Patent Publication Number: US-2004049913-A1

Title: Harness wrap application tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention is directed to a harness wrap application tool, and more particularly, to a tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap.  
       [0002] Tools for inserting discrete cables in a flexible harness wrap have been used in the telecommunications industry. None of the prior tools provide a user the ability to easily install bundled cables or hoses as well as discrete cables. For example, HellermanTyton&#39;s Helawrap™ applicator tool has a spring mechanism restricting the tool to about a 48 degree opening in the fully open position. Moreover, Richco&#39;s applicator tool disclosed in WO 00/52800 has a tubular sleeve fitted into a cylindrical tubular body. The sleeve and the body each have a small longitudinal opening, which openings can be aligned to allow insertion or removal of discrete cables. However, the Richco tool is restricted to about a 46 degree opening in the fully open position.  
       [0003] It would be desirable to provide a harness wrap application tool that provides a user the ability to easily install bundled cables or hoses as well as discrete cables.  
       [0004] It would also be desirable to provide a harness wrap application tool having an open position that is adjustable between 1 and 180 degrees from the closed position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] A tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is disclosed. The tool includes a first member and a second member connected to the first member. The first member has an extension member connected thereto, and a first nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the first bottom end. The second member has a receiving member connected thereto, and a second nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the second bottom end. The first and second members are movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position. The open position is at least 50 degrees from the closed position.  
       [0006] Preferably, the first nose portion is bullet-shaped and has a plurality of ribs along one side thereof. Likewise, the second nose portion is bullet-shaped and has a plurality of ribs along one side thereof.  
       [0007] Preferably, the extension member extends from adjacent the first top end toward the first bottom end, and the receiving member extends from adjacent the second top end toward the second bottom end.  
       [0008] Preferably, the receiving member has a retaining detent for frictionally retaining the extension member within the receiving member, and the retaining detent extends substantially the length of the receiving member.  
       [0009] Preferably, the first member has a first tab extending perpendicular from the first top end. Likewise, the second member has a second tab extending substantially perpendicular from the second top end.  
       [0010] Preferably, the open position is at least 90 degrees from the closed position. More preferably, the open position is about 180 degrees from the closed position. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a harness wrap application tool according to the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a right side view of the tool of FIG. 1;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 1;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 3;  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 in a partially open position;  
     [0017]FIG. 7 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 1 showing the tool movement from a fully closed position to a partially open position to a fully open position;  
     [0018]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing bundled cables being inserted into the tool;  
     [0019]FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 prior to insertion of the tool into a flexible harness wrap;  
     [0020]FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 after the tool has been inserted into a flexible harness wrap;  
     [0021]FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 showing the flexible harness wrap being applied to bundled cables; and  
     [0022]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 after the flexible harness wrap has been applied to the bundled cables. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0023] The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to a harness wrap application tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap.  
     [0024]FIG. 1 shows a 2-piece harness wrap application tool  20  molded from a suitable thermoplastic material. The tool is utilized to insert wires or cables  22  in a flexible harness wrap  24 , as shown in FIGS.  8 - 12 , such as the harness wrap disclosed in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. (Atty. Docket No. LCB400), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
     [0025] As shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  and best seen in FIG. 6, the tool  20  includes a first member  26  and a second member  28 . The first member  26  has a first top end  30  and a first bottom end  32 , with a first tab  34  extending from the first top end  30 . Preferably, the first tab  34  extends substantially perpendicular from the first top end  30 . The first member  26  includes an extension member  36  connected thereto. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the extension member  36  extends from near the first top end  30  toward the first bottom end  32 .  
     [0026] The first member  26  also includes a first nose portion  38  extending at an oblique angle from the first bottom end  32 . Preferably, and as shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 , the first nose portion  38  is bullet-shaped and has a plurality of ribs  40  along one side thereof. The first nose portion  38  eases transition of the flexible harness wrap  24  onto the wires or cables  22  to be secured therein.  
     [0027] As shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 , the second member  28  is hingedly connected to the first member  26 . The second member  28  has a second top end  42  and a second bottom end  44 , with a second tab  46  extending from the second top end  42 . Preferably, the second tab  46  extends substantially perpendicular from the second top end  42 .  
     [0028] The second member  28  includes a receiving member  48  connected thereto. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the receiving member  48  extends from near the second top end  42  toward the second bottom end  44 . Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 5, the receiving member  48  has a retaining detent  50 . The retaining detent  50  holds the first and second members  26 ,  28  together, and maintains frictional tension when the tool  20  is in the closed position. The detent  50  also provides user feedback that the tool  20  is fully closed. Further, the detent  50  provides resistance to inadvertent opening of the tool  20  when in the closed position. Preferably, the retaining detent  50  extends substantially the length of the receiving member  48 .  
     [0029] The second member  28  also includes a second nose portion  52  extending at an oblique angle from the second bottom end  44 . Preferably, as shown in FIGS.  4 - 5 , the second nose portion  52  is bullet-shaped and has a plurality of ribs  54  along one side thereof. The second nose portion  52  eases transition of the flexible harness  24  wrap onto the wires or cables  22  to be secured therein.  
     [0030] The first and second members  26 ,  28  are movable from a first closed position, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 , to a second, open position, as shown in FIGS.  6 - 8 . As shown in FIG. 6, the open position is at least 50 degrees from the closed position. FIG. 7 shows the tool moving from a fully closed position A to a partially open position B of at least 90 degrees to a fully open position C. As shown in FIG. 7, the fully open position C is about 180 degrees from the fully closed position A. Unlike prior harness wrap application tools, the present invention teaches that the open position is adjustable anywhere between 1 and 180 degrees from the closed position. As a result, the two-piece tool of the present invention does not require secondary metal accessories or springs.  
     [0031] In operation, the first and second members  26 ,  28  are snapped together to form the harness wrap application tool  20 . Preferably, the tool  20  has a clam shell appearance. As shown in FIG. 8, the tool  20  is moved to an open position at least 50 degrees from the closed position. The user can insert bundled cables or hoses as well as individual cables into the tool  20 . The tool  20  is then closed to retain the cables  22  therein, as seen in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the first and second nose portions  38 ,  52  have been inserted into an opening in the flexible harness wrap  24 . The user then engages the first and second tabs  34 ,  46  located on the top ends  30 ,  42  of the first and second members,  26 ,  28  respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, as the tool  20  is moved in the direction of the arrow, the first and second nose portions  38 ,  52  of the tool  20  are moved through the flexible harness wrap  24  until the wires or cables  22  are laid therein, as shown in FIG. 12. The tool  20  can then be opened and removed from the wires or cables  22 .  
     [0032] The disclosed invention provides a harness wrap application tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap. The tool is movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position, with the open position being at least 50 degrees from the closed position. It should be noted that the above-described and illustrated embodiments and preferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive listing of the forms such a harness wrap application tool in accordance with the invention might take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of embodiments of the invention as presently understood. By way of example, and without limitation, a harness wrap application tool only movable between distinct positions from one to 180 degrees is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Many other forms of the invention are believed to exist.