Cable hanger

1. Field of the Art

The present invention relates in general to cable positioning devices, and in particular to a cable hanger for suspending cables and conduits.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electrical cables such as power cables release heat. This heat (also know as Joule heat) is caused by the passage of electric currents through the electronic conductors in the power cables. Traditionally, the cable hangers hung (or supported) the electrical cables in a bundle (or a pile). The electrical cables bundled together can generate and trap a substantial amount of heat, raising safety concern. Regulations and building codes prohibiting electrical cables from being piled together have been passed to address this concern. Examples of the regulations and building codes include the National Electric Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association Building Construction and Safety Code (NFPA 5000).

Therefore, the art lacks a cable hanger that can stack and positively retain cables.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a cable hanger that hangs cables in a linear vertical position. The cable hanger includes a bent resilient rod with two elongated sections (legs) and a base section that form a U-shape design (or opening, elongated space) for holding cables. The bent resilient rod has a curved section and a downturn section extending from one of the two elongated sections (the first leg). The downturn section has a hook end. When the two elongated sections are pressed toward each other, the hook end can connect with the other elongated section (the second leg), thereby positively retaining (or locking) the cables in the U-shape design.

Embodiments of the cable hanger advantageously stack cables in a linear vertical position in the U-shape design. Therefore, heat generated by the cables can be quickly released to surrounding air. Embodiments of the cable hanger also advantageously provide a mechanism to slide cables into the U-shape design and positively retain them there.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter.