Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
  • F16L3/08—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/12—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
  • F16L3/133—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing and hanging from a pendant
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
  • F16L3/14—Hangers in the form of bands or chains

Definitions

• the present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved form of supporting means for receiving and releasably retaining ducting, piping, tubing or the like relative to a given surface.
• supporting means for receiving and releasably retaining ducting, piping, tubing or the like relative to a given surface.
• reference will be made to especially preferred embodiments of the present invention, intended to assist in the disposition within a given building structure of air conditioning ducting or the like. It should be realised, however, that such indeed represent merely especially preferred embodiments of or a particular and preferred usage for the arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Indeed the present invention is not under any circumstances to be considered to be limited to any preferred embodiment or embodiments, or particular usage, disclosed hereinafter.
• the arrangement - supporting means - in accordance with the present invention lends itself to usage in a variety of different contexts, indeed wherein any form of piping, ducting or tubing - for carrying a liquid or fluid - is desired to be suspended or disposed within a given area, building or the like.
• one prior art arrangement relies, for its effectiveness, on using one or more (an array) of brackets, bolts and support clips, the brackets intended to be affixed or inserted, in any known manner, relative to or in a given wall, floor, ceiling or the like surface and intended ultimately to co-operate with the support clips and bolts whereby to receive and retain ducting or tubing of any given type.
• bracket(s) With such an arrangement, however, once the bracket(s) is(are) installed, it is then necessary to locate the ducting or piping in the desired position relative thereto and thereafter to locate the clip therearound, with the clip then to be affixed to the bracket by any suitable means, such as for example a bolt or the like member adapted to be threaded through or located within co-operating apertures provided in the bracket(s) and in each free end of the support clip.
• suitable means such as for example a bolt or the like member adapted to be threaded through or located within co-operating apertures provided in the bracket(s) and in each free end of the support clip.
• the arrangement in accordance with the present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing a form of support means which can be appropriately installed (in any suitable manner) on or in relation to a wall or other relevant surface of a building structure, then have the ducting appropriately placed in relation thereto and finally brought into a condition whereby the ducting is permanently and yet releasably supported relevant to that wall or relevant surface.
• the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is especially suited to situations wherein a substantial length of ducting/ducting/piping is involved, lending itself to ready installation and operation in such situations, with a minimum of personnel to carry out such task and without need to resort to the use of special, and hence sometimes expensive, additional tooling.
• a means for supporting piping/ducting/tubing in a predetermined position in relation to a wall, ceiling or the like of a building includes first and second relatively movable arm members, a first of said arm members being adapted, in use, to provide a seating for the piping/ducting/tubing, with the other of said arm members being movable relative to said first of said arm members and to be releasably fixable thereto, the arrangement being such as to surround said piping/tucting/tubing and to allow for suspension thereof at a predetermined distance from said wall, ceiling or the like.
• a support member for piping/tubing/ducting or the like including: a first arm member adapted to receive, and releasably retain, said piping/tubing/ducting or the like; a second arm member, integral with said first arm member and connected therewith and selectively movable relative thereto, each said arm member having a free end, with the respective free ends being initially spaced well apart one from the other whereby to allow for location of said piping/ducting or tubing relative to said first arm member, wherein each arm member has, at the free end thereof, a flange-like end portions extending at an angle therefrom, the arrangement being such that, when in use, said second arm member is moved relative to said first arm member whereby to bring said flange-like end portion into overlapping relationship, thereby to house said piping/tubing/ducting therewithin and therebetween and to allow for suspension of said piping/tubing/ducting at a predetermined distance from a given surface.
• FIG 1 is a perspective view, from above, of a support member in accordance with the present invention in its manufactured and pre-installation configuration;
• FIG 2 is a side elevational view of the support member of FIG 1 ;
• FIG 3 is an end elevational view of the support member of
• FIG 1 is a diagrammatic representation of FIG 1 ;
• FIG 4 is a plan view of the support member of FIG 1 ;
• FIG 5 is a view similar to FIG 1 , but with the support member in accordance with the present invention in its installed configuration so as to be disposed around piping or ducting (not shown) ;
• FIG 6 is a view illustrating the support member of FIG. 1 in its manufactured configuration as disposed relevant to a building structure and having ducting of any given type disposed therewithin;
• FIG 7 is a view similar to FIG 6 but showing the support member of FIG. 1 in its installed or supporting configuration relevant to ducting/tubing/piping;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view, from above, of a further embodiment of a support member in accordance with the present invention, in its manufactured and pre-installation configuration;
• FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the support member of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 1 0 is an end elevational view of the support member of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 1 1 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing the support member of FIG. 8 in its installed configuration adapted as to be disposed around piping or ducting (not shown); and
• FIG. 1 2 is a top plan view of the support member of FIG. 8.
• a support member in accordance with the present invention is of a unitary structure and includes opposed arm members 2 and 3 and an intermediate member or portion 4 disposed therebetween.
• the support member 1 in accordance with the present invention is preferably constructed of a metallic material, but it should be understood that the actual material of construction is not of the essence of the invention, and may be varied to suit practical requirements, as for example whether intended to support ducting or piping constructed from metal, or alternatively of a plastics material. Indeed the support member 1 may equally well be constructed of any other suitable material, such as for example a plastics material if intended to support lightweight ducting or piping.
• the support member may be constructed in any suitable manner, as by stamping or cutting from a continuous sheet of material.
• the actual thickness or gauge of the material making up the support member is not of the essence of the invention. Indeed, the thickness or gauge can be varied, dependent upon the load-carrying requirements for the support member. If larger-scale piping/ducting/tubing is to be suspended, then both the overall size and the thickness or gauge of the support member may be varied to suit.
• the overall support member 1 when constructed, adopts the configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
• Such a configuration lends itself to ready packaging for sale, transport, etc.
• the alternative or modified configuration of FIGS. 8 to 1 1 is equally suited and appropriate, in fact being especially suited for use in situations wherein larger diameter ducting or piping is involved.
• This modified configuration of a support member 1 in accordance with the present invention is especially adapted for easy installation around or in relation to such larger diameter ducting or piping.
• each arm member 2,3 then has, at its free end, a flange-like protrusion, designated 5 and 6 respectively.
• the or each flange-like protrusion 5,6 preferably extends at an oblique angle, more preferably substantially at right angles, to the associated arm members 2 and 3.
• the flange-like member 5 of the arm member 2 includes an aperture 7 disposed substantially centrally thereof, such aperture 7 to assist in affixing the overall support member 1 to a suitable wall structure or the like (in a manner to be explained in more detail hereinafter) .
• the flange-like member 5 of the member 2 has its free end bent downwardly, as illustrated at 8.
• the flange-like member 6 of the other arm member 3 includes a slot 9 extending inwardly from the free end thereof.
• the flange-like member 6 is bent downwardly, as illustrated at 10.
• the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such that, in use, the arm member 3 is adapted to be bent relative to the remainder of the support member 1 so as to adopt the position relative to the arm member 2 as illustrated in FIG 5.
• the overall support member 1 adopts a substantial pear shape.
• a line of weakening in the vicinity of the line of junction of the arm member 3 and central portion 4 there may be provided a line of weakening.
• such line of weakening takes the form of a slot 1 1 disposed at or in the vicinity of that area or region of bending.
• the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such that, when the arm member 3 is flexed or bent so as to be in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 1 1 of the drawings, the downwardly turned end portions 1 0 of the flange-like member 6 thereof co-operate with the arm member 2 so as to prevent unwanted separation.
• the first stage in the installation procedure involves the drilling of a suitable blind-bore 20 in the wall, roof or the like surface.
• a threaded member 21 preferably of a type referred to in the trade as all-thread, is then disposed in any suitable manner within that blind-bore or aperture 20.
• a nut or the like means 22 is then appropriately located on the threaded member 21 .
• the nut or the like means 22 is, in fact, located on the member 21 at a position which serves to, in use, site the support member 1 in the desired location relative to the wall or the like surface.
• the nut or the like means 22 is spaced a predetermined or desired distance from that wall or surface as, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
• a support member 1 in accordance with the present invention is then disposed, as shown in FIG. 6, relative to the threaded member 21 , utilising the aperture 7 provided in the flange-like member 5.
• a second nut or the like means 23 (of any given type) is then disposed on the threaded member 21 , as again shown in FIG. 6, and moved to that location on the member 21 which sets the overall support at the correct or desired height or position relative to the wall or the like surface.
• the overall support member 1 is then disposed in such a way as to be capable of receiving and releasably retaining piping, ducting, tubing or the like, generally designated 30.
• an array of support members 1 in accordance with the present invention can be appropriately located along the length of and spaced from a wall, roof or the like surface, thereby to receive and retain a given length of ducting, piping or tubing relative to that wall, roof or the like surface.
• a suitable force may be applied by any suitable means, as for example manually, to the arm member 3 whereby to bring that arm member 3 into the position shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 1 1 relative to the arm member 2.
• the notch or slot 9 provided in the flange-like member 6 allows for passage of that flange-like member 6 into the position shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 1 1 .
• the downwardly extending end portions of the flange-like member 6 then engage the upper extremity of the arm member 2, whereby to prevent unwanted separation.
• the location of the second nut or the like means 23 on the threaded member 21 can then be appropriately adjusted whereby to secure the flange-like members
• the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is responsible for a number of practical advantages when compared with the known art. First of all, and most importantly, there is no need for any form of bolt or separate locking means, as called for with some of the known arrangements. In practical terms the very existence of such a bolt adds substantially to the overall expense of prior art arrangements, not to mention adding to the complexity of installation. As such, not only is the arrangement in accordance with the present invention much easier to instal, but it is also less expensive to manufacture.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=25645235

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (5)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 1997
  • 1997-08-05 WO PCT/AU1997/000497 patent/WO1998005895A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-08-05 NZ NZ334089A patent/NZ334089A/en unknown
  • 1997-08-05 EP EP97932663A patent/EP0916052A4/fr not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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