US20070184726A1 - Cable Support Sytems - Google Patents
Cable Support Sytems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070184726A1 US20070184726A1 US11/735,630 US73563007A US2007184726A1 US 20070184726 A1 US20070184726 A1 US 20070184726A1 US 73563007 A US73563007 A US 73563007A US 2007184726 A1 US2007184726 A1 US 2007184726A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- clamp
- bore
- grip
- overhead
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
- F16L3/24—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets with a special member for attachment to profiled girders
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/006—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
- F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
- F16B2/06—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action
- F16B2/065—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening external, i.e. with contracting action using screw-thread elements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
- F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
- F16G11/10—Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only
- F16G11/105—Clamps holding in one direction only
- F16G11/108—Clamps holding in one direction only using a ball or a cylinder
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/39—Cord and rope holders
- Y10T24/3969—Sliding part or wedge
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/39—Cord and rope holders
- Y10T24/3996—Sliding wedge
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to cable support systems for suspending an object from an overhead structure by means of cables.
- the cable support systems include novel clamps that clamp to the overhead structure and support the cable that suspends from them to secure the object to be suspended.
- a clamp for a cable support system includes a generally “C” shaped clamp body with a threaded fastener threadingly received within one leg of the “C” shaped body to clamp the “C” shaped body onto an overhead beam.
- a vertical bore through the clamp body receives a cable to be suspended from the overhead beam and there are various devices within the clamp body to restrict the downward vertical movement of the cable relative to the clamp body.
- One of the arrangements for restricting the downward movement of the cable within the clamp body is to provide a annular shoulder within the bore that cooperates with an oversized end portion on the cable and thereby restricts downward movement of the cable.
- Another arrangement for restraining the cable within the “C” shaped body of the clamp includes providing a conical end portion at the lower part of the vertical bore through the body.
- a wedge retainer is movable vertically within the bore. Wedges retained by the wedge retainer contact the cable within the bore and force the wedges against the cable by contact with the conical end portion of the bore when the retainer is at the lower part of the bore.
- a spring urges the wedge retainer downwardly relative to the bore so that when the cable is forced upwardly through the wedges, the cable is restricted from downward movement.
- Still another arrangement for restraining the cable within the “C” shaped body of the clamp includes providing a passage extending downwardly at an acute angle to the vertical bore with a wedge within the passage that is urged into the bore by a spring. The wedge prevents the cable from moving downwardly unless it is released by release levers that extend out from the wedge through slots in the “C” shaped body.
- Cable support systems are also provided which utilize the novel clamps and suspend an object from the cable with the use of cable clamps or by providing fixed loops at the end of the cable to secure an object to the cable.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide systems for securing objects to overhead beams which permit the height to be precisely regulated.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for securing an object to an overhead beam by means of suspension cables that is readily installable by workmen.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clamp of the present invention clamped to a section of “I” beam.
- FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 1 clamped to the “I” beam.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of the clamp of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the internal arrangement of the clamp.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clamp similar to that of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of the clamp of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of another form of clamp.
- FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the clamp of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a system for suspending an object from an overhead beam shown schematically.
- FIG. 9 is a system similar to that of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 10 is another system similar to those of FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a clamp generally indicated at 10 clamped to an overhead beam 12 .
- the overhead beam 12 is depicted as an “I” beam but it could be a beam or support of any shape that would accept the clamp 10 .
- the clamp 10 has a generally “C” shaped body 14 with a threaded fastener 16 threaded through one leg of the “C” shaped body 14 .
- a lock nut 18 is included on the threaded fastener 16 to lock the fastener in place after the clamp 10 is secured to beam 12 .
- a vertical bore 20 ( FIG. 3 ) is provided through the body 14 of clamp 10 .
- the vertical bore 20 has a conical end 22 at the lower end of the clamp 10 .
- a wedge retainer 24 which is generally conical in shape with an extended cylindrical end portion 24 a and which has a bore extending through the length of the wedge retainer 24 to accept a cable.
- the wedge retainer 24 retains wedges 26 about its periphery.
- the wedges 26 are depicted as balls but they could also be wedges of other shapes without departing from the spirit of this invention.
- the wedge retainer 24 is urged downwardly relative to the clamp body 14 by a spiral spring 28 that is secured at the upper end of the body 14 by a spring cap 30 fixed to the body 14 .
- a retainer lock nut 32 is threaded onto the outer extension of the wedge retainer 24 for a purpose to be described.
- a cable 34 is positioned within the body 14 of clamp 10 .
- the cable 34 may be moved upwardly in the direction shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3 . If cable 34 is attempted to be moved downwardly against the direction of arrow A, the wedges 26 within the wedge retainer 24 are wedged against the cable as the wedge retainer 24 moves downwardly and the wedges 26 enter the lower conical portion 22 of vertical bore 20 . It will be seen that the position of the cable 34 relative to the clamp body 14 may be adjusted by moving the cable 34 upwardly in the direction of arrow A. Once the cable 34 is positioned in the desired location, the retainer lock nut 32 is threaded upwardly against the body 14 of clamp 10 to prevent movement of the wedge retainer 24 relative to the body 14 and thereby lock the cable 34 in place.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a second embodiment of a clamp adapted to fix a cable to an overhead beam.
- the clamp shown generally at 40 has a generally “C” shaped body 44 with a threaded fastener 46 threaded through one leg of the body 44 .
- a lock nut 48 is positioned on the threaded fastener 46 to lock it in place once the threaded fastener 46 clamps the body 44 of clamp 10 onto an overhead beam (not shown).
- FIG. 5 there is shown a vertical bore 50 that has an oversized portion 52 at the top of the body of clamp 10 .
- the oversized portion 52 forms an annular shoulder 54 around the top of the smaller vertical bore 50 .
- a cable 56 is shown within the vertical bore 50 and cable 56 has an oversized end 58 which prevents the cable 56 from moving downwardly relative to the clamp body 44 when the oversized end 58 contacts the annular shoulder 54 within the clamp body 44 .
- FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown a third embodiment of a clamp adapted to fix a cable to an overhead beam.
- the clamp shown generally at 80 has a generally “C” shaped body 84 with a threaded fastener 86 through one leg of the body 84 .
- a lock nut 88 is positioned on the threaded fastener 86 to lock it in place once the threaded fastener 86 clamps the body 84 of clamp 10 onto an overhead beam (not shown).
- a vertical bore 90 is provided through the body 84 of clamp 80 .
- the vertical bore 90 has a passage 92 communicating with it.
- Passage 92 extends downwardly at an acute angle to bore 90 and contains a wedge 94 that slides within passage 92 .
- the wedge 94 is urged toward bore 90 by a spring 96 that is retained by a spring cap 98 fixed to the upper end of passage 92 .
- the wedge 94 has release levers 100 fixed to it that extend outwardly from wedge 94 through slots 102 formed into each side of “C” shaped body 84 .
- the slots 102 extend generally parallel to passage 92 and permit the wedge 94 to be moved against the urging of spring 96 .
- cable 104 can be inserted upwardly into bore 90 and that the wedge 94 will move against the urging of spring 96 to permit passage of cable 104 . If there is an attempt to move cable 104 downwardly, it will be wedged against bore 90 by wedge 94 . If it is desired to move cable 104 downwardly, release levers 100 are moved against the urging of spring 96 to move wedge 94 away from cable 104 .
- FIGS. 8, 9 , and 10 show systems for supporting objects below overhead beams by means of cable supported from the novel clamps shown in FIGS. 1-7 .
- FIG. 8 shows a clamp 40 having the “C” shaped body 44 with the threaded fastener 46 and lock nut 48 clamped to an overhead beam (not shown).
- the cable 56 that suspends from clamp 40 is utilized to support an object 60 at a desired distance below the clamp 40 .
- the object 60 as shown in FIG. 6 has an eye through which cable 56 passes. It should be understood that the shape and size of object 60 form no part of the present invention and the object 16 may be a pipe, a heating or air conditioning vent, or any other object which is encircled by cable 56 .
- the cable 56 passes through a cable grip 64 and then encircles the object 60 and is returned back through cable grip 64 where the free end 66 of cable 56 protrudes above the cable grip 64 .
- the cable grip 64 is a device shown and described in my copending patent application Ser. No. 10/029,087 entitled “Releasable Cable Grip” and filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 20, 2001.
- the cable grip 64 consists generally of a housing that has twin bores through the housing. One bore permits the cable to pass freely through the housing without being restricted.
- the other bore contains wedges and retainer elements that permit the cable to pass in only one direction through the housing and restrict the cable from being removed from the housing in the opposite direction.
- the cable 56 suspends from the clamp 40 and passes through the passage within cable grip 64 which does not restrict it.
- the cable 56 is passed around object 60 and is then passed upwardly through cable grip 64 until the end portion 66 of the cable 56 protrudes above the cable grip 64 .
- the precise height of object 60 relative to clamp 40 will depend upon the amount of the free end 66 of cable 56 that extends above the cable grip 64 .
- the clamp 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 1-3 is attached to an overhead beam (not shown) when the threaded fastener 16 in the clamp body 14 is threaded against the beam and the lock nut 18 is secured.
- the retainer lock nut 32 will hold the cable 34 a in place.
- the cable 34 a has a permanent loop 68 formed on the end of cable 34 a by means of a crimped retainer 70 that secures the end of cable 34 a and forms the loop 68 .
- the object 72 is encircled by cable 34 a and then cable 34 a passes back through its own loop 68 to secure the object.
- the cable 34 a is then passed upwardly into clamp 10 with the retainer lock nut 32 loosened to permit free movement of cable 34 a through the clamp body 14 .
- the height of object 72 relative to clamp 10 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of cable 34 a that protrudes above the body 14 of the clamp 10 . It will be appreciated that the system of FIG. 9 may also be practiced with the clamp 80 of FIGS. 6 and 7 since the amount of cable protruding above clamp 80 is adjustable.
- FIG. 10 also shows a system which utilizes the clamp 10 of FIGS. 1-3 .
- a cable 34 is secured by clamp 14 as described in conjunction with the description of clamp 10 .
- the cable 34 passes through a cable grip 64 as described in conjunction with the configuration of FIG. 8 herein.
- the cable 34 passes through the free passage of cable grip 64 , encircles the object to be retained, and then passes back up through the restrained passage of cable grip 64 so that the free end 74 of cable 34 extends above the cable grip 64 .
- the height of object 72 relative to clamp 10 may be adjusted by the amount of cable that is moved above clamp 10 by loosening retainer lock nut 32 and thereafter tightening it.
- the height of object 72 relative to clamp 10 may also be adjusted by the amount of the free end 74 of cable 34 that is permitted to protrude above the cable grip 64 .
- FIG. 8 has two separate and distinct adjustment means for adjusting the height of the object 72 relative to the clamp 10 .
- the clamp 80 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be substituted in this system of FIG. 10 since it operates in a manner similar to the clamp 10 of FIGS. 1-3 .
Abstract
Cable Support Systems for supporting an object at a desired distance below an overhead beam or other overhead structure are provided. Novel clamps for clamping to the overhead structure are fitted to support cables that encircle objects to be supported by the cable support systems. The novel clamps have internal methods to support the cables. The cables are then encircled around the objects and fixed relative to the clamp. The distances between the object and the clamps may be precisely controlled.
Description
- This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 11/278,911, filed Apr. 6, 2006, which is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 10/085,543, filed Feb. 28, 2002 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,754 on Jul. 11, 2006. Application Ser. No. 11/278,911 and application Ser. No. 10/085,543 are incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates generally to cable support systems for suspending an object from an overhead structure by means of cables. The cable support systems include novel clamps that clamp to the overhead structure and support the cable that suspends from them to secure the object to be suspended.
- 2. Prior Art
- Various cable support systems have been described and utilized in the prior art to suspend objects from overhead beams. The purposed of such systems is to suspend items such as conduit, heating and air conditioning ducts, piping, and other objects from overhead structures such as beams or roofs. The earlier cable suspension systems did not provide adequate methods of adjusting the height of the objects suspended precisely so as to equalize the weight on several cables that might be suspending the same object. Further, the earlier systems did not provide a simple and easy way of connecting the cables that suspend an object to the overhead structures. The present invention provides a cable system that may precisely control the height of an object suspended from an overhead structure and also form a ready and easy connection to the overhead structure by novel clamps.
- A clamp for a cable support system is provided that includes a generally “C” shaped clamp body with a threaded fastener threadingly received within one leg of the “C” shaped body to clamp the “C” shaped body onto an overhead beam. A vertical bore through the clamp body receives a cable to be suspended from the overhead beam and there are various devices within the clamp body to restrict the downward vertical movement of the cable relative to the clamp body. One of the arrangements for restricting the downward movement of the cable within the clamp body is to provide a annular shoulder within the bore that cooperates with an oversized end portion on the cable and thereby restricts downward movement of the cable.
- Another arrangement for restraining the cable within the “C” shaped body of the clamp includes providing a conical end portion at the lower part of the vertical bore through the body. A wedge retainer is movable vertically within the bore. Wedges retained by the wedge retainer contact the cable within the bore and force the wedges against the cable by contact with the conical end portion of the bore when the retainer is at the lower part of the bore. A spring urges the wedge retainer downwardly relative to the bore so that when the cable is forced upwardly through the wedges, the cable is restricted from downward movement.
- Still another arrangement for restraining the cable within the “C” shaped body of the clamp includes providing a passage extending downwardly at an acute angle to the vertical bore with a wedge within the passage that is urged into the bore by a spring. The wedge prevents the cable from moving downwardly unless it is released by release levers that extend out from the wedge through slots in the “C” shaped body.
- Cable support systems are also provided which utilize the novel clamps and suspend an object from the cable with the use of cable clamps or by providing fixed loops at the end of the cable to secure an object to the cable.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel clamp for securing a cable to an overhead beam.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide systems for securing objects to overhead beams which permit the height to be precisely regulated.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for securing an object to an overhead beam by means of suspension cables that is readily installable by workmen.
- These and other objects of the present invention all become readily apparent as this description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clamp of the present invention clamped to a section of “I” beam. -
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the clamp ofFIG. 1 clamped to the “I” beam. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of the clamp ofFIGS. 1 and 2 showing the internal arrangement of the clamp. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clamp similar to that ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of the clamp ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of another form of clamp. -
FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the clamp ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a system for suspending an object from an overhead beam shown schematically. -
FIG. 9 is a system similar to that ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 10 is another system similar to those ofFIGS. 6 and 7 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a clamp generally indicated at 10 clamped to anoverhead beam 12. Theoverhead beam 12 is depicted as an “I” beam but it could be a beam or support of any shape that would accept theclamp 10. Theclamp 10 has a generally “C” shapedbody 14 with a threadedfastener 16 threaded through one leg of the “C”shaped body 14. Alock nut 18 is included on the threadedfastener 16 to lock the fastener in place after theclamp 10 is secured tobeam 12. A vertical bore 20 (FIG. 3 ) is provided through thebody 14 ofclamp 10. Thevertical bore 20 has aconical end 22 at the lower end of theclamp 10. Within thevertical bore 20 is positioned a wedge retainer 24 which is generally conical in shape with an extended cylindrical end portion 24 a and which has a bore extending through the length of the wedge retainer 24 to accept a cable. The wedge retainer 24 retainswedges 26 about its periphery. Thewedges 26 are depicted as balls but they could also be wedges of other shapes without departing from the spirit of this invention. The wedge retainer 24 is urged downwardly relative to theclamp body 14 by aspiral spring 28 that is secured at the upper end of thebody 14 by aspring cap 30 fixed to thebody 14. - A
retainer lock nut 32 is threaded onto the outer extension of the wedge retainer 24 for a purpose to be described. Acable 34 is positioned within thebody 14 ofclamp 10. Thecable 34 may be moved upwardly in the direction shown by the arrow A inFIG. 3 . Ifcable 34 is attempted to be moved downwardly against the direction of arrow A, thewedges 26 within the wedge retainer 24 are wedged against the cable as the wedge retainer 24 moves downwardly and thewedges 26 enter the lowerconical portion 22 ofvertical bore 20. It will be seen that the position of thecable 34 relative to theclamp body 14 may be adjusted by moving thecable 34 upwardly in the direction of arrow A. Once thecable 34 is positioned in the desired location, theretainer lock nut 32 is threaded upwardly against thebody 14 ofclamp 10 to prevent movement of the wedge retainer 24 relative to thebody 14 and thereby lock thecable 34 in place. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is shown a second embodiment of a clamp adapted to fix a cable to an overhead beam. The clamp shown generally at 40 has a generally “C” shapedbody 44 with a threadedfastener 46 threaded through one leg of thebody 44. Alock nut 48 is positioned on the threadedfastener 46 to lock it in place once the threadedfastener 46 clamps thebody 44 ofclamp 10 onto an overhead beam (not shown). Referring toFIG. 5 , there is shown avertical bore 50 that has anoversized portion 52 at the top of the body ofclamp 10. Theoversized portion 52 forms anannular shoulder 54 around the top of the smallervertical bore 50. Acable 56 is shown within thevertical bore 50 andcable 56 has anoversized end 58 which prevents thecable 56 from moving downwardly relative to theclamp body 44 when theoversized end 58 contacts theannular shoulder 54 within theclamp body 44. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a third embodiment of a clamp adapted to fix a cable to an overhead beam. The clamp shown generally at 80 has a generally “C” shapedbody 84 with a threadedfastener 86 through one leg of thebody 84. Alock nut 88 is positioned on the threadedfastener 86 to lock it in place once the threadedfastener 86 clamps thebody 84 ofclamp 10 onto an overhead beam (not shown). Avertical bore 90 is provided through thebody 84 ofclamp 80. - The
vertical bore 90 has apassage 92 communicating with it.Passage 92 extends downwardly at an acute angle to bore 90 and contains awedge 94 that slides withinpassage 92. Thewedge 94 is urged towardbore 90 by aspring 96 that is retained by aspring cap 98 fixed to the upper end ofpassage 92. Thewedge 94 has release levers 100 fixed to it that extend outwardly fromwedge 94 throughslots 102 formed into each side of “C” shapedbody 84. Theslots 102 extend generally parallel topassage 92 and permit thewedge 94 to be moved against the urging ofspring 96. - It will be seen that
cable 104 can be inserted upwardly intobore 90 and that thewedge 94 will move against the urging ofspring 96 to permit passage ofcable 104. If there is an attempt to movecable 104 downwardly, it will be wedged againstbore 90 bywedge 94. If it is desired to movecable 104 downwardly, release levers 100 are moved against the urging ofspring 96 to movewedge 94 away fromcable 104. -
FIGS. 8, 9 , and 10 show systems for supporting objects below overhead beams by means of cable supported from the novel clamps shown inFIGS. 1-7 .FIG. 8 shows aclamp 40 having the “C” shapedbody 44 with the threadedfastener 46 andlock nut 48 clamped to an overhead beam (not shown). Thecable 56 that suspends fromclamp 40 is utilized to support anobject 60 at a desired distance below theclamp 40. Theobject 60 as shown inFIG. 6 has an eye through whichcable 56 passes. It should be understood that the shape and size ofobject 60 form no part of the present invention and theobject 16 may be a pipe, a heating or air conditioning vent, or any other object which is encircled bycable 56. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , thecable 56 passes through acable grip 64 and then encircles theobject 60 and is returned back throughcable grip 64 where thefree end 66 ofcable 56 protrudes above thecable grip 64. - The
cable grip 64 is a device shown and described in my copending patent application Ser. No. 10/029,087 entitled “Releasable Cable Grip” and filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 20, 2001. Thecable grip 64 consists generally of a housing that has twin bores through the housing. One bore permits the cable to pass freely through the housing without being restricted. The other bore contains wedges and retainer elements that permit the cable to pass in only one direction through the housing and restrict the cable from being removed from the housing in the opposite direction. As shown inFIG. 6 , thecable 56 suspends from theclamp 40 and passes through the passage withincable grip 64 which does not restrict it. Thecable 56 is passed aroundobject 60 and is then passed upwardly throughcable grip 64 until theend portion 66 of thecable 56 protrudes above thecable grip 64. The precise height ofobject 60 relative to clamp 40 will depend upon the amount of thefree end 66 ofcable 56 that extends above thecable grip 64. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , theclamp 10 of the type shown inFIGS. 1-3 is attached to an overhead beam (not shown) when the threadedfastener 16 in theclamp body 14 is threaded against the beam and thelock nut 18 is secured. Inclamp 10, theretainer lock nut 32 will hold thecable 34 a in place. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9 , thecable 34 a has apermanent loop 68 formed on the end ofcable 34 a by means of a crimpedretainer 70 that secures the end ofcable 34 a and forms theloop 68. InFIG. 9 , theobject 72 is encircled bycable 34 a and thencable 34 a passes back through itsown loop 68 to secure the object. Thecable 34 a is then passed upwardly intoclamp 10 with theretainer lock nut 32 loosened to permit free movement ofcable 34 a through theclamp body 14. The height ofobject 72 relative to clamp 10 is adjusted by adjusting the amount ofcable 34 a that protrudes above thebody 14 of theclamp 10. It will be appreciated that the system ofFIG. 9 may also be practiced with theclamp 80 ofFIGS. 6 and 7 since the amount of cable protruding aboveclamp 80 is adjustable. -
FIG. 10 also shows a system which utilizes theclamp 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 . Here again, acable 34 is secured byclamp 14 as described in conjunction with the description ofclamp 10. Thecable 34 passes through acable grip 64 as described in conjunction with the configuration ofFIG. 8 herein. Thecable 34 passes through the free passage ofcable grip 64, encircles the object to be retained, and then passes back up through the restrained passage ofcable grip 64 so that thefree end 74 ofcable 34 extends above thecable grip 64. In the configuration ofFIG. 10 , the height ofobject 72 relative to clamp 10 may be adjusted by the amount of cable that is moved aboveclamp 10 by looseningretainer lock nut 32 and thereafter tightening it. The height ofobject 72 relative to clamp 10 may also be adjusted by the amount of thefree end 74 ofcable 34 that is permitted to protrude above thecable grip 64. ThusFIG. 8 has two separate and distinct adjustment means for adjusting the height of theobject 72 relative to theclamp 10. Again, it will be appreciated that theclamp 80 ofFIGS. 6 and 7 may be substituted in this system ofFIG. 10 since it operates in a manner similar to theclamp 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 . - In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle, mode of operation and the preferred embodiments of my invention. It should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described herein in accordance with the claims affixed hereto.
Claims (2)
1. A clamp for a cable support system to suspend an object from an overhead beam comprising:
a. a generally “C” shaped clamp body;
b. a threaded fastener threadingly received within one leg of the “C” shaped clamp body to clamp the “C” shaped body onto the overhead beam;
c. a vertical bore through the “C” clamp body for receiving a cable to be suspended from the overhead beam; and
d. an annular shoulder in the bore that prevents downward movement of an oversized end portion of the cable through the bore.
2. A cable support system for hanging an object at a desired distance below an overhead beam comprising:
a. a clamp having a generally “C” shaped clamp body with a threaded fastener threadingly received within one leg of the “C” shaped body to clamp the “C” shaped body onto the overhead beam and a vertical bore through the clamp body to receive a cable to be suspended from the overhead beam, the vertical bore having an annular shoulder in the bore to prevent downward movement of an oversized end of the cable through the bore;
b. an object to be suspended by the cable at a predetermined height below the beam:
c. a cable grip having first and second bores extending longitudinally through a housing wherein the first bore permits free movement of a cable relative to the cable grip housing and the second bore has wedge means associated therewith that permit movement of the cable relative to the second bore in one direction but prevent movement of the cable in the other direction;
d. the cable suspended from the clamp being passed through the first bore of the cable grip and thereafter being looped around the object and then being positioned within the second bore of the cable grip; and
e. the height of the object below the beam being adjusted by adjusting the amount of cable moved through the cable grip second bore.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/735,630 US20070184726A1 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2007-04-16 | Cable Support Sytems |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/085,543 US7073754B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2002-02-28 | Cable support systems |
US11/278,911 US7222824B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2006-04-06 | Cable support systems |
US11/735,630 US20070184726A1 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2007-04-16 | Cable Support Sytems |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/278,911 Division US7222824B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2006-04-06 | Cable support systems |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070184726A1 true US20070184726A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 |
Family
ID=27753659
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/085,543 Expired - Lifetime US7073754B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2002-02-28 | Cable support systems |
US11/278,911 Expired - Lifetime US7222824B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2006-04-06 | Cable support systems |
US11/735,660 Expired - Fee Related US7287728B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2007-04-16 | Cable support systems |
US11/735,630 Abandoned US20070184726A1 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2007-04-16 | Cable Support Sytems |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/085,543 Expired - Lifetime US7073754B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2002-02-28 | Cable support systems |
US11/278,911 Expired - Lifetime US7222824B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2006-04-06 | Cable support systems |
US11/735,660 Expired - Fee Related US7287728B2 (en) | 2002-02-28 | 2007-04-16 | Cable support systems |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (4) | US7073754B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003218057A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003073574A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
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US20110062975A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-03-17 | Walcher James W | Electrical terminal test point and methods of use |
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US20060214073A1 (en) * | 2005-03-22 | 2006-09-28 | Mominee Daniel S | Fabricated heavy duty structural clamp |
US7304243B2 (en) * | 2005-07-22 | 2007-12-04 | Connector Products, Inc. | Cable connector |
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USD955867S1 (en) * | 2018-10-22 | 2022-06-28 | Li Zhou | Beam clamp |
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TWM629954U (en) * | 2022-03-30 | 2022-07-21 | 艾維克科技股份有限公司 | Suspension type supporting device |
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- 2003-02-26 WO PCT/US2003/007263 patent/WO2003073574A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2006
- 2006-04-06 US US11/278,911 patent/US7222824B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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US1391457A (en) * | 1921-04-20 | 1921-09-20 | Nadeau | Wire-rope choker-sling |
US1959985A (en) * | 1932-07-29 | 1934-05-22 | Koppel Ind Car & Equipment Co | Sling such as is used in the handling of sugar cane |
US2564389A (en) * | 1949-02-24 | 1951-08-14 | George L Boehm | Fish stringer holder |
US2664113A (en) * | 1951-06-14 | 1953-12-29 | Livermore Corp H F | Letoff drive rod arm |
US2819923A (en) * | 1955-08-17 | 1958-01-14 | Anderson Doyle | Suspension sling |
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US4019705A (en) * | 1972-04-05 | 1977-04-26 | Habuda Sr Blair A | Pipe hanging apparatus |
US3979094A (en) * | 1975-02-19 | 1976-09-07 | Dewitt Stuart | Adjustable hanger strap |
US4188141A (en) * | 1978-08-08 | 1980-02-12 | Stoot Robert C | Butt hook for a logging choker line |
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Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110062975A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-03-17 | Walcher James W | Electrical terminal test point and methods of use |
US9069011B2 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2015-06-30 | Exelon Generation Company, Llc | Electrical terminal test point and methods of use |
US20160103151A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2016-04-14 | Exelon Generation Company, Llc | Electrical terminal test point and methods of use |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7222824B2 (en) | 2007-05-29 |
AU2003218057A1 (en) | 2003-09-09 |
WO2003073574A2 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
US7073754B2 (en) | 2006-07-11 |
US20030160137A1 (en) | 2003-08-28 |
US20070181752A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 |
US7287728B2 (en) | 2007-10-30 |
WO2003073574A3 (en) | 2003-10-16 |
US20060180717A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DUCTMATE INDUSTRIES, INC., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHUEY, ALAN B.;REEL/FRAME:019822/0029 Effective date: 20020228 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |