Patent Publication Number: US-2022228677-A1

Title: Method of securing a pipe in a hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of Ser. No. 16/573,129, filed Sep. 17, 2019, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to hanging pipes. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a pipe hanger with a lock tab washer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pipes, such as water pipes in a building for sprinkler systems or residential or commercial water use, can be suspended from ceilings by pipe hangers, such as clevis hangers. The parts of a clevis hanger can be secured by attachment mechanisms such as nuts and bolts. These nuts and bolts can loosen, especially in the presence of movement, such as vibrations due to seismic events or everyday vibrations from foot traffic or machine vibrations, or even vibrations from fluid flow and water hammer in the pipes themselves. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. 
     Disclosed is a hanger for a pipe, the hanger comprising: a suspension member configured to engage the pipe, the suspension member comprising a side edge and defining a hole in through the suspension member; a threaded rod extending through the hole; a nut threaded on the threaded rod; and a lock tab washer disposed on the threaded rod between the suspension member and the nut, the lock tab washer comprising a first tab and a second tab, the first tab bent over a side edge of the suspension member, the first tab configured to prevent the lock tab washer from rotating with respect to the suspension member, the second tab bent over a circumferential side of the nut, the second tab configured to prevent the nut from rotating with respect to the lock tab washer. 
     Also disclosed is a method of securing a pipe in a hanger, the method comprising: supporting the pipe with a suspension member; inserting a threaded rod through the suspension member; placing a lock tab washer on the threaded rod; threading a nut on the threaded rod; preventing the lock tab washer from rotating with respect to the suspension member by folding a first tab of the lock tab washer over a side edge of the suspension member; and preventing the nut from rotating with respect to the lock tab washer by folding a second tab of the lock tab washer over a circumferential side of the nut. 
     Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pipe hanging from a hanger comprising a lock tab washer according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of the lock tab washer of  FIG. 1 , in a flat configuration. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the lock tab washer, in a flat configuration and according to another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the lock tab washer of  FIG. 2A , in a folded configuration. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the lock tab washer of  FIG. 2B , in a folded configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the hanger. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the hanger. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the lock tab washer in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of the hanger assembled with the washer of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the lock tab washer in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of the hanger assembled with the washer of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the lock tab washer in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of the hanger assembled with the washer of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise. 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect. 
     Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods. 
     The use of the directional terms herein, such as right, left, front, back, top, bottom, and the like can refer to the orientation shown and described in the corresponding figures, but these directional terms should not be considered limiting on the orientation or configuration required by the present disclosure. The use of ordinal terms herein, such as first, second, third, fourth, and the like can refer to elements associated with elements having matching ordinal numbers. For example, a first light bulb can be associated with a first light socket, a second light bulb can be associated with a second light socket, and so on. However, the use of matching ordinal numbers should not be considered limiting on the associations required by the present disclosure. An element such as a light bulb can be a genus element that encompasses species elements such as an upper light bulb and a lower light bulb. As such, a numeric designator such as  100  can refer to the light bulb and an alphanumeric designator such as  100   a  and  100   b  can refer to the upper light bulb and the lower light bulb, for example and without limitation. 
     Disclosed is a pipe hanger comprising a lock tab washer and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the hanger is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pipe  102  hanging from a pipe hanger  100  comprising a lock tab washer  104 . In this aspect, the hanger  100  can comprise two lock tab washers  104 , such as a top lock tab washer  104   a  and a side lock tab washer  104   b.  The hanger  100  can be a clevis hanger  100  and can comprise a threaded rod  106 , a top nut  108  disposed on the threaded rod  106 , and an upper clevis  110  disposed on the threaded rod  106  below the top nut  108 . The upper clevis  110  can be, for example and without limitation, a strap stamped from sheet metal. The upper clevis  110  can receive the threaded rod  106  through a rod hole (hidden behind top nut  108 ) in a top flattened section  112  of the upper clevis  110 . The top lock tab washer  104   a  can be placed on the threaded rod  106  below the rod hole of the upper clevis  110 . A securing nut  114  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 ) can be disposed on the threaded rod  106  below the lock tab washer  104 . 
     The top lock tab washer  104   a  can comprise two tabs  126 , the two tabs being a first tab  126   a  folded over a side edge  124  of the upper clevis  110  and a second tab  126   b  folded over a circumferential side  128  of the nut  114 . The tabs  126  can be configured to prevent the washer  104   a  from rotating with respect to the upper clevis  110  and to prevent the securing nut  114  from rotating with respect to the washer  104   a.  The first tab  126   a  can also be called an edge tab  126   a,  and the second tab  126   b  can also be called a nut tab  126   b.  In addition, the pipe  102  can prevent the upper clevis  110  and the hanger  100  from rotating with respect to the threaded rod  106 . As such, the top lock tab washer  104   a  can prevent the securing nut  114  from loosening, and from releasing the pipe  102  and the clevis hanger  100  from the rod  106 . The washer  104   a  can therefore provide vibration resistance to the hanger  100 . 
     The hanger  100  can further comprise a lower clevis  116  that is configured to hold the pipe  102 . The lower clevis  116  that holds the pipe  102  can be a U-shaped strap and can, for example and without limitation, be stamped from sheet metal. In combination, the upper clevis  110  and the lower clevis  116  can define a suspension member  136 . In some aspects, the lower clevis  116  and the upper clevis  110  can be monolithic with each other such that the devises  116 , 110  define a single suspension member  136  formed from one piece of material, such as cast iron, for example and without limitation. In other aspects, the suspension member  136  can comprise one or more parts and can be similar to other pipe hangers currently on the market and can be any assembly of parts configured to attach a pipe  102  to a threaded rod  106 . The lower clevis  116  can attach to the upper clevis  110  by a bolt  120 , which can also be called a threaded rod  120 . Each of the devises  110 , 116  can comprise two flattened ends  138 , each flattened end  138  defining a hole through which the bolt  120  can be inserted. Specifically, the bolt  120  can be inserted into a first side hole (hidden behind the lower clevis  116 ) in the upper clevis  110 , a first side hole  130  in the lower clevis  116 , a second side hole (hidden behind the upper clevis  110 ) in the lower clevis  116 , and a second side hole (hidden behind a side nut  118 ) in the upper clevis  110 , in order from left to right with respect to the viewing angle of  FIG. 1 . The bolt  120  can be secured on the hanger  100  by the side nut  118 , such as a hexagonal (hex) nut. A side lock tab washer  104   b  can be disposed on the bolt  120  between the upper clevis  110  and the nut  118 . The bolt  120  can, for example and without limitation, be threaded only partially on a tail-most  132  end of the bolt  120 . 
     The side lock tab washer  104   b  can comprise tabs  126  that prevent the nut  118  from rotating on the bolt  120 , similar to the top lock tab washer  104   a.  In the current aspect, the tabs  126  can comprise a first tab  126   a  and a second tab  126   b,  similar to the top lock tab washer  104   a.  The first tab  126   a  can fold over the side edge  124  of the upper clevis  110  and a side edge  122  of the lower clevis  116 , preventing the washer  104   b  from rotating. The second tab  126   b  can fold over the side  128  of the nut  118 , preventing the nut  118  from rotating with respect to the hanger  100 . 
     The lock tab washer  104  can provide several functions in one unit. It can prevent the nuts  114 , 118  from loosening due to vibrations, particularly when the hangers  100  are supporting overhead pipes  102 . Vibrations can be transmitted through the pipes  102  or from the floor above. It may be inconvenient or difficult to check the tightness of fasteners (such as the nuts  118 ) when the hangers  100  are high above typical human reach and often hidden behind ceiling tiles or drywall ceilings. In addition, the washers  104  can be configured to be visible from a location far below the hanger  100 , thereby allowing personnel to identify which components are vibration-resistant by visual inspection while standing on the floor, such as during construction and shortly after the hangers  100  are installed. The washers  104  can be sized and colored to provide visibility. For example, bright colors and high reflectivity materials can be used. 
     The washers  104  can be carbon steel or any suitable material known in the art, and they can be covered with a layer to provide corrosion-resistance as well as to increase visibility. For example, the washers can be pre-galvanized or zinc-electroplated. They can be coated in yellow or purple chromate, painted orange, or covered or dipped in plastisol, rubber, or epoxy, for example and without limitation. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the lock tab washer  104  of  FIG. 1  in a flat configuration, according to one aspect of the current disclosure. In the present aspect, the washer  104  can define a circular hole  202  at a first end  230  of the washer  104  and a slit  204  at a second end  216  of the washer  104  opposite the first end  230 . The slit  204  can separate the tabs  126  of the washer  104 . The slit  204  can define an open end  206  at the second end  216  and a closed end  208  proximate the hole  202 . The closed end can define a curvilinear edge  210  such as a half circle. The slit  204  and the hole  202  can be separated by washer material, such that the hole  202  and the slit  204  are noncontiguous spaces. The slit  204  can define a width  218  that is less than, for example, one-fourth a diameter  224  of the circular hole  202 . The slit  204  can also define a length  236 . 
     The first end  230  of the washer  104  can define a curvilinear edge  228 , such as a half circle sharing a same center  248  as the circular hole  202 . The curvilinear edge  228  and the center  248  can define a radius  226  therebetween. The closed end  208  of the slit  204  and the center  248  of the hole  202  can define a distance  238  therebetween. The second end  216  and the center  248  can define a distance  240  therebetween. The washer  104  can define a washer length  242 . 
     Each tab  126  can have an outer side edge  214  and an inner side edge  212 , wherein each of the outer side edges  214  slope toward each other from the first end  230  to the second end  216 . The second end  216  can define a straight edge  246 . The outer side edge  214  of each respective tab  126  can define an outside angle  244  with a second end axis  250  defined by the straight edge  246 . The washer  104  can be symmetric about a longitudinal axis  232  defined by the slit  204 . The washer  104  can define a width axis  234  that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  232  and runs through the center  248  of the hole  202 . The second end  216  can define a width  220 , and a width  222  of the tab  126  at the second end  216  can also be defined. 
       FIG. 2B  is a top view of the lock tab washer  104  in a flat configuration, according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The curvilinear edge  228  at the first end  230  can be a circle that is concentric with the hole  202 . The circular curvilinear edge  228  can meet the tabs  126  at one or more inflection points  260 . Additionally, the outside edges  214  of each respective tab  126  can be parallel to each other. Similar parts of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  can have the same names and use the same designators. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the lock tab washer  104  in a folded, or a secured, configuration. The washer  104  can define a thickness  302 . The first tab  126   a  can bend at a first bend line  304   a  between the closed end  208  and the open end  206  of the slit  204  (as shown in  FIG. 2A ). In the current aspect, the first bend line  304   a  can be approximately one-third of the length  236  from the closed end  208  to the second end  216 . The first tab  126   a  can be folded up in about a 90-degree angle. The second tab  126   b  can fold in a direction opposite the first tab  126   a  (down, in the current aspect) at a second bend line  304   b  proximate to the closed end  208  of the slit  204 , relative to the first bend line  304   a.  In the current aspect, a bent section  402  of the first tab  126   a  of each washer  104  can be shorter than the bent section  402  of the second tab  126   b.  This can be due to the first bend line  304   a  being closer to the open end  206  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) of the slit  204 . The fold lines  304   a,b  can run substantially parallel to the width axis  234  running through the hole  202 . The washer  104  can be stamped from sheet metal, for example and without limitation. 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the lock tab washer  104  of  FIG. 2B  in the folded configuration. One of the inflection points  260  can be seen in this view. Similar parts of  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  can have the same names and use the same designators. 
       FIG. 4  shows a front (down the pipe  102 ) view of the hanger  100  in  FIG. 1 . As shown (also in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B ), the bent section  402  is shorter than the bent section  402  of the second tab  126   b.    
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the hanger  100 . A second bent section  402   b  of the second tab  126   b  of the side lock tab washer  104   b  can contact the side  128  of the nut  118 . The side edges  122 , 124  of the upper and lower clevises  110 , 116  can be farther from the hole  202  (shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B ) of the washer  104  than the circumferential side  128  of the nuts  114 , 118 . Thus, the bend lines  304   a,b  can be located differently on each respective tab  126 . 
     As shown by the first tab  126   a  of the lock tab washer  104   a,  the first tabs  126   a  of each of the lock tab washers  104  can be bent at approximately 90-degrees, and a first bent section  402   a  may not contact the side edges  122 , 124  of the suspension member  136 . The first tabs  126   a  can fold over either of the two side edges  122 , 124  of each clevis  110 , 116 . In other aspects, the user can bend the tabs  126  in various configurations such that the nut  118  is prevented from rotating with respect to the upper and lower devises  110 , 116 . For example, the bend lines  304   a,b  of the side lock tab washer  104   b  can contact the upper clevis  110  or the nut  118 , allowing less space for slippage. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the lock tab washer  104 , in another aspect in accordance with the present disclosure. The first or the edge tab  126   a  can be distal from the second or the nut tab  126   b  across the washer hole  202  and can extend in an opposite direction from the washer hole  202 . The hole  202  defines the hole diameter  224 . In the present aspect, the nut tab  126   b  can be proximate the first end  230 , and the edge tab  126   a  can be proximate the second end  216 . The first and the second ends  230 , 216  can be curvilinear. The nut tab  126   b  can define a nut tab width  618  that is less than an edge tab width  604  of the edge tab  126   a.  The longitudinal axis  232  can define a plane of reflectional symmetry. The nut tab  126   b  can also comprise two nut tab side edges  624 , each meeting a washer shoulder  622  at a relief notch  602  that can be recessed and curvilinear. Each shoulder  622  can join to a lateral edge  620  of the edge tab  126   a.  The nut tab  126   b  can also define a nut tab length  614  that is shorter than half the washer length  242 . Further lengths can be defined, such as a shoulder width  616 , a distance  608  from the second end  216  to the hole center  248 , a distance  612  from the shoulder  622  to the hole center  248 , and a distance  606  from the longitudinal axis  232  to the lateral edge  620 . 
       FIG. 7  is a detail view of the hanger  100  assembled with the washer  104  of  FIG. 6  in the location of washer  104   b  of  FIG. 1 . The washer  104  can be placed on the bolt  120  outside and adjacent the upper clevis  110 , and the side nut  118  can be threaded on the bolt  120  over the washer  104 . The edge tab  126   a  can fold at the first bend line  304   a  (which can also be called the edge bend line  304   a ) over the side edges  124 , 122  of the upper and lower devises  110 , 116 , respectively. The nut tab  126   b  can fold at the second bend line  304   b  (which can also be called the nut bend line  304   b ) over the circumferential side  128  of the nut  118 . The relief notches  602  can relief to the washer  104  at the nut bend line  304   b,  such that the washer  104  is less likely to rip or tear. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the lock tab washer  104 , in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. In the present aspect, the edge tab  126   a  and the nut tab  126   b  can be on opposing sides of the washer hole  202  and can extend in opposite directions that are offset but parallel. The tabs  126   a,b  can be approximately the same size and shape, and they can extend from a central portion  810  defining the washer hole  202 . The washer  104  can have a 180-degree rotation symmetry about the hole center  248 . The tabs can comprise tab ends  808  that are curvilinear. The tabs  126   a,b  can define tab lengths  816 . The symmetric tabs can define a tab width  804 . The hole center  248  and the tab end  808  can define a distance  806  therebetween. The central portion  810  can approximately be a square and can comprise two central lateral edges  814 . A distance  812  between the hole center  248  and each central lateral edge  814  can be defined. The central portion  810  can also comprise two shoulders  622 , each of which meet a tab lateral edge  818  at the relief notch  602 . 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view of the hanger  100  assembled with the washer  104  of  FIG. 8  in the location of washer  104   b  of  FIG. 1 . The placement of the washer  104  on the bolt  120  and the location of the bend lines  304   a,b  can be substantially the same as shown and described in  FIG. 7 . In the current aspect, either tab  126  can be the nut tab  126   b,  with the other tab  126  being the edge tab  126   a.  The circumferential side  128  of the nut  118  can form a polygon, such as a hexagon for the hex nut  114 , 118 . Each edge of the polygon can define a side face  902  of the nut  114 , 118 . For example, the hex nut  114 , 118  has six side faces  902 . Each side face  902  can also be called a flat  902  of the circumferential side  128 . 
     Because the nut tab  126   b  in the current aspect is offset to one lateral side of the washer  104 , the nut tab  126   b  may contact only half of a side face  902 . In comparison, the nut tab  126   b  in the aspect of  FIG. 7 , which fully covers one of the side faces  902 , may provide for greater vibration resistance than the one shown in  FIG. 9 . The lock tab washer  104  of  FIG. 9 , however, may leave less unused material behind when it is stamped from a sheet, relative to the washer  104  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the lock tab washer  104  in a flat configuration, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The washer  104  can comprise four tabs  126 , each of which can have a substantially similar size and shape, such that any one of the tabs  126  can be an edge tab  126   a  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) or a nut tab  126   b  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). As such, the tab lengths  816  can be substantially the same. The washer can have 90-degree rotation symmetry about the hole center  248 . The tab ends  808  can be curvilinear. The tab lateral edges  818  can each meet one of the shoulders  622  at one of the relief notches  602 . The shoulders can meet at a shoulder corner  1002 . 
       FIG. 11  is a detail view of the hanger  100  assembled with the washer  104  of  FIG. 10  in the location of washer  104   b  of  FIG. 1 . In the current aspect, one of the tabs  126  can be the edge tab  126   a,  and the tab  126  opposite the edge tab  126   a  can be the nut tab  126   b.  The remaining tabs  126  can be lateral tabs  126   c  that are configured to bend adjacent to the nut circumferential side  128  and provide greater vibration resistance. In the present aspect, when the nut  118  is a hex nut  118 , the lateral tabs  126   c  may not contact a substantial portion of one of the nut&#39;s  118  side faces  902 . In other aspects, the lateral tabs  126   c  can be bent obliquely, or bent to conform to the circumferential side  128  of the nut  118 , such that greater contact is made with one of the side faces  902 . 
     One advantage of the lock tab washer  104  in the aspect of  FIG. 10  is that assembly can be less dependent on the orientation of the nut  118 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , lateral tabs  126   c  align with points  1102 , rather than the flats  902  of the hex nut  118 . In another aspect (not shown), the nut  118  can be rotated slightly, and the tab acting as the nut tab  126   b  of  FIG. 11  might align with one of the points  1102  of the nut  118 . The lateral tabs  126   c  can then align with the flats  902 . In that aspect, the lateral tabs  126   c  of  FIG. 11  can also be the nut tabs  126   b  (aspect not shown). The tab acting as the nut tab  126   b  in  FIG. 11  can then bend against the side edge  1104  opposite side edges  122 , 124 , such that two tabs  126  engage the devises  110 , 116  and two tabs  126  engage a flat  902  of the nut  118 . 
     Any of the washers  104  shown in  FIGS. 6-11  can also be used as a top washer  104   a  on the upper clevis  110  adjacent to the securing nut  114 . The presently disclosed lock tab washer  104  provides for several advantages over the currently-available solutions for vibration resistance. Personnel can see with the naked eye whether a lock tab washer  104  has been installed; they can also see when, for example, the edge tab  126   a  of the washer  104  has slipped past the side edge  124 , 122  of the upper or lower devises  110 , 116 . Thus, personnel can easily identify when replacement of the washer  104  or retightening of the nut  108 , 118  is necessary. Such advantages are particularly useful in the art of suspending pipes  102 , since the pipes  102  may be located in areas that may not receive regular maintenance, and because the consequence of a falling pipe  102  due to a loose nut  114 , 118  may be catastrophic. In addition, the lock tab washers  104  can provide for greater protection against intentional or unintentional removal of the nut  118  from the bolt  120 , because the washers positively engage lateral side edges of each of the nuts  114 , 118  and devises  110 , 116 . 
     The lock tab washer  104  can be used to suspend pipes  102  from ceilings as low as five feet or less (such as on submarines), to ceilings as high as 16 feet to 80 feet or more, as in some warehouses. The lock tab washer  104  can be sized with such definiteness as to allow visual inspection from the floor with the naked eye, for example. For some uses, the appropriate washer length  242  (such as for the aspect shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B ), may be 1.375 inches or less, or 2.875 inches or more. A larger washer  104  size may be more appropriate for uses in which the pipe  102  is suspended from a relatively high ceiling. 
     Further, in other aspects, the lock tab washer  104  of any of the previously described aspects can be used with any products, such as water and gas products, that utilize nuts  118  and bolts  120 . In some aspects, for example and without limitation, the lock tab washer  104  can be used to hold a nut  118  onto a bolt  120  on a pipe coupling, a flanged connection between two pipe elements such as a valve and a pipe  102 , pipe clamps, and seismic braces. 
     One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.