Abstract:
This invention allows attachment of strut channels  2 , pipes, conduit, and mounting of equipment to the interior of buildings and other structures. Attachment to structures such as I-Beams, channels, structural angles, purlins and truss structures are improved. Extended use of self tapping screws  28  and commonly used metal strapping are enabled. The use of dimpled holes  7  facilitate insertion of self tapping screws  28  thus expanding their function. Tab cut outs  6  in attachment hardware that allow strapping to pass and hook provide new and efficient methods for using standard strapping. New mounting hardware in combination with beam clamps, another invention of mine, use the beam clamps along with appropriate accessories, which are part of that invention, to provide new methods of attachment. Strut channels  2  are changed to integrate the use of these improvements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Provisional patent application 61/217,673 filed on Jun. 3, 2009 and provisional patent applications 61/217,142 with a filing date of May 27, 2009 and 61/217,141 filed on May 27, 2009 and being submitted as a non provisional patent application along with this application. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This application relates to the attaching of structural and accessory members to each other, specifically for attaching a member or object to beams or other structural configurations, primarily for holding hardware in place in various building structures. 
     2. Background 
     Channel struts are the basis of a system of supporting and attaching a variety of items such as pipes, electrical devices, lighting equipment, heating fixtures, cables, conduit, duct, and other channel struts, for example, from a variety of structural members such as I-beams, T-bars, steel trusses and other structural shapes. Channel struts are normally attached to I-beams and flanged structures at a right angle to the edge of the flange of the beam. Various clamps, hangers, and brackets are used in buildings for attaching piping systems, conduits, heating and air conditioning equipment, throughout the building. Strut channels are found in most commercial building and provide a common interface between the structures of buildings and the equipment and hardware being installed in the buildings. 
     Strut Channels were first developed around 1920. The last significant era of development of accessory items that interface with strut channels happened in the 1950&#39;s. Some development of methods for attaching continued but can be considered minor compared to the initial invention. The concept has not advanced with other changes of methods commonly used in the construction of buildings and attachment of hardware within. One recent trend in construction has been the use of rechargeable drills or drivers. This is one of the utilities that my invention addresses by providing a means to facilitate insertion of self-tapping fasteners. 
     It is very common for wall mounts and mounting brackets or assemblies to be made up on construction sites providing a means for holding pipes or conduits directly or to support strut channel to hold other items. Another utility of my invention is to provide a universal wall mount that is highly flexible in use which also makes it more suited to be mass-produced. 
     My invention allows for a number of functions to be easily accomplished that are not currently feasible. My invention enables simple existing clamps and straps to be directly attached to the struts as well as new styles of clamps and clips that are designed specifically for such use. Accessory items also provide new ways to attach pipes, conduits, boards and other members. These accessories, which I have referred to my patent application for “Beam Clamps,” include: cross members, adapters, shields, insulation and protective padding materials. 
     Another advantage of this invention is that it allows seamless integration of new hardware and methods with existing hardware and mounting systems. 
     Method Utilities Ensuing from the Embodiments of the Invention: 
     Method of mounting hardware along a wall: The universal wall mount provides the means to attach hardware to walls for running multiple conduits, pipes, strut channels either vertically or horizontally along the walls. Other equipment, shelves, and tabletops, can be attached. Along with most existing hardware, “Beam Clamps,” another invention of mine, can be attached to the universal wall mount. A strut channel or V-strut can be attached to the wall plate. 
     Method of mounting hardware in new ways: The V-strut provides the means to attach hardware to structures for running multiple conduits, pipes, strut channels either vertically or horizontally. Most existing hardware along with “Beam Clamps,” another invention of mine, can be attached to the V-strut. 
     Method of attaching and hanging hardware using common hanger strapping: A tab incorporated in a cutout in hardware such as strut channel, V-strut, clamps, and clips provide a quick way to hang hardware using strapping that has holes arranged along its center. The strap can be hooked at an initial level then quickly readjusted as needed. 
     Method of attaching clamps, strapping, and other hardware using a power driver for engaging a self-tapping fastener: A hole with a recessed dimple to direct the tip of a screw into the hole, can be incorporated into strut channels, V-struts, clamps, clips or any sufficiently strong surface, enabling efficient use of a power driver to attach the many existing and new clamps and straps. A protective tab or flange on the receiving side of a clamp protects the tip of a screw from human contact. A retainer allows the same clamps used on the surface of the closed side of the strut channel to be attached to the open side of the strut channel. 
     Method of quickly providing a way to attach threaded hanger rod from a strut channel anywhere along its length without the need for included holes: A clip that hooks on the inside of strut channels with a hole in a flange provides this capability. One version of this clip mounts in line with the interior flange of the strut channel and the other version mounts crosswise, engaging both sides of the strut channel. 
     The preferred use of this invention combines the use of either the V-strut and or the channel strut with the added enhancements of this invention, and the use of the pipe clamps and clips using self tapping screws as a system of attaching hardware together and to the structure of a building. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention improves the utility of existing hardware and provides a new set of hardware that adds capabilities and flexibility to construction accessory attachment means. Both existing and new hardware can be combined to significantly enhance methods for attaching hardware together onto building structures and supporting other hardware. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  End view of a V-strut. 
         FIG. 2  Isometric view of a V-strut support member. 
         FIG. 3  Plan view of a V-strut support member. 
         FIG. 4  Side view of a V-strut support member. 
         FIG. 5  Plan view of a universal wall mount that incorporates a length of V-strut attached to a mounting plate capable of being attached to a vertical surface in any direction. 
         FIG. 6  Side view of a universal wall mount that incorporates a length of V-strut attached to a mounting plate capable of being attached to a vertical surface in any direction. 
         FIG. 7  Mounting Plate view of a universal wall mount that incorporates a length of V-strut attached to a mounting plate capable of being attached, to a vertical surface in any direction. 
         FIG. 8  Isometric view of a universal wall mount that incorporates a length of V-strut attached to a mounting plate capable of being attached to a vertical surface in any direction 
         FIG. 9  Isometric view of a strut channel, from the open side, that includes a tab cutout on both sides to allow hanging of straps with holes and includes dimpled holes configured to facilitate attachments using self tapping screws. 
         FIG. 10  Isometric view of a strut channel, from the closed side, that includes a tab cutout on both sides to allow hanging of straps with holes and includes dimpled holes configured to facilitate attachments using self-tapping screws. 
         FIG. 11  End view of a strut channel, from the closed side, that includes a tab cutout on both sides to allow hanging of straps with holes and includes dimpled holes configured to facilitate attachments using self tapping screws. 
         FIG. 12  Side view of a strut channel that includes a tab cutout on both sides to allow hanging of straps with holes. 
         FIG. 13  Plan view of a strut channel, from the closed side, that includes dimpled holes configured to facilitate attachments using self-tapping screws. 
         FIG. 14  End view as seen from the end of a V-strut that shows a channel strut fastened crosswise to the V-strut using a beam clamp. 
         FIG. 15  Plan view as seen from the closed side of a V-strut that shows a channel strut fastened crosswise to the V-strut using a beam clamp. 
         FIG. 16  Side view as seen from the end of a strut channel that shows a strut channel fastened crosswise to the V-strut using a beam clamp. 
         FIG. 17  Isometric view as seen from the closed side of a V-strut that shows a channel strut fastened crosswise to the V-strut using a beam clamp. 
         FIG. 18  Isometric view from the upper rear side of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the pre bent configuration. 
         FIG. 19  Isometric view from the upper rear side of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the straightened configuration. 
         FIG. 20  End view of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the pre bent configuration. 
         FIG. 21  End view of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the straightened configuration. 
         FIG. 22  Isometric view of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the pre bent configuration. 
         FIG. 23  Isometric view of a hanger clip capable of attaching to the inside of the strut channel supporting either a threaded hanger or a hanger strap with holes. This clip is in the straightened configuration. 
         FIG. 24  Isometric view of a strut channel from the closed side that includes a hanger clip attached and supporting, a strap hanger, a strap hanger attached through a tab cut out on the side, and pipe clamp attaching a pipe across the closed side of the strut channel using self tapping screws through the dimpled holes. 
         FIG. 25  Isometric view of a strut channel from the open side that includes a hanger clip attached and supporting, a strap hanger, a strap hanger attached through a tab cut out on the side, and pipe clamp attaching a pipe across the closed side of the strut channel using self tapping screws through the dimpled holes. 
         FIG. 26  Side view of a pipe clamp that is attached to a channel strut using a self tapping screw. The screw is inserted through the pipe clamp into a dimpled hole in the channel strut. 
         FIG. 27  End view of a pipe and a pipe clamp that shows a tip protector tab bent down to protect the self-tapping screw. 
         FIG. 28  End view of a strut channel that has a pipe clamp attaching a pipe across the open side of the strut channel using a self tapping screw through the dimpled holes in a strut clamp retainer that grips the inside flanges of the strut channel. 
         FIG. 29  End view of a strut channel that has a two piece pipe clamp with opposing strut clip hook for hooking the inside flanges of the strut channel there by attaching a pipe across the open side of the strut channel. 
         FIG. 30  Side view, of what is seen in  FIG. 37 , of a strut channel that has a two piece pipe clamp with opposing strut clip hook for hooking the inside flanges of the strut channel there by attaching a pipe across the open side of the strut channel. 
         FIG. 31  The end view of a clip with a bent retainer attached using a self tapping screw. Shown before the hanger flange with a hanger hole is bent. 
         FIG. 32  End view of a strut channel that includes a hanger clip attached inside of a strut channel held in place by a bent retaining clip. 
         FIG. 33  The same hanger clip as is in  FIG. 31  is fastened to a wood member. 
         FIG. 34  Isometric exploded view of self-tapping screw style of clamp that includes a strut clamp retainer that allows attachment to the strut channel. 
         FIG. 35  End view of pipe clamp and strut channel assembly. 
         FIG. 36  Isometric view of pipe clamp and strut channel assembly. 
         FIG. 37  Isometric view of a strut channel with a screw pipe clamp and pipe attached to the open side of the channel and a screw pipe clamp and pipe attached to the connector surface of the strut channel on the back side, as seen from the open side of the strut channel. 
         FIG. 38  Isometric view of a strut channel with a screw pipe clamp and pipe attached to the open side of the channel and a screw pipe clamp and pipe attached to the connector surface of the strut channel on the back side, as seen from the connector side of the strut channel. 
         FIG. 39  Isometric view of a screw pipe clamp as seen from the clamp base side. 
         FIG. 40  Isometric view of a screw pipe clamp along with a clamp retainer for attaching the clamp, on the open side, as seen from the clamp base side. 
         FIG. 41  Isometric view of a screw pipe clamp as seen from the clamp base side. 
         FIG. 42  Isometric view of a screw pipe clamp along with a clamp retainer for attaching the clamp, on the open side, as seen from the clamping side. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
     
         
           1  V Strut 
           2  Strut channel 
           3  Flange 
           4  Slide 
           5  Connector 
           6  Tab cut out 
           7  Dimpled hole 
           8  Slot hole 
           9  Tab 
           10  Beam clip 
           11  Hanger clip 
           12  Pre-bent hanger clip 
           13  Dimple spacer 
           14  Locking tab 
           15  Flange spacer 
           16  Clip Hook 
           17  Hanger flange 
           18  Hanger hole 
           19  Strap 
           20  Strap hole 
           21  Strut hook 
           22  Strap Sling 
           23  Strap hook 
           24  Wall plate 
           25  Round member 
           26  Pipe clamp 
           27  Tip protector 
           28  Self-tapping screw 
           29  Strut clamp retainer 
           30  Strut clip hook 
           31  Bent Retainer 
           32  Adapter 
           33  Clamp Insert 
           34  Clamp cutout 
           35  Wood Board 
           36  Nail 
           37  Clamp insert tab 
           38  Clamp inside 
           39  Clamp base 
           40  Clamp hole 
           41  Clamp Retainer 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A V-strut shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  embodies a shape that allows attachment of many different objects in many different ways. The strut as seen from the end has two flanges on the same plane with one another, two sides connected at an angle between 90 degrees and 45 degrees from the plane of the flanges and a connector in a parallel plane to the plane of the flanges connecting between the opposite sides. 
     The flanges turn towards the outside of the strut allowing beam clamps to be used for attaching objects. The flanges in this position also embody a flat area on each side that allows clamps to attach using self-tapping threaded fasteners. The flanges include a series of holes with recesses around them that helps direct the fasteners into the holes. This allows efficient use of power drivers for attaching various clamps to the flanges. 
     The sides preferably are at an angle less the 90 degrees, adding strength to the strut in all directions. The sides may have a tab cut out that enables strapping with multiple holes to slide through, the tab cut out and bent over the tab capturing it in a hole in the strap. This allows quick attachment and easy re-adjustment by changing which hole hooks over the tab. 
     The connector is sized to allow use of oblong holes that allow common size fasteners to be inserted thus using common hardware. The inside of the closed end of the strut between the sides of strut channel can be sized to capture the head of a bolt or nut keeping the head from turning without the use of a wrench. 
     A universal wall mount  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  is created from a section of the V-strut described above along with a wall mount plate,  FIG. 7  affixed to the end of the strut. The plate end of the assembly can be attached to a wall or other flat surface with the flange plane running either vertically or horizontally. This assembly, by using the V-Strut or a channel strut (not shown), allows a variety of items to be mounted and spaced away from the surface of the wall in any direction in a parallel plane to the surface of the wall. 
     Tab cut out  6 , along with the included tab  9  are included in the various surfaces of the strut channels  2 , V-struts  1 , clips, and clamps to allow a strap  19 , that has holes along its length to be positioned through the tab cut out and capture the included tab. The strap and a supported load is then held by the tab. The distance of the supported load from the tab cut out  6 , can be adjusted by changing which hole is used in the strap  19 . 
     The dimpled hole  7  is included along the various surfaces of the strut channels  2 , V-struts  1 , hanger clips  11 , and pipe clamps  26 , providing an efficient way to attach a variety of clamps, straps, and hardware that use self tapping threaded fasteners. Dimples or recesses surrounding the holes on the side of the surface that is to be fastened to help direct the tip of the fastener into the hole. This allows quick use of power or hand drivers to quickly insert the fastener. 
     The use of beam clamps  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 , and  17  and as listed in another patent application, are used to attach items to the V-strut  1 . The V-strut  1  has two flanges that allow the beam clamp to be used as it is used to attach to I-beams and other structures. This includes attaching strut channel, rectangular members, round members  25 , along with adapters, shields, and padding as is included in the patent application for beam clamps. 
     The hanger clip  11 , is made from metal and is configured to allow connection of a strap, or strip with multiple holes arranged in a series. The hanger clip contains a tab cut out  6 , that includes a tab for the strap hole to hook over as described above. It has a clip hook on one end with a flange bent to 150 to 220 degrees enabling it to hook on to the interior portion of the strut channel. The clip is configured in a pre-bent shape prior to being attached to the strut channel. It has a cutout with a bent locking tab  14  in the cut-out that moves into position outside the strut hook, as the clip is straightened during installation, in a way that prevents the clip from being unhooked. It hooks around the inside edge of the strut hook  21  and contains a dimple spacer  13 , a flange spacer  15  or other feature that fills up the space between the strut side and inside of the strut hook in a way that prevents the clip hook  16 , hook end of the tab, from rotating as the clip is straightened.  FIGS. 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  illustrates in different views of the clip its possible embodiments. 
       FIGS. 24 ,  25 ,  32 , and  35  show three ways that connections to this strut channel can be made. First; there is a pipe clamp  26  attached to the connector  5  surface of the strut channel  2  using a self tapping screw  28  passing through the hole in the clamp base  39  and engaging through the a dimpled hole  7  in the connector surface. A second self tapping screw  28  passes through a hole in the longer side of the pipe clamp then engages through a dimpled hole on the shorter side pulling the two sides towards each other and squeezing the pipe and holding it in place. 
     Second, there is strap  19  with a series of holes running the length of it (not shown) that is capable of attaching to or wrapping around an object (not shown). The strap passes through the tab cut out  6  and hooks over a tab  9  with the strap bent into a strap hook  23 . The load is carried by the tab  9 . The Tab can be optionally pointed in the opposite direction allowing either the load to be carried on the connector  5  side of the strut channel  2 . The strut channel can be supported using a strap  19  passing through a tab cut out  6  in the same manner as described above. 
     Third, a hanger clip  11  as described above is used to hook on to the strut channel then allow attachment of the strap  19 . The strap  19 , with a series of holes running the length of it, is capable of attaching to or wrapping around an object (not shown). The strap  19  passes through the tab cut out  6 , in the clip, and hooks over a tab  9  with the strap bent into a strap hook  23 . The load is carried by the tab  9 . The clip optionally provides a method of holding a threaded rod or other fastener. The clip includes a flange that has a hole for a round fastener to pass. This can be used for hanging other objects (not shown). 
     The pipe clamp  26  provides a method of attaching elongated round members  25 , using self tapping screws  28 , preferably driven into dimpled holes  7  using a power driver. The strut channel, V-strut, pipe clamp, strut clamp retainer  29 , and the different hanger clips  11  shown in the figs have dimpled holes allowing self tapping screws to be used for securing clamps and straps and other objects. They all are part of an overall utility that allows extensive use of self-tapping screws and power drivers. They are not limited in this way. 
     In  FIG. 27  a tip protector  27  bends down over where the tip of the self tapping screw  28  passes, protecting the sharp point from engaging clothing and flesh. This provides a safer way for the screws to be used. The hole on the side of the clamp that the screw is first inserted is further from the clamp base  39  than the dimpled hole  7  on the opposite side that the screw passes second. This causes the head end of the screw to tilt away from the surface to which the clamp base is attached. This further allows enhanced use of a power driver when multiple clamps are used next to each other. By the self tapping screw being on and angled away from the surface to which the pipe clamp is attached, a power driver is not prevented from having straight access to the head of the screw. 
     A strut clamp retainer  29  is used in conjunction with a pipe clamp  26  for mounting on the open side of a strut channel. The strut clamp retainer  29  is inserted into the opening in a strut channel with the two flanges turned to capture both strut hooks  21 . The clamp is then placed against the exposed face of the strut clamp retainer  29  with the clamp insert tab  37  inserted into the clamp cutout  34  such that the slot in the strut clamp retainer  29 , and the pipe clamp hole  40 , are positioned in line with the dimpled hole  7  on the face of the clamp retainer  29 . The clamp insert tab  37 , helps hold the pipe clamp in position relative to the strut clamp retainer in order for a self tapping screw to be inserted through the pipe clamp base  39  and engaged into the dimpled hole  7 , thus securing the items together. See  FIG. 34 . 
     The same embodiments that allow use of power drivers described above can be employed in other pipe and conduit clamps. One such style of clamp is made up of two halves, and hooks into a strut channel as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . By including a dimpled hole  7  and a tip protector  27  on the short side, the same utilities are added to other clamps now on the market. 
     Another clip,  FIGS. 31 and 33 , that also embodies a tab cut out  6  and a tab as previously defined is one that attaches across the two strut hooks  21  on the open side of a strut channel  2 , and is attached to a wood board  35  using a nail  36  or screw. It also has a dimpled hole  7  and optionally a hanger flange  17  that includes a hanger hole  18 . An added component is a bent retainer  31  that is inserted in between the strut hooks  21  of the open side of the strut channel  1 . The hanger clip  11  is hooked on the inside of the strut channel  1  and positioned against the bent retainer  31 ; then a self tapping screw  28  is inserted through the bent retainer  31  and engaged in the dimpled hole  7  in the hanger clip  11 . The addition of the bent retainer  31  prevents the hanger clip  11  from becoming dislodged from the strut channel  2 . 
     ADVANTAGES 
     My invention provides improvements in ways objects are attached to each other and provides methods for attaching not currently feasible. Strut channels, pipes, conduits, boards and other members and objects can be attached using screws, beam clamps or hanger straps. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE 
     This invention allows attachment of channel struts, pipes, conduit, to the interior of buildings in ways not currently done due to a lack of an efficient and strong way for attachment to structures such as I-Beams and truss structures. Extended use of self tapping screws and commonly used metal strapping are enabled by my invention. A number of new methods for attaching or mounting hardware are made available by this invention and in combination with beam clamps, another invention of mine, using the clamp bodies along with appropriate accessories that are part of that invention.