AU2015203395B2 - Hanger for elongate flexible item - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A cable hanger 10 comprises a cable support means comprising a length of a flexible member, being a rope 1 having an eyelet formation 3 at each end. The length of rope 1 supports between its ends a low friction surface means being a plurality of rollers 5 in side by side relationship. Each roller 5 is rotatably supported on the rope 1 by a bush 7 to allow for free rotation of the roller 5 on the rope 1, even when under load. Each roller 5 and bush 7 are formed of a suitable plastics or metal material having low frictional properties. Each eyelet formation 3 is provided with a hook 9 which is configured to be receivable in the mesh forming the side wall and/or roof of the mine tunnel. r in9 Fr 9 p *3 3* '4' 7 $3 S 3 CT ,/ 3" >1 "4 (a) (b)

Description

HANGER FOR ELONGATE FLEXIBLE ITEM

Field of the Invention (1) The present invention relates to a hanger for an elongate flexible item.

(2) The present invention is described in relation to laying of cables. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable for laying other elongate flexible items which includes but is not limited to electrical cable, telephone cable and like communication cable, haulage cable, wire, rope, steel cable, and chain, fluid conducting conduits such as hose including hydraulic hose and the like, and tube bundling or bundled cables.

Background of the Invention (3) Installation of cables, such as communication cables, in a mine tunnel alongside existing infrastructure within the mine tunnel is difficult. It is usual practice for infrastructure such as cables, conduits and the like to be suspended from the roof of the mine tunnel. The retrofit application of further cables is both time consuming and labour intensive and can place the cable being installed in a situation where it can be readily damaged. This is because, to be installed the new cable has to be laid out along the floor of the mine tunnel and then lifted into position and fixed in place with the existing infrastructure (4) The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

(5) It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention (6) The present invention provides a hanger for an elongate flexible item, the hanger comprising:

an elongate flexible element having ends adapted to be supported from a raised structure by mounting means to hang downwardly from the structure to define a catenary, and a low friction support means arranged along the flexible element, the low friction support means provided by a bearing assembly comprising a plurality of main rollers supported along the elongate element and intermediate rollers respectively mounted

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 between adjacent pairs of the main rollers, wherein the intermediate rollers have a smaller diameter than the main rollers and close the gap between the main rollers.

(7) Preferably, the main rollers comprise roller bearings mounted to the elongate element via grommets.

(8) Preferably, the intermediate rollers are mounted between adjacent ends of adjacent grommets.

(9) Preferably, the adjacent ends are respectively dome shaped and define an annular recess, and the intermediate rollers comprise an internal annular ridge located in the annular recess.

(10) Preferably, the mounting means comprises hooks, shackles, brackets, or any combination thereof.

(11) Preferably, the elongate element is a wire, rope or cable having an eyelet formation at each end, each eyelet formation being provided with a hook.

(12) Preferably, when the catenary shape of the elongate is formed, internal periphery portions of the main rollers and the intermediate rollers are moved close to each other, forming a substantially continuous support.

(13) Preferably, the grommets are shaped as halves, each half comprising a central bore for the elongate element, a tubular end and a dome shaped end, wherein the tubular ends of two halves insert into respective open sides of a main roller and lock with an inner race thereof.

(14) Preferably, the adjacent dome shaped ends of adjacent grommets form an annular support recess for the intermediate rollers.

(15) Preferably, play is provided in the fit between the intermediate rollers and the grommets to allow the intermediate rollers to swing laterally and perform a selfflushing function when muddy or dirty.

(16) The invention also provides an assembly comprising:

a hanger according to any one of the above; and a support bracket adapted to be supported from a raised structure, the support bracket supporting the hanger in use.

(17) Preferably, the support bracket comprises a laterally extending arm for supporting the hanger to hang downwardly therefrom.

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (18) Preferably, the support bracket comprises at least two hook elements for attachment to spaced members of the structure.

(19) The invention also provides an assembly comprising:

a hanger according to any one of the above; and at least one mounting block for mounting to a structure, the mounting block supporting the hanger in use.

(20) Preferably, the mounting block comprises at least one threaded aperture for mounting to a threaded rod.

(21) Preferably, the mounting block comprises a clamp body for clamping to the structure.

(22) Preferably, the mounting block comprises at least one pair of threaded semi-circle recesses for clamping to a threaded rod.

(23) Preferably, the mounting block is locked onto the threaded rod by mounting the hanger mounting means thereto.

(24) Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings (25) Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(26) Figure 1 shows (a) a front elevation view and (b) a side elevation view of a hanger for an elongate flexible item according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(27) Figure 2 is an isometric view of the hanger first embodiment and supported from a rail;

(28) Figure 3 is a front elevation view of a hanger according to the first embodiment supported by a support bracket which is mounted to a side wall mesh of the structure, the hanger including a reflective tag;

(29) Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the support bracket shown in Figure 3 mounted to two possible orientations of the side wall mesh;

(30) Figures 5a and 5b are front elevation and side elevation views respectively of the reflective tag which can be applied to the hanger according to the first embodiment;

(31) Figures 6a and 6b are front elevation and side elevation views respectively of a hanger with a rigid U-shaped support member and an alternative bracket embodiment;

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (32) Figures 7a and 7b are front elevation and rear side elevation views respectively of an alternative support bracket in accordance with another embodiment (33) Figure 8 shows a front elevation view of a hanger for an elongate flexible item according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

(34) Figure 9 shows a part cross-section view of the hanger of Figure 8;

(35) Figure 10 is a close-up of part of Figure 9;

(36) Figure 11 shows (a) external side view, (b) front cross-section view, (c) internal side view of a grommet half for a bearing for the hanger of Figure 8, and (d) shows a cross-section view of two grommet halves mounting a bearing thereto;

(37) Figure 12 shows (a) side cross-section view, (b) front cross-section view, (c) side views of a bushing for the hanger of Figure 8, and (d) shows a front cross-section view and (e) shows a front view of two grommet halves supporting a bushing therebetween;

(38) Figures 13 and 14 show use of the hanger of Figure 8 mounted to support clamps;

(39) Figure 15 shows (a) side cross-section and (b) side views of a mounting clamp half for the hanger, (c) to (e) shows two mounting clamp halves where (c) shows facing halves, (d) shows halves fully connected and (e) shows halves connected at one end and pivoted open.

Description of Embodiments (40) It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

(41) The embodiments of the invention relate to an elongate flexible item hanger which can be used to facilitate the installation of a cable, conduit, hose, wire or other elongate flexible item, or bundles thereof, into a mine tunnel. This allows the elongate flexible item to be placed with existing infrastructure which is supported from the roof or side wall of the mine tunnel.

(42) In most cases, the side walls and roof of a mine tunnel are covered by a metal mesh which is fixed to the walls and roof to protect personnel from rock falls and the like. Such metal mesh is also used to support infrastructure such as ventilation tubing, cable, hoses and the like.

(43) The embodiment will be described with reference to a cable hanger for laying of cable. It is to be understood however that the embodiment is equally applicable for laying other elongate flexible items.

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (44) When it becomes necessary to install a new cable such as a communications cable into the mine tunnel, great care must be applied to prevent damage to the cable and to ensure that the cable is adequately held in place and is not vulnerable to damage by vehicles and personnel traversing the mine tunnel. Given the fact that the mine infrastructure has to be located such that it will not be contacted by vehicles and machinery being used in the mine tunnel, the retrofit installation requires the use of a vehicle having a hoist and is labour intensive. It requires at least one worker to monitor the cable drum and movement of the cable from the drum, at least two workers supported from a hoist below the roof of the mine tunnel to install the cable in place, at least one worker to lay the cable out along the mine tunnel to ensure that it is not damaged and to deliver the cable to the workers on the hoist, and a worker to operate the hoist.

(45) The use of the cable hanger 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention reduces the vulnerability of the cable to damage during installation into an existing infrastructure and provides the opportunity to reduce the amount of labour required and the effort required of the workers.

(46) The cable hanger 10 comprises a cable support means comprising a length of a flexible member, being a rope 1 having an eyelet formation 3 at each end. The length of rope 1 supports between its ends a low friction surface means being a plurality of rollers 5 in side by side relationship. Each roller 5 is rotatably supported on the rope 1 by a bush 7 to allow for free rotation of the roller 5 on the rope 1, even when under load. Each roller 5 and bush 7 are formed of a suitable plastics or metal material having low frictional properties. Each eyelet formation 3 is provided with a hook 9 which is configured to be receivable in the mesh forming the side wall and/or roof of the mine tunnel.

(47) The rope 1 can be made from stainless steel, rated lifting wire rope or rated plastic woven rope. The rollers 5 can be self-lubricating plastic push type rollers or deep groove type ball bearings, with or without roller wheels attached. The bearings 5 are supported by plastic bushes 7 between the bearing 5 and the rope 1.

(48) In use, a set of cable hangers 10 according to the embodiment are fixed at spaced intervals along the roof of the mine tunnel above or adjacent to existing infrastructure within the mine tunnel. In so doing, the hooks 9 are engaged with the mesh (as exemplified by member 52 of Figure 2) forming the roof/sidewall of the mine tunnel with the hooks 9 being transversely spaced from each other.

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (49) The rope 1 hangs from the spaced hooks 9 in a substantially U-shaped manner (catenary). Each roller 5 has a rotation axis along the rope 1. The rollers 5 are configured similar to roller bearing, in that they have a rotatable annular outer race which the cables engage. The outer race has a generally flat surface. Once the U shape is formed, internal periphery portions of the roller 5 are moved closed to each other, forming a substantially continuous support which a cable can lie in the cable hanger and be cradled while moving along the rollers 5. The rollers 5 thus provide a low friction surface along which the cable can travel.

(50) The cable is then drawn from the cable drum and passed to the worker supported from the hoist and located at the endmost hanger 10 to be passed through the cable hanger, to lie on the load supporting surface provided by the rollers 5.

(51) The cable is then extended and caused to pass sequentially over each of the installed hangers 10. This process is repeated for additional cables. Once the cable is in position, it can then be fixed to the support for the existing infrastructure and the cable hangers 10 can be removed.

(52) Alternatively, the hangers 10 can be left in place such that the cable is supported independently from the existing infrastructure. This is however less preferred as the cable hangers 10 are designed for re-use.

(53) The present invention allows a large roll of cable to be spooled off its drum to the cable hangers 10 and supported near the roof by the cable hangers 10 without the need to lay the cable on the floor of the mine tunnel. As the workers move along the mine tunnel, they will continue to support the cable with the cable hangers 10 which are located at set intervals depending on the size and weight of the cable.

(54) Due to each cable hanger 10 having a set of rollers 5 which offer little resistance to the movement of the cable over the cable hangers 10, the cable can be pulled long distances with minimal resistance or at least substantially less resistance than existing systems. This leads to the job being completed faster and reduces the likelihood of any damage to the cable.

(55) Figures 3, 4a, and 4b show a support bracket 20 for the cable hanger 10. The support bracket 20 provides flexibility in mounting a cable hanger 10 to the sidewall mesh of the mine tunnel. The support bracket 20 comprises a base 11 which is provided with a pair of spaced hook elements 13 and 15. The base 11 extends generally vertically in use and the hook elements extend from one side of the base 11, with one hook element 13 disposed above the other hook element 15. The hook elements 13 and 15 are configured and dimensioned to receive spaced parallel

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 members 52 in the mesh 50 supported along the mine tunnel wall. This allows the support bracket 20 to be supported by the mesh 50.

(56) As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the upper hook element 13 comprises a stabiliser bar 18 which extends along and is supported by the upper member 52 of the mesh 50 in use to stabilise the orientation and position of the support bracket 20 to the mesh 50.

(57) The support bracket 20 further comprises an arm 19 which extends laterally from an upper end of the base 11 in use. The arm 19 is provided with two sets 22 of spaced holes which are configured and dimensioned to receive the hooks 9 of the cable hanger 10. In mounting the cable hanger 10 into the mine tunnel, the support bracket 20 is initially mounted to the mesh 50 and the cable hanger 10 is suspended from the arm 19 of the support bracket 20.

(58) As shown at Figures 4a and 4b, the hook elements 13 and 15 are spaced from each other and dimensioned and configured to be engagable with differing hole dimensions or orientation of the mesh 50. Each rectangular hole of the mesh 50 has dimensions of 10 cm by 15 cm. It can be seen that the hook element 15 is at least 5 cm in length and can receive a lower mesh member 52 whether the mesh 50 is oriented horizontally as in Figure 4a (where the mesh members 52 are 10 cm apart) or vertically as in Figure 4b (where the mesh members 52 are 15 cm apart).

(59) As shown at Figure 3, to improve the visibility of the hangers and for safety reasons, each hanger can be provided with a reflective tag 23 (also shown at Figure 5) generally midway along its length which will hang from the cable hanger to increase its visibility. The tag 23 comprises spaced mounting arms 24 for mounting to the rope 1 and a reflector tab 25 extending downwardly from the arms 24.

(60) According to current traditional practice, a 500 m run of fifty pair phone cable would need to be pulled off the drum onto the main travel road of the mine tunnel for its entire length in 100 m lots. The cable is pulled off in 100 m lots as it would be otherwise damaged by over stretching. The cable is then placed over the top of all the other services along the route as this cable is going to be in position for the life of the mine, while the other services will be removed at some time in the future. Pulling the cable over the other services hanging on the mine roof can damage the cable being pulled or existing cables it is being pulled over, due to friction burns to the insulation, or damage to the insulation due to contact with sharp objects on its route. After the cable is pulled off the drum and laid onto the travel road, it is ready for lifting and tying to the roof.

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (61) In a coal mine, the process of lifting the cable into place requires a vehicle such as a CoalTram CT10 Utility vehicle which supports a man basket and is able to travel back and forth along the travel road next to the unprotected cable which has been laid out onto the floor of the mine tunnel. During this time there is a risk that the cable could be run over by the machine or other machines coming into the area and permanently damaging the cable, which would then require replacement of the new length of cable.

(62) This process requires 5 workers, 1 CoalTram CT10 Utility vehicle, 1 man basket and approximately 8 hrs to complete. The workers are, (63) 1 worker at the cable drum (64) 1 worker assisting at ground level (65) 2 workers in the basket feeding the cable over the services (66) 1 machine driver (60) By using a set of cable hangers 10 according to the first embodiment, the cable is spooled off the drum from its own support frame and passed directly to the adjacent end of the set of cable hangers 10, where the cable is supported at roof level by the set of spaced cable hangers 10 for the entire length of the run without stopping.

(61) The cable hangers are hung from the roof mesh supporting the cable in such a way as to allow the cable to move over the existing infrastructure without touching, reducing the likelihood of any friction burns and cuts. As the cable hangers support the cable at roof level, the cable never touches the road way, mitigating the risk of the cable being run over. Once in position the cable can then be fixed to the existing infrastructure. This process requires 4 workers, 1 CoalTram CT10 Utility vehicle, 1 man basket and approximately 5 hrs to complete. The workers are, (62) 1 worker at the cable drum (63) 2 workers in the basket feeding the cable over the services (64) 1 machine driver (62) In this instance, as the cable is tied up with cable ties on the return run, the cable hangers can be recovered and stored for reuse later.

(63) The process using this embodiment offers an increased level of safety due to the reduction in machine movements, manual handling and machine/person interactions.

(64) The process using this embodiment also offers an increased level of efficiency due to circumstance that the cable is taken from the drum in one run as opposed to several

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 back and forth movements. If the cable, hose or tube bundle is to be recovered in the future, the cable hangers can be left in position until the time of recovery. At this time the process is reversed by spooling the cable, hose or tube bundle back onto the drum and recovering the Cable Hangers along the way.

(65) According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the rollers of the first embodiment can be replaced by a tubular element which is rotatably supported at its ends by the rope which is received through the tube and supports the tubular element through suitable bearings and/or bushes.

(66) The rollers can also be shaped in other forms such as being spherical or half spherical.

(67) The rope can also be stretchable and resilient, which will assist in relieving any tension forces in the cable in use.

(68) The rope can alternatively be replaced by a rigid bar oriented in a horizontal manner, two bars oriented in a V-shaped manner, a single U-shaped rigid bar, or a number of bars oriented in a U-shaped manner.

(69) Figure 6 shows a hanger with a rigid U-shaped support member 1 (replacing the rope 1) and an alternative bracket 20b. The rollers 5 in this embodiment are roller bearings with spacers 6 therebetween.

(70) The support bracket 20b also comprises a base 11 which is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced hook elements 13 and 15, with one hook element 13 spaced from the other hook element 15 by a slot 14 therebetween. The slot 14 receives a vertical member 51 of the mesh 50 while the hook elements 13 and 15 are configured and dimensioned to hook over horizontal members 52 of the mesh 50 on opposite sides of the vertical member 51. The base 11 further includes a lower slot 16 which engages the vertical member 51 below the slot 14.

(71) The support member 1, being rigid, can thus be supported at one end only by a short arm 19 of the bracket 20b. The angle of the arm 19 relative to the base 11 can be made adjustable.

(72) Figure 7 shows an alternative support bracket 20c. The support bracket 20c comprises a base 11 which is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced hook elements 13 and 15, with one hook element 13 spaced from the other hook element 15 by a slot 14 therebetween. The slot 14 receives a vertical member 51 of the mesh 50 while the hook elements 13 and 15 are configured and dimensioned to hook over horizontal members 52 of the mesh 50 on opposite sides of the vertical member

2015203395 10 Jul 2019

51. The base 11 further includes locking slots 16 which engage the vertical member below the slot 14.

(73) The base 11 includes an elongated vertical opening 81.

(74) The support bracket 20c further comprises a pressed metal plate arm 19c which extends laterally from the base 11 in use. The arm 19c is provided with spaced holes 22 which are configured and dimensioned to receive the hooks 9 of the cable hanger 10. The arm 19c is insertable into the base 11 and comprises attachment tabs 83 which are insertable into the upper and lower locking slots 16.

(75) The support bracket 20c is made from two-part pressed metal which allows it to be mass produced. The base 11 and the arm 19 are provided as two separate pieces for ease of manufacture and packing. The support bracket 20c is assembled together by sliding the attachment tabs 83 through the opening 81 and moving the arm 19c down to lock it in place. Then the completed bracket 20c is ready to hang.

(76) According to another alternative embodiment, the rollers can be replaced by a coating formed of a low frictional material.

(77) According to another alternative embodiment, the rollers can be replaced by a sleeve formed of a low frictional material which is received over the rope.

(78) In other possible modifications, the lengths of the eyelet formations or the hooks can be adjustable such that the orientation of the roller assembly can be adjusted as needed, such as being at the lowermost position of the cable hanger even if the cable hanger is not hung in a symmetrical position. Alternatively, the position of the rollers along the rope can be adjustable.

(79) Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that other modifications can be made to the embodiments described.

(80) A cable hanger 10a according to a second embodiment is shown in Figures 8 to 14. The cable hanger 10a similarly comprises a cable support means comprising a length of a flexible member, being a rope 1 having an eyelet formation 3 at each end. The length of rope 1 supports between its ends a low friction surface means being a plurality of main rollers 5 in side by side relationship forming a roller assembly. Each main roller 5 is a roller bearing supported on the rope 1 by a bush or grommet 7 to allow for rotation of the roller bearing 5 on the rope 1, even when under load. Each eyelet formation 3 is provided with a hook 9.

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 (81) The cable hanger 10a however additionally includes intermediate rollers 71 which are respectively disposed intermediate each adjacent pair of main rollers 5. These intermediate rollers 71 are disposed between the main rollers 5 to close the gap between the main rollers 5 and mitigate any pinching of small flexible items. When the U shape of the rope 1 is formed, internal periphery portions of the roller bearings 5 and intermediate rollers 71 are moved close to each other, forming a substantially continuous support which cables can lie in the cable hanger and be cradled while moving along the roller assembly.

(82) As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the grommets 7 are shaped as halves 73, each half 73 comprising a central bore 74 for the rope 1, a tubular end 75 and a dome shaped end 76. The tubular ends 75 of two halves 73 insert into respective open sides of a roller bearing 5 and lock with the inner race thereof. This forms a subassembly 85. The adjacent dome shaped ends 76 of adjacent grommets 7 form an annular support recess 81 for the intermediate rollers 71. The intermediate rollers 71 comprise an annular internal ridge 83 which locates within the annular recess 81.

(83) In forming the hanger 10a, two grommet halves 73 are attached to each roller bearing 5, and this subassembly 85 is then fed onto the rope 1. An intermediate roller 71 is then disposed adjacent the free dome end 76 of the subassembly 85, and the next subassembly 85 is fed onto the rope 1. The rope 1 is swaged 91 at both ends of the roller assembly.

(84) The intermediate rollers 71 are thus shaped to sit between the grommets 7 and maintain a central position thereon. There is play in the fit between the intermediate rollers 71 and the grommets 7, which allows the intermediate rollers 71 to swing laterally and perform a self-flushing function when muddy or dirty.

(85) The intermediate rollers 71 in the embodiment are made of Polyethylene, a different type of plastic compared to the grommet 7, which in the embodiment is Acetal, to maintain a very low coefficient of friction and minimise any wear of the two rubbing surfaces. The grommets 7 move with the flexible support rope 1 while maintaining the bearing 5 integrity and position under load.

(86) The hanger type 10a allows the haulage of flexible item diameters from 5mm to 100mm. The addition of the intermediate rollers 71 allows users to haul smaller diameter flexible items over long distances, such as fibre optic cable or CAT 5 cable.

(87) Figures 13 to 15 show another use of the hanger of the present invention for the construction industry. In this example, the hanger is used for installing cables 150 in a high rise building. A cable tray 100 is mounted below ceiling level 102 by a series

2015203395 10 Jul 2019 of pairs of 10mm or 12 mm threaded bars 104. The pairs of bars 104 are anchored to the concrete ceiling at either side of the cable tray 100. A support bracket 108 is mounted to the base of each threaded bar 104 and adjusted to support the cable tray 100. These bars 104 are spaced along the cable tray 100 at the correct distances for the appropriate size and weight. Long lengths of cable tray 100 can be supported at ceiling level by these threaded bar systems.

(88) After the cable tray 100 is installed, it is difficult to drag cables between the threaded bar supports 104 and over the cable tray 100, due to the sharp edges of the cable tray 100 and numerous corners.

(89) The present invention provides a mounting block for attachment to the threaded bars 104, to which the hanger 10 can then be attached. The mounting block in the embodiment is a threaded locking block 120 designed to easily clamp around the 10mm or 12mm threaded bar 104.

(90) Referring to Figure 15, the locking block 120 comprises two identical halves 122 having a pivot bolt end aperture 124 and an opposite end lock aperture 126. Between the ends, the halves 122 comprise a 5mm radius threaded semi-circle recess 132 and a 6mm radius threaded semi-circle recess 134. The pivot bolt ends are attached via a bolt 140 in the apertures 124, and the two halves 122 are thus pivotably attached to each other. The recesses 132 and 134 are aligned and form 10mm and 12mm diameter threaded apertures 135 and 136 respectively, which can be clamped around as needed to the 10mm or 12mm threaded bar 104. Once the threaded locking block 120 is in position around the threaded bar 104, it is held closed by inserting the hook 9 from the hanger 10 into the aligned lock apertures 126. The hanger 10 is thus mounted to the blocks 120 as well as the hooks 9 keeping the blocks 120 locked.

(91) By using the hooks 9, the hanger 10 is supported above the cable tray 100 ready to run cable out along the cable tray 100. The threaded locking block allows a set of hangers 10 to be installed quickly and securely. Once the cable has been pulled along the cable tray route, the hangers 10 can be released, dropping the cable into the tray 100. The hangers 10 can be re-hung ready for the next cable. The hanger 10a can support small diameter cables 150a and large diameter cables 150b.

(92) Once the job is complete, the hangers 10 and threaded locking blocks 120 can be removed and stored for the next job. Each half of the locking block is exactly the same, so when one half is flipped over and joined with the pivot bolt, a complete unit is formed.

Claims (18)

1. Claims

   The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A hanger for an elongate flexible item, the hanger comprising:

   an elongate flexible element having ends adapted to be supported from a raised structure by mounting means to hang downwardly from the structure to define a catenary, and a low friction support means arranged along the flexible element, the low friction support means provided by a bearing assembly comprising a plurality of main rollers supported along the elongate element and intermediate rollers respectively mounted between adjacent pairs of the main rollers, wherein the intermediate rollers have a smaller diameter than the main rollers and close the gap between the main rollers.
2. 2. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the main rollers comprise roller bearings mounted to the elongate element via grommets.
3. 3. The hanger of claim 2 wherein the intermediate rollers are mounted between adjacent ends of adjacent grommets.
4. 4. The hanger of claim 3 wherein the adjacent ends are respectively dome shaped and define an annular recess, and the intermediate rollers comprise an internal annular ridge located in the annular recess.
5. 5. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises hooks, shackles, brackets, or any combination thereof.
6. 6. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the elongate element is a wire, rope or cable having an eyelet formation at each end, each eyelet formation being provided with a hook.
7. 7. The hanger of claim 1 wherein when the catenary shape of the elongate is formed, internal periphery portions of the main rollers and the intermediate rollers are moved close to each other, forming a substantially continuous support.
8. 8. The hanger of claim 2 wherein the grommets are shaped as halves, each half comprising a central bore for the elongate element, a tubular end and a dome shaped end, wherein the tubular ends of two halves insert into respective open sides of a main roller and lock with an inner race thereof.
9. 9. The hanger of claim 8 wherein the adjacent dome shaped ends of adjacent grommets form an annular support recess for the intermediate rollers.

   2015203395 10 Jul 2019
10. 10. The hanger of claim 9 wherein play is provided in the fit between the intermediate rollers and the grommets to allow the intermediate rollers to swing laterally and perform a self-flushing function when muddy or dirty.
11. 11. An assembly comprising:

    a hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a support bracket adapted to be supported from a raised structure, the support bracket supporting the hanger in use.
12. 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the support bracket comprises a laterally extending arm for supporting the hanger to hang downwardly therefrom.
13. 13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the support bracket comprises at least two hook elements for attachment to spaced members of the structure.
14. 14. An assembly comprising:

    a hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and at least one mounting block for mounting to a structure, the mounting block supporting the hanger in use.
15. 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the mounting block comprises at least one threaded aperture for mounting to a threaded rod.
16. 16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the mounting block comprises a clamp body for clamping to the structure.
17. 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the mounting block comprises at least one pair of threaded semi-circle recesses for clamping to a threaded rod.
18. 18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the mounting block is locked onto the threaded rod by mounting the hanger mounting means thereto.