Hanger for Pipe

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of pipe hangers. More specifically a hanger for suspending plain end soil pipes which are joined with a flexible metal strip clamped around a sleeve type gasket wherein bolts are used to apply the clamping force.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Pipe lines are suspended using a variety of devices, some of which encircle all or most of the pipe circumference. Also, there are known pipe hangers which utilize elements of the pipe joining device to suspend the pipe line.

The present invention comprises a metal hanger strip having three legs. When placed in its usable position, one leg extends vertically upward and the other two legs extend outwardly almost horizontally but in opposite directions to each other. The vertical leg has an aperture for receiving a hanger rod or strap and holes corresponding to those provided for bolts in the ends of the clamping strap. When the bolts are tightened, a radial force is exerted against the gasket around its entire periphery and an additional precompression is exerted in the area under the vertical leg of the hanger strip. This allows the weight of the pipe line to be supported by the hanger without entirely removing gasket compression in the area under the hanger. Removal of all compression from a portion of the gasket could, or course, prevent sealing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred hanger strip.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation showing a hanger strip in relation to the clamping strap.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing two pipes joined together and a hanger strip installed.

Referring to the drawing, and more specifically to FIG. 1, there is shown the preferred hanger strip indicated generally by the numeral 1. The hanger strip should be made from a resilient material, such as steel, in the form of a central upright leg 6 with legs 8 extending outwardly from each side at the lower edge of leg 6. For support, legs 8 have upwardly extending vertical portions 8a which may be welded to their respective sides of upright leg 6. Upright leg 6 has a bottom base edge extending coplanar with the lower surface of legs 8 where they attach to leg 6. Holes may be drilled into vertical leg 6 through legs 8a and a slot 4 is punched into leg 6 near its upper edge. Outwardly extending legs 8 are slightly curved to conform to the shape of the pipe.

A clamping strap 11 which is a metal strap having spaced corrugations 11a along each edge thereof forms a support means for the pipes. Strap 11 is wrapped around the pipe ends which are abutting each other. A sealing gasket of rubber or other elastromeric material, such as vinyl plastic, is wrapped around the pipe joint between the outer surfaces of the pipes and the inner surface of the strap 11. Strap 11 is placed over the upper horizontal and vertical surfaces of legs 8 and 8a to extend above holes 2. Holes may be drilled in strap 11 to correspond with holes 2 of legs 8a.

For reinforcing and strengthening the ends of strap 11, metal plates 10 may be secured thereto by welding or the like.

To use the hanger strip 1, its vertical leg 6 is placed between the ends 10 of the clamping strap 11, and which clamping strap 11 has been placed around sealing gasket 12, both clamping strap 11 and gasket 12 being well-known in the art. Clamping bolts 14 are inserted and tightened, thus also securing legs 8 of hanger strip 1 between gasket 12 and clamping strap 11. While the drawing shows the base 9 of vertical leg 6 is substantially coplanar with the interior surfaces of legs 8, it is preferred that the base 9 extend interiorly of the arc formed by the outwardly and downwardly extending legs 8. It is also very significant that the base 9 of vertical leg 6 along with outwardly extending legs 8 have been forced against gasket 12 precompressing gasket 12 more than where only clamping strap 11 makes contact therewith. This additional precompression of gasket 12 prevents removal of the total precompression when the weight of the pipe line suspends from hanger strip 1. In order to assure this important additional precompression, the size of holes 2 and the distance Y from the center of the holes 2 to the base 9 of vertical leg 6 must be closely controlled. Also, to make the hanger strip easier to install, legs 8 should be attached to leg 6 by spot welding at spots 16 or by other suitable means such as riveting or bolting. The pipe so joined can be suspended from a convenient support by placing a strap, rod or other tension member through slot 4 and attaching the tension member to the support.

Hanger strip 1 could, or course, be made from one piece of metal or other suitable material but is preferably made by attaching vertical leg 6 to the two legs 8 by welding or other suitable means.