US3154279A

US3154279A - Cable hanger

Info

Publication number: US3154279A
Application number: US234957A
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel H Fletcher; Alfred H Stanley
Original assignee: Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co
Current assignee: Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co
Priority date: 1962-11-02
Filing date: 1962-11-02
Publication date: 1964-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1981-10-27

Description

1964 D. H. FLETCHER ETAL 3,154,279

CABLE HANGER Filed Nov. 2, 1962 INV TQR' W 2. BY Jade/3Z7 M,MW Mud ivy W r/ 4 United States Patent 3,154,279 CABLE HANGER Daniel H. Fletcher, Winnetka, and Alfred H. Stanley, Hinsdale, TEL, assignors to .loslyn Mfg. and Supply Co., Chicago, ill, a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 234,957 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-74) The present invention relates to cable hangers and, more particularly, to cable hangers of the type utilized for supporting a cable on a support member such as a post, cross-arm or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cable hanger wherein there is provided a single integrally formed clamp member for securely gripping the cable on both sides.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein the clamp member is provided with gripping means which engage both sides of the cable in order to prevent longitudinal movement of the cable within the clamp member.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein the gripping means of the clamp member includes small burrs extending transversely into the cable with the burrs being formed on the cable contacting portions of the clamp member in a single operation, such as by punching or drilling.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein the clamp member engages a messenger or supporting cable of a figure S-type cable with the main electrical cable being suspended below the clamp member.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein a single bolt is tightened to secure the cable within the clamp member and to secure the hanger on a support post or cross-arm.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein there is also provided a hook member for loosely supporting the cable during stringing and for supporting the cable in the event that it slips out of the clamp member.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cable hanger of the type described wherein the clamp member is formed of a single piece which is bent in a generally U-shaped crosssection having a pair of legs each having indentations formed thereon cooperating to form a cable carrying recess of a cross-section substantially conforming to the cross-section of the portion of the cable to be secured in the recess.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cable hanger having a clamp member of the type described in the preceding paragraph wherein the cable carrying recess is normally open along one end of the clamp member in order that the portion of the cable to be secured therein can be readily inserted into the recess which is then closed as the clamp member is tightened.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved cable hanger of the type described which is simple in construction, easy to manufacture, low in cost and simple in operation so that a lineman or other person can rapidly and easily secure a cable within the hanger.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by the provision of a new and improved cable hanger having a clamp member'formed of a single piece bent to have a generally U-shaped cross section with a pair of downwardly extending legs. Each of the legs is provided with a curved portion formed remote from and running generally parallel to the joined ends of the legs. The curved portions face each other and cooperate to form a cable carrying recess having a cross-section substantially conforming to the crosssection of the cable to be supported. There are provided on the legs gripping means which extend transversely into the recess for gripping the cable securely and preventing its longitudinal movement in the recess when the legs are clamped tightly together.

Additionally, the cable hanger may be provided with a hook member which is generally J-shaped in cross section having a vertical leg extending generally parallel to the legs of the clamp member and an enlarged hooked end for loosely supporting the cable during stringing before the cable is secured within the recess of the clamp member and for supporting the cable if it inadvertently falls from the clamp. In the normal position the legs of the clamp member are spread slightly apart to facilitate the insertion of the cable into the recess and a single bolt is provided which extends through the legs of the clamp member between the curved portions and the closed end for bringing the legs together in close abutting relation to secure the cable within the recess when the bolt is tightened. The bolt also extends through the leg of the hook member and the support post on which the hanger is mounted to complete the assembly of the hanger. When the legs of the clamp member are brought together as the bolt is tightened the ends thereof adjacent the recess do not touch thus leaving a slight space therebetween in order to accommodate the web of a figure S-type cable.

The invention, both as to organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cable hanger constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention as installed on a support post and supporting a figure S-type cable:

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cable hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a clamping member used in the cable hanger of FIG. 1, showing a cable secured therein;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3 but showing the clamp member in its normal position before the cable is secured therein; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a cable hanger constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and identified in its entirety by the reference numeral iii. The hanger 10 is of the type adapted to be secured to a post 12 or crossarm of an electrical transmission structure for supporting a cable 14. The cable may be of the figure S-type as illustrated having a support or messenger cable 16 and a plurality of individual electrical conductors 18 encased within an integral insulating jacket 20 joined to the covering of the messenger cable by a web 22.

The hanger is provided with a clamp member 24 formed of a single piece of metal strap and bent to a generally U-shaped cross-section having legs 26 and a closed or bulbed end 28 joining the legs. Each of the legs 26 is provided with an indentation or curved portion 30 and the two curved portions cooperate to form a cable carrying recess 32 of substantially the same cross-section as the cable to be supported therein. The curved portions are formed at the ends of the legs opposite the bulbed end 28 and are aligned generally parallel to this end. For stillness, the legs 26 are provided with ridges 34 and there are provided in the legs aligned holes 36 for accommodating a mounting and clamping bolt 38. The clamping member 24 can be rapidly and easily produced and bent to shape automatically by machine. The clamping memher is bent to the approximate shape shown in FIG. 4 with the legs 26 diverging slightly outwardly from the bulbed end to leave a space between the curved portions 30. This is desirable in order that the covered messenger cable 16 or other cable can readily be slipped between the legs and secured within the recess 32 when the legs are drawn together in the manner shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

It should be noted that the recess 32 of the clamp member is dimensioned slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the covering around the messenger cable 16 so that when the legs 26 are moved tightly together to the position shown in FIG. 5, the covering is under slight compression and the cable 14 is thus tightly secured against pulling out past the ends of the legs. When the legs are pressed together the ends 26a of the legs do not touch each other since there is a small space therebetween to accommodate the web 22 of the cable covering 2%. This web is under compression from the ends 26a of the legs for more tightly securing the cable in the clamp member.

In accordance with another important feature of the present invention, there is formed in the wall of each curved portion 3i) gripping means, such as the burrs or teeth 39. Each such burr extends inwardly from the curved portion transversely of the axis of the messenger cable 16 and, when the clamp member is tightly closed, the burr bites into the covering 20 surrounding the cable 16, thus preventing longitudinal movement of the cable relative to the clamp member. Preferably, these burrs or teeth are formed by inwardly punching or drilling holes in the legs after curved portions are formed therein. In normal drilling or punching operations, burrs are formed on the inside surface of the piece being drilled when the drill or punch breaks through the last portion of the metal. Since these burrs serve a useful purpose they are not removed as is the usual practice. It should also be noted that, since the cover 20 of the cable 16 is under compressive stress from the walls of the curved portions 30, the holes 40 provide a space for expansion of the cover. This expansion forms small cylindrical bosses Within each hole and further aids in preventing longitudinal movement of the cable within the clamp.

In order to support the cable 14 in stringing position, extending from pole to pole before it is inserted into the clamp member 24, there is provided a hook member 42 formed of strap and bent into a generally J-shaped cross Section with a leg 44 positioned to lie parallel to the legs 26 and a curved hook portion 46 positioned to extend beneath the cable 14 and to underlie the clamp member. The leg 44 of the hook member may be transversely curved in cross-section so that it will fit tightly against the round post or pole 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The leg 44 is provided with an opening through which the bolt 38 is passed and the leg is spaced from the clamp member 24 by means of a first nut 48. The bolt 38 is also provided with a second nut 54 which, when tightened, closes the legs of the clamp member 29 to secure the cable therein.

In using the cable hanger 10, a hole is drilled in the support post 12 or crossarm where the hanger is to be mounted. The bolt 38 is inserted through this hole with the threaded end extending outwardly from the post. The leg 44 of the hook member 42 is placed over the bolt with the hooked end at the bottom and the nut 48 is then tightened on the bolt to secure the hook member in place on the post. The clamp member 24 is then placed in position with the bolt extending through the openings 36 in the legs thereof and the nut 50 is loosely threaded onto the bolt.

The cable 14 is then loosely strung from post to post and is supported within the curved hook portion 46 of the hook member 42. After the cable stringing is completed, the cable is adjusted to the proper tension and the covered messenger cable 16 is inserted into the open recess 30 between the legs 26 of the clamp member. The nut 50 is then tightened until the legs 26 are in abutting relation in the position shown in FIG. 5, thus tightly securing the cable to the hanger as before described. It, for any reason it is desired to remove the cable from the hanger, the nut St) is loosened so that the legs 26 spring apart to open the recess 30 and release the cable. The bulbed end 28 of the clamp member 24 acts like a spring to cause the legs to spread apart at their ends in order to open the recess 30. If the cable somehow drops from the clamp after installation it falls onto the hooked end 46 where it is loosely held until the necessary repairs can be made.

In view of the foregoing description it will be observed that the hanger 10 provides a means for securing a cable to a support post or the like in a simple, foolproof arrangement. The cable is tightly held against longitudinal movement because of the burrs 39 and holes 49 and is also secured against lateral movement by the walls of the recess. The hanger It is much easier to work with than two piece clamps which are often used and can be produced in quantity very economically. It is to be understood that the cross-section of the recess could be square, hexagonal, triangular, etc., in order to fit the shape of the cable to be supported. Regardless of the shape of the recess, interior burrs can readily be provided therein by drilling or punching in the manner described. Moreover, if it is desired to ground the messenger cable to the hanger the burrs can be lengthened to pass through the covering material into the cable itself.

While there has been illustrated or described a single embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall Within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A cable hanger for supporting a cable on a support comprising a clamp member formed of a single piece of strap bent in a generally U-shaped cross-section having a pair of legs adapted to face one another in close abutting relationship, said legs being joined at a bulbed end and being provided with indentations facing each other and cooperating to form a cable carrying recess extending parallel to the bulbed end and remote therefrom, said recess having a cross-section substantially conforming to the cross-section of said cable to be supported, gripping means on said member extending transversely into said recess for gripping said cable and preventing its longitudinalmovernent within said recess, said gripping means including means defining a hole in at least one of said legs in communication with said recess for accommodating the extruded portion of said cable, a hook member having a leg and an outwardly bent lower end, said leg extending parallel to and spaced from the legs of said clamp member and said lower end extending below said recess, and means for mounting said hanger on said support, said means extending thru said leg of said hook member and said legs of said clamp member intermediate the bulbed end and said recess and including threaded means for securing said legs of said clamp member in close abutting relation to tightly grip said cable in said recess.

2. A cable hanger for supporting a figure S-type cable having a messenger cable and at least one separate cable supported thereby and joined thereto with a covering having a Web between the cables, said hanger comprising a clamp member of generally inverted U-shaped cross-section having a pair of legs integrally joined at one end and adapted to face one another in close abutting relationship, said legs being provided with indentations facing each other and cooperating to form a cable carrying recess extending parallel to the joined ends of the legs and positioned adjacent the ends thereof remote from the joined ends, said recess having a cross-section substantially conforming to the cross-section of the messenger cable, said remote ends of said legs being positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another when said legs are in close abutting relation in order to accommodate and compress a portion of the cable web therebetween, and gripping means on said member extending transversely into said recess for gripping said cable and preventing its longitudinal movement Within said recess, said gripping means including means defining a hole in at least one of said legs adjacent the indentation thereof for receiving an extruded portion of said cable cover.

3. A cable hanger for supporting a cable on a support comprising a clamp member of generally U-shaped cross-section having a pair of legs integrally joined at one end and adapted to face one another in close abutting relationship, said legs provided with indentations facing each other and cooperating to form a cable carrying recess extending parallel to the joined ends of the legs and remote therefrom, said recess having a cross section substantially conforming to the cross section of said cable to be supported, said legs normally extending divergingly outward from one another from their joined ends to allow said cable to be slipped into said recess between said legs, gripping means on said member extending transversely into said recess for gripping said cable, hole defining means on at least one of said legs in communication with said recess adjacent said transversely extending gripping means for accommodating an extruded portion of said cable and preventing its longitudinal movement Within said recess and means extending thru said legs intermediate their indentations and said joined ends for holding said legs in close abutting relation With one another to secure said cable tightly in said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,873,357 St. John Aug. 23, 1932 2,004,695 Hager June 11, 1935 3,042,353 OMara July 3, 1952

Claims

1. A CABLE HANGER FOR SUPPORTING A CABLE ON A SUPPORT COMPRISING A CLAMP MEMBER FORMED OF A SINGLE PIECE OF STRAP BENT IN A GENERALLY U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION HAVING A PAIR OF LEGS ADAPTED TO FACE ONE ANOTHER IN CLOSE ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP, SAID LEGS BEING JOINED AT A BULBED END AND BEING PROVIDED WITH INDENTATIONS FACING EACH OTHER AND COOPERATING TO FORM A CABLE CARRYING RECESS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE BULBED END AND REMOTE THEREFROM, SAID RECESS HAVING A CROSS-SECTION SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORMING TO THE CROSS-SECTION OF SAID CABLE TO BE SUPPORTED, GRIPPING MEANS ON SAID MEMBER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY INTO SAID RECESS FOR GRIPPING SAID CABLE AND PREVENTING ITS LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT WITHIN SAID RECESS, SAID GRIPPING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS DEFINING A HOLE IN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID LEGS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RECESS FOR ACCOMMODATING THE EXTRUDED PORTION OF SAID CABLE, A HOOK MEMBER HAVING A LEG AND AN OUTWARDLY BENT LOWER END, SAID LEG EXTENDING PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM THE LEGS OF SAID CLAMP MEMBER AND SAID LOWER END EXTENDING BELOW SAID RECESS, AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID HANGER ON SAID SUPPORT, SAID MEANS EXTENDING THRU SAID LEG OF SAID HOOK MEMBER AND SAID LEGS OF SAID CLAMP MEMBER INTERMEDIATE THE BULBED END AND SAID RECESS AND INCLUDING THREADED MEANS FOR SECURING SAID LEGS OF SAID CLAMP MEMBER IN CLOSE ABUTTING RELATION TO TIGHTLY GRIP SAID CABLE IN SAID RECESS.