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 vertical wall extending generally perpendicularly from the floor, a ceiling extending generally perpendicular to the vertical wall, and side walls extending generally perpendicularly from the floor and vertical wall, each of the side walls including an opening for receiving a horizontal mounting structure, the housing including first engagement features, the vertical wall including a round mounting hole; and   a capture member with second engagement features that engage with the first engagement features, the capture member extending through an upper opening in the ceiling to engage and exert a capturing force on the mounting structure, the first and second engagement features being configured to resist movement of the capture member relative to the housing away from the mounting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement features comprise a first plurality of teeth, and the second engagement features comprise a second plurality of teeth that are configured to engage the first plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter defined in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pluralities of teeth are asymmetric teeth configured to permit relative movement of the plunger toward the floor but limit relative movement of the plunger away from the floor. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the floor includes a third plurality of teeth configured to grip a mounting structure. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper opening in the ceiling has an open side. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement features and the second engagement features are intermeshing features. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the openings in the side walls reach the floor. 
     
     
         8 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing and capture member are formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , in combination with the mounting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter defined in  claim 9 , wherein the mounting structure is a rung of a ladder. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter defined in  claim 1 , in combination with a cable hanger inserted into the mounting hole.