DEFORMED BLIND RIVET LOOP CLAMP

Abstract

A suspension loop clamp consisting of a blind rivet nut, a metal strip, and a fastener. The blind rivet nut is inserted into the flat strip through a circular hole in the strip. The blind rivet is then plastically deformed by compression axially applied to both ends of the blind rivet nut from an unset condition to a set condition forming a radially outwardly protruding bulge, which serves to bind the blind rivet nut element to the strip. The blind rivet nut bulge and the loop clamp it is attached to are then additionally dented and thus deformed in a radial pattern so as to be zigzag in shape when viewed through a cross section. This stiffens the protruding bulge so as to restrict the blind rivet nut from reverting back to its original shape when a tensile load is applied opposite to the flange of the rivet nut. The strip of sheet metal is then formed longitudinally into a loop clamp which has bends with holes, at each end, through which a fastener is inserted to clamp the loop around a conduit.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3 A suspension loop clamp for supporting a conduit, comprising: a. a axially collapsed blind rivet nut element with a radial zigzaggy deformation of collapsed section of said blind rivet nut, b. a fastener element and c. a longilateral metal strip element shaped into a cylindrical loop with apertures at each end, bent up to receive said fastener, where said longilateral metal strip element having one additional aperture through which said blind rivet nut element has been disposed outwardly.

4. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is prior art known as a common split ring hanger.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a final assembly with supported conduit, deformed blind rivet loop clamp, using nut and bolt fastener and all being supported by an all thread rod.

[0015] FIG. 3 is the flat strip with holes in it.

[0016] FIG. 4 is the flat strip with holes and optional slot.

[0017] FIG. 5 is the flat strip with ends bent up.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a blind rivet nut.

[0019] FIG. 7 is the flat strip with blind rivet nut inserted but not compressed.

[0020] FIG. 8 is the assembly from FIG. 7 after the first compression with the resulting bulge in the blind rivet nut but with no distortion.

[0021] FIG. 9 is the assembly from FIG. 7 after the second compression with the zigzag distorted bulge.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a shaped compression zigzag tool in an isometric view. It is a six edge version.

[0023] FIG. 11 is the arraignment and engagement of first compression tools and section line.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a section view showing first flattening tool compression creating the bulge.

[0025] FIG. 13 is the arraignment and engagement of the second zigzag shaped compression tool and section line.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a section view showing second compression with the zigzag tool .

[0027] FIG. 15 is the assembly bent into a loop.

[0028] FIG. 16 is the assembly bent into a loop with its fastener added .Here the fastener is a sheet metal screw.

ITEMS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0029] 21. Small apertures in flat strip for fastener. [0030] 22. Additional larger aperture in flat strip for blind rivet nut . [0031] 23. Flat strip with ends bent up [0032] 24. Rivet nut [0033] 25. Rivet nut bulged [0034] 26. Bulge in the rivet nut [0035] 27. Rivet nut zigzag deformed [0036] 28. Zigzag shape in rivet nut [0037] 29. Loop as formed . [0038] 30. The slot in the strip. [0039] 31. First compression top tool [0040] 32. Fixed anvil of compression tool [0041] 33. Zigzag shaped compression tool used in second compression [0042] 34. Threaded rod attachment [0043] 35. Bolt and nut as fastener [0044] 36. Sheet metal screw as fastener [0045] 37. Pipe or conduit. [0046] 38. Wedge shaped edges in tool used to form zigzag. [0047] 39. Ends bent up for fasteners. [0048] 40. Flattened section of loop

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0049] The embodiment presented here enables a common blind rivet nut to be used as the threaded component in a suspension loop clamp. This is a new and novel use. This product replaces iron castings which often create air pollution during their manufacture. The loop clamp presented here enables pre-plated, or paint coated stock to be used for the loop clamp as no welding is required for the assembly. The blind rivet nuts are a standard commercial plated product and as such available at low cost. By not having to do secondary post processes to the assembled product, the item may be packaged directly off an automated manufacturing assembly line eliminating the added costs of handling and transport.