Patent ID: 8052166

Claim:
A tie-plate comprising: a first plate that is removably attachable to a first frame hanger and to a second frame hanger, wherein the plate includes a first set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the first frame hanger, wherein the plate includes a second set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the second frame hanger, wherein the plate is adapted for attachment to the first frame hanger such that a plane containing a center line of a spring pocket within the first frame hanger and a center line of a shear-spring pocket within the second frame hanger passes through the plate, wherein the plane is parallel or substantially parallel to a bottom of the first frame hanger and a bottom of the second frame hanger; and wherein the center line of the spring pocket within the first frame hanger substantially coincides with the center line of the shear-spring pocket within the second frame hanger.