Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6640393
-
Patent Number
6,640,393
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, February 27, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 4, 200320 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 024 16 PB
- 024 16 R
- 024 305 P
- 024 17 AP
- 024 17 A
- 248 743
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International Classifications
- A44B2100
- B65D6300
- F16L308
-
Abstract
A releasable tie is described in which an elongated strand of flexible material is provided with a first set of three dimensional beads spaced apart along a first length of the strand. A second set of three dimensional beads, formed on the strand are spaced apart along a second length of the strand. A tab formed along the strand includes a first locking slot for releasably receiving the first strand length; and a second locking slot for releasably receiving the second length of the strand.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is an original U.S. Patent Application and is not related to other U.S. applications, patents, provisional patents, or to any foreign patent, utility model or similar publication.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to ties of the type used for securing objects together, particularly in bundles, and particularly to such ties formed in an elongated configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various tie devices have been developed for the purpose of binding or bundling cables, wires and the like for storage transport. Many of the presently available ties are for single use and are self-locking. That is, the loop formed by the tie is permanent and cannot be broken without destroying the tie.
It is also known to provide a re-usable form of cable tie, in which a flexible strap of substantially rectangular cross-section is provided with serrated or otherwise formed sides or edges that are receivable within and lock with a slotted end of the tie. Such ties are useful but in a limited way because they form only a single useful loop when in use. Other similar strap ties solve this problem by including provisions for a second loop, but make use only of the single set of serrated edges to enable formation of both loops. This limits use or adjustability of the tie.
Further, known forms of ties are formed of flat strap material and do not include raised or other formed surfaces that may be used to indent and grip the article to be fastened and that are also used to releasably lock the tie in a desired loop formation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a preferred form of the present tie;
FIG. 2
is a top plan view;
FIG. 3
is a front elevation view;
FIG. 4
is an enlarged detail view of a second locking slot;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged detail view of a first locking slot;
FIG. 6
is a diagrammatic view illustrating the tie connected to a cord or other workpiece;
FIG. 7
is a diagrammatic view of the tie secured about a bundle;
FIG. 8
is a diagrammatic view illustrating the cord securing a bundled extension cord;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of a tie including an accessory mounting section;
FIG. 10
is a sectioned diagrammatic view illustrating the accessory mounting section releasably securing a drill chuck key;
FIG. 11
is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the accessory mounting section;
FIG. 12
is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line
12
—
12
in
FIG. 9
; and
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of a tie with an integrated handle portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
In a preferred aspect of the invention, a tie
10
is provided in which at least one elongated strand
12
of flexible material is included. A first set of three dimensional beads
14
is provided along the strand and spaced apart along a first strand length
15
. A second set of three dimensional beads
17
are also provided on the “at least one” strand and are spaced apart along a second strand length
18
. A tab
20
is formed along the strand and includes a first locking slot
21
shaped to releasably receive the first length
15
and to interlock with one of the beads
14
of the first set. A second locking slot
22
is also provided to releasably receive the second strand length
18
and to interlock with one of the beads
17
of the second set.
In referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that three variations of the present tie
10
are exemplified.
FIG. 1
is illustrative of a basic form of tie whereas
FIGS. 9 and 13
show versions with additional features. Specifically,
FIG. 9
is illustrative of a version of the tie in which an accessory carrier
42
is provided. The version illustrated in
FIG. 13
includes an accessory handle
54
. Aside from these added features, the remaining portions of the tie may be common to all three versions and will be described using identical reference numerals.
The preferred forms of the present tie
10
are formed of a flexible material such as an appropriate plastic. Injected molded nylon is a preferred form, but other materials having relatively high tensile strength could be used as well.
FIG. 12
clearly indicates the integrated nature of the tie, especially along the length of the single illustrated strand portion
12
. The illustrated beads on both preferred sets are shown to be formed as an integral part of the single illustrated strand.
The bead illustrated in
FIG. 12
is typical of the remaining beads along the length of the strand. The illustrated bead is joined integrally with the strand
12
with integral fillets
48
at the juncture. The beads and fillets add strength to the strand. It should thus be understood that the beads of both sets
14
,
17
are immovable along the length of the strand.
Further, it is preferred that the beads of the first set
14
be substantially equally spaced apart. The same is preferable for the beads in the second set
17
. However, the beads within the second set are spaced further apart than the beads in the first set for reasons that will be more fully explained below.
The tab
20
is preferably a flattened portion of the tie that is integral with the strand
12
. The preferred tab includes the first and second locking slots
21
,
22
. In preferred forms, a hanger aperture
52
is also provided in the tab to facilitate hanging of the tie and any attached bundle or load (see FIG.
8
).
It is pointed out that the preferred form illustrated shows the tab
20
as being situated at an end
27
of the strand (opposite the remaining end
26
). However, it is conceivable that the tab
20
could be positioned at a different location along the strand. For example, it is possible that the tab portion could be situated between the first and second sets of beads. It is also possible that the two sets of beads be formed along separate portions of the tie. For example, the second length
18
could be mounted in one position integrally with the tab
20
, and the second length
15
could be a separate part and be integrally connected to the tab as well. In other words, the two lengths
15
and
18
are not necessarily coaxial with one another or formed along a single strand.
Reference will now be made with respect to the tab
20
and the first and second locking slots
21
,
22
. Details of the individual slots are shown in
FIG. 4 and 5
.
The first locking slot
21
is configured to receive the first set of beads
14
. An enlarged opening
32
is provided at one end of the slot. The slot leads from the enlarged opening
32
to a reduced opening
33
. An intermediate necked down section
34
is provided between the openings
32
and
33
.
The reduced opening
33
is approximately the same diameter as the strand
12
, and the necked down section
34
reduces the opening size to a dimension less than the strand diameter. Thus, the first length
15
of the strand may be selectively snapped into and locked in position within the first locking slot
21
.
It is likely that the present tie
10
will be somewhat permanently attached to a cord or other structure and the need for removability will not be a necessity. However, it is possible to disengage the strand
12
and first set of beads
14
from the first locking slot by applying sufficient force to the strand
12
to compress the strand through the necked down section
34
and thereby allow disengagement of the strand from the tab.
The second locking slot
22
is intended for use with the second set of beads
17
along the second length
18
. The second locking slot
22
includes an enlarged opening
37
, a reduced opening
38
, and a necked down opening
39
connecting the enlarged and reduced openings
37
,
38
. It is pointed out that this locking slot is slightly different from the first locking slot
21
in that the necked down opening may not be as reduced in dimension as the counterpart section
34
of the first locking slot. Thus, the beads of the second set and second length
18
may be selectively locked or latched and unlocked repeatedly with a reduced unlatching force than that required for unlocking the first set of beads
14
from the first locking slot
21
.
Attention is drawn now to
FIG. 9-11
which illustrate a form of an accessory mounting section
42
. The accessory mounting section
42
is formed as part of or in a similar manner to the tab
20
and may be connected by a short length of strand similar to the strand
12
.
The section
42
preferably includes two spaced apertures
43
. A typical aperture configuration is shown in the enlarged fragmentary detail view of FIG.
11
. Each aperture
43
is preferably defined by opposed longitudinally oriented latching tongues
44
and opposed laterally oriented latching tongues
45
.
Ends of the tongues are situated adjacent one another in a normal, closed orientation. However, the tongues may be displaced or bent by insertion of a accessory A such as a drill chuck key, allen wrench, or other accessory. An exemplary accessory (a drill chuck wrench) is shown in
FIG. 10
in which the handle portions of the illustrated drill chuck wrench have been inserted through the apertures
43
by displacing the tongues
44
,
45
. It is preferred that the section
42
be formed of a flexible, somewhat resilient material such as nylon so the tongues will deflect and effectively clamp the accessory in a secure but removable position.
In addition to or in place of the accessory mounting section
42
, a carrying handle may be provided as indicated at
54
in FIG.
13
. The handle
54
may be formed of the same material as the remainder of the tie
10
and have sufficient dimension to allow insertion of one or more fingers for carrying purposes, or for enabling the tie and engaged bundle to be hung.
Operation of the invention is described with reference to the
FIGS. 6-8
. The examples illustrated there identify a bundled workpiece such as a cord, tubing, hose, or other workpiece.
If it is desired to attach the tie
10
in a semi-permanent relationship to the workpiece, the first set of beads
14
and first locking slot
21
are used to secure the tie to one portion of the workpiece. This is illustrated in
FIG. 6
where the first length
15
has been looped around the illustrated cord C and the strand
12
has been inserted through the enlarged opening
32
of the first locking slot
21
. The loop is pulled snug about the cord C until the beads
14
of the first set engage and indent or firmly grip the cord. The strand part now engaged in the locking slot
21
is then moved into and past the necked down section
34
to snap into the reduced opening
33
. Since the beads
14
and
17
are larger than the reduced opening
33
, there is little danger that the tie will slip loose from the firmly engaged orientation.
If it is desired to wrap the tie
10
about a bundle as indicated in
FIGS. 7 and 8
, a second loop may be made about the bundle by extending the second flank
18
about the bundled material and by inserting the strand end
26
through the second locking slot
22
. The strand is pulled through the slot until the bundle is firmly gripped. The strand is then shifted from the enlarged opening
32
, past the necked down opening
39
, and into the reduced opening
38
. This is again a form of snap fit. The strand will not move longitudinally once locked in position since the beads are significantly larger than the reduced opening
38
. Thus, the bundle is secured. Now the hanger hole
52
may be utilized if desired to hang the secured bundle as generally indicated in FIG.
8
.
Should the user wish to gain access to the bundled material, he or she need only to snap the strand laterally from engagement within the reduced opening
38
back through the necked down opening
39
and into the enlarged opening
37
. The strand may then be pulled from engagement with the second locking slot
22
, thereby opening the second loop and freeing the bundle for use.
The first loop, formed by the tab and first strand length
15
will stay in engagement with the single portion of the material, with the second length
18
and locking slot
21
awaiting further use should it be desired to once again secure the material in a bundle form. The tie
10
is thus readily re-usable.
Operation as indicated above is similar, if not, identical with versions including an accessory mounting section
42
or with the handle portion
54
. However, in the case of the accessory mount, the additional mount serves to provide a secure carrier for an accessory such as a drill chuck. Therefore, if the device is to be used on the cord for an electric drill, the accessory carrier can be used for releasably securing an accessory drill chuck key. Additionally, the strand can be used along with the tab and second locking slot
22
to secure the drill cord in a neat bundle.
In embodiments including an integral handle
54
, the same procedures may be used for connecting the tie to an article then attachment of the tie to a bundle or other arrangement of one or more workpieces. The handle then becomes available for carrying or hanging the secured bundle.
It is noted that tension applied along the strand will produce a shearing force against the portion of the bead engaged at the associated reduced opening of the tab. The fillets
48
and bead structure serve to strengthen the bead against shearing. This is an advantage over prior forms of ties which include serrations or indentations that reduce the dimension of the strap or tie material and therefore create stress risers at which the ties may break when under tension.
In addition, the somewhat spherical configuration of the beads is advantageous in that the bead surfaces have a tendency to indent and grip against the engaged article. Thus, there is less of a tendency for the present tie
10
to migrate or shift along the engaged article.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus forming a bundling tie, said bundling tie being capable of both being securely attached to a single portion of a workpiece at a first tie loop and easily connected and disconnected about a bundle formed of multiple workpiece portions at a second tie loop, comprising:at least one tab; at least one strand connected to said at least one tab and having a flexible portion with a plurality of beads at spaced positions along the flexible portion; a first locking slot formed through said at least one tab, said first locking slot having a first enlarged opening through which said at least one strand and beads may pass and a first reduced opening conjoined to the first enlarged opening so as to allow the at least one strand to be moved from the first enlarged opening to the first reduced opening, said first reduced opening being smaller than said first enlarged opening and sized to prevent said plurality of beads from being pulled therethrough when the strand is positioned into the first reduced opening to form said first tie loop; a second locking slot formed through said at least one tab, said second locking slot having a first enlarged opening through which said at least one strand and beads may pass and a second reduced opening conjoined to the second enlarged opening so as to allow the at least one strand to be moved from the second enlarged opening to the second reduced opening, said second reduced opening being smaller than said second enlarged opening and sized to prevent said plurality of beads from being pulled therethrough when the strand is positioned into the second reduced opening to form said second tie loop; wherein said first and second locking slots are oriented in the at least one tab such that the first and second reduced openings are positioned toward a connection between the at least one strand and the at least one tab.
- 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a hanging hole in said at least one tab.
- 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a hanging hole in said at least one tab positioned opposite from said at least one strand.
- 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a handle connected to said at least one tab.
- 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a handle connected to said at least one tab opposite from said at least one strand.
- 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:a hanging hole in said at least one tab; a handle connected to said at least one tab.
- 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:a hanging hole in said at least one tab opposite from said at least one strand; a handle connected to said at least one tab opposite from said at least one strand.
- 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said plurality of beads has a first section of beads proximate to said at least one tab and a second section of beads which are relatively distal from said at least one tab when compared to said first section of beads.
- 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said plurality of beads has a first section of beads proximate to said at least one tab and a second section of beads which are relatively distal from said at least one tab when compared to said first section of beads, said first section of beads being spaced more closely together than said second section of beads.
- 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a tool holder connected to said at least one tab for holding a tool.
- 11. An apparatus forming a bundling tie, said bundling tie being capable of both being securely attached to a single portion of a workpiece at a first tie loop and easily connected and disconnected about a bundle formed of multiple workpiece portions at a second tie loop, comprising:at least one tab; at least one strand connected to said at least one tab and having a flexible portion with a plurality of beads at spaced positions along the flexible portion; said plurality of beads having a first section of beads proximate to said at least one tab and a second section of beads which are relatively distal from said at least one tab, said first section of beads being spaced more closely together than said second section of beads a first locking slot formed through said at least one tab, said first locking slot having a first enlarged opening through which said at least one strand and first section of beads may pass and a first reduced opening conjoined to the first enlarged opening so as to allow the at least one strand to be moved from the first enlarged opening to the first reduced opening, said first reduced opening being smaller than said first enlarged opening and sized to prevent said first section of beads from being pulled therethrough when the strand is positioned into the first reduced opening to form said first tie loop; a second locking slot formed through said at least one tab, said second locking slot having a first enlarged opening through which said at least one strand and second section of beads may pass and a second reduced opening conjoined to the second enlarged opening so as to allow the at least one strand to be moved from the second enlarged opening to the second reduced opening, said second reduced opening being smaller than said second enlarged opening and sized to prevent said second section of beads from being pulled therethrough when the strand is positioned into the second reduced opening to form said second tie loop; wherein said first and second locking slots are oriented in the at least one tab such that the first and second reduced openings are positioned toward a connection between the at least one strand and the at least one tab; a hanging hole in said at least one tab positioned opposite from said at least one strand.
- 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 and wherein:the first locking slot has a first necked down portion between the first enlarged opening and the first reduced opening; the second locking slot has a second necked down portion between the second enlarged opening and the second reduced opening; said first necked down portion engages the strand tighter than said second necked down portion engages the strand.
- 13. An apparatus according to claim 11 and further comprising a handle connected to said at least one tab opposite from said at least one strand.
- 14. An apparatus according to claim 11 and further comprising a tool holder connected to said at least one tab for holding a tool.
US Referenced Citations (19)