Abstract:
An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape. A center axis is defined along the center of the generally cylindrical shape. A first pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the first leg. A second pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the second leg. Each pair of gussets comprises at least two gussets that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/033,907, filed Mar. 5, 2008 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to construction hardware used to mount utilities. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   For various purposes, conduit, pipe and miscellaneous architectural, decorative and mechanical devices are mounted to buildings. To do so, a wide variety of brackets and other hardware have been developed. Such hardware is frequently, if not universally, the subject of building code requirements, UL specifications and the like. Offset hangers are used to mount pipe and conduit to a wall stud or the like with a predetermined gap provided between the wall stud and the pipe or conduit. The offset defines the gap. Cantilevered forces, therefore, are applied to such hardware. Thus, it is advantageous to have structurally rigid and easily mounted hangers to secure utilities within a structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of an embodiment arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention comprises an offset hanger comprising an integrally formed body. The body comprises a central retainer portion, a first leg extending from the central retainer portion and a second leg extending from the central retainer portion. The central retainer portion comprises a main body having a portion of a generally cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical shape has an axis. A first rib and a second rib are positioned along the main body and are spaced apart in an axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape. The first leg has a proximal end connected to the main body and the second leg has a proximal end connected to the main body. A first pair of gussets is spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape and extends from the first and second ribs of the main body to the first leg. A second pair of gussets is spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape and extends from the first and second ribs of the main body to the second leg. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings of a preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an offset hanger that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front side view of the offset hanger of  FIG. 1  and a rear side view of the offset hanger would be substantially identical to the front side view of the offset hanger. 
       FIG. 3  is a left side view of the offset hanger of  FIG. 1  and a right side view of the offset hanger would be substantially identical to the left side view of the offset hanger. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the offset hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the offset hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 1-5 , a preferred embodiment of an offset hanger  10  is illustrated. The offset hanger  10  embodies certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. The offset hanger  10  preferably is integrally formed from a metal blank, such as a metal strip or sheet. Any suitable forming processes can be used to transform the blank into the finished offset hanger  10 . Integral formation increases rigidity, reduces manufacturing steps and complications, and reduces overall costs. In some configurations, the offset hanger  10  can be formed of other materials and other manufacturing methods can be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the offset hanger  10  generally comprises a central retainer portion  12  that is supported by a first leg  14  and a second leg  16 . The central retainer portion  12  defines a central axis A. Because the offset hanger  10  typically will be used to support cylindrical components, such as tubes, pipes and conduit, the central axis A preferably extends through the portion of the offset hanger  10  and corresponds to a location of a centerline of any such supported cylindrical components. Moreover, the central retainer portion preferably comprises a generally cylindrical shape. By generally cylindrical shape, unless otherwise stated, it is intended that other shapes that can provide sufficient support to a cylindrical component can be used, such as octagons, hexagons or the like. 
   As illustrated, the legs  14 ,  16  preferably have distal ends that, in use, are supported on a support surface, which is represented by line S in  FIG. 1 . The legs  14 ,  16  space the central retainer portion  12  above the support surface S by a distance H. The distance H can be any suitable distance but, in most cases, the distance H will be designated by code requirements, such as those issued by National Fire Protection Association. 
   With reference still to  FIG. 1 , the central retainer portion  12  preferably comprises a main body  20  and a rib  22  at each axial end. The ribs  22  extend outward from the main body  20  such that the axial ends of the main body  20  can be said to have rolled or flared outer edges. The ribs  22  strengthen the ends of the main body  20  and provide some degree of increased resiliency to the axial ends of the main body  20 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 2 , the central retainer portion  12 , and in particular the main body  20  and the ribs  22 , preferably extends more than 180° but less than 360° about the central axis A. In some configurations, an opening angle α is defined relative to the central axis A and the opening angle is about 74°. In some embodiments, this angle allows the offset hanger  10  to snap over the supported component while still providing sufficient contact with the supported component to provide adequate support during loading in all directions. 
   In the illustrated configuration, the legs  14 ,  16  extend away from the central retainer portion  12  such that they define an included angle β of less than about 90°. In one configuration, the included angle β is about 47°. Extensions of the legs  14 ,  16  would intersect at an intersection point I. In the illustrated configuration, the intersection point I is positioned further away from the legs than the central axis A (i.e., in  FIG. 2 , the intersection point I is above the central axis A). 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , a first juncture  24  is defined between the first leg  14  and the central retainer portion  12  while a second junction  26  is defined between the second leg  16  and the central retainer portion  12 . Preferably, the first and second junctions  24 ,  26  are defined by rounded surfaces on the inside (i.e., the side closest to the central axis A). The rounded surfaces at the junctions  24 ,  26  reduce stress concentration and protect the supported component from rough or sharp edges. The outer surface at the junctions  24 ,  26  can be more rounded or more sharp, depending upon the manufacturing processes used. 
   As described above, the proximal ends of the legs  14 ,  16  preferably terminate at the central retainer portion  12 . The distal end of each of the legs  14 ,  16  preferably terminates at a respect foot  30 ,  32 . Each foot  30 ,  32  of the illustrated embodiment extends laterally outward from the associated leg  14 ,  16 . The feet  30 ,  32  preferably define a plane along which the line S extends. 
   Each foot  30 ,  32  includes a respective opening  34 ,  36 . The openings  34 ,  36  preferably are sized and configured to receive a fastener, such as a nail, screw or the like. In the illustrated configuration, the openings  34 ,  36  are generally circular. In some embodiments, the openings can have other configurations. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 1  again, the legs  14 ,  16  preferably comprise reinforcing members. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of gussets  40 ,  42  reinforces each of the legs  14 ,  16 , respectively. In the illustrated configuration, the gussets  40 ,  42  have an upper or proximal end  41 ,  43  (see  FIG. 2 ) that connects with the respective rib  22  of the central retainer portion  12 . In one preferred configuration, the proximal end  41 ,  43  of the gusset  40 ,  42  extends generally tangentially from the central retainer portion  12 . More preferably, the proximal end  41 ,  43  of the gusset  40 ,  42  extends generally tangentially from the respective rib  22 . 
   As shown best in  FIG. 2 , a distal end  45 ,  47  of each gusset  40 ,  42  preferably tapers and blends into the material of the associated leg  14 ,  16 . More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, each leg  14 ,  16  preferably comprises ribs  44 ,  46  that preferably are similar in size and configuration to the ribs  22  of the central retainer portion  12 . The distal end  45 ,  47  of each gusset  40 ,  42  blends in to the ribs  44 ,  46 . In some configurations, the legs  14 ,  16  do not comprise ribs and the gussets  40 ,  42  simply simple taper into the material of the legs  14 ,  16 . Moreover, in the illustrated configuration, the gussets  40 ,  42  preferably are curved between the proximal end  41 ,  43  and the distal end  45 ,  47  such that the outer edge is concave when viewed from the front (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). Such a configuration reduces material while providing adequate reinforcement. Reducing material reduces material costs and shipping weight. 
   In use, the central retainer portion  12  of the offset hanger  10  is snapped onto a pipe or conduit and then fasteners, such as nails, screws or the like, secure the feet  30 ,  32  to a surface above which, or to the side of which, the pipe or conduit will be located. In some configurations, the offset hangers  10  first are secured in position and the pipe or conduit then is positioned within the central retainer portions  12 . The rounded outer edges reduce the likelihood of damage to the pipe or conduit due to vibration. Moreover, the ribs  22 ,  44 ,  46  and gussets  40 ,  42  provide reinforcement to the offset hanger  10  at the outer extremities to provide a more secure grasp of the pipe or conduit. 
   Although the present invention has been described in terms of a certain embodiment, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.