Wrap bracket clamp assembly

• US 8,870,132 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franklin Fastener Company
• Original Assignee: Franklin Fastener Company
• Inventors: Sampson, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARSH, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/731,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 248/62, 248/63, 248/71, 248/73, 248/74.1, 248/74.3, 248/74.4, 245/30, 245/42, 245/43
• US Class Current: 248/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1211 with a substantially-radial tightening or securing member
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/123 and extending along the attachment surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/127 and extending away from the attachment surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/22 specially adapted for supporting a number of parallel pipes at intervals
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/237 for two pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/035 in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports

Abstract

A wrap bracket assembly is provided for securing an elongated member. The assembly includes a bracket with a clamp extending from a base to wrap around the elongated member. The clamp defines an aperture, and includes side edges that extend around the elongated member. The assembly also includes a grommet forming a split tubular body that defines a substantially cylindrical cavity. The body has an axially extending opening through which the elongated member is inserted into the cavity. The body includes a pair of flanges, each of which engages one of the first and second side edges to nest the grommet within the clamp. A projection is provided that extends radially outward from the body and is received in the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket.

Claims

1. A wrap bracket assembly comprising:

a single-piece bracket having a base that is adapted to be attached to a surface and a clamp extending from the base and that is adapted to wrap around an elongated member, wherein the clamp defines an aperture, and wherein the clamp has first and second axially spaced side edge surfaces that extend around the elongated member; and

a molded grommet forming a split tubular body that defines a substantially cylindrical cavity, the body having an axially extending opening through which the elongated member is inserted into the cavity, wherein the body has a pair of flanges, each of which having a flange surface that engages one of the first and second side edge surfaces to nest the body of the grommet within the clamp with the flanges outside of the clamp, the grommet having a projection extending radially outward from the body that is received in the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket;

wherein the projection further comprises an oblong projection with a tapered head that has a base extending beyond a width of the aperture for retaining the grommet to the bracket, and wherein the clamp of the single-piece bracket is configured to wrap around an outside surface of the grommet and engage with itself to secure the grommet within the clamp.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the molded grommet further comprises a single-piece molded grommet defining a pair of smooth lead-in surfaces including raised tips.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the lead-in surfaces with raised tips provides an interference fit between the elongated member and the single-piece molded grommet.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a width of the tapered head is greater than the width of the aperture, such that the tapered head elastically deforms during insertion into the bracket, and the oblong projection is adapted to prevent the grommet from rotating relative to the bracket.

2. A wrap bracket assembly comprising:

a single-piece bracket having a base that is adapted to be attached to a surface and a clamp extending from the base and that is adapted to wrap around an elongated member, the clamp having an inner end that is attached to the base and a distal end opposite the base, the clamp further having first and second axially spaced side edge surfaces, wherein the clamp defines a slot, and wherein a first engagement feature extends from the distal end to attach the distal end of the clamp to a second engagement feature provided on the base; and

a molded grommet having a split tubular body that has axially opposite sides, wherein the grommet has a plurality of flanges extending radially from the axially opposite sides of the body, and wherein the flanges have flange surfaces that engage with the first and second side edge surfaces of the clamp to nest the body of the grommet within the clamp, and wherein the body forms a cylindrical cavity when in a closed position for supporting the elongated member, the grommet having an integrally formed oblong projection extending radially outward from the body that is received in the slot and secures the grommet to the bracket, and wherein the clamp of the single-piece bracket is configured to wrap around an outside surface of the grommet and engagement of the first engagement feature and second engagement feature secures the grommet within the clamp with the oblong projection extending from the outside surface of the grommet and through the slot.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the projection further comprises a generally tapered head that has a base extending beyond a width of the slot for retaining the grommet to the bracket.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the split tubular body of the grommet further comprises an axially extending opening having a first axial edge and a second axial edge, wherein the first and second axial edges each have a lead in surface that provides a temporary interference with an outer diameter of the elongated member as the elongated member is moved between the first and second axial edges and into the cylindrical cavity.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the projection is oriented diametrically opposite the axially extending opening.

6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first engagement feature comprises a tab transversely extending from the distal end of the bracket, and the second engagement feature comprises a slot formed in the base that receives the tab.

10. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the projection is longitudinally aligned with the flanges such that the projection extends between the flanges.