AU595360B2 - Non-metallic strut system - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority 595360 V Related Art: 0 e APPLICANT'S REFERENCE: USSN 912,963 Name(s) of Applicant(s): Aickin Development Corporation Address(es) of Applicant(s): 2802 Pacific Avenue, Everett, Washington 98201, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Address for Service is: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Complete Specification for the invention entitled: NON-A TALIG STRUT SYSTEM Our Ref 64793 POF Code: 73489/73497 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): .r -~L BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTTON 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to strut framing systems and 0 :00 000 000 000 9 as 00 0 0 1A more particularly to a non-metallic, corrosion resistant framing and mechanical support system for the processes of the corrosive industries.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Strut framing systems have been widely used in the U.S.A. as well as internationally for nearly fifty years. However, the advent of high technology manufacturing processes during the last decade has resulted in numerous requirements for more state-of-the-art mechanical support systems. Many attempts have been made by the historical suppliers of strut systems to meet the demands of new industries, but most attempts were based on the basic industry out of which the strut systems have developed. Various grades of stainless steel strut and fasteners have been developed and are available at extremely high costs. Plated and coated steel systems have been developed from galvanizing epoxy to PVC coatings. More recently, several fiberglass strut channels have been introduced, however, their struts are designed for metallic or metallic coated fastener systems.

4o The strut systems of the present invention are all non-metallic, corrosion resistant framing and mechanical supports for the processes of the corrosive industries. The present invention combines two plastics 'o).design and manufacturing methods to produce a mechanical support and 0 attachment system using all non-metallic components.

The structural strut is a specially designed fiberglass pultruded shape incorporating the use of composite structure design with a highly efficient mechanical shape to produce the strongest and stiffest support for the fastener system. The fasteners are designed of high strength composite thermoplastics and are injection molded in two halves. Their shape allows attachment to the strut support without tools, and the position locking connection provides a permanent but adjustable locking support of the process piping or ducting.

Prior to the filing of the present invention, a preliminary patent search of the prior art was performed. The following patents were found and are listed below: U.S. Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 3,088,702 Orenick, et al 5/7/63 3,527,432 Lytle 9/8/70 g* 3,721,750 Countryan 3/20/73 3,913,187 Okuda 10/21/74 **o 4,061,299 Kurosaki 12/6/77 4,371,137 Anscher 2/1/83 Perhaps the patent of most interest from this group is U.S. Patent No. 3,527,432 issued to Lytle. Lytle shows a longitudinal channel with retaining flange for holding clamping plates which are curved to 0 accommodate pipe or tubing. The plates are hooked to the flanges in the channel. The ends adjacent to the curved portions of the clamping p I( plates are formed into parallel flanges with registering holes to accommodate a threaded fastener so that the clamping plates can be -J tightened onto the pipe. To facilitate insertion of the plates over the pipe and into the channel, one of the clamping plates is provided with two opposite hanging hooks on opposite edges, and the other plate is provided with one hanging hook. The present invention differs in many respects from Lytle. The means of holding the bands of the present invention in the flanges of the channel is different; the means of fastening and holding the pipe or duct is different; also, the bands used in the present invention are much different than Lytle's plates both in structure and result. Further, Lytle does not contemplate use of his support system, in a corrosive application.

U.S. Patent No. 3,721,750 issued to Countryman shows a plastic strapping fastener. It is much different than the present invention in structure and function. The other patents found in the search relate to the general area of fastening systems, but in applicant's opinion, *'b either alone or in combination, do not disclose the key elements of applicant's invention as disclosed herein.

A. patpnt that heramp key reference-to thepat-e- -1-f this application was by Clark Patent No. 3,226,069 issue 12/28/65).

Applicant would like to point out a key and critic distinction between Clarke and their invention. It lies in the t portion of the support bands and more specifically in the conta between the flanges on the hangar and the flanges on the support lement. Applicant is aware that merely changing Clarke's hangars nd support element to thermoplastic and/or fiberglass would not re lt in patentability. If this were done, y Clarke's invention duplic ed in plastic and/or fiberglass would fail due to tensilve load co centrations at points in his anchors 26 and flanges 22. Clarke's sys m relies on point and line contact of the anchors 26-and- flang and -ijggp<t- thp usp of par 26h if flangqs 24 are 6AA>. 4.

s rundedend-ear-26aif flanges-24 are straight.- Clarke,Lci-3lines 9-18). In metal, this point and line contac would be acceptable and support the required weight, since metal has sufficient tensile strength to resist the tendency to bend the anchors 26 whether they are shaped as in 26a or 26b, and whether fl ges 22 are rounded or straight.

Stress concentration would occur in e r shape 26a at the point which the ear 26a meets the medial portio 26c, and in ear shape 26b similarly at the points where the ear 6b changes direction, and at its tip. In either case, flange 24 whe er rounded or straight would experience tensile stress due to bendin where the flange 24 meets the sides of support 10. Clarke's an ors 26 and flanges 24 are typical of what is conventionally available in the metal hangar art. This system if duplicated /n plastic and/or fiberglass would fail when the conventionally require loads were placed upon it. A more comprehensive interface between the -upport element and hangar is needed, which is supplied by applicants' be SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a strut support system for piping, tubing or ducting which includes first, a structural support channel having 0 a longitudinal slot. The support channel also has longitudinal flanges along the sides of the slot inwardly projecting toward the centerline of the support channel. The present invention also provides a pair of -complemental composite thermoplastic support bands having a bottom portion which forms a natural curvature for cradling a pipe when the ends of the bands are engaged. The bands also have a top portion with two support members having distal flanges capable of engaging the longitudinal flanges of the slot in the support channel when the top portion of the bands is disposed within the longitudinal slot of the support channel. The two support members of the top portion of the support bands are resilient and permit easy manipulation of the bands for insertion into the slot or for removal from the slot. The bottom portion of the bands has b adjustable holding means for connecting and locking the support bands S around a pipe. This adjustable holding means preferably includes a screw disposed in a housing connected to the bottom portion of one support band. and a series of thread slots on the bottom portion of the other S support band. The screw and threads are capable of engagement so that driving the screw adjusts the diameter of the natural curvature of the o bottom portion of the support bands when the slotted end of the one support band is disposed and threadably engaged with the screw in the housing.

A hex head is incorporated at either end of the screw, allowing the support bands to be adjusted from either side.

It was an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a non-metallic, corrosion resistant framing and mechanical support system S for pipes or ducts.

efficient fastening system which allows attac to the strut support without the use of tools.

It is a further obje f the present invention to provide a strut support sstem r in cnrrnivp appliratic whirh is relatiely iin--,i.ii

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-6a- Accordingly the present invention provides in combination: a. a fiberglass structural support element having sides forming a longitudinal slot; b. longitudinal flanges inwardly projecting toward the center line of said support element along the sides of said support element, each of said longitudinal flanges having an interior surface adjacent said slot, said interior surface of said longitudinal flanges having a rounded portion where said longitudinal flanges meet the sides of said support element, said longitudinal flanges having rounded edges of a predetermined radius; c. a pair of complemental corposite thermoplastic pipe supporting bands having bottom portions forming a natural curvature for cradling a pipe when the end of said bands are engaged, said supporting bands having a top portion integral with said bottom portion, said top portion having distal flanges, said distal flanges having side portions, undersides, rounded bottom edges of a pre-determined radius, and otherwise so shaped as to allow substantially full and interlocking contact between the side portions of said distal flanges and the sides of said support element and between the ge* r. undersides of said distal flanges, including their rounded edges and the interior surface of said longitudinal flanges including the rounded portions of said longitudinal flanges where said longitudinal flanges meet the sides of said support element, and e ethe rounded edges of said o1igitudinal flanges when the top portion of said support bands is disposed within said longitudinal slot; and d. adjustable holding means on the bottom portion of said supporting bands for connecting and locking said support bands around a pipe.

goi v -3 nexpensi ~ve.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is assembly application in accordance with 'he present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation view of a support band of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the support band and longitudinal channel partially in cross section in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is an elevation view in cross section of the support band showing the adjusting means.

o o Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment *Referring to the Figure i1, a pair of fiberglass channels 2 are shown.. Channels 2 have longitudinal slots generally referred to as 4 a",ea and a pair of longitudinal flanges 6a and 6b. Flanges 6a and 6b project

S.

Go inwardly toward the center line of channel 2. Channel 2 is considered to be a structural support element for the entire strut system. Referring to Figure 2, composite thermoplastic pipe supporting band generally designated as 7 is shown. Pipe supporting band 7 is comprised of a pair c~ of supporting bands 8a and 8b used in the strut support system of the present invention. The complemental nature of this pair of support bands will be described subsequently.

Each of the pair of support bands 8a and 8b has a top portion, designated as lOa and O10b with two support members 12a and 12b. The support members 12a and 12b of support bands 8a and 8b have a pair of distal flanges 14a and 14b extending therefrom. The flanges 14a and 14b are used to engage the flanges 6a and 6b of the channel 2 when the strut system is in operation as shown best in Figure 3. The top portions of each support band 8a and 8b has a web 15 with a hole 17. The support bands 8a and 8b also have bottom portions generally designated as 16a and 16b. The bottom portion 16a and 16b of the support bands 8a and 8b have a natural complemental curvature to allow cradling of a pipe (not shown) when the ends of support band 8 are engaged. The bottom portion 16a of the support band 8a has a housing 13 with a screw disposed therein. The bottom portion 16b of the otller support band 8b has a series of thread slots designated as 22 (see Figure 4) capable of threadable engagement with the threads 24 of screw 20. The housing 13 is adapted to receive the slots 22 of support band 8b when locking S and tightening of the support system is desired during operation. A hex 26 is molded on the end of screw 20 to allow adjustment of the support S bands from the end opposite the head of screw In operation, the longitudinal channel 2 is appropriately hung *0 in place, being supported to a ceiling (not shown) or the like by suitable conventional means. Each of the support bands 8a and 8b are manipulated by hand so that flanges 14a and 14b of top portion 10 of the support a 6 bands 8a and 8b are made to engage with flanges 6a and 6b of channel 2. A pipe to be supported is placed between the pair of bands 8a and 8b so that the curvature of the band 8a containing the bolt 20 and housing 18 is directed toward the curvature of band 8b containing the slots 22.

The bottom portion of the band 8b is then pushed through the housing 18 contained on the other band 8a until the slots 2 engage threads 24.

The pair of bands 8a and 8b can now be finally adjusted by driving the II~ ~OL- -screw 20 with a screwdriver (not shown) or the like until the desired tightness around the pipe is achieved. Alternatively, hex 26 can be driven to achieve the desired adjustment. The hex 26 gives the support system added flexibility with respect to access of an operator in adjusting the system. The strut system can be used with any size pipe or ducting by increasing or decreasing the size of the channel 2 and the support bands 8a and 8b.

Referring to Figure 2 and 3, the engagement of flanges 14a and 14b, and the channel 2, as shown in that figure can be described. From SFigure 2 it should be noted initially that flanges 14a and 14b have side S portion 28a and 28b, undersides 30a and 30b, and rounded bottom edges 32a and 32b. From figure 3, longitudinal flanges 6a and 6b have rounded edges 34a and 34b. The interior surfaces 36a and 36b of flanges 6a and a ass 6b have rounded portions 38a and 38b where the flanges 6a and 6b meet the sides 40a and 40b of channel 2. When flanges 14a and 14b engage 6a and 6b, substantially full and interlocking contact occurs (as shown i'n Figure 3) between the side portion 28a and 28b of the distal flanges 05 14a and 14b, and the sides 40a and 40b of the channel 2. This contact or engagement also includes the undersides 30a and 30b of flanges 14a and 14b, including rounded edges 32a and 32b and the interior surfaces 36a and 36b of flanges 6a and 6b including rounded portions 38a and 38b, S and rounded edges 34a and 34b. The radii of rounded edges 32a, 32b and 34a, 34b will depend on the size of pipe to be supported.

As an alternative to web 15, a cross element (not shown) could be used. This element would extend between the distal flanges 14a and 14b. In operation in very tight spaces, web 15 or the cross element can be severed allowing easier manipulation of the flanges 14a and 14b 9.

L~ffiA__ into engagement with flanges 6a and 6b.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

-The Claims dpFining rhp- ion are a -Cmllow In combination: a. a fiberglass structural su port element having sides forming 0a longitudinal slot; b. longitudinal flanges i ardly projecting toward the center line of said support element alo g the sides of said support element, each of said longitudinal flanges having an interior surface ajacent *s* slot, said interior surface of said longitudinal flanges having a rounded portion where said ongitudinal flanges meet the sides of said support element, said longi udinal flanges having rounded edges of a predetermined radius; 0* D c. a pair of complimental composite thermoplastic pipe supporting "bands having bottom por ions forming a natural curvature for cradling a pipe when the end o said bands are engaged, said supporting bands having a top portion i tegral with said bottom portion, said top portion having distal flang s, said distal flanges having side portions, undersides, rounded ottom edges of a pre-determined radius, and otherwise _n qhappd a tn al nw cnh-tantially full and inftpr1nrking rnntart hptwpen 0c _0 4) A\l_ 1 1 f

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Claims (1)

1. 2. the center line of said support element along the h sides of said support element, each of said longitudinal flanges having an interior surface adjacent said slot, said interior surface of said longitudinal flanges having a rounded portion where said longituenal flanges meet the sides of said support element, said longitudinal flanges having rounded edges of a predetermined radius; A c. a pair of complemental composite thermoplastic pipe supporting bands having bottom portions forming a natural curvature for cradling a pipe when the end of said bands are engaged, said supporting bands having a top portion integral with said bottom portion, said top portion having distal flanges, said distal flanges *having side portions, undersides, rounded bottom edges *of a pre-determined radius, and otherwise so shaped as to allow substantially full and interlocking contact between the side portions of said distal flanges and the sides of said support element and between the undersides of said distal flanges, including their rounded edges and the interior surface of said longitudinal flanges including the rounded portions of said longitudinal flanges where said longitudinal ges meet the sides of said support element, and the rounded edges of said longitudinal flanges when the top portion of said support bands is disposed 0 P I -12- within said longitudinal slot; and d. adjustable holding means on the bottom portion of said supporting bands for connecting and locking said support bands around a pipe. 2. The combination according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 18 JANUARY, 1990 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: AICKIN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION sees* S t *I