Abstract: A plumbing strap is fastened to a building. A tubular insert is placed through a hole in a strap with posts on the tubular insert aligning with cut-outs in the strap to restrict rotation of the tubular insert relative to the strap. A flange on one end of the tubular insert abuts the strap to restrict longitudinal motion of the tubular insert. Latches on the tubular insert extend through the hole in the strap to engage the side of the strap opposite the flange and further restrict longitudinal movement of the tubular insert. A collar is placed over the tubular insert and a pipe extends through the tubular insert and collar. The tubular insert has a base adjacent the flange and a skirt distal from the flange. Longitudinal slits in the base and skirt define resilient members in the base and in the skirt that extend in opposing directions, but that can move inward.

Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.

Abstract: A clamp assembly releasably secures a plumbing pipe to a support. The assembly has a clamp base releasably connected to a clamping block by pawls that releasably engage a pair of ratchet arms extending from the base. Each of the base and clamping block has two inclined surfaces forming a generally V-shaped notch that opens toward the pipe. A cap is optionally placed over one or both of the V-shaped notches and is interposed between the notch and the pipe. At least one resilient leg or a flange may extend from the base opposite the ratchet arms, with the flange and/or the arms resiliently engaging opposite sides of the support to hold the clamp assembly in position.

Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for suspending an appliance from a plurality of support members which depend from overhead beams and structures of a building. A lower frame has a base with side walls extending from the base and joined to form a fluid tight container. The base has sufficient strength to support the appliance thereon when the lower frame is suspended from the support members and all the weight of the appliance is carried by the base. At least three connectors are provided, each fastened to at least one of the side walls and base. Each connector removably fastens to a different one of the support members. An upper frame can be fastened to the depending support members to further stabilize the frame. Straps can encircle the appliance to stabilize the appliance on the frame.

Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal boss extending around a circumference of the flow path and extending radially inward toward the centerline a distance corresponding to the wall thickness of the mating male ends of the pipes so the pipes and boss define a periphery of the flow path through the fitting. A recess is formed in the boss to sequentially receive two slides. An externally accessible port allows a test slide to be inserted into the recess, with the test slide sealing against the walls defining the recess to form a fluid-tight seal for pressure testing the line. The test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess.

Abstract: A bracket supports tubing at a bend in the tubing. The bracket is curved, and has an open side into which the tubing is inserted into the bracket. Projecting lips or restraints extend into a portion of the opening through which the tubing is inserted, with the tubing being placed over lips to prevent the tubing from sliding out of the open side. A flange at one end of the bracket is notched to removably accept the edge of an opening in a plumbing strap, with a latch opposite the notch to releasably lock the flange to the strap. Preferably two or more spacers extend across the width of the bracket, with holes in the spacers sized to accept fasteners to nail the bracket to studs and keep the bracket from rotating about the fasteners.

Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal boss extending around a circumference of the flow path and extending radially inward toward the centerline a distance corresponding to the wall thickness of the mating male ends of the pipes so the pipes and boss define a periphery of the flow path through the fitting. A recess is formed in the boss to sequentially receive two slides. An externally accessible port allows a test slide to be inserted into the recess, with the test slide sealing against the walls defining the recess to form a fluid-tight seal for pressure testing the line. The test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: An anti-rotation pipe locating and support device comprises a support and insert assembly that precisely locates and supports plumbing pipes relative to the structure of a building and prevents rotational movement of the pipes relative to the support. The support includes a support that can be fastened to the building structure and has one or more support openings for receiving the pipes. Inserts are used to receive and grip the pipes to secure them within the support openings with or without additional fastening techniques. Each support opening has at least one small tab which forms a lock with a slot provided in the insert, or is shaped to cooperate with a non-circular opening in the support to restrain the insert. The lock prevents the insert and pipe from rotating inside the support opening. The support and insert assembly also prevents lateral, vertical, and axial movement of the pipe relative to the support by constraints provided between the support and the insert.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: A building roof deck structure having significant fire resistance comprises a plurality of wood cement or fiber cement panels lying in a common plane and having abutting edges with aligned grooves extending along the abutting edges inwardly of the panels. Structural steel, T-shaped members are positioned between the butting edges with the flanges of the T-shaped members extending into and closely enclosed by the aligned grooves. The webs of the T-shaped members are positioned to extend in a direction outwardly of the building. A fire resistant grout is placed between the abutting edges to totally enclose the webs of the T-shaped members; and, urethane foam insulating panels overlie the wood cement panels and a waterproof roofing layer extends over said urethane foam panels.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for preparing the surfaces of pipes and fittings for soldering, welding or gluing comprises a base and a pair of opposing prongs. The tool further includes a distal set of replaceable brushes for cleaning the inner surfaces of pipes or fittings and a proximal set of replaceable abrasive pads for cleaning the outer surfaces of pipes and fittings. The tool is configured to accommodate pipes and fittings of a variety of diameters.

Abstract: A reaching aid for handicapped or elderly people which is built into a rod or cane having a pair of jaws at one end. The jaws are actuated by a small electric motor concealed in the rod, and controlled by a switch in the handle of the cane. The rod may be telescoping to allow for adjustment of length.

Abstract: Supply and take-up reels are mounted above a horizontal base for selective powered rotation about respective vertical axes. Vertical guide surfaces and a cover panel define an air tight continuous flowpath extending between the peripheries of the reels past a read/write head. A blower mounted in a hood structure beneath the base sucks air through the flowpath and through a perforated center spool of the take-up reel. A river of air thus pulls and guides the free end portion of the magnetic tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel as the supply reel is rotated by a drive motor to unwind the tape therefrom. The supply hub is adapted to automatically center the supply reel thereon. The supply hub further includes a plurality of annularly spaced reel engaging pawls mounted in, and normally retracted into the hub, and an over-center actuating means for selectively extending the pawls through differential rotation of a pair of separate rotors included in the hub.