Patent ID: 8763345

Claim:
A substantially rigid pre-fabricated frame for an opening of a wall of a building, comprising: a substantially vertical first column comprising: a first pair of substantially vertical studs laterally spaced from one another; a first holdown positioned between and secured to each stud of the first pair of studs and configured to be secured by a first rod to a structural element below the wall to prevent the first pair of studs from moving upward relative to the structural element; and a plurality of web members coupled to an inner one of the first pair of studs, each web member having a first end coupled to the inner one of the first pair of studs and a second end opposite the first end, wherein any web members coupled to the inner one of the first pair of studs and disposed above the first holdown are angled such that the first ends and second ends are at different vertical heights along the first column; a substantially vertical second column spaced laterally from the first column so that a wall opening can be formed between the first and second columns, the wall opening configured to receive one of a door and a window, the second column comprising: a second pair of substantially vertical studs laterally spaced from one another; and a second holdown positioned between and secured to each stud of the second pair of studs and configured to be secured by a second rod to the structural element below the wall to prevent the second pair of studs from moving upward relative to the structural element; a substantially horizontal header having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the first end secured to and positioned above the first column and at least a portion of the second end secured to and positioned above the second column; and wherein the header, the first column, and the second column collectively comprise a substantially rigid framework configured to transmit loads into a structural element below the wall.