| Adjustable pipe clamp assembly -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Adjustable pipe clamp assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070034752Title: Adjustable pipe clamp assembly Abstract: An adjustable clamp assembly capable of securing various sized cylindrical members is generally formed from a high strength plastic material dispensing the need for a cushion insert for the cylindrical member disposed therebetween. The clamp assembly contains a pair of unitary clamp halves having an inner surface contoured to adequately contact the surface of various sized cylindrical members to provide support when clamping forces are applied. The clamp halves can be interlockingly engageable with one another to enhance the cylindrical member size adjustment capability. (end of abstract) Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C. - Southfield, MI, US Inventors: Kris A. Weger, Marc J. Craig, John E. Nemazi USPTO Applicaton #: 20070034752 - Class: 248056000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Supports, Pipe Or Cable, Extending Through Plate The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070034752. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] One aspect of this invention relates to an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to an elongate U-shaped support channel. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a two-piece pipe clamp assembly capable of adjustment to fit multiple pipe sizes. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Pipes and other elongate cylindrical members often require support systems for successful installation. Common support systems include rails having an elongate support channel, such as Unistrut.RTM. metal framing manufactured by UNISTRUT.RTM. Corporation. Pipe clamps can be installed to secure a cylindrical member to the support channel. Existing pipe clamp assemblies typically include a pair of clamp halves. Each clamp half is attached to the channel and positioned such that the cylindrical member is interposed therebetween. The pair of clamp halves are connected together by a nut and bolt assembly inserted through flanges in the clamp halves. The clamp halves are urged together upon tightening of the nut and bolt assembly, thereby securing the cylindrical member adjacent the rail. [0005] The clamp halves of existing two-piece pipe clamp assemblies are generally formed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, to provide the requisite strength necessary to support the cylindrical member. As such, these metal clamp halves are susceptible to heat damage, corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and vibration and may be conductive. [0006] Often, clamping forces necessary to secure the metal clamp halves around the cylindrical member to avoid pull-out and slip loads can deform or otherwise damage the cylindrical member. To prevent such damage, pipe clamp assemblies known in the art provide cushion inserts for disposing between the cylindrical member and the clamp halves. Generally, the inserts are made from a deformable elastomeric material, such as foam or rubber, to relieve the cylindrical member from forces applied thereto by direct contact from the clamp halves. Unfortunately, the added cushion inserts increase the number of parts and manufacturing cost. Moreover, the inserts create an additional cumbersome step when installing pipe clamp assemblies to secure pipes to the channel supports. [0007] Another disadvantage of the prior art, two-piece, metal clamp halves is that they lack size adjustment capability to accommodate various pipe sizes. Instead, numerous clamp sizes are necessary to fit various pipe diameters. Manufacturers must accommodate the increasingly numerous clamp sizes, which affects cost. The increased cost is passed along the distribution chain to the end user. Warehousers must increase overall inventory to accommodate each clamp size. Further, the number of parts required on the job site will be greater in order to ensure that the installer has the right size clamp on hand when needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that has multi-size adjustment capability allowing a single clamp size to fit and support a plurality of cylindrical member sizes. [0009] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that reduces inventory stock-keeping units (SKU's) and lowers overall inventory costs. [0010] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that minimizes the number of different clamps required on the job site. [0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to a support channel that employs two interlockingly engageable clamp halves for greater adjustment capability. [0012] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that does not require a cushion insert, thereby limiting the number of assembly components. [0013] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that prevents damage to the cylindrical member in the absence of a cushion insert. [0014] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that is vibration resistant and boosts heat transfer capabilities. [0015] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that is UV and corrosion resistant, as well as non-conductive. [0016] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel wherein the required pull-out and slip loads rival that of steel. [0017] And still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable clamp assembly for securing a cylindrical member to a support channel that is temperature adverse such that the clamp assembly can withstand a wide range of temperatures, thereby covering a wide range of applications. [0018] Accordingly, an adjustable clamp assembly for securing cylindrical members of various size to an elongate U-shaped support channel is provided. The clamp assembly includes a plastic unitary first clamp half, a plastic unitary second clamp half, and a fastener. The first and second clamp halves each have a first end, which can be slidably engageable to a support channel, and second end spaced apart from the channel. Moreover, each clamp half contains an inner surface for mating engagement with the cylindrical member during clamping. [0019] In operation, the clamps can be slidably attached to the channel and positioned about cylindrical member such that the inner surfaces face inwardly opposing each other, the cylindrical member therebetween. Each clamp half is slidably mounted along a channel axis to provide flexible and adjustable positioning of the clamp assembly. The fastener cooperates with attachment regions formed in the second ends of each clamp half to couple the clamp halves together. As the fastener is tightened, the clamp halves are urged together, securing the cylindrical member therebetween. [0020] The fastener can be a nut and bolt assembly inserted through apertures located in the attachment regions of each clamp half. The aperture formed in the first clamp half can include a boss for receiving a nut. The boss can be equipped with a detent for snap fitting the nut into the boss, thereby securely retaining it with the first clamp half. The aperture formed in the second clamp half can include a finger for retaining a bolt. The finger requires purposeful force to be applied to the bolt to withdraw it from the aperture. [0021] In one embodiment, the inner surfaces can be furnished with at least one grip bump for providing cylindrical member size adjustment capability. The at least one grip bump are shaped and positioned to provide sufficient clamping contact with a variety of cylindrical member sizes. Moreover, the at lest one grip bump can be designed to make direct contact with the cylindrical member when clamping forces are applied sufficient enough to withstand pull-out and slip loads. [0022] In another embodiment, the inner surfaces of each clamp half can comprise of a primary contact face and a secondary contact face. The primary and secondary contact faces can be generally planar, generally arcuate, or a combination thereof. The primary contact faces are generally defined by primary reference planes, whereas the secondary contact faces are generally defined by secondary reference planes. The primary and secondary reference planes corresponding to the first clamp half form an inwardly facing interior angle. Similarly, the primary and secondary reference planes corresponding to the second clamp half form an inwardly facing interior angle opposing that of the first clamp half. Clamping forces can be applied to a cylindrical member by the primary contact faces, at the very least. However, clamping forces can be applied to a cylindrical member by both the primary contact faces and the secondary contact faces, such as when supporting relatively smaller cylindrical members. Continue reading... Full patent description for Adjustable pipe clamp assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable pipe clamp assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Adjustable pipe clamp assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Tubing mounting clip Next Patent Application: Device for mounting a pair of plumbing pipes and a method of mounting such a pair of pipes Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Adjustable pipe clamp assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.82876 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , |
||
