FASTENER HEAD, FASTENER KIT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A FASTENER

A fastener head including a body having a cavity for receiving a first end of a cable and a through hole for receiving a second end of a cable. The fastener head may include a first locking mechanism for securing the cable in the cavity and a second locking mechanism for securing the cable in the through hole.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to fasteners and, in particular, to cable fasteners, dispensers and methods of assembling fasteners.

BACKGROUND

Cable ties are typically used to fasten objects together. Unfortunately, they are often longer than necessary. As a result, a user may cut off the excess length of the cable tie once the objects are fastened together. The trimmed off portion may then be discarded, resulting in a waste of valuable resources.

It would be advantageous to provide a fastener that is more environmentally friendly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, the present application describes a fastener head. The fastener head may include a body having a cavity for receiving a first end of a cable and a through hole for receiving a second end of the cable; a first locking mechanism for securing the first end of the cable in the cavity; and a second locking mechanism for securing the cable in the through hole.

In some implementations, the first locking mechanism may include a barb.

In some implementations, the first locking mechanism may be disposed in the cavity.

In some implementations, the fastener head may further include a unitary locking member including the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism.

In some implementations, the cavity may have a substantially rectangular cuboid shape.

In some implementations, an axis of the cavity may be perpendicular to an axis of the through hole.

In some implementations, an axis of the cavity may be oblique to an axis of the through hole.

In some implementations, the cavity may be disposed proximate to a first opening of the through hole and distal from a second opening of the through hole and the first locking mechanism may facilitate movement of the cable in a direction of the first opening to the second opening and may prevent movement of the cable in a reverse direction.

In some implementations, the cable may be a ribbon.

In some implementations, the cable may be toothless.

In another aspect, the present application describes a kit including the fastener head and a dispenser for dispensing the fastener head and a cable.

In some implementations, the kit may further include the cable.

In some implementations, the dispenser may include an aperture for dispensing the cable from the dispenser and a tooth for hindering the cable from receding into the dispenser through the aperture.

In another aspect, the present application describes a method of assembling a fastener. The method may include feeding a first end of a cable into a cavity in a fastener head including a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism; securing the first end of the cable in a cavity in the fastener head using the first locking mechanism; feeding a second end of the cable into a through hole in the fastener head; and securing the cable in the through hole in the fastener head using the second locking mechanism.

In some implementations, the method may further include, butting the first end of the cable against an end wall of the cavity.

In some implementations, securing the first end of the cable in the fastener head using the first locking mechanism may include retaining the cable against a barb.

In some implementations, securing the cable in the through hole in the fastener head using the second locking mechanism may include retaining the cable against a barb.

In some implementations, the method may further include severing the cable from a spool of cable.

In the present application, the phrase “at least one of . . . and . . . ” is intended to cover any one or more of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements alone, any sub-combination, or all of the elements, without necessarily excluding any additional elements, and without necessarily requiring all of the elements.

Reference is now made toFIG.1, which shows a side perspective view of an example fastener head. The fastener head100has a body102that includes a cavity104for receiving an end of a cable (not shown) into the body102and a through hole106through which an opposite end of the cable may pass. The cable may be secured in both the cavity104and the through hole106.

Reference is now made toFIG.2, which shows a front view of the example fastener head100ofFIG.1. Reference is also made toFIG.3, shows a cross-sectional view of the example fastener head100ofFIG.2taken generally along line A-A ofFIG.2.

The fastener head100includes a body102, a cavity104and a through hole106. The cavity104may sometimes be referred to as a slot or blind hole.

The cavity104may have a cavity opening310and an end wall312. The cavity opening310may be for receiving the end of a cable into the cavity. The cavity104may not break through the end wall312. The end wall312may serve to block the forward travel of the end of the cable and prevent the end of the cable from exiting the cavity104.

The through hole106may include two openings on opposite ends through which the cable or a portion of the cable may be moved. For example, the through hole may include a first through hole opening320for receiving a cable or a portion of the cable and a second through hole opening322from which the cable or portion of the cable may exit from the fastener head100. In other words, the cable may move from the first through hole opening320and in the direction of the second through hole opening322.

The cavity104and through hole106of the example fastener head100are each in the shape of a rectangular cuboid and the cavity opening310, first through hole opening320and second through hole opening322in this example are each rectangular. It will be appreciated that the cavity104and through hole106can have one of any number of suitable shapes, including a substantially rectangular cuboid or cylindrical shape. It will also be appreciated that the cavity opening310, first through hole opening320and second through hole opening322can have one of any number of suitable shapes, including a substantially rectangular or circular shape.

The cavity104, through hole106, cavity opening310, first through hole opening320and second through hole opening322may be sized and shaped according to the size and shape of the cable to be secured by the fastener head100. For example, the fastener head100may correspond to and be used to secure a cable that is an elongated strip or ribbon. In embodiments where the cavity and through hole106are cylindrical, the cable may be a wire.

The example the cavity104and through hole106are rectangular cuboids and, accordingly, the cavity104may have four respective sidewalls, including a sidewall surface314and opposing sidewall surface316, and the through hole106may also have four respective sidewalls, including a sidewall surface324and an opposing sidewall surface326. It will be appreciated that in embodiments where the cavity104and through hole106are cylindrical, then the cavity104and through hole106may each include a single respective sidewall.

The example fastener head100may also include a first locking mechanism for securing a first end of the cable in the cavity104and a second locking mechanism for securing the second end of the cable in the through hole106.

In some embodiments, the example fastener head100may include a locking member300for securing a cable in the fastener head100. The locking member300may be unitary and include a first end portion302for locking a cable in the cavity104and a second end portion304for locking a cable in the through hole106. The first locking mechanism may be or include the first end portion302and the second locking mechanism may be or include the second end portion304. The first locking mechanism may be disposed in the cavity104and the second locking mechanism may be disposed in the through hole106.

The first end portion302may be formed as a barb and may include a first edge330, a first front surface332, and a first rear surface334. The barb may be sometimes referred to as a blade and the first front surface332may sometimes be referred to as a bevel. The barb may project from the sidewall surface314and protrude into the cavity104and point towards the opposing sidewall surface316. The first front surface332and the first rear surface334may meet to form the first edge330. The first front surface332may extend at an oblique angle from the sidewall surface314to the first edge330. The first rear surface334may extend from the sidewall surface314at a perpendicular angle. The first front surface332may generally face towards the cavity opening310and away from the end wall312and the first rear surface334may generally face away from the cavity opening310and towards the end wall312. The first rear surface334may be parallel to the end wall312. In this way, the first end portion302may be a directional barb that bites into a cable as it is fed into the cavity104and retains the cable against and between the barb and the opposing sidewall surface316.

The second end portion304may be formed as a barb and may include a second edge340, a second front surface342, and a second rear surface344. The barb may be sometimes referred to as a blade and the second front surface342may sometimes be referred to as a bevel. The barb may project from the sidewall surface326and protrude into the through hole106and point towards the opposing sidewall surface324. The second front surface342and the second rear surface344may meet to form the second edge340. The second front surface342may extend oblique angle from the sidewall surface326to the second edge340. The second rear surface344may extend from the sidewall surface326at a perpendicular angle. The second front surface342may generally face towards the first through hole opening320and away from the second through hole opening322and the second rear surface344may generally face away from the first through hole opening320and towards the second through hole opening322. In this way, the second end portion304may be a directional barb that bites into a cable as it is fed into the first through hole opening320and retains the cable against and between the barb and the opposing sidewall surface324.

The cavity104defines an axis of the cavity104, which is sometimes referred to as the cavity axis. The cavity axis may be a longitudinal axis of the cavity104and may coincide with and extend through the centroids of the cavity opening310and the end wall312. In other words, the cavity axis may be the line segment containing the centers of the two ends of the cavity104. Put another way, the cavity axis may extend in the direction of the cavity104. The normal of the first rear surface334may extend substantially parallel to the cavity axis.

The through hole106defines an axis of the through hole106, which is sometimes referred to as the through hole axis. The through hole axis may be a longitudinal axis of the through hole and may coincide with and extend through the centroids of the first through hole opening320and the second through hole opening322. In other words, the through hole axis may be the line segment containing the centers of the two ends of the through hole106. Put another way, the through hole axis may extend in the direction of the through hole106. The normal of the second rear surface344may extend substantially parallel to the through hole axis. The through hole axis may intersect the cavity axis.

The fastener head100may be formed to facilitate use of the fastener head100with objects that have a straight or flat surface as opposed to a curved surface. For example, as shown inFIG.3, the cavity axis and the through hole axis may be perpendicular or orthogonal to one another. The fastener head100may also include an external cavity sidewall surface350that is planar and extends parallel to the cavity axis and perpendicular to the through hole axis. The normal of the external cavity sidewall surface350may also be parallel to the through hole axis. The external cavity sidewall surface350may be flush with, parallel to, or form a continuous plane or unbroken surface with a face352of the first through hole opening320. The face352of the first through hole opening320may be planar and may include an external surface surrounding, adjacent to, or defining the first through hole opening320. In this way, when the fastener head100is used to secure a cable, a flat surface of secured object may abut against both the external cavity sidewall surface350and the face352of the first through hole opening320.

Reference is now made toFIG.4, which shows a side perspective view of another example fastener head400. The fastener head400is a variation of the fastener head100of FIG.1. The fastener head400shown inFIG.4includes a bend402between the external cavity sidewall surface350and the face352of the first through hole opening320. In this example, the cavity axis and the through hole axis may be non-perpendicular to one another. In other words, the angle between the cavity axis and the through hole axis may be oblique. The normal of the external cavity sidewall surface350is may be non-parallel to the through hole axis and may intersect with the through hole axis. The external cavity sidewall surface350may formed such that the external cavity sidewall surface350does is not lie in the same plane as the face352of the first through hole opening320. In this way, the external cavity sidewall surface350and the face352may facilitate use of the fastener head400with objects that have a curved surface or round shape.

Put another way, the cavity axis and the cavity opening310may be angled towards the first through hole opening320for receiving the cable and may be angled away from the second through hole opening322and the distance between the cavity opening310and the first through hole opening320may be shorter than the distance between the cavity opening310and the second through hole opening322.

Reference is now made toFIG.5, which shows a perspective view of an example locking member500andFIG.6, which shows side perspective view of a fastener head body600that may be used together with the example locking member500to form an example fastener head according to another embodiment. The locking member500is a variation of the locking member300ofFIG.3. The locking member500shown inFIG.5includes a bend502between the end portions of the locking member500. When the locking member500and the fastener head body600are combined, a surface504of the locking member500may form an exterior surface of the resulting fastener head.

Reference is now made toFIG.7, which shows a side perspective view of the example fastener700including the fastener head100ofFIG.1engaging an example cable. The example cable702may be an elongated, flexible strip. The cable702may be toothless. In other words, the cable702may be smooth on all sides and may not have grooves that are intended to engage the barbs or locking mechanisms of the fastener head100.

Reference is now made toFIG.8, which shows a perspective view of a kit800including a dispenser802, a cable804and the example fastener head100ofFIG.1.

Reference is now made toFIG.9, which shows an exploded perspective view of the example dispenser802ofFIG.8. The dispenser802may include a top cover900and a dispenser body902.

The dispenser body902may include a cable storage area904for storing or housing a spool908of cable804. The cable804may be dispensed from the spool908by pulling the cable804through an aperture906formed in the dispenser body902.

The top cover900may be removably attached to the dispenser body902for providing access to the cable storage area904and refilling the cable storage area904with a fresh spool908of cable804. In some embodiments, the top cover900may be removed from the dispenser body902by squeezing a tab910extending from the top cover900that can releasably hook into the dispenser body902.

The dispenser body902may include a tooth (not shown) disposed proximate to, adjacent to, or in the aperture906to prevent or hinder the cable804from receding back into the dispenser802. In some embodiments, the tooth may be a barb that can bite into the cable804.

Reference is now made toFIG.10, which shows a front view of the example dispenser802ofFIG.8. The dispenser802may include a bottom cover1000and a fastener head storage area1002for storing fastener heads to be dispensed by the dispenser802.

The bottom cover1000may be removably attached to the dispenser body902for providing access to the fastener head storage area1002and refilling the fastener head storage area1002with fastener heads. In some embodiments, the bottom cover1000may be removed by twisting the bottom cover1000to unscrew the bottom cover1000from the dispenser body902.

The dispenser802may also include an aperture1004from which fastener heads located in the fastener head storage area1002may be dispensed from. In other words, the aperture1004may provide access to the fastener head storage area1002.

The dispenser802may also include a closure1006used to close or seal the aperture1004. The closure1006may include a sliding door, cap, cover, lid, or plug. The closure1006may include any suitable devices and techniques used to close or seal container such as a bottle, jug, jar, tube, or can.

Reference is now made toFIG.11, which shows a flowchart of an example method1100of using a fastener. Aspects of the described operations of the method1100may be carried out with the fastener kit800illustrated inFIG.8.

The method1100starts with an operation1102. In operation1102, a fastener head is dispensed from a dispenser. In one embodiment, the fastener may be dispensed through an access door of the dispenser. In another embodiment, the fastener may be dispensed by removing a cover from the dispenser.

In operation1104, a portion of a spool of cable is dispensed from the dispenser.

In operation1106, a cable is severed from the dispensed portion of the spool of cable. The cable may be severed according to a desired or predetermined length. The desired length may be predetermined by wrapping the dispensed portion around one or more objects to be fastened together to determine a location at which the dispensed portion should be severed. The cable may be severed using any suitable means, which may include a knife or cable cutters.

In operation1108, a first end of the cable may be fed into a cavity of the fastener head until the first end of the cable abuts against an end wall of the cavity.

In operation1110, the first end of the cable is secured in the fastener head. A locking mechanism may retain the cable against a blade that allows for directional movement of the cable into the cavity and not out of the cavity. For example, a steel barb disposed in the cavity may bite onto the cable as the cable is fed into the cavity and may prevent the cable from being pulled out of the cavity or reversing its direction of movement in the cavity.

In operation1112, a second end of the cable is fed into a through hole of the fastener head. In this way, the second end of the cable may transverse the body of the fastener from one end to another, passing through the entire length of the through hole. In some embodiments, the second end of the cable may be fed into the through hole without exiting from the through hole.

In operation1114, the second end of the cable is secured in the fastener head. A locking mechanism may retain the cable against a blade that allows for directional movement of the cable in the through hole. In other words, the cable may move in one direction along a longitudinal axis of the through hole but not in the reverse direction. Put another way, the cable may be fed into the through hole and the locking mechanism may prevent the cable from being pulled out of the through hole from the opening of the through hole from which the cable is fed into. For example, a steel barb disposed in the through hole may bite onto the cable as the cable is fed into the through hole and may prevent the cable from reversing its direction of movement in the through hole.

It will be appreciated that it may be that some or all of the above-described operations of the various above-described example methods may be performed in orders other than those illustrated and/or may be performed concurrently and/or sequentially without varying the overall operation of those methods.

Various components of the fastener head, the cable and the dispenser, may be made of plastic, steel or any other suitable material. For instance, the fastener body and cable may be made of nylon plastic, the top cover and bottom cover of the dispenser may be made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, the spool may be made of polyethylene or polypropylene, and the chassis may be made of polycarbonate plastic. The locking mechanisms may be made of stainless steel. The fastener head may be formed by over molding a steel locking member.

It will be understood that the components implementing the dispenser may be attached or secured to each other using standard techniques. The present application is not limited to particular connectors, hinges, glues, or other such implementation details.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the described components may be implemented as separate components. In some implementations, the one or more components are formed of a unitary piece of material. For example, the body of the fastener head may be formed of a unitary plastic material by molding a polymer compound. As another example, the cable may be constructed as a single piece.