Abstract: Methods for supporting conduits within a sanitary environment. Various methods may comprise supporting a first conduit support relative to a structure such that the conduit support does not present or form a horizontal surface whereon contaminants are able to accumulate thereon due to gravity and supporting a portion of a conduit within the conduit support. Other methods involve attaching or suspending one or more additional conduit supports for supporting other conduits such that other conduit supports do not present or form horizontal surfaces whereon contaminants are able to accumulate thereon due to gravity.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting conduits within a sanitary environment. Some supports are configured so as to avoid the formation of surfaces that might collect dust, debris, cleaning fluids, etc. when installed. In one embodiment, the support includes a pair of opposing support members that may be releasably and sealingly secured together. The upper support member may have a substantially uninterrupted convex surface that has a desired texture. The lower support member may be sized and shaped such that no portion thereof protrudes outwardly beyond the upper member to form any surfaces, pockets, etc. wherein dirt, debris, cleaning fluids, etc. may accumulate. A seal or grommet may be employed to establish a seal between the conduit and support to prevent the infiltration of dirt, debris, cleaning fluids, etc., between the conduit and the conduit support.

Abstract: Method of securing a nut to a support plate including the steps of forming an aperture in the support plate complementary to the configuration of the nut, inserting the nut in the aperture, and forcing the nut into frictional engagement with the support plate and swaging peripheral portions of the support plate surrounding the aperture into engagement with and over peripheral portions of one end of the nut to lock the nut into the aperture thereby securing the nut to the support plate.