Patent ID: 6971623
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: E04B,E04H,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fitting to prevent movement during seismic activity between a structure and a rod and channel support connected to the structure comprising: a) a first plate having a front, a rear, and first and second sides; b) a second plate having a front, a rear, and first and second sides; c) said first and second plates having longitudinal and transverse axes, and said first and second plates' rear each having a rear edge parallel to said transverse axis; d) a pivot having an axis perpendicular to the plane of said rear of said first and second plates and connecting said first and second plates for swinging movement relative to each other about said perpendicular pivot axis from a first closed position to a second opened position; e) the plane of said rear of said first plate being parallel to and overlying the plane of said rear of said second plate with said plates first and second sides substantially aligned with respect to each other when in said first closed position; f) said first plate second side having a second side slot spaced from said pivot; g) said second plate first side having a first side slot spaced from said pivot and overlying said first plate second side slot when said first and second plates are in said first closed position; h) said second side and said first side slots, when said first and second plates are in said first closed position, forming a closed circular throughhole for receiving a rod of said rod and channel support; i) said first and second slots, when said first and second plates are in second open position, permitting a rod of said rod and channel support to be positioned in said first and second slots prior to said first closed position; j) said first and second slots each having inner and outer walls spaced relative to said pivot and each slot having an open and a closed end; k) said closed end of each of said slots having a center point and said center point of each of said slots and said pivot center axis lying substantially along the respective first and second plates longitudinal axes; l) each of said slots having a length substantially equal to the distance from said pivot center axis to the center of said slots; m) an anti-torque channel engaging device for said channel of said rod and channel support connected to one of said first and second plates rear and extending downwardly from said one of said first and second plates rear into the channel of said rod and channel support; n) said inner wall of said first and second side slots being arcuate, and at least one of said arcuate inner walls having an arc substantially greater than 90°, and the arc extending the full length of said at least one of the arcuate inner walls from its side slot's closed end to said one of said side slot's open ends and to said one of said arcuate inner wall's respective plate's rear edge; o) said closed end being substantially semi-circular; p) each of said outer walls being straight from said closed end to adjacent said open end, and parallel to said transverse axis of said first and second plates when in said first closed position; q) a locking element configured for locking said plates in closed position about the rod of the rod and channel support when the rod is received in said closed throughhole; r) a connecting element for connecting said fitting to a tie-down; s) said first and second plates' front each being angled upwardly from one of said first and second plates' rear and in a direction opposite to said anti-torque channel engaging device with said front of said first plate abutting said front of said second plate, when said first and second plates are in the first closed position; t) said first plate slot's inner wall at said first plate second side slot being entirely inset from said second plate at said second plate second side; u) said second plate slot's inner wall at said second plate first side slot being entirely inset from said first plate at said first plate first side to provide clearance for said rod in said throughhole; and v) said locking element for said first and second plates includes cooperating fastener holes in said first and second plates' front, when in the first closed position.