EP3774190A1

EP3774190A1 - Cable ties collecting device

Info

Publication number: EP3774190A1
Application number: EP19724926.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilio PELLICIOLI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-13
Filing date: 2019-04-12
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Also published as: IT201800004463A1; WO2019198045A1; CN112262021A

Abstract

A collecting device (10, 10') of cable ties (F), suitable for neatly keeping a plurality of said ties (F) and making them available for picking them for use comprises at least one elongated collecting element (11), one side (12) of which is provided with an indentation (13) adapted to interact with the head element (T) of a cable tie (F) and a head end (14) of the elongated collecting element (11) is sized to enter the passage opening (A) of a head element (T) of a cable tie (F), so that a plurality of cable ties (F) can be associated with the elongated collecting element (11) appropriately oriented according to the same direction so that it is allowed to slide towards a tail end (15) of the elongated collecting element (11) but not towards said head end (14). In this way the ties remain neat and immediately available to be picked already all oriented in the same direction.

Description

CABLE TIES COLLECTING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention is part of the technical field of work equipment, and in particular relates to an accessory useful for collecting cable ties by keeping them neatly and making them one at a time available for picking them for use. BACKGROUND ART

[002] The cable tie, also known as a clamp or wire tie, is a useful component for fixing or fastening cables, pipes or other objects to each other or to near surfaces.

[003] A tie is commonly constituted by a flexible and inextensible elongated element which carries a rack on one side and at one end is equipped with a ratchet system: once the other end has been inserted inside the ratchet and slid until it engages in the rack, there cannot be a release thereof anymore, but only a further clamping.

[004] The most common type is that consisting of a strip of nylon or other plastic material 10 to 50 cm long, a few millimetres wide, notched on one side. On one end a rectangle containing a tooth, in which the other end is inserted, acts as a block, allowing only the tightening movement. The cable tie of this type is disposable since the block is not reversible and to be opened it must be cut.

[005] The extremely economical and functional disposable cable ties are usually sold in plastic packages containing dozens or hundreds of ties which are loose within the package. When the package is opened for the use of the ties, the latter remain free to be arranged in bulk, so that picking a tie and the correct orientation thereof for use may not be easy, especially when one of the user's two hands is already engaged, thus causing annoying waste of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a cable ties collecting device useful for keeping a large number of ties arranged neatly and immediately available for use.

[007] Another object of the present invention is to propose a cable ties collecting device which is very practical to use.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to propose a cable ties collecting device which is wearable and which can therefore allow the ties to be always close, making them much easier to use.

[009] Another object of the present invention is to propose a simple and economical cable ties collecting device.

[010] The aforementioned objects are achieved by means of a cable ties collecting device, suitable for neatly keeping a plurality of ties of the type consisting of an elongated flexible element, one side of which is provided with a toothing adapted to slide unidirectionally into a passage opening provided with an elastically deformable element of a head element located at one head end of the elongated flexible element, with the elastically deformable element arranged to interact with the toothing, deforming itself to let the elongated flexible element slide in a relative direction of movement and to prevent it from sliding in the opposite direction, wherein the collecting device of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a flexible elongated collecting element, one side of which is provided with the same toothing adapted to interact with the head element of a cable tie, with a head end of the collecting elongated flexible element which is sized to enter the passage opening of the head element of a cable tie, and a plurality of cable ties can be associated with the collecting elongated flexible element through the relative head element oriented so that it is allowed to slide towards a tail end of the collecting elongated flexible element but not towards the head end thereof. [011] The device outlined above allows to neatly collect a very large number of ties, depending on its length, so that the ties can be picked up one by one neatly and with a predefined orientation and are immediately ready to be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given as a non-limiting example, according to what is stated in the claims and with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a cable tie of the type associable with the device of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a front view of a device component according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of a portion of the component of Fig. 2 with which the cable tie of Fig.1 is associated;

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view according to the section line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a plurality of cable ties associated therewith;

Fig. 7 shows, on an enlarged scale, a partial side section of the device of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention in a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention in a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[013] With reference to Fig. 1 , a cable tie, F, is conventionally constituted by an elongated flexible element, F1 , one side of which, L1 , is provided with an indentation, I, adapted to slide unidirectionally into a head element, T, which has a passage opening, A, provided with an elastically deformable element, E, with said elastically deformable element E arranged to interact with the aforementioned indentation I, deforming to let the indentation I slide and then the elongated flexible element F1 in a relative direction of movement and to prevent it from sliding in the opposite direction.

[014] The cable tie F is disposable, since once it has been closed as a ring by inserting the relative free end, P, in the opening A of the head element T and slid until it engages with the indentation I, it is no longer possible to make it slide in the opposite direction.

[015] With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, a component of a device according to the present invention is generally indicated with 10, in an advantageous embodiment thereof as it is extremely simple. The device 10 comprises an elongated collecting element 11 , one side of which, 12, is provided with an indentation, 13, adapted to interact with said head element T of the cable tie F.

[016] As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, one head end, 14, of said flexible elongated collecting element 11 is sized to enter the passage opening A provided in the head element T, and also a tail end, 15, of said collecting elongated element 11 is sized to enter the opening A of the head element T. Due to the aforementioned conformation of the elongated collecting element 11 a plurality of cable ties F can be associated therewith via the relative head element T. In fact, the head end 14 is passed through the opening A of the head element T with a relative orientation such that the head end T is allowed to slide towards the tail end 15 of the elongated collecting element 11 but, once the indentation 13 is meshed with the elastically deformable element E it is not possible the relative sliding in the opposite direction.

[017] A plurality of cable ties F can be associated with the elongated collecting element 11 by inserting them successively from the head end 14 part and making them slide so that they remain arranged one in succession to the other in meshing with the indentation 13. Once loaded with a plurality of cable ties F, even in a very high number and depending on the length of the portion of the side 12 of the indentation 13 provided, the elongated collecting element 11 constitutes a collecting device 10 which keeps the cable ties F neatly arranged, immediately ready to be picked and used.

[018] Preferably, the elongated collecting element 11 is flexible so that it can be curved and possibly coiled in a spiral with the plurality of ties F associated therewith. In the latter configuration the tie-holder device 10 can advantageously constitute a bearing for the sale "per meter" of ties.

[019] With reference to figs 6 and 7, a tie-holder device according to the present invention, generally indicated with a different embodiment 10', comprises a support element 20, provided with constraining members adapted to keep at least one of said elongated collecting element 11 in proximity of the relative head end 14.

[020] In the advantageous embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, a tie-holder device 10' according to the present invention provides two elongated collecting element 11 , associated with a support element 20.

[021] The constraining members consist of the support element 20 has two through holes, 21 , provided in the support element 20 and arranged aligned in a longitudinal extension direction of said support element 20. Each of said through holes 21 has sufficient size to allow the free passage inside it of an elongated collecting element 11. Each of said through holes 21 is crossed by a relative elongated collecting element 11 with the relative head end 14 which extends on one side, 22, of said support element 20. The constraining members further comprise a retaining element 23, which is associated with the head end 14 of the elongated collecting element 11 so as to prevent the passage of the head end 14 itself through the through opening 21. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 7, the retaining element 23 is constituted by a head element T of a tie, possibly separated from the relative elongated flexible element, associated with the indentation 13 of the elongated collecting element 11 near the relative head end 14. The use as a retaining element 23 of a head element T able to slide monodirectionally on the indentation 11 allows to maintain the plurality of ties F associated with the elongated collecting element 11 near the support element 20 as the ties F are picked up by making them slide towards the tail end 15 of the elongated collecting element 11.

[022] The support element 20 is provided with hooking elements, 25, 25', adapted to allow the hanging of the support element 20 itself. A first hooking element, 25, is constituted by a lace fastened to the two ends of an upper side, 24, of the support element 20. A second hooking element, 25', consists of a hook arranged to extend upwards from a central area of the aforementioned upper side 24.

[023] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the support element 20 is provided with a much greater number of through holes 21 , to each of which an elongated collecting element 11 can be associated.

[024] In a particular alternative embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, the support element is constituted by an elongated element shaped so that it can be worn wrapping around the hand and forearm of a user. Advantageously, in this case the support element is plastically deformable so as to be able to model the curvatures to ergonomically wrap itself around the hand and forearm of a user. A plurality of said through holes are made aligned consecutively along the support element so as to be aligned longitudinally along the forearm of the user. [025] With reference to Fig. 8, an alternative embodiment 10" of the tie-holder device of the invention provides a support element, 20", provided with through holes 21 , wherein the retaining element of the constraining members comprises an elastically deformable element, 31 , arranged in the through opening 21 and adapted to engage the indentation 13 of the elongated collecting element 11 to allow it to slide unidirectionally with respect to the through opening 21.

[026] This embodiment of the constraining members can advantageously be provided in a support element 20" wherein a plurality of the aforementioned through holes 21 and elastically deformable elements 31 are differently sized to receive elongated collecting elements 11 of different size so that each through hole 21 of the support element 20" is provided to receive an elongated collecting element 11 of ties F of a given size. To each through hole 21 can be advantageously associated a reference indicator adapted to allow a user to know immediately the size of the ties F associated to a given through hole 21.

[027] With reference to Fig. 9, a further embodiment 10"' of the tie-holder device of the invention provides a support element, 20"' provided with cutting means, 40, adapted to be operated to cut away the portion of the elongated collecting element 11 protruding from one side, 22, of the through hole 21. As the ties F are extracted from the elongated collecting element 11 to be used, it is advantageous for the elongated collecting element 11 to be slid through the through hole 21 so that the ties F remain available near the tail end 15 of the elongated collecting element 11. In doing so, however, the portion of elongated collecting element protruding from the side 22 of the through hole 21 progressively increases in length thus being able to create an annoying obstruction. The presence of the cutting means 40 allows the protruding portion of the elongated collecting element 11 to be cut away, thus solving the aforementioned problem. [028] Further alternative embodiments can certainly be provided both with regard to the shape of the support element 20 and to the type of constraining members associated therewith. For example, the constraining members can comprise grip clamping means by which the head end 14 of elongated collecting elements 11 is grabbed and constrained so as to create a stable association of the elongated collecting element 11 with the support element 20 as long as the first has associated ties to be used, after which the grip clamping means are opened to eliminate the elongated collecting element 11 and replace it with a new load of ties F.

[029] The shape of the support element 20 is also extremely variable in that, for example with regard to the size, it can be extremely compact to allow the simple handgrip of a single elongated collecting element 11 associated therewith and relatively cumbersome in that it is capable of neatly supporting a large number of elongated collecting elements 11.

[030] As can be easily understood, also the possible hooking elements 25 and cutting means 40 can be of the most different as type, shape and size.

[031] It is understood, however, that the above-described embodiments of a cable ties collecting device according to the present invention are purely exemplary and that for technical/functional reasons many other variants can be studied by a technician in the field without this implying an inventive step and without departing from the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Collecting device (10, 10', 10"') of cable ties (F), suitable for keeping a plurality of said cable ties (F) neatly and making them available for picking them for use, each of said cable ties (F) being of the type constituted by an elongated flexible element (F1) a side (L1) of which is provided with an indentation (I) adapted to slide unidirectionally into a head element (T) which has a passage opening (A) provided with an elastically deformable element (E), with said elastically deformable element (E) arranged to interact with said indentation (I) deforming itself to allow said indentation (I) to slide in a relative direction of movement and to prevent said indentation (I) from sliding in the opposite direction, said collecting device (10, 10') being characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one elongated collecting element (11), a side (12) of which is provided with an indentation (13) adapted to interact with said head element (T) of a cable tie (F), a head end (14) of said elongated collecting element (11) being sized to enter said passage opening (A) of a head element (T) of a cable tie (F), a plurality of cable ties (F) being associable to said elongated collecting element (11) through the relative head element (T) oriented so that it is allowed to slide towards a tail end (15) of said elongated collecting element (11) but not towards said head end (14);

- a support element (20, 20", 20'") provided with constraining members adapted to keep in A releasable way at least one of said elongated collecting elements (11) near the relative head end (14).

2. Collecting device (10') according to the previous claim characterized in that said constraining members comprise one through hole (21), adapted to be crossed by said elongated collecting element (11) and a retaining element (23) adapted to prevent the elongated collecting element from exiting from said through hole (21).

3. Collecting device (10') according to the previous claim characterized in that said elongated collecting element (11) extends with the relative head end (14) on one side (22) of said support element (20), said retaining element (23) being associable with said indentation (13) of said elongated collecting element (11) near the relative head end (14) so as to prevent the passage of said head end (14) through said through opening (21).

4. Collecting device (10') according to the previous claim, characterized in that said retaining element (23) is a head element (T) of a cable tie (F), arranged to mesh with said indentation (13) of said elongated collecting element (11) and oriented so as to be able to slide towards the relative tail end (15) but not towards the head end (14).

5. Collecting device (10", 10'") according to claim 2 characterized in that said retaining element comprises an elastically deformable element (31) arranged in said through opening (21), said elastically deformable element (31) being adapted to engage said indentation (13) of said elongated collecting element (11) to allow unidirectional sliding thereof with respect to said through opening (21).

6. Collecting device (10', 10"") according to the previous claim characterized in that said through holes (21) and elastically deformable elements (31) are sized differently with respect to each other to receive elongated collecting elements (11) of different size.

7. Collecting device (10') according to claim 2 or subsequent characterized in that said support element (20) is provided with a plurality of said through holes (21), to each of which is associated one of said elongated collecting elements (11).

8. Device according to claim 2 or subsequent characterized in that said support element (20) consists of an elongated element shaped for being able to wrap around the hand and the forearm of a user, with a portion of said elongated element provided with said through holes (21) arranged so as to extend longitudinally along the forearm of said user.

9. Device according to one of the previous claims characterized in that said support element (20) is provided with at least one hooking element (25, 25') adapted to allow the hanging of said support element (20).

10. Device according to claim 2 or subsequent characterized in that said support element (20"') comprises cutting means (40) adapted to be operated to cut away the portion of said elongated collecting element (11) which protrudes from a side (22) of said through hole (21).

11. Collecting device according to claim 1 characterized in that said constraining members comprise grip clamping means.