Scalable cable hanger

{
  "publication_number": "US12092246B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Scalable cable hanger",
  "abstract": "A cable hanger assembly comprises a unitary skeletal frame comprising (i) a base that comprises a first base surface and a second base surface that are separated by a channel that is open at a proximate channel end and closed at a distal channel end, (ii) a first sidewall extending from a distal end of the first base surface to the distal channel end, (iii) a second sidewall extending from a distal end of the second base surface to the distal channel end, and (iv) where at least one of the first and second base surfaces includes a slot open on its respective proximate slot end. A removable and replaceable strap or supplemental hanger assembly may be engaged with the slot and hangs from the slot.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A cable hanger assembly, comprising: a unitary skeletal frame comprising: a base that comprises a first base surface and a second base surface that are separated by a channel that is open at a proximate channel end and closed at a distal channel end; a first sidewall extending from a distal end of the first base surface to the distal channel end; a second sidewall extending from a distal end of the second base surface to the distal channel end; and where at least one of the first and second base surfaces includes a slot open on its respective proximate slot end, where the first sidewall includes a finger projection extending in the direction of the distal channel end, where the finger projection includes a finger distal end that is separated from the first sidewall and forms a cable receptacle area with the first sidewall.",
    "2. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the second sidewall includes a second finger projection extending in the direction of the distal channel end, where the second finger projection includes a second finger distal end that is separated from the second sidewall and forms a second cable receptacle area with the second sidewall.",
    "3. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where at least one of the first and second sidewalls includes an outwardly facing furcated member.",
    "4. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the unitary skeletal frame comprises polypropylene.",
    "5. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the unitary skeletal frame comprises polypropylene with an ultraviolet additive.",
    "6. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the unitary skeletal frame comprises plastic.",
    "7. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the unitary skeletal frame comprises metal.",
    "8. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the slot is a T-slot.",
    "9. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, further comprising a unitary supplemental hanger assembly that comprises: a shaft; a slot nut located at a distal shaft end of the shaft; and a plurality of cable holding projections extending from the shaft.",
    "10. The cable hanger assembly of claim 9, where the cable holding projections include a J-hook.",
    "11. The cable hanger assembly of claim 9, where the cable holding projections include a plurality of J-hooks in spaced relationship.",
    "12. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the unitary skeletal frame further comprises: a second slot located in one of the first or second base surfaces; and a strap having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, where the first longitudinal end includes a first slot nut that engages with the first slot and the second longitudinal end includes a second slot nut that engages with the second slot, such that the strap forms a cable carrying receptacle suspended from the unitary skeletal frame.",
    "13. The cable hanger assembly of claim 12, where the strap comprises polypropylene.",
    "14. The cable hanger assembly of claim 12, where the strap comprises polypropylene with an ultraviolet additive.",
    "15. The cable hanger assembly of claim 12, where the strap comprises plastic.",
    "16. The cable hanger assembly of claim 12, where the strap comprises metal.",
    "17. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, where the hanger is configured and arranged as a truss structure comprising a plurality of webs.",
    "18. The cable hanger assembly of claim 1, a removable and replaceable supplemental hanger assembly that is engaged with the slot and suspended from the slot."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates generally to cable hangers, and in particular to a scalable cable hanger assembly for use with solar panel mounting systems.\n\nCable hangers are known for suspending cables (e.g., power and data) from a messenger wire or other support in a utility scale solar power plant. As utility scale solar power plants have increased in scope there is a greater need to handle the increased number of cables that are suspended from the racking or tracker systems. In addition, since each utility scale solar power plant is different, the hanger needs are different. There is a need for an improved cable hanger that is scalable.\n\nAccording to an aspect of the disclosure, a cable hanger assembly comprises a unitary skeletal frame comprising a base that comprises a first base surface and a second base surface that are separated by a channel that is open at a proximate channel end and closed at a distal channel end, a first sidewall extending from a distal end of the first base surface to the distal channel end, a second sidewall extending from a distal end of the second base surface to the distal channel end, and where at least one of the first and second base surfaces includes a slot open on its respective proximate slot end.\n\nThe first sidewall may include a finger projection extending in the direction of the distal channel end, where the finger projection includes a finger distal end that is separated from the first sidewall and forms a cable receptacle area with the first sidewall.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16L 3/221",
    "F16L 3/02",
    "F16L 3/1218",
    "F16L 3/137",
    "H02G 3/32",
    "H02S 30/00",
    "H02S 40/36"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16L 3/02",
    "F16L 3/12",
    "F16L 3/137",
    "F16L 3/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Gamechange Solar Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Barron Worden",
    "Woo Kim"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-10-18",
  "publication_date": "2024-09-17",
  "grant_date": "2024-09-17",
  "priority_date": "2021-10-29",
  "application_number": "US-202217968671-A",
  "family_id": "86500903",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US1815750A",
    "US4306697A",
    "US20030025059A1",
    "US6508441B1",
    "US20080296443A1",
    "US20090293233A1",
    "US20120267483A1",
    "US20150204549A1",
    "US20180266588A1"
  ]
}