Abstract:
A mechanical elbow clamp, a system using the clamp, and a method of supporting a pipe with the clamp are disclosed. The elbow clamp includes a first clamp and a second clamp. One end of the first clamp is attached to one end of the second clamp. The elbow clamp also includes an upper link, which attaches another end of the first clamp to another end of the second clamp, and a load bearing element attached to the upper link.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/220,737, filed Jun. 26, 2009, entitled “Mechanical Elbow Clamp,” which is hereby specifically and entirely incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention is directed to mechanical elbow clamps, systems, and methods. In particular, the invention is directed toward mechanical elbow clamps, systems, and methods for supporting pipes. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Piping systems are used throughout the world to transport materials from one point to another. Large scale piping systems can include pipes that are several feet in diameter and hundreds of miles in length, such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. While small scale piping systems can have pipes that are smaller than an inch in diameter and only transport materials a few feet, such as household plumbing systems. Each type of systems has many unique features and also many features in common. For instance, many piping systems are supported off the ground or floor. 
         [0006]    There are a number of devices to support piping systems, including but not limited to risers, hangers, saddle supports, pipe stanchions, pipe rolls, trapeze, pipe rings, etc. Each of these devices can be used to support a pipe from the floor, a wall, or from above (e.g. a ceiling). Often it is desirable to have a piping system start off at a lower level and then rise to an upper level. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, including a vertical pipe. 
         [0007]    To connect an upper portion of a piping system with a lower portion of a piping system via a vertical pipe, elbow pipes are used at the juncture between the lower portion and the vertical pipe and the juncture between the vertical pipe and the upper portion. While it is possible to support the vertical pipe solely by supporting the lower portion and the upper portion of the piping system, this can put unnecessary strain on the elbow pipes and the joints between the sections of pipe. Furthermore, the weight of not only the vertical pipe, but also the material flowing through the pipe must be taken into consideration. Unlike a horizontal pipe, where additional supports can be added to support the weight of the pipe and the material within the pipe as the length of the pipe increases, on a vertical pipe as the weight of the pipe increases, the same support must bear the increased load. These loads can be in excess of 60,000 pounds. 
         [0008]    Often lugs are welded onto the elbow at the top of the vertical pipe. The welded lugs are on the center line of the riser. From these fixtures, supports are attached and hung from a ceiling or other supporting structure. However, the pipes often must endure temperatures of 1000° F. to 1500° F., which, in combination with the load, can cause the welds to eventually start to crack or cause the pipe to start to crack around the point of welding, thereby weakening the infrastructure and compromising the entire piping system. Thus it is desirable to have a supporting device that can support a vertical pipe without being welded to the pipe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs and provides new tools and methods of supporting an object. 
         [0010]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to an elbow clamp. The elbow clamp includes a first clamp and a second clamp. One end of the first clamp is attached to one end of the second clamp. The elbow clamp also includes an upper link attaching another end of the first clamp to another end of the second clamp, and a load bearing element attached to the upper link. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the first clamp and the second clamp are adapted to fit around pipes. In certain embodiments, the elbow clamp also includes a lower link. The lower link is used to attached the two clamps. In certain embodiments, the first clamp and the second clamp are each comprised of two “C” shaped halves. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a pipe support system. The system includes a vertical pipe and a horizontal pipe attached by an elbow pipe. The system also includes a first clamp attached to the vertical pipe and a second clamp attached to the horizontal pipe. One end of the first clamp is attached to one end of the second clamp. The system also includes an upper link attaching another end of the first clamp to another end of the second clamp, and a load bearing element attached to the upper link. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the system also includes a lower link. The lower link attaches the first clamp to the second clamp. In certain embodiments, the first clamp and the second clamp are each made of two “C” shaped halves. Preferably, the first clamp and the second clamp are perpendicular to each other and the first clamp and the second clamp rotate with respect to each other. In certain embodiments, the load bearing element is positioned in line with a center line of the vertical pipe. In certain embodiments, the first clamp uses friction to support the vertical pipe. The configuration allows the load to be borne along the centerline of a riser. 
         [0014]    Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of supporting a vertical pipe coupled to a horizontal pipe by an elbow pipe. The method includes the steps of attaching a first clamp to the vertical pipe, attaching a second clamp to the horizontal pipe, attaching one end of the first clamp to one end of the second pipe, attaching an upper link to another end of the first clamp, attaching the upper link to another end of the second clamp, and attaching the upper link to a support structure. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the first clamp is attached the second clamp by a lower link. In certain embodiments, the support structure is a ceiling. Preferably, the upper link is coupled to the support structure at a point in line with a center line of the vertical pipe. In certain embodiments, the first clamp and the second clamp can rotate with respect to each other so that the first clamp rotates into the outer wall of the vertical pipe and creates a point of high friction. In certain embodiments, the method also includes the step of arranging the second clamp to be perpendicular to the first clamp. Preferably, the first clamp and the second clamp are each comprised of two “C” shaped halves. 
         [0016]    Other embodiments and advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the description, which follows, and in part, may be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0017]    The invention is described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawing, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a mechanical elbow clamp. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    As embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosures herein provide detailed embodiments of the invention. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, there is no intent that specific structural and functional details should be limiting, but rather the intention is that they provide a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention 
         [0020]    A problem in the art capable of being solved by the embodiments of the present invention is supporting a vertical pipe without welding lugs to the pipe. It has been surprisingly discovered that a mechanical elbow clamp can support the large load of a vertical pipe without causing damage to the pipe. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a mechanical elbow clamp  100 . Mechanical elbow clamp  100  supports vertical pipe  105 , which is attached to horizontal pipe  110  via elbow pipe  115 . Mechanical elbow clamp  100  includes a riser clamp  120  and a standard clamp  125 . Each clamp is preferable made of two “C” shaped halves coupled together. The two halves may be coupled together by any method known in the art, including but not limited to, bolts, welding, rivets, snap couplings, and adhesive. Each half of each clamp wraps halfway around a pipe, and when coupled together, each clamp wraps around the entire circumference of a pipe. Preferably, each clamp is in direct contact with a pipe. However, in certain embodiments, a buffer is placed between a clamp and a pipe. The clamps may be made out of any material, including but not limited to metal, plastic, synthetic materials, and fibers. 
         [0022]    Riser clamp  120  is preferably coupled to vertical pipe  105  and standard clamp  125  is preferably coupled to horizontal pipe  110 . In such a configuration, riser clamp  120  and standard clamp  125  are arranged substantially perpendicularly to each other. In certain embodiments, especially where horizontal pipe  110  and vertical pipe  105  are not in a perpendicular configuration, riser clamp  120  and standard clamp  125  are at an obtuse or acute angle to each other. 
         [0023]    While mechanical elbow clamp  100  is preferably used to support pipes, mechanical elbow clamp  100  can be used to support any object, including but not limited to conduits, wires, cables, building materials, beams, and gutters. Preferably, in the embodiments used with pipes, the pipe diameter is less than 60 inches. More preferably the pipe diameter is between ½ an inch and 42 inches. Most preferably, the diameter is between 2 inches and 24 inches. 
         [0024]    The interior end  121  of riser clamp  120  and the interior end  126  of standard clamp  125  may be directly coupled to each other or coupled via a lower link  130 . Preferably, riser clamp  120  and standard clamp  125  are able to move with respect to each other. Riser clamp  120  and standard clamp  125  may be coupled, whether directly or via lower link  130 , by any method known in the art, including but not limited to bolts, studs, and rivets. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, the exterior end  122  of riser clamp  120  and the exterior end  127  of standard clamp  125  are coupled via an upper link  135 . Upper link  135  may be coupled to the exterior end  122  of riser clamp  120  and the exterior end  127  of standard clamp  125  by any method known in the art, including but not limited to bolts, studs, and rivets. Preferably, upper link  135  allows riser clamp  120  and standard clamp  125  to move with respect to each other. 
         [0026]    In certain embodiments, upper link  135  and riser clamp  120  are coupled to at least one point on riser clamp  120  that is along the centerline CL of vertical pipe  105 . Upper link  135  may be coupled to riser clamp  120  by any method known, including but not limited to bolts, welds, studs, and rivets. Preferably, upper link  135  is coupled to both halves of riser clamp  120 . More preferably, the points at which upper link  135  is coupled to the two halves of raiser clamp  120  are diametrically opposed. 
         [0027]    Upper link is coupled to load bearing element  140 . Preferably, the center of load bearing element  140  is along centerline CL. Due to the mechanical linkage, the load placed on load bearing element  140  is transferred to both standard clamp  125  and riser clamp  120 , thus spreading the load throughout mechanical elbow clamp  100 . 
         [0028]    In certain embodiments, lower link  130  prevents riser clamp  120  from moving up vertical pipe  105 . At the same time, lower link  130  causes riser clamp  120  to rotate into vertical pipe  105  in the direction shown by arrow  145 . The resulting normal force permits vertical pipe  105  to support riser clamp  120  via friction. 
         [0029]    Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. All references cited herein, including all publications, U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications, are specifically and entirely incorporated by reference. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, the term “comprising of” includes the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”