Cable management systems and methods for photovoltaic and other cable dependent systems

Abstract

A cable management system includes a hanger configured for suspension from a support cable and a plurality of substantially identical support plates configured to engage the hanger to secure a row of transmission cables between each pair of vertically adjacent support plates. Each pair of vertically adjacent support plates is configured for incremental overlapping engagement according to a diameter of the transmission cables to thereby secure the row of transmission cables. A method of installing a cable management system includes suspending a hanger on a support cable, engaging a first support plate on the hanger, supporting a row of transmission cables on the first support plate, engaging a second support plate on the hanger, and sliding the second support plate along the hanger to incrementally engage the first support plate according to a diameter of the transmission cables to secure the row of transmission cables between the support plates.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCTCABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC AND OTHER CABLE DEPENDENT SYSTEMSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 691,378, filed on September 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to cable management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to cable management systems and methods for use with photovoltaic and other cable dependent systems.Background of Related Art

[0003] Solar power has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to finite energy sources such as oil and coal. A typical photovoltaic system includes a plurality of solar modules that are positioned to form a solar array for converting sunlight into DC power. The typical photovoltaic system further includes various supporting components such as, for example, inverters, power conditioning equipment, power storage equipment, safety equipment, instrumentation, meters, etc., to enable the safe and efficient collection, conversion, storage, and / or transport of power.

[0004] In many photovoltaic systems, some or all of the support components are remote from the solar modules and / or one another, thus requiring the routing of transmission cables between the various components of the photovoltaic system.SUMMARY

[0005] Provided in accordance with the present disclosure is an easy-to-install (without the use of tools), organized, space efficient cable management system and method that facilitates the routing of transmission cables of various size between components of a system such as, for example, a photovoltaic system, while ensuring appropriate spacing between the transmission cables to inhibit interference and / or eliminate the need to derate the transmission cables.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT

[0006] In aspects, the cable management systems and methods of the present disclosure include plural support plates that arc universal in that the support plates arc capable of incrementally engaging one another to secure and retain a plurality of rows of transmission cables wherein each row can have a different cable diameter. Thus, in one configuration, one or more rows of larger diameter transmission cables may be disposed on the bottom and, from there in a bottom-to-top direction, one or more rows of incrementally smaller diameter transmission cables can be secured and retained by the cable management system. Of course, the universality of the support plates enables any other arrangements of the rows of cables (e.g., alternating rows or relatively larger and relatively smaller diameter transmission cables, rows of incrementally larger diameter transmission cables in the bottom-to-top direction, etc.) As detailed below, this incremental engagement of the support plates may be by way of engagable ratcheting interfaces, although other suitable incremental engagement mechanisms are also contemplated.

[0007] Although detailed herein for use with a photovoltaic system, the cable management systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to use in a photovoltaic system; rather, the cable management system of the present disclosure may be utilized in any suitable industry and / or for any suitable purpose.

[0008] Terms including “generally,” “about,” “substantially,” and the like, as utilized herein, are meant to encompass variations, e.g., manufacturing tolerances, material tolerances, use and environmental tolerances, measurement variations, design variations, and / or other tolerances and variations, up to and including plus or minus 10 percent. Further, to the extent consistent, any or all of the aspects detailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects detailed herein.

[0009] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a cable management system is provided including a hanger configured to be suspended from a support cable and a plurality of substantially identical support plates configured to engage the hanger in a vertical stack along the hanger to secure a row of transmission cables between each pair of vertically adjacent support plates. The support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates are configured for incremental overlapping engagement with one another according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the row of transmission cables disposed therebetween to thereby secure the row of transmission cables between the vertically adjacent support plates.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT

[0010] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates arc configured to engage the hanger on opposite sides of the hanger.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, each support plate includes a channel configured to slidably receive a vertical segment of the hanger.

[0012] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, each support plate includes an engagement finger configured to retain, via snap fit engagement, the vertical segment of the hanger within the channel.

[0013] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each support plate includes first and second channels configured to slidably receive first and second vertical segments of the hanger.

[0014] In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each support plate includes a first ratchet interface and a second ratchet interface. The first ratchet interface of one support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates is configured to engage the second ratchet interface of the other support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates to thereby incrementally engage the support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates.

[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, each support plate defines a plurality of saddles along an upper edge and a plurality of arches along a lower edge. Each saddle of one support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates is configured to cooperate with one of the arches of the other support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates to secure a transmission cable therebetween.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the hanger includes a pair of vertical segments defining a slot therebetween and joined at upper ends thereof by a connector. The hanger, in such aspects, is configured for positioning with the support cable disposed within the slot and in abutment with the connector to thereby suspended the hanger from the support cable.

[0017] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the hanger includes at least one hook disposed at a lower end thereof. A bottom support plate of the plurality of support plates is supported on the at least one hook. In aspects, the hanger includes a pair of hooks disposed at a lower end thereof and the bottom support plate of the plurality of support plates is supported on the pair of hooks.

[0018] A method of installing a cable management system provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes suspending a hanger on a support cable, engaging a first support plate on the hanger, supporting a first row of transmission cables on the first supportAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT plate, engaging a second support plate on the hanger, sliding the second support plate along the hanger towards the first support plate to initially engage the first support plate with the first row of transmission cables disposed therebetween, and further engaging, incrementally, the second support plate with the first support plate according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the first row of transmission cables to secure the first row of transmission cables between the first and second support plates.

[0019] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes supporting a second row of transmission cables on the second support plate, engaging a third support plate on the hanger, sliding the third support plate along the hanger towards the second support plate to initially engage the second support plate with the second row of transmission cables disposed therebetween, and further engaging, incrementally, the third support plate with the second support plate according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the second row of transmission cables to secure the second row of transmission cables between the second and third support plates.

[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the first support plate on the hanger includes transversely approximating the first support plate relative to the hanger from a first side of the hanger, and engaging the second support plate on the hanger includes transversely approximating the second support plate relative to the hanger from a second, opposite side of the hanger.

[0021] In another aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the first support plate on the hanger includes snap-fitting the first support plate onto the hanger, and engaging the second support plate on the hanger includes snap-fitting the second support plate onto the hanger.

[0022] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes, after engaging the first support plate on the hanger, sliding the first support plate along the hanger to support the first support plate on at least one hook disposed at a lower end of the hanger.

[0023] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, suspending the hanger on the support cable includes positioning the hanger on the support cable such that the support cable is disposed between first and second vertical segments of the hanger and in abutment with a connector of the hanger that connects the first and second vertical segments at upper ends thereof.

[0024] In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the incrementally engaging includes incremental ratcheted engagement.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCTBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Various aspects and features of the present disclosure arc described hereinbelow with reference to the drawing figures, wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable management system provided in accordance with the present disclosure shown suspended from a support cable that is supported by vertical supports, the cable management system supporting and retaining a plurality of transmission cables along the lengths of the transmission cables;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the area of detail indicated as “2” in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cable support assembly of the cable management system of FIG. 1 supporting and retaining a plurality of transmission cables therein;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hanger of the cable support assembly of FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of support plates of the cable support assembly of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIGS 6A and 6B are enlarged, perspective views of first and second faces, respectively, of one of the support plates of the plurality of support plates of the cable support assembly of FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating initial engagement of a first support plate of the plurality of support plates with the hanger;

[0033] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of the area of detail indicated as “8” in FIG. 7;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating sliding of the first support along the hanger;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the first support plate seated on the hanger;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the first support plate seated on the hanger and supporting a first row of transmission cables;

[0037] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views progressively illustrating a second support plate sliding along the hanger into engagement with the first support plate to thereby retain the first row of transmission cables therebetween;

[0038] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate different ratcheting engagement positions of the first and second support plates relative to one another to enable support and retention of rows of transmission cables of differing diameter;

[0039] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the second support plate engaged with the first support plate on the hanger and supporting a second row of transmission cables; andAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT

[0040] FIGS. 16-20 are perspective views illustrating assembly of further support plates on the cable support assembly of FIG. 3 for supporting additional rows of transmission cables.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cable management system provided in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generally identified by reference numeral 10. Cable management system 10 includes a plurality of cable support assemblies 100 that cooperate to support and retain a plurality of rows of transmission cables “T” at plural locations spaced apart along the lengths of transmission cables “T”, e.g., between components of a photovoltaic system. Transmission cables “T”, as utilized herein, refer to cables configured to transmit electrical, optical, and / or other suitable energy signals such as, for example, to enable transmission of power, control signals, data, etc. between components of a system such as a photovoltaic system.

[0042] Cable support assemblies 100 are configured to be suspended, in spaced relation relative to one another, along the length of a support cable “S,” such as, for example, messenger wire or other suitable support cable. Support cable “S”, as utilized herein, refers to any cable utilized for mechanical support, including support cables “S” utilized for both mechanical support and energy transmission and / or grounding. Support cable “S”, in turn, is supported by one or more mounting structures “M” each secured to a vertical support “V” to suspend support cable “S” above the ground. Vertical supports “V” and corresponding mounting structures “M” are spaced along the length of support cable “S” at greater distances than cable support assemblies 100 such that one or more (and, in aspects, a plurality of) cable support assemblies 100 are disposed between each adjacent pair of vertical supports “V”. Although cable management system 10 is shown with transmission cables “T” extending in a substantially linear direction, it is also contemplated that vertical supports “V”, mounting structures “M”, support cable “S” and / or cable support assemblies 100 can be positioned to provide one or more curves, angles, or other directional changes of transmission cables “T”. Additionally or alternatively, vertical supports “V”, mounting structures “M”, support cable “S” and / or cable support assemblies 100 can be positioned to provide one or more elevational changes (e.g., toward or away from the ground) of transmission cables “T”.

[0043] Turning to FIGS. 3-5, each cable support assembly 100 includes a hanger 110 and a plurality of support plates 140 configured to operably engage hanger 110 and adjacent supportAttomey Docket No.: 761-81 PCT plate(s) 140 to retain and support a plurality of rows of transmission cables “T” on hanger 110. Hanger 110, in turn, is configured to be suspended from a support cable “S” (see FIGS. 1 and 2), thus enabling cable support assembly 100 to retain and support the plurality of rows of transmission cables “T” along the support cable “S” (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Although only one cable support assembly 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and detailed below, it is understood that cable management system 10 (FIG. 1) may include any suitable number of cable support assemblies 100 at any suitable spacing to support and retain the plurality of rows of transmission cables “T”.

[0044] With particular reference to FIG. 4, hanger 110 of cable support assembly 100 is formed from a single piece of wire stock, e.g., stainless steel wire, and includes a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel vertical segments 112. Vertical segments 112 are joined at the upper ends thereof by a connector 114. Connector 114 may defined an arched configuration (as shown), a squared configuration, an inverted V-shaped configuration, or any other suitable configuration. A hook 116 is defined at the lower end of each vertical segment 112. Hooks 116 extend outwardly in opposite direction relative to one another. Hooks 116 may cooperate with corresponding vertical segments 112 to define a squared J-hook configuration (as shown), a curved hook configuration, an angled hook configuration, or any other suitable configuration. Each hook 116 includes a base segment 118 extending outwardly from the corresponding vertical segment 112 and an upright segment 120 extending at an angle relative to the base segment 118. In aspects, base segment 118 extends substantially perpendicularly from the corresponding vertical segment 112 and / or upright segment 120 extends substantially perpendicularly from the corresponding base segment 118 (and, thus, substantially parallel relative to the vertical segment 112) to a free end of the hook 116. In aspects, hanger 110 lies substantially within a plane (notwithstanding the thickness of hanger 110, e.g., the diameter of the wire stock forming hanger 110).

[0045] Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 122 is defined between vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 at the lower ends thereof, e.g., between opposing hooks 116. Opening 122 provides access to a slot 124 defined between vertical segments 112. As noted above, vertical segments 112 are joined at the upper ends thereof by connector 114 and, thus, slot 124 is closed at the upper ends of vertical segments 112. This configuration enables hanger 110 to be suspended from a preinstalled support cable “S” byAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT“dropping” hanger 1 10 over the support cable “S”. More specifically, hanger 110 is manipulated such that the support cable “S” is received through opening 122 and travels along slot 124 to connector 114, which is supported on the support cable “S”, thereby suspending hanger 110 from the support cable “S”. Of course, if the support cable “S” is not preinstalled, an end of the support cable “S” may be routed transversely though slot 124 to enable suspension of hanger 110 from the support cable “S”.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A-6B, each support plate 140 is substantially identical and may be formed from a polymeric material, e.g., via molding or other suitable manufacturing process. More specifically, each support plate 140 is formed as a single, monolithic piece. Providing substantially identical support plates 140 each as a single, monolithic piece facilitates manufacturing by reducing the unique part count and / or the unique manufacturing equipment, e.g., tooling. As support plates 140 are substantially identical, the aspects and features of support plates 140 detailed hereinbelow are made with reference to one support plate 140 in the singular. “Substantially identical,” as utilized herein, refers to components that are configured to be identical but which may nonetheless nonfunctionally differ such as, for example, due to manufacturing variations.

[0047] Support plate 140 includes an upper edge 142, a lower edge 144, and a pair of lateral edges 146. Support plate 140 further defines first and second faces 148, 150 on opposing sides thereof. First and second faces 148, 150 are bounded by edges 142, 144, 146 of support plate 140. A plurality of spaced apart saddles 152 is defined with support plate 140 along upper edge 142 and a plurality of arches 154 is defined with support plate 140 along lower edge 144. Corresponding pairs of saddles 152 and arches 154 are disposed in vertical registration with one another. In aspects, saddles 152 define U-shaped configurations and arches 154 define inverted U-shaped configurations, although other configurations of saddles 152 and arches 154 are also contemplated.

[0048] With particular reference to FIG. 6A, in conjunction with FIG. 4, support plate 140 defines a vertical centerline 156. First face 148 of support plate 140 and includes a vertically extending channel 158 disposed on either side of, equally spaced from, and extending substantially parallel relative to vertical centerline 156 between upper and lower edges 142, 144 of support plate 140. Channels 158 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 and may define semicylindrical configurationsAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT having diameters substantially approximating (e.g., equal to or slightly larger than) the diameter of the wire stock forming vertical segments 112 of hanger 110, or any other suitable configurations, that enable receipt of vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 at least partially within channels 158 and vertical sliding of support plate 140 along vertical segments 112 of hanger 110.

[0049] First face 148 of support plate 140 further includes at least one first ratchet interface 160 extending along a portion of either or both channels 158 towards upper edge 142 of support plate 140 and at least one second ratchet interface 162 extending along a portion of either or both channels 158 towards lower edge 144 of support plate 140. In aspects, as shown, the at least one first ratchet interface 160 includes a first ratchet interface 160 disposed outwardly of each channel 158 towards upper edge 142 of support plate 140. In such aspects, the at least one second ratchet interface 162 includes a second ratchet interface 162 disposed outwardly of each channel 158 towards lower edge 144 of support plate 140. Regardless of the number of each of first and second ratchet interfaces 160, 162, ratchet interfaces 160, 162 define one or more pairs of interfaces 160, 162 disposed in vertical registration with one another. In aspects, first and second ratchet interfaces 160, 162 include first and second pluralities of vertically stacked ratchet teeth to enable incremental engagement between adjacent support plates 140 upon approximation of the adjacent support plates 140 along a vertical direction, as detailed below. However, other suitable ratchet interface configurations to enable incremental engagement between adjacent support plates 140 upon approximation of the support plates 140 along a vertical direction are also contemplated.

[0050] Continuing with reference to FIG. 6A, in conjunction with FIG. 4, front face 148 of support plate 140 first includes a pair of engagement fingers 164 protruding substantially perpendicularly from front face 148. Each engagement fingers 164 is disposed outwardly of a corresponding channel 158, defines a resiliently flexible configuration, and includes a catch 166 disposed on an inwardly facing side thereof and protruding inwardly at least partially over the corresponding channel 158. Engagement fingers 164 are configured to flex outwardly and apart from one another to accommodate vertical segments 112 of hanger 110, e.g., upon transverse insertion of vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 into channels 158, and, once vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 clear catches 166, are resiliently returned inwardly whereby catches 166 capture vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 within channels 158 inhibiting withdrawal of vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 from channels 158 while permitting sliding of support plateAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT140 along hanger 1 10. In aspects, engagements fingers 164 and catches 166 thereof define a snap fit configuration whereby an audible and / or tactile “snap” is produced in response to capture of vertical segments 112 of hanger 110 within channels 158. Other suitable engagement configurations are also contemplated.

[0051] Referring in particular to FIG. 6B, in conjunction with FIG. 4, second face 150 of support plate 140 includes a vertically extending channel 168 disposed on either side of, equally spaced from, and extending substantially parallel relative to vertical centerline 156 from lower edge 144 of support plate 140 towards upper edge 144 of support plate 140. In aspects, channels 168 terminate before upper edge 144 of support plate 140. Channels 168 are spaced apart father than channels 158 of first face 148 (see FIG. 6A) and, more specifically, are spaced a distance substantially equal to the spacing between upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110. In this manner, upon sliding of support plate 140 along hanger 110 to the lower end thereof, upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 are received within channels 168. The free ends of upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 may hard stop at stop surfaces 170 disposed at the upper ends of channels 168 of support plate 140 and / or base segments 118 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 may abut lower edge 144 of support plate 140 to define the extent of travel of support plate 140 along hanger 110. Further, in aspects, second face 150 of support plate 140 includes a bridge 172 spanning each channel 168 and configured to maintain upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 within channels 168.

[0052] Turning to FIGS. 7-20, in conjunction with FIGS. 4, 6A, and 6B, the assembly of cable support assembly 100 (see FIG. 20) on support cable “S” to suspended cable support assembly 100 from support cable “S” and support and retain a plurality of rows of transmission cables “T” is detailed. To facilitate understanding, although support plates 140 are substantially identical, support plates 140 are referenced hereinbelow in sequence notation, e.g., as support plates 140a, 140b, 140c, etc., to distinguish one support plate 140 from another support plate 140.

[0053] Initially, as shown in FIG. 7, hanger 110 of cable support assembly 100 is suspended from the support cable “S”, e.g., by dropping hanger 110 over the support cable “S” such that support cable “S” is received within and moved along slot 124 until the support cable “S” abuts connector 114, thereby suspending hanger 110 of cable support assembly 100 from the support cable “S”.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, with hanger 110 of cable support assembly 100 suspended from the support cable “S”, first support plate 140a is engaged on hanger 110. More specifically, first face 148 of first support plate 140a is transversely approximated relative to vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 until vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 snap fit into engagement within channels 158 of first face 148, retained therein via catches 166 of engagement fingers 164. In this position, first support plate 140a is free to slide vertically along vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 but is maintained in engagement with hanger 110 and inhibited from transverse removal by catches 166 of engagement fingers 164. Of course, if needed, engagement fingers 164 may be manually spread outwardly to disengage and enable removal of first support plate 140a from hanger 110.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, with first support plate 140a engaged on hanger 110 as detailed above, first support plate 140a is slid downwardly along vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 until the free ends of upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 extend into channels 168 of the second face 150 of first support plate 140a. First support plate 140a may continue until to be slid in this manner until, as detailed above, a hard stop is reached via abutment of the free ends of upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 with stop surfaces 170 of second face 150 of first support plate 140a and / or abutment of base segments 118 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 with the lower edge 144 of first support plate 140a. In this position, first support plate 140a is retained on hanger 110 between vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 (on the first face side of first support plate 140a) and upright segments 120 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 (on the second face side of first support plate 140a), and is supported by base segments 118 of hooks 116 of hanger 110 below first support plate 140a.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 11, once first support plate 140a is engaged and positioned on hanger 110 as detailed above, a first row of transmission cables “T” may be loaded into saddles 152 of first support plate 140a.

[0057] Turning to 12-14B, with the first row of transmission cables “T” loaded into saddles 152 of first support plate 140a, a second support plate 140b is engaged on hanger 110. More specifically, second support plate 140b is oriented on an opposite side of hanger 110 compared to first support plate 140a with first face 148 of second support plate 140b facing first face 148 of first support plate 140a. In this orientation, second support plate 140b, led by first face 148 thereof, is transversely approximated relative to vertical supports 112 of hanger 110 until verticalAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT supports 112 of hanger 1 10 snap fit into engagement within channels 158 of first face 148 of second support plate 140b, retained therein via catches 166 of engagement fingers 164.

[0058] Once second support plate 140b is engaged on hanger 110, second support plate 140b is slid downwardly along hanger 110 towards first support plate 140a and, ultimately, into engagement with first support plate 140a. More specifically, upon sufficient sliding of second support plate 140b downwardly along hanger 110 towards first support plate 140a, arches 154 of second support plate 140b begin to overlap saddles 152 of first support plate 140a with a transmission cables “T” disposed between each overlapping pair of arches 154 and saddles 152. Further, first ratchet interface(s) 160 of first support plate 140a and second ratchet interface(s) 162 of second support plate 140b begin to engage one another. Once first and second ratchet interfaces 160, 162 engage one another, second support plate 140b may be further slid towards first support plate 140a to increasingly incrementally engage support plates 140a, 140b with one another, thereby further overlapping arches 154 and saddles 152 such that the opening defined between each overlapping pair of arches 154 and saddles 152 is reduced and, ultimately, substantially occupied by a transmission cable “T”, thereby substantially securing the transmission cable “T” therein. Thus, the extent of incremental engagement of support plates 140a, 140b may be selected based upon the diameter of the transmission cables “T” to ensure substantial securement of the transmission cables “T” between support plates 140a, 140b. FIGS. 14A and 14B, for example, illustrate first and second incrementally engaged positions of support plates 140a, 140b, wherein the first position corresponds to a first engaged position for relatively larger cable diameters and wherein the second position corresponds to a second, relatively further engaged position for relatively smaller cable diameters.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 15, with first and second support plates 140a, 140b, respectively, disposed on hanger 110 and engaged with one another to secure the first row of transmission cables “T” therebetween, a second row of transmission cables “T” may be loaded into saddles 152 of second support plate 140b.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 16-20, the above may be repeated to install a third support plate 140c (on the opposite side of hanger 110 compared to second support plate 140b and with first face 148 of third support plate 140c facing first face 148 of second support plate 140b), a third tow of transmission cables “T”, a fourth support plate 140d (on the opposite side of hanger 110 compared to third support plate 140c and with first face 148 of fourth support plate 140d facingAttorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT first face 148 of third support plate 140c), and so on, depending upon the number of rows of transmission cables “T” to be supported. The number of support plates 140 needed can be determined by n = r + 1, wherein “n” is the number of support plates 140 needed and “r” is the number of rows transmission cables “T”. This ensures that each row of transmission cables “T” is bounded above and below by a support plate 140.

[0061] While several aspects of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the ail will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCTWHAT TS CLAIMED:

1. A cable management system, comprising: a hanger configured to be suspended from a support cable; and a plurality of substantially identical support plates configured to engage the hanger in a vertical stack along the hanger to secure a row of transmission cables between each pair of vertically adjacent support plates, the support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates configured for incremental overlapping engagement with one another according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the row of transmission cables disposed therebetween to thereby secure the row of transmission cables between the vertically adjacent support plates.

2. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates are configured to engage the hanger on opposite sides of the hanger.

3. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein each support plate includes a channel configured to slidably receive a vertical segment of the hanger.

4. The cable management system according to claim 3, wherein each support plate includes an engagement finger configured to retain, via snap fit engagement, the vertical segment of the hanger within the channel.

5. The cable management system according to claim 3, wherein each support plate includes first and second channels configured to slidably receive first and second vertical segments of the hanger.

6. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein each support plate includes a first ratchet interface and a second ratchet interface, the first ratchet interface of one support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates configured to engage the second ratchet interface of the other support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates to thereby incrementally engage the support plates of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT7. The cable management system according to claim 1 , wherein each support plate defines a plurality of saddles along an upper edge and a plurality of arches along a lower edge, each saddle of one support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates configured to cooperate with one of the arches of the other support plate of each pair of vertically adjacent support plates to secure a transmission cable therebetween.

8. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger includes a pair of vertical segments defining a slot therebetween and joined at upper ends thereof by a connector, the hanger configured for positioning with the support cable disposed within the slot and in abutment with the connector to thereby suspended the hanger from the support cable.

9. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger includes at least one hook disposed at a lower end thereof, and wherein a bottom support plate of the plurality of support plates is supported on the at least one hook.

10. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the hanger includes a pair of hooks disposed at a lower end thereof, and wherein a bottom support plate of the plurality of support plates is supported on the pair of hooks.

11. A method of installing a cable management system, the method comprising: suspending a hanger on a support cable; engaging a first support plate on the hanger; supporting a first row of transmission cables on the first support plate; engaging a second support plate on the hanger; sliding the second support plate along the hanger towards the first support plate to initially engage the first support plate with the first row of transmission cables disposed therebetween; and further engaging, incrementally, the second support plate with the first support plate according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the first row of transmission cables to secure the first row of transmission cables between the first and second support plates.Attorney Docket No.: 761-81 PCT12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: supporting a second row of transmission cables on the second support plate; engaging a third support plate on the hanger; sliding the third support plate along the hanger towards the second support plate to initially engage the second support plate with the second row of transmission cables disposed therebetween; and further engaging, incrementally, the third support plate with the second support plate according to a diameter of the transmission cables of the second row of transmission cables to secure the second row of transmission cables between the second and third support plates.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein engaging the first support plate on the hanger includes transversely approximating the first support plate relative to the hanger from a first side of the hanger, and wherein engaging the second support plate on the hanger includes transversely approximating the second support plate relative to the hanger from a second, opposite side of the hanger.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein engaging the first support plate on the hanger includes snap-fitting the first support plate onto the hanger, and wherein engaging the second support plate on the hanger includes snap-fitting the second support plate onto the hanger.

15. The method according to claim 11, further including, after engaging the first support plate on the hanger, sliding the first support plate along the hanger to support the first support plate on at least one hook disposed at a lower end of the hanger.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein suspending the hanger on the support cable includes positioning the hanger on the support cable such that the support cable is disposed between first and second vertical segments of the hanger and in abutment with a connector of the hanger that connects the first and second vertical segments at upper ends thereof.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the incrementally engaging includes incremental ratcheted engagement.

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