U.S. patent application number 15/240898 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for cable tie.
The applicant listed for this patent is DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Katsuya HIRAKAWA, Toshio IWAHARA, Haruhisa KAMIYA, Makoto KATO.
Application Number | 20170057714 15/240898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58097508 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170057714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAMIYA; Haruhisa ; et
al. |
March 2, 2017 |
CABLE TIE
Abstract
A cable tie may include a belt and a buckle to which a proximal
end of the belt is connected. When the belt wrapped around a
clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle
through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked
to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the clamped
article. After the belt is locked to the buckle, an excess portion
of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the
buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion. The buckle has
a protecting portion that is configured to cover both sides of the
remaining portion of the belt. The protecting portion is configured
to cover all of four corners of a cut surface of the remaining
portion of the belt.
Inventors: |
KAMIYA; Haruhisa; (Anjo-shi,
JP) ; IWAHARA; Toshio; (Okazaki-shi, JP) ;
KATO; Makoto; (Toyota-shi, JP) ; HIRAKAWA;
Katsuya; (Toyokawa-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Okazaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58097508 |
Appl. No.: |
15/240898 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 63/1063 20130101;
B65D 2563/108 20130101; B65D 63/1027 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 63/10 20060101
B65D063/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2015 |
JP |
2015-166494 |
Feb 25, 2016 |
JP |
2016-034109 |
Claims
1. A cable tie, comprising: a belt, and a buckle to which a
proximal end of the belt is connected, wherein when the belt
wrapped around a clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole
of the buckle through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt
can be locked to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the
clamped article, wherein after the belt is locked to the buckle, an
excess portion of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the
insertion hole of the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining
portion, so that the clamped article can be clamped by the cable
tie, wherein the buckle has a protecting portion that is positioned
adjacent to the outlet end of the insertion hole and is configured
to cover both sides of the remaining portion of the belt, wherein
the remaining portion of the belt has a substantially rectangular
cut surface, and wherein the protecting portion is configured to
cover all of four corners of the substantially rectangular cut
surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
2. The cable tie as defined in claim 1, wherein the protection
portion is tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle
toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt.
3. The cable tie as defined in claim 1, wherein the protection
portion has arcuate bulged portions formed in a distal end thereof,
and wherein the arcuate bulged portions are configured such that in
a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed
against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the
excess portion of the belt, only top portions thereof enter a slot
formed in the tool head.
4. The cable tie as defined in claim 3, wherein a curvature of the
arcuate bulged portions is determined such that even when an
inclination is produced between an axis line of the protecting
portion and a line perpendicular to an opening surface of the slot
of the tool head in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in
order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the arcuate bulged
portions do not interfere with a traveling path of a blade of an
internal cutter of the specialized tool.
5. The cable tie as defined in claim 1, wherein the protection
portion has projected portions formed in a distal end thereof, and
wherein the projected portions are configured such that in a
condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool
head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of
the belt, the projected portions enter a slot formed in the tool
head.
6. The cable tie as defined in claim 1, wherein the protection
portion has a substantially C-shape in cross section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cable tie (a clamping
band). More particularly, the present invention relates to a cable
tie for clamping or binding a clamped article (e.g., a wiring
harness) in order to attach the same to an object member (e.g. a
body panel of a vehicle).
[0003] Description of Related Art
[0004] A known cable tie is taught by, for example, JP
2012-137145A. As shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, the known cable tie 701
is intended to be used for clamping or binding a wiring harness (a
clamped article W) that is used for vehicle wiring in order to
attach the same to a body panel of a vehicle (an object member)
(not shown). The cable tie 701 includes a desired length of
flexible belt 710 (a holding member) that is configured to
circumferentially hold the wiring harness W, a buckle 720 to which
one longitudinal end of the belt 710 is connected, and an
engagement leg or anchor 730 integrally connected to the buckle 720
and configured to be inserted into an attaching hole (not shown)
formed in the body panel of the vehicle.
[0005] In order to clamp the wiring harness W, the belt 710 is
looped and the wiring harness W. Thereafter, a leading end of the
wrapped belt 710 is inserted into an insertion hole 722 formed in
the buckle 720 and is then drawn from an outlet 722b of the
insertion hole 722 of the buckle 720. Thereafter, the belt 710 is
tightened or fastened by pulling the leading end thereof drawn from
the buckle 720. At this time, an engagement claw 760a formed in an
engagement strip 760 of the buckle 720 can selectively engage
engagement teeth 710a of the belt 710, so that the belt 710 can be
locked or secured to the buckle 720 while the belt 710 is fastened
around the wiring harness W. Thus, the wiring harness W can be
clamped by the fastened belt 710 and the buckle 720. Subsequently,
the anchor 730 is inserted into the attaching hole of the body
panel. As a result, the anchor 730 can be fixed to the body panel,
so that the cable tie 701 can be connected to the body panel. Thus,
the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via the
cable tie 701.
[0006] Generally, an excess portion of the belt 710 drawn from the
buckle 720 and tightened may preferably be cut off while leaving a
required length of remaining portion S. The belt remaining portion
S may generally have edges formed in a cut surface S1 thereof.
However, the buckle 720 has a pair of protecting portions 724
formed therein. The protecting portions 724 are positioned across
the outlet 722b of the insertion hole 722 so as to laterally cover
the belt remaining portion S. The protecting portions 724 of the
buckle 720 may prevent the fingers h (FIG. 38) of workers from
contacting the edges of the belt remaining portion S. As a result,
the fingers h of workers can be effectively prevented from being
irritated or injured by the edges of the belt remaining portion
S.
[0007] However, as shown in FIG. 38, in the known cable tie 701
taught by JP 2012-137145A, the remaining portion S of the belt 710
tends to warp in an end portion (a portion adjacent to the cut
surface S1). When the belt remaining portion S of the belt 710 is
warped, the warped end portion (the cut surface S1) of the belt
remaining portion S may be displaced or deflected from the
protecting portions 724 of the buckle 720. As a result, the
protecting portions 724 cannot sufficiently cover the belt
remaining portion S. That is, the protecting portions 724 cannot
effectively prevent the fingers h of workers from contacting the
edges of the belt remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers h of
workers cannot be effectively prevented from being irritated or
injured by the edges of the remaining portion S.
[0008] Thus, there is a need in the art for improved cable
ties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a cable
tie may include a belt and a buckle to which a proximal end of the
belt is connected. When the belt wrapped around a clamped article
is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle through an inlet
end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked to the buckle
while the belt is fastened around the clamped article. After the
belt is locked to the buckle, an excess portion of the belt drawn
from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the buckle is cut off
while leaving a remaining portion, so that the clamped article can
be clamped by the cable tie. The buckle has a protecting portion
that is positioned adjacent to the outlet end of the insertion hole
and is configured to cover both sides of the remaining portion of
the belt. The remaining portion of the belt has a substantially
rectangular cut surface. The protecting portion is configured to
cover all of four corners of the substantially rectangular cut
surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
[0010] According to this aspect, unlike the prior art, even if a
tensional force is applied to the belt via the clamped article due
to, for example, a complicated wiring route of the clamped article,
the remaining portion of the belt may be prevented from being
warped. Therefore, a distal end portion of the remaining portion
may be prevented from being displaced or deflected from the
protecting portion. As a result, the protecting portion may
effectively prevent the fingers of workers from directly contacting
edges formed in the cut surface of the remaining portion.
Therefore, the fingers of workers can be effectively prevented from
being irritated or injured by the edges.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the protection
portion is tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle
toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt.
[0012] According to this aspect, the protecting portion of the
buckle can be easily fitted into a slot formed in a tool head of a
specialized tool that is used for treating the excess portion of
the belt.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the protection
portion has arcuate bulged portions formed in a distal end thereof.
The arcuate bulged portions are configured such that in a pressed
condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool
head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of
the belt, only top portions thereof enter a slot formed in the tool
head.
[0014] According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, upper
and lower margins of the central top portions of the arcuate bulged
portions may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of
the slot of the tool head. Therefore, in this condition, a relative
position of the protecting portion to the tool head (the slot) may
be determined in height direction. As a result, in such a
condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with
respect to the tool head due to, for example, a fastening force
that may be applied to the belt via the specialized tool, one of
upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be
effectively prevented from entering the slot of the tool head.
Therefore, even when the specialized tool is operated (even when a
trigger is manipulated) in such a condition in which the protecting
portion is inclined with respect to the tool head, one of the upper
and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented
from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal
cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be
cut off.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a curvature of
the arcuate bulged portions is determined such that even when an
inclination is produced between an axis line of the protecting
portion and a line perpendicular to an opening surface of the slot
of the tool head in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in
order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the arcuate bulged
portions do not interfere with a traveling path of a blade of an
internal cutter of the specialized tool.
[0016] According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, even
when the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool
head of the specialized tool, the arcuate bulged portions may be
prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the
internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt
may be cut off.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the protection
portion has projected portions formed in a distal end thereof. The
projected portions are configured such that in a pressed condition
in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a
specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt,
the projected portions enter a slot formed in the tool head.
[0018] According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, upper
peripheries and lower peripheries of the projected portions may
respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of the slot of the
tool head. Thus, a relative position of the protecting portion to
the tool head may be determined in height direction. In such a
condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with
respect to the tool head due to, for example, a fastening force
that may be applied to the belt via the specialized tool, one of
upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be
prevented from entering the slot of the tool head. As a result,
even when the specialized tool is operated (even when a trigger is
manipulated) in a condition in which the protecting portion is
inclined with respect to the tool head, one of the upper and lower
peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from being
unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal cutter at the
same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
[0019] Additional objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily understood after reading the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and
the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a
first representative embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1, in which a
belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in
which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut
off while leaving a remaining portion;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, which illustrates a
first modified form of the cable tie;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, which illustrates a
second modified form of the cable tie;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, which illustrates a
third modified form of the cable tie;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2, which illustrates a
fourth modified form of the cable tie;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a
second representative embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of FIG. 10;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 10;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 10;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cable tie of which a
belt is wrapped around a wiring harness, which shows a condition
before an excess portion of the belt is cut off using a specialized
tool;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable tie and the
specialized tool, which shows a condition in which the specialized
tool is applied to the cable tie;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the
cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition
in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against
a tool head of the specialized tool;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by
an internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut
by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the
cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition
in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed
against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined
with respect to the tool head;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by
the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 19, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut
by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a partially cross-sectional side view of a cable
tie in a comparative example and the specialized tool, which shows
a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a
buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in
order to cut an excess portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring
harness;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by
the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0043] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut
by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0044] FIG. 25 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the
cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition
in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed
against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined
with respect to the tool head;
[0045] FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by
the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0046] FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 25, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut
by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0047] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a
third representative embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 28;
[0049] FIG. 30 is an elevational view of FIG. 29;
[0050] FIG. 31 is a plan view of FIG. 29;
[0051] FIG. 32 is a side view of FIG. 29;
[0052] FIG. 33 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the
cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition
in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against
the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut an excess
portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring harness;
[0053] FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by
the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0054] FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 33, which shows a
condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut
by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
[0055] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a conventional cable
tie;
[0056] FIG. 37 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 36, in which a
belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in
which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut
off while leaving a remaining portion; and
[0057] FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37, which illustrates
disadvantages of the conventional cable tie.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0058] Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention
are shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 35.
First Embodiment
[0059] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in
FIG. 1, a cable tie 1 (a clamping band) is intended to be used for
clamping or binding a wiring harness W (a clamped article) that is
used for vehicle wiring in order to attach the same to a body panel
of a vehicle (an object member) (not shown).
[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the cable tie 1 may be integrally formed
as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin. The cable
tie 1 may include a desired length of flexible belt 10 (a holding
member), a buckle 20 and an anchor 30 (an engagement leg). The belt
10, the buckle 20 and the anchor 30 will be hereinafter
described.
[0061] First, the belt 10 will be described (FIGS. 1 and 4). The
belt 10 may have a substantially constant width over the entire
length thereof and may be configured to circumferentially hold the
wiring harness W. The belt 10 may have a proximal end 10a that is
integrally connected to the buckle 20 (which will be hereinafter
described). Further, the belt 10 may have a tapered distal end 10b
that may function as a free end.
[0062] The belt 10 may have a plurality of engagement teeth or rack
teeth 10c that are formed in an inner surface thereof. The rack
teeth 10c may preferably be arranged at a constant pitch distance
in a longitudinal direction of the belt 10. The belt 10 may have
such a structure.
[0063] Next, the buckle 20 will be described (FIGS. 2 and 4). The
buckle 20 may have a box-shaped member having an insertion hole 22
that is formed therethrough. The insertion hole 22 may be
configured such that the belt 10 is inserted thereinto. The
insertion hole 22 may have an inlet end 22a and an outlet end 22b
that are communicated with each other. The buckle 20 may have a
protecting portion 24 that is formed therein. The protecting
portion 24 may be positioned adjacent to the outlet end 22b of the
insertion hole 22. Further, the protecting portion 24 may be
configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining
portion S of the belt 10. In particular, the protecting portion 24
may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as
to cover all of four corners S2 of a substantially rectangular cut
surface S1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10. In other
words, the protecting portion 24 may preferably have an inner shape
corresponding to the four corners S2 of the cut surface S1 of the
remaining portion S of the belt 10 in cross section. Further, the
remaining portion S of the belt 10 may be formed when an excess
portion of the belt 10 inserted into and drawn from the insertion
hole 22 of the buckle 20 is cut off, which will be hereinafter
described.
[0064] The protecting portion 24 may preferably be tapered from a
proximal end connected to the buckle 20 toward a distal end in a
width direction of the belt 10 (FIG. 2). Further, the buckle 20 may
have one transverse wall (a lower wall in FIG. 2) to which the
proximal end 10a of the belt 10 is connected. Conversely, the
buckle 20 may have the other transverse wall (an upper wall in FIG.
2) to which the anchor 30 (which will be hereinafter described) is
connected.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the buckle 20 may have an engagement
strip 26 formed in one transverse wall of the buckle 20. The
engagement strip 26 may be positioned in the insertion hole 22 of
the buckle 20. The engagement strip 26 may be configured to be bent
or deformed toward and away from the other transverse wall of the
buckle 20 (i.e., in a vertical direction of the buckle 20) about a
proximal end portion thereof due to elasticity of the synthetic
resin. Further, the engagement strip 26 may have engagement claws
26a that are formed in a distal end portion thereof. The engagement
claws 26a may be arranged and constructed to engage the rack teeth
10c formed in the belt 10 inserted into the insertion hole 22 of
the buckle 20. The buckle 20 may have such a structure.
[0066] Finally, the anchor 30 will be described (FIGS. 2 and 3).
The anchor 30 may be connected to the buckle 20 while a dish-shaped
stabilizer 28 is interleaved therebetween. The anchor 30 may be
configured to be inserted into and connected to an attaching hole
(not shown) that is previously formed in the body panel (not shown)
on a predetermined wiring route of the wiring harness W. In
particular, the anchor 30 may includes a pillar 30a that is
projected from a central portion of the stabilizer 28, and a pair
of flexible strips 30b that are respectively connected to a distal
end of the pillar 30a so as to be projected obliquely downward
(toward the stabilizer 28) and outward therefrom. The anchor 30 may
have such a structure.
[0067] Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring
harness W to the body panel will be described. First, the belt 10
of the cable tie 1 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order
to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, the distal end 10b of
the belt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted
into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 through the inlet end
22a and may then be drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion
hole 22. Subsequently, the distal end 10b of the belt 10 drawn from
the buckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or
fasten the belt 10 around the wiring harness W. Due to the
temporary tightening operation of the belt 10, the belt 10 may be
pulled out of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack
teeth 10c formed therein successively contact the engagement claws
26a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20. Thereafter,
when the belt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition,
the engagement claws 26a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily
selectively engage the rack teeth 10c of the belt 10. Thus, the
belt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as
to be temporarily tightened or fastened around the wiring harness
W.
[0068] Thereafter, the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20
may be processed or treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool
(not shown). In particular, the protecting portion 24 of the buckle
20 may be fitted into a recess or open-sided slot formed in a
mouthpiece or tool head of the specialized tool while the excess
portion of the belt 10 is inserted into the slot. Subsequently, an
operating lever or trigger of the specialized tool may be
manipulated. Upon manipulation of the trigger, the belt 10
temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be
sufficiently tightened or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a
desired fastened condition. When the belt 10 reaches the desired
fastened condition, the engagement claws 26a formed in the
engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 may selectively engage the
engagement teeth 10c of the belt 10. As a result, the belt 10 is
ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be
completely fastened around the wiring harness W.
[0069] After the belt 10 is locked to the buckle 20, the excess
portion of the belt 10 may be automatically cut off while leaving
the remaining portion S. Thus, the wiring harness W can be clamped
by the cable tie 1 (the belt 10 and the buckle 20). Thereafter, the
anchor 30 of the cable tie 1 may be inserted into the attaching
hole formed in the body panel. As a result, the anchor 30 can be
fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 1 can be connected
to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to
the body panel via the cable tie 1.
[0070] The cable tie 1 of the first embodiment of the present
invention may have a structure described above. That is, the buckle
20 may have the protecting portion 24 that is configured to cover
the both sides and the outer surface of the belt remaining portion
S which may be formed when the excess portion of the belt 10 is cut
off. In particular, the protecting portion 24 may have the
substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four
corners S2 of the substantially rectangular cut surface S1 of the
remaining portion S of the belt 10. Therefore, even if a tensional
force is applied to the belt 10 via the wiring harness W due to a
complicated wiring route of the wiring harness W, unlike the prior
art, the remaining portion S of the belt 10 may be prevented from
being warped. Therefore, a distal end portion (the cut surface S1)
of the remaining portion S may be prevented from being displaced or
deflected from the protecting portion 24. That is, the protecting
portion 24 can sufficiently cover the remaining portion S. As a
result, the protecting portion 24 may effectively prevent the
fingers of workers from directly contacting edges formed in the cut
surface S1 of the remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers of
workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or
injured by the edges formed in the cut surface S1 of the remaining
portion S.
[0071] Further, according to the structure, the protecting portion
24 of the buckle 20 may be tapered from the proximal end toward the
distal end in the width direction of the belt 10. Therefore, the
protecting portion 24 can be easily fitted into the slot formed in
the tool head of the specialized tool.
[0072] Modified forms of the representative embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. As shown in FIG. 5, in a
cable tie 101 (a first modified form of the cable tie 1), a
protecting portion 124 may have a semicircular removed portion 112
formed therein. The cable tie 101 thus modified may have additional
effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, in a cable tie 201 (a second modified
form of the cable tie 1), a protecting portion 224 may have a
semi-elliptical removed portion 212 formed therein. Similar to the
first modified form, the cable tie 201 thus modified may have
additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material
costs.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, in a cable tie 301 (a third modified
form of the cable tie 1), a protecting portion 324 may have a
semi-oval removed portion 312 formed therein. Similar to the first
modified form, the cable tie 301 thus modified may have additional
effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, in a cable tie 401 (a fourth modified
form of the cable tie 1), a protecting portion 424 may be
configured so as to completely surround the outlet end 22b of the
insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20. That is, the protecting portion
424 may have a tubular shape. According to the cable tie 401 thus
modified, a protecting portion 424 may function to cover the inner
surface of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 as well as the
both sides and the outer surface thereof. Further, in the cable tie
401 thus constructed, the protecting portion 424 may not be tapered
from its proximal end toward its distal end in the width direction
of the belt 10. Therefore, the belt 10 of the cable tie 401 may be
treated (tightened and cut off) using a different type of
specialized tool of which a tool head is modified.
Second Embodiment
[0076] A second detailed representative embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 27. Further, because the
second embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the
constructions and elements that are different from the first
embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same
in the first and second embodiments will be identified by the same
reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may
be omitted.
[0077] Similar to the cable tie 1 of the first embodiment, a cable
tie 501 of the second embodiment may be integrally formed as a unit
by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin. The cable tie 501
may include the flexible belt 10, the buckle 20 and the engagement
leg or anchor 30 (FIGS. 9-13).
[0078] The buckle 20 may have a tubular member having the insertion
hole 22 that is formed therethrough. In particular, the buckle 20
may have (right and left) side walls 20a and 20b, an upper wall 20c
bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the side walls 20a and
20b, and a lower wall 20d bridging or connecting lower peripheries
of the side walls 20a and 20b.
[0079] Similar to the first embodiment, the buckle 20 may have a
protecting portion 524 that is formed therein. The protecting
portion 524 may be positioned adjacent to the outlet end 22b of the
insertion hole 22. Further, the protecting portion 524 may be
configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining
portion S of the belt 10. In particular, the protecting portion 524
may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as
to cover all of four corners S2 of a substantially rectangular cut
surface S1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10. That is, the
protecting portion 524 may have (right and left) side walls 524a
and 524b each having a substantially L-shape in cross section, and
an upper wall 524c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the
side walls 524a and 524b. Further, the remaining portion S may be
formed when an excess portion of the belt 10 inserted into and
drawn from the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 is cut off, which
will be hereinafter described.
[0080] As will be apparent from FIG. 11, the side walls 524a and
524b of the protecting portion 524 may respectively be configured
to be thinner than the side walls 20a and 20b of the buckle 20.
Further, the upper wall 524c of the protecting portion 524 may
preferably be configured so as to be flush with the upper wall 20c
of the buckle 20.
[0081] As best shown in FIG. 13, forward or distal end surfaces of
the side walls 524a and 524b of the protecting portion 524 may
respectively be bulged in an arcuate or circular arc shape. In
other words, the side walls 524a and 524b of the protecting portion
524 may respectively have curved or arcuate bulged portions 540 and
542 formed in the forward or distal end surfaces thereof. Further,
the bulged portions 540 and 542 may respectively be specially
shaped (which will be hereinafter described).
[0082] Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring
harness W to the body panel using the cable tie 501 will be
described. First, similar to the first embodiment, the belt 10 of
the cable tie 501 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order
to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, the distal end 10b of
the belt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted
into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 through the inlet end
22a and may then be drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion
hole 22. Subsequently, the distal end 10b of the belt 10 drawn from
the buckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or
fasten (lock) the belt 10 (FIG. 14). Due to the temporary
tightening operation of the belt 10, the belt 10 may be pulled out
of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack teeth 10c
of the belt 10 successively contact the engagement claws 26a formed
in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20. Thereafter, when the
belt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, the
engagement claws 26a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily
selectively engage the rack teeth 10c of the belt 10. Thus, the
belt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as
to be temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W (FIG.
14).
[0083] Thereafter, the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20
may be treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool 50 (FIG. 15). In
particular, the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be
pressed against a mouthpiece or tool head 52 of the specialized
tool 50 while the excess portion (a substantial portion containing
the distal end 10b) of the belt 10 is inserted into a recess or
open-sided slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of the specialized
tool. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the arcuate bulged portions
540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20
may respectively be pressed against the slot 54 formed in the tool
head 52 of the specialized tool 50. However, as previously
described, the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may respectively
be specially shaped. In particular, the arcuate bulged portions 540
and 542 may preferably be arranged and constructed such that in a
pressed condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle
20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50
in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10, only top
portions 540a and 542a thereof may enter the slot 54 of the tool
head 52. Therefore, at this time, only the top portions 540a and
542a of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may enter the slot
54 of the tool head 52.
[0084] As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, upper and lower margins of
the top portions 540a and 542a of the arcuate bulged portions 540
and 542 may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries 54a
and 54b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52. Thus, in the pressed
condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is
pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, a
relative position of the protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52
(the slot 54) may be determined in height direction.
[0085] Subsequently, the specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e.,
an operating lever or trigger 50a of the specialized tool 50 may be
manipulated). Upon manipulation of the trigger 50a, the belt 10
temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be
sufficiently tightened or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a
desired fastened condition. When the belt 10 reaches the desired
fastened condition, the engagement claws 26a formed in the
engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 may selectively engage the
engagement teeth 10c of the belt 10. As a result, the belt 10 is
ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be
completely fastened around the wiring harness W.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 17, after the belt 10 is locked to the
buckle 20, an internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 may be
projected into the slot 54 of the tool head 52, so that a blade 56a
of the internal cutter 56 may move along its traveling path L3. As
a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the excess portion of the belt 10
drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion hole 22 of the
buckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S.
[0087] Further, as will be apparent from FIGS. 17 and 18, upon
completion of a cutting operation of the belt 10, the desired
fastened condition of the belt 10 may be slightly released or
loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut
surface S1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of the belt 10
may substantially be pulled back inside the protecting portion 524.
As a result, the cut surface S1 may be prevented from projecting
from the protecting portion 524 (the arcuate bulged portions 540
and 542).
[0088] Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the wiring harness W
can be clamped by the cable tie 501 (the belt 10 and the buckle
20). Thereafter, the anchor 30 of the cable tie 501 may be inserted
into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, the
anchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 501
can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can
be attached to the body panel via the cable tie 501.
[0089] Further, a curvature (degree of curve) of the arcuate bulged
portions 540 and 542 may preferably be configured such that in the
pressed condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle
20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50
in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10, the arcuate
bulged portions 540 and 542 may not interfere with the traveling
path L3 of the blade 56a of the internal cutter 56 of the
specialized tool 50 (FIG. 18). In addition, the curvature of the
arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may be determined such that
even when a substantial inclination .theta. is produced between an
axis line L1 of the protecting portion 524 and a line L2
perpendicular to an opening surface 54c of the slot 54 of the tool
head 52 in such a pressed condition, the arcuate bulged portions
540 and 542 may not interfere with the traveling path L3 of the
blade 56a of the internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50
(FIG. 21). As will be recognized, the inclination .theta. may
sometimes be produced due to, for example, a fastening force that
may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50.
[0090] In particular, as shown in FIG. 16, the arcuate bulged
portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the
buckle 20 may be configured such that the curvature thereof is
smaller than a curvature of a circle P passing through the upper
and lower peripheries 54a and 54b of the slot 54 of the tool head
52 and contacting the traveling path L3. Therefore, in the pressed
condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is
pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the
arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 (the top portions 540a and
542a) may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head
52 beyond the traveling path L3 of the blade 56a of the internal
cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 (FIGS. 16 to 18). Further,
even when the substantial inclination .theta. is produced between
the axis line L1 of the protecting portion 524 and the line L2
perpendicular to the opening surface 54c of the slot 54 of the tool
head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion
524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the
specialized tool 50, the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 (the
top portions 540a and 542a) may be prevented from entering the slot
54 of the tool head 52 beyond the traveling path L3 of the blade
56a of the internal cutter 56 (FIGS. 19 to 21).
[0091] As described above, in the pressed condition in which the
protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool
head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the relative position of the
protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be
determined in height direction while the top portions 540a and 542a
of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 enter the slot 54 of the
tool head 52. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, even when the
protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52
in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may
be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50, one of upper
and lower peripheries 524d of the protecting portion 524 may be
prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52. As a
result, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, even when the specialized tool
50 is operated (even when the trigger 50a is manipulated) in a
condition in which the protecting portion 524 is inclined with
respect to the tool head 52, one of the upper and lower peripheries
524d of the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be
prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the
internal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of the
belt 10 may be cut off.
[0092] To the contrary, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, in a cable tie
401' (a comparative example) in which forward or distal end
surfaces of side walls of a protecting portion 424' of the buckle
20 are respectively flattened (i.e., in which the side walls of the
protecting portion 424' are not respectively bulged in the forward
or distal end surfaces thereof), similar to the cable tie 501 of
the second embodiment, the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle
20 may be treated using the specialized tool 50. In particular, the
protecting portion 424' of the buckle 20 may be pressed against the
tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 while the excess portion of
the belt 10 drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion hole 22
is inserted into the slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of the
specialized tool 50. Subsequently, the specialized tool 50 may be
operated (i.e., the trigger 50a may be manipulated). As a result,
the belt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20. After
the belt 10 is locked to the buckle 20, the internal cutter 56 of
the specialized tool 50 may be projected into the slot 54 of the
tool head 52, so that the blade 56a of the internal cutter 56 may
move along the traveling path L3. Thus, the excess portion of the
belt 10 drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion hole 22 of
the buckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S
(FIG. 24).
[0093] However, in the cable tie 401', in a pressed condition in
which the protecting portion 424' of the buckle 20 is pressed
against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, a relative
position of the protecting portion 424' to the tool head 52 (the
slot 54) cannot be determined in height direction because unlike
the cable tie 501 of the second embodiment, the distal end surfaces
of side walls of the protecting portion 424' are respectively
flattened and not bulged.
[0094] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, in the pressed condition in
which the protecting portion 424' of the buckle 20 is pressed
against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, when the
protecting portion 424' of the buckle 20 is inclined with respect
to the tool head 52 due to, for example, the fastening force that
may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50, one of
upper and lower peripheries 424a' of the protecting portion 424'
may enter the slot 54 of the tool head 52 to interfere with the
traveling path L3 of the blade 56a of the internal cutter 56 of the
specialized tool 50. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, when
the specialized tool 50 is operated in a condition in which the
protecting portion 424' is inclined with respect to the tool head
52, one of the upper and lower peripheries 424a' of the protecting
portion 424' may be partially cut or removed by the internal cutter
56 to form cut pieces C at the same time as the excess portion of
the belt 10 may be cut off.
[0095] The cable tie 501 of the second embodiment may have a
structure described above. That is, the side walls 524a and 524b of
the protecting portion 524 may respectively have the curved or
arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the distal end
surfaces thereof. The arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may
preferably be arranged and constructed such that in the pressed
condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is
pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in
order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10, only the top
portions 540a and 542a thereof may enter the slot 54 of the tool
head 52.
[0096] As a result, in the pressed condition in which the
protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool
head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the upper and lower margins of
the top portions 540a and 542a of the arcuate bulged portions 540
and 542 may respectively contact the upper and lower peripheries
54a and 54b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52. Therefore, in this
condition, the relative position of the protecting portion 524 to
the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height
direction.
[0097] Thus, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of
the specialized tool 50, the relative position of the protecting
portion 524 to the tool head 52 may be determined. Therefore, even
when the protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the
tool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening
force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool
50, one of the upper and lower peripheries 524d of the protecting
portion 524 may be effectively prevented from entering the slot 54
of the tool head 52. As a result, even when the specialized tool 50
is operated (even when the trigger 50a is manipulated) in a
condition in which the protecting portion 524 is inclined with
respect to the tool head 52, one of the upper and lower peripheries
524d of the protecting portion 524 may be prevented from being
unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at
the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut
off.
[0098] Further, in the cable tie 501, the curvature of the arcuate
bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of
the buckle 20 may be determined such that even when the axis line
L1 of the protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the
line L2 perpendicular to the opening surface 54c of the slot 54 of
the tool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of
the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the
belt 10, the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may not interfere
with the traveling path L3 of the blade 56a of the internal cutter
56.
[0099] Therefore, even when the protecting portion 524 is inclined
with respect to the tool head 52 in the pressed condition in which
the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the
tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the arcuate bulged
portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the
buckle 20 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or
removed by the internal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess
portion of the belt 10 may be cut off.
Third Embodiment
[0100] A third detailed representative embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 35. Further, because the
third embodiment relates to the second embodiment, only the
constructions and elements that are different from the second
embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same
in the second and third embodiments will be identified by the same
reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may
be omitted.
[0101] Similar to the cable tie 501 of the second embodiment, a
cable tie 601 may be integrally formed as a unit by integral
molding of a rigid synthetic resin. The cable tie 601 may include
the flexible belt 10, the buckle 20 and the engagement leg or
anchor 30 (FIGS. 28-32).
[0102] Similar to the second embodiment, the buckle 20 may have a
protecting portion 624 that is formed therein. The protecting
portion 624 may have (right and left) side walls 624a and 624b each
having a substantially L-shape in cross section, and an upper wall
624c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the side walls
624a and 624b.
[0103] As best shown in FIG. 32, forward or distal end surfaces of
the side walls 624a and 624b of the protecting portion 624 may
respectively be partially protruded. In other words, the protecting
portion 624 may have rounded projected portions 640 and 642 that
are respectively formed in the forward or distal end surfaces of
the side walls 624a and 624b thereof.
[0104] Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring
harness W to the body panel using the cable tie 601 will be
described. First, similar to the second embodiment, the belt 10 of
the cable tie 601 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order
to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, the distal end 10b of
the belt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted
into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 through the inlet end
22a and may then be drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion
hole 22. Subsequently, the distal end 10b of the belt 10 drawn from
the buckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or
fasten (lock) the belt 10. Due to the temporary tightening
operation of the belt 10, the belt 10 may be pulled out of the
insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack teeth 10c of the
belt 10 successively contact the engagement claws 26a formed in the
engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20. Thereafter, when the belt 10
reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, the engagement
claws 26a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively
engage the rack teeth 10c of the belt 10. Thus, the belt 10 can be
temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be
temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W.
[0105] Thereafter, the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20
may be treated using the specialized tool 50. In particular, the
protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 may be pressed against the
tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 while the excess portion (a
substantial portion containing the distal end 10b) of the belt 10
is inserted into a recess or slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of
the specialized tool 50. As a result, as shown in FIG. 33, the
rounded projected portions 640 and 642 formed in the protecting
portion 624 of the buckle 20 may respectively be pressed against
the slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50.
However, the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may
respectively be specially shaped. In particular, the rounded
projected portions 640 and 642 may preferably be arranged and
constructed so as to enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head
52 when the protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 is pressed
against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut
the excess portion of the belt 10. Therefore, at this time, the
rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may enter or fit into the
slot 54 of the tool head 52 (FIG. 33).
[0106] As a result, as shown in FIG. 33, upper and lower
peripheries 640a and 642a of the rounded projected portions 640 and
642 may respectively contact the upper and lower peripheries 54a
and 54b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52. Thus, in a pressed
condition in which the protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 is
pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, a
relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52
(the slot 54) may be determined in height direction.
[0107] Subsequently, the specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e.,
the trigger 50a of the specialized tool 50 may be manipulated).
Upon manipulation of the trigger 50a, the belt 10 temporarily
fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened
or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition.
When the belt 10 reaches the desired fastened condition, the
engagement claws 26a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the
buckle 20 may selectively engage the engagement teeth 10c of the
belt 10. As a result, the belt 10 is ultimately locked or secured
to the buckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring
harness W.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 34, after the belt 10 is locked to the
buckle 20, the internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 may be
projected into the slot 54 of the tool head 52, so that the blade
56a of the internal cutter 56 may move along the traveling path L3.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 35, the excess portion of the belt 10
drawn from the outlet end 22b of the insertion hole 22 of the
buckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S.
[0109] Further, as will be apparent from FIGS. 34 and 35, upon
completion of a cutting operation of the belt 10, the desired
fastened condition of the belt 10 may be slightly released or
loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut
surface S1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of the belt 10
may substantially be pulled back inside the protecting portion 624.
As a result, the cut surface S1 may be prevented from projecting
from the protecting portion 624 (the rounded projected portions 640
and 642).
[0110] Thus, similar to the second embodiment, the wiring harness W
can be clamped by the cable tie 601 (the belt 10 and the buckle
20). Thereafter, the anchor 30 of the cable tie 601 may be inserted
into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, the
anchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 601
can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can
be attached to the body panel via the cable tie 601.
[0111] Further, as shown in FIG. 33, the rounded projected portions
640 and 642 formed in the protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20
may be configured so as to not interfere with the traveling path L3
of the blade 56a of the internal cutter 56 when the rounded
projected portions 640 and 642 are fitted into the slot 54 of the
tool head 52. Further, the rounded projected portions 640 and 642
may respectively be arranged and constructed so as to not interfere
with the traveling path L3 of the blade 56a of the internal cutter
56 even when the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 are fitted
into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 while the protecting portion
624 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52.
[0112] As described above, in the pressed condition in which the
protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 are pressed against the
tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the relative position of
the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be
determined in height direction while the rounded projected portions
640 and 642 are introduced into the slot 54 of the tool head 52.
Therefore, even when the protecting portion 624 is inclined with
respect to the tool head 52 in this condition due to, for example,
the fastening force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the
specialized tool 50, one of upper and lower peripheries 624d of the
protecting portion 624 may be prevented from entering the slot 54
of the tool head 52. As a result, even when the specialized tool 50
is operated (even when the trigger 50a is manipulated) in a
condition in which the protecting portion 624 is inclined with
respect to the tool head 52, one of the upper and lower peripheries
624d of the protecting portion 624 may be prevented from being
unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at
the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut
off.
[0113] The cable tie 601 of the third embodiment may have a
structure described above. That is, the rounded projected portions
640 and 642 may respectively be formed in the distal end surfaces
of the side walls 624a and 624b of the protecting portion 624. The
rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may preferably be arranged
and constructed so as to enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool
head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion
624 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the
specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt
10.
[0114] Therefore, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 624 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of
the specialized tool 50, the rounded projected portions 640 and 642
may enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head 52, so that the
upper and lower peripheries 640a and 642a of the rounded projected
portions 640 and 642 may respectively contact the upper and lower
peripheries 54a and 54b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52. Thus,
the relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool
head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction.
[0115] As described above, in the pressed condition in which the
protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool
head 52 of the specialized tool 50, the relative position of the
protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be
determined in height direction. Therefore, in such a pressed
condition, even when the protecting portion 624 is inclined with
respect to the tool head 52 due to, for example, the fastening
force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool
50, one of upper and lower peripheries 624d of the protecting
portion 624 may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool
head 52. As a result, even when the specialized tool 50 is operated
(even when the trigger 50a is manipulated) in the condition in
which the protecting portion 624 is inclined with respect to the
tool head 52, one of the upper and lower peripheries 624d of the
protecting portion 624 may be prevented from being unexpectedly
partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at the same time
as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut off. That is, this
embodiment may have the same effect as the second embodiment.
[0116] Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to
the present invention without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, in the embodiments, the wiring harness W is
exemplified as the clamped article. However, the clamped article
may be a single cable or other such cable-like members.
[0117] Further, in the second embodiment, the side walls 524a and
524b of the protecting portion 524 are respectively configured to
be thinner than the side walls 20a and 20b of the buckle 20. In
addition, the upper wall 524c of the protecting portion 524 is
configured so as to be flush with the upper wall 20c of the buckle
20 (FIG. 11). However, each of the side walls 524a and 524b of the
protecting portion 524 may be configured so as to be flush with
each of the side walls 20a and 20b of the buckle 20. In addition,
the upper wall 524c of the protecting portion 524 may be configured
to be thinner than the upper wall 20c of the buckle 20. That is,
the side walls 524a and 524b and/or the upper wall 524c of the
protecting portion 524 may respectively be configured to be thinner
than the side walls 20a and 20b and/or the upper wall 20c of the
buckle 20. The same is true on the first and third embodiments.
[0118] Representative examples of the present invention have been
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This
detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill
in the all further details for practicing preferred aspects of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed
invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed
in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to
practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead
taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative
examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in
this specification may be combined in ways that are not
specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful
embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *