Abstract:
An offset hygienic anchor sealing bracket for installation of block style tube and pipe hangers to a paneled strata in which there is no access to the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor bracket to an anchor bolt or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield the exposed toggle bolt structure from the environment of the clean room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to protect the irregular surface of the toggle bolt from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the build up of dirt and bacteria, the anchor bracket having bored pedestals in communication with the cavity which encapsulates the exposed portion of the toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket thereto, the anchor bracket having a plurality of female threaded receptacles for receipt of fasteners utilized in assembling block style tube and pipe hangers, thus securing the block style tube and pipe hanger to the panel at a desired slope and center line.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/176,041, filed Feb. 9, 2015. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to block or rounded style tube and pipe hangers, herein referenced to as block style tube and pipe hangers, and more particularly, to an offset anchor bracket which allows for the block style tube and pipe hangers to be secured to a panel in either a vertical or horizontal orientation wherein the panel is fixed and there may not be access to the reverse side thereof, the anchor bracket covers and seals the fasteners which secure the anchor bracket to the substrate panel. Also, in areas where there is access to the reverse side of the panel, nuts and bolts may be used in place of the anchor to mount the bracket to the panel. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Pipe and tube supports are known for their use in supporting piping and tubing systems in residential and commercial buildings, as well as throughout numerous industrial manufacturing facilities, for example, food, dairy, beverage, chemical, personal care, bio-processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. Many pipe hanging configurations have either an inner layer or an inner block made from an elastimeric or rigid plastic materials to provide some combination of dampening, shock absorption, and insulation. With respect to industrial facilities, especially those in which clean rooms, sanitary and sterile environments which are critical to the manufacturing process, the known pipe supports must be configured to have a smooth contact surface to prevent the build up of any other contaminants from collecting and impacting the affect of the clean, sanitary, sterile environments. Still further, in such clean rooms and the like, all exposed surfaces must be smooth, which means that no irregular surfaces such as threaded rods, fasteners, crevices, or the like can be exposed to the environment of the clean room. It further means that all surfaces of such supports and frames, must be flush with its underlying strata or support to prevent any build up of dirt or bacteria between the frames and support structure. 
     The block style hangers for use in the hanging or vertical support of tubing and piping may use plastic or silicone grommets which define an interior diameter (I.D.) to directly support and encompass the outer diameter (O.D.) of a pipe or tube. Silicone or plastic grommets themselves are supported by a metal frame, which is often welded to supporting structural steel or secured by a threaded connection to a hanger in the form of a vertical rod depending from a bracket or plate secured to the ceiling, or extending upwardly from the floor, from a bracket or plate secured to the floor strata. These block style hangers may be used individually or due to their substantially square and rectangular shape, they alternatively can easily and efficiently be stacked in vertical relationship, to provide an offset between multiple piping and tubing arranged in parallel and set the centerlines of the respective tubing or piping. The grommets act as a dampening cushion or insulator between the hardware and the supporting utility. The grommet parts define the molded inner diameter which fits around an outer diameter of the pipe, tube or conduit. The size of the inner diameter of the grommet controls the amount of force required to allow the tube, pipe or conduit to slide through the grommets. A smaller inner diameter creates a tight fit or an anchor, and a larger inner diameter creates a loose fit or guide which allows the tube, pipe or conduit to slide along an axis. 
     The known grommets and inserts for such hangers are held together and in place around the pipe or conduit solely by the use of mounting hardware and framework or brackets which attach to grommets to one another around the pipe or conduit. The grommets together with the mounting hardware and framework are then secured by means of a support rod to a support plate or support bracket which is secured to the ceiling or ceiling beam, or to a floor bracket in which the rod extends upwardly from the floor supporting the tubing or piping. 
     In many of the industries mentioned, wherein a clean, sterile room is required, the piping structures are required and are specified to be installed on a slope and centerline with a general slope being from one eighth to one quarter inch drop per foot. This specification requirement is to insure that the tubing or pipeline can self drain via gravity. 
     A problem arises when tubing or piping must be installed and supported from a ceiling or wall which is covered by a panel and perhaps insulated panels, in a clean, sanitary or sterile room which requires the use of specialized fasteners for securing an anchor bracket to a support panel. Fasteners may include toggle bolts, rivet-like structures, or ordinary nuts and bolts. Also suitable would be brand name fasteners such as Jack Nut and Fab-Lok. These devices will be referred to generally as toggle bolt-like fasteners in the balance of this document. Since the toggle bolt-like structure presents an uneven surface which can collect dirt or bacteria, and often are fabricated from grades of metals which deteriorate in caustic conditions, it is necessary to have an anchor bracket for the block type tubing and piping hanger which can be secured to such toggle bolt-like fastener, yet completely cover the fastener and protect that portion of the toggle bolt-like fastener which extends into the clean, sterile, or sanitary room so that the caustic solutions used in routinely washing or cleaning such rooms will not degrade the fastener, yet allows for support for the anchor bracket for either directing supporting a block type tubing and piping hanger from the frame of the block style tube and pipe hanger, or for supporting a support rod extending outwardly and in communication with a block style tube and pipe hanger for supporting the tubing or piping. 
     The structural design of the anchor bracket also allows for several methods for sealing the anchor bracket over the portion of the toggle bolt-like fastener which extends into the clean, sterile or sanitary room. This sealing can be accomplished either with an O ring, or with a custom designed sealing pad with silicone caulk. The seal is an important factor because the end user wants to be assured that the inside of the cup does not turn into a depository for bacteria, liquids, or the like. 
     Applicant has developed an offset anchor bracket which can protect and encapsulate the toggle bolt-like fasteners utilized to secure the anchor bracket to a panel to which access to the reverse side may be denied, and allow the anchor bracket to be secured and adjusted to provide for the correct slope and centerline of the resultant tubing and piping, the anchor bracket having a pair of receivers for direct receipt of the fasteners utilized with the hardware of a block style tube and pipe hanger to secure the hanger or multiple hangers in series directly to the anchor bracket and the underlying panel strata. The anchor bracket is both secured to the panel and protects the irregular surface of the toggle bolt-like fasteners utilized to secure it to the panel, the anchor bracket being fabricated from either stainless steel or from a polymer or elastomeric material which is impervious to and does not react to the caustic solutions utilized in cleaning a clean, sterile or sanitary room. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention to provide for a novel assembly which simplifies the total installation of a pipe hanger and allows the installer to secure pipe hangers to panels which constitute a ceiling, wall, or floor to which there is no access to the reverse side thereof. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel support assembly in which the anchor bracket covers and protects the support bolts extending through the panel and encapsulates that portion of the bolt exposed within the clean room to protect it from caustic cleaning solutions or the like utilized to sanitize the clean room. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel support assembly for the installation of block style tube and pipe hangers in which the anchor bracket has a pair of receivers to directly secure a block style tube and pipe hanger either singly or in serial combination. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel support assembly for a block style tube and pipe hanger in which an anchor bracket is formed with a single receiver to accept a support rod for supporting a block style tube and pipe hanger at a distance from the panel. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel installation assembly for block style pipe and tube hangers to a panel to which access to the reverse side is denied, allowing the installer to adjust the elevation and centerline and slope of the tubing or piping. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel support structure for block style tube and pipe hangers in which the fasteners utilized in the frame hardware of the block style tube and pipe hangers are used to directly secure the block style tube and pipe hangers to the anchor bracket of the present assembly, and hence the panel to which it is secured. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An offset hygienic anchor sealing bracket for installation of block, style tube and pipe hangers to a paneled strata in which there is no access to the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor bracket to an anchor bolt or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield the exposed toggle bolt structure from the environment of the clean room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to protect the irregular surface of the toggle bolt from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the build up of dirt and bacteria, the anchor bracket having bored pedestals in communication with the cavity which encapsulates the exposed portion of the toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket thereto, the anchor bracket having a plurality of female threaded receptacles for receipt of fasteners utilized in assembling block style tube and pipe hangers, thus securing the block style tube and pipe hanger to the panel at a desired slope and center line. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric assembly view of a typical block style tube and pipe hanger illustrating a grommet lock and framework; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toggle bolt assembly suitable for use with Applicant&#39;s anchor bracket; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the toggle bolt of  FIG. 2  inserted through a panel; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of the toggle bolt of  FIGS. 2  and  3  in closed or secure orientation; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective isometric view of the anchor bracket of Applicant&#39;s invention used to secure a block style tube and pipe hanger to a panel; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective isometric bottom view of the anchor bracket of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a block style tube and pipe hanger in conjunction with Applicant&#39;s anchor bracket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block style pipe and tube grommet block  1  as used in the prior art. The grommet block  1  consists of two attached and substantially identical upper and lower grommets  3  defining a pipe passage zero having an inner diameter (I.D.) through which a pipe, tube, or conduit P having an outer diameter can pass. The two grommets  3  are attachable and also separable along a grommet separation plane A. The O.D. of the pipe can be accommodated by a range of I.D.&#39;s of the grommet block depending on how secure the pipe is to be supported and held by the support. The tighter the tolerance of the pipe O.D., and the grommet block I.D., the more securely the pipe is held. It is to be appreciated that with a larger tolerance the pipe is more inclined or permitted to move or slide axially generally along a pipe axis P′ in the pipe passage O. The grommets  3   a  and  3   b  can be modified to allow for different pipe sizes, tolerances, etc., so that the pipe, tube or conduit P is either securely held in the pipe passage area O or in the case of a loose fit, the conduit is guided essentially linearly along the pipe axis P′ through the pipe passage O. 
     The grommets  3  have bolt holes  17  that extend through the grommets  3   a  and  3   b  in a substantially perpendicular alignment to the pipe axis P′ extending through the passage O. To this end, each grommet  3  is comprised of a pair of oppositely disposed legs  5  through which a bolt hole  17  is formed, a substantially flat top surface  7  against which a portion of the frame work is generally secured, a curved inner surface  9  defining the I.D. of the passage O and each leg  5  having a substantially planar end surface  11  for mating engaging with a corresponding planar end surface of an opposing grommet. The top surface  7  of each grommet  3  may be provided with a detent or slot  18  for receiving a corresponding protrusion or key  19  formed in an attachment plate  25  and  27 , or even another grommet. Such a detent or slot and protrusion or key  19  would facilitate maintaining alignment of the bolt holes  17  of the grommet with the holes  26  in the attachment plate  25  as set forth in further detail. The union of detent  18  and the protrusion  19  would also form a compression fit or some other means of attachment to enable connecting of the attachment plates  25  and  27  to the grommets  3  until a bolt  21  can be inserted through the attachment plate hole  26  and the bolt hole  17  of the grommet to be secured by a threaded receiver  28  of the corresponding attachment plate. In  FIG. 1 , bolts  21  are shown being inserted from the lower attachment plate  25 . 
     The attachment plates  25 ,  27  form a framework that consist of a pair of bolts  21  which extends through the attachment plate holes  26  and bolt holes  17  of the grommets  3  and connect and secure the attachment plates  25 ,  0 . 27  and grommets  3  together as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . During assembly, after passing through the holes  26  in the bottom attachment plate  25  and bolt holes  17  in the grommets  3   a  and  3   b  and coming out the other end, the bolts  21  connect to either the secured threaded receiver  28  in conjunction with the top attachment plate  27 , or a nut supported on or in conjunction with the top plate  27  to complete assembly of the framework. The attachment plate  27  includes a hanger attachment receiver  30  which may connect to a hanger rod by threaded fasteners or by welding and thence to an attachment plate as part of suspension assembly which supports the pipes support and pipe to a floor or ceiling. The top and bottom attachment plates  25 ,  27  are pulled essentially flush against the grommets top surfaces  7  when the bolts  21  are tightened into the receiver  28  or a separate nut. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toggle bolt assembly suitable for use with Applicant&#39;s support plate,  FIG. 3  is a side view of the toggle bolt of  FIG. 2  inserted through a panel, and  FIG. 3A  is a side view of the same toggle bolt of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in a closed or locked position. In  FIG. 2 , toggle bolt  40  is illustrated in its configuration for installation. The toggle bolt consists of a hex washer head machine screw  42  having an externally threaded shaft  44 , and a hex head  46 . Positioned adjacent the hex head  46  is a sealing washer  48 . Positioned on the shaft  44  is a slotted aluminum sleeve  50 , having a plurality of longitudinal slots  52  about its periphery. 
     The toggle bolt  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  would be inserted through an aperture  49  in the panel  51 , the aperture  49  being substantially identical to the circumference of the slotted aluminum sleeve  50 . Once inserted through such aperture  49  through the panel, the sealing washer  48  would be juxtaposed the outer surface of the panel  51 . The installer would then manipulate the hex washer head machine screw  42  by rotating said screw via the hex head  46 , and in turn rotating the shaft  44  which would cause the slotted aluminum sleeve  50  to collapse towards the hex head  46  and the sealing washer  48  until it achieved the configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , wherein the slotted aluminum sleeve has now been transformed into a T-shape with two extended arms  54  and  56  having been formed by the collapsing of the slotted aluminum sleeve  50 , aided by the peripheral longitudinal slots  52  formed therein. In this configuration, the only visible portion of the toggle bolt assembly  10  would be the hex head  46  and the sealing washer  48 . The remainder of the assembly would be on the opposing side of the panel and not viewable or accessible. The hex head  46  of the toggle bolt assembly has an internal bore  58 , internally threaded for receipt of the male end of a separate fastener. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective isometric view of an anchor bracket  60  of Applicant&#39;s invention used to secure a block style tube and pipe hanger to a panel, and  FIG. 5  is a perspective isometric view of the bottom of anchor bracket  60  of  FIG. 4 . Anchor bracket  60  is comprised of two pedestals  62  and  64 , the lower portions  66  of pedestals  62  and  64  are hollow and as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which a perspective bottom view of the anchor bracket  60 , which consists of concentric walls  68  and  70  surrounding a cavity  72 , the concentric walls providing additional support to the base of the pedestals. The cavity  72  in cooperation with the concentric walls  68  and  70  also provides a structure which allows for the use of an O-ring seal or a sealing pad  79  to insure that the cavity covers the toggle bolt-like fastener and also prevents the cavity from becoming a depository for bacteria growth or the like. The pedestals  62  and  64  narrow from the base upwardly comprising a generally cylindrical portion  74  through which there is a bore  76  extending downwardly and in communication with the cavity  72  of the base portions. 
     The pedestals  62  and  64  are secured by a generally planar cross member  77 , through which bores  76  extend. Formed on planar cross member  77  are two receiver receptacles  82  and  84  each having a bore  86  and  88  formed therein, the bore being internally threaded. Anchor bracket  60  may be of one piece construction, but it would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that it may be formed of separate elements which are heat welded to form the anchor bracket  60 . 
     In installation of a block style tube and pipe hanger as illustrated in  FIG. 6  which is an exploded view, toggle bolts of the type illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  would be inserted through a panel after determining the correct distance between the two toggle bolts and any slope, alignment, or centerline requirement for the installation of the tubing or pipe. Once the toggle bolts were in secure position ( FIG. 3A ) with the panel, anchor bracket  60  would be positioned over the hex head  46  and sealing washer  48  of the toggle bolt. The hex head  46  and sealing bolt  48  would be receivable within the cavity  72  formed in the lower portion of each of the pedestals. Threaded fasteners  75  would then be inserted through the bores  76  in the cross member  77 , through the bores  76  in the cylindrical portion of the pedestals and threadedly secured to the internally threaded bores  58  formed in the hex head  46  of the toggle bolt. In this fashion, the support plate  60  is now secured to the panel in the desired location and appropriate angle and the hex head  46  and sealing washer  46  are covered. 
     At this point of the installation, a tube or pipe would be positioned proximate the anchor bracket  60  having a block style tube and pipe hanger positioned thereabout. The bolts  21  utilized with the hardware to secure the grommets of the block style tube and pipe hanger together would be inserted through the respective attachment plates  25  and  27 , and extend beyond the opposing attachment plate such that the bolts  21  could be secured into the female upstanding receiving receptacles  82  and formed on cross member  77 . In this manner, a block style tube and pipe hanger may be affixed to the anchor bracket  60  and thus to a panel to which there is no access to the reverse side. 
     The lower portion  66  of pedestals  62  and  64  can be formed with a washer or sealing means  79  between the concentric support walls to effectuate a seal between the pedestals and the panel and completely encapsulate and protect the hex head and sealing washer of the toggle bolt. This is of particular importance when installed in a clean, sanitary, or sterile room. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the block style tube and pipe hanger described and illustrated in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with the anchor bracket  60  of  FIG. 4 . 
     Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.