Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Bale and package ties – hose clamps – Plastic band
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-05
2001-05-08
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Bale and package ties, hose clamps
Plastic band
C024S0170AP, C024S03050P, C024S456000, C024S704100, C070S057100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226839
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to flexible tie apparatus that enclose objects, and in particular to a system that allows attachment of “Electronic Article Surveillance” members to articles of varying sizes, shapes, and materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flexible tie apparatus are known in the prior art and are widely used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,133 to Wasserlein, Jr. discloses a metallic bundle tie device to primarily enclose electrical wires, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,561 to Lichtenberg discloses an irreversible tie strap. Neither Wasserlein nor Lichtenberg accommodate the attachment of an electronic surveillance sensor; furthermore, neither assembly allows reuse of the tie apparatus, thereby contributing to the increase in the cost of manufacturing and using the products. In addition, both inventions only allow insertion of the strap portion into the clasping member through a slit whereby the strap is pulled through until a desired length is achieved. Thus, if a long strap member engages a small article, the user would need to pull a vast amount of the strap through the clasping means thereby exacerbating temporal efficiency.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,853 to Klein and U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,123 to Davignon et al. disclose a somewhat similar flexible tie apparatus with clasping members attached thereto. Neither invention accommodates the attachment of an electronic surveillance sensor, nor do they allow a mechanism for attaching the strap in a locked manner to prevent removal thereof by unauthorized persons. Furthermore, both inventions lack a reinforcing means and are therefore easily removable. In addition, both inventions only allow insertion of the strap portion into the clasping member through an annular opening which also exacerbates temporal efficiency when a small object is to be enclosed by a long strap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,172 to Lamy et al. discloses a flexible tie apparatus which has a hanger attached thereto. Embedded within the hanger is a tuned antenna that serves as the electronic surveillance sensor. A strap portion extends from the hanger and is adapted to only receive and bind to eyewear. Lamy is limited in the shape and size of the object that it can attach to thus limiting its function and use. In addition, Lamy only allows insertion of the strap portion into the clasping member through an annular opening thereby making the use of the invention time consuming. Furthermore, because the sensor is built into the tie apparatus, the invention becomes more expensive and difficult to produce.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,463 to Schenkel et al. discloses a flexible tie apparatus to be used with electronic surveillance sensors. However, the strap portion of Schenkel's device is not reinforced and can easily be cut and removed. Furthermore, the strap portion is not maintained within the channel portion where engagement occurs, thereby making insertion of the sensor mechanism cumbersome. In addition, the point of engagement between the channel portion and the strap portion is flimsy and can easily be damaged thus making replacement thereof a costly necessity.
The aforementioned flexible tie devices do not function adequately, are cumbersome to use, are not sturdy, and a few cannot be reused. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art beyond the existing flexible tie devices that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, sturdy, and efficient in its construction and use, and can quickly be installed and removed from an object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a flexible securing means constructed from a variety of thermoplastics, suitable metals, and any other suitable flexible material. The securing means has an elongated strap portion and a buckle like attaching portion. The elongated portion has a plurality of teeth like hitching means that removably bind with a latching means located within the attaching portion. The hitching means are preferably laterally located on the elongated portion, and the latching means are preferably located on a side wall of the attaching portion. The attaching portion has a bottom, a pair of side walls extending therefrom, and a pair of tops attached to said side walls at a point distal to said bottom.
The bottom, side walls, and tops forming a pair of parallel tracks that are of sufficient size to accommodate the elongated portion. The elongated portion can either be inserted through the opening formed between said tops, or pulled through the tracks in a horizontal plane. The hitching means and latching means are oriented such that the movement of the elongated portion is unidirectional in the horizontal plane, but the elongated portion can be removed or inserted through the opening in a vertical fashion.
The bottom also has a hole that is adapted to align axially with a specific aperture selected from a plurality of apertures on the elongated portion. After the elongated portion is inserted into the attaching portion, the elongated portion forms a closed loop that can enclose objects of varying size, shape, or material. The hitching means and the latching means engage one another and prevent the object from being released. A pin having a head as a stopper portion can be inserted through the hole and aperture and engage an electronic surveillance sensor on the other side, whereby the attaching portion and elongated portion are enclosed between the head and the sensor. In addition, reinforcing fibers are placed within or upon the securing means to prevent cutting thereof. The sensor, having an antenna therein, communicates with an alarm unit to warn of removal of an enclosed object from a predetermined region. The sensor also being only removable by a special tool maintained by authorized personnel.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved flexible securing means that can be used to fasten objects together, bundle objects, and perform a multiplicity of fastening operations.
It is another object of the invention to provide a securing means that can be made of one piece and is simple to construct.
It is another object of the invention to provide a securing means that can be attached and removed quickly and with ease.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a securing means that is durable and sturdy.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a securing means that is reinforced to prevent cutting thereof.
It is another object of the invention to provide a securing means that can communicate with other securing means of the same to enclose objects with sizes on the large order.
It is another object of the invention to provide a securing means that can be made of any flexible material such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics and metals.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a securing means that can receive an electronic surveillance sensor to monitor attempted thefts of articles attached to the securing means.
Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting this invention. Other objects and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention and the claims that follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3059359 (1962-10-01), Goldammer et al.
patent: 3837047 (1974-09-01), Bunnell
patent: 3860997 (1975-01-01), Van Riper, Jr. et al.
patent: 3964133 (1976-06-01), Wasserlein, Jr.
patent: 4676535 (1987-06-01), Mautner
patent: 4862561 (1989-09-01), Lichtenberg
patent: 5408212 (1995-04-01), Meyers et al.
patent: 5437172 (1995-08-01), Lamy et al.
patent: 5457853 (1995-10-01), Klein
patent: 5524463 (1996-06-01), Schenkel et al
patent: 5687455 (1997-11-01), Alexander
patent: 5722123 (1998-03-01), Davignon et al.
patent: 2246878 (1972-09-01), None
patent: 1212605 (1960-03-01), None
patent: 2274518 (1976-02-01), None
patent: 1348332 (1974-03-01), None
Keshishzadeh, Esq. Milord
Milord & Associates
Sakran Victor N.
LandOfFree
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