FLUSH VALVE PIPE STABILIZER

• US 20120175870A1
• Filed: 01/09/2012
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toilet Technologies Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Toilet Technologies Company, LLC
• Inventors: RYAN, Paul J., Murphy, Audie, Zettlemoyer, Warren G.
• Application Number:
  US13/346,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20120175870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/114
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/02 adapted to make use of special securing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49739 Mechanically attaching preform by separate fastener

Abstract

A bracket assembly for stabilizing the connection between a pair of joined pipe segments includes a bracket element attached to each pipe segment, and a yoke element connecting the brackets and reinforcing the connection between the pipe segments. The pipe segments may be in a linear arrangement or may have an angular arrangement. The bracket may be a collar, a split ring, or a pair of joined arcuate pieces. The yoke element may be straight or curved.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reinforcing a connection between a first and second member of a joined pair, comprising:

a first bracket element for engaging the first member;

a second bracket element for engaging the second member; and

a yoke element for connecting the first bracket element and the second bracket element in a fixed relation whereby the connection of the joined pair is reinforced by the engagement of the yoke element with the first and second bracket elements.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bracket elements comprise a collar configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bracket elements comprise a split ring configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bracket elements comprise:

a first arcuate piece; and

a second arcuate piece joined to the first arcuate piece.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bracket elements comprise a clamp.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the yoke element comprises a straight element.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the straight element is a bar.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a second yoke element, the second yoke element comprising a curved element.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the curved element is a bar.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bracket element is orientated substantially perpendicular to the second bracket element when the bracket elements are mounted to the first and second joined pair.

11. An apparatus for reinforcing a connection between a first and second pipe member of a joined pair, comprising:

a first bracket element for engaging the first pipe member, the first bracket element comprising;

a first arcuate piece; and

a second arcuate piece joined to the first arcuate piece by a fastener;

a second bracket element for engaging the second pipe member, the second bracket element comprising;

a first arcuate piece; and

a second arcuate piece joined to the first arcuate piece by a fastener;

a yoke element having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends further including an aperture wherein the first end aperture receives the fastener of the first bracket element, and the second end aperture receives the fastener of the second bracket element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the yoke element comprises a straight element.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the straight element is a bar.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second yoke element, the second yoke element comprising a curved element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the curved element is a bar.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first bracket element is orientated substantially perpendicular to the second bracket element when the bracket elements are mounted to the first and second joined pair.

17. A method for reinforcing a connection between a first pipe member and a second pipe member of a joined pair, comprising:

attaching a first bracket element adjacent a terminal end of the first pipe member;

attaching a second bracket element adjacent a terminal end of the second pipe member;

attaching a straight yoke element to, and extending between, the first bracket element and the second bracket element, whereby the first and second bracket elements, and the yoke element cooperate to reinforce the connection between the first pipe member and the second pipe member.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

attaching an angled member between the first pipe member and second pipe member; and

orientating the first pipe member at an angle to the second pipe member, whereby the first and second bracket elements and the yoke element cooperate to hold the first pipe member and second pipe member in the angled orientation, and reinforce the connections between the first pipe member, second pipe member, and angled member.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising orientating the first pipe member perpendicular to the second pipe member, whereby the first and second bracket elements and the yoke element cooperate to hold the first pipe member and second pipe member in a 90 degree orientation, and reinforce the connections between the first pipe member, second pipe member, and angled member.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising orientating the first pipe member at an acute angle to the second pipe member, whereby the first and second bracket elements and the yoke element cooperate to hold the first pipe member and second pipe member in the acute angled orientation, and reinforce the connections between the first pipe member, second pipe member, and angled member.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising orientating the first pipe member at an obtuse angle to the second pipe member, whereby the first and second bracket elements and the yoke element cooperate to hold the first pipe member and second pipe member in the obtuse angled orientation, and reinforce the connections between the first pipe member, second pipe member, and angled member.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching a curved yoke element to, and extending between, the first bracket element and the second bracket element, whereby the first and second bracket elements, and the curved yoke element cooperate to reinforce the connection between the first pipe member and the second pipe member.

23. A method for reinforcing a connection between a first pipe member and a second pipe member of a joined pair, comprising:

attaching a first split collar clamp adjacent a terminal end of the first pipe member;

attaching a second split collar clamp adjacent a terminal end of the second pipe member;

attaching a yoke element to, and extending between, the first split collar clamp and the second split collar clamp, whereby the first and second split collar clamps, and the yoke element cooperate to reinforce the connection between the first pipe member and the second pipe member.