Patent Abstract:
A clamp designed to accept and secure a cable with a securing wire. The clamp has a body portion that utilizes a plurality of slots designed and oriented to accept and guide the securing wire in a wrapping procedure. The permissible wrapping procedure allows the user to hold the clamp with one hand and wrap the support wire with the other, without alternating the clamp and wire between hands and without encircling the body portion.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a drop wire clamp for suspending and directing a cable and, more particularly, to an improved drop wire clamp for more efficiently and effectively suspending and directing a double stranded cable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of clamps are employed to support and direct cables extending between supports and structures, such as from a utility pole to a building. One common type of clamp is referred to as drop-wire clamps. Such clamps are typically used with cables having two strands, a signal carrying strand and a support strand (also referred to as a messenger wire). A drop-wire clamp allows a cable, such as coaxial cable, to be supported and attached to a building, pole, or other support wire in a manner that lessens compromise to the signal transmission capability of the cable. The drop-wire clamp also is advantageous because it supports the weight of the cable and maintains tension on the line while relieving stress on the attachment points, such as at the attachment juncture with a pole or building. 
     Drop-wire clamps tend to fall into two general categories: (1) a wire wrap type; and (2) a compression type. With the first category, a portion of the messenger strand is separated from the signal carrying strand and wrapped around the clamp to secure the cable to the clamp. With the second category, the cable is secured to the clamp through pressure. In either design, it is critical that the clamp does not degrade the signal quality by damaging either the signal carrying cable or its insulation. 
     More specifically, with the first category, the drop-wire clamp utilizes a trough that accepts the signal-carrying strand. The trough is generally wider than the cable so as to receive it with a loose fit and, thus, avoid signal effecting damage to the signal carrying strand. Due to the loose fit between the signal carrying strand and the trough, the messenger wire is employed to secure the signal carrying strand in the trough of the clamp. Typically, these clamps have notches on the sides so that the wire is wrapped transversely about the clamp and is maintained in place by the notches or slots. This wrap holds the signal carrying strand in the clamp. Examples of prior wire wrap-type clamps are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,209,439 and D342,664. 
     A shortcoming with the wire wrap-type clamps, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,209,439 and D342,664, is that the user must alternate between hands when wrapping the messenger were transversely around the trough and/or constantly remove the hand from the messenger wire to grab the messenger wire on the other side of the cable and clamp to complete the transverse wrap. More specifically, for example, one hand is used to hold the clamp, while the other hand is used wrap the messenger wire part way around the clamp. The user must then switch hands to complete the wrap, i.e., the other hand is used to grasp the clamp while the first hand is used to complete the wrap. This hand alternating procedure is duplicated for each wrap and, thus, can include anywhere from one to four wraps, depending on the desired number of wraps. Although the wire wrap-type clamps address the issue of damage to the signal-carrying wire because of the loose fit between the trough and the wire, it has been found to be cumbersome, time consuming and overall more complicated than desired. 
     Another known shortcoming with the wire wrap-type clamps is the inflexibility with the manner in which the messenger wire can be wrapped about the trough to secure the signal carrying wire. That is, the design and positioning of the notches and slots commonly dictate only one wrapping pattern for the messenger wire. 
     With the second category, the drop-wire clamp secures the cable using compression. Compression designs may or may not use a trough to accept the signal-carrying wire, but the distinguishing feature of these clamps is that the signal-carrying wire is typically held to the clamp through some type of compressive force or pressure on the wire. Examples of this type of design are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,960,461; 4,461,059; and 4,592,117. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,461 discloses a clamp with two concentric cones that sandwich the cable. More specifically, a cable sits in a grove along the exterior of an inner cone and an outer cone or sleeve is slid over the inner cone. Due to the cone shaped surfaces, the cable is sandwiched under compressive pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,059 discloses a clamp with a trough that accepts the cable; however, the cable is secured in the trough under pressure of several rib members or fins. U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,117 discloses a clamp body that receives a wedge piece that contains a channel for accepting the cable. With the cable sitting in the channel of the wedge piece, it is then slid into the clamp. The cable is secured therein through pressure between the clamp and wedge piece. 
     Although these compression-type designs may eliminate the complicated wrapping procedure, one known shortcoming is that they may cause damage to the cable through the pressurized contact used to secure the cable to the clamp. This result is also known to disturb the spacing between the core wire and shielding braid. 
     Thus, there is desired an improved drop-wire clamp that includes the benefits of the wire wrap-type design to minimize damage to the signal-carrying wire, but also allows the cable to be secured into the clamp without complicated messenger wire wrapping procedures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-piece drop-wire clamp embodying features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drop-wire clamp of FIG. 1 illustrating attachment to a double-stranded cable; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the drop-wire clamp of FIG. 1 illustrating an alternate attachment to a double-stranded cable; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another two-piece drop-wire clamp embodying features of the present invention illustrating attachment to a double stranded cable; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the drop-wire clamp of FIG. 4 illustrating attachment to a double-stranded cable; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a one-piece drop-wire clamp embodying features of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the drop-wire clamp of FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is provided a clamp for supporting a cable. The clamp includes a body portion having a longitudinal axis and a wall terminating with a pair of distal end edges, a pair of spaced side edges and transitional edges between the end and side edges. The wall defines a cavity capable of receiving a cable, and the edges define a plurality of slots generally oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis and located generally adjacent the transitional edges. A hanger portion is provided to the clamp to mount and support the body portion. 
     Each of the distal edges may define at least one slot opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis and located generally adjacent one of the transitional edges. One of the distal end edges also may define at least two slots opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and each of the at least two slots are located generally adjacent one of the transitional edges. At least one of the side edges may define a slot with a major portion extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The hanger portion may be integral with the body portion. 
     Further, there is a device for securing to a cable with a wound wire so to support the cable in suspension. The device includes a body having a pair of sides and a back interconnecting the sides. The sides and back define an elongated trough with a longitudinal axis and an opening for receiving a cable to be supported. The sides define a plurality of slots opening generally along the direction of the longitudinal axis to support wrapping of a securing wire so that it extends across the opening of the trough to secure a cable in the trough. The device also includes a hanger extending from the body portion. 
     The trough may also have a longer length than width, and the slots for wrapping a securing wire may be a plurality of notches that are oriented generally along the length of the trough. The body and hanger may be integral. 
     In addition, there is an apparatus for holding a double-stranded cable, which includes a support strand and a signal-carrying strand. The apparatus includes a hanger portion and a body portion that is capable of accepting a double-stranded cable. The body portion includes a pair of sides and a back that define a trough with an opening through which a cable can be inserted into the trough. The trough has a longer length than width for holding in a generally loose manner the cable. The sides have edges that define at least three slots that are each horizontal to the length of the trough and oriented so that a support strand can be wound around the opening of the trough without encircling the body portion around the sides and the back. 
     The slots may open longitudinally with the trough. The hanger portion and the body portion may be integral with one another. 
     There is also a method to secure a double-stranded cable, which includes a signal-carrying strand and a support strand, to a clamp, that has a body portion and a hanger portion and contains a trough with an opening. The method includes separating a length of the support strand from the signal-carrying strand, holding the body portion of the clamp with one hand and inserting the double-stranded cable into the trough through the opening. The other hand is used to complete a wrapping procedure that extends the separated support wire through a plurality of notches in the body about the trough without alternating the body portion between hands. This closes off the opening of the trough such that the signal-carrying cannot release from the trough and that does not encircle the body portion around the sides and the back of the trough. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a clamp  10  having two pieces, a body  12  and a wire hanger or bail  14 . The body  12  includes a first elongated side wall  16  and a second elongated side wall  18  interconnected by an elongated base wall  20 . The walls  16 ,  18 ,  20  define a cavity or trough  22  that is sized to accept in a generally loose fitting fashion a conventional signal-carrying cable  24 . The first side wall  16  includes a rear notch  26   a  and a front notch  26   b . The second side wall  18  includes a rear notch  26   c  and may include an optional front notch  26   d . The notches  26   a-c  (and  26   d  when present) open in a direction designed to facilitate expeditious and effective securement of the cable  24  in the clamp  10 . The wire hanger  14  includes a loop  28  that enables the clamp  10  to be easily suspended from a hook or other conventional attachment to structure, such as a pole or building. 
     More specifically, the clamp  10  can be employed to support and direct, in a suspended fashion, cabling (such as cabling in the form of coaxial cable  24  for community antenna television (CATV)) running between structures, including from pole to pole or from a pole to a building, such as a residence. The cable  24  is a double-stranded cable with a signal-carrying wire  30  and an attached support wire or messenger wire  32 . To attach the cable  24  to the clamp  10 , a portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  32  is separated from the signal carrying wire  30 . The trough  22  of the clamp  10  receives the cable  24  (both the signal-carrying wire  30  and the messenger wire  32 ), and the separated portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  32  is used to close off the opening of the trough  22  to secure the cable  24  in the trough  22 . 
     To secure the opening of the trough  22 , the separated portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  32  is wound around the body  12  using the notches  26   a-c  (and  26   d  when present) to maintain its position relative to the body  12 . Due to the positioning, orientation and configuration of the notches  26   a-c , the winding of the separated messenger wire portion  32   a  can be accomplished quickly and efficiently without having to shift the clamp  10  and wire portion  32   a  from hand-to-hand. Moreover, as discussed herein, a variety a winding patterns between the separated messenger wire portion  32   a  and the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  if present) can be employed in securing the cable  24  in clamp  10 . It is also noted that the clamp  10  can be used to secure a single-strand cable by way of a completely and originally separate securing wire used to wind around the body to seal off the trough. 
     Use of the clamp  10  to secure the cable  24  to a structure relieves stress from any connection between the cable and a structure (such as a pole or building), while also leaving sufficient tension on the ariel span. The features of the present invention as embodied in the clamp  10  also provide a simple method to attach the cable to the pole and/or to alter the direction of the cable with minimal tension or stress on the line. Any type of hook, eyelet, bracket or any other conventional attachment structure can be employed to attach the clamp  10  to a structure. In addition, the clamp  10  may also be used to attach a cable mid-span to a support wire that spans between structures, such as between poles or a pole and building. 
     The wire hanger  14  extends from the front of the body  12  and consists of two parallel extensions  34  that terminate at the loop  28 . The loop  28  consists of two outward flared extensions  36  and an interconnecting arcuate portion  38 . To attach the wire hanger  14  to the body  12 , the end portions  40  of each extension  34  are looped into and around a forward portion  42  of the body  12  rolled backwards toward the rear of the body  12 . More specifically, each end  40  is bent so that a first end segment  40   a  extends through two aligned holes  44  and  46 , and a second end segment  40   b  is bent to extend around and outside the body  12  to be generally parallel to the first end segment  40   a . This is the same for the end portions  40  of each extension  34 . 
     The wire hanger should be sized sufficiently large enough for convenient attachment. For example, the wire hanger may extend from the body two to three inches. The radius of curvature of the arcuate portion may be about being about 0.375 inches to 0.500 inches. The wire hanger may be constructed of any suitable material with the required tensile strength for the desired application. For example, for supporting a common coaxial cable for CATV, the wire hanger material can be 0.80 inch diameter 300 series stainless steel wire. 
     As mentioned above, the body  12  includes the first side wall  16  and the second side wall  18 , which are interconnected by the base wall  20  to from the trough  22  that receives the cable  24 . The trough  22  has an elongated shape that is longer than its opening through which the cable  24  is inserted into the trough  22 . The walls  16 ,  18  and  20  are generally parallel and perpendicular to one another. The trough  22  is to be sized large enough to receive a cable in a loose fashion so as not to damage or otherwise effect the signal-carrying ability of the cable. For example, the depth of the trough may be in the approximate range of 0.600 inches to 1.350 inches, the width may be in the approximate range of 0.400 inches to 0.600 inches, and the length may be in the approximate range of 1.50 inches to 2.80 inches. 
     The first side wall  18  extends forward beyond the trough  22  to form the roll-over extension  42  used to attach the wire hanger  14 . More specifically, the roll-over extension  42  curves back towards the body  12  to form a loop outside the trough  22 . The loop can take on any cross-section, such as generally rectangular, generally oval or circular and can have a variety of radius of curvatures, including, for example, in the approximate range of 0.050 inches to 0.280 inches. 
     As mentioned above, the roll-over extension  42  defines holes  46  on the outer side of the loop and holes  44  on the inner side of the loop. The holes  44  and  46  are designed to receive the first end segments  40   a  of the end portions  40  of the extensions  34  of the wire hanger  14 . The roll-over extension  42  includes an outer arcuate surface  48  that guides the separated portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  32  from the signal-carrying wire  30  back around to be wound about the body  12  using the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  when present) to secure the cable  24  in the trough  22 . 
     The elongated opening of the trough  22  is bounded by a first elongated side edge  50  of the first side wall  16  and a second elongated side edge  52  of the second side wall  18 . The first elongated edge  50  is curved outward from the trough  22 . This outward curvature assists in inserting the cable  24  into the trough  22  and in winding, locating and securing the separated portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  32 . The second elongated edge  5   2  may be in the same plane as the second side wall  18  or can also be curved outward for the same reasons. The radius of curvature may any suitable dimension, including, for example, in the approximate range of 0.150 inches to 0.240 inches. 
     The ends of the trough  22  are bounded by front edge  54  and rear edge  56 . The front edge  54  traces the front end of the trough  22  at the first and base walls  16  and  20  and curves outward from the trough. The rear edge  56  traces the rear end of the trough  22  at the first, second and base walls  16 ,  18  and  20  and also curves outward from the trough  22 . The end edges  54  and  56  are curved so as to minimize potential for damage to the cable. The degree curvature of curvature can be any acceptable amount, including, for example, in the approximate range of 0.075 inches to 0.120 inches. 
     The front edge  54  defines one notch  26   b  in the first side wall  16  adjacent the first elongated side edge  50  of the first side wall  16 . The rear edge  56  defines one notch  26   a  in the first side wall  16  adjacent the first elongated side edge  50  of the first side wall  16  and another notch  26   c  in the second side wall  18  adjacent the second elongated side edge  52  of the second side wall  18 . Each of these notches  26   a - 26   c  are sized sufficiently large enough to receive at least two windings of a conventional messenger or other securing wire and have a slightly rectangular shape extending longitudinally. For example, the width (including the opening) may be approximately 0.150 inches, and the length may be in the approximate range of 0.160 inches to 0.500 inches. 
     In addition, when present, the side edge  52  defines the front notch  26   d  in the second side wall  18  adjacent the rear portion of the hanger  14 . If the optional notch  26   d  is present, it should also be sized appropriately to receive at least two windings of a conventional messenger or other securing wire. Although not necessary, the notch  26   d  preferably has an “L” shape with the major portion extending longitudinally, for example, with a length of approximately 0.160 inches and a width of about 0.150 inches. 
     Each of the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  when present) includes an arcuate flange  58  at its end that curves inward into the trough  22  and longitudinally along the elongated direction of the body  12 . The flanges  58  guide the separated messenger or other securing wire  32   a  through the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  when present) and provide a smooth surface upon which to wind the wire so as not to damage the wire. The flange may be formed of material cut to form the notch and rolled back over into the trough. The flanges may be curved back inward at any suitable radius of curvature, including for example in the approximate range of 0.040 inches to 0.070 inches. The body of the clamp may be constructed of any suitable material, such as, for example, 0.032 inch stainless steel or 0.50 inch  6061  aluminum. 
     In FIG. 2, an exemplary winding pattern is shown for the separated messenger wire  32   a  to secure the cable  24  in the trough  22  of the clamp  10 . As mentioned above, the cable  24  is double-stranded with a larger diameter signal-carrying wire  30  and the attached smaller diameter support and/or messenger wire  32 . To utilize the clamp  10 , the portion  32   a  of the messenger wire  30  is separated from the signal carrying wire  30 . Then, the cable  24  adjacent the separated messenger wire portion  32   a  is inserted into the trough  22 . Next, the separated messenger wire  32   a  is threaded through a gap  60  located between the parallel wire extensions  34  and encircled around the rolled extension  42  over the arcuate surface  48  back toward the body  12 . Finally, the messenger wire  32   a  is wound along the body portion  12  of the clamp using the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  when present). Any pattern of winding can be employed at the users preference. 
     The winding pattern should include at least one segment that extends across the opening of the trough  22 . More specifically, the wrapping procedure, when complete, will preferably cross the opening of the trough  22  in multiple locations. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration in which the separated messenger wire  32   a  has two segments  30   b  and  30   c  that cross the trough  22  in two different places perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body  12  and trough  22 . In FIG. 3, there is illustrated another wrapping pattern for the separated messenger wire  32   a  in which portions  30   b  and  30   c  crisscross one another across the opening of the trough  22 . Although FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate wrapping patterns for the separated messenger wire, other patterns are certainly possible, and such configurations may result in more or less locations of the separated messenger wire crossing the trough. 
     A benefit of a clamp embodying features of the present invention is the convenient and effective winding of the separated messenger or other securing wire without having to shift the clamp from hand to hand. More specifically, the body of the clamp can be held in one hand while the complete winding of the separated messenger wire can be done with the other hand. For example, the body  12  can be held in the left hand with the thumb on the second side wall  18  and the other fingers on the first side wall  16 . The separated messenger wire  30   a  can be wound around the body  12  at the notches  26   a-c  (and notch  26   d  when present) in a generally counter-clockwise direction with the right hand. The hands also can be reversed. That is, the body  12  can be held by the right hand with the thumb on the first side wall  16  and the other fingers on the second side wall  18 , and the winding can be done by the left hand in a generally counter clockwise direction. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, another two-piece clamp  110  is illustrated embodying features of the present invention. The clamp  110  is similar to the previously discussed clamp  10  with a few minor variations as are evident from the figures. The clamp  110  includes a body  112  and a wire hanger  114 . The body includes a first elongated side wall  116  and a second elongated side wall  118  interconnected by an elongated base wall  120 . The walls  116 ,  118 ,  120  define a cavity or trough  122  that is sized to accept in a generally loose fitting fashion a conventional signal-carrying cable  124 . The first side wall  116  includes a rear notch  126   c  and a front notch  126   b . The second side wall  118  includes a rear notch  126   a . The notches  126   a-c  open in a direction designed to facilitate expeditious and effective securement of the cable  124  in the clamp  110 . The wire hanger  114  includes a loop  128  that enables the clamp  110  to be easily suspended from a hook or other conventional attachment to structure, such as a pole or building. 
     More specifically, the clamp  110  can be employed to support and direct, in a suspended fashion, the cable  124 , which can be a double-stranded cable with a signal-carrying wire  130  and an attached support wire or messenger wire  132 . To attach the cable  124  to the clamp  110 , a portion  132   a  of the messenger wire  132  is separated from the signal carrying wire  130 . The trough  122  of the clamp  110  receives the cable  124  (both the signal-carrying wire  130  and the messenger wire  132 ), and the separated portion  132   a  of the messenger wire  132  is used to dose off the opening of the trough  122  to secure the cable  124  in the trough  122 . 
     To secure the opening of the trough  122 , the separated portion  132   a  of the messenger wire  132  is wound along the body  112  using the notches  126   a-c  to maintain its position relative to the body  112 . Due to the positioning, orientation and configuration of the notches  126   a-c , the winding of the separated messenger wire portion  132   a  can be accomplished quickly and efficiently without having to shift the clamp  110  and wire portion  132   a  from hand-to-hand. Moreover, as discussed above, a variety a winding patterns between the separated messenger wire portion  132   a  and the notches  126   a-c  can be employed in securing the cable  124  in clamp  110 . 
     The wire hanger  114  extends from the front of the body  112  and consists of two parallel extensions  134  that terminate at the loop  128 . To attach the wire hanger  114  to the body  112 , the end portions  140  of each extension  134  are looped into and around a forward portion  142  of the body  112  rolled backwards toward the rear of the body  112 . More specifically, each end  140  is bent so that a first end segment  140   a  extends through two aligned holes  144  and  146 , and a second end segment  140   b  is bent to extend around and outside the body  112  to be generally parallel to the first end segment  140   a . This is the same for the end portions  140  of each extension  34 . 
     As mentioned above, the body  112  includes the first side wall  116  and the second side wall  118 , which are interconnected by the base wall  120  to form the trough  122  that receives the cable  124 . The trough  122  has an elongated shape that is longer than its opening through which the cable  124  is inserted into the trough  122 . The walls  116 , 118  and  120  are generally parallel and perpendicular to one another. As mentioned above, The trough  122  is to be sized large enough to receive a cable in a loose fashion so as not to damage or otherwise effect the signal-carrying ability of the cable. 
     The first side wall  118  extends forward beyond the trough  122  to form the roll-over extension  142  used to attach the wire hanger  114 . More specifically, the roll-over extension  142  curves back towards the body  112  to from a loop outside the trough  122 . The loop can take on any cross-section, and as illustrated has s circular cross-section. 
     As mentioned above, the roll-over extension  142  defines holes  146  on the outer side of the loop and holes  144  on the inner side of the loop. The holes  144  and  146  are designed to receive the first end segments  140   a  of the end portions  140  of the extensions  134  of the wire hanger  114 . The roll-over extension  142  includes an outer arcuate surface  148  that guides the separated portion  132   a  of the messenger wire  132  from the signal-carrying wire  130  back around to be wound about the body  112  using the notches  126   a-c  to secure the cable  124  in the trough  122 . 
     The elongated opening of the trough  122  is bounded by a first elongated side edge  150  of the first side wall  116  and a second elongated side edge  152  of the second side wall  118 . The first elongated edge  150  is curved outward from the trough  122 . This outward curvature assists in inserting the cable  124  into the trough  122  and in winding, locating and securing the separated portion  132   a  of the messenger wire  132 . The second elongated edge  152  may be in the same plane as the second side wall  118  or can also be curved outward for the same reasons. 
     The ends of the trough  122  are bounded by front edge  154  and rear edge  156 . The front edge  154  traces the front end of the trough  122  at the first and base walls  116  and  120  and curves outward from the trough  122 . The rear edge  156  traces the rear end of the trough  122  at the first, second and base walls  116 ,  118  and  120  and also curves outward from the trough  122 . The end edges  154  and  156  are curved so as to minimize potential for damage to the cable. 
     The front edge  154  defines one notch  126   b  in the first side wall  116  adjacent the first elongated side edge  150  of the first side wall  116 . The rear edge  156  defines one notch  126   c  in the first side wall  116  adjacent the first elongated side edge  150  of the first side wall  116  and another notch  126   a  in the second side wall  118  adjacent the second elongated side edge  152  of the second side wall  118 . Each of these notches  126   a - 126   c  are sized sufficiently large enough to receive at least two windings of a conventional messenger or other securing wire and have a slightly rectangular shape extending longitudinally. 
     Each of the notches  126   a-c  includes an arcuate flange  158  at its end that curves inward into the trough  122  and longitudinally along the elongated direction of the body  112 . The flanges  158  guide the separated messenger or other securing wire  132   a  through the notches  126   a-c  and provide a smooth surface upon which to wind the wire so as not to damage the wire. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a one-piece clamp  210  is illustrated embodying features of the present invention. The alternate clamp  210  includes a body  212  having an integrally extending hanger  214 . The body  212  includes a first elongated side wall  216  and a second elongated side wall  218  interconnected by an elongated base wall  220 . The walls  216 ,  218  and  220  define a cavity or trough  222  that is sized to accept in a generally loose fitting fashion a conventional signal-carrying cable, such as the cable  24  or  124  discussed above for the two-piece clamps  10  and  110 . The first side wall  216  includes a rear notch  226   a  and a front notch  226   b . The second side wall  218  includes a rear notch  226   c , and optionally, it may include a front notch  226   d . The notches  226   a-c  (and notch  226   d  when present) open in a direction designed to facilitate expeditious and effective securement of a cable in the clamp  210 . The wire hanger  214  includes a loop  228  that enables the clamp  210  to be easily suspended from a hook or other conventional attachment to structure, such as a pole or building. 
     More specifically, the clamp  210  can be employed to support and direct, in a suspended fashion, a cable, such as cable  24  (which is a double-stranded cable with a signal-carrying wire and an attached support wire or messenger wire). A cable is attached to the clamp  210  is the same manner as to the previously discussed two-piece clamps  10  and  110 . That is, for example, a separated portion of the messenger wire is wound along the body  212  using the notches  226   a-c  (and, optionally, notch  226   d  when present) to maintain the wire in position relative to the body  212 . Due to the positioning, orientation and configuration of the notches  226   a-c  (and notch  226   d  when present), the winding of the separated messenger wire portion can be accomplished quickly and efficiently without having to shift the clamp  210  and wire portion from hand-to-hand. Moreover, as discussed above for the two-piece clamps, a variety a winding patterns between the separated messenger wire portion and the notches  226   a-c  (and notch  226   d  when present) can be employed in securing a cable in clamp  210 . 
     The hanger  214  extends from the front of the body  212 . More specifically, the hanger  214  extends integrally from the second elongated side wall  218  and includes two parallel extensions  234  that terminate at the loop  228 . Each of the extensions  234  has an L-shaped cross-section formed by an inner side  234   a  being generally perpendicular to an outer side  234   b . The loop  228  can have a generally circular cross-section. This construction adds strength to the hanger  214 . 
     As mentioned above, the body  212  includes the first side wall  216  and the second side wall  218 , which are interconnected by the base wall  220  to from the trough  222  that receives a cable, such as cable  24 . The trough  222  has an elongated shape that is longer than its opening through which a cable, such as cable  24 , is inserted into the trough  222 . The walls  216 ,  218  and  220  are generally parallel and perpendicular to one another. As mentioned above, the trough  222  is to be sized large enough to receive a cable in a loose fashion so as not to damage or otherwise effect the signal-carrying ability of the cable. The two extensions  234  and the loop  228  form an elongated, generally oval configured gap  260 . At the rear of the gap, there is an arcuate edge  242 . More specifically, the arcuate edge  242  curves back towards the body  212  to from a loop. The loop can take on any cross-section, and as illustrated has a circular cross-section. The arcuate edge  242  is also curved as it extends between the two extensions  234 . The arcuate edge  242  also includes an outer arcuate surface  248  that guides the separated portion of the messenger wire or other securing wire back around to be wound about the body  212  using the notches  226   a-c  (and notch  226   d  when present) to secure a cable in the trough  222 . 
     The elongated opening of the trough  222  is bounded by a first elongated side edge  250  of the first side wall  216  and a second elongated side edge  252  of the second side wall  218 . The first elongated edge  250  is curved outward from the trough  222 . This outward curvature assists in inserting a cable into the trough  222  and in winding, locating and securing the separated portion of a messenger or other securing wire. The second elongated edge  252  may be in the same plane as the second side wall  218  or can also be curved outward for the same reasons. 
     The ends of the trough  222  are bounded by front edge  254  and rear edge  256 . The front edge  254  traces the front end of the trough  222  at the first and base walls  216  and  220  and curves outward from the trough  222 . The rear edge  256  traces the rear end of the trough  222  at the first, second and base walls  216 ,  218  and  220  and also curves outward from the trough  222 . The end edges  254  and  256  are curved so as to minimize potential for damage to the cable. 
     The front edge  254  defines one notch  226   b  in the first side wall  216  adjacent the first elongated side edge  250  of the first side wall  216 . The rear edge  256  defines one notch  226   a  in the first side wall  216  adjacent the first elongated side edge  250  of the first side wall  216  and another notch  226   c  in the second side wall  218  adjacent the second elongated side edge  252  of the second side wall  218 . Each of these notches  226   a - 226   c  are sized sufficiently large enough to receive at least two windings of a conventional messenger or other securing wire and have a slightly rectangular shape extending longitudinally. In addition, when present, the side edge  252  defines the front notch  226   d  in the second side wall  218  adjacent the rear portion of the hanger  214 . 
     Each of the notches  226   a-c  (and notch  226   d  when present) includes an arcuate flange  258  at its end that curves inward into the trough  222  and longitudinally along the elongated direction of the body  212 . The flanges  258  guide a separated messenger or other securing wire through the notches  226   a  (and notch  226   d  when present) and provide a smooth surface upon which to wind the wire so as not to damage the wire. The wire wrapping patterns discussed above for the two-piece clamps  10  and  110  apply to the one-piece clamp  210  as well. 
     It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts and components which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7