Patent ID: 7634888

Claim:
A load-resisting segment configured to be installed within a building wall formed above a structural element of a building, the segment comprising: a first substantially vertical stud; a second substantially vertical stud spaced from the first stud, wherein the first and second studs receive a rigid member that is secured to both of the first and second studs and that engages an upper portion of a substantially vertical rod that has a lower portion configured to be secured to the structural element below the wall, so that the rigid member and the rod form at least a part of a holdown that is configured to prevent the first and second studs from moving upward relative to the structural element; a third substantially vertical stud spaced from the second stud so that the second stud is between the first and third studs; a first web member oriented diagonally between the second and third studs, the first web member having a top end with a lateral surface bearing against the third stud, the first web member having a bottom end with a lateral surface and a bottom surface, the lateral surface of the bottom end of the first web member bearing against the second stud; a beam-separation block with a top surface, a lateral surface, and a bottom surface, the top surface of the beam-separation block bearing against the bottom surface of the bottom end of the first web member, the lateral surface of the beam-separation block bearing against the second stud; and a second web member oriented diagonally between the second and third studs, the second web member having a top end with a top surface and a lateral surface, the top surface of the top end of the second web member bearing against the bottom surface of the beam-separation block, the lateral surface of the top end of the second web member bearing against the second stud, the second web member having a bottom end with a lateral surface bearing against the third stud; wherein the beam-separation block is sized and shaped so that a load path defined by the first web member and a load path defined by the second web member intersect substantially on a line that is collinear with the rod when the rigid member is secured to both the first and second studs and is engaged with the rod.