AU733761B2 - Adjustable support means - Google Patents

Description

WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 -1- ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 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. Throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to especially preferred embodiments of the present invention, interided 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.

There exist any number of circumstances/situations in the building trade wherein it is either desired, or in fact mandatory, to suspend ducting, tubing, piping or the like from and/or in relation to any given surface, regardless of whether that surface is vertically oriented, horizontally disposed or somewhere in between. This is nowhere more evident that with the disposition/location of air conditioning ducting, plumbing services piping etc. This is especially the case when it is desired, for purposes of ongoing maintenance and repair, to afford ready access to such ducting, piping or the like.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 -2- In the past a number of different means have been employed for suspending and supporting piping, tubing, ducting or the like within a given building structure and relative to 6 any given surface be it a wall, roof, floor, etc. thereof. Almost invariably, however, the prior art arrangements have suffered by being either rather complicated in their overall construction and principle of operation and installation, and/or by in fact necessitating that, prior to their installation, it would previously have been necessary to in fact already have the piping, tubing or ducting in place.

When the piping, tubing or ducting is already in place, however, there can exist practical problems in appropriately disposing the support means.

By way of example only, 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. 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. Such arrangements are rather unwieldy and difficult to instal, more often than not requiring the services of at least two people and/or the use of specially designed tools.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCAUn 97/00 7 RECEIVED 0 5 JUN 1998 -3- OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Ducting/tubing or piping of the type under consideration typically or traditionally is installed in lengths of the order of 6 metres.

Ducting/tubing or piping of that length can be expected to be quite weight and, by reason thereof, invariably and difficult to handle.

Indeed, the traditional practices, using arrangements in accordance with the known art, generally require the services of at least two operators/workers. This is especially the case when one bears in mind the fact that, invariably, the ducting/tubing or piping has to be correctly and accurately located so as to allow for, and ensure, correct and continuous flows of fluid/contents therethrough.

With the known art and techniques, the usual procedure was to locate what is termed all-thread at the appropriate position within the roof of the structure, normally perhaps at a spacing of 5 metres or so.

The majority of the prior art support means employed in accordance with known techniques were such as to be first located around the ducting/tubing, before such ducting/tubing was in fact installed in position relative to the wall, ceiling or the like. The two workers then had to physically lift the ducting/tubing, with the clip or support means associated therewith, and attempt to appropriately position the overall assembly relative to the all thread, at the same time ensuring that the piping/ducting once in position is properly positioned relative to the wall, ceiling or the like to allow for correct flow. Such gave rise to significant difficulties indeed, in terms of labour cost, time, etc.

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 5/6/98GC9321.PCT,- 3 AMENDED SHEET'.

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PCT/AU 7 0 0 4 7 -3a- RECEIVED 0 J 1-d 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.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support means 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, and a second arm member, integral with said first arm member and connected with and selectively movable relative thereto, each said arm member having a free end, with the respective free ends being initially spaced apart one from the other whereby to allow for location of said piping/ducting/tubing or the like relative to said first arm member, wherein each arm member has, at the free end thereof, an end portion extending at an angle therefrom, and wherein at least the end portion of said second arm member has a flange-like protrusion at the outermost free end thereof, the arrangement being such that, when in use, said second arm member is moved relative to said first arm member whereby to bring said end portions into overlapping relationship, with said flange-like protrusion of said end portion of said second arm member coming into engagement with said first arm member, thereby to house said piping/tubing/ducting or the like therewithin and therebetween and to allow for suspension of said piping/tubing/ducting or the like at a predetermined distance from a given surface.

AMENDED SHEET 7/7/98CF9321.PCT,- 3-

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CA 9 7 0 0 9 7 RECEIVED 0 5 JUN 1.9 -4- In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for installing piping/ducting/tubing or the like relative to any given surface, said method including: installing a threaded member in a blind bore provided in said surface; (ii) locating a support means in accordance with the preceding paragraph on said threaded member, with said first arm member releasably attached thereto; (iii) disposing a length of piping/ducting/tubing or the like within said support means; (iv) bringing said second arm member of said support means into contact with said first arm member, thereby to have said support means surround said piping/ducting/tubing or the like; and fixing said second arm member relative to said first arm member, thereby to retain said piping/ducting/ 5/6/98GC9321.PCT,- 4 AMENDED SHEET

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WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 tubing in its desired position relative to said surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred embodiments of a support member in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 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; 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; SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 -6- FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the support member of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the support member of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 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. 12 is a top plan view of the support member of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now to the drawings, a support member in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 1, 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. In like manner 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, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 -7then both the overall size and the thickness or gauge of the support member may be varied to suit.

In an especially preferred embodiment 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. However, the alternative or modified configuration of FIGS. 8 to 11 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.

In the preferred embodiments illustrated the arm members 2 and 3 are interconnected by means of a substantially semicircular-shaped intermediate section 4. 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.

Here again at or in the vicinity of the free end of the arm member 3 the flange-like member 6 is bent downwardly, as illustrated at SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/05895 PCTAU97/00497 -8- 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 In such a configuration the overall support member 1 adopts a substantial pear shape. In order to facilitate bending of the arm member 3 relative to the remainder of the support member 1, 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. In the preferred embodiments illustrated such line of weakening takes the form of a slot 11 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 11 of the drawings, the downwardly turned end portions 10 of the flange-like member 6 thereof co-operate with the arm member 2 so as to prevent unwanted separation.

The principle of operation of the support member 1 in accordance with the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings in particular.

In any practical situation it will be desired to locate a length of ducting, tubing, piping or the like in a particular location relevant to a wall, roof or the like surface of a building structure.

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. In the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/05895 PCT/AU97/00497 -9preferred embodiment shown 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 In actual fact, and in practice, 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. When the ducting, piping or tubing 30 is disposed within the support member 1, again as illustrated in FIG. 6, located relative to the central or intermediate portion 4 thereof, then 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 11 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 11. The SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) i~c I RECEIVED 0 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 5 and.6, thereby to bring the flange-like members 5 and 6 into contact with one another as shown in FIGS.5, 7 and 11 and to retain the overall support member 1 in such a condition, thereby to secure the overall support member 1 in position relative to the wall or the like surface.

In accordance with the present arrangement the support means, in its expanded condition, can be placed on the all thread located in the wall, ceiling or the like and affixed in the desired position relative thereto, in terms of levelling, sloping, etc to meet required flow characteristics. Once the clips or support means are thus positioned, then it becomes a relatively easy procedure, capable of being carried out by a single person, to lift a length of ducting/tubing into position to be located within the clip. The clip in accordance with the present invention is so designed as to securely receive ducting/tubing/piping or the like, even when it is in its open configuration. Once the ducting/tubing/piping or the like is appropriately located, then since the clips are in the desired position such ducting/tubing/piping or like is automatically level, given the required slope etc. Thereafter, the worker can move along the length of the wall, ceiling or the like and push the arm means of the overall clip into the desired position. In terms-of labour cost, ease of installation, overall cost etc. the present arrangement represents a significant improvement over the known art.

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 importably, there is no need for any form of bolt or separate locking means, as called for with some 516/98GC9321 AMEiNDED SHEET

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PCr/AU 9 7 0 0 4 9 7 RECEIVED 0 5 JUNl Is3 -11of 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.

.In a more practical vein, with the arrangement in accordance with the present invention it is possible to fix an array of support members 1 in position within a building site, adjust the levels thereof so as to allow for correct flow of fluid, liquid or the like through the piping, ducting or tubing 30 to be associated therewith, the piping, ducting or tubing 30 can then be installed and finally the arm members 2 and 3 on each of the support members 1 can be brought into the locking position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and 11. With the arrangement in accordance with the present invention there exist no obstructions to installation, this again in marked contrast to the prior art. In reality an arrangement in accordance with the present invention can be installed in a single-handed operation, this again in contrast with the prior art arrangements, which necessitated the use of at least two hands, and more often than not the use of associated tooling.

It should be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the ensuing claims.

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Claims (11)

1. A support means for piping/tubing/ducting or the like, including: a first arm member adapted to receive, and releasably retain, said piping/tubing/ducting or the likes, and a second arm member, integral with said first arm member and connected with and selectively movable relative thereto, each said arm member having a free end, with the respective free ends being initially spaced apart one from the other whereby to allow for location of said piping/ducting/tubing or the like relative to said first arm member, wherein each arm member has, at the free end thereof, an end portion extending at an angle therefrom and wherein at least the end position of said second arm member having a flange-like profusion at the outmost free end thereof, the arrangement being such that, when in use, said second member arm member is moved relative to said first arm member whereby to bring said end portions into overlapping relationship, with said flange-like profusion of said end portion of said second arm member carrying into engagement with said first arm member, 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.

2. The support member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first and second arm members are interconnected by means of an intermediate member, of a substantially arcuate shape when viewed in side elevation, said intermediate member providing a seating for said piping/tubing/ducting or the like. D S 5/6/98GC9321.PCT.- 12 AMEADED SHEE IPEAIAU PcrMJ7/00 7 RECEIVED 0 5 JU:1 1398 -13-

3. The support member as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said arm members has a line of weakening therein, whereby to facilitate bending thereof.

4. The support member as claimed in claim 3, wherein said line of weakening is in the form of a slot extending longitudinally of said at least one arm member.

The support member as claimed in claim 4, wherein both of said end portions have the outermost, free end thereof bent downwardly, out of the plane of said end portion.

6. The support member claim 5, wherein one of end portions includes a through-bore or aperture located substantially centrally thereof.

7. The support member as claimed in claim 6, wherein said end portion of said first arm member has said through-bore or aperture located substantially centrally thereof.

8. The support member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the other of said end portions has a slot extending longitudinally thereinto from the free or outermost end thereof.

9. The support member as claimed in claim 8, including means allowing for said end portions to be clipped together in a releasable manner.

The support member as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for clipping together said end portions compress a bolt or the like member adapted to be disposed between said through-bore and said slot and to locate within said wall, ceiling or the like.

11. A method for installing piping/ducting/tubing or the like relative to any given surface, said method including: installing a threaded member in a blind bore provided in said surface; 516/98GC9321.PCT.- 13 4,MENDED SHEET IPEA/AU Ocr/A 9 7 0 0 4 7 RECEIVED 0 5 JUN 1998 -14- (ii) locating a support means in accordance with claims on said threaded member, with said first arm member releasably attached thereto; (iii) disposing a length of piping/ducting/tubing or the like within said support means; (iv) bringing said second arm member of said support means into contact with said first arm member, thereby to have said support means surround said piping/ducting/tubing or the like; and fixing said second arm member relative to said first arm member, thereby to retain said piping/ducting/tubing in its desired position relative to said surface. a a *a a a a a a a a a a. a a 5/6/98GC9321.PCT,- 14- AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU