U.S. patent application number 11/876633 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for cable hanger.
Invention is credited to David Newcomb, Douglas E. Weiland.
Application Number | 20090101763 11/876633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562485 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newcomb; David ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Cable Hanger
Abstract
A cable hanger hangs cables in a linear vertical position. The
cable hanger includes a bent resilient rod with two elongated
sections (legs) and a base section that form a U-shape design for
holding cables. The bent resilient rod has a curved section and a
downturn section extending from one of the two elongated sections
(the first leg). The downturn section has a hook end. When the two
elongated sections are pressed toward each other, the hook end can
connect with the other elongated section (the second leg), thereby
positively retaining (or locking) the cables in the U-shape
design.
Inventors: |
Newcomb; David; (San Jose,
CA) ; Weiland; Douglas E.; (San Jose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FENWICK & WEST LLP
SILICON VALLEY CENTER, 801 CALIFORNIA STREET
MOUNTAIN VIEW
CA
94041
US
|
Family ID: |
40562485 |
Appl. No.: |
11/876633 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/58 |
International
Class: |
E21F 17/02 20060101
E21F017/02 |
Claims
1. A cable hanger comprising: a bent resilient rod including a
first elongated section, a second elongated section, and a base
section, the first and second elongated sections and the base
section forming a U-shape design, a straight portion of the second
elongated section longer than a straight portion of the first
elongated section, the U-shape design being for hanging one or more
cables, the bent resilient rod further including a downturn section
extending from the first elongated section, the downturn section
having an inward edge for the one or more cables to slide into the
U-shape design, and the bent resilient rod further including a hook
section extending from the downturn section, the hook section
including a bent portion that can be fastened to the second
elongated section when pressed, whereby positively retaining the
one or more cables in the U-shape design.
2. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second
elongated sections are substantially parallel to each other, the
distance between the first and second elongated sections being
shorter than the length of the straight portion of either of the
first and second elongated sections.
3. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the distance between the
first and second elongated sections is close to a diameter of the
one or more cables.
4. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second
elongated sections, the base section, the curved section, and the
downturn section are approximately in one plane.
5. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the bent resilient rod
comprises low carbon steel.
6. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the bent resilient rod
further includes a connecting end extending from the second
elongated section for coupling with a fastener.
7. The cable hanger of claim 6, wherein the connecting end includes
a threaded end.
8. The cable hanger of claim 6, wherein the connecting end and the
fastener are connected via a ball and socket joint.
9. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the cable hanger has an
open state and a closed state, wherein when the cable hanger is in
the open state, the hook section is not fastened to the second
elongated section and a cable can slide in and out of the U-shape
design, and wherein when the cable hanger is in the closed state,
the hook section is fastened to the second elongated section and
the one or more cables are positively retained in the U-shape
design.
10. The cable hanger of claim 9, wherein when the cable hanger is
in the closed state, the hook section is held together with the
second elongated section through application of tension force of
the bent resilient rod.
11. The cable hanger of claim 1, wherein the bent resilient rod
further includes an outward curved section extending from the first
elongated section, wherein the downturn section is extended from
the outward curved section.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Art
[0002] The present invention relates in general to cable
positioning devices, and in particular to a cable hanger for
suspending cables and conduits.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electrical cables such as power cables release heat. This
heat (also know as Joule heat) is caused by the passage of electric
currents through the electronic conductors in the power cables.
Traditionally, the cable hangers hung (or supported) the electrical
cables in a bundle (or a pile). The electrical cables bundled
together can generate and trap a substantial amount of heat,
raising safety concern. Regulations and building codes prohibiting
electrical cables from being piled together have been passed to
address this concern. Examples of the regulations and building
codes include the National Electric Code (NEC) and the National
Fire Protection Association Building Construction and Safety Code
(NFPA 5000).
[0005] Therefore, the art lacks a cable hanger that can stack and
positively retain cables.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a cable
hanger that hangs cables in a linear vertical position. The cable
hanger includes a bent resilient rod with two elongated sections
(legs) and a base section that form a U-shape design (or opening,
elongated space) for holding cables. The bent resilient rod has a
curved section and a downturn section extending from one of the two
elongated sections (the first leg). The downturn section has a hook
end. When the two elongated sections are pressed toward each other,
the hook end can connect with the other elongated section (the
second leg), thereby positively retaining (or locking) the cables
in the U-shape design.
[0007] Embodiments of the cable hanger advantageously stack cables
in a linear vertical position in the U-shape design. Therefore,
heat generated by the cables can be quickly released to surrounding
air. Embodiments of the cable hanger also advantageously provide a
mechanism to slide cables into the U-shape design and positively
retain them there.
[0008] The features and advantages described in the specification
are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features
and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it
should be noted that the language used in the specification has
been principally selected for readability and instructional
purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or
circumscribe the disclosed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by
way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to similar elements.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a cable hanger holding
multiple cables.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a cable hanger
connected to peripheral components.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a cable hanger in an
open state.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a cable hanger in a
closed state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a cable hanger 100
holding multiple cables 110. The cable hanger 100 is fixed to a
ceiling 170 via peripheral components. The peripheral components
include a coupling 120, a threaded rod 130, an eye coupling 140, a
flash 150, and a fastener 160. The cable hanger 100 couples to the
threaded rod 130 via the coupling 120. The rod 130 is connected to
the eye coupling 140. The eye coupling is riveted to the flash 150.
The flash 150 is fastened to the ceiling 170 via the fastener
160.
[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cable hanger 100 hangs
multiple cables (or wires, conduits) 110 in a linear vertical
position. The coupling 120 may be a hardware fastener such as a
hinge or a nut. The rod 130 may be an all-threaded rod or a
partially threaded rod of various lengths. Depending on the nature
of the ceiling (e.g., metal, concrete, wood), the fastener 160 may
be any fastener component, such as a nail, a screw, a rivet, or an
anchor (e.g., a hammer drive anchor). One example of the flash 150
and the fastener 160 is the FlashFastener of Lord & Sons, Inc.
In one embodiment, two or more of the cable hanger 100, the
coupling 120, the threaded rod 130, the eye coupling 140, the flash
150, and the fastener 160 can be combined into a single
component.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the cable hanger 100
connected with the peripheral components. The cable hanger 100 as
illustrated is 11 inches in length (excluding the portion inside
the coupling 120). It is noted that the cable hanger 100 can be of
any length and/or width depending on actual needs. Because one can
connect the cable hanger 100 with threaded rods of various lengths,
the total length of the cable hanger 100, the coupling 120, the
threaded rod 130, the eye coupling 140, and the flash 150 connected
together may be as long as needed. For example, the total length as
illustrated in FIG. 2 may be between 18 inches and 72 inches,
inclusively.
[0017] In one embodiment, the cable hanger 100 may be customly
designed for cables of certain sizes. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
cable hanger 100 holds cables in a U-shape elongated space (the
U-shape design). For cables of a certain diameter size (or a range
of diameter sizes), the U-shape design can be set with a specific
diameter (the internal width) such that the cables can be stacked
in the U-shape design. For example, the internal width can be set
slightly larger than the thickest cable's diameter. As illustrated
in FIG. 2, the diameter of the cable 110 is proximate to the
internal width of the cable hanger 100. In one example, the
internal width of a cable hanger is 1/2 inch. As another example,
the internal width may be 5/8 inch.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the cable hanger 100. As
illustrated, the cable hanger 100 is a bent rod having two
elongated sections (or legs) 320 and 340 and a base section 330,
each having a first end and a second end. The second end of the leg
320 is adjacent to the first end of the base section 330. The
second end of the base section 330 is adjacent to the first end of
the leg 340. Both of the legs 320, 340 have a straight portion
substantially (or relatively) parallel to each other. The straight
portion of the leg 320 is longer than the straight portion of the
leg 340. The distance between the straight portions is shorter than
the length of either straight portion. The two legs 320, 340 and
the base section 330 form a narrow relatively (or substantially)
U-shape elongated space (the U-shape design). The first end of the
leg 320 is a threaded end 310. The cable hanger 100 also has an
outward curved section 350 and a downturn section 360, each having
a first end and a second end. The first end of the outward curved
section 350 is adjacent to the second end of the leg 340. The
second end of the outward curved section 350 is adjacent to the
first end of the downturn section 360. The outward curved section
350 and the downturn section 360 form a relatively (or
substantially) V-shape extension of the U-shape design. The second
end of the downturn section 360 is a hook end (or hook section)
370. Except the hook end 370, the cable hanger 100 is approximately
in one plane.
[0019] In one embodiment, a single piece of rod is bent according
to the above configuration to take shape of the cable hanger 100.
In alternative embodiments, one or more sections of the cable
hanger 100 can be joint with adjacent section(s) via connection
means such as welding or adhesive.
[0020] The bent rod configuration as described above has resilience
(or flexibility) about the U-shape design. The two legs 320, 340
may be moved toward each other when a force is applied to them
(e.g., when they are squeezed closer). When the force is released,
the two legs 320, 340 move back to their original (or rest, free)
position.
[0021] The U-shape design hosts cables, conduits, wires, and the
like. In one embodiment, the internal width of the U-shape design
is designed to be less than twice the diameter of the cables. Thus,
the cables in the U-shape design are linearly stacked, not bundle
together. As described above with respect to FIG. 2, the U-shape
design can be tailored such that the internal width is approximate
to the diameters of the cables. In one embodiment, the length of
the U-shape design ranges from 8 to 18 inches.
[0022] The threaded end 310 is designed to be connected to a rod
via a coupling. Examples of the rod and the coupling are described
above with respect to the FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the
length of the threaded end 310 equals to or exceeds its diameter to
ensure proper connectivity and fasten (or coupling) strength with
the coupling and/or the rod. The cable hanger 100 and the rod may
be connected using other kinds of connections such as a snap
connection. For example, the cable hanger 100 can be equipped with
spring-loaded clips (e.g., balls) near the first end of the leg
320. The rod can be equipped with a tube end with indentations (or
holes) inside the tube end. The cable hanger 100 can be connected
to the rod by inserting the first end of the leg 320 into the tube
end of the rod, such that the spring loaded clips can snap into the
indentations, thereby locking the cable hanger 100 and the rod
together.
[0023] In one embodiment, the position of the cable hanger 100 can
be adjusted while it is fixed to, for example, a concrete surface.
For example, the cable hanger 100 can rotate with respect to the
coupling and/or the rod while fixed with the coupling and the rod.
As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the eye coupling 140
can rotate with respect to the flash 150. In another embodiment,
the cable hanger 100 can have a connecting end other than the
threaded end 310. For example, the cable hanger 100 and the rod may
be connected using other kinds of joints such as a ball and socket
joint. As a result, the cable hanger 100 may have up to three axis
of movement while connected with the rod. In yet another
embodiment, the cable hanger 100 can be fastened directly to a
concrete surface (e.g., a ceiling) via a fastener.
[0024] The outward curved section 350 and the downturn section 360
together form a relatively (or substantially) V-shape space that
enlarges (or widens) the U-shape design and enables the cable
hanger 100 to stack more cables. In addition, the downturn section
360 also functions to guide cables into the elongated space.
Therefore, a longer downturn section 360 makes the process of
adding cables to the cable hanger 100 easier. Because the outward
curved section 350 widens the distance between the two legs 320,
340, it enables the downturn section 360 to be longer than it
otherwise would have been. In alternative embodiments, the outward
curved section 350 is optional and the downturn section 360 may
curve horizontally or upward instead of downward towards the base
section 330.
[0025] The hook end 370 can clasp around the leg 320 and close the
U-shape design between the two legs 320, 340, thereby positively
retaining (or locking) cables within the U-shape design. As a
result, the cable hanger 100 has two states, an open state, when
the hook end 370 is not connected with the leg 320, and a closed
state, when the hook end 370 is clasped around the leg 320. When
the cable hanger 100 is in the open state, the distance between the
two legs 320, 340 is at least wide enough for a cable to slide down
the downturn section 360 and into the opening (the U-shape
elongated space). The open state may also be an original (or rest,
free) position for the configuration. When the cable hanger 100 is
in the closed state, cables are positively retained (or locked) in
the U-shape design. A tensions (or force) may be applied to each
leg 320, 340 so that the distance between them is reduced. The
tension may be maintained by wrapping the hook end 370 about the
longer leg 320, thereby keeping the cables hanger 100 in the closed
state. The cable hangers illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 are in open
states. The cable hangers illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 are in
closed states.
[0026] As noted previously, in one embodiment, the bent rod that
forms the cable hanger 100 is made of resilient material (e.g.,
metal such as steel, alloy such as low carbon steel, and plastic),
and the free (or original, rest) position of the cable hanger 100
(e.g., without external forces) is in the open state. One can press
the two legs 320, 340 close together, such that the hook end 370
clasps around the leg 320. Because the bent rod is in a tension
state, the hook end 370 is held together with the leg 320 through
application of tension force. As a result, the two legs 320, 340
are positively connected together via the hook end 370, forming an
enclosed elongated space. Therefore, the hook end 370 serves as a
locking mechanism that prevents cables held in the U-shape design
from popping out.
[0027] In one embodiment, the bent rod is made of alloy such as low
carbon steel. In order to provide sufficient strength and
resilience, the bent rod may be a pencil rod with sufficient
thickness. For example, the bent rod may be a solid steel rod of
0.211 inch diameter. It is noted that the diameter of the bent rod
may vary depending on actual needs. For example, the diameter of
the bent rod may be between 0.125 inch and 0.25 inch, inclusively.
In one embodiment, the strength of the bent rod is selected such
that an adult can use a single hand to squeeze the two legs to make
the cable hanger 100 changes from one state to another (e.g., from
an open state to a closed state).
[0028] In another embodiment, the cable hanger 100 can have a
locking mechanism other than the hook end 370, such as a carabiner
or other spring-based locking components. In yet another
embodiment, the cable hanger 100 includes a separate component that
serves as a locking mechanism (the locking component). For example,
one end of the locking component can be rotatably mounted to one
leg, and the other end can be locked together with the other leg
(e.g., by tension force or by a carabiner).
[0029] The disclosed embodiments advantageously stack cables
together in a linear position so that they have greater exposure to
open air. As a result, heat generated by the cables can be released
quickly into surrounding air. Therefore, the cable hanger as
disclosed effectively releases heat from electrical cables and can
improve fire safety.
[0030] In addition, the cable hanger can beneficially be adjusted
even when fixed to a hard surface. This adjustable flexibility
allows for repositioning of wires easily when required due to space
constraints. Further, the cable hanger advantageously allows for
single hand use so that cables can be easily added and removed from
the cable hanger.
[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the language used in the
specification has been principally selected for readability and
instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate
or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the
disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the
scope, which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *