Snap-In Cable Hanger Adapter With Angled Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable hanger systems face challenges in efficiently securing multiple cables in crowded antenna towers and tunnels, where space is limited, and there is a need for additional mounting configurations to accommodate increased cable installations.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in adapter with angled mounting panels, base segments, and locking arms that can be deflected to fit into mounting structures, providing a secure mounting mechanism for cable hangers by exerting outward pressure on the hole edges, allowing for flexible and space-efficient cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple cable hangers are mounted at periodically-spaced attachment points, then cable support is provided, but space is consumed in crowded antenna towers and tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter enables multiple cable hangers to be nested or stacked at a single attachment point, with hangers arranged in vertical or angular configurations. This nesting approach allows multiple cables to be supported at one location rather than requiring periodically-spaced attachment points, thereby reducing the space consumed in crowded environments while increasing the quantity of cables that can be mounted.
2Quantity of substance
If stackable cable hangers are used to secure multiple cables, then the number of mountable cables increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting interface for multiple cable hangers, offers various mounting configurations (vertical stacking, angular arrangements), and accommodates different mounting structures. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to handle various cable quantities and orientations, reducing the need for multiple specialized hanger designs and thereby managing device complexity while supporting increased cable quantity.
3Reliability
If pre-formed holes are required in mounting structures for cable hanger installation, then secure mounting is achieved, but adaptability to different mounting structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the mounting structure and the cable hangers. It features a mounting interface that can attach to various mounting structures (with or without pre-formed holes) and provides standardized mounting points for cable hangers. This intermediary approach maintains reliable mounting security while significantly improving adaptability to different mounting structure types and conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adapter enables secure and space-efficient mounting of multiple cable hangers, accommodating increased cable installations by providing additional mounting configurations and reducing the need for pre-formed holes in mounting structures, thus enhancing cable management in crowded environments.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter can be deflected from a relaxed state to a deflected state by forcing the locking arms toward each other. In the deflected state the adapter may be mounted to a mounting structure, with the locking arms inserted through a hole in the mounting structure and exerting outward pressure on edges of the hole
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for mounting cable hangers to a mounting structure includes: a plurality of mounting panels, each mounting panel including a mounting hole, the mounting panels attached to each other at edges thereof, each mounting panel being disposed at an angle relative to its adjacent mounting panels; two base segments, each of the base segments attached to the edge of an endmost one of the mounting panels and extending therefrom toward the other of the base segments; wherein the mounting panels and the base segments define an interior of the adapter; two locking arms, each of the locking arms extending from an end of a respective base segment away from the interior of the adapter, each of the locking arms including a locking feature, the locking arms extending generally parallel to each other and defining a gap therebetween; wherein the adapter can be deflected from a relaxed state to a deflected state by forcing the locking arms toward each other; and wherein in the deflected state the adapter may be mounted to a mounting structure, with the locking arms inserted through a hole in the mounting structure and exerting outward pressure on edges of the hole, and the locking features maintaining the adapter in a mounted position on the mounting structure.