Adapter for mounting cable hangers

Abstract

An adapter for a cable hanger includes: a housing having a floor, a vertical wall extending generally perpendicularly from the floor, and side walls extending generally perpendicularly from the floor and vertical wall, each of the side walls including a finger extending generally parallel to the floor, the fingers including first engagement features, the vertical wall including a mounting hole; and a plunger having a main panel and second engagement features on opposite sides of the main panel, the second engagement features configured to engage the first engagement features to restrict relative movement of the plunger relative to the housing.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for a cable hanger, comprising:
 a housing having a floor, a rear wall extending generally perpendicularly from the floor, a ceiling extending generally parallel to the floor, and side walls extending generally perpendicularly from the floor and rear wall, the rear wall including a mounting hole;   wherein the housing includes an open-ended slot generally parallel to the floor, wherein one of the side walls forms an upper edge of the slot, and wherein a toothed surface forms a portion of the lower end of the slot; and   wherein the ceiling includes first features configured to engage a securing member;   the adapter further comprising a securing member that engages the features in the ceiling and is movable relative to the ceiling in a direction generally normal to the floor, the securing member including second features that engage the first features;   wherein movement of the securing member toward the floor engages a mounting structure positioned in the slots, and wherein the first and second features resist movement of the securing member in a direction away from the floor when the securing member engages the mounting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the securing member is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the toothed surface is in the floor. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the toothed surface is in the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting hole has a nominal diameter of ¾ inch. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first features are first threads, and the second features are second threads that mate with the first threads. 
     
     
         8 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first features are first teeth, and wherein the second features are second teeth that enmesh with the first teeth. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , in combination with the mounting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The combination defined in  claim 9 , wherein the mounting structure is a ladder rung. 
     
     
         11 . The combination defined in  claim 9 , further in combination with a cable hanger mounted in the mounting hole. 
     
     
         12 . An adapter for a cable hanger, comprising:
 a housing having a floor, a rear wall extending generally perpendicularly from the floor, a ceiling extending generally parallel to the floor, and side walls extending generally perpendicularly from the floor and rear wall, the rear wall including a mounting hole having a nominal diameter of ¾ inch;   wherein the housing includes an open-ended slot generally parallel to the floor, wherein one of the side walls forms an upper edge of the slot, and wherein a toothed surface in the side wall forms a portion of the lower end of the slot; and   wherein the ceiling includes first features configured to engage a securing member;   the adapter further comprising a securing member that engages the features in the ceiling and is movable relative to the ceiling in a direction generally normal to the floor, the securing member including second features that engage the first features;   wherein movement of the securing member toward the floor engages a mounting structure positioned in the slots, and wherein the first and second features resist movement of the securing member in a direction away from the floor when the securing member engages the mounting structure.   
     
     
         13 . The adapter defined in  claim 12 , wherein the housing is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter defined in  claim 12 , wherein the securing member is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter defined in  claim 12 , wherein the first features are first threads, and the second features are second threads that mate with the first threads. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter defined in  claim 12 , wherein the first features are first teeth, and wherein the second features are second teeth that enmesh with the first teeth. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter defined in  claim 12 , in combination with the mounting structure. 
     
     
         18 . The combination defined in  claim 17 , wherein the mounting structure is a ladder rung. 
     
     
         19 . The combination defined in  claim 17 , further in combination with a cable hanger mounted in the mounting hole.