Abstract:
A line hanger for securing lines, such as transmission, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and other types of lines, to a support structure and a method of mounting and supporting one or more lines from a support structure. The line hanger includes an attachment support provision configured for mounting to the support structure and a pair of spaced-apart clamping arms depending outwardly from the attachment provision. The clamping arms are configured to resiliently separate for slidingly receiving an line and to resiliently relax for applying a clamping force to secure the line. Multiple line hangers may be interlinked or stacked relative to the support structure for support multiple lines.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/287,667 filed Nov. 4, 2002 and entitled LINE HANGER, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to devices for hanging lines and, in particular, to hangers for securing transmission, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and other lines to support structures.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Line hangers are commonly used to secure lines, such as cables and transmission lines, to the framework of support structures, such as antenna towers. Lines are routed upward from the base of the antenna tower to communicate with telecommunications devices positioned above the base either at the tower apex or at an intermediate location. Generally, each line is attached to the antenna tower by a large number of line hangers mounted at periodically-spaced locations along its height. Antenna towers may reach several hundred feet in height with line hangers mounted at about three feet intervals. After the line hangers have been installed, the line is strung and engaged with the line hangers. Certain line hangers are constructed to be stackable such that multiple line hangers can be interlocked to extend outwardly from the antenna tower. Stacked line hangers significantly increase the number of lines that can be routed up the antenna tower by making efficient use of the available attachment points.  
         [0004]     Conventional line hangers suffer from significant deficiencies and shortcomings. In particular, most line hangers are complex structures that are costly to manufacture due to the costs of raw materials, manufacturing equipment and labor. In addition, conventional line hangers require a large amount of auxiliary hardware, such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers. Stacked line hangers may require at least partial disassembly of existing line hangers to add another line. As a result, running lines along the height of antenna towers is time-consuming, labor-intensive and expensive.  
         [0005]     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a line hanger characterized by a simple, inexpensive construction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a line hanger in accordance with the principles of the invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a pair of line hangers of  FIG. 1  stacked according to the principles of the invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view similar to  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the line hanger of  FIG. 1  mounted to an exemplary anchor rail using an adapter;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a stacked plurality of the line hangers of  FIG. 1  suspended from a ceiling;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side view similar to  FIG. 5  in which a different ceiling mount is illustrated;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a stacked plurality of line hangers of  FIG. 1  suspended from a mount supported by an overhead conduit;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a stacked plurality of line hangers of  FIG. 1  in which the first line hanger in the stack is directly mounted to a support surface; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a side view similar to  FIG. 8  in which the first line hanger is mounted to a conduit fastened to the support surface;  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of line hangers according to  FIG. 1  attached to an anchor rail used as a trapeze support and showing still another configuration in which an adapter is present;  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a line hanger in accordance with the principles of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a line hanger in accordance with the principles of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a line hanger in accordance with the principles of the invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a line hanger in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Although the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, the description of the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0021]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a mounting device or line hanger  10  according to the principles of the invention is a multi-bend, three-dimensional structure formed from a continuous length of wire or rod. The rod has a diameter suitable for providing adequate rigidity to function as a load-bearing structure as well as sufficient resiliency. The rod forming the line hanger  10  is generally circular in radial cross-section. Line hanger  10  may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, metals such as stainless steels and galvanized steels. For light duty applications, the line hanger  10  may be molded from a polymer resin. The line hanger  10  may be a one-piece monolithic structure that is unitary or may be formed from multiple components joined together by, for example, welded or fused junctions.  
         [0022]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the line hanger  10  includes a support attachment provision or section, generally indicated by reference numeral  14  and a pair of clamping arms  16 ,  18  of comparable length that define an area or space  19  for receiving and securing a line  20 , typically cylindrical, selected from among various different types, such as a transmission line, a pipe, a conduit or the like. The attachment section  14  of the line hanger  10  is configured to be attached with a conventional fastener  22  to a support structure  21 , such as a portion of an antenna tower. Alternatively, the clamping arms  16 ,  18  of one line hanger  10  may be coupled with the attachment section  14  of another line hanger  10  for stacking multiple cable hangers  10 . The line hanger  10  may be attached to support structure  21  vertically, horizontally or at angle to an axis of the support structure  21  using any conventional bracket  23 .  
         [0023]     Multiple line hangers  10 , each identical to line hanger  10 , are attached to the support structure  21  with a spacing between adjacent line hangers  10  adequate to resist forces due to wind and weather. Then, the line  20  is strung up the support structure  21  and a length of the line  20  is secured to each of the multiple line hangers  10 . The rigidity of each individual line hanger  10  must be adequate to support its distributed portion of the total load from the attached line  20  including external forces, such as wind, acting on the line  20  and any additional load from stacked line hangers  10  and their respective lines  20 , as will be described below. The resiliency of the line hanger  10  must be sufficient to allow the line hanger  10  to be coupled with the line  20 , as described below.  
         [0024]     The attachment section  14  of line hanger  10  defines a closed end that includes a generally round or generally circular loop  24  having a central passage  26  with a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of a threaded shank of the fastener  22  and less than an outer diameter of a head of the fastener  22 . The loop  24  extends over an arc length of less than  360 ° terminated by a transversely-spaced pair of oppositely-directed angled bends  28 ,  30  that define a gap in loop  24  dimensioned to prevent vertical passage of the threaded shank of the fastener  22 . It is contemplated by the invention that the loop  24  may possess any arcuate or polygonal shape suitable to cooperate with the fastener  22  for securing the line hanger  10  with the support structure  21 . Extending outwardly from each of the angled bends  28 ,  30  is a corresponding one of a pair of substantially-linear widening legs or segments  32 ,  34  of comparable length. Widening segment  32  extends outwardly from loop  24  in an opposite direction from widening segment  34 . The loop  24  and extension segments  32 ,  34  lie substantially in a common vertical plane, the angled bends  28 ,  30  are obtuse angles, and the extension segments  32 ,  34  are substantially collinear.  
         [0025]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each of the extension segments  32 ,  34  is coupled by a respective one of shoulders or angled bends  36 ,  38  with a corresponding one of a pair of short bridging legs or segments  40 ,  42  of comparable length. The bridging segments  40 ,  42  depend away from the extension segments  32 ,  34  in a horizontal plane generally orthogonal to the vertical plane containing the loop  24  and the extension segments  32 ,  34 . The bridging segments  40 ,  42  operate to separate the loop  24  horizontally from the clamping arms  16 ,  18  to provide an empty space for receiving the head of the fastener  22 . As a result, the head of the fastener  22  does not interfere with the securement of the line  20  with the line hanger  10 . The separation also facilitates stacking of multiple line hangers  10 , as described below.  
         [0026]     Generally, the clamping arms  16 ,  18  depend outwardly from the attachment section  14  with a transverse relationship to the attachment section  14 . Each of the clamping arms  16 ,  18  has a respective arcuate leg or segment  44 ,  46  joined by a corresponding one of a pair of angled bends  48 ,  50  with a respective one of the bridging segments  40 ,  42 . The arcuate segments  44 ,  46  and the bridging segments  40 ,  42  generally lie in a common horizontal plane. The arcuate segments  44 ,  46  are curved into a concave-convex shape with inwardly confronting sides being concave so as to share a common radius of curvature relative to the center of the space  19  between the clamping arms  16 ,  18 . The radius of curvature corresponds generally to the radius of the line  20 . Each of the arcuate segments  44 ,  46  is joined by a respective one of the pair of angled bends  52 ,  54  with a corresponding one of a pair of hooks or upright members  56 ,  58  that depend upwardly from the horizontal plane containing the arcuate segments  44 ,  46 .  
         [0027]     Each of the upright members  56 ,  58  includes a respective one of a pair of relatively short legs or segments  60 ,  62  of comparable length that depend inwardly toward the loop  24  joined by a respective one of a pair of angled bends  64 ,  66  with a corresponding one of a pair of relatively long legs or segments  68 ,  70 . Segments  68 ,  70  are each inclined outwardly and away from the corresponding one of arcuate segments  44 ,  46 . The spacing between the upright members  56 ,  58  and the spacing between the angled bends  52 ,  54  is similar to the spacing between the confronting concave sides of angled bends  36 ,  38  of the attachment section  14 . As a result, the attachment section  14  effectively operates as a terminating element for interconnecting the clamping arms  16 ,  18  to prevent relative separation when line  20  is secured therebetween.  
         [0028]     The clamping arms  16 ,  18  are resiliently separable or spreadable between a relaxed condition in which no line  20  is present, a spread condition that permits insertion of the line  20  into the widened throat or gap between upright members  56 ,  58 , and a clamping condition intermediate between the relaxed and spread conditions in which the clamping arms  16 ,  18  collectively apply an inwardly-directed clamping force for securing line  20  with the line hanger  10 . To couple the line  20  with the line hanger  10 , the line  20  is positioned proximate the gap between the upright members  56 ,  58  and moved inwardly in a direction generally toward the loop  24 . Sliding contact between the exterior of the line  20  and the upright members  56 ,  58  causes the clamping arms  16 ,  18  to resiliently deflect outwardly or separate from the relaxed condition to the spread condition so that the line  20  can pass between the upright members  56 ,  58 . As the line  20  is moved into the space  19 , the clamping arms  16 ,  18  relax inwardly to the clamping condition in which the clamping arms  16 , 18  apply an inward clamping force to the line  20 . The clamping force applied by the clamping arms  16 ,  18  grips line  20  with a clamping force sufficient to prevent significant axial movement of the line  20  relative to line hanger  10 .  
         [0029]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a terminating link or element  72 , formed from a trapezoidal loop of wire or rod, is provided that is capable of being removably coupled with the line hanger  10 . To that end, the inner periphery of the terminating element  72  is dimensioned to fit over the upright members  56 ,  58  so that the terminating element  72  can be installed on the clamping arms  16 ,  18  after a line  20  is positioned in space  19 . The terminating element  72  includes a long segment  74  joined at opposite ends by one of a pair of angled bends  76 ,  78  ( FIG. 3 ) with a corresponding one of two relatively short segments  80 ,  82 . A respective one of two angled bends  84 ,  86  joins a respective one of the short segments  80 ,  82  with another relatively long segment  88  that is aligned generally parallel with long segment  74 . When the terminating element  72  is engaged with the line hanger  10 , the angled bends  76 ,  78  engage the angled bends  52 ,  54  of the line hanger  10 . The terminating element  72  constrains the clamping arms  16 ,  18  against relative deflection so that the line  20  cannot be disengaged from the line hanger  10  by movement outwardly through the gap between the upright members  56 ,  58  and also operates to maintain the clamping force of the clamping arms  16 ,  18  securing the line  20  against significant axial movement relative to line hanger  10 .  
         [0030]     The line hanger  10  of the invention may be readily scaled to accept and secure lines  20  of differing sizes. In particular, the dimensions of the line hanger  10  of the invention may be scaled to accept lines  20  of various different diameters or to accept lines  20  having a range of diameters. In addition, the clamping arms  16 ,  18  can accept lines  20  within a range of dimensions. Generally, the separation of the clamping arms  16 ,  18  in the relaxed condition determines the minimum diameter of line  20  that may be secured in the clamping position. The clamping arms  16 ,  18  are spreadable to supporting lines  20  up to a maximum dimension determined by the resiliency and ability to separate the clamping arms  16 ,  18 . In addition, the diameter of the wire or rod forming line hanger  10  is selected and the dimensions are adjusted such that transitions among the relaxed, spread and clamping conditions does not result in significant permanent deformation of the material forming the clamping arms  16 ,  18 .  
         [0031]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the line hanger  10  of the invention is stackable in that a second line hanger  10   b  can be mounted to a first line hanger  10   a,  which is itself attached to the support structure  21 . Each of the line hangers  10   a  and  10   b  are identical line hanger  10 . In the following description, reference numerals representing features of the second line hanger  10   b  will be distinguished by prime notation from reference numerals representing identical features of the first line hanger  10   a.  The distance between the confronting concave portion of angled bends  36 ′,  38 ′ of the second line hanger  10   b  in the clamping condition is greater than the distance separating the upright members  56 ,  58  of the first line hanger  10   a.  The extension segments  32 ′,  34 ′ of the second line hanger  10   b  contact and are supported by a corresponding one of clamping arms  16 ,  18  adjacent to the respective one of angled bends  52 ,  54 . The second line hanger  10   b  is secured against cantilevering by the contact between loop  24  and the line  20  held by the first line hanger  10   a.  The interconnection between the angled bends  36 ′,  38 ′ of line hanger  10   b  and the angled bends  52 ,  54  of the upright members  56 ,  58  of line hanger  10   a  prevents inadvertent spreading of the clamping arms  16 ,  18 .  
         [0032]     In use, a set of line hangers  10   a  are fastened with fasteners  22  to the support structure  21  at successive spaced attachment points between the base of the support structure  21  and the destination of the line  20 . The line  20  is strung upwardly proximate to the line hangers  10   a  and the line  20  is pressed inwardly between the upright members  56 ,  58  of each line hanger  10   a  which provides a temporary spreading force that separates the respective clamping arms  16 ,  18  from their initial relaxed condition to the spread condition. As the line  20  moves into the space  19  between the respective clamping arms  16 ,  18 , the clamping arms  16 ,  18  relax inwardly to create the clamping condition for securing the line  20  against movement. The clamping arms  16 ,  18  of each line hanger  10   a  are safeguarded against spreading by the placement of a corresponding terminating element  72 . Alternatively, one or more additional sets of line hangers  10   b  may be stacked to the first set of line hangers  10   a  for directing one or more additional lines  20  along the support structure  21  and the mounting sequence is repeated for each additional line  20 . The last stacked set of line hangers  10   b  is terminated, after the corresponding line  20  is inserted, with a corresponding plurality of terminating elements  72 .  
         [0033]     With reference to  FIG. 4  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3 , an adapter  100  may be utilized for securing the line hanger  10  of the invention with an anchor rail  102  or other anchor accessory, such as UNISTRUT® brand framing members, bracket and fittings. The anchor rail  102  is formed as a U-shaped channel having a pair of upstanding, opposing legs  104   a,    104   b  in which each of the legs  104   a,    104   b  terminates in a respective downwardly-oriented lip  106   a,    106   b.  The adapter  100  includes a pair of flexible mounting legs  108 ,  110  each configured for engaging a corresponding one of lips  106   a,    106   b.  Adapters  100  suitable for use in the invention are disclosed in International Application Number PCT/JUS02/23781, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The attachment section  14  of line hanger  10  is secured with a suitable fastener  112  to a threaded opening  114  in the adapter  100 . Additional line hangers (not shown) may be coupled with line hanger  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to create a stacked or chained arrangement.  
         [0034]     With reference to  FIG. 5  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3 , a plurality of, for example, three line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,  each identical to line hanger  10 , may be supported or hung vertically from a ceiling or other support surface  116  by, for example, a rod  118  in a stacked or chained arrangement. In such a stacked or chained arrangement, a coupling element  120  may be used to couple a first line hanger  10   a  to rod  118  using a fastener  122 . Line hanger  10   b  is stacked or hung from the first line hanger  10   a  and line hanger  10   c  is stacked or hung from line hanger  10   b  to form the stacked arrangement. Terminating element  72  is used to terminate the last line hanger  10   c  in the stack. Each of the line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  supports and secures a corresponding one of multiple lines  20 . The invention contemplates that the first line hanger  10   a  may be hung directly from the rod  118  without the intervening coupling element  120 . To that end, the attachment section  14  of the first line hanger  10   a  may receive a threaded end of rod  118 , with a mating element (not shown) provided to secured the first line hanger  10   a  with the rod  118 . It is contemplated by the invention that two or more line hangers  10  may form the stacked arrangement.  
         [0035]     With reference to  FIG. 6  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIG. 5 , the plurality of line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  may be suspended in a stacked arrangement from the support surface  116  with the cooperation of an intervening coupling element  126 . A first line hanger  10   a  is secured with, for example, a fastener  128  to the coupling element  126 , which is itself secured in a conventional manner to the support surface  116 . Additional hangers  10   b  and  10   c  are stacked from the first line hanger  10   a  to provide the stacked arrangement. Terminating element  72  is used to terminate the last line hanger  10   c  in the stack. Each of the line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  supports and secures a corresponding one of multiple lines  20 .  
         [0036]     With reference to  FIG. 7  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the plurality of line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  may be supported or hung vertically from the support surface  116  by direct attachment in a stacked arrangement. In this stacked arrangement, a fastener  130  is used to directly couple the attachment section  14  of a first line hanger  10   a  to the support surface  116 . Line hanger  10   b  is stacked or hung from the first line hanger  10   a  and line hanger  10   c  is stacked from line hanger  10   b,  as appropriate, to form the stacked arrangement. Terminating element  72  is used to terminate the last line hanger  10   c  in the stack. Each of the line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  supports and secures a corresponding one of multiple lines  20 .  
         [0037]     With reference to  FIG. 8  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 5-7 , the plurality of line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  may be suspended from a cylindrical overhead conduit  132 , such as a pipe or a line, using a coupling element  134  configured to engage the conduit  132 . A first line hanger  10   a  is secured with, for example, a fastener  136  to the coupling element  134 . The coupling element  134  is itself secured in a conventional manner to the overhead conduit  132 . Additional hangers  10   b  and  10   c  are stacked from the first line hanger  10   a  to create a stacked arrangement. Terminating element  72  is used to terminate the last line hanger  10   c  in the stack. Each of the line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  supports and secures a corresponding one of multiple lines  20 .  
         [0038]     With regard to  FIG. 9  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 5-8 , a first line hanger  10   a  may be suspended from an overhead conduit  138 , such as a pipe or a line. The first line hanger  10   a  is secured by its clamping arms  16 ,  18  about the cylindrical outer surface of the overhead conduit  138 , which is itself secured in a conventional manner, such as the illustrated fastener  140 , to the support surface  116 . An attachment section  14   b  of the second line hanger  10   b  is secured with an attachment section  14 a of the first line hanger  10   a  using a fastener  142  to provide an initial stacked pair. Additional line hangers (not shown) may be stacked from the second line hanger  10   b  as described herein. Terminating element  72  is used to terminate the last line hanger  10   b  in the stack. Each of the line hangers  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  supports and secures a corresponding one of multiple lines  20 .  
         [0039]     With regard to  FIG. 10  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 5-9 , line hanger  10  may be coupled with a trapeze support, such as formed by anchor rail  102  supported at opposite ends by, for example, a pair of threaded rods  144 ,  146  secured to and suspended from a support surface  116  ( FIG. 9 ). This type of trapeze support is commonly used for supporting lines  20 , such as conduit, piping and the like. It is apparent, as described herein, that the line hanger  10  may be used in conjunction with anchor rail  102  for supporting multiple lines  20  either singularly or in stacked arrangements, or using suitable adapters, such as adapter  100  described herein.  
         [0040]     With reference to  FIG. 11  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3 , a line hanger  150  is provided that is substantially identical to line hanger  10  other than modifications made to attachment section  14 . Specifically, line hanger  150  is provided with an attachment section  152  in which angled bends  36 ,  38  are connected by a linear segment  154 . Line hanger  150  may be stacked, as described above, with other line hangers  10  by engaging the angled bends  36 ,  38  of line hanger  150  and the angled bends  52 ,  54  of the upright members  56 ,  58  of another line hanger (not shown but identical to line hanger  10 ) so that linear segment  154  extends between the upright members  56 ,  58 .  
         [0041]     With reference to  FIG. 12  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3 , a line hanger  160  is substantially identical to line hanger  10  other than modifications made to attachment section  14 . Specifically, line hanger  160  is provided with an attachment section  162  including a round or circular loop  164  which is substituted for the loop  24  of line hanger  10 . Angled bends  166 ,  168  are bent such that the loop  164  is substantially coplanar with clamping arms  16 ,  18 . The loop  164  receives a fastener (not shown) for securing the line hanger  160  to a support structure (not shown).  
         [0042]     With reference to  FIG. 13  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3 , a line hanger  170  is substantially identical to line hanger  10  other than modifications made to attachment section  14 . Specifically, line hanger  170  is provided with an attachment section  172  including a round or circular loop  174  substituted for the loop  24  of line hanger  10 . Angled bends  176 ,  178  are bent such that the loop  174  extends in an opposite direction away from a plane containing the clamping arms  16 ,  18  compared with the direction in which upright members  56 ,  58  extend away from the plane containing the clamping arms  16 ,  18 . The loop  174  receives a fastener (not shown) for securing the line hanger  170  to a support structure (not shown). The invention contemplates that the clamping arms  16 ,  18  may be coplanar with loop  174 , may depend outwardly from loop  174  at an acute angle, may extend outwardly from loop  174  transversely at a right angle, or may depend outwardly from loop  174  at an obtuse angle.  
         [0043]     With reference to  FIG. 14  in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIGS. 1-3  and in an alternative embodiment, line hanger  180  may be provided with upright members  182 ,  184  that are capable of being interlocked to constrain the clamping arms  16 ,  18  against relative deflection as a substitute for terminating element  72  ( FIG. 1 ). To that end, the upright members  182 ,  184  include respective twisted ends  186 ,  188  that may be interlocked after line  20  is inserted to constrain separation of the clamping arms  16 ,  18 . Specifically, the upright members  182 ,  184  are resiliently flexible so that the twisted ends  186 ,  188  may be interlocked or coupled by mutual engagement of confronting concave portions of respective angled bends  186   a,    188   a.  The twisted ends  186 ,  188  are inclined toward one another relative to the clamping arms  16 ,  18 . It is appreciated that line hangers  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180  may participate in a stacked arrangement as described herein.  
         [0044]     The invention provides a one-piece, stackable line hanger capable of securing one or more lines to a support structure in a spatially compact manner. The line hanger of the invention is inexpensive to manufacture. The line hanger of the invention is quickly and easily installed because no auxiliary hardware, such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers, is required, which reduces the number of components for securing the line and simplifies line installation. The line hanger of the invention requires little or no tools for mounting and coupling multiple hangers in a stacked fashion which effects a considerable savings in labor and speeds installation. When mounted to the support structure or to another line hanger, the line hanger resists rotation, displacement and detachment.  
         [0045]     While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail in order to describe the best mode of practicing the invention, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims, wherein we claim: