Pipe clamp for overhead sprinkler heads and the like

Claim 1

A pipe clamp for engaging a pipe supporting an overhead sprinkler head, said pipe clamp comprising in combination: (a) first and second pipe clamp halves for engaging and gripping the pipe, each of said clamp halves including a distal end and a proximal end; (b) means disposed at the distal end of each of said clamp halves or anchoring said pipe clamp; (c) a terminal end disposed at the proximal end of each of said clamp halves, each of said terminal ends being defined by a single fold extending across the respective one of said clamp halves; (d) a pair of oppositely tapering ramps disposed at said terminal end of each of said clamp halves and proximally of said single fold, each pair of said oppositely tapering ramps including a first ramp tapered in one direction and a second ramp tapered in the opposite direction; (e) first wedge means being C shaped in cross section and disposed upon the pair of said tapering first ramps for drawing the proximal ends of said clamp halves toward one another to clamp the pipe disposed between said clamp halves; (f) second wedge means being C shaped in cross section and disposed upon the pair of said tapering second ramps for drawing the proximal ends of said clamp halves toward one another to clamp the pipe disposed between said clamp halves; and (g) means interconnecting said first and second wedges for translating said first and second wedges in concert toward and away from one another to draw and to loosen, respectively, said pipe clamp about the engaged pipe.

Claim 28

A method for securing a pipe to a supporting structure, said method comprising the steps of: (a) encircling the pipe with a pair of clamp halves, each of the clamp halves including: an anchor for attachment to the supporting structure; a partial cylindrical section for encircling a segment of the pipe; a spacer section interconnecting the anchor with the partial cylindrical section; and, a terminal end defined by a single fold extending across the respective partial cylindrical section and having a terminal edge disposed proximally of the single fold and defining oppositely tapered intersecting first and second ramps; (b) securing the anchors of the clamp halves to the supporting structure; and (c) translating in concert first and second wedges, each wedge being C shaped in cross section, toward one another along the respective pair of first and second ramps to draw the terminal ends toward one another to clamp the pipe within the partial cylindrical sections.

Claim 29

A method for securing a pipe to a supporting structure, said method comprising the steps of: (a) encircling the pipe with a pair of clamp halves, each of the clamp halves including: an anchor for attachment to the supporting structure; a partial cylindrical section for encircling a segment of the pipe; a spacer section interconnecting the anchor with the partial cylindrical section; and, a terminal end defined by a single fold extending across the respective partial cylindrical section and having a terminal edge disposed proximally of the single fold and defining oppositely tapered intersecting first and second ramps; (b) securing the anchors of the clamp halves to the supporting structure; and (c) translating in concert first and second wedges, each wedge being C shaped in cross section, toward one another along the respective pair of first and second ramps to draw the terminal ends toward one another to clamp the pipe within the partial cylindrical sections.