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  Bracket for a frameUSPTO Application #: 20080023604Title: Bracket for a frame Abstract: A bracket for engaging one or more struts and a method of engaging the bracket and strut. The bracket comprises a body portion and one or more arm portions extending from the body portion. The arm portions include at least one pair of grooves that are adapted to releaseably engage complementary lips of the strut and at least one recessed region that is adapted to securely engage one or more crimped portions of the strut. A plurality of brackets and struts may be engaged to construct a frame. (end of abstract)
Agent: Troutman Sanders LLP - Atlanta, GA, US Inventors: David Bottomley, David B. Thompson USPTO Applicaton #: 20080023604 - Class: 24822341 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080023604. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001]This invention relates to a bracket for engaging one or more struts and a method of engaging a bracket and strut. The invention also relates to a frame made from a plurality of brackets and struts and to the construction of a frame using the brackets and struts. [0002]Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a frame for supporting services in buildings, such as gas pipes, water pipes, duct work, electrical cables and/or the like, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art the frame can be used in any application to support any article. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0003]Frames for supporting building service systems typically comprise a plurality of struts bolted and/or welded together to form a frame structure. The struts have either a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile as depicted in FIG. 1 or a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile as depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional U-shaped strut from the UNISTRUT System. This strut is essentially a U-shaped channel member comprising a base (A), sidewalls (B) and lips (C). The lips extend into the interior of the channel member in a generally downwardly direction towards the base such that a U-shaped channel portion (D) is defined by each lip and the respective sidewall. The conventional C-shaped channel member depicted in FIG. 2 also comprises a base (A'), sidewalls (B') and lips (C'). However, in this particular strut, the lips extend into the interior of the channel member in a substantially horizontal direction towards the opposing sidewall such that a U-shaped channel portion (D') is defined by each lip, sidewall and base and the strut has a C-shaped profile. The struts are usually formed from steel, particularly cold rolled steel. Prior to use, the struts are galvanised by hot dipping them in a suitable material to form a rust proof surface. [0004]A frame is conventionally constructed by cutting the struts to the required length, connecting the struts together using spring nuts and bolts and welding the struts to further secure them. The use of nuts and bolts undesirably increases the number of components within the frame system, increases the complexity of construction and requires a specialist fitter and tools. Unfortunately, the welding process burns off the galvanised surface of the struts and so the frame must be galvanised after construction to ensure it has a rust proof and aesthetically pleasing surface. Furthermore, the reject rate is high because the galvanising process distorts the frame. Hence, the conventional method of constructing and galvanising the frame is slow, complicated, inefficient, inaccurate and expensive. Frame manufacturers are therefore typically restricted to making and storing standard sized frames and they are unable to construct special order frames quickly, efficiently and cheaply. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a bracket for engaging one or more struts comprising a body portion and one or more arm portions extending from the body portion, wherein the arm portions include: [0006]at least one pair of parallel grooves adapted to releaseably engage complementary lips of the strut; and [0007]at least one recessed region adapted to securely engage one or more crimped portions of the strut. [0008]In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the respective grooves and at least one recessed region are arranged to co-operate with a strut in the form of a U-shaped channel member comprising a base, opposing sidewalls and lips extending from each sidewall into the interior of the channel member towards the base such that a U-shaped channel portion is defined by each lip and sidewall. [0009]In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the respective grooves and at least one recessed region are arranged to co-operate with a strut in the form of a C-shaped channel member comprising a base, opposing sidewalls and lips extending from each sidewall into the interior of the channel member towards the opposing sidewall such that a U-shaped channel portion is defined by each lip, sidewall and the base. [0010]Preferably the body portion comprises an upper face, lower face and side faces. In a preferred arrangement the one or more arm portions extend perpendicularly from the side faces of the body portion. [0011]In various embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the bracket may be: [0012]I-shaped comprising two arm portions extending perpendicularly from two opposing side faces of the body portion; [0013]L-shaped comprising two arm portions extending perpendicularly from two adjacent side faces of the body portion; [0014]T-shaped comprising three arm portions extending perpendicularly from three side faces of the body portion; or [0015]cross-shaped comprising four arm portions extending perpendicularly from four side faces of the body portion. [0016]In other preferred embodiments of the invention an arm portion extends perpendicularly from the upper face and/or lower face of the body portion. [0017]Preferably in one variation of this aspect of the invention, the one or more arm portions comprise an upper face, lower face, opposing end faces and opposing side faces. [0018]Preferably in this variation two grooves extend longitudinally in parallel alignment along the upper face of the one or more arm portions. Preferably the two grooves extend longitudinally in parallel alignment along the lower face of the one or more arm portions. [0019]Preferably first and second grooves are arranged to extend longitudinally in parallel alignment along respective opposing side faces of the one or more arm portions. [0020]Preferably each groove defines one or more protruding portions that extend longitudinally along the respective faces of the arm portions and which grooves are adapted to be received and engaged by the U-shaped channel portions of the lips. In this case preferably the protruding portions of the one or more arm portions comprise one or more recessed regions to receive and securely engage one or more crimped portions of the lips. [0021]The upper face of the one or more arm portion may preferably comprise one or more recessed regions to receive and securely engage one or more crimped portions of the base of the strut. Continue reading... Full patent description for Bracket for a frame Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bracket for a frame 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. 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