Abstract:
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a hook and loop tie for securing a bundle of cables. The hook and loop tie comprises a loop component, a hook component, and a non-slip component. The loop component has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of loop fastening elements. The hook component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the first end of the loop component toward the second end of the loop component, and has a plurality of hook fastening elements. The non-slip component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the second end of the loop component toward the first end of the loop component, and overlaps at least a portion of the hook component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/119,398, filed on Dec. 3, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/056,127, filed on May 27, 2008, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a hook and loop tie. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hook and loop tie with a non-slip area for improved bundle tensioning without risk of damage to the bundle. 
         [0003]    Hook and loop fasteners are well known in the art. Examples of prior art hook and loop fasteners include U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,245, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, Velstrap brand straps with non-slip neoprene (Velcro Industries, N.V.), and Coroplast knit loop with pressure sensitive adhesive backing (Aplix, Inc.). 
         [0004]    However, notwithstanding these prior art hook and loop fasteners, there is still a need for an improved hook and loop tie with a non-slip area for improved bundle tensioning without risk of damage to the bundle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a hook and loop tie for securing a bundle of cables. The hook and loop tie comprises a loop component, a hook component, and a non-slip component. The loop component has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of loop fastening elements. The hook component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the first end of the loop component toward the second end of the loop component, and has a plurality of hook fastening elements. The non-slip component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the second end of the loop component toward the first end of the loop component, and overlaps at least a portion of the hook component. 
         [0006]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method of constructing a hook and loop tie for securing a bundle of cables. The method comprises the steps of providing a loop component, affixing a hook component to the loop component, and affixing a non-slip component to the loop component. The loop component has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of loop fastening elements. The hook component extends from the first end of the loop component toward the second end of the loop component and has a plurality of hook fastening elements. The non-slip component extends from the second end of the loop component toward the first end of the loop component and overlaps at least a portion of the hook component. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a hook and loop tie according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the hook and loop tie of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the hook and loop tie of  FIG. 1 , showing the hook and loop tie securing a bundle of wires. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4-7  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 10-13  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a hook and loop tie  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0014]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the hook and loop tie  100  includes a first side  110  and a second side  120 . The first side  110  of the hook and loop tie  100  includes a loop fastening area  111 . The loop fastening area  111  includes a plurality of loop fastening elements  112 , such as knit loops, woven loops, or non-woven textiles suitable to mate with hooks. 
         [0015]    The second side  120  of the hook and loop tie  100  includes a hook fastening area  121 . The hook fastening area  121  includes a plurality of hook fastening elements  122 . For example, the hook fastening elements  122  may be shaped like fishhooks, mushroom hooks, microhooks, or other types of hooks. 
         [0016]    The second side  120  of the hook and loop tie  100  also includes an adhesive area  123 . The adhesive area  123  includes an adhesive  124 , such as a pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive  124  is a releasable and/or reusable adhesive, such as a rubber adhesive used on flat back tape. 
         [0017]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the hook and loop tie  100  includes a formed tip  130 . More particularly, the formed tip  130  is arcuate. As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the arcuate formed tip  130  matches a shape of a bundle of wires  10 . Alternatively, the formed tip  130  may be straight, bent, or otherwise formed into shapes that match a variety of bundled objects. 
         [0018]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the length L A  of the adhesive area  123  is greater than a length L H  of the hook fastening area  121 . That is, a majority of the second side  120  of the hook and loop tie  100  includes the adhesive area  123 . Preferably, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , the hook fastening area  121  is limited to the formed tip  130  of the hook and loop tie  100 . Preferably, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , the length L A  of the adhesive area  123  is greater than the circumference of the wire bundle  10 . 
         [0019]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the hook and loop tie  100  is wrapped around the wire bundle  10 . The adhesive area  123  holds to the wire bundle  10  while the hook and loop tie  100  is tightened around the wire bundle  10 , allowing installation using one hand. The adhesive area  123  bonds to the wire bundle  10 , eliminating any slippage between the hook and loop tie  100  and the wire bundle  10 . The adhesive area  123  also bonds to the first side  110  of the hook and loop tie  100 , securing the wire bundle  10 . The hook fastening elements  122  on the hook fastening area  121  engage the loop fastening elements  112  on the loop fastening area  111 , further securing the wire bundle  10 . To release the hook and loop tie  100 , the hook fastening area  121  is separated from the loop fastening area  111 . Because the adhesive  124  is releasable, the adhesive area  123  may be separated from the first side  110  of the hook and loop tie  100  and the wire bundle  10 . 
         [0020]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second side  120  of the hook and loop tie  100  includes a release liner (not shown), such as paper, plastic, or other suitable material, to cover the adhesive area  123  and protect the adhesive  124  while not in use. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, the loop fastening elements  111  and the hook fastening elements  122  are interchangeable. That is, the loop fastening elements  111  on the first side  110  of the hook and loop tie  100  may be replaced with hook fastening elements  122 , and the hook fastening elements  122  on the second side  120  of the hook and loop tie  100  may be replaced with loop fastening elements  111 . 
         [0022]    The adhesive area  123  may be referred to more generally as a non-slip area  123 . The non-slip area  123  may include adhesives  124 , such as pressure sensitive adhesives, or non-adhesives  124 , such as thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., Santoprene), synthetic rubbers (e.g., Neoprene), and/or other non-adhesive tacky substrates. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 4-7  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hook and loop tie  200  is similar to the hook and loop tie  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 . That is, the hook and loop tie  200  includes a loop component  210 , such as a piece of loop fabric, a hook component  220 , such as a piece of loop fabric, and differential tape  230 , which are similar to the loop fastening area  111 , the hook fastening area  121 , and the adhesive area  123 , respectively. 
         [0024]    As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the hook component  220  is attached to the loop component  210 , for example, using a permanent adhesive, such as a rubber or acrylic adhesive applied in a thick enough layer to be permanent. The hook component  220  is disposed at a distal end of the loop component  210 , and covers a first portion  211  of the loop component  210 . Preferably, the length of the loop component  210  is 7 inches, and the length of the hook component  220  is 3 inches. The shape of the hook component  220  is curved, as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The shape of the loop component  210 , and thus, the hook and look tie  200 , conforms to the shape of the hook component  220 . 
         [0025]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the differential tape  230  is attached to the loop component  210  and the hook component  220 . The differential tape  230  covers a second portion  212  of the loop component  210 , as well as a first portion  221  of the hook component  220 . That is, the differential tape  230  overlaps the first portion  221  of the hook component  220 , thereby increasing the overall strength of the hook and loop tie  200 . Preferably, the length of the differential tape  230  is 5½ inches. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first portion  221  of the hook component  220  may be flattened (not shown). 
         [0026]    The differential tape  230  includes a first side  231  and a second side  232 . The first side  231  includes a first adhesive, such as a permanent adhesive, for securing the differential tape  230  to the loop component  210  and the first portion  221  of the hook component  220 . The second side  232  includes a second adhesive for securing the hook and loop tie  200  to a bundle of cables (not shown). Preferably, the second side  232  of the differential tape  230 , which contacts the bundle of cables, is similar to flat back tape, which is stronger than masking tape and removable without leaving a residue. A finished hook and loop tie  200  is shown in  FIG. 6 . A bundled hook and loop tie  200  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie  300  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The hook and loop tie  300  is similar to the hook and loop tie  200  of  FIGS. 4-7 . That is, the hook and loop tie  300  includes a loop component  310 , such as a piece of loop fabric, a hook component  320 , such as a piece of hook fabric, and differential tape  330 , which are similar to the loop component  210 , the hook component  220 , and the differential tape  230 , respectively. However, unlike the hook and loop tie  200 , a second portion  322  of the hook component  320  extends beyond a distal end of the loop component  310 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second or extended portion  322  of the hook component  320  provides the following advantages: (1) a lower profile; (2) an area on which to write; (3) easier removal; and (4) less loop component. A finished hook and loop tie  300  is shown in  FIG. 8 . A bundled cable tie  300  is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 10-13  illustrate construction details for a hook and loop tie  400  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The hook and loop tie  400  is similar to the hook and loop tie  300  of  FIGS. 8-9 . That is, the hook and loop tie  400  includes a loop component  410 , such as a piece of loop fabric, a hook component  420 , such as a piece of hook fabric, and differential tape  430 , which are similar to the loop component  310 , the hook component  320 , and the differential tape  330 , respectively. However, unlike the hook and loop tie  300 , the differential tape  430  is disposed between the loop component  410  and the hook component  420 , as best seen in  FIG. 11 . That is, the differential tape  430  is attached to the loop component  410 , as best seen in  FIG. 10 , and the hook component  420  is attached to the differential tape  430 , as best seen in  FIG. 11 . A finished hook and loop tie  400  is shown in  FIG. 12 . A bundled tie  400  is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0029]    While the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The illustrated embodiments are examples only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.