U.S. patent application number 14/682667 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for cable tie.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shining Golden Yida Welding & Cutting Machinery Manufacture LTD.. Invention is credited to Davey Z. Liang.
Application Number | 20150210453 14/682667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47066761 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150210453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liang; Davey Z. |
July 30, 2015 |
Cable Tie
Abstract
A cable tie has a flexible, elongated strap with a head and tail
at opposite ends. The strap has two opposed sides, with teeth on
both sides. The head includes an opening for receiving the strap, a
movable pawl with teeth on one side of the opening and, on the
opposite side of the opening, an abutment surface having an
abutment tooth. The head may include a molding line adjoining the
apex of the abutment tooth. The cable tie may be used to retain
articles by looping the strap around the articles, and inserting
the strap, tail first, into the opening, whereby the pawl teeth and
abutment teeth may be brought into engagement with the teeth on the
two opposed sides, respectively, at least when retraction force is
applied to the strap, such as to lock the strap in the head,
preventing retraction of the strap from the head.
Inventors: |
Liang; Davey Z.; (Rancho
Santa Fe, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shining Golden Yida Welding & Cutting Machinery Manufacture
LTD. |
Hong Kong |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
47066761 |
Appl. No.: |
14/682667 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13457447 |
Apr 26, 2012 |
9038246 |
|
|
14682667 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/16PB |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1498 20150115;
B65D 2563/103 20130101; B65D 63/1072 20130101; B65D 63/1063
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 63/10 20060101
B65D063/10 |
Claims
1. A fastening device, comprising: a flexible, elongated strap
having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and a
body portion therebetween, the body portion having opposed first
and second broad sides and strap teeth on each of the first and
second broad sides; a head disposed at the first end portion, the
head having (a) a perimeter wall surrounding an opening, the
opening having only a single entry and only a single exit, and (b)
a movable pawl extending from the perimeter wall into the opening,
the movable pawl having at least one pawl tooth, the perimeter wall
including an abutment portion opposite the movable pawl, the
abutment portion including an abutment tooth opposite the movable
pawl; and a tail disposed at the second end portion, wherein the
opening is dimensioned to accommodate insertion, tail first, of the
strap through the single entry of the opening, wherein the strap
teeth on the first broad side and the at least one pawl tooth are
respectively configured for engagement therebetween, upon the
tail-first insertion of the strap through the single entry of the
opening, wherein the strap teeth on the second broad side and the
abutment tooth are respectively configured for engagement
therebetween, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through
the single entry of the opening, and wherein the abutment tooth has
a working surface is inclined in a direction opposite a direction
of insertion as the working surface of the abutment tooth extends
in a direction opposite a direction of insertion.
2. A fastening device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
of the strap teeth on the second broad side has a working surface
that, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through the
opening, is inclined in the direction of insertion as the working
surface of the at least one of the strap teeth on the second broad
side extends away from the second broad side.
3. A fastening device, comprising: a flexible, elongated strap
having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and a
body portion therebetween, the body portion having opposed first
and second broad sides and strap teeth on each of the first and
second broad sides; a head disposed at the first end portion, the
head having (a) a perimeter wall surrounding an opening, and (b) a
movable pawl extending from the perimeter wall into the opening,
the movable pawl having at least one pawl tooth, the perimeter wall
including an abutment portion opposite the movable pawl, the
abutment portion including an abutment tooth opposite the movable
pawl; and a tail disposed at the second end portion, wherein the
opening is dimensioned to accommodate insertion, tail first, of the
strap through the opening, wherein the strap teeth on the first
broad side and the at least one pawl tooth are respectively
configured for engagement therebetween, upon the tail-first
insertion of the strap through the opening, wherein the strap teeth
on the second broad side and the abutment tooth are respectively
configured for engagement therebetween, upon the tail-first
insertion of the strap through the opening, and wherein at least
one of the strap teeth on the second broad side has a working
surface that, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through
the opening, is inclined in a direction of insertion as the working
surface of the at least one of the strap teeth on the second broad
side extends away from the second broad side, for mating engagement
with the abutment tooth.
4. A fastening device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the abutment
tooth has a working surface inclined in a direction opposite the
direction of insertion.
5. A fastening device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the opening
has only a single entry and only a single exit.
6. A fastening device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the movable
pawl has a plurality of pawl teeth.
7. A fastening device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the abutment
tooth has only a single working surface.
8. A fastening device, comprising: a flexible, elongated strap
having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and a
body portion therebetween, the body portion having opposed first
and second broad sides and strap teeth on each of the first and
second broad sides; a head disposed at the first end portion, the
head having (a) a perimeter wall surrounding an opening, and (b) a
movable pawl extending from the perimeter wall into the opening,
the movable pawl having a plurality of pawl teeth, the perimeter
wall including an abutment portion opposite the movable pawl, the
abutment portion including one or more abutment teeth opposite the
movable pawl; and a tail disposed at the second end portion,
wherein the opening is dimensioned to accommodate insertion, tail
first, of the strap through the opening, wherein the strap teeth on
the first broad side and the plurality of pawl teeth are
respectively configured for engagement therebetween, upon the
tail-first insertion of the strap through the opening, wherein the
strap teeth on the second broad side and the one or more abutment
teeth are respectively configured for engagement therebetween, upon
the tail-first insertion of the strap through the opening, and
wherein all of the one or more abutment teeth are located within an
extent of the plurality of pawl teeth.
9. A fastening device as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one
of the one or more abutment teeth has an apex, and the head has a
molding line adjoining the apex of one of the at least one of the
one or more abutment teeth.
10. A fastening device as claimed in claim 9, wherein no other
molding line is formed on the fastening device.
11. A fastening device as claimed in claim 8, wherein any one or
more of the following conditions obtain: (i) at least one of the
one or more abutment teeth has a working surface (i) inclined in a
direction of insertion, (b) perpendicular to the direction of
insertion, or (c) inclined in a direction opposite the direction of
insertion; (ii) at least one of the plurality of pawl teeth has a
working surface (a) inclined in the direction of insertion, (b)
perpendicular to the direction of insertion, or (c) inclined in the
direction opposite the direction of insertion; (iii) at least one
of the strap teeth on the first broad side has a working surface
that, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through the
opening, is (a) inclined in the direction of insertion, (b)
perpendicular to the direction of insertion, or (c) inclined in the
direction opposite the direction of insertion; and (iv) at least
one of the strap teeth on the second broad side has a working
surface that, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through
the opening, is (a) inclined in the direction of insertion, (b)
perpendicular to the direction of insertion, or (c) inclined in the
direction opposite the direction of insertion.
12. A fastening device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strap
teeth on the first broad side are offset from the strap teeth on
the second broad side by one half of a tooth length of a strap
tooth of the strap teeth on the first or second broad side.
13. A fastening device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening
has only a single entry and only a single exit.
14. A fastening device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
fastening device is manufactured from plastic.
15. A fastening device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
fastening device is manufactured from nylon.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/457,447, filed Apr. 26, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/479,148, which was filed on
Apr. 26, 2011, each of which is incorporated by reference for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Present Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates in general to fastening
devices. More particularly, this disclosure pertains to a type of
fastening device commonly known as a "cable tie" or "zip tie," and
various designs, features, and aspects thereof.
[0004] 2. Background of the Present Disclosure
[0005] A cable tie may be used, for example, to retain a bundle of
elongated cables, or other articles. To do so, the flexible cable
tie is formed into a loop around the articles, and the strap is
inserted through an opening in the head and appropriately
tensioned. The cable tie may be designed to effectively lock the
strap in the head (prevent retraction of the strap from the head)
so as to secure the articles being retained. While cable ties have
undergone a wide range of developments over the years, there
remains room for improvement in the functionality thereof, for
example, in rendering the retaining function more secure and
reliable, and in rendering the use or installation of the cable
tie, e.g., the insertion and locking of the strap in the head,
easier and more convenient for users.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a fastening device, comprising a flexible, elongated strap
having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and a
body portion therebetween, the body portion having opposed first
and second broad sides and strap teeth on each of the first and
second broad sides. A head is disposed at the first end portion,
the head having (a) a perimeter wall surrounding an opening, and
(b) a movable pawl extending from the perimeter wall into the
opening, the movable pawl having at least one pawl tooth, the
perimeter wall including an abutment portion opposite the movable
pawl, and the abutment portion including an abutment tooth opposite
the movable pawl. A tail is disposed at the second end portion. The
opening is dimensioned to accommodate insertion, tail first, of the
strap through the opening. The strap teeth on the first broad side
and the at least one pawl tooth are respectively configured for
engagement therebetween, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap
through the opening, and the strap teeth on the second broad side
and the abutment tooth are respectively configured for engagement
therebetween, upon the tail-first insertion of the strap through
the opening.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, in the
fastening device of the first aspect, the abutment tooth has an
apex, and the head has a molding line adjoining the apex of the
abutment tooth.
[0008] According to a third aspect of the invention, in the
fastening device of the first aspect, the abutment tooth has a
working surface inclined in a direction opposite a direction of
insertion.
[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the
fastening device of the first aspect, at least one of the strap
teeth on the second broad side has a working surface that, upon the
tail-first insertion of the strap through the opening, is inclined
in a direction of insertion.
[0010] According to other aspects of the invention, methods of
manufacturing a fastening device and methods of using a fastening
device are provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The following figures form part of the present specification
and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the
present claimed subject matter, and should not be used to limit or
define the present claimed subject matter. The present claimed
subject matter may be better understood by reference to one or more
of these drawings in combination with the description of
embodiments presented herein. Consequently, a more complete
understanding of the present embodiments and further features and
advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals may identify like elements,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of a cable
tie as seen from the top, in accordance with some embodiments of
the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side elevational, or
cross-sectional, view of the cable tie shown in FIG. 1, taken along
the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the head of the cable tie shown
in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a side elevational, or
cross-sectional, close-up view, similar to that of FIG. 3, of a
head of a cable tie, in accordance with some alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a side elevational, or
cross-sectional, close-up view, similar to that of FIG. 3, of a
head of a cable tie, in accordance with some further alternative
embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 6 shows the same view as FIG. 5, but showing also a
portion of the strap of the cable tie inserted through the head,
with teeth of the strap engaging the tooth of the abutment surface
of the head and the teeth of the pawl of the head, in accordance
with some further alternative embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The foregoing description of the figures is provided for the
convenience of the reader. It should be understood, however, that
the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and
configurations shown in the figures. Also, the figures are not
necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in generalized or schematic form, in the
interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0019] While various embodiments are described herein, it should be
appreciated that the present invention encompasses many inventive
concepts that may be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. The
following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is merely illustrative
and is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, as
it would be impossible or impractical to include all of the
possible embodiments and contexts of the invention in this
disclosure. Upon reading this disclosure, many alternative
embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to persons of
ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
[0020] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual
implementation are described in this specification. In the
development of any such actual embodiment, numerous
implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
design-specific goals, which will vary from one implementation to
another. It will be appreciated that such a development effort,
while possibly complex and time-consuming, would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking for persons of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure.
[0021] With regard to terminology, the use of the term "preferable"
or "preferably" is to be understood as indicating, inter alia, that
the stated matter need not be as stated and that alternatives and
contraries to the stated matter may obtain, unless indicated
otherwise. For example, if it were stated that a widget preferably
has a certain characteristic (e.g., a component is preferably
inclined at a certain angle, or two components preferably
correspond in a certain manner, etc), it is thereby indicated that
the widget may also not have the certain characteristic, may have a
different or contrary characteristic, etc., unless indicated
otherwise. In this regard, it could be the case that, within a
given embodiment, an element may not be able to have a contrary
characteristic, but that in a different embodiment, the element can
have the contrary characteristic. Nonetheless, unless indicated
otherwise, different embodiments are combinable with one another
(combinations of more than two embodiments being possible), and any
number of features of different embodiments are combinable with one
another.
[0022] The structure, manufacture and operation of cable ties
according to preferred embodiments will be described with reference
to the figures.
[0023] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, a cable tie 100
in accordance with some embodiments includes a flexible, elongated
strap 101. Strap 101 has longitudinally opposed first and second
end portions 102 and 104, respectively, and elongated body portion
106 between end portions 102 and 104. As denoted by reference
numeral 105 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the blank space bounded by two
parallel lines that cut through body portion 106 indicates that a
portion of body portion 106 may be omitted from the figures. The
length of strap 101 is indicated by B in FIG. 1. Head 112 is formed
at end portion 102, and tail 114 is formed at end portion 104.
[0024] Body portion 106 has two opposite wide or broad sides, which
may also be referred to as top and bottom, 116 and 118,
respectively, which extend the length of body portion 106, from
head 112 to tail 114. As will be explained below, bottom 118 will
contact the articles to be tied together by cable tie 100 when
cable tie 100 is formed into a loop to encircle the articles and
tie them together. As shown in FIG. 1, each of top 116 and bottom
118 has a width A. Body portion also has two opposite short sides,
117 and 119, respectively, each extending between top 116 and
bottom 118, such as to provide body portion 106 with an at least
substantially rectangular cross section (not shown). The width of
each short side 117, 119, in other words, the distance from top 116
to bottom 118, is denoted C in FIG. 2. C may also be described as
the thickness of body portion 106.
[0025] Top 116 has strap teeth 126 and bottom 118 has strap teeth
128. The strap teeth 126, 128 extend transversely to top 116 or
bottom 118, respectively, (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of top 116 or bottom 118, respectively), and are spaced
apart from one another with a spacing that may be uniform for all
the pairs of adjacent teeth. Each set of strap teeth 126, 128
extends along a portion of top 116 or bottom 118, respectively,
e.g., most of, or at least substantially the entirety of, top 116
or bottom 118, respectively, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. As explained
below, teeth 126, 128 may be deemed ratchet teeth. The space
between any two adjacent strap teeth 126, or between any adjacent
two strap teeth 128, may be deemed a recess.
[0026] Body portion 106 may also have edge rails 120, one edge rail
120 extending along each edge of top 116 (shown in FIG. 1) and
bottom 118 (not shown), for at least substantially the length of
body portion 106. (Edge rails 120 in bottom 118 may have the same
construction as edge rails 120 in top 116.) As seen in FIG. 1, edge
rails 120 thus extend in a direction perpendicular to strap teeth
126, and edge rails 120 bound strap teeth 126 at the longitudinal
ends thereof. Thus, the length of each strap tooth 126 is less than
the width A of body portion 106, by an amount equal to twice the
width of an edge rail 120. Edge rails 120 may be formed so as to be
raised (on the surface of top 116) above the tops of strap teeth
126 (that is, edge rails on top 116 would extend outward of the
plane of the paper in FIG. 1 to a greater extent than strap teeth
126 would). Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 2, edge rails 120 may
extend (in the vertical direction in the figure) just up to tops of
strap teeth 126. In FIG. 2, partial outlines of edge rails 120 are
generally indicated by the two horizontal parallel lines bounding
strap teeth 126 and 128, respectively. Particularly when raised
above the surface of the broad sides 116, 118, edge rails 120 may
assist in guiding strap 101 through head 112 so as to be
appropriately located with respect to the sides of the head, the
pawl, and/or the abutment tooth, as will be understood from the
discussion hereinbelow. Nonetheless, cable tie 100 may be formed
without edge rails 120, or with edge rails 120 only on top 116 or
only on bottom 118.
[0027] Head 112 has a perimeter wall 130, which may be understood
to be formed of front wall 131, rear wall 132, and side walls 133,
134. Perimeter wall 130 surrounds opening 145, which extends from
the bottom of head 112 to the top of head 112 as shown in FIG. 2,
and through which strap 101 may be inserted, as discussed
hereinbelow. At the bottom of head 112, opening 145 may be deemed
to have an entry 144, while at the top of head 112, opening 145 may
be deemed to have an exit 146, the labels "entry" and "exit" being
applied with reference to the insertion of strap 101 through
opening 145 in the use of cable tie 100 to retain articles, as
discussed hereinbelow. With reference to the directions as
illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom of perimeter wall 130, or of
walls 131-135, may be referred to as an entry surface thereof,
while the top of perimeter wall 130, or of walls 131-135, may be
referred to as an exit surface thereof. In accordance with some
embodiments, perimeter wall 130 extends completely around head 112
at a uniform height or vertical extent (vertical direction in FIG.
2); there is no gap or break in perimeter wall 130. According to
other embodiments, perimeter wall 130 may have a gap, e.g., in rear
wall 132, behind the pawl (discussed below), i.e., between the pawl
and body portion 106. According to some embodiments, perimeter wall
130 need not have a uniform height or vertical extent. In FIG. 1, D
indicates the length of front wall 131, while in FIG. 2, E
indicates the height of front wall 131.
[0028] Head 112 further includes a movable pawl 136. Movable pawl
136 is hinged via hinge 137 to hinged extension portion, or
projection, 138, which projects from rear wall 132 into opening 145
toward front wall 131, at the foot or bottom of rear wall 132.
(See, e.g., FIG. 3.) Pawl 136 is movable in to and fro, or forward
and rearward, directions, toward and away from front wall 131 or,
equivalently, away from and toward rear wall 132, as indicated by
the arrows F (forward; toward front wall 131) and R (rearward; away
from front wall 131) in, e.g., FIG. 3. The design, e.g., shape,
configuration, etc., of hinge 137 and/or projection 138 may be
varied from the illustrated design, as will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0029] As shown, e.g., in FIG. 3, pawl 136 has one or more pawl
teeth 139, which may be described as being arranged transversely
with respect to pawl 136. In accordance with some embodiments, pawl
136 has three pawl teeth 139, as shown in the figures; but
according to other embodiments, pawl may have a smaller or larger
number of pawl teeth 139. As discussed below, pawl tooth or teeth
139 are configured for engaging bottom strap teeth 128 when strap
101 has been inserted into opening 145, tail 114 first, with bottom
strap teeth 128 facing pawl 136.
[0030] Head 112 also includes abutment surface 140, which is the
interior surface (i.e., the surface facing rear wall 132), or a
portion thereof, of front wall 131 (abutment surface 140 may also
be referred to as abutment wall 140). Thus, abutment surface 140
may be described as being situated across opening 145 from pawl
136, opposite pawl 136, opposite (interior surface of) rear wall
132, or the like. Disposed on abutment surface 140 is a single
abutment tooth 141, in accordance with some embodiments, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2-6. Similarly, abutment tooth 141 may be
described as being situated across opening 145 from pawl 136,
opposite pawl 136, opposite (interior surface of) rear wall 132, or
the like. Further, abutment tooth 141 may be described as opposite,
or overlapping with, pawl teeth 139, or the like. The term
"overlapping" here indicates an overlap between abutment tooth 141
and pawl teeth 139 in the vertical direction of FIGS. 2-6. In
alternative embodiments, however, abutment tooth 141 need not
overlap pawl teeth 139 in this sense. In accordance with some
embodiments, abutment tooth 141 is situated opposite the middle one
of the three pawl teeth 139, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In
accordance with other embodiments, abutment tooth 141 is situated
opposite the top one of the three pawl teeth 139, as shown in FIG.
4. In accordance with still other embodiments, abutment tooth 141
is situated opposite the bottom one of the three pawl teeth 139, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is to be understood that this location
of abutment tooth 141 with respect to pawl teeth 139 is independent
of other features illustrated in the figures; that is to say, the
location of abutment tooth 141 with respect to pawl teeth 139 may
be varied independently of such other features. As discussed below,
abutment tooth 141 is configured for engaging top strap teeth 126
when strap 101 has been inserted into opening 145, tail 114 first,
with top strap teeth 126 facing abutment surface 140/abutment tooth
141.
[0031] In accordance with some other embodiments (not shown),
abutment surface 140 may have multiple abutment teeth 141 disposed
thereon in a successive manner (i.e., vertically successive in
FIGS. 2-6), analogously to the successive manner in which pawl
teeth 139 are disposed. The spatial relationship between multiple
abutment teeth 141 and pawl teeth 139 may be one of overlap,
non-overlap, or partial overlap, in the above-described sense.
[0032] In accordance with some embodiments, top strap teeth 126 and
bottom strap teeth 128 may be offset laterally (i.e., in the length
B direction of strap 101) with respect to one another by one half
length of a tooth, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. In accordance with
other embodiments (not shown), top strap teeth 126 and bottom strap
teeth 128 may be offset laterally with respect to one another by a
lesser or greater distance, and in accordance with still other
embodiments (not shown), top strap teeth 126 and bottom strap teeth
128 are not offset laterally with respect to one.
[0033] Similarly, pawl teeth 139 and abutment tooth (or teeth) 141
may be offset with respect to one another in the vertical direction
of FIGS. 2-6, by one half length of a tooth, by a greater or lesser
distance, or not at all. It is preferable for the amount of offset
of pawl teeth 139 with respect to abutment tooth (teeth) 141 to
conform to the amount of offset of top strap teeth 126 with respect
to bottom strap teeth 128, as shown in FIG. 6. Such conformity may
render more effective the engagement between abutment tooth (teeth)
141 and top strap teeth 126 and the engagement between pawl teeth
139 and bottom strap teeth 128, as will be understood from the
discussion hereinbelow.
[0034] As seen, for example, in FIGS. 4-6, each of top strap teeth
126 has a shorter side 151 and a longer side 152, each of bottom
strap teeth 128 has a shorter side 153 and a longer side 154, each
of pawl teeth 139 has a shorter side 155 and a longer side 156, and
abutment tooth 141 has a shorter side 157 and a longer side 158. In
this regard, for all these teeth in general, the angle at which the
shorter side intersects the surface from which the respective tooth
projects may be closer to 90 degrees than the angle at which the
longer side intersects that surface. Specific examples of this are
set forth below.
[0035] Regarding abutment tooth 141, in accordance with some
embodiments shorter side 157 thereof may be disposed at an angle of
90 degrees (i.e., may be disposed perpendicular) with respect to
the direction of insertion Y of strap 101, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3,
5 and 6. The direction of insertion Y is shown in FIGS. 3-6. The
direction of insertion Y is defined herein as the direction
straight upward in FIGS. 3-6, even though strap 101 may be able to
be inserted not only in this direction but also at an angle to this
direction, as will be understood from the discussion hereinbelow.
It will also be understood that the deviation between any such
angle and the direction of insertion Y would be limited. As shown
in FIGS. 2-6, abutment surface 140 may also extend in the direction
straight upward in those figures, although the bottom of front wall
131 may curve away from that direction. Thus, in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and
6, abutment tooth 141 may also be described as being disposed
perpendicular to abutment surface 140.
[0036] As an alternative to being disposed perpendicular with
respect to abutment surface 140/the direction of insertion Y, in
accordance with some embodiments shorter side 157 of abutment tooth
141 may be disposed at an angle that is inclined in the direction
opposite to the direction of insertion Y. The direction opposite to
the direction of insertion Y is straight downward in FIGS. 3-6. In
this case, the inclination in the direction opposite to the
direction of insertion Y, that is, the downward inclination, of the
angle may (but need not) be quite small. An example is shown in
FIG. 4, where shorter side 157 is disposed at an angle of 92
degrees with respect to the direction of insertion Y, amounting to
a small inclination (specifically, 2 degrees) in the direction
opposite to the direction of insertion Y, that is, in a small
downward inclination.
[0037] As another alternative to being disposed perpendicular with
respect to abutment surface 140/the direction of insertion Y, in
accordance with some embodiments shorter side 157 of abutment tooth
141 may be disposed at an angle that is inclined in the direction
of insertion Y, that is, straight upward in FIGS. 3-6, or, in other
words, opposite to the direction in which shorter side 157 is
inclined in FIG. 4. An example of shorter side 157 disposed at an
angle inclined in the direction of insertion Y, that is, in the
upward direction, is not shown but may easily be extrapolated from
the explanation herein in view of the figures.
[0038] As was the case with abutment tooth 141, so too any of
shorter sides 155 of pawl teeth 139, shorter sides 151 of top strap
teeth 126, and shorter sides 153 of bottom strap teeth 128 may be
disposed perpendicular to the direction of insertion Y, at an angle
that is inclined in the direction of insertion Y, or at an angle
that is inclined in the direction opposite to the direction of
insertion Y. It is understood that this discussion of the
dispositions of shorter sides 151 of top strap teeth 126 and
shorter sides 153 of bottom strap teeth 128 with respect to the
direction of insertion Y assumes that the strap 101 is inserted in
head 112 in the direction of insertion Y, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0039] As was the case with the offset of top and bottom strap
teeth 126, 128, it is preferable that there be a correspondence
between the angle of shorter side(s) 157 of abutment tooth (teeth)
141 and the angle of shorter sides 151 of top strap teeth 126, and
a correspondence between the angle of shorter sides 155 of pawl
teeth 139 and the angle of shorter sides 153 of bottom strap teeth
128. As will be understood from the discussion hereinbelow, such
correspondence may render more effective the engagement of abutment
tooth (teeth) 141 with top strap teeth 126 and the engagement of
pawl teeth 139 with bottom strap teeth 128.
[0040] An example of such correspondence is illustrated in FIG. 6,
where both the shorter side 157 of abutment tooth 141 and the
shorter sides 151 of top strap teeth 126 are perpendicular to
(i.e., disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to) the
direction of insertion Y, and similarly both the shorter sides 155
of pawl teeth 139 and the shorter sides 153 of bottom strap teeth
are disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to (i.e.,
disposed perpendicular to) the direction of insertion Y. In other
words, neither shorter side 157 of abutment tooth 141 nor shorter
sides 151 of top strap teeth 126 are inclined in either the
direction of insertion Y or the direction opposite the direction of
insertion Y, and similarly neither the shorter sides 155 of pawl
teeth 139 nor the shorter sides 153 of bottom strap teeth are
inclined in either the direction of insertion Y or the direction
opposite the direction of insertion Y.
[0041] Another example of such correspondence would be where
shorter side 157 of abutment tooth 141 is disposed in the direction
opposite the direction of insertion Y, or in other words, disposed
downward, with respect to the direction of insertion Y (e.g., as
shown in FIG. 4, where abutment tooth 141 is disposed at an angle
of 92 degrees with respect to direction of insertion Y, hence
having a downward inclination of 2 degrees), and shorter sides 151
of top strap teeth 126 are disposed a corresponding amount in the
direction of insertion Y, or in other words, disposed upward, with
respect to the direction of insertion Y (in this case, shorter
sides 151 of top strap teeth 126 would be disposed at an angle of
88 degrees with respect to direction of insertion Y, hence having
an upward inclination of 2 degrees) (the case of shorter sides 151
of top strap teeth 126 disposed with an upward inclination of 2
degrees is not shown in the figures). Likewise, shorter sides 155
of pawl teeth 139 could be inclined downward, while shorter sides
153 of bottom strap teeth could be inclined upward, at
corresponding amounts.
[0042] Another example of such correspondence would be the reverse
of that described immediately above: that is, shorter side 157 of
abutment tooth 141 would be inclined in the direction of insertion
Y, and shorter sides 151 of top strap teeth 126 would be inclined
in the direction opposite the direction of insertion Y, in
corresponding amounts, and shorter sides 155 of pawl teeth 139
would be inclined in the direction of insertion Y, while shorter
sides 153 of bottom strap teeth would be inclined in the direction
opposite the direction of insertion Y, in corresponding
amounts.
[0043] Relatedly to the preferred correspondence between the angle
of shorter side 157 of abutment tooth 141 and the angle of shorter
sides 151 of top strap teeth 126, and between the angle of shorter
sides 155 of pawl teeth 139 and the angle of shorter sides 153 of
bottom strap teeth 128, it is preferable that the angle of the
shorter sides 157 of all the abutment teeth 141 be the same (that
is, in the case in which there are multiple abutment teeth 141),
the angle of the shorter sides 155 of all the pawl teeth 139 be the
same, the angle of the shorter sides 151 of all the top strap teeth
126 be the same, and the angle of the shorter sides 153 of all the
bottom strap teeth 128 be the same.
[0044] Head 112 may also have two guide rails 160, as shown in and
as will be further described with reference to FIG. 1. Guide rails
160 may be disposed one on either side of pawl 136, with a gap
(empty space) between each guide rail 160 and pawl 136, although
each guide rail 160 may be connected, at its bottom (defined with
respect to the vertical direction in FIGS. 2-6), to a respective
side of projection 137 by a structure (not visible in the drawings)
between respective guide rail 160 and respective side of projection
137. Guide rails 160 may be formed as projections from the
respective inner surfaces (i.e., the surfaces facing opening 145,
as against the outer surfaces facing outside of head 112) of side
walls 133, 134, respectively. Each guide rail 160 may also project
from rear wall 132. While each guide rail 160 may thus be disposed
at a corner of rear wall 132 and one of side walls 133, 134, each
guide rail 160 may extend to a greater extent along its respective
side wall 133 or 134 than along rear wall 132. The direction in
which guide rails 160 extend along their respective side walls 133,
134 toward front wall 131/abutment surface 140 may be termed the
horizontal direction (consistently with the directions shown in
FIGS. 2-6). The extent of each guide rail 160 along its respective
side wall 133 or 134, i.e., toward front wall 131/abutment surface
140, may be less than the maximum extent to which pawl 136 in its
as-formed position extends in the same direction (it being noted
that different portions of pawl 136 in its as-formed position
extend toward abutment surface 140/front wall 131 to different
extents). In the vertical direction (i.e., the vertical direction
of FIGS. 2-6), guide rails 160 may extend from the bottom of
perimeter wall 130 (i.e., at entry 144 to opening 145) upward to a
height lower than the top of perimeter wall 130 (i.e., lower than
exit 146 of opening 145). As will be understood from the discussion
hereinbelow, guide rails 160 may serve to guide strap 101 to an
appropriate position, e.g., away from pawl 136, as strap 101 is
being inserted through opening 145, for ease of insertion, e.g., to
avoid having strap 101 prematurely caught (stuck) by pawl 136. The
design, e.g., shape, configuration, etc., of guide rails 160 may be
varied from that described and illustrated herein, as will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0045] Turning back to FIGS. 1 and 2, tail 114, which is formed at
end portion 104 of strap 101, will now be described. As with body
portion 106, so too tail 114 has two opposite wide or broad sides,
which may also be referred to as top and bottom, 166 and 168,
respectively, and two opposite short sides, 167 and 169,
respectively, each extending between top 166 and bottom 168, such
as to provide tail 114 with an at least substantially rectangular
cross section (not shown), although the length of this cross
section (corresponding to the width of top and bottom 166 and 168)
varies, as the width G (FIG. 1) of top 166 and bottom 168 varies
(i.e., tapering, as discussed immediately below). (Top 166 and
bottom 168 of tail 114 have the same width G.)
[0046] As seen in FIG. 1, tail 114 may have a pronounced taper,
whereby tail 114 narrows from width A at the juncture with body
portion 106 to a much narrower width at the other longitudinal end
of tail 114, which may be referred to as tip 115. The width G of
tail 114 at tip 115 may approach a point (FIG. 1 is not necessarily
drawn to scale), but as shown in FIG. 1 tip 115 may preferably be
rounded at its end, e.g., to avoid injury to a user. A relatively
pointy tip 115 (even if having a rounded end) may make it easier to
insert tail 114 through opening 145 of head 112.
[0047] The distance from top 166 to bottom 168 may be termed the
height or thickness H of tail 114 (see FIG. 2). The above-mentioned
rectangular cross section of tail 114 is defined by the length of
the cross section, which is width G of tail 114, and the height of
the cross section, which is thickness H of tail 114. In accordance
with some embodiments, tail 114 may have a thickness H equal to at
least substantially 50% of thickness C of body portion 106. In
accordance with other embodiments, tail 114 may have a thickness H
substantially equal to thickness C of body portion 106. In
accordance with still other embodiments, thickness H of tail 114
may have other values, e.g., less than or greater than 50% of
thickness C of body portion 106. A thicker tail 114 provides for
increased rigidity, which may make it easier to insert tail 114
through opening 145 of head 112. Thus, tail 114 may (but need not)
be substantially as rigid as body portion 106.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, tail 114 may (but need not) be formed in
such a manner as to be deflected downward with respect to body
portion 106, that is, tail 114 may incline downward as it extends
away (rightward in FIG. 2) from body portion 106.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, top 166 of tail 114 may have
ridges 165, which extend transversely with respect to tail 114
(that is, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of tail 114) and which are spaced apart from one another
in the longitudinal direction of tail 114. This spacing apart may
be equidistant between each two adjacent ridges 165. While ten
ridges are shown in the figures, in accordance with some other
embodiments eight ridges 165 are provided on tail 114. It is noted
that tail 114 may have any number of ridges 165, or none at all. As
also seen in the figures, though they are not necessarily drawn to
scale, the length of tail 114 may be significant in magnitude as
compared to that of the length of body portion 106. A large length
and abundant ridges 165 of tail 114 may make it easier for a user
to get a good grip on tail 114, in particular on a portion of tail
114 that has been inserted through head 112 and exited through exit
146 of opening 145, which would make it easier to pull the rest of
tail 114 and then the desired amount of strap 101 through head 112,
to fasten cable tie 101 around the desired articles, as will be
better understood from the discussion hereinbelow. Nonetheless, as
noted, ridges 165 are not required, and it is possible to make tail
114 shorter/short.
[0050] In addition, ridges 165 may be spaced apart from one another
in the longitudinal direction of tail 114 (i.e., from the juncture
of tail 114 with body portion 106 to the tip 115 of tail 114) to a
sufficiently greater extent than top strap teeth 126 are spaced
apart from one another, and ridges 165 may also have a height
sufficiently lesser than the length of shorter side 157 of abutment
tooth 141, so that ridges 165 do not, or do not easily, engage with
abutment tooth 141 when tail 114 is inserted through opening 145,
as discussed hereinbelow.
[0051] While FIG. 2 shows ridges 165 only on top 166 of tail 114,
it would be possible (in addition or instead) to provide ridges 165
on bottom 168 of tail 114 and to make accommodations with respect
to pawl teeth 139 corresponding to those discussed immediately
above in respect of ridges 165 on top 166 of tail 114 and abutment
tooth 141.
[0052] According to some example embodiments, a cable tie 100 may
be formed as a one-piece item; that is, cable tie 100 may be formed
in such a manner that each of the parts thereof is integral with
the parts adjacent thereto.
[0053] In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie 100 may be
formed by an injection molding process. Such a process may include
steps such as the following: providing a mold by combining
multiple, e.g., two, mold parts to define a mold cavity for forming
cable tie 100; injecting molding material into the mold cavity to
form the cable tie 100; solidifying the injected molding material
to solidify the cable tie 100; separating the mold parts to open
the mold; removing the solidified cable tie 100 from the opened
mold, e.g., ejecting the cable tie 100 at a suitable ejection
speed. Suitable injection molding processes, and the details
thereof, would be understood by one of ordinary sill in the art. In
accordance with some embodiments, one mold part may form, among
other things, bottom strap teeth 128, while the other mold part may
form, among other things, top strap teeth 126. In accordance with
other embodiments, the portions of the cable tie 100 may be divided
up among (i.e., to be formed by) the two mold parts in a different
fashion.
[0054] The mold parts, e.g., two mold parts, contact at a contact
surface when the mold is closed. When the mold parts are separated
and the mold is opened, the finished cable tie may bear a molding
line defined by the contact surface. In accordance with some
embodiments, cable tie 100 may bear a molding line 143 adjoining
the apex 142 of abutment tooth 141, as shown in FIGS. 3 (dotted
line 143) and 5 (dashed line 143) and as will be explained further
presently. The apex 142 of abutment tooth 141 is the tip where
shorter side 157 meets longer side 158. Such molding line 143 may
also adjoin shorter side 157, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Shorter
side 157 may also be referred to as the working surface, working
face, occluding surface or occluding face of abutment tooth
141.
[0055] In accordance with some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5,
after adjoining apex 142 molding line 143 (shown as a dashed line)
may, e.g., slope downward to the right below pawl 136 and then
continue straight (rightward) in such a manner as to avoid going
through pawl 136. In accordance with other embodiments, after
adjoining apex 142 molding line 143 may follow a different path, as
will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. This is
intended to be illustrated by FIG. 3, where molding line 143 (shown
as a dotted line) begins at the left side of head 112 and is drawn
only to apex 142 of abutment tooth 141: the remaining portion of
molding line 143 (i.e., the path molding line 143 would continue to
follow after apex 142) is omitted to indicate that molding line 143
may follow any of a wide if not infinite range of different paths,
as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. To cite
merely one example of such a path, after adjoining apex 142 molding
line 143 may continue straight in the horizontal direction, i.e.,
rightward in FIG. 3, through middle pawl tooth 139, through the gap
(open space) to the right thereof, and through rear wall 132.
[0056] It should be noted that, while different molding lines are
shown on different structures, it is not required that particular
molding lines be formed for particular structures, or that
particular structures have particular molding lines. By "different
structures" it is meant, for example, that FIG. 3 shows a structure
with, inter alia, abutment tooth 141 opposite middle pawl tooth
139, while FIG. 5 shows a structure with, inter alia, abutment
tooth 141 opposite bottom pawl tooth 139. However, it would be
possible for the structure of FIG. 3 to have the molding line shown
in FIG. 5 (e.g., still adjoining the apex 142 of abutment tooth 141
shown in FIG. 3), and for the structure of FIG. 5 to have the
molding line shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., still adjoining the apex 142 of
abutment tooth 141 shown in FIG. 5 and either continuing straight
in the horizontal direction, i.e., rightward in FIG. 5, through
bottom pawl tooth 139, through the gap (open space) to the right
thereof, and through rear wall 132, analogously to the last example
given in the previous paragraph, or along a different path). Either
of the molding lines of FIG. 3 (continuing straight as in the last
example given in the previous paragraph) or FIG. 5, or another
molding line as described herein (e.g., as in FIG. 3 but following
a different path), could be employed with any structure (design,
configuration, etc.) described and/or illustrated herein. With
regard to the embodiments set forth immediately below, which are
described in terms of molding lines (and in some cases abutment
teeth), it is not to be taken that these embodiments require any
particular aspects of the structure of FIG. 3 or FIG. 5 or of any
other particular structure, except as specified below (an example
of such exception being that a certain embodiment may be described
as having only a single abutment tooth or as having multiple
abutment teeth).
[0057] In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed
with no molding line other than the one shown in FIG. 3. In
accordance with other embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed with no
molding line other than the one shown in FIG. 5.
[0058] In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed
with no molding line other than the one shown in FIG. 3, and is
formed with only a single abutment tooth 141.
[0059] In accordance with other embodiments, cable tie 100 is
formed with no molding line other than the one shown in FIG. 5, and
is formed with only a single abutment tooth 141.
[0060] In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed
with no molding line other than the one shown in FIG. 3, and is
formed with multiple abutment teeth 141. In accordance with other
embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed with no molding line other
than the one shown in FIG. 5, and is formed with multiple abutment
teeth 141.
[0061] In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie 100 is formed
with multiple abutment teeth 141 and with molding line 143 as shown
in FIG. 3, and with no other molding line that adjoins an apex of
an abutment tooth 141. In accordance with other embodiments, cable
tie 100 is formed with multiple abutment teeth 141 and with molding
line 143 as shown in FIG. 5, and with no other molding line that
adjoins an apex of an abutment tooth 141.
[0062] In accordance with some alternative embodiments, cable tie
100 is formed with a single abutment tooth 141 and a molding line
that does not adjoin the apex 142 of abutment tooth 141.
[0063] In accordance with some other alternative embodiments, cable
tie 100 is formed with multiple abutment teeth 141 and a molding
line that does not adjoin the apex 142 of at least one of the
multiple abutment teeth 141.
[0064] In accordance with some other alternative embodiments, cable
tie 100 is formed with multiple abutment teeth 141 and a molding
line that does not adjoin the apex 142 of any of the multiple
abutment teeth 141.
[0065] In accordance with still other alternative embodiments,
cable tie 100 may be formed with one or more molding lines in any
location. According to some such alternative embodiments, cable tie
100 may be formed without a molding line adjoining an apex of an
abutment tooth. As merely a few examples, cable tie 100 may be
formed with one or more molding lines, none of which adjoins an
apex of any abutment tooth (whether there be one or more abutment
teeth), or none of which adjoins an apex of at least one abutment
tooth among multiple abutment teeth.
[0066] Cable tie 100 may be formed of a suitable, e.g., plastic,
material, e.g., nylon. The material of formation is preferably
sufficiently flexible to accommodate the deformation to which the
parts of cable tie 100 are subject during use of cable tie 100, as
described herein. In accordance with some embodiments, cable tie
100 is made of PA66 (Nylon 6.6). In accordance with various
embodiments, the material of formation of cable tie 100 may be any
of various colors, may be heat resistant, and/or may be UV
resistant, e.g., for outdoor use.
[0067] Methods of using cable tie 100 will now be described with
reference to the figures, in particular FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. As a
preliminary, it will be noted that head 112 is dimensioned to
accommodate insertion of strap 101 through opening 145 in head 112.
For example, while perimeter wall 130, or equivalently walls
131-135 thereof, may be formed relatively thick, in order to
provide increased strength and resistance to retraction of strap
101 from head 112, still walls 131-135 are appropriately sized and
spaced apart so as to accommodate strap 101. Thus, the width of
opening 145 (i.e., the distance between the opposing interior
surfaces of side walls 133, 134) may be made larger, at least
slightly, than the width A (FIG. 1) of broad sides 116, 118 of body
portion 106, for ease of insertion of body portion 106 through
opening 145. Also, pawl 136 may be appropriately positioned, as to
the extent to which it extends outward in opening 145 toward
abutment surface 140/front wall 131, and with respect to guide
rails 160, as to permit passage of strap 101 through opening 145
without getting caught (stuck) by pawl teeth 139 prematurely.
Similarly, abutment tooth (or teeth) 141 may be appropriately
positioned as to the extent to which it (they) extend(s) outward in
opening 145 toward rear wall 132/pawl 136, as to permit passage of
strap 101 through opening 145 without getting caught (stuck) by
abutment tooth (or teeth) 141 prematurely.
[0068] Cable tie 100 may be used to tie together and retain a group
or bundle of cables (wires), or other articles. To achieve this,
cable tie 100 is formed into a loop around the articles and strap
101 is inserted (in direction of insertion Y), tail 114 first, into
head 112, that is, into entry 144 of opening 145 and through
opening 145, such that tail 114 and a portion of body portion 106
exit through exit 146 of opening 145. Arrow L in FIG. 2 indicates
the direction in which strap 101 is formed into a loop around the
articles, to be inserted into head 112.
[0069] As mentioned, the rigidity and tapering of tail 114 and the
ridges 165 disposed thereon facilitate gripping tail 114 and
guiding tail 114 into entry 144 of opening 145 in head 112. Again,
as mentioned, strap 101 may be inserted into head 112 at a
direction offset from direction Y, but as strap 101 is further
inserted through opening 145 it will generally be straightened to
direction Y by virtue of the structure of head 112, e.g., pawl 136
and walls 131-135.
[0070] As strap 101 is inserted through entry 144 into opening 145
of head 112, tail 114 may be guided toward front wall 131 (i.e.,
leftward in FIGS. 2-6) by guide rails 160 so that strap 101 enters
opening 145 in appropriate position with respect to movable pawl
136. Movable pawl 136 may be pushed rearward (i.e., rightward in
FIGS. 2-6), i.e., pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow R in
FIGS. 3-5, by tail 114 and/or body portion 106 of strap 101 as
strap 101 is inserted through opening 145.
[0071] As mentioned, cable tie 100 is configured so that the teeth
in head 112 (i.e., pawl teeth 139 and abutment tooth 141) will
engage the teeth on strap 101 (i.e., bottom strap teeth 128 and top
strap teeth 126, respectively). For example, the teeth to be
engaged with each other may be configured in a complementary or
mating fashion, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 6. Such engaging teeth may
be referred to as occlusive teeth. Again, as mentioned, ridges 165
are spaced apart sufficiently so that the teeth in head 112 will
not, or not unduly, engage ridges 165, so that tail 114 can be
easily slid through opening 145. After strap 101 has been inserted
into head 112 sufficiently such that top and bottom strap teeth
126, 128 reach pawl teeth 139 and abutment tooth 141, abutment
tooth 141 may engage top strap teeth 126 and pawl teeth 139 may
engage bottom strap teeth 128. This engagement is characterized in
that, by virtue of the configuration (mating shapes) of the teeth,
a user may continue to pull (e.g., in a ratchet-like fashion) strap
101 through opening 145 and out through exit 146, in the direction
of insertion Y, but may not be able to retract strap 101 backward
through opening 145, out through entry 144, in the direction
opposite the direction of insertion Y, except in the limited sense
discussed immediately below.
[0072] Hinge 137 of pawl 136 is configured so that, when one or
more of pawl teeth 139 are engaged with one or more of bottom strap
teeth 128, pawl 136 tends to move toward abutment surface 140
(i.e., in the direction of arrow F, shown in FIGS. 3-5) in response
to pressure applied to strap 101 in a direction opposite to the
direction of insertion Y (i.e., in response to retraction
pressure). Thus, retraction pressure forces top 116 of strap 101
including top strap teeth 126 against abutment surface 140 and/or
abutment tooth 141. Thus, in the state immediately after insertion
of strap 101 into opening 145, during initial engagement of the
teeth, pawl 136 may be positioned in position that is slightly
shifted rearward (i.e., in the direction of arrow R, shown in FIGS.
3-5), as compared to the position shown in FIG. 6. Subsequently,
when a retraction force is applied to strap 101, e.g., a user, or
the mere weight of the articles enclosed by cable tie 100, attempts
to pull strap 101 downward back out through entry 144, the applied
force is transmitted to pawl 136, causing pawl 136 to move slightly
forward (i.e. in the direction of arrow F, shown in FIGS. 3-5) via
hinge 137, such that strap 101 is slightly refracted, with the
appropriately positioned one of top strap teeth 126 being brought
into closer engagement with abutment tooth 141 and the
appropriately positioned ones of bottom strap teeth 128 being
brought into closer engagement with pawl teeth 139, as shown in
FIG. 6. With this closer engagement of the teeth, cable tie 100
provides maximum resistance to refraction of strap 101 from head
112. At this stage, further retraction force on strap 101 tends to
move the teeth in the direction of closer engagement with one
another (i.e., tends to move strap 101 toward a position in which
strap 101 is more tightly locked in head 112).
[0073] In the engaged state, thus, strap 101 is effectively locked
in place in head 112, such that strap 101 is not retractable from
head 112, i.e., cannot be pulled back out through entry 144. In
this state, strap 101 may still be able to be pulled further
through exit 146. With this state of cable tie 100 achieved,
assuming strap 101 has been tightly tensioned around the articles,
the articles are securely retained in cable tie 100. Release of the
articles would require cutting or breaking of the cable tie 100
(e.g., strap 101), or the like.
[0074] Cable tie 100 may also be designed (e.g., with greater
spacing between pawl teeth 139 and inserted strap 101) such that,
upon initial insertion of strap 101 into opening 145 of head 112,
pawl teeth 139 engage bottom strap teeth 128 only to a limited
extent, and it is only after a refraction force is applied to strap
101, causing pawl 136 and strap 101 to be consequently pulled
downward and toward abutment surface 140, that pawl teeth 139 and
abutment tooth 141 more fully engage appropriate ones of bottom
strap teeth 128 and top strap teeth 126, respectively.
[0075] Given the configuration of the teeth, e.g., the dimensions
and angles of the shorter and longer sides thereof, cable tie 100
is designed for insertion of strap 101 into entry 144, through
opening 145, and out through exit 146, and is not designed for
insertion of strap 101 into exit 146, through opening 145, and out
through entry 144. The embodiments set forth herein are not
designed to provide non-retractable engagement of strap 101 in head
112 when strap 101 is inserted through opening 145 in such reverse
direction (assuming, for the sake of argument, that such insertion
is possible.)
[0076] With regard to terminology, it is noted that the short sides
151, 153, 155 and 157 of the teeth may be referred to as the
working surfaces, working faces, occluding surfaces or occluding
faces of the teeth. A cable tie with teeth on both broad sides (top
and bottom) of the strap (and with teeth on two opposite sides of
the opening in the head) may be referred to as a double-faced or
double-sided cable tie.
[0077] In light of the principles and example embodiments described
and illustrated herein, it will be recognized that the example
embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without
departing from such principles. Also, the foregoing discussion has
focused on particular embodiments, but other configurations are
contemplated. In particular, even though expressions such as "in
one embodiment," "in another embodiment," or the like are used
herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment
possibilities, and are not intended to limit the invention to
particular embodiment configurations. As used herein, these terms
may reference the same or different embodiments that are combinable
into other embodiments. As a rule, any embodiment referenced herein
is freely combinable with any one or more of the other embodiments
referenced herein, unless indicated otherwise.
[0078] This disclosure may include descriptions of various benefits
and advantages that may be provided by various embodiments. One,
some, all, or different benefits or advantages may be provided by
different embodiments.
[0079] In view of the wide variety of useful permutations that may
be readily derived from the example embodiments described herein,
this detailed description is intended to be illustrative only, and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. What is
claimed as the invention, therefore, are all implementations that
come within the scope of the following claims, and all equivalents
to such implementations.
* * * * *