Anti-rotation pipe locator and holder

A plumbing strap is fastened to a building. A tubular insert is placed through a hole in a strap with posts on the tubular insert aligning with cut-outs in the strap to restrict rotation of the tubular insert relative to the strap. A flange on one end of the tubular insert abuts the strap to restrict longitudinal motion of the tubular insert. Latches on the tubular insert extend through the hole in the strap to engage the side of the strap opposite the flange and further restrict longitudinal movement of the tubular insert. A collar is placed over the tubular insert and a pipe extends through the tubular insert and collar. The tubular insert has a base adjacent the flange and a skirt distal from the flange. Longitudinal slits in the base and skirt define resilient members in the base and in the skirt that extend in opposing directions, but that can move inward. The collar screws onto the tubular insert causing abutting surfaces on the collar and on the resilient members to force the resilient members inward to grip the pipe and restrain longitudinal and rotational movement of the pipe relative to the tubular insert and strap.

BACKGROUND

Pipes adapted to mate with a plumbing fixture such as a sink or the like typically extend upwardly between building studs and project laterally from the building's wall for connection to the plumbing fixture through fixture inlets such as shut-off valves. The pipes are preferably secured in place to prevent axial movement parallel to the pipes, rotation around the pipes, vertical movement upwardly and downwardly, and lateral movement sideways during use. The pipes are also preferably located a predetermined distance apart from each other for precise alignment with fixture inlets that are typically pre-formed in the plumbing fixtures.

Traditional methods of securing pipes between studs use complex hardware such as bolted elbows, threaded fittings, universal supporting bars, or anti-rotation inserts placed into such supporting bars or plumbing straps. As a result, a plumber must manipulate specialized fasteners or the like to attach specialized fittings to building studs or similar structures to hold the pipes in place. Additionally, many methods involve the use of solder and hot appliances and open flames such as torches which introduce extra steps, hazards and liabilities into the process.

But these prior art devices can be difficult to install, and may not adequately restrain movement along the length of the pipe. Restraining movement along the length of the pipe can be problematic because the pipe is typically held adjacent an elbow or 90° bend such as typically occurs when pipes extend along a wall and then outward to connect to a sink, tub, shower etc., and there is little room between the elbow and the wall within which to fit an apparatus that adequately restrains the desired movements of the pipe. There is thus a need for a method and apparatus to hold pipes in position while restraining axial movement along the length of the pipe, to restrain lateral movement of the pipe, and to do so in the small space between the elbow and the typical wall, and to do so easily, quickly and with minimal additional preliminary equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Very briefly described, a plumbing strap is fastened to a building. A tubular insert is placed through a hole in a strap with one or more posts on the tubular insert aligning with cut-outs in the periphery of the opening to restrict rotation of the tubular insert relative to the strap. A flange on one end of the tubular insert abuts the strap to restrict longitudinal motion of the tubular insert. Latches on the tubular insert extend through the hole in the strap to engage the side of the strap opposite a flange and further restrict longitudinal movement of the tubular insert. A collar is placed over the distal end of the tubular insert and a pipe extends through the tubular insert and collar. The tubular insert has a base adjacent the flange and a skirt distal from the flange. Longitudinal slits in the base and skirt define resilient members in the base and in the skirt that extends from about the middle of the tubular insert but in opposing directions, to separate the members from the tubular insert so the members can move inward. The collar screws onto the tubular insert causing abutting surfaces on the collar and on the resilient members to force the resilient members inward to grip the pipe and restrain longitudinal and rotational movement of the pipe relative to the tubular insert and strap.

In more detail, a strap or bracket support structure is provided that is fastenable to a building structure. The strap has one or more openings. Typically, plural openings are provided that are spaced at preset distances. Each of the strap openings optionally has a slot or cut-out extending from an edge of the opening outward from the opening, and preferably has four such slots or cut-outs.

A tubular insert is placed through the opening in the strap or other support structure fastened to the building. The tubular insert has a flange that abuts the strap or structure and a tubular skirt extending through the hole in the strap along a length of the pipe held by the tubular insert. The tubular insert optionally has at least one post or stop, and preferably has a plurality of posts that each fit into one of the slots or cut-outs to restrain rotation of the tubular insert in the plane of the flange and strap.

The base and skirt are both tubular and both are generally perpendicular to the flange. The flange prevents the tubular insert from passing through the hole in the strap, while resilient portions of the skirt can be moved to hold the pipe, tube or other conduit. The posts are generally parallel to the skirt and base, are located radially outward of the base and preferably do not extend as far as the skirt.

The flange abuts the strap to prevent longitudinal movement along one axis, and latches are provided that extend through the hole in the strap through which the tubular insert is installed in order to engage the opposing side of the strap to restrain movement in the opposing axial direction. The latches preferably have a stepped or barbed portion located to engage the side of the strap opposite the flange to further restrain the tubular insert from being removed from the hole in the strap. The latches are advantageously flexible enough so the distal end of each latch bends inward toward the longitudinal axis of the tubular insert as the latches slide through the hole in the strap and then extend outward so the stepped or barbed portion engages the strap. Manually moving the distal ends of the latches inward disengages the stepped or barbed portions and allows removal of the latches and tubular insert from the strap.

The skirt is tubular so the pipe fits through the skirt. The skirt is threaded on its outside and is also slit along its length (i.e., parallel to the axis of the pipe) to form a collet having a plurality of resilient members that can be moved inward toward the pipe. The resilient members extend from the skirt toward the distal end of the skirt. A threaded collar fits over the distal end of the tubular insert so that it surrounds the slit portion of the skirt and is movable in an axial direction to engage the threaded portion of the skirt. A narrowing diameter or ramp on the collar squeezes these resilient members in the skirt inward to grip and hold the pipe as the threaded collar is tightened on the tubular insert. Unscrewing the collar allows the slit portions of the tubular insert to resume their original positions and loosens the frictional grip on the pipe.

Further, on the end of the collar closest to the flange and strap, at least a portion of the end of the collar is preferably sized to fit inside the various projecting posts, walls or latches that extend through the slots or cut-outs. The collar advantageously, but optionally, has a tapered portion extending outwardly, preferably as an enlarging conical portion, that is located to abut the latches and urge them outward and away from the pipe and into engagement with the slots in the strap to further lock the tubular insert to the strap.

Further, the tubular insert optionally has a tubular base interposed between the flange and skirt, with longitudinal slits in the base and alternating circumferential slots or openings through the flange in order to form resilient base members that can move toward the pipe. The resilient base members extend from an area near the skirt toward and preferably slightly beyond the flange, while the resilient skirt members extend in the opposite direction away from the flange. The free ends of the flexible base members optionally have defined contact areas to abut the pipe and advantageously those contact areas are located slightly beyond the flange in order to provide a wide and stable support for the pipe that extends through the tubular insert and collar. Inclined surfaces are placed on one or both of the collar and flexible base members so that movement of the collar toward the flange urges the flexible base members inward toward the pipe.

In use, the tubular insert and collar are slid over the end of a pipe, or at least the tubular insert is slid over the end of the pipe. The tubular insert and optionally the collar are inserted through the hole in the strap. Once installed around the pipe and assembled to the distal end of the tubular insert the collar is tightened so the slit portion of the skirt grips the pipe and prevents movement of the pipe along the axis of the pipe and tubular insert and rotational movement of the pipe relative to the tubular insert. Optionally, tightening the collar also causes the resilient bases members to move inward and grip the pipe at a location distant from the distal end of the skirt. Preferably the collar and resilient members have mating inclined surfaces so axial movement of the collar causes the inward gripping movement of the resilient members. Optionally, tightening the collar also urges the latches outward to further engage the slots or cut-outs in the strap. The collar is loosened if the axial position of the pipe relative to the strap and/or tubular insert needs adjustment. The tubular insert could be installed into the opening in the strap either before or after the pipe is passed through the tubular insert. The collar could be assembled to the tubular insert either before or after the pipe is passed through the tubular insert. Unscrewing the collar allows the pipe to be released and may allow the collar to be removed from the tubular insert. Optionally, the tubular insert and collar may be assembled during manufacture so they are installed in the strap as a unit. Further, the collar can be dimensioned relative to the tubular insert such that the collar can spin freely on the tubular insert without the threads engaging on the tubular insert and collar. Further, cooperating elements may be optionally be fashioned on one or both of the tubular insert or collar to make separation difficult once they have been assembled. Squeezing the ends of the latches inward allows the latches to pass through the hole in the strap so the tubular insert can be removed from the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, and primarily toFIGS. 1 and 4, an tubular insert20cooperates with a collar22to fasten pipe24to a support member, referred to herein as strap26that is in turn fastened to a building (not shown). The tubular insert20and pipe24preferably have a common longitudinal axis28when assembled, with the tubular insert having a passage29configured to allow passage of the pipe24. The passage29is preferably of the same shape as the pipe and slightly larger than the pipe. Thus, for a cylindrical pipe24the passage29is also preferably cylindrical, but the shape of passageway29could be different, such as square, hexagonal, octagonal or other multi-sided cross-sectional shapes.

The tubular insert20has a tubular base31and a tubular skirt30extending along and encircling the longitudinal axis28. Flange32is connected to the base31and generally perpendicular to the base31and skirt30. The flange abuts strap26during use. The flange32is shown as a continuous, annular flange, but it need not be continuous and could comprise a plurality of outwardly extending segments. As used herein, inward or inner means toward longitudinal axis28and outward or outer means away from the axis28. As used herein, proximal refers to proximity relative to flange32, and distal refers to the location along axis28away from flange32.

The distal portion of the skirt30has slits34, preferably along the longitudinal length of the skirt and opening onto a distal end of the skirt and tubular insert to form a plurality of flexible skirt members38. But optionally, the slits34are of different lengths with the depicted embodiment showing two long slits34aopposite each other and two short slits34bopposite each other, with the slits34being equally spaced around the circumference of the skirt. The different length of slits34provides for a stronger skirt30, and also causes the resilient members38to bend more at the distal end than adjacent the flange32and base31. The different length slits34provide a non-linear bending stiffness of the skirt30inward toward the pipe24, and that also provides for a non-uniform bending of the skirt30.

Threads40aare formed on the outer side of the skirt30or base31. Various thread configurations can be used. Preferably the threads40are configured with a high pitch so that a large axial motion results from a small rotation, with the threads also being configured to have a large base and large cross-section in order to carry high loads. The threads are preferably square topped threads with an aggressive pitch and a single lead. Alternatively, if it is desirable to require less rotational force, then the threads could be low pitch. Various types of threads can be used.

The distal end of the skirt30preferably has an outwardly extending lip42that preferably has a rounded or tapered distal end. A first skirt ramp44is formed on the outer surface of the skirt30, preferably between the threads40aand lip42. The first skirt ramp44inclines inward toward the longitudinal axis and in the direction of the lip42. The incline of ramp44is such that a force parallel to the longitudinal axis28urges the flexible skirt member38inward toward the longitudinal axis28.

At least one, and preferably a plurality of stops46extend from the flange32generally parallel to the axis28, preferably arranged to encircle that axis. In the depicted embodiment the stops take the form of posts and thus the stops will be referred to as posts46, although the configuration of the posts can vary. Four posts46are shown. The number of posts46can vary, and the posts can be omitted entirely. A curved wall48extends from opposing sides of the posts46and from the flange32, so the posts can also be viewed as ribs on the walls. The walls48also preferably encircle the longitudinal axis28. The walls48are optional, but preferred.

Extending from the flange32and generally parallel to the axis28, and located between two of the posts46is a latch50. The location and configuration of the latches can vary. Preferably there are a plurality of latches50. The latches50have an optional inclined surface or ramp52that is inclined toward the longitudinal axis28and toward the distal end of the latch50. The end of the ramp52adjacent the flange32preferably, but optionally forms an inward step or barb54. The ramp52tapers inward from the barb52to the distal end of the ramp which is away from the flange32. The latches50are preferably equally spaced about the longitudinal axis28and spaced outward from the skirt30. The latches50have an inward facing surface56. The distal end of the latches50is preferably, but optionally, rounded. The walls48, posts46and latches50are preferably arranged to encircle the longitudinal axis, and are spaced outward from base31. An annular space is preferably formed between the base31and the walls48, posts46and latches50and the space is preferably large enough to receive a proximal end of the collar22.

The collar22is preferably tubular and sized to fit over the skirt30. The collar22has threads40blocated and configured to mate with threads40aon the tubular insert20. Thus, the collar threads40bmate with the threads40aon the skirt30in the depicted embodiment. The threads40a,40bcould be located elsewhere on the tubular insert20and collar22.

The collar22preferably has an outer surface configured or textured to facilitate manual gripping and rotation. There are optionally a plurality of ribs58extending parallel to axis28and extending outward from the collar. Preferably not all the ribs58are the same size and the depicted embodiment shows four large ribs58equally spaced about the periphery of the collar22, and a number of smaller ribs between the larger ribs. Optionally, the outer surface could be configured to engage a tool, such as a square or hexagonal shape to allow the use of a wrench.

The distal end60of the collar22is the end most distant from the flange32during use. The distal end of the collar22has an opening sized so the lip42can pass through the opening, especially if the distal end of the lip42is rounded, and with the lip engaging the distal end of the collar to prevent the collar from disengaging from the tubular insert20. This retention aspect is optional.

The proximal end of the collar22closest to the flange32is sized and configured to fit inward of the posts46, walls48and latch50. An inclined wall or latching ramp62is located adjacent the proximal end on an outer surface of the collar22. The latching ramp62is located and oriented so that it abuts the latch50, preferably the inner face56, and urges the latch outward as the ramp62moves along the longitudinal axis28. Thus, in the depicted embodiment the latching ramp62is on an outer surface of collar22and extends toward the flange32and has its narrowest portion closer to the flange32. The latching ramp62is optional.

A second skirt ramp64(FIGS. 4,14) is located on an inward facing portion of the collar22. In the depicted embodiment the second skirt ramp64is located between the end of the threads40band the distal end60of the collar. The second skirt ramp64is inclined toward the longitudinal axis28and toward the tubular insert20. The first and second ramps44,64are located to abut each other, and oriented relative to each other so that longitudinal movement of the ramps along the longitudinal axis28causes the flexible skirt members38to move inward toward the longitudinal axis28.

Referring toFIG. 6, the strap26is an elongated piece of material, preferably a thin strap made of metal or wood or plastic. The strap26has at least one hole66, and preferably a plurality of holes66of similar configuration. The hole66preferably, but optionally, has at least one cut-out or slot68extending outward from the edge of the hole but not extending to the edge of the strap. Four slots68are showing, equally spaced about the circumference of the hole66. The number of slots can vary, but preferably correspond to the number of posts46, and vice versa. The holes66are preferably spaced apart distances corresponding to the standard pipe spacing for attachment to faucets, or other plumbing fixtures. Smaller holes69are provided in the strap26to allow fasteners to pass through the strap and fasten it to studs or other supports in a building. The strap26is preferably, but optionally, long enough to span at least two building studs.

Instead of a strap, the hole(s)66could be made in an L-shaped bracket or a bracket of other shape as described or shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,066, the complete contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. Indeed, given the present disclosure one skilled in the art could modify the connector of that prior patent to contain the features described in the present disclosure.

Referring further toFIGS. 4-9, the strap26is fastened to a building, typically by passing fasteners such as nails or screws through fastener holes69. The collar22is placed on the tubular insert20and passed through the hole66in strap26corresponding to the desired location of the pipe24. Alternatively, the strap26and/or tubular insert20and collar22can be positioned relative to a preexisting pipe location.

The posts46are aligned with the slots68to allow passage of the tubular insert through the hole66, with the posts passing through the cut-outs or slots66. As the tubular insert20passes through the hole66, the flange32abuts the strap to limit motion of the tubular insert along the longitudinal axis28. The latches50move inward to pass through the hole66, and move outward after the barb54passes through the hole so the barb54engages the side of the strap26opposite the flange32to restrict motion of the tubular insert along the axis28. The posts46engage the cut-outs or slots68to restrain rotation of the tubular insert20in the plane of the strap26and about longitudinal axis28.

The collar22is preferably small enough to fit through the hole68, but if not, the collar can be placed on the tubular insert after the tubular insert is passed through the hole66in the strap26. The pipe24is passed through the tubular insert20and collar22either after the tubular insert is fastened to the strap, or before.

Referring toFIG. 4, the collar22may optionally spin freely around the skirt before the threads40a,40bengage, preferably with the lip50retaining the collar on the tubular insert. The collar22is urged toward the flange and rotated so the engaging threads40a,40bcause the collar to move along longitudinal axis28toward the strap26and flange32. The first and second ramps44,64abut each other and force the flexible skirt members38inward against the pipe24. Rotation of the collar22thus causes the tubular insert20to grip the pipe24to restrain axial movement of the pipe along its longitudinal axis28and rotational movement of the pipe24relative to tubular insert20. Loosening or unscrewing the collar22moves the ramps44,64apart and loosens the skirt clamping of the pipe24so the pipe24can move along the longitudinal axis28or be rotated relative to the strap or tubular insert.

Further, as the collar22moves toward the flange32and strap26, the latching collar62on the collar abuts the latches50, preferably the inner wall56, causing the latches50to bend outward away from the longitudinal axis28and toward the edges of the hole66in strap26. This effectively expands the interference of the tubular insert20within the hole66and more firmly clamps the mating parts together. Preferably, the proximal end of the latches50on the flange32bend so the barb54engages more of the abutting face of the strap26.

When the collar22is unscrewed and the latching ramp62disengaged from the distal ends of latches50, the latches preferably remain engaged with the strap26. But the latches50preferably form lever springs that are hinged at the flange32, so the distal ends of the latches50can be manually moved inward toward axis28to disengage the barb54from the strap26and to allow the tubular insert to be withdrawn from the hole66and strap26. The collar22may be removed so that a person's fingers can manually engage the distal ends of the latches50and move them inward to disengage the latching surfaces from engagement with the edges of the holes through the strap26.

In use, the collar22is placed on the tubular insert20until the lip42snaps over the distal end60to releasably hold the parts together, and to allow the collar to rotate on the tubular insert20. Moving the flexible skirt members38inward can release the lip42from engaging and restraining collar22so the parts can be separated. The assembled tubular insert20and collar22are passed through the hole66in strap26after being aligned so the posts46pass through the mating cut-outs or slots48. Upon insertion the flange32abuts strap26to prevent the tubular insert from passing through the strap. The walls48and the base of the latches50adjacent the flange32are preferably located to conform to the shape of the hole66and to snugly fit in the hole to provide a large area of contact between the strap26and tubular insert20. Thus, in the depicted embodiment with a generally circular hole66the walls48, latches50and posts46are arranged in a circle.

During insertion the ramped surface52on the latches50cause the latches to bend inward and pass through the hole66and the latches50then resiliently urge the engaging surfaces such as barbs54outward to engages the edges of the opening66and the side of the strap26opposite the flange32in order to prevent removal of the tubular insert20from the hole66and strap26. The pipe24is placed through the tubular insert20and collar22before or after the tubular insert is fastened to the strap26. The collar22can be placed on the tubular insert20before or after the tubular insert is fastened to the strap26. The ribs58on the collar22make it easy to manually tighten the collar20so the ramps44,64abut to move the flexible skirt members38of skirt30inward and thus grip the pipe24to restrain axial and rotational motion of the pipe. As the collar22is rotated and tightened the proximal end of the collar22moves into the annular space between the base31and the encircling posts46, walls48and latches52and which limit movement in one direction along the longitudinal axis and also limit outward movement of the perimeter of the proximal end of the collar22and provide support for the collar to push inward against the resilient members38,74. The latching ramp62on the collar abuts the latches50and urges the latches outward against the edges of the hole66in strap26to further secure the connection between the tubular insert20and strap26. The end of the collar22placed between the latches50and base31prevent the latches from moving inward toward the longitudinal axis so that the barbs54can disengage from the strap26. The collar22, and especially the latching ramp62thus provides locking means to lock the latches50into engagement with the strap26.

The process can be reversed to release and either adjust or disassemble the parts. The collar22can be unscrewed to release the latches50, skirt members38and pipe24so the pipe can be adjustably positioned or removed. After unscrewing the collar22, the latches50can be manually moved inward to release the barb54from the strap26and allow removal of the tubular insert20from the strap26. The latches50advantageously securely engage the sides of the hole66so that manual force is required to move the latches inward and disengage the barb54from the strap26. Preferably, but optionally, the latches50may be prevented by the proximity of the latching rim62from moving inward to disengage the barb54from the strap26unless the pipe24is removed. After the pipe24is removed, then the flexible skirt members38can be manually moved inward to remove the collar from the tubular insert.

Referring to FIGS.4and12-14, the tubular insert20can be further improved to increase the clamping of the pipe24. The base31is segmented by a plurality of slits70that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis28with a distal end of the slits terminating in the distal end of base31, adjacent threads40aand the proximal end extending through the flange32. An intermittent, circumferential slot72extends between two adjacent slits70to separate the outside of parts of the base31from the flange32. The slits70and slots72form rectangular-shaped, elongated base members74which are inwardly movable adjacent the flange32and connected to the distal end of base31toward the threads40a. The circumferential slot72is intermittent so that the flexible base members74alternate with segments where the base and flange are uncut and continuous in order to provide sufficient structural support to the base31and skirt30. Thus, flexible base members74alternate with integrally joined portions of the base31and flange32.

One or more base ramps76are located on the outer side of the flexible base members74. The portion of the base ramps76adjacent the flange32are further from the longitudinal axis, and the ramp tapers toward the distal end of the base31and toward the longitudinal axis28.

Referring additionally toFIG. 2, the slots72in the flange32preferably encircle any portion of the flexible base member74that extends through or beyond the flange32in order to allow movement of the members74. Thus, when the flexible base members74extend through the flange, the slot74is more accurately described as an opening shaped to conform to the shape of the adjacent portion of the member74and further shaped to allow movement of that member74. For this reason, the slot72will be referred to hereinafter as slot/opening72or opening72

As the proximal end of the collar22is forced into the space between the base31and the structural ring formed by the posts46, walls48and latches50, the collar will abut base ramps76and force the base members74inward against the pipe24. The base members74thus further grip the pipe24and further restrain axial and rotational movement. Preferably the proximal end of the collar22is slightly tapered to provide an inclined surface or ramp80(FIG. 2,14) to abut the base ramps76. But various shapes could be used on these abutting parts to cause the inward movement that grips the pipe, and the location of the abutting parts could be changed.

The proximal end of the flexible base members74optionally have a contact pad78extending inward in order to define a more discrete contact area with the pipe24during use. Further, the proximal ends of the flexible base members74are shown as extending beyond the plane of the flange32. During use, drywall abuts the flange32and the proximal ends of members74that extend beyond the flange32advantageously do not extend so far that they exceed the thickness of the drywall. The drywall thickness varies from about 0.5 to 0.75 inches, so the protrusion of the ends of members74is preferably less than that. The hole in the drywall to accommodate pipe26is typically large enough so the drywall does not hit the ends of the members74.

The protrusion beyond the flange32allows the contact pad78to be positioned further away from the flexible skirt members38in order to provide a wider base of support for the pipe24and thus a more stable support. As seen inFIGS. 9-11, in use, there is often an elbow adjacent the distal end of the tubular insert20and collar22and the elbow radius combined with the limited depth inside the building wall limits the allowable length of the parts and thus limits the distance between the contact pad78and the contact with the flexible skirt members38. Extending the contact pads78beyond the flange32helps lengthen the support base for the pipe and provide a more sturdy support.

The distal end of the base31and the proximal end of the skirt30thus form a support structure for flexible skirt members38and flexible base members74, with the flexible base members74extending toward the flange32and the flexible skirt members34extending away from the flange, but both flexing inward toward the pipe24and axis28to grip the pipe—albeit at spaced apart locations. Indeed, preferably the skirt members34contact the pipe on one side of the flange32(and distant therefrom) while the base members74contact the pipe at the flange or on the side of the flange opposite the location of the skirt members34. The flexible skirt members34could be used without the flexible base members74. The flexible base members74could be used without the flexible skirt members38. Preferably both are used and are spaced as far apart as practical in order to provide a broader support and more stability to the pipe24. Further, the angular relationship of the flexible base member74and flexible skirt members38could vary from that illustrated.

The tubular insert22thus has flexible skirt members38and flexible base members74, extending in opposing directions parallel to the longitudinal axis28, with the skirt members38and base members74releasably forced into varying degrees of engagement with the pipe by controlled movement of the collar22. The location and angles of inclination of the abutting surfaces on the flexible skirt and base members38,74and the collar22are selected so the parts engage the pipe substantially at the same time.

The flexible skirt and base members38,74are typically curved segments because the base and tubular insert are curved, but they need not be curved, and the parts that abut the pipe24can be of any desired configuration. Preferably though, the abutting portions are configured to have the same shape as the surface of the pipe which they abut. Thus, the contact pad78has the general shape of a portion of a recessed, elongated cylinder.

The tubular insert20and collar22are each preferably integrally molded of polymer, preferably of polymers including Nylon or polypropylene, with or without reinforcing components. Figures showing the flange32(e.g.,3and12) show four generally rectangular slots spaced below and outward of the latches and these slots allow a molding portion to be inserted through the slot to form the step or barb54.

The skirt30and one or both of the inclined ramps44,64thus provide means for gripping the pipe and restraining axial and rotational movement of the pipe24along its axis28. These means may also include the base members74and associated abutting surfaces such as ramp76and80. Note that one or both of the paired ramps44,64or76and80need not be inclined as other mating shapes could be used to move the flexible skirt members38inward, such as a ramp on one part and a square or rounded corner moving parallel to axis28on the other part, or a stop hitting a lever or raised projection on the flexible member38,74. But a good mechanical advantage is achieved if both ramps44,64and both ramps76,80are inclined.

The latching ramp62and latches50provide means for releasably locking the tubular insert to the strap, preferably by moving the latches50outward. The latches50could take various forms, with the leaf spring being configured, and with the barb54being optional.

The posts46cooperate with the cut-outs or slots68to provide means for restraining rotation of the tubular insert20in the plane of the hole66and strap26. While generally rectangular slots68extending radially outward from axis28, and correspondingly shaped posts46are shown, the shapes of these parts can vary—but are preferably shaped to mate snugly. Posts46with circular or curved peripheries mating with curved cut-outs68are also believed preferable.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of locating the mating surfaces. Thus, for example, the ramping surfaces44,64,76,80could be located elsewhere, although the ramps are preferably located near or at opposing ends of tubular insert20. The walls48, posts46and latches50are arranged in a circle to mate with circular hole66, but other shapes could be used, for example, a square or rectangular hole and square or rectangularly arranged insert. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.