Shear wall panel

Abstract

A shear wall panel is utilized in building walls to reduce the tendency of the wall from moving relative to a foundation during periods of external forces (e.g. earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes). The shear wall panel includes a top and a bottom horizontal support, a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, and a third vertical support parallel to the first and second vertical supports. The top and bottom horizontal supports are parallel to one another and are located proximate the top and bottom of the wall respectively. The first and second vertical supports each have a first and a second end secured to the top and bottom horizontal supports respectively, and are perpendicular to the top and bottom horizontal supports. The third vertical support includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connector. The first end portion passes through the bottom horizontal support and is secured to the foundation. The second end portion passes through the top horizontal support and includes a plate secured to a distal end of the second end portion. The a connector joins the first and second end portions of the third vertical support and applies a constant, predetermined force against the foundation and the plate, which in turn applies the force against the top and bottom horizontal supports and the first and second vertical supports.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shear wall panel comprising: 
 an upper and a lower support, said lower support disposed proximate a foundation;    at least two shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel, each comprising: 
 at least two vertical braces connected to said upper and said lower supports; and  
 a vertical shaft positioned between said two vertical braces, said vertical shaft comprising: 
 a first and a second end portion passing through said upper and said lower supports respectively, said first end attached to said upper support and said second end attached to said foundation and said first end attached to said upper support;  
 a tensioner applying a constant, predetermined force to said vertical shaft which in turn applies said force to said upper support, said lower support, and said vertical shaft; and  
 
   at least one planar member attached to each of said shear panel sections.    
     
     
         2 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said vertical shaft further includes a support plate mounted on a top surface of said upper support and attached to said first end portion of said vertical shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.  
     
     
         4 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said planar member further includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace.  
     
     
         5 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said vertical shaft is a threaded rod.  
     
     
         6 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said tensioner is a two side threaded fitting.  
     
     
         7 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said tensioner is a turnbuckle.  
     
     
         8 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said second end portion of said vertical shaft is secured directly to said foundation.  
     
     
         9 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said second end portion of said vertical shaft is molded into said foundation.  
     
     
         10 . A shear wall panel comprising: 
 a top and a bottom horizontal support located proximate a top and a bottom of said wall respectively, said top and said bottom horizontal supports parallel to one another;    a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, each support having a first and a second end secured directly to said top and said bottom horizontal supports respectively and perpendicular to said top and said bottom horizontal supports; and    a third vertical support, parallel to said first and said second vertical supports, and comprising: 
 a first end portion passing through said bottom horizontal support and secured to said foundation;  
 a second end portion passing through said top horizontal support and including a plate secured to a distal end of said second end portion; and  
 a connector joining said first and said second end portions of said third vertical support and applying a constant, predetermined force against said foundation and said plate which in turn applies said force against said top and said bottom horizontal supports and said first and second vertical supports.  
   
     
     
         11 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said shear wall panel includes at least two parallel shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel, wherein said shear wall panel further includes a planar member attached to at least one side of each of said shear panels sections.  
     
     
         12 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said planar member includes plywood.  
     
     
         13 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.  
     
     
         14 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said planar member further includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace secured to said planar member and said shear panel sections.  
     
     
         15 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said third vertical support is a threaded rod.  
     
     
         16 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said connector is a two side threaded fitting.  
     
     
         17 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said connector is a turnbuckle.  
     
     
         18 . A method of constructing a shear wall panel within an existing wall structure comprising the acts of: 
 constructing at least two shear panel sections within at least two portions of said existing wall, wherein constructing each shear panel section comprising the acts of: 
 securing a foundation connector to said foundation;  
 installing an upper and a lower support along a top and a bottom of said existing wall, wherein said lower support includes a first hole to allow said foundation connector to pass through said lower support;  
 securing at least two vertical braces to said upper and said lower supports on opposite sides of said first hole;  
 securing an end of a vertical shaft to said upper support;  
 connecting a tensioner to said foundation connector and said vertical shaft; and  
 adjusting said tensioner to apply a constant, predetermined force against said foundation and said upper support which transfers said force against said upper, said lower, and said vertical supports; and  
   installing a planar member to at least one side of each of said shear panel sections.    
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said act of securing said end of said vertical shaft to said upper support comprises: 
 drilling a second hole in said upper support between said vertical braces; and  
 positioning a support plate, mounted on a distal end of said vertical shaft, through said second hole, wherein support plate contacts an upper surface of said upper support.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said method further includes the acts of: 
 securing at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace to said shear panel sections; and  
 securing said planar member to said horizontal and vertical brace.  
 
     
     
         21 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said planar member includes plywood.  
     
     
         22 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.  
     
     
         23 . The shear wall panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said third vertical support is a threaded rod.