Patent Description:
The invention concerns brackets for securing items to a support.

<FIG> shows an example assembly <NUM> according to the prior art wherein a bracket <NUM> is used to secure an item <NUM> to a support <NUM>. In this example, the assembly <NUM> is a fire suppression sprinkler system comprising a riser <NUM> and a branch pipe <NUM> attached to a beam <NUM> of a structure, such as a warehouse, office building, hotel or other edifice. A saddle coupling <NUM> connects one end of a flexible hose <NUM> to the branch pipe <NUM>, the other end being attached to the item <NUM>, in this example a sprinkler reducer. Sprinkler reducer <NUM> is connected to a heat triggered sprinkler <NUM>. Most of the weight of the flexible hose <NUM>, bracket <NUM>, reducer <NUM> and sprinkler <NUM> is borne on the support <NUM>, in this example a cross member which extends between rails <NUM>. Rails <NUM> may be horizontally oriented within the building structure, for example, as part of a ceiling, or vertically oriented as part of a wall within the building structure.

Because the bracket's latching mechanism <NUM> is asymmetric, it is advantageous to have the ability to change the orientation of the bracket <NUM> so that it can be unlatched, opened, closed and latched from a position either below or above the bracket during installation of the item <NUM>. If a bracket <NUM> according to the prior art is installed in an assembly, and it is desired to invert the bracket, orient the bracket horizontally, or change the side of the bracket on which the reducer and sprinkler are positioned, the technician must remove the cross member <NUM> from rails <NUM>, slide the bracket off of the cross member, flip the bracket <NUM>° or <NUM>°, slide the bracket back onto the cross member and reattach the cross member to the rails. There is clearly a need for a bracket wherein the orientation may be readily changed without extensive disassembly.

Another example for a bracket is known from <CIT>.

The invention concerns a bracket for mounting an item to a cross member. In one example embodiment the bracket comprises a base defining an opening for receiving the item. An arm is movably mounted on the base. The arm is movable between an open position, wherein the arm is not overlying the opening and thereby allowing access thereto, and a closed position, wherein the arm overlies the opening to capture the item between the arm and the base. By way of example the base comprises first and second sidewalls arranged in spaced apart relation from one another. Further by way of example, a back wall may extend between the first and second sidewalls. The back wall and the first and second sidewalls form a channel. A first portion of the channel has a first width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate to the back wall, and a second portion of the channel has a second width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point distal to the back wall. The second width is greater than the first width.

In a specific example embodiment of a bracket, the opening is defined by the first and second sidewalls comprising the second portion of the channel. Further by way of example, the first channel portion may have a rectangular cross section. By way of example, the first channel portion may comprise two sidewalls arranged in parallel, spaced apart relation. In another example, a first end of the arm may be hingedly mounted on the base for pivoting motion between the open and the closed positions.

An example bracket embodiment may further comprise a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end. A shaft is mounted on the base. The shaft is movable relatively to the base between a first position engaging the latch, thereby retaining the arm in the closed position, and a second position disengaged from the latch, thereby permitting the arm to pivot into the open position. In an example embodiment the shaft threadedly engages the base. The shaft may be movable between the first and second positions by rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In an example embodiment, the latch comprises a surface engageable by the shaft. The surface may be angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis such that motion of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

The bracket might be used in a combination of a cross member and a bracket for mounting an item to the cross member. The combination, however, is solely mentioned and described herein and does not belong to the invention. In one example embodiment the bracket comprises a base defining an opening for receiving the item. An arm is movably mounted on the base. The arm is movable between an open position, wherein the arm is not overlying the opening and thereby allowing access thereto, and a closed position, wherein the arm overlies the opening to capture the item between the arm and the base. By way of example the base comprises first and second sidewalls arranged in spaced apart relation from one another. A back wall may extend between the first and second sidewalls. The back wall and the first and second sidewalls form a channel. A first portion of the channel has a first width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate the back wall. The first width is sized so that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket about a longitudinal axis of the cross member. A second portion of the channel has a second width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point distal to the back wall. The second width is sized to permit rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

In an example embodiment the opening is defined by the first and second sidewalls comprising the second portion of the channel. In a further example embodiment, the first channel portion has a rectangular cross section and the cross member has a rectangular cross section. In a particular example embodiment, the cross member has an outer dimension equal to the first width.

By way of example, a first end of the arm may be hingedly mounted on the base for pivoting motion between the open and the closed positions. An example embodiment further comprises a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end. A shaft is mounted on the base. The shaft is movable relatively to the base between a first position engaging the latch, thereby retaining the arm in the closed position, and a second position disengaged from the latch, thereby permitting the arm to pivot into the open position. By way of example the shaft may threadedly engage the base. The shaft is then movable between the first and second positions by rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In an example embodiment the latch comprises a surface engageable by the shaft. The surface may be angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis such that motion of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

A further bracket for mounting an item to a cross member is described, which is not part of the invention. In an example embodiment the bracket comprises a first arm having first and second ends oppositely disposed and a second arm having first and second ends oppositely disposed. A hinge pin extends between the first ends of the first and second arms thereby pivotably attaching the arms to one another. An opening is defined between the arms for receiving the item. The arms are movable between an open position wherein the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another thereby allowing access to the opening, and a closed position wherein the second ends are proximate to one another thereby capturing the item between the arms. Each of the first and second arms comprises respective first and second sidewalls arranged in spaced apart relation from one another. The first and second sidewalls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween. A first portion of the channel has a first width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate to the hinge pin, a second portion of the channel has a second width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point distal to the hinge pin. The second width is greater than the first width.

Another combination of a cross member and a bracket for mounting an item to the cross member, which is not part of the invention, is described herein. In an example embodiment the bracket comprises a first arm having first and second ends oppositely disposed, and a second arm having first and second ends oppositely disposed. A hinge pin extends between the first ends of the first and second arms thereby pivotably attaching the arms to one another. An opening is defined between the arms for receiving the item. The arms are movable between an open position wherein the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another thereby allowing access to the opening, and a closed position wherein the second ends are proximate to one another thereby capturing the item between the arms. Each of the first and second arms comprises respective first and second sidewalls arranged in spaced apart relation from one another. The first and second sidewalls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween. A first portion of the channel has a first width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate the hinge pin. The first width is sized so that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket about a longitudinal axis of the cross member. A second portion of the channel has a second width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point distal to the hinge pin. The second width is sized to permit rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

A method of reorienting a bracket mounted on a cross member is described and does not belong to the invention. In one example embodiment the method comprises:.

<FIG> shows an example combination <NUM> according to the invention comprising a bracket <NUM> mounted on a cross member <NUM>. Cross member <NUM> is mounted on attachments <NUM>, which permit the combination to be mounted on a structure, such as horizontally oriented rails comprising a grid used to support a ceiling, or vertically oriented rails comprising a wall (not shown).

<FIG> and <FIG> show the example bracket <NUM> in detail. In this example, bracket <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> which defines an opening <NUM> which receives an item (not shown) to be secured to the cross member <NUM>. An arm <NUM> is attached to the base <NUM>, the arm being movable between a closed position (shown) wherein the arm overlies the opening <NUM> to capture the item between itself and the base <NUM>, and an open position wherein the arm <NUM> does not overlie the opening <NUM>, thereby providing access to it for positioning the item on the bracket <NUM>. In this example, a first end 52a of arm <NUM> is mounted to the base <NUM> on a hinge <NUM> comprising a hinge pin <NUM> (see also <FIG>). Hinge <NUM> permits the arm <NUM> to pivot about the hinge pin <NUM> between the open and closed position. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, arm <NUM> is secured in the closed position by a latch <NUM> mounted on a second end 52b of arm <NUM>. A shaft <NUM> is mounted on base <NUM> in a position where it can engage the latch <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> is movable relatively to the base between a first position (shown) where it engages latch <NUM> to retain the arm <NUM> in the closed position, and a second position disengaged from the latch <NUM>, thereby permitting the arm <NUM> to pivot into the open position where the bracket <NUM> can receive an item. In this example shaft <NUM> is threaded with helical screw threads which engage compatible screw threads on the base <NUM>, thus permitting the shaft to move between the first and second positions by rotating it about its longitudinal axis <NUM>. In this example latch <NUM> comprises a surface <NUM> engageable by shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the surface <NUM> is angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the shaft such that motion of the shaft <NUM> into the first position engaging the latch <NUM> forces the arm <NUM> into the closed position. This arrangement of shaft <NUM> and surface <NUM> is advantageous because it permits the arm <NUM> to be drawn toward and against the item in a position so as to capture the item within the opening <NUM> between the arm <NUM> and the cross member <NUM> to lock the item in place within the combination <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, base <NUM> comprises first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in spaced apart relation from one another. A back wall <NUM> extends between the first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> and together the sidewalls and back wall form a channel <NUM>. A first portion 72a of channel <NUM>, which is located proximate to the back wall <NUM>, has a first width <NUM> measured between the first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM>. First width <NUM> is measured at a point proximate to the back wall <NUM>. A second portion 72b of the channel <NUM>, distal to the back wall <NUM>, has a second width <NUM> measured between the first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM>. Second width <NUM> is measured at a point distal to the back wall <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second width <NUM> is greater than the first width <NUM>. In this example, as shown in <FIG>, the first width <NUM> is sized so that the first portion 72a of channel <NUM> receives the cross member <NUM> in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket <NUM> about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of cross member <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another example embodiment of a bracket <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> also comprises first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> which define a channel <NUM> having portions 73a and 73b of different respective widths <NUM> and <NUM>, the width <NUM> of channel portion 73a sized to permit rotation of bracket <NUM> about cross member <NUM> (not shown), the width <NUM> of channel portion 73b sized to engage the cross member and prevent rotation of bracket <NUM> about the cross member. Example bracket <NUM> comprises a hinge mounted arm <NUM> which closes to overlie the bracket opening <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is secured using a pivoting bolt and wingnut <NUM> attached to the bracket base portion <NUM>.

<FIG> show another example embodiment of a bracket <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> comprises first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM>. Arm <NUM> has first and second ends 82a and 82b and arm <NUM> has first and second ends 84a and 84b. A hinge pin <NUM> extends between the first ends 82a and 84a of the arms <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby pivotably attaching the arms to one another. The arms <NUM> and <NUM> define an opening <NUM> for receiving an item, such as a sprinkler reducer <NUM> (not shown, see <FIG>). The arms <NUM> and <NUM> are furthermore movable between an open position (<FIG>), wherein second ends 82b and 84b are spaced apart from one another thereby allowing access to opening <NUM>, and a closed position (<FIG>), wherein the second ends 82b and 84b are proximate one another thereby capturing the item between the arms. Each arm <NUM> and <NUM> comprises respective first and second sidewalls <NUM> and <NUM> (first arm <NUM>), and <NUM> and <NUM> (second arm <NUM>). The sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> form a channels <NUM> therebetween. A first portion 98a of the channel <NUM> has a first width <NUM> measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate to the hinge pin <NUM>, and a second portion 98b of the channel <NUM> has a second width <NUM> measured at a point distal to the hinge pin <NUM>. The second width <NUM> is greater than the first width. The first width <NUM> is sized so that the first portion 98a of channel <NUM> receives the cross member <NUM> in engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket <NUM> about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the cross member when the cross member is positioned within the first portion 98a of channel <NUM>. The second width <NUM> is sized to permit rotation of the bracket <NUM> about longitudinal axis <NUM> when the cross member is positioned within the second portion 98b of channel <NUM>.

It is advantageous to match the cross sectional shape of the channel portion 72a to the cross sectional shape of the cross member <NUM> on at least two sides of the cross member. In this example, both the channel portion 72a and the cross member <NUM> have rectangular cross sectional shapes. It is also advantageous if, as shown, the first width <NUM> of the channel portion 72a is equal to an outer dimension of the cross member <NUM>. Other shapes are also feasible, however, matching the cross sectional shapes and dimensions as shown permits locking engagement between the bracket <NUM> and the cross member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A bracket (<NUM>) for mounting an item to a cross member (<NUM>), said bracket (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) defining an opening (<NUM>) for receiving said item;
an arm (<NUM>) movably mounted on said base (<NUM>), said arm (<NUM>) being movable between an open position wherein said arm (<NUM>) is not overlying said opening (<NUM>) and thereby allowing access thereto, and a closed position wherein said arm overlies said opening (<NUM>) to capture said item between said arm (<NUM>) and said base (<NUM>); wherein said base (<NUM>) comprises:
first and second sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in spaced apart relation from one another;
a back wall (<NUM>) extending between said first and second sidewalls, said back wall (<NUM>) and said first and second sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>) forming a channel (<NUM>), a first portion (72a) of said channel (<NUM>) having a first width (<NUM>) measured between said first and second sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a point proximate to said back wall (<NUM>), a second portion (72b) of said channel (<NUM>) having a second width (<NUM>) measured between said first and second sidewalls (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a point distal to said back wall (<NUM>), said second width being greater than said first width.