NZ511100A

NZ511100A - A tie for capturing two bundles using reusable press fit domes

Info

Publication number: NZ511100A
Application number: NZ511100A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Peter Whitley
Original assignee: Peter Whitley
Priority date: 2001-04-17
Filing date: 2001-04-17
Publication date: 2003-01-31

Abstract

A reusable tie capable of capturing two bundles of one or more lengths (e.g. wires). The tie consists of a flexible strip with a plurality of press fit domes situated along the length such that when in use two loops may be formed.

Description

MULTIPURPOSE TIE Field of Invention The present invention relates to multipurpose ties useful for securing cables, wires, equipment and the like. Specifically the invention relates to a strap-like tie for industrial, commercial and domestic use.

Background In both industrial and domestic environments, there is an ever present need to ensure that cables, leads and wires are kept together and tidy. Many types of cable ties are available on the market, from simple twist type wires, to more complex mechanisms requiring attachment tools. However, all serve the same purpose, i.e. to secure and tidy bundles of cords and equipment.

A commonly use tie is the "ratchet" type tie. This common tie consists of a ladder type ratchet system, where the body of the tie provided with steps that connect with a receiving head portion. When pushed through the receiving portion, the body of the tie is secured such that it can then only be pushed one way through the receiving end, hence when m use it can only be "tightened" around a bundle of wires or cables. A disadvantage with this mechanism is that each tie can only be used once, as the body of the tie must be cut in order to release the tie when m use. 3 US Patent No. 6,401,305 describes a cable tie comprising a flexible strap containing spaced apart apertures along the length of its body in combination with a separate locking head. The locking head consists of a central post with its ends terminating at opposing ends with radially extending axially aligned discs for locking engagement with the apertures. The arrangement is such that when in use, the cable tie is capable of securing differing sizes of cable and lead bundles. A disadvantage with this arrangement is that as the tie has multiple pieces, these can be lost easily rendering the tie effectively useless.

US Patent No. 6,073,315 describes a cable tie comprising a flexible strap with spaced apart apertures and a stud fixed at one end of the tie. The apertures are formed and located in such a way that the stud can pass through and secure the cable tie around a bundle of cables and ties. Although of the preferred one piece construction, there are limited ways in which the tie can be used.

Summary of Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved or alternative cable tie for securing bundles of one or more lengths.

According to a first aspect the invention broadly consists of a tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 < OCT 2002 RECEIVED and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, wherein the fasteners are reusable.

Preferably the first portion of the strip is one end part of the strip and the first point on the strip is an intermediate part of the strip.

Preferably the second fastening point on the strip is located on the first portion of the strip. Preferably at least four fasteners are disposed along the strip.

Alternatively there is an aperture located between any two fasteners on the strip through which the strip is capable of passing.

Preferably the aperture comprises a longitudinal slit in the strip.

According to a second aspect the invention broadly consists of a tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, and wherein the first and third fasteners are adapted to engage each other, and the second and fourth fasteners are adapted to engage other, and the engagement portion of the third fastener is disposed on the opposite surface of the strip from the remaining fasteners.

Preferably the second point on the strip is on the first portion.

More preferably the second point on the strip is the third fastener.

According to a third aspect the invention broadly consists of a tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, and wherein the first and second fasteners are adapted to engage each other, and the third and fourth fasteners are adapted to engage other.

Preferably the engagement portions of the fasteners are all located on the same surface of the strip.

More preferably the fasteners are press fit fasteners.

Most preferably the fasteners are dome fasteners.

Preferably the strip is made of a webbing material. 6 Most preferably the material is nylon.

Alternatively the strip may be made from an extruded plastics material.

Alternatively the strip may be made from the strip is made of PVC.

The invention may also be defined with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

The invention may also be defined with reference to figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

The invention may also be defined with reference to figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

The invention may also be defined with reference to figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b or 5c of the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description Figures 1, 2 and 3 show three preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show the method of folding one embodiment of the invention. 7 Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show an embodiment of the invention being used to tie and secure the coils of electrical cable.

When describing the embodiments in use, the terms "length", "lengths" and "bundle of lengths" have been used. It is appreciated that these are a non limiting terms, and that any material of the appropriate size and shape could be captured by the tie. Further it should be appreciated that a bundle of lengths covers the case of a bundle containing just one length.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the front and back surfaces of a flexible strip (5) are shown with four fasteners disposed along its length (10, 20, 30 and 40). In this particular embodiment, fasteners (10) and (30) are complementary and engage with each other and fasteners (20) and (40) are complementary and engage with each other. It is also appreciated that in this embodiment, the engagement portion of fasteners (20) and (40) are disposed on the opposite surface of the flexible strip (5) than the engagement portions of first and third fasteners (10, 30).

The first portion of the strip (50) extends from the first fastener (10) to the third fastener (30) and the first point on the strip in this particular embodiment is the third fastener (30) The second portion of the strip (60) begins at the fourth fastener (40) and extends to the second fastener (20), and the second point on the strip in this embodiment is the second fastener (20) on the back surface of the flexible strip (5).

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 2, an aperture (70) is disposed between the third and fourth fasteners (30,40), so that when in use, the end of the strip with the first fastener (10) can pass through the aperture (70) and attach to the third fastener (30). The threading of the end through the aperture (70) causes the strip to secure tightly to the bundle of length / lengths, keeping the tie substantially fixed at the same point on the bundle of length / lengths. 8 Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. This particular embodiment has an arrangement of fasteners such that the first and second fasteners (10,20) are complementary to one another, and the third and fourth fasteners (30,40) are complementary to each other. With the first and second fasteners (10,20) engaged and the third and fourth fasteners (30,40) engaged, a bundle of lengths may be captured by each of the portions between the engaged fasteners, with the portion located between the second and third fasteners (25) able to be used as a convenient handle for carrying the bundled lengths. It is envisaged that the tie in use could in this regard be used to carry items other than bundles of lengths, especially when such items are bulky and awkward to carry (for example, inline skates).

Figure 4 shows how an embodiment is capable of folding to secure bundles. The first fastener (10) is engaged with the third fastener (30) bringing the engagement portion of the second fastener (20) to be on the same plane as the engagement portion of the fourth fastener (40). Once the first fastener (10) is engaged with the third fastener (30), the flexible strip (5) can be folded so that the second fastener (20) engages with the fourth fastener (40), leaving the folded arrangement shown in Figure 4c. This embodiment also has a fifth fastener disposed at its end (90). This fifth fastener (90) may be used to engage the tie with other similar ties, so as to allow them to be used in combination.

Figures 5a and 5b show an embodiment in use with the reverse side of the first fastener (10) engaged with the third fastener (not shown) to capture a bundle of lengths, in this case one length. The engagement portion of the second fastener (20) is exposed so that the fourth fastener (40) can loop around a bundle of lengths (70) and secure it to a first length (80) by engaging with the second fastener (20). The first portion (50) captures the first length (80) while the second portion (60) captures the bundle of lengths (70).

Figure 5c shows the three step process of securing a length (80) to a bundle of lengths (70). The length (80) to be secured is placed between the first and third fasteners and the first fastener is folded over to secure the third fastener. It will be appreciated that if required, a 9 bundle of lengths can be secured in this manner instead of just one length. The fourth fastener is then folded to secure the bundle of leads (70) and engaged with the second fastener (20). Once all fasteners are engaged, the tie in use may look like the tie as shown in figure 5b.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in any alternative combination of features as described or shown in the accompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these features not expressly set out are nevertheless deemed to be included. For example, as discussed above, although nylon webbing is used in a preferred embodiment of the invention, other materials (such as PVC) may be used.

Claims

w w 10 What we claim is: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 4 OCT 2002 RECEIVED

1. A tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, wherein the fasteners are reusable.

2. A tie according to claim 1 wherein the first portion of the strip is one end part of the strip and the first point on the strip is an intermediate part of the strip.

3. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second fastening point on the strip is located on the first portion of the strip.

4. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least four fasteners are disposed along the strip.

5. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims further including an aperture located between any two fasteners on the strip through which the strip is capable of passing.

6. A tie according to claim 5 wherein the aperture comprises a longitudinal slit in the strip. 11

7. A tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, and wherein the first and third fasteners are adapted to engage each other, and the second and fourth fasteners are adapted to engage other, and the engagement portion of the third fastener is disposed on the opposite surface of the strip from the remaining fasteners.

8. A tie according to claim 7 wherein the second point on the strip is on the first portion.

9. A tie according to claim 8 wherein the second point on the strip is the third fastener.

10. A tie for capturing a bundle of one or more lengths, including a flexible strip and a plurality of fasteners disposed along said strip, such that a first portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten at a first point on the strip to capture the bundle, and a second portion of the strip can fold over a bundle of one or more lengths and fasten to a second point on the strip to capture a further bundle, and wherein the first and second fasteners are adapted to engage each other, and the third and fourth fasteners are adapted to engage other. 12

11. A tie according to claim 10 wherein the engagement portions of the fasteners are all located on the same surface of the strip.

12. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fasteners are press fit fasteners.

13. A tie according to claim 12 wherein the fasteners are dome fasteners.

14. A tie according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the strip is made of a webbing material.

15. A tie according to claim 14 wherein the material is nylon.

16. A tie according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the strip is made of an extruded plastics material.

17. A tie according to claim 16 wherein the strip is made of PVC. /

18. A tie according substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A tie according substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. 13

20. A tie according substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A tie according substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b or 5c of the accompanying drawings. V/OW\ i C*. J- '/ rnrnf\ - • U- lp{\^ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 7 JUL 2002