Bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system

Abstract

A bracket (1) is provided in a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object to be braced, e.g. a pipe clip, or to a support structure. The bracket (1) comprises a generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2) having a planar base having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall (21) extending from the circular outer contour of the base (20). The peripheral wall is inclined at an angle to the plane of the base (20). A cutout (23) is formed in the planar base (20) for receiving a fastener shaft. The peripheral wall (21) is provided with a plurality of openings (26) for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

Description

[0001] Title: Bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system

[0002] The present invention relates to a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object to be braced or to a support structure.

[0003] US 6,026,545 discloses a one-piece generally L-shaped restraint bracket suited for use with wire rope or cable for transverse, longitudinal seismic bracing systems for supporting an object. The L-shaped bracket has a flattened apertured central portion with two wing portions generally at right angles to each other. The wings are apertured at their free ends. The wings join the flattened central portion and are upwardly bent away from the plane of the central portion. The central portion is secured to an object to be supported. Wire ropes can be secured to the wings, which wire ropes are connected with another end to another structure so as to dampen earthquake loads and forces.

[0004] A similar bracket is disclosed in US 10,036,487.

[0005] The invention has for an object to provide a more versatile bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system.

[0006] This object is achieved by a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object to be braced or to a support structure, the bracket comprising a generally saucer-shaped bracket part having a planar base having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall extending from the circular outer contour of the base and being inclined at an angle to the plane of the base, wherein a cutout is formed in the planar base for receiving a fastener shaft, and wherein the peripheral wall is provided with a plurality of openings for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

[0007] The bracket of the invention has a circumferential wall, which, by the inclination with respect to the base, forms an outwardly flaring collar. In the circumferential wall several openings distributed over the circumference can be made. This allows that on more positions wire ropes or cables can be attached to the bracket compared to the brackets of the above mentioned prior art, which only have two wings arranged under a right angle.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the bracket according to the invention the bracket is a two-piece bracket including: - said generally saucer-shaped bracket part, wherein a gap is formed in the peripheral wall, and wherein the cut-out in the base is a slot-shaped cut-out, which has a closed end and an open end, which open end adjoins the gap in the peripheral wall,

[0009] - a locking plate adapted to be received in the saucer-shaped bracket part, said locking plate comprising a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate having a front end and an open rear end, which planar plate is adapted to overly the planar base such that the open rear end of the plate overlies the closed end of the cutout of the base and the front end of the plate overlies the open end of the cutout of the base.

[0010] This two-piece embodiment of the bracket advantageously allows the bracket to be retrofitted on an object, for example at the flange of a pipe clip that is already arranged around a pipe. Such a pipe clip may have at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges for tightening the pipe clip around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft and a head, such as a screw. The fastener may be loosened to an extent that the flanges of the pipe clip are still kept together, but a space is created between the head of the fastener and the flange of the pipe clip. The generally saucer-shaped bracket part of the bracket is arranged by shifting the planar base with the slot-shaped cutout thereof from the open end to the closed end around the shaft of the fastener. The planar base thus ends up like a washer between one of the flanges of the pipe clip and the head of the fastener. The planar plate of the locking plate is moved underneath the head of the fastener with the open rear end receiving the shaft of the fastener and then shifting the closed end in the direction of the shaft, after which the planar plate of the locking plate is moved towards the base of the generally saucer-shaped bracket part to rest on said base. The planar plate of the locking plate thus forms a sort of a second washer underneath the fastener head. The fastener shaft is now locked in between the two parts of the bracket. The fastener can now be tightened again to tighten the flanges, the planar plate of the locking plate and the base of the saucer-shaped bracket part together.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the bracket, the planar plate of the locking plate defines a plane and has an extension on the front end, which extension has a width adapted to fit in the gap in the peripheral wall of the first bracket part, wherein when the planar plate lies on the planar base, the extension is received in the gap in the peripheral wall. The extension received in the gap prevents rotation of the locking plate relative to the generally saucer-shaped bracket part in the mounted state, whereby inadvertent alignment of the open ended cutouts in the planar plate and planar base is prevented whereby the bracket could get loose from the pipe clip, e.g. during an earthquake. In an embodiment of the bracket, the extension lies in the same plane as the planar plate of the locking plate.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the bracket, the extension extends inclined with respect to the plane of the planar plate of the locking plate, wherein the inclination corresponds to the inclination of the peripheral wall of the saucer-shaped bracket part with respect to the base. The inclined extension and the gap in the peripheral wall are preferably complementary, in the sense that the extension fills the gap in the peripheral wall.

[0013] The extension may be provided with an opening for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

[0014] In yet another alternative embodiment of the bracket, the locking plate has a partial circular wall portion, preferably a semi-circular wall portion, on the front end of the planar plate, which wall portion extends from the circular outer contour of the front end and extends inclined at an angle to the plane of the planar plate, wherein the semi-circular wall portion is provided with holes, wherein in use at least one of said holes is aligned with the gap in the peripheral wall, and the other holes are aligned with holes in the peripheral wall.

[0015] In this embodiment the inclined partial circular wall portion thus overlaps with portions of the circumferential wall flanking the gap. The partial circular wall portion is in the mounted state arranged on an inner side of the peripheral wall.

[0016] In the above described embodiments of the bracket, the locking plate is preferably made of metal.

[0017] In a different embodiment of the bracket, which is a one-piece embodiment of the bracket according to the invention, the cutout in the planar base is a hole with a closed contour. In this embodiment the peripheral wall preferably extends over the entire circumference, i.e. the bracket does not have a gap in the peripheral wall. This embodiment cannot be retrofitted, but the circumferential wall still provides the possibility of openings on multiple positions on the circumference and the versatility of use associated therewith.

[0018] In all of the above described embodiments of te bracket, the saucer-shaped bracket part is preferably made of metal, more preferably of steel or stainless steel. An initially planar blank of a suitable grade of steel, stainless steel or other suitable metal may be formed in the saucer shape by a deep drawing process. The invention also relates to a seismic cable sway bracing system comprising at least one pipe clip for holding a pipe, said pipe clip having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges for tightening the pipe clip around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft and a head, such as a screw, the system furthermore comprising a bracket as set forth in the above, wherein the bracket is arranged with the planar base thereof between one of the flanges of the pipe clip and the head of the fastener whilst the shaft of the fastener is received in the cutout formed in the base, and wherein at least one cable is attached to one of the openings in the peripheral wall.

[0019] In particular, the invention also relates to a seismic cable sway bracing system comprising at least one pipe clip for holding a pipe, said pipe clip having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges for tightening the pipe clip around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft and a head, such as a screw, the system furthermore comprising a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object to be braced or to a support structure, the bracket comprising a generally saucer-shaped bracket part having a planar base having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall extending from the circular outer contour of the base and being inclined at an angle to the plane of the base, wherein a cutout is formed in the planar base for receiving a fastener shaft, and wherein the peripheral wall is provided with a plurality of openings for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system, wherein the bracket is arranged with the planar base thereof between one of the flanges of the pipe clip and the head of the fastener whilst the shaft of the fastener is received in the cutout formed in the base, and wherein at least one cable is attached to one of the openings in the peripheral wall.

[0020] In the seismic cable sway bracing system according to the invention the bracket has a circumferential wall, which, by the inclination with respect to the base, forms an outwardly flaring collar. In the circumferential wall several openings distributed over the circumference can be made. This allows that on more positions wire ropes or cables can be attached to the bracket compared to the brackets of the above mentioned prior art, which only have two wings arranged under a right angle.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system according to the invention, the bracket is a two-piece bracket including:

[0022] - said generally saucer-shaped bracket part, wherein a gap is formed in the peripheral wall, and wherein the cut-out in the base is a slot-shaped cut-out, which has a closed end and an open end, which open end adjoins the gap in the peripheral wall, - a locking plate adapted to be received in the saucer-shaped bracket part, said locking plate comprising a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate having a front end and an open rear end, which planar plate is adapted to overly the planar base such that the open rear end of the plate overlies the closed end of the cutout of the base and the front end of the plate overlies the open end of the cutout of the planar base.

[0023] This two-piece embodiment of the bracket advantageously allows the bracket to be retrofitted on an object, for example at the flange of a pipe clip that is already arranged around a pipe. Such a pipe clip may have at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges for tightening the pipe clip around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft and a head, such as a screw. The fastener may be loosened to an extent that the flanges of the pipe clip are still kept together, but a space is created between the head of the fastener and the flange of the pipe clip. The generally saucer-shaped bracket part of the bracket is arranged by shifting the planar base with the slot-shaped cutout thereof from the open end to the closed end around the shaft of the fastener. The planar base thus ends up like a washer between one of the flanges of the pipe clip and the head of the fastener. The planar plate of the locking plate is moved underneath the head of the fastener with the open rear end receiving the shaft of the fastener and then shifting the closed end in the direction of the shaft, after which the planar plate of the locking plate is moved towards the base of the generally saucer-shaped bracket part to rest on said base. The planar plate of the locking plate thus forms a sort of a second washer underneath the fastener head. The fastener shaft is now locked in between the two parts of the bracket. The fastener can now be tightened again to tighten the flanges, the planar plate of the locking plate and the base of the saucer-shaped bracket part together.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system, the planar plate of the locking plate defines a plane and has an extension on the front end, which extension has a width adapted to fit in the gap in the peripheral wall of the first bracket part, wherein when the planar plate lies on the planar base, the extension is received in the gap in the peripheral wall. The extension received in the gap prevents rotation of the locking plate relative to the generally saucer-shaped bracket part in the mounted state, whereby inadvertent alignment of the open ended cutouts in the planar plate and planar base is prevented whereby the bracket could get loose from the pipe clip, e.g. during an earthquake.

[0025] In an embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system, the extension lies in the same plane as the planar plate of the locking plate. In an alternative embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system, the extension extends inclined with respect to the plane of the planar plate of the locking plate, wherein the inclination corresponds to the inclination of the peripheral wall of the saucer-shaped bracket part with respect to the base. The inclined extension and the gap in the peripheral wall are preferably complementary, in the sense that the extension fills the gap in the peripheral wall.

[0026] The extension may be provided with an opening for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

[0027] In yet another alternative embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system, the locking plate has a partial circular wall portion, preferably a semi-circular wall portion, on the front end of the planar plate, which wall portion extends from the circular outer contour of the front end and extends inclined at an angle to the plane of the planar plate, wherein the semi-circular wall portion is provided with holes, wherein in use at least one of said holes is aligned with the gap in the peripheral wall, and the other holes are aligned with holes in the peripheral wall.

[0028] In this embodiment the inclined partial circular wall portion thus overlaps with portions of the circumferential wall flanking the gap. The partial circular wall portion is in the mounted state arranged on an inner side of the peripheral wall.

[0029] In a different embodiment of the seismic cable sway bracing system, the cutout in the planar base of the bracket is a hole with a closed contour. In this embodiment the bracket is a one- piece bracket, wherein the peripheral wall preferably extends over the entire circumference, i.e. the bracket does not have a gap in the peripheral wall. This embodiment cannot be retrofitted, but the circumferential wall still provides the possibility of openings on multiple positions on the circumference and the versatility of use associated therewith.

[0030] In all of the above described embodiments of the the seismic cable sway bracing system, the saucer-shaped bracket part is preferably made of metal, more preferably of steel or stainless steel. An initially planar blank of a suitable grade of steel, stainless steel or other suitable metal may be formed in the saucer shape by a deep drawing process.

[0031] In the above described embodiments of the seismic cable sway bracing system having a two- piece bracket, the locking plate is preferably made of metal.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for mounting a two-piece bracket as described in the above, wherein the bracket is retrofitted on a pipe clip holding a pipe, said pipe clip having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges for tightening the pipe clip around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft and a head, such as a screw, wherein the generally saucer-shaped bracket part is arranged by shifting the planar base with the slot-shaped cutout thereof from the open end to the closed end around the shaft of the fastener and between one of the flanges of the pipe clip and the head of the fastener, and wherein the planar plate of the locking plate is moved underneath the head of the fastener with the open rear end receiving the shaft of the fastener and then shifting the closed end in the direction of the shaft, after which the planar plate is moved towards the base of the generally saucershaped bracket part to rest on said base, and wherein the fasteners are tightened to clamp the flanges, the planar plate and the base of the saucer-shaped bracket part together.

[0033] The invention will be elucidated in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0034] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a bracket according to the invention,

[0035] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a saucer-shaped bracket part of a bracket according to the invention,

[0036] Fig. 3 is another isometric view of the bracket part of Fig. 2,

[0037] Fig. 4 is a top elevational view of the bracket part of Fig. 2,

[0038] Fig. 5 is a bottom elevational view of the bracket part of Fig. 2,

[0039] Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the bracket part of Fig. 2,

[0040] Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a locking plate of the bracket of Fig.1 ,

[0041] Fig. 8 is a top elevational view of the locking plate of Fig. 7,

[0042] Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a bracket according to the invention,

[0043] Fig.10 is an isometric view of a locking plate of the bracket of Fig. 9,

[0044] Fig. 11 is a top elevational view of the locking plate of Fig. 10,

[0045] Fig. 12 is side elevational view of the locking plate of Fig. 10, Fig. 13 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a bracket according to the invention,

[0046] Fig. 14 is an isometric view of a locking plate of the bracket of Fig. 13,

[0047] Fig. 15 is a top elevational view of the locking plate of Fig. 14,

[0048] Fig. 16 is side elevational view of the locking plate of Fig. 14,

[0049] Fig. 17 shows an isometric view of a pipe clip in a seismic cable sway bracing system, provided with a bracket of Fig.1 ,

[0050] Fig. 18 shows a detail of Fig. 17,

[0051] Fig. 19 shows another isometric view of the pipe clip in the seismic cable sway bracing system of Fig. 17,

[0052] Fig. 20 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a bracket according to the invention,

[0053] Fig. 21 is a top elevational view of the bracket of Fig. 20,

[0054] Fig. 22 is a bottom elevational view of the bracket of Fig. 20, and

[0055] Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of the bracket of Fig. 20.

[0056] In Fig. 1 is shown a bracket 1 for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object, such as a pipe clip, to be braced to a support structure. In this embodiment of Fig. 1 the bracket 1 is a two-piece bracket including a generally saucer-shaped bracket part 2, which is shown separately in Figs 2-6, and a generally horseshoe-shaped locking plate 3, which is shown separately in Figs 7 and 8.

[0057] The saucer-shaped bracket part 2 may be made of metal, preferably it is made of steel or stainless steel by a deep drawing process. The locking plate 3 is made of metal and may be punched or cut otherwise from a metal sheet.

[0058] The saucer-shaped bracket part 2 (cf. Figs 2-6) has a planar base 20 having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall 21 extending from the circular outer contour 20A of the planar base 20 and being inclined at an angle to the plane of the base 20. A gap 22 is formed in the peripheral wall 21. A slot shaped cut-out 23 is formed in the base 20. The slot-shaped cutout 23 has a closed end 24 and an open end 25 which adjoins the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21. The peripheral wall 21 is provided with a plurality of openings 26 for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system. The openings 26 are distributed with an equal spacing between them.

[0059] The locking plate 3 comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate 30 (cf. Figs 7 and 8) having a front end 31 and an open rear end 32. The planar plate 30 has an extension 33 on the front end 31, which extension 33 has a width which fits in the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21 of the saucer-shaped bracket part 2. The extension 33 lies in the same plane as the planar plate 30.

[0060] The saucer shaped bracket part 2 is adapted to receive the horseshoe shaped planar plate 30. In an assembled state as is shown in Fig. 1, the planar plate 30 lies on the planar base 20, the open rear end 32 of the plate 30 overlies the closed end 24 of the cutout 23 of the base 20 and the front end 31 of the plate 30 overlies the open end 25 of the cutout 23 of the base 20. The extension 33 is received in the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21 as is visible in Fig. 1.

[0061] The bracket 1 can be used in a seismic cable sway bracing system comprising at least one pipe clip 4 for holding a pipe (not shown), which is illustrated in Figs 17-19.

[0062] The pipe clip 4 in the shown embodiment has two opposing semi-circular clip halves 41 , which form together a circular shape having a centre axis 40. Each clip half 41 has a tightening flange 42 at either end of the clip half 41. Each flange 42 has a bore through which a shaft of a fastener 5, such as a bolt or screw can pass. Preferably the fastener 5 is a threaded fastener having a shaft 51 provided with a male thread an a head 52 at one end of the shaft. Each bore or a part of the bores may be provided with a female thread which can cooperate with a male thread on the shaft 51 of the fastener 5. It is also possible to provide a nut instead of threaded bores to cooperate with the threaded shaft 51. In an assembled state the flanges 42 of the clip halves 41 are mutually opposing. The flanges 42 are tightened towards each other by means of the threaded fastener 5.

[0063] The seismic cable sway bracing system comprises a bracket 1 as set forth in the above. The bracket 1 is arranged with the planar base 20 thereof between one of the flanges 42 of the pipe clip 4 and the head 52 of the fastener 5 whilst the shaft 51 of the fastener 5 is received in the cutout 23 formed in the base 20. The two-piece bracket 1 as described in the above and shown in Fig.1 can be retrofitted on a pipe clip 4 holding a pipe. The generally saucer-shaped bracket part 2 is arranged by shifting the planar base 20 with the slot-shaped cutout 23 thereof from the open end 25 to the closed end 24 around the shaft 51 of the fastener 5 and between one of the flanges 42 of the pipe clip 4 and the head 52 of the fastener 5. The planar plate 30 of locking plate 3 is moved underneath the head 52 of the fastener 5 with the open rear end 32 receiving the shaft 51 of the fastener 5 and then shifting the closed end 31 in the direction of the shaft 51 , after which the planar plate 30 is moved towards the planar base 20 of the generally saucer-shaped bracket part 2 to rest on said base 20. Next, the fasteners 5 are tightened to clamp the flanges 42, the planar plate 30 of the locking plate 3 and the planar base 20 of the saucershaped bracket part 2 together.

[0064] Steel wire ropes or cables 6 are attached to some the openings 26 in the peripheral wall 21 , which cables 6 can be attached with another end thereof to other structural parts of the building (not shown), such as beams or to anchors fixed to walls or ceilings. In the example shown in the Figs 17-19 one side of the pipe clip 4 two wire ropes 6 are attached to the bracket 1 , while on the other side of the pipe clip 4 three wire ropes 6 are attached to the other bracket 1. The wire ropes 6 extend in different directions such that the pipe clip is braced in different directions an can prevent swaying movement in different directions. Swaying of the pipe clip 4 and a pipe held thereby, relative to the building is prevented to a great extent by the bracing. Thereby the integrity of the construction may be preserved and the safety in the building increased during an earthquake.

[0065] Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object, such as a pipe clip, to be braced to a support structure. In this embodiment of Fig. 9 the bracket 101 is a two-piece bracket including a generally saucershaped bracket part 2, which is shown separately in Figs 2-6, and which is thus the same as in the previously described embodiment of Fig. 1. For a description of this part 2 is referred to the above. The bracket 101 furthermore includes a locking plate 103, which is shown separately in Figs 10-12. The locking plate 103 comprises generally horseshoe-shaped planar locking plate 130.

[0066] The generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate 130 (cf. Figs 10-12) has a front end 131 and an open rear end 132. The planar plate 130 has an extension 133 on the front end 131. The extension 133 extends inclined with respect to the plane of the locking plate which is best seen in Fig. 10 and Fig. 12. The inclination of the extension 133 corresponds to the inclination of the peripheral wall 21 of the saucer-shaped bracket part 2 with respect to the base 20 as is best seen in Fig. 9. The extension 133 has a width which fits in the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21 of the saucer-shaped bracket part 2. The inclined extension 133 has such a length that its free end 133A is located in the mounted state at the same level as the edge 21A of the peripheral wall 21. In other words, the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21 and the extension 133 are complementary, in the sense that the extension 133 fills the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21.

[0067] The extension 133 is preferably provided with an opening 134 for attaching a cable of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

[0068] The bracket 101 can be retrofitted on a pipe clip 4 holding a pipe in essentially the same manner as the bracket 1.

[0069] Fig. 13 shows yet another embodiment of a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object, such as a pipe clip, to be braced to a support structure. In this embodiment of Fig. 13 the bracket 201 is a two-piece bracket including a generally saucer-shaped bracket part 2, which is shown separately in Figs 2-6, and which is thus the same as in the previously described embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 9. For a description of this part 2 is referred to the above. The bracket 201 furthermore comprises a locking plate 203, which is shown separately in Figs 14-16. The locking plate 203 comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate 230.

[0070] The generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate 230 (cf. Figs 14-16) has a front end 231 and an open rear end 232.

[0071] The locking plate 203 has a partial circular wall portion 233, on the front end 231 of the planar plate 230. In the specific embodiment shown in Figs 13-16 the partial circular wall portion 233 is a semi-circular wall portion. This wall portion 233 extends from the circular outer contour of the front end 231 and extends inclined at an angle to the plane of the planar plate 230. The semi-circular wall portion 233 is provided with holes 234A, 234B, wherein in use then middle one 234A of said holes is aligned with the gap 22 in the peripheral wall 21, and the other holes 234B are aligned with holes 26 in the peripheral wall 21 of the saucer-shaped bracket part 2.

[0072] The bracket 201 can be retrofitted on a pipe clip 4 holding a pipe in essentially the same manner as the bracket 1. In Figs 20-23 is shown a one-piece embodiment of a bracket for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable to an object, such as a pipe clip, to be braced to a support structure is shown. This one-piece bracket 301 has a cutout in the planar base 320 embodied as a hole 323 with a closed contour. In this embodiment the bracket has a peripheral wall 321, which preferably extends over the entire circumference of the circular contour of the planar base 320. The bracket 302 thus does not have a gap in the peripheral wall 321 like the other embodiments. The bracket 302 cannot be retrofitted on a pipe clip for example. The shaft of a fastener 5 must be inserted axially in the hole 323. The circumferential wall 321 has openings 326 distributed over the circumference with an equal mutual distance between them.

[0073] In the above embodiments the fastener 5 is by way of example a bolt or screw with an integral fastener head 52 which is received in the saucer-shaped bracket part 2, 302. It is however also possible that head 52 of the fastener 5 is on the other side, in which case a nut (not shown) could be screwed on the fastener shaft 51 , which would then be received in the saucer-shaped bracket part 2, 302. In other embodiments the fastener could be a threaded rod without an integral head. In that case one or two threaded nuts can be used to cooperate with the shaft. In any case, within the context of this application, a “fastener head” is not to be interpreted as limited to a head integrally formed with the fastener shaft but can also be a head to be assembled with the shaft, such as a threaded nut which is screwed on a threaded shaft.

[0074] In the present application the terms “cable” and “wired rope” are used. It must be understood that these terms can be interchanged. In general is meant an elongate flexible mechanical line which can absorb tensional forces.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Bracket (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301) for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable (6) to an object to be braced or to a support structure, the bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) comprising a generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2; 302) having a planar base (20; 320) having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall (21 ; 321) extending from the circular outer contour of the base (20; 320) and being inclined at an angle to the plane of the base (20; 320), wherein a cutout (23; 323) is formed in the planar base (20; 320) for receiving a fastener shaft (51), and wherein the peripheral wall (21 ; 321) is provided with a plurality of openings (26; 326) for attaching a cable (6) of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

2. Bracket according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a two-piece bracket (1; 101 ; 201) including:- said generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2), wherein a gap (22) is formed in the peripheral wall (21), and wherein the cut-out (23) in the planar base (20) is a slot-shaped cutout, which has a closed end (24) and an open end (25), which open end adjoins the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21),- a locking plate (3; 103, 203) adapted to be received in the saucer shaped bracket part (2), said locking plate (3; 103, 203) comprising a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate (30; 130; 230) having a front end (31 ; 131 ; 231) and an open rear end (32; 132; 232), which planar plate (30; 130; 230) is adapted to overly the planar base (20) such that the open rear end (32; 132; 232) of the plate (30; 130; 230) overlies the closed end (24) of the cutout (23) of the planar base (20) and the front end (31; 131 ; 231) of the plate overlies the open end (25) of the cutout (23) of the planar base (20).

3. Bracket according to claim 2, wherein the planar plate (30; 130) defines a plane and has an extension (33; 133) on the front end, which extension (33; 133) has a width adapted to fit in the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21) of the first bracket part (2), wherein, when the planar plate (30; 130) lies on the planar base (20), the extension (33; 133) is received in the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21).

4. Bracket according to claim 3, wherein the extension (33) lies in the same plane as the planar plate (30).

5. Bracket according to claim 3, wherein the extension (133) extends inclined with respect to the plane of the planar plate (130), wherein the inclination corresponds to theinclination of the peripheral wall (21) of the saucer-shaped bracket part (2) with respect to the base 20.

6. Bracket according to claim 5, wherein the extension (133) is provided with an opening (134) for attaching a cable (6) of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

7. Bracket according to claim 2, wherein the locking plate (203) has a partial circular wall portion (233), preferably a semi-circular wall portion, on the front end (231) of the planar plate (230), which wall portion (233) extends from the circular outer contour of the front end and extends inclined at an angle to the plane of the planar plate (230), wherein the semi-circular wall portion (233) is provided with holes (234A, 234B), wherein in use at least one (234A) of said holes is aligned with the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21), and the other holes (234B) are aligned with holes (26) in the peripheral wall (21).

8. Bracket according to claim 1 , wherein the cutout in the planar base (320) is a hole (323) with a closed contour.

9. Bracket according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the bracket (301) has a peripheral wall (321) extending over the entire circumference of the circular contour of the planar base (320).

10. Bracket according to any one of the claims 2-7, wherein the locking plate (3; 103; 203) is made of metal.

11. Bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the saucer-shaped bracket part (2; 301) is made of metal.

12. Seismic cable sway bracing system comprising at least one pipe clip (4) for holding a pipe, said pipe clip (4) having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges (42) for tightening the pipe clip (4) around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft (51) and a head (52), such as a screw, the system furthermore comprising a bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) is arranged with the planar base (20; 320) thereof between one of the flanges (42) of the pipe clip (4) and the head (52) of the fastener whilst the shaft (51) of the fastener is received in the cutout (23; 323) formed in the base (20; 320), and wherein at least one cable (6) is attached to one of the openings (26; 326) in the peripheral wall (21 ; 321).

13. Method for mounting a bracket according to any one of the claims 2-7, wherein the bracket (1; 101; 201) is retrofitted on a pipe clip (4) holding a pipe, said pipe clip (4) having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges (42) for tightening the pipe clip (4) around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft (51) and a head (52), such as a screw, wherein the generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2) is arranged by shifting the planar base (20) with the slot-shaped cutout (23) thereof from the open end (25) to the closed end (24) around the shaft (51) of the fastener and between one of the flanges (42) of the pipe clip (4) and the head (52) of the fastener, and wherein the locking plate (3; 103; 203) is moved with the planar plate thereof underneath the head (52) of the fastener with the open rear end (32; 132; 232) receiving the shaft (51) of the fastener and then shifting the closed end in the direction of the shaft (51), after which the planar plate (30; 130; 230) of the locking plate is moved towards the base (20) of the generally saucer-shaped bracket part to rest on said base (20), and wherein the fasteners are tightened to clamp the flanges (42), the planar plate (30; 130; 230) and the base (20) of the saucer-shaped bracket part (2) together.

14. Seismic cable sway bracing system comprising at least one pipe clip (4) for holding a pipe, said pipe clip (4) having at least two mutually opposing tightening flanges (42) for tightening the pipe clip (4) around the pipe by means of a fastener having a shaft (51) and a head (52), such as a screw, the system furthermore comprising a bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) for a seismic cable sway bracing system to attach a bracing cable (6) to an object to be braced or to a support structure, the bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) comprising a generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2; 302) having a planar base (20; 320) having a circular outer contour and a peripheral wall (21; 321) extending from the circular outer contour of the base (20; 320) and being inclined at an angle to the plane of the base (20; 320), wherein a cutout (23; 323) is formed in the planar base (20; 320) for receiving a fastener shaft (51), and wherein the peripheral wall (21; 321) is provided with a plurality of openings (26; 326) for attaching a cable (6) of the seismic cable sway bracing system, wherein the bracket (1; 101; 201; 301) is arranged with the planar base (20; 320) thereof between one of the flanges (42) of the pipe clip (4) and the head (52) of the fastener whilst the shaft (51) of the fastener is received in the cutout (23; 323) formed in the base (20; 320), and wherein at least one cable (6) is attached to one of the openings (26; 326) in the peripheral wall (21; 321).

15. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 14, wherein the bracket is a two-piece bracket (1; 101; 201) including:- said generally saucer-shaped bracket part (2), wherein a gap (22) is formed in the peripheral wall (21), and wherein the cut-out (23) in the planar base (20) is a slot-shaped cut-out, which has a closed end (24) and an open end (25), which open end adjoins the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21),- a locking plate (3; 103, 203) adapted to be received in the saucer shaped bracket part (2), said locking plate (3; 103, 203) comprising a generally horseshoe-shaped planar plate (30; 130; 230) having a front end (31 ; 131 ; 231) and an open rear end (32; 132; 232), which planar plate (30; 130; 230) is adapted to overly the planar base (20) such that the open rear end (32; 132; 232) of the plate (30; 130; 230) overlies the closed end (24) of the cutout (23) of the planar base (20) and the front end (31; 131 ; 231) of the plate overlies the open end (25) of the cutout (23) of the planar base (20).

16. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 15, wherein the planar plate (30; 130) defines a plane and has an extension (33; 133) on the front end, which extension (33; 133) has a width adapted to fit in the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21) of the first bracket part (2), wherein, when the planar plate (30; 130) lies on the planar base (20), the extension (33; 133) is received in the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21).

17. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 16, wherein the extension (33) lies in the same plane as the planar plate (30).

18. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 16, wherein the extension (133) extends inclined with respect to the plane of the planar plate (130), wherein the inclination corresponds to the inclination of the peripheral wall (21) of the saucer-shaped bracket part (2) with respect to the base 20.

19. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 18, wherein the extension (133) is provided with an opening (134) for attaching a cable (6) of the seismic cable sway bracing system.

20. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 15, wherein the locking plate (203) has a partial circular wall portion (233), preferably a semi-circular wall portion, on the front end (231) of the planar plate (230), which wall portion (233) extends from the circular outer contour of the front end and extends inclined at an angle to the plane of the planar plate (230), wherein the semi-circular wall portion (233) is provided with holes (234A, 234B), wherein in use at least one (234A) of said holes is aligned with the gap (22) in the peripheral wall (21), and the other holes (234B) are aligned with holes (26) in the peripheral wall (21).

21. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 14, wherein the cutout in the planar base (320) is a hole (323) with a closed contour.

22. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to claim 14 or 21, wherein the bracket (301) has a peripheral wall (321) extending over the entire circumference of the circular contour of the planar base (320).

23. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to any one of the claims 15-21 , wherein the locking plate (3; 103; 203) is made of metal.

24. Seismic cable sway bracing system according to any one of the claims 14-23, wherein the saucer-shaped bracket part (2; 301) is made of metal.

Images