Pipe Hanger With Alignment Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of pipes and conduits in building construction is time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for external measurements, leading to potential alignment issues, stress points, and material waste, especially when working with truss or joist systems.
Innovation Solution
A pipe hanging system featuring hanger members with alignment marks and indicators that allow for precise positioning without external measuring devices, enabling quick and easy alignment and mounting of pipes to support members, along with a noise reduction feature to dampen fluid flow sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external measuring devices are used to measure and maintain specified distance between support members and pipes, then alignment precision can be improved, but installation time increases and installation complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-marked alignment indicators directly on the hanger members during manufacturing. These indicators show the exact positioning required relative to support members, eliminating the need for on-site measurements. The alignment information is prepared in advance and integrated into the hanger design, allowing installers to simply match the marks without using external measuring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger members are designed with built-in alignment indicators that serve as self-contained alignment tools. The indicators are part of the hanger structure itself, allowing the hanger to guide its own positioning without requiring separate measuring instruments or complex measurement procedures. The system is self-sufficient for alignment purposes.
2Manufacturing precision
If measurements are made at each individual support member to maintain alignment, then alignment accuracy can be improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming measurements
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment indicators are pre-positioned on hanger members during manufacturing, eliminating the need for measurements during installation. The correct positioning information is embedded in the hanger design itself, allowing installers to quickly identify and achieve proper alignment by matching marks without performing measurements at each support member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement process (using tape measures, rulers, or other measuring devices) with a visual marking system. Instead of measuring distances and calculating positions, installers simply visually match the pre-marked indicators on hangers with corresponding marks on support members, substituting a simple visual alignment task for a complex measurement and calculation process.
3Productivity
If straps or hangers are nailed to support members without proper alignment, then installation speed can be improved, but alignment precision worsens leading to stress points and potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger members come pre-marked with alignment indicators during manufacturing, providing built-in guidance for correct positioning. This allows installers to quickly identify the proper placement location on each support member without needing to perform measurements or calculations, maintaining both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment indicators are integrated directly into the hanger structure, making the hanger self-guiding during installation. The hanger essentially tells the installer where to position it by providing visual cues in the form of marks that align with corresponding marks on the support members, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe hanging system for aligned installation of a pipe from a support system without the use of external measuring devices incudes a hanger assembly having one or more hanger members each having a cradle dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the pipe in a supported relation therein. The hanger members include a plurality of alignment marks disposed on and visible along at least a portion of the hanger member to facilitate positioning the hanger member relative to the support members without the use of external measuring devices. A mounting assembly to mount each hanger member to one of the plurality of support members in an aligned orientation, wherein an aligned orientation is at least partially defined by a portion of the cradle disposed a predetermined distance from a preselected portion of the support member onto which the hanger member is mounted.