BACKGROUND
The ability to mount a relatively heavy object on a cable or strand of wire can be very challenging especially when only one person is available to do the mounting. For example, cellular amplifiers that can weight 100 lbs or more are typically mounted or hung on cables. To mount such a heavy object, usually two or more people are needed. Those that lift the object and one to secure the object to the cable.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a cable mounting system that is easy and effective to use for relatively heavy objects.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention and may include more or less elements than are claimed in the Claims section. In light of the aforementioned, a mounting hook to mount an object to a cable is provided. In one embodiment, the mounting hook includes a base, a pair of arms, a pair of engaging sections and a clamping bridge. The base has at least one mounting aperture that is adapted to mount the base to the object. Each arm extends from the base. Each engaging section extends from a respective arm and is adapted to engage a cable placed therein. The clamping bridge is coupled between the engaging sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a strand mount hook of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the strand mount hook of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the strand mount hook of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial side view of an engaging section of a strand mount hook of one embodiment of the present invention engaging a cable;
FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a pair of stand mount hooks of one embodiment of the present invention being mounted to an amplifier;
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an amplifier coupled to a cable via a pair of strand mount hooks of one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a side view of an amplifier coupled to a cable via a pair of strand mount hooks of one embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a way of easily mounting a heavy object, such as an amplifier to a cable. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate different views of a strand mount hook (mount hook) 100 of one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a side perspective view of the mount hook 100 is provided. As illustrated the mount hook 100 includes a base 102 and an engaging section 104. The engaging section 104 is coupled to the base 102 via arm sections 103A and 103B. The base 102 includes mounting apertures 112A and 112B (illustrated in FIG. 3). The engaging section 104 includes a first section 105A and a second section 105B that are coupled together by a clamping bridge 108. The first and second sections 105A and 105B are generally in a C shape in this embodiment. Moreover, the first and second section 105A and 105B and the clamping bridge 106 form a cable opening 106. In addition, a clamp opening is formed between the base 102, the arm sections 103A and 103B and the clamping bridge 108.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of mount hook 100. As illustrated, mount hook 100 includes two mounting apertures 112A and 112B. The mounting apertures 112A and 112B are used to mount the mount hook 100 to an object to be mounted to a cable. Also illustrated in FIG. 2, are teeth 114-1 through 114-N that extend down from the first and second sections 105A and 105B and the clamp bridge 108 into the cable opening 106. FIG. 3 is a top view of the mount hook 100. This view further illustrates the mounting apertures 112A and 112B and the clamping bridge 108.
Referring to FIG. 4, a partial side view of a hook clamp 400 of one embodiment of the present invention is provided. This partial view illustrates a cable 402 inserted in the cable opening 106 of the hook clamp 400. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates how the teeth 114-1 through 114-N engage a surface of the cable 402 to secure the position of the hook 400 in relation to the cable 402. That is, the teeth 114-1 through 114-N, prevent or reduce the rotation of mount hook 400 in relation to the cable 402 when the cable 402 is inserted in the cable opening 106. The distance between the teeth 114-1 through 114-N and the number of teeth 114-1 through 114-N will vary depending on the size of the cable or stand 402. Moreover, the distance and number of teeth 114-1 through 114-N can be set so that a range of cables can be used. For example, the distance and number of teeth 114-1 through 114-N can be set so that cables having a size of ¼ to ⅝ inch can be used with the same mount hook. In one embodiment the teeth are formed in rows. Further in another embodiment, the teeth are rows of ridges.
Referring to FIG. 5, a side perspective view of a pair of stand mount hooks 100 being mounted to a cellular amplifier 502 of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cellular amplifier 502 has two receiving mounts 507A and 507B. The receiving mounts 507A and 507B include threaded recesses 508-1 through 5084 which are aligned with the mounting apertures 112A and 112B of the respective mount hooks 100. The respective mount hooks 100 are mounted to the receiving mounts 507A and 507B via threaded bolts 504-1 through 504-4 and washers 506-1 through 506-4. In particular, the thread bolts (or screws in one embodiment) are positioned thought the mounting apertures 112A and 122B in the respective mounting hooks 100 and are threadably engaged with the threaded recess 508-1 through 508-4 of the respective receiving mounts 507A and 507B.
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the amplifier 502 coupled to a cable 602 via a pair of strand mount hooks 100 of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the two mount hooks 100 are mounted so that there respective cable openings 106 are accessible from opposite directions. In mounting the object (an amplifier 502 in this example), to a cable or strand 602, the user simply lifts the object up and positions the cable next to openings 111 (see FIG. 2) that lead to the respective cable openings 106 and then rotates the object such that the cable is received in the cable openings 106. This allows for the relatively easy mounting of a heavy object by a single person. The teeth 114-1 through 114-N in each hook mount 100 help to hold the cable in the respective cable opening 106 as well as prevent the hook mount 100 from rotating about the cable 602. In one embodiment, cable clamps 604 are further used to secure the mount hooks 100 to the cable 602. The clamps 604 are positioned through the clamp opening 110 (illustrated in FIG. 1) and around the cable 602 and the clamping bridge 108. Hence, the clamp 604 couples the cable 602 to the clamping bridge 108 of the hook mount 100. The clamp further forces the teeth 114-1 through 114-N of the hook mount 100 farther into the surface of the cable 602 when tightened. An example of a clamp that can be used is the High Torque-Heavy Duty Clamps manufactured by the Breeze Industrial Products Corporation.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the amplifier 502 coupled to a cable 602 via a pair of strand mount hooks 100. In this embodiment, the clamps 604 are also used to secure the mount hooks 100 to the cable 602. FIG. 7, also illustrates how operational wires 704 to an object (the amplifier 502 in this example), can be coupled to the cable via wire ties 702 to keep the wires 704 organized and out of the way.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20070295871
