Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a rail section adapted to be supported generally horizontally. Each rail section has a hollow box beam portion comprising a top wall, opposite side walls and a bottom wall and splices for connecting the rail sections to another structure. Each splice has a central part and a first and second end parts, the first end part being receivable in an open end of the box beam portion of the rail section and the second part being connectable to the structure. Snap fasteners on the first end part of the splice are receivable in an opening in the box beam portion of the rail section for connecting the splice to the rail section.

Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, including an elongate support structure adapted to be supported generally horizontally. The support structure comprises a vertical wall extending lengthwise of the structure, and a plurality of tray members extending laterally outwardly from the wall at different elevations with respect to the wall. The tray members and the wall combine to form a plurality of elongate horizontal trays extending lengthwise of the structure at different elevations with respect to the structure for supporting in the trays a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like at said different elevations.

Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a plurality of rail sections, a hub supported at a fixed elevation, and a plurality of rail connectors for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub.

Abstract: A splice system having two rails to be connected end to end and splice member having a center part and a pair of end parts sized for insertion in open ends of the two rails. The rails to be connected end to end having first and second opposing walls and a hole in the first wall. The end parts of the splice members having threaded openings adapted to register with holes in the rails. The splice member is connected to the rails with bolts, the arrangement being such that, when the bolts are tightened, heads of the bolts outside the rails are drawn toward first walls of respective rails and end parts of the splice member inside the rails are pulled away from second walls of the rails and tight against the first walls of respective rails thereby to splice the rails together.

Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a plurality of first rail sections and a series of supports extending down from one or more of the first rail sections. Each support comprises a generally vertical column and a series of arms extending laterally outwardly from the column. The arms of each support cooperate with the arms of the other supports for supporting a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like. The system also includes a plurality of second rail sections, a series of rungs projecting laterally from one or more of the second rail sections for supporting runs of data transmission lines and the like, and splices for connecting the first and/or second rail sections end to end. The splices and the first and second rail sections are so dimensioned and configured that splices of identical construction can be used interchangeably with said first and second rail sections.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting an electrical box on a wall stud including a sheet metal plate having front and rear faces and a large central opening therein. A pair of screw opening formations is provided in the plate generally adjacent diagonally opposite corners of the central opening in the plate. Each formation includes a relatively narrow screw shank clearance slot which receives the shank of a respective box mounting screw. The plate is so configured that an electrical box may be moved to a first position in which the front of the box is closely adjacent the rear face of the plate, and then to a second position in which the shanks of the mounting screws are received in the screw shank clearance slots of respective screw opening formations and in which the front opening of the box is generally in register with the central opening in the plate.

Abstract: A device to be mounted on a support member for holding a conductor in a substantially fixed position extending generally parallel to the support member. The device includes a bracket having an arm with at least one opening therein and a clamp having a head and at least one leg projecting from the head adapted for reception in the opening in the arm. The leg of the clamp is movable in the opening in a first axial direction with respect to the leg so that the head of the clamp can be pushed closer to the arm to move the clamp to a clamping position in which the head of the clamp is in clamping engagement with a conductor disposed between the head and the arm. The device further includes a retainer for retaining the clamp in its clamping position.

Abstract: A cable tray of the present invention comprises a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart metal side rails and metal rungs extending between the rails at intervals spaced along the rails. Each metal rung has opposite ends generally abutting respective side rails and a pair of preformed openings extending inwardly from the opposite ends of the rung lengthwise of the rung. A pair of metal mechanical fasteners extend through the side rails and into respective preformed openings in the rung to fasten the rung to the side rails. Each of the openings is defined by a rung structure which, as viewed in a cross section taken transversely with respect to the rung, extends completely around the perimeter of the opening so that the perimeter of the opening is totally enclosed by the rung structure. Each of the fasteners is engageable with the rung structure defining a respective opening for securely holding the rung in fixed position with respect to its respective side rail.

Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, including a rail formed as a plurality of separate sections, and splices for connecting the rail sections end to end. In one embodiment a plurality of supports extend down from one or more rail sections at intervals spaced along the sections. Each support has a generally vertical column and a series of arms extending laterally outwardly from the column along the length of the column at different elevations. The arms of each support cooperate with the arms of the other supports for supporting a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like at the different elevations. Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder-type cable tray system comprising a first cable tray section and a second cable tray section. Each cable tray section includes first and second rails extending lengthwise of the section at opposite sides of the section and a plurality of rungs extending between the rails at intervals spaced lengthwise of the section. Each of the first and second rails has a tubular portion forming a hollow beam extending the length of the rail. The tubular portion has open ends at opposite ends of the rail and a rung-supporting portion integrally formed as one piece with the tubular portion and depending therefrom. The system further comprises fasteners for securing the rungs to the rung-supporting portions of the first and second rails in a position wherein the rungs span the rung-supporting portions, and a plurality of splices for connecting the first and second cable tray sections end to end.

Abstract: A hold-down device for holding a cable tray on a support includes a rigid member having opposite side edges, opposite side margins adjacent respective side edges, and opposite end portions. The member may be placed on the support in a position in which the opposite side margins of the member bear on edges of the support with the member overlying the slot adjacent a flange of the cable tray. The member is constructed and arranged such that it is selectively securable to the support by a threaded fastener either in a clamping position in which one end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray and may clamp the flange of the cable tray thereby to hold the rail in fixed position with respect to the support, or in a non-clamping position in which the opposite end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray but cannot clamp the flange thereby to permit lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the rail while still holding the rail on the support.

Abstract: A rack for electrical equipment includes a base having a bottom wall, and a back wall extending up from the bottom wall at the back of the rack. The bottom wall has a plurality of fastener openings therein through which fasteners may be driven into a surface supporting the rack for securing the rack to the surface. A pair of legs extend up from the bottom wall of the base at opposite sides of the base adjacent the back wall of the base. A cover may be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure for electrical wiring and the like. Removal of the cover from the base provides ready access to the electrical wiring and the like and also the fastener openings in the bottom wall of the base for facilitating securement of the rack to the surface.

Abstract: A fastener used to secure an object on a channel including a channel nut which may be entered into a slot in the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of portions of the nut at locations generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with edges of the channel. A retainer for the nut has a body and a flange integral with the body which may engage the channel at opposite sides of the channel slot for preventing the retainer from being pushed inwardly completely through the slot when the nut is turned to a crosswise position in the channel and when an object is being fastened to the channel. Resiliently deformable spring elements on the body of the retainer are so sized and arranged as to be engageable with the channel for holding the nut in its crosswise position against slippage lengthwise of the channel slot.

Abstract: A support for an electrical box, comprising a bar to be mounted between two spaced-apart wall studs or the like. The bar comprises an elongate web of sheet metal forming a front face of the bar and having side edges extending lengthwise of the bar, a pair of flanges extending rearwardly from the side edges of the web, and a forwardly-opening channel formed in the web running substantially the full length of the web between the side edges of the web.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a conduit to an elongate structural supporting element having a central longitudinal axis. The clamp comprises a pair of complementary clamping straps for clamping a conduit therebetween, each strap being formed from a single piece of sheet metal to have inner and outer end portions and a central portion therebetween. The inner end portions of the straps are engageable with the supporting element to mount the straps on the supporting element in a position wherein they extend outwardly from the supporting element at opposite sides of the conduit with the central portions of the straps generally in face-to-face relation. Clamping ears extend generally at right angles to the central portion of each strap for engagement with an outer surface of the conduit at a respective side of the conduit.

Abstract: A support system for supporting cable tray of the type comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails interconnected by cross members. The support system comprises a series of support bars adapted to be suspended at intervals spaced lengthwise of the cable tray and with the support bars extending generally crosswise relative to the rails of the cable tray. Each support bar has a pair of rail receivers spaced apart lengthwise of the support bar for receiving the side rails of a cable tray and preventing substantial sideways shifting of the cable tray relative to the support bar. A pair of hold-down members associated with each support bar hold the rails of the cable tray in respective rail receivers of the support bar.

Abstract: A fastener which can be economically made for securing parts to metal framing (e.g. channel framing) having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The fastener also includes a carrier constituting an elongate platform having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends. The body is mounted on the outside face with means for rotatably mounting the body. The platform is suspended in the slot on resilient non-linear arms which increase in effective length when stressed by an effective inward force permitting the body to be rotated into generally crosswise position relative to the slot and tending to draw the body into clamping engagement with the lips of the framing.

Abstract: A channel nut which can be economically made for securing parts to metal framing (e.g. channel framing) having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The channel nut comprises an elongate body having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The bottom includes side flanges and is preferably formed in rhomboid sections from channel metal. A tapped hole extends through the bottom.

Abstract: A hold-down device for holding a cable tray on a support includes a rigid member having opposite side edges, opposite side margins adjacent respective side edges, and opposite end portions. The member may be placed on the support in a position in which the opposite side margins of the member bear on edges of the support with the member overlying the slot adjacent a flange of the cable tray. The member is constructed and arranged such that it is selectively securable to the support by a threaded fastener either in a clamping position in which one end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray and may clamp the flange of the cable tray thereby to hold the rail in fixed position with respect to the support, or in a non-clamping position in which the opposite end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray but cannot clamp the flange thereby to permit lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the rail while still holding the rail on the support.