Method of supporting piping on a brace pipe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12338924-B2
Application number	US-202318216437-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2023
Priority date	Aug 19, 2020
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A method of supporting piping on a brace pipe includes providing a brace pipe attachment assembly comprising a first brace pipe attachment device, a second brace pipe attachment device, and a pipe hanger coupled to each of the first and second brace pipe attachment devices, the first brace pipe attachment device defining a first brace pipe channel and the second brace pipe attachment device defining a second brace pipe channel; inserting a first pipe end of the of the brace pipe through the first brace pipe channel; placing the pipe hanger under the piping to support the piping thereon; and inserting the brace pipe into the second brace pipe channel, wherein the second brace pipe attachment device is a hook partially encircling the second brace pipe channel and defining an open hook side, the open hook side allowing lateral access to the second brace pipe channel.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A method of supporting piping on a brace pipe, the method comprising:
providing a brace pipe attachment assembly comprising a first brace pipe attachment device, a second brace pipe attachment device, and a pipe hanger coupled to each of the first and second brace pipe attachment devices, the first brace pipe attachment device defining a first brace pipe channel and the second brace pipe attachment device defining a second brace pipe channel;
inserting a first pipe end of the of the brace pipe through the first brace pipe channel, wherein the first brace pipe attachment device is a closed loop structure fully encircling the first brace pipe channel;
placing the pipe hanger under the piping to support the piping thereon; and
inserting the brace pipe into the second brace pipe channel, wherein the second brace pipe attachment device is a hook partially encircling the second brace pipe channel and defining an open hook side, the open hook side allowing lateral access to the second brace pipe channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein inserting the brace pipe into the second brace pipe channel comprises inserting a mid-region of the brace pipe laterally through the open hook side.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the hook defines a rear hook portion extending from a base portion of the second brace pipe attachment device; and
the hook further defines an upper hook portion extending from the rear hook portion distal to the base portion.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the hook further comprises a retaining portion extending from the upper hook portion towards the base portion, and wherein the retaining portion terminates at distal upper end of the hook.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the hook defines a substantially arcuate profile.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the closed loop structure defines a substantially arcuate profile.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
each of the first and second brace pipe attachment devices define a base portion, the base portion defining base fastener hole;
each of the first and second brace pipe attachment devices are mounted on a hanger mount of the pipe hanger;
a first fastener engages the base portion of the first brace pipe attachment device and the corresponding hanger mount to couple the first brace pipe attachment device to the hanger mount; and
a second fastener engages the base portion of the second brace pipe attachment device and the corresponding hanger mount to couple the second brace pipe attachment device to the hanger mount.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pipe hanger defines a substantially U-shaped hanger strap, and wherein each of the hanger mounts extend from an opposing end of the substantially U-shaped hanger strap.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the brace pipe attachment assembly further comprises a first capturing feature configured to prevent the first brace pipe attachment device from rotating relative to the pipe hanger and a second capturing feature configured to prevent the second brace pipe attachment device from rotating relative to the pipe hanger.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
the first capturing feature comprises a first curved portion defined on a first upper mount surf ace of a first one of the hanger mounts;
the second capturing feature comprises a second curved portion defined on a second upper mount surface of a second one of the hanger mounts;
a first lower engagement surface of the base portion of the first brace pipe attachment device is contoured to substantially match a contour of the first curved portion; and
a second lower engagement surface of the base portion of the second brace pipe attachment device is contoured to substantially match a contour of the second curved portion.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first fastener extends into the first brace pipe channel and the second fastener extends into the second brace pipe channel; and
the method further comprises tightening the first fastener to push the brace pipe against a first upper portion of the first brace pipe attachment device and tightening the second fastener to push the brace pipe against a second upper portion of the second brace pipe attachment device.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
a first inner surface of the first brace pipe attachment device defines a first gripping edge extending at least partially around the first brace pipe channel;
a second inner surface of the second brace pipe attachment device defines a second gripping edge extending at least partially around the second brace pipe channel; and
tightening the first fastener to push the brace pipe against the first upper portion of the first brace pipe attachment device further comprises pushing the brace pipe against the first gripping edge; and
tightening the second fastener to push the brace pipe against the second upper portion of the second brace pipe attachment device further comprises pushing the brace pipe against the second gripping edge.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first inner surface of the first brace pipe attachment device and the second inner surface of the second brace pipe attachment device each define a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion, and wherein the first tapered portion meets the second tapered portion to define the first gripping edge or the second gripping edge.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein:
each of the first and second brace pipe attachment devices define a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end;
the first tapered portion tapers radially inward from the first lateral end towards the second lateral end; and
the second tapered portion tapers radially inward from the second lateral end towards the first lateral end.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first gripping edge is oriented about centrally between the first lateral end and the second lateral end of the first brace pipe attachment device, and wherein the second gripping edge is oriented about centrally between the first lateral end and the second lateral end of the second brace pipe attachment device.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second brace pipe attachment device further defines a second base portion and a second rear portion extending between the second upper portion and the second base portion, and wherein the second gripping edge extends at least partially along each of the second upper portion and the second rear portion.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second brace pipe attachment device further defines a retaining portion extending from the second upper portion towards the second base portion, and wherein the retaining portion terminates at distal upper end of the hook.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the first brace pipe attachment device further defines a first base portion, a first rear portion extending between the first upper portion and the first base portion, and a first front portion extending between the first upper portion and the first base portion opposite the first rear portion; and
the first gripping edge extends at least partially along each of the first upper portion, the first rear portion, and the first front portion.

19. The method of claim 2 , wherein placing the pipe hanger under the piping comprises swinging the pipe hanger and the second brace pipe attachment device underneath the piping and lifting the second brace pipe attachment device upward towards the brace pipe.

Assignees

• Asc Eng Solutions Llc

Inventors

• Budziszek Bobby Lee
• Belen Jordan Cameron
• Mcnamara Matthew William

Classifications

• F16L3/12

  comprising a member substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing · CPC title

• F16B7/0493

  forming a crossed-over connection · CPC title

• F16B35/005

  Set screws; Locking means therefor · CPC title

• F16B2/065

  using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L3/1207

  the ends of the member and the fixing elements being placed on both sides of the pipe · CPC title