Abstract A member of sheet material curved to conform to the external surface of pipe insulating material to protect the insulating material by distributing the weight of the pipe over a large area as compared to the relatively small area of narrow pipe hanger. The protector is designed to fit within a pipe hanger and to have means of very simple and inexpensive construction to secure it to the pipe hanger during the time between its installation in the hanger and the installation of the insulation material. Various means have been devised for protecting pipe insulation at the areas where it is engaged by hangers which support the pipe and the insulation. The insulation is generally of relatively soft, light material designed to insulate against the flow of heat either to or from the pipe and its contents. It has very little strength particularly in compression to which it is subjected when it is disposed between a hanger and the pipe supported by a hanger.
In combination with a pipe hanger adapted to support a pipe having insulation thereabout of substantially cylindrical configuration, said pipe hanger having a relatively narrow support area conforming to the lower portion of the insulation, a resilient protective member fitting between the hanger and the insulation, the protective member being formed of sheet material having a smooth, relatively large surface area curved to conform to the surface of the insulation and to distribute weight of the pipe over a larger area of the insulation, and means for holding said protective member in place on the hanger pending installation of the insulation, said means comprising positively interlocking perforations and mating projections formed in substantially diametrically opposed and aligned relation in the hanger and protective member, said perforations and projections together with the resilience of the protect member cooperating for firmly latching the protective member in place on the hanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
In combination with a pipe hanger adapted to support a pipe having insulation thereabout of substantially cylindrical configuration, said pipe hanger having a relatively narrow support area conforming to the lower portion of the insulation, a resilient protective member fitting between the hanger and the insulation, the protective member being formed of sheet material having a smooth, relatively large surface area curved to conform to the surface of the insulation and to distribute weight of the pipe over a larger area of the insulation, and means for holding said protective member in place on the hanger pending installation of the insulation, said means comprising positively interlocking perforations and mating projections formed in substantially diametrically opposed and aligned relation in the hanger and protective member, said perforations and projections together with the resilience of the protect member cooperating for firmly latching the protective member in place on the hanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said perforations are formed in the hanger, and the projections comprise punchout tabs on the protective member disposed for projection through said perforations.