Apparatus for supporting pipe

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for supporting a pipe, the apparatus being structured with improved attachment between a housing and liner to be structurally simple but allow the attachment to be firm. The apparatus comprises: a housing comprising a semi-circular first housing and a semi-circular second housing rotatably hinged to the first housing; a coupling part for coupling the first and second housings; liners detachably disposed in the respective first and second housings to form a cylindrical inner surface that comes in contact with a pipe; a connection part for connecting the housing to a suspension rod; and a fixing part provided between the liner and housing to fix the former to the latter.

Description

Pipe support device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for supporting a pipe.

[0002] Piping systems are commonly used for fluid transport across industries, including machinery, electronics, food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Piping systems include support devices that support pipes transporting fluids such as liquids and gases against building ceilings.

[0003] The pipe support device may include two semicircular housings that surround the outer surface of the pipe and bolts that fasten and secure the semicircular housings. A suspension rod extending from a support surface, such as a ceiling of a building, may be further provided to position the pipe support device at a specific location. The pipe support device is connected to the suspension rod so as to support the pipe at a specific location from the support surface. The pipe support device can support the pipe by surrounding the pipe with the two semicircular housings and tightening the bolts.

[0004] A liner may be further provided on the inner surface of the semicircular housing of the pipe support device to prevent damage caused by friction between the liner and the pipe. The liner has a semicircular structure and is installed on the inner surface of the housing, forming the inner surface that contacts the pipe.

[0005] However, in the case of the conventional structure, there was a frequent problem of the liner being easily detached or lost from the semicircular housing during the process of opening and closing the semicircular housing for installation or separation of the pipe.

[0006] There have been attempts to prevent the liner from easily detaching from the housing by forming protrusions and grooves between the liner and the inner surface of the housing. However, these methods have the disadvantage of being complex in structure, difficult to manufacture, and difficult to install the liner, resulting in inconvenient use. Furthermore, forming grooves and other features on the inner surface of the housing for attachment to the liner requires the housing to be sufficiently large in size and thickness, making them difficult to apply to housings with small sizes or thicknesses.

[0007] Moreover, for pipes transporting high-temperature fluids, liners are manufactured from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) due to heat transfer issues. However, PTFE is difficult to process, making it difficult to manufacture liners with complex structures, such as protrusions on the outer surface.

[0008] This project aims to provide a pipe support device that is structurally very simple yet can be firmly connected between the housing and the liner by improving the joint structure between the housing and the liner.

[0009] This project aims to provide a pipe support device that has a simple joint structure and can be easily manufactured even for a PTFE material liner.

[0010] The present task is to provide a pipe support device that can be firmly connected to a liner regardless of the size or thickness of the housing.

[0011] The present invention provides a pipe support device that is easy and simple to install and remove between a housing and a liner.

[0012] The pipe support device of this embodiment is,

[0013] A housing portion that surrounds a pipe, including a first housing having a semicircular structure and a second housing having a semicircular structure and being rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge axis;

[0014] A fastening member for fastening and fixing the first housing and the second housing;

[0015] A liner detachably installed in each of the first and second housings and forming a cylindrical inner surface in contact with the pipe;

[0016] A connecting portion for connecting the above housing portion to the suspension rod; and

[0017] A fixing member may be provided between the liner and the housing part to fix the liner to the housing part.

[0018] The above-mentioned fastening portion may include an end portion extending from the ends of the first housing and the second housing, a bolt rotatably coupled to the end of the second housing, a slot formed at the end of the end of the first housing into which the bolt is inserted, and a nut fastened to the bolt to tighten the two ends.

[0019] The above liner may include a body portion formed in a semicircular shape with a smooth inner surface in contact with the pipe and a smooth outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the housing portion, and ribs formed to protrude toward the outer surface on each of two sides of the body portion and fitted into the side surfaces of the housing portion.

[0020] The above-mentioned fixed portion may have a structure in which a protrusion is formed laterally on both sides of the housing portion and extends along the side, and a groove formed on the inner surface of the rib of the liner and interlocked with the protrusion, such that the groove is fitted into the protrusion and coupled.

[0021] The above-mentioned fixed portion may be formed to be inclined downward so that the yoke is gradually spaced farther from the side of the housing portion as it goes from the outside to the inside, and the protrusion may be formed to be inclined upward so that it gradually protrudes outward as it goes from the outside to the inside against the yoke.

[0022] The above-mentioned fixed portion may be formed to be inclined downward so that the yoke is gradually spaced farther from the side surface of the housing portion as it moves inward from the outside, and the protrusion may be formed to be a projection that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the housing portion toward the inner end and is inserted into the spaced-off space of the yoke.

[0023] The above liner may be made of PTFE material.

[0024] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the structure of the liner or the housing can be simplified by interlocking the liner with the side of the housing.

[0025] Since the liner is bonded between both sides of the housing, the liner can be securely bonded to the housing regardless of the size or thickness of the housing.

[0026] The structure of the liner's connection to the housing can be simplified, so that it can be applied to liners made of PTFE material and can be easily manufactured.

[0027] Since the liner is coupled while moving along the side of the housing, installation and removal between the housing and liner are easy and simple, thereby improving workability.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a front view of a pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 is a plan view of a pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a liner of another pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the liner coupling structure of the pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a liner coupling structure of a pipe support device according to another embodiment.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims set forth below. The embodiments described below may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, identical or similar parts are represented by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0036] The terminology used below is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "comprising," as used herein, specifies a particular feature, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other specific features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups.

[0037] In the description of this embodiment, expressions such as top, bottom, front, back, first, second, one side, other side, etc. indicate relative positions, directions, or orders, and their technical meanings are not bound by dictionary meanings.

[0038] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following examples are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0039] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a pipe support device according to the present embodiment.

[0040] For the convenience of the following description, a suspension rod (100) extends upward from the ground as shown in FIG. 2, and a pipe support device (10) is installed at the top of the suspension rod (100) as an example. Of course, unlike FIG. 2, a pipe support device may be installed at the bottom of a suspension rod that is installed on a ceiling or the like and extends downward. The suspension rod (100) is attached to a support surface such as the ground or ceiling and is interconnected with the pipe support device (10). The length of the suspension rod (100) may be changed according to the pipe position.

[0041] In Fig. 3, the x-axis direction, which is the direction in which the pipe (P) passes, is called the axial direction or lateral direction, and the surface facing the x-axis direction is called the side surface. The center of the support device (10), i.e., the center of the pipe (P), is called the inner side or inner surface, and the opposite side is called the outer side or outer surface.

[0042] As illustrated, the pipe support device (10) of the present embodiment includes a housing portion (20) that surrounds the pipe (P) and is composed of a first housing (22) and a second housing. Hereinafter, the housing portion (20) may refer to both the first housing (22) and the second housing.

[0043] The first housing (22) and the second housing (24) are connected so that one end can rotate around the hinge axis (26), and are opened and closed by rotating around the hinge axis (26).

[0044] The first housing (22) and the second housing (24) form a semicircular structure. Accordingly, the first housing (22) and the second housing (24) can be rotated around the hinge axis (26) to close or opened.

[0045] A fastening part is provided on the free end opposite to the tip where the hinge axis (26) of the first housing (22) and the second housing (24) are installed. The fastening part fastens and secures the first housing (22) and the second housing (24).

[0046] The fastening part may include an end portion (28) that extends from the ends of the first housing (22) and the second housing (24), a bolt (30) that is rotatably coupled to the end of the second housing (22), a slot (31) formed at the end of the end portion (28) of the first housing (24) and into which the bolt (30) is inserted, and a nut (32) that is fastened to the bolt (30) and tightens the two ends (28).

[0047] Accordingly, when the bolt (30) is rotated and inserted into the slot (31) of the first housing (24) and the nut (32) is tightened, the end (28) of the first housing (22) and the end (28) of the second housing (24) are fastened and fixed by being tightened by the nut (32).

[0048] The fastening member may be modified in various ways other than the structure described above. For example, the fastening member may have a structure in which a through hole and a screw-fastening hole are formed at each of the two ends, and a bolt is passed through the through hole and screwed into the screw-fastening hole, thereby tightening and fixing the ends together.

[0049] The housing portion (20) may be provided with a connecting portion (40) for connection with the suspension rod (100). In the present embodiment, the connecting portion (40) may be formed by a screw fastening method. For example, the connection may be achieved by fastening a male screw provided in the housing portion to a female screw hole of the suspension rod. In addition to the above-described structure, the connecting portion may be a structure that connects the housing portion to the suspension rod so that it can rotate and tilt. The connecting portion (40) may be modified in various ways and is not particularly limited.

[0050] The liner (50) is installed inside the housing portion (20) and provides a surface that comes into contact with the pipe (P).

[0051] The liner (50) of the present embodiment is detachably installed in the first housing (22) and the second housing (24), respectively, to form a cylindrical inner surface that is in contact with the pipe (P). The liners (50) form a pair and are installed in the first housing (22) and the second housing (24), respectively. Since the two liners (50) have the same structure, hereinafter, the term "liner (50)" may refer to both liners (50).

[0052] The liner (50) can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding a plastic material.

[0053] In this embodiment, the liner (50) may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the liner (50) of the present embodiment may include a body portion (52) formed in a semicircular shape with a smooth inner surface in contact with the pipe (P) and a smooth outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the housing portion (20), and ribs (54) formed to protrude toward the outer surface on each of both sides of the body portion (52) and fitted into the side surface of the housing portion (20).

[0055] The liner (50) is fitted and joined to the housing portion (20) via ribs (54) formed on both lateral sides of the body portion (52).

[0056] The gap between the ribs (54) on both sides of the liner (50) can be formed to have a size that roughly corresponds to the gap between the two sides of the housing portion (20). The corresponding size may mean that the gap between the ribs (54) is the same as or slightly smaller than the gap between the two sides of the housing portion (20). Accordingly, the ribs (54) of the liner (50) can be forcibly fitted into the two sides of the housing portion (20) and installed in close contact. Accordingly, when the ribs (54) of the liner (50) are fitted into the two sides of the housing portion (20) and are in close contact with each other, the liner (50) does not easily come off from the housing portion (20) due to frictional force.

[0057] In this way, by simplifying the structure of the liner (50) to a structure in which the liner (50) is fitted and joined to the side of the housing portion (20) by the rib (54), it is possible to manufacture a liner (50) with enhanced fixing strength to the housing portion (20) using PTFE material.

[0058] In the conventional case, in order to increase the fixing force between the housing part (20) and the liner (50), a complex structure of protrusions had to be formed on the outer surface of the liner (50), and in this case, it was difficult to mold the liner (50) with PTFE material. Accordingly, in the case of the liner (50) manufactured with the conventional PTFE material, it was difficult to establish a fixing structure with the housing part (20), and the liner (50) was easily separated from the housing part (20).

[0059] The liner (50) of this embodiment has a simple structure as described above, so that it can be easily manufactured with PTFE material, and the liner (50) can be more firmly fixed to the housing portion (20) by the rib (54).

[0060] Meanwhile, the support device (10) of the present embodiment may further include a fixing part to increase the fixing force of the liner (50) to the housing part (20).

[0061] The fixing member is provided between the liner (50) and the housing member (20) to removably fix the liner (50) to the housing member (20).

[0062] Fig. 6 shows a fixing structure between a liner (50) and a housing portion (20) according to the present embodiment.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, the fixed portion may have a structure in which the fixed portion is formed to protrude laterally on both sides of the housing portion (20) and includes a protrusion (62) extending along the side, and a groove (60) formed on the inner surface of the rib (54) of the liner (50) to engage with the protrusion (62), such that the groove (60) is fitted into the protrusion (62) and coupled.

[0064] Accordingly, the protrusion (62) on the side of the housing part (20) and the inner part (60) of the rib (54) are interlocked and combined with each other so that the liner (50) can be firmly fixed without being detached from the housing part (20).

[0065] The protrusion (62) is formed to protrude laterally based on the line (L) formed by the side surface of the housing portion (20). The yoke (60) is formed by being dug into the inner surface of the rib (54) based on the line (L) formed by the side surface of the housing portion (20).

[0066] In this embodiment, the yoke (60) is formed by being slanted downward so that it gradually moves away from the side of the housing portion (20) from the outside to the inside. Conversely, the protrusion (62) is formed by being slanted upward so that it gradually protrudes outward from the outside to the inside, facing the yoke (60).

[0067] That is, based on the line (L) formed by the side surface of the housing portion (20) in FIG. 6, a protrusion (62) having a triangular cross-section shape inclined at a predetermined angle (R) is formed on the side surface of the housing portion (20), and a recess (60) having a triangular cross-section shape inclined at a predetermined angle (R) is formed on the inner surface of the rib (54) of the liner (50).

[0068] Accordingly, when the yoke (60) is engaged with the protrusion (62), the yoke (60) is caught on the protrusion (62) and does not come off. Accordingly, the liner (50) is firmly fixed to the housing (20), and can be prevented from coming off from the housing (20).

[0069] In addition, the liner (50) can be simply installed in the housing part (20) by moving the liner (50) from the front end of the housing part (20) while aligning the yoke (60) and the protrusion (62).

[0070] Figure 7 illustrates a fixed structure of another embodiment.

[0071] Hereinafter, in this embodiment, except for the structure of the fixed part, other components are the same as those described above, so the same drawing numbers are given for the same components and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixed part of the present embodiment may be formed to be inclined downward so that the yoke (60) is gradually spaced farther away from the side surface of the housing part (20) as it goes from the outside to the inside, and the protrusion (62) may be formed to protrude laterally from a position tilted toward the inner end of the side surface of the housing part (20) and be a protrusion (64) inserted into the spaced space of the yoke (60).

[0073] The protrusion (64) can be formed to protrude at a height corresponding to the depth of the formation of the yoke (60) at the formation position of the protrusion (64) on the line formed by the side of the housing portion (20). Accordingly, the protrusion (64) is fitted into the yoke (60) to act as a stopper.

[0074] As mentioned, the yoke (60) has a structure in which the depth of the side surface of the housing portion (20) decreases as it goes outward, and the outer end of the rib (54) is caught on a protrusion (64) that protrudes from the side surface of the housing portion (20) at a predetermined height.

[0075] Accordingly, the protrusion (64) on the side of the housing part (20) and the inner part (60) of the rib (54) are interlocked and combined with each other so that the liner (50) can be firmly fixed without being detached from the housing part (20).

[0076] In this way, since the protrusion (62) that is combined with the liner (50) is formed as a simple protrusion (64) structure, the protrusion (62) can be formed more easily on the side of the housing portion (20).

[0077] In addition, the protrusion (64) can be more easily fitted into the yoke (60), making it easier to install the liner (50) into the housing (20).

[0078] While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, various modifications and alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications and alternative embodiments are contemplated and encompassed by the appended claims, and do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A housing portion that surrounds a pipe, including a first housing having a semicircular structure and a second housing having a semicircular structure and rotatably connected to the first housing via a hinge axis; A fastening member for fastening and fixing the first housing and the second housing; A liner detachably installed in each of the first and second housings and forming a cylindrical inner surface in contact with the pipe; A connecting portion for connecting the above housing portion to the suspension rod; and A fixing member is provided between the liner and the housing part to fix the liner to the housing part, The above liner is a pipe support device including a body part formed in a semicircular shape with a smooth inner surface in contact with the pipe and a smooth outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the housing part, and ribs formed to protrude toward the outer surface on each of both sides of the body part and into which the side surface of the housing part is fitted.

2. In paragraph 1, The above liner is a pipe support device made of PTFE material.

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, A pipe support device having a structure in which the fixed portion is formed to protrude laterally on both sides of the housing portion and includes a protrusion extending along the side, a groove formed on the inner surface of the rib of the liner and engaging with the protrusion, and the groove is fitted into the protrusion and joined.

4. In paragraph 2, A pipe support device having a structure in which the above fixed portion is formed to be inclined downward so that the lower portion is gradually spaced farther from the side of the housing portion as it goes from the outside to the inside, and the protrusion is formed to be inclined upward so that it gradually protrudes outward as it goes from the outside to the inside against the lower portion.

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