Abstract:
A two-part pipe and cable rotary hanger includes a first U-shaped end for engaging within slots formed in ceiling struts and an opposite end arranged for receiving a hook-shaped support arm. A wing-shaped adapter attaches to a ceiling I-beam and receives the rotary hanger along a center portion thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to means for hanging pipes, conductors, cables and the like in industrial environments. 
     Various hook-shaped hangers are currently available for supporting pipes in accordance with both state and local safety codes. 
     One cable support arrangement is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,081 entitled “Cable Support Having Pivotally and Slidable Retainer”. This support arrangement can be fixedly attached to a beam support or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,631 entitled “Adjustable Pipe Hanger” discloses a pipe hanger arranged for attachment to a ceiling beam that allows the hanger to be raised and lowered in the vertical plane as well as limited rotation in the horizontal plane. 
     One example of a wire and cable support that is engagable with a support cable that allows movement of the support along the cable in the horizontal plane is found within U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,416 entitled “Wire and Cable Support System”. 
     However, when such pipes and conduits are to be temporarily connected with existing I-beams and interconnecting ceiling struts, it is often convenient to attach the pipes and conduits to the existing I-beams and struts by using duct tape and/or bailing wire, which is later removed. The use of such tape and/or wire limits the movement of the pipes and conduits in the vertical and horizontal plane. 
     One purpose of the instant invention is to disclose adjustable hook shaped hangers that can be temporarily connected to both I-beams and ceiling struts, for pipe and conduit support without having to tape or tie the pipe or conduit to the I-beams or ceiling struts while allowing movement of the pipe or conduit without having to disconnect the pipe or conduit, and without having to remove the hangers from the I-beams or struts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A two-part pipe and cable rotary hanger includes a first U-shaped section having one end adapted for engaging within slots formed in ceiling struts and an opposite end arranged for receiving a hook-shaped support arm. A further embodiment includes a wing-shaped adapter that attaches to a ceiling I-beam and receives the rotary hanger along a center portion thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a pair of ceiling I-beams interconnected with a ceiling strut and a pair of the rotary hangers connected with the ceiling strut to support a pipe as depicted in phantom; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the rotary hanger shown in FIG. 1 with the C-shaped connector in isometric projection with the U-shaped hook; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a ceiling I-beam connected with the adapter and rotary hanger in accordance with the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the slotted side pieces and extended bolt comprising the adapter depicted in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A pair of rotator hangers  15 ,  15 ′ are shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a C-shaped connector  16  connected with a ceiling strut  12  interconnecting between a pair of ceiling I-beam supports  10 ,  11  commonly employed within industrial environments. Struts can also be self-supported by means of threaded rods extending downward from the ceiling. In accordance with Federal regulatory codes, pipes, cables, conduits and the like must be supported at a height of at least seven feet from the floor of a work place. The conduit pipe  21 , shown in phantom, sits within the U-shaped hooks  17 ,  17 ′ extending from the pair of rotator hangers  15 ,  15 ′ in accordance with the invention. The rotator hangers connect with the strut  12  by insertion of the end  26  of the connector block  20  through one of the strut slots  14  as indicated at  14 ′ in the bottom of the strut intermediate the upstanding strut sidewalls  13 A,  13 B. The C-shaped connector  16  includes a bight  19  defining a support slot  25  for clearance between the support block  18  that carries the U-shaped hook  17  and the strut sidewall  13 A such that the hook  17  is free to rotate in the horizontal plane without coming into contact with the strut  12 . The ability to rotate the hook  17  180 degrees within the support block  18  is an important feature of the invention for allowing movement of the conduit pipe  21  along the hooks without incurring undue stress upon the support block  18 . 
     The arrangement between the support block  18  and the hook  17  is best seen by now referring to FIG.  2 . The block  18  is shaped from Celtec PVC; obtained from Vycom Inc. having excellent chemical and electrical resistant properties. “Celtec is a registered trademark of Vycom for its PVC foam material. The hook  17  is formed from solid PVC piping material obtained in cylindrical form from Plastic Supply Inc., for example. 
     The support block  18  is in the form of a C-shaped connector  16  defining the support block  18  and connector block  20  joined by the bight  19  to form the support slot  25  for the purpose described earlier with reference to FIG.  1 . The bottom end  26  of the support block  20  has a reduced dimension to provide for clearance fit relation within the strut slot  14 , shown in FIG. 1, to allow for some limited movement of the end  26  within the slot without producing undue strain on the support block, as described earlier. The thru-slot  24  is formed within the support block  18  for receiving the extended leg  23  of the U-shaped hook  17  in clearance-fit relation whereby the hook end  22  is positioned a fixed distance from the bottom  11 A of the support block  11 . When the extend leg  23  is positioned within the slot  24 , the end  23 ′, protrudes beyond the top  11 B of the support block, and is peened over to retain the U-shaped hook within the support block  18 . This arrangement prevents movement of the hook end  22  in the downward direction, as indicated at X while allowing movement of the hook end in the upward direction as indicated at Y, to allow complete rotation of the U-shaped hook  17  within the support block  18  without incurring undue stress upon the rotary hanger  15 . The rotation feature of the U-shaped hook  17  is an important feature of the invention for allowing transfer and positioning of the pipe  21  (FIG. 1) without damage to the pipe, strut  12  or rotary hanger  15 , in the process. 
     When the struts  12  of FIGS. 1 and 2 are not available, the rotary hanger  15  can be attached to the I-beam  10  by means of the adapter  30  in the manner shown by now referring to FIG.  3 . The I-beam is of the type consisting of a pair of bottom and top steel plates  27 ,  28  joined by a connecting beam or plate  29 . The wing-shaped adapter  30 , formed from a solid PVC material similar to that used to form the U-shaped hook  17  of FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a pair of slotted sidepieces  31 ,  32  having cylindrical and rectangular sidepieces  33 ,  33 ′ and  34 ,  34 ′ connects with the bottom plate  27  by means of the pair of V-shaped slots  35 ,  35 ′ joined by a threaded extending bolt  36 . The center bolt  36  is fastened in place by means of the washer  37  and hexagonal nut  38 . The center portion  36 A, of the extending bolt  36 , receives the support slot  25  formed within the C-shaped connector  16  to position the U-shaped hook  17  in operative position under the I-beam  10 . 
     The wing-shaped adapter  30  is shown in FIG. 4 to detail the arrangement of the slotted sidepieces  31 ,  32 , having cylindrical sidepieces  33  each of which include an extended slot  39  for accepting the extended threaded bolt  36 , washer  37  and bolt  38  in the manner described earlier. The V-shaped slots  35  formed within the rectangular side  34  terminates at an off-set end  41  at the top thereof to accommodate the edge of the bottom plate  27  of the I-beam  10 , of FIG.  1  and includes a slanted support ridge  40 , along the bottom for added strength. 
     A rotatable hanger for pipes, conduits, cables and the like used for water transport, temporary electric supply and welding function has herein been described for direct attachment to ceiling struts and for attachment to ceiling I-beams by means of an adapter. The hanger allows the pipes to be moved horizontally and vertically without having to disconnect the hanger from the strut or I-beam support.