Labeler for pipes, conduits, tubes, and rods

Abstract

A pipe or conduit labeler includes a saddle leg having an inside diameter equal to or slightly smaller than an outside diameter of a pipe or conduit to be labeled. The saddle leg is molded to a saddle stem which in turn is molded to a sign plate. A user either writes useful information directly on the sign plate or affixes a pre-made label to the plate. The sign plate optionally includes raised lettering or information such as an arrow pre-molded on the plate, or Braille characters. The labeler resiliently clips onto the pipe or conduit being labeled. More complex variations of the labeler include extending arms and moveable joints, enabling the identification of pipes or conduits which are at difficult angles or out of direct sight of a user. The labeler provides a means for quickly and clearly labeling pipes, conduit, tubes, and rods. The labeler can be mass produced as a single mold or in parts with different sign plates of varying size and construction. The sign plate provides a flat surface for writing. The labeler can be temporary, removable, or made permanent simply by applying an adhesive to the saddle portion prior to affixing the labeler.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A labeling device intended for use on a circular pipe, tube or conduit, comprising: 
 a sign plate;    a saddle stem connected to said sign plate; and    a saddle fitting connected to said saddle stem, wherein an inside diameter of said saddle fitting is shaped as a section of a circle having a gap of less than 180°, such that when applied to a pipe, tube, or conduit having an outside diameter and an axial length, said inside diameter of said saddle fitting is equal to or slightly smaller than said outside diameter of said pipe, tube or conduit and the inside diameter of said saddle fitting is in contact with the outside diameter of said pipe, tube, or conduit.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said saddle stem is connected to said sign plate via a moveable joint.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said saddle stem is connected to said sign plate via a flexible connector.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first extension arm connected between said sign plate and said saddle stem.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a moveable joint between said first extension arm and said saddle stem.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a moveable joint between said sign plate stem and said first extension arm.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a second extension arm connected between said first extension arm and said sign plate.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a moveable joint between said first extension arm and said second extension arm.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a moveable joint between said first extension arm and said saddle stem.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a moveable joint between said second extension arm and said sign plate.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , further comprising a moveable joint between said first extension arm and said saddle stem.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , in wherein said sign plate is removably connected to said saddle stem.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for removably connecting said sign plate to said saddle stem.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate, said saddle stem, and said saddle fitting are one-piece.  
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said saddle stem and said saddle fitting are one-piece.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said labeler is of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, resin, plastic, and glass.  
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate, said saddle stem, said saddle fitting, and said pipe are one-piece.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said saddle fitting includes at least two saddle legs.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plane of said sign plate is orthogonal to an axial length of said pipe.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plane of said sign plate is substantially parallel to an axial length of said pipe.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plane of said sign plate is angled with respect to an axial length of said pipe.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate includes at least one serration so that said sign plate can be reduced in size by snapping a portion of said sign plate off from a remainder of said sign plate at said at least one serration.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plastic cover removably attached to said sign plate.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sign plate connected to said sign plate wherein said second sign plate is of a different size than said sign plate.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate includes at least one support strut.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate includes at least one support strut and said connector includes a plurality of slits in one end thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate includes one of raised lettering and Braille characters integrally molded with said sign plate.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sign plate is contoured such that said saddle fitting is effective for fitting over a valve fitting.  
     
     
         29 . A labeling device, comprising: 
 a sign plate; and    a saddle stem integrally molded to said sign plate, wherein said saddle stem is effective for fitting inside a female T-fitting profusion on a saddle-T fitting.    
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said sign plate includes at least one support strut.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said sign plate includes at least one support strut and said connector includes a plurality of slits in one end thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A labeling device for a pipe, tube or conduit, comprising: 
 a sign plate;    a saddle stem connected to said sign plate; and    a valve fitting connected to said saddle stem, wherein a pipe portion of said valve fitting, said saddle stem, and said sign plate are integrally molded.    
     
     
         33 . A labeling device intended for use on a circular pipe, tube, or conduit, comprising: 
 a sign plate; and    a saddle fitting integrally molded to said sign plate, wherein an inside diameter of said saddle fitting is shaped as a section of a circle having a gap of less than 180°, such that when applied to a pipe, tube, or conduit having an outside diameter and an axial length, said inside diameter of said saddle fitting is equal to or slightly smaller than said outside diameter of said pipe, tube or conduit and the inside diameter of said saddle fitting is in contact with the outside diameter of said pipe, tube, or conduit.    
     
     
         34 . A labeling device intended for use on a circular pipe, tube, or conduit, comprising: 
 a sign plate;    a saddle fitting integrally molded to a saddle stem, wherein an inside diameter of said saddle fitting is shaped as a section of a circle having a gap of less than 180°, such that when applied to a pipe, tube, or conduit having an outside diameter and an axial length, said inside diameter of said saddle fitting is equal to or slightly smaller than said outside diameter of said pipe, tube or conduit and the inside diameter of said saddle fitting is in contact with the outside diameter of said pipe, tube, or conduit; and    a flexible connector connecting said sign plate to said saddle stem.