Abstract:
A flexible tie comprises a body, bulbs with holes and at least one end piece, arranged such that bulbs can be passed through the holes in other bulbs to form loops in the apparatus. These loops can be used to bundle objects together, add a handle to an existing object or prevent other loops from coming undone. The tie can also be undone and used again. Multiple loops can be formed using the same tie.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/242,266, filed Oct. 15, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The ability to quickly bundle and secure articles together has tremendous benefits. Many people often have need for a tool that can quickly and easily bundle articles together. Such a tool gives the user the ability to bundle and organize ropes and cables, create loops for attaching articles to hooks or other attachments and many other utilities. 
         [0003]    However, existing ties are often made for one time use which wastes materials and requires a user to destroy the tie in order to release it. 
         [0004]    Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,799,376, 3,009,220, 8,387,216 and 3,908,233. However, each one of these references suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages: constructed of poor quality materials, lacking reusability, possessing a flat design, requiring a buckle or locking mechanism separate from the body of the tie, possessing a high coefficient of friction which makes it difficult to thread and manipulate, lacking stretch and elasticity, and a lack of interactivity with a set of related tools from which new tools with specifically tailored uses can be constructed. 
         [0005]    For the foregoing reasons, there is need for flexible and reusable tie that is made of high quality materials, employs a three-dimensional design, is capable of being used numerous times without needing to be cut and exists as part of a system of tools. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies these needs. This invention comprises: 
         [0007]    according to various embodiments, a body, a plurality of bulbs within the body, the plurality of bulbs each having a hole sized such that a bulb of same or similar size can be moved through said removed portion without damaging the side walls of the bulb on entry or removal, and said body having one or more end pieces sized to fit inside said holes; 
         [0008]    according to various embodiments, the body of the apparatus may be comprised of bulbs; 
         [0009]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can include flanges on its body to increase durability; 
         [0010]    according to various embodiments, the bulbs of the apparatus can be regularly spaced; 
         [0011]    according to various embodiments, the bulbs can be irregularly spaced; 
         [0012]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can be straight between the end pieces of the body. 
         [0013]    according to various embodiments, the holes in the bulbs on the apparatus can be circular, elliptic, cross-shaped or polygonal-shaped; 
         [0014]    according to various embodiments, the body of the apparatus can be angled at one or more points along its length; 
         [0015]    according to various embodiments, the body of the apparatus can be curved or arced at one or more points along its length without the application of force; 
         [0016]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can have a rigid endoskeleton to facilitate moving the end pieces through the holes in the bulbs; 
         [0017]    according to various embodiments, at least one end piece of the body of the apparatus can be capped in a material more rigid than that used to form the body to facilitate moving the end pieces through the holes in the bulbs; 
         [0018]    according to various embodiments, at least one end piece of the body of the apparatus can possess an enlargement to facilitate grasping with hands or tools; 
         [0019]    according to various embodiments, the body of the apparatus can be circular or round in its cross-sectional shape; 
         [0020]    according to various embodiments, the bulbs can be of various sizes; 
         [0021]    according to various embodiments, the bulbs of various sizes can be arranged in a repeating pattern; 
         [0022]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can be comprised of a thermoplastic such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic urethane; 
         [0023]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can be comprised of nylon; 
         [0024]    according to various embodiments, the apparatus can be comprised of a thermoset material such as, but not limited to silicone rubber; 
         [0025]    according to various embodiments, a method for bundling various articles together; 
         [0026]    according to various embodiments, a method for creating a secure loop; and 
         [0027]    according to various embodiments, a method for making a weave. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view from above of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention, including exemplary locations for bulbs and flanges; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention, including exemplary shapes for holes in the apparatus&#39; bulbs; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention, including an exemplary location for an angle in the body of the apparatus; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view from above of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention forming a loop; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a top, partial sectional, view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention, including exemplary locations for a rigid endoskeleton and a rigid end cap; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention and a cross section across line AA; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention, including exemplary, non-straight body portions. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention and a cross-sectional view of the apparatus demonstrating a round, cross-sectional shape. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention including a body comprising part spherical shapes and enlargements at the ends. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view from above of another version of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    In the Summary above and the Description below, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments o the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0041]    The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e. contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. 
         [0042]    Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0043]    The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” or “at least one” means one or more than one. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having one or zero as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable begin defined). For example, “at most 4” or “at most four” means four or less than four, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0044]    “part spherical” is a description of a shape or form that is generally spherical but also possesses protrusions, holes and/or other deformities which prevent it from being perfectly spherical; 
         [0045]    “body” is a piece of flexible material, within which or on which various features can be embedded or attached; 
         [0046]    “bulb” is a part spherical object that protrudes from an apparatus or other object, or, in conjunction with other bulbs, forms the body of an apparatus; 
         [0047]    “hole” is a void, cavity or other empty space within a bulb; 
         [0048]    “tapered” is possessing a gradual diminution of thickness, diameter or width in an elongated object; 
         [0049]    “flange” is a rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object; 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a flexible and reusable tie  100  comprises a body  102 , a plurality of bulbs  104  and one or more end pieces  110 . 
         [0051]    The bulbs  104  can be placed within the length of material by injection molding both the bulbs  104  and the body  102  simultaneously. The bulbs  104 , body  102  and end pieces  110  can be made of material such as thermoplastic urethane, thermoplastic elastomer, nylon or silicone rubber. 
         [0052]    The body  102  can possess flanges  108  which can be attached by injection molding the flanges  108  and the body  102  simultaneously, and the flanges  108  can by made of material, such as thermoplastic urethane. The length of material  102  can possess tapered ends  110 . 
         [0053]    The bulbs  104  have holes  106 , the holes  106  sized such that another bulb can be moved through the hole  106  without tearing the side walls of the bulb  104  on entry or removal, facilitated by the durometer of the body and holes. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the holes of the apparatus can possess a variety of different shapes, such as, but not limited to, star-shaped, cylindrical, elliptical or cross-shaped. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus can be molded to possess bends, curves or other non-linear forms. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , at least one piece of rigid material  602  can be inserted inside the body or the body can be formed around said piece of rigid material  602 . The piece of rigid material  602  can be made of material such as chrome-silicon spring steel. The piece of rigid material can be rod shaped. At least one end of the piece of flexible material can have a rigid cap  604  placed over it. The rigid cap  604  can be made of material such as unplasticised polyvinyl chloride. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the body may have a cross shaped cross-sectional shape. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the body may be curved between at least one pair of bulbs. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the body may possess a round cross sectional shape between at lease one pair of bulbs. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the body of the apparatus  1000  may comprise a plurality of bulbs  1002  connected to one another. Said bulbs may be different sizes. The ends of said apparatus may possess enlargements  1004 , suitable for grasping with hands or tools. 
         [0061]    A method for making a loop for the bundling of cables or other articles comprises the steps of providing a group of articles to be bundled, such as, but not limited to, cables or rope, providing an apparatus embodying features of the claimed invention, wrapping the apparatus around the articles and forcing one end of apparatus through one of the holes in the apparatus until at least one bulb passes completely through the hole to form a secure loop around the articles. Then an end of the apparatus can optionally be moved through a hole at least one more time to create at least one more loop. 
         [0062]    A method for making a secure loop comprises the steps of providing an apparatus embodying features of the claimed invention then forcing one end of said apparatus through one of the holes in the apparatus until two or more of the bulbs of the apparatus pass completely through the hole. Then taking the same of the apparatus and forcing it through the hole in one of the bulbs that was used to make the first loop, creating a second loop that will prevent the first loop from coming undone. 
         [0063]    A method for making a weave comprises the steps of providing an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention, forcing one end piece of said apparatus through one of said holes until a plurality of said bulbs pass completely through said hole, forcing said end piece through the next hole in the apparatus, in the direction opposite to the previous forcing and optionally repeating the previous step one or more times, creating a weave. 
         [0064]    The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including being constructed of high quality materials, employing a three-dimensional design, the capability of being used numerous times without needing to be cut and existing as part of a system of tools. The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all advantageous advantages be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention. 
         [0065]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, a version where the body of the apparatus has a coiled shape, a version where a metal hook is molded or otherwise attached to the end of the apparatus, a version where one or more holes have angled portions making it more difficult to undue a loop in the apparatus, and a version made of a material that deforms over time, creating a permanent loop, rather than a temporary one. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contain herein.