Sway brace fitting

• US 7,441,730 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Inventors: Heath, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US11/725,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20070170317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 248/49, 248/62, 248/63, 248/65, 248/58, 248/82, 248/84, 248/86, 248/88, 248/220.22, 248/220.14, 248/222.13, 248/229.1, 248/291.1, 248/317, 403/362, 403/363, 244/86, 269/249, 439/803, 152/503.2
• US Class Current: 248/62
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/006 Supporting devices for clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/101 C-clamps
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/015 using articulated- or supple-guiding elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/127 and extending away from the attachment surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/133 and hanging from a pendant F16L3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/243 the special member being inserted in the profiled girder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7041 including set screw

Abstract

A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.

Claims

1. An attachment fitting, comprising:

a clamp, comprising

a jaw comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion spaced from said first jaw portion to form a gap therebetween for receiving a brace;

a set bolt comprising a head and a threaded portion, and being movable toward said first jaw portion for engaging a wall of said brace;

a passage extending through said clamp;

a yoke, comprising;

a side wall comprising a hole substantially aligned with said passage of said clamp;

an end wall comprising an opening for receiving an attachment member for connecting said yoke to a support surface;

said side wall extending in a first plane and said end wall extending in a second plane such that said first plane and said second plane are non-parallel to one another; and

a pin extending through said passage of said clamp and said hole of said side wall of said yoke to swivelably connect said clamp and said yoke.

2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said jaw portions of said clamp comprise an integral unit.

3. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said passage is formed at a rear portion of said clamp spaced from said set bolt.

4. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said set bolt is mounted on said second jaw portion and said second jaw portion comprises a threaded hole which receives said threaded portion of said set bolt.

5. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said pin comprises a bolt which is threadably connected to a nut.

6. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said walls of said yoke comprise an integral unit.

7. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said yoke comprises a second side wall such that said side walls extend substantially parallel to one another.

8. The fitting of claim 7, wherein said second side wall comprises a second hole such that said holes of said side walls are substantially aligned with one another.

9. The fitting of claim 8, wherein said pin extends through said passage of said clamp and said holes of said yoke.

10. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said first plane and said second plane are substantially perpendicularly relative to one another.

11. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said set bolt and said pin comprise respective longitudinal axes which are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another.

12. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting comprises steel.

13. The fitting of claim 12, wherein said fitting comprises carbon steel.

14. The fitting of claim 12, wherein said fitting comprises a plain finish.

15. The fitting of claim 12, wherein said fitting comprises an electro-galvanized finish.

16. A combination, wherein the combination comprises the fitting of claim 1 and said brace with an end portion of said brace clamped within said clamp.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein said brace comprises a pipe.

18. The combination of claim 16, wherein said brace comprises a channel.

19. The combination of claim 16, wherein said brace comprises a plate.

20. The combination of claim 16, wherein the combination further comprises said attachment member extending through said opening of said yoke to connect said yoke to said support surface.