ROD STIFFENING ASSEMBLY, METHOD OF USING THE SAME, USE THEREOF, AND STRUT USEFUL TO EMBODY THE ROD STIFFENING ASSEMBLY

• US 20190323237A1
• Filed: 04/24/2018
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TopSupports Co.
• Original Assignee: TopSupports Co.
• Inventors: Angers, Richard
• Application Number:
  US15/961,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20190323237A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0413 being built up from several parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0452 H- or I-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0473 U- or C-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0478 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/09 at least partly of bent or otherwise deformed strip- or sheet-like material
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/02 of low bending resistance

Abstract

A stiffening assembly for stiffening a rod is provided. The stiffening assembly can include a pair of struts having an elongated base having opposite top and bottom surfaces. The struts can extend along either sides of the rod and be connected to one another in a “back-to-back” configuration, with the top surfaces facing outwardly in opposite directions. When connecting the struts together, a cavity is defined therebetween, the cavity being adapted to enclose the rod therein, effectively stiffening the rod. Also, a method of use is provided, and finally, a strut useful to embody the stiffening assembly is also provided.

Claims

1. A strut for use in a stiffening assembly for stiffening a rod, the strut comprising:

a base having opposite top and bottom surfaces extending along a length of the strut; and

a recess extending along the bottom surface,

the strut being adapted to be connected to a second strut in a «

back-to-back»

configuration whereby the bottom surface contacts a bottom surface of the second strut and positions the recess opposite a recess of the second strut thereby forming a cavity adapted to completely surround the rod such that the rod is stiffened between the first and second strut along the entire length of the strut.

2. The strut according to claim 1, wherein the recess comprises an engagement surface adapted to contact the rod, the engagement surface extending along the entire length of the strut.

3. The strut according to claim 2, wherein the engagement surface is substantially parallel to the base.

4. The strut according to claim 2, wherein the engagement surface is provided with a plurality of holes positioned along the length of the strut.

5. The strut according to claim 2, wherein the recess includes lateral surfaces extending from the engagement surface, wherein the lateral surfaces and the rod define a play therebetween when the rod is positioned within the recess.

6. The strut according to claim 5, wherein the play is less than a quarter inch of running course of the rod within the cavity.

7. The strut according to claim 1, comprising a pair of legs extending outwardly on either side of the recess.

8. The strut according to claim 7, wherein the strut is connected to the second strut using mechanical fasteners, and wherein each leg has an outer edge which is bent inwardly, defining a lip, and wherein each lip is J-shaped and adapted to facilitate positioning and fastening of the mechanical fasteners.

9. The strut according to claim 1, said strut having a substantially W-shaped cross-section.

10. The strut according to claim 1, said strut being made from a sheet of metal bent into shape using a roll forming machine.

11. The strut according to claim 1, said strut extending for substantially an entire length of the rod.

12. The strut according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is substantially rectangular.

13. The strut according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer strip extending along the bottom surface to prevent direct contact between the strut and the second strut.

14. A stiffening assembly for stiffening a rod, the stiffening assembly comprising a first strut and a second strut as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second strut are connected together in a «

back-to-back»

configuration.

15. A method of stiffening a rod using a stiffening assembly according to claim 14, the method comprising the steps of:

a. positioning the rod along the bottom surface of the first strut;

b. positioning the second strut on the first strut in a “

back-to-back”

configuration, enclosing the rod therebetween; and

c. tightening the rod between the struts by connecting the struts to one another using mechanical fasteners.

16. The method of stiffening a rod according to claim 15, wherein the first and second struts are identical.

17. A seismic installation provided with the stiffening assembly according to claim 14, the seismic installation being adapted to reduce and/or prevent damages to structures and/or hung equipment using rods.

18. The strut according to claim 1, wherein the first and second struts are identical.