Plumber Protector Collar for Pre-existing Pipe Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe supports are designed for new construction and require dismantling existing connections, making it time-consuming and costly to provide structural support for pre-existing pipes like shower pipes, necessitating removal of connecting elements or parts of the wall.
Innovation Solution
A plumber protector device with a collar body and radial threaded apertures that accommodates pre-existing pipes, allowing them to be locked in place by affixing set screws and fasteners to a supporting surface without disassembly, enabling support for greater weights and various pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If current pipe supports designed for new construction are used on pre-existing pipes, then structural support can be provided, but the installation process requires removing connecting elements and parts of wall, making it time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support system is divided into separate functional components: a collar that fits around the pre-existing pipe, mounting brackets that attach to the wall, and connecting elements that join them. This segmentation allows the collar to be installed on the pipe without removing existing connections, while the mounting brackets handle the wall attachment separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary device between the pre-existing pipe and the mounting brackets. It provides a interface that allows the pipe to be supported without direct attachment to the wall, eliminating the need to remove existing pipe connections or wall portions.
2Strength
If current pipe supports designed for new construction are used on pre-existing pipes, then structural support can be provided, but it requires removing connecting elements such as shower heads and possibly portions of wall, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a collar component that interfaces with the pipe, mounting brackets that interface with the wall, and connecting hardware. This allows each component to be installed independently without requiring disassembly of existing connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various pipe diameters and types, and can be installed on pre-existing pipes without requiring specialized tools or skills beyond basic DIY capabilities, reducing the need for professional plumber intervention.
3Strength
If traditional pipe support methods are used on pre-existing pipes, then pipes can be supported, but the process requires taking the pipe out and removing connecting elements, reducing ease of installation
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is pre-assembled with the pipe before installation on the wall. This preliminary action allows the pipe and collar to be prepared together as a unit, which is then simply attached to the wall mounting brackets without requiring disassembly of the pipe or its connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves as an intermediary that couples the pipe to the mounting brackets, allowing the pipe to remain connected to its fixtures (shower head, etc.) while still providing structural support through the mounting brackets attached to the wall.
4Strength
If pipe supports are designed for new construction, then they can provide structural support, but they cannot easily accommodate pre-existing pipes without disassembly, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed as a universal component that can fit various pipe diameters and types. The mounting brackets can be positioned at different locations and angles to accommodate different wall configurations and pipe positions, making the system adaptable to existing installations rather than requiring new construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be installed at various locations on the wall and adjusted to accommodate different pipe positions and orientations, providing flexibility for adapting to pre-existing pipe configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A plumber protector is provided. The plumber protector is for supporting a pre-existing shaft by interconnecting the pre-existing shaft to a supporting surface. The plumber protector may include a collar body having sidewalls, a rear surface and a front surface, wherein the collar body forms a collar cutout adapted to accommodate the pre-existing shaft, and wherein the collar cutout extends to near a geometric center of the collar body. The sidewalls may provide a plurality of radial threaded apertures communicating with the collar cutout. The front surface may provide a plurality of fastener holes, each fastener hole communicating the front surface and the rear surface. The plumber protector may include a cover that sheaths the collar. The cover may include a cover cutout substantially similar to the collar cutout so that when the collar and the cover are operably engaged, the collar cutout and cover cutout define a shaft opening about the pre-existing shaft.