BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
There will now be described, by way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the head of a fastener in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the head of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the cross-section shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a tool for fastening the band of the fastener within the head shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fastener in accordance with the present invention; and.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a cover for the fastener of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6.
BEST MODE FOR PUTTING THE INVENTION INTO EFFECT
Referring initially to FIG. 6, there is shown a fastener made up of a band 10 and a head 12. Although it is not immediately evident from FIG. 6, the band 10 is formed in a closed loop for encircling an article to be clamped or secured. The band 10 includes two opposed surfaces—an inwardly facing surface 14 and an outwardly facing surface 16. The outwardly facing surface 16 includes a series of teeth 18 while the inwardly facing surface 14 is smooth so as not to bite into the article being clamped. The two ends of the band 10 are held by head 12 in a closed loop.
The head 12 has a pair of opposed passageways 20, 22 into which the ends of the strap are passed. A jaw 24, 26 is provided in each of the two passageways 20, 22; the jaws 24, 26 include teeth that are shaped to allow the strap to be pushed into the passageway, i.e. towards the centre of the head 12, but prevented the strap from being withdrawn in the opposite direction. This will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The head also includes a central chamber (not visible) provided under a removable cover 28. Again, this will be described in further detail below.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the head is shown in perspective (FIG. 1) in plan view (FIG. 2), in sectional view along the line X-X (FIG. 2) and a detail of region A of FIG. 3 (FIG. 4). The passageways 20, 22 for feeding the ends of the band are shown. The end of passageway 20 is defined by a solid wall 30 whereas the end of the passageway 22 includes a channel 32 that leads into a chamber 34. Thus, the end of the band 10 in channel 20 rests against the end wall 30 whereas the end of the band 10 in passageway 22 extends through to chamber 34.
Part of the way along the passageway 20, 22, jaws 24, 26 are provided. As is best seen from FIG. 4, the lower surface of each jaw 24, 26 has teeth 36. The leading face of each tooth 36 is chamfered and when the band 10 is pushed into the channels 20, 22, the engagement of the leading faces of the teeth 36 with the leading face of the band 10 causes the jaw 24, 26 to be displaced upwardly about a flexing point 38. However, the back surfaces of the teeth 36 engage the teeth 16 on the band 10 and prevent the band being pulled out of the respective channels 20, 22. The resilience of the flexing region 38 keeps the jaw 24, 26 always in engagement with the band 10. The arrangement shown in the drawings is such that, when a band is inserted fully into the passageways 20, 22, all the teeth 36 on the jaws 24, 26 engage teeth on the band 10. The ends of the band 10 can be released, if desired, from the passageways 20, 22 by lifting the appropriate jaw upwardly free of the teeth of the band, thereby allowing the band to be slid out of passageways 20, 22.
In order to tighten the fastening shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 about an object, an end 15 of the band is slid through passageway 20 until it reaches the end wall 30, thereby engaging the jaw 24 with the teeth on the top surface of the band. The band is then looped around the object and the other end 17 is passed into passageway 22. The leading part of the band passes through channel 32 into chamber 34 where it can be gripped to tighten the band. A special tool (see FIG. 5) can be used to tighten the band 10. The tool, which is shown in a manual version although it could be powered, includes a toothed member 40 that engages with the teeth on the end of the band. The toothed member 40 can be moved in the direction of arrow B by moving the handle 44 in the direction of arrow C, which causes the band to be pulled through passageway 22 and tightened. The band is secured in passageway 22 by the jaw 26, whose teeth engage the teeth on the top of the band. The tool 42 also includes a cutter 46 that can cut the band 10 within the chamber 34 when the desired tension in the band has been achieved. The location of the cut end of the band 10 in chamber 34 keeps it out of the way and prevents it from snagging. In addition, the chamber 34 can be closed with a cover 50 (see FIG. 7) that has two legs 52, each having a latch 54 at its end. The cover 50 can be placed over the top of the chamber 34 so that the legs extend into the chamber and engage in recesses 56, thereby locking the cover 50 and closing the chamber 34. This further isolates the cut end of the band. The cover 50 can be removed by inserting a screwdriver into a slot 58 (see FIG. 6). The cover is preferably flexible so that it flexes when the rest of the head flexes, which prevents one of the edges of the cover standing proud of the surrounding surface of the head when the head is flexed.
As can be seen, the fastener has a low profile and the comers of the head are rounded, i.e. it has no sharp edges, thereby reducing the chances of it snagging. The maximum height of the head is preferably less than 70%, more preferably less than 60%, e.g. less than 50%, of the width of the channel 22.
The band and head can be made of any of a variety of different materials, e.g. nylon 6.6 or nylon 11, which are suitable for offshore application.
Patent Application
20080083095
