Rotatable Cable Hanger System for Illuminated Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hanger systems for illuminated fixtures are complex, labor-intensive, and aesthetically unappealing, particularly when it comes to securing and routing electrical wiring for free-standing fixtures, and they struggle with adapting to different lighting systems like T-5 fluorescent lighting.
Innovation Solution
A hanger system comprising a crossbar, canopy, and cables with rotatable anchors and slots, along with a power cord management system that includes a stem and mounting plate, which simplifies installation, secures wiring, and minimizes visible electrical components, allowing for adaptable mounting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional hanger systems are used to suspend illuminated fixtures, then the fixtures can be mounted to ceiling structures, but the installation process becomes complex and labor-intensive requiring numerous parts and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated hanger assembly. The hanger includes a mounting plate with pre-attached cable supports, strain relief structures, and adjustment mechanisms all as one unit that attaches to the ceiling junction box. This eliminates the need for separate cable cleats, strain relief devices, and adjustment hardware that would otherwise be installed separately, directly reducing installation complexity and labor while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger assembly is designed as a universal mounting system that can accommodate various fixture types, ceiling structures, and cable configurations. The mounting plate includes multiple attachment points and adjustable features that work with different junction box styles and fixture weights. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components for different installation scenarios, simplifying the overall system while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical wiring is routed from ceiling to illuminated fixture using conventional methods, then power can be delivered to the fixture, but the wiring appears unsightly and is visible when the fixture is free-standing without concealment features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical wiring from the visible suspension path by routing it through the ceiling structure and junction box, then delivering it to the fixture through concealed channels within the hanger assembly. The wiring is pulled through the mounting plate and strain relief structures in a manner that keeps it hidden from view, separating the aesthetic suspension elements from the functional electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger assembly acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the ceiling mounting point and the fixture. It provides concealed pathways within its structure for the electrical wiring to pass through, shielding the wires from view while still delivering power. The mounting plate and associated structures serve as a barrier that hides the wiring while maintaining electrical connectivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hanger systems are used for retrofitting from HID lamps to T-5 fluorescent lighting systems, then the lighting upgrade can be implemented, but the larger footprint of new fixtures makes mounting challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the mounting position and orientation to be modified during installation. The mounting plate includes adjustable attachment points and flexible cable routing that can accommodate variations in fixture dimensions and ceiling structures. This dynamic adjustability enables the same hanger system to adapt to different fixture footprints, making retrofitting from HID to T-5 systems straightforward without requiring custom mounting solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger system for the secured attachment of an illuminated fixture to a load bearing element is presented. The hanger system includes a crossbar, a canopy, and at least two cables. The crossbar further includes at least two sockets each having a first slot. The canopy is disposed along and contacts one side of the crossbar. The canopy further includes at least two second slots. Each first slot is separately aligned with one second slot. Each cable includes an anchor at a first end. Each anchor is rotatably disposed within one socket so that the cable extends through the first and second slots. The cable is rotatably disposed within the paired arrangement of slots. Each cable also has a second end attachable to the illuminated fixture. The hanger system could further include optional features such as a power cord or a stem. The stem may be configured in a fixed or rotational arrangement between crossbar and illuminated fixture.