer bore  27 ; the height of the insert segments  2 , measured from the top surface  3  to the bottom edge  21 , is preferably 0.539 inches. The height of the insert segments  2  is sufficient to grasp enough of the tie rod or threaded bolt  24  for a secure connection  110  by connecting to multiple turns of the threaded bolt  24 . In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the insert segments  2  are held apart by the tie rod or threaded bolt  24 , so that adjacent sides  13  of the insert segments  2  do not interface but are instead held 0.062 inches apart. 
     Currently, the inventors have engineered and developed two preferred sizes of the take-up device  1  of the present invention. The inventors contemplate developing additional sizes for larger sizes of tie rods  24  and will adjust dimensions to maximize the performance of the take-up device with the different tie rods  24 . Currently, the two sizes differ only in the dimension of the right circular cylindrical surfaces  15  that define the inner bore  16 , which in a first embodiment is sized to accept a ⅜-16 UNC threaded rod  24  (best shown in  FIG. 20 ) and in a second embodiment is sized to accept a ½-13 UNC threaded rod  24  (best shown in  FIG. 14 ). With the preferable spacing of 0.062 inches between the insert segments  2 , the maximum diameter of the rough, threaded, concave inner bore-defining surface  14  (made up of the right circular cylindrical surfaces  15 ) of the inner bore  16  is 0.342 inches when the threaded rod is ⅜-16 UNC. When the threaded rod  24  is ½-13 UNC, the maximum diameter of the rough, threaded, concave inner bore-defining surface  14  (made up of the right circular cylindrical surfaces  15 ) of the inner bore  16  is 0.459 inches. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  19  and  20 , the insert segments  2  fit into an outer bore  27  in a housing  26  that holds the segments  2  in the correct sectional arrangement to form the inner bore  16 . The housing  26  is preferably a seamless, unitary member  26  with a vertical body  28  that is preferably cylindrical and contains the outer bore  27  and a horizontal plate  29  below the vertical body  28 . The horizontal plate  29  has a top face  101  and a bottom face  102 . Preferably, the horizontal plate  29  is shaped generally as an elongated rhombus with two relatively closely spaced corners  30  and two relatively distantly spaced corners  31 . The two relatively closely spaced corners  30  and two relatively distantly spaced corners  31  are preferably rounded. The two closely spaced opposing corners  30  do not extend beyond the cylindrical body  28  and match the curvature of the cylindrical body  28  where the plate  29  and cylindrical body  28  coincide. The two distantly spaced opposing corners  31  are spaced away from the cylindrical body  28 . The plate  29  has a fastener opening  32  between each distantly spaced  31  corner and the cylindrical body  28 . In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, each of the fastener openings  32  has a diameter of 0.171 inches. The fastener openings  32  are preferably spaced 1.886 inches apart on center. The center of the outer bore  27  is 0.943 inches from the centers of the fastener openings  32 . 
     Also, in the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cylindrical vertical body  28  preferably has an outer diameter of 1.283 inches. The vertical body  28  has a top edge  33 . The outer bore  27  within the vertical body  28  has a diameter at the top edge  33  of 1.123 inches. Therefore, the vertical body  28  has a wall  34  that is preferably 0.16 inches thick at the top edge  33 . The cylindrical vertical body  28  is 1.209 inches in diameter from the middle of the wall  34  across to the middle of wall  34  opposite. The top edge  33  is preferably flat except where it is notched with a number of indentations or slots  35  that match the tabs  9  on the insert segments  2 . Each tab  9  preferably fits in an indentation  35  and preferably extends outside the vertical body  28 , and the interlock prevents the insert segments  2  from rotating around the central axis  100 . The interface between the tabs  9  and the indentations  35  also helps to stabilize the insert segments  2 , helping to keep them level especially when a threaded rod  24  is inserted into the inner bore  16 . Rather than being screwed into the inner bore  16 , the threaded rod  24  is preferably pushed in without rotation and the insert segments  2  react by moving apart and together, ratcheting when the threaded inner bore  16  interfaces with a threaded bolt  24 . The compression member  46  allows the insert segments  2  to move up within the housing  26 , and the upwardly-widening outer bore  27  allows the insert segments  2  to move apart. This allows the threaded bolt  24  to be inserted into the inner bore  16 , and as the threaded bolt  24  and the threaded portion of inner surfaces  14  of the insert segments  2  slide against each other, the segments  2  are moved up and outwardly and down and inwardly repeatedly, the inward motion urged by the compression member  46  and the narrowing outer bore  27  in the housing  2 . The threaded bolt  24  can only be inserted in one direction because when it is pulled down, the downwardly-narrowing outer bore  27  forces the insert segments  2  against the threaded rod  24  so that the threaded bolt  24  and the threaded portion of inner surfaces  14  of the insert segments  2  interlock as if the threaded bolt  24  had been screwed into a conventional solid nut. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , preferably the housing  26  has a lateral horizontal axis  37  that passes through centers of the two fastener openings  32  and the center of the outer bore  27 , which is preferably also the center of the cylindrical body  28 , the housing  26  and the inner bore  16 . Preferably, the housing  26  also has a medial horizontal axis  38  that also passes through the center of the outer bore  27  and is orthogonal to the lateral horizontal axis  37 . The indentations  35  are preferably centered on first and second diagonal horizontal axes  39  that are 45 degrees off of the lateral horizontal axis  37  and the medial horizontal axis  38 . In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, each indentation  35  is preferably 0.281 inches wide along the circumference of the top edge  33  of the cylindrical body  28 . Preferably, each indentation  35  is 0.454 inches deep from the top edge  33  of the cylindrical body  28 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  16 , in the currently preferred embodiments, the outer bore  27  preferably descends at right angles to the flat surface of the top edge  33 . The outer bore  27  descends 0.045 inches to a groove  40  that runs parallel to the top edge  33 . The groove  40  is 0.062 inches tall and has cross-section that is U-shaped in cross-section, with an internal radius of 0.031 inches. The outer bore  27  preferably descends another 0.324 inches straight down, creating an upper vertical portion  41  that descends a total of 0.431 inches straight down from the top edge  33 ; the groove  40  is within that upper vertical portion  41 . At a depth of 0.431 inches, the outer bore  27  preferably tapers inward at an angle of 65 degrees relative to the bottom face  102  of the horizontal plate  29 , creating a middle inward-angled portion  42 . The middle inward-angled portion  42  transitions to a lower inward-curved portion  43  that preferably has a radius of 0.510 inches in a vertical plane. This closely matches the 0.5-inch radius, also in a vertical plane, of lower portion  105  of the outer bore-interfacing surfaces  17  of the insert segments  2 . The lower inward-curved portion  43  reduces the taper angle from 65 degrees. The middle inward-angled portion  42  and the lower inward-curved portion  43  together reduce the diameter of the outer bore  27 , and their collective depth is preferably 0.419 inches, so that with the upper vertical portion  41  the collective depth is preferably 0.85 inches. Below the lower inward-curved portion  43  the outer bore  27  has a bottom portion  44  that is flared and preferably has a depth of 0.091 inches and that slightly increases the diameter of the outer bore  27  from a minimum of 0.545 inches at the bottom face  102  of the horizontal plate  29  to 0.558 inches. The slight widening of the bottom flared portion  44  eases insertion of the threaded rod  24 . Between the inward-curved portion  43  and the bottom flared portion  44  is a horizontal, or flat, ledge  45  that is 0.0115 inches wide and orthogonal to the central axis  100  of the housing  26 . The diameter of the outer bore  27  is 0.568 inches at the bottom of the lower inward-curved portion  43  and is 0.545 inches at the top of the bottom flared portion  44 . This horizontal ledge  45  helps to keep the insert segments  2  level when a threaded rod  24  is inserted into the ratcheting take-up device  1  to create the basic connection  110 . The preferred total height of the outer bore is 0.941 inches. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , preferably the insert segments  2  are retained within the outer bore  27  by a compression member  46 . The compression member  46  preferably comprises a lower hard washer  47 , a middle soft washer  48  and an upper hard washer  47 . The middle soft washer  48  is preferably made from a resilient material like rubber that, when compressed, stores energy and expands when compression forces are released. Preferably, the middle soft washer  48  is made from soft quick-recovery super-resilient polyurethane foam, which has a firmness at 25 percent deflection, of 4-8 psi, a tensile strength of 40 psi, a stretch limit of 100 percent, and a density of 15 pounds per cubic foot. The middle soft washer  48  functions like a standard metal compression spring and a spring could be used, but the washer  48  is preferred. In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the middle soft washer  48  preferably a 0.235-inch thick ring with an outer diameter of 1 inch and an inner diameter of 0.567 inches. The inner diameters of the compression member  46  limit how far the insert segments  2  can tilt or rotate. The upper and lower hard washers  47  are preferably made from steel. Preferably, each has an inner edge  50 , an outer edge  51 , an upper surface  52  and a lower surface  53 . Preferably, the inner edge  50  and the outer edge  51  are both generally circular. The inner edge preferably has a pair of inclusions  52 , each with a preferred radius of 0.063 inches that evenly divide the remainder into two arcs  53  with a diameter of 0.562 inches. Preferably, the outer edge  51  has four pairs of inclusions  54 , each with a preferred radius of 0.063 inches. Each pair of inclusions  54  preferably is 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the outer edge  51 . Preferably, between the inclusions  54  of each pair is a small arc  55  that is preferably 0.254 inches wide. These four small arcs  55  preferably each have a diameter of 1.187 inches. Preferably, between each pair of inclusions  54  is a large arc  56  with a diameter of 1.108 inches. The preferred total of eight inclusions  54  in the outer edge  51  bound an inner area with a circumference  57  with a diameter of 1.068 inches. The upper and lower hard washers  47  are preferably 0.047 inches thick. Preferably, the small arcs  55 , which project slightly from the rest of the outer edges  51  of the upper and lower hard washers  47 , and are therefore on slight projections  49  that are inserted in the indentations  35  in the wall  34  of the cylindrical body  28  of the housing  26  of the take-up device  1 . The lower hard washer  47  is stabilized by the interfaces between the small arcs  55  and the indentations  35 . The upper hard washer  47  is rotated so small arcs  55  slide into the groove  40  in the wall  34  of the cylindrical body  28  of the housing  26  of the take-up device  1 . This locks the upper hard washer  47  in place. The upper hard washer  47  holds the middle soft washer  48  and the lower hard washer  47  in place, and this whole compression member  46  holds the insert segments  2  down within the outer bore  27  of the take-up device  1 . When the insert segments  2  push up, the middle soft washer  48  compresses and, because it is resilient, the middle soft washer  48  pushes the insert segments  2  down when the upper hard washer  47  is locked in place. The whole compression member  46  functions as a spring tailored for the best performance in this device  1  and connection  110 . The interface between the outer bore-interfacing surfaces  17  of the insert segments  2  and the inward-angled and inward-curved portions  42  and  43  of the outer bore  27  forces the insert segments  2  together. The insert segments  2  clamp together on the tie rod or threaded bolt  24 . The matching curvatures of the bore-interfacing surfaces  17  of the insert segments  2  and the inward-curved portions  43  of the outer bore  27  allow the insert segments  2  to rotate or swing on a horizontal axis generally orthogonal to, and intersecting with, the tie rod or threaded bolt  24  without diminishing the interface area. This allows the take-up device  1  to compensate for imperfect alignment of the tie rod or threaded bolt  24  without diminishing the strength of the connection  110 . The insert segments  2  can tilt, or rotate, in any direction. Generally, the segments  2  need only rotate a maximum of two degrees from the central axis  100 , but the ability to do this without diminishing the interface with the outer bore  27  and the strength of the connection  110  is substantially advantageous since tie rods or threaded bolts  24  are rarely, if ever, aligned perfectly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an anchor bolt  118  is embedded in a concrete foundation  112 . The anchor bolt  118  passes through the horizontal bottom plate  113  of a wall  111 , in this case the mudsill  113 , and it attached to a coupler  117  that bears down on a holdown  116  that is mounted on one of the vertical wall studs  114 . The coupler  117  joins the anchor bolt  118  to an in-line threaded rod  24  that runs parallel to the wall stud  114  and up through the double top plate  115 , where it is secured to the top plate  115  by a take-up device  1  of the present invention that is fastened to the top plate  115  with a bearing plate  120  sandwiched between the bottom face  102  of the take-up device  1  and the top plate  115 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , take-up devices  1  of the present invention can be placed at every level of a multistory structure. In  FIG. 4 , a first take-up device  1  is shown fastened to the bottom plate  113  of an upper floor and a second take-up device  2  is attached to the top plate  115  directly above. 
     In its simplest form, the present invention is a take-up device  1  that has a housing  26  and a plurality of insert segments  2 . The housing  26  has an outer bore  27  and the outer bore  27  has a lower inward-curved portion  43  that is frusto-spherical. The insert segments  2  each has an outer bore-interfacing surface  17  that interfaces with the inward-curved portion  43  of the outer bore  27  of the housing  26 . The outer bore-interfacing surfaces  17  of the plurality of insert segments  2  are at least in part collectively frusto-spherical. Each insert segment  2  has a concave inner bore-defining surface  14  and the plurality of concave inner bore-defining surfaces  14  define an inner bore  16 . Preferably, the outer bore  27  of the housing  26  has a ledge  45 , the insert segments  2  each have a bottom edge  21 , and the bottoms edges  21  of the insert segments  2  interface with the ledge  45  in the outer bore  27 , stabilizing the insert segments  2 . The take-up device  1  preferably has four insert segments  2 . Each insert segment  2  preferably has a substantially planar top surface  3 . The top surface  3  preferably has a concave inner bore-defining edge  4  with first and second ends  5 , a convex outer bore edge  7  with first and second ends  8 , a first substantially straight side edge  6  that connects the first end  5  of the inner bore-defining edge  4  to the first end  8  of the outer bore edge  7 , and a second substantially straight side edge  6  that connects the second end  5  of the inner bore-defining edge  4  to the second end  8  of the outer bore edge  7 . Each segment  2  preferably also has a tab  9  on the convex outer bore edge  7 , an inner bore-defining surface  14  that descends from the inner bore-defining edge  4 , and an outer bore-interfacing surface  17  that descends from the outer bore-defining edge  7  and tapers a bottom edge  21 . Preferably, the inner bore  12  of the take-up device  1  is threaded. 
     The housing  26  preferably also has a horizontal plate  29  and a vertical body  28  that surmounts the horizontal plate  29  and the outer bore  27  of the housing  26  is contained within the vertical body  28 . Preferably, the vertical body  28  is cylindrical and has an outer wall  34  with a top edge  33 , a plurality of indentations  35  extend down from the top edge  33  of the wall  34 , and a tab  9  of an insert segment  2  interfaces with each of the indentations  35  in the wall  34  of the cylindrical vertical body  28 . The insert segments  2  are preferably retained within the outer bore  27  by a compression member  46 . Preferably, the compression member  46  has an upper hard washer  47 , and a resilient lower soft washer  48  that pushes the insert segments  2  downward in the outer bore  27  and is restrained from upward movement by the upper hard washer  47 . The compression member  46  preferably also has a lower hard washer  47  that is between the resilient lower soft washer  48  and the insert segments  2 . Preferably, the upper and lower hard washers  47  each have an outer edge  51  with a plurality of projections  49 . The outer bore  27  preferably has a groove  40  connected to the indentations  35  in wall  34  of the cylindrical body  28 . Preferably, the projections  49  of the upper hard washer  47  project into the groove  40  in the outer bore  27 , restraining the compression member  46 . The projections  49  of the lower hard washer  47  preferably project into the indentations  35  in wall  34  of the cylindrical body  28 , stabilizing the compression member  46 . 
     Preferably, the take-up device  1  is part of a connection  110  that has a first structural member  115  to which the take-up device  1  is fastened, and a tie rod  24  with a top end  124  at least partially held within the inner bore  16  of the take-up device  1  by a plurality of the insert segments  2 . The first structural member  115  preferably is a top plate  115  in an at least partially wood frame wall  111 , and a bearing plate  120  is disposed between the first structural member  115  and the take-up device  1 . Preferably, the tie rod  24  is secured to a foundation  112  below the wood frame wall  111 . 
     The outer bore  27  of the take-up device  1  preferably has a central vertical axis  100 . Preferably, when the tie rod  24  is not parallel to the central vertical axis  100  of the outer bore  27 , the insert segments  2  that hold the tie rod  24  are canted so the inner bore  16  is parallel to the tie rod  24  where the tie rod  24  is held by the insert segments  2  but the inner bore is not parallel to the central vertical axis  100  of the outer bore  27 . 
     Preferably, the connection  110  is formed by inserting the top end  124  of the tie rod  24  into the inner bore  16  of the take-up device and fastening the take-up device  1  to the first structural member  115 . The take-up device  1  is preferably fastened to the first structural member  115  with a plurality of screws or nails  119 . Screws provide a stronger connection than nails, but nails are less expensive and can still often provide the necessary strength for the connection. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4