Abstract:
A cable tie includes a strap having first and second ends. A head is disposed on the first end. The head has a slot for receiving the second end so as to form the strap into a loop. The head further has an device for engaging the second end of the strap so as to retain the strap in the form of the loop. A hooking arrangement is connected to the head for engaging with a holding member when the hooking arrangement is pushed in a first direction. The hooking arrangement freely releases the holding member when the hooking arrangement is pulled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The hooking arrangement allows the cable tie to be repeatedly attached to, and removed from, the holding member while the strap is retained in the form of the loop.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a removable cable tie which can be removed from a holding member, such as a cable tie holder, while remaining attached to a component to be secured, such as a cable.  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    Computer systems typically include a number of electrical components, such as printed circuit boards, that are electrically coupled together. One way to accomplish this is to use electrical cables to electrically join the respective electrical components. For example, the electrical cables allow electrical signals to be transmitted from one printed circuit board to another printed circuit board, so that various electronic devices on the one printed circuit board can communicate with electronic devices on the other printed circuit board. Cables are also used to supply power to and from the various electrical components.  
           [0005]    In today&#39;s computer systems, it is typical to install the cables in predetermined orientations within the computer housing, in order to ease the assembly process, and to keep the cables out of the way of the various electrical components. In order to retain the cables in their desired orientations, it is further typical to secure the cables to either the computer housing or to other components within the housing. Securing the cables prevents the cables from inadvertently vibrating loose from the components to which they are connected. Moreover securing the cables prevents the cables from vibrating and causing undesirable noise, and possibly damaging sensitive components within the computer system. Further, by securing the cables, the cables can be retained so as to provide the interior of the housing with an uncluttered organized arrangement.  
           [0006]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , in order to secure the cables within the computer housing, it is conventional to use cable ties  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″. The cable ties  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ (with three variations being shown in the Figures) are tightly wrapped around the respective cables (not shown), and are used to secure the cables to the housing or other components located within the housing.  
           [0007]    As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional cable tie  10  typically includes a plastic or metal strap  12 , which has a free end having a plurality of ridges or teeth  14  thereon. The cable tie  10  further has a head  16  located on an opposite end of the strap  12 . The head  16  has a slot  18  for receiving the free end of the strap  12 , and means  20  for securing the free end when received within the slot. The means  20  is best shown in the cable tie  10 ″ illustrated in FIG. 2.  
           [0008]    As is well known, in order to secure the cable tie  10  to the cable, the free end of the strap  12  is inserted through the slot  18  and pulled tight, thereby forming a loop, such as shown in FIG. 3, that can surround the cable. The securing means  20  engages with the teeth  14 , thus preventing the strap  12  from being removed from within the slot  18 .  
           [0009]    Moreover, and as well known, when the cable tie  10  is looped around the cable, the cable tie may also be looped around another component, so as to secure the cable to the other component. For example, the cable tie  10  can be looped around two adjacent cables to hold the two adjacent cables securely together. Alternatively, the cable tie  10  can be used to secure the cable to a projecting tab formed in a side of the computer housing.  
           [0010]    It is also known to use a so-called cable tie holder  22 , as shown in FIG. 5, to secure the cable tie  10  to the computer housing, for example. The cable tie holder  22  conventionally has a projecting tab with a slot  24  formed therein, which is configured to receive the cable tie  10  so as to allow the cable tie to be fastened thereto. Alternatively, it is also known to integrally form the cable tie holder  22  directly to the cable tie, for example, by locating the cable tie holder on the head of the cable tie, as shown in FIG. 2.  
           [0011]    The conventional cable tie holder  22  includes means for fastening the cable tie holder to the housing. Such means can include an adhesive back (not shown) which can be glued directly to the inside wall of the computer housing. Alternatively, the means may include a snap-prong device  26 , which is insertable through a hole formed within the wall of the computer housing. However, in either case, the cable tie holder  22  is typically designed for a one-time use. That is, once the cable tie holder  22  is attached to the computer housing, it is not designed to be removed and reused. For example, the adhesive backing typically can only be used one time to adhere the cable tie holder to the housing. Further, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to remove the snap-prong device  26  of the cable tie holder from the hole formed within the housing without damaging the cable tie holder.  
           [0012]    Due to space constraints within the computer housing, and in order to ease the assembly process, the cable ties are often pre-wrapped around the cable, and in specific locations, with a tie holder pre-attached thereto. That is, due to the limited space within the computer housing, it may be difficult to pull the cable ties tightly around the cable after the cable is placed in the housing. Moreover, individually wrapping each cable tie around the cable and through a respective cable tie holder is time-consuming. Therefore, when the computer manufacturer orders a cable, the manufacturer may also designate precisely where the cable ties are to be located on the cable, and which type of cable tie holder to use. Thus, when received, the cable ties will be pre-secured to the cable, with a desired cable tie holder attached thereto. Therefore, the computer manufacturer can easily secure the cable in place simply by positioning the cable in the desired location, and securing the cable tie holders in a conventional manner. This allows the cables to be quickly assembled into the computer system.  
           [0013]    However, this known approach has the problem of requiring that the cable ties and/or the cable tie holders be cut or destroyed in order to remove the cable. That is, since the cable tie is typically permanently attached to the cable tie holder, and since the cable tie holders are typically not suitable for re-use, it is conventional to destroy the cable tie holder and/or the cable tie during the removal process. Thus, new cables must be provided, which is costly, or new cable ties and cable tie holders must be repositioned in the pre-designated locations on the cable, which increases the assembly time, and decreases productivity.  
           [0014]    It is also known to use a cable tie having a head that includes means that allows the free end of the cable tie to be released, allowing it to be removed from the cable. However, these cable ties tend to be more expensive, and do not solve the problem of requiring the cable tie to be precisely relocated on the cable after its removal from the cable, or easing the assembly process. That is, if this cable tie is removed from the cable, access must be provided in order to wrap the cable tie around the cable, as well as to pull the cable tie tightly around the cable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    It is, therefore, a principle object of this invention to provide a removable cable tie.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the invention to provide a removable cable tie that solves the above-mentioned problems.  
           [0017]    These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by the removable cable tie disclosed herein.  
           [0018]    According to one aspect of the invention, a cable tie is provided with a hooking arrangement that allows the cable tie, while looped and latched around a cable, for example, to be releaseably attached to a holding member. The hooking arrangement is preferably integrally formed as part of the cable tie, for example as part of the head of the cable tie. The hooking arrangement allows the looped and latched cable tie to be removably secured to the holding member so as to prevent movement of the cable tie.  
           [0019]    The hooking arrangement, in an exemplary aspect of the invention, includes two projecting legs, which are joined to each other at a base to form an open U-shaped latching configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, the legs are essentially parallel to each other, and arranged to extend essentially at a right angle to the unlooped strap (i.e., essentially parallel to a direction in which the slot extends). This configuration allows the hooking arrangement to be easily engaged with the holding member.  
           [0020]    In a further aspect of the invention, the respective legs of the hooking arrangement preferably have a size which allows at least one of the legs to be received within a similarly-sized slot formed in the holding member. Further, in another exemplary aspect of the invention, the legs have a rectangular cross-sectional profile corresponding to a shape of the slot within the holding member, so as to easily fit within the slot of the holding member with a minimum of free play.  
           [0021]    In another aspect of the invention, the legs of the hooking arrangement may be configured to extend in a same direction as the non-looped strap (i.e., essentially perpendicular to a direction in which the slot within the head extends), so that the hooking arrangement can be pressed over a tab formed in the computer housing, for example, to engage it thereto. Other configurations of the hooking arrangement are within the spirit and scope of the invention. However, in all configurations, it is preferred that the hooking arrangement is easily removed from the device to which it is latched, simply by pulling on the legs.  
           [0022]    In another exemplary aspect of the invention, instead of having a U-shaped configuration, the hooking arrangement can have an L-shaped configuration. With this arrangement, the leg of the L is insertable through the slot formed within the cable tie holder or through a tab or rung formed in the side of the computer housing. This configuration requires less material to make the hooking arrangement, and may be easier to use in certain computer systems.  
           [0023]    In another exemplary aspect of the invention, the legs of the hooking arrangement are provided with projections at their respective ends. The projections help to ensure that the hooking arrangement is not inadvertently disengaged from the cable tie holder, for example. Moreover, when the hooking arrangement is provided with two legs, the projections will preferably face each other, allowing the hooking arrangement to be clipped onto a variety of different components, any of which could then be termed as a holding member. For example, the hooking arrangement could be clipped to an adjacent cable, with the projections helping to secure the hooking arrangement thereto. Alternatively, the projections could be inserted into the slot within the cable tie holder or tab from opposite sides thereof, so that the projections face each other from across the slot. Alternatively, the slots formed in the cable tie holder or tab can be eliminated, with the projections pinching the holding member to secure the cable tie in place. Other arrangements are within the scope of the invention.  
           [0024]    In use, the cable tie is positioned and looped around a cable in a known manner. The hooking arrangement can then be engaged with a respective holding member disposed within the computer system, by pushing the hooking arrangement toward the holding member, causing the leg or legs to slide within the slot of the holding member, or otherwise engaging the holding member in the manners previously described. If the cable needs to be removed from the housing, the hooking arrangement is simply pulled away from the holding member, so that the holding member remains in the desired location within the housing, and with the cable tie remaining in the desired location on the cable. Thus, after removal, the cable can be easily reused without any further reworking thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a conventional cable tie.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of another conventional cable tie.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the conventional cable tie shown in FIG. 2, latched in a looped configuration.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is an elevational illustration of another conventional cable tie.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is an elevational illustration of a conventional cable tie holder.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a removable cable tie, in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the removable cable tie shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable cable tie shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, attached to a conventional cable tie holder.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a partial elevational view of a computer system, having a cable secured with a removable cable tie in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a further exemplary aspect of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of another exemplary aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. It should be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are only presented by way of example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept to any particular physical configuration.  
         [0037]    Further, and if used and unless otherwise stated, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “over”, “under”, and similar such terms are not to be construed as limiting the invention to a particular orientation. Instead, these terms are used only on a relative basis.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a cable tie  28  according to the present invention improves upon the conventional cable ties shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 . The cable tie  28  in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention may include a strap  30  having a head  32  on one end thereof, which engages with the free end of the strap. This portion (i.e., head and strap) of the cable tie  28  can have any of a number of conventional configurations. For example, and as illustrated, the strap  30  may have an essentially flat, elongated, rectangular configuration with a number of teeth or ridges  34  on a free end thereof (see FIG. 8), similar to the conventional cable tie  10  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0039]    Further, as is well known in the art, the head  32  may have a slot  36  for receiving the free end of the strap  30 . The head  32  may include securing means  38  within the slot  36  which allows the free end to be inserted within the slot, but which engages with the teeth  34  to prevent the removal of the free end of the strap from the slot. As is conventional, the securing means  38  may be, for example, a prong which projects across the slot  36  and which engages with the respective teeth  34  in the manner of a ratchet. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this particular configuration. Instead, the present invention can be utilized with any type of strap, head and securing means as are well known in the art.  
         [0040]    For example, the cable tie according to the present invention can also have a conventional release mechanism (not shown) provided in the head that allows the prong to be disengaged from the teeth, to allow the free end of the strap to be removed from the slot. The present invention may also have a plurality of rungs disposed on the strap which engage with a worm gear mechanism (not shown), disposed within or on the head of the cable tie. Alternatively, the present invention may have a strap similar to the cable tie  10 ′ shown in FIG. 4, which has a plurality of beads integrally formed along the strap, which engage with a tapered slot formed in the head. As is apparent, the concept of the present invention is utilizable with any and all types of cable ties.  
         [0041]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cable tie  28  is formed from plastic. Alternatively, the cable tie may be formed of metal, or other materials, within the scope of the invention.  
         [0042]    The present invention further includes a hooking arrangement  40  that allows the cable tie  28 , when looped and latched around a cable, for example, to be releaseably attached to a holding member, such as a conventional cable tie holder  22  (FIG. 8), or a tab  42  formed, for example, directly in a side of the computer housing  44  (FIG. 9). The hooking arrangement  40  is preferably integrally formed as part of the cable tie  28 , for example, as part of the head  32  of the cable tie. The hooking arrangement  40 , when removably secured to the holding member, prevents movement of the cable tie  28 .  
         [0043]    The hooking arrangement  40 , in the exemplary embodiment, comprises two projecting legs  46 , which are joined to each other at a base to form an open U-shaped latching configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, the legs  38  are essentially parallel to each other, and arranged to extend essentially at a right angle to the unlooped strap  30  (i.e., essentially parallel to a direction in which slot  36  extends). This configuration allows the hooking arrangement  40  to be easily engaged with a slot  24  formed within the conventional tie holder  22 , or with the tab  42  formed in the side of the housing  44 .  
         [0044]    As best shown in FIG. 8, since the slot  24  formed within the conventional cable tie holder  22  is typically adapted to receive the strap of a cable tie, the respective legs  46  of the hooking arrangement  40  preferably have a size which allows at least one of the legs to be received within the slot  24 . Further, in the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the legs  46  have a rectangular cross-sectional profile corresponding to a shape of the slot  24 , so as to allow a respective leg to be received within the slot  24  with a minimum amount of free play.  
         [0045]    Referring also to FIG. 10, the hooking arrangement  40  can have other configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the legs  46  may be configured to extend in a same direction as the non-looped strap  30  (i.e., essentially perpendicular to a direction in which the slot  36  extends), so that the hooking arrangement  40  can be pressed over a tab formed in the computer housing, for example, to engage it thereto. Other configurations of the hooking arrangement  40  are within the spirit and scope of the invention. However, in all configurations, it is preferred that the hooking arrangement  40  can be easily removed from the device to which it is latched, simply by pulling on the legs  46 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 11, in another exemplary aspect of the invention, instead of having a U-shaped configuration, the hooking arrangement can have an L-shaped configuration. With this arrangement, the leg  46  of the L may be inserted through the slot formed within the cable tie holder or through a tab or rung formed in the side of the computer housing.  
         [0047]    Preferably, the legs  46  of the hooking arrangement  40  are provided with projections  48  at their respective ends. The projections  48  help to ensure that the hooking arrangement  40  is not inadvertently disengaged from the cable tie holder  22 , for example. Moreover, when the hooking arrangement  40  is provided with two legs  46  as previously described, the projections  48  will face each other, allowing the hooking arrangement to be clipped onto a variety of different components, any of which could then be termed as a holding member. For example, the hooking arrangement  40  could be clipped to an adjacent cable, with the projections  48  helping to secure the hooking arrangement thereto. Alternatively, the projections  48  could be inserted into the slot within the holding member from opposite sides thereof, so that the projections face each other from across the slot. Alternatively, the slots formed in the holding member can be eliminated, with the projections  48  pinching the holding member to secure the cable tie in place. Other arrangements are within the scope of the invention.  
         [0048]    Referring back to FIG. 9, in use, the cable tie  28  is positioned and looped around a cable  50  in a conventional manner. The holding members, such as cable tie holders  22  or tabs  42 , can likewise be pre-located, if desired, in their desired locations within the computer housing  44 . When the cable  50  is positioned within the housing  44 , the hooking arrangement  40  can then be engaged with a respective holding member disposed within the computer system, by pushing the hooking arrangement toward the holding member, causing the leg or legs to slide within the slot of the holding member, or otherwise engaging the holding member in the manners previously described. If the cable  50  needs to be removed from the housing, the cable is disconnected from (electrical) computer components  52 , and the hooking arrangement  40  is simply pulled away from the holding member, so that the holding member remains in the desired location within the housing, and with the cable tie remaining in the desired location on the cable. Thus, after removal, the cable  50  can be easily reused without any further reworking thereof.  
         [0049]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with a computer system, it is contemplated that the cable ties according to the present invention can be utilized in other applications. Moreover, although the name “cable tie” may imply a cable tie can only be used to secure a cable, this is not the case. For example, cable ties are often used in the automotive industry to secure a variety of different components. The present invention can facilitate the removal of automotive components secured using cable ties in a manner similar to that given above.  
         [0050]    It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific arrangement and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention.  
         [0051]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the drawings.  
         [0052]    It will be understood that the above description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.