U.S. patent number 3,674,233 [Application Number 05/051,870] was granted by the patent office on 1972-07-04 for hanger system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TRW Inc.. Invention is credited to Harold S. Van Buren, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,674,233 |
Van Buren, Jr. |
July 4, 1972 |
HANGER SYSTEM
Abstract
A hanger apparatus for supporting a cable run. The cables
overlie a supporting channel extending transverse to the run and
having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein. A pair of
fastener clips are snap seated in selected of the spaced slots in
the supporting channel and are generally located adjacent the
outboard cables of the run. Each of the fastener clips carries an
internally disposed latching element. A flexible strap of a
selected length has a series of spaced slots formed therethrough
and defining a series of spaced rungs therebetween. The medial
portion of the strap is looped over the cable run and its end
portions are threaded through the clips. The terminal ends of the
strap are free. The latching element on each clip is seated in one
of the slots in the strap and hooks over the adjacent rung thereby
securing the strap to the clips. The strap may be tightened to
provide an optimum clamping tension on the cables by axially
pulling on either or both ends of the strap in that the latching
element will automatically index to a seat in one of the succeeding
slots in the strap in a ratchetlike manner responsive to the
pull.
Inventors: |
Van Buren, Jr.; Harold S.
(Lexington, MA) |
Assignee: |
TRW Inc. (Cleveland,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
21973861 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/051,870 |
Filed: |
July 2, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/68.1;
248/499 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
3/243 (20190801); F16L 3/26 (20130101); H02G
3/0456 (20130101); F16L 3/23 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/23 (20060101); F16L 3/24 (20060101); F16L
3/26 (20060101); F16L 3/00 (20060101); F16L
3/22 (20060101); F16l 003/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/68R,71,58,73,74PB,361A ;24/2TT,2R,73SA |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Harris; Chancellor E.
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus mounting an elongate member on a support element
comprising in combination:
a. a support element, said support element presenting a surface
against which said elongate member is mounted, said support element
having a plurality of spaced, through apertures formed therein;
b. at least a pair of resilient clips seated in selected spaced
apertures in said support element, each of said clips including a
head overlying the said surface of said support element adjacent an
aperture therein, said head having an opening therethrough, a shank
joined to and extending from said head, at least a portion of said
shank extending beyond the surface of said support element opposite
the said surface and carrying means engaging the opposite surface
and cooperating with said head to retain the clip on the support
element, and a latch joined to one of said head and shank
portion;
c. a strap secured to said support element by said clips, said
strap
1. being of a selected length,
2. having portions thereof passing through the said clips,
3. having a portion between said clips traversing the elongate
member and tensioning the elongate member against the said
surface,
4. having a plurality of slots formed in at least the portions
thereof passing through said clips, and
5. terminating in free ends extending beyond the side of said
support element remote from the said surface;
said latch being releasably seated in one of said slots in said
strap and said strap being incrementally adjustable with respect to
said support element whereby said strap may be tightened to provide
an optimum clamping tension on said elongate member.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shank of said
clips includes at least a pair of resilient legs, said means
engaging the opposite surface of said support element comprises a
laterally extending shoulder formed on and disposed intermediate
the length of each of said legs, and said latch is joined to the
end of one of said legs remote from said head through a reversely
bent resilient web, said latch extending upwardly from said web
toward said head and terminating in a relatively rigid hooked end
disposed adjacent said head.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said head of each
of said clips is hollow and said hooked end of said latch is
disposed within said head and adjacent the through opening in said
head.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strap extends
through the opening in the head of each clip and through each clip
between the latch and a clip leg other than that to which the latch
is joined and the terminal end of the strap extends beyond the ends
of the legs opposite the said head, whereby said strap inhibits
flexing of said legs toward each other and thereby assists in
maintaining the said laterally extending shoulders in effective
engagement with the said opposite surface of said suPport
element.
5. An apparatus accordinG to claim 2 wherein said shoulders on said
legs of said clips are defined by the ends proximate said head of
lugs projecting laterally from the external surfaces of said legs,
said lugs being longitudinally tapered from said shoulders toward
the ends of said legs remote from said head.
6. An installation mounting tubing, conduits, cables, and the like
elongate members comprising in combination: a supporting structure,
an elongate member support element fixed to and spaced from said
supporting structure, said support element presenting a generally
planar facing surface and having a plurality of spaced apertures
formed therein, a group of elongate members extending across said
support element and said planar surface and extending generally
parallel to each other and transversely with respect to said
support element and being in contact with each other, and a
clamping apparatus holding said elongate members close to said
planar surface of said support element, said apparatus including at
least a pair of resilient, sheet metal clips seated in selected of
said spaced apertures in said support element and disposed
generally adjacent the outboard members of said group of elongate
members and a separate, flexible, unpreformed, sheet metal strap of
a selected length having a medial portion traversing the group of
elongate members and end portions extending through the said clips
and terminating in free ends, said strap and said clips embodying
cooperating latching elements which are releasably engaged thereby
securing said strap to said clips and said elongate members to said
support element, said cooperating latching elements being operable
to progressively and incrementally tighten said strap on said
elongate members responsive to an axial pull applied to either of
the free end portions of said strap.
7. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said clips include
snap acting components which are snap seated in said apertures in
said support element and the said end portions of said strap are
disposed between the said snap acting components to thereby inhibit
accidental unseating of said clips.
8. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said strap has a
plurality of spaced slots formed therein and defining a plurality
of rungs located between adjacent slots and said clips carry a
latch adapted to be received in any one of said slots in said strap
and to grip a rung adjacent the slot, said latch and one of said
rungs comprising the said cooperating latching elements which are
releasably engaged thereby securing said strap to said clips.
9. An installation according to claim 8 wherein said latch carries
a hooked end which is adapted to seat in one of said slots in said
strap and is adapted to be cammingly indexed out of said slot and
to seat in succeeding slots in said strap responsive to an axial
pull on the said end portions of said strap.
10. A hanger apparatus for supporting a run of cables or the like
elongate members disposed in generally parallel relationship to
each other comprising an elongate member support element adapted to
extend transversely of the elongate members and presenting a
generally planar surface against which the elongate members are to
be tensioned, said support element having a plurality of spaced
slots formed therethrough and opening adjacent the said surface, a
support element fastening device adapted for securing said support
element to a hanger apparatus supporting structure, fastener means
seated in selected of said spaced slots in said elongate member
support element and securely gripping said element, said slots
having been selected to position said fastener means adjacent the
outboard members of the run of elongate members to be supported,
and a selected length of unpreformed, flexible strapping having a
medial portion adapted to be looped about the run of elongate
members and opposite free end portions adapted to be threaded
through the said fastener means, said strapping and said fastener
means carrying cooperating latching means in the form of hook and
eye elements adapted to interlock to secure said strapping end
portions to said elongate member support element, said latching
means being adapted to be progressively and incrementally indexed
to permit optimum tensioning of said strapping against said
elongate members responsive to an axial pull exerted on said free
end portions of said strapping subsequent to threading of said end
portions through said fastener means.
11. A hanger apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fastener
means embodies snap acting components whereby said means are snap
seated in said selected slots in said elongate member support
element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to cable run mounting apparatus of the type
found in U.S. Art Class 248, Sub Classes 58 or 68, entitled
"Supports -- Pipe or Cable; Suspended and Plural Pipe or Cable,"
respectively.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art discloses so-called U-bolts which are secured by
cooperating nuts in suspension from a support channel. The U-bolts
are designed to support individual cables or conduits, ergo an
inventory of many sizes of bolts is required in order to
accommodate cables and conduits having different diameters. The
U-bolt hangers are extremely rigid and are therefore subject to
failure when the installation is subjected to shock.
The prior art also discloses various types of strap or band-type
hangers. Like the U-bolts, many of the straps are preformed to
engage individual cables or conduits of predetermined sizes or
specific groupings of cables or conduits. In one instance the
strapping is in two sections which are suspended from transverse
pins which straddle the opposed inturned flanges of a channel-like
support, and the strap sections carry opposed ears which are
tensioned toward each other by a nut and bolt fastener to clamp the
supported cable or conduit. While this form of a hanger assembly
provides improved shock absorption as opposed to U-bolts, the band
supporting pins are only pressure tensioned against the channel
flanges, ergo the entire assembly is susceptible to longitudinal
shifting along the support channel when the installation is
subjected to excessive vibration or shock or if any accidental
loosening of the nut and bolt connection on the strap sections
occurs. In another flexible strap-type hanger, a selected length of
strapping is threaded through at least three slots or openings in a
support member and one end of the strap is looped over or under a
cable or group of cables while a specially designed clamp is run
onto the other end of the strap and up against the underside of the
support member. Since the first end of the strap is retained solely
by the clamping force which one or more of the engaged cables
exerts thereon, any loosening of the clamp on the opposite strap
end or appreciable diametrical shrinkage in the cable or
appreciable lengthwise expansion or stretching of the strapping
material may precipitate unintentional release of the first end of
the band and a consequent release or unacceptable loosening of the
entire strap to channel connection. In still another type of hanger
apparatus employing flexible banding, the band is looped entirely
around the base section of a generally U-shaped support channel to
clamp a series of cables against the outer surface of the base
section. The band is tensioned into a closed loop condition
utilizing a so-called Band-It type tool and appropriate buckle to
fasten the terminal ends of the band. This particular hanger
apparatus has been recognized as having made a contribution to the
art in terms of improved shock absorption, improved resistance to
accidental shifting of cables and accidental release of the band
when the apparatus is subjected to shock or vibration, and improved
efficiency in the fastening of cable runs particularly in terms of
the speed with which the banding may be accomplished. However, the
apparatus requires a special U-shaped channel or saddle having a
throat in which the reach of the band loop remote from the
supported cables seats, and the throat must be deep enough to
insure that the flanges defining same will prevent the band from
slipping off the saddle. Further, the ends of the base section must
be rolled or rounded to inhibit wearing or potential tearing of the
looped band. As was earlier mentioned, a Band-It type tool and
appropriate buckle must be used to secure the band in a completely
closed loop. Since the buckle is designed to be nonreleasable for
all practical purposes, the band must be cut and is usually
discarded when a cable from a run is removed for repair or
replacement or another cable is added to the run. Most importantly,
an excessive amOunt of banding material is used in each
installation by reason of the closed loop band which completely
encircles the base section of the supporting channel. Thus, while
the hanger system is efficient, the aforementioned requirements
rendered it quite expensive and, for certain installations,
impractical.
As is characteristic of the present invention, the aforementioned
hangers are designed for utilization in structures such as
commercial buildings, ships (particularly naval vessels), vehicles
(including rolling stock), aircraft, and many other similar
installations to support individual cables and cable runs,
conduits, pipes and the like elongate members. The development of
the presently disclosed hanger system was given impetus by the
recognition of the need for an improved system for use in such
installations, which system would be equally or more efficient than
the known systems, particularly in terms of its capacity to
withstand excessive shock and vibration, but which would also be
substantially more attractive to potential users from an economic
point of view. It will become evident to the reader of the detailed
description of the invention which follows hereinafter that the
need has been satisfied through a new, versatile system which
represents a substantial departure from and distinct improvement
over the teachings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus mounting an elongate member or group of such members
on a support element, the support element presents a generally
planar surface against which the elongate member(s) is mounted and
has a series of spaced, through openings formed therein. Fasteners
are fixedly but removably seated in selected of the spaced openings
in the support member. A selected length of flexible strapping has
a medial portion looped over the elongate member(s) and opposite
end portions which are threaded through the fasteners and end in
free terminations located remote from the surface of the support
element against which the elongate member(s) is mounted. The
strapping and fasteners carry cooperating latching elements which
are interlocked to secure the strapping to the support element. The
latching elements are adapted to be progressively and incrementally
indexed in a ratchetlike manner to permit optimum tensioning of the
medial portion of the strapping on the elongate member(s) and
optimum tensioning of the said member(s) against the support
element in response to an axial pull applied to either or both of
the free terminations of the strapping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an installation embodying a
hanger system according to the invention with the cables of a
supported run depicted in transverse cross section;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cable run supporting channel
depicted in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the strap depicted in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1 depicting a
fragmentary portion of a cable. The forward downcomer which fastens
the cable support channel to the superstructure is not shown;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a clip fastener component of the hanger
system, portions of the head and latch are broken away and the
parts of the clip fastener thereby exposed are depicted partly in
full and partly in section;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the clip fastener component
seated in a fragmentary section of the cable supporting channel and
further depicting a strap end portion passing through the clip
fastener; and
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 7--7 of FIG.
1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 in particular, the numeral 2
designates a fragmentary section of a steel ship's overhead.
Downcomers 4 of a desired length are secured to the overhead by
welding, brackets or other appropriate fastening meanS and are
suspended from the overhead. A channel-like support element 6 is
attached to the lower ends of the downcomers 4 and extends
transverse thereto in spaced, generally parallel relationship to
the overhead. The downcomers and support element are of stamped or
forged metal construction and ideally possess substantial
rigidity.
As seen in FIGS. 4 and 7 the support element 6 includes a base
section 8 presenting a generally flat, planar outer surface 10, and
opposed, spaced generally parallel flanges 12 depending from the
longitudinal side edges of the base section. As seen in FIG. 2 the
base section 8 has a series of generally equidistantly spaced slots
14 formed therethrough, the slots being of generally oblong
configuration. The support element 6 is secured to the lower ends
of the downcomers 4 by headed studs 16 which are welded to the
flanges 12 and are seated in cooperating keyhole shaped slots 18
formed through the downcomers. Ideally, for purposes of
stabilization and torsional rigidity, the downcomers are attached
to studs secured to the front and rear flanges 12, as depicted at
the right and left ends, respectively, of FIG. 1, in an alternating
sequence, but this arrangement may be varied depending upon space
considerations and other factors in certain installations. Further,
fastener systems other than welded studs and stud receiving slots
may be efficiently utilized.
A pair of fastener clips 20 are seated in selected of spaced slots
14 in the support element 6. Cables 22 of a given run are laid on
the upper surface 10 of the support element 6 with their
longitudinal axes transverse to the support element. A flexible
strap 24 of a selected length is looped over the cables 22 so that
the medial portion 26 thereof overlies the cables, and the opposite
end portions 28 of the strap are threaded through the clips 20
until their free end portions 30 clear the lower ends of the clips,
whereupon ends 30 are engaged with an appropriate tool and drawn
downwardly to tension the strap on the cables and tension the
cables against the surface 10 of the transverse support element.
Ideally the strap 24 and fastener clips 20 are of tempered high
carbon or stainless steel construction; however it is recognized
that other materials having the requisite strength, flexibility and
resilience might be effectively employed depending on the
particular installation in which the hanger system is utilized.
The strap 24 has a series of spaced parallel slots 32 formed
therein as shown in FIG. 3 along its entire length, with adjacent
slots defining rungs 34 therebetween.
Clips 20 are best depicted in detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and are of
unitary spring metal construction. Each clip includes a hollow head
36 having a generally rectangular boxlike configuration and having
a closed end slot 38 opening through the top thereof, a shank
defined by a pair of resilient legs 40,42 which depend from
inturned flanges 44 at the base of the head, and a flexible latch
46 which is joined to the legs 40 by a reversely bent web 48 and
extends upwardly therefrom between the legs and into the hollow
head and terminates in a reversely bent, rigid, hooked end 50 lying
closely adjacent the slot 38. The latch 46 is gradually tapered in
width between the web 48 and hooked end 50. Each of the legs 40,42
has a lug 52 embossed outwardly therefrom and having an upper free
edge 54 severed from the legs and defining a shoulder facing but
spaced a given distance from the inturned flanges 44 of the head
36. Each of the lugs tapers longitudinally in depth from the edges
54 and gradually merges into the legs adjacent the ends thereof
remote from the head 36. Leg 42 carries a pair of opposed strap
guides intermediate the length thereof, each guide having a first
arm 56 joined to the leg and extending generally perpendicular
therefrom toward the plane of the latch 46, and a second arm 57
bent at a right angle to the first arm and disposed in spaced
parallel relationship to the inboard surface of the leg. As best
seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the end 58 of the leg 42 is free, the latch
carries a semispherical boss 47 protruding toward the leg 42 at
approximately the level of flanges 44 on the head, and the latch is
laterally spaced from the inboard edges of the arms 57 of the strap
guides.
The length and width of the slot 38 in the head are slightly
greater than the width and thickness, respectively, of the
strapping 24. The head 36 is elongated with respect to the legs
40,42 and laterally overhangs the side edges of the legs to a
pronounced extent as is clearly evident from a consideration of
FIG. 7. The width of the legs 40,42 is slightly less than the
length of slots 14 in support element 6.
A clip is assembled with the support element 6 by passing the legs
through one of the slots 14 in the base section 8 and forcing the
head 36 toward the support element until its flanges 44 bottom on
the surface 10. The reversely bent web 48 and free end 58 of leg 42
facilitate rapid alignment and reception of the legs in the slot.
As the legs pass through the slot the longitudinal inclined
surfaces of the lugs 52 act as cams which compress the legs 40,42
toward each other, until the shoulders 54 clear the undersurface of
the base section 8 whereupon the legs snap laterally apart to the
position shown in FIG. 6. It is to be noted that the strap guide
arms 57 move freely past the lateral edges of the latch 46 during
insertion and do not in any way inhibit inward compression of the
legs. When the clip is fully seated, the shoulders 54 of the lugs
bitingly grip the undersurface of the base section 8 and in
cooperation with the head 36 securely clamp the clip to the support
element. The rugged boxlike construction of the clip head 36 and
its elongation with respect to the legs whereby flanges 44 bear
against a substantial area of the surface 10 both lengthwise and
widthwise of the slot 14 greatly enhances the stability of the
assembly and the clip is effectively inhibited from canting either
transversely or longitudinally with respect to the support element.
Having reference to FIG. 1 the reader will observe that a pair of
clips in a given installation are ideally seated in reverse
orientation with respect to each other so that the rigid hook ends
50 of the latches 46 are oppositely directed. Once the clips are
assembled to the support element as aforesaid, the cables of the
run to be secured are placed on the base section 8 between the
clips, the strap is passed over the cables, and its ends 30 are
inserted into the slots 38 in the clip heads and forced downwardly
between the legs 40,42. Usually the strap ends are inserted one at
a time, but if sufficient personnel are available both ends may be
inserted simultaneously.
As a leading end 30 of the strap passes through slot 38 into the
clip head it engages the outer arcuate surface of the hooked end 50
of the latch and cams the latch toward the leg 40 against the bias
of web 48. Thrust is then imparted to the strap end portion to
cause the same to slip past the hook and move downwardly between
the guide arms 57 and leg 42 until the free end 30 emerges from
between the lower ends of the legs. FIGS. 6 and 7 essentially
depict the aforementioned relative position of a strap end portion
and the clip subsequent to the initial insertion and seating of the
strap. One will note that the strap should be initially seated to
the extent the hook is opposite a slot 32 in the strap whereby the
latch 46 will snap away from the leg 40 under the impetus of
resilient web 48 and the hook 50 will seat in the slot and engage
the adjacent rungs 34. The spacing between the slots 32 in the
strap and the relative location of the boss 47 on the latch are
ideally predetermined so that a portion of the crown of the
semispherical boss will seat in one of the lower slots in the strap
when the hook is seated in one of the higher slots as aforesaid for
a purpose which will be further explained hereinafter. Thus the
strap is superimposed on the cable run and secured to the spaced
clips and through the clips to the support elements 6. Immediately
thereafter or at any subsequent desirable time, the free ends 30 of
the strap may be pulled downwardly to tighten the strap on the
cables. The tightening may be accomplished by pulling on only one
end of the strap, or alternately on each end of the strap or on
both ends simultaneously. While the strap may be pulled by hand, it
is preferable and expeditious to utilize a convenient tool for
grasping the free ends of the strap, for example, a hand tool
carrying a hook element which can be seated in one of the exposed
lower slots in the strap and engage the adjacent rung. If desired,
the tool might well be equipped with a gauge for measuring the
tension in the strap to insure that a uniform clamping force is
applied to all cable runS in a given installation or to insure that
the optimum tension specified for different cable runs is
applied.
From a careful consideration of FIGS. 6 and 7, the reader will
observe that the edges of the relatively narrow (with respect to
strap thickness) slot 38 in the clip head and the arms 56 and 57 of
the strap guide retain the strap portion within the clip in a
generally vertical attitude both axially and transversely, and that
the boss 47 on the latch which, as was earlier mentioned, is
partially seated in one of the lower slots in the strap bears
against the strap rungs adjacent the slot in which it is partially
seated to limit the extent to which the hooked end 50 of the latch
46 seats in the strap slots. The strap is thus slightly
overcentered toward the terminal free end of the hOok. When a pull
is applied to the strap end the higher of the strap rungs adjacent
the boss 47 cams over the crown of the boss and precipitates a
slight but significant deflection of the latch 46 toward the leg
40, i.e. to the left as viewed in FIG. 6. An instant later the
strap rung above the hook 50 engages and rides over the outer
surface of the downwardly turned portion of the hook (which has
already been partially deflected out of the slot) and cams the hook
completely out of the slot to permit progressive and incremental
indexing of the hook into each succeeding slot in the strap until
the strap is tightened to the extent desired. One will further
observe that the strap is of sufficient thickness to extend
substantially across the gap between the free end 58 of the leg 42
and the opposed surface of the latch adjacent web 48 and therefore
inhibits inward compression of the legs to the extent necessary to
disengage lug shoulders 54 from their seat against the undersurface
of base section 8 of the support element. The seated strap portion
therefore reinfOrces the attachment by maintaining the legs in a
proper support element clamping attitude and inhibits accidental
release of the clips.
Subsequent to final tensioning of the strap, any excess strapping
hanging below the fastener clips may be cut off as closely
proximate the ends of the clip legs as desired. On the other hand,
if excess strapping presents no problem, it may be retained. In
fact it may be desirable to intentionally utilize excess strapping
in certain installations, for example, where it is contemplated
that additional cables may later be added to a given run, the
retention of excess strapping provides the flexibility in the
system to accommodate that contingency. Should one desire to loosen
the strapping for any reason, a convenient tool such as a flat
blade screwdriver can be inserted between the strap and the latch
to bend the latter back toward the leg 40 thereby disengaging the
hook 50 to permit the strap end portion to be drawn back up through
the clip and completely free thereof if necessary. Once the strap
is removed or raised clear of the legs 40,42, the latter may be
squeezed inwardly to disengage shoulders 54 and permit removal of
the clips from the support element. The clips may thereafter be
reseated in other selected slots in the support element and another
length of strapping, or if convenient the same strap previously
used, may be employed to secure a wider or narrower run of
cables.
Having considered the foregoing detailed description the reader
should now appreciate that the disclosed hanger system possesses
exceptional versatility. One will also appreciate that the easily
fabricated sheet metal stampings which make up the components of
the system, the obvious speed with which the clips and strapping
can be installed and tightened by a reasonably capable worker, and
the fact that the assembly can be carried out absent the need for
sophisticated tools and component handling equipment, are all
important factors which contribute to an efficient and economically
attractive system.
The hanger system disclosed has recently been subjected to testing
by a prime contractor for U.S. naval vessel construction. Clips
fabricated from 0.025-inch stainless steel and stainless steel
strapping having a width of 0.625 inch and a thickness of 0.025
inch were employed to secure cable runs to steel support channels
similar to that depicted having a thickness on the order of 0.125
inch. The test results indicated that the hanger system would
absorb a force of 600 lbs. impacted against the support channel
without failure. These test results are clearly indicative of the
exceptional shock absorbing capabilities of the system.
The foregoing detailed description of a proven and tested
embodiment of the hanger system is presented with a view to fully
complying with the statutory requirements set forth in the first
paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112. This is particularly true with respect
to the detailed description of the fastener clips 20 and the
representative installation depicted in FIG. 1. However, it is
recognized that substantially modified clips or other strap
engaging fastener means might be effectively utilized with the
system now that the broad concept of the improved system has been
disclosed. It is further recognized and in fact contemplated that
the support element 6 might be mounted in offset relationship to a
vertically oriented structure as well as a horizontal overhead or
superstructure. It is likewise contemplated that the fasteners and
strapping might be reversely oriented with respect to the support
element whereby the medial strap section will be suspended from a
support element and thus serve to support cables or other elongate
members disposed below the support element. Consequently one should
interpret the detailed description as being of an illustrative
rather than a limiting nature and one should now have reference to
the claims which follow for a precise definition of the scope of
the invention .
* * * * *