Abstract:
A fitting to prevent movement during seismic activity between a building structure or the like and a rod and channel support or the like connected to said building which may include anti-torque means between the anchor and the channel for preventing rotation of the anchor about the rod. The fitting is directed to a specific slot design to permit ease in access around a rod of a rod and channel support or the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 10/206,987, filed Jul. 30, 2002 and is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention is directed towards an anti-torque retro-fittable mechanism for preventing rotation about the rod of a rod and channel support by locking the fitting in the channel sometimes referred to as the trapeze. This facilitates the attachment of bracing elements used in seismic and other applications. The invention is also directed toward a specific slot design permitting ease in access around a rod of a rod and channel support and the like. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the early part of a last century, earthquakes caused severe damage to pipes, cables, ducts, and communication lines normally suspended within a building or the like. The suspended units would adversely sway with regard to the movement of the building which would remain intact. Such suspended devices moved independently and would break away from their installed positions creating severe damage requiring replacement in the existing building at great cost. 
   In order to fix the ducts, pipes, cables and other lines so that they would move in sync with the building when it vibrated under a seismic event, tie downs, hold downs, brackets, clamps, seismic anchors or fittings were developed to keep these elements intact during an earthquake. The fittings were designed primarily to reduce breakaway from the installed positions of the various suspended elements. Similarly, anchors were developed to keep machines and computer equipment from shifting on the floor to which they were positioned. Equipment hold downs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,251 to Gutelius et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,993 to Hill. 
   The suspended elements supported by seismic bracing are shown in such patents as Biggane U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,218, Roth U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,317, and Thompson U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,050,035 and 6,247,274. 
   Other patents showing various similar devices include Hurtubise U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,936 and MacKarvich U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,056. 
   The devices shown in the patents referred to, limit deflection and reduce earthquake related damage, but do not solve the problems in that there tends to be rotation of the anchor mechanism to the channel support whether it be in the ceiling or in the floor which in turn causes unattended shifting of the fittings about an axis causing damage under more sever earthquakes even though the building structure itself may not be severely damaged. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
   It is an object of this invention to produce a fitting which is connected to a rod and channel structure which will not rotate around the rod or on the channel thereby greatly improving the chances of little damage to suspended or mounted equipment. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a seismic fitting which is adaptable for installation in many different types of building conditions including corners or areas which have limited space for maneuverability of the workman or equipment available for installation. 
   A still further object of this invention is to provide a fitting which will be economically competitive with present devices. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a fitting which is strong and durable and economically inexpensive to produce. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a fitting which will enable the installer to determine the exact size of the rod which the fitting can encompass since the fittings will be made in various sizes to adapt to different rod diameters in different load bearing structures. 
   Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a fitting which requires a minimum amount of handling in order to install. 
   A still further object of this invention is to provide a fitting which can be readily modified to adapt to cable, hook, brackets and the like. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a fitting which permits ease in rotating the top and bottom plates relative to each other from open to closed positions. 
   A further object of this invention is allow installation of the fitting without disassembling existing installations. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a seismic fitting which is adaptable for connection to cables and the like. 
   Still a further object of this invention is to provide a clamp fitting for attaching cable to a seismic anchor system or the like. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fitting which can accommodate multiple cable installations in different directions. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a fitting which eliminates the potential for missing or dropped sub-components thus expediting the installation process. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fitting for use in anchors which will take loading in tension as well as compression. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide fittings which may be stacked in at least two directions to allow bracing in more than one direction of a common rod support. 
   In summary therefore, this invention provides the building trade with a seismic device which is adaptable to all present existing conditions and which will maintain rigidity of the equipment by locking it to the building or structure to which it is attached so that any movement of the building during seismic activity will not cause the suspended elements to shift adversely relative to the building structure. The term “seismic” for the purposes of this disclosure is broadly defined as relating to any arbitrary motion which can be measured, which may occur by stress or strain or movement of an object such as by earthquake, accident, explosion, impact, wind, water or any other such force. The term “anchor” includes hold-downs, tie downs, clamps, fittings, brackets, braces, and the like in that it keeps members from shifting under measurable stress. 
   The following is a description of the invention in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are as follows: 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  when assembled in a rod and channel structure; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary end elevational view of the assembly generally illustrated in  FIG. 3  with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a modification of the invention showing means for permitting the upper and bottom plates to swing without interference; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified version of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the modification shown in  FIG. 6  with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11  are fragmentary side elevational views of various modifications of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified version of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary side elevational view of the modified version shown in  FIG. 12  with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary top plan view of a modification of the invention with portions shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary side elevational view of the invention shown in  FIG. 14  with portions shown in cross-section and in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-section of the cable gripping bolt and nut illustrated in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a fragmentary exploded view of the nut assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   FIGS.  1 – 4   
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1–4 , the fitting A comprises a bottom plate  2  and a top plate  4 . The plates  2  and  4  are constructed of high strength materials including steel, titanium or special synthetics or composites or ceramics. Plates  2  and  4  have openings  6  and  8  for receiving a rivet  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rivet  10  is loosely held in the openings  6  and  8  to permit plates  2  and  4  to swing freely without interference at the angle  12  of plate  2  and  14  of plate  4 . If the rivet were not loose, the plates  2  and  4  would not swing freely because the bend at the angles  12  and  14  will interfere with each other. The rivet  10  is raised slightly above the bottom surface  16  of plate  2  and the top surface  18  of the plate  4 . In general, the rivet  10  is made substantially flush with the surfaces  16  and  18  in order to avoid interference with other equipment which may be installed nearby. 
   Plate  2  incorporates a down turned flange or lug  20  at the rear of plate  2 . Forward angle portions  22  and  24  of plates  2  and  4  are provided with holes  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32 . The rear portions  34  of plate  2  and  36  of plate  4  include slot  38  with bottom  39  and slot  40  with bottom  41 . The plates  2  and  4  have a longitudinal axis V and a transverse axis T. The rivet  10 , which may be a bolt and nut assembly or the like, lies on the longitudinal axis V of plate  2  along with bolt holes  26  and  28  and on the longitudinal axis V of plate  4  along with the bolt holes  30  and  32 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the gap distance between plates  2  and  4  permitting swing of the two plates together about the pivot  10  and its center axis. 
   When the plates are at right angles to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the gap distance G substantially equals the width W of the slots  38  and  40 . The length of the slots LS is substantially equal to the length PS being the distance from the center axis of the pivot  10  to the center of the slot  38  or  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It is to be noted that slots  38  and  40  have there inner sides  42  and  44  arcuate about the center axis of the pivot  10 . The outer sides  46  of plate  2  and  48  of plate  4  are substantially straight and transverse to the longitudinal axis L. 
   When the plates form a right angle (90°) to each other, the gap distance G serves as a gauge for the rod R of the assembly X generally shown in  FIG. 3 . The rod width R may vary depending upon the load carried which also changes the width of slots  38  and  40 . The arcuate sides  42  and  44  of the slots, provide the installer with ease of manipulation of the devices in difficult areas. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , channel members C are inter-connected by plates  2  and  4 . Bolts  50  and  52  engage keepers (not shown) which engage the underside of flanges  54  and  56  of the channel C. It is to be noted in  FIG. 3  that the flange  20  enters the channel C and provides anti-torque of the plates  2  and  4  about the rod R. In  FIG. 3 , the rod R has a nut  54  engaging a square washer  56  on top of the plate  4 .  FIG. 4  shows the rod R engaging a lock nut  58  for positioning the rod R in the channel C. 
   It is obvious that plates  2  and  4  may under certain circumstances be flat rather than angled plates  2  and  4  are connected to a tie-down (not shown). 
   In  FIG. 3 , it is to be noted that the arcuate end of the edge  42  lies inside the side edge of plate  4  and the arcuate side  44  of plate  4  lies inside of the edge of plate  2 . This arrangement prevents interference of the edges with the rod when opening or closing the seismic anchor A about the rod R. 
   FIG.  5   
   Instead of the fitting A as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the fitting AA has a step  60 . A rivet  62  secures the upper plate  64  to lower plate  66 . The step  60  permits plates  64  and  66  to swing relative to each other without interference. This permits the rivet  62  to be flush with the bottom surface  68  of plate  66  and flush with the top surface  70  of the top plate  64 . 
   FIGS.  6 – 7   
   In  FIGS. 6 and 7  of fitting B, the bottom plate  72  includes an ear  74 . The top plate  76  also includes an ear  78  which is a mirror image of the ear  74 . The two plates  72  and  76  swing about the pivot  10  in the manner previously discussed relative to the plates illustrated in  FIGS. 1–4 . The plates  72  and  76  have angled upward sweeping portions  80  and  82  which connect to the ears  74  and  78  respectively. The ears  74  and  78  include a bolt hole (not shown) which receives a bolt  84  secured by a nut  86 . The bolt  84  and nut  86  secures additional tie down TD apparatus as understood from a review of the prior art patents referred to earlier. 
   FIGS.  8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11   
     FIG. 8  shows a fitting BB connected to a cable  88 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a fitting CC with plates  90  and  92 . Plate  90  includes a hook or the like  94  which engages an opening  95  in the tie down TD. 
     FIG. 10  fitting D is provided with plates  96  and  98  having an opening  99  which has received a resilient material grommet  100  for receiving the hook  101  of the tie down TD. Plate  96  has a tab Ta to facilitate opening (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     FIG. 11  shows the fitting DA having plates  102  and  104  provided with slots  106  and  108  for receiving a hook  110  of the tie down TD. Plate  102  also has a tab Tb to facilitate opening (see  FIG. 14 ). 
   FIGS.  12  and  13   
     FIGS. 12 and 13  show a fitting DB provided with plates  112  and  114  connected by a pivot  116 . Bottom plate  112  has a straight slot entering from the rear side, and top plate  114  has a curved slot  120  entering from the front side of plate  114 . Lug or flange  20  is connected to top plate  114 . Bottom plate  112  includes an opening  122  for receiving a lock finger  124  on the top plate  114 . Plates  112  and  114  are loosely connected by pivot  116  and are locked down by the nut  54  and washer  56  on the rod R. 
   FIGS.  14 – 17   
   In  FIGS. 14 through 17 , the fitting DD is designed to receive a cable clamping bolt and nut device BN which provides a uniformly distributed load along an engaged cable. The fitting device BD of this modification includes plates  126  and  128 . The flange  20  which engages the slot of the channel C extends downward from the top plate  128  through a recess  130  of the bottom plate  126 . Plate  126  has a tab  131  to facilitate the opening of the fitting DD. Plates  126  and  128  are provided with cooperating holes  132  and  134  for receiving the bolt and nut BN. 
   As best shown in  FIG. 17 , the bolt and nut device BN comprises a bolt  136  having a slot  138  into which a cable  140  or the like is received. Bolts  136  has a head H and a threaded shank S. The shank S has a base F mounted to the head H and the end E is threaded. Plates  126  and  128  may be lengthened and provided with additional holes  132  and  134  for receiving additional BN devices for mounting additional cables  140  in various directions. A T-shaped cable clamp  142 , having gripping serrations  144 , engages the cable  140 . A washer  146  having a slot  148 , engages the cable clamp  142  when positioned about the bolt  136 . Washer  146  may be a load indicating washer which by color change or other means can advise the installer when the correct load has been applied to the bolt and nut device BN on the cable  140 . The washer  146  and clamp  142  may be of one piece construction. The nut  150  is threaded onto the bolt  138 . When the washer  146  and the cable clamp  142  are positioned on the bolt  136 , the nut  150  is tightened down on the bolt and clamps the cable clamp  142  against the cable  140  with gripping means  144  including serrations, knurling, coining, ribbing or arcuate configuring engaging the cable to resist stripping of the cable  140  from the bolt and nut device BN. For resistance against slipping of the cable  140  when it is clamped down by the bolt and nut device BN, the bottom of the slot  138  of the bolt  136  could also be provided with gripping means in the same manner as clamp  142 .  FIGS. 14 to 17  show the bolt and nut device BN with the bolt  136  downwardly positioned. Obviously the reverse can be made with the bolt  136  in the up position of the bolt and nut assembly BN. Nut  150  has a bottom portion  152  which engages the top portion  154  of the washer or sleeve  146 . When sleeve  146  is placed on shank S, the top portion  154  of the washer or sleeve  146  completely encircles the shank  5  including the slot  138  of shank S. The sleeve  146  has bottom surfaces  155  which engages the plate  126  of the anchor fitting DD. The inside nut wall  156  and the inside sleeve wall  158  with the exception of slots  148  vertically surround and cover the legs  160  and  162  of the shank S. The projecting ends of cross bar  164  of the T-shaped cable clamp  142  engage the bottom of slots  148 . When the cable  140  is positioned in slot  138  and slots  148  and nut  150  is threaded down on shank S, the entire cable diameter lies in the slots  138  and  148  and the bottom surfaces  155  engage the plate  126  while the cable  140  engages the T-shaped cable clamp  142  and the bottom of the slot  138 . The base F of the shank S extends through the plate  126 . 
   In all instances of this development, the seismic devices A, AA, B, BB, CC, D, DA, DB and DD, are provided with the anti-torque flange  20  adapted to be positioned in the channel C. All of the devices aforementioned are provided with slots for clamping around the rod R. In the configurations of  FIGS. 14–17 , the bolt and nut device BN, when installed in plates  126  and  128 , permits rotation of the plates  126  and  128  relative to each other for manipulating around the rod R. When DD is used in  FIG. 10  the resilient grommet permits rotation of the plates  126  and  128  relative to each other for manipulation around the rod R. 
   The fittings A, AA, B, BB, CC, D, DA, DB, and DD may, in some instances, be made without the flange  20  for special applications where torque is unnecessary because of other mechanisms on structure surrounding the fittings A, AA, B, BB, CC, D, DA, DB and DD. 
   While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features herein before set forth, and which come within the scope of the invention or limits of the claims appended hereto.