Roger W Ashton

US Patent:

6425220, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Jul 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621381

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Zone Four, LLC - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

E04G 2300

US Classification:

52291, 521673, 522239, 526551, 52698, 527391, 5274506, 527411, 403217, 403218, 403170, 403176, 2483546

Abstract:

A continuity tie for providing both tension and compression resistance to externally induced movement of building structural members. A central body member is provided with a plurality of bolt mounting apertures in a staggered pattern and a pair of end plates having a rod aperture. One embodiment employs a tubular central body member having a hollow interior; another embodiment employs a generally U-shaped central portion with flanking flanges. Both embodiments can be mounted to building structural members separated by an intervening building structural member, with the continuity ties being secured together by means of a single rod arranged in the rod apertures in each continuity tie and secured in place by means of nuts. The staggered bolt patterns reduce the probability of mounting all bolts in a defect region of a timber building element. The hollow tube embodiment is symmetric and cannot be installed backwards.

US Patent:

6546678, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Oct 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/695205

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Zone Four LLC - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

E04G 2508

US Classification:

521673, 527391

Abstract:

A manually adjustable structural load transferring device and system for providing tension and compression force transfer between a plurality of spaced building structural members. A pair of load transfer members are each provided with a threaded first end and a second end, the threaded first end of one of the pair of members having threads of opposite pitch to those of the first end of the other one. A coupler member has first and second threaded ends engaged with the threaded first ends of the pair of load transfer members so that the length of the assembly can be adjusted by relative rotation between the coupler member and the load transfer members. An end connection device is attached to the second end of each of the load transfer members, the end connection device including a plurality of fastener apertures and a plurality of bolt apertures for securing the base plate to a building structural member. The load transferring device is manually adjusted to fit the space between adjacent building structural members, and is secured to such structural members by fasteners and bolts.

US Patent:

59210427, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Apr 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/056279

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Zone Four - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

E04G 2300

US Classification:

52291

Abstract:

A continuity tie for providing both tension and compression resistance to externally induced movement of building structural members. A central body member is provided with a plurality of bolt mounting apertures in a staggered pattern and a pair of end plates having a rod aperture. One embodiment employs a tubular central body member having a hollow interior; another embodiment employs a generally U-shaped central portion with flanking flanges. Both embodiments can be mounted to building structural members separated by an intervening building structural member, with the continuity ties being secured together by means of a single rod arranged in the rod apertures in each continuity tie and secured in place by means of nuts. The staggered bolt patterns reduce the probability of mounting all bolts in a defect region of a timber building element. The hollow tube embodiment is symmetric and cannot be installed backwards.

US Patent:

59921269, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

May 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/084752

Inventors:

Roger W. Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert D. Lucey - Lafayette CA
John D. Pryor - Oakland CA

International Classification:

E04G 2304

US Classification:

5274506

Abstract:

A manually adjustable structural load transferring device and system for providing tension and compression force transfer between a plurality of spaced building structural members. A pair of load transfer members are each provided with a threaded first end and a second end, the threaded first end of one of the pair of members having threads of opposite pitch to those of the first end of the other one. A coupler member has first and second threaded ends engaged with the threaded first ends of the pair of load transfer members so that the length of the assembly can be adjusted by relative rotation between the coupler member and the load transfer members. An end connection device is attached to the second end of each of the load transfer members, the end connection device including a plurality of fastener apertures and a plurality of bolt apertures for securing the base plate to a building structural member. Several embodiments of end connection devices are disclosed. The load transferring device is manually adjusted to fit the space between adjacent building structural members, and is secured to such structural members by fasteners and bolts.

US Patent:

61124869, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

May 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/305636

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

International Classification:

E04G 2508

US Classification:

52291

Abstract:

A continuity tie for providing both tension and compression resistance to externally induced movement of building structural members. A central body member is provided with a plurality of bolt mounting apertures in a staggered pattern and a pair of end plates having a rod aperture. One embodiment employs a tubular central body member having a hollow interior; another embodiment employs a generally U-shaped central portion with flanking flanges. Both embodiments can be mounted to building structural members separated by an intervening building structural member, with the continuity ties being secured together by means of a single rod arranged in the rod apertures in each continuity tie and secured in place by means of nuts. The staggered bolt patterns reduce the probability of mounting all bolts in a defect region of a timber building element. The hollow tube embodiment is symmetric and cannot be installed backwards.

US Patent:

58131817, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Aug 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/517299

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

International Classification:

E04H 198

US Classification:

52291

Abstract:

A continuity tie for providing both tension and compression resistance to externally induced movement of building structural members. A central body member is provided with a plurality of bolt mounting apertures in a staggered pattern and a pair of end plates having a rod aperture. One embodiment employs a tubular central body member having a hollow interior; another embodiment employs a generally U-shaped central portion with flanking flanges. Both embodiments can be mounted to building structural members separated by an intervening building structural member, with the continuity ties being secured together by means of a single rod arranged in the rod apertures in each continuity tie and secured in place by means of nuts. The staggered bolt patterns reduce the probability of mounting all bolts in a defect region of a timber building element. The hollow tube embodiment is symmetric and cannot be installed backwards.

US Patent:

61550191, Dec 5, 2000

Filed:

Aug 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/371216

Inventors:

Roger Wall Ashton - Orinda CA
Robert Donald Lucey - Lafayette CA
John Duncan Pryor - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Zone Four, LLC - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

E04G 2304

US Classification:

527391

Abstract:

A manually adjustable structural load transferring device and system for providing tension and compression force transfer between a plurality of spaced building structural members. A pair of load transfer members are each provided with a threaded first end and a second end, the threaded first end of one of the pair of members having threads of opposite pitch to those of the first end of the other one. A coupler member has first and second threaded ends engaged with the threaded first ends of the pair of load transfer members so that the length of the assembly can be adjusted by relative rotation between the coupler member and the load transfer members. An end connection device is attached to the second end of each of the load transfer members, the end connection device including a plurality of fastener apertures and a plurality of bolt apertures for securing the base plate to a building structural member. Several embodiments of end connection devices are disclosed. The load transferring device is manually adjusted to fit the space between adjacent building structural members, and is secured to such structural members by fasteners and bolts.