Rotating cushion for a tubing clamp

Abstract

A pipe clamp cushion and a method for installing pipes and tube-like structures is provided by an polyester elastemer material that is independently connected to a support structure and has hinges molded as part of each arms of the clamp. The hinges are formed in a U-shaped arrangement, which does not compromise the material of the cushion, and thus allow the cushion arms to maintain strength and elastic properties. This arrangement permits easier installation for a wide variety of tube sizes and configurations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the tube clamp cushion of the present invention, connected to an external support channel.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tube clamp cushion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the support channel, depicting a connecting mechanism for holding the cushion to the support channel.

FIG. 4 is a front view depicting only the tube clamp cushion, including details of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view depicting only the tube clamp cushion of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view depicting only the tube clamp cushion of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of another embodiment of only the tube clamp cushion of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tube clamp cushion of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tube clamp cushion for use with an external clamp to hold an external tube, and arranged to operate in conjunction with an external support structure, said cushion comprising: a) two opposing arms forming an annular structure;b) each said opposing arm comprising a hinge structure;c) each said hinge structure comprising two regions of flexing material on either side of a U-shaped separation formed in said arm.

2. The tube clamp cushion of claim 1, wherein said two opposing arms are configured to rotate toward each other on said hinge structures.

3. The tube clamp cushion of claim 2, wherein said regions of flexing material constitute “living hinges” of undegraded material.

4. The tube clamp cushion of claim 3, wherein each said hinge structure further comprises a depression behind said region of flexing material.

5. The tube clamp cushion of claim 1, wherein said tube clamp cushion comprises a polyester elastomer.

6. The tube clamp cushion of claim 5, wherein said cushion comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, operating within in a temperature range of substantially −95° F. to 300° F.

7. A tube clamp cushion for use with an external clamp to hold an external tube, and arranged to operate in conjunction with an external support structure, said tube clamp cushion comprising: a) two opposing arms molded in an open position to receive said external tube.

8. The tube clamp cushion of claim 7, wherein each said opposite arm composes an arcuate form, and each said opposing arm comprises a rotating section extending upward from said arcuate form.

9. The tube clamp cushion of claim 8, wherein each said opposing arm further comprises a hinge structure configured so that said two opposing arms rotate toward each other.

10. The tube clamp cushion of claim 9, comprising polyester elastomer.

11. The tube clamp cushion of claim 10, wherein said tube clamp cushion is uncut.

12. A method of preparing a tube clamp cushion to receive an external tube to be held to an external support, said method comprising the step of: a) forming said tube clamp cushion with two opposing arms in an open position.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: b) forming said two opposing arms with rotating sections extending upward from said two opposing arms.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: c) moving said external tube against said rotating sections; and,d) rotating said two opposing arms toward each other and around said tube.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: e) placing halves of said external clamp on either side of said cushion.

16. A method of mounting a tube clamp cushion including an extending connecting plate to an external support having channels in preparation for receiving an external tube to be held, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing said connecting plate of said tube clamp cushion between said channels of said support structure;b) rotating said tube clamp cushion so as to catch said connecting plate beneath said channels, supporting said tube clamp cushion independent of additional external devices.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: c) placing said external tube within said tube clamp cushion, and adjusting said cushion to hold said external tube.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said external support structure is arranged to have a longitude, and said external tube is arranged to have a longitude, said longitude of said external tube being perpendicular to said longitude of said external support structure when said external tube has been placed in said tube clamp cushion.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: d) placing two halves of an external clamp on either side of said cushion, by interlocking said external clamp with said channels of said support structure.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said tube clamp cushion comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.