Patent ID: 7665257

Claim:
An apparatus for securing a wall system together in a vertical direction comprising: a. a foundation; b. a plurality of anchors secured to the foundation; c. a plurality of first floor joists supported on the foundation; d. a first floor platform supported on the first floor joists; e. a first floor lower linkage beam including i. an elongate first floor lower linkage beam base supported on the first floor platform above at least some of the anchors, and ii. a first floor lower linkage beam flange extending vertically upward from the first floor lower linkage beam base and extending lengthwise horizontally; f. a plurality of first floor elongate connectors attached to the anchors and the first floor lower linkage beam; and g. a plurality of first floor wall studs attached to the first floor lower linkage beam flange and extending upwardly from the first floor lower linkage beam base.