Elastic tie and methods of using and manufacturing the same

Tying devices, and methods of using and manufacturing the same are provided. The tying devices can include an elastic band having at least one elongated malleable member attached to at least one end thereof. When the tying devices are wrapped about an object, under tension, in self-overlapping configuration, and the elongated malleable member is bent to approximate a surface contour of the object, even without wrapping the malleable member fully around the object, the combination of friction between the overlapping surfaces of the elastic band, and the rigidity of the elongated malleable member, can be sufficient to retain the tying device securely under tension.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates in general to tying loose items together and, in particular, to elastic and malleable ties and the methods for using and manufacturing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

With the increasing prevalence of tools and gadgets, there is a need to bundle and tie various items to keep them organized, secure, and conveniently accessible. Without the proper bundling or tying, these items may get entangled, such as in the case of power cords, cables, chains, and ropes. They may also get loose and lost, such as in the case of pencils, pens, brushes, pipes and tubes.

There are many available products for use in tying. They can be classified as a number of different types, such as, for example, straps (a belt or with VELCO); cable ties; twist ties; stretchable bands with hooks and loops; pliable ties with hooks and loops; tubes; and cable sleeves. Ideally, the products should be usable to securely and efficiently tie items while also being easy to use. There is a need for an improved tying device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Tying devices for easily and securely tying items and methods for using and manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a tying device can comprise an elastic band, having malleable elements at both ends.

In some embodiments, the tying device includes an elongated elastic band. The band can be made from material that is not only elastic but also has a gripping surface on the exterior that provides for friction contact against objects and/or against itself, when the band is overlapped our wound in overlapping fashion. In some embodiments, the band is tubular, or otherwise has an internal chamber or cavity, and malleable wires or malleable elements are inserted into the cavity at each end of the elastic band, with the malleable elements extending into the band but not extending along the full length of the band. Also, the malleable elements can each be provided with a pull knob fixedly attached thereto, such that when the malleable wires are coupled to the band at either end, the pull knobs are positioned at the outer end portions of the malleable wires. In some embodiments, the pull knobs are embedded within the band, by pressing the knobs into the cavity of the band along with the malleable wire, so that malleable wire and band are both within the cavity of the band at either end thereof.

In some embodiments, methods for manufacturing a tying device are provided. The methods include providing a tubular elastic band, providing a knob fixedly attached to an outward end of malleable wire, inserting an inside end of the malleable wire into an internal chamber of the band, and passing the inside end of the wire inwardly into the chamber until the knob on the outward end abuts against a rim on the end of the band, then pressing the knob into the internal chamber of the elastic band a sufficient distance until the band surrounds the lateral edges of the knob and the knob is securely held within the band, at end portions of the band.

In still other embodiments, methods for using tying devices are provided. The methods can include the steps of anchoring a first end of the tying device against an object; pulling an elastic band of the tying device to stretch it under tension; winding, or looping the extended elastic band around an item, or group of items, to overlap the tying device, including the elastic band, about itself; and anchoring a second end of the tying device by bending a malleable element coupled to the elastic band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of this disclosure. However, upon reviewing this disclosure one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. In other instances, well-known or widely available structures associated with wires or plastic tubes or plants, have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein for purposes of illustration, in the context of application to a cord bundle in a particular manner. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate upon reviewing this disclosure, the tying devices of the present disclosure may be used to tie any of a variety of objects to hold them together, or to retain them, or their portions, in particular positions (e.g., holding a cord in bundled configuration).

In the present description, where used, the terms “about” and “consisting essentially of” mean±20% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated. It should be understood that the terms “a” and “an” as used herein refer to “one or more” of the enumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives, unless expressly stated otherwise. As used herein, the terms “include” and “comprise” are used synonymously, and those terms and variants thereof are intended to be construed as non-limiting.

In some embodiments, a tying device10for tying objects, or portions thereof, together, is provided, as shown inFIGS. 1-3c.FIG. 1is a perspective view of the tying device10, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The tying device10comprises of an elastic tube20, or an elastic band having an internal axial chamber, and at least one knob30(which is part of a malleable wire assembly, as described below). In some embodiments, two knobs30are provided, one disposed at each end portion of the elastic tube20, with each knob being part of a malleable wire assembly.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the malleable wire assembly comprises the pull knob30, fixedly attached to an elongated malleable wire40. A first end portion, or inner end portion, of the wire40can be formed into a loop42, with an end of the wire at the first end portion having been bent back toward a second end portion of the wire40. An enlarged view of the wire40and loop42are also shown inFIG. 3b. Still referring toFIG. 2, in some embodiments, all, or a majority, of the length of the wire40is inserted into an axial chamber22of the elastic tube20through a first end opening24of the elastic tube; however, the wire40does not extend the entire length of the elastic tube20.

In some embodiments, a second identical, or similar, malleable wire assembly (also comprising a pull knob30fixedly attached to an elongated malleable wire40, and also having a loop42at a first end portion of the malleable wire), is coupled to a second end of the elastic tube in the same or similar manner as described above. For example,FIG. 1shows both ends of the elastic tube20, having a wire40and knob30assembly disposed within the axial chamber of the elastic tube20. In some embodiments, the pull knob30of each of the malleable wire assemblies has a greater lateral diameter than a lateral diameter of the axial chamber22of the elastic tube20, and thus the pull knobs30can be press fit into the axial chamber22during construction, to couple the malleable wire assemblies within the elastic tube20.

In some embodiments, the wire40can be constructed of mild steel, and can be 20 gauge wire, with a diameter of about 0.032 inches. In some embodiments, a length of the wire40, measured from a top end of the loop42(relative toFIG. 2) to a location at the top of the knob30(relative toFIG. 2), is 4 inches. In other embodiments, this measured length of the wire can be greater than, or less than, 4 inches.

In some embodiments, the elastic band20is made from rubber latex or polyisoprene rubber, such as, for example, without limitation, Graham-Field Latex Tubing sold by GF Health Products of Atlanta Ga., Item Number 3931 14. In further embodiments, an exterior gripping function of the elastic band20may be enhanced by adding texturing to the surfaces of the elastic band to increase its surface area for contact.

In some embodiments, a total length of the elastic band20may vary depending on its application. In some embodiments, the band20has a resting un-tensioned length of 14 inches, measured end to end, before insertion of the plastic knobs30, an outside diameter of about 0.25 inches, a wall thickness of about 0.0625 inches and an inside diameter of about 0.125 inches.

Referring toFIG. 3a, in some embodiments, the pull knob30is made of a plastic material that is smooth, moldable and hard but not brittle. In some embodiments, the maximum diameter of the knob30can be about 0.40 inches, and a length of the knob30, as measured along a longitudinal axis of the elastic tube20, can be about 0.49 inches. In other embodiments, the knob30can have a greater diameter, or smaller diameter, and a greater length or lesser length. An inward portion of the pull knob30(top portion relative toFIG. 3a) can taper, or have a conical, or tear drop shape. This tapered shape can facilitate insertion of the knob30into the chamber22of the elastic tube20. In still another embodiment, the pull knob30has a circular cross section throughout with a curved pointed taper on top and a more rounded taper on the bottom. The tapered form can serve as a strain relief for the wire40when it is over-molded with the knob30, such as shown inFIG. 2. In other embodiments, the pull knob30can have different shapes, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure. In still yet other embodiments, the pull knob may have a hook, loop or other similar part attached to and protruding from an outer end portion, so that the hook or loop, etc., can be used to attach the tying device10to other objects, such as for hanging the tying device from another hook.

While a second end (or outer end) of the malleable wire40is attached to the pull knob30, a first end (or inner end) of the malleable wire40is terminated with a loop42(as described earlier) or an otherwise a smooth, or rounded element32, as best seen inFIGS. 3band 3c. A lateral diameter of the loop42, or other rounded element32, can be typically smaller than an interior diameter of chamber22, so as not to interfere with the elastic tubing20during use of the tying device10, and to facilitate easy insertion of the malleable wire40into the tubing20.

In some embodiments, the wire40may be substituted with a substance that can fill a portion of the internal chamber22of the elastic tube20. For example, the substance can be a gel, liquid, solid that would cause an end portion of the tying device10to be substantially permanently malleable, to hold shape once bent, rather than being elastic, such that the end portion can provide substantially similar function to that occupied by the wire40. Also, in some embodiments, a coating can be provided, on interior and/or exterior walls of end portions of the elastic tubing to impart wire-like malleable characteristics to those end portions, to confer a suitable degree of malleability and rigidness emulating that of the malleable wire.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the malleable wire40can be inserted, attached or otherwise coupled to, end portions of the elastic band20by any variety of bonding, molding or forming processes without attachment to a pull knob. In the process of attachment the elastic band can be formed into a pull knob like structure at the end of the band.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the elastic band is not tubular, and can instead, be an elongated strip of elastic material, or otherwise can lack an internal chamber or cavity. Malleable elements can be attached, or otherwise, coupled to, end portions of such an elastic band by any of a variety of bonding or molding processes, again, to impart malleability and rigidity to the end portions of the elastic band, sufficient to mimic the functions imparted by the malleable wire (as further described herein).

Methods for Using the Tying Devices

Methods for using the tying device10to tightly and snugly wrap, tie, bundle, fasten, or bind an object, or portions thereof, are provided. The steps can include: 1) anchoring a first end portion of the tying device10to an object; 2) wrapping the elastic band20of the tying device10in stretched fashion around the object to contact at least two, or more, surface portions of the elastic band20in overlapping fashion, while stretching and placing the elastic band20under tension, and 3) anchoring the tying device by bending the malleable wire assembly of the second end portion of the tying device, comprising the wire40, about at least a portion of the object, contacting the object and/or a wrapped portion of the elastic band20. The elastic band20in tension generates a tight and snug tying of the otherwise loose object, while the overlapping portions thereof provide frictional grip, which can be enhanced by the stretched surface of the elastic band, and that frictional grip combined with the anchoring of the malleable wire after it is bent about the object, provide sufficient holding strength to tightly retain the tying device in wrapped configuration. Indeed, in some embodiments, the final anchoring step does not require a user to twist the second end portion of the tying device10, or loose end portion, about the first end portion (e.g., like a twist tie), but instead, as long as the second end portion is bent about a surface curvature over the object being tied, of about more than 180 degrees, and pressed against that contact surface by the user, the combination of friction of the overlapping portions of the elastic band20and the curvature of the malleable wire40in the second end portion, will be sufficient to retain the tying device10snuggly in wrapped configuration about the object. In other embodiments, even if the second end portion is bent about a surface of curvature less than 180 degrees, but between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees, the tying device10will be retained in snugly wrapped configuration.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 4-8b, a user that wishes to tie a cord52in a bundle to retain it for storage, can 1) hold, or anchor, a first end portion of the tying device10, having a pull knob30, against the cord52bundle (See, e.g.,FIG. 4) pull a free portion of the tying device10to stretch the elastic band20, such as in the direction of arrow “A;” 2) wrap the tying device10about the cord52while pulling the tying device10to maintain the elastic band under tension until the elastic band20overlaps the initially anchored first end portion (See, e.g.,FIG. 5); 3) continue to wrap the tying device10about the bundled cord52surface while pulling the tying device10to keep it stretched under tension until all but a second end portion comprising the malleable wire assembly therein is free (See, e.g.,FIG. 6); and 4) bend the malleable wire40in the second end portion of the tying device10about the surface of the bundled cord52, and/or about a surface of the elastic band20surrounding that surface, such that a total maximum curvature of the malleable wire40about the surface is more than 180 degrees, to allow the tying device10to be self-retained in stretched configuration about the bundled cord52(See, e.g.,FIGS. 7, 8aand8b).

Untying the tying device10from the position shown inFIG. 8ais easy. A user simply displaces, or unbends, the second end portion of the tying device until its overall curvature is less than 180 degrees, or less than 90 degrees, whereupon the elasticity of the elastic band will cause the tying device10to self-contract, and thereby, free itself from the cord52bundle.

Example steps for using the tying device have been illustrated and described with reference to one of the structural embodiments described above; however, as well be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, various ones of the other structural embodiments described can also be used in a similar manner to achieve similar results. Also, in some embodiments, the total bended curvature of the second end portion of the tying device10required to retain the snuggly wrapped configuration of the tying device under tension may vary, depending on, among other things, the friction established by the surface of the elastic band20when stretched, balanced against a tension of the elastic band20when stretched, and balanced against a rigidity of the malleable wire40once bent. These factors can be impacted by material selection, although example materials have been described herein.

Manufacturing the Tying Devices

In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing the tying device10can include forming the end loop42on the wire40by bending one end of the wire in a circular arc shape. Alternatively, the rounded element32, in the form of a sphere or tear drop or similar shape, can be produced and affixed to the one end of the wire40after the cutting of the wire. The pull knob30can be attached to the other end of the wire, in the manner described below.

In some embodiments, the pull knob30may be produced using plastic injection molding as an over mold to the wire40. Alternatively, the pull knob30may be produced separately and subsequently affixed to the wire40after the wire has been cut to length. The wire40can be inserted into a molded cavity in the separately generated knob30, and injected plastic can be formed around the wire. In one embodiment, a rounded element32may be provided as an alternative to the loop42on the wire in a similar manner. In still another embodiment, a malleable wire40of the appropriate length is placed on a mold cavity and both the pull knob30and the rounded element32can be formed from injecting plastics axially around the wire.

Once the malleable wire assembly is formed (comprising the cut malleable wire, fixedly attached pull knob at a second end thereof, and having an end loop or being fixedly attached to a rounded element at the first end thereof), it can be fully or partially inserted into an elastic tube20, by initially inserting the first end into the axial chamber22of the tube20. The rounded element32or loop42help avoid damage to the elastic tubing by an otherwise sharp edge wire40.

Working Example

Referring toFIG. 8band Table 1 below, an experiment was conducted to determine an appropriate bend angle (also referred to above as “curvature”) of the malleable wire40of the tying device10as it is applied to the wrapping of a test wooden cylinder. This experiment takes into consideration the dual function of the frictional grip provided by the elastic band20combined with the anchoring of the end of the tying device10using the malleable wire40after it is bent into a curvature about the object. The bend angle is the minimum angle measured before slippage would occur where the tying device and tied objects would become untied.

For the experiment, the elastic band20measured an outside diameter of about 0.25 inches, a wall thickness of about 0.0625 inches, an inside diameter of about 0.125 inches and was 14 inches in length. The effective length is the length in the middle of the elastic band20measured between the 0.50 inch pull knobs30which will not be in tension before tying an object and equates to 13 inches. The malleable wire40was a 20 gauge wire of approximately 0.032 inches in diameter, 4 inches in free length protruding from the pull knob30. A wrap cylinder (simulating an everyday object) was a 1 inch diameter wooden dowel circular cross section rod that approximates the diameter of a bundled cord prior to tying.

The wrap cylinder was wrapped for 6 revolutions, as a bundled cord might be. The stretched effective length of the tying device10around the wrap cylinder was calculated to be 21.3 inches which when it was stretched in a linear fashion was measured in tension to resist a force of 3 pounds. After wrapping, the malleable wire40attached to the pull knob30was bent around the wrap cylinder in a curved manner, similar to that shown inFIG. 8b. After wrapping the malleable wire was curved/formed around the cylinder of approximately 270° for a tight snug hold, without any spontaneous release (e.g., approximating normal use), and then the wire40was slowly straightened tangentially to the cylinder until the tying device began to slip. The resulting slip bend angle was determined to be 180°, showing that the tying device of this working example can be curved as little as 180° around the object as described, and still be snuggly retained, and requires no more than approximately 270° bend angle to be snugly retained for everyday use. This working example is not intended to be limiting, and provided as an example to illustrate the effectiveness of the tying device10given certain material/component specifications. Various aspects of the material/component specifications could be changed/modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the after reviewing this disclosure.

TABLE 1Determination of Malleable Wire Hook Angle in DegreesElastic band - tube length at rest14Effective length (minus the Length of pull knobs)13Malleable wire - 20 Gauge (0.032 inches diameter)Malleable wire - length in inches4Wrap cylinder diameter in inches1number of wraps6Stretched Length (in inches)21.3Stretched length tension in pounds force3.0Bend angle of wire around wrap cylinder (before slipage)180

After reviewing the present disclosure, an individual of ordinary skill in the art will immediately appreciate that some details and features can be added, removed and/or changed without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments,” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one or some embodiment(s), but not necessarily all embodiments, such that the references do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s). Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.