US3192614A - Positioning, leveling and supporting device mountable upon an upright pipe or the like - Google Patents

Description

y 6, 1955 1.. c. GARDNER. sR.. ETAL 3,192,614

POSITIONING, LEVELING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE MOUNTABLE UPON AN UPRIGHT PIPE OR THE LIKE .Filed Feb. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LELAND c. GARDNER, SR. LAWSON F. WALDROP,JR.

BY BV7W4L A TTORNE Y y 1955 L. c. GARDNER, SR.. ETAL 3,192,614

POSITIONING, LEVELING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE MOUNTABLE UPON AN UPRIGHT PIPE OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 7, 1964 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS H04 [9 l I I 2: a a 25 i 1 20 FIG? INVENTORS v LELAND C, GARDNER, SR. 6 LAWSON F. WALDROP JR.

A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,122,614 POSITIONING, LEVELING AND SUPFOR'I'ING DEVICE MGUN'I'ABLE UPON AN UPREGHT PIPE GR THE LIKE Leland C. Gardner, Sr., 519 Rich St, Rock Hill, S.C., and Lawson F. Waldrop, In, 529 S. York Ave, Rock Hill, 5.6.

Filed Feb. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 343,253 2 Claims. (Cl. 29-20%) This invention relates broadly to means employed in the formation of pipe joints, and more particularly to a holding or supporting clamp used in the formation of pipe joints and the like.

Serious problems arise during the installation of floor drains and the formation of sealing joints between such drains and cast iron soil pipe stubs, where the stub is below floor level and rises from another sealing connection with a cast iron trap or the like. The floor drain must have its hub telescoped over the soil pipe stub and must be supported and maintained level while the proper sealing joint between the drain and pipe stub is being formed or applied. Limitations of space and the necessity for firmly supporting the floor drain from below make this a diflicult and awkward problem for plumbers and this is true regardless of whether lead and oakum or mechanical pipe sealing and joining means are being employed between the floor drain and the cast iron pipe stub.

According to the invention, a novel and simplified resilient holding or supporting clamp is applied about the cast iron soil pipe stub after installation of the latter upon the cast iron trap and this clamp constitutes a firm positioning, leveling and supporting means for the floor drain while the latter is being joined and sealed to the pipe stub from above. The supporting clamp is a very inexpensive item in light of the time and labor which it saves the economies thereby efiected. Consequently, the clamp may remain attached to the pipe stub beneath the floor drain after installation of the latter and may thus be considered an expendable item after serving its very useful purpose.

The main object of the invention is therefore to provide a positioning, leveling and supporting clamp readily mountable upon a cast iron soil pipe stub below floor level so as to form a firm and somewhat resilient support for the floor drain while the same is being joined and sealed to the pipe stub from above the floor drain.

Another object is to provide a device of the mentioned character which is highly economical in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and very easy to install and adjust upon the cast iron soil pipe stub.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

This application contains some subject matter in common with our prior copending application Serial Number 300,527, filed Aug. 7, 1963, for Joint and Seal Structure for Soil Pipes and the Like.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIGURE 1 is an exploded side elevational view with parts in section and parts broken away of a floor drain, cast iron trap, pipe stub, pipe joining or sealing means and the clamp embodying the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation showing the pipe stub assembled and sealed to the trap and having the invention clamp loosely applied thereto,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the floor drain applied over the pipe stub and resting upon ice the adjustable supporting and leveling clamp prior to the installation of the joining and sealing means between 'thedrain and pipe stub,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section partly in elevation showing the installation of the joining and sealing means while the floor drain is being supported on the pipe stub by the invention clamp,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the invention clamp,

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line 6.-6 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 7 is a similar view showing the clamp in a released or open position to facilitate adjusting the same, and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 showing a slightly modified type of clamp.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, attention is directed first to FIGURE 1, wherein the numeral 16 designates a conventional cast iron trap to be installed below fioor level and having a bell or hub 11 to receive a cast iron soil pipe stub 12, together with suitable joint and seal means 13, which may be the means disclosed in our mentioned prior application S.N. 300,527. In this application, the means 13 includes a compressible sealing ring 14, a pair of semi-circular coacting adapter ring segments 15 of hard rubber or the like and metal wedge elements 15 having undercut portions 17, adapted to be driven into tapered grooves 18, provided in the elements 15. If preferred, other means such as lead and oakum may be employed for joining the pipe stub 12 to the trap It).

With continued reference to FIGURE 1, the numeral 19 designates generally the holding or supporting clamp embodying the invention, to be described in full detail hereinafter. A conventional inside caulking cast iron floor drain is indicated at 20, having a top flange 21 to be mounted flush in a'floor surface and a depending tubular hub 22 for engagement telescopically over the pipe stub 12. In FIGURE 1, the numerals 23, 24 and 25 designate the metal wedges, adapter ring segments and a tapered sealing gasket substantially as shown in application S.N. 300,527 and substantially similar to the abovementioned elements 16, 15 and 14 employed for joining the pipe stub 12 and trap 10.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the pipe stub 12 after it has been joined and sealed to the hub i trap 10 by the means shown in FIGURE 1 and fully described in said application, S.N. 300,527. The clamp 19 of the invention is applied loosely to the pipe stub 12 in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 3 shows the further step of applying the floor drain 20 telescopically over the pipe stub 12 and the clamp 19 is secured tightly to the pipe stub 12 in FIG- URE 3 after proper positioning thereof on the pipe stub to level and firmly support the floor drain at the desired elevation.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the final step of joining and sealing the floor drain 20 to the pipe stub 12 while the resilient ring clamp 19 is supporting the floor drain and maintaining it level. The bottom annular flange 26 of the floor drain rests directly upon the ring clamp 19. The sealing gasket or ring 25 has been placed Within the bore of the drain 20 and surrounds the pipe stub 12 and the segments 24 have been applied around the pipe stub and forced downwardly and held by suitable means, not shown, to compress the gasket 25 for forming a fluid tight seal as fully described in said application. The wedges 23 are now driven into place by means of a blunt screwdriver and hammer or the like as described in said application for completing the joint between the floor drain 20 and pipe stub 12. The principal purpose of the invention clamp 19 now to be described in detail is to support the floor drain 2t) and maintain the same level and properly position the drain at the desired elevation during the operation depicted in FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 5-7 inclusive show the clamp 19 proper according to one embodiment thereof, comprising a thickwalled medium hard rubber or synthetic rubber body portion or band 27 of sufficient radial width to underlie a major portion of the area of the flange 26, when the clamp is drawn into tight gripping engagement with the pipe stub 12, FIGURES 4 and 6. The axialwidth of the body portion 27 in somewhat greater than its radial width to assure adequate frictional contact with the exterior face of the pipe stub 12. The body portion 27 is preferably rectangular in cross section to provide for seating of the flange 26 in a stable manner, and the body portion or band 27 is longenough to surround the major portion of the pipe stub 12 when closed, FIG- URE 6. The material of thebody portion 27 is somewhat resilient for cushioning the floor drain 2t) and absorbing shocks when the wedges 23 are being driven. The resiliency of the body portion 27 also allows it to conform snugly to surface irregularities in the pipe stub and flange 26 and renders it easy to adjust the body portion for leveling the floor drain in all directions.

With reference to FIGURES 5 through 7, the clamp 19 and the securing or latching means therefor further comprises a sturdy flat metal strap 27 extending entirely through the body portion 27 and bodily embedded therein centrally thereof. A sturdy hook element 28 is firmly secured by welding or the like to one end of the metal strap 27' and projects beyond the adjacent end of body portion 27. At its opposite end, the strap 27' has aterminal extension 29 projecting beyond the body portion 27 and having an eye 30 or loop. The metal strap 27 enables the clamp to be constricted about the pipe stub 12 with great pressure Without stretching lengthwise. The strap 27 is preferably provided within the confines of the body portion 27 with spaced openings to increase the bonding or interlocking of the strap with the rubber-like body portion.

A lever member 31 is provided having an elongated arcuate handle portion 32 of the proper curvature to lie close to the outer cylindrical face of the body portion 27 when the latter is drawn tightly around the pipe stub, FIGURE 6. The lever member 31 has end transverse inwardly directed extensions 33 for engagement within the loops or eyes 30 of the metal strap and pivoted thereto. The lever member has a cross bar 34 spaced from and parallel to the extensions 33 for receiving the hook element 28, as shown. The lever member also has laterally spaced guide and stiffening extensions 35 formed thereon and projecting beyond one side thereof between the cross bar 34 and extensions 33. The handle portion 32 may be covered with plastic tubing or other friction material.

When the lever member 31 is engaged with the hook element 28, as shown in FIGURE 7, the band or body portion 27 is held loosely upon the pipe stub 12. When the handle portion 32 is shifted in the direction of the arrow, FIGURE 7, the extensions 33 are simultaneously swung in the opposite direction, as shown by the arrow, the entire lever member then turning upon the axis of cross bar 34. This action draws the opposite ends of the strap 27' and body portion 27 toward each other and also draws the hook and terminal elements 28 and 29 into crossed relationship, FIGURE 6, with the extensions 33 shifted to the opposite side of cross bar 34 in an over dead center relationship. In such condition, the hook element 28 is received within a recess or cut-out 36 of terminal element 29, provided for this purpose, and the element 29 .is also received between the guide extensions 35 which are now directed inwardly toward the pipe stub 12, FIG- URE 6. The handle portion 32 now lies snugly against .the exterior of body portion 27 and the clamp ,now grips applied to pipe stubs of different sizes.

the pipe with great pressure and will not be dislodged or shifted by the hammer blows necessary to seat the wedges 23, as shown in FIGURE 4.

In order to release the clamp 19 for further adjustment, should this be necessary, it is merely necessary to swing the handle portion 32 away from body portion 27, tending to return the parts of the clamp to their relative positions shown in FIGURE 7. Complete separation of the hook element 28 from the cross bar 34 may be etfected to initially apply the clamp to the pipe stub or to completely remove the clamp therefrom. However, as stated, the usual practice is to allow the entire clamp 19 to remain in place upon the pipe stub 12 after the application of the floor drain 20 and the joining means 23, 24 and 25 thereto.

FIGURE 8 shows a slight modification of the securing or latching means for the clamp. In this figure, the identical rubber-like body portion 27 is provided having a metal strap 36 embedded centrally therein and extending entirely therethrough including one terminal portion 37 projecting from one end of the body portion 27 and having an integral loop or eye 38. The other end of the metal strap 36 terminates flush with the other end of body portion 27 and is provided near such endwith spaced reverSely directed locking teeth 39 which project outwardly of the outer face of the body portion 27.

An arcuate operating lever 40 is provided having a cross pin 41 near one end engaging pivotally through the eye or loop 38. At a point spaced from the cross pin 41, the lever 40 is pivoted to a locking frame or bail 42, adapted to engage selectively the locking teeth 39. The arrangement provides a full range of adjustment for the clamp 19 shown in FIGURE 8 so that the same may be The construction shown in FIGURE 8 is somewhat simpler than that shown in FIGURES 5 through 7 and also a bit more rugged and durable. The use or operation of the clamp 19' is identical to that of the previously-described clamp 19 and a further detailed description of the clamp 19 or its operation is believed to be unnecessary.

In essence, the clamps 19 and 19' disclosed herein each constitute a readily adjustable, non-stretchable cushioning support, leveler and positioner for the floor drain 20 on the pipe stub 12 to facilitate the application of the desired .mechanical joint or sealing means or the more conventional lead and okum joint, if preferred. The clamp has several unique features which produce the desired results. The body portion 27 is quite broadly radially and rectangular in cross section and resilient. This construction otters a level and stable seat for the bottom flange 26 of floor drain 20. g It also provides for high frictional engagement with the rough surface of pipe stub 12 so that the clamp will not slip once it has been adjusted properly and drawn into tight gripping engagement with the pipe. Finally, the clamp latching means is of such a nature that it can positively draw the non-stretchable clamp into very tight gripping engagement with the pipe stub 12 which is necessary to achieve the desired purpose of the invention. The body portion 27 is required to be thick or heavy in cross section to form a stable seat for the floor drain and this is an important feature of the invention. The invention clamp renders the entire operation of installing the floor drain and sealing or joining means on the pipe stub 12 greatly simplified and much less expensive, less tedious and less time-consuming.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a means for positioning, leveling and supporting a floor drain, the combination comprising an upright soil pipe stub carried and supported by a trap below floor level, a floor drain including an enlarged top flange to be mounted flush in a floor surface and a depending tubular hub integral with the flange and engageable telescopically over said soil pipe stub, and a positioning, leveling and supporting clamp device substantially surrounding said pipe stub immediately below the tubular hub of the floor drain and being formed of rubber-like material and having a radially wide substantially fiat upper face to directly engage the bottom of the tubular hub, said clamp device being adjustable on the pipe stub for leveling the floor drain and positioning it at the proper elevation, and manually operable latch means on the clamp device for drawing the same closed into tight gripping relation with the pipe stub so that the clamp device may bear the Weight of the floor drain during the installation and sealing thereof to the pipe stub.

12. In a soil pipe and floor drain assembly of the class in which an upright soil pipe stub is supported below floor level and a floor drain member is telescoped over the top of the pipe stub and joined and sealed thereto, the combination with said pipe stub of a positioning, leveling and supporting clamp on the pipe stub immediately below the floor drain member and including a split rubberlike body portion having a radially broad upper face to References Jilted hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,573 5/99 Leavitt 2471 X 1,183,285 5/16 Englund 24272 2,628,134 2/53 Williams et al. 2468 X 2,846,016 8/58 Hanes.

2,977,995 4/61 Walpole 269-130 X FOREIGN PATENTS 640,319 3/28 France.

WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A MEANS FOR POSITIONING, LEVELING AND SUPPORTING A FLOOR DRAIN, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN UPRIGHT SOIL PIPE STUB CARRIED AND SUPPORTED BY A TRAP BELOW FLOOR LEVEL, A FLOOR DRAIN INCLUDING AN ENLARGED TOP FLANGE TO BE MOUNTED FLUSH IN A FLOOR SURFACE AND A DEPENDING TUBULAR HUB INTEGRAL WITH THE FLANGE AND ENGAGEABLE TELESCOPICALLY OVER SAID SOIL PIPE STUB, AND A POSITIONING, LEVELING AND SUPPORTING CLAMP DEVICE SUBSTANTIALLY SURROUNDING SAID PIPE STUB IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE TUBULAR HUB OF THE FLOOR DRAIN AND BEING FORMED OF RUBBER-LIKE MATERIAL AND HAVING A RADIALLY WIDE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT UPPER FACE TO DIRECTLY ENGAGE THE BOTTOM OF THE TUBULAR HUB, SAID CLAMP DEVICE BEING ADJUSTABLE ON THE PIPE STUB FOR LEVELING THE FLOOR DRAIN AND POSITIONING IT AT THE PROPER ELEVATION, AND

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