Patent Abstract:
A universal suspended anchor system is configured for attaching to a frame having a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall having first and second bearing surfaces, respectively adjacent to and aligned with one another and defining a gap formed between the adjacent bearing surfaces. The universal suspended anchor system includes a bracket and a threaded block affixed to the bracket. The anchor is inserted into the gap and rests on the bearing surfaces. The anchor enables suspension of building service lines including water, HVAC and electrical services.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to an industrial hanger. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a universal suspended anchor system. 
         [0002]    An industrial hanger generally refers to a device used for securing building services to the primary steelwork of a structure. Industrial hangers are widely used in industrial-type applications. Typically, industrial hangers are used to secure items such as pipes, cable, and conduit (e.g., water and related services, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning piping and conduit and electrical cables) from the steel joists or trusses located overhead in industrial buildings. 
         [0003]    Oftentimes, however, industrial hangers are difficult and costly to install. Characteristically, industrial hangers cannot be installed from the floor: an installer must use a ladder or lift to elevate him or herself to the height of the roof trusses and then proceed to bolt or weld previously known industrial hanger systems to the truss. Unfortunately, large equipment such as electrical or heating and ventilation systems can cause obstructions such that elevating to the height of the truss or otherwise installing the industrial hangers poses a significant challenge. 
         [0004]    Another challenge confronted by users of known industrial hangers is that many hangers can exert forces unevenly on the sides of the joists from which the hanger is affixed. Often, the industrial hanger does not distribute the weight uniformly on the truss/joist; because some industrial hangers are mounted on one side of a joist, the load is concentrated on one leg or side of a joist than another. This uneven distribution of load on a weight-bearing surface can be problematic. 
         [0005]    In addition, known hanger systems often rotate or move and typically have no seismic restraints to reduce rotational and translational movement. 
         [0006]    Finally, existing industrial hangers that can be mounted to trusses from the floor require a seller or user to stock extra inventory such as different lengths of rod or other parts to reach different heights for different installations. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for a universal suspended anchor system. Desirably, such a universal suspended anchor system is easy to install from the floor and provides for uniform distribution of load, as well as seismic restraint. More desirably, such an anchor is readily made and usable, while keeping parts to a minimum, and has a high degree of integrity at reduced cost. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A universal suspended anchor system is configured for attaching to an associated frame, the associated frame having a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall, the first vertical wall having a first bearing surface and the second vertical wall having a second bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces adjacent to and aligned with one another defining a gap between the adjacent bearing surfaces. 
         [0009]    The universal suspended anchor system is comprised of a T-bracket and a threaded block. The threaded block is welded to the bracket and the bracket and the threaded block define a unit configured to accept or couple with a threaded rod. In one embodiment, the threaded block is a square threaded block and is welded to a T-bracket, with the threaded block welded to the bracket on either a tabbed side or a flat side of the T-bracket. The threaded block is threaded internally to accept a mating threaded rod. The T-bracket has tabs on its lateral aspects, configured to engage or rest on bearing surfaces of the frame, minimizing rotational movement of the anchor system. 
         [0010]    Desirably, the anchor system is easy to install from below, providing for uniform distribution of load and rotational restraint while resting on bearing surfaces, in addition to providing for seismic restraint and reducing translational movement. More desirably, the anchor is readily made and usable, while keeping parts to a minimum, and has a high degree of integrity at reduced cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, the universal suspended anchor system mounted to a truss; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the anchor system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the anchor system shown with a threaded rod and a (seismic restraint) threaded block and washer; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the anchor system coupled with a rod; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the anchor system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the anchor system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a square threaded block; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the square threaded block; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of a threaded block and washer assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the threaded block and washer assembly for  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a seismic hanger using the present universal suspended anchor system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0024]    It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a universal suspended anchor system is shown, attached to a truss  18 . The truss  18  has two adjacent angle irons  20  and  22 , the first angle iron  20  having a first bearing surface  24  and the second angle iron  22  having a second bearing surface  26 , the first and second bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  adjacent to and aligned with one another such that a gap  28  is formed between the adjacent angle irons  20 ,  22 . 
         [0026]    An embodiment of the universal suspended anchoring system  10  itself is shown in  FIG. 2  and is comprised of a bracket  12  and a square threaded block  14 .  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  illustrate an embodiment of the bracket  12  with a width W T  of approximately 1.00 inch, a length L T  of approximately 3.00 inches, and a height H T  of approximately 0.125 inches is shown. The bracket can be manufactured from steel, but it also anticipated that it may be manufactured using other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to aluminum, nylon, or plastic, or iron. The threaded block  14  is affixed, preferably welded to the bracket  12 . The threaded block  14  can be welded to either a tabbed edge  36  of the T-bracket  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or welded to a flat side  32  of the T-bracket  12 , as shown in phantom in  FIG. 4 , as indicated by  34 . An embodiment of a square threaded block is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , with a width W N  approximately 0.50 inches and a height H N  of approximately 0.88 inches. 
         [0027]    The ability to weld the threaded block  14  to different sides of the T-bracket  12  allows the universal suspended anchor system  10  to be used in a variety of situations. For example, the T-bracket  12  has tabs  16 ,  17  formed at the lateral ends of the T-bracket  12 . When the threaded block  14  is welded to a tabbed edge  36  of the T-bracket  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the tabs  16 ,  17  of the T-bracket  12  are configured to engage the bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  of the angle irons  20 ,  22  to restrict or reduce rotational movement of the universal suspended anchor system  10 . In the alternative, the threaded block  14  can be welded to a flat side of the bracket  12  when clearance is an issue and a flat surface is needed against the bearing surfaces (e.g., the top chord)  24 ,  26 . 
         [0028]    To mount the universal suspended anchor system  10  to the truss  18 , a rod  30  is coupled with the threaded block  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The end user is able to chose (or cut) the appropriate type and length of rod  30  necessary for the particular application, such as a shorter rod for low ceilings or a longer rod for higher ceilings and trusses, rather than be restricted by predetermined rod lengths. From below, a user may then raise the rod  30 , which has been coupled to the universal suspended anchor system  10 , and affix the anchor system  10  coupled to the rod  30  to the overhead trusses, mounting the anchor system  10  on the bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  and between the vertical walls of the angle irons  20 ,  22 . 
         [0029]    The mounted anchor system  10  is restrained in the truss in two ways: first, the square threaded block  14  is fitted between the vertical walls of the angle irons  20 ,  22 , the walls holding to the sides of the threaded block  14 . Second, the anchor is restrained by engaging the bracket tabs  16 ,  17  with the bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  of the angle irons  20 ,  22 . By installing the anchor system  10  in such a manner, the need for welding or bolting an anchor system to a truss is eliminated. 
         [0030]    Engaging both of the bracket tabs  16 ,  17  with the bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  of the two angle irons  20 ,  22 , not only provides a means of restraint and reduces rotational movement, it also acts to distribute the load L of the anchor system  10  uniformly over two angle irons rather than one. Where prior industrial hangers are attached to one side of a joist and therefore, exhibit uneven load conditions across the joist, the present anchor system distributes the load L uniformly over two joists, creating more stability and reducing stress on both the truss  18  and the anchor system  10 . 
         [0031]    In one use of the anchor system  10 , the threaded rod  30  is coupled to a nut  40 , such as a KEPS® nut and a lock washer/plate  42 , such as a KEPS® lock washer, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to further stabilize and reduce movement of the anchor system  10 . The KEPS® nut and lock washer/plate are commercially available from ITW Shakeproof of Elgin, Ill.  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an embodiment of the anchor system  10 , in which the nut  40  and lock washer  42  are tightened up against the bottom (as indicated generally at  44  in  FIG. 1 ) of the truss system  18  to secure the hanger  10  in place. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment using the KEPS® nut and washer assembly, the KEPS® washer is a 1.53 inch square washer (L KW  is approximately 1.53 inches) with a height H KW  of approximately 0.13 inches. The KEPS® nut is shown with a height H KN  of approximately 0.32-0.36 inches. The KEPS® nut and lock washers inhibit vibration and loosening, alleviating rattles and slippage of the anchor system  10 . 
         [0033]    In one use in which seismic considerations are taken into account, the anchor system  10  include the bracket  12  and square nut  14  and a relatively short threaded rod  30  that is engaged with the square nut  14 . A coupling  46  is threadedly engages with the rod  30  on one end  48  and includes, at an opposite end  50 , an internal thread  52  (national pipe thread—NPT) for mating with a length of pipe  54 . The pipe  54  extends to, for example, a second coupling  56 /clevis  58  for supporting the pipe P. The upper coupling  46  can be sized such that when it is threaded onto the rod  30 , it also snugs up against the truss system  20 ,  22  to secure the bracket  12  in place on the truss system  20 ,  22 . At the same time, the rigid pipe  54  provides sufficient strength and stiffness to account for seismic activity. 
         [0034]    It will be appreciated that the present anchor system  10 , with or without the seismic restraint can be readily installed from below the truss  18  by inserting the bracket  12 /block  14  assembly between the angle irons  20 ,  22 , until the bracket and nut  12 ,  14  clear the tops (bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  of the angles  20 ,  22 ), turning the hanger assembly  10  and resting the hanger  14  on the bearing surfaces  24 ,  26  of angle irons  20 ,  22 , respectively. In addition, the square block  14  provides an indication of the orientation of the bracket. In that the block  14  is square, it can be determined that the bracket  12  is properly resting on the truss system when a face side  14   a  of the block  14  is perpendicular to the direction of the truss members. 
         [0035]    All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure. 
         [0036]    In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5