US3032305A

US3032305A - Pipe hanger

Info

Publication number: US3032305A
Application number: US816532A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Mittenzwei
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-05-28
Filing date: 1959-05-28
Publication date: 1962-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1979-05-01

Description

May 196 c. F. MITTENZWEI 3,032,305

PIPE HANGER Filed May 28, 1959 INVENTOR. 0mm :5 [Mr/51am? Jimmy;

United StatesPatent O 3,032,305 PIPE HANGER Charles F. Mittenzwei, 4811 Edgewood Place, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed May 28, 1959, Ser. No. 816,532 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-62) This invention relates generally to pipe hangers, and more particularly to pipe hangers of the type used to support the water pipes in residential and similar construction.

In residential and similar forms of construction, it is customary to support water and gas pipes beneath the fioor of the structure by pipe hangers that are anchored to beams, joists, and similar floor-supporting members. These pipe supports range from forged hangers connected to steel rods that are suitably anchored at their upper ends, to a loop of perforated metal strap material, conventionally known as plumbers tape, and looped about the pipe with the upper end anchored to a joist or beam by means of a nail. Clearly, the use of plumbers tape as a pipe hanger is quick, convenient, and quite inexpensive. On the other hand, the actual support leaves something to be desired, and the appearance is rather unsightly. This latter element may be a matter of some concern where pipes and their supports are frequently seen, as in a basement.

In many instances, a pipe hanger made from plumbers tape does not have sufficient strength, and hence a stronger hanger is needed. At the same time, the expense of the custom made hangers and the additional labor required to install these hangers, including the cutting of the supporting rod to the proper length, may be greater than is warranted for the particular job. Under these conditions, what is needed is a pipe hanger that is intermediate between the inexpensive type of hanger and the much more expensive custom made hanger.

It is therefore a major object of this invention to provide an improved pipe hanger.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a pipe hanger that has greater strength, and can support heavier loads, than the widely used type hanger formed from plumbers tape.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pipe hanger that has a finished appearance, comparable to that of the previously available custom made hangers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a pipe hanger that is simple in construction but easily formed to the proper length to meet the requirements of the installation.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a pipe hanger that is comparatively inexpensive and can easily and quickly be used by the plumber on the job to secure a neat and sturdy installation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawings illustrating that form in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a section of pipe, with the improved pipe hanger engaging the pipe and with a floor joist or beam shown in phantom to indicate how the hanger is held;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the hanger shown in FIGURE 1, with the pipe and the beam or joist shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of a tool, partially in section, illustrating how the vertical section of the hanger may be cut to the proper length and the nailing section formed; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the tool elements shown in FIGURE 3 as they appear when applied to a pair of bolt cutters or similar cutting equipment.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, the numeral 10 indicates generally a pipe supported by a pipe hanger 11 from a beam or stud 12. As indicated, the pipe hanger 11 consists of three general portions, the uppermost or nailing portion 13, the vertical rod-like section 14 extending downwardly from the nailing section, and finally the pipe-engaging section 15.

The nailing section 13 includes the uppermost end of the vertical rod 14, and an angularly positioned extension of that rod 16 having a sharpened point 17. This nailing portion 13 is formed, as hereinafter described by cutting the end of the vertical rod section 14 at an angle to form the point 17, and then bending the end of the rod section to form the angularly positioned portion or nail 16. With this form of construction, the hanger 11 may be attached to a beam or joist 12 by placing the point 17 against the surface of the joist and then hitting the end of the vertical section 14, adjacent the nail section 16, with a hammer to drive the nail section into the joist to the position indicated in FIGURE 2.

The pipe-receiving portion 15 is formed of the lower extension of the vertical section 14, which cooperates with a pivotally mounted latching link 20.

At its lower end, the vertical rod 14 is bent somewhat more than 360 degrees to form a one-turn helix 21 having a substantially horizontal axis. The rod member then continues in a generally downwardly direction, and then turns back and then upwardly to form a cradle section 22 whose center is substantially below the center of the helix 21. At the end of the cradle section, the rod is bent back, but spaced from itself, to form a loop or eye 23, this loop being closed by bending the final end of the rod section against the cradle section 22.

To support the latching link 20, a sleeve 25 is inserted in the helix 21, making a snug fit within the helix so that the latter is held against distortion when under load. The latching link 20 consists essentially of an elongated link that is passed through the center of the bushing 25, the two arms of the link extending downwardly and engaging the outer surfaces of the pipe 10 above the eye 23. The lower end of the latching link 20 is adapted to fit over the eye 20 to engage the latter, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2.

While it is possible to use a larger hanger for a smaller pipe, itis preferable to have the pipe engaging section 15 dimensionally coordinated with the pipe 10 that it supports. In this way, a better fit and more satisfactory operation of the hanger is secured. Thus, the normal resilience of the material forming the latching link 20 and the cradle 22 .cooperate to insure that the link 20 remains anchored on the eye 23, providing a snap or detent action. This action and the resilience is further enhanced by forming the cradle 22 so that it is in circumferential contact with the lower surface of,the pipe 10 for approximately degrees, this circumferential section being preceded by a tangent section that joins with the circumferential section at a point approximately 67 degrees below the vertical center line of the pipe. Similarly, the latching link 20 has an arcuate portion in its center that makes contact with the outer surface of the pipe 10 for a distance of approximately 45 degrees, the upper end of this arcuate section being joined to a tangential section that extends to the helix 21 and sleeve 25, while the lower end of the arcuate section is joined to a tangent that extends over the eye 23.

When the hanger 11 has been installed, the pipe 10 may easily be placed in it by raising the latching link 20 to the position indicated in dot-dash outline in FIGURE 2, and

placing the pipe into the cradle 22. The link 20 is then dropped to the position in dotted outline in FIGURE 2, and a blow by a hammer will snap the end of the link over the eye 23 to the position shown in solid outline in MG- URE 2. If desired, a cotter key or safety wire may be inserted through the eye 23 to insure the retention of the latching link 20 in the desired position, though normally this is not required. To remove the pipe, and assuming that the safety wire or cotter key has been removed from the eye 23, it is only necessary to lift slightly on the pipe and to pry the lower end of the latching link over the eye 23, as by a screwdriver or similar means.

It will be appreciated that the axis of the pipe 10 that is to be supported will not always be parallel to the joist or beam 12, and will not always be the same distance below that joist or beam. Consequently, the plane of the pipeengaging section may be rotated from the plane of the nailing section 13, and the distance between the two may vary. All of these requirements may be met by originally manufacturing the pipe hanger 11 with a vertical hanger rod 14 that is of sufficient length to meet all normal requirements, but without any nailing section formed at the upper end. On the job, the nailing section 13 may then be formed by using the cut-off and bending die illustrated in FIGURE 3. As illustrated in this figure, a pair of jaws are provided, these jaws being shaped to cut a rod or similar member at their upper edge. Mounted upon the jaws in a manner not restricting their cutting movement is an anchor plate 31 to which is attached a face plate 32 making an angle with the anchor plate and held in this desired angular relationship by a backing plate 33. Preferably, the face plate 32 makes an angle of approximately 60 degrees with the cutting edge of the jaws 30, and the backing plate 33 provides a firm and rigid connection between the face plate 32 and the anchor plate 31.

Pivotally attached to the face plate 32 is a forming plate or lever 34. The vertical portion 14 of the han er 11 is adapted to be received on the upper surface of the forming plate 34. and this plate has two limiting positions, one indicated in full outline in FIGURE 3. where the rod forming the vertical portion 14 extends along the upper surface of the forming plate, through an appropriate hole in the face p ate 32, and between the open jaws 30 and the other side of the cut-off and bending die. In this position. the upper surface of the forming plate 34 makes an an le of approximatelv 160 degrees with the cuttin ed es o the jaws 30, so that when the jaws are closed, the end of the rod 14 is cut at an angle such that the cut surface makes an angle of approximately 20 degrees with the axis of the rod.

As mentioned, the forming plate 34 is pivotally mounted to the face plate 32, and in its other limiting position, the forming plate is parallel to the face plate but generally spaced a slight distance from that plate. As indicated, this spacing is substantially equal to the diameter of the rod 14, and consequently, when the rod 14 has been cut, the forming plate 34 may be pivoted to the position indicated by dot-dash outline in FIGURE 3, thus bending the end of the rod 14 and forming the nailing portion 13. Instead of spacing the forming plate 34 from the face plate 32, is is poss ble to form a groove or other rod-receiving recess in the face of the forming plate 34 so that the rod may be bent to a position parallel to the face plate 32.

As suggested, a hole or aperture 35 is formed in the face plate 32, and extends through the anchor plate 31, this hole being of a size sufiicient to receive the rod 14. Preferably, the diameter of the hole 35 is approximately 15 percent larger than the diameter of the rod. In this way, the rod 14 can easily be inserted into the hole and between the open jaws 31, and still will be firmly held when the excess amount of rod has been cut off, and the forming plate 34 is being rotated to the alternate, upper position.

With the dimensions and proportions given, it will be recognized that the rod 14 undergoes a bend of approximately 100 degrees in being bent to form the nailing section 13, thus providing a slightly downwardly projecting shank 16, making an angle of approximately degrees with the vertical axis of the rod 14. 7 It has been found quite important to have the nailing shank 16 at approximately this angle, and it has also been found important to have the end of this portion, forming the point 17, formed at an angle of approximately 20 degrees, as previously described. If the nailing portion is formed so that there is a great deviation from these angles. there is a likelihood that the nailing section will bend instead of penetrating the wood as intended. This would materially detract from the value of such a hanger.

It will be appreciated, of course, that this hanger may be made in different sizes to receive different size pipes. Likewise, because of the different loads that will be imposed upon such a hanger, the rod or wire material used to form the hanger may be of different sizes, and of different materials. However, a soft material, such as a brass wire or rod, particularly in the smaller sizes, is usually undesirable, and at the other extreme, a very hard and stiff material, such as some of the harder, high-strength steels, are undesirable. Usually, a mild steel, having a tensile strength of approximately 60,000 p.s.i., or greater, would be used to form the hanger. Such a steel, made in the form of a rod or wire of No. 8 size, and fabricated into a hanger of the type described, will normally be capable of supporting a load of 150 to 240 pounds, depending upon the particular safety factor used. This is normally more than adequate for installations where a pipe hanger of this type will be used. Other rod sizes may be used, of course.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there has been shown and described an improved pipe hanger fully capable of achieving the objects and securing the advantages heretofore set forth, and particularly adapted to being fitted on the job, as to both length and orientation, to the particular problems at hand. While there has been shown and described a preferred form of the invention, it is to be recognized that modifications therein are possible, and the invention is not to be limited to the particular form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown, except as limited by the claims.

I claim:

1. A pipe hanger which includes: a hanger rod; attaching means at the upper end of said rod comprising of a portion of said rod bent through an angle greater than degrees to form a shank, the free end of said shank being bevelled to provide a substantially fiat end surface disposed at right angles to the plane through said shank and rod and at an acute angle to the axis of said shank, whereby a point is formed on said shank, and said shank may be driven as by a nail by pounding on the upper end of said rod, adjacent said shank; pipe receiving means at the lower end of said rod comprising an arcuate member formed by an integral continuation of said rod, said arcuate member extending generally downwardly and then upwardly to form a cradle to support a pipe from below; and pivoted retaining means extending across said arcuate member and resiliently latched thereto in supporting relation.

2. A pipe hanger which includes: a hanger rod; attaching means at the upper end of said rod comprising a portion of said rod bent through an angle greater than 90 degrees to form a shank, the free end of said shank being bevelled to provide a substantially fiat end surface disposed at right angles to the plane through said shank and rod and at an acute angle to the axis of said shank, whereby a point is formed on said shank, and said shank may be driven as a nail by pounding on the upper end of said rod, adjacent said shank; pipe receiving means at the lower end of said rod comprising a cylindrical member at said lower end of said rod, said cylindrical member having an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of said rod, and an arcuate pipe receiving cradle portion whose center of curvature is substantially vertically aligned with said axis of said cylindrical member and parallel thereto, said cradle portion terminating in a free end; and latching means pivotally mounted to said cylindrical member and engaging the free end of said cradle portion in latching and supporting relation therewith, thereby retaining a pipe in said cradle portion.

3. A pipe hanger which includes: a hanger rod having a generally vertical section, said rod being bent at the lower end of said section approximately 360 forming a loop having a generally horizontal axis, said rod continuing from said loop downwardly and to one side and then curving back to a position below said section and then upwardly to a free end to thereby form a cradle adapted to receive a pipe, said rod having on said free end a latching means; an elongated latching link having one end journalled in said loop, the opposite end of said link engaging said latching means to support said free end and retain a pipe in the cradle; and attaching means at the upper end of said vertical section of the rod.

4. The hanger as set forth in claim 3 wherein the center of said cradle is substantially in vertical alignment with the center of said loop; said latching means is formed by a projecting portion of said rod extending substantially horizontally and outwardly from said cradle; and said latching link is formed by an elongated ring adapted to be swung into latching engagement with the underside of said projecting portion, said ring and cradle being bent to have such resiliency that the ring may be forced over said projecting portion and then will snugly engage said last mentioned portion in latching relation, and the weight of a pipe on said cradle serves to augment the latching relation.

5. The pipe hanger as set forth in claim 4, wherein said latching means is formed by the free end of the rod being bent back, but spaced from itself to form an eye, said eye being of a diameter to receive a pin, when said link is in its latching position, whereby the latching link may be positively held in its latching position.

6. A pipe hanger comprised of a formable, resilient rod and including as integral elements an attaching portion, a hanger rod depending therefrom and a pipe receiving portion at the lower end of said rod, said last mentioned portion being arcuate in form and extending downwardly and then upwardly to form a cradle to support a pipe from below and terminating in a free end spaced from the hanger rod to provide for insertion of a pipe therebetween, and latching means extending across said pipe insertion space and engaging said free end in latching and supporting relation,

7. A pipe hanger comprised of a formable, resilient rod and including: a substantially straight, vertical hanger portion; an attachment portion integral with said hanger portion at the upper end thereof; a pipe receiving portion integral with said hanger portion at the lower end thereof, said pipe receiving portion being arcuate in form and extending downwardly and then upwardly to form a cradle terminating in a free end spaced from the hanger portion to provide for insertion of a pipe therebetween into the cradle; and means pivotally mounted on the hanger to form a part thereof and extending across said pipe insertion space and resiliently latching said free end in supporting relation.

8. A pipe hanger comprised of a formable, resilient rod and including: a substantially straight hanger portion having one end thereof adapted to form an attachment shank; a closed loop formed by said rod at the opposite end of said straight portion and having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rod; an arcuate pipe receiving cradle formed from said rod integral with said hanger portion and with said loop formed therebetween, the axis of said cradle being substantially parallel to the axis of said straight portion; and latching means pivoted in said loop and resiliently engaging said cradle in latching and supporting relation therewith.

9. A pipe hanger comprised of a formable, resilient rod and including: a substantially straight hanger portion having one end thereof adapted to form an attachment shank; a closed loop formed by said rod at the opposite end of said straight portion and having an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rod; an arcuate pipe receiving cradle formed from said rod integral with said hanger portion and with said loop formed therebetween, the axis of said cradle being substantially parallel to the axis of the loop and substantially aligned therewith along the axis of said straight portion, said cradle terminating in a free end spaced from said hanger portion to provide for insertion of a pipe therebetween; and latching means pivoted in said loop and resiliently engaging the free end of the cradle in latching and supporting relation therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 497,512 Beaton May 16, 1893 501,484 Reznor July 11, 1893 851,505 Ernst Apr. 23, 1907 1,210,610 Dehn Jan. 2, 1917 2,417,269 Robertson Mar. 11, 1947 2,900,155 Cameron Aug. 18, 1959 2,905,986 Young Sept. 29, 1959