GB2069322A - Saddle clamp assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

To eliminate the need for individual separate components for saddle-clamp fixing of pipes or tubes, such components (comprising saddle base 10; saddle clip 11 adapted to clip to the base 10; a liner set 12, 13 for adapting the clamp to a smaller size of pipe or tube; an optional second similar liner set 14, 15; an optional screw 16 and an optional wall plug 17) are moulded integrally as a single composite with the components connected together by means of readily severable ligaments 18 to 24. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Saddle clamp assembly This invention concerns saddle clamp assemblies.

As hitherto manufactured, saddle clamps comprise a plurality of single components. Thus, for making a single fixing for a pipe or tube, the minimum components are usually a saddle base, a saddle clip, a fixing screw and a wall plug; often, two further screws are required for securing the saddle clip to the base. Moreover, it is necessary to provide different sizes of base and clip corresponding to different sizes of pipes or tube.

The production of the various components, of course, involves much uneconomical handling work, as also does the separate storage thereof.

Moreover, the user has to be sure that he has available all the necessary parts for the fixings he requires to make.

An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle clamp assembly which provides, as a one-piece composite, all of the components for making a saddle clamp for a pipe or tube of one size selected from at least two different sizes, and which may, if desired, also incorporate at least one fixing screw and a corresponding wall plug, so that the single composite then provides all of the integers necessary not only for making the clamp, but also for fixing it in place.

With this object in view the present invention provides a saddle clamp assembly comprising a saddle base, a saddle clip adapted for clipping to the base to define, with the latter, an aperture for a basic size of pipe or tube, and at least one set of liner sections for location in the aperture to reduce the size of the latter for a lesser size of pipe or tube, the base, clip or liner sections being integrally moulded as a one-piece composite and separable from one another for use.

Preferably the set of liner sections comprises two semi-cylindrical components which fit together to form a liner sleeve.

Where one set of liner sections is provided the saddle clamp assembly can be used for two alternative sizes of pipe or tube.

To enable the saddle clamp, formed from the assembly, to be used with a pipe or tube of size selected from three different sizes, the assembly of the invention preferably includes a second set of the liner sections, of radial thickness differing from that of the first-mentioned set.

In the or each set of liner sections, preferably one section is formed with a respective protrusion for location into a complementary recess in the respective base or clip. This arrangement ensures location of the respective liner set, when used, in the aperture of the saddle clamp, against rotation therein.

For clipping the saddle clip to the base, the latter is conveniently formed with out turned flanges having respective slots into which locate respective tongues projecting from the saddle clip, for clipping the latter to the base. Each such tongue is preferably toothed to provide a retaining surface which locates behind the undersurface of the flange, thereby to resist separation of the clip from the base.

To eliminate the need for a user to provide or acquire separate screws for fixing the base to foundation material, such as a wall or ceiling, one or more such screws may be integrally moulded as part of the composite. Similarly a corresponding number of wall plugs may be integrally moulded in the composite.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a practical embodiment of the assembly of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the assembly of Fig. 1 separated into two components and arranged with the saddle clip spaced from the saddle base so as to illustrate how these two components will fit together; and Fig. 3 is a part-sectional side view illustrating the saddle clamp, formed from the assembly of Figs. 1 and 2, fixed in place to a wall.

The illustrated embodiment of saddle clamp assembly comprises a saddle base 10, a saddle clip 11, a first set of liner sections 12, 13, a second set of liner sections 14, 1 5, a fixing screw 16 and a wall plug 17. As can be seen from Fig. 1, when originally produced, these components are all connected together, being integrally moulded with connecting ligaments 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 as a composite, of a suitable plastics material, the ligaments being severable to separate the components.

As can be seen, the saddle base 10 is generally in the form of a rectangular block having a semicircular recess 25 therein. A countersunk fixingscrew hole 26 extends through the base in register with the deepest part of the recess 25, and opens to flat bottom surface 27 of the base 10. At each end of the base 10 is a respective flange 28, spaced away from the bottom surface 27 and having a respective slot 29 therethrough.

The saddle clip 11 comprises a generally semicircular body having a respective recess 30 corresponding to the recess 25 so that these two recesses 25,30 will together form an opening of predetermined size, for instance of 22 mm diameter. At the opposite ends of the body of the clip 11 are outwardly-turned lugs 31 from which project respective tongues 32 which are toothed at their free ends as at 33. A location hole 34 is provided approximately centrally of the clip 11.

The liner sections 12, 1 3 of the third set are each of semi-cylindrical configuration and of predetermined radial thickness, for example 1 mm. Each has a respective substantially central protrusion 35 on its outer curved surface, which protrusion 35 will fit snugly into the location hole 34 in the body of the saddle clip 11. The outside diameter of the sections 12, 1 3 corresponds to the inside diameter of the recesses 25, 30.

The liner sections 14, 1 5 also have an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the recess 25, 30, but in this instance the radial thickness of these sections is greater than that of the sections 12. 13, being for instance 3.5 mm. Each such section 14, 1 5, also has a respective protrusion 35.

The shape of the screw 1 6 corresponds to a traditional wood screw but is, of course, of plastics material.

The wall plug 17 is of tapered tubular form, being slit, at 36, parallel to its axis, over about half of its length from its narrower end. Anchoring protrusions 37 are distributed over the outer surface of the plug 17.

The manner of use of the assembly will readily be understood from the foregoing description, and from Fig. 3. The user of the assembly has, as a composite unit, all the components necessary for making a fixing, and naturally his first step is to separate the components by severing the ligaments 18 to 24, removing any residues of these ligaments as may be necessary. The plug 17 is then inserted into a bore hole 38 (Fig. 3) drilled in receiving material (such as a wall 39) and the saddle base 10 is fixed in place by means of the screws 16, driven through the screw hole 26 and into the plug 17. A pipe or tube (not shown) is then put in place in the recess 25, and the saddle clip 11 is then clipped in place by pushing its tongues 32 into the respective slots 29 until the teeth 33 engage behind the rear surfaces of the flanges 28.The pipe or tube is then firmly held in place, but can be easily removed without special tools.

It will readily be appreciated that if a 22 mm pipe or tube is being fixed in place, the liner sections 12, 13, and 14. 15 will not be used and may be discarded. Should, however, the pipe or tube be of 20 mm diameter, the liner section set 12, 13 will be used by locating it in the recesses 25,30 and if the pipe or tube is of 15 mm diameter the liner section set 14, 1 5 will be used.

In each case, one section of the respective set will be arranged with its protrusion 35 locating into the hole 34 in the saddle clip 11 to prevent movement of the liner set in the aperture eventually formed by the two recesses 25, 30.

The invention is not confined to the precise details of the foregoing example and variations may be made thereto. Thus, the composite assembly may, for instance, comprise only a single liner section set, or more than two of such sets; and of course the specified dimensions are only examples. The manner in which the clip clips to the base can be different from what has been described, and whilst it is advantageous for the screw and the plug to be incorporated into the unitary assembly this is not essential and they may be separate components.

Claims (11)

1. A sadle-clamp assembly comprising a saddle base, a saddle clip adapted for clipping to the base to define, with the latter, an aperture for a basic size of pipe or tube, and at least one set of liner sections for location in the aperture to reduce the size of the latter for a lesser size of pipe or tube, the base, clip and liner sections being integrally moulded as a one-piece composite and separable from one another for use.

2. A saddle clamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the set of liner sections comprises two semi-cylindrical components which fit together to form a liner sleeve.

3. A saddle clamp as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further including a second set of said liner sections for reducing the size of the aperture for yet a smaller size of pipe or tube.

4. A saddle clamp as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one liner section of the or each set is formed with a respective protrusion for location into a complementary recess in the respective base or clip.

5. A saddle clamp as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base is formed with out turned flanges having respective slots into which locate respective tongues projecting from the clip, for clipping the latter to the base.

6. A saddle clamp as claimed in claim 5 in which each tongue is toothed to locate behind the respective flange and resist separation of the clip from the base.

7. A saddle clamp as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more screws is or are integrally moulded as part of the composite.

8. A saddle clamp as claimed in claim 7 wherein the base is formed with a single securing screw hole, there being, correspondingly, a single.

integrally-moulded screw.

9. A saddle clamp as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more wall plugs is or are integrally moulded as part of the composite.

10. A saddle clamp as claimed in claims 7 and 9 wherein there is one wall plug for each screw.

11. A saddle clamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.