Tamper-proof tie

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6536082
  • Patent Number
    6,536,082
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, August 9, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 25, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A tamper-proof tie includes a head and an attached strap. The head is shaped to define an elongated interior channel having a strap entry end and a strap exit end. The head includes an articulating locking tang disposed to project into the interior channel. The strap includes a first end formed onto the head, a second end and an anti-tampering device integrally formed onto the second end, the anti-tampering device including a plug and a finger. In use, the strap is inserted into the interior channel so the tie forms a closed loop. As the strap is inserted into the head, the locking tang engages the anti-tampering device to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the head. With the tie formed into a closed loop, the plug is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the entry end and the finger is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the exit end.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to ties and, more particularly, to ties which can be formed into a closed loop.




Ties are well known in the art and are widely used in a variety of different applications.




One tie which is well known and widely used in the art is the cable tie. Cable ties are widely used in the art for bundling together of a plurality of objects, such as a group of wires.




One well known cable tie which is commonly used in commerce comprises a serrated strap which is fitted to an apertured head. In use, the cable tie can be formed into closed loop by inserting the serrated strap through the apertured head. With the serrated strap inserted through the apertured head, an internal pawl, or locking tang, disposed within the apertured head lockably engages the serrations of the strap to prevent the strap from being backed out of the apertured head. In this manner, the engagement of the internal pawl onto the serrated strap secures the cable tie in its closed loop configuration.




Another well known cable tie which is commonly used in commerce comprises an apertured, or ladder-type, strap which is fitted to a buckle-like head. In use, the cable tie can be formed into a closed loop by inserting the ladder-type strap through the buckle-like head. With the ladder strap inserted through the buckle head, a tongue, or internal pawl, disposed within the buckle head lockably engages the apertures of the strap to prevent the strap from being backed out of the head. In this manner, the engagement of the tongue into the apertures of the strap secures the cable tie in its closed loop configuration.




In U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,608 to Fay, which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a cable tie formed by a locking head and an attached ladder strap. The head contains a longitudinal guide channel for receiving the strap, after encirclement of items to be bundled, and an internal locking tang. The latter is deflected with respect to relatively narrow auxiliary channels on opposite sides of the guide channel. One of the auxiliary channels receives the locking tang during the bundling of the items; the other auxiliary channel contains a stop against which the locking tang becomes abutted in planar engagement by the reverse thrust of the harnessed items.




In U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,648 to Dekkers, which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a cable tie formed by a locking head and an attached ladder strap. The head contains a locking tang and a guide channel that receives the strap after encirclement of items to be bundled. The tang engages the rungs of the ladder strap for the adjustable retention of the items. The free end of the strap has a light-weight webbed tail that facilitates the insertion of the strap into the head. The strap is advantageously molded of a stretch reorientable material and is subsequently stretched to produce a suitable strengthening and elongation of the webbed tail.




Another tie which is well known and widely used in the art is the fixed-loop tie.




One well known fixed-loop tie which is commonly used in commerce comprises a strap, or fastener, which is fitted to a head. In use, the fixed-loop tie can be formed into a closed loop by inserting the strap into the head. The head is provided with an internal pawl or flange which lockably engages the strap to prevent the strap from being backed out of the head, thereby securing the tie in its closed loop configuration.




Fixed-loop ties differ from traditional cable ties in that fixed-loop ties are constructed in such a manner that the tie can only be formed into a limited range of closed loop sizes. In particular, the strap of a fixed-loop tie is commonly provided with an enlarged stop which limits the degree of advancement which the strap can be inserted into the head, thereby creating a minimum size closed loop into which the tie can be formed during use.




Fixed-loop ties are commonly used in a plurality of different applications.




As an example, fixed-loop ties are commonly used in the art to couple together two or more objects, fixed-loop ties which are utilized in this manner being commonly identified as merchandise pairing ties in the art. As can be appreciated, merchandise pairing ties are commonly used in the art to couple together a pair of shoes. In this capacity, merchandise pairing ties have been found to be not only a very useful device in displaying the pair of shoes for sale but also an effective device for preventing the theft of a single shoe, which is a common transgression.




To use a fixed-loop tie of the type described above to pair together a pair of shoes, the tail end of the strap is inserted through an eyelet or under the shoelace of each shoe. The tail is then inserted through a guide channel formed in the head so that the tie forms a closed loop. As the strap is further drawn forward through the guide channel of the head, the closed loop decreases in size. However, it should be noted that, increased insertion of the strap through the head will eventually cause the stop formed on the strap to abut against the head, thereby preventing further insertion of the strap into the head and limiting the size of the closed loop formed by the tie. As can be appreciated, because such a merchandise pairing tie has a substantially large minimum closed loop size, the shoes are ensured a substantial degree of separation which enables a prospective buyer the opportunity to comfortably try on and walk around in the shoes, which is highly desirable.




In U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,210 to J. C. Benoit, which issued on Aug. 22, 2000 and which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a merchandise pairing tie for use in pairing together two objects. The tie comprises a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, a locking tang within the head, and a strap having a length of approximately 63.3 cm. The strap comprises a first end integrally formed onto the head and a second end. A projection is formed on the strap between the first end and the second end. The portion of the strap from the projection to the first end is in the form of an elongated, flexible filament having a length of approximately 59.5 cm. The elongated filament is narrow in thickness, narrow in width and has a generally uniform, rectangularly-shaped cross-section. In one embodiment, the portion of the strap from the projection to the second end is formed in a ladder structure having a plurality of rungs. The rungs of the strap are sequentially engaged by the locking tang when the strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop. As the strap is further inserted through the elongated channel, the size of the closed loop is decreased. The projection serves as a stop to limit the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed when the strap is inserted into the head.




As another example, fixed-loop ties are also commonly used in the art to secure the cover, or lid, of a box, or other similar container, in a closed position. In particular, fixed-loop ties of this type are often used to secure the cover of a tote box or other similar container for holding high-cost items, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics or food supplies, in a closed position during shipping. As such, the closed-loop tie acts as security device for preventing the theft of the items held within the container.




As another example, fixed-loop ties are also commonly used in the art to secure a ticket, or tag, onto an article of clothing. In particular, fixed-loop ties of this type are often used to secure a ski ticket, or pass, onto the jacket of a consumer. As such, the fixed-loop tie acts as a security device for preventing an unscrupulous consumer from removing the ski ticket from his/her jacket in order to enable another person to share in the use of the same ticket.




As another example, fixed-loop ties are also commonly used in the art as security seals. Specifically, security seals are commonly used to retain an item in its closed position. It should be noted that security seals often include a unique identifier, such as a bar code or unique identification number. Accordingly, the unique identifier allows the owner of the item to determine whether the primary seal has been severed and then replaced with a secondary seal which is similar in appearance to the primary seal. As can be appreciated, security seals are commonly used to secure the back door of a truck, this type of security seal being commonly referred to as a truck seal in the art.




Although well known and widely used in commerce, cable ties and fixed-loop ties of the type described above suffer from a notable drawback. Specifically, it has been found that ties of the type described above are susceptible to tampering. In fact, it has been found that, on occasion, unscrupulous consumers have been able to tamper with the locking tang in the head of the tie so as to disengage the locking tang from the strap, thereby enabling the consumer to back the strap out from the head and open the closed loop formed by the tie. As can be appreciated, when such a tie is used in a security application, such as to secure the lid of a pharmaceutical tote box in a closed position during shipping, the ability of an unscrupulous consumer to tamper with the tie can result in theft, which is highly undesirable.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tie.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a tie of the type comprising a locking head and an attached strap, wherein the tie can be formed into a closed loop by inserting the strap into the locking head.




It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tie of the type described above wherein the locking head includes a pawl which, with the strap inserted into the locking head, engages the strap to secure the tie in its closed loop configuration.




It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tie as described above which is constructed to prevent tampering of the pawl when the tie is formed in its closed loop configuration.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a tie as described above which can be constructed from a single molded piece.




It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tie as described above which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.




Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tie comprising a head shaped to include an elongated strap accepting channel therethrough, the strap accepting channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end and a strap exit end, and a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the strap accepting channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap being adapted to be engaged by said head when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said strap being sized and shaped to substantially enclose the strap entry end and the strap exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.




In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tie comprising a head shaped to include an elongated strap accepting channel therethrough, the strap accepting channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end, a first strap exit end and a second strap exit end, and a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the strap accepting channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap being adapted to be engaged by said head when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said strap being sized and shaped to substantially enclosed the strap entry end, the first strap exit end and the second strap exit end when said tie is formed into a closed loop.




In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tie comprising a head shaped to include an elongated interior channel therethrough, the interior channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end and a strap exit end, said head comprising a locking tang which is disposed to project into the elongated interior channel, the locking tang extending approximately in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strap accepting channel, and a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the elongated interior channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap being adapted to be engaged by said head when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said strap being sized and shaped to substantially enclosed the strap entry end and the strap exit end of the interior channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.




Additional objects, as well as features and advantages, of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments for practicing the invention. The embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:





FIG. 1

is a bottom perspective view of a first embodiment of a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a top perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a bottom plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a side plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a top plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;




FIG.


6


. is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 7

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, section view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 6

, taken along lines


7





7


;





FIG. 8

is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan, section view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 6

, taken along lines


7





7


;





FIG. 9

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the anti-tampering device of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 10

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, section view of the anti-tampering device of the tie shown in

FIG. 9

, taken along lines


10





10


;





FIG. 11

is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan, section view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 9

, taken along lines


10





10


;




FIGS.


12


(


a


)-(


f


) represent a series of fragmentary, section views of the tie shown in

FIG. 2

, taken along lines


12





12


, as the anti-tampering device is inserted into the head;





FIG. 13

is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

, the tie being shown with the anti-tampering device inserted into the head;





FIG. 14

is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 1

, the tie being shown with the anti-tampering device inserted into the head;





FIG. 15

is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;





FIG. 16

is a top perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 17

is a bottom plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 18

is a side plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 19

is a top plan view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 20

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 21

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, section view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 20

, taken along lines


21





21


;





FIG. 22

is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan, section view of the head of the tie shown in

FIG. 20

, taken along lines


21





21


;





FIG. 23

is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the anti-tampering device of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

;




FIGS.


24


(


a


)-(


e


) represent a series of fragmentary views of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

as the anti-tampering device is inserted into the head, the head of the tie being shown in section taken along lines


21





21


;





FIG. 25

is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

, the tie being shown with the anti-tampering device inserted into the head; and





FIG. 26

is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the tie shown in

FIG. 15

, the tie being shown with the anti-tampering device inserted into the head.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to

FIGS. 1-5

, there is provided a first embodiment of a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the tie being identified generally as reference numeral


11


. As will be described further in detail below, the particular construction of tie


11


renders it unsusceptible to tampering when formed into a closed loop, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that tie


11


can be used in any application in which necessitates a tie that can be formed into a fixed-sized closed loop. As an example, tie


11


can be used in high strength applications to secure the cover of pharmaceutical tote box or food supply container in its closed position during shipping and/or storage. As another example, tie


11


can be used in high strength applications to secure the door of a truck or storage room in its closed position. As another example, tie


11


can be used to securely fasten a ski tag onto an article of clothing, such as a ski jacket. As another example, tie


11


can be used to couple together two or more articles of commerce, such as shoes.




Tie


11


comprises a head


13


and an attached strap


15


. Preferably, tie


11


is formed as a single piece using conventional molding techniques.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6-8

, head


13


is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a bottom wall


17


, a top wall


19


, a first sidewall


21


, a second sidewall


23


, an outer end wall


25


and an inner end wall


26


. Bottom wall


17


, top wall


19


, first sidewall


21


, second sidewall


23


, outer end wall


25


and inner end wall


26


together define an inner surface


27


for head


13


, an outer surface


28


for head


13


and an elongated, interior, strap accepting channel


29


.




Strap accepting channel


29


extends longitudinally through head


13


from bottom wall


17


to top wall


19


. Strap accepting channel


29


includes a longitudinal axis


30


, a strap entry end


31


formed in bottom wall


17


and a strap exit end


33


formed in top wall


19


. It should be noted that strap exit end


33


is considerably small in size, thereby rendering tie


11


less susceptible to pawl tampering, which is highly desirable.




Head


13


also comprises a locking tang


35


which is integrally formed onto inner surface


27


of top wall


19


. Locking tang


35


projects into interior channel


29


approximately parallel with longitudinal axis


30


, outer end wall


25


and inner end wall


26


. Preferably, locking tang


35


is of the deflectable type which is capable of articulation. However, it is to be understood that locking tang


35


could alternatively be of the stationary type which is incapable of articulation without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Locking tang


35


is in the form of an elongated arm which includes a first end


37


and a second end


39


. First end


37


of locking tang


35


is integrally formed onto inner surface


27


of top wall


19


. Second end


39


of locking tang


35


is in the form of an enlarged head which includes a beveled surface


41


, a flat abutment surface


43


and an engagement shelf


45


, engagement shelf


45


being directed towards inner end wall


26


. As will be described further in detail below, second end


39


of locking tang


35


is sized and shaped to engage strap


15


so as to secure tie


11


in a looped configuration.




As shown in

FIGS. 1-5

, strap


15


is an elongated flexible member which is generally uniform and rectangular in lateral cross-section. However, it is to be understood that strap


15


could be constructed in alternative sizes and shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Strap


15


comprises a first end


47


and a second end


49


. First end


47


is integrally formed on head


13


so as to render tie


11


a unitary device.




Referring now to

FIGS. 9-11

, strap


15


also comprises an anti-tampering device


51


which is integrally formed onto second end


49


of strap


15


. As will be described further in detail below, anti-tampering device


51


can be inserted into head


13


so as to form tie


11


into a closed loop. Accordingly, it should be noted that anti-tampering device


51


serves a plurality of functions. Specifically, anti-tampering device


51


is adapted to be engaged by locking tang


35


when tie


11


is formed into a closed loop, thereby preventing strap


15


from being backed out of head


13


. In addition, anti-tampering device


51


is sized and shaped to substantially enclose entry end


31


and exit end


33


of strap accepting channel


29


when tie


11


is formed into a closed loop, thereby rendering locking tang


35


of tie


11


unsusceptible to tampering. Furthermore, anti-tampering device


51


serves as a mechanism for limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed by tie


11


.




Anti-tampering device


51


comprises a plug


53


, a finger


55


, and a pair of sidewalls


57


which are integrally formed onto plug


53


and finger


55


so as to render anti-tampering device


51


a unitary piece.




Plug


53


is an enlarged member which is integrally formed onto second end


49


of strap


15


. Plug


53


comprises an angled top surface


59


, an angled bottom surface


61


, and an inner surface


63


which is shaped to include a beveled surface


65


.




It should be noted that plug


53


is sized and shaped to substantially enclose entry end


31


of strap accepting channel


29


when tie


11


is formed into a closed loop, as will be described further below. As such, an unscrupulous person is incapable of tampering with locking tang


35


through entry end


31


, which is highly desirable.




A plurality of finger gripping steps, or serrations,


67


are integrally formed onto top surface


59


and bottom surface


61


. As can be appreciated, the generally trapezoidal shape of plug


53


in longitudinal cross-section as well as the inclusion of finger gripping steps


67


enables an operator to easily grasp anti-tampering device


51


and insert anti-tampering device


51


into head


13


, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that plug


53


is not limited to having an enlarged, generally trapezoidal shape. Rather, it is to be understood that plug


53


could be formed into any shape which substantially encloses entry end


31


of strap accepting channel


29


when tie


11


is formed into its looped configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, plug


53


may have a rectangular shape in longitudinal cross-section without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Finger


55


is in the form of an elongated, thin member which is generally rectangular in lateral cross-section. Finger


55


includes a flat top surface


69


, a flat bottom surface


71


, a first end


73


which is in the form of a projection having a beveled surface


74


and a second end


75


which is in the form of an angled, or beveled, edge.




It should be noted that first end


73


is in the form of a projection which is sized and shaped to substantially enclose exit end


33


of strap accepting channel


29


when tie


11


is formed into a closed loop, as will be described further below. As such, an unscrupulous person is incapable of tampering with locking tang


35


through exit end


33


, which is highly desirable.




Sidewalls


57


are disposed in a spaced apart, parallel relationship and are integrally formed onto plug


53


and finger


55


. It should be noted that plug


53


and finger


55


are spaced slightly apart so as to define an opening


77


therebetween.




In use, tie


11


can be formed into a closed loop in the following manner. Specifically, grasping top surface


59


and bottom surface


61


of plug


53


, the user bends tie


11


in such a manner that anti-tampering device


51


is directed into strap entry end


31


of strap accepting channel


29


.




Referring now to FIG.


12


(


a


), anti-tampering device


51


is aligned for insertion into strap entry end


31


of strap accepting channel


29


with first end


73


of finger


55


directed into strap accepting channel


29


. Referring now to FIG.


12


(


b


), as anti-tampering device


51


is inserted into head


13


, tie


11


forms a closed loop. In particular, as anti-tampering device


51


is inserted into head


13


, beveled surface


74


of finger


55


contacts beveled surface


41


of locking tang


35


.




Referring now to FIG.


12


(


c


) the taper of beveled surface


74


and the taper of beveled surface


41


causes locking tang


35


to pivot upward and ride along finger


55


as strap


15


is advanced in the forward direction into interior channel


29


. Continued advancement of anti-tampering device


51


in the forward direction into head


13


causes flat abutment surface


43


of locking tang


35


to contact and slide along flat top surface


69


of finger


55


, as shown in FIGS.


12


(


d


) and


12


(


e


).




Referring now to FIG.


12


(


f


), further advancement of anti-tampering device


51


eventually causes front surface


58


of sidewalls


57


to abut against inner surface


27


of top wall


19


, thereby precluding further forward advancement of anti-tampering device


51


. Simultaneously, as anti-tampering device


51


is advanced forward, locking tang


35


travels along the entire length of flat top surface


69


and eventually resiliently pivots back down into opening


77


between second end


75


of finger


55


and inner surface


63


of plug


53


, thereby lockably securing anti-tampering device


51


within head


13


. Accordingly, upon the application of a rearward withdrawal force on strap


15


, the beveled edge of second end


75


would abut against engagement shelf


45


and actually pull locking tang


35


downward, thereby locking anti-tampering device


51


within strap accepting channel


29


so as to preclude removal of strap


15


from head


13


, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that, with anti-tampering device


51


fully inserted into head


13


, the particular size and shape of plug


53


serves to substantially enclose entry end


31


of strap accepting channel


29


, as shown in FIG.


13


. Accordingly, an unscrupulous person is precluded from tampering with locking tang


35


through entry end


31


, which is highly desirable.




It should also be noted that, with anti-tampering device


51


fully inserted into head


13


, the particular size and shape of first end


73


of finger


55


serves to substantially enclose exit end


33


of strap accepting channel


29


, as shown in FIG.


14


. Accordingly, an unscrupulous person is precluded from tampering with locking tang


35


through exit end


33


, which is highly desirable.




It should be further noted that, with anti-tampering device


51


fully inserted into head


13


, first end


73


of finger


55


is disposed flush against, or slightly in from, outer surface


28


of top wall


19


, which is highly desirable. Specifically, it has been found to be desirable to retain first end


73


of finger


55


within head


13


to prevent the inadvertent catching or scraping of strap


15


against an item.




Referring now to

FIGS. 15-19

, there is provided another embodiment of a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the tie being identified generally by reference numeral


111


. As will be described further in detail below, the particular construction of tie


111


renders it unsusceptible to tampering when formed into a closed loop, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that tie


111


can be used in any application in which necessitates a tie that can be formed into a fixed-sized closed loop. As an example, tie


111


can be used in high strength applications to secure the cover of pharmaceutical tote box or food supply container in its closed position during shipping and/or storage. As another example, tie


111


can be used in high strength applications to secure the door of a truck or storage room in its closed position. As another example, tie


111


can be used to securely fasten a ski tag onto an article of clothing, such as a ski jacket. As another example, tie


111


can be used to couple together two or more articles of commerce, such as shoes.




Tie


111


comprises a head


113


and an attached strap


115


. Preferably, tie


111


is formed as a single piece using conventional molding techniques.




Referring now to

FIGS. 20-22

, head


113


is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a bottom wall


117


, a top wall


119


, a first sidewall


121


, a second sidewall


123


, an outer end wall


125


and an inner end wall


126


. Bottom wall


117


, top wall


119


, first sidewall


121


, second sidewall


123


, outer end wall


125


and inner end wall


126


together define an inner surface


127


for head


113


, an outer surface


128


for head


113


and an elongated, interior, strap accepting channel


129


.




Strap accepting channel


129


extends longitudinally through head


113


from bottom wall


117


to top wall


119


. Strap accepting channel


129


includes a longitudinal axis


130


, a strap entry end


131


formed in bottom wall


117


and a pair of spaced apart, rectangular, strap exit ends


133


-


1


and


133


-


2


formed in top wall


119


. It should be noted that each strap exit end


133


is considerably small in size, thereby rendering tie


111


less susceptible to pawl tampering, which is highly desirable.




Head


113


also comprises a pair of locking tangs


135


-


1


and


135


-


1


which are integrally formed onto inner surface


127


of top wall


119


. Locking tangs


135


project into interior channel


129


approximately parallel with longitudinal axis


130


, first sidewall


121


and second sidewall


123


.




Preferably, locking tangs


135


are of the deflectable type which are capable of articulation. Specifically, locking tangs


135


are preferably capable of inward flexion towards one another upon the application of a compressive force. Upon the removal of the compressive force, locking tangs


135


are constructed to resiliently pivot back outward to their original orientation. Although locking tangs


135


are preferably of the deflectable type, it is to be understood that locking tangs


135


could alternatively be of the stationary type which are incapable of articulation without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Each locking tang


135


is in the form of an elongated arm which includes a first end


137


and a second end


139


. First end


137


of each locking tang


135


is integrally formed onto inner surface


127


of top wall


119


. Second end


139


of each locking tang


135


is in the form of an enlarged head which includes a beveled surface


141


, a flat abutment surface


143


and an engagement shelf


145


, engagement shelf


145


-


1


of locking tang


135


-


1


extending towards second sidewall


123


and engagement shelf


145


-


2


of locking tang


135


-


2


extending towards first sidewall


121


. As will be described further in detail below, second end


139


of locking tangs


135


are sized and shaped to engage strap


115


so as to secure tie


111


in a closed loop configuration.




As shown in

FIGS. 15-19

, strap


115


is an elongated flexible member which is generally uniform and rectangular in lateral cross-section. However, it is to be understood that strap


115


could be constructed in alternative sizes and shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Strap


115


comprises a first end


147


and a second end


149


. First end


147


is integrally formed onto head


113


so as to render tie


111


a unitary device.




Referring now to

FIG. 23

, strap


115


also comprises an anti-tampering device


151


which is integrally formed onto second end


149


of strap


115


. As will be described further in detail below, anti-tampering device


151


can be inserted into head


113


so as to form tie


111


into a closed loop. Accordingly, it should be noted that anti-tampering device


151


serves a plurality of functions. Specifically, anti-tampering device


151


is adapted to be engaged by locking tangs


135


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop, thereby preventing strap


115


from being backed out of head


113


. In addition, anti-tampering device


151


is sized and shaped to substantially enclose entry end


131


and exit ends


133


of strap accepting channel


129


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop, thereby rendering locking tangs


135


of tie


111


unsusceptible to tampering. Furthermore, anti-tampering device


151


serves as a mechanism for limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed by tie


111


.




Anti-tampering device


151


comprises a plug


153


and a pair of fingers


155


-


1


and


155


-


2


which are integrally formed onto plug


153


so as to render anti-tampering device


151


a unitary piece.




Plug


153


is an enlarged member which is integrally formed onto second end


149


of strap


115


. Plug


153


comprises an angled top surface


159


, an angled bottom surface


161


, and a multi-sided inner surface


163


.




It should be noted that plug


153


is sized and shaped to substantially enclose entry end


131


of strap accepting channel


129


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop, as will be described further below. As such, an unscrupulous person is incapable of tampering with locking tangs


135


through entry end


131


, which is highly desirable.




A plurality of finger gripping steps, or serrations,


167


are integrally formed onto top surface


159


and bottom surface


161


. As can be appreciated, the generally trapezoidal shape of plug


153


in longitudinal cross-section as well as the inclusion of finger gripping steps


167


enables an operator to easily grasp plug


153


and insert anti-tampering device


151


into head


113


, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that plug


153


is not limited to having an enlarged, generally trapezoidal shape. Rather, it is to be understood that plug


153


could be formed into any shape which substantially encloses entry end


131


of strap accepting channel


129


when tie


111


is formed into its looped configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, plug


153


may have a rectangular shape in longitudinal cross-section without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




Fingers


155


-


1


and


155


-


2


extend from plug


153


in a spaced apart, parallel configuration and are preferably constructed to be rigid and incapable of flexion. Each finger


155


is the form of an elongated, thin member which is generally rectangular in lateral cross-section. Each finger


155


includes a flat contact surface


169


, a first end


171


which is in the form of a projection having a flat abutment surface


173


and a second end


175


which is in the form of an undercut.




It should be noted that first end


171


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


is in the form of a generally rectangular projection which is sized and shaped to substantially enclose exit end


133


-


1


of strap accepting channel


129


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop. Similarly, it should be noted that first end


171


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


is in the form of a generally rectangular projection which is sized and shaped to substantially enclose exit end


133


-


2


of strap accepting channel


129


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop, as will be described further below. As such, an unscrupulous person is incapable of tampering with locking tangs


135


through exit ends


133


, which is highly desirable.




In use, tie


111


can be formed into a closed loop in the following manner. Specifically, grasping top surface


159


and bottom surface


161


of plug


153


, the user bends tie


111


in such a manner that anti-tampering device


151


is directed into strap entry end


131


of strap accepting channel


129


.




Referring now to FIG.


24


(


a


), anti-tampering device


151


is aligned for insertion into strap entry end


131


of strap accepting channel


129


with first end


171


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


in alignment with beveled surface


141


-


1


of locking tang


135


-


1


and with first end


171


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


in alignment with beveled surface


141


-


2


of locking tang


135


-


2


. Referring now to FIG.


24


(


b


), as anti-tampering device


151


is inserted into head


113


, tie


111


forms a closed loop. In particular, as anti-tampering device


151


is inserted into head


113


, first end


171


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


contacts beveled surface


141


-


1


of locking tang


135


-


1


and first end


171


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


contacts beveled surface


141


-


2


of locking tang


135


-


1


.




Referring now to FIG.


24


(


c


), as strap


115


is advanced in the forward direction into interior channel


129


, first end


171


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


slides along locking tang


135


-


1


and contacts flat abutment surface


143


-


1


. Simultaneously, first end


171


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


slides along locking tang


135


-


2


and contacts flat abutment surface


143


-


2


. In this manner, fixed fingers


155


-


1


and


155


-


2


act to inwardly compress locking tangs


135


-


1


and


135


-


2


, respectively.




Referring now to FIG.


24


(


d


), continued advancement of anti-tampering device


151


in the forward direction into head


113


causes flat contact surface


169


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


to slide against flat abutment surface


143


-


1


of locking tang


135


-


1


. Simultaneously, flat contact surface


169


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


slides against flat abutment surface


143


-


2


of locking tang


135


-


2


, fingers


155


continuing to inwardly compress locking tangs


135


.




Referring now to FIG.


24


(


e


), further forward advancement of anti-tampering device


151


eventually causes fingers


155


to abut against inner surface


127


of top wall


119


, thereby precluding further forward advancement of anti-tampering device


151


. Simultaneously, as anti-tampering device


151


is advanced forward, each locking tang


135


travels along the entire length of its associated flat contact surface


169


. At this point, locking tangs


135


resiliently outwardly displace into their original position, thereby lockably securing anti-tampering device


151


within head


113


. Accordingly, upon the application of a rearward withdrawal force on strap


115


, second end


175


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


would latch against engagement shelf


145


-


1


and second end


175


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


would latch against engagement shelf


145


-


2


, thereby locking anti-tampering device


151


within strap accepting channel


129


so as to preclude removal of strap


115


from head


113


, which is highly desirable.




It should be noted that, with anti-tampering device


151


fully inserted into head


113


, the particular size and shape of plug


153


serves to substantially enclose entry end


131


of strap accepting channel


129


, as shown in FIG.


25


. Accordingly, an unscrupulous person is precluded from tampering with locking tangs


135


through entry end


131


, which is highly desirable.




It should also be noted that, with anti-tampering device


151


fully inserted into head


113


, the particular size and shape of first end


173


-


1


of finger


155


-


1


serves to substantially enclose exit end


133


-


1


and the particular size and shape of first end


173


-


2


of finger


155


-


2


serves to substantially enclose exit end


133


-


2


, as shown in FIG.


26


. Accordingly, an unscrupulous person is precluded from tampering with locking tangs


135


through exit ends


133


, which is highly desirable.




It should be further noted that, with anti-tampering device


151


fully inserted into head


113


, first end


173


of fingers


155


is disposed flush against, or slightly in from, outer surface


128


of top wall


119


, which is highly desirable. Specifically, it has been found to be desirable to retain first end


173


of fingers


155


within head


113


to prevent the inadvertent catching or scraping of strap


115


against an item.




It should be noted that the dual locking tang design of tie


111


provides tie


111


with two principle advantages over single locking tang tie


11


.




As a first advantage, the dual locking tang construction of tie


111


serves to significantly increase the retentive force of anti-tampering device


151


within head


113


when tie


111


is formed into a closed loop, thereby ensuring that tie


111


remains in its closed loop configuration even upon the application of a considerable withdrawal force. Accordingly, tie


111


is desirable for use in high strength, increased security applications.




As a second advantage, the dual locking tang construction of tie


111


serves to significantly increase the security of tie


111


. Specifically, the particular construction of tie


111


requires an unscrupulous person to simultaneously tamper with both locking tangs


135


in order to release tie


111


from its closed loop configuration.




In addition, it should be noted that, although tie


111


is shown as having a dual locking tang construction, it is to be understood that tie


111


could be modified to include more than two locking tangs to increase its overall strength and security without departing from the spirit of the present invention.




The embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A tie molded as a single piece, said tie comprising:(a) a head shaped to include an elongated strap accepting channel therethrough, the strap accepting channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end and a strap exit end, said head comprising an articulating locking tang which is disposed to project into the strap accepting channel, and (b) a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the strap accepting channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap including an anti-tampering device which is adapted to be engaged by the locking tang when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said anti-tampering device being sized and shaped to substantially enclose the strap entry end and the strap exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 2. The tie as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anti-tampering device is formed onto the second end of said strap.
  • 3. The tie as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-tampering device comprises,(a) a plug sized and shaped to substantially enclose the entry end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, and (b) a finger sized and shaped to substantially enclose the exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 4. The tie as claimed in claim 3 wherein said finger includes a flat top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, the first end being sized and shaped to project into and substantially enclose the exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, the second end being sized and shaped to engage the locking tang.
  • 5. The tie as claimed in claim 3 wherein, with said tie formed into a closed loop, the plug of said anti-tampering device at least partially projects into the strap accepting channel.
  • 6. The tie as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking tang is in the form of an elongated arm which includes a first end and a second end.
  • 7. The tie as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second end of the locking tang is in the form of an enlarged head which includes a beveled surface, a flat abutment surface and an engagement shelf.
  • 8. A tie comprising:(a) a head shaped to include an elongated interior channel therethrough, the interior channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end and a strap exit end, said head comprising a locking tang which is disposed to project into the elongated interior channel, the locking tang extending approximately in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strap accepting channel, and (b) a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the elongated interior channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap including an anti-tampering device which is adapted to be engaged by said head when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said anti-tampering device being sized and shaped to substantially enclose the strap entry end and the strap exit end of the interior channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 9. The tie as claimed in claim 8 wherein said head comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an outer end wall and an inner end wall, the locking tang being formed onto the top wall and extending in parallel with the outer end wall and the inner end wall.
  • 10. The tie as claimed in claim 9 wherein the strap entry end is formed into the bottom wall of said head and the strap exit end is formed into the top wall of said head.
  • 11. The tie as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locking tang includes a first end which is formed onto the top wall and a second end which includes a beveled surface, a flat abutment surface and an engagement shelf.
  • 12. A tie comprising:(a) a head shaped to include an elongated strap accepting channel therethrough, the strap accepting channel having a longitudinal axis, a strap entry end, a first strap exit end and a second strap exit end, and (b) a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed onto said head, said strap being sized and shaped to be inserted into the strap accepting channel so said tie forms a closed loop, said strap including an anti-tampering device which is adapted to be engaged by said head when said tie is formed into a closed loop, said strap being sized and shaped to substantially enclose the strap entry end, the first strap exit end and the second strap exit end when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 13. The tie as claimed in claim 12 wherein said anti-tampering device is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the strap entry end, the first strap exit end and the second strap exit end when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 14. The tie as claimed in claim 13 wherein the anti-tampering device is formed onto the second end of said strap.
  • 15. The tie as claimed in claim 13 wherein said head comprises a first locking tang which is disposed to project into the strap accepting channel and a second locking tang which is disposed to project into the strap accepting channel, said anti-tampering device being adapted to be engaged by the first and second locking tangs when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 16. The tie as claimed in claim 15 wherein said anti-tampering device comprises,(a) a plug sized and shaped to substantially enclose the entry end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, (b) a first finger sized and shaped to substantially enclose the first exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, and (c) a second finger sized and shaped to substantially enclose the second exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop.
  • 17. The tie as claimed in claim 16 wherein said first finger includes a first end and a second end, the first end being sized and shaped to project into and substantially enclose the first exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, the second end being sized and shaped to engage the first locking tang.
  • 18. The tie as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second finger includes a first end and a second end, the first end being sized and shaped to project into and substantially enclose the second exit end of the strap accepting channel when said tie is formed into a closed loop, the second end being sized and shaped to engage the second locking tang.
  • 19. The tie as claimed in claim 18 said anti-tampering device is a unitary piece.
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Number Name Date Kind
3556575 Farkas Jan 1971 A
3712655 Fuehrer Jan 1973 A
3718355 Canter Feb 1973 A
3766608 Fay Oct 1973 A
3816879 Merser et al. Jun 1974 A
3881759 Fuehrer May 1975 A
3954294 Iwamoto et al. May 1976 A
4003106 Schumacher et al. Jan 1977 A
4059300 Moberg et al. Nov 1977 A
4240183 Sumimoto et al. Dec 1980 A
4347648 Dekkers Sep 1982 A
4588218 Guiler et al. May 1986 A
4609218 Chevillard et al. Sep 1986 A
4688302 Caveney et al. Aug 1987 A
4754529 Paradis Jul 1988 A
4946210 Fuehrer Aug 1990 A
5075932 Hunt et al. Dec 1991 A
5102075 Dyer Apr 1992 A
5364141 King Nov 1994 A
5636412 Lodi et al. Jun 1997 A
5685048 Benoit Nov 1997 A
5881436 Lyons Mar 1999 A
6105210 Benoit Aug 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
2058194 Aug 1980 GB
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
Brochure, Catamount Manufacturing Incorporated, Restricted Bundle Cable Tie, p. 7.