Cable Assembly for Wall Anchoring with Quick Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable assemblies for anchoring building walls to foundations during high winds require specially-shaped end members for connection, making them difficult to quickly connect between wall frame members.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly that includes a threaded shank embedded in the foundation, anchor members, cable vices, and a cap member, allowing for quick and secure tensioning of the cable between the wall frame and foundation using a bayonet-type connection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specially-shaped end members are fixedly secured to each end of a cable to enable connection between wall frame members, then the cable assembly can be connected to provide structural support, but the assembly cannot be quickly connected due to the complexity of securing specialized end members
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is divided into separate components: a cable portion and a connector portion that can be assembled independently. The connector is pre-assembled with the cable, allowing the cable to be threaded through wall frame members first, then the connector to be separately attached to tension and secure the cable ends, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is pre-assembled with the cable during manufacturing, so that during installation, the cable can be quickly threaded through the wall frame members and the pre-assembled connector can be directly attached to tension and secure the cable ends, eliminating the time-consuming step of assembling specialized end members on-site
2Strength
If a cable assembly uses specially-shaped end members for connection, then the structural support function is achieved, but the device complexity increases making it less uncomplicated in construction
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into a simple cable portion and a separate connector portion. The cable itself remains a simple flexible element without complex end members, while the connector handles the tensioning and securing functions, thereby reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining anchoring strength
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the cable ends complex to enable connection, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the cable simple and adding a separate connector component that provides the connection functionality, thus reducing cable end complexity while achieving the same structural support function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly provides a strong and uncomplicated means to anchor a building wall to its foundation, capable of resisting significant axial loads, and can be quickly connected, enhancing the building's stability during high wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded shank which is embedded within the building foundation so that when the wall frame is positioned upon the foundation, the threaded shank extends upwardly through the opening defined in the bottom member
Implementation Method 2
a first cable vice which is connectable to one end of the cable and being anchorable to the top member of the wall frame through the opening defined therein
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly and method for anchoring a wall frame to the foundation of a building utilizes an anchor member which can be threaded upon a threaded shank which is connected to and extends upwardly from the foundation, a cable, a first cable vice which is connectable to one end of the cable and being anchorable to a top member of the wall frame which is positioned upon the foundation, a second cable vice which is connectable to the other end of the cable, and a cap member. The second cable vice is anchorable to the cap member, and the cap member is connectable to the anchor member so that when the cable is anchored between the top member of the wall frame and the cap member by way of the first and second cable vices, the cap member can be connected to the anchor member to thereby tension the cable between the top member of the wall frame and the foundation. A spring can be embodied within the assembly for providing a visual indication of the amount of tension applied to the cable upon connection of the cap member to the anchor member.