Plumbing Bracket Assembly With Telescoping Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plumbing installation methods are inefficient due to the use of loose and time-consuming plastic brackets, which break easily, and require separate mid-span supports, leading to higher costs and longer installation times.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing bracket assembly featuring a plastic bracket body with V-shape or U-shape grooves for various pipe diameters, combined with a telescoping metal bracket that can be locked in place using fasteners, allowing for quick assembly and secure attachment to studs, reducing the need for separate mid-span supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If loose plastic brackets are used for pre-fab work, then the bracket is easy to manufacture and low cost, but it is time consuming to assemble and breaks easily during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket body is pre-assembled with all necessary hardware (clamps, fasteners, telescoping elements) attached before shipping to the jobsite. This preliminary assembly eliminates on-site assembly time while maintaining the ease of manufacture of plastic components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separate components (bracket body, clamps, fasteners, telescoping elements) are merged into a single integrated assembly. This combining reduces the number of separate assembly steps required on the jobsite while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Strength
If telescoping brackets are used for mid-span support, then the support function is improved, but the bracket does not clamp the waste line and requires separate clamps
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping bracket integrates both the mid-span support function and the pipe clamping function into a single device. The bracket body includes both the telescoping elements for support and the hardware for clamping waste and supply lines, eliminating the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mid-span support through telescoping elements, clamps waste lines through dedicated clamps, and clamps supply lines through integrated hardware. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple separate devices into one.
3Strength
If copper-plated steel brackets are used, then the bracket provides durability, but it is time consuming to sweat/solder onto copper pipes and requires separate attachment to waste pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional soldering process with a mechanical clamping system. Hardware such as clamps and fasteners mechanically secure the bracket to copper and waste pipes, eliminating the time-consuming soldering process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly combines both the attachment to copper pipes and waste pipes into a single integrated unit. The hardware is pre-configured to simultaneously secure both pipe types, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations.
4Strength
If separate mid-span support is installed during installation, then the support function is achieved, but it results in higher costs and longer installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The mid-span support function is merged into the bracket assembly itself. The telescoping elements are integrated components of the bracket, eliminating the need for separate mid-span support installation during the plumbing installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mid-span support capability is built into the bracket assembly before it reaches the jobsite. This preliminary integration of the support function eliminates the need for additional installation steps and reduces overall installation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A plumbing bracket assembly has a plastic main bracket body and a telescoping bracket. The telescoping bracket runs through the main bracket body, and is able to extend to allow the bracket assembly to be secured to structure (such as studs) at both ends, over a range of distances between structure elements. The bracket body is initially able to slide along the telescoping bracket, for desired positioning, but may be locked in place using screws on the main bracket body. Hardware, such a hose clamp and multiple pipe clamps, is initially coupled to the main bracket body. The main bracket body may have a central depression for receiving a relatively large pipe run, and notches or depressions on opposite sides of the central depression, for receiving smaller pipe runs.