CA1150216A - Pipe clamp device - Google Patents
Pipe clamp deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1150216A CA1150216A CA000375667A CA375667A CA1150216A CA 1150216 A CA1150216 A CA 1150216A CA 000375667 A CA000375667 A CA 000375667A CA 375667 A CA375667 A CA 375667A CA 1150216 A CA1150216 A CA 1150216A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- strap
- pipe
- crossarm
- clamp device
- strut
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A clamp for suspending a pipe from a strut, the clamp including an elongated flexible strap carrying pipe spacing protuberances on one side, and having tee subassemblies at oppo-site ends. Each of the tee subassemblies includes a cross-arm which defines a tool-receiving slot aligned with a neck portion of the respective tee subassembly. Each cross-arm carries channel engaging lugs at the opposite ends thereof. The clamp is used in combination with a strut channel having an open mouth and reverse turned edges at opposite sides of the open mouth.
Description
Zl~;
This invention relates to pipe clamping devices used for mounting or supporting tubular elements, such as conduit or pipe, on a supporting structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and more particularly, to pipe clamping devices which can be used for quickly hanging or suspending a pipe from a channel strut secured to a supporting structural element.
Various clamp devices have been heretofore proposed for supporting a pipe or other tubular member from a wall, ceiling or some type of stationary fixture. It is desirable with such devices to prevent contact between the pipe or tubular element and the wall, ceiling or other supporting structure, thereby minimizing heat transfer to these structures and, in some instances, avoiding electrolysis by reason of direct contact of dissimilar metals. Such clamp devices often take the form of jaws which totally or partially encircle the pipe, and provide flanges of some configuration which can be nailed or in other ways secured to the stationary supporting structure to support the pipe therefrom. Examples of pipe clamps of the type described are those shown in Logsdon U.S. Patent 3,684,223 and Logsdon U.S. Patent 3,684,220.
In some instances, a pipe clamp is constructed to permit it to be suspended from an open mouth strut or channel bar, and to prevent contact between the pipe and the strut or channel bar. Where this construction is employed, tabs or flanges are used to extend through the open mouth of the channel bar and engage inturned toes or edges carried adjacent this open mouth and thereby hang the clamp from within the strut or channel bar.
The present invention provides a clamp which can be utilized to quickly locate and suspend or mount a pipe or other tubular element from an open-mouthed, channel-type strut, either manually and with no tools, or using only hand tools to place the clamp in engagement with the strut, and to locate the pipe within the clamp.
Broadly described, the pipe clamp of the invention comprises an elongated, flexible strap having pipe spacing protuberances on ~15~216 at least one side of the strap and spaced from each other along the central portion of its lengtll; a transverse stop flanye se-cured to each of the opposite ends of the strap and each extending substantially normal to the longit.udinal axis of the strap; and a tee element connected to eac}l of said stop flanges at opposite ends of the strap and projecting from the stop flange on the opposite side tllereof from the side of the respective stop flange which is joined to the strap. Each of the tee elements includes a flexible and resilient neck por-tion and a crossarm element. ~t least one of the crossarm elements includes and defines a tool-engaging slot a]igned with the neck portion of the respective tee element carrying such tool-engaging slot, whereby the tee element carrying the tool-engaging slot can be twisted on its neck portion relative to the projected longitudinal axis of the strap. This can be accomplished with a hand tool, or in some cases, manually, a-t the option of the i.nstaller.
The invention fur-ther contemplates a combination whi.ch in-cludes -the pi.pe clamp of the invention and a channel-type strut.
The strut i.ncludes an elongated, generally C-shaped body having an open mouth at one side -thereof, and havi.ng a pair of re~Jerse turned edges at opposite sides of the open mouth. The clamp is engaged with the described strut by projection of -the reverse turned edges of the strut into spaces provided between the crossarm elements of the two tee elemerlts located at opposi.te ends of the clamp s-trap, and -the stop flanges secured -to the opposite ends of the 115~Z16 clamp strap.
At the opposite ends of the crossarm element of each tee element, a loc~i.ng tab is provi.ded to aid in retai.ning the tee elements engaged with a strut in the manner described, and pre-vents the cla~p from being easily removed from the s-trut after installation.
An important object of the invention is to provide a simply configured and constructed pipe clamp which can be used for stably and f:irmly holding and supporting àn elongated pipe or other con-duit by attachment of the clamp to an elongated strut secured toa wall, ceiling or other structural member.
A further object of the invention is to provide a strut engaging strap type clamp which can be very quickly installed at any place along a channel--type strut mounted stationarily on a supporting structure in a way which permits a pipe to be held by the clamp in juxtaposition to the strut without sagging or dis-pl.acement of the pipe.
~ nother object of -the invention is to provide a pipe clamp which can be used for clamping a pipe ln a suspended position from a strut, effecti.ng the clamping of the pipe in the pipe clamp with or w:i-thout the use of simple hand tools.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe clamp which can be used for suspending a pipe or other tubular member from a stationary strut of channel configuration, with the pipe, when so suspended, being thermally insulated from contact with )216 the strut or any other structural element, and providing for maxi-mum ventil.ati.on between the pipe and the clamp, and minimum thermal transfer between the pipe and the clamp.
Additional objects and advan-tages of the inven-tion will become apparent as the .followi.llg detail.ed description of preferred embodi-Ments of the invelltion is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate such preferred embodiments.
General Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a pipe clamp constructed in accor-dance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the pipe clamp shown inFigure 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the pipe clamp shown in Figure 1.
lS Figllre 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1. .
Fi~ure 6 i.s a side elevation view of the pipe clamp of the invention mounted in a sta-ti.onary strut (illustrated in secti.on), and illustrating in dashed lines a pipe or conduit extending through, and engaged by, the clamp.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the pipe clamp of the inven-tion, and further illustrating in dashed lines the position of a pipe within the pipe clamp at a time when the pipe is engaged - :~; s~
115~216 in the position in which i,t is located when the clamp is used to support the pipe from a stationary strut.
Detailed Description of Pref_rred E~bodiments of the Invention The pipe cl.amp 8 of the invention includes an elongated, flexible strap 10 of rectangular configuration and includiny a first side .2 and a second side 1.4. The strap includes parallel side edges defi,ni.ng the first and second sides. The first side 12 has a plural.ity of pi,pe spacing protuberances 16 formed thereon at spaced intervals and over a major portion of its length. At its opposite ends, the elongated strap 10 is secured to a pair of transversely extending, substanti.ally rectangular stop flanges 18 and 20. A pair of spaced arcuate web portions 19 are disposed at each of the opposite ends of the strap member 10 and project be-tween the surface 12 of the strap member and one side of the re-spective stop flanges 18 and 20. The arcuate web portions 19 define gussets havi.ng an edge formed on an arc of a circle. Each web portion has a lower edge secured to a flair plate 26 which extends in cop]anar alignment with the central portion of s-trap member 10 and is joined to the lower edge of the adjacent respec-ti.ve stop fl.ange 18 or 20.
Secured to the opposite side of the stop flange 18 from that side whichis joined to one end of the elongated strap 10 is a tee subassembly designated generally by reference numeral 36. A simi-1.ar tee subassembly 38 is secured to the stop flange 20 on the opposite side thereof from the side which is joined to one end of 1~5~)216 the strap 10. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are substantially identically constructed, and each includes a flexi.ble, resilient neck portion 40 and an elonyated crossarm element 42.
Each neck portion 40 i.nc]udes a pai.r of lateral flanges 44 and 46 which are secured to opposite si.de edges ofaneck extension 50a of a central pla-te 50. The central plate 50 f~lrther includes a crossarm portion 50b which lies within a peripheral flange 52 which peripherally borders or lies at the outer side of the cross-arm element 42 of the respective tee subassembly 36 or 38. At a central location in line wi-th the neck extension 50a of the cen-tral plate 50, and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the strap member 10, the crossarm portion 50b of the central pla-te 50 is slotted and defines with the peripheral flange 52, the slot 54 extending through the crossarm elemen-t 42 at this location (see Figures 1 and 4).
It will be noted in referring to the drawings that the cross-arm elements 42 are substantially rectangular in shape and are spaced by -the respective neck portions 40 from the respective stop ~langes 18 and 20. The crossarm elements 42 are further charac- !
terized in including a pair of locking tabs disposed on the oppo-site ends thereoE. Thus, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the crossarm element 42 of the tee subassembly 36 includes locking tab 56 on one end thereof, and a second locking tab 60 on the opposite end thereof. Similarly, the crossarm element 42 of the - ~ ti:-~
llS~Z16 tee subassembly 38 includes a locking tab 6~ on one end thereof and a locking tab 68 on the opposite end thereof.
The manner in whi.ch the pipe clamp device of the invention is utili.zed for supporting a pipe from an elongated strut or channel bar is hest illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the draw-ings. The c]amp devi.ce 8 is shown i.n use for encircliny and ellgaging a pipe or conduit 72. It will be understood that the strap 10 is made of a flexible materi.al and that the neck por--ti.ons 40 forming portions of the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are l.0 made of a flexible and resi]..ient material all as hereinbefore described. Preferabl.y the entire clamp device is molded from a suitab].e synthetic resin having goocl tensile strength and aging characteristics.
In use the clamp device retains the pipe 72 within an en-circling and confining structure formed by the strap 10 and thepipe spacing protuberances 16. It will be noted that in the pipe engaging sta-tus -the strap 10 is flexed so that it is bent through an angle of ].80 as defined hy its longi.tudinal axis. The tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are then positioned for engagement with
This invention relates to pipe clamping devices used for mounting or supporting tubular elements, such as conduit or pipe, on a supporting structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and more particularly, to pipe clamping devices which can be used for quickly hanging or suspending a pipe from a channel strut secured to a supporting structural element.
Various clamp devices have been heretofore proposed for supporting a pipe or other tubular member from a wall, ceiling or some type of stationary fixture. It is desirable with such devices to prevent contact between the pipe or tubular element and the wall, ceiling or other supporting structure, thereby minimizing heat transfer to these structures and, in some instances, avoiding electrolysis by reason of direct contact of dissimilar metals. Such clamp devices often take the form of jaws which totally or partially encircle the pipe, and provide flanges of some configuration which can be nailed or in other ways secured to the stationary supporting structure to support the pipe therefrom. Examples of pipe clamps of the type described are those shown in Logsdon U.S. Patent 3,684,223 and Logsdon U.S. Patent 3,684,220.
In some instances, a pipe clamp is constructed to permit it to be suspended from an open mouth strut or channel bar, and to prevent contact between the pipe and the strut or channel bar. Where this construction is employed, tabs or flanges are used to extend through the open mouth of the channel bar and engage inturned toes or edges carried adjacent this open mouth and thereby hang the clamp from within the strut or channel bar.
The present invention provides a clamp which can be utilized to quickly locate and suspend or mount a pipe or other tubular element from an open-mouthed, channel-type strut, either manually and with no tools, or using only hand tools to place the clamp in engagement with the strut, and to locate the pipe within the clamp.
Broadly described, the pipe clamp of the invention comprises an elongated, flexible strap having pipe spacing protuberances on ~15~216 at least one side of the strap and spaced from each other along the central portion of its lengtll; a transverse stop flanye se-cured to each of the opposite ends of the strap and each extending substantially normal to the longit.udinal axis of the strap; and a tee element connected to eac}l of said stop flanges at opposite ends of the strap and projecting from the stop flange on the opposite side tllereof from the side of the respective stop flange which is joined to the strap. Each of the tee elements includes a flexible and resilient neck por-tion and a crossarm element. ~t least one of the crossarm elements includes and defines a tool-engaging slot a]igned with the neck portion of the respective tee element carrying such tool-engaging slot, whereby the tee element carrying the tool-engaging slot can be twisted on its neck portion relative to the projected longitudinal axis of the strap. This can be accomplished with a hand tool, or in some cases, manually, a-t the option of the i.nstaller.
The invention fur-ther contemplates a combination whi.ch in-cludes -the pi.pe clamp of the invention and a channel-type strut.
The strut i.ncludes an elongated, generally C-shaped body having an open mouth at one side -thereof, and havi.ng a pair of re~Jerse turned edges at opposite sides of the open mouth. The clamp is engaged with the described strut by projection of -the reverse turned edges of the strut into spaces provided between the crossarm elements of the two tee elemerlts located at opposi.te ends of the clamp s-trap, and -the stop flanges secured -to the opposite ends of the 115~Z16 clamp strap.
At the opposite ends of the crossarm element of each tee element, a loc~i.ng tab is provi.ded to aid in retai.ning the tee elements engaged with a strut in the manner described, and pre-vents the cla~p from being easily removed from the s-trut after installation.
An important object of the invention is to provide a simply configured and constructed pipe clamp which can be used for stably and f:irmly holding and supporting àn elongated pipe or other con-duit by attachment of the clamp to an elongated strut secured toa wall, ceiling or other structural member.
A further object of the invention is to provide a strut engaging strap type clamp which can be very quickly installed at any place along a channel--type strut mounted stationarily on a supporting structure in a way which permits a pipe to be held by the clamp in juxtaposition to the strut without sagging or dis-pl.acement of the pipe.
~ nother object of -the invention is to provide a pipe clamp which can be used for clamping a pipe ln a suspended position from a strut, effecti.ng the clamping of the pipe in the pipe clamp with or w:i-thout the use of simple hand tools.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe clamp which can be used for suspending a pipe or other tubular member from a stationary strut of channel configuration, with the pipe, when so suspended, being thermally insulated from contact with )216 the strut or any other structural element, and providing for maxi-mum ventil.ati.on between the pipe and the clamp, and minimum thermal transfer between the pipe and the clamp.
Additional objects and advan-tages of the inven-tion will become apparent as the .followi.llg detail.ed description of preferred embodi-Ments of the invelltion is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate such preferred embodiments.
General Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a pipe clamp constructed in accor-dance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the pipe clamp shown inFigure 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the pipe clamp shown in Figure 1.
lS Figllre 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1. .
Fi~ure 6 i.s a side elevation view of the pipe clamp of the invention mounted in a sta-ti.onary strut (illustrated in secti.on), and illustrating in dashed lines a pipe or conduit extending through, and engaged by, the clamp.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the pipe clamp of the inven-tion, and further illustrating in dashed lines the position of a pipe within the pipe clamp at a time when the pipe is engaged - :~; s~
115~216 in the position in which i,t is located when the clamp is used to support the pipe from a stationary strut.
Detailed Description of Pref_rred E~bodiments of the Invention The pipe cl.amp 8 of the invention includes an elongated, flexible strap 10 of rectangular configuration and includiny a first side .2 and a second side 1.4. The strap includes parallel side edges defi,ni.ng the first and second sides. The first side 12 has a plural.ity of pi,pe spacing protuberances 16 formed thereon at spaced intervals and over a major portion of its length. At its opposite ends, the elongated strap 10 is secured to a pair of transversely extending, substanti.ally rectangular stop flanges 18 and 20. A pair of spaced arcuate web portions 19 are disposed at each of the opposite ends of the strap member 10 and project be-tween the surface 12 of the strap member and one side of the re-spective stop flanges 18 and 20. The arcuate web portions 19 define gussets havi.ng an edge formed on an arc of a circle. Each web portion has a lower edge secured to a flair plate 26 which extends in cop]anar alignment with the central portion of s-trap member 10 and is joined to the lower edge of the adjacent respec-ti.ve stop fl.ange 18 or 20.
Secured to the opposite side of the stop flange 18 from that side whichis joined to one end of the elongated strap 10 is a tee subassembly designated generally by reference numeral 36. A simi-1.ar tee subassembly 38 is secured to the stop flange 20 on the opposite side thereof from the side which is joined to one end of 1~5~)216 the strap 10. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are substantially identically constructed, and each includes a flexi.ble, resilient neck portion 40 and an elonyated crossarm element 42.
Each neck portion 40 i.nc]udes a pai.r of lateral flanges 44 and 46 which are secured to opposite si.de edges ofaneck extension 50a of a central pla-te 50. The central plate 50 f~lrther includes a crossarm portion 50b which lies within a peripheral flange 52 which peripherally borders or lies at the outer side of the cross-arm element 42 of the respective tee subassembly 36 or 38. At a central location in line wi-th the neck extension 50a of the cen-tral plate 50, and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the strap member 10, the crossarm portion 50b of the central pla-te 50 is slotted and defines with the peripheral flange 52, the slot 54 extending through the crossarm elemen-t 42 at this location (see Figures 1 and 4).
It will be noted in referring to the drawings that the cross-arm elements 42 are substantially rectangular in shape and are spaced by -the respective neck portions 40 from the respective stop ~langes 18 and 20. The crossarm elements 42 are further charac- !
terized in including a pair of locking tabs disposed on the oppo-site ends thereoE. Thus, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the crossarm element 42 of the tee subassembly 36 includes locking tab 56 on one end thereof, and a second locking tab 60 on the opposite end thereof. Similarly, the crossarm element 42 of the - ~ ti:-~
llS~Z16 tee subassembly 38 includes a locking tab 6~ on one end thereof and a locking tab 68 on the opposite end thereof.
The manner in whi.ch the pipe clamp device of the invention is utili.zed for supporting a pipe from an elongated strut or channel bar is hest illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the draw-ings. The c]amp devi.ce 8 is shown i.n use for encircliny and ellgaging a pipe or conduit 72. It will be understood that the strap 10 is made of a flexible materi.al and that the neck por--ti.ons 40 forming portions of the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are l.0 made of a flexible and resi]..ient material all as hereinbefore described. Preferabl.y the entire clamp device is molded from a suitab].e synthetic resin having goocl tensile strength and aging characteristics.
In use the clamp device retains the pipe 72 within an en-circling and confining structure formed by the strap 10 and thepipe spacing protuberances 16. It will be noted that in the pipe engaging sta-tus -the strap 10 is flexed so that it is bent through an angle of ].80 as defined hy its longi.tudinal axis. The tee subassemblies 36 and 38 are then positioned for engagement with
2 n a strut or channel bar.
When the cl.amp device is to be engaged with the s-trut or channel bar i~ is positioned in the manner shown in Figure 6.
In that figure of the drawings an elongated strut or channel bar is shown in sestion and is denomina.ted by reference numeral 73.
The strut includes a web 76 having a pair of substantially parallel llS~Z16 legs 78 and 80 secured to the side edges of the web. The legs 78 and 80 are terminated in in-turned edge portions 82 and 84 which define an opening to the interior of the strut 74. The strut 74 is normally secured to a ceiling or wall so that -the opening to -the interior generally faces downwardly or outwardly.
ln some installations, however, the pipe may rest upon the strut.
In -these cases, the clamp functions to allgn the pipe with the strut and adjacent piping runs to provide adequate spacing, and to hold the conduit off the strut surface.
In order to mount the clamp device 8 of the present inven-tlon in the strut 74, one of thetee subassemblies 36 or 38 is initially placed within the interior of the strut by first align-ing the crossarm element 42 thereof with the opening between -the in-turned edge por-tions 82 and 84 so that the crossarm element can pass freely to the interior of the strut. ~t a time when the stop flange 18 or 20, associated with the respective tee sub-assembly 36 or 38 wllich is placed within the interior of the strut, has been brought -to bear against the convex outer and lower sides of the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84, the entire clamp device 8 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the strap 12 so that the crossarm element 42 within the strut is brought into a transverse position as illustrated in Figure 7. In assuming this position, the locking tabs 56 and 60 snap over the in-turned edge portions 82 of the strut legs 78 and 80 and aid in moving the crossarm element 42 inside the stru-t 74 into a position where it )216 bridges across and rests upon the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84. These edge portions are -thus clamped fi.rmly between the cross-arm element 42 inside the s-trut and the respective stop flange 18 or 20 (the stop flange 18 i.s -that whi.ch is illustrated in Figure 6).
After inserti.on of one of the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 into the interior of the stru-t 74 in the manner described, and reorien-tatlon of the clamp device 8 so that the crossarm element 42 of the tee subassemb]y 36 exter-ds transversely with respect to the longi-tudinal axis of the strut, the elongated flexible strap 10 is then wrapped about the periphery of the pipe 72 which is to be clamped within the clamp device and suspended from the strut.
When the strap 10 is wrapped about the pipe 72 in the manner described, the pipe spacing protuberances 16 contact the outer periphery of the pipe in the manner illustrated in Fi.gure 7. With the pipe 72 encircled by the strap 10 in this fashion, the second of the tee subassemblies 38 is then placed on the interior of the strut 74 by twisting the crossarm element 42 of this tee sub-assemb]y upon the neck portion thereof. This is accomplished by i.nserting the poin-t of a screwdri.ver or similar implement in the slot 54, and using the shaft of the screwdri.ver to provide the leverage necessary to twist the crossarm element 42 on the flexible and resilient neck portion 40. The crossarm element 42 is thus twisted to a location where it is then in a plane permitting it to pass through an opening between the in--turned edge portions 82 and 84 and up into the interior of the strut 74. The screwdriver or .
llS~Z16 other implement can then he used to push the crossarm element 42 through the opening hetweell the in-turned edges 82 and 84 and into the interior of the strut.
Once the cross-arm element 42 is i.n this location, the screw-driver can be withdrawn to permit the crossarm element -to pivot back to its relaxcd stcltus i.n which it extends -transverse].y with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strut 74. At this time, the clamp device 8 appears as shown in Figures 6 and 7 with the crossarm elemellts 42 of the two tee subassemblies 36 and 38 aligned in parallel and extending transversely across the strut in contact with the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84. Both of the stop flanges ].8 and 20 located at opposite ends of the flexible strap 10 bear a~ainst the lower sides of -the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84 to help retain the c].amp device in the selected location along the strut 74, and -to prevent swiveling or pivoting action of the clamp within the strut. On some occasions, -the clamp wil.l be connected to tlle strut by inserting both crossarm elements 42 in the strut before the pipe is inser-ted into the encircling strap of the clamp as thus mounted. In this type of installation, no tools are needed.
From the foregoing descri.ption of the invention, it will be perceived that the presen-t invention provides an improved clamp device whi.ch can be used for clamping a pipe or conduit and sus-pending such c].amped pipe or conduit from an open-mouthed strut or channel bar. It will also be seen that, as shown in Figures ~1~0216 6 and 7, the clamp device of the inventi.on totally isolates the conduit or pipe from contact with the channel bar, which may often be made of metal, and assures ventilation around the pipe or channel bar at the point where it passes through the clamp device.
~ lthough a preferred embodiment of the invention has been il.lustrated in the drawinc3s and has been herein described, it will be understood that various changes and innovations in the illustra-ted structure can be effected without departure from the basic princi.ples which underlie this invention. Changes and inno-vations of tlli.s type are -therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention, except as the same may be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equiva-lents thereof.
What is claimed is:
When the cl.amp device is to be engaged with the s-trut or channel bar i~ is positioned in the manner shown in Figure 6.
In that figure of the drawings an elongated strut or channel bar is shown in sestion and is denomina.ted by reference numeral 73.
The strut includes a web 76 having a pair of substantially parallel llS~Z16 legs 78 and 80 secured to the side edges of the web. The legs 78 and 80 are terminated in in-turned edge portions 82 and 84 which define an opening to the interior of the strut 74. The strut 74 is normally secured to a ceiling or wall so that -the opening to -the interior generally faces downwardly or outwardly.
ln some installations, however, the pipe may rest upon the strut.
In -these cases, the clamp functions to allgn the pipe with the strut and adjacent piping runs to provide adequate spacing, and to hold the conduit off the strut surface.
In order to mount the clamp device 8 of the present inven-tlon in the strut 74, one of thetee subassemblies 36 or 38 is initially placed within the interior of the strut by first align-ing the crossarm element 42 thereof with the opening between -the in-turned edge por-tions 82 and 84 so that the crossarm element can pass freely to the interior of the strut. ~t a time when the stop flange 18 or 20, associated with the respective tee sub-assembly 36 or 38 wllich is placed within the interior of the strut, has been brought -to bear against the convex outer and lower sides of the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84, the entire clamp device 8 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the strap 12 so that the crossarm element 42 within the strut is brought into a transverse position as illustrated in Figure 7. In assuming this position, the locking tabs 56 and 60 snap over the in-turned edge portions 82 of the strut legs 78 and 80 and aid in moving the crossarm element 42 inside the stru-t 74 into a position where it )216 bridges across and rests upon the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84. These edge portions are -thus clamped fi.rmly between the cross-arm element 42 inside the s-trut and the respective stop flange 18 or 20 (the stop flange 18 i.s -that whi.ch is illustrated in Figure 6).
After inserti.on of one of the tee subassemblies 36 and 38 into the interior of the stru-t 74 in the manner described, and reorien-tatlon of the clamp device 8 so that the crossarm element 42 of the tee subassemb]y 36 exter-ds transversely with respect to the longi-tudinal axis of the strut, the elongated flexible strap 10 is then wrapped about the periphery of the pipe 72 which is to be clamped within the clamp device and suspended from the strut.
When the strap 10 is wrapped about the pipe 72 in the manner described, the pipe spacing protuberances 16 contact the outer periphery of the pipe in the manner illustrated in Fi.gure 7. With the pipe 72 encircled by the strap 10 in this fashion, the second of the tee subassemblies 38 is then placed on the interior of the strut 74 by twisting the crossarm element 42 of this tee sub-assemb]y upon the neck portion thereof. This is accomplished by i.nserting the poin-t of a screwdri.ver or similar implement in the slot 54, and using the shaft of the screwdri.ver to provide the leverage necessary to twist the crossarm element 42 on the flexible and resilient neck portion 40. The crossarm element 42 is thus twisted to a location where it is then in a plane permitting it to pass through an opening between the in--turned edge portions 82 and 84 and up into the interior of the strut 74. The screwdriver or .
llS~Z16 other implement can then he used to push the crossarm element 42 through the opening hetweell the in-turned edges 82 and 84 and into the interior of the strut.
Once the cross-arm element 42 is i.n this location, the screw-driver can be withdrawn to permit the crossarm element -to pivot back to its relaxcd stcltus i.n which it extends -transverse].y with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strut 74. At this time, the clamp device 8 appears as shown in Figures 6 and 7 with the crossarm elemellts 42 of the two tee subassemblies 36 and 38 aligned in parallel and extending transversely across the strut in contact with the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84. Both of the stop flanges ].8 and 20 located at opposite ends of the flexible strap 10 bear a~ainst the lower sides of -the in-turned edge portions 82 and 84 to help retain the c].amp device in the selected location along the strut 74, and -to prevent swiveling or pivoting action of the clamp within the strut. On some occasions, -the clamp wil.l be connected to tlle strut by inserting both crossarm elements 42 in the strut before the pipe is inser-ted into the encircling strap of the clamp as thus mounted. In this type of installation, no tools are needed.
From the foregoing descri.ption of the invention, it will be perceived that the presen-t invention provides an improved clamp device whi.ch can be used for clamping a pipe or conduit and sus-pending such c].amped pipe or conduit from an open-mouthed strut or channel bar. It will also be seen that, as shown in Figures ~1~0216 6 and 7, the clamp device of the inventi.on totally isolates the conduit or pipe from contact with the channel bar, which may often be made of metal, and assures ventilation around the pipe or channel bar at the point where it passes through the clamp device.
~ lthough a preferred embodiment of the invention has been il.lustrated in the drawinc3s and has been herein described, it will be understood that various changes and innovations in the illustra-ted structure can be effected without departure from the basic princi.ples which underlie this invention. Changes and inno-vations of tlli.s type are -therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention, except as the same may be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equiva-lents thereof.
What is claimed is:
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A pipe clamp device comprising:
an elongated flexible strap having a first side, a second side, a pair of opposed side edges, and a pair of opposite ends;
a pair of stop flanges each having one side secured to one of said ends of said strap and extending transversely across the strap;
a pair of tee subassemblies each connected to one of said stop flanges on the opposite side thereof from said strap, and each including:
a crossarm element having a tool-receiving slot therethrough in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said elongated strap for facilitating the twisting of said crossarm element about the longitudinal axis with a leverage tool inserted into said slot;
a flexible, resilient neck portion interconnecting the crossarm element with the respective adjacent one of said stop flanges; and a locking tab projecting from each of the opposite ends of said crossarm elements toward said adjacent one of said stop flanges.
an elongated flexible strap having a first side, a second side, a pair of opposed side edges, and a pair of opposite ends;
a pair of stop flanges each having one side secured to one of said ends of said strap and extending transversely across the strap;
a pair of tee subassemblies each connected to one of said stop flanges on the opposite side thereof from said strap, and each including:
a crossarm element having a tool-receiving slot therethrough in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said elongated strap for facilitating the twisting of said crossarm element about the longitudinal axis with a leverage tool inserted into said slot;
a flexible, resilient neck portion interconnecting the crossarm element with the respective adjacent one of said stop flanges; and a locking tab projecting from each of the opposite ends of said crossarm elements toward said adjacent one of said stop flanges.
2. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized as including a plurality of pipe spacing protu-berances secured to, and projecting from, said first side of said strap.
3. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said stop flanges is substantially rectangular in configura-tion and extends in a plane substantially normal to the main plane of said strap.
4. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 3 and further characterized as including web portions adjacent opposite ends of the strap, and each extending between said first side of the strap and one side of one of said stop flanges in a plane ex-tending normal to the plane of said one stop flange.
5. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 1 wherein said neck portion comprises:
a pair of substantially parallel lateral flanges; and plate means interconnecting said lateral flanges.
a pair of substantially parallel lateral flanges; and plate means interconnecting said lateral flanges.
6. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 5 wherein said crossarm element comprises:
a peripheral flange portion connected to said lateral flanges; and plate means connected to the plate means of said neck portion.
a peripheral flange portion connected to said lateral flanges; and plate means connected to the plate means of said neck portion.
7. A pipe clamp device as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said stop flanges defines with an adjacent one of said crossarm elements, a pair of spaces located on opposite sides of one of said neck portions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US141,419 | 1980-04-18 | ||
| US06/141,419 US4290572A (en) | 1978-12-18 | 1980-04-18 | Pipe clamp device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1150216A true CA1150216A (en) | 1983-07-19 |
Family
ID=22495609
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000375667A Expired CA1150216A (en) | 1980-04-18 | 1981-04-16 | Pipe clamp device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1150216A (en) |
-
1981
- 1981-04-16 CA CA000375667A patent/CA1150216A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |