Abstract: A plumbing support bracket for supporting plumbing pipes between structural members comprises a pair of end tabs and a center section between the end tabs. The end tabs are bendable relative to the center section. The center section has opposed first and second edges with a plurality of pipe receiving notches formed in the first edge. The center section further includes a row of longitudinally spaced pipe receiving holes. The center section is made more rigid than the end tabs by first and second ribs. The first rib comprises a flange formed along the second edge of the bracket and the second rib comprises an elongate longitudinal bulge formed in the body between the bases of the pipe receiving notches and the row of pipe receiving holes.

Abstract: A thermal expansion arrester for positioning within the tank of a water heater comprises a rigid tube maintaining a compressible volume of gas between first and second closure members wherein at least one of the closure members comprises a piston that is slidably and sealingly secured within the tube. In a preferred embodiment both closure members comprise pistons held in the tube by crimping its ends. In an uncompressed state the pressure of the gas within the tube is sixty psig.

Abstract: A one piece ground stake for securing drain, waste or vent pipe relative to the ground comprises a wire rod bent to form a hook having a ground engaging shank, a pipe engaging bend or cradle and a connecting leg connected between the pipe engaging bend and the shank by upper and lower connecting bends. The upper connecting bend extends above the lower connecting bend and is adapted to be struck by a hammer or the like to drive a lower end of the shank into the ground. The stake is driven into the ground until the cradle abuts against an upper surface of a pipe positioned on a bed of gravel, sand or the ground at a selected grade and position.

Abstract: A tool for installing a first end of a bent tubular shower arm into a female threaded receiver is disclosed. The tool comprises a shaft having a diameter sized to fit within the shower arm through a second end thereof. The shaft is preferably bent at an angle which is generally complimentary to the angle of the bend in the shower arm. A first end of the shaft is shaped to engage the interior of the shower arm proximate the bend therein to prevent the tool from rotating relative to the shower arm. A second end of the shaft includes a fork having a pair of prongs separated by a gap sized and shaped to accept a stub out of water supply line extending outwardly from a wall. The prongs are used to push a compression fit adapter along the stub out and into an installed position adjacent the wall.

Abstract: A plumbing slider bracket and double ratchet arm pipe clamp includes a slider bracket with a first bracket section which is telescopically received within a second bracket section such that it is slidable back and forth within the second bracket section to make an extendable slider bracket. Flexible tabs extending from either end of the slider bracket allow attachment of the bracket to an outer stud surface, or within the stud spacing in any desired orientation. Each double ratchet arm pipe clamp is received by the slider bracket and is movable along the length of the slider bracket until a pipe is clamped therein. The clamping action both secures the pipe in place within the clamp, and also forces a resilient insert downward against the bottom wall of the slider bracket to anchor the clamp in position within the slider bracket.

Abstract: A system and method for installing plumbing spouts, such as shower heads and tub spouts, includes providing a stub out which protrudes out of a wall at shower height. A specialized adapter is then slid onto the protruding stub out until the adapter abuts the wall. The adapter is internally threaded with an integral ferrule, and may also be equipped with a one-way gripper ring and an O-ring to sealingly secure the spout to the stub out. The stub out, if closed, is then cut off outside the adapter and a standard shower arm or nipple for a tub spout is threaded into the adapter. A threaded end of the shower arm or nipple engages the ferrule and compresses it against the stub out creating a seal therebetween. When installing a shower head, an escutcheon plate is adapted to be slid over the shower arm to engage peripheral fingers of the adapter to secure the escutcheon in place. A shower head is then threaded onto the shower arm to complete the installation.

Abstract: A double ratchet arm pipe clamp includes a pair of elongated ratchet arms extending outward from a base member with each ratchet arm including a plurality of ratchet teeth. A keeper block is adapted to receive the ratchet arms through a pair of apertures and a respective pawl member is positioned within each aperture to releasably engage the ratchet arm. Both the base member and the keeper block have respective V shaped notches which are positioned in opposition to cradle a clamped pipe or cable and a pair of slits are formed in the keeper block to give added clamping action. An alternative embodiment of double ratchet arm pipe clamp is clamping a pipe to a universal slider bracket.

Abstract: A tube hanger for selectively supporting at least two different sizes of tubes from a mounting surface comprises a unitary body of flexible, resilient material having a body portion sized to extend transversely across a tube to be supported by the hanger. The body portion has a base end generally for abutment with a support surface and an arm with a tip end extending outwardly from the base end in a semi-circular arc segment. The arm defines a partially enclosed cavity sized for receipt of a first size of tube, such as 7/8 inch o.d. tubing. A supplemental finger extending outwardly from the arm and into the cavity substantially concentrically with the arm cradles and grips a second size of tube of lesser diameter than the first size of tube. The tube hanger snap-fits and snugly maintains its position about both sizes of tubing for one handed installation, freeing the installer from having to hold the hanger about the tubing while fastening the hanger to a support, such as an overhead joist.