NL2010618C2

NL2010618C2 - Pipe support part.

Info

Publication number: NL2010618C2
Application number: NL2010618A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Frank Nijdam; Marek Juzak
Original assignee: Walraven Holding Bv J Van
Priority date: 2013-04-11
Filing date: 2013-04-11
Publication date: 2014-10-14

Description

Title: Pipe support part

The present invention relates in general to a support channel for a pipe. The support channel has an elongate form with an open top and an arched channel wall in cross section.

Such a support channel is known made of metal. Such channels are used on plastic pipes as a reinforcement. Plastic pipes tend to sag if they are not supported at short intervals by e.g. pipe clips, especially if the medium that is transported through the plastic pipe is warm. The metal channels support the pipe from the underside and prevent the undesired deformation of the pipes. As a result, pipe clips for suspending the pipe can be arranged at larger intervals. Also, a metal channel will provide additional safety in case of fire. In general the outer diameter of the pipe corresponds substantially to the inner diameter of the channel.

Known support channel structures have straight channel bodies that support only straight lengths of pipe. In practise plastic pipes have bends and can have branches, e.g. T-parts.

The present invention has for an object to increase the length of pipe that is supported.

This object is achieved by a pipe support part generally having an open top channel shape, the support part having an end portion for coupling with an end of another support channel body, wherein the support part is connectable to a similar support part in such a way that the interconnected support parts can be arranged in different angular orientations with respect to each other.

In use the end portion of the support part is connected to a channel body of another type, e.g. a basic channel body.

The pipe support part can be assembled with at least one other similar pipe support part into an articulate support channel joint for supporting a pipe bend or a branch piece of a pipe. The at least two pipe support parts are interconnected in such a way that they can be arranged in different angular orientations with respect to each other.

The pipe support part and the articulate support channel joint according to the invention provides a means to support the pipe also at bends or branches. Furthermore it provides flexibility, because the pipe support parts constituting the articulate support channel joint can be arranged in different angles adjusted to the angle of the pipe bend or branch to which the support channel joint is mounted. The support of pipe bends increases furthermore the fire safety, because the entire length of a pipe can be supported and protected against fire and heat from below.

In a preferred embodiment the support part has a receiving end section and a connecting end section, the receiving end section having an arched channel wall in cross section for receiving the end of another channel body, the connecting end section having means for interconnecting with the connecting end section of another support part.

In a practical embodiment the connecting end section has a substantially flat bottom and (manually) bendable upstanding side walls which are at least partially separated from the bottom, such that the side walls are bendable into a curve. The flat bottoms of two or more connecting end sections are placed on top of each other such that they partially overlap.

In a possible practical embodiment, the bottom of the connecting end portion is near its end provided with a through hole for a hinge member. The hinge member can be passed through the through holes such that the connecting end sections of the pipe support parts can be interconnected and can be rotated about said hinge member.

It is also possible to provide an embodiment wherein the connecting end section is provided with a hinge member as a connection means, which hinging member is connectable with a complementary hinge member of another similar pipe support part, or with a through hole of another pipe support part, so as to form a hinging arrangement. Preferably the hinge member is integral with the connecting end section. The integral hinge member could be attached to the connecting end section e.g. by welding, but is preferably formed out of one piece with the connecting end section.

The hinge member or hinge members define a hinging axis that extends preferably substantially perpendicular to the radius of curvature of the pipe to be supported extends. In practice the hinge axis will be substantially vertical. The interconnected pipe support parts can be swiveled relative to each other around the hinging axis. Thus, the assembly of pipe support parts according to the invention can be readily adjusted to support pipe bends with different bend radii and angles in the pipeline to be supported.

Preferably the pipe support part is made of metal, more preferably it is formed in one piece from metal sheet material. The use of metal provides the advantage that it provides better resistance against heat and fire from below and thus better support and protection of the pipe.

In a possible embodiment the receiving end section and the connecting end section each have a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axes are parallel to each other.

The invention also relates to an articulate support channel joint for supporting a pipe bend or a branch piece of a pipe, said support channel joint comprising at least two pipe support parts as set out in the above, wherein the at least two pipe support parts are interconnected in such a way, possibly by a hinge arrangement, that they can be arranged in different angular orientations with respect to each other. By means of the hinging arrangement the receiving end sections can be swiveled in an orientation such that they can be aligned with and connected to other channel bodies (e.g. basic channel bodies) of the pipe supporting channel.

It must be noted that the term “articulate” used throughout the application is not limited to joint structures having a hinging arrangement with a hinging member. Also other joints that provide the articulation and adjustability are meant to fall within the term “articulate”. A practical example of another articulate support part could include a bendable joint.

The invention furthermore relates to a support channel for a pipe, comprising at least two basic channel bodies which extend under an angle with respect to each other, said basic channel bodies each having an elongate form with an arched channel wall seen in cross section, the support channel furthermore comprising at least one articulate support channel joint as described in the above, which articulate support channel joint is arranged between and coupled to the end portions of said two basic channel bodies.

The support channel can be suspended by means of pipe clips or pipe hangers suspending from a ceiling or other support structure. The pipe clips or pipe hangers can be arranged around the pipe and channel parts. In a possible arrangement the pipe clips can be arranged around the pipe support part according to the invention at the articulate support channel joints.

The invention will be described in further detail in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows in a view in perspective a pipe support part according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows in a view in perspective a possible embodiment of an articulate support channel joint including two pipe support parts of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows in a view in perspective a possible embodiment of an articulate support channel joint including three pipe support parts of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 shows in a view in perspective a support channel joint of Fig. 2 connected to a straight channel body,

Fig. 5 shows in a view in perspective a support channel at a pipe bend according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows in a view in perspective an alternative example how a pipe support part according to the invention can be connected to another support channel body, and

Fig. 7 shows in a view in perspective yet another alternative example how a pipe support part according to the invention can be connected to another support channel body.

In Fig. 5 is shown a support channel structure 10 for a pipe 100 at the location of a pipe bend 101. The support channel 10 comprises in the figure two basic channel bodies 1 that extend under an angle with each other, in the example in Fig. 5 about 90°. The basic channel bodies 1 have an elongate form with an arched channel wall seen in cross section. The basic channel bodies 1 in this case can be basic metal channel bodies without further specific features.

The basic channel bodies 1 are interconnected by an interconnecting part 2. The interconnecting part 2 is an adjustable support channel joint that supports the pipe bend 101. The support channel joint 2 is an articulate part generally configured as an elbow.

The articulate interconnecting part 2 comprises in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 two pipe support parts 21 which are interconnected as can be seen in Figs 2 and 4. The pipe support parts are the

In Fig. 1 is shown a pipe support part 21 in a state before assembly with another support part 21. The pipe support part 21 has generally a channel shape. It is preferably made of metal, most preferably formed out of one piece of metal sheet material.

The pipe support part 21 comprises a receiving end section 22 and a connecting end section 23. The receiving end section 22 has an open-top half cylindrical shape. Thus it has in cross section an arched shape. The arched shape has an inner diameter that is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the basic channel bodies 1. Thus the end portions of the basic channel bodies can be received in the receiving end section 22 of the pipe support part 21 as can be seen in Fig. 4 on the left end of the articulate interconnecting part 2.

In this particular embodiment the receiving end section 22 is provided at its end regions with two parallel tangential ribs 24 formed in the wall. The tangential ribs 24 protrude towards the outer side of the receiving end section 22 of the channel-like body 21 and define between them a receiving region 25 on the outer side of the receiving end section 22. In use a binding means can be accommodated in the receiving region 25.

In Fig. 5 is shown that the end portions of two basic channel bodies 1 are laid in the end portions of an articulate support channel joint 2 located between the basic channel bodies 1. It is shown in Fig. 5 that a pipe 100, which in practise will often be a plastic pipe, is received in the support channel. In order to fix a basic channel body 1, the articulate support channel joint 2 and the pipe 100 together a binding means, in this case a tie wrap 50 is arranged around the receiving end section 22 of adjustable support channel joint at the receiving region 25 between the tangential ribs 24 and the pipe 100, so as to tighten the pipe, the basic channel body 11 and the pipe support part 21 together.

It must be noted here that instead of tie wraps also other binding means, e.g. such as wire, can be used.

It must also be noted that the basic channel bodies could be attached to the receiving end sections 22 in another way as is shown in Fig. 5. For example in a possible alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the basic channel body 1 and the receiving end section 22 can each have cutouts 26 in their channel wall such that bendable tongues 27 are formed. The bendable tongues 27 can be bended out of the channel body surfaces and inserted in an opening formed in the associated channel body 1 by bending away a tongue 28 in that channel body 1.

In yet another possible embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the receiving end section 22 has at its end regions a tangential strip which contour is cut out of the channel wall, which strip 29 is in use broken out of the wall of the receiving end section 22 such that one end 29A of the strip remains attached with the receiving end section 22 and the strip is folded over the open top of the receiving end section and the free end 29B of the strip is attached to the receiving end section22 to bind the basic channel body 1, the receiving end section 22 and a pipe 100 received in the support channel together. Preferably the free end of the strip has lateral protrusions 29C.

The connecting end section 23 has a flat bottom 30 as can be seen in Fig. 1. At the sides of the bottom 30 upstanding sidewalls 31 are formed. The side walls 31 are connected to the bottom 30 at an end region 33 at the side of the receiving end section 22. However at a greater length of the side walls 31, the bottom 30 and the side walls 31 are cut free from each other. Consequently the bottom 30 and side walls 31 are separated by a slit 32 towards the free end of the bottom 30 and the side walls 31. The feature that the side walls 31 and the bottom 30 are cut free from each other allows the initially straight side walls 31 to be bended outwards as will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

In the bottom 30 near the free end thereof a through hole 34 is provided. The through hole 34 allows the passage of a hinge member as will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

In Fig. 2 an articulate support channel joint 2 having two pipe support parts 21 is shown. To assemble the articulate support channel joint 2 the bottoms 30 of the respective pipe support parts 21 are arranged in an overlapping fashion, such that the holes 34 in the respective bottoms 30 are aligned. A hinge member 35, e.g. a hinge pin, a rivet, or another suitable separate hinge member, can be arranged through the holes 34 to connect the pipe support parts 21. The hinge axis defined by the hinge member extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom 30. The pipe support parts 21 can swivel with respect to each other, whereby the pipe support parts 21 can be adjusted to an angular position corresponding to the angle of the pipe bend 101 (see Fig. 5). The initially straight side walls 31 can be bended outwards by hand at the inside bend 36 as can be seen in Fig 2. At the outside bend 37, the side walls 31 can remain straight in this specific embodiment.

In another possible embodiment (not shown), the connecting end section 23 can be provided with an integral hinge member part, preferably at the bottom 30. The integral hinge member part can be coupled to another complementary hinge member part of another pipe support part. Alternatively, it is also possible that the connecting end section 23 of one of the pipe support parts has an integral hinge member, and the other pipe support part has a bore as is described in the above, through which the integral hinge members is passed to form a hinge arrangement.

In Fig. 3 another possible embodiment of an articulate support channel joint is shown. In this embodiment the articulate support channel joint is constituted by three pipe support parts 21. Again the bottoms 30 are arranged such that they partially overlap each other and the holes 34 are aligned. A hinge member 35 connects the three pipe support parts 21. In this embodiment the receiving end sections 22 are arranged such that they extend in an angle of about 120° with respect to each other. In that event all the side walls 31 are at an inside bend and have to be bended by hand.

It must be noted that the three pipe support parts 21 can be adjusted into a different orientation as shown in Fig 3. A practical embodiment could be where two receiving end sections 22 are in line with each other and the third receiving end section is under an angle. For example the third receiving end section 22 can be at an angle of 90° with respect to the other two, such that a T-piece of the pipe can be supported. However also another angle is conceivable to support a branch location in a pipe.

It must be noted here that although not shown in any of the figures, it is very well thinkable that four pipe support parts 21 are interconnected to form an articulate support channel joint to support a crossing in a pipeline.

Claims

A pipe support member having substantially a channel shape with an open top, said support member having an end portion for coupling to an end of another support channel body, the support member being connectable to a similar support member in such a way that the interconnected support members in different angular orientations be arranged relative to each other.

A pipe support member according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a recording end portion and a connection end portion, the recording end portion having a channel wall, viewed in cross section, for receiving the end of another channel body, the connection end portion having connection means for connecting to the connecting end portion of another support member.

Pipe support part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting end part has a substantially flat bottom and (manually) bendable upright side walls that connect to the receiving end part and that are at least partially separated from the bottom, so that the side walls are bendable .

4. Pipe support part according to claim 3, wherein the bottom of the connecting end portion is provided at its end with a through hole for a hinge member.

A pipe support part according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connecting end portion is provided with a hinge member as a connecting means, which hinge member is connectable to a hinge member of another similar pipe support member to form a hinge construction.

Pipe support part according to claim 5, wherein the hinge member is integral with the connecting end portion, preferably formed in one piece.

Pipe support part according to one of the preceding claims, which is made of metal.

8. Pipe support part according to one of the preceding claims, which is formed from one piece of metal plate.

Pipe support part according to any of claims 2-8, wherein the receiving end part and the connection end part each have a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axes being parallel to each other.

An articulated support channel connecting element for supporting a pipe bend or a pipe branch, the support channel connecting element comprising at least two pipe support parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two pipe support parts are mutually connected in such a way that they are in different angular orientations can be positioned relative to each other.

The articulated carrier channel connection element according to claim 10, wherein the connection end portions are mutually connected by a hinge construction.

A pipe support channel comprising at least two basic channel bodies that extend at an angle to each other, which basic channel bodies each have an elongated shape with a channel wall, viewed in cross-section, the support channel further comprising at least one articulated support channel connecting element according to claim 10 or 11, which articulated carrier channel connecting element is disposed between and coupled to the end portions of the two basic channel bodies.