Cable hanger with stabilizing members

Abstract

A cable hanger includes: a generally flat base with an opening; first and second arms extending in a first direction from opposite edges of the base; first and second locking members extending in the first direction from, respectively, ends of the first and second arms, each of the locking members comprising a respective hook; an upper member having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being fixed to either the base or a respective one of the first and second arms, the upper member including a cable engagement section; and first and second gripping members, each of the first and second gripping members extending from the base, one of the first and second arms, or the upper member, the first and second gripping members having cable engagement surfaces configured to engage a cable. The first and second locking members are forced toward each other to mount the cable hanger in a mounting location via the hooks, such movement causing the upper member and the first and second gripping members to grasp a cable.

Description

CABLE HANGER WITH STABILIZING MEMBERSRelated Application

[0001] The present application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 560,021, filed March 1, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in full.Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices for supporting cables and, in particular, to hangers for securing cables to support structures.Background of the Invention

[0003] Cable hangers are commonly used to secure cables to structural members of antenna towers and / or along tunnel walls. Generally, each cable is attached to a structural member by cable hangers mounted at periodically-spaced attachment points.

[0004] Antenna towers and or tunnels may be crowded due to the large numbers of cables required for signal-carrying. Over time, as systems are added, upgraded and / or expanded, installation of additional cables may be required. To conserve space, it may be desirable for each set of cable hangers to secure more than a single cable. Certain cable hangers have been constructed to secure multiple cables; other cable hangers have a stackable construction that permits multiple cable hangers to be interlocked extending outwardly from each mounting point / structural member. Stacked and multiple-cable hangers significantly increase the number of cables mountable to a single attachment point.

[0005] One popular stackable cable hanger is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 8,191,836 to Korczak, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. Hangers disclosed therein have generally a U- or C-shaped profile with rounded arms. A locking projection extends from the free end of each arm, and the “root” of the hanger that spans the fixed ends of the armshas a large aperture (typically nominally % inch in diameter), which is the same size as the holes in a typical mounting structure, such as an antenna tower or ladder. The hanger can hold a cable between the arms; gripping of the cable is enhanced by short fingers that extend inwardly from the arms to engage the cable. Hangers can be “stacked” onto each other by inserting the locking projections of one hanger into the large aperture of the next hanger.

[0006] One variety of cable hanger of this type is the SNAP-STAK® hanger, available from CommScope, Inc. (Joliet, Illinois). The SNAP-STAK® hanger is offered in multiple sizes that correspond to the outer diameters of different cables. This arrangement has been suitable for use with coaxial power cables, which tend to be manufactured in only a few different outer diameters. Modified versions of these hangers are discussed in U.S. Patent No. 9,866,004 to Vaccaro, hereby incorporated herein by reference in full; these arrangements may be more desirable for fiber optic and hybrid cables, which tend to be manufactured in a much greater variety of diameters, and which tend to be much heavier than coaxial cables (sometimes as much as three times heavier per unit foot), which induces greater load and stress on the hangers. Additional hanger configurations are discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,253,906; 10,823,312;10,422,446; and 10,634,265; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0316622, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in full.

[0007] It may be desirable to provide additional cable hanger designs.Summary of the Invention

[0008] As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a cable hanger. The cable hanger comprises: a generally flat base with an opening; first and second arms extending in a first direction from opposite edges of the base; first and second locking members extending in the first direction from, respectively, ends of the first and second arms, each of the locking members comprising a respective hook; an upper member having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being fixed to either the base or a respective one of the first and second arms, the upper member including a cable engagement section; and first and second gripping members, each of the first and second gripping members extending from the base, one of the first and second arms, or the upper member, the first and second gripping members having cable engagement surfaces configured to engage a cable. The first and second locking members areforced toward each other to mount the cable hanger in a mounting location via the hooks, such movement causing the upper member and the first and second gripping members to grasp a cable.

[0009] As a second aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a cable hanger comprising: a generally flat base with at least one opening; first and second arms extending in a first direction from opposite edges of the base; first and second locking members extending in the first direction from, respectively, ends of the first and second arms, each of the locking members comprising a respective hook; first and second gripping members, each of the first and second gripping members extending from the base or one of the arms and at least partially defining a pocket configured to receive and grasp a cable; and first and second stabilizing features, each mounted to and extending from a respective one of the first and second locking members. The first and second locking members are forced toward each other to mount the cable hanger in a mounting location via the hooks, such movement causing the first and second gripping members to grasp a cable in the pocket. The first stabilizing feature includes first and second spaced apart panels connected by a rib, the second stabilizing feature includes a third panel with a slot. The movement of the first and second locking members toward each other to mount the cable hanger causes the third panel to be received between the first and second panel, and wherein the rib is received in the slot.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art cable hanger.

[0011] FIG. l is a front view of the prior art cable hanger of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cable hanger of another prior art cable hanger.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the cable hanger of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cable hanger of FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective inner section view of the cable hanger of FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cable hanger according to embodiments of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the cable hanger of FIG. 7.

[0018] FIGS. 9 and 10 are front views of the cable hanger of FIG. 7 mounted on another cable hanger, showing the mounting of a small cable (FIG. 9) and a large cable (FIG. 10).

[0019] FIG. 11 is a partial bottom side perspective view of the stabilizing features of the cable hanger of FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a partial bottom opposite perspective side view of the cable hanger ofFIG. 7

[0021] FIG. 13 is a side view of the cable hanger of FIG. 7 shown in a mounted condition.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a cable hanger according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the locking members of the cable hanger of FIG. 14 shown in a mounted condition.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a front view of a cable hanger according to further embodiments of the invention.

[0025] FIGS. 17 and 18 are front views of the cable hanger of FIG. 16 mounted on another cable hanger, showing the mounting of a small cable (FIG. 17) and a large cable (FIG. 18).

[0026]

[0027] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cable hanger according to additional embodiments of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cable hanger according to further embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 21 is a front view of the cable hanger of FIG. 20.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of another cable hanger according to embodiments of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of another cable hanger according to embodiments of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 24 is a front view of a cable hanger according to further embodiments of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 25 is a front view of a cable hanger according to still further embodiments of the invention.Detailed Description

[0034] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments that are pictured and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way and / or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms that are used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the below description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when an element (e.g., a device, circuit, etc.) is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0036] Referring now to the figures, a prior art cable hanger, designated broadly at 10, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hanger 10 includes curved arms 5 that extend from a flat base 6. Locking projections 7 extend from the free ends of the arms 5. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking projections 7 are inserted into a reinforced hole 8 in a tower structure 4 to mount the hanger 10 thereon. The base 6 of the hanger 10 includes a reinforced hole 9 that can receive the projections of another hanger 10 to mount a second cable.

[0037] As can be best seen in FIG. 2, the arms 5 include arcuate sections 14 that together generally define a circle within which a cable can be grasped. Two cantilevered tabs 12 extend radially inwardly and toward the base 6 at one end of the arcuate sections 14, and two cantilevered tabs 16 extend radially inwardly and toward the base 6 from the opposite ends of the arcuate sections 14. The cantilevered tabs 12, 16 are deployed to deflect radially outwardlywhen the hanger 10 receives a cable for mounting; this deflection generates a radially inward force from each tab 12, 16 that grips the jacket of the cable.

[0038] The hanger 10, which is often formed of a metallic material such as steel, is popular for the mounting of larger coaxial cables, that tend to be provided in relatively few different sizes, but may be less popular for smaller cables. FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a cable hanger, designated broadly at 700, that includes a base 706 with arms 705 that originate from the base 706 and extend generally perpendicularly therefrom. The base 706 includes a mounting hole 710 similar to that described above (i.e., it is typically a nominally 74 inch diameter unobstructed round hole). A locking portion 707 extends from the inward end of each arm 705 in a direction away from the base 706; each of the locking portions 707 is sized and configured to mount within a hole or sections of a hole such as that of mounting hole 710 described above. It can also be seen that the arms 705 are splayed so that, when the cable hanger 700 is in a relaxed position, the locking members 707 define an angle a that is typically between about 10 and 40 degrees.

[0039] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cable hanger 700 includes two gripping members 720. Each of the gripping members 720 is mounted to the base 706 and extends therefrom toward the locking portions 707. The cantilevered mounting of the gripping members 720 enables them to deflect toward the arms 705 to receive a cable, then recover somewhat from such deflection to grasp and hold a cable positioned between the gripping members 720. The cable hanger 700 includes a straight support member 730 mounted to each arm 705. The support members 730 are included to provide additional support and gripping force to the gripping members 720 for larger cables.

[0040] In addition, and as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the cable hanger 700 includes stabilizing members 750, 752 extending from one arm 705 and another stabilizing member 751 extending from the other arm 705. As shown in FIG. 4, a gap g is present between the stabilizing members 750, 752. When the arms 705 are drawn together to grasp a cable, the stabilizing member 751 is received within the gap g and is captured therein by the stabilizing members 750, 752. This interaction can prevent the movement of the locking members 707 toward each other under wind loading as described in, for example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0316622, supra., which can help to prevent the dislodging of a mounted cable hanger 700.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, a cable hanger according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated therein and is designated broadly at 200. Like the hanger 700, the hanger 200 includes a base 206 with arms 205 that originate from the base 206 and extend generally perpendicularly therefrom. The base 206 includes a mounting hole 210 similar to that described above (i.e., it is typically a nominally3 / 4 inch diameter unobstructed round hole). A locking portion 207 extends from the inward end of each arm 205 in a direction away from the base 206; each of the locking portions 207 is sized and configured to mount within a hole such as that of mounting hole 210 described above. It can also be seen that the arms 205 are splayed so that, when the cable hanger 200 is in a relaxed position, the locking members 207 define an angle a that is typically between about 10 and 40 degrees. Each of the locking members 207 includees a hook 211 that engages the edges of a mounting hole.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the hanger 200 employs a different arrangement of members to grip a cable mounted with the hanger 200. As is seen in FIG. 7, the hanger 200 includes an upper member 221 that is fixed to the base 206 at both ends. The upper member 221 includes short segments 222 at each end that extend away from the base 206 and a cross-beam 223 that spans the short segments 222. The cross-beam 223 includes a small recess 224 in its center.

[0043] Additionally, the hanger 200 includes support members 230, each of which extends from a straight section 205a of each arm 205 toward the base 206. Each support member 230 includes a main beam 231 that extends from the section 205a, a cable contact section 232 that extends inwardly and away from the base 206 from the free end of each main beam 231, and an angled spring member 233 that extends between the cable contact section 232 and the main section 231.

[0044] Further, the hanger 200 includes a support finger 240 mounted to each arm 205. Each support finger 240 extends from the arm 205 to a position near the free end of the main beam 231

[0045] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate how the hanger 200 can capture a cable 250. FIG. 9 shows a smaller cable Cl held by the hanger 200. The cable Cl causes the main beams 231 of the support members 230 to deflect toward the arms 205; such deflection generates an inwardly- directed force applied by the support member 230 on the cable Cl. This force is augmented bythe support finger 240, which provides additional force when deflected by the main beam 231. Also, the cable contact section 232, which engages the cable Cl, and the spring member 233 deflect relative to the main beam 231, which deflection also generates an inwardly-directed gripping force on the cable Cl. Thus, gripping force can be generated by each of the main beam 231, the cable contact section 232, the spring member 233, and the support finger 240.

[0046] In addition, the cable Cl engages the upper member 221. Deflection of the upper member 221 generates a downwardly-directed force on the cable Cl.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows that the hanger 200 can be used to grasp a much larger cable C2. The structures that deflect when grasping the smaller cable Cl also deflect when gripping the larger cable C2 but deflect in a more pronounced manner. Notable is the additional deflection of the upper member 221, as the larger cable C2 can force the recess 224 to bow somewhat. The additional degree of deflection by the structures of the hanger 200 generates additional gripping force on the cable C2, which may be desirable inasmuch as larger diameter cables tend to be heavier than smaller diameter cables.

[0048] Referring back to FIGS. 7 and 8 and also to FIGS. 11 and 12, the hanger 200 also includes stabilizing features that help to prevent the inadvertent dislodging of the hanger 200 when it is mounted. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the hanger 200 includes a stabilizing structure 260 that extends inwardly from one of the locking members 207, and a complimentary stabilizing structure 270 that extends inwardly from the other locking member 207. The stabilizing structure 260 has a panel 261, a rib 262 located beneath the panel 261, and a second panel 263 located beneath the rib 262. The stabilizing structure 270 (see FIG. 12) includes a panel 271 that extends inwardly from the locking member 207. The panel 271 is split by a gap 272. Gussets 273 are positioned on each side of the panel 271 and extend between the panel 271 and the locking member 207.

[0049] When the hanger 200 is employed to capture a cable, the locking members 207 are brought together so that the hooks 211 engage a mounting hole. When the locking members 207 approach each other, the panel 271 is positioned to be received between the panels 261, 263. Also, the rib 262 is received in the gap 272 that splits the panel 271. Further, the gussets 273 are positioned on either side of the panel 263 (see FIG. 13). These interactions prevent the locking members 207 from becoming dislodged inadvertently under a side wind load.

[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a hanger, designated broadly at 200’, which has different stabilizing features. More specifically, the stabilizing structure 260’ includes an additional panel 265’ that is positioned above and spaced from the panel 261’ to form a gap 266’, and the stabilizing structure 270’ has an additional panel 275’ that is positioned above and spaced apart from the panel 271’ to form a gap 276’. Wedge-shaped gussets 264’ extend between the second panel and the locking member 207. FIG. 15 shows that, when the hanger 300 is mounted, the panels 261’, 262’, 263’ intermesh as described above, but in addition the panel 261’ is received in the gap 276’, and the panel 275’ is received in the gap 266’. Thus, the stabilizing structures 260’, 270’ provide an extra “layer” of interdigitation to the enmeshed arrangement, which can provide additional stability (particularly for larger hangers that may be subjected to a higher wind load).

[0051] Those of skill in this art will recognize that cable hanger embodiments may take different forms. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates a hanger 300 that includes an upper member 321 that has a recess 324 that is very pronounced in comparison to the recess 224, and which includes gripping members 327 that extend downwardly from the upper member 321 to a position to grasp a cable. Also, support members 330 extend from the arm 305 spaced from the locking members 307, and each support member 330 includes a brace 335 that is generally perpendicular to the main beam 331. As can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, the hanger 300 can capture smaller cables Cl within the gripping members 327, and can capture bigger cables C2 with the gripping members 327 (supported by the support fingers 340) and by the braces 335 of the support members 330.

[0052] Another embodiment of a cable hanger, designated broadly at 400, is show in FIG. 19. The cable hanger 400 is similar to the cable hanger 200 discussed above, with the exception that the support member 430 has a main beam 431 and a cable contact section 432, but lacks a spring member that connects the free end of the cable contact section 432 with the main beam 431

[0053] A further embodiment of a cable hanger is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and designated broadly at 500. The cable hanger 500 is similar to the cable hanger 200 with the exceptions that (a) the cross-beam 523 of the upper member 521 is depends downwardly slightly from itsattachment with the short segments 522 and (b) the spring member 533 of the support member 530 is substantially linear rather than being angled.

[0054] A still further embodiment of a cable hanger, designated broadly at 600, is shown in FIG. 22. The cable hanger 600 lacks support members such as those shown at, for example, 230 in the cable hanger 200. The upper member 621 is arcuate and is attached at both ends to the base 606. Two gripping members 627 depend from the upper member 621 to receive and grasp a cable. Support fingers 640 extend inwardly from the arms 605.

[0055] Another embodiment of a cable hanger, designated broadly at 800, is shown in FIG. 23. The cable hanger 800 does not have an upper member that is fixed at both ends, but instead has two upper members 821 that each extend from an upper portion of an arm 805, wherein each of the upper members 821 is supported by a brace 821a. Gripping members 827 are mounted at the lower ends of the upper members 821. Support fingers 840 extend from the arms 805.

[0056] Two addition embodiments of cable hangers are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 and are designated at 900 and 900’. The cable hanger 900 is similar to the cable hanger 800, with the exceptions that (a) there are no braces that support the upper members 921 and (b) the support fingers are replaced with two support fingers 940. The support fingers 940 are angled and extend toward the gripping members 927 such that, when a large cable is mounted in the gripping members 927, the upper members 921 deflect sufficiently that the gripping members 927 engage the support fingers 940. The cable hanger 900’ is similar to the cable hanger 900, with the exception that the support fingers 940 are replaced with a fixed-fixed support beams 940’

[0057] Those skilled in this art will appreciate that the cable hangers discussed above are typically formed of a polymeric material, such as acetal resin, and may be formed as a unitary member (often via injection molding). The cable hangers may also be configured to grasp different sizes of cables: for example, one size of hanger may be employed to mount cables having an outer jacket with a 4-7 mm diameter (DOJ), another size of hanger may mount 7-10 mm DOJ cables, and a third size of hanger may mount 10-14 mm DOJ cables. Additional configurations for polymeric cable hangers are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 10,253,906, supra.

[0058] It should also be understood that the upper members, the support fingers, the support members, and the stabilizing features of the different embodiments shown herein may be substituted for each other, or on some cases omitted.

[0059] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

That Which is Claimed is:

1. A cable hanger, comprising: a generally flat base with an opening; first and second arms extending in a first direction from opposite edges of the base; first and second locking members extending in the first direction from, respectively, ends of the first and second arms, each of the locking members comprising a respective hook; an upper member having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being fixed to either the base or a respective one of the first and second arms, the upper member including a cable engagement section; first and second gripping members, each of the first and second gripping members extending from the base, one of the first and second arms, or the upper member, the first and second gripping members having cable engagement surfaces configured to engage a cable; wherein the first and second locking members are forced toward each other to mount the cable hanger in a mounting location via the hooks, such movement causing the upper member and the first and second gripping members to grasp a cable.

2. The cable hanger defined in Claim 1, wherein the upper member includes a crossbeam, and wherein the cable engagement section is located within the cross-beam.

3. The cable hanger defined in Claim 2, wherein the cable engagement section comprises a concave pocket that at least partially receives the cable.

4. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 1-3, further comprising first and second support members extending from a respective one of the first and second arms, the support member sized and positioned to engage a respective one of the first and second gripping members when the first and second gripping members deflect to grasp a cable.

5. The cable hanger defined in Claim 4, wherein the first and second support members extend from the first and second arms at an oblique angle.

6. The cable hanger defined in Claim 4, wherein each of the first and second gripping members is mounted on a respective first or second arm.

7. The cable hanger defined in Claim 6, wherein each of the first and second gripping members includes a main beam and a cable engagement surface.

8. The cable hanger defined in Claim 6, wherein the cable engagement surface comprises a brace that is generally normal to the main beam.

9. The cable hanger defined in Claim 6, wherein the cable engagement surface extends from the main beam at an oblique angle.

10. The cable hanger defined in Claim 9, wherein each of the first and second gripping members includes a spring member that extends between the cable engagement surface and the main beam.

11. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 1-10, wherein the opening in the base is configured to receive the hooks of an identical second cable hanger.

12. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 1-11, wherein each of the first and second locking members comprises a respective stabilizing member that extends toward the other of the locking members.

13. A cable hanger, comprising: a generally flat base with at least one opening; first and second arms extending in a first direction from opposite edges of the base; first and second locking members extending in the first direction from, respectively, ends of the first and second arms, each of the locking members comprising a respective hook; first and second gripping members, each of the first and second gripping members extending from the base or one of the arms and at least partially defining a pocket configured to receive and grasp a cable; first and second stabilizing features, each mounted to and extending from a respective one of the first and second locking members;wherein the first and second locking members are forced toward each other to mount the cable hanger in a mounting location via the hooks, such movement causing the first and second gripping members to grasp a cable in the pocket; and wherein the first stabilizing feature includes first and second spaced apart panels connected by a rib, the second stabilizing feature includes a third panel with a slot; wherein the movement of the first and second locking members toward each other to mount the cable hanger causes the third panel to be received between the first and second panel, and wherein the rib is received in the slot.

14. The cable hanger defined in Claim 13, wherein the first stabilizing feature includes at least one gusset that extends between the first panel and the first locking member.

15. The cable hanger defined in Claim 13, wherein the second stabilizing feature includes at least one gusset that extends between the third panel and the first locking member.

16. The cable hanger defined in Claim 16, wherein the second stabilizing feature includes a fourth panel that is spaced apart from the third panel, wherein the fourth panel overlies the third panel when the first and second locking members are moved toward each other.

17. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 13-16, wherein the first stabilizing feature includes a fifth panel that is spaced apart from the second panel, and wherein the fourth panel is received between the second panel and the fifth panel when the first and second locking members are moved toward each other.

18. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 13-17, wherein the locking members are splayed laterally as they extend in the first direction.

19. The cable hanger defined in any of Claims 13-18, formed of a polymeric material.

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