Cable clamp

Details Cable clamp Cable clamp

2000-04-13

2001-11-06

Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Pipe or cable

Brackets

C024S0160PB, C248S074200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06311935

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cable clamp, and, more particularly to a self-locking cable clamp having a living hinge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cable clamps of various types exist today. Generally, a cable clamp has a loop to hold cable therein and a hole which is sized and shaped to receive a fastener, such as a screw, to mount the cable clamp onto a support surface. A cable clamp is usually made from a resilient material, such as plastic, so that it retains some flexibility and has good durability.
Some existing cable clamps, for example the clamp disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,004 to Goldman, employ a self-locking mechanism to keep the loop in the clamp closed. However, clamps of this type have the disadvantage that when the clamp is mounted onto a support surface, the lateral forces created by the tightening of the fastener can cause the locking mechanism to open, thereby releasing the clamp from the cable when the fastener is removed. There is therefore a need for a cable clamp that is not susceptible to such lateral forces, and which will remain locked while being mounted onto a support surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems and disadvantages associated with conventional apparatus for clamping objects are overcome by the present invention which includes a clamp for holding elongated objects proximate to a mounting surface. The clamp has a trough for receiving the object to be held and a pair of substantially flat tabs extending from opposite sides of the trough proximate to an upper end of each side thereof. At least one of the pair of tabs are bendable to bridge over the trough and underlay the other of the pair of tabs in substantially parallel relationship thereto, closing the trough. Tab alignment structures are provided for establishing and maintaining the position of the one tab relative to the other when the one tab underlays the other.


REFERENCES:
patent: 682847 (1901-09-01), Forsyth
patent: 2310622 (1943-02-01), Ellinwood
patent: 3144695 (1964-08-01), Budwig
patent: 3376004 (1968-04-01), Goldman
patent: 3719971 (1973-03-01), Lodi
patent: 4264047 (1981-04-01), Nelson
patent: 4478381 (1984-10-01), Pittion et al.
patent: 4775121 (1988-10-01), Carty
patent: 5113717 (1992-05-01), Plamper
patent: 5390876 (1995-02-01), Hatano et al.
patent: 5494245 (1996-02-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5653411 (1997-08-01), Picco et al.
patent: 5820048 (1998-10-01), Shereyk et al.
patent: 5906342 (1999-05-01), Kraus
patent: 6142429 (2000-11-01), Ahroni
patent: 6164604 (2000-12-01), Cirino et al.

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