Abstract:
A clamp for mounting a tube to an angle bracket includes a primary mounting platform having a split ring mounted thereon for receiving the tube. First and second clips extend outwardly from the primary mounting platform. The first clip receives the edge of a first bracket flange and the second clip extends across the other bracket flange and engage the edge thereof. A lever arm extends outwardly from the split ring and a secondary mounting platform is formed on the lever arm. Third and fourth clips extend outwardly from the secondary mounting platform. The third clip is engages the edge of the first bracket flange and the fourth clip extends across the other bracket flange and engage its edge. Both the third and fourth clips include barbs so that the secondary mounting platform can be snapped onto the bracket to cinch the split ring around the tube.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to clamps for fastening tubes to brackets, and in particular to a snap-on clamp for fastening a tube to an angle bracket. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   It is known to provide a clamp for attaching a tube, such as a plumbing pipe, to a metal bracket. Preferably, these clamps are “snap-on” or “clip-on” type clamps which do not need screws or other fasteners to mount them on the bracket. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,488 discloses a clip-on pipe hanging clamp for attaching a pipe to a flat metal bracket such as a HYCO strap. The clamp includes a split cylindrical clamp portion, a rectangular mounting platform and an arm that extends from the clamp portion. The platform has a centrally located peg which is inserted into a selected hole in the strap. The platform is then twisted on the strap to engage L-shaped flanges on opposite corners of the platform with opposite side edges of the strap. The arm is then pushed up over the strap to engage a hook member on the outer end of the arm with a strap edge. The resulting spring force urges the hook member downwardly to cinch the pipe inside the clamp portion and anchor the clamp and pipe relative to the strap. 
   Angle brackets, such as right angle brackets having a pair of longitudinal bracket flanges oriented at 90 degrees to each other, are often used to support plumbing pipes and other tubes. These angle brackets have the advantage of being substantially more rigid than flat brackets and allow tubes to be mounted in two planes instead of just one. Tubes are generally attached to angle brackets using screw-on clamps or fittings such as drop ear elbows. Previous clip-on or snap-on clamps, such as the clamp disclosed by the &#39;488 patent, cannot be used on an angle bracket. What is needed is a snap-on or clip on type clamp which can be used to attach a tube to an angle bracket such as a right angle bracket. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises a snap-on clamp for mounting a tube, such as a plumbing pipe, to an angle bracket having a pair of longitudinal bracket flanges. The clamp includes a primary mounting platform having a split ring mounted thereon for receiving the tube. The clamp may be mounted with the primary mounting platform seated against either flange of the angle bracket. First and second clips extend outwardly from the primary mounting platform for mounting the primary platform on the angle bracket. The first clip is a short clip sized to receive the outer edge of the bracket flange against which the primary mounting platform is to be mounted. The second clip is a long clip sized to extend across the outer face of the other bracket flange and engage the outer edge thereof by means of a barb which allows it to be snapped over the respective bracket flange edge. 
   A lever arm extends outwardly from the split ring and a secondary mounting platform is formed on the lever arm proximate its distal end. Third and fourth clips extending outwardly from the secondary mounting platform. The third clip is a short clip sized to receive the outer edge of the bracket flange against which the primary mounting platform is to be mounted, and the fourth clip is a long clip sized to extend across the outer face of the other bracket flange and engage its outer edge. Both the third and fourth clips include barbs so that the secondary mounting platform can be snapped onto the bracket. 
   The clamp is mounted on the bracket by first inserting an edge of one of the bracket flanges into the first clip on the primary mounting platform. The barb on the second clip can then be snapped over the edge of the other bracket flange to secure the primary mounting platform to the bracket. The tube may then be inserted through the split ring. The secondary mounting platform is then fastened to the bracket by pressing inwardly on the lever arm near the distal end, thereby causing the barbs on the third and fourth clips to snap over the edges of the bracket flanges to secure the secondary mounting platform to the bracket, and simultaneously to reduce the diameter of the split ring to cinch the split ring around the tube. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a pair of clamps according to the present invention mounted on an angle bracket. On the left side of the drawing a first clamp is mounted in a first position with a primary mounting platform of the clamp against a first flange of the bracket. On the right side of the drawing a second clamp is mounted in a second position with a primary mounting platform of the clamp against a second flange of the bracket. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a clamp according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a right side elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the clamp of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 2  showing the clamp partially mounted on an angle bracket with a split ring of the clamp in a relaxed state before attachment of a secondary mounting platform of the clamp to the bracket. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
   Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. 
   Referring to the drawings in more detail, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the reference number  1  generally designates a tube clamp according to the present invention which serves to fasten a tube  2  to a right angle bracket  3  having first and second longitudinal bracket flanges  5  and  7 , respectively, connected at a juncture  8  and set apart at approximately 90 degrees. Each of the bracket flange  5  and  7  includes an outer face  10  and an outer edge  11 . The bracket flanges  5  and  7  may each also include respective rows of holes  12  extending longitudinally between opposite ends of the bracket  3 . A suitable bracket  3  is the Edge™ bracket sold by Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc. of Peculiar Mo. This steel plumbing support bracket  3  is available in lengths selected to fit between adjacent building members on standard sixteen or twenty four inch centers and has respective pairs of bendable mounting tabs (not shown) on each end for connecting the bracket  3  to the building members. 
   As used herein, the word “tube” is intended to include plumbing pipe and tubing of any diameter or material, whether rigid or flexible, as well as electrical conduit and cable. The tube  2  may be, for example, a ½ inch CTS (Copper Tube Size) pipe having a ⅝ inch outside diameter. It is to be understood, however that the invention is not to be limited to use with tubes of this particular diameter, or to CTS pipe in general, as the invention has application to other sizes and types of tube including, but not limited to, IPS (Iron Pipe Size) pipe of varying diameters, electrical conduit and cable. 
   The clamp  1  may be integrally molded from a relatively strong plastic such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and includes a primary mounting platform  15 , a split ring  17  connected to the primary mounting platform  15 , and a lever arm  19  which extends outwardly from the split ring  17 . The lever arm  19  has a distal end  21  having a secondary mounting platform  23  mounted thereon. Each of the mounting platforms  15  and  23  has mounting structure  24  thereon (to be described in detail below) for fastening the respective platform to the bracket  3 . 
   The primary mounting platform  15  is connectable to the bracket  3  in either a first position (shown on the left side of  FIG. 1 ) wherein the primary mounting platform  15  is seated against the outer face  10  of the first bracket flange  5 , or a second position (shown on the right side of  FIG. 1 ) wherein the primary mounting platform  15  is seated against the outer face  10  of the second bracket flange  7 . When the primary mounting platform  15  is connected to the bracket  3  in either the first or second position, a tube  2  may be inserted through the split ring  17 . When the secondary mounting platform  23  it then connected to the bracket  3 , the lever arm  19  transfers torque to the split ring  17  thereby cinching the tube  2  and fixing the position of the tube  2  relative to the bracket  3 . 
   Looking at the clamp  1  in more detail and referring to  FIGS. 2-8 , the primary mounting platform  15  includes generally planar upper and lower faces  25  and  27 , inner and outer edges  29  and  31 , and first and second side edges  33  and  35 . The generally cylindrical split ring  17  extends outwardly from the upper face  25  and has a central bore  37  oriented transverse to the first and second side edges  33  and  35 . A radial split  39  is formed in the ring  17  proximate to the inner edge  29  of the primary mounting platform  15 . 
   The lever arm  19  extends outwardly from the split ring  17  just above the split  39  and includes a vertical flange  41  having upper and lower edges  43  and  45  respectively. The lever arm  19  further includes a pair of triangular gussets  49  positioned on opposed sides of the flange  41  proximate the lower edge  45 . The secondary mounting platform  23  is formed on the lower edge  45  of the flange  41  proximate the distal end  21 . 
   The mounting structure  24  for the primary mounting platform  15  includes a short clip  51  and a long clip  53 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 . The short clip  51  is mounted on the lower face  27  of the primary mounting platform  15  proximate the first side edge  33  thereof and includes a first flange  55  which extends outwardly from the platform  15  and is oriented generally perpendicular to the lower face  27  and a second flange  57  which extends inwardly from the first flange  55 . The second flange  57  is spaced from and oriented generally parallel to the lower face  27  of the second flange  57  to form a notch  59  therebetween. The notch  59  is sized to receive an outer edge  11  of one of the bracket flanges  5  or  7 . 
   The long clip  53  is mounted on the lower face  27  of the primary mounting platform  15  proximate the second side edge  35  thereof and includes a pair of arms  61  (see  FIG. 3 ) which extend outwardly from the platform  15  and are oriented generally perpendicular to the lower face  27 . Each arm  61  includes inner and outer faces  62  and  63 , and a distal end  65 . The arms  61  are of a length selected to extend across the outer face  10  of either of the bracket flanges  5  and  7 . A crossbar  67  interconnects the arms  61  at the distal ends  65  thereof and extends generally parallel to the lower face  27  of the platform  15 . The crossbar  67  includes inner and outer edges  68  and  69 , respectively. An elongate barb  70  is formed on the crossbar  67  proximate the inner edge  68  thereof and includes an inwardly tapered outer edge  71  and a square inner edge  73 . The inner edge  73  is spaced from and oriented generally parallel to the inner faces  62  of the arms  61  to form a notch  75  therebetween. The notch  75  is sized to receive an outer edge  11  of one of the bracket flanges  5  or  7 . 
   The primary mounting platform  15  may further include a locating pin  76  which extends outwardly from the lower face  27  in position to engage a selected one of the holes  12  in the bracket  3 . The locating pin  76  is shown positioned proximate the outer edge  31  of the mounting platform  15 , with the outer edge  31  being shown as being generally V-shaped with the locating pin  76  near the apex of the V. 
   The secondary mounting platform  23  includes generally planar upper and lower faces  77  and  79 , inner and outer edges  81  and  83 , and first and second side edges  85  and  87 . Like the mounting structure  24  of the primary mounting platform  15 , the mounting structure  24  of the secondary mounting platform  23  also includes a short clip and a long clip, which are designated herein as the short clip  89  and long clip  91  and are best seen in  FIG. 6 . The short clip  89  is mounted on the lower face  79  of the secondary mounting platform  23  proximate the first side edge  85  thereof and includes a arm  93  which extends outwardly from the platform  23  and is oriented generally perpendicular to the lower face  77 . The arm  93  has inner and outer faces  95  and  97 , and a distal end  99 . A barb  101  is formed on the inner face  95  proximate the distal end  99  and includes a includes an inwardly tapered outer edge  103  and a square inner edge  105 . The inner edge  105  is spaced from and oriented generally parallel to the lower face  79  of the secondary mounting platform  23  to form a notch  107  therebetween. The notch  107  is sized to receive an outer edge  11  of one of the bracket flanges  5  or  7 . 
   The long clip  91  is mounted on the lower face  79  of the secondary mounting platform  23  proximate the second side edge  87  thereof and includes a pair of arms  109  (see  FIG. 3 ) which extend outwardly from the platform  23  and are oriented generally perpendicular to the lower face  79 . Each arm  109  includes inner and outer faces  111  and  113 , and a distal end  115 . The arms  109  are of a length selected to extend across the outer face  10  of either of the bracket flanges  5  and  7 . A crossbar  117  interconnects the arms  109  at the distal ends  115  thereof and extends generally parallel to the lower face  79  of the platform  23 . The crossbar  117  includes inner and outer edges  119  and  121 , respectively. An elongate barb  123  is formed on the crossbar  117  proximate the inner edge  119  thereof and includes an inwardly tapered outer edge  125  and a square inner edge  127 . The inner edge  127  is spaced from and oriented generally parallel to the inner faces  111  of the arms  109  to form a notch  129  therebetween. The notch  129  is sized to receive an outer edge  11  of one of the bracket flanges  5  or  7 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a push tab  131  is formed on the upper side of the lever arm  19  opposite the secondary mounting platform  23 . A reinforcing rib  133  (see  FIG. 6 ) may be formed from the short clip  89  to the push tab  131  across the upper face  77  of the secondary mounting platform  23  and along the respective side face of the vertical flange  41  of the lever arm  19 . The rib  133  primarily acts to strengthen the short clip  89  to prevent it from breaking off of the secondary mounting platform  23 . 
   In use, the clamp  1  is mounted on the bracket  3  by first inserting an edge  11  of one of the bracket flanges  5  or  7  into the notch  59  of the short clip  51  on the primary mounting platform  15 . The locating pin  76  is then aligned with one of the holes  12  in the same bracket flange  5  or  12 . The barb  70  on the long clip  53  can then be snapped over the edge  11  on the other bracket flange  5  or  7 , thereby securing the primary mounting platform  15  to the bracket  3 . 
   With the primary mounting platform  15  mounted on the bracket  3 , but the secondary mounting platform  23  as yet unconnected, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the split ring  17  will be in a relaxed state which allows a tube  2  to be inserted through the split ring  17 . With the split ring  17  in its relaxed state, the secondary mounting platform  23  will be spaced outwardly from the bracket flange  5  or  7  on which the primary mounting platform  15  is mounted. Once the tube  2  is inserted, the secondary mounting platform  23  may be fastened to the bracket  3  by pressing inwardly on the push tab  131 . This will cause the barbs  101  and  123  to snap over the edges  11  of the bracket flanges  5  and  7  to secure the secondary mounting platform  123  to the bracket  3 , and simultaneously to reduce the diameter of the split ring  17  to cinch the split ring  17  around the tube  2  to retain the tube  2  in position relative to the bracket  3 . 
   It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown. As used in the claims, identification of an element with an indefinite article “a” or “an” or the phrase “at least one” is intended to cover any device assembly including one or more of the elements at issue. Similarly, references to first and second elements is not intended to limit the claims to such assemblies including only two of the elements, but rather is intended to cover two or more of the elements at issue. Only where limiting language such as “a single” or “only one” with reference to an element, is the language intended to be limited to one of the elements specified, or any other similarly limited number of elements.