ALFRED DAVID COMMINS
Pilots at Douglas Rd, San Juan Island, WA
License number
Washington A2563627
Issued Date
Feb 2017
Expiration Date
Feb 2018
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
91 Douglas Rd, San Juan Island, WA 98250
Professional information
Balanced, Multi-Stud Hold-Down
US Patent:
6625945, Sep 30, 2003
Filed:
Jun 15, 2001
Appl. No.:
09/882884
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA 98250
International Classification:
E02D 2700
US Classification:
522933, 52295, 52712
Abstract:
A hold-down for securing first and second support members in a portion of a building to an anchoring device extending from another portion of the building. The hold-down may include a first flange having securement apertures therethrough configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the first flange to the first support member. A second flange may have securement apertures configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the second flange to the second support member. A base may connect the first and second flanges and have an aperture sized and positioned to receive the anchoring device therethrough. The first and second flanges may be configured to be loaded substantially exclusively in tension by the anchoring device.
Shrinkage Compensator For Building Tiedowns
US Patent:
6585469, Jul 1, 2003
Filed:
May 15, 2002
Appl. No.:
10/146531
Inventors:
Alfred Commins - Friday Harbor WA 98250
International Classification:
F16B 4300
US Classification:
411536, 411231, 411433, 411546
Abstract:
An automatic, self-energized, length extending, take-up unit for general use in wall hold down systems. The take-up unit is generally installed as a separate element, independent of threaded retaining elements of a hold down system. One embodiment includes an internal, preloaded, coil spring to rotate a threaded sliding member relative to a threaded base member, thereby to extend a height of the take-up unit. A trigger mechanism may be included to prevent unintended actuation of the unit. Additionally, a safety mechanism may be included to prevent inadvertent separation of a base member and a sliding member, thereby to prevent loss of a preload in an energizing spring.
Shrinkage Compensator For Building Tiedowns
US Patent:
6390747, May 21, 2002
Filed:
Apr 25, 2000
Appl. No.:
09/558307
Inventors:
Alfred Commins - Friday Harbor WA 98250
International Classification:
F16B 4300
US Classification:
411536, 411231, 411433, 411546, 521671
Abstract:
An automatic, self-energized, length extending, take-up unit for general use in wall hold down systems. The take-up unit is generally installed as a separate element, independent of threaded retaining elements of a hold down system. One embodiment includes an internal, preloaded, coil spring to rotate a threaded sliding member relative to a threaded base member, thereby to extend a height of the take-up unit. A trigger mechanism may be included to prevent unintended actuation of the unit. Additionally, a safety mechanism may be included to prevent inadvertent separation of a base member and a sliding member, thereby to prevent loss of a preload in an energizing spring.
Balanced, Multi-Stud Hold-Down
US Patent:
7287355, Oct 30, 2007
Filed:
Mar 6, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/369170
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
International Classification:
E04C 5/12, E02D 27/50
US Classification:
5222314, 522933, 52295, 52713, 525731
Abstract:
A hold-down for securing first and second support members in a portion of a building to an anchoring device extending from another portion of the building. The hold-down may include a first flange having securement apertures therethrough configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the first flange to the first support member. A second flange may have securement apertures configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the second flange to the second support member. A base may connect the first and second flanges and have an aperture sized and positioned to receive the anchoring device therethrough. The first and second flanges may be configured to be loaded substantially exclusively in tension by the anchoring device.
Double-Duty, Hold-Down System
US Patent:
2012030, Dec 6, 2012
Filed:
Jun 1, 2011
Appl. No.:
13/150479
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
International Classification:
E02D 5/76, E04B 1/38
US Classification:
5274521
Abstract:
A method for securing a building to a foundation provides hold-down units that perform double-duty by acting as a compressive load on a floor immediately therebelow due to the force of a seat or base portion thereof. Meanwhile, a flange portion of each hold-down device extends upward to fasten to the upright members in an upper floor applying tension thereto. Thus, an anchoring rod extending through multiple floors of the shear walls may reduce the number of total hold-down devices by an amount approaching half that otherwise required. Likewise, the number of more expensive, automatic, take-up devices used is reduced by approximately half.
Racheting Take-Up Device
US Patent:
7621085, Nov 24, 2009
Filed:
Jan 3, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/325616
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
International Classification:
E02D 27/00
US Classification:
522933, 5222313, 52295, 411536
Abstract:
An apparatus for taking-up slack in a building hold-down system. The apparatus may include a base having a tubular shape, a slide having a tubular shape and a threadless interior surface, a locking member, and a biasing member. The slide may be sized and positioned to translate within the base. The locking member may be positioned between the base and the slide to permit translation of the base with respect to the slide to cause expansion and resist translation of the base with respect to the slide to cause contraction. The biasing member may urge translation of the base with respect to the slide in the direction causing expansion.
Screw Fastener In Multiple Floor Truss And Wood-To-Wood Shear Connection
US Patent:
7832173, Nov 16, 2010
Filed:
Dec 1, 2000
Appl. No.:
09/728187
Inventors:
Mark G. Crawford - Visalia CA, US
Steven E. Pryor - Dublin CA, US
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
Steven E. Pryor - Dublin CA, US
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
Assignee:
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. - Pleasanton CA
International Classification:
E04C 3/02
US Classification:
52690, 52639, 411424
Abstract:
Screw fasteners are used to connect multiple trusses in side-by-side relationship. The screw fasteners join truss wood members which are in edge to edge relationship with the screws being driven through the edge of each wood member. The screws may be knurled screws as described in U. S. Pat. No. 6,109,850; lag screws, or standard screws. The connection may also join wood board members in edge-to-edge relationship when bending of the wood members is limited by a restraining structure.
Double-Duty, Hold-Down System
US Patent:
7971411, Jul 5, 2011
Filed:
Oct 22, 2008
Appl. No.:
12/255826
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
International Classification:
E04H 12/00, E02D 27/00
US Classification:
5274521, 526531, 522933
Abstract:
A method for securing a building to a foundation provides hold-down units that perform double-duty by acting as a compressive load on a floor immediately therebelow due to the force of a seat or base portion thereof. Meanwhile, a flange portion of each hold-down device extends upward to fasten to the upright members in an upper floor applying tension thereto. Thus, an anchoring rod extending through multiple floors of the shear walls may reduce the number of total hold-down devices by an amount approaching half that otherwise required. Likewise, the number of more expensive, automatic, take-up devices used is reduced by approximately half.
Building Wall For Resisting Lateral Forces
US Patent:
8397454, Mar 19, 2013
Filed:
Nov 21, 1997
Appl. No.:
08/975940
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
Robert C. Gregg - Yorba Linda CA, US
William F. Leek - Anaheim CA, US
Karen W. Colonias - Danville CA, US
Arthur R. Linn - Byron CA, US
Robert C. Gregg - Yorba Linda CA, US
William F. Leek - Anaheim CA, US
Karen W. Colonias - Danville CA, US
Arthur R. Linn - Byron CA, US
Assignee:
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. - Pleasanton CA
International Classification:
E02D 27/00
US Classification:
522933, 524811, 527901, 5280018, 52765
Abstract:
This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.
Building Wall For Resisting Lateral Forces
US Patent:
8479470, Jul 9, 2013
Filed:
Aug 3, 2001
Appl. No.:
09/922581
Inventors:
Alfred D. Commins - Friday Harbor WA, US
Robert C. Gregg - Yorba Linda CA, US
William F. Leek - Anaheim CA, US
Karen W. Colonias - Danville CA, US
Arthur R. Linn - Byron CA, US
Robert C. Gregg - Yorba Linda CA, US
William F. Leek - Anaheim CA, US
Karen W. Colonias - Danville CA, US
Arthur R. Linn - Byron CA, US
Assignee:
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. - Pleasanton CA
International Classification:
E04B 2/56, E04C 2/34, E04H 9/02
US Classification:
524811, 521671, 522933, 52295, 52698, 527901, 5280018
Abstract:
This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.