WO2025096385A1

WO2025096385A1 - Electrical component hangers

Info

Publication number: WO2025096385A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/053336
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshua Martin BAYNARD; Greg Patrick ROCCAPRIORE
Original assignee: Hubbell Inc
Current assignee: Hubbell Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-31
Filing date: 2024-10-29
Publication date: 2025-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-30

Abstract

A hanger for securing electrical components to a structure, the hanger including a first attachment portion provided at a proximal end of the hanger for securing to the structure, a second attachment portion provided at a distal end of the hanger for securing to the structure and a component holding portion provided at an intermediate portion of the hanger extending diagonally between the first and second attachment portions.

Description

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HANGERS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/594,493 filed October 31, 2023 entitled ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HANGERS the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to hangers and more specifically, to electrical component hangers.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Structures are often provided for supporting different types of systems which may include electrical systems, electrical components, cabling or wiring, etc. Often, electrical cabling or wiring is run to and from various parts of these systems utilizing one or more types of cable management systems.

[0004] For example, the use of photovoltaic arrays to provide electrical power in commercial, residential, and other environments has become more and more popular. Photovoltaic arrays are generally composed of a number of photovoltaic or solar modules and may be set within a support structure such as a metallic frame or rail system that supports the photovoltaic modules. The frame or rail system is attached to a structure such as a roof or the ground. When installing a photovoltaic array, a number of photovoltaic modules are assembled onto the frame or rail system. The metallic frames of the individual photovoltaic modules, and the structural pieces, e.g., the rails, on which the modules are mounted are generally made out of aluminum.

Depending upon the size of the photovoltaic array, the rail system may include multiple metallic rails coupled or connected together in a grid-like pattern. To prevent additional shading on the solar panels, it is important that wires, electronic components, etc. remain away from the light receiving faces of the solar panels. This can be particularly difficult when solar panels which allow light to enter from the back and front (e.g., bi-facial modules) are utilized, since the cables and/or electrical components tend to hang or drape from the array, even when existing cable management systems are used. To ensure the integrity of cables running along the metal frames of the photovoltaic modules, the cables may be mounted to the metal frames using one or more of various types of wire management systems. The wire management systems provide neat, easy and efficient ways for connecting the cables to the support structure. Examples of cable management systems include various types of clips as well as various types of ties including twist ties, zip ties, hook and loop ties, crimped wire cable ties etc.

[0005] Maximizing energy production from photovoltaic arrays is important and is particularly important for utility-scale solar designers in order to provide a greater return on investment. One path to maximizing energy production involves the use of solar trackers which are used to expose the photovoltaic modules to more sun. Solar trackers when connected to the solar modules or arrays move the arrays to track the movement of the sun in the sky. In this way, the solar modules are always positioned to take optimum advantage for harvesting the sun’s energy. Such solar trackers are often provided in between interconnected rows of solar modules which are themselves interconnected with one or more cables. The solar trackers generally require their own unique frames or support structures separate from those used to support the solar modules. These unique frames and support structures should also be capable of holding the cables from the interconnected solar modules as well as the cables used to power and control the solar trackers themselves, in a neat and efficient way. Because the solar trackers move the solar modules through various arcs and distances, the cables should be allowed some movement so as not to bind the system while still keeping the cables and wiring out of the way of moving parts to prevent pinching and out of the way of the solar modules to prevent shading.

[0006] Brackets or frames used to support solar tracking units and, in particular, utility scale solar tracking units, often utilize many different components including various types of brackets or torque tubes and are often provided in very specific configurations. While these brackets or frames may provide a firm secure support for the solar tracking unit, cables from the solar tracking unit and/or solar modules may be left hanging and subject to pinching, binding and/or result in additional shading of the solar modules.

[0007] Existing cable management systems are generally not particularly well suited for use on all of the various types of brackets and frames utilized. For example, existing clips for attaching a cable to a bracket are not suitable for supporting the weight of the relatively large number of cables passing by the solar array and/or solar tracking unit and will tend to slip off the bracket because of their weight and the movement of the bracket as the solar tracking unit tracks the movement of the sun. The various types of ties currently being utilized provide limited support for the cable and tend to move and slide up and down the portion of the bracket to which they are attached as the bracket moves, which may end up causing the cables to be worn through exposing and/or damaging the inner wires.

[0008] A need exists for hangers for securely and reliably hanging and holding electrical cables to various types of structures.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure provides embodiments of electrical cable hangers for securing electrical components to structures.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, a hanger for securing electrical cabling to a structure includes a first attachment portion provided at a proximal end of the hanger for securing to the structure, a second attachment portion provided at a distal end of the hanger for securing to the structure and a component holding portion provided at an intermediate portion of the hanger between the first and second attachment portions.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment an electrical cable hanger for securing electrical cable to a structure includes a segment of spring steel comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an intermediate section between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be hooked to a first portion of the structure and the distal end portion is configured to be hooked to a second portion of the structure, and wherein the proximal end portion is connected to a first portion of the intermediate section by a first diagonal section and the distal end portion is connected to a second portion of the intermediate section by a second diagonal section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The figures depict embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein, wherein:

[0013] Figs. 1A-1C are perspective views of a structure to which an electrical component hanger according to illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure may be attached;

[0014] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of an electrical component hanger according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Fig. 3 is a top view of the electrical component hanger according to the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in Fig. 2;

[0016] Fig. 4 is a front view of an electrical component hanger according to the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in Fig. 2;

[0017] Figs. 5A-5F are front views of electrical component holding portions of electrical component hangers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figs. 6A-6C are perspective views of a structure to which an electrical component hanger according to illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure may be attached;

[0019] Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of an electrical component hanger according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 8 is a top view of the electrical component hanger according to the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in Fig. 7; [0021] Fig. 9 is a front view of an electrical component hanger according to the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in Fig. 7;

[0022] Fig. 10 is a view of a portion of the structure and electrical component hanger depicted in Fig. 6C taken from lines 10-10 of Fig. 6C; and

[0023] Figs. 11 A-l IE are front views of electrical component holding portions of electrical component hangers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present disclosure provides embodiments of electrical cable hangers or supports for securing electrical wires and cables to a structure. By way of examples only, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described as being attached to a support structure such as a metal frame or rail upon which a solar array and/or solar tracking unit may be mounted. For ease of description, the support structure may be referred to interchangeably herein as frame, bracket or rail. The wires or cables referred to herein as being supported may be formed by one or more solid conductors and/or by one or more stranded conductors. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be referred to interchangeably as electrical component hangers, electrical wire hangers, electrical cable hangers, electrical wire or cable hangers, etc. It will be appreciated the hangers however described herein may be suitable for holding various types of electrical components including but not limited to, for example, wires, cables, fuses, connectors, etc.

[0025] Electrical cable hangers according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described as being formed from a material capable of assuming a particular shape and substantially retaining that shape. The material may be referred to herein as wire or rod. A nonlimiting example of such material is spring steel. The spring steel may be in the form of a wire or rod having a substantially circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated. Alternatively, the spring steel may be in be in the form of a strip or sheet having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The wire selected may include round galvanized steel, round stainless steel, flat rolled galvanized steel, flat rolled stainless steel, etc. The spring steel may be coated with a suitable material to protect it from the environment. For example, the spring steel may be galvanized. Alternatively, other forms of environmentally protected materials such as stainless spring steel may be utilized. One or more portions of the material may be provided with a coating which is non-conductive and/or provides a higher coefficient of friction than the material itself. The gauge of the material is selected to be suitable for the size and/or number of cables to be held and generally may range between 6 - 18 gauge. Although embodiments of the present disclosure will be described as being formed from a single segment of wire, it will be appreciated the single segment may actually consist of two or more individual segments joined by weld, solder, crimp, etc. to form the single segment.

[0026] An electrical component or wire or cable hanger according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 1-5 and is referred to herein generally as hanger 100. A support structure to which hanger 100 may be attached is used for securing solar modules or arrays. An example of a portion of such a support structure is depicted in Figs. 1A-1C and is referred to as support structure 30. Support structure 30 may be connected to mechanisms such as solar trackers which move the solar modules or arrays to track the movement of the sun in the sky. Furthermore, the solar modules or arrays may include bi-facial type solar panels which allow light to enter from the back and front. Accordingly, it is important that cabling and electrical components be firmly secured to the support structure 30, avoid possible pinch points and prevent binding during movement of the solar modules or arrays by the solar trackers. In addition, it is important that the cabling and electrical components be positioned such that they do not cause additional shading on the modules or arrays. Support structure 30 may include a pipe or tube referred to as a torque tube 38. The torque tube 38 may be, for example, square, rectangular, etc and may be supported and held by another structure 36 utilizing bolts 32 and cross member 34. This type of support structure 30 also makes a convenient location for hanging electrical cable hangers 100 used to support electrical components including wiring and cabling running between the solar modules or arrays in the vicinity of the support structure 30. A cable hanger 100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is particularly well suited for use as cable management on such a support structure. Cable hanger 100 includes two hook ends 102 for attaching the cable hanger 100 to the support structure 30. For example, hook ends 102 are dimensioned and shaped to be hooked around and supported by cross member 34, one hook end 102 on either side of torque tube 38. Cable hanger 100 includes a middle or intermediate component holding section 104 which extends diagonally between hook ends 102

[0027] for holding electrical components. Component holding section 104 is thus positioned below support structure 30 for securely supporting wires or cables passing support structure 30 such that the wires or cables are positioned to avoid any possible pinch points and are arranged below the torque tube 38 to avoid any additional shading on the solar array.

[0028] Referring now to Figs. 2-4, hanger 100 is formed from one or more sections of wire or rod 113 which includes a distal end arm 106 which extends to elbow 108 and then makes a rightangle bend to upright arm 110. Upright arm 110 extends to elbow 112 which makes a rightangle bend to cross arm 114 which then extends to elbow 116. Elbow 116 makes a right-angle bend to upright arm 118 and extends to elbow 120 making a right-angle bend to diagonal arm 122 which extends to elbow 123. In similar fashion, a distal end arm 142 extends to elbow 140 which makes a right-angle bend to upright arm 138. Upright arm 138 extends to elbow 136 which makes a right-angle bend to cross arm 134 which then extends to elbow 132. Elbow 132 makes a right-angle bend to upright arm 130 and extends to elbow 128 making a right-angle bend to diagonal arm 126 which extends to elbow 125. A substantially circular section 124 extends between elbow 123 and elbow 125 forming component holding section 104 as shown.

[0029] It will be appreciated the dimensions and shapes of portions of hanger 100 may vary depending on a particular application. For example, although the elbows forming portions of hanger 100 may be described as making right-angle bends, the bends may in actuality be greater or less than 90 degrees and suitable for a particular application. Upright arms 110, 118, 130 and 138 may generally be selected to be sufficiently long such that distal end arms 106, 142 are able to wrap around and hook to cross member 34 as shown in Fig. 1C. Cross arms 114 and 134 are generally selected to be substantially the same or wider than the width of cross member 34 as also shown in Fig. 1C. It will be appreciated from Figs. 1A-1C the lengths of diagonal arms 122 and 126 may be the sufficiently long such that the distance between cross-arms 114 and 134 is the same or longer than the width of the torque tube 38. In addition, component holding section 104 may be formed in a shape other than circular. In particular, a shape of the electrical component receiving portions may be selected from a group consisting of, for example, polygonal, round, square, rectangular and triangular. As shown in Figs. 5A, component holding section 104 may be square. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 122 extends to elbow 123 making a right-angle bend to arm 171 and then elbow 172. Elbow 172 makes a right-angle bend to arm 173 which extends to elbow 174 making a right-angle bend to arm 175 which extends to elbow 125 and then diagonal arm 126. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 171, 173 and 175 are substantially similar in length. Alternatively, one or more of the arm sections may have different lengths. For example, as shown in Fig. 5B, component holding section 104 may be rectangular. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 122 extends to elbow 123 making a right-angle bend to arm 176 and then elbow 177. Elbow 177 makes a rightangle bend to arm 178 which extends to elbow 179 making a right-angle bend to arm 180 which extends to elbow 125 and then diagonal arm 126. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 176 and 180 are longer than arm section 178. Of course, arm sections 176 and 180 may be shorter than arm section 178 if desired and suitable for a particular application.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 5C, component holding section 104 may be triangular. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 122 extends to elbow 125 making a bend to arm 185 and then elbow 184. Elbow 184 makes a bend to arm 183 which extends to elbow 182 making a bend to arm 181 which extends to elbow 123 and then diagonal arm 126. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 122 and 126 criss-cross along the upper portion forming a closed component holding section 104. It will be appreciated any of the hangers described herein may be formed with such a closed component holding section 104. Of course, as will be described later below with respect to another illustrative embodiment, the component holding section depicted in Fig. 5C may be formed such that the corresponding arm sections do not cross and instead, form a triangular component section having an open upper portion (e.g., see Fig. 7).

[0031] According to another illustrative embodiment, any of the component holding sections described herein may be offset at an angle as also shown in Fig. 5D. According to this embodiment, diagonal arm 122 extends to elbow 123 making a bend to arm 186 and then elbow 187. Elbow 187 makes a bend to arm 188 which extends to elbow 189 making a bend to arm 190 which extends to elbow 125 and then diagonal arm 126. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 186 and 190 are different in length, forming the offset of component holding section 104.

[0032] According to another illustrative embodiment, component holding section 104 may have a shape as shown in Fig. 5E. In this embodiment, component holding section 104 is formed generally in the shape of an oblong or rectangular-like loop including component holding section 104A and component holding section 104B. Arm 126 extends from elbow 125 and arm 122 extends from elbow 123. Arms 155A and 155B extend from elbows 125 and 123, respectively. According to the present illustrative embodiment, the arms 155A and 155B are not parallel and flair outwards as shown in Fig. 5E forming an angle “Z” between upper arms 157A and 157B) and arms 155 A and 155B. Of course, arms 155 A and 155B may be parallel or may even cross forming a closed component holding sections 104A and 104B similar to that described above. Arms 155A, 155B may extend from arms 157A, 157B at an angle “Z” which may generally be 90 degrees and may generally be between 60 degrees and 90 degrees, although angles more or less than 90 degrees and less than 60 degrees may be utilized. The remaining portions of the hanger depicted in Fig. 5E are similar to those described above with respect to Figs. 1 A-4.

[0033] The length of arms 155A, 155B may be the same, similar or different from each other. In general, the length of arms 155A, 155B may be selected depending on different factors including, for example, a design and dimensions of a frame to which the hanger is to be attached. The width “A” of the opening 148 to component holding sections 104A and 104B at its narrowest point may depend on the size of the electrical components to be held by the hanger. For example, depending on a particular application, it may be preferable that width “A” be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding sections 104A and 104B. Arms 155A, 155B are sufficiently flexible so that they can be spread apart as the electrical component(s) are being passed through opening 148. Middle projection 160 separates the component holding sections 104A and 104B. Separating the component holding sections 104A and 104B into two sides, limits the distance the electrical components being held in each of the two sides of component holding sections 104A and 104B can move or slide within the component holding sections 104A and 104B. Limiting the movement within the component holding sections 104 A, 104B may minimize frictional wear on the electrical components being held in the component holding sections. The width “B” between middle projection 160 and elbow 156A may be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104A. The width “C” between middle projection 160 and elbow 156B may also be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104B. The width “D” of component holding section 104A may be generally larger than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104A. The width “E” of component holding section 104B may be larger than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104B. While the width “D” of component holding section 104A between arms 157A and 159A and the width “E” of component holding section 104B between arms 157B and 159B are depicted as being substantially the same, the widths “D” and “E” may be different such that component holding section 104A is capable of holding one or more electrical components having a first width (or diameter or gauge) and the component holding section 104B is capable of holding one or more electrical components having a second width (or diameter or gauge) different than the first width. In this case, the width “B” between middle projection 160 and elbow 156A may be different than the width “C” between middle projection 160 and elbow 156B to accommodate the size of the electrical components being received in component holding sections 104A and 104B. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, width “B” may be selected to be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104A and width “C” is selected to be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 104B. In this way, once the electrical component(s) are inserted into component holding sections 104A and 104B, the components will remain in position within the component holding sections 104A and 104B. As shown in Fig. 5E, the shape of the oblong or rectangular-like loop 147 forming component holding sections 104A andlO4B may include an arc or slant toward C-shaped ends 158A, 158B, respectively. The arc allows electrical components being inserted into component holding sections 104A and 104B to move and settle in the directions of the C-shaped ends 158A and 158B, respectively, and further limits movement of the cables within the component holding sections 104 A, 104B.

[0034] A wire or cable hanger according to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure will be described by reference to Figs. 6-1 IE and is referred to herein generally as hanger 200. A support structure to which hanger 200 may be attached is used for securing solar modules or arrays. An example of a portion of such a support structure is depicted in Figs. 6A- 6C and is referred to as support structure 30. Support structure 30 may be connected to mechanisms such as solar trackers which move the solar modules or arrays to track the movement of the sun in the sky. Furthermore, the solar modules or arrays may include bi-facial type solar panels which allow light to enter from the back and front. Accordingly, it is important that cabling and electrical components be firmly secured to the support structure 30, avoid possible pinch points and prevent binding during movement of the solar modules or arrays by the solar trackers. In addition, it is important that the cabling and electrical components be positioned such that they do not cause additional shading on the modules or arrays. Support structure 30 may include a pipe or tube referred to as a torque tube 38. The torque tube 38 may be, for example, square, rectangular, etc and may be supported and held by another structure 36 utilizing bolts 32 and cross member 34. This type of support structure 30 also makes a convenient location for hanging electrical cable hangers used to support cabling running in the vicinity of the support structure 30. A cable hanger 200 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is particularly well suited for use as cable management on such a support structure. Cable hanger 200 includes two hook ends 202 for attaching the cable hanger 200 to the support structure 30. For example, hook ends 202 are designed to be hooked around and supported by cross member 34, one hook end 202 on either side of torque tube 38. Cable hanger 200 includes a middle or intermediate component holding section 204 for holding electrical components. Component holding section 204 is thus positioned below support structure 30 for securely supporting electrical components including wires or cables passing support structure 30 such that the wires or cables are positioned to avoid any possible pinch points and are arranged below the torque tube 38 to avoid any possible additional shading on the solar array.

[0035] Referring now to Figs. 7-11, hanger 200 is formed from one or more sections of wire or rod 213 which includes a distal end arm 206 which extends to elbow 208 and then makes a rightangle bend to upright arm 210. Upright arm 210 extends to elbow 212 which makes a rightangle bend to cross arm 219 which then extends to elbow 217. Elbow 217 makes a bend to “V- shaped” or “U-shaped” portion 215 which extends to elbow 227. Elbow 227 makes a bend to cross arm 214 which extends to elbow 216 making a right-angle bend to upright arm 218 and extends to elbow 220 making a right-angle bend to diagonal arm 222 which extends to elbow 223. In similar fashion, a distal end arm 242 extends to elbow 240 which makes a right-angle bend to upright arm 238. Upright arm 238 extends to elbow 236 which makes a right-angle bend to cross arm 239 which then extends to elbow 237. Elbow 237 makes a bend to “V-shaped” or “U-shaped” portion 235 which extends to elbow 233. Elbow 233 makes a bend to cross arm 234 which extends to elbow 232. Elbow 232 makes a right-angle bend to upright arm 230 and extends to elbow 228 making a right-angle bend to diagonal arm 226 which extends to elbow 225. A substantially triangular section 224 extends between elbow 223 and elbow 225 forming component holding section 204 as shown. Triangular section 224 includes an upright 243A extending from elbow 225 and which extends to elbow 231 A. Cross arm 229 then extends from elbow 231A to elbow 23 IB which then extends to upright 243B which extends to elbow 223. As depicted in Figs. 6A-6C, the “V-shaped” or “U-shaped” portions 215, 235 extend around at least a portion of bolts 32 when hanger 200 is attached to structure 30. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the “V-shaped” or “U-shaped” portions 215, 235 may be shaped to wrap around more than half of the diameter of bolts 32 as shown in Fig. 10.

According to this embodiment, the distance between bends 227 and 217 and the bends 233 and 237 may be smaller than the diameter of bolts 32. In this way, “V-shaped” or U-shaped” portions 215, 235 can effectively “clip” to bolts 32 providing an even more secure connection of the hanger 200 to structure 30. [0036] It will be appreciated the dimensions and shapes of portions of hanger 200 may vary depending on a particular application. For example, although the elbows forming portions of hanger 200 may be described as making right-angle bends, the bends may in actuality be greater or less than 90 degrees and suitable for a particular application. Upright arms 210, 218, 230 and 238 may generally be selected to be sufficiently long such that distal end arms 206, 242 are able to wrap around and hook to cross member 34 similar to that shown in Fig. 1C. Cross arms 214, 219 and 234, 239 are generally selected such that a length between upright arms 210 and 218 and between upright arms 230 and 238 are substantially the same or wider than the width of cross member 34 as also shown in Fig. 6A-6C. It will be appreciated from Figs. 6A-6C the lengths of diagonal arms 222 and 226 may be sufficiently long such that the distance between cross-arms 214, 219 and cross-arms 234, 239 is the same or longer than the width of the torque tube 38.

[0037] In addition, component holding section 204 may be formed in a shape other than triangular and, for example, may be circular similar to that shown in above embodiments. As shown in Fig. 11 A, component holding section 204 may be square. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 222 extends to elbow 223 making a right-angle bend to arm 271 and then elbow 272. Elbow 272 makes a right-angle bend to arm 273 which extends to elbow 274 making a right-angle bend to arm 275 which extends to elbow 225 and then diagonal arm 226. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 271, 273 and 275 are substantially similar in length. Alternatively, one or more of the arm sections may have different lengths. For example, as shown in Fig. 1 IB, component holding section 204 may be rectangular. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 222 extends to elbow 223 making a right-angle bend to arm 276 and then elbow 277. Elbow 277 makes a right-angle bend to arm 278 which extends to elbow 279 making a right-angle bend to arm 280 which extends to elbow 225 and then diagonal arm 226. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 276 and 280 are longer than arm section 278. Of course, arm sections 276 and 280 may be shorter than arm section 278 if desired and suitable for a particular application.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 11C, component holding section 204 may be triangular with a closed component holding section 204. In this exemplary embodiment, diagonal arm 222 extends to elbow 225 making a bend to arm 285 and then elbow 284. Elbow 284 makes a bend to arm 283 which extends to elbow 282 making a bend to arm 281 which extends to elbow 225 and then diagonal arm 226. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 222 and 226 crisscross along the upper portion of the hanger forming a closed component holding section 204.

[0039] According to another illustrative embodiment, any of the component holding sections described herein may be offset at an angle as also shown in Fig. 1 ID. According to this embodiment, diagonal arm 222 extends to elbow 223 making a bend to arm 286 and then elbow 287. Elbow 287 makes a bend to arm 288 which extends to elbow 289 making a bend to arm 290 which extends to elbow 225 and then diagonal arm 226. According to this illustrative embodiment, arm sections 286 and 290 are different in length, forming the offset of component holding section 204.

[0040] According to another illustrative embodiment, hanger 200 may include a component holding section 204 having a shape as shown in Fig. 1 IE which is substantially similar to the component holding section 104 depicted above in Fig. 5E. For example, in this embodiment, component holding section 204 is formed generally in the shape of an oblong or rectangular-like loop including component holding section 204A and component holding section 204B. Arm 226 extends from elbow 225 and arm 222 extends from elbow 223 Arms 255A and 255B extend from elbows 225 and 223, respectively. According to the present illustrative embodiment, the arms 255A and 255B are not parallel and flair outwards as shown in Fig. 5E forming an angle “Z” between upper arms 257A and 257B and arms 255A and 255B. Of course, arms 255A and 255B may be parallel or may even cross forming a closed component holding sections 204A and 204Bsimilar to that described above in previously described embodiments (e.g., Figs. 5C and 11C). Arms 255A, 255B may extend from arms 257A, 257B at an angle “Z” which may generally be 90 degrees and may generally be between 60 degrees and 90 degrees, although angles more or less than 90 degrees may be utilized.

[0041] The length of arms 255A, 255B may be the same, similar or different from each other. In general, the length of arms 255A, 255B may be selected depending on different factors including, for example, a design and dimensions of a frame to which the hanger is to be attached. The width “A” of the opening 248 to component holding sections 204A and 204B at its narrowest point may depend on the size of the electrical components to be held by the hanger. For example, depending on a particular application, it may be preferable that width “A” be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding sections 204A and 204B. Arms 255A, 255B are sufficiently flexible so that they can be spread apart as the electrical component(s) are being passed through opening 248. Middle projection 260 separates the component holding section 204A and section 204B. Separating the component holding section into two sides, limits the distance the electrical components being held in each of the two component holding sections 204A and 204B can move or slide within the component holding sections 204A and 204B. Limiting the movement within the component holding sections 204A, 204B minimizes frictional wear on the electrical components being held in the component holding sections. The width “B” between middle projection 260 and elbow 256A may be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component s) to be inserted into component holding section 204A. The width “C” between middle projection 260 and elbow 256B may also be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 204B. The width “D” of component holding section 204A may be generally larger than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 204A. The width “E” of component holding section 204B may be larger than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 204B. While the width “D” of component holding section 204A between arms 257A and 259A and the width “E” of component holding section 204B between arms 257B and 259B are depicted as being substantially the same, the widths “D” and “E” may be different such that component holding section 204A is capable of holding one or more electrical components having a first width (or diameter or gauge) and the component holding section 204B is capable of holding one or more electrical components having a second width (or diameter or gauge) different than the first width. In this case, the width “B” between middle projection 260 and elbow 256A may be different than the width “C” between middle projection 260 and elbow 256B to accommodate the size of the electrical components being received in component holding sections 204A and 204B. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, width “B” may be selected to be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 204A and width “C” is selected to be smaller than a width (or diameter or gauge) of the electrical component(s) to be inserted into component holding section 204B. In this way, once the electrical component(s) are inserted into component holding sections 204A and 204B, the components will remain in position within the component holding sections 204A and 204B. As shown in Fig. 1 IE, the shape of the oblong or rectangular-like loop 247 forming component holding sections 204A and 204B may include an arc or slant toward C-shaped ends 258A and 258B, respectively. The arc allows electrical components being inserted into component holding sections 204A and 204B to move and settle in the directions of the C-shaped ends 258A and 258B, respectively, and further limits movement of the cables within the component holding sections 204 A, 204B.

[0042] A coating may be provided on at least portions of any of the above-described hangers that are in contact with electrical components including wires or cables. For example, as shown in Fig. 5F, portions of the hangers forming component holding sections 104 and 204 of the rod 113 and 213 may be coated with coating 75. Depending on a particular application, coating 75 may be an electrical insulator and/or may provide a higher coefficient of friction than the material forming the hanger itself. This allows the electrical wires and cables being held in the component holding sections 104 and 204 to be electrically isolated from the hanger 100 and 200 and any structure upon which the hanger 100, 200 is mounted. Providing a material with a higher coefficient of friction provides a surer grip to hold the wires and cables in position. Examples of suitable coatings may include rubber or rubber like materials, plastics, varnish, etc. Coating 75 may be applied to hanger 100, 200 in any suitable manner including, for example, by brush, spray or dipping, etc. Of course, any of the embodiments described herein may have the coating 75 applied to all of the hanger or only the portion of the hanger that will contact the electrical components including, for example, cables or wires being held by the hanger.

[0043] Certain terminology may be used in the present disclosure for ease of description and understanding. Examples include the following terminology or variations thereof: top, bottom, up, upward, inner, outer, outward, down, downward, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, etc. These terms refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is being made and not necessarily to any actual configuration of the structure or structures in use and, as such, are not necessarily meant to be limiting.

[0044] As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A hanger for securing electrical components to a structure, the hanger comprising: a first attachment section provided at a proximal end of the hanger for securing to the structure; a second attachment section provided at a distal end of the hanger for securing to the structure; and a component holding section provided at an intermediate section of the hanger and extending diagonally between the first and second attachment sections.

2. The hanger as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the component holding section is substantially round.

3. The hanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment section comprises a hooklike configuration.

4. The hanger as recited in claim 3, wherein the second attachment section comprises a hook-like configuration.

5. The hanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the component holding section comprises at least one first electrical component receiving section for receiving one or more electrical components and at least one second electrical component receiving section for receiving one or more electrical components. the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are connected by a diagonal connection.

6. The hanger as recited in claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical component receiving sections are substantially rectangular.

7. The hanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical component receiving sections are arched, s

8. The hanger as recited in claim 1, wherein the component holding section is at least one of square, rectangular, triangular and oval..

9. An electrical cable hanger for securing electrical cable to a structure, the electrical cable hanger comprising: a segment of spring steel comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an intermediate section between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the intermediate section configured for holding one or more electrical cables; and wherein the proximal end portion is configured to be hooked to a first portion of the structure and the distal end portion is configured to be hooked to a second portion of the structure, and wherein the proximal end portion is connected to a first portion of the intermediate section by a first diagonal section and the distal end portion is connected to a second portion of the intermediate section by a second diagonal section.

10. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the intermediate section is substantially round.

11. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the intermediate section is at least one of square, rectangular, triangular and oval.

12. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein at least one of the proximal end portion and the distal end portion comprises a hook-like configuration.

13. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the intermediate section comprises a at least one first electrical component receiving section for receiving one or more electrical cables and at least one second electrical component receiving section for receiving one or more electrical cables.

14. The hanger as recited in claim 13, wherein the first and second electrical component receiving sections are substantially rectangular.

15. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the intermediate section is at least one of square, rectangular, triangular and oval.

16. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the proximal end portion is configured to make contact with 3 sides of the structure.

17. The hanger as recited in claim 9, wherein the distal end portion is configured to make contact with 3 sides of the structure.