Sway brace fitting
AssigneeNIBCO Inc.
InventorRichard W. Heath
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims15
A method of bracing loads that are suspended below ceilings or beams against sway and seismic disturbances, the method comprising
- providing a fitting comprising a jaw and a portion surrounding a passage, the jaw comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion spaced from said first jaw portion to form a gap therebetween, a set bolt comprising a head and a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the set bolt being received within a threaded opening of the second jaw portion and being movable toward said first jaw portion, a yoke comprising a side wall and an end wall, the side wall extending in a first plane and the end wall extending in a second plane such that the first plane and the second plane are non-parallel to one another, the side wall comprising a hole substantially aligned with the passage of the fitting and the end wall comprising an opening for receiving an attachment member for connecting the yoke to at least one of a ceiling, a wall and a beam, and a connecting member extending through the passage of the fitting and the hole of the side wall of the yoke to swivelably connect the clamp and the yoke;
- securing the fitting to the at least one of the ceiling, the wall and the beam using the attachment member;
- inserting a first end of a brace into the gap formed between the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion;
- tightening the set screw into engagement with the brace and deforming a portion of the brace within the jaw;
- and
- connecting a second end of the brace to a suspended load.
A method of manufacturing a sway brace fitting, the method comprising casting a fitting comprising a passage and a jaw, the jaw comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion spaced from said first jaw portion to form a gap therebetween, a first passage extending through the second jaw portion and a second passage extending through the fitting;
- forming threads in the passage through the second jaw portion of the fitting;
- inserting into the threaded passage through the second jaw portion of the fitting a set bolt comprising a head and a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the set bolt being receivable within the threaded passage of the second jaw portion of the fitting and being movable toward said first jaw portion of the fitting;
- forming a yoke comprising a side wall and an end wall, the side wall extending in a first plane and the end wall extending in a second plane such that the first plane and the second plane are non-parallel to one another, the side wall of the yoke comprising a hole;
- and
- securing a connecting member in the hole in the side wall of the yoke and the second passage of the fitting such that the fitting and the yoke are pivotally connected by the threaded member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.