Mounting Clamp

Abstract

This mounting clamp is used as a truss adapter for support of fixtures, electrical and otherwise, from a truss ceiling. The clamp comprises a plate suspended by a pair of upstanding arms, each of which is formed by a bolt connected to an inverted U-shaped rectangular hanger member. The hangers and their associated bolts are inserted upwardly between the spaced beams of a bar joist from below and then the hangers are rotated 90 degrees before they are lowered into place to rest on both of the spaced beams, spreading the load, as the hanger arms are tightened to the plate. The plate carries a connector for mating to the object to be mounted. Leveling screws provide adjustment for orienting the mounted object. A vibration damping pad is included when appropriate. Variations of the clamp may be used in wall or parapet mount configurations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to a device for overhead mounting of an article such as an electrical fixture or appliance to a ceiling, eave or wall. The described invention is particularly suited for ease of installation when suspending a surveillance camera to an open truss ceiling by a person working alone. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] As low cost construction techniques have developed for commercial buildings, there has been a greater utilization of bar joists and trusses, enabling the use of considerably greater unsupported spans than had been allowed by older construction methods. It is becoming commonplace for office and retail building space to be constructed in manners formerly reserved for wholesale or warehousing environments. The appearance of suspended or dropped ceilings has b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] An additional feature of the preferred embodiment is the inclusion of a pad of resilient material at the back of the plate that comes to rest against the truss as the bolts are tightened. This resilient pad serves to dampen vibrations that may otherwise be transmitted from the truss to the supported object. Reducing vibration also serves to avoid a problem sometimes encountered with the U-bolt mounts in the prior art whereby over time the bolts could work loose from their points of contact at the top of the bar joist angles allowing the entire mount to wander from its original position.

[0016] Alternate embodiments of the present invention allow for securing objects either interior or exterior to a building, under eaves, on walls, or on rooftops behind parapets. The resilient pad may be used to accommodate an irregular mounting surface. For exterior use the pad may also provide the function of weatherproofing.

Problems solved by technology

For heavier loads, or discrete rather than elongated loads, the capacity of the C-shaped clamps is often insufficient.

Although each adapter is relatively inexpensive, its installation can be quite time consuming and thus costly.

Over a period of time, vibration in the building may cause the adapter to become loose from the truss, or may cause the suspended object to loosen from its mount.

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