GB2133972A

GB2133972A - Pipe support fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2133972A
Application number: GB08301850A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Ernest Trussell
Original assignee: APV International Ltd
Current assignee: APV International Ltd
Priority date: 1983-01-24
Filing date: 1983-01-24
Publication date: 1984-08-08
Also published as: GB8301850D0; GB2133972B

Abstract

In a pipe support fitting of the type shown in U.K. Patent Specification 1,333,333, the engagement of the closing element on the saddle is prevented from accidental detachment by ensuring that the clearance Y between an indentation 13 on the turned over end of the closing element 11, and the upper surface of the closing element 11, is less than the height of the indentations on the saddle element cooperating with the indentations 13. As shown in Figure 4, this may be achieved by provision of further indentations 14 in the saddle element, but other ways of achieving the same end are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipe support fitting This invention relates to pipe support fittings.

United Kingdom Patent Specification 1,333,333 describes and claims a pipe support fitting comprising a generally U-shaped resilient saddle element having a pair of side portions adapted resiliently to embrace a pipe to be supported, and a base spaced in use from a pipe supported by the side portions and provided with means for attaching the saddle element to a support tube or surface, an element for closing the mouth of the saddle element by engaging and bridging the free ends of the side portions remote from the base, the closing element carrying a captive nut cooperating with a screw engageable in use with a pipe supported by the side portions to urge the closing element away from the pipe and side portions to tighten its engagement with the side portions.

In a preferred form of that invention, the saddle element and closing element having cooperating locating formations which engage with the saddle element and closing element while clamped together.

It has been found in practice that if the tightening screw is not tensioned correctly, or if it becomes loosened in operation, e.g. due to pipe vibration, the closing element can become disengaged from the saddle element causing the pipe to become partly unsupported, particularly on wall mounted and ceiling mounted installations.

According to the present invention, the locating formations are so formed as to prevent free axial introduction and removal of the closing element to and from the saddle element without forcing.

By this means, even if the tightening screw is incorrectly fitted or works loose, the closing element will not easily become detached and will thus continue to give a measure of support to the pipe.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which, Figure 1 shows a pipe support fitting in accordance with our earlier United Kingdom Patent 1,333,333; Figure 2 illustrates the shape of a turned over end of the saddle element: and Figures 3 to 6 illustrate different embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a pipe support fitting of the type described in our United Kingdom Patent 1,333,333. This Figure shows a saddle element 1, which is provided with bearing points 2 which lightly embrace a pipe 3. The base of the saddle element incorporates screw holes for attachment of the saddle element to a support surface or tube, and it may also be noted that the base of the saddle element is of square form so as to hold a lock nut against rotation. The saddle element also has out-turned ends 5 to receive the closing element, and it can be seen from Figure 2 that these out-turned ends are provided with indentations 6 for engaging corresponding formations on the closing piece to prevent anything more than limited relative axial movement.

The closing piece itself is shown by the reference numeral 11 and it has in-turned ends 6, and also carries a captive nut 7 with a tightening screw for engaging on the pipe 3 to tighten the clamping.

Figure 2 shows that the effective depth of the indentations 6 is a dimension X, and reference to Figure 3 shows an indentation 12 to cooperate with the indentation 6. The clearance between the indentation 12 and the main body of the closing piece 11 is shown by the dimension Y, and in order to prevent free introduction and removal of the closure member 11 , the dimension Y is chosen to be less than the dimension X. Thus, the closing element 11 has to be introduced forcibly, by resilient deflection of the metal, into its operative position, but this has the advantage that force also has to be applied to remove it so that in the event of the tightening screw being loose, the closing piece will not fall off.

In order to avoid the fairly deep indentation shown at 12 in Figure 3, an alternative approach is to provide a less deep indentation 13, e.g. of similar depth to the indentation 6, but to provide localised indentations 14 in the opposite surface of the closure member 1 1 so that the clearance through which the indentations 6 have to pass is reduced to a dimension shown as Y, again less than the dimension X.

Figure 4 shows a further alternative in which the local indentations 14 are replaced by spacers 16 welded or otherwise secured to the closure element 11 so that the clearance indicated at Y is again less than the dimension X of Figure 2.

In an alternative, the captive nut 7 is provided with a thick flange 17 which engages on the pipe 3 so that the clearance V between the mating turnover portions of the saddle element and closure element is less than the height W of the indentation in the closing element 11. This also serves to prevent free insertion and removal.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A pipe support fitting comprising a generally U-shaped resilient saddle element having a pair of side portions adapted resiliently to embrace a pipe to be supported and a base spaced in use from a pipe supported by the side portions and provided with means for attaching the saddle element to a support tube or surface, a closing element for closing the mouth of the saddle element by engaging and bridging the free ends of the side portions remote from the base, the closing element carrying a captive nut cooperating with a screw engageable in use with a pipe supported by the side portions to urge the closing element away from the pipe and side portions to tighten its engagement with the side portions, in which the saddle element and the closing element have

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pipe support fitting This invention relates to pipe support fittings. United Kingdom Patent Specification 1,333,333 describes and claims a pipe support fitting comprising a generally U-shaped resilient saddle element having a pair of side portions adapted resiliently to embrace a pipe to be supported, and a base spaced in use from a pipe supported by the side portions and provided with means for attaching the saddle element to a support tube or surface, an element for closing the mouth of the saddle element by engaging and bridging the free ends of the side portions remote from the base, the closing element carrying a captive nut cooperating with a screw engageable in use with a pipe supported by the side portions to urge the closing element away from the pipe and side portions to tighten its engagement with the side portions. In a preferred form of that invention, the saddle element and closing element having cooperating locating formations which engage with the saddle element and closing element while clamped together. It has been found in practice that if the tightening screw is not tensioned correctly, or if it becomes loosened in operation, e.g. due to pipe vibration, the closing element can become disengaged from the saddle element causing the pipe to become partly unsupported, particularly on wall mounted and ceiling mounted installations. According to the present invention, the locating formations are so formed as to prevent free axial introduction and removal of the closing element to and from the saddle element without forcing. By this means, even if the tightening screw is incorrectly fitted or works loose, the closing element will not easily become detached and will thus continue to give a measure of support to the pipe. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which, Figure 1 shows a pipe support fitting in accordance with our earlier United Kingdom Patent 1,333,333; Figure 2 illustrates the shape of a turned over end of the saddle element: and Figures 3 to 6 illustrate different embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates a pipe support fitting of the type described in our United Kingdom Patent 1,333,333. This Figure shows a saddle element 1, which is provided with bearing points 2 which lightly embrace a pipe 3. The base of the saddle element incorporates screw holes for attachment of the saddle element to a support surface or tube, and it may also be noted that the base of the saddle element is of square form so as to hold a lock nut against rotation. The saddle element also has out-turned ends 5 to receive the closing element, and it can be seen from Figure 2 that these out-turned ends are provided with indentations 6 for engaging corresponding formations on the closing piece to prevent anything more than limited relative axial movement. The closing piece itself is shown by the reference numeral 11 and it has in-turned ends 6, and also carries a captive nut 7 with a tightening screw for engaging on the pipe 3 to tighten the clamping. Figure 2 shows that the effective depth of the indentations 6 is a dimension X, and reference to Figure 3 shows an indentation 12 to cooperate with the indentation 6. The clearance between the indentation 12 and the main body of the closing piece 11 is shown by the dimension Y, and in order to prevent free introduction and removal of the closure member 11 , the dimension Y is chosen to be less than the dimension X. Thus, the closing element 11 has to be introduced forcibly, by resilient deflection of the metal, into its operative position, but this has the advantage that force also has to be applied to remove it so that in the event of the tightening screw being loose, the closing piece will not fall off. In order to avoid the fairly deep indentation shown at 12 in Figure 3, an alternative approach is to provide a less deep indentation 13, e.g. of similar depth to the indentation 6, but to provide localised indentations 14 in the opposite surface of the closure member 1 1 so that the clearance through which the indentations 6 have to pass is reduced to a dimension shown as Y, again less than the dimension X. Figure 4 shows a further alternative in which the local indentations 14 are replaced by spacers 16 welded or otherwise secured to the closure element 11 so that the clearance indicated at Y is again less than the dimension X of Figure 2. In an alternative, the captive nut 7 is provided with a thick flange 17 which engages on the pipe 3 so that the clearance V between the mating turnover portions of the saddle element and closure element is less than the height W of the indentation in the closing element 11. This also serves to prevent free insertion and removal. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A pipe support fitting comprising a generally U-shaped resilient saddle element having a pair of side portions adapted resiliently to embrace a pipe to be supported and a base spaced in use from a pipe supported by the side portions and provided with means for attaching the saddle element to a support tube or surface, a closing element for closing the mouth of the saddle element by engaging and bridging the free ends of the side portions remote from the base, the closing element carrying a captive nut cooperating with a screw engageable in use with a pipe supported by the side portions to urge the closing element away from the pipe and side portions to tighten its engagement with the side portions, in which the saddle element and the closing element have cooperating locating formations which engage when they are clamped together, the locating formations being so formed as to prevent axial introduction and removal of the closing element to and from the saddle element without forcing.

2. A pipe support fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which the closing element is provided with supplementing indentations to provide limited clearance which will not pass freely over the locating formations or the saddle element.

3. A pipe support fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which the closing element is provided with attached spacers to provide limited clearance which will not pass freely over the locating formations or the saddle element.

4. A pipe support fitting as claimed in claim 1, in which the captive nut protrudes into a beight of the closing element so as to engage or a pipe fitted in the saddle element to prevent free introduction and removal of the closing element to and from the saddle element.

5. A pipe support fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.