1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for supporting a conduit from a beam and more particularly to a beam clamp coated with a moisture, resistant polymeric material in which a clamping member is secured to a U-bolt that supports a conduit adjacent to the beam with polymeric encapsulated nuts engaging the threads of the U-bolt is sealed relation to prevent corrosion of the threaded connection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Beam clamps are well known in the art of securing a conduit, pipe, or the like in a preselected position to a structural member, such as an I-beam. A variety of types of beam clamps are known to position the conduit either vertically, parallel, or on edge relative to the longitudinally extending horizontal flange of the I-beam. U.S. Pat. No. 2,338,006 is an example of a clamp device releasably engageable with the vertical edge of a supporting structure to position the conduit in spaced parallel relation to the supporting structure. This type of clamp employs a threaded member for securing a U-shaped strap by a clip to the wall of the supporting structure. The clip is secured to the supporting structure by the threaded connection of a bolt and nut. The nut engages the threaded portion of the bolt that extends through the supporting structure.
One of the disadvantages of this type of arrangement is that threaded connections are subject to corrosive damage when employed in a corrosive environment. In many cases a beam clamp is located in a corrosive environment where moisture can easily enter the threaded connection of nuts and bolts. The corrosive damage can "freeze" the threaded connection. Consequently the beam clamp can become rendered useless by creating diffucult maintenance problems in disengaging the nut from the bolt to disassemble the clamp from the beam and the conduit.
It is also well known in the art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,724,706; 3,784,236; and 3,799,584 to coat components of an assembly that must be capable of efficient assembly and disassembly in a corrosive environment with a moisture resistant, insulating, resilient, polymeric material, such as a polyvinylchloride (PVC). By providing male and female coupling members with a moisture, resistant polymeric coating a moisture resistant seal is formed around the otherwise exposed threads of the coupling members. In this manner moisture is prevented from entering the point of engagement, for example, of a nut on a threaded bolt to prevent freezing of the nut on the bolt.
While it is known to coat the components of a beam clamp, i.e. the clamping member and the U-bolt, with a moisture resistant, polymeric coating, the threaded connection of the clamping member to the U-bolt is exposed. The components generally are assembled in the field where the nuts and bolts are exposed to the affects of moisture.
To resist the deleterious affects of moisture it is known to apply a moisture resistant, polymeric material by brush coating the exposed nuts and the U-bolt. However, a moisture resistant coating applied in the manner to the exposed threaded connections and fasteners in a corrosive environment has proved unsatisfactory in preventing corrosion. Brushing on a polymeric coating after installation will not deter the accummulated affects of the corrosive atmosphere prior to the application of the coating. Furthermore, if improper attention is given to the brushing application of polymeric material to the exposed threads and nuts, an insufficient coating thickness to prevent corrosion may result.
Therefore, there is need to provide for a beam clamp a connection of the clamping member and the conduit support member capable of preventing corrosive damage while permitting rapid assembly and disassembly of the beam clamp components.