Aerial cable hanger

Abstract

An aerial cable hanger (10) which comprises a modular design so that it can be easily adapted to a wide variety of cable quantities and types while maintaining ready access to individual wires is disclosed. The aerial cable hanger (10) comprising of a formed wire body having an O-shaped carrier member (11) and an overmolded saddle member (20) permanently mounted onto said O-shaped earner member (11). The O- shaped carrier member (11) could be interconnected and interlocked with a secondary aerial cable hanger (40) to create multiple cable hangers suspendable from a single messenger cable (M) or other mounting arrangements.

Description

AERIAL CABLE HANGERTECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a supporting device, more particularly to an aerial cable hanger.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In many developing countries there is a serious problem with regards to legacy aerial mounted telecommunications cabling. Due to lack of historical regulation and enforcement, combined with the recent rapid expansion of communications companies, aerial telecom wiring has become a virtual spaghetti monster. It plagues the skies of many countries, most especially their large urban centers with high density residential occupancy. One of the key missing ingredients for addressing this problem has been the lack of a suitable cable management system tailored to the unique characteristics and challenges facing this effort.

[0003] Typical aerial cable supporting devices suspend power, telecommunication, CATV and similar cables in organized arrays while attached to a supporting messenger cable. Variations of this device can be adapted to secure other materials besides just wires, such as pipes, surgical tubing or other generally linear materials, can accommodate a large variety of different materials in a single configuration (e.g., different wire sizes and / or types), and can be mounted by other means than a messenger cable.

[0004] In placing aerial mounted cables as in the case of installing electrical cables and telephone and other communication systems elevated on poles, it is necessary or desirable to provide a supporting mechanism for holding individual cables or several cables in bundles. This is generally accomplished by use of plastic or metal supports which mount to a messenger wire (steel tensioning cable) and provide receptacles for holding cables discretely separated from each other. One such system has been identified in Philippine Patent No 1-2018-000118. While the system described therein provides a means for ready access to suspended wires, it does not provide the key features of the present application and hence does not address the primary concerns for which the present application is designed. This existing system is ideally suited for new cabling installations and where a high degree of specificity of cable location and identification are desirable, whereas the presently targeted application is more concerned with rapid deployment, low cost, the ability to be readily fit to existing, already installed cabling, and exhibiting a high degree of stability during installation such that installers hands can remain free for maneuvering cables without having to stabilize the support system also during the procedure.

[0005] Another comparable system is described in US Patent RE49,170 E (Reissue of 9,722,405) utilizing formed wire carriers (cable rings) and, optionally, formed metal saddles, in various materials and with or without various coatings. This system addresses some of the present concerns, however, retains key drawbacks which are addressed by the present invention.

[0006] To resolve the drawbacks of the existing systems, there is a need for a cable hanger which can be rapidly and cost-effectively manufactured, can accommodate a wide variety of cable sizes and shapes, can be readily adapted to field conditions on the fly, can support cables with greater spacing to minimize the number of supports required, can remain self-supporting as affixed to the messenger cable and stable in a hands-free configuration during installation, is highly resistant to extreme adverse weather conditions, can resist impacts from foreign objects (e.g., moving vehicles, flying debris in storms) and is less costly and quicker to install than existing systems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention serves to secure up to hundreds of cables at a time of varying sizes and types, in discreet bundles, with individual wires readily accessible without the removal or addition of any loose components in service.

[0008] It is therefore the main object of the present application to provide for a cable hanger which comprises a (i) modular design so that it can be easily adapted to a wide variety of cable quantities and types while maintaining ready access to individual wires without disturbing adjacent wires and which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools and also (ii) a unitary design.

[0009] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable hanger which has integrated means that allow for connecting multiple modules in a vertical configuration from a single messenger cable.

[0010] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable hanger which can hold multiple bundles of cables in a horizontal arrangement from a single messenger cable.

[0011] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable hanger with an elongated vertical member such it can suspend a second layer of cables beneath an existing layer.

[0012] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable hanger capable of resisting long-term exposure to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, heat, rain, high winds and corrosive atmospheric conditions.

[0013] Another object of the present application is to provide a supporting device that can be adapted to hold a wide variety of linear materials in a variety of applications.

[0014] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable supporting system that can accommodate a variety of cable types and sizes either uniformly or in a combined state.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present application will be highly appreciated and be easily understood upon reading the detailed description taking into consideration the appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger in open position mounted on a messenger cable;

[0017] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the aerial cable hanger in closed position mounted on a messenger cable, with both of its messenger cable attachment points interlocked with the messenger cable;

[0018] is an illustrative front view of the preferred embodiment of the aerial cable hanger in open position;

[0019] is an illustrative front view of the preferred embodiment of the aerial cable hanger in closed position;

[0020] Figures 5A and 5Bare top view and bottom view, respectively of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger in closed position mounted on a messenger cable;

[0021] Figures 6A and 6Bare front views of the preferred embodiment of a secondary aerial cable hanger in open position and closed position, respectively;

[0022] is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a secondary aerial cable hanger in open position mounted to a primary aerial cable hanger in closed position, the primary aerial cable hanger being the aerial cable hanger mountable on a messenger cable;

[0023] is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a secondary aerial cable hanger in closed position mounted to a primary aerial cable hanger in closed position;

[0024] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a secondary aerial cable hanger;

[0025] is a section view of a stabilizing mechanism used for the secondary aerial cable hanger;

[0026] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a primary aerial cable hanger and a secondary aerial cable hanger in an assembled manner;

[0027] is an illustrative perspective view showing a set of aerial cable hangers in a state of use;

[0028] Figures 11A-11Care front views of another embodiment of an aerial cable hanger without loop passageways or offsets to accommodate secondary aerial cable hangers, whileis a perspective view thereof;

[0029] Figures 12 and 13are front views of yet another embodiment of an aerial cable hanger provided with two or more horizontally arranged cable passageways;

[0030] is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an aerial cable hanger showing a primary aerial cable hanger and a secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members in an assembled manner;

[0031] is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an aerial cable hanger showing a primary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members and a secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members in an assembled manner;

[0032] Figures 15A-15B and 16A-16Bare front views of yet another embodiment of an aerial cable hanger provided with offset bends instead of loop passageways; and

[0033] Figures 17A-17Care perspective and front views of an adapter used for the aerial cable hanger.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention for a cable hanger generally designated as reference numeral 10 made preferably by means of Computer Numeric Control (CNC) wire forming and polymer injection overmolding, although other means such as transfer molding, CNC machining and casting can be employed depending on specific application requirements, and made of steel (stainless, galvanized, copper coated, etc.) with an option of overmolded polymer material preferably High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) with or without fiber fill, although alternative materials such as other polymers or suitable metals, can be utilized depending on specific locations and applications of use.

[0035] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger in open position. The aerial cable hanger 10 is defined by a generally ovate body.

[0036] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger in closed position, with both of its messenger cable attachment points interlocked with the messenger cable.

[0037] shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger in open position, comprising of an O-shaped carrier member 11 consisting of formed wire, an overmolded cable supporting saddle member 20 permanently affixed onto said O-shaped carrier member, an overmolded hook member 30 provided on said O-shaped carrier member, and an overmolded helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 provided on said O-shaped carrier member.

[0038] shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger 10 in closed position showing loop members 111 provided on the O-shaped carrier member 11 defining thereon loop passageways 112, 113 located on both the side vertical positions thereof wherein loop passageway 112 is adapted for receiving a pivot hook 401 (shown in Figure 8) and loop passageway 113 is adapted for receiving a locking hook 408 (shown in Figure 8), a receptacle element 114 provided on the saddle member 20 adapted for receiving a stabilizing offset 402 (shown in Figure 8), a detent member 115 provided on the saddle member 20 adapted for resisting disengagement of a stabilizing member 403 (shown in Figure 8), and the saddle member 20 creating passageway “P” for receiving suspended cables.

[0039] shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger 10 in closed position mounted on a messenger cable “M”.

[0040] shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable hanger 10 in closed position mounted on messenger cable “M”.

[0041] Figures 6A and 6B show a front view of the preferred embodiment of a secondary aerial cable hanger in open position and closed position, respectively.

[0042] is a front view of a secondary aerial cable hanger in open position mounted to a primary aerial cable hanger in closed position, the primary aerial cable hanger being the aerial cable hanger mountable on a messenger cable, whileis a front view of a secondary aerial cable hanger in closed position mounted to a primary aerial cable hanger in closed position.

[0043] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a secondary aerial cable hanger 40 provided with a pivot hook 401, a stabilizing offset 402, a stabilizing member 403, a secondary hanger loop 404, a secondary receptacle element 405 adapted for receiving a stabilizing offset 402 from an additional secondary aerial cable hanger, a secondary detent member 406 adapted for resisting disengagement of stabilizing member 403 from an additional secondary aerial cable hanger, a receptacle 407 adapted for receiving a locking hook 408 from an additional secondary aerial cable hanger, and a locking hook 408.

[0044] is a perspective view of a primary aerial cable hanger 10 and a secondary aerial cable hanger 40 in an assembled manner. Additional secondary aerial cable hangers 40 can be suspended from the first secondary aerial cable hanger as desired.

[0045] Upon assembly, the helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 is engaged over a messenger cable “M” and rotated into position such that the helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 fully engages with the messenger cable “M”. In the event that an available messenger cable “M” is smaller in diameter than the opening in the helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31, an appropriately sized adapter 90 (shown in Figures 16A-16C) is first placed over the messenger cable and the helix-shaped messenger attachment member is then locked onto the said adapter achieving a firm grip. Corresponding cables "C" are placed within the ovate passageways "P" and then the hook member 30 is engaged to the messenger cable “M” creating a secure and stable connection between the aerial cable hanger and the messenger cable “M”.

[0046] Subsequently, secondary aerial cable hangers can be added as needed to provide support elements for additional layers of supported cables.

[0047] For removal of no longer used cables or addition of new cables, the hook member 30 and locking hook 408 can be disengaged allowing the aerial cable hangers to revert to their open positions, then re-engaged after changing the cables. Conversely, old cables can be pulled out longitudinally and new cables can be pulled in longitudinally without disengaging the hook elements.

[0048] shows an illustrative perspective view of a set of aerial cable hangers in a state of use accommodating plurality of cables “C” of different sized and shapes.

[0049] In another embodiment, the O-shaped carrier member 11 of the aerial cable hanger 10 do not contain loop passageways 112, 113 or offset bends 81 (shown in Figures 14A-14B and 15A-15B) to accommodate secondary hangers as shown in Figures 11A-11D. This limits the number of layers of cable supports available to a maximum of two, i.e. a straight-sided primary aerial cable hanger 50 provided with a straight vertical member 51 as shown inand a straight-sided long secondary aerial cable hanger 60 provided with extended side element 61 as shown inwhich can be co-mounted to a single messenger cable as shown in Figures 11C-11D thereby providing a second layer of supported cables. In this embodiment the overmolded cable supporting saddle members 20 do not include the receptacle element 114 and detent member 115.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, the aerial cable hanger provides two or more horizontally arranged cable passageways “P” (hereinafter referred to as horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger 70) as shown in Figures 12 and 13. This embodiment utilizes the same connector arrangement, i.e. hook member 30 and helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 which are available either uncoated, overmolded or dip-coated, and with overmolded integral cable supporting saddle member 20.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, a primary aerial cable hanger 10 and a secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members 40A are shown in an assembled manner as exhibited in. Additional secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hangers with loop members 40A can be suspended from the first secondary aerial cable hanger with loop members as desired.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, a primary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members 10A and a secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger with loop members 40B are shown in an assembled manner as exhibited in. Additional secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hangers with loop members 40B can be suspended from the first secondary aerial cable hanger with loop members as desired.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, the aerial cable hangers, namely the primary aerial cable hanger and the secondary aerial cable hanger are provided with offset bends 81 instead of loop passageways 112, 113 (hereinafter referred to as offset-side aerial cable hanger 80) as shown in Figures 15A-15B and Figures 16A-16B. Figures 15A and 15B show the offset-side primary aerial cable hanger in closed position and open position, respectively, while Figures 16A and 16B show the offset-side secondary aerial cable hanger in closed position and open position, respectively. All other elements of this embodiment remain the same as with the preferred embodiment.

[0054] Figures 17A shows a perspective view of adapters 90 used for the aerial cable hanger in closed and open positions to allow a single size of helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 to securely attach to multiple sizes of messenger cables “M”.shows a front view of the adapters 90 in closed and open positions. The adapters 90 are preferentially extruded plastic with interior shaped passageways for accommodating various messenger cable sizes and exterior ribs to enhance the grip to the helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31. The adapters 90 can easily flex open to be positioned over smaller messenger cables. Once the helix-shaped messenger attachment member 31 of the aerial cable hanger 10 is engaged over the adapter 90, it is held firmly in place as shown in.

[0055] With the foregoing it is desired that the present application seeks to protect all novel features of the subject application as illustrated in the above embodiments including all modifications that may be obvious to those persons skilled in the art derived thereof.

[0056] 10 Aerial cable hanger

[0057] 10A Primary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger

[0058] 11 O-shaped carrier member

[0059] 111 Loop members

[0060] 112 Loop passageway for secondary pivot hook

[0061] 113 Loop passageway for secondary locking hook

[0062] 114 Receptacle element

[0063] 115 Detent member

[0064] 20 Cable supporting saddle member

[0065] 30 Hook member

[0066] 31 Helix-shaped messenger attachment member

[0067] 40 Secondary aerial cable hanger

[0068] 40A, 40B Secondary horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger

[0069] 401 Pivot hook

[0070] 402 Stabilizing offset

[0071] 403 Stabilizing member

[0072] 404 Secondary hanger Loop

[0073] 405 Secondary receptacle element

[0074] 406 Secondary detent member

[0075] 407 Receptable for locking hook

[0076] 408 Locking hook

[0077] 50 Straight-sided primary aerial cable hanger

[0078] 51 Straight vertical member

[0079] 60 Straight-sided long aerial cable hanger

[0080] 61 Extended side element

[0081] 70 Horizontal multiple aerial cable hanger

[0082] 80 Offset-side aerial cable hanger

[0083] 81 Offset bends

[0084] 90 Adapters

[0085] “P” Cable passageways

[0086] "C" Cables

[0087] "M" Messenger cable

Claims

An aerial cable hanger defined by a generally ovate body, said ovate body comprising an O-shaped carrier member, a cable supporting saddle member permanently affixed onto said O-shaped carrier member which creates a cable passageway for receiving suspended cables, a helix-shaped messenger attachment member provided on said O-shaped carrier member, and a hook member provided on said O-shaped carrier member;wherein said O-shaped carrier member is provided with loop members defining thereon loop passageways located on both the side vertical positions thereof which provide a means of attaching a secondary aerial cable hanger.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, wherein said cable supporting saddle member is provided with a receptacle element and a detent member that provide a means to securely attach and stabilize a secondary aerial cable hanger, thereby utilizing the same messenger cable.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, wherein said loop passageways engage with a pivot hook and a locking hook provided on the secondary aerial cable hanger.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, wherein the helix-shaped messenger attachment member and the hook member are overmolded with plastic, dip-coated with plastic, or uncoated.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, wherein the O-shaped carrier member is provided with offset bends instead of loop passageways for attaching the secondary aerial cable hanger.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter to allow a single size of helix-shaped messenger attachment member to securely attach to multiple sizes of messenger cables.The aerial cable hanger according to claim 1, wherein the O-shaped carrier member is provided with multiple horizontally arranged cable passageways.

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