Reusable cable binder

A reusable cable binder including a length of shock cord, the ends of which are fixed in a terminating device, forming a loop, a bead captive on said cord, and a cord lock captive on said loop between said terminating device and said bead.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to cable binders, and more particularly to reusable 
cable binders of the type which are adapted for use in temporarily binding 
together the several cables used in connection with a particular set or 
related plurality of cooperating electronic devices, e.g., a personal 
computer and its associated monitor and printer, during the transportation 
or storage thereof. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many cable binding devices and methods of using particular ones of the same 
are known in the prior art. In general, such cable binding devices fall 
into two categories. 
The first such category is that of permanent cable binding devices, such as 
those used in binding together the cables which jointly traverse 
particular legs of the cable harnesses contained within certain electronic 
devices. 
The second one of these categories is that of temporary or reusable cable 
binding devices, such as are used for binding together the set of cables 
used in connection with a particular set of electronic devices. 
The cable binders of the present invention fall within said second 
category. 
It is to be understood, however, that the utility of the cable binders of 
this invention is not limited to their use in connection with the 
interconnecting cables of a particular set or plurality of 
operationally-related electronic devices. Indeed, the utility of the cable 
binders of the present invention is not limited to their use in connection 
with electrical or electronic equipment and the related cables. 
The following existing patents relate generally to cable ties or binders: 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,507, issued Feb. 13, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,251, 
issued Mar. 16, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,494, issued Jan. 10, 1995. 
These patents do not disclose the invention disclosed and claimed herein. 
No representation or admission is made that any of the above-cited United 
States patents is part of the prior art, or that a search has been made, 
or that no more pertinent information exists. 
The term "prior art" as used herein or in any statement made by or on 
behalf of applicant means only that any document or thing referred to as 
prior art bears, directly or inferentially, a date which is earlier than 
the effective filing date hereof. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide reusable cable binders 
which are capable of binding together both small numbers of cables and 
large numbers of cables. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders by means of which bundles of cables may be rapidly and easily 
bound together. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders, the operation of which does not require the tying of a knot or 
knots. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders having at least two modes of operation. 
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide reusable 
cable binders having a first mode of operation which is extremely rapid 
and efficient, but which requires that the binder be passed over one end 
of the bundle or set of cables which are to be bound together. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders having a second mode of operation which permits the binder to be 
passed around a central portion only of the bundle of cables to be bound 
together, without passing the binder over an end of the cable bundle. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders which are economically constructable from readily available parts, 
i.e., the construction of which binders does not require the manufacture 
of specialized parts. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide reusable cable 
binders which are readily adaptable to special uses without the 
manufacture of specialized parts to be incorporated herein. 
The present invention comprises the apparatus embodying features of 
construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, all as 
exemplified in the following disclosure, and the methods of use of said 
apparatus exemplified in the following disclosure, and the scope of my 
invention will be indicated in the claims appended to this specification. 
In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention a reusable 
cable binder thereof is comprised of a length of elastic shock cord of the 
type sometimes referred to as "bungee cord", the ends of said length of 
shock cord being brought together and joined together by means of a 
terminating device or termination, thereby forming a closed loop of shock 
cord. 
In accordance with another principal feature of the present invention said 
length of shock cord is passed through a bead before said closed loop of 
shock cord is closed by the associated terminating device, and thus said 
bead is captive on said loop of cord but freely movable along said loop of 
cord. 
In accordance with yet another principal feature of the present invention a 
cord lock of well known type is passed over both ends of said length of 
shock cord before said terminating device is clamped to said ends of said 
length of shock cord. 
In accordance with another principal feature of the present invention, in 
the course of fabricating a reusable cable binder of the invention a 
length of shock cord is threaded through its associated bead, both ends of 
the length of shock cord are passed through the associated cord lock, and 
then the ends of the length of shock cord are joined together by the 
associated terminating device, whereby said cord lock and said bead are 
captive on the resulting loop of shock cord, with said bead being remote 
from said terminating device and said cord lock being located between said 
bead and said terminating device.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a reusable cable binder 10 
constructed in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. 
As seen in FIG. 1, binder 10 is comprised of a length 12 of shock cord of 
the type sometimes called "bungee cord", which can be purchased, for 
example, from the American Cord and Webbing Corporation of Woonsocket, 
R.I. 
In the first preferred embodiment of the invention, shock cord 12 is 
preferably of smaller diameter than the shock cord commonly used in 
camping, loading vehicles, and many other applications, i.e., it is 
preferably of approximately 1/8 inch diameter. 
It is to be understood that shock cord length 12 is not integrally joined 
at its ends to form a continuous, uninterrupted closed loop, but rather 
that the ends of cord length 12 extend downwardly (in FIG. 1) parallel to 
each other and in direct mutual side-by-side contact. 
As further seen in FIG. 1, the parallel, mutually-tangent ends of shock 
cord length 12 extend into and at least partially through a terminating 
device or termination 14. 
As yet further seen in FIG. 1, the ends of shock cord length 12 are 
contained within the body of terminating device or termination 14. 
Terminating devices such as termination 14 are specifically provided and 
commercially available for the purpose of joining together pieces of shock 
cord, or the ends of a single piece of shock cord. Such terminations may 
be purchased, for example, from the NBC Fastening Systems Division of the 
Nylon Molding Corporation, Monrovia, Calif. 
Such terminating devices are available in a wide variety of styles, as may 
be seen by comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. 
As also seen in FIG. 1, the parts of the ends of shock cord length 12 
immediately above termination 14 are contained in a sheath 16 which 
prevents the formation of a sharp bend in shock cord 12, and thus prevents 
the distortion or breaking of shock cord 12 at the point where its ends 
enter termination 14. 
The method and means of closing and locking each termination 14 about the 
ends of its associated shock cord length 12, where not obvious, will be 
provided by the manufacturer of termination 14, and are known in the prior 
art. 
When such methods and means have been applied to any particular length of 
shock cord 12 and its associated termination 14 and sheath 16, the ends of 
shock cord length 12 will be permanently held in termination 14 with 
sheath 16 surrounding the portions of the ends of shock cord length 12 
immediately above and below the point of entry of shock cord length 12 
into termination 14. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, and comparing the same with FIG. 2, it will be 
seen that a cord lock 18 of well known type completely surrounds both legs 
12.1, 12.2 of the loop 20 of shock cord length 12 formed by the affixation 
of termination 14 to the respective ends of shock cord length 12 as shown 
in FIG. 1 and described in the present specification. 
Cord lock 18 is provided with a spring-loaded locking arrangement shown 
generally in FIG. 2 which is adapted for graspingly engaging loop 20, or 
releasing loop 20 when actuator 22 is manually depressed into the body of 
cord lock 18. 
As seen in FIG. 2, cord lock 18 is comprised of a body 18.1 which is itself 
provided with a central opening 18.2. Part of the wall of opening 18.2 
serves as one of the grasping jaws of cord lock 18. 
A moveable member 18.4 is slidably contained within body 18.1 of core lock 
18, and its movement is directly controlled by actuator 22. 
As will now be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, informed 
by the present disclosure, an upper portion 18.6 of the said wall of 
opening 18.2 serves as the upper jaw of cord lock 18, and a portion 18.8 
of moving member 18.4 serves as the lower jaw of cord lock 18. Further, 
manually depressing actuator 22 into body 18.1 of cord lock 18 causes jaws 
18.6 and 18.8 to become separated, against the urging of jaw closure 
spring 18.10. 
As seen in FIG. 2, both legs of loop 20 pass through opening 18.2, and the 
portions 12.1, 12.2 of loop 20 (shock cord length 12) contained in opening 
18.2 are securely locked therein when actuator 22 is released. When 
actuator 22 is depressed, cord lock 18 is slidably movable along loop 20. 
In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention, a bead 24 
having an opening therein receives loop 20 and is captive on loop 20, 
being slidable with respect thereto, and cord lock 18 is located between 
termination 14 and bead 24, whereby cord lock 18 is captive on loop 20, 
i.e., is prevented from escaping therefrom. Thus, cord lock 18 is freely 
slidable along loop 20 when actuator 22 is manually depressed into body 
18.1. 
Cord locks of the type described in detail above are commercially 
available, for example, from the American Cord and Webbing Corporation of 
Woonsocket, R.I. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a reusable cable binder 30 of the 
second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, informed by 
the present disclosure, shock cord length 32 of the second preferred 
embodiment is substantially identical to shock cord length 12 of the first 
preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. 
Further, bead 34 of the second preferred embodiment (FIG. 3) is 
substantially identical to bead 24 of the first preferred embodiment (FIG. 
1) and cord lock 38 of the second preferred embodiment (FIG. 3) is 
substantially identical to cord lock 18 of the first preferred embodiment 
(FIG. 1). 
Also, sheath 36 of the second preferred embodiment (FIG. 3) is 
substantially identical to sheath 16 of the first preferred embodiment 
(FIG. 1). 
As may be seen by comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3, termination 40 of the second 
preferred embodiment is substantially different from termination 14 of the 
first preferred embodiment (FIG. 1). 
As seen in FIG. 3, termination 40 is comprised of a body member 42 in which 
the respective ends of shock cord length 32 terminate and a spring-loaded 
clasp 44, which is comprised of hook 46 and tongue 48. 
As indicated in FIG. 3, tongue 48 is spring-loaded into its outermost 
position (solid lines) but is momentarily manually depressible to its 
innermost position 48' (dashed lines), whereby to admit items to be joined 
to cable binder 30 into the embrace of hook 46, in the well known manner. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a first mode of use of cable 
binders of the present invention, which mode of use is a principal feature 
of the present invention. 
As seen in FIG. 4, a bundle 50 of cables is bound together by a reusable 
cable binder 10 of the first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. 
It is to be understood that binder 10 shown in FIG. 4 is substantially 
identical to binder 10 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore that the reference 
numerals applied to binder 10 in FIG. 4 should be understood by reference 
to the description drawn to the same elements hereinabove. 
It is also to be understood that bundle 50 may, in application of the first 
mode of use of the present invention, be comprised of a plurality of 
different cables each of which may be provided with terminations adapted 
for use in connection with a particular pair of electronic devices. 
The first mode of use of the present invention also has application when 
things other than electrical cords or cables are being bound by a binder 
of the present invention. 
In accordance with the first mode of use of the present invention binder 10 
is at first separated from cable bundle 50. 
At that time the user depresses actuator 22 and then draws cord lock 18 
over cable loop 20 until it is close to sheath 16. 
Loop 20 is then passed over one end of bundle 50 and located thereon as 
desired. 
The user then depresses actuator 22 and then moves cord lock 18 as close to 
bundle 50 as possible. Upon the release of actuator 22 bundle 50 is 
tightly bound in binder 10 as shown in FIG. 4. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a second mode of use of cable 
binders of the present invention, which mode of use is a principal feature 
of the invention. 
As seen in FIG. 5, a bundle 60 of cables is bound together by a reusable 
cable binder 10 of the first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. 
It is to be understood that binder 10 shown in FIG. 5 is substantially 
identical to binder 10 shown in FIG. 1, and thus that the reference 
numerals applied to binder 10 in FIG. 5 should be understood by reference 
to the description drawn to the same elements hereinabove in connection 
with FIG. 1. 
It is also to be understood that binder 16 may, in application of the 
second mode of use of the present invention, be comprised of a plurality 
of different cables each of which may be provided with terminations for 
use in connection with a particular pair of electronic devices. 
The second mode of use of the present invention also has application when 
things other than electronic cords or cables are being bound. 
In accordance with the second mode of use of the present invention binder 
10 is at first separate from cable bundle 60. At that time the user 
depresses actuator 22, and then draws cord lock 18 over cable loop 20 
until it is as close to sheath 16 as possible. 
Bead 24 is then manually held in the position shown in FIG. 5, and 
terminating device 14 is passed under bundle 60, and thence behind and 
over the top of bundle 60. 
Terminating device 14, cord lock 18 and the associated parts of shock cord 
length 12 are then passed between bead 24 and its associated part of 
bundle 60, until terminating device 14 and cord lock 18 have both passed 
completely between bead 24 and bundle 60. 
The user then depresses actuator 22 and moves cord lock 18 toward bead 24 
until two portions 12.1, 12.2 of shock cord length 12 are tightly locked 
around bundle 60. 
When actuator 22 is then released, said two portions 12.1, 12.2 of shock 
cord length 12 are tightly locked around bundle 60 as shown in FIG. 5 with 
bead 24 and terminating device 14 engaging to maintain the wrapped 
configuration. 
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made 
apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and 
since certain changes may be made in the above constructions and the 
methods carried out thereby without departing from the scope of the 
present invention it is intended that all matter contained in the above 
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as 
illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. 
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover 
all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, 
and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of 
language, might be said to fall therebetween.