Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Bale and package ties – hose clamps – Plastic band
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-05-15
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Bale and package ties, hose clamps
Plastic band
C024S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230369
ABSTRACT:
Tie arrangements which can be formed into a loop of a required size are used in a wide range of applications. Such applications can be used for mounting cables or hoses on fittings, or tying together a number of wires or cables etc. Conventional arrangements tend to exhibit a number of disadvantages. One of these is that the free end tends to extend at right angles to the fixed end from the locking block and thus making it untidy, and if the free end is cut this tends to provide an upstanding and sharp projection. Conventional ties often cannot be joined together if a larger tie is required, and if this is possible do not tie together neatly in a parallel arrangement. Many types of ties cannot be re-used.
According to the present invention there is provided a tie arrangement, the arrangement comprising a housing with a through passage extending from a first end to a second end, and decreasing in size towards the second end; an elongate member extending from the first end, the free end of the elongate member being extendable through the passage from the second end such that the elongate member defines a loop of a required size; and a locking member within an engagement part locatable in the passage, the locking member being arranged such that if the elongate member is pulled from the second end this causes the engagement part to move with the elongate member towards the second end which causes clamping of the elongate member between the engagement part and the passage walls by virtue of the decreasing size of the passage, thereby preventing further movement in said direction.
The parts of the engagement part and/or the elongate member which engage during clamping, may have roughened surfaces.
The arrangement is preferably such that when the elongate member is clamped, if the free end thereof is pulled from the first end of the housing this releases the clamping by virtue of movement of the engagement part towards the first end, and thereby permits the loop to be decreased in size.
The locking member preferably comprises a flexible member which extends from the first end of the housing, and which member mounts the engagement part.
The flexible member preferably extends beyond the engagement part to provide a retaining part which is arranged such that when beyond the second end of the housing the retaining part cannot be pulled therethrough at least when in a relaxed condition.
The retaining part is preferably arranged such that when beyond the second end, the retaining part can be pushed towards the second end to release any clamping of the elongate member, and permit the elongate member to be moved through the housing in either direction.
The retaining part is preferably arranged to pass through the second end of the housing when pushed from the first end.
The retaining part is preferably resilient and arranged such that when compressed it can pass through the second end of the housing in either direction, and may be arranged so as to automatically be compressed when pushed towards the second end from the first end.
The retaining part may comprise a resilient part which is inclined through greater than 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the flexible member so as to point back towards the second end of the housing when the flexible member extends through and beyond the housing.
The engagement part preferably comprises a member which extends laterally from the flexible member. The engagement member preferably decreases in size towards one end thereof, which end when the locking member is located in the housing from the first end thereof, points towards the second end thereof.
The housing and/or the engagement member preferably only decrease in size in one direction and preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage.
The housing and/or engagement member preferably have a wedge shape cross-section, and the inclination of the wedge shape of the housing and engagement member is preferably substantially identical.
The elongate member is preferably substantially planar, and preferably the housing and/or engagement member decrease in size in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the elongate member.
The locking member is preferably integrally formed.
The arrangement may be integrally formed. The arrangement may be made of plastics material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 134052 (1872-12-01), Gurley
patent: 3149808 (1964-09-01), Weckesser
patent: 3197829 (1965-08-01), Caveney et al.
patent: 3258819 (1966-07-01), Weckesser
patent: 3300825 (1967-01-01), Andreasen
patent: 3494002 (1970-02-01), Kabel
patent: 3900922 (1975-08-01), McCormick
patent: 3909884 (1975-10-01), Weckesser
patent: 4128220 (1978-12-01), McNeel
patent: 4399593 (1983-08-01), De Bradandere et al.
patent: 1217470 (1970-12-01), None
patent: 1257204 (1971-12-01), None
Brittain James R.
Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke Co. L.P.A.
LandOfFree
Tie arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tie arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tie arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2517070