Cable tie

A binding head and binding arrangement that cooperates with an elongate member that has a fastening end and a locking end. The fastening end is spaced apart from the locking end along the length of the elongate member and each elongate member has at least one lengthwise side that includes at least two teeth. The binding head includes a fastening opening for receiving a fastening end of an elongate member. The fastening opening includes a first fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member to lock a portion of the elongate member within the fastening opening; and a locking opening for receiving a locking end of an elongate member. The locking opening includes a second fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member to lock a portion of the elongate member within the locking opening. A cable tie is also claimed which includes the binding head and binding arrangement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a binding head, a binding arrangement and an improved cable tie that can be formed using the binding head and the binding arrangement. The invention is particularly applicable in relation to cable tie type devices and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and could be used to in relation to other similar fastening or binding arrangements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

Cable ties are traditionally used to bind together at least two items such as cables or wires. A typical cable tie includes a fastening head attached to one end of an elongate member, typically in the form of a strap. The strap can be wrapped around at least two items and then its free “fastening” end can be pulled through and fastened within the fastening head, securing the cable tie around the items. The strap and the fastening head are locked together using a cooperating uni-directional fastening arrangement. Accordingly, a user can wrap the strap portion of the cable tie around the items, insert the fastening end of the strap into and through the fastening head, and pull the strap tight around the cables to bind the items together. An excess portion of the strap not wrapped around the cables can then cut off and discarded.

It is common to use a cable tie having a longer strap than is required for that binding application. In some cases, the excess or discarded portion of strap can have a substantial and therefore useful length. It would be more economic to be able to reuse this substantial portion of discarded strap for further binding applications.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved cable tie in which a discarded strap portion of that or another cable tie could be used for a further binding application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binding head for receiving at least two portions of at least one elongate member, each elongate member having a fastening end and a locking end, the fastening end being spaced apart from the locking end along the length of the elongate member, each elongate member also having at least one lengthwise side that includes at least two teeth, the binding head including:a fastening opening for receiving a fastening end of an elongate member, the fastening opening including a first fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member to lock a portion of the elongate member within the fastening opening; anda locking opening for receiving a locking end of an elongate member, the locking opening including a second fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member to lock a portion of the elongate member within the locking opening.

Accordingly, this aspect of the present invention provides a binding head which can be used in conjunction with a discarded strap portion of a cable tie or similar section of cable tie strap to form a binding arrangement. In this respect, the severed end of the discarded scrap portion of the strap can be received and locked into the locking opening of the binding head to form a cable tie type device. The other end of the strap can then be received and locked within the fastening opening of the binding head to bind items together. The fastening opening and locking opening would ideally have cooperating configurations with the discarded portion of the strap and its teeth for optimal fastening between the binding head and discarded strap portion.

Any suitable fastening arrangement can be used for the first fastening arrangement and the second fastening arrangement. In some embodiments, the first fastening arrangement has the same configuration as the second fastening arrangement. In other embodiments, the first fastening arrangement has a different configuration to the second fastening arrangement. One or both of the first or second fastening arrangements could be configured to releasably lock a portion of the elongate member within the fastening opening or locking opening respectively.

The first and/or second fastening arrangement can include at least one resilient member extending from an inner surface of the opening, and an abutment surface adjacent to the resilient member. In use, the resilient member engages with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member when a portion of the elongate member is inserted into the respective locking opening and/or fastening opening thereby securing said portion of the elongate member between at least one of the resilient members and the abutment surface.

The resilient member can have any suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the resilient member comprises a generally rectangular body. The resilient member is generally configured to engage and interlock with the teeth of an elongate member. Some resilient members can include an engagement surface having a substantially complementary configuration to at least one of the teeth of the elongate member. Preferably, this engagement surface includes a portion which is generally perpendicular to the length of the elongate member configured to abut a complementary surface of the teeth of the elongate member to resist lengthwise movement of the elongate member in a direction away from the opening. In some embodiments, the engagement surface is located at a free end of the resilient members. Where the teeth of the elongate member have a sloped surface, each of the free ends of the resilient members can include a complementary sloped surface.

At least one of, but preferably each of the first fastening arrangement and second fastening arrangement is a unidirectional fastening arrangement configured to engage with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member. In one embodiment, the unidirectional fastening arrangement includes a pawl which, in use, engages with at least one of the teeth when the elongate member has been inserted through the opening. This type of pawl type fastening arrangement is used in a number of existing cable tie binding head arrangements and provides a strong uni-directional lock between the teeth on an elongate member and the pawl.

The fastening opening can have any suitable configuration. The fastening opening is generally a through-hole in the binding head through which the elongate member can be threaded to allow the size of a loop formed by the elongate member to be adjustable. In comparison, the locking opening is preferably configured to lock only a locking end of an elongate member into the locking opening. The locking opening is thus preferably a blind opening having an inner wall against which the locking end of the elongate member can abut. A portion of the elongate member proximate to the locking end of the elongate member can be locked into the locking opening.

The teeth of the elongate member preferably comprise a plurality of ratchet teeth arranged as a track substantially along the length of the elongate member. The resilient member can therefore be configured to abut at least one of the ratchet teeth in the track. Where the ratchet teeth includes a first engagement surface generally acutely angled to the length of the elongate member and a second engagement surface generally perpendicular to the length of the elongate member, the resilient members can be configured to substantially mate with each of the engagement surfaces.

In some embodiments, each elongate member includes at least two separate lengthwise sides. A first side of the elongate member includes at least one tooth configured to cooperate with the first fastening arrangement to lock a portion of the elongate member within the fastening opening. A second side of the elongate member includes at least one tooth configured to cooperate with the second fastening arrangement to lock a portion of the elongate member within the locking opening.

The teeth of each side of the elongate member can form a track having a shape that is generally directionally arranged relative to the fastening end of the elongate member. Where the teeth are ratchet teeth, the teeth on one side of the elongate member can include a sloped surface which is oriented towards the fastening end of the elongate member. Where the elongate member has teeth on two sides, it is preferred that the teeth of the first side of the elongate member are arranged as a track orientated in a first direction along the length of the elongate member and the teeth of the second side of the elongate member are arranged as a track orientated in a second direction along the length of the elongate member. More preferably, the first direction is in substantially the opposite direction to the second direction. In these embodiments, the directionally arranged teeth can be configured to directionally cooperate with the unidirectional fastening arrangement of the respective fastening arrangement. In such arrangements, each of the fastening and locking openings are preferably configured to receive and lock the elongate member therein with the teeth orientated in the opposite direction to the fastening direction of the respective fastening arrangement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binding arrangement including:an elongate member having at least a fastening end and a locking end, the fastening end being spaced apart from the locking end along the length of the elongate member, the elongate member also having at least one lengthwise side that includes at least two teeth; anda binding head according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In use, the fastening opening of the binding head receives the fastening end of the elongate member with the first fastening arrangement locking a portion of the elongate member therein. Furthermore, in use, the locking opening receives the locking end of the elongate member with the second fastening arrangement locking a portion of the elongate member therein.

Accordingly, this aspect of the present invention provides a combination of a binding head according to the first aspect of the present invention and elongate member that can be fastened into the binding head which can be combined to provide a binding arrangement for binding together at least two items.

The elongate member and binding head can be supplied separately or in combination as part of a kit. In some embodiments, a plurality of binding heads can be supplied separately for use with one or more elongate members. While in other embodiments, a plurality of binding heads and elongate members are supplied together.

Various forms of elongate members can be supplied for use with a binding head according to the first aspect of the present invention, and for a binding arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention. In one form, discrete lengths or strips of an elongate member of a selected length or lengths can be supplied for use with a binding head according to the first aspect of the invention. In other embodiments, the elongate member comprises the discarded portion of a strap of a cable tie device. In yet other embodiments, the elongate member is supplied as a roll of a long elongate strip of material that can be cut to a desired length.

Each of the teeth of the elongate member can be any suitable protrusion, rib or the like that can co-operate with at least one of the first and second fastening arrangements to lock a portion of the elongate member into the fastening opening and locking opening respectively. In one preferred embodiment, the teeth of the elongate member are ratchet teeth arranged as a track substantially along the length of the elongate member. The track configuration provides a regular series of teeth along the length of the elongate member that can, in some embodiments, be used to select the portion of the elongate member to be locked in the respective fastening arrangements. This allows the fastening arrangement to be adjustable relative to the length of the elongate member.

Again, in some embodiments of this aspect of the present invention, each side of at least two separate lengthwise sides of the elongate member include at least one tooth of the teeth. Preferably, each of the sides including tracks of teeth. Again, it is preferable for the teeth of each of the sides to be orientated in different, preferably opposite directions along the length of the elongate member.

Of course, in some embodiments the binding head and the elongate member can be interconnected. Such an arrangement is convenient to use, as the appropriate binding head is provided in close proximity to the cooperating elongate member. In some embodiments, the binding head can also be configured to be selectively disconnected from the elongate member. This particular configuration allows a user to use the binding head from a first elongate member with a second elongate member in a location remote to the first elongate member.

In one preferred embodiment, the first elongate member also includes a fastening head having second fastening opening for receiving a fastening end of the first elongate member. The fastening opening preferably includes a third fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the first elongate member to lock a portion of the first elongate member within the second fastening opening.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable tie, including:an elongate member having at least a fastening end, and at least one lengthwise side that includes at least two teeth; anda binding head connected to the elongate member, the binding head being spaced apart from the fastening end along the length of the elongate member,wherein the binding head includes at least three openings for receiving a portion of at least one elongate member, the openings including:a first fastening opening for receiving the fastening end of a further elongate member, the further elongate member having at least a fastening end, and at least one lengthwise side that includes at least two teeth, the fastening opening including a first fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the further elongate member to lock a portion of the further elongate member within the fastening opening;a locking opening for receiving a locking end of the further elongate member, the locking end being an end of the further elongate member spaced apart from the fastening end of the further elongate member along the length of the further elongate member, the locking opening including a second fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the further elongate member to lock a portion of the further elongate member within the locking opening; anda second fastening opening for receiving the fastening end of the elongate member, the fastening opening including a third fastening arrangement configured to cooperate with at least one of the teeth of the elongate member to lock a portion of the elongate member within the third fastening opening.

Accordingly, this third aspect of the present invention provides a cable tie device having two additional fastening arrangements as compared to a traditional cable tie configuration. The two additional fastening arrangements can be used in conjunction with a further elongate member as a further binding arrangement, to bind together at least two items.

Again, the elongate member and further elongate member can be any suitable strip, tab, cord or the like that can cooperate with the various fastening arrangements in the binding head. In one preferred embodiment, the further elongate member is a portion of the elongate member. The locking end in such an embodiment is a severed end resulting from the elongate member being divided into at least two portions.

The binding head can have a number of configurations. In one embodiment, the binding head is a single body including each of the first fastening opening, second fastening opening and locking opening. In another embodiment, the binding head includes a separate sub-body containing only one of the fastening opening, second fastening opening or locking opening respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the binding head is formed from two interconnected sub-heads, including a first sub-head which includes the second fastening opening; and a second sub-head which includes the first fastening opening and the locking opening. Preferably, the second sub-head is a binding head according to the first aspect of the present invention.

It is preferable for each of the sub-heads to be interconnected. In a preferred form, the first sub-head is connected to the second subhead by a frangible connector. In this embodiment, it is preferable for the second sub-head to be arranged with the second fastening opening adjacent to the frangible connector. Moreover, in some embodiments, the elongate member is connected to the first sub-head.

Again, it is preferable for the teeth of the elongate member and further elongate member to include a plurality of ratchet teeth arranged as a track substantially along the length of the elongate member. Again, some embodiments of this aspect of the present invention include at least one tooth of the teeth located on each side of two separate lengthwise sides of the elongate member. Preferably, each of the lengthwise sides includes tracks of teeth. Again, it is preferable for the teeth of each of the sides to be orientated in different, preferably opposite directions along the length of the elongate member.

The cable tie according to the present invention can be manufactured using any number of suitable techniques ranging from moulding, pressing, cutting or the like. However, in terms of economics and manufacturing simplicity, it is preferred for the cable tie to be formed as a one piece plastic moulding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring firstly toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a binding head10according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated binding head10can be supplied separately or, as shown, in combination with further binding device, such as a conventional cable tie device30as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4through the inclusion of a connection strip20that interconnects the binding head10to the further binding device.

The illustrated binding head10comprises a rectangular plastic moulded body having two square openings12and14. The locking opening12is a blind opening having a front aperture13and rear wall13A. The locking opening12functions to lock an end portion of a cooperating elongate strap (for example strap32inFIG. 4) inside the opening12using a fastening arrangement16situated inside the locking opening12. The fastening opening14is a through-opening having a front aperture15(FIG. 1) and rear aperture17(FIG. 2) through which a cooperating elongate strap (for example strap32inFIG. 4) can be threaded. The fastening opening14also includes a fastening arrangement18which functions to lock a portion of a cooperating elongate strap (for example strap32inFIG. 4) into the fastening opening14. As will be better explained with reference toFIG. 4, the configuration of the fastening arrangement18of the fastening opening14is the same as the configuration of the fastening arrangement16of the locking opening12.

The illustrated configuration of the binding head10is intended to cooperate with a discarded section of strap32(termed additional elongate strap32hereinafter) from a conventional cable tie30to enable reuse of this section of strap in a further binding arrangement. This application is better illustrated in relation to the cable tie arrangement28shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. It should however be appreciated that the binding head10could be used with a purpose produced section of strap that has a similar configuration to that additional elongate strap32.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a cable tie device28which includes a binding head10similar to the binding head10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Essentially, this cable tie device28comprises a binding head10similar to that shown inFIGS. 1 and 2connected to the fastening head33of a conventional cable tie30through a frangible connection strip20. The frangible strip20can be any connection section that can be cut, torn, twisted or broken. In the illustrated embodiment, the frangible strip20is a thin section of plastic that can be divided through the application of an appropriate force.

The conventional cable tie30section of the cable tie device28includes an integrally connected fastening head33and elongate strap36. As best shown inFIG. 3, the fastening head33is a substantially square plastic body which includes a fastening opening38. The elongate strap36is an elongate flat strip of plastic having two broad sides39and40and a free end, known as the fastening end42.

Referring now toFIG. 4, it can be seen that each broad side39and40of the elongate strap36include a lengthwise track having a plurality of ratchet teeth44and44A spaced along the length of each side of the elongate strap36. Each of the ratchet teeth44of the first side39include a sloped surface45and stop face46. Similarly, each of the ratchet teeth44A of the second side40includes a sloped surface45A and stop face46A. The sloped surfaces45of the first side39are directionally arranged along the length of the elongate strap36, with the sloped surfaces45sloping in a direction towards the fastening end42. In comparison, the sloped surfaces45A of the second side40are directionally arranged along the length of the elongate strap36, with the sloped surfaces45A sloping in the opposite direction to the sloped surfaces45of the first side39. Accordingly, the tracks of ratchet teeth44and44A on each side39,40of the elongate strap36therefore have the same configuration but extend with the stop face46and46A and sloped surfaces45and45A in opposite directions along the length of the elongate strap36. Only the teeth44of the first side39of the elongate strap36are intended for use with a fastening arrangement48located within the fastening opening38.

As illustrated, the fastening opening38includes a uni-directional fastening arrangement48which cooperates with the teeth44of the first side39of the elongate strap36to lock a portion of the elongate strap36into the fastening opening38. This fastening arrangement48includes a pawl50formed integrally with internal wall52of the fastening opening38. The pawl50is resiliently biased to its engaged position (as shown) but may deflect through bending along its length. The pawl50includes a face56having a complementary shape to the shape of teeth44of the first side39of the elongate strap36. In use, the fastening end42of the elongate strap36is inserted into the front aperture60and pulled through the fastening opening38in the direction of arrow A. During this action, the teeth44of the elongate strap36ride over the ramped backs of the face56of pawl50. Any attempt to withdraw the elongate strap36from the fastening opening38in the opposite direction to arrow A causes the stop face46of the elongate strap36to engage with the complementary shaped face62of the pawl50and prevent retraction of the elongate strap36.

As noted in relation toFIGS. 1 and 2, each of the fastening opening14and locking opening12also has an internal locking mechanism. The fastening opening14and locking opening12of the cable tie device28is configured to cooperate with an additional section of elongate strap32. The illustrated additional elongate strap32is a severed section of an elongate strap36resulting from the elongate strap36being divided into at least two portions. For example, when the conventional cable tie section30is used to bind two items together, and elongate strap36is fastened within fastening head33, an excess piece of the elongate strap36may extend from the rear aperture61. This excess piece of elongate strap36may be cut off for atheistic reasons. This excess piece may be used as the additional elongate strap32. However it should be appreciated that the binding head10could also be used with a purpose produced section of strap that has a similar configuration to the illustrated additional elongate strap32.

The additional elongate strap32and the elongate strap36have a similar configuration. Accordingly, like features in the additional elongate strap32have been designated with the same reference numerals as used for similar features in the elongate strap36. In this respect, each broad side39and40of the additional elongate strap32include a lengthwise track having a plurality of ratchet teeth44and44A spaced along the length of each side of the elongate strap36. Each of the ratchet teeth44of the first side39include a sloped surface45and stop face46. Similarly, each of the ratchet teeth44A of the second side40includes a sloped surface45A and stop face46A. The sloped surfaces45of the first side39are directionally arranged along the length of the elongate strap36, with the sloped surfaces45sloping in a direction towards the fastening end42. The sloped surfaces45A of the second side40are directionally arranged along the length of the additional elongate strap32, with the sloped surfaces45A sloping in the opposite direction to the sloped surfaces45of the first side39. Accordingly, the tracks of ratchet teeth44and44A on each side39,40of the additional elongate strap32therefore have the same configuration but extend with the stop face46and46A and sloped surfaces45and45A in opposite directions along the length of the additional elongate strap32.

The fastening arrangement18of the fastening opening14is also a uni-directional fastening arrangement that includes a pawl70formed integrally with internal wall72of the fastening opening14. The pawl70is resiliently biased to its engaged position (as shown) but may deflect through bending along its length. The fastening opening14is designed to receive a portion of the additional elongate strap32. Accordingly, this pawl70also includes complementary shaped face76of the teeth44of the first side39of the elongate strap32. This configuration allows the fastening end of the additional elongate strap32to be inserted into the front aperture15and pulled through the fastening opening14in the direction of arrow B. Again, any attempt to withdraw the additional elongate strap32from the fastening opening14will cause the stop face46of the additional elongate strap32to engage with the complementary shaped face77of the pawl70and prevent retraction of the additional elongate strap32.

The locking opening12of the cable tie device28is configured to receive and lock a locking end portion88of the additional elongate strap32therein. The illustrated locking end portion88of the additional elongate strap32is a severed end of an elongate strap36resulting from the elongate strap36being divided into at least two portions.

Still referring toFIG. 4, it can be seen that the locking opening12is a blind opening having a sealed end90. Nevertheless, the fastening arrangement16within the locking opening12has a similar configuration to the fastening arrangements18and48of the fastening openings14and38. In this respect, the fastening arrangement16of the locking opening12is yet another uni-directional fastening arrangement that includes a pawl80formed integrally with internal wall82of the locking opening12. The pawl80is resiliently biased to its engaged position (as shown) but may deflect through bending along its length. The locking opening12is designed to receive a locking end portion88of the additional elongate strap32. Accordingly, this pawl80also includes complementary shaped face86of the teeth44A of the second side40of the elongate strap32. This configuration allows locking end portion88of the additional elongate strap32to be inserted into the front aperture13and through the locking opening12in the direction of arrow C and into engagement with the pawl80. This locking end portion88can abut the sealed end90if inserted far enough, such as is shown inFIG. 4. Again, any attempt to withdraw the additional elongate strap32from the locking opening12will cause the stop face46A of the additional elongate strap32to engage with the complementary shaped face87of the pawl80and prevent retraction of the additional elongate strap32from the locking opening12.

The illustrated cable tie device28therefore provides a user with two binding arrangements that utilize portions of the elongate strap36. A first binding arrangement can be formed using the conventional cable tie section30by inserting the elongate strap36into the fastening head33. Once this binding arrangement has been formed, any excess piece of the elongate strap36extending from the rear aperture61may be cut off and utilised as an additional elongate strap32for the binding head10. In this respect, the locking end portion88of the additional elongate strap32can be locked into locking opening12of the binding head10. This combination forms a further cable tie type device that allows a user to use the additional elongate strap32to bind a further set of items utilising the fastening opening14of the locking head10. Of course, this further device can be separated from the cable tie section30by dividing the frangible strip20into at least two separated section.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Throughout the description and claims of the specification the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.