U.S. patent application number 11/641328 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for hanger clamp for circular objects.
Invention is credited to Raymond S. Laughlin, Michael H.-S. Oh, Eric J. Wilson.
Application Number | 20070152108 11/641328 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38036389 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070152108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson; Eric J. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Hanger clamp for circular objects
Abstract
A hanger for hanging a circular cross-section object, such as a
pipe or conduit, includes a top portion that has a channel for
receiving a rod therethrough, and a bottom portion that includes a
curved section for receiving the circular object. The bottom
portion is hingedly coupled to the top portion at a hinge point. A
free end of the top portion fits into a slot in the free end of the
bottom portion, with the bottom portion free end secured in a notch
in the top portion. Tips of the free end of the top portion may be
bent away from each other to lock the portions together. The bottom
portion may be in two parts that may be rotated relative to one
another to facilitate installing the bottom portion around a pipe
or conduit that is to be supported.
Inventors: |
Wilson; Eric J.; (Solon,
OH) ; Oh; Michael H.-S.; (Twinsburg, OH) ;
Laughlin; Raymond S.; (Middlefield, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE
NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
38036389 |
Appl. No.: |
11/641328 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60751946 |
Dec 20, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/1025 20130101;
F16L 3/133 20130101; F16L 3/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/058 |
International
Class: |
E21F 17/02 20060101
E21F017/02 |
Claims
1. A hanger for supporting a circular cross-section object
comprising: a top portion having a central channel for receiving a
circular cross-section rod; and a bottom portion hingedly coupled
to the top portion at a hinged end of the top portion; wherein the
bottom portion and the top portion are releasably mechanically
couplable at a free end of the top portion.
2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion includes a
U-shape object-receiving surface.
3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein the bottom portion includes a
pair of bottom portion parts connected together so as to allow the
bottom portion to open up to receive the circular cross-section
object.
4. The hanger of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion parts include
respective curved sections that form part of the U-shape
object-receiving surface.
5. The hanger of claim 3, wherein one of the bottom portion parts
includes a tab that is inserted in a tab-receiving slot in the
other bottom portion part.
6. The hanger of claim 5, wherein the bottom portion parts may be
relatively twisted, to open up an opening between the top portion
and the bottom portion, while the tab is inserted through the
tab-receiving slot.
7. The hanger of claim 2, wherein the bottom portion includes: a
proximal end that is hingedly coupled to the top portion; and an
upper slot at a distal end away from the proximal end.
8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the free end of the top portion
has a notch for receiving the upper slot of the proximal end of the
bottom portion; and wherein the hinged end and the free end are on
opposite sides of the central channel.
9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein the free end of the top portion
has an angled corner along a lower edge.
10. The hanger of claim 8, wherein the proximal end of the bottom
portion includes a bent end, bent away from the central channel of
the top portion when the bottom portion is coupled to the free end
of the top portion.
11. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the top portion is a folded over
sheet metal part.
12. The hanger of claim 11, wherein at the hinged end of the top
portions, the top portion overlaps on both sides an upper end of
the bottom portion.
13. The hanger of claim 12, wherein a pivot pin couples together
the top portion and the bottom portion at the hinged end of the top
portion.
14. The hanger of claim 12, wherein the bottom portion includes a
twist section between the upper end of the bottom portion and a
lower section of the bottom portion; and wherein the twist section
changes orientation of material of the bottom portion, from that of
the upper end to that of the lower section.
15. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the twist section includes a
90-degree change in orientation of the material of the bottom
portion.
16. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the lower section includes a
downward vertical section and a curved section.
17. A method of supporting a conduit or pipe run, the method
comprising: coupling a top portion of a hanger to a rod supported
by structure, wherein the coupling includes securing the rod in a
central channel of the top portion; pivoting a bottom portion of
the hanger about a hinged end of the top portion, wherein a
proximal end of the bottom portion is hingedly coupled to the
hinged end of the top portion by a pivot pin; and connecting a
distal end of the bottom portion to a free end of the top portion,
wherein the hinged end and the free end are on opposite sides of
the central channel of the top portion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bottom portion includes: a
proximal part that is hingedly coupled to the hinged end of the top
portion; and a distal part that is connectable to the free end of
the top portion; wherein the proximal part and the distal part may
be moved relative to one another; and wherein the connecting
includes moving the distal part relative to the proximal part to as
to move the distal end of the bottom portion closer to the free end
of the top portion.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the moving includes twisting
the distal part relative to the proximal part, with a tab on one of
the parts received through a slot in the other of the parts.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the connecting includes
inserting the free end in the top portion through a slot in the
distal end of the bottom portion.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the connecting further includes
engaging the slot in the distal end in a notch in the top
portion.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the connecting further includes
outwardly bringing tips of the top portion that have been inserted
through the slot in the distal end, to thereby secure the top
portion within the slot in the distal end.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/751,946, filed Dec. 20, 2005,
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally as indicated to hangers and
clamps for circular objects such as pipes or conduits.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Clamps for holding circular objects such as pipes or conduit
are commonly used in a wide variety of circumstances, such as to
secure the objects to structure, to secure other objects or
fixtures to the circular objects, or to otherwise limit movement of
the circular objects.
[0006] One type of clamp for holding pipes is a clevis hanger,
which involves a top portion, coupled to a threaded rod, and a
bottom portion with a circular saddle portion for receiving a pipe
or conduit. The portions are typically joined together by a long
bolt that passes through holes on both sides of both portions,
secured by a nut. Installation of such clevis hangers requires
balancing a number of parts, as well as aligning the holes of the
top and bottom portions, all of which can be difficult, especially
when the installer is holding up a pipe or conduit section.
[0007] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that improvements
would be desirable for pipe or conduit clamps in general.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, a pipe or conduit
hanger includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are
hingedly coupled together at one end, and may be connected together
at initially free ends. According to a particular embodiment, the
bottom portion may include a pair of parts that can be moved
relative to each other to open up the bottom portion, to facilitate
moving the bottom portion into place by pivoting it to bring part
of the bottom portion into contact with the pipe or conduit.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, a hanger for
supporting a circular cross-section object includes: a top portion
having a central channel for receiving a circular cross-section
rod; and a bottom portion hingedly coupled to the top portion at a
hinged end of the top portion. The bottom portion and the top
portion are releasably mechanically couplable at a free end of the
top portion.
[0010] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method
of supporting a conduit or pipe run, includes the steps: coupling a
top portion of a hanger to a rod supported by structure, wherein
the coupling includes securing the rod in a central channel of the
top portion; pivoting a bottom portion of the hanger about a hinged
end of the top portion, wherein a proximal end of the bottom
portion is hingedly coupled to the hinged end of the top portion by
a pivot pin; and connecting a distal end of the bottom portion to a
free end of the top portion, wherein the hinged end and the free
end are on opposite sides of the central channel of the top
portion.
[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and
particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description
and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative
embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative,
however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles
of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and
novel features of the invention will become apparent from the
following detailed description of the invention when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to
scale:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hanger in accordance with
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an end view of the hanger of FIG. 1, supporting an
object;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the hanger of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is plan view of a sheet of material used to make the
top portion of the hanger of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an end view of the material sheet of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an end view of a proximal part of the bottom
section of the hanger of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the proximal part of FIG. 6;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an end view of a distal part of the bottom section
of the hanger of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the distal part of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an end view of the hanger of FIG. 1, in an open
configuration;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an end view of an alternate embodiment hanger in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 12 shows a partial end view of an alternate
configuration of the alternate embodiment hanger of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] A hanger for hanging a circular cross-section object, such
as a pipe or conduit, includes a top portion that has a channel for
receiving a rod therethrough, and a bottom portion that includes a
cylindrical surface or saddle for receiving the circular object.
The bottom portion is hingedly coupled to the top portion at a
hinge point at one side of both the bottom portion and the top
portion. The bottom portion thus is permanently connected to the
top portion at one end, and is able to pivot about the hinge point.
A free end of the top portion fits into a slot in the free end of
the bottom portion, with the bottom portion free end secured in a
notch in the top portion. The top portion may be a folded over
sheet metal parts, and the tips of the free end of the top portion
may be bent away from each other, such as by use of a screwdriver,
to aid in retaining the portions locked together.
[0026] The bottom portion may be in two parts that may be rotated
relative to one another to facilitate installing the bottom portion
around a pipe or conduit that is to be supported. The parts may
include a permanently connected part, which is connected to the
hinge point at its upper end, and a connectable part, which is
connected to the free end of the top portion when the hanger is
installed. Together the bottom portion parts define a semicircular
pipe-receiving surface for receiving the bottom of a pipe or
conduit. Each of the bottom portion parts may include half of the
semicircular pipe-receiving surface, with each of the bottom
portion parts having a curved circular surface of about 90 degrees
in extent. A tab on one of the bottom portion parts may fit into a
slot on the other of the bottom portion parts where the parts are
coupled together, for example below the middle of the
pipe-receiving surface. The coupling of the tab into the slot may
allow the bottom portion parts to be moved relative to one another,
such as by twisting the connectable part relative to the
permanently connected part. This allows the connectable part to be
moved out of the way as the permanently connected part is brought
into position against the pipe or conduit, thus avoiding any
interference between the permanently connected part and the pipe or
conduit as the permanently connected part is rotated into place.
Then the connectable end part is twisted to bring it against the
pipe or conduit. There may be sufficient clearance between the tab
and the slot that receives it, so as to allow the connectable part
to fit easily over the free end of the top portion.
[0027] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a hanger 10 includes a top
portion 12 and a bottom portion 14. The top portion 12 is coupled
to the bottom portion 14 in order to support a pipe or conduit 16
between the two portions 12 and 14. The hanger 10 is connected to a
supporting threaded rod 20, which is coupled to one or more
structural members (not shown). The hanger 10 thus provides a way
to support a run of pipe or conduit 16 from building structure.
[0028] The top portion 12 is a generally planar bar, fully above
the pipe or conduit 16 supported by the hanger 10. The top portion
12 includes a central channel 24 for receiving the threaded rod 20
therethrough. The threaded rod 20 fits through the channel 24 and
is secured by nuts 26 and 28 that are tightened against the top and
bottom edges of the top portion 12.
[0029] On one side of the central channel 24 the top portion 12 has
a hole 30 for receiving a pivot pin or hinge 34 for coupling a
hinged end 36 of the top portion 12. The pivot pin 34 may be a
rivet or other suitable fastener for hingedly connecting the top
portion 12 and the bottom portion 14, allowing the bottom portion
14 to be rotated or pivoted relative to the top portion 14. The
rotation about the pivot pin 34 is substantially within the plane
of the top portion 12, the centerplane of the hanger 10.
[0030] On the opposite side of the central channel 24, away from
the hinged end 36, is a free end 40. The free end 40 has a cut or
angled bottom corner 44 along a lower edge 45, and a notch 46 along
a top edge 48. As will be described below in greater detail, the
angled bottom corner 44 and the notch are used in engaging the
bottom portion 14 onto the free end 40 of the top portion 12. Once
the bottom portion 14 is engaged on the free end 40, tips 52 and 54
may be bent to secure the engagement between the portions 12 and
14.
[0031] With reference now in addition to FIG. 4, the top portion 12
may be made from a single sheet metal piece 60, such as a piece of
spring steel. The top portion 12 may be made of two substantially
identical sections 62 and 64, which are folded over to produce the
two-ply top portion 12. Thus the sheet metal 12 piece may be
stamped to produce the holes 30, a V-shape notch 66 for the angled
bottom corner 44, the notches 46, a central slot 70 to allow
formation of the central channel 24, and an elongate notch 74
opposite the V-shape notch 66. The notch 74 functions to allow
entry of a portion of the bottom portion 14 between the plies of
the top portion 12, to be secured by the pivot pin or hinge 34.
[0032] After stamping, a central part 78 of the sheet metal piece
60, in the vicinity of the central slot 70, is curved into a
semicircular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Then the sheet metal
piece 60 is folded along a fold line 80 at a boundary between the
sections 62 and 64. The sections of the curved central part 78 come
together to form the central channel 24. The other features of the
sections 62 and 64 line up with one another. As discussed further
below, the sections 62 and 64 of the top portion 12 may folded
around an end of the bottom portion 14 that is to be secured to the
top potion 12 by the pivot pin 34.
[0033] The top portion 12 has a height (extent in the direction
parallel to the threaded rod 20) that is much greater than its
thickness (the combined thickness of the top portion sections 62
and 64). This aids the top portion 12 in resisting deformation from
the weight of the pipe or conduit 16 on the hanger 10.
[0034] Turning now in addition to FIGS. 6-9, details of the bottom
portion 14 are given. The bottom portion 14 includes a proximal
part 86 and a distal part 88, the parts 86 and 88 being proximal
and distal to the hinge pin 34. The proximal part 86 is hingedly
coupled to the top portion 12. The distal part 88 is far from the
hinge pin 34, and can be connected to the free end 40 of the top
portion 12. The parts 86 and 88 are not rigidly coupled to each
other. Rather, a connection 90 between the parts 86 and 88 allows
some relative movement between the parts 86 and 88. The relative
movement allows the distal part 88 to be shifted away from the pipe
or conduit 16 during the first part of installation of the hanger
10.
[0035] The proximal part 86 includes an upper end 92 with a hole 94
therein. The upper end 92 fits into the elongate notch 74, between
ends of the sections 62 and 64 of the top portion 12. The hole 94
lines up with the hole 30 in the top section 12, with the hinge pin
34 passing through both the top portion 12 and the bottom portion
14, hingedly coupling the sections 12 and 14 together at that
point.
[0036] Moving along the proximal part 86 from the upper (connected)
end 92, a twist section 96 provides a 90-degree twist in the
orientation of the material of the proximal part 86. The twist
section 96 transitions from the upper end 92, which is parallel to
the top section 12, to a downward vertical section 100, which is
tangent a surface of the pipe or conduit 16.
[0037] Downward along the proximal part 86, the downward vertical
section 100 transitions to a pipe-receiving curved section 102. The
pipe-receiving curved section 102 has a circular shape curving
inward, toward the center of the hanger 10. The curved section 102
may have an angular extent of about 90 degrees. The curved section
102 is configured to engage approximately one quarter of the
surface of the pipe or conduit 16.
[0038] Extending out from a lower end of the curved section 102 is
a narrowed, outward-curved section 104. The section 104 curves back
90 degrees, and ends in a tab 106. The tab 106 is wider than the
outward-curved section 104, and may have the same width as the
other parts of the proximal part 86. Thus the narrowed section 104
may be formed by removing material to form notches 108 and 110 that
flank the narrowed section 104.
[0039] The narrowed section 104 and the tab 106 are configured to
engage a lower slot 114 in a slofted end 116 and a pipe-receiving
curved section 122 of the distal part 88. This is to allow the
bottom portion 14 to be opened up so as to facilitate installation
of the hanger 10. The lower slot 114 is at least as wide as the
narrowed section 104, while being less wide than the tab 106.
However, the length of the slot 114 is greater than the width of
the tab 106. This allows the tab 106 to be inserted through the
slot 114, when the parts 86 and 88 are properly oriented toward one
another. The distal part 88 may then be twisted relative to the
proximal part 86 to bring the width of the tab 106 out of alignment
with the length of the slot 114. This prevents the parts 86 and 88
from being separated from one another.
[0040] The slotted end 116 is a bent section of the connectable
portion 88, ending in a straight end that points downward in the
installed configuration of the hanger 10 (FIG. 2). The slotted end
116 may bend at a substantially right angle to the curved section
122.
[0041] Although the parts 86 and 88 are mechanically coupled
together, the distal part 88 may be twisted relative to the
proximal part 86, to open up the bottom portion 14. As shown in
FIG. 10, the distal part 88 may be twisted so that it hangs down
from the tab 106, while still remaining mechanically connected to
the proximal part 86. This allows the proximal part 86 to be
rotated about the hinge pin 34, into place against the pipe or
conduit 16. If the parts 86 and 88 were rigidly connected together,
the distal part 88 would run into the pipe or conduit 16 as the
proximal part 86 was rotated into place. This would necessitate
installing the hanger 10 differently, putting the bottom portion 14
around the pipe or conduit 16 before securing the top portion 12 to
the threaded rod 20.
[0042] After the proximal part 86 is rotated into place, the distal
part 88 could be twisted back, bringing the bottom portion 14 to
the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2. The bottom portion 14 thus
has two different configurations. One is an open installation
configuration, with the distal part 88 opened up relative to the
proximal part 86 to provide clearance between the distal part 88
and the pipe or conduit 16 as the bottom portion 14 is rotated. The
second is a closed installed configuration, with the distal part 88
positioned to engage the pipe or conduit 16.
[0043] The curved section 122 curves inward from a vertical section
124 of the permanently connected part 88. The curved section may
have a radial extent of about 90 degrees. In the connected
configuration (FIG. 2) the pipe or conduit 16 is engaged by both of
the curved sections 102 and 122. The curved sections 102 and 122
together define a U-shape pipe-receiving surface 126 of the bottom
portion 14.
[0044] An upper slot 128 is located in an upper part of the
vertical section 124. The upper slot 128 is an elongate slot, long
enough to accommodate the top portion free end 40. At an upper end
of the vertical section 124, an angled bent free end 130 is angled
away from the vertical section 124.
[0045] In engaging the upper portion 12, the bent free end 130 is
urged outward by contact with the top portion free end 40.
Specifically, contact between the bent free end 130 and the angled
bottom corner 44 urges the vertical section 124 out and around the
top portion free end 40. This may be accomplished by movement of
distal part 88 within a range of linear movement possible due to
tolerances in the connection between the parts 86 and 88.
Alternatively, this may be accomplished by bending of the vertical
section 124 and/or the curved section 122.
[0046] Once the upper slot 128 is aligned with the top portion free
end 40, at least the vertical section 124 is moved inward toward
the center of the hanger 10. This inward movement occurs until the
top edge of the upper slot 128 engages the notch 46 on the top edge
48. Then the tips 52 and 54 may be bent outward, as with a
screwdriver, to secure the distal part 88 on the top portion
12.
[0047] The parts 86 and 88 of the bottom portion 14 may be made of
suitable sheet metal, such as spring steel. Suitable manufacturing
processes, such as cutting, punching, shaping, and machining, may
be used to fabricate the parts 86 and 88.
[0048] The top portion 12 has a height much greater than its width.
This provides the top portion 12 the ability to support the pipe or
conduit 16 without appreciably sagging or otherwise deforming.
[0049] The parts 86 and 88 are described above as being separable
from one another. It will be appreciated that alternatively the
parts 86 and 88 may be permanently coupled together, for example by
deforming the tab 106 after the tab 106 has been passed through the
lower slot 114 in the distal part 88. It will be appreciated that
this may be done in such a way as to still allow the same relative
motion between the parts 86 and 88 discussed above.
[0050] The hanger 10 advantageously has fewer parts than prior art
hangers. For example the hanger 10 may be essentially a single unit
coupled together, as opposed to five parts that must be coupled
together as part of a typical clevis hanger. The use of fewer parts
may make installation easier and quicker, and reduce the risk of
dropped parts during installation.
[0051] FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment hanger 210, which has
a single-piece bottom portion 214. The bottom portion 214 is
permanently connected to one end of the top portion 212, via a
hinge pin 234, at a hinged end 236. The bottom portion is also
connectable to the top portion 212 at a top portion free end 240,
engaging a notch 246 at the free end 240. Both of these connections
are similar to the connections described above with regard to the
hanger 10 (FIG. 1). The bottom 214 may have a similar shape to that
of the bottom portion 14 (FIG. 1), but may be in a single piece,
rather than the separate parts 86 and 88 of the bottom portion
14.
[0052] The hanger 210 may be more difficult to install than the
hanger 10, since the bottom portion 210 may not be able to be swung
around an already installed pipe or conduit when the top portion
212 has already been secured. However, the hanger 210 has the
advantage of having fewer parts.
[0053] FIG. 12 shows an alternate configuration of the hanger 210,
in which a hinge pin 234' has a central part 235 that is free to
move within a horizontal slot 237 in the top portion 212. This
allows the bottom portion 214 to shift horizontally to a degree
relative to the top portion 212. Thus the bottom portion 214 may be
shifted horizontally rightward to allow it to more easily fit onto
the top portion free end 240 (FIG. 11). The bottom portion may be
shifted back to engage the notch 246 (FIG. 11) at the top portion
free end 240.
[0054] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is
obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to
others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of
this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard
to the various functions performed by the above described elements
(components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms
(including a reference to a "means") used to describe such elements
are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any
element which performs the specified function of the described
element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not
structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs
the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or
embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular
feature of the invention may have been described above with respect
to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given
or particular application.
* * * * *