Conduit clamp for channel framing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9746105-B2
Application number	US-201414298447-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2014
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

A conduit clamp for securing a conduit component to channel framing includes first and second jaws each having opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the first and second jaws are configured for securement to one another, such that first and second jaws generally oppose one another and the second end portions of the first and second jaws are free from attachment to one another, to define a conduit receiving space between the first and second jaws. Each of the first and second jaws includes a coupling component at the second end portion thereof having a generally dovetail shape configured for reception in an external fitting groove of the channel framing to attach the conduit clamp to the channel framing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A conduit clamp for securing a conduit component to channel framing including an elongate channel framing body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, the conduit clamp comprising:
a first jaw having opposite first and second end portions; and
a second jaw having opposite first and second end portions,
wherein the first end portions of the first and second jaws are configured for securement to one another, such that first and second jaws generally oppose one another and the second end portions of the first and second jaws are free from attachment to one another, to define a conduit receiving space between the first and second jaws,
wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a coupling component at the second end portion thereof having a generally dovetail shape configured for reception in the external fitting groove of the channel framing to attach the conduit clamp to the channel framing,
wherein the coupling component of each of the first and second jaws has opposite sides sloping inwardly toward one another along the corresponding one of the first and second jaws such that a width of the coupling component between the opposite sides thereof tapers toward the corresponding first end portion to define the generally dovetail shape.

2. The conduit clamp set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a fastener fastening the first end portions of the first and second jaws to one another.

3. The conduit clamp set forth in claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second jaws is integrally formed as a one-piece construction.

4. The conduit clamp set forth in claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second jaws is formed from a rigid metal.

5. A method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly, the method comprising:
providing a piece of channel framing including an elongate channel framing body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body;
providing a conduit clamp including
a first jaw having opposite first and second end portions, and
a second jaw having opposite first and second end portions, wherein the first end portions of the first and second jaws are configured for securement to one another such that first and second jaws generally oppose one another and the second end portions of the first and second jaws are free from attachment to one another to define a conduit receiving space between the first and second jaws, wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a coupling component at the second end portion thereof having a generally dovetail shape configured for reception in the external fitting groove of the channel framing to attach the conduit clamp to the channel framing wherein the coupling component of each of the first and second jaws has opposite sides sloping inwardly toward one another along the corresponding one of the first and second jaws such that a width of the coupling component between the opposite sides thereof tapers toward the corresponding first end portion to define the generally dovetail shape; and
inserting the coupling components of the first and second jaws into the external fitting groove of the channel framing body to attach the conduit clamp to the piece of channel framing.

6. The method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly set forth in claim 5 , wherein said inserting the coupling components includes inserting the coupling components into the fitting groove in a direction generally transverse to the length of the external fitting groove, and then rotating the coupling components within the external fitting groove such that the coupling components are oriented to inhibit withdrawal of the coupling components from the external fitting groove in a direction generally transverse to the length of the external fitting groove.

7. The method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly set forth in claim 6 , further comprising squeezing the coupling components toward one another simultaneously with said inserting the coupling components into the external fitting groove in a direction generally transverse to the length of the external fitting groove.

8. The method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly set forth in claim 5 , wherein the external fitting groove has opposite open longitudinal ends, wherein said inserting the coupling components comprises inserting the coupling components through one of the open longitudinal ends of the fitting groove.

9. The method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly set forth in claim 5 , further comprising inserting a conduit in the conduit receiving space between the first and second jaws of the conduit clamp after said inserting the coupling components.

10. The method of assembling a conduit supporting assembly set forth in claim 9 , further comprising tightening a fastener securing the first end portions of the first and second jaws to one another after said inserting a conduit in the conduit receiving space.

11. The conduit clamp set forth in claim 1 , in combination with the channel framing.

12. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 11 , wherein the channel framing body has an open interior and a slotted side defining an elongate slot extending lengthwise of the channel framing body and into the open interior of the channel framing body.

13. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 12 , wherein the fitting side opposes the slotted side of the channel framing body.

14. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 13 , wherein the channel framing body has two additional fitting sides opposing one another and interconnecting the fitting side and the slotted side, wherein each additional fitting side defines an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, wherein the coupling components of the first and second jaws are configured for reception in the external fitting grooves of the additional fitting sides.

15. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 14 , further comprising a fastener fastening the first end portions of the first and second jaws to one another.

16. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second jaws is integrally formed as a one-piece construction.

17. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second jaws is formed from a rigid metal.

18. The conduit clamp in combination with the channel framing set forth in claim 11 , wherein the external fitting groove of the channel framing body has a generally dovetail cross-sectional shape, and wherein each of the coupling components has a generally dovetail cross sectional shape.

19. The conduit clamp set forth in claim 1 , wherein the width of each of the coupling components defines a width of the second end portion of the corresponding one of the first and second jaws.

Assignees

• Cooper Technologies Co

Inventors

• Zhang Zhihui
• Mccarthy William E
• Knutson James A

Classifications

• F16B35/06

  Specially-shaped heads (special shape in order to rotate the bolt F16B23/00 {; separate hook adaptors for bolts F16B43/025}) · CPC title

• F16L3/243

  the special member being inserted in the profiled girder · CPC title

• Y10T29/49625

  Openwork, e.g., a truss, joist, frame, lattice-type or box beam · CPC title

• E04B1/1903

  Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• F16M13/027 Primary

  Ceiling supports · CPC title