Abstract:
The present invention relates to block style tube and pipe hangers which include polymeric grommets that are used as a dampener or insulator for hanging tubes and pipes and particularly to a post and port arrangement for securing and aligning the silicone grommets during initial mounting and placement. The grommets are typically two opposing symmetrical parts that together define a passage having an inner diameter which directly surrounds and supports the pipe or tube, the post and port arrangement provides a structure and method for connecting the polymeric grommet parts and supporting the grommets on the pipe or tube during installation of the frame and support structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to block style tube and pipe hangers which include plastic or silicone grommets that are used as a dampener or insulator for hanging tubes and pipes and particularly to a post and port arrangement for securing and aligning the polymeric grommets during initial mounting and placement. The grommets are typically two opposing symmetrical parts that together define a passage having an inner diameter which directly surrounds and supports the pipe or tube, the post and port arrangement provides a structure and method for connecting the polymeric grommet parts and supporting the grommets on the pipe or tube during installation of the frame and support structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pipe and tube supports are known for their use in supporting piping systems in residential and commercial buildings as well as throughout numerous industrial manufacturing facilities, for example, food, dairy, beverage, chemical, personal care, bioprocessing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. Many pipe hanging configurations have either an inner layer or an inner block made from some elastomeric material 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 are critical to the manufacturing process, the known pipe supports are configured to have a smooth contact surface on the insert to prevent bacterial build up and other contaminants from collecting. 
         [0003]    Block style hangers may use plastic or silicone grommets which define an inner diameter (I.D.) to directly support and encompass the outer diameter (O.D.) of a pipe or tube. The silicone or plastic grommets are themselves supported by a metal frame which is often welded to supporting structural steel or secured by threaded connections to a hanger. These block style hangers may be used individually or due to their substantially square or rectangular shape may alternatively be easily and efficiently stacked in a vertical relationship to provide an offset between multiple pipes arranged and mounted in parallel. 
         [0004]    The grommets act as a dampening cushion or insulator between the hardware and the supported utility. The grommet parts define the molded I.D. which fits around the O.D. of the pipe, tube or conduit. The size of the I.D. in the grommet controls the amount of force required to allow the tube, pipe or conduit to slide through the grommets. A smaller I.D. creates a tight fit or an anchor and a larger I.D. creates a loose fit or a 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 that attach the grommets to one another around the pipe or conduit. This creates a problem for the installer since the grommets must be both held in position by the installer, usually by hand, relative to the pipe or tube, and also in respect to one another while the hardware and framework are installed. Also, because the grommets are not secured together, the sliding of the pipe or tube can cause shifting of the grommet parts relative to one another and with respect to the mounting hardware and framework. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,250 to Schon discloses an improved clamp for tubular members that uses interchangeable elastomeric inserts. Schon &#39;250 provides a way for the inserts to attach to a clamping block, but does not provide a way for the inserts to attach to the tube. Furthermore, the clamping block can only be attached by using external fastening devices. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0205722 A1 to Krueger discloses a pipe and tube support that claims a swivel style mounting point along a vertical axis with an opening having a single bolt capture and opposing hinge placed at a 90° angle off of the vertical axis. The Krueger &#39;722 support also has upper and lower dome-shaped housing sections with internal liners for holding the pipe. The internal liners are attached to the hardware used for hanging the pipe and do not provide an efficient way to secure the liners together and to attach the liners to the pipe. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to block style pipe, tube and conduit supports that provide a way to attach around a pipe, tube, or conduit. The invention has opposing grommets of a polymeric material, such as plastic, silicone, or PVC, that attach to each other around a pipe. A further embodiment has a single grommet of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, rubber, or some type of thermoplastic, that can be twisted and then slipped or placed around a pipe. The grommets are used to dampen and insulate the supported conduit in the hanger or support. During installation, once the grommets are either attached to each other or twisted and placed around the tube, pipe or conduit, the accompanying hardware can be installed more efficiently because the installer does not need to manually hold the grommet parts together and in place while the mounting framework is installed. With the grommets or singular grommet block self-supporting itself on the pipe, and with the bolt holes through the grommets aligned, the installer can use both hands to install hardware, framework and supporting brackets for the grommets and pipe supports. The block shape of the invention allows the grommets to be stacked on top of each other, allowing the invention to be used for hanging multiple pipes. This invention works with pipes, tubes, and conduits of all different standards, such as ASME, ANSI, ASTM, and others. 
         [0008]    An object of the present invention is to simplify the total installation of a pipe hanger by allowing the grommets to attach to each other or twist around a pipe, without having to rely on external mounting hardware or brackets to maintain the connection of the grommet(s) to the pipe during installation. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a means of attaching two pipe hanger grommets to each other and around a pipe by utilizing a post and port system that creates a compression fit due to the relative sizes of the post and port. The post and port shapes can be smooth, ribbed, barbed, etc. such that the fit inside of the port is secure and keeps the grommets attached to each other without assistance. 
         [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a means of attaching a grommet around a pipe by utilizing a grommet block made from a flexible material that has a split in one side to allow the block to be twisted and slipped or placed around a pipe. 
         [0011]    A still further object of the invention is to properly align the grommet bolt holes when connected to allow the metal hardware to attach properly and easily each time the present invention is used. 
         [0012]    A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a more efficient and safer method for installing pipe hangers since the present invention frees up a hand that would otherwise be used to hold the grommet block. Having the grommet block already on the conduit without the requirement to hold it in place while installing the metal hardware saves time and helps prevent the hardware from falling while it is being installed. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to act as either an anchor or a guide for supported pipes. In an application of this invention as an anchor, the installation of the invention will provide a tight fit around the supported conduit. An anchor or tight fit will prevent essentially all pipe rotation or displacement at the point of application. When this invention acts as a guide, the installation of the invention will provide a loose fit around the supported conduit. A guide or loose fit will permit pipe movement in a predetermined linear direction while the post and port structure ensures that pipe movement does not alter the grommet alignment or support in the framework or bracket. The material chosen for the grommet can help provide the desired properties to facilitate either the anchor or guide configuration. 
         [0014]    A still further object of the present invention is the purpose of acting as a dampening cushion between the suspension assembly (consisting of an attachment to a ceiling, wall or other support and a rod or extension that attaches to the grommet block hardware) and the supported pipe, tube, or conduit. The invention is of a plastic or silicone material that supports the conduit inside. Further, the invention also acts as an insulator between the hardware and the supported pipe, tube, or conduit since the grommets are made from a nonconductive material. 
         [0015]    A still further object of the present invention is a pipe supporting apparatus having a grommet block having an upper grommet and a lower grommet that defines a pipe passage therebetween and at least one post provided on one of the upper and lower grommets, at least one receiving port provided on the opposing corresponding one of the upper and lower grommets for receiving the at least one post, at least one bolt hole extending through the upper and lower grommets; and wherein the post and port are provided with a mating friction fit so that the upper and lower grommet blocks can be removably secured to one another without any corresponding hardware or support. 
         [0016]    A still further object of the present invention is a pipe supporting apparatus having an elastomeric grommet block having a pipe passage formed therein, the grommet block having a first flange and a second flange flexible about a torsional axis to provide separation between a matingly engageable surface of the first and second flange; at least one bolt hole extending through the grommet block; and wherein the separation of the first and second flange allows the elastomeric grommet and the pipe passage to be positioned about and encompass a conduit. 
         [0017]    The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded isometric assembly view of the grommet block and framework; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of the unattached grommets of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2   a  shows an inset of the planar end surface and connection points of the grommet of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the connection points of the grommet of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an isometric assembly view of stacking the grommets of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   a  shows an inset of the intermediate receiving bolt for connecting the stacked grommet blocks of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of the elastomeric grommet block in a flexed position about a torsional axis. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In general, the present invention relates to a block style pipe and tube support including a grommet block  1  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The block  1  consists of two attached and substantially identical upper and lower grommets  3  defining a pipe passage O having an inner diameter (I.D.) through which a pipe, tube or conduit P having an outer diameter (O.D.) 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 ,  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. 
         [0026]    The grommets  3  have bolt holes  17  that extend through the grommets  3   a ,  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 framework is generally secured, a curved inner surface  9  defining the I.D. of the passage O and each leg  5  has a substantially planar end surface  11  best shown in  FIG. 2  for matingly engaging with a corresponding planar end surface of another 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 ,  27 , or even another grommet. Such a detent or slot  18  and protrusion or key  19  would facilitate maintaining alignment of the bolt holes  17  of grommet  3  with holes  26  in the attachment plate  25  as set forth in further detail below. The union of detent  18  and the protrusion  19  could also form a compression fit or some other means of attachment to enable connecting of the attachment plates  25 ,  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 and be secured to a threaded receiver  28  of the corresponding attachment plate. 
         [0027]    The attachment plates  25 ,  27  form a framework that consists of a pair of the bolts  21  which extend through the attachment plate holes  26  and bolt holes  17  of the grommets  3  and connect and secure the attachment plates  25 ,  27  and grommets  3  together as shown 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 ,  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 the assembly of the framework. The attachment plate  27  includes a hanger attachment receiver  30  which may connect to a hanger rod (not shown) or a hanger rod may be welded to the attachment plate, as part of a suspension assembly which supports the pipe support and pipe to a floor, ceiling, wall or other structural feature in a facility. The top and bottom attachment plates  25 ,  27  are pulled essentially flush against the grommets&#39; top surfaces  7  when the bolts  21  are tightened in the receiver  28  or nut. 
         [0028]    The inclusion of a protrusion or key  19  in the attachment plates  25 , 27  which corresponds to the detent or slot  18  on the surface of each grommet as discussed above not only aligns the grommet  3  with a respective top or bottom plate  25 , 27  but also maintains grommets  3  in planar and axial alignment with the attachment plates  25 ,  27 . This can be particularly helpful in preventing the pulling of the grommet  3  away from the framework along the pipe axis P′ due to axial movement of the pipe as supported by the apparatus through the passage O. It is to be appreciated that pipes are subjected to both axial and radial forces from fluids and gases passing through the pipes. Axial forces in particular tend to move the pipe along its pipe axis P′ in one direction or the other. In this manner the pipe P actually is intended to slide somewhat relative to the curved inner surface  9  of the opening O of the grommet block  1 . When the pipe P does not completely slide along the curved inner surface  9 , in other words, the pipe P may stick somewhat to the curved inner surface  9  by friction due to the weight of the pipe or, alternatively the tolerance of the opening O relative to the O.D. of the pipe, the axial force and movement of the pipe P can pull the grommets  3  in the axial direction and away from the attachment plates  25 , 27 . This is what is known as “creep”, where the grommet block  1  tends to creep away from the supporting framework due to the axial forces of the pipe P. The slot  18  and protrusion  19  arrangement formed in the attachment plates  25 ,  27  and respective lower  3   b  and upper  3   a  grommets form a secure fit and connection between the attachment plates and the grommets preventing axial creep. The slot  18  and protrusion  19  arrangement also assist in appropriate alignment and stacking arrangements of the grommets  3  as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . A further description of such stacking arrangements is provided below. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the grommets  3  including the upper grommet  3   a  and the lower grommet  3   b , separated from one another along the grommet separation plane A. As shown, the planar end surface  11  of each of the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  illustrate a connection and stabilization system as to how the grommets  3  connect to form the stabilized grommet block  1 , including in one embodiment a post  13  and port  15  on each of the planar end surfaces  11 . The mating planar end surfaces  11  of the grommets  3  permit the upper and lower post  13  and port  15  of the grommets  3   a ,  3   b  to be essentially snap-fit and/or frictionally connected together in a manner that allows the grommet block  1  to hold together without the framework around it. Where the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  are held together in this manner, the grommet block  1  can be self-supporting on and around a conduit without any additional hardware or attachment fixture. This aspect of the current invention—to simplify the installation and hanging process of the entire pipe hanger—is very important since the ability to connect the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  around a pipe P so that the entire grommet block  1  is supported on the pipe or tube without any additional assistance from the installing personnel, frees the hands of the installer so that the installer can use both hands to complete attachment of the framework and the installation process. 
         [0030]    The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a safer process because it reduces the number of parts that the installer must concurrently handle and helps to prevent metal hardware from being dropped and falling. The simple attachment of the grommet block  1  to the conduit P without manual assistance after the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  are fastened together by the respective post and port  13 ,  15  provides a stable situation for installing the accompanying hardware and framework. The connection of the two upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  is achieved through an interference fit, compression fit, snap fit or other frictional type connection between the relative posts and ports  13 ,  15 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the ports  15  are made similar to, or even slightly smaller than the diameter of the posts  13  so that the posts  13  are securely and frictionally held after being inserted and pressed into the ports  15  due to the relative differences in diameters of the posts  13  and ports  15 . This difference in relative diameter size of the posts and/or ports is such that an installer can, by manual force, push the posts  13  and ports  15  of the mating upper or lower grommet  3   a ,  3   b  into one another and form the grommet block  1  around the conduit P. This provides a secure and self-supporting connection for the grommet block  1  until the metal hardware of the framework is connected. 
         [0031]    The attachment posts  13  can be made in any shape that would allow for a proper interference, friction or compression fit, such as smooth, ribbed, or even barbed. They can also be of any diameter or shape although cylindrical may be preferred. Similarly, the attachment ports  15  can be made in any corresponding size and/or shape that would provide a secure connection with the chosen posts  13 . The posts  13  can also be made to allow easy initial alignment and entrance with the ports  15  by rounding or angling the free end  16  of the post  13  narrower than the rest of the post  13 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a . The posts  13  and ports  15  should be sized such that there is a secure fit between the two upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  when pressed together and should provide sufficient frictional resistance so that the connection will not be lost unless some external force is applied, such as the manual force of the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  being pulled apart. The height and depth of the respective posts  13  and ports  15  should be made in a relative manner so as to allow the connection surfaces  11  to touch when the upper and lower grommets  3   a ,  3   b  are fully engaged so that the metal hardware of the framework is readily attached and tightened on the grommet block  1 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a planar view of the bottom of the grommet  3  of the present invention illustrating the location of the posts  13  and ports  15 . One end of the grommet  3  consists of a post  13  and a port  15  equally and oppositely spaced in both distance and angle from the bolt hole  17 . The opposite end of the grommet  3  consists of an oppositely disposed configuration of the post  13  and port  15 . This view also shows that the arrangement of the post  13  and port  15  locations do not interfere with the bolt hole  17 . The oppositely disposed configuration has the advantage of adding to the efficiency of connecting the grommets  3  to each other because the connection will work whether it is in the method shown in  FIG. 2  or whether one of the grommets  3   a ,  3   b  is rotated 180 degrees. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a modified form of the present invention that takes into consideration the necessary stacking of grommet blocks with one another. In this embodiment an intermediate receiving bolt  41  and an intermediate frame plate  43  are provided to link the top grommet block  40  with a lower grommet block  50 . The intermediate receiving bolt  41  is provided with a receiving cavity  45  in the head  47  of the intermediate receiving bolt  41  as shown in  FIG. 4   a  for receiving the threaded end of a conventional bolt  42 , or the threaded shaft of another intermediate receiving bolt  41 . The inset grommet  50   a  of the lower grommet block  50  has a bolt head receiving cavity  46  within the bolt passage  48  for receiving the head  47  of the intermediate receiving bolt  41  to allow contiguous contact of the intermediate frame plate  43  with the upper surface  44  of the inset grommet block  50   a . In this way, any number of grommets blocks may be stacked together to accommodate the alignment and support of multiple pipes. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the grommet wherein the grommet is a single block made from an elastomeric material. In this embodiment, the elastomeric grommet block  60  can be flexed or twisted about a torsional axis T to provide a large enough separation between a first flange  62   a  and a second flange  62   b  to be able to fit the pipe passage O of the grommet block  60  around a pipe, tube, or conduit P. The grommet block  60  is of sufficient flexibility to separate and surround the pipe P, and of sufficient rigidity to reform to original dimensions and contours in order to securely grip around the pipe, tube or conduit P. In this way, after attachment of the grommet block  60 , the bolt holes  77  are properly aligned to assist in the insertion of hardware to secure a framework to the grommet block  60  around the pipe P. Here, with a substantially more flexible elastomeric bock  60 , there is a tremendous potential for creep due to the axial loads as explained above so the anti-creep cleat features  78  of the block  60  become increasingly important to ensure there is no failure of the grommet  60  and pipe support product. 
         [0035]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.