Line hanger
A line hanger for securing lines, such as transmission, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and other types of lines, to a support structure and a method of mounting and supporting one or more lines from a support structure. The line hanger includes an attachment support provision configured for mounting to the support structure and a pair of spaced-apart clamping arms depending outwardly from the attachment provision. The clamping arms are configured to resiliently separate for slidingly receiving an line and to resiliently relax for applying a clamping force to secure the line. Multiple line hangers may be interlinked or stacked relative to the support structure for support multiple lines.
Latest Andrew Corporation Patents:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287,667 filed Nov. 4, 2002 and entitled LINE HANGER, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to devices for hanging lines and, in particular, to hangers for securing transmission, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and other lines to support structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLine hangers are commonly used to secure lines, such as cables and transmission lines, to the framework of support structures, such as antenna towers. Lines are routed upward from the base of the antenna tower to communicate with telecommunications devices positioned above the base either at the tower apex or at an intermediate location. Generally, each line is attached to the antenna tower by a large number of line hangers mounted at periodically-spaced locations along its height. Antenna towers may reach several hundred feet in height with line hangers mounted at about three feet intervals. After the line hangers have been installed, the line is strung and engaged with the line hangers. Certain line hangers are constructed to be stackable such that multiple line hangers can be interlocked to extend outwardly from the antenna tower. Stacked line hangers significantly increase the number of lines that can be routed up the antenna tower by making efficient use of the available attachment points.
Conventional line hangers suffer from significant deficiencies and shortcomings. In particular, most line hangers are complex structures that are costly to manufacture due to the costs of raw materials, manufacturing equipment and labor. In addition, conventional line hangers require a large amount of auxiliary hardware, such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers. Stacked line hangers may require at least partial disassembly of existing line hangers to add another line. As a result, running lines along the height of antenna towers is time-consuming, labor-intensive and expensive.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a line hanger characterized by a simple, inexpensive construction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, the description of the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
With reference to
With reference to
Multiple line hangers 10, each identical to line hanger 10, are attached to the support structure 21 with a spacing between adjacent line hangers 10 adequate to resist forces due to wind and weather. Then, the line 20 is strung up the support structure 21 and a length of the line 20 is secured to each of the multiple line hangers 10. The rigidity of each individual line hanger 10 must be adequate to support its distributed portion of the total load from the attached line 20 including external forces, such as wind, acting on the line 20 and any additional load from stacked line hangers 10 and their respective lines 20, as will be described below. The resiliency of the line hanger 10 must be sufficient to allow the line hanger 10 to be coupled with the line 20, as described below.
The attachment section 14 of line hanger 10 defines a closed end that includes a generally round or generally circular loop 24 having a central passage 26 with a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of a threaded shank of the fastener 22 and less than an outer diameter of a head of the fastener 22. The loop 24 extends over an arc length of less than 360° terminated by a transversely-spaced pair of oppositely-directed angled bends 28, 30 that define a gap in loop 24 dimensioned to prevent vertical passage of the threaded shank of the fastener 22. It is contemplated by the invention that the loop 24 may possess any arcuate or polygonal shape suitable to cooperate with the fastener 22 for securing the line hanger 10 with the support structure 21. Extending outwardly from each of the angled bends 28, 30 is a corresponding one of a pair of substantially-linear widening legs or segments 32, 34 of comparable length. Widening segment 32 extends outwardly from loop 24 in an opposite direction from widening segment 34. The loop 24 and extension segments 32, 34 lie substantially in a common vertical plane, the angled bends 28, 30 are obtuse angles, and the extension segments 32, 34 are substantially collinear.
With continued reference to
Generally, the clamping arms 16, 18 depend outwardly from the attachment section 14 with a transverse relationship to the attachment section 14. Each of the clamping arms 16, 18 has a respective arcuate leg or segment 44, 46 joined by a corresponding one of a pair of angled bends 48, 50 with a respective one of the bridging segments 40, 42. The arcuate segments 44, 46 and the bridging segments 40, 42 generally lie in a common horizontal plane. The arcuate segments 44, 46 are curved into a concave-convex shape with inwardly confronting sides being concave so as to share a common radius of curvature relative to the center of the space 19 between the clamping arms 16, 18. The radius of curvature corresponds generally to the radius of the line 20. Each of the arcuate segments 44, 46 is joined by a respective one of the pair of angled bends 52, 54 with a corresponding one of a pair of hooks or upright members 56, 58 that depend upwardly from the horizontal plane containing the arcuate segments 44, 46.
Each of the upright members 56, 58 includes a respective one of a pair of relatively short legs or segments 60, 62 of comparable length that depend inwardly toward the loop 24 joined by a respective one of a pair of angled bends 64, 66 with a corresponding one of a pair of relatively long legs or segments 68, 70. Segments 68, 70 are each inclined outwardly and away from the corresponding one of arcuate segments 44, 46. The spacing between the upright members 56, 58 and the spacing between the angled bends 52, 54 is similar to the spacing between the confronting concave sides of angled bends 36, 38 of the attachment section 14. As a result, the attachment section 14 effectively operates as a terminating element for interconnecting the clamping arms 16, 18 to prevent relative separation when line 20 is secured therebetween.
The clamping arms 16, 18 are resiliently separable or spreadable between a relaxed condition in which no line 20 is present, a spread condition that permits insertion of the line 20 into the widened throat or gap between upright members 56, 58, and a clamping condition intermediate between the relaxed and spread conditions in which the clamping arms 16, 18 collectively apply an inwardly-directed clamping force for securing line 20 with the line hanger 10. To couple the line 20 with the line hanger 10, the line 20 is positioned proximate the gap between the upright members 56, 58 and moved inwardly in a direction generally toward the loop 24. Sliding contact between the exterior of the line 20 and the upright members 56, 58 causes the clamping arms 16, 18 to resiliently deflect outwardly or separate from the relaxed condition to the spread condition so that the line 20 can pass between the upright members 56, 58. As the line 20 is moved into the space 19, the clamping arms 16, 18 relax inwardly to the clamping condition in which the clamping arms 16,18 apply an inward clamping force to the line 20. The clamping force applied by the clamping arms 16, 18 grips line 20 with a clamping force sufficient to prevent significant axial movement of the line 20 relative to line hanger 10.
With continued reference to
The line hanger 10 of the invention may be readily scaled to accept and secure lines 20 of differing sizes. In particular, the dimensions of the line hanger 10 of the invention may be scaled to accept lines 20 of various different diameters or to accept lines 20 having a range of diameters. In addition, the clamping arms 16, 18 can accept lines 20 within a range of dimensions. Generally, the separation of the clamping arms 16, 18 in the relaxed condition determines the minimum diameter of line 20 that may be secured in the clamping position. The clamping arms 16, 18 are spreadable to supporting lines 20 up to a maximum dimension determined by the resiliency and ability to separate the clamping arms 16, 18. In addition, the diameter of the wire or rod forming line hanger 10 is selected and the dimensions are adjusted such that transitions among the relaxed, spread and clamping conditions does not result in significant permanent deformation of the material forming the clamping arms 16, 18.
With reference to
In use, a set of line hangers 10a are fastened with fasteners 22 to the support structure 21 at successive spaced attachment points between the base of the support structure 21 and the destination of the line 20. The line 20 is strung upwardly proximate to the line hangers 10a and the line 20 is pressed inwardly between the upright members 56, 58 of each line hanger 10a which provides a temporary spreading force that separates the respective clamping arms 16, 18 from their initial relaxed condition to the spread condition. As the line 20 moves into the space 19 between the respective clamping arms 16, 18, the clamping arms 16, 18 relax inwardly to create the clamping condition for securing the line 20 against movement. The clamping arms 16, 18 of each line hanger 10a are safeguarded against spreading by the placement of a corresponding terminating element 72. Alternatively, one or more additional sets of line hangers 10b may be stacked to the first set of line hangers 10a for directing one or more additional lines 20 along the support structure 21 and the mounting sequence is repeated for each additional line 20. The last stacked set of line hangers 10b is terminated, after the corresponding line 20 is inserted, with a corresponding plurality of terminating elements 72.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With regard to
With regard to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The invention provides a one-piece, stackable line hanger capable of securing one or more lines to a support structure in a spatially compact manner. The line hanger of the invention is inexpensive to manufacture. The line hanger of the invention is quickly and easily installed because no auxiliary hardware, such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers, is required, which reduces the number of components for securing the line and simplifies line installation. The line hanger of the invention requires little or no tools for mounting and coupling multiple hangers in a stacked fashion which effects a considerable savings in labor and speeds installation. When mounted to the support structure or to another line hanger, the line hanger resists rotation, displacement and detachment.
While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail in order to describe the best mode of practicing the invention, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims, wherein we claim:
Claims
1. A mounting device for securing a line to a support structure, comprising:
- a structure formed of rod material which is formed to have an open end and a closed end, the rod material structure including:
- a support attachment provision at the closed end for coupling to the support structure;
- a spaced-apart pair of clamping arms extending outwardly from said support attachment provision to define the open end, said clamping arms defining a clamping plane and configured to resiliently separate for slidingly receiving the line therebetween;
- first, second, and third closed end angled bends associated with each clamping arm adjacent the closed end, each of the first and second closed end angled bends extending substantially within the clamping plane and coupling one of the clamping arms with the support attachment provision via the third closed end angled bend; and
- an open end angled bend formed in each of the clamping arms proximate the open end, the open end angled bends projecting above the clamping plane and being configured to penetrate the clamping plane of an adjacent mounting device of the same construction and interlock with one or more of the first, second, and third closed end angled bends of the adjacent mounting device to secure lines by preventing relative separation of said clamping arms.
2. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of clamping arms has confronting arcuate segments generally arranged on a common radius of curvature, said arcuate segments applying a radially inward force for securing the line therebetween.
3. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said support attachment provision includes a loop defining a passage through which a fastener can extend for coupling the mounting device with the support structure.
4. The mounting device of claim 3 wherein said clamping plane defines an angle with respect to a plane defined by said loop.
5. The mounting device of claim 1 further comprising:
- a terminating element capable of being removably received by said clamping arms, said terminating element operative for coupling together said pair of clamping arms to prevent relative separation when the line is secured therebetween.
6. The mounting device of claim 5 wherein said terminating element is a loop dimensioned to fit over a portion of said clamping arms.
7. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms are configured to interlock with each other for preventing relative separation of said clamping arms.
8. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms and said support attachment provision comprise a unitary monolithic member.
9. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said mounting device is free of welded junctions.
10. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said mounting device is formed of one of a metal and a plastic.
11. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms and said support attachment provision are formed from a continuous length of wire.
12. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping plane defines an angle with respect to a plane defined by said support attachment provision.
13. The mounting device of claim 1 further comprising:
- an adapter configured for coupling said support attachment provision with the support structure.
14. The mounting device of claim 13 wherein said adapter is configured for coupling said support attachment provision to an anchor rail.
15. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms are configured for supporting lines of different types.
16. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms are configured for supporting lines of different dimensions.
17. The mounting device of claim 1 wherein said support attachment provision is configured for mounting directly to the support structure free of intervening structures.
18. A stackable line hanger composed of formed wire, said hanger including a generally U-shaped body with a closed end and an open end, clamping arms extending from the closed end to grip a line, and first, second and third closed end angled bends being formed in the closed end, said clamping arms defining a clamping plane and configured to resiliently separate substantially within the clamping plane for slidingly receiving the line therebetween, said clamping arms having distal ends with open end angled bends formed therein projecting above the clamping plane, the first and second closed end angled bends extending within said clamping plane, the open end angled bends being configured to penetrate the clamping plane of an adjacent hanger of the same construction and to retentively interlock with the one or more of the first, second, and third closed end angled bends of the adjacent line hanger.
19. The stackable line hanger of claim 18 further comprising:
- a terminating element including a link with terminating element angled bends adapted to join said distal ends of said clamping arms of said line hanger to enclose the line.
20. The stackable line hanger of claim 18 wherein said hanger is configured at said closed end to form a support attachment provision.
21. The stackable line hanger of claim 20 wherein said support attachment provision comprises a loop bent out of a plane containing said clamping arms.
22. The stackable line hanger of claim 21 wherein said closed end angled bends each comprise a recurved portion and each of said opening end angled bends comprises a hook adapted to interlock with a corresponding one of a pair of recurved portions of a cooperating line hanger.
23. The stackable line hanger of claim 22 wherein said loop and said hooks extend on one side of said plane.
24. The stackable line hanger of claim 22 wherein said loop and said hooks extend on opposite sides of said plane.
25. The stackable line hanger of claim 20 wherein said support attachment provision comprises a loop oriented generally coplanar with said clamping arms.
26. The stackable line hanger of claim 18 wherein said open end angled bends are configured to interlock with one another to retain the line without the use of a terminating element.
27. A mounting device for securing a line to a support structure, comprising:
- a structure formed of rod material which is formed to have an open end and a closed end, the rod material structure including:
- a support attachment provision at the closed end for coupling to the support structure;
- pairs of first, second, and third closed end angled bends formed adjacent the closed end of the rod material structure;
- a spaced-apart pair of clamping arms, each clamping arm extending outwardly from said support attachment provision and the respective first, second, and third closed end angled bends to define the open end, said clamping arms configured to resiliently separate for slidingly receiving the line therebetween;
- an open end angled bend formed in each of the clamping arms proximate the open end; and
- an upright member joined with each of the corresponding open end angled bends, said upright member of one of said clamping arms capable of being interlocked with said upright member of the other of said clamping arms in a contacting relationship for preventing relative separation of said clamping arms.
28. The mounting device of claim 27 wherein said support attachment provision includes a loop defining a passage through which a fastener can extend for coupling the mounting device with the support structure.
29. The mounting device of claim 28 wherein said clamping arms define a clamping plane angled with respect to said loop.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2006
Publication Date: May 25, 2006
Applicant: Andrew Corporation (Orland Park, IL)
Inventors: Kevin Goodwin (Frankfort, IL), Albert Cox (Orland Park, IL), Timothy Crawford (Country Club Hills, IL)
Application Number: 11/329,544
International Classification: F16L 3/00 (20060101); E21F 17/02 (20060101);