Frangible hanger assembly and method
OwnerSteven A. Rothinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hanger assembly and method of hanging conduits in buildings is described which protects the structure of the building from damage during a seismic event. The hanger assembly includes a frangible element which is calibrated to break when subjected to some higher than normal tensile load resulting from rapid acceleration of the conduit. Thus, for example, in the event of an earthquake, the hanger will fail before damage is done to the concrete to which the anchor is attached.
Claims24
A method of preventing damage to concrete deck that supports a load from a conduit, where the concrete deck is damaged if the supported load exceeds a maximum load, said method comprising:
- supporting the conduit from the concrete deck with a hanger assembly attached to the concrete deck, where said hanger assembly includes a frangible element that supports the weight of the conduit by the concrete deck, and where, if an event occurs which increases the force on the anchor from the conduit, the frangible element undergoes a ductile fracture before the supporting concrete is damaged.
A hanger assembly attachable to an anchor affixed in a concrete deck, where the anchor damages the concrete deck if the hanger assembly supports more than a maximum load, said hanger assembly comprising:
- a first hanger assembly end attachable to the anchor;
- a second hanger assembly end having a hanger for supporting a conduit;
- and
- a frangible element between said first hanger assembly end and said second hanger assembly end, where the frangible element undergoes a ductile fracture at a load that is less than the maximum load, such that the breakage of the frangible element prevents damage to the concrete deck.
A hanger assembly attachable to an anchor affixed in a concrete deck and having a hanger to accept a conduit, where the anchor damages the concrete deck if the hanger assembly supports more than a maximum load, said hanger assembly comprising:
- a frangible element having a first frangible element end and a second frangible element end;
- a first link including a first frangible element receiving portion to receive said first frangible element end;
- a user placeable first fastener to attach said first frangible element receiving portion and the received first frangible element end;
- a second link including a second frangible element receiving portion to receive said second frangible element end;
- and
- a user placeable second fastener to attach said second frangible element receiving portion and the received second frangible element end, where the frangible element undergoes a ductile fracture at a load that is less than the maximum load, such that the breakage of the frangible element prevents damage to the concrete deck.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.