Roof load transfer system

Abstract

A system provides a continuous load path from a top wall plate of a building to a foundation of the building. A wire rope is disposed between the top plate of the building and the foundation of the building. A first attachment is coupled to the foundation to connect a lower end of the wire rope to the foundation. A second attachment is coupled to the top plate to connect an upper end of the wire rope to the top plate of the building.

1 . A method for providing a continuous load path from a top plate of a wall of a building to a foundation of said building, said method comprising:
 attaching a first end of a wire rope to said foundation;   removing slack from said wire rope; and   attaching a second end of said wire rope to said top plate of said wall of said building.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising placing said wire rope between first and second coverings forming said wall. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  comprising forming a hole through said top plate of said wall and passing said second end of said wire rope through said hole. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 forming a first hole through said top plate;   placing a compression plate on said top plate, said compression plate defining a second hole;   passing said wire rope through said first hole and through said second hole of said compression plate on said top plate; and   attaching said wire rope to said compression plate by way of at least one wedge.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising installing a substantially vertical anchor bolt into said foundation and attaching said first end of said wire rope to said substantially vertical anchor bolt. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising attaching a plate to said foundation and attaching said first end of said wire rope to said plate. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said wire rope comprises a socket at a first end of said wire rope, and said method comprises attaching said socket to said foundation. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising attaching at least one portion of a rafter tie to said top plate and attaching a second portion of said rafter tie to a roof of said building. 
   
   
       9 . A kit for providing a continuous load path from a top plate of a wall of a building to a foundation of said building, said kit comprising:
 a wire rope having a length sufficient to connect said foundation of said building to said top plate of said building;   first attachment hardware attached to a first end of said wire rope for attaching said wire rope to said foundation;   at least one fastener to attach said first attachment hardware to said foundation;   a compression plate dimensioned to lie on top of said top plate; and   second attachment hardware to attach said wire rope to said compression plate.   
   
   
       10 . The kit according to  claim 9  wherein said first attachment hardware comprises a socket. 
   
   
       11 . The kit according to  claim 9  wherein said second attachment hardware comprises a socket and wedge assembly to attach to said wire rope. 
   
   
       12 . The kit according to  claim 11  further comprising a swageable ring to secure said wedge. 
   
   
       13 . The kit according to  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of rafter ties to provide a continuous load path from a roof of said building to said top plate. 
   
   
       14 . A system to provide a continuous load path from a top wall plate of a building to a foundation of said building, said system comprising:
 a wire rope disposed between said top plate of said building and said foundation of said building;   a first attachment coupled to said foundation to connect a first end of said wire rope to said foundation; and   a second attachment coupled to said top plate to connect a second end of said wire rope to said top plate of said building.   
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein said first attachment comprises a substantially vertical anchor bolt attached to said foundation. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein said first attachment comprises a plate disposed on a substantially vertical surface of said foundation, said plate to attach to said foundation by at least one expansion bolt. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein said first attachment comprises a socket. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein said second attachment comprises a compression plate disposed on said top plate of said building. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 18  wherein said second attachment further comprises at least one wedge to attach said wire rope to said compression plate. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 14  further comprising at least one rafter tie to connect at least one rafter of said building to said top plate. 
   
   
       21 . A wall or wall portion for a building, said wall or wall portion comprising:
 an upper structural member;   a first covering;   a second covering, said first covering and said second covering defining an interior of said wall or wall portion; and   a wire rope disposed within said interior of said wall or wall portion, a second end of said wire rope attached to or attachable to said upper structural member, a first end of said wire rope attached to or attachable to a foundation of said building so that said wire rope provides a continuous load path from said upper structural member to said foundation.   
   
   
       22 . The wall or wall portion according to  claim 21  wherein said wall or wall portion is attachable to said foundation of said building. 
   
   
       23 . The wall or wall portion according to  claim 21  wherein said wall or wall portion is attachable to a floor of said building. 
   
   
       24 . The wall or wall portion according to  claim 21  comprising a socket attached to said first end of said wire rope. 
   
   
       25 . The wall or wall portion according to  claim 21  comprising a socket and wedge assembly for attaching said second end of said wire rope to said upper structural member. 
   
   
       26 . A building to provide a continuous load path from a top wall plate of said building to a foundation of said building, said building comprising:
 a wire rope disposed between said top wall plate of said building and said foundation of said building;   a first attachment coupled to said foundation to connect a first end of said wire rope to said foundation; and   a second attachment coupled to said top plate to connect a second end of said wire rope to said top plate of said building.   
   
   
       27 . The building according to  claim 26  wherein said first attachment comprises a substantially vertical anchor bolt attached to said foundation. 
   
   
       28 . The building according to  claim 26  wherein said first attachment comprises a plate disposed on a substantially vertical surface of said foundation, said plate attached to said foundation by at least one expansion bolt. 
   
   
       29 . The building according to  claim 26  wherein said first attachment comprises a socket. 
   
   
       30 . The building according to  claim 26  wherein said second attachment comprises a compression plate disposed on said top wall plate of said building. 
   
   
       31 . The building according to  claim 30  wherein said second attachment further comprises at least one wedge to attach said wire rope to said compression plate. 
   
   
       32 . The building according to  claim 26  further comprising at least one rafter tie to connect at least one rafter of said building to said top plate.