US20070124897A1 - Clamp for circular objects - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamp for holding circular objects, such as pipes or conduits, includes a falcate rod portion that engages slots in a bar portion. The rod portion has a circular central section that is between a bent end and a threaded end for engaging respective of the slots. The circular section may have a cylindrical section inner surface, which may be textured, for engaging the circular object. The bar portion also has a circular central portion, for engaging the opposite side of the circular object. The clamp is installed on a circular object by placing the circular section of the bar portion against the circular object, hooking the bent end of the rod portion into one of the slots, inserting the threaded end of the rod portion through the other slot, and tightening a nut on the threaded end to secure the clamp to the circular object.

Description

• This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/741,412, filed Dec. 1, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field of the Invention
• This invention relates generally as indicated to clamps for circular objects such as pipes or conduits.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• 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.
• One example of a clamp used for holding circular objects is a riser clamp, used to secure vertical pipe runs, such as in a plumbing stack. A stack is a vertical run of pipe through a building, used for example to vent plumbing drain lines. The vertical run may be several stories high, passing through circular floor openings that are greater in diameter than the diameter of the pipe run.
• These vertical runs of pipe are secured by riser clamps. An example prior art riser clamp1 is shown inFIG. 1. The riser clamp1 has a pair ofbar portions2 of rectangular cross-section bar each having a pair ofstraight ends3 with acircular portion4 between thestraight ends3. Thebar portions2 are clamped onto a pipe orconduit5, with opposite sides of thepipe5 engaged by surfaces of thecircular portions4. Thebar portions2 are secured onto thepipe5 by a pair ofbolts6 that pass throughholes7 in thestraight ends3 on either side of thecircular portions4, andnuts8 that threadedly engage thebolts6. Thenuts8 are tightened to clamp thepipe5 securely between thecircular portions4. Thecircular portions4 are configured so that thestraight ends3 of theportions2 do not come into contact when the riser clamp1 is installed, but rather there is a spacing between thestraight ends3 of one of the bar portions and the correspondingstraight ends3 of the other bar portion.
• A riser clamp such as the riser claim1 is secured to a vertical run of piping just above a circular floor opening though which the pipe run passes. The riser clamp1 ordinarily rests on the floor, with thestraight ends3 being long enough to extend beyond the circular floor opening. Thus one function of the riser clamp1 is to prevent vertical movement of the pipe, since the riser clamp1 is too large to fit through the circular floor opening.
• In addition, the riser clamp1 prevents torquing or tilting of the pipe run. The spacing between the correspondingstraight ends3 of theportions2 provides a stable base that resists twisting or torquing of the pipe that would otherwise result in tipping of the clamp1 over an edge of thestraight ends3 of one of theportions2. In other words, having the correspondingstraight ends3 of theportions2 separated from each other provides a base that engages the floor around the circular floor opening to prevent undesirable twisting, tilting, and/or torquing of the pipe run.
• Nonetheless, there is room for improvement in that the riser clamp1 involves a large number (six) of separate parts, and two different threading operations. In addition, some care must be taken to provide at least rough symmetry between the tightening of thenuts7 on opposite sides of thepipe5, to have proper installation of the riser clamp1.
• From the foregoing it will be appreciated that improvements would be desirable for pipe or conduit clamps in general, and for riser clamps in particular.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to an aspect of the invention, a clamp for holding circular objects includes a bar portion having slots, and a sickle-shape rod portion that is secured within the slots to secure a circular object within a space between the bar portion and the rod portion.
• According to another aspect of the invention, a clamp includes: a first portion having a pair of slots therein; a second portion having a bent end and a threaded end, wherein the bent end is in one of the slots and the threaded end is in the other of the slots, and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a space therebetween for securing an object; and a nut threadedly engaging the threaded end to secure the first portion and the second portion together.
• According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of clamping an object includes the steps of: placing a bent end of a rod portion through a first slot of a bar portion; turning the rod portion to enclose the object between the bar portion and the rod portion, and to place a threaded end of the rod portion through a second slot of the bar portion; and securing the portions together by tightening a nut along the threaded end, against the bar portion.
• According to still another aspect of the invention, a clamp includes a pair of portions having respective central circular sections that define a round space therebetween for receiving a circular object. The portions mechanically interlock together on one side of the round space. The portions are threadedly coupled together on an opposite side of the round space.
• 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
• In the annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale:
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art riser clamp secured to a pipe run;
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of a clamp in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the clamp ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a bar portion of the clamp ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the rod portion of the claim ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 is a first cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a second cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 8 is a third cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 9 is a fourth cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 10 is a fifth cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 11 is a sixth cross-section configuration for the bar portion ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment clamp in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 13 is an end view of the clamp ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 14 is an oblique view of another alternate embodiment clamp in accordance with the present invention; and
• FIG. 15 is a plan view of the clamp ofFIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• A clamp for holding circular objects, such as pipes or conduits, includes a falcate or sickle-shape rod portion that engages slots in a bar portion. The rod portion has a circular central section that is between a bent end for engaging one of the slots, and a threaded end for engaging the other of the slots. The circular section may have a cylindrical section inner surface for engaging the circular object. The cylindrical section inner surface may be textured to improve its grip on the circular object. The bar portion also has a circular central portion, for engaging the opposite side of the circular object from that engaged by the inner surface of the rod portion circular central section. The slots in the bar portion are at radius bends at opposite ends of the bar portion circular section, where the bar portion bends back outward into straight extensions that may be co-linear, extending away from the circular section in opposite directions. The straight extensions have bent ends, bent in opposite directions from one another, to provide increased stability for the clamp, for example as the bent ends and outer portion of the straight extensions rest on a floor surface around a circular opening. The clamp is installed on a circular object by placing the circular section of the bar portion against the circular object, hooking the bent end of the rod portion into one of the slots, inserting the threaded end of the rod portion through the other slot, and tightening a nut on the threaded end to secure the clamp to the circular object.
• Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, aclamp10 includes abar portion12 and a falcate or sickle-shape rod portion14 for securing between them acircular object16, such as a pipe or conduit. Thecircular object16 is secured in around space18 between thebar portion12 and therod portion14.
• Referring now in addition toFIG. 4, thebar portion12 includes a centralcircular section20 having radiusedbends22 and24, opposite in direction from thecircular section20, bending back tostraight extensions26 and28 extending away from thecircular section20. Thecircular section20 has aninner surface30 configured to contact theobject16 when theclamp10 is installed. Theextensions26 and28 may be substantially in line with one another, and may be configured to extend outward away from thecircular object16 in opposite, radial and diametrically opposed, directions. With this configuration, thecircular section20 may be substantially a semi-circle. Alternatively, theextensions26 and28 may have other configurations, such as being angled at a nonzero angle relative to one another.
• Theextensions26 and28 have respective bent ends32 and34 at their distal ends, away from thecircular section20. The bent ends32 and34 may be bent at right angles relative to theextensions26 and28. Thebends32 and34 may be in opposite directions relative to one another. Thebends32 and34 aid in maintaining stability of theclamp10 when theclamp10 is used to secure a vertical stack above a floor opening. Thebends32 and34 increase the effective width of theclamp10 so as to better resist tilting, torquing, or twisting of the pipe, in a manner analogous to the above-described spacing between corresponding straight ends3 of the prior art clamp1 (FIG. 1).
• Thebar portion12 has a pair ofslots36 and38 for receiving and securing ends of the rod portion, as described further below. Theslots36 and38 are located at the middle of the height of thebar portion12. In the illustrated embodiment theslots36 and38 are elongate slots, having a greater extent along the length of thebar portion12 than along the height of thebar portion12. Theslots36 and38 may be substantially centered about the radiused bends22 and24. Theslots36 and38 may extend fully across the radiused bends22 and24, with ends42 and44 of theslots36 and38 extending into the centralcircular section20, and opposite ends46 and48 of theslots36 and38 extending into the respectivestraight extensions26 and28. Theslots36 and38 may be substantially identical to one another in shape and relative location. It will be appreciated that many alternative configurations for theslots36 and38 are possible.
• Thebar portion12 may be made out of a variety of suitable materials, including suitable metals. For example, thebar portion12 may be made out of cast iron or steel.
• With reference now in addition toFIG. 5, therod portion14 has a sickle shape, with central curved object-engagingsection60. Thecurved section60 may be a substantially circular section that curves inward toward a securingarea62, which is part of theround space18 when theclamp10 is assembled. Aninner surface64 bears against and engages theobject16 held by theclamp10. Theinner surface64 may be a substantially cylindrical section surface, which may be machined from round stock used to make therod portion14. Making the inner surface64 a cylindrical section allows more area to engage theobject16, improving the grip on theobject16. Theinner surface64 may have a circumferential extent of about 120 degrees, although the angular portion with theinner surface64 may be greater or lesser in extent. Alternatively theinner surface64 may be rounded or sharp, if desired.
• Theinner surface64 may be patterned or textured to improve its grip for example having a stampedcrosshatch pattern66 on theinner surface64. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of patterns may be used to improve the gripping of theinner surface64, including various protrusions and/or depressions formed by stamping or other suitable properties. Theinner surface30 of the bar portion12 (FIG. 2) may also be patterned to improve gripping.
• Astraight extension68 extends tangentially away from thecurved section60 at one end of thecurved section60. Theextension68 has a threadedend70, configured to mate with anut72.
• At the opposite end of thecurved section60 is an L-shapebent end74 having a pair ofstraight legs76 and78, with aradiused bend82 between thelegs76 and78. Theleg76 extends from thecurved section60, and theleg78 is a free end of therod portion14. Thelegs76 and78 may have a right-angle bend between them, although it will be appreciated that bends of greater or lesser extent may alternatively be used, making the angle between thelegs76 and78 either obtuse or acute. Theleg78 is an unthreaded rod portion.
• Therod portion14 is configured so that it can be secured to thebar portion12 by passing parts of thestraight extension68 and thebent end74 into theslots36 and38. Thus thestraight extension68 and thebent end74 are separated by a distance corresponding to the distance between theslots36 and38, with theend leg78 of thebent end74 being sufficiently long so that thebent end74 does not pull out of its slot when theextension68 is inserted in its slot, and thenut72 is tightened along the threadedend70. Theend leg78 may have a length greater than the length of theslots36 and38.
• Therod portion14 may be formed from suitable round steel stock, bent and machined to form its shape and structures. Alternatively, therod portion14 may be made from other sorts of suitable stock, such as square cross-section bar stock.
• To assemble theclamp10, first thebar portion12 is put in place, with theinner surface30 ofcircular section20 of thebar portion12 touching or near theobject16. Theleg78 of therod portion14 is then inserted into one of the slots, theslot36. In order for theleg78 to be inserted into theslot36 therod portion14 must be turned so that theleg78 is at a suitable angle relative to theslot36. The presence of theobject16 provides some limitation on the angle of insertion of theleg78 of therod portion14.
• Following insertion of thebent end74, therod portion14 is rotated, pivoting at approximately theradiused bend82, until part of the threadedend70 protrudes through the other slot, theslot38, and until the innergripping surface64 is in contact with or close to theobject16. This may bring theleg78 into contact with material of thebar portion12 along a radial outboard side of theslot36. Thenut72 is then threaded onto the threadedend70, and tightened until thenut72 is secure against parts of thebar potion12 that are around theslot38. Thenut72 may be a shear nut that has ahex portion84 and a narrowed circularsmooth portion86. Thehex portion84 shears off at a predetermined torque, leaving behind thecircular portion86. This prevents overtightening and/or subsequent removal of thenut72. Also, the narrowersmooth portion86 threads further onto the threadedend70, making a more compact engagement with thebar portion12. Further, thesmooth portion86 has no corners that scratch or otherwise mar thebar portion12, and thesmooth portion86 provides an offset between thehex portion84 and thebar portion12, making engagement of the faces of thehex portion84 easier. Alternatively, however, thenut72 may be a conventional hex nut.
• The installedclamp10 is retained in place by thenut72, and by the cooperation of thebar portion12 and therod portion14. Thenut72 prevents removal of thestraight extension68 from theslot38. The extension of theleg78 beyond the outboard edge of theslot36 prevents thebent end74 from being disengaged from theslot36 by moving thebent end78 in a circumferential direction. The presence of theobject16 prevents disengagement of thebent end74 from theslot36 by movement of thebend end74 in a radially inward direction (toward the center of the object16). Thus theportions12 and14 are maintained mechanically interlocked on one side of theobject16, and threadedly coupled on an opposite side of theobject16.
• Theclamp10 advantageously reduces the number of parts, weight, cost, and installation time, all in comparison with prior art clamps such as the clamp1 (FIG. 1). Installation involves a single threading operation, without the concern for maintaining balance in a pair of threading operations on opposite sides of an object to be clamped.
• Theclamp10 has been described above for securing anobject16 having a circular cross-section. It will be appreciated that theclamp10 may also be used to secure non-circular objects.
• Thebar portion12 described above has a rectangular cross-section. It will be appreciated that thebar portion12 may have other cross-section shapes, which may increase strength, may allow for reduction of material thickness and weight, and/or may improve the gripping between thebar portion12 and theobject16.FIGS. 6-11 show a few of the many possible alternative cross-section shapes for thebar portion12.FIG. 6 shows arectangular cross-section90, which engages the object16 (FIG. 2) along amajor surface92.FIG. 7 shows a C-shape cross-section94, which engages theobject16 at a pair oftips96 and97 at ends of the C shape.FIG. 8 shows arectangular channel shape98, which engages at top andbottom tips99 and100.FIG. 9 shows a modified version of thechannel shape98, achannel shape98′ have an additionalcentral bend101.FIG. 10 shows acurved shape102 having object-engagingtips104 and105.FIG. 11 shows across-section shape106 having a centralcurved portion107, with top andbottom portions108 and109 angling away to engage the object at respective tips. It will be appreciated that these are only a few of the many suitable cross-section shapes for thebar portion12. The shapes shown inFIGS. 6-11 advantageously engage the object at top and bottom locations, which may provide better gripping in conjunction with a central engagement by the rod portion14 (FIG. 2).
• What follows now is an alternate embodiments of the invention. Many of the features of the alternate embodiment clamp described below may be similar to corresponding features of theclamp10. Discussion of these similar features is abbreviated or omitted in the below description of the alternate embodiment clamps, although it will be understood that the alternate embodiment clamps may include other features corresponding to those of theclamp10. In addition, it will be appreciated that various features from the various embodiments may be combinable with one another.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 show an alternate embodiment of the present invention, aclamp110 that is used as a pipe hanger for supporting ahorizontal run116 of pipe or conduit. Thepipe clamp110 includesrod portion114 that engagesslots136 and138 of abar portion112 in a manner similar to the engagement of thebar portion12 and the rod portion14 (FIG. 2). A threadedend170 of therod portion114 is held in place by anut172 tightened against thebar portion112. The pipe orconduit116 is secured between thebar portion112 and therod portion114.
• Thebar portion112 has a pair ofextensions126 and128 on either side of a central circular section120. Thebottom extension128 serves to accommodate theslot138, and to support abent end174 of therod portion114 within theslot138. Thetop extension126 has athread form hole194 and a nail or screwhole196. Theholes194 and196 may be used to secure theclamp110 to a wall or any of a variety of structural members. In the illustrated embodiment abolt198 engages thethread form hole194 is used to secure theclamp110 to abracket200.
• The illustrated embodiment is just one possible way of securing theclamp110 to structure. Various other ways are known for securing vertical extensions to a large variety of structural members, such as purlins of various types, beam flanges, walls, brackets, drop wires, etc. Further information regarding securing to structural members may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,994, the description and drawings of which are herein incorporated by reference.
• It will also be appreciated that many other configurations are possible for clamps for circular or other-shape objects that utilize the basic principle of the clamps described above, that of a rod member that engages slots of a bar member.
• FIGS. 14 and 15 show another alternate embodiment, aclamp210 having a pair of notchedbar portions212 and214. Thebar portions212 and214 have respective centralcircular sections220 and221 for holding acircular object216 clamped in around space218 between theportions212 and214.
• At one side of thecircular sections220 and221 theportions212 and214 have notched sections with angled ends. Theportion212 has astraight extension226, extending away from theround space218. Thestraight extension226 concludes at abend227, where theportion212 has anotch229. On the other side of thebend227 is an angledfree end233 of theportion212. Theangled end233 is angled away from thecircular section220, toward an opposite side of theround space218 from that bordered by thecircular section220. Theangled end233 may be angled at a 45-degree angle from thestraight extension226. Thenotch229 may extend across thebend227, into both thestraight extension226 and theangled end233. Theportion214 may have corresponding features: astraight extension236, abend237, anotch239, and anangled end243.
• At the other side of thecircular sections220 and221, theportions212 and214 have respectivestraight extensions250 and251. Theextensions250 and251 run parallel to each other, away from theround space218 between thecircular sections220 and221. Theextension250 has ahole252 in it, for receiving abolt254 therethrough. Theextension251 has anopen slot256 at a corresponding location. Theslot256 is open in the same downward direction as thenotch239. Theslot256 is wide enough to allow ashaft257 of thebolt254 to enter into it. Thebolt254 is substantially perpendicular to theextensions250 and251 when the bolt passes throughhole252 and theslot256. With thebolt shaft257 though thehole252 and in theslot256, anut258 on theshaft257 can be tightened to secure theextensions250 and251.
• In installation, thebolt254 may first be installed through thehole252 in theextension250 of theportion212. Thenut258 may be loosely screwed onto the threadedbolt shaft257 to aid in keeping thebolt254 coupled to theportion212. Then theportion212 is placed on one side of thecircular object216. After that, theportion214 is placed on the other side of thecircular object216. During this placement thenotches229 and239 are engaged, causing the angled ends233 and243 to overlap and interlock together. Also, thebolt shaft257 passes into theslot256. After engagement of theportions212 and214, thenut258 is tightened to pull theextensions250 and251 toward one another. This securely clamps thecircular object216 in theround space218, between thecircular sections220 and221.
• The angled ends233 and243 provide a wide stable footprint for the installedclamp210. This aids in preventing torquing or tilting of a pipe or conduit run when theclamp210 is employed as a riser clamp.
• 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.

Claims (26)

1. A clamp comprising:

a first portion having a pair of slots therein;

a second portion having a bent end and a threaded end, wherein the bent end is in one of the slots and the threaded end is in the other of the slots, and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a space therebetween for securing an object; and

a nut threadedly engaging the threaded end to secure the first portion and the second portion together.

2. The clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion is a bar portion.

3. The clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the second portion is a rod portion.

4. The clamp ofclaim 1,

wherein the first portion includes a circular central section between the slots;

wherein the second portion includes a curved section between the ends; and

wherein the space is a round space for receiving a round object.

5. The clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the second portion is falcate.

6. The clamp ofclaim 5,

wherein the second portion is a rod portion that includes:

a curved central section; and

an extension from one side of the curved section, wherein the extension includes the threaded end; and

wherein the bent end is attached to an opposite side of the central section from the extension.

7. The clamp ofclaim 6, wherein the curved central section has a cylindrical section inner surface.

8. The clamp ofclaim 7, wherein the cylindrical section inner surface has an angular extent of about 120°.

9. The clamp ofclaim 7, wherein the cylindrical section inner surface is patterned to improve gripping.

10. The clamp ofclaim 9, wherein the cylindrical section inner surface has a stamped cross-hatch pattern.

11. The clamp ofclaim 7,

wherein the rod portion is formed from round stock; and

wherein the cylindrical section inner surface is a machined portion of the round stock.

12. The clamp ofclaim 6, wherein the bent end includes a pair of legs angled to one another at an intervening bend.

13. The clamp ofclaim 12, wherein the legs are substantially at right angles to one another.

14. The clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion is a bar portion that includes:

a central circular section;

a pair of radiused bends at respective opposite ends of the circular section, bending in an opposite direction from the circular section; and

a respective pair of extensions extending outward from respective of the radiused bends, away from the circular section.

15. The clamp ofclaim 14, wherein the bar portion further includes respective bar portion bent ends at distal ends of the extensions, wherein the bar portion bent ends are angled at nonzero angles relative to the respective extensions.

16. The clamp ofclaim 15, wherein the bar portion bent ends are bent in opposite directions from one another.

17. The clamp ofclaim 16, wherein the bar portion bent ends are at right angles to the extensions.

18. The clamp ofclaim 14, wherein the extensions are substantially in line with one another.

19. The clamp ofclaim 14, wherein the slots extend fully across the radiused bends.

20. A method of clamping an object, the method comprising:

placing a bent end of a rod portion through a first slot of a bar portion;

turning the rod portion to enclose the object between the bar portion and the rod portion, and to place a threaded end of the rod portion through a second slot of the bar portion; and

securing the portions together by tightening a nut along the threaded end, against the bar portion.

21. A clamp comprising:

a pair of portions having respective central circular sections that define a round space therebetween for receiving a circular object;

wherein the portions mechanically interlock together on one side of the round space; and

wherein the portions are threadedly coupled together on an opposite side of the round space.

22. The clamp ofclaim 21, wherein both of the portions are bar portions.

23. The clamp ofclaim 21, wherein one of the portions is a bar portion, and the other of the portions is a rod portion.

24. The clamp ofclaim 21, wherein the portions mechanically interlock together by an end of one of the portions being inserted into a slot in the other of the portions.

25. The clamp ofclaim 21, wherein the portions mechanically interlock together by engagement of respective notches in the portions.

26. The clamp ofclaim 25, wherein the notches are at respective bends of the portions.

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