STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application No. 730617, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pipe clamp. The invention has particular application to the clamping and securing of pipes to be suspended from overhead structures, such as ceilings or beams. However, this is not meant to be limiting and the invention may also be used to secure pipes that are to be supported on structures arising from the substrate or the substrate itself. BACKGROUND ART

There is an increasing focus on building construction standards following recent earthquake events in New Zealand and elsewhere. As a result, compliance with the appropriate building codes is closely scrutinised and enforced, and this extends to all aspects of the building and its ancillaries.

Many buildings, particularly industrial and commercial buildings, include pipes for water sprinkler systems or conduits for electrical wiring in their ceiling spaces. These types of buildings often have false ceilings, which are not load bearing and thus insufficient to support the pipes. Instead, the pipes are suspended from the concrete slabs or structural beams that form the load bearing elements of the ceiling construction.

Typically, the way that these pipes are suspended is through the use of U-clamps. When paired with an opposing U-clamp, these define a space between which the pipe may be located and are bolted or otherwise secured to the load bearing elements of the ceiling. These are spaced at regular intervals along the length of the pipe being supported. Examples of such U-clamps are manufactured by the likes of Stauff Corporation (www.stauff.co.nz).

In earthquake events, it has been found that these types of clamps could be prone to failure, with a consequential displacement of the pipe (or conduit, as the case may be) being supported.

In the case of a sprinkler system, if the displacement is severe enough, it can lead to breakage of the pipe. This allows water to drain from the overall sprinkler system. Should a fire result from earthquake damage, there is a reduced amount of water, or indeed no water, available to assist in dousing the fire.

When using U-clamps, it is also necessary to accurately set their height relative to the load bearing elements of the ceiling prior to installation of the pipes to be supported. This is to ensure correct alignment of the pipes and may involve using equipment to check alignment of the U-clamps before fitting the pipe. It should be appreciated that once the pipe is installed, most U-clamps have no mechanisms to further adjust their relative height.

Another disadvantage of the use of U-clamps for supporting a pipe is that it (the pipe) needs to be supported along its length, or at least a good portion of its length during installation. This is usually achieved by resting it on lifting equipment or along the shoulders of the person (or persons) installing the pipes. However, this can be quite uncomfortable and fatiguing for the installers as the pipe may be quite heavy.

Furthermore, if the person installing the U-clamp is supporting the pipe on their shoulder, it can be quite awkward to manipulate the fasteners securing the components of the U-clamp together. These fasteners may also require multiple tools; for example, the fastener securing the U-clamp to the appropriate load bearing elements of the ceiling construction may be one size while those joining the two opposing U-clamps together may be another size.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. All references, including any patents or patent applications that may be cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp for supporting a pipe, wherein the clamp includes: a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to engage with a support, a second arm having a first end and a second end, characterised in that the second arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the first arm via a pivot point laterally offset from the second end of the second arm, wherein the connection is such that the second arm can move from an open position to a closed position. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a clamp for supporting a pipe, wherein the clamp includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to engage with a support, a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the first arm via a pivot point laterally offset from the second end of the second arm, wherein the connection is such that the second arm can move from an open position to a closed position, the method including the steps of: securing the first end of the first arm to a support; and placing a pipe to be installed into the clamp by bearing it against the second end of the second arm thereby moving the second arm from an open position to a closed position.

The invention is a clamp for use in supporting pipes, such as those carrying water, in ceiling spaces of buildings. It is intended to be capable of temporarily holding the pipe even in a partially open or unsecured condition. It is also self-closing and thus easy to use and may potentially expedite the installation of pipes in ceiling spaces. Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the invention as being a pipe clamp.

Although reference is made throughout the present specification to the pipe clamp supporting the pipe from above, this is not meant to be limiting. In some instances, it may be desirable to use the invention to support pipes from underneath or even to one side. In this scenario, the invention may be secured to the substrate or floor, as opposed to an overhead structure such as a load bearing portion of a ceiling construction.

Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the pipe clamp supporting the pipe from a ceiling construction. This will be understood to be a slab, beam, roofing truss or other structure present in the ceiling or roof space and which has sufficient structural integrity to bear the weight of the clamp and pipe being supported. Such ceiling constructions are formed from concrete, steel, wood and the like. The pipe to be supported should be understood to be a pipe for conducting water through a sprinkler system, as is typically found in industrial or commercial buildings. However, this is not meant to be limiting, and the pipe clamp of the present invention may be used to support all manner of pipes found in typical buildings.

For example, it may be used to support water supply pipes, gas pipes, or sewerage pipes. Indeed, the invention may be suitable to support any pipe used to transfer products of any kind. It may also be used to support conduits bearing electrical wiring or other types of equipment. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate other structures with which the present invention may be used.

The pipe clamp has first and second arms, and at least one of these arms is able to rotate relative to the other. Each arm should be understood to have a C-shaped body and it will be appreciated that the inner perimeter or interior of each C-shaped body is substantially semi-circular.

When used together, the two arms between them define a substantially circular area into which the pipe to be supported is located. It will be appreciated that the inner perimeter of the respective arms then defines the surfaces of the pipe clamp that will at least partially come into contact with the pipe to be supported.

In use, the arms are orientated such that the first end of the first arm faces the ceiling construction from which the clamp is to be suspended. The second end of the first arm faces the substrate. When in an open position, the first end of the second arm may be generally orientated to face the substrate or perhaps may be orientated somewhat at 90° from the vertical. When in a closed position, the first end of the second arm mates or otherwise engages with the first end of the first arm, thereby defining the substantially circular area for the pipe to be supported. The first and second arms are connected to each other via a fastener at a connection. This connection is the pivot point. This should be understood to mean that one of the first and second arms is able to pivot or rotate relative to the other. When in an open position, the second arm is effectively suspended from the second end of the arm, such that the first end of the arm faces the substrate as noted above. The second arm is pivoted or otherwise swung into a closed position, such that the first ends of the respective arms mate or otherwise engage with each other.

In respect of the first arm, the pivot point is substantially at its second end.

In respect of the second arm, the pivot point should be understood to be laterally offset from the second end such that a portion of the second arm extends beyond the pivot point. This portion may be as much as a third of the inner profile of the second arm. In this embodiment, the fastener is a nut and bolt combination wherein a portion of the shaft of the bolt is keyed into a complementary aperture of either the first or second arm, such that one arm is allowed to rotate relative to the other arm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower end of the second arm is configured to act as a bearing surface for the pipe to be supported during the installation process. This lower end should be understood to be the portion of the second arm that extends laterally from the pivot point.

In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the first arm is laterally displaced from the plane of the body of the first arm. In this embodiment, a portion of the second arm is displaced laterally from the plane of the body of the second arm, such that as the second arm rotates relative to the first arm, the two lateral displacements abut each other, thereby limiting rotational movement.

In an exemplary embodiment, each arm is formed from a metal such as stainless steel or the like. Depending on the relevant building regulations, the metal used to form the arms may be of a grade that is appropriate for the loading that may be applied by the weight of the pipe, product (for example, water, sewerage, gas) to be transported by the pipe and its suitable safe working allowance. The metal used should also be appropriate to withstand the forces that may be experienced during earthquake events of a certain magnitude.

For example, for improved corrosion resistance, the applicants use stainless steel of 316 series (or 304 series) for one exemplary embodiment of the invention. However, this is only by way of example and is not meant to be limiting and other grades of stainless steel, and indeed other metals with suitable protective coatings, may be used bearing in mind the loadings to be applied and the environment in which it is to be used.

It will be appreciated that the pipe clamp of the present invention may be provided in a range of sizes, depending on the size of the pipe to be supported and the available space in the ceiling construction in which the invention is to be used.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first end of the first arm is configured to engage with an elongate suspension rod depending downwards from the ceiling construction.

In this embodiment, the elongate suspension rod is formed from a suitably robust material such as stainless steel or the like.

In another exemplary embodiment, a portion of the first arm, preferably the upper end of the arm, is configured with an aperture through which a bracket, or a portion of a bracket, may pass to secure the clamp to the ceiling construction. In this embodiment, the bracket is formed from a suitably robust material such as stainless steel or the like.

The bracket is formed from an elongate plate having a first and second end, with flanges extending laterally from each end of the plate. In use, one flange will abut the ceiling construction while the other flange will engage with an elongate suspension rod or the upper end of the first and/or second arms. Locking nuts or similar devices may be used to retain the bracket at the desired position along the suspension rod or first/second arms.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a portion of the first arm, preferably the upper end of the arm, is configured with apertures through which fasteners may pass to secure the clamp to the ceiling construction.

In this embodiment, the fasteners may be a nut and threaded rod combination. However, it will be appreciated that this is not meant to be limiting and complementarily threaded nuts and bolts or the like can also be used.

As noted above, the first ends of the respective arms are configured to mate or otherwise engage with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm includes mutually cooperating flanges.

In this embodiment, the flanges include an aperture through which a fastener may pass to secure the two flanges together, thereby closing the clamp. In this embodiment, the fastener is a nut and bolt combination. The pipe clamp of the present invention offers a number advantages of the prior art, including:

• facilitates the easy installation of pipes or conduits within ceiling spaces of buildings;

• facilitates reductions in installation times and labour; • facilitates better customisation to allow pipes or conduits to be installed into particular ceiling spaces;

• may be more resistant to lateral displacement and movement of pipes during earthquake events; · is able to be used with a variety of load bearing surfaces within a ceiling space, ranging from concrete slabs to I-beams;

• may be optionally used with seismic bracing or other reinforcement structures;

• at the very least, the present invention provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an open condition;

Figure IB is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1A in a closed condition; Figure 1C is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 1A and IB in a closed condition;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 1A to 1C in an open condition when used with a mounting bracket;

Figure 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 1 A to 1C in a closed condition when used with a mounting bracket; Figure 3 is a perspective of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a closed condition;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a closed condition;

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4A in a closed condition when used with a two-part bracket assembly; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1A to 1C and it will be seen that it (generally indicated by arrow 100) is in the form of a pipe clamp. The pipe clamp is constructed from two arms (Arm A and Arm B respectively), linked via a connector in the form of a bolt and nut combination (102). When assembled, these two arms co-operate to support a pipe (not shown) suspended from a ceiling construction such as a concrete slab or steel beam (not shown).

Dealing first with Arm A, it will be seen that it has a body (104) which approximates a substantially C- shaped profile. It will be appreciated that the inner surface (106) of the profile approximates a semicircle and is thus substantially complementary to around half of the circumference of the pipe to be supported. The approximate dimensions of the arms will vary depending on the size of the pipe.

The body (104) has a first end (108) configured with a flange (110) substantially perpendicular with the main body of the Arm A. This flange is provided with an aperture (not visible) through which a suspension rod (112), which is at least partially, if not fully, threaded and secured to the ceiling construction (not shown), passes. A pair of nuts (114a and 114b) positioned along the threaded portion of the suspension rod (112) can be used to define the location of the pipe clamp (100) to achieve the desired height of the pipe relative to the ceiling construction.

The second end (116) of Arm A is configured with a stop (118). This engages with the other Arm B as it rotates, and stops it (B) from swinging down past a certain point, as depicted in Figure 1A.

The second end (116) of the Arm A extends somewhat laterally to the side of the body (104) of the pipe clamp (100). At the end of this lateral extension is the nut and bolt combination (102), which defines a pivot point. The placement of this pivot point extends laterally past the midline of the arm such that it is off centre from a vertical line defined by the suspension rod (112). Turning now to the other Arm B, this too has a body (120) which approximates a substantially C-shaped profile. It will be appreciated that the inner surface (122) of the profile approximates a semi-circle and is thus substantially complementary to the other half of the circumference of the pipe to be supported.

These inner surfaces (106 and 122) provide the contact surfaces of the pipe clamp that engage with the pipe to be supported when in use. The body (120) has a first end (124) configured with a flange (126a). As can be seen in Figure 1C, this flange is provided with a slot (128), substantially complementary to the diameter of the suspension rod (112).

As Arm B rotates relative to Arm A into a closed position, as shown in Figure IB, this places the two respective flanges (110, 126a) in an overlapping arrangement. The nut (114a) on the threaded portion of the suspension rod (112) can then be articulated to bear down upon the flange (126a), as depicted in Figures IB and 1C. It will be appreciated that the second nut (114b) sets the relative height of the pipe clamp (100). This secures the overall pipe clamp (100) to the suspension rod (112). It will be noted that a portion of the flange of Arm B has an angled surface (126b). Once a nut has been secured against the flange (126a), this angled surface provides a bearing area that means, should the nut come loose, Arm B cannot still slide under the nut and swing downwards into the position shown in Figure 1A. A portion of the second end (130) of Arm B is configured with a flange (132) which sits proud of the main plane of the body (120) of Arm B. This engages with the stop (118) of Arm A at the end of its range of movement, to stop Arm B from swinging entirely downwards beneath Arm A.

While the pivot point defined by the nut and bolt combination (102) on Arm A is substantially at its second end (116), the pivot point of Arm B is positioned a distance away from its second end (130). It will be appreciated that this means a portion (134 in Figures 1A and 1C) of Arm B extends past the pivot point. This is an important aspect of the pipe clamp (100).

This portion (134) of Arm B extends laterally somewhat, such that when the stop (118) and flange (132) of the respective arms contact, it is substantially vertical, as shown in Figure 1A. Thus, the portion of Arm B partially occludes the inner profile (106) of Arm A and provides a bearing surface for the pipe during installation.

In addition, Arm B is also provided with an aperture (136) with which seismic bracing (not shown) may be mounted for additional structural support. Although shown here on Arm B, the aperture could just as easily be provided on Arm A, either on its own or with a corresponding aperture on Arm B. Depending on available space, two or more apertures may be provided about the bodies (104, 120). The persons (not shown) installing the pipe (200) will direct it against the lower end (134) of Arm B, as shown in Figure 2A. As they do so, the pipe biases against the second end of Arm B, rotating it around the nut and bolt combination (102) that defines the pivot point, into a closed position, where the flanges (110, 126a) of the first ends (108, 124) of the respective arms (A, B) engage with the suspension rod (112) as shown in Figure 2B. The pipe is then supported within the cavity (C) defined by the inner profiles (106, 122) of the respective arms.

The installer then articulates the nut (114a) on the suspension rod (112) to lock the pipe clamp (100) closed thereby securing the pipe (200).

During this operation of articulating the nut (114a), the pipe clamp (100) is bearing the weight of the pipe (200). This makes it easier for the persons (not shown) installing the pipe as they do not have to support its weight during this process.

It will be seen in Figures 2A and 2B that the suspension rod (112) engages with a mounting bracket (202). This configuration is useful when there is a relatively large space between the load bearing portion of the ceiling construction (not shown) and the false ceiling (not shown) and other situations as the mounting bracket effectively extends the length of the suspension rod. It also provides a fixing between the suspension rod and the ceiling construction, supporting it squarely against the appropriate structure.

The mounting bracket (202) has a vertical element (204) with upper (206) and lower flanges (208) extending from its ends. These flanges are provided with apertures (209). In use, the mounting bracket is secured to the load bearing portion of the ceiling construction (not shown but which may be a concrete slab or the like) with an appropriately engineered bolt passing through the upper flange. The cavities (210) provided in the vertical element provides sufficient clearance for a tool such as a racheting spanner (not shown) to secure the fasteners used.

The suspension rod (112) passes through the aperture (not visible) in the lower flange (208) of the mounting bracket (202) and is held in place through the use of nut (212). Although not visible in this view, a retaining locking nut is present on the underside of the lower flange.

The invention may be adapted for use with other structures that may be found in a ceiling space, such as a roofing joist. The embodiment (300) illustrated in Figure 3 is an example of this.

In Figure 3 it can be seen that although the second ends (116, 130) of Arms A and B and the manner in which they rotate relative to each other are as previously described (although Arm B is the front facing of the two arms in this view), the first ends (302, 304) of each arm are configured differently to the embodiments previously described.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the first end (304) of Arm A is provided with apertures (306) through which bolts or the like may pass to secure the pipe clamp (300) to the vertically orientated face of the roofing joist (not shown). The waisted configuration (305) of the first end allows it to be more easily bent for use with angled purlins (not shown) if desired. The mating flanges (308, 310) of Arms A and B are displaced laterally to ensure the rotational movement of arm B does not impinge of the fasteners (not shown) that may be used to secure the illustrated pipe clamp (300) to the roofing joist (not shown). It will be appreciated that this means the inner surface of the profile (106) of Arm A is greater than that (122) of Arm B. In practice, this means that the inner profile of Arm A encompasses more of the circumference of the pipe (not shown) to be supported than Arm B. Additionally, the arc of rotational movement is reduced as the stops (118, 132) on the respective arms are still in the same location as previous embodiments.

Turning now to Figures 4A and 4B, these show an embodiment (400) of the invention that is configured to be used with an I-beam (402 in Figure 4B). Most of Arm A, as well as Arm B are the same as the embodiment described in respect of Figure 3. However, in this embodiment, the first end (404) of Arm A is provided with an inverted T-shaped slot (406), which can be readily seen in Figure 4A. This slot is intended to be used with a two-part bracket assembly (408) which cooperates with each other to engage with the lower edges of the I-beam as shown in Figure 4B. The two-part bracket assembly (408) includes an elongate plate (410), with one end (412) curled over to define a recess for an edge (414) of the I-beam (402). The other end (416) of the plate passes through the slot (406) of the first end of Arm A. A clip (418) is then inserted through the slot (the elongate plate includes series of cut-outs (420) to lock the clip at specific lengths to prevent disengagement from the I- beam) and secured with a nut and bolt combination (422).

One end of the clip (424) is angled such that a recess is defined between it and the underlying elongate plate (410). This recess is to engage with the opposing edge (426) of the I-beam (402). This then allows a pipe (428) to be supported by the I-beam without resorting to the use of drilling bolt holes or the like into what is likely to be a load bearing structure. In some instances, it may be appropriate to extend the contact surfaces of the pipe clamp or provide them with a coating or similar surface. This helps with protecting the outer circumference of the pipe being supported. An example of one suitably configured pipe clamp (500) is shown in Figure 5. As will be appreciated, this is substantially identical to the embodiment of Figures 1A to 1C so uses like numbers where appropriate. The bodies (104, 120) of Arms A and B respectively are provided with a flange (502, 504) that effectively extends the inner circumference (106, 122), of the contact surfaces of the pipe clamp (100). In this embodiment, the flange is integral with the respective bodies of Arms A and B but could be a separate component added via welding or another technique. This flange increases the contact surfaces along the axis of the pipe to be supported (not shown). Alternatively, in another embodiment not illustrated here, instead of a flange, an insert of rubber or similar plastics material (not shown) may be provided to serve as a coating for the inner circumference (106, 122) of the contact surfaces of the pipe clamp (500). This insert may be relatively low profile and thus, in contrast to the flange (502, 504) does not extend significantly along the axis of the supported pipe (not shown). The insert serves to isolate the pipe clamp from the pipe being supported, not just electrically but also from small incidental vibrations that may occur, for example, from water hammer.

As previously noted in respect of Figures 1A to 1C, for additional support when holding the pipe, particularly in the event of an earthquake, Arm B is provided with an aperture (136) that engages with seismic bracing, such as a rod or cable. This helps provide some lateral support, should there be a degree of sideways movement, for example as a result of earthquake tremors.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.