Sway brace clamp and connector assembly

Abstract

It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. The connector is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The connector is removably or permanently attachable to a sway brace clamp or attachment to form a connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.

1 . A connector for attachment to a support element of an installation, comprising: 
 a first arm comprising a first curved section flanked by a first slot and a second slot of said first arm;    a second arm comprising a second curved section flanked by a first slot and a second slot of said second arm;    whereby, interlocking of said slots of said first arm with said second arm to receive selected portions of said second arm within said slots of said first arm and interlocking of said slots of said second arm with said first arm to receive selected portions of said first arm within said slots of said second arm forms an opening generally circumscribed by said first and second curved sections for receiving said support element without requiring disassembly of said installation.    
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first arm and said second arm is movable about a rotation axis.  
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein said opening has a longitudinal axis which is non-parallel to said rotation axis.  
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein said longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to said rotation axis.  
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said first arm and said second arm are substantially structurally identical.  
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said first arm has a first proximal section and said second arm has a second proximal section, and said proximal sections are spaced from one another and substantially parallel to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein said first proximal section has a first through hole and said second proximal section has a second through hole, and said holes are substantially aligned with one another for receiving a pin.  
   
   
       8 . The connector of  claim 1 , in combination with a clamp for attaching said connector to a brace.  
   
   
       9 . The connector of  claim 1 , in combination with said support element extending through said opening, wherein said support element comprises a threaded rod.  
   
   
       10 . The connector of  claim 1 , in combination with said installation for supporting a load, wherein said installation comprises a hanger coupled to said connector.  
   
   
       11 . A connector for attachment to a rod, comprising: 
 a first arm comprising a first curved wall and a first slot adjacent said first curved wall;    a second arm comprising a second curved wall and a second slot adjacent said second curved wall;    a pivot axis about which at least one of said first arm and said second arm is pivotable;    whereby, mating of said arms substantially aligns said slots to form a passage comprising said curved walls for receiving said rod with said slots being positioned intermediate said passage and said pivot axis.    
   
   
       12 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein a pin couples said arms and generally defines said pivot axis.  
   
   
       13 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said passage has a perimeter generally defined by said curved walls.  
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein said curved walls are generally C- U- or V-shaped and said passage is generally circular or ellipsoidal.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein each of said slots has a base face and when said arms mate said base faces abut against one another.  
   
   
       16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein when said arms mate a portion of said first arm is received in said second slot and a portion of said second arm is received in said first slot.  
   
   
       17 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said arms are independently moveable relative to one another.  
   
   
       18 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said first arm is pivotable about said pivot axis generally defined by a pin and said second arm comprises an individual component.  
   
   
       19 . The connector of  claim 18 , in combination with a clamp, wherein said pin pivotably couples said first arm and said clamp.  
   
   
       20 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said first arm is pivotable about said pivot axis and said second arm is pivotable about another pivot axis.