One-Piece Folded Conduit Hanger Transverse Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hanger devices for electrical conduits and wires lack versatility and efficiency in attaching to various support surfaces, particularly failing to effectively distribute weight transversely when mounted to a ceiling joist, leading to suboptimal support and stability.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece hanger member formed from a folded metal blank with opposing legs having U-shaped recesses that can be easily attached to a ceiling joist or wall surface, allowing for secure support of conduits and wires by distributing weight transversely across the fastener, enabling easy installation and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hanger devices are used to attach conduits to ceiling joists, then the hangers can be installed, but they fail to effectively distribute weight transversely leading to suboptimal support and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger member utilizes a transverse orientation relative to the ceiling joist, positioning the fastener perpendicular to the joist's longitudinal axis. This dimensional change allows the hanger to distribute weight across the full width of the joist rather than concentrating it at a single point along the grain, significantly improving both support stability and weight distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger member is divided into distinct functional segments: a fastening portion with aperture for attachment to the ceiling joist, and a conduit-receiving portion with U-shaped recesses. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve superior overall performance in weight distribution and support stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing hanger devices are designed for specific mounting orientations, then they can be attached to supports, but they lack versatility for attaching to various support surfaces including vertical and horizontal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger member is designed as a universal mounting solution that can be attached to both horizontal surfaces (ceiling joists) and vertical surfaces (wall studs) by simply rotating the orientation of installation. The fastening portion with its aperture and the conduit-receiving portion with U-shaped recesses maintain their functional relationships regardless of mounting orientation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hanger designs.
3Reliability
If conventional hangers are designed with complex multi-part structures, then they can achieve secure attachment, but they become difficult to manufacture and install
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger member combines the fastening function and conduit-support function into a single integrally formed piece. The fastening portion with aperture and the conduit-receiving portion with U-shaped recesses are manufactured as one continuous structure, eliminating the need for separate components, fasteners, or assembly steps while maintaining secure attachment reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The hanger member for supporting a conduit or bundle of wires is provided as a one piece unitary member. The hanger member has a planar first leg with an open recess extending inwardly from a first side edge of the first leg and a second leg coupled to the first leg along adjoining top edges defined by a fold line. The second leg has an open recess from a second side edge where the open recess is aligned with the open recess in the first leg to define a conduit passage. The bottom portion of the first leg and the bottom portion of the second leg are spaced apart a distance for connecting to the conduit. The top portions of the first leg and second leg are superimposed and continuous with each other for attaching directly to a support structure.