Patent ID: 8881478

Claim:
A take-up device ( 1 ) in a connection, the take-up device comprising: a. a housing ( 26 ) with an outer bore ( 27 ) the outer bore ( 27 ) having a lower inward-curved portion ( 43 ) that is frusto-spherical; b. a plurality of insert segments ( 2 ) primarily disposed in the outer bore ( 27 ) and primarily contained securely within the housing ( 26 ), each of which has an outer bore-interfacing surface ( 17 ) that interfaces with the inward-curved portion ( 43 ) of the outer bore ( 27 ) of the housing ( 26 ), wherein: i. the outer bore-interfacing surfaces ( 17 ) of the plurality of insert segments ( 2 ) collectively form a segmented frusto-spherical surface where the outer bore-interfacing surfaces ( 17 ) interface with the outer bore ( 27 ); ii. each insert segment ( 2 ) has a concave inner bore-defining surface ( 14 ) and the plurality of concave inner bore-defining surfaces ( 14 ) form a generally tubular inner bore ( 16 ); c. wherein the take-up device is fastened to a first structural member ( 115 ); and d. a tie rod ( 24 ) is at least partially held within the inner bore ( 16 ) of the take-up device ( 1 ) by a plurality of the insert segments ( 2 ), the tie rod ( 24 ) having a top end ( 124 ) that can pass through the housing ( 26 ).