GB2262960A

GB2262960A - Wall fixing strap.

Info

Publication number: GB2262960A
Application number: GB9126919A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Roberts
Original assignee: Bowthorpe Holding PLC
Current assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Priority date: 1991-12-19
Filing date: 1991-12-19
Publication date: 1993-07-07
Also published as: GB9126919D0

Abstract

A moulded fixing device comprises a strap 10 having a hollow plug 20 projecting from it, the plug being divided into a plurality of longitudinal sections, and a plunger 22 also projecting from the strap. The plunger can be driven into the plug once the latter has been inserted into a hole bored in a wall. The plug has a smooth exterior surface devoid of serrations, but the plug nevertheless holds firmly in the bored hole. <IMAGE>

Description

Wall Fixing Devices This invention relates to devices for fixing articles to a wall.

It is often desired to fix a bundle of cable ties together and to a wall. For this purpose, a tie may be used which comprises an elongate strap the ends of which may be engaged together (e.g. by passing one end of the strap through a head at the opposite end of the strap, where it becomes interlocked), and a longitudinally-split plug projecting from the strap, for inserting into a hole in a wall: the tie further comprises a plunger for forcing into the plug. Hitherto the plug has been provided with serrations on its outer surface, to help grip within the bored hole in the wall, and this has made it necessary for the tie to be moulded with the several longitudinal sections of the plug projecting outwards in the plane of the strap.Thus before the tie can be fixed to the wall, the longitudinal sections of the plug must be bent through 900 and into line with each other, at right angles to the plane of the strap. The tie, with this configuration, can be moulded in a two-part mould which separates on the plane of the strap. It would be possible to mould the tie with the serrated longitudinal sections of the plug in the required final position (i.e. in line with each other and projecting perpendicular to the plane of the strap), but a more complicated moulding tool would be needed to create the serrations on the plug sections.

We have now devised a fixing device which overcomes these difficulties and enables the device to be made in a simple two-part mould.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a fixing device moulded from plastics material and comprising a strap, a hollow plug projecting from the strap substantially at right angles thereto in the as-moulded condition of the device, the plug being divided into a plurality of longitudinal sections, and a plunger projecting from the strap for driving into the plug once the latter is inserted into a hole bored in a wall, the exterior surface of the plug being smooth and devoid of serrations.

With this arrangement, the fixing device can be moulded in a two-part mould which separates on the plane of the strap portion of the fixing device, because the outer surface of the plug is smooth. Contrary to previous belief, we have found that the plug fixes and holds firmly in the hole bored in the wall despite the absence of serrations on the outer surface of the plug.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an underside view of one embodiment of fixing device, in the form of a cable tie; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the tie shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of fixing device; and FIGURE 4 is a side view of the fixing device shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a onepiece tie of plastics material e.g. for tying together a bundle of cables. The tie comprises a flat, elongate strap 10 formed with a series of transverse serrations 12 on one side and an enlarged head 14 at one end. The head 14 has an aperture 16 formed through it, transversely to the plane of the strap, and containing a pivoted pawl 18. The strap 10 can be looped around a bundle of cables to be tied and its free end inserted through the aperture 16 in the head 14 in the direction of the arrow A, so that the successive serrations 12 ride over the pawl 18: the strap is pulled through the head 14 until it is tight around the bundle of cables; when the tensioning force on the strap is released, the pawl 18 interlocks with the serrations 10 on the strap to prevent withdrawal of the strap in the opposite direction.

The strap 10 is provided adjacent the head 14, with an arrangement enabling the tie to be fixed to a wall. This arrangement comprises a plug 20 projecting from a first side of the strap, and a plunger 22 projecting from the opposite side of the strap. In the example shown the plug 20 projects from the same side of the strap 10 as the head 14, which also (in the example shown) is the serrated side of the strap.

The plug 20 is elongate and hollow in shape and projects at right angles to the plane of the strap. The plug 20 has a smooth outer surface. The plug 20 is divided into four longitudinal sections as shown. The plunger 22 is elongate and circular in section and projects at right angles to the plane of the strap. The plunger 22 is connected at one of its ends to the strap 10 by means of a number e.g. four narrow webs.

In use, the plug 20 is inserted into a hole bored in the wall, this hole being slightly smaller in diameter than the plug 20, so that the four longitudinal sections of the plug are forced slightly together. Then the plunger 22 is struck, so that firstly its connecting webs shear and then it is driven into the plug 20, to force the longitudinal sections of the latter outwards to wedge firmly against the sides of the bored hole in the wall.

It will be appreciated that the tie shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be mould in one-piece in the configuration shown, in a two-part mould which separates on the plane of the strap 10.

Figures 3 and 4 show a fixing device having a strap 30 formed with transverse slots 31,32 at its opposite ends. the device also comprises an arrangement enabling the device to be fixed to a wall: this arrangement comprises a plug 20 and plunger 22 similar to the corresponding arrangement of the tie of Figures 1 and 2.

In use, the device of Figures 3 and 4 is fixed to a wall in the same manner as explained above for the tie of Figures 1 and 2. A conventional tie (i.e. a tie such as shown in Figures 1 and 2 but lacking the wall-fixing arrangement) can be threaded through the slots 31,32 in the fixing device of Figures 3 and 4, and tied around a bundle of cables or other article to be fixed to the wall. The fixing device of Figures 3 and 4 is moulded in the configuration shown, in a two-part mould which separates at the plane of the strap 30.

Claims

1) A fixing device moulded from plastics material and comprising a strap, a hollow plug projecting from the strap substantially at right angles thereto in the as-moulded condition of the device, the plug being divided into a plurality of longitudinal sections, and a plunger projecting from the strap for driving into the plug once the latter is inserted into a hole bored in a wall, the exterior surface of the plug being smooth and devoid of serrations.

2) A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, in which said strap comprises an apertured head at one end, and the opposite end of the strap is insertable through said aperture head for lockable engagement therewith.

3) A fixing device as claimed in claim 1, in which said strap is formed with transverse slots at its opposite ends.

4) A fixing device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.