NZ746797B2

NZ746797B2 - Insulated riser clamp

Info

Publication number: NZ746797B2
Application number: NZ746797A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Robert Dodge; Mark Schwager
Original assignee: Zsi Inc
Priority date: 2016-03-30
Filing date: 2017-03-30
Publication date: 2021-06-29

Abstract

riser clamp assembly for receiving and supporting an insulated pipe. The clamp assembly includes a first riser clamp and a second riser clamp. Each of the riser clamps includes a semi-circular body portion extending arcuately between opposite first and second ends and defining an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall extending axial between top and bottom edges. A generally C-shaped metal flange projects radially from the inner cylindrical wall generally midway between the top and bottom edges to define an axial center opening. A support brace extends radially from the outer cylindrical wall adjacent each end of the body portion for interconnecting the first and second riser clamps around the insulated pipe. The C-shaped metal flange and associate body are overmolded with plastic and the C-shaped metal flange includes a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes for mechanically bonding said plastic with said C-shaped metal flange. wall and an outer cylindrical wall extending axial between top and bottom edges. A generally C-shaped metal flange projects radially from the inner cylindrical wall generally midway between the top and bottom edges to define an axial center opening. A support brace extends radially from the outer cylindrical wall adjacent each end of the body portion for interconnecting the first and second riser clamps around the insulated pipe. The C-shaped metal flange and associate body are overmolded with plastic and the C-shaped metal flange includes a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes for mechanically bonding said plastic with said C-shaped metal flange.

Description

INSULATED RISER CLAMP CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and all the beneﬁts of United States ional Application No. 62/315,046, ﬁled on March 30, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The t ion relates to a riser clamp assembly. More particularly, and ting an invention relates to an insulated riser clamp assembly adapted for securing insulated ﬂuid pipe h a hole in a ure. 2. Description of Related Art Conventional pipes are used to convey or transfer ﬂuids in various commercial and industrial application and buildings, such as water and sprinkler systems, refrigeration systems, and heating/cooling systems. The pipes are commonly encased in a cellular foam insulation tubing, which maintains the ﬂuid within the pipes at a desired temperature. pipe insulation tubing is commonly provided in predetermined lengths that are aligned end- to-end to cover an entire length of pipe.

In one typical application and installation, the insulated pipe, that is, the pipe of the encased by the insulation tubing, is disposed along a supp01t ure, such as a ceiling be a ity building. The insulated pipe is commonly supported along the support structure of spaced apart clevis hangers or straps. In another application and installation, the insulated ﬂoor of the building from pipe extends or passes vertically through an opening or hole in a one ﬂoor to r ﬂoor. The pipe extends through the hole in the ﬂoor and is typically the pipe on the ted by a metal bracket or pair of clamped metal ts which support surface of the ﬂoor. It is desirable to encase the pipe in resilient cellular foam insulation to insulate and maintain the temperature of the ﬂuid in the pipe. However, insulating the pipe on opposing sides of the ﬂoor creates an open gap therebetween, void of any insulation of the pipe. The gap within the opening in the ﬂoor, and diminishing the insulation properties WO 73045 2017/024957 the installer which is formed by the nt ends of the insulation is often taped or glued by labor intensive and inefﬁcient.

Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a riser clamp for ng and ﬂoor. supporting an insulated pipe through the opening in the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A riser clamp assembly is provided for receiving and supporting an insulated and a second riser clamp, Each of pipe. The clamp assembly comprises a ﬁrst riser clamp ely n te the riser clamps includes a semi-circular body portion extending wall and an outer cylindrical wall ﬁrst and second ends and defining an inner cylindrical C-shaped ﬂange projects radially extending axial between top and bottom edges. A generally between the top and bottom edges to deﬁne from the inner cylindrical wall generally midway wall brace extends radially from the outer cylindrical an axial center opening. A support the first and second riser clamps adjacent each end of the body portion for onnecting around the insulated pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS as the same Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated the detailed description when becomes better understood by reference to following wherein: considered in connection with the accompanying drawings of insulated riser Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality hole in a ﬂoor according to one aspect clamp assemblies ting insulated pipes through a of the invention; floor with an insulated Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the hole in the ﬂoor; riser clamp assembly supporting an insulated pipe through a and insulated Figure 3 is a side view of the insulated riser clamp assembly pipe of Figure 2; first clamp of the insulated riser clamp Figure 4 is a perspective view of a assembly with a metal bracket overmolded with the plastic coupler; Figure 5 is a front plan View of the clamp of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top View ofthe clamp re 4; Figure 7 is a rear plan View of the clamp of Figure 8; taken along line 8— Figure 8 is a cross-section view of the insulated riser clamp 8 of Figure 6; insulated riser clamp; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a metal bracket of the Figure 10 is a plan View of the metal bracket of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a top view of the metal bracket of Figure 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT_S like or corresponding Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate ﬂoors parts throughout the several Views, a support structure, or ﬂoor, 10 ting adjacent of a building is shown having a hole, or g, 12 to receive a pipe 14 therethrough to transfer ﬂuid between the adjacent ﬂoors. Referring to Figures 1-3, the pipe 14 is generally a ﬂuid pipe used in commercial fluid water, or industrial buildings for transferring 14 is in a refrigeration, or heating/cooling systems. Further, the pipe typically encased the temperature of the ﬂuid in the ent cellular foam insulation tubing 16 for maintaining 18. The insulation tubing 16 is pipe 14, collectively ed to herein as an insulated pipe with facing ends adjacent the encased around the pipe 14 both above and below the ﬂoor insulated riser clamp hole 12. According to one ment of the present invention, an insulation tubing 16 to the floor assembly 20 ﬁxedly secures and supports the pipe 14 and the and through the hole 12.

The insulated riser clamp assembly 20 es first and second opposing fasteners or bolts 26 around the semi-circular clamps 22, 24 which may be interconnected by ends of the insulation tubing insulated pipe 18 to support and secure both the pipe 14 and the mirror images and therefore only 16. The ﬁrst and second semi-circular clamps 22, 24 are in detail. one clamp 22 will be described r, it should be appreciated that the clamps bolts 26 in mating facing engagement to form 22, 24 are the same and are joined together by the clamp assembly 20.

Referring to Figures 1-7, each clamp 22, 24 includes a semi-circular or U- ﬁrst and second ends 30, 32. shaped body n 28 extending ely between opposite 34 and an outer cylinder wall 36 The body portion 28 includes parallel inner er wall 40. An inner semi-circular extending axial n a top edge 38 and opposite bottom edge that is towards a center axis A, from the or C-shaped ﬂange 42 projects radially inwardly, between the top and inner wall 34 of the body 28 and positioned approximately midway ﬁrst and second clamps 22, 24 are bottom edges 38, 40 forming a center opening 44 when the further facing and mated er for receiving the pipe 14 therethrough. The clamp 22 from the body includes ﬁrst and second elongated support braces 46, 48 projecting radially portion 28 adjacent each of the respective first and second ends 30, 32. Each brace 46, 48 es bolts 26 to ﬁxedly interconnect at least one bore 50 therethrough for receiving the the facing clamps 22, 24 around the insulated pipe 18.

Referring to Figures 8-11, the clamps 22, 24 of the preferred embodiment shell to form the clamps include a metal bracket at least lly overmolded with a plastic bracket 52 having a semi- 22, 24. More speciﬁcally, each clamp 22, 24 includes a metal from each of the ar or arcuate shaped body 54 with flared ends ting outwardly braces 46, 48. The body 54 opposing ends thereof and deﬁning the ﬁrst and second support An inner semi—circular or C- extends axial between a top edge 56 and a bottom edge 58. axis A, from the inner shaped ﬂange 60 projects radially inwardly, that is towards the center bottom surface of the body 54 and is positioned approximately midway between the top and edge 56, 58. The flange 60 includes 38 a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes mechanically bonding with the overmolded plastic material. That for is, therethrough referring to Figure 8, the body 54 of the metal t 52 is overmolded with plastic material in a plastic sleeve while the t braces to encapsulate both the body 54 and the flange 60 The plastic ﬂows through the axial 46, 48 remain exposed and projecting radially therefrom. through-holes 62 during the overmolding process to mechanically bond the plastic to the brackets 52 and forming an al insulated riser clamp 22, 24.

It should be appreciated, however, that the entire bracket 52 may without varying from overmolded with plastic material, including the support braces 46, 48 the scope of the invention. Additionally, the clamp 22, 24 may be completely molded of plastic material only or formed from the metal bracket 52 only.

Referring again to Figures 1-3, in operation, a pipe 14 may be passed through The insulated riser the hole 12 in the floor 10 n two nt ﬂoors of a building. 18 wherein each clamp clamp assembly 20 may then be arranged around the insulated pipe 14 such that the pipe 22, 24 is oned in facing mating engagement surrounding the pipe 14 is received h the center opening 44. The bolts 26 are inserted through the bores 50 24 around the pipe 14. in the support braces 46, 48 and tightened to secure the clamps 22, The support braces 46, 48 extend radially beyond the hole 12 in the ﬂoor 10 to support, stabilize and secure the pipe relative to the ﬂoor 10. Further, opposing ends of the insulation the inner cylindrical tubing 16 may now be inserted into the body portion 28 nded by wall 34 and abutting respective upper and lower side of the ﬂange 42 for automatically the hole sealing the gap between opposing ends of the insulation tubing 16 extending h without the need 12 in the ﬂoor 10 and creating a clean seal and vapor barrier therebetween for glue or tape.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be tood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the It is, therefore, to be present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. be practiced understood that Within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may other than as speciﬁcally described.

Claims

1. A riser clamp assembly adapted for receiving and supporting an insulated pipe, said assembly comprising: a first riser clamp, and a second riser clamp; wherein each of said riser clamps comprises: a semi-circular body portion extending arcuately n te first and second ends and defining an inner cylindrical wall and an outer rical wall extending axially between top and bottom edges, wherein said semi-circular body portion includes a generally C-shaped metal body, a generally C-shaped flange ting radially from said inner cylindrical wall generally midway between said top and bottom edges to define an axial center opening, wherein said C-shaped flange extends radially more than it extends axially and said C-shaped flange extends from said first end to said second end, said C-shaped flange includes a generally C-shaped metal flange ing radially inwardly from said C-shaped metal body, said C-shaped metal body and said C-shaped metal flange are overmolded with plastic, and said C-shaped metal flange includes a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes for mechanically g said plastic with said C-shaped metal flange, and a support brace extending radially from said outer cylindrical wall nt each end of said body portion for interconnecting said first and second riser clamps around the insulated pipe, wherein the C-shaped metal body extends arcuately between opposite ends defined by said support brace.

2. The riser clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said support brace includes a bore therethrough for receiving a fastener for interconnecting said first and second clamp around the insulated pipe.

3. A riser clamp ly adapted for receiving and supporting an insulated pipe, said assembly sing: a first riser clamp and a second riser clamp; wherein each of said riser clamps comprises: a ircular body portion extending arcuately n opposite first and second ends and ng an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall extending axially n top and bottom edges; a generally C-shaped flange projecting radially from said inner cylindrical wall generally midway between said top and bottom edges to define an axial center opening wherein said flange extends from said first end to said second end; and a support brace extending radially from said outer rical wall adjacent each end of said semi-circular body portion for interconnecting said first and second riser clamps around the insulated pipe; and wherein said semi-circular body portion includes a generally C-shaped metal body extending arcuately between opposite ends defined by said support brace extending radially from said body, said C-shaped flange es a generally C-shaped metal flange extending radially inwardly from said C-shaped metal body, said C-shaped metal body and said C-shaped metal flange are overmolded with plastic, and said C-shaped metal flange includes a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes for mechanically bonding said plastic with said C-shaped metal flange.

4. The riser clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said support brace includes a bore therethrough for receiving a fastener for interconnecting said first and second clamp around the insulated pipe.

5. In combination, a riser clamp assembly and an insulated pipe: said riser clamp ly comprising: a first riser clamp, and a second riser clamp; wherein each of said riser clamps including a semi-circular body portion extending arcuately between opposite first and second ends and defining an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall ing axially n top and bottom edges, wherein said semi-circular body portion includes a lly C-shaped metal body, a generally C-shaped flange projecting radially from said inner cylindrical wall generally midway between said top and bottom edges to define an axial center opening, wherein said C-shaped flange extends from said first end to said second end, said C-shaped flange includes a lly C-shaped metal flange extending radially ly from said C-shaped metal body, said C-shaped metal body and said C-shaped metal flange are overmolded with plastic, said C-shaped metal flange of said metal bracket includes a plurality of spaced apart axial through-holes for mechanically bonding said plastic with said C-shaped metal flange, and a support brace extending radially from said outer cylindrical wall nt each end of said body portion for interconnecting said first and second riser clamps around said ted pipe, wherein the C-shaped metal body extends arcuately between opposite ends defined by said support brace; said insulated pipe comprising: a pipe, a first insulation tubing encased around said pipe and extending longitudinally between opposite ends, and a second insulation tubing encased around said pipe and extending longitudinally between opposite ends; wherein each of said riser clamps is positioned in mating engagement surrounding said pipe and said pipe extends through said axial center opening, and wherein facing ends of said first and second tion tubings are inserted into said body portion surrounded by said inner cylindrical wall and abutting opposite sides of said flange.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said support brace es a bore therethrough for receiving a er for interconnecting said first and second clamp around said insulated pipe.