U.S. patent application number 14/536774 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for pipe clamp.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oatey Co.. Invention is credited to Matthew L. Schmidt.
Application Number | 20150300531 14/536774 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44900860 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150300531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmidt; Matthew L. |
October 22, 2015 |
PIPE CLAMP
Abstract
A pipe clamp comprises a mounting post having a flexible arm
extending laterally therefrom in a semi-circular arc. The arm
defines with the mounting post an arcuate recess having spaced
apart opposite ends between which different size pipe is
selectively insertable into the recess. Opposed flexible fingers
extend radially inwardly adjacent opposite ends of the recess. The
fingers are axially angled between opposite sides of the clamp to
facilitate bending of the fingers when contacted by the pipe during
insertion of the pipe into the recess.
Inventors: |
Schmidt; Matthew L.; (Avon,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oatey Co. |
Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44900860 |
Appl. No.: |
14/536774 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13100074 |
May 3, 2011 |
8882059 |
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14536774 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/74.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/13 20130101; F16L
3/1041 20130101; F16L 3/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 3/13 20060101
F16L003/13; F16L 3/04 20060101 F16L003/04 |
Claims
1. A pipe clamp for selectively supporting different size pipe from
a mounting surface, the clamp comprising a mounting post, and a
flexible arm extending laterally from the mounting post in a
semi-circular arc, the arm defining with the mounting post an
arcuate recess having spaced apart opposite ends between which the
different size pipe is selectively insertable into the recess, and
opposed flexible fingers extending radially inwardly adjacent the
opposite ends of the recess, the fingers being axially angled
between opposite sides of the clamp to facilitate bending of the
fingers when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe
into the recess for securely retaining the pipe in the recess.
2. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising a pair of
circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs on an inner
surface of the recess intermediate the opposite ends thereof for
cradling the pipe when inserted into the recess.
3. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising a rib extending inwardly
from an inner surface of the recess in closely spaced,
substantially parallel relation to an inner side edge of each of
the fingers for guiding the bending of the fingers when contacted
by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the recess.
4. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the fingers are chamfered.
5. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the mounting post has a bottom
surface that extends below a smaller size pipe when fully inserted
into the recess to provide a clearance space between the pipe and
the mounting surface when the clamp is attached to the mounting
surface with the bottom surface of the mounting post in engagement
with the mounting surface.
6. The clamp of claim 5 wherein an outermost end of the arm is in
substantial alignment with the bottom surface of the mounting post
when the clamp is in a fully relaxed condition and after a smaller
size pipe is fully inserted into the recess, whereby when the clamp
with the smaller size pipe fully inserted into the recess is
attached to the mounting surface with the bottom surface of the
mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the outermost end of
the arm engages the mounting surface.
7. The clamp of claim 1 wherein when a larger size pipe is fully
inserted into the recess, an outer diameter of the larger size pipe
protrudes outwardly beyond a bottom surface of the mounting post,
whereby when the clamp with the larger size pipe fully inserted
into the recess is attached to the mounting surface with the bottom
surface of the mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the
outwardly protruding outer diameter of the large size pipe is
clamped against the mounting surface.
8. The clamp of claim 7 wherein the bottom surface of the mounting
post has a tapered outer surface that is in substantial alignment
with the outwardly protruding outer diameter of the larger size
pipe when the larger size pipe is fully inserted into the recess,
whereby both the tapered outer surface of the mounting post and the
outwardly protruding outer diameter of the larger size pipe are
clamped against the mounting surface when the clamp with the larger
size pipe fully inserted into the recess is attached to the
mounting surface.
9. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the mounting post has a bottom
surface, and a fastener hole extends through the mounting post and
out the bottom surface for attaching the bottom surface of the
mounting post to the mounting surface.
10. The clamp of claim 9 wherein another fastener hole extends
through a portion of the arm opposite an opening between the spaced
apart ends of the arcuate recess at an obtuse angle to a flat outer
surface of the mounting post for attaching the flat outer surface
of the mounting post to the mounting surface.
11. A pipe clamp for selectively supporting different size pipe
from a mounting surface, the clamp comprising a mounting post, and
a flexible arm extending laterally from the mounting post in a
semi-circular arc, the arm defining with the mounting post an
arcuate recess having spaced apart opposite ends between which the
different size pipe is selectively insertable into the recess,
opposed flexible fingers extending radially inwardly adjacent the
opposite ends of the recess, the fingers being axially angled
between opposite sides of the clamp to facilitate bending of the
fingers when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe
into the recess for securely retaining the pipe in the recess, a
pair of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs on an
inner surface of the recess intermediate the opposite ends thereof
for cradling the pipe when inserted into the recess, and additional
ribs extending inwardly from an inner surface of the recess in
closely spaced, substantially parallel relation to an inner side
edge of each of the fingers for guiding the bending of the fingers
when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the
recess.
12. The clamp of claim 11 wherein the fingers are chamfered.
13. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the mounting post has a bottom
surface that extends below a smaller size pipe when fully inserted
into the recess to provide a clearance space between the pipe and
the mounting surface when the clamp is attached to the mounting
surface with the bottom surface of the mounting post in engagement
with the mounting surface.
14. The clamp of claim 11 wherein when a larger size pipe is fully
inserted into the recess, an outer diameter of the larger size pipe
protrudes outwardly beyond a bottom surface of the mounting post,
whereby when the clamp with the larger size pipe fully inserted
into the recess is attached to the mounting surface with the bottom
surface of the mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the
outwardly protruding outer diameter of the large size pipe is
clamped against the mounting surface.
15. The clamp of claim 14 wherein the bottom surface of the
mounting post has a tapered outer surface that is in substantial
alignment with the outwardly protruding outer diameter of the
larger size pipe when the larger size pipe is fully inserted into
the recess, whereby both the tapered outer surface of the mounting
post and the outwardly protruding outer diameter of the larger size
pipe are clamped against the mounting surface when the clamp with
the larger size pipe fully inserted into the recess is attached to
the mounting surface.
16. The clamp of claim 11 wherein the mounting post has a bottom
surface, and a fastener hole extends through the mounting post and
out the bottom surface for attaching the bottom surface of the
mounting post to the mounting surface.
17. The clamp of claim 11 wherein another fastener hole extends
through a portion of the arm opposite an opening between the spaced
apart ends of the arcuate recess at an obtuse angle to a flat outer
surface of the mounting post for attaching the flat outer surface
of the mounting post to the mounting surface.
18. A pipe clamp for selectively supporting different size pipe
from a mounting surface, the clamp comprising a mounting post, and
a flexible arm extending laterally from the mounting post in a
semi-circular arc, the arm defining with the mounting post an
arcuate recess having spaced apart opposite ends between which the
different size pipe is selectively insertable into the recess,
opposed flexible fingers extending radially inwardly adjacent the
opposite ends of the recess, the fingers being axially angled
between opposite sides of the clamp to facilitate bending of the
fingers when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe
into the recess for securely retaining the pipe in the recess, and
a rib extending inwardly from an inner surface of the recess in
closely spaced, substantially parallel relation to an inner side
edge of each of the fingers for guiding the bending of the fingers
when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the
recess, wherein the mounting post has a bottom surface that extends
below a smaller size pipe when fully inserted into the recess to
provide a clearance space between the pipe and the mounting surface
when the clamp is attached to the mounting surface with the bottom
surface of the mounting post in engagement with the mounting
surface.
19. The clamp of claim 18 wherein when a larger size pipe is fully
inserted into the recess, an outer diameter of the larger size pipe
protrudes outwardly beyond the bottom surface of the mounting post,
whereby when the clamp with the larger size pipe fully inserted
into the recess is attached to the mounting surface with the bottom
surface of the mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the
outwardly protruding outer diameter of the large size pipe is
clamped against the mounting surface.
20. The clamp of claim 19 wherein the bottom surface of the
mounting post has a tapered outer surface that is in substantial
alignment with the outwardly protruding outer diameter of the
larger size pipe when the larger size pipe is fully inserted into
the recess, whereby both the tapered outer surface of the mounting
post and the outwardly protruding outer diameter of the larger size
pipe are clamped against the mounting surface when the clamp with
the larger size pipe fully inserted into the recess is attached to
the mounting surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/100,074, filed May 3, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,059,
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/331,134, filed May 4, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a pipe clamp for
selectively gripping and attaching different size pipe (including
tubing) to a suitable support structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The pipe clamp of the present invention includes a mounting
post having a flexible arm extending laterally outwardly therefrom
in a semi-circular arc. The arm defines with the mounting post an
arcuate recess sized for selective receipt of different size pipe
through spaced apart opposite ends of the recess.
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, opposed
flexible fingers extend radially inwardly adjacent the opposite
ends of the recess toward the axial center thereof. Also such
fingers are axially inwardly inclined from one side of the clamp
toward the other side for ease of bending of the fingers when
contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the recess
and secure retention of the pipe in the recess by the fingers.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pair
of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs may be provided
on the inner surface of the recess intermediate the opposite ends
thereof for cradling the pipe when inserted into the recess.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a rib
may extend inwardly from the inner surface of the recess in closely
spaced substantially parallel relation to an inner side edge of
each of the fingers for guiding the bending of the fingers when
contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the
recess.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
mounting post has a bottom surface that may extend below the pipe
when fully inserted into the recess to provide a clearance space
between the pipe and a mounting surface when the clamp is attached
to the mounting surface with the bottom surface of the mounting
post in engagement with the mounting surface.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
outermost end of the arm may have a beveled tip that extends below
the bottom surface of the mounting post when the clamp is in a
fully relaxed condition and after a smaller size pipe is fully
inserted into the recess, whereby when the clamp with smaller size
pipe is attached to the mounting surface with the bottom surface of
the mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the beveled tip is
cammed inwardly toward the mounting post to cause the arm to more
tightly grip the smaller size pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of pipe clamp of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe clamp of FIG. 1 as seen
from the right side of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pipe clamp of FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pipe clamp of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the opposite side of the pipe clamp
of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 2 shown snap fitted onto a smaller size pipe prior to
attaching the pipe clamp to a mounting surface.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 6 shown attached to a mounting surface by a fastener
extending through a fastener hole in the clamp mounting post.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 2 shown snap fitted onto a larger size pipe prior to
attaching the pipe clamp to a mounting surface.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 8 shown attached to a mounting surface by a fastener
extending through a fastener hole in the clamp mounting post.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another form of pipe clamp
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side view of the pipe clamp of FIG. 10 as seen
from the right side thereof.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view of the opposite side of the pipe
clamp of FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 12 shown snap fitted onto a smaller size pipe prior to
attaching the pipe clamp to a mounting surface.
[0022] FIG. 14 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 13 shown attached to a mounting surface by a fastener
extending through a fastener hole in the clamp mounting post.
[0023] FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 12 shown snap fitted onto a larger size pipe prior to
attaching the pipe clamp to a mounting surface.
[0024] FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic side view of the pipe clamp
of FIG. 15 shown attached to a mounting surface by a fastener
extending through a fastener hole in the clamp mounting post.
[0025] FIGS. 17 and 18 are enlarged schematic side views of the
pipe clamp of FIGS. 13 and 15 shown attached to a mounting surface
by a fastener extending through another fastener hole in the pipe
clamp extending at an obtuse angle to the flat outer surface of the
mounting post.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to
FIGS. 1-5, there is shown one form of pipe clamp 1 of the present
invention for selectively mounting different size pipe (including
for example PEX, CPVC and copper pipe) off a suitable mounting
surface such as a vertical stud or horizontal floor or ceiling
joist or the like.
[0027] Pipe clamp 1 may be molded out of a suitable plastic
material such as high impact ABS, and includes a mounting post 2
and integrally molded flexible arm 3 extending laterally outwardly
therefrom in an arc which as shown is greater than 180.degree.. Arm
3 defines with mounting post 2 an arcuate recess 4 having spaced
apart opposite ends 5, 6 between which the different size pipe may
be selectively insertable and securely retained within the recess
as described hereafter.
[0028] Recess 4 has a radius of curvature substantially greater
than the radius of the different size pipe that may be selectively
retained therein. For example, recess 4 may have a radius of
approximately 0.50 inch when used for selectively retaining 1/2
inch or 3/4 inch pipe. By varying the dimensions of the pipe clamp,
the pipe clamp may be used to selectively retain other size pipe as
well.
[0029] Adjacent the opposite ends 5, 6 of recess 4 are flexible
fingers 7, 8 that extend radially inwardly toward the axial center
of the recess. In addition, such fingers are axially inwardly
inclined from one side 9 of the clamp toward the other side 10 (see
FIGS. 1-3 and 5) for ease of bending of the fingers when contacted
by the pipe during insertion of the pipe into the recess and secure
retention of the pipe in the recess by the fingers.
[0030] A rib 11, 12 may extend inwardly from the inner surface 13
of the recess in closely spaced substantially parallel relation to
an inner side edge of the respective fingers 7, 8 for guiding the
bending of the fingers when contacted by the pipe particularly
during insertion of a larger size pipe into the recess as shown in
FIG. 8. Also 15 the fingers may be chamfered to provide for
progressive engagement of the fingers with the pipe during
insertion of the pipe into the recess.
[0031] Because the radius of recess 4 is substantially greater than
the radius of the different size pipe selectively retained thereby,
a pair of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs 19, 20
are desirably provided on the inner surface 13 of the recess
intermediate opposite ends thereof for cradling the different size
pipe P and P' when the clamp is snap fitted onto the pipe as shown,
for example, in FIGS. 6 and 8. Once the pipe clamp is properly
secured to the pipe, the pipe clamp may be attached to a suitable
mounting surface S by pressing the bottom surface 21 of the
mounting post 2 (which is desirably substantially flat as shown) up
against the mounting surface and driving a suitable fastener such
as a nail 22 through a fastener hole 23 in the mounting post into
the mounting surface as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.
[0032] As also shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the bottom surface 21 of
mounting post 2 desirably extends below the pipe, regardless of
whether the pipe is the smaller size shown in FIG. 7 or the larger
size shown in FIG. 9, to provide a clearance space 25 between the
pipe and mounting surface when the mounting post is attached to the
mounting surface to allow for expansion of the pipe, eliminate
contact between the pipe and the mounting surface and insulate
against sound and vibration. If desired, the fastener hole 23 may
be slightly undersized to permit the fastener to be preloaded in
the fastener hole thus eliminating the need to have to hold the
fastener.
[0033] The outermost end of arm 3 may have a beveled tip 26 which,
when the clamp 1 is in the fully relaxed condition, extends
slightly below the bottom surface 21 of the mounting post 2 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Likewise, when the clamp is snap fitted
onto a smaller size pipe P, the beveled tip 26 may still extend
below the bottom surface of the mounting post as schematically
shown in FIG. 6. This has the advantage that after the pipe clamp
is snap fitted onto the smaller size pipe and the pipe clamp is
attached to a mounting surface with the bottom surface of the
mounting post engaging the mounting surface, the beveled tip 26
will be cammed inwardly toward the mounting post to cause the arm
to more tightly grip the pipe as schematically shown in FIG. 7.
[0034] However, when the pipe clamp 1 is snap fitted onto a larger
size pipe P', the arm 3 is expanded radially outwardly preferably
to bring the tip 26 into substantial alignment with the bottom
surface 21 of the mounting post 2 as schematically shown in FIG. 8.
Accordingly, when the pipe clamp with the larger size pipe fully
inserted into the recess is attached to the mounting surface S with
the bottom surface of the mounting post engaging the mounting
surface, the tip 26 will also firmly engage the mounting surface as
schematically shown in FIG. 9.
[0035] FIGS. 10-18 show another form of pipe clamp 1' of the
present invention that is substantially similar to the pipe clamp 1
previously described. Accordingly, the same reference numbers
followed by a prime symbol are used to designate like parts.
[0036] Pipe clamp 1', like pipe clamp 1, is for selectively
mounting different size pipe off a suitable mounting surface such
as a vertical stud or horizontal floor or ceiling joist or the like
and includes flexible fingers 7'. 8' adjacent opposite ends 5'. 6'
of recess 4' that extend radially inwardly adjacent the opposite
ends of the recess. the fingers being axially and radially inwardly
inclined toward the axial center of the recess from one side of the
clamp toward the opposite side to facilitate radial and axial
inward bending of the fingers when contacted by the pipe during
insertion of the pipe into the recess for securely retaining the
pipe in the recess. A rib 11'. 12' may extend inwardly from the
inner surface 13' of the recess in closely spaced substantially
parallel relation to an inner side edge of the respective fingers.
7'. 8' for guiding the radial and axial inward bending of the
fingers when contacted by the pipe during insertion of the pipe
into the recess. A pair of circumferentially spaced. axially
extending ribs 19', 20' are desirably provided on the radial inner
surface 13' of the recess intermediate opposite ends thereof for
cradling the different size pipe P and P' when the clamp is snap
fitted onto the pipe as shown. for example. in FIGS. 14 and 16.
[0037] However, pipe clamp 1' differs from pipe clamp 1 in that the
outermost end 26' of the arm 3' of pipe clamp 1' is desirably in
substantial alignment with the bottom surface 21' of the mounting
post 2' when in the fully relaxed condition shown in FIGS. 10-13.
Accordingly, when the clamp 1' with a smaller size pipe P fully
inserted into the arcuate recess 4' is attached to a mounting
surface S with the bottom surface 21' of the mounting post 2'
engaging the mounting surface, the outermost end 26' of arm 3' will
also engage the mounting surface as schematically shown in FIG. 14.
In this example, the bottom surface 21' of the mounting post 2'
still extends below the smaller size pipe P to provide a clearance
space 25' between the pipe and the mounting surface as further
shown in FIG. 14.
[0038] However, the bottom surface 21' of the mounting post 2' of
pipe clamp 1' is substantially in line with the opposite ends 5',
6' of the arcuate recess 4'. Accordingly, when the pipe clamp 1' is
snap fitted onto a larger size pipe P', the outer diameter of the
larger size pipe protrudes outwardly beyond the bottom surface 21'
of the mounting post 2' as shown in FIG. 15. Also the outermost end
26' of the arm 3' is expanded radially outwardly such that the
outer diameter of the larger size pipe P' extends somewhat further
outwardly beyond the outermost end 26' of the arm 3' as further
shown in FIG. 15. Moreover, the bottom surface 21' of the mounting
post 2' desirably has a tapered outer surface 30 that is in
substantial alignment with the outwardly protruding outer diameter
of the larger size pipe P' when fully inserted into the recess 4'.
Thus, when the pipe clamp 1' with the larger size pipe fully
inserted into the recess 4' is attached to the mounting surface S
as by driving a suitable fastener 22 through the fastener hole 23'
in the mounting post 2' into the mounting surface, the tapered
outer surface 30 of the mounting post 2' and the outwardly
protruding outer diameter of the larger size pipe P are clamped
against the mounting surface as schematically shown in FIG. 16.
[0039] Pipe clamp 1' may also have another fastener hole 31
extending through a portion 32 of the arm 3' opposite the opening
33 between the spaced apart ends 5', 6' of the recess 4' and out
the flat outer surface 34 of the mounting post 2' to permit the
pipe clamp 1' to be attached to the mounting surface S by pressing
the flat outer surface 34 of the mounting post 2' up against the
mounting surface and driving a suitable fastener such as a nail 22
through the fastener hole 31 into the mounting surface as
schematically shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Preferably the fastener
hole 31 is at an obtuse angle of, for example, about 110.degree. to
the flat outer surface 34 of the mounting post 2', whereby when the
pipe clamp 1' is attached to the side of a horizontal floor or
ceiling joist or the like, the pipe clamp can be oriented to make
it easier to drive a fastener through the angled fastener hole 31
into the joist using a hammer or the like.
[0040] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent
alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. In
particular, with regard to the various functions performed by the
above-described components, the terms used to describe such
components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated,
to any component which performs the specified function of the
desired component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even
though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed component which
performs the function of the herein illustrated exemplary
embodiment of the invention. In addition, while a particular
feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to
only one embodiment, such feature may be combined with one or more
other features as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application.
* * * * *