U.S. patent application number 10/893197 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for cable tie for transporting articles.
Invention is credited to Adam E. Slank.
Application Number | 20060012199 10/893197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35134814 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060012199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Slank; Adam E. |
January 19, 2006 |
Cable tie for transporting articles
Abstract
Cable ties having a handle for transporting articles secured by
the cable tie are described. A typical cable tie may include a
shackle and a shackle lock, wherein the shackle is inserted into
the shackle lock where it may be engaged thereby and held fixed
reversibly or releasably, thereby holding an article encircled by
the shackle. The plane of the handle can be perpendicular or
parallel to the plane formed by the shackle when engaged by the
shackle lock, or somewhere in between, depending on the desired
use; a swivel may be employed to provide an infinite variation of
angles. Handles can be formed in many shapes, and may have finger
indentations for ease of carrying, and means for attaching the
handle are varied. Identification flags can be formed onto the
handles or elsewhere on a cable tie for providing a location to
identify the user, the article, etc.
Inventors: |
Slank; Adam E.; (Fort
Collins, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COCHRAN FREUND & YOUNG LLC
2026 CARIBOU DR
SUITE 200
FORT COLLINS
CO
80525
US
|
Family ID: |
35134814 |
Appl. No.: |
10/893197 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/150 ;
294/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/150 ;
294/156 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/10 20060101
A45F005/10 |
Claims
1. A cable tie carrier comprising in combination: an elongated
shackle; a locking socket located at one end of said shackle and
adapted to receive and lock said shackle at selected positions
along the length thereof, thereby forming a loop capable of binding
a chosen article; and a handle attached to said locking socket
adapted for carrying said cable tie and the chosen article bound
thereby.
2. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is
substantially flat with teeth on one side thereof, and said locking
socket comprises locking tangs for engaging at least one of said
teeth on said shackle.
3. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is
cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially spherical
balls fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, and
wherein said locking socket comprises means for engaging at least
one of said plurality of balls.
4. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is
cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially conical
units fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, each of
said plurality of substantially conical units having its axis of
rotation collinear with said shackle, and wherein said locking
socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality
of conical units.
5. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said locking socket
comprises a releasable locking socket.
6. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least
one flag.
7. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said flag is attached
to said shackle.
8. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said cable tie is
molded.
9. The cable tie carrier of claim 8, wherein said cable tie is
molded from thermoplastic materials.
10. The cable tie carrier of claim 8, wherein said cable tie is
molded from chemical resistant materials.
11. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said cable tie is
fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of
Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12, Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, and
metals.
12. The cable tie carrier of claim 11, wherein said metals comprise
stainless steel.
13. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is
fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene and Tygon.
14. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is
substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is
parallel to the plane of the loop.
15. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is
circular.
16. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is
rectangular.
17. The cable tie carrier of claim 16, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
18. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is
triangular.
19. The cable tie carrier of claim 18, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
20. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is
substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is
perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
21. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is
circular.
22. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is
rectangular.
23. The cable tie carrier of claim 22, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
24. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is
triangular.
25. The cable tie carrier of claim 24, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
26. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least
one second handle attached to said locking socket.
27. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least
one second locking socket attached to said handle and at least one
second shackle attached to said second locking socket.
28. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising a swivel
disposed between said locking socket and said handle.
29. A cable tie carrier comprising in combination: an elongated
shackle; a locking socket located at one end of said shackle and
adapted to receive and lock said shackle at selected positions
along the length thereof forming a loop capable of binding a chosen
article; handle attachment means; and a handle for carrying said
cable tie and the chosen article bound thereby attached to said
handle attachment means.
30. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket
has a hole therethrough, wherein said handle attachment means
comprises a rod having a first end and a second end capable of
being inserted into the hole in said locking socket, the first end
and the second end of said rod extending a chosen distance outside
of the hole, and wherein said handle comprises flexible tubing
having a first end and a second end adapted for fitting onto the
first end and the second end of said rod, respectively.
31. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket
further comprises a first projection and a second projection, each
of said first projection and said second projection having a chosen
length and a chosen diameter, said locking socket and said first
projection and said second projection together forming said handle
attachment means, and wherein said handle comprises flexible tubing
having a first end and a second end adapted for fitting onto said
first projection and said second projection of said locking,
respectively.
32. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is
substantially flat with teeth on one side thereof, and said locking
socket comprises locking tangs for engaging at least one of said
teeth on said shackle.
33. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is
cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially spherical
balls fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, and said
locking socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said
plurality of balls.
34. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is
cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially conical
units fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, each of
said plurality of substantially conical units having its axis of
rotation collinear with said shackle, and wherein said locking
socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality
of conical units.
35. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket
comprises a releasable locking socket.
36. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least
one flag.
37. The cable tie carrier of claim 36, wherein said flag is
attached to said shackle.
38. The cable tie carrier of claim 36, wherein said flag is
attached to said handle.
39. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said cable tie is
molded.
40. The cable tie carrier of claim 39, wherein said cable tie is
molded from thermoplastic materials.
41. The cable tie carrier of claim 39, wherein said cable tie is
molded from chemical resistant materials.
42. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said cable tie is
fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of
Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12, Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, and
metals.
43. The cable tie carrier of claim 42, wherein said metals comprise
stainless steel.
44. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is
fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene and Tygon.
45. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is
substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is
parallel to the plane of the loop.
46. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is
circular.
47. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is
rectangular.
48. The cable tie carrier of claim 47, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
49. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is
triangular.
50. The cable tie carrier of claim 49, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
51. The cable tie carrier of claim 44, wherein said handle is
T-shaped.
52. The cable tie carrier of claim 51, wherein said T-shaped handle
further comprises finger indentations.
53. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is
substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is
perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
54. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is
circular.
55. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is
rectangular.
56. The cable tie carrier of claim 55, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
57. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is
triangular.
58. The cable tie carrier of claim 57, wherein said handle further
comprises finger indentations.
59. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is
T-shaped.
60. The cable tie carrier of claim 59, wherein said T-shaped handle
further comprises finger indentations.
61. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least
one second handle attached to said locking socket.
62. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least
one second locking socket attached to said handle and at least one
second shackle attached to said second locking socket.
63. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising swivel
means disposed between said locking socket and said handle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to cable ties and,
more particularly, to cable ties adapted for carrying articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cable ties for binding cables, wires and the like are well
known in the art. Such ties can be purchased in many materials and
designs. Some cable tie configurations include screw mounts for
supporting the cables on walls, cabinets, and the like. It would be
of value to enable an article bound by a cable tie to be readily
carried in order that the article can be transported.
[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cable tie adapted for carrying or transporting articles
bound thereby.
[0004] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that
follows, and, in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in
accordance with its purposes of the present invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, the cable tie carrier hereof includes
an elongated shackle; a locking socket located at one end of the
shackle and adapted to receive and lock the shackle at selected
positions along the length thereof, thereby forming a loop capable
of binding a chosen article; and a handle attached to the locking
socket adapted for carrying the cable tie carrier and the chosen
article bound thereby.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention and in accordance with
its objects and purposes, the cable tie carrier hereof includes: an
elongated shackle; a locking socket located at one end of the
shackle and adapted to receive and lock the shackle at selected
positions along the length thereof forming a loop capable of
binding a chosen article; handle attachment means; and a handle for
carrying the cable tie and the chosen article bound thereby
attached to said handle attachment means.
[0007] Benefits and advantages of the present invention include,
but are not limited to, the use of cable tie technology for
transporting items enclosed by the shackle of the cable tie.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the
present invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
the present invention showing the attachment of a handle to a
screw-mounted cable tie, wherein the plane of the shackle, when
securing an article is coplanar with that of the handle; FIG. 1B is
a schematic representation of an exploded view of the parts of the
handle shown in FIG. 1A which include a hollow or solid bar and
tubing adapted for attaching to the bar; FIG. 1C is a schematic
representation of the parts of the handle shown in FIG. 1B hereof
assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
to produce the handle for transporting articles captured by the
cable tie hereof; FIG. 1D is a schematic representation of an
embodiment of the invention wherein the attachment locations of the
tubing are formed from projections on the cable tie; FIG. 1E is a
schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention wherein
a screw mounted cable tie is attached to a T-shaped handle having
projections adapted to receive a hollow or solid bar which is
passed through the screw mount of the cable tie; and FIG. 1F is a
schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention wherein
the cable tie is attached to a handle through a swivel device.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a molded embodiment
of the cable tie carrier of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A
hereof, and like FIG. 1A, has the plane of the loop formed by the
shackle, when securing an article, coplanar with the plane of the
handle; FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of the cable tie
carrier of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, except
that unlike FIG. 2A the plane of the loop of the formed by the
shackle when securing an article is perpendicular to the plane of
the handle; FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of another molded
embodiment of the invention illustrating a plurality of ball-shaped
latching elements disposed along an elongated shackle; and FIG. 2D
is a schematic representation of yet another molded embodiment of
the cable tie carrier of the present invention illustrating a
plurality of conical-shaped latching elements are disposed along an
elongated shackle.
[0011] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of the molded
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but
having a rectangular handle, wherein the plane of the loop formed
by the shackle when securing an article is also perpendicular to
the plane of the handle, except in a plane perpendicular to that
shown in FIG. 2b, while FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of
the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, hereof, wherein the
rectangular handle has finger indentations.
[0012] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the molded
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but
having a triangular handle, while FIG. 4B is a schematic
representation of the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 4A hereof,
wherein the triangular handle includes a label.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Briefly, the present invention includes cable ties having
handles for carrying articles secured by the cable tie. A typical
cable tie includes a shackle and a shackle lock, wherein the
shackle is inserted into the shackle lock where it may be engaged
thereby and held fixed reversibly or releasably, thereby being
capable of holding an article encircled by the shackle. The plane
of the handle can be perpendicular or parallel to the plane formed
by the shackle when engaged by the shackle lock, or somewhere in
between, depending on the desired use. Means for attaching the
handle are varied. The cable ties and handles may be molded or
assembled from parts, or a combination thereof, and can be made
from a multitude of materials depending on the purpose. The handles
can be formed in many shapes, including circular, rectangular and
triangular, and may have finger indentations for ease of carrying.
Identification flags can be formed onto the handles or elsewhere on
the cable ties for providing a location to identify the user, the
article, etc. Cooperation between the shackle lock and the shackle
to achieve a useful grasp on an article to be transported, may be
achieve in several ways known in the art; this may be a one time
use or releasable for repeated usage.
[0014] More than one locking socket and shackle may be attached or
molded onto a single handle, and more than one handle may be
attached to or molded onto a single locking socket.
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In what follows,
identical callouts will be used for similar or identical structure.
Turning now to FIG. 1A hereof, shown is a schematic representation
of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the
attachment of handle, 10, to a screw-mounted cable tie, 12, the
cable tie including shackle, 14, shackle locking socket, 16, and
screw mount, 18. In this embodiment, solid or hollow bar, 20, is
inserted into screw mount 18 of a commercial, screw-mounted cable
tie as is illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 1c hereof, and ends, 22a and
22b, of tubing, 24, are attached to the ends of bar 20 extending
beyond the dimensions of screw mount 18. This may be achieved by
locally heating tube ends 22a and 22b and forcing them onto the
ends of bar 20, or by a number of other methods for securing tubing
to a rod. Clamps, for example, may be used, as can adhesive
compositions. It should be mentioned that solid or hollow bar 20
can be threaded in some situations. As stated, the cable tie may be
fabricated from materials such as Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12,
Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, and metals depending on their
intended use. Metals may include stainless steel. In the situation
where the handle is not integrally molded with the cable tie, the
handle may be fabricated from other materials than that of the
cable tie. Such materials may include polypropylene, polyethylene,
Tygon, and the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A-1C, the plane of
handle 10 is coplanar with the plane formed when shackle 14 is
inserted into locking socket 16.
[0016] FIG. 1D is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of the invention, wherein cable tie, 26, is formed with
projections, 28a and 28b, extending in substantially opposite
directions from a portion, 30, of cable tie 26 located on the side
of locking socket 16 away from shackle 14 to which ends 22a and 22b
are attached in a similar manner to that described hereinabove.
Projections 28a and 28b may extend in a direction perpendicular or
parallel to the plane formed when shackle 14 is inserted into
locking socket 16, and in directions in between these
directions.
[0017] FIG. 1E is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
the invention, wherein a screw mounted cable tie 12 is attached to
a T-shaped handle 10 having projections, 31a and 31b, adapted to
receive a hollow or solid bar 20 which is passed through screw
mount 18 of cable tie 12, thereby securing cable tie 12 to handle
10. T-shaped handle 10 can be formed with finger indentations, 42,
to assist in effectively holding handle 10.
[0018] FIG. 1F is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
the invention wherein cable tie 12 is attached to handle 10 through
swivel device, 29. This permits the plane of the loop formed when
shackle 14 is inserted into shackle locking socket 16 to be rotated
relative to the plane of handle 10. Swivel device 29 can be made of
any materials that permit swivel 29 to be attached to cable tie 12
and to handle 10. Set screws, not shown, provide one means for such
attachment. Clearly, if a cable tie mounted onto a handle as
described in FIG. 1G hereof, also includes swivel 29, the plane
formed when shackle 14 is inserted into shackle locking socket 16
can be rotated in yet another direction relative to the plane of
handle 10. T-shaped handle 10 can be formed with finger
indentations, 42, to assist in effectively holding handle 10.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a molded embodiment
of the present invention shown in FIG. 1a hereof, and like FIG. 1A,
has the plane of the loop formed by the shackle, when securing an
article, coplanar with that of the handle. Shackle locking socket
16 is integrally formed with handle 10. FIG. 2B is a schematic
representation of the cable tie carrier of the present invention
shown in FIG. 2A hereof, except that unlike FIG. 2A the plane of
the loop of the formed by shackle 14 in cooperation with locking
socket 16, when securing an article is perpendicular to the plane
of handle 10. This embodiment is effective for securing and
carrying bottles and plastic bags, as examples, since the plane of
the shackle permits a bottle to be secured around its neck and
carried in a vertical orientation.
[0020] FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of the invention
showing a molded cable tie carrier wherein a plurality of
ball-shaped latching elements, 32a-32e, are disposed along an
elongated shackle, 34. Shackle locking socket 16 is adapted to
receive and reversibly lock shackle 34. FIG. 2D is a schematic
representation of the invention showing a molded cable tie carrier
wherein a plurality of conical-shaped latching elements, 36a-36d,
are disposed along an elongated shackle, 38. Shackle locking socket
16 is adapted to receive and reversibly lock shackle 34.
[0021] FIGS. 2C and 2D are included to illustrate that there are
many shackle and shackle locking sockets that are available to be
used in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but having
rectangular handle, 40, wherein the plane of the loop formed by the
shackle when securing an article is perpendicular to that of handle
40. It should be mentioned that the perpendicularity of planes in
this embodiment of the present invention is different from that
described in FIG. 2B hereof. FIG. 3B is a schematic representation
another embodiment of the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 3A,
hereof, wherein handle 40 has finger indentations, 42, to assist in
effectively grasping handle 40. Also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are
the teeth, 44, formed in shackle 14 adapted to be engaged by
shackle locking socket 16.
[0023] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the molded
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but
having triangular handle, 46, while FIG. 4B is a schematic
representation of the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 4A hereof,
wherein the triangular handle includes label, 48, suitable for
being written upon, stamped or otherwise marked for identification
of the articles or other identification. Label 48 may also be
attached to the shackle or formed in the handle itself. Clearly,
the triangular handle can be adapted to include finger indentations
similar to those illustrated in FIG. 3B hereinabove.
[0024] The foregoing description of the invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching.
[0025] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *