Column anchoring system for wind uplift resistance

Abstract

An inter-column anchor engages a top surface of header above a corresponding column, and the foundation below the corresponding column. The header anchor and/or the foundation anchor are adjustable to increase or decrease tension. The header anchor and foundation anchor are joined by a cable that may be grossly adjustable in length to accommodate various column heights. The elements of the inter-column anchor may be organized into a kit for distribution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inter-column anchor comprising:
 a header anchor comprising:
 a flange configured to abut an upper surface of a header; and 
 a tension adjustment element; 
   a foundation anchor configured to engage a hole in a foundation; and   a tension wire configured to engage the header anchor and the foundation anchor,   wherein the inter-column anchor is configured to apply a downward force to the header above a column to resist a lift to a roof overhang from an updraft.   
     
     
         2 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises an expanding concrete anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises:
 an internally threaded sleeve; and   a bolt configured to engage the internally threaded sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a tension wire length adjuster. 
     
     
         5 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises a tension adjustment element. 
     
     
         6 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the header anchor is affixed to the tension wire via a stud-end sleeve grip. 
     
     
         7 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 6 , wherein the foundation anchor is affixed to the tension wire via a stud-end sleeve grip. 
     
     
         8 . The inter-column anchor of  claim 6 , wherein the foundation anchor is affixed to the tension wire via an eye loop. 
     
     
         9 . A kit comprising:
 a header anchor;   a foundation anchor configured to engage a hole in a foundation; and   a tension wire configured to engage the header anchor and the foundation anchor.   wherein the kit is configured to be installed with the tension wire disposed inside a column disposed between a header and the foundation, to apply a compressive force to the column.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises an expanding concrete anchor. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises:
 an internally threaded sleeve; and   a bolt configured to engage the internally threaded sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , further comprising a second foundation anchor comprising an expanding concrete anchor. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , further comprising a tension wire length adjuster. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the foundation anchor comprises a tension adjustment element. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 9 , further comprising a concrete adhesive for securing the foundation anchor into a foundation. 
     
     
         16 . A method for preventing uplift of an overhang proximal to a column, the method comprising:
 drilling a foundation hole in a foundation;   inserting a foundation anchor into the foundation hole;   securing the foundation anchor in the foundation hole;   inserting a tension wire, affixed to the foundation anchor at a proximal end, through a hollow column;   inserting a header anchor, affixed to the tension wire at a distal end, through a header;   placing the hollow column between the foundation and the header at a location corresponding to the foundation anchor and the header anchor; and   applying tension to the tension wire.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the length of the tension wire prior to applying tension. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein securing the foundation anchor comprises gluing the foundation anchor in the foundation hole with a concrete adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein applying tension comprises adjusting a tension element of the header anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying tension further comprises adjusting a tension element of the foundation anchor.