Self adjusting construction tie-down

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The instant invention fulfills the above stated need by providing a slack adjuster, in several forms, which is incorporated in construction tie-downs to automatically adjust tie-down length to take up any slack caused by wood shrinkage.
In its primary embodiment, the invention utilizes a ramp or wedge which occupies an increasingly wider axial space along the bolt as it is pushed into progressive wedged engagement by a spring.
In a modification, an axially extended wedge space is occupied by a progressively advancing wedge structure to expand the unit.
In an alternative embodiment, a unidirectional strap is disclosed which can span from wall to wall, or wall to foundation with a floor assembly in between.
The strap will only contract, taking up slack so that when the earthquake hits there is a tight, positive hold-down between the frame and the foundation.