Tie strap assembly and fastening device

A tie strap assembly for encircling and securing bundles of articles or discrete items including a looped tie strap or elastic band and a coupler for engaging opposite ends of the strap. The coupler includes an elongated shank having hook shaped arms on one end and an open ring on the opposite end. Protrusions are provided on the ring for capturing one end of the strap and keeper arms protrude from the shank to aid in holding the opposite end of the strap on the hook shaped arms. The ring has an open center for hanging the assembly for storage.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tying strap assemblies and fastening devices for bundling such articles as coiled garden hoses, electric cords and cables, electrical wire bundles as well as for tie wrapping a wide variety of variously shaped discrete articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling device used in combination with a strap assembly such as but not limited to an elastic band.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The present invention provides significant improvements in tie strap assemblies and coupler devices of the double hook type. With the present invention, the tie strap may comprise a single flexible strand having looped connector end sections, a simple looped or endless strand or a conventional elastic band or loop such as a rubber band. The coupler device may be manufactured utilizing any suitable material, preferably a single molding of such materials as metal, or rigid, semi-rigid or pliable plastics. In this sense, the improved assembly and coupler is extremely inexpensive to manufacture with readily replaceable parts. Since the coupler unit and strap combination can be made non-rigid or deformable the system becomes adaptable to a wide variety of uses and environments. Examples of the double hook type coupling devices and tie strap assemblies are found in the following listed U.S. patents:

All of these patents require some sort of lacing or tying of either elastic or rope type bands on one end or the other of the coupler device and hence are cumbersome to assemble. Additionally these devices do not provide any means for adjustably positioning the tie strap on the coupler to adjust the tension. The structures do not incorporate any effective means in the coupling device for hanging or storing the articles encircled by the tie strap.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,456 to Bosmans and U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,094 to D'Addario are examples of tie strap assemblies wherein the tie strap is either molded integral with or permanently connected to the coupler device.

The following listed patents are exemplary of various designs of tie strap assemblies and coupling devices. These patents are of interest to illustrate the development of the art:

SUMMARY

The tie strap assembly and coupling device of the present preferred embodiments includes a novel coupler device and a flexible tie strap. The coupler device includes an enlarged head in the shape of a ring or loop in the preferred embodiment which functions both as a releasable connector for one end of the strap and a hanger element which is available for storing items encircled and held by the strap. The head or ring may be equipped with projecting bosses for restraining one end of the strap in engagement with the coupler device. An elongated shank portion is connected to the ring at one end and is connected at its other or lower end portion to a curved double hook. The hook includes curved arms extending laterally and upwardly to provide a connection point for the opposite end of the strap. Downwardly and laterally outwardly extending keeper arms are attached to the shank along its length and cooperate with the curved arms of the hook to guide and hold the end of the strap within the hook formation. The flexible tie strap may comprise any form of flexible single strand or endless band, preferably formed from an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic elastic material having loop sections at its opposite ends. In one modification, additional bosses and projecting connector elements are formed on both the upper ring and the lower hook portion to adapt the coupler device for use in clasping and holding smaller wires such as computer or other electrical wires or cords. Provisions are also made in the contours of the coupler device to facilitate connection and disconnection of the elastic band when the coupler device is mounted against a wall surface or other storage position. In yet another modification, the loop or ring is rendered sufficiently flexible to permit the insertion and snap lock mounting of a gusseted hanger ring which adapts the coupler device for removably mounting by a screw, nail or other fastener. For marketing and distribution purposes, the open ring type coupler may be provided with a removable display-card mounting disc within the ring at the time of molding. The disc may be removed and discarded when the coupler is put into use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1,2and10, the tie strap assembly system includes an endless preferably elastic strap1and a coupler device, indicated generally at2, which functions to connect the opposite loop ends3and4of the strap together in order to secure a number of loose items within the wrap of the elastic strap1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the tie strap assembly may be used to secure such items as a coiled garden hose6, shown inFIG. 1or a number of discrete items7as illustrated inFIG. 2. It will be understood, of course, that the strap assembly is not limited in its use and would be equally suitable for packages, such items as skis or as support ties for instance, such as used in tree and plant culture or any other conceivable use.

Although not so limited, the coupler device2is preferably formed from a relatively soft and slightly bendable materials such as injection molded plastics. The strength and dimensions of the various parts of the coupler device may be altered, depending upon the design parameters desired for the coupler for any particular use. Referring more particularly toFIGS. 3–7, the coupler device2includes an elongated central shank8with a loop ring9at one end and a double hook fastener11at the other. As aforementioned, the loop ring9provides a connection point for one looped end of the elastic band or strap1and the double hook fastener11provides a connection point for the opposite looped end of the band, as shown inFIGS. 1,2and10.

As shown most clearly inFIGS. 1 and 2, the loop ring9may be circular in elevation with an open central area12for purposes to be described. Although the loop ring9is shown in circular configuration, it will be understood that it may be formed in any other configuration which will provide an enlarged end of the shank8over which the looped end4of the band1may be engaged in a holding fashion as illustrated. In order to insure retention of the strap over the ring9, bosses such as those shown at13and14are located on the bottom half of the ring9, preferably spaced 180° or more apart as illustrated clearly inFIG. 4. These bosses may be formed integral with the ring9during molding and may take any form suitable for preventing the looped end4of the band from slipping off of the ring9. With the open center and closed ring9oriented so as to be above the looped end4of the strap1as shown inFIG. 1it is free to function as a hanger for storing the items bound by the elastic band1.

The hooked fastener11may be formed integral with the body of the coupler device during molding and comprises laterally outwardly and upwardly extending curved arms16and17. Although the arms16and17are shown as round in cross section and in curved configuration, it will be understood that other shapes may be utilized such as variations in cross section and straight members, as long as they are directed outwardly and upwardly so as to engage the strap end3as shown inFIGS. 1,2and10. Also, although shown as connecting with the terminal end of the shank8, the arms need only be located proximate the bottom end of the shank, leaving a sufficient extent of the shank between the arms and the ring9. In the embodiment illustrated, the approximate mid portion of the shank is provided with outwardly and downwardly projecting keeper arms18and19. Sufficient clearance is allowed between the terminal ends of the keeper arms18and19and the arms16and17to allow the strap to be passed therebetween to position the end3of the strap about the shank8as shown inFIG. 10. The keeper arms18and19may also be used to hold the opposite end4of the strap if additional tension is required in the strap from that provided by engaging the strap directly beneath ring9as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

At the time of molding the coupler device, provision may be made for temporarily attaching the coupler to a display medium such as a display card as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9. A common form of marketing display for articles such as the present coupler device is that of temporarily attaching one or more of the articles to a display card or vehicle which is then placed on a suitable display rack available to customers. As shown inFIG. 8, a removable hanger disc20may be formed in the opening12of the ring9. The disc20may be connected to the inside of the ring surface by very thin break-away connectors such as one or more frangible tabs21, allowing the disc to be easily removed from the ring and discarded. In the preferred embodiment, disc20is provided with a lug22spaced from the surface of the disc and rigidly connected thereto. The lug22will be sized and configured to engage a slot23in marketing display-card24which may be of any desired design and which will usually include a slotted opening26for engaging a display rack. It will be understood that the display card24may be of any known design, the details of which form no part of the present invention. Although the display card shown inFIG. 8includes only one slot23for receiving a lug22, it will understood that the card24may be designed to hold any desired number of coupler devices and may also carry means (not shown) for accommodating straps or elastic bands utilized in the tie strap assembly.

FIGS. 11–16illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention which is particularly adapted for use in bundling small electrical cords such as computer wires and the like. As previously described relative to theFIGS. 1–10embodiment, the coupler ofFIGS. 11–16includes the elements described, including an elongated shank portion38having a loop ring39on its upper end and a double hook fastener41on the lower end, as illustrated in the drawings. The hook fastener includes hook arms46and47and the loop ring39is provided with bosses43and44which correspond in function to the bosses13and14of theFIGS. 1–10embodiment. Likewise the shank38is provided with keeper arms48and49corresponding in function to the keeper arms18and19of theFIG. 1–10embodiment. It will be understood that the functions of the loop ring39and bosses43–44as well as the hook fastener41and keeper arms48–49are identical to the functions described for the corresponding elements in theFIGS. 1–10embodiment for the purpose of securing the opposite ends of an elastic band used to encircle the items to be held. In addition to these functions, the coupler of theFIGS. 11–16embodiment is designed to also be wall mounted on a surface such as the wall50by means of a nail or screw fastener or the equivalent extending through the central opening42of the ring39. A cleat shaped strap anchor58extends upwardly from the top side of the ring38and is offset from the central plane of the coupler body as illustrated inFIG. 14so as to be spaced from the wall surface. Thus, when the coupler is wall mounted, a flexible band, shown in dotted lines at60inFIG. 14, may be passed about the cleat58with sufficient space being provided between the cleat and the wall surface to allow attachment of the band. The band is prevented from slipping downwardly on the ring39by means of the keeper bosses59and61. The band or strap60is then passed about the bundle of wires64in this instance and its opposite end engaged upon the lugs62and63. If desired, a lug or other protrusion65may be formed on the face of the coupler to assist in holding the bundle of wires in place thereon. This relationship is illustrated inFIG. 14. The band or strap60is thus located on the opposite face of the coupler from that previously described when used in this mode.

FIGS. 17–21illustrate a third embodiment which is configured to receive a snap-fit adjustably positioned hanger disc. This embodiment comprises a coupler which includes the elements described previously relative to theFIGS. 1–10embodiment. These elements include an elongated shank portion68having a loop ring69on its upper end and a double hook fastener71, as illustrated in the drawings. The hook fastener includes hook arms76and77and the loop ring69is provided with bosses73and74which correspond in function to the bosses13and14ofFIGS. 1–10embodiment. Likewise the shank68is provided with keeper arms78and79corresponding in function to the keeper arms18and19of theFIGS. 1–10embodiment. It will be understood that the functions of the loop ring69and bosses73and74as well as the double hook fastener71and keeper arms78and79are identical to the functions described for the corresponding elements in theFIGS. 1–10embodiment for the purpose of securing the opposite ends of an elastic band used to encircle the items to be held. In addition to these elements and the attendant functions described, theFIGS. 17–21embodiment includes a removable hanger disc81which is adapted for mounting within the center of the ring69as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18. The purpose of the hanger disc is to adapt the ring for hanging storage on a protruding nail, screw or the like having a headed terminal end. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18the disc81has a central opening comprising an enlarged circular passage82for accepting the head of a nail or screw and a slotted opening83on its periphery for receiving the shank of a hanger element. This configuration is, of course, well known and serves to engage the head of a hanger element so as to prevent removal of the coupler without aligning the head of the hanger element with the central opening82. The hanger disc81may be a thin bodied disc with reinforcements such as the gussets84. In the alternative, the hanger disc may be simply a flat disc. The outer periphery of the disc81is configured to conform to the periphery of the opening in the ring69and may be received and releasably held in the opening by a snap-fit in any well known manner. In the present embodiment, the peripheral edge of the disc81includes an annular depression86flanked by relatively thin peripheral flanges87shown inFIG. 17. In order to better accommodate the inner disc, the body of the ring69may be made suitably flexible to provide the snap-fit and/or be provided with a cut-away such as shown at88to enhance the flexibility of that portion of the coupler.

Although the present preferred embodiments have been described in terms of certain specific structures and configurations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications are possible. For instance, the relative dimensions of the various elements of the coupler as well as their specific configurations may be modified while maintaining the described functions of these elements without departing from the scope or intent of the invention. Likewise, the cross sections of the various elements may be altered from that illustrated in the drawings and the specific materials utilized in constructing the coupler may be varied to accommodate the required design flexibility and strength of the coupler. It will also be understood that the strap element of the assembly may be made from various materials and may either be an elastomer or a non-stretchable material. It is to be understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not limitation.