Hanger for mounting multiple cables

Abstract

A cable hanger for mounting cables to a mounting structure includes: a base panel; a pair of arms attached to opposite ends of the base panel; and a pair of locking projections, each locking projection being attached adjacent a free end of a respective arm. Each arm is configured to define a respective internal cavity configured to grasp cable. The arms and the base panel combine to define an external cavity for grasping cable. The cable hanger can be deflected from a relaxed state to a deflected state by forcing the locking projections toward each other. In the deflected state the cable hanger may be mounted to a mounting structure, with the arms inserted through a hole in the mounting structure and exerting outward pressure on edges of the hole, and the locking projections maintaining the cable hanger in a mounted position on the mounting structure.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cable hanger for mounting cables to a mounting structure, comprising:
 a base panel;   a pair of arms attached to opposite ends of the base panel; and   a pair of locking projections, each locking projection being attached adjacent a free end of a respective arm and configured to maintain the cable hanger in a mounted position on a mounting structure;   wherein the arms and the base panel define at least one internal cavity and at least one external cavity configured to grasp cables.   
     
     
         2 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 1 , wherein the arms and the base panel define two internal cavities. 
     
     
         3 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 2 , wherein the external cavity is positioned between the internal cavities. 
     
     
         4 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 1 , wherein the arms include barbs that assist in grasping cables. 
     
     
         5 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 4 , wherein the barbs are positioned to assist in grasping cables in the at least one external cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 4 , wherein the barbs are positioned to assist with grasping cables in the at least one internal cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 1 , further comprising cantilevered gripping tabs extending from the arms. 
     
     
         8 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 7 , wherein the cantilevered gripping tabs extend into the at least one external cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 7 , wherein the cantilevered gripping tabs extend into the at least one internal cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 1 , in combination with a first cable mounted in the at least one external cavity and a second cable mounted in one of the at least one internal cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the arms includes an inboard segment that defines a portion of the external cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The cable hanger defined in  claim 11 , wherein a hole is present in each inboard segment, the hole configured to receive a locking projection from another cable hanger.