Hanger for fire sprinkler pipe

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pipe hanger for a fire protection sprinkler system pipe, capable of holding the pipe a significant distance away from the structural members to which it is attached without the use of wood blocks or other superfluous parts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pipe hanger with an incorporated surge-protecting component.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pipe hanger with improved ease of installation.
A hanger having features and advantages of the present invention is preferably formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent into a substantially horseshoe shape.
The hanger is adapted such that it can hold a pipe of a given diameter a substantial distance from the structural members to which it is attached.
The pipe is generally held in place within the hanger by dimples in the outer surface of the hanger which are located such that the pipe snaps into the space between the dimples and the arch.
The hanger may be attached to the structural members by the use of screws, bolts, rivets, or any other appropriate attachment methods known to those skilled in the art.
The present invention has the advantage that relatively few parts are required to attach pipes to structural members.
The present invention also provides relatively lightweight parts which can be carried more easily than a collection of wood blocks.
A hanger having features and advantages of the present invention may also incorporate a removable surge-restraining web or support intended to support the pipe in the event of a sudden release of water through the sprinkler head.
By supporting the pipe, the sprinkler head will be retained below the level of the visible ceiling in the event of such a surge.
As described below, the web is capable of providing additional support to the hanger in whatever orientation it is mounted.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above