Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Bale and package ties – hose clamps – Plastic band
Patent
1997-03-03
1998-09-01
Reese, Randolph A.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Bale and package ties, hose clamps
Plastic band
24 17AP, 24 305R, 24 16R, B65D 6310, A01G 1708
Patent
active
057993769
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tie strips, for example cable ties.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND
Tie strips are used to secure items together in a relatively quick and easy manner. For example, tie strips can be used to bundle cables together laterally, or to secure a tree to a stake.
One conventional tie strip is generally in the form of a length of flexible material having an apertured head portion, at one end, and a tail portion which can be passed through the aperture of the head portion and has a series of laterally projecting latch portions for preventing withdrawal from the said aperture. In use, the tie strip is placed around the items to be secured and the tail portion is inserted into the aperture of the head portion. The tail portion is then pulled through the head portion to tighten the tie strip around the enclosed items. The latch portion(s) cooperate with the head portion in the manner of a ratchet, permitting such tightening of the strip, in the form of a closed loop, and preventing it from becoming loose thereafter.
One disadvantage of such a tie strip is that the part of the tail that has been pulled through the head is wasted material.
An alternative form of tie strip is known from DE 25 24 013. This tie strip comprises a series of unit cell portions, each including a relatively small rectangular aperture and one or more latch members. In order to form a closed loop, the unit cell portion at a first end of the tie strip is introduced to the aperture of a predetermined unit cell, and the first end of the strip pulled tightly so that the tie strip with its latch members passes in a ratchet-like manner through the aperture. This form of tie strip avoids the waste inherent in the previously-discussed tie strip, but still presents disadvantages because a relatively large tension is required to force the unit cell portions of the tie strip through the aperture of the predetermined unit cell, which is of rectangular shape with a constant spatial area. Furthermore, the first end of the tie strip must be twisted through 90.degree. in order to pass through the aperture, and must then be twisted back in order to lock the tie strip around the cables to be tied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an integrally formed tie strip, made of a semi-rigid resiliently bendable material, comprising a series of unit cell portions connected one to the next along the strip, each of the said unit cell portions being formed to define at least one latch member projecting laterally of the strip's longitudinal axis, and to define an aperture through the strip, characterised in that the aperture of each unit cell portion is bounded on at least one side by a spring portion formed by parts of the strip that extend transversely with respect to the said longitudinal axis, the spring portion being resiliently deformable so as to enable the shape of the aperture to be changed, wherein a first unit cell portion of the strip can be passed through the aperture of a second unit cell portion of the strip so as to form a closed loop by way of the spring portion of the first and/or the second unit cell portion being deformed such that the shape of the aperture of the first and/or the second unit cell portion is respectively changed to a non-affine shape upon relative passage of the unit cell portions, and wherein the spring portion of the first and/or the second unit cell portion relaxes after said passage so that the at least one latch member of the said first unit cell portion inhibits withdrawal thereof from the aperture of the said second unit cell portion.
Because each unit cell portion has an aperture of variable area and shape, which area and shape may easily be changed by deforming the spring portion, relatively little force is required when pulling a first end of the tie strip through the aperture of a predetermined unit cell portion. In addition, it is not necessary to twist the first end of the tie strip in order to effect passage throu
REFERENCES:
patent: 3438095 (1969-04-01), Evans
patent: 3913178 (1975-10-01), Ballin
patent: 4150463 (1979-04-01), Brown
patent: 4377872 (1983-03-01), Daniell, Jr.
patent: 4466159 (1984-08-01), Burrage
Reese Randolph A.
Sandy Robert J.
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