Pipe Insulation Shield With Adaptive Retaining Tabs

Abstract

A pipe insulation shield includes a metal sheet having first and second longitudinal edges, an arcuate shape from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge, and first and second arcuate edges. The arcuate shape defines a channel with a lower portion that has first and second opposing, U-shaped apertures passing through it, which define opposing first and second metal tabs. Each of the first and second tabs is pivotable from a first position parallel to the lower portion of the sheet to a second position transverse to the lower portion of the sheet, and each of the first and second tabs pivots towards the other when pivoted from the first position to the second position. The tabs are sufficiently spaced apart from each other to accommodate different support structures. In advantageous embodiments, the four corners of sheet are rounded.

Claims

1. A pipe insulation shield, comprising: a metal sheet having first and second longitudinal edges, the sheet having an arcuate shape from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge and having first and second arcuate edges, the arcuate shape of the sheet defining a channel with a lower portion; wherein the lower portion of the channel has a first aperture passing therethrough, the aperture having a U-shape such that a first metal tab is defined thereby; wherein the lower portion of the channel has a second aperture passing therethrough, the second aperture being spaced apart from the first aperture and having a U-shape facing the opposite direction as the U-shape of the first aperture such that a second metal tab is defined thereby; wherein each of said first and second tabs is pivotable from a first position parallel to the lower portion of the sheet to a second position transverse to the lower portion of the sheet; and each of said first and second tabs pivots towards the other of said tabs when pivoted from the first position to the second position.

2. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs are each pivotable at least ninety degrees from the first position.

3. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs are each pivotable greater than ninety degrees from the first position.

4. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the first and second tabs are separated by a distance of about 1.75 inches such that the width of a support strut can be accommodated between the first and second tabs when said tabs are in the second position.

5. The pipe insulation shield of claim 4, wherein said first and second tabs each have a length of about 0.75 inches such that, when the shield is mounted on a clevis hanger, the first and second tabs can be pivoted until a portion of each of said tabs extends under the hanger.

6. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs each have a length of about 0.75 inches such that, when the shield is mounted on a clevis hanger, the first and second tabs can be pivoted until a portion of each of said tabs extends under the hanger.

7. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the first arcuate edge join with the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, via first and second rounded corners, and wherein the first and second ends of the second arcuate edge join with the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, via third and fourth rounded corners.

8. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the arcuate shape extends about 180 degrees.

9. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal edge is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal edge, and the first and second arcuate edges are substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges.

10. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the length of the sheet from the first arcuate edge to the second arcuate edge is about twelve inches.

11. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises steel.

12. The pipe insulation shield of claim 11, wherein the sheet comprises 22 gauge steel.

13. The pipe insulation shield of claim 12, wherein the arcuate shape has an inner diameter between 2.0 and 5.5 inches.

14. The pipe insulation shield of claim 11, wherein the sheet comprises 18 gauge steel.

15. The pipe insulation shield of claim 14, wherein the arcuate shape has an inner diameter between 2.0 and 14.0 inches.

16. The pipe insulation shield of claim 1, wherein the first and second apertures pass through the metal sheet such that the first and second tabs defined thereby are pivotable relative to the metal sheet, each of said first and second tabs pivoting away from the metal sheet when pivoted towards the other of said tabs from the first position to the second position.

17. The pipe insulation shield of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second tabs is parallel to the lower portion of the sheet when in the first position and not parallel to the lower portion of the sheet when in the second position.

18. The pipe insulation shield of claim 17, wherein each of said first and second tabs is coaxial with the lower portion of the sheet when in the first position and not coaxial with the lower portion of the sheet when in the second position.

19. The pipe insulation shield of claim 18, wherein the first and second ends of the first arcuate edge join with the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, via first and second rounded corners, and wherein the first and second ends of the second arcuate edge join with the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, via third and fourth rounded corners.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art saddle used with a clevis hanger.

[0022] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a prior art saddle used with a strut support.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art saddle employing ribs.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a prior art saddle employing a central aperture with tabs.

[0025] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the prior art saddle of FIG. 3A with tabs flexed over the bottom of a clevis hanger.

[0026] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the prior art saddle of FIG. 3A being lowered onto a strut support.

[0027] FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the prior art saddle of FIG. 3C mounted on the strut, taken along line 3D-3D of FIG. 3C.

[0028] FIG. 4A is top view of a metal sheet prior to being rolled into the arcuate shield according to the invention.

[0029] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a pipe insulation shield in accordance with the invention.

[0030] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the pipe insulation shield of FIG. 4B with the tabs being pivoted from a flat position to a perpendicular position.

[0031] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the pipe insulation shield of FIG. 4C resting on a clevis hanger.

[0032] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the pipe insulation shield of FIG. 5A with the tabs further pivoted underneath the clevis hanger.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view of the pipe insulation shield of FIG. 4C mounted to a strut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The following detailed description illustrates the technology by way of example, not by way of limitation, of the principles of the invention. This description will enable one skilled in the art to make and use the technology, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize alternative variations and arrangements, and the present technology is not limited to those embodiments described hereafter.

[0035] FIGS. 4A-B illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a device (20) in accordance with the invention. Referring to FIG. 4A, the shield (20) is formed from a sheet of metal (24) which is cut and stamped as discussed further below, and which is generally rectangular. The sheet has first and second longitudinal edges (28, 30) along its length. In certain advantageous embodiments, the length L.sub.s of the sheet is about twelve inches.

[0036] During manufacture, the metal sheet (24) is rolled so that it has an arcuate shape from the first longitudinal edge (28) to the second longitudinal edge (30), as shown in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, the arcuate sheet (24) has first and second arcuate edges (38, 40), which are transverse to the first and second longitudinal edges (28, 30). Typically, the first and second longitudinal edges (28, 30) are substantially parallel to each other, and the first and second arcuate edges (38, 40) are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges (28, 30).

[0037] Typically, the arcuate shape of the metal sheet (24) extends about 180 degrees. In advantageous embodiments, the metal sheet (24) is steel, typically cut and stamped from a roll of sheet metal. The thickness of the sheet (24) may be 22 gauge when the arcuate shape has an inner diameter between 2.0 and 5.5. inches, or 18 gauge when the arcuate shape has an inner diameter anywhere between 2.0 and 14.0 inches.

[0038] This arcuate shape of the metal sheet (24) defines a channel (34) that engages any pipe insulation and vapor barrier that surrounds the pipe when the shield is positioned underneath them. As previously described, this arcuate sheet (24) is inserted between the relevant pipe support, such as a clevis hanger or strut, and the insulation and vapor barrier wrapped around the pipe, thereby providing support for the pipe and acting as a shield to protect the pipe's surrounding insulation and vapor barrier from damage by the underlying pipe support.

[0039] In order to make the shields safer for individuals handing them during installation or later working at the site, as shown in FIG. 4A, the sharp corners are eliminated from the otherwise generally rectangular shape of the sheet (24) when it is cut during manufacturing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first and second ends of the first arcuate edge (38) join the first and second longitudinal edges (28, 30), respectively, via first and second rounded corners (60, 62), and the first and second ends of the second arcuate edge (40) join with the first and second longitudinal edges (28, 30), respectively, via third and fourth rounded corners (64, 66).

[0040] During the manufacturing of the shield, the metal sheet (24) is stamped to produce first and second apertures (70, 72) passing through the sheet (24), as shown in FIG. 4A. The apertures (70, 72) each have a U-shape, such that they define first and second tabs (76, 78), respectively. The U-shaped apertures (70, 72) are mirror images of each other, facing in opposite directions, and arranged such that the tabs (76, 78) pivot toward each other when they are bent downwardly, as is further described below.

[0041] The first and second apertures (70, 72) are separate apertures spaced apart from one another such, such that the first and second tabs (76, 78) are separated by a distance D of about 1.75 inches. It is important that the tabs (76, 78) are separated by at least this distance in order to accommodate the width of a standard support strut positioned between them, as further described below.

[0042] The first and second tabs (76, 78) themselves have a length L.sub.t of about 0.75 inches long. It is important that the tabs (76, 78) are at least this long so that, when an installer needs to mount the shield to a hanger (instead of a strut), the tabs are of sufficient length to extend under the hanger, as is further described below. In certain embodiments, the tabs have a width W.sub.t of at least 0.25 inches to ensure that they are of adequate strength.

[0043] As shown if FIG. 4C, once in the field, the individual installing the shield can bend the tabs (76, 78) downwardly, for example, with a screwdriver. In this way, the tabs (76, 78) can each be pivoted from their original position, in which they are parallel to the lower portion of the shield (20), to a second position, which is transverse to the lower portion of the shield (20). When pivoted from the first position to the second position, the tabs (76, 78) pivot towards each other, or in another words, towards the center (C) of the shield (20).

[0044] The tabs (76, 78) can be pivoted at least ninety degrees such that they can engage the relevant support structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if the shield (20) is mounted on a support strut (82), the tabs (76, 78) are typically pivoted about ninety degrees, such that the tabs (76, 78) are substantially perpendicular to the original position of the tabs (76, 78) and abut the walls of the strut (82) to secure it thereto. As noted above, the tabs (76, 78) are specifically spaced at distance that accommodates the width of the strut to allow for this type of installation.

[0045] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A-B, if the shield (20) is mounted to a hanger, such as a clevis hanger, the tabs (76, 78) can be rotated more than ninety degrees such that part of the tab wraps around under the hanger (84) for a secure fit. As noted above, the tabs (76, 78) are specifically sized to also allow for this type of application.

[0046] Though the distance D between the tabs (76, 78) can be positioned farther apart the dimension noted above, this would likewise require that the length L.sub.t of the tabs (76, 78) also be longer than the dimension described above, such that that the tabs, when fully pivoted, would still reach the underside of a clevis hanger (84) when used in that type of application. However, the above-described dimensions of the distance D between tabs (76, 78) and length L.sub.t of the tabs are preferred, as this maximizes the stability of the shield (20) when mounted, while still permitting the shield to be used for both strut and clevis hanger applications. In this way, the versatility of the shield (20) for different installation types is maximized.

[0047] It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, and that obvious modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments herein, those embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the accompanying claims, rather than the foregoing specification, to determine the scope of the invention.