NZ549344A - A weld-free pipe clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe clamp assembly for carrying a section of pipe. The pipe clamp assembly includes at least one clamp member adapted to form a hollow section through which the pipe is adapted to extend, an attachment fitting including an elongate shaft having a first attachment means at a first end thereof for attachment with the clamp member, and a second attachment means at an opposed second end thereof, adapted to secure the fitting to a supporting structure. The at least one clamp member includes a portion that is raised from the pipe to thereby accommodate the first attachment means.

Description

^ 3L+l\ PATENTS FORM NO. 5 - COMPLETE SPECIFICATION APPLICANT: Clamp Technologies Pty Ltd ADDRESS: 2 Keirana Avenue, Port Noarlunga, South Australia 5167, Australia Hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: intellectual property office of n.z. 3 1 JUL 2008 RECEIVED 1 A weld-free pipe clamp The present invention relates to clamps for securing pipes to building structures and, in particular, to a weld-free pipe clamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of clamps for attaching pipes to various structures is known. For example, in the construction of a house or building, much of the plumbing work requires clamps to secure water and sewerage pipes in place. In general, the pipe clamps comprise two sections of substantially semicircular construction which have flange portions at ends thereof. When the two semicircular sections are joined to form a circle around the pipe, the associated flange 10 portions abut on diametrically opposed sides of the pipe, and apertures associated therewith become coaxially aligned. The pipe is then secured within the clamp sections through use of bolts extending through the coaxially aligned apertures. Alternatively, the clamp can be made up of just one section which is substantially circular in shape so that it extends around the entire pipe. Again, the ends of the clamp include flange portions adapted to be secured by a 15 bolt.

In the past, such clamps have included attachment means fixed to a section of the clamp, typically in the form of a fitting welded thereto. Due to the various different materials used in the building industry, for example, steel, timber and masonry, a number of different clamps were therefore required, each of which has a welded on fitting suitable for a particular 20 surface. This however is not desirable because it means the installer must carry with him/her a large number of different clamps in order to appropriately equip him/herself for a particular job. It is desirable for the installer to have a choice of fixing materials appropriate for fixing to any one of the abovementioned building materials.

One form of fitting is that which is used to suspend a pipe from a surface. Such 25 hanging fittings typically comprise an elongate metal structure of predetermined length being welded at one end thereof to a pipe clamp section, while the free end is attached to the surface so that the pipe is suspended therefrom. Because surfaces or structures from which pipes are suspended are not always perfectly horizontal, and because the height of the pipe is not adjustable, it is often difficult to suspend a pipe in perfect horizontal alignment. This may also 30 result in more pressure being applied by one clamp at one portion of the pipe, as compared with another clamp at another portion along the pipe. It is therefore desirable to have clamps which allow for the height of the pipe to be adjustable so that in such situations, the pipe can be suspended in alignment along its entire length.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 7 SEP 2007 received 2 Furthermore, existing clamps have typically been constructed of mild steel and are therefore susceptible to corrosion, particularly when installed in locations in close proximity to coastal areas where sea air is an accelerant for rust deterioration. This is particularly the case in the area of the weld between the clamp section and the fitting, and is commonly the 5 point at which the fitting breaks from the clamp section.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative. The invention therefore relates to a stainless steel, weld-free pipe clamp which includes replaceable and interchangeable attachment fittings. The configuration of the pipe clamp further allows for the 10 height of the attached pipe to be adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a pipe clamp assembly including: at least one clamp member adapted to form a hollow section through which said pipe is 15 adapted to extend; an attachment fitting including an elongate shaft having a first attachment means at one end thereof for attachment with said clamp member and a second attachment means at an opposed end thereof adapted to secure said fitting to a supporting structure; and whereby said at least one clamp member includes a portion that is raised from said pipe to 20 thereby accommodate said second attachment means.

Preferably said attachment fitting includes a head portion at said first end, said head portion being of a greater cross sectional dimension to that of said elongate shaft.

In preference said raised portion includes an aperture whereby said raised portion is adapted to accommodate said attachment fitting head portion when the elongate shaft is 25 inserted through said aperture.

In preference said first attachment means includes a threaded portion adjacent the first end of said shaft, said threaded portion adapted to extend at least a predetermined distance above said clamp raised portion when the shaft is fully inserted, for engagement with a correspondingly threaded fixing member such as a nut.

Preferably said second attachment means is configured to secure the at least one clamp member to a wooden structure.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE N.z 2 ? SEP 2007 RECEIVED 3 In preference said second attachment means is configured to secure the at least one clamp member to masonry.

In preference said second end of the elongate shaft terminates in a screw-type threaded structure.

Preferably said attachment means is configuredto secure the at least one clamp member to a rigid structure such as a metal beam.

Preferably said elongate shaft includes a threaded portion adjacent said second end, said threaded portion being of a length to enable engagement with two nuts on opposed sides of said rigid structure thereby securing said at least one clamp member thereto.

In preference said second attachment means is configured to suspend said at least one clamp member from an aerial structure using a perpendicular suspension bracket.

Preferably said elongate shaft portion includes a threaded portion adjacent said second end, said threaded portion adapted to be received within a correspondingly sized aperture in said suspension bracket and prevented from upward movement through use of a nut which engages said threaded portion above the suspension bracket.

Preferably the height of the section of pipe is adjustable through rotation of said nut.

Advantageously said suspension bracket is an expansion bracket.

Preferably said hollow section is shaped substantially correspondingly with the pipe cross section.

In preference said pipe cross section is circular and said at least one clamp member comprises two semi-circular clamp members including engageable flange sections at ends thereof.

In preference said attachment fitting and said at least one pipe clamp member are constructed of, or at least coated with, a non-corrosive, rust-resistant material.

Advantageously said attachment fitting and at least one pipe clamp member are constructed of, or at least coated with, stainless steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 ? SEP 2007 RECEIVED 4 The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a section of pipe secured within a pipe clamp in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the pipe clamp of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the pipe clamp of Figure 1 including an attachment means in the form of a hanging fitting; Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the pipe clamp of Figure 1 including an attachment means in the form of a wood/masonry fitting; Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the pipe clamp of Figure 1 including an attachment means in the form of a steel/masonry fitting; and Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the pipe clamp of Figure 1 including the attachment means of Figure 5 having an associated expansion joint.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be 20 used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

The present invention relates to a pipe clamp 10 used to secure a section of pipe 12 to a surface or structure, and is shown in its broadest form in Figures 1-2. The pipe clamp 10 comprises two semicircular sections 14 and 16 which include respective flanged portions 18 and 20, and 22 and 24, at ends thereof. Opposed flange portions 18 and 20 of one section 14 25 are arranged to align and abut with correspondingly opposed flange portions 22 and 24 of the other section 16 so that the two sections can be secured to one another. When the flange portions abut, apertures associated therewith become coaxially aligned and can be tightened using standard nut (not shown) and bolt 26 connection means, as shown in Figure 1. The connection means of the clamp 10 may differ, for example, a threaded shaft 28 may be used 30 instead of a bolt, together with nuts 30 which engage the threaded shaft 28, as shown in Figures 2-6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICF OF M.Z. 2 7 SEP 2007 received When the pipe clamp sections 14 and 16 are secured together, they form a circular shape of predetermined diameter. Therefore, where the diameter of the pipe section 12 is slightly larger then the clamp diameter, the clamp sections 14 and 16 are secured in the same way as described above, except the flange portions will not abut, they will be slightly spaced 5 apart, as shown in all the Figures 1-6. Thus, different sized clamp sections can be used to suit different ranges of pipe diameter. Also, alternately configured pipe clamps can be used, such as those which include one pipe clamp section (not shown) only. The same reference numerals have been used for some parts of the clamp including threaded shafts 28 and nuts 30, in the interest of brevity, and because their configuration and purpose is well known in the 10 art.

Turning now to the primary feature of the present invention which is the recess 32 found at the apex of the semicircular pipe clamp section 14. The recess 32 includes a central aperture through which the shaft 33 of any one of the fittings shown in Figures 3-6 are adapted to extend. As mentioned, the invention is only represented broadly in Figures 1-2, which is why only the base 34 of the fitting is shown. The base 34 of each fitting is similar to a standard bolt in that it includes a bolt head 36 and a threaded section 38 along at least the base of the shaft 33. The bolt head 36 is adapted to be housed within the area between the recess 32 and the pipe section 12, and is locked in place using a locking nut 40 which engages the thread 38 and thereby secures the fitting to the pipe clamp section 14. These features are 20 common to all of the fittings shown in Figures 3-6 and essential to the working of the present invention. It is to be understood that the recess could equally well have formed part of clamp section 16 instead of clamp section 14.

As mentioned in the preamble of the invention, various different materials are used in the building industry including timber, steel and masonry, and pipe sections need to be fixed 25 to or suspended from such materials. Figures 3-6 show four different fittings attached to the pipe clamp 10 of the present invention which are to be used for such purposes. In particular, Figure 3 shows a hanging fitting 42 for situations where the pipe section 12 needs to be suspended from a surface or structure, Figure 4 illustrates a timber/masonry fitting 44, Figure 5 illustrates a masonry/steel fitting 46, and Figure 6 illustrates a fitting 48 having an 30 expansion bracket 50 attached thereto which may be required when pipelines expand or contract due to temperature changes . Each of these fittings is described in more detail below.

Hanging fitting 42 includes a suspension bracket 52 having an attachment portion 54 adapted to be fitted to the threaded section 38 of the shaft 33. The attachment portion 54 includes an aperture (not shown) through which the threaded shaft portion extends, and is secured in place using an additional nut 56. The suspension bracket further includes an INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 27 SEP 2007 received 6 elongate body 58 extending substantially perpendicularly from the attachment portion from one side thereof, and the free end of the elongate body includes means to be fixed to a surface or structure, this not being shown in the drawings. The fixing means could be in the form of an aperture extending through the elongate body 58 to accommodate a bolt, however, it could 5 equally well incorporate any other suitable fixing means.

Those skilled in the art would realise that this particular configuration also allows for the height of the pipe section to be altered very easily. Once the elongate body has been fixed, then by either unscrewing or screwing the top nut 56, the distance between the attachment portion 54 and the recess nut 40 can be adjusted, hence adjusting the height of the pipe section 10 12. Height adjustment is something which was not possible using hitherto known pipe clamps having welded on hanging fittings. This feature is extremely useful in situations where the height of the fixing surface is not consistent along the length of a pipeline, and so the clamps which carry the pipeline need to be adjusted accordingly.

The shaft 33 of the timber/masonry fitting 44, shown in Figure 4 is longer that that of 15 the hanging fitting 42 and includes a screw thread 60 at its free end. This type of thread is suitable for screwing the shaft into timber, or alternatively, into masonry, using the masonry plug 62 as is well known in the art.

Figure 5 illustrates a steel/masonry 46 fitting which includes a long shaft 33 having a threaded section 38 extending all the way along the shaft 33. This particular fitting requires 20 that an aperture first be drilled into the masonry or steel, so that the shaft can be inserted there through, and secured on the other side through use of one or more nuts 64.

Finally, Figure 6 shows a similar fitting 48 to that of Figure 5 in that it includes an extended shaft 33 having a thread 38 all the way along the shaft, however, attached to the shaft 33 is an expansion bracket 66 and a further nut 68 for securing the expansion bracket 25 between itself and the nut 40. Pipelines installed in buildings, particularly long straight runs, can expand or contract due to temperature changes. Dependant upon the length of the pipe run, the installation can also snake. Use of the expansion bracket prevents this from occurring. The expansion joint is stabilised by fixing the shaft 33 to an underfloor slab (not shown), and is further stabilised through use of threaded bracing rods 70 and 72 which are secured to the 30 diagonal end portions 74 and 76 respectively of the bracket using nuts 78.

It is to be understood that in fittings 46 or 48, if any one of the threaded shafts or bracings are not long enough, for example in aerial situations and in the diagonal bracings described above, then a coupler (not shown) and additional bracing rods can be i INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 SEP 2007 received 7 It is to be further understood that, although not shown, an insulating strip can be bonded to the inside surface of the pipe clamp sections 14 and 16. As pipelines carry water, noises such as water hammer and toilet flushing are conducted by the pipeline to the supporting hanger and bracing rods to the building floor level. In apartment living and 5 sleeping areas in particular, these noises can be quite irritating. Use of the insulating strip prevents conduction of noise through to the building floor level.

The flexibility and interchangeability of the weld free system of the present invention enhances all of the installation procedures described above, and results in a much stronger connection between the pipe and the structure to which it is being attached. The pipe clamp 10 10 and its components are constructed of stainless steel which is not susceptible to corrosion, an important factor in coastal areas.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is 15 recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word 20 "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 SEP 2007 received 8

Claims (22)

1. A pipe clamp assembly for carrying a section of pipe, said pipe clamp assembly including: at least one clamp member adapted to form a hollow section through which said pipe is 5 adapted to extend; an attachment fitting including an elongate shaft having a first attachment means at a first end thereof for attachment with said clamp member, and a second attachment means at an opposed second end thereof, adapted to secure said fitting to a supporting structure; and whereby said at least one clamp member includes a portion that is raised from said pipe to 10 thereby accommodate said first attachment means.

2. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 1 wherein said attachment fitting includes a head portion at said first end, said head portion being of greater cross sectional dimension to that of said elongate shaft.

3. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein said raised portion includes an aperture 15 whereby said raised portion is adapted to accommodate said attachment fitting head portion when the elongate shaft is inserted through said aperture.

4. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 3 wherein said first attachment means includes a threaded portion adjacent the first end of said shaft, said threaded portion adapted to extend at least a predetermined distance above said clamp raised portion when the shaft is fully 20 inserted, for engagement with a correspondingly threaded fixing member such as a nut.

5. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said second attachment means is configured to secure the at least one pipe clamp member to a wooden structure.

6. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 5 wherein said second end of the elongate shaft 25 terminates in a screw-type threaded structure.

7. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of claims 1-4 wherein said second attachment means is configured to secure the at least one clamp member to masonry.

8. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 7 wherein said second end of the elongate shaft terminates in a screw-type threaded structure. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z 17 MAR 2008 RECEIVED 9

9. A pipe clamp assembly as in in any one of claims 1-4 wherein said second attachment means is configuredto secure the at least one clamp member to a rigid structure such as a metal beam.

10. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 9 wherein said elongate shaft includes a threaded 5 portion adjacent said second end, said threaded portion being of a length to enable engagement with two nuts on opposed sides of said rigid structure thereby securing said at least one clamp member thereto.

11. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of claims 1-4 wherein said second attachment means is configured to suspend said at least one clamp member from an aerial 10 structure using a perpendicular suspension bracket.

12. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 11 wherein said elongate shaft portion includes a threaded portion adjacent said second end, said threaded portion adapted to be received within a correspondingly sized aperture in said suspension bracket and prevented from upward movement through use of a nut which engages said threaded 15 portion above the suspension bracket.

13. A pipe clamp assembly as in claim 12 wherein the height of the section of pipe is adjustable through rotation of said nut.

14. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of claims 11-13 wherein said suspension bracket is an expansion bracket. 20

15. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said hollow section is shaped substantially correspondingly with the pipe cross section.

16. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said pipe cross section is circular and said at least one clamp member comprises two semi-circular clamp members including engageable flange sections at ends thereof. 25

17. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said attachment fitting and said at least one pipe clamp member are constructed of, or at least coated with, a non-corrosive, rust-resistant material.

18. A pipe clamp assembly as in any one of the above claims wherein said attachment fitting and at least one pipe clamp member are constructed of, or at least coated with, 30 stainless steel. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2? SEP 2007 RECEIVED 10

19. A pipe clamp assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3.

20. A pipe clamp assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4.

21. A pipe clamp assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5.

22. A pipe clamp assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6. END OF CLAIMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF M.Z 2 ? SEP 2007 received