Tension Tie

Abstract

A connection is provided where a connector can act as a holdown or tension tie and transfer tension, uplift, or lateral load between an anchored member and an anchoring member. The connector is used in combination with separate anchor and fasteners. The anchor may be tied to a concrete foundation, another connector of the same type, a wood framing member, or structural member of a similar type, or other supporting or anchoring members.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connection that is part of a building structure, between an anchored member and an anchoring member made with a connector, one or more separate anchors and one or more separate fasteners, the connection comprising:
 a. the anchored member, having an attachment face;   b. the anchoring member disposed in relatively close association with the anchored member and having an anchoring face;   c. the one or more separate anchors penetrating and anchored in the anchoring member;   d. the one or more separate fasteners penetrating and anchored in the anchored member;   e. the connector, the connector having a seat member and a back member disposed at an angle to the seat member with the back member connected to the seat member at a lateral juncture, and the seat member has an end edge opposed from the lateral juncture and the seat member has opposed side edges running between the lateral juncture and the end edge, and the back member has an end edge opposed from the lateral juncture and the back member has opposed side edges running between the lateral juncture and the end edge, and wherein the seat member receives and is connected to the one or more separate anchors and the back member receives and is connected to the one or more separate fasteners.   
     
     
         2 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 portions of the side edges of the seat member are formed with lateral side flanges that strengthen the seat, the lateral side flanges extend through the lateral juncture and along portions of the side edges of the back member.   
     
     
         3 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a single anchor of the one or more separate anchors is received by an opening in the seat member.   
     
     
         4 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a. an embossment is formed in the back member in the central portion of the back member between the lateral side edges of the back member; and   b. the embossment is formed close to the lateral juncture, and extends along the back member, extending in the direction from the end edge of the back member towards the lateral juncture without extending through the lateral juncture.   
     
     
         5 . The connection of  claim 4 , wherein:
 a. the embossment is formed with a top end and a bottom end, and the bottom end of the central embossment is bracketed by the lateral side flanges and the embossment extends upwardly beyond the extent of the lateral side flanges in the back member.   
     
     
         6 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lateral side flanges have a bend radius between the lateral side flanges and the seat member near the lateral junction of 0.4738 inches.   
     
     
         7 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the narrowest portion of the connector is at the lateral juncture with the lateral side flanges flaring outwardly as they extend toward the end edges of the back member and the seat member.   
     
     
         8 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lateral side flanges flare outwardly and decrease in height as the lateral side flanges extend toward the end edges of the back member and the seat member.   
     
     
         9 . The connection of  claim 3 , wherein:
 a. the opening in the seat member that receives the single anchor has an upturned peripheral edge that extends above the seat member; and   b. the seat member is generally planar and the top portion of the upturned peripheral edge of the opening extends orthogonally to the generally planar seat member.   
     
     
         10 . The connection of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a. the back member has a front face and a back face, and   b. the opening in the seat member that receives the single anchor has a center point and the center point is no more than 1 inch away from the front face of the back member.   
     
     
         11 . The connection of  claim 10 , wherein:
 a. an embossment is formed in the back member in the central portion of the back member between the lateral side edges of the back member; and   b. the embossment is formed close to the lateral juncture, and extends along the back member, extending in the direction from the end edge of the back member towards the lateral juncture without extending through the lateral juncture.   
     
     
         12 . The connection of  claim 11 , wherein:
 portions of the side edges of the seat member are formed with lateral side flanges that strengthen the seat, the lateral side flanges extend through the lateral juncture and along portions of the side edges of the back member.   
     
     
         13 . The connection of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the embossment is formed with a top end and a bottom end, and the bottom end of the central embossment is bracketed by the lateral side flanges and the embossment extends upwardly beyond the extent of the lateral side flanges in the back member.   
     
     
         14 . The connection of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the narrowest portion of the connector is at the lateral juncture with the lateral side flanges flaring outwardly as they extend toward the end edges of the back member and the seat member.   
     
     
         15 . The connection of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the lateral side flanges flare outwardly and decrease in height as they extend toward the end edges of the back member and the seat member.   
     
     
         16 . The connection of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the lateral side flanges have a bend radius between the lateral side flanges and the seat member near the lateral junction of 0.4738 inches.   
     
     
         17 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment face of the anchored member is no wider than 1½ inches.   
     
     
         18 . The connection of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a single anchor of the one or more anchors is received by an opening in the seat member, the opening having an upturned peripheral edge extending upwardly from the seat member.   
     
     
         19 . The connection of  claim 18 , wherein:
 a. an embossment is formed in the back member in the central portion of the back member between the lateral side edges of the back member; and   b. the embossment is formed close to the lateral juncture, and extends along the back member, extending in the direction from the end edge of the back member towards the lateral juncture without extending through the lateral juncture.   
     
     
         20 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the connector is made from 10 gauge sheet steel, the seat member is 2 15/16 inches long, and the connector is 2 9/16 inches wide at its widest point;   b. the anchored member is a wooden member that is either Douglas fir or a southern pine grade of lumber with minimum cross-sectional dimensions of 3 inches and 3½ inches;   c. the connector is connected to the anchoring member with a single anchor that has diameter of ½ inches and is embedded in the anchoring member;   d. the connector is connected to the anchored member with twelve 0.148 nail fasteners that are 2½ inches long and are substantially embedded in the anchored member; and   d. the connection has an allowable tension load of 2275 pounds with a deflection at highest allowable load of 0.013 inches.