Patent Document

This application is a continuation of a Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/145,322, filed Jul. 23, 1999. 
   This invention relates generally as indicated to a cable support and distribution system and method, and more particularly to a low cost support and distribution system for interior runs of telecommunications and like cable which is of simplified construction, and which can easily be installed, and more particularly retrofitted, above existing acoustical or grid ceilings, with the removal of only a few grid tiles. The invention also relates to a method of supporting and organizing such cable. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   UTP category 5 cable is a data or communications cable constructed of 4 unshielded twisted pairs of 24 AWG thermoplastic insulated conductors enclosed is a thermoplastic jacket. The pairs of copper wires are tightly twisted to achieve high speed transmission; the tighter the twist, the faster the possible transmission speed. While UTP is available in Category 3, 4, 5, or 6, the higher the number, the tighter the twist. The tighter the twist also helps reject electromagnetic interference. While many designers have selected category 3 for voice, and category 5 for data, the trend is to install category 5 or higher for all applications in commercial buildings. Other high performance cables are being developed. 
   As the computer and communications industries have grown, the organization and management of the cabling has become a serious problem. It has literally been dumped on the floor or dropped through walls, kinked around corners, or simply dropped on or dragged over the top of suspended ceilings. Cables such as UTP cables and fiber optic cables simply cannot be treated in such a cavalier fashion and have the equipment they serve meet expectations. 
   For example cross-talk on a telephone may be due to improper cabling or cable placement. Attenuation, cross-talk, data distortion, and return loss all affect signal strength which can degrade any system transmission capability. Attenuation is the loss of power or signal strength along the transmission medium. Cross-talk is an unwanted transmission from another nearby cable, or even a pair in the same cable. Return loss is a measure of degree of impedance between the cable and a connector. Background noise is also an irritating problem resulting from a low signal-to-noise ratio. Inadequate cable installation is a key reason for such factors, especially when data and voice transmission speeds are continually being increased, for example from 16 Mhz to 100 Mhz or more. 
   Such cable should not be kinked, snaked, bent sharply, tugged, sag excessively, or come into engagement with sharp edges, or be too close to power cables. 
   The wiring can be placed under the floor with elevated flooring which is extremely expensive and often not practical. A more common place for such wiring is above the ceiling between the structural floor or roof above, and a dropped or acoustical ceiling. 
   The area above many acoustical or drop ceilings is usually cluttered with structural members such as beams or open joists, utilities such as plumbing or sprinkler systems, HVAC ducts, conventional power wiring, often encased in conduit or armored, and of course the suspension hangers for the ceiling and any lighting or other fixtures in the ceiling. 
   Moreover, most beams, joists and other structures extend in a rectilinear fashion above a ceiling, while communications or data cable usually radiates from a panel or closet in a star topology. 
   Conventional power wiring clips, snaps, wire hooks, bridle rings, or plastic ties are not suitable for such cable because of a variety of factors. They may present sharp edges or produce sharp turns or kinks in the cabling, or they may crush or pinch a bundle. 
   One specialized support for such telecommunications cable is shown in applicants prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,994 which can be attached to a variety of building structures above a suspended ceiling or even supported to extend upwardly from a ceiling grid. Such support is sold by Erico Inc. of Solon, Ohio under the trademark CABLECAT™. 
   If the building is being built new and is being designed with such cable in mind, cable trays are often employed. These are simply suspended or cantilevered trays in which such cable can be laid flat to extend horizontally, and are hung or suspended from beams, joists, or decking for example, oftentimes by trapeze hangers. Such trays are expensive and can be retrofitted into existing building, but not easily or economically, particularly if there is not a significant amount or extent of open or unobstructed horizontal space. 
   More conventional cable tray clamps and hardware for both power and communication cables are sold under the well known CADDY® trademark. CADDY® is a registered trademark of Erico International Corporation of Solon, Ohio. These trays require a substantial amount of hardware and are best installed as the building is being constructed and before any acoustical or suspended ceiling is installed. Also such cable tray systems are more easily installed parallel to a structural member such as a beam, or transversely as with the aid of a trapeze. Flexibility and retrofitability are not particularly characteristic of these conventional cable tray systems. 
   Somewhat more flexibility is achieved with wire grid trays or systems. These still are costly and require a number of parts, and cannot be retrofitted above an existing ceiling without substantially dismantling the ceiling. They are more costly, more costly to install, and more costly to retrofit above an existing drop ceiling. 
   Traditional cable trays are usually made up of rigid aluminum or steel tray sections, which come in varying lengths that are connected together and attached to the building structure, while the newer “flexible” cable trays are predominately made up of wire-form cross sections that, again, come in varying lengths. Both types share a similar disadvantage, in that the lengths provided are difficult to manage, and practically impossible to install over an existing drop ceiling without removing entire sections of the T-grid and cross brace system. In addition, splices may require the installer to use several different tools to complete the splice, making them complicated and time-consuming to install. 
   One flexible wire form system indicates it can create any angle or avoid any obstacle with a pair of bolt cutters. This is hardly the type of tool which can be used easily, if at all, above a suspended ceiling without dismantling the whole ceiling. 
   Also, such wire form systems may be supported in the center of the wire form tray. Thus for symmetrical loading there may be two bundles or sets of cables, one on each side of the center support. One has to be loaded from one side while the other from the other side. This makes changes, additions, or transitions to the system more difficult. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a flexible support and distribution system with few parts which could be installed above an existing ceiling without substantially dismantling the ceiling, and which provides easy access to the entire width of the support and distribution system from one side. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A cable support system provides the organization and support for bundles or runs of communication or datacom cables, for example, which avoids the common problems and mess usually associated with the distribution of data and communication cabling. The system is designed to be a low cost and easier to install cable tray, supporting runs or bundles of cable from a building structure such as a structural ceiling, beam, girder or purlin, and above a suspended acoustical ceiling. The system is suspended by common threaded rod from a wide variety of fasteners hanging the rod from the various structures. The rod supports a primary hanger which includes an upwardly opening generally rounded trough-shape support symmetrically below the rod with one side of the support extending integrally to the rod connection. The other side of the primary hanger is open so that a secondary hanger may be inserted and fastened to the inside of the upwardly opening support. This makes the entire cross section of the tray accessible from one side. The secondary hanger is preferably formed from rolls of flexible open plastic mesh having oriented strands. The length of the secondary hanger forms an upwardly opening trough supported by spaced primary hangers. The mesh is secured to the inside of the primary hangers by spring clips, and plastic splice clips may be used to join rolls of such mesh, or may be used in the fabrication of various transitions or branches. When the cable is in the trough formed by the secondary hanger, the open side of the hanger is closed by a connecting strap which also symmetrically transfers the load to both sides of the upwardly opening support or primary hanger. In addition to the five components noted, a sixth component in the form of a wire rod form transition fabrication may be employed to form curves, corners, Tees, or even changes in elevations. The transition comprises a center form support like the primary hanger but of wire rod form with a horizontal eye vertical axis hole formed at the top and a vertical eye horizontal axis hole at the opposite end. The eye at the top accommodates a threaded rod and the vertical eye accommodates the strap as with the primary hanger. A bottom center bendable strut or bar extends on each side of the center support, and upwardly extending trough-shape supports are mounted on the bendable strut on each side of the center support. The trough-shape supports at each end are paired and an end of the secondary hanger may be secured to said paired supports by the plastic splice clips described above. Intermediate trough-shape supports may be used to anchor the end of a secondary fastener in the formation of a Tee intersection. 
   The secondary mesh hanger may terminate at each end or may extend through the transition with a flap simply cut out at the Tee intersection. The system is inexpensive and may be installed above suspended ceilings without removing the grid or frame work. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the primary support hanger bracket of the system; 
       FIG. 2  is an axial elevation of the hanger; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the hanger as seen from the right hand side of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the enclosing retaining strap for the primary support hanger; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring clip used to secure the secondary cable containment to the primary hanger; 
       FIG. 6  is an edge elevation of the clip of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the splice clip used to connect the end of one roll of secondary hanger containment mesh to the end of another roll; 
       FIG. 8  is an edge view of the clip of  FIG. 7  closed; 
       FIG. 9  is a view of a roll of mesh forming the secondary hanger; 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of how the roll ends are connected using the clips of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a transverse view through the roll ends showing the trough-shape of the secondary mesh containment conforming to the shape of the primary hanger; 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mesh conforming to the interior of the primary hanger; 
       FIG. 13  is a transverse axial view showing the support mesh supported by the interior of the primary hanger; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged interior view of the clip securing the mesh to the hanger; 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary view of system installed and the cables being placed in the system; 
       FIG. 16  is a slightly enlarged view of the retaining strap being installed on the main or primary hanger; 
       FIG. 17  is a similar view showing the strap secured in place; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a transition; 
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged top plan view of the transition; 
       FIG. 20  is a similar front elevation of the transition as seen from the bottom of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the transition forming an L or elbow; and 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the transition forming a Tee. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1–3  there is illustrated a primary hanger or bracket shown generally at  25 . The hanger may be formed of steel and galvanized. Throughout its length, the hanger is of a substantially uniform channel shape which has a center outwardly extending channel  26  and two relatively long outwardly projecting coplanar flanges  27  and  28  on each side thereof. The bottom of the hanger forms a generally semi-circular upwardly opening trough-shape saddle or support  30  with two straight or vertical portions  31  and  32  on each end thereof. The straight portion  32  terminates at the edge  33  while the straight portion  31  continues upwardly to an angle portion  34  which terminates at the top in a horizontal short section  35 . The base of the channel is provided with a top hole indicated at  36 . 
   The opposite end just short of the edge  33  is also provided with a hole seen at  37  in the base at the center channel. As later described, the primary hanger or bracket may be hung from a threaded rod extending through the hole  36  at the desired elevation and orientation with respect to an overhead structural element of the building. 
   The axially extending flanges of the primary hanger are provided with edge notches at one side seen at  40  and  41 , at the opposite side as seen at  42  and  43 , and in the center bottom as seen at  44  and  45 . These edge notches accommodate spring snap clips as will be described. 
   It will be seen that the configuration of the primary hanger is such that the upwardly opening generally semi-circular support surface  30  is symmetrical about the axis of the top hole  36  and that a substantially open side is provided as seen at  48 . After the secondary hanger or open mesh is secured in place inside the semi-circular support and the cable runs or bundles are positioned within the secondary hanger, the open space  48  may be closed by the retaining strap seen generally at  50  in  FIG. 4 . 
   The retaining strap  50  includes a vertical lower end  51  which terminates in a relatively narrow dogleg or tab  52  inwardly offset by shoulder  53 . The main body portion of the strap shown at  54  extends upwardly at an angle of about  45 ° which is the same angle of inclination of the section  34  of the primary hanger. The top of the strap terminates in a horizontal portion  55  which includes on one side a bayonet notch  56  with the outermost edge of the notch being slightly inclined or forming a cam surface  57 . As will hereinafter be described the strap is simply attached to the primary hanger by inserting the tab or dogleg  52  into the hole  37  and then rotating the top upwardly to snap onto the threaded rod above the upper end of the primary hanger to be secured in place by conventional nut fasteners. The strap then provides symmetrical hanging support for both sides of the upwardly opening support  30  as well as enclosing the trough or cable tray formed. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6  there is illustrated a spring snap clip shown generally at  60  which is employed in connection with the flange edge notches to secure the secondary hanger or open flexible mesh seen at  62  in  FIG. 9  to the interior of the primary hanger  25 . The spring snap clips each include a generally flat surface  64  with legs  65  and  66  bent in the same direction. The tips of the legs are bent outwardly or away from each other as  25  shown at  67  and  68 , respectively. Extending generally coplanar to the outwardly flared tips of the legs of the clip are inwardly struck tangs seen at  69  and  70 . These tangs may be struck from the outer edges of holes  72  and  73 . The profile configuration of the edges and tangs is seen more clearly in  FIG. 6 . The spring clips are such that they may simply be pushed on the notch edges such as seen at  44  and  45  so that such edges cam the legs apart with the tangs  69  and  70  snapping over the notch edges. Once in place the notches keep the snaps from moving or sliding circumferentially of the primary hanger. The clip seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is made of spring steel. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a splice clip shown generally at  76 . The splice clip as hereinafter described is designed to secure the end of one roll of such mesh or fabric  62  to the beginning of the next roll, or to fabricate curves, elbows, Tees, branches or even changes in elevation with the transition hereinafter described. 
   The splice clip seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene and includes a flat base  78  which has a relatively short rear wall  79 . The rear wall is connected to the top wall or outer corner  80  by a hinge  81 . At the front of the base  78  there is provided a relatively shorter ridge wall  82  and forwardly spaced therefrom a catch wall  83  which has a sloping interior outer edge  84  which terminates in a catch shoulder  85 . The outer cover  80  terminates in an inwardly projecting relatively thin wall  87  which is hinged at  88  to outwardly extending flex edge  90  which includes a forwardly projecting catch  91  adapted to snap under the catch  85  when the splice clip is closed as seen in  FIG. 8 . The splice clip can be opened or released simply by elevating the forward edge  90  pivoting clockwise about pivot or hinge  88  as seen in  FIG. 8  to disengage the two latches. The clip can be closed simply by pressing the cover  80  down which encloses the interior space  93 . The clip will readily accommodate within the opening  93  a number of strands of the open mesh secondary hanger fabric or even accommodate wire forms. The interior opening top-to-bottom of the clip  76  is approximately a quarter of an inch (6.35 mm), while the interior length of the opening  93  is approximately 1.4 inches (31.2 mm). 
   Although other types of fabric may be employed, the preferred open mesh fabric is seen at  62  in roll form in  FIG. 9 . It will be seen that the fabric  62  is formed of longitudinal strands  95  and transverse strands  96 . These strands are preferably oriented high density polyethylene extruded with approximately 10% fiber reinforcing added. The strands are welded to each other to form nodes shown generally at  97 . The thickness of the strands may be typically 0.14 (3.6 mm) inches while the rectangular or square openings are approximately 1 square inch (2.54 cm 2 ). This provides a mesh that is approximately 60% to 90% voids. Although other forms of mesh fabric may be employed, the square open mesh illustrated is preferred for a variety of reasons. One reason is the reduced material involved which in the case of fire minimizes the creation of fumes. Also, a substantially open nature of the mesh does not act as an impediment to any sprinkler system which might be above a suspended ceiling. The open mesh also permits visibility of the cables or bundles within the open trough being formed. Cables are sometimes color coded and the open mesh may facilitate the location of a cable without completely dismantling the system or a bundle within the trough formed. In addition, the open mesh with the relatively large voids facilitates the branching of cables from the trunk or run within the trough. The cables may simply be branched through the openings in the mesh and if the opening is not sufficiently large for the number of cables involved, the opening can readily be enlarged with scissors or snips. The preferred mesh comes in rolls which are approximately 15 inches wide (38.1 cm) and 25 feet in length (76.2 decimeters). 
   The material of such rolls can be joined end-to-end using the splice clips of  FIGS. 7 and 8  as seen in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 10 , the end of one roll is seen at  99  on one side, while the end of another roll is seen at  100  on the opposite side. The fabric is slightly offset for visibility. Splice clips  76  seen at  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  are employed to join the fabric ends. It is noted that each splice clip is locked about four parallel strands, two from each of the overlapping mesh or fabric ends. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates the two rolls joined and the positioning of the splice clips as the two fabric sections are longitudinally formed into the upwardly opening trough or saddle section conforming to the interior of the primary hanger.  FIG. 11  illustrates the trough configuration of the secondary hanger when conforming to and supported by the interior of the primary hanger. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12 ,  13 , and  14  it will be seen that the primary hanger shown generally at  25  is suspended by threaded rod  110  from a rod hanger clamp  111  fastened to the lower flange  112  of I-beam  113 . The fastener  111  is held in place on the projecting flange  112  by screw clamp  114 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 13 , the lower end of the rod  110  is secured to the upper end of the primary hanger  25  by nuts shown generally at  116  both above and below the hole  35 . Washers may also be employed. With reference to such figures it will be seen that the mesh fabric  62  has been bent to conform to the interior of the primary hanger and forms the elongated upwardly opening trough shown. The mesh fabric is secured to the interior of the primary hanger by three spring clips  60  seen in  FIG. 13  at  118 ,  119 , and  120 . The spring clips are simply moved in the direction of the generally radially extending arrows shown to embrace preferably at least two parallel strands of the mesh fabric and snap over the notch edges shown more clearly in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates the snap clip  60  embracing transverse strands  122  and  123  of the mesh  62  with the legs of the snap clip projecting through the voids or openings  124  and  125  in the flexible fabric securing the fabric to the interior of the primary hanger  25 . As illustrated, three clips are employed, two securing the edges of the fabric to the upper portions of the hanger while the third secures the center of the fabric to the bottom of the hanger. The tensile strands of the fabric as well as the trough-shape provide flexibility, yet supporting strength for the portion of the secondary hanger which extends between the primary hangers. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is illustrated three primary hangers shown generally at  130 ,  131 , and  132  supported from threaded rods from beam flange clamps  133 ,  134 , and  135 , respectively, secured to the flanges of beams  136 ,  137 , and  138 , respectively. It is noted that the alignment of the primary hangers is not perfect and there is substantial offset or curvature in the alignment. This indicates the type of flexibility or deviation which can be achieved by the support system of the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates a cable bundle shown generally at  140  positioned within the secondary or open mesh hanger  62  in turn supported by the spaced primary hangers at  130 ,  131 , and  132 . 
   After the bundle  140  is within the trough or secondary hanger  62  supported in turn by the primary hangers, the trough may be closed by assembling the retaining strap  50  as seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 16  the tab or dogleg  52  is inserted in the hole  37 . The strap may then pivot from the phantom line position seen at  142  in  FIG. 17  in the direction of the arrow  143  to snap the bayonet notch  56  on the rod  110 . When the notch  56  is in place on the threaded rod it is simply tightened down or clamped with suitable hardware  145  such as the nut illustrated in the final position seen in full lines in  FIG. 17 . The primary hanger is then supported symmetrically from the center threaded rod  110  and also the trough formed by the secondary hanger supported in turn by the primary hanger has been enclosed. 
   It can be seen that the components of the system so far described are the primary hanger and it&#39;s strap, the secondary hanger in the form of the open mesh or fabric, the metal clip for securing the secondary hanger to the primary hanger, and the plastic splice clip for connecting sections of the secondary hanger to each other. The splice clip is also employed to secure sections of the secondary hanger to a rod form transition seen generally at  148  in  FIGS. 18–22 . 
   With initial reference to  FIGS. 18–20  it will be seen that the transition is a wire rod form fabrication which includes a center form shown generally at  150  which has generally the same profile configuration as the primary hanger  25 . The center form includes a generally semi-circular upwardly opening trough-like support  152  with relatively short vertical extensions  153  and  154  at each side thereof. The extension  153  terminates in a eye  155 , the hole of which has a horizontal axis. The other side of the center form continues upwardly to the inclined portion  156  which terminates in relatively short horizontal leg  157  terminating in eye  158  with the hole having a vertical axis. The axis of the hole of the eye  158  is centered over the upwardly opening trough-like support  152 . In this manner the center support has the same profile configuration as the primary hanger seen in  FIGS. 1–3  and has a vertical axis hole at the top center and a horizontal axis hole at the opposite end. The holes formed by the eyes  155  and  158  then generally correspond to the holes  37  and  36 , respectively seen in  FIGS. 1–3 . This enables the strap  50  seen in  FIG. 4  to be employed in the same manner to close the open side  159  of the center form  150 . 
   Extending transversely of the center form or longitudinally of the entire transition is a bottom center strut or bar  162  which is welded to the underside of the center form at  163 . Also secured to the center bar or strut  162  are symmetrically positioned left form  165  and right form  166 . Also secured to the ends of the center bar or strut  162  are paired end forms seen at  168  and  169 , respectively. The intermediate left and right forms  165  and  166  as well as the paired end forms all have the same general upwardly opening profile or trough-shape configuration and all are secured at their centers by welding to the top of the center bar or strut  162 . 
   The upper ends of the end forms terminate in U-shape bends seen at  171 . Such U-shape bends terminate in downwardly extending outer legs that extend parallel to the balance of the form so that a strand of the secondary hanger can readily be inserted in the opening. The hooks are designed to be closed or shut simply be squeezing with a pair of plyers. While each of the paired end forms is provided with such hooks on both ends, the intermediate left and right forms are provided with similar hooks indicated at  173  and  174 , but on the opposite end are provided with hooks  175  and  176  directed horizontally toward each other and opening away from each other. These hooks  175  and  176  include a right angle bend  178  which extends parallel to the bottom rod or strut  162  with the hook then being formed to terminate in the outer leg  179  parallel to the leg  178  and also the bottom rod or strut. These hooks again are designed to be closed by compression with a pair of plyers. 
   The wire form fabrication transition is formed with wire rod which may have a diameter of approximately 0.188 inches (0.48 cm or 4.8 mm) and the wire forms may readily be field bent to form a variety of curves, Tees, elbows, or even changes in elevation. The wire rod stock is designed to fit easily within the pocket or interior  93  of the splice clips seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The spacing of the paired end forms is such that both forms of each pair will fit within the pocket  93  of the splice clip so that the splice clip will embrace both end forms as well as at least two strands of the secondary hanger  62 . 
   Although it is not necessary that the secondary hanger extend completely through the transition, the secondary hanger may readily be secured to each end of the transition with the various hooks closed about the lateral edge strands of the secondary hanger, and the splice clips utilized to secure the secondary hanger to at least each paired end forms of the transition. The curvature may vary from a relatively sharp elbow such as seen in  FIG. 21  to a larger radius curvature, and such desired curvature may readily be obtained by bending the center bar or strut  162  on each side of the center form. Similar bending may achieve a change in elevation or provide a grade on each side of the center form. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 21  there is illustrated a transition  148  bent to form a relatively sharp curve or elbow. The center bar or strut  162  has been bent on each side of the center form  150 . The end of one secondary hanger illustrated at  184  is secured to the right hand side of the transition as seen in  FIG. 21 . The edge strands  185  and  186  have been positioned in the hooks  171 , and the hook ends  172  have been bent or crimped to enclose the edge strands. The same is true with the hook end  173  on the intermediate form  165 . In addition, splice clips shown at  188 ,  189 , and  190  are closed about parallel transverse strands of the secondary hanger  184  and also about the parallel paired wire rod forms of the end forms  168 . 
   On the opposite leg of the transition, the end of the secondary hanger  192  is positioned within and secured to the transition in the same manner by positioning the edge strands  193  and  194  in the hooks  171  and crimping the same closed. Splice clips seen at  195 ,  196 , and  197  are employed to embrace parallel strands of the mesh hanger  192  as well as the paired end forms. In this manner the two secondary hangers  192  and  184  may be joined essentially at right angles. Because of the relatively short bridge involved, the secondary hanger need not extend completely through the elbow. 
   The transition is supported by the threaded rod  200  which extends through the top eye  158  of the center form  150 . The strap  50  extends from the eye  155  with the dogleg  52  projecting through the eye hole. The bayonet notch  56  is snapped on the rod  200  and the assembly is held in place by the nuts illustrated. 
   It will be appreciated that the degree of bending may vary from slight to the almost elbow illustrated and that the bottom center rod or strut  162  may also be bent so that changes in elevation may be accomplished. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 22  there is illustrated a transition  148  forming a Tee shown generally at  210 . In the Tee formation seen in  FIG. 22  the bottom center rod or strut  162  has not been bent. Within the transition a secondary hanger shown generally at  212  is secured by bending the hooks  171  about the edge strands  213  and  214 . The secondary hanger  212  is also secured in place by the splice clips shown at  215  and  216  at each end securing the secondary hanger to the paired end forms. If employed, the third splice clip at the bottom of the trough at each end is obscured. The secondary hanger has been cut to form a flap shown generally at  220 . The flap has been threaded over the eye  155  of the center form and is attached to further secondary hanger  222  by the splice clips shown at  215  and  216 . 
   The further secondary hanger is shown generally at  222  and extends normal to the secondary hanger  212 . The edge strands  223  and  224  of the secondary hanger  222  at the corner with end strand  225  are engaged within the inwardly directed hooks  175  and  176  on the intermediate forms  165  and  166 . It will be appreciated that the secondary hanger  222  will extend onto a primary hanger forming a run which extends normal to the run formed by the secondary hanger  212 . In  FIG. 22  the center form includes the strap  50  extending from the eye  155  to the rod  200  and held in place by the nut fasteners shown. Accordingly, a wide variety of constructions may be formed with the transition. 
   While the invention has been shown supported from steel I-beams, it will be appreciated that there are a wide variety of other structures from which the cable support and distribution system of the present invention may be suspended. These include girders, angle bars, a wide variety of purlins, or a metal or concrete deck. It will be appreciated that there are a wide variety of hangers which will suspend threaded rod from such structural members and that with the present invention a low cost easily fabricated support and distribution system for communications cable can readily be retrofitted above a suspended ceiling for the proper organization, care and distribution of such sensitive cable. 
   Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 5