Patent Application
20050028327
This invention relates generally to cable ties and pertains more particularly to cable ties configured for use with mounting plates closely mounted on parent support structure.
In various instances, it is desirable to bind cable ties upon a mounting plate which is so closely mounted on parent structure as to deny user access to the undersurface of the mounting plate. In these instances, it is necessary to remove the mounting plate from its parent structure. This practice presents evident difficulties in possible disruption of pre-existing cable bundlings supported on the mounting plate and in electrician time in effecting the disassembly of the mounting plate from the parent structure and reassambly following the binding of the cable ties to the mounting plate.
In those instances in which the mounting plates are not removable from their parent structures, i.e., are riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the mounting plate, the difficulty is not resolvable and additions of cable tie encircled conductor groupings to the pre-existing closely-mounted mounting plate are not attainable.
The present invention has as its primary object the provision of cable ties adapted for securement with mounting plates closely mounted to parent structure without need for removal of the mounting plates from the parent structure.
In attaining this and other objects, the invention provides cable ties having configuration providing them with an adaptiveness for securement with mounting plates closely mounted to parent structure.
In its several embodiments, the invention provides cable ties having configuration which self-urges free ends of the cable ties to emerge from mounting plates after the free ends of the cable ties are inserted into disposition into the limited space existing between the mounting plates and parent structure to which the mounting plates are secured.
The invention is adapted for use with removable mounting plates, without need for removal thereof from parent structure to which the mounting plates are secured, and for use with non-removable mounting plates.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention and the various structures of cable ties thereof will be further understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and practices of the invention and from the drawings wherein like components are identified by like reference numerals.
Referring to
Cable tie 10 is a molded plastic member, the making mold being constructed to impart undulation 26 to tail portion 14 at tail portion free end 16.
Referring to
Referring to
Tail portion 14 is now moved upwardly from its
Referring to
Installation of cable tie 38 on a mounting plate follows the practice of
The innate connection compatibility of cable tie 46 of
As is seen, the invention provides a method for securing a cable tie to a mounting plate having a given clearance with a parent structure precluding access to an underside of the mounting plate, comprising the steps of:
The innate connection compatibility is attained by configuring the strap with an inherent arcuateness at the strap free end. The inherent arcuateness can be selected as an undulation formed at the strap free end. The undulation may be formed with a course which extends in spaced perpendicular relation to the strap or with a course which extends in spaced parallel relation to the strap.
Various changes to the particularly depicted embodiments and practices of the invention may be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the particularly disclosed embodiments are intended in an illustrative, and not in a limiting, sense. The true spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the ensuing claims.
