Vertically adjustable pipe support apparatus

Abstract

A vertically adjustable pipe support apparatus includes a pair of parallel support pillars supporting a pair of movable pillars for slidable movement along the support pillars to enable the movable pillars to be extended and retracted with respect to the support pillars. Each movable pillar can be releasably locked by a locking mechanism on the support pillars at a desired height along the support pillars. A pipe holder for supporting a pipe is connected between the top ends of the movable pillars. Each support pillar preferably has a length not exceeding the height of the top of a supported pipe when the movable pillars are in their fully retracted positions. Each movable pillar may have a length substantially equal to the length of the support pillars. The base and support pillars may be integrally formed with each other from a single piece of sheet metal, and the movable pillars and the pipe holder may be integrally formed with each other from another single piece of sheet metal.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application incorporates by reference the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-366322, filed on Dec. 20, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a pipe support apparatus and particularly to a vertically adjustable pipe support apparatus for use in supporting a pipe system under the floor of a building. [0003] A conventional pipe support apparatus is arranged for supporting a pipe at an adjusted elevation and inclination so that a liquid in the pipe can smoothly flow through the supported pipe system. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-204967 discloses one example of such a pipe support apparatus, which comprises a pair of parallel support pillars erected on a base and a pipe holder attached to the support pillars at a selected elevation. Each support pillar has a series of teeth along the pillar so that the pipe holder can be moved along the teeth and engaged at any selected position a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vertically adjustable pipe support apparatus that provides easy and safe support for pipes installed under a floor of a building.

[0015] A pipe support apparatus according to the present invention avoids the need to have members projecting above the top of a pipe being supported, so the apparatus is easier to install than existing pipe support apparatuses because it does not require projecting portions to be cut off and covered with protective caps. The lack of projecting members also increases the safety of persons inspecting a piping system employing the pipe support apparatus. These features make a pipe support apparatus according to the present invention highly suitable for installation in crowded spaces such as beneath a floor of a building. However, the pipe support apparatus is not restricted to use in any particular environment.

Problems solved by technology

These projecting upper portions are unnecessary and awkward, especially when the pipe support apparatus is used under a floor.

These unnecessary projections may not only be obstacles to the movement of the inspection personnel but may also endanger them in that the projecting ends of the support pillars may hit or scratch the body of the personnel and cause injury.

Therefore, these unnecessary and dangerous projections of the support pillars must often be cut off, and the cut-off ends must be covered with rubber caps for safety reasons.

This increases the number of procedures and the costs required to install the pipe system.

Images