Patent Publication Number: US-2011061209-A1

Title: Cable tie

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention relates to cable ties, and, more specifically, to releasable and reusable cable ties. 
     BACKGROUND ART  
     Cable ties have long been used by electricians and other tradespeople as a fast, simple and reliable method for holding together a number of cables, pipes, conduits and the like. 
     Typically, cable ties comprise a long flexible tail portion connected to a head portion. In use, the tail of the cable tie is pushed into a slot in the head portion and pulled through to tighten around the cables or pipes to be held. The head portion typically comprises a locking lug which engages with grooves on one side of the tail to prevent the cable tie from loosening or releasing when in use. 
     Most standard cable ties are single-use only, as there is no mechanism by which the cable tie may be released when no longer required. Typically, the only way to remove a standard cable tie is to cut it, effectively destroying the cable tie, and potentially damaging the cables or wires held by the cable tie. In addition, when cutting a cable tie holding live electrical cables, accidental damage to the cables could also result in a worker receiving an electric shock or even being electrocuted. 
     Some attempts have been made to produce reusable cable ties. However, the additional manufacturing costs of producing cable ties with complex release mechanisms make these cable ties more expensive than the single-use variety. Further, existing releasable cable ties often require the use of two hands to release. This is inconvenient in use, especially if the cable tie is positioned in a region of restricted access and/or restricted vision. 
     It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
     It is an object of the invention to provide a cable tie which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice. 
     In one form, the present invention resides in a cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough. 
     Preferably, a passageway formed in said head portion tapers from said first slot to said opening. 
     Preferably, the cable tie comprises a second slot, being in communication with both said first slot and said opening, said second slot allowing an end of said flexible tail portion, which has been passed through said first slot, to be looped around and a portion of the flexible tail portion to be retained in said second slot. 
     Preferably, at least a portion of an upper wall of at least one of said first and second slots slopes upwardly towards said opening. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a least a portion of an upper wall on each side of the opening slopes upwardly towards said opening in at least one of said first and second slots. In this embodiment of the invention, the opening located between the sloping portions may be of any suitable dimensions. In some embodiments, however, the sloping portions may converge adjacent one another to produce a narrow opening. In some embodiments of the invention, the sloping portions may converge to within very close proximity of one another such that deformation of the sloping portions is required when it is desired to remove the flexible tail portion of the cable tie through the opening. In this embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the deformation of the sloping portions is an elastic deformation. In this way, the cable tie may be reusable. While the sloping portions may converge to within close proximity of one another, it is preferred that the sloping portions do not come into contact with one another. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of said first and second slots may comprise one or more land portions. The one or more land portions may be adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion within the slot Preferably the one or more land portions are located in an upper wall of the first or second slots. The one or more land potions may be of any suitable shape or size. For instance, the one or more land portions may comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends generally parallel to a bottom wall of the slot. Preferably, the one or more land portions comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends inwardly from an outermost region of the slot. Most preferably, the one or more land portions extend horizontally inwardly from an outermost region of the slot. 
     In embodiments of the invention in which a portion of the upper wall of the first or second slots slopes upwardly towards the opening, it is preferred that the sloping portion of the upper wall is located intermediate a land and the opening. In some embodiments of the invention, each of said first and second slots includes one land portion located on either side of the opening. 
     By providing the slots with one or more land portions, the likelihood of the accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening may be reduced or even eliminated. 
     The flexible tail portion of the cable tie comprises a lower surface, which engages with retaining means in said first slot, and an upper surface. This upper surface may be flat, comprise beveled edges or sloping upper walls. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the flexible tail portion is arcuate in order to facilitate the removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening. 
     Preferably the retaining means located in the first slot comprises one or more locking lugs. The one or more locking lugs engage with a series of grooves located on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie to retain said flexible tail portion in place when in use. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, both upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie are provided with a series of grooves for engaging with one or more locking lugs. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the flexible tail portion is provided with side portions interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces. While the side portions may be of any suitable shape and configuration, in some embodiments of the invention, the side portions are rounded. Alternatively, the side portions may be beveled. The side portions may be provided with a series of grooves. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the series of grooves provided on the side portions may be provided with the same spacing as the grooves located on the lower and/or upper surfaces of the flexible tail portion. 
     Preferably, said first slot comprises a plurality of locking lugs located to facilitate engagement with the grooves on both upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion. In embodiments of the invention in which the side portions of the flexible tail portion are provided with a series of grooves, the first slot may further comprise one or more retaining means (for instance, in the form of locking lugs) adapted to engage with the grooves on one or more of the side portions. 
     The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured from any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the cable tie is manufactured from nylon. 
     The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured to a large variety of lengths and widths to suit a wide variety of different applications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a head portion of a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the lower surface of a flexible tail portion of a cable tie; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie of another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of an end of a cable tie in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the end of the cable tie as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a cable tie in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a cable tie in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE  
     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings there is shown a cable tie  10  of the present invention. The cable tie  10  comprises a flexible tail portion  11  and a head portion  12 . The head portion  12  comprises a first slot  13  through which the flexible tail portion  11  may be passed. The flexible tail portion  11  is retained in place in the first slot  13  by retaining means comprising a locking lug  14 . The first slot  13  is in communication with an opening  15  in an outer wall  16  of the head portion  12 . When a user wishes to release the cable tie  10 , the flexible tail portion  11  may be either pulled directly out through the opening  15 , or may be pulled out with a twisting motion. 
     An alternative arrangement is shown in  FIG. 1A , in which the passageway between the first slot  13  and the opening  15  in an outer wall  16  is defined by sloping walls  26 . In this embodiment of the invention, the slot  13  is provided with a pair of lands  27  located on an upper wall of the slot  13 , with one land  27  provided on each side of the opening  15 . Lands  27  extend in a generally horizontal direction. In this embodiment of the invention, the sloping portions  26  of the upper wall are located intermediate the lands  27  and the opening  15 . In this way, the flexible tail portion (not shown) may be more effectively retained within the slot  13  due to the presence of the lands  27  which prevent the unwanted or accidental removal of the flexible tail portion (not shown) through the opening  15 , as the flexible tail portion (not shown) cannot simply slip through the opening  15 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, the lower surface  17  of the flexible tail portion  11  is shown. The lower surface  17  is provided with a series of grooves  18  which engage with the locking lug  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIG. 3  there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the head portion  12  comprises a first slot  13  and a second slot  19 . The first slot comprises a locking lug  14  for engagement with grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion (not shown). The head portion  12  comprises an opening  15  in an outer wall  16 , through which the flexible tail portion may be pulled to release the cable tie. 
     In conventional cable ties, excess flexible tail portion that has been passed through a first slot may simply be left as is. However, this is not only unsightly, but may also be hazardous in situations where cable ties are used in close proximity to machinery with moving parts. Alternatively, the excess flexible tail portion may be cut off, which eliminates the risk of the excess flexible tail portion becoming caught in machinery, but also damages the cable tie such that it cannot be reused. 
     By contrast, the cable tie of the present invention, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , allows the user to pass the end of the flexible tail member into the second slot  19  to ensure that the excess flexible tail portion does not become a safety hazard. This also ensures that there is no need to damage the cable tie by cutting off the excess flexible tail portion, meaning that the cable tie can be reused. 
     It is also shown in  FIG. 3  that the upper wall  20  of the first slot  13  as well of the upper wall  21  of the second slot  19  slope upwardly towards the opening  15  in order to assist with the quick release of the flexible tail portion from the first slot  13 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The head portion  12  comprises a first slot  13  and a second slot  19 . The flexible tail portion  12  of the cable tie is passed through the first slot  13  and retained in place by three locking lugs  14  which engage with grooves (not shown) located on both the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion  12 . The upper surface  25  of the flexible tail portion  12  is arcuate in shape, while the upper wall  22  of the first slot  13  and the upper wall  23  of the second slot  19  slope upwardly towards the opening  15  in the outer wall  16  of the head portion  12 . 
     When the flexible tail portion  12  is retained in place in the first slot  13 , the tip  24  of the flexible tail portion is passed through the second slot  19  in order to prevent the excess tail portion becoming entangled with moving machinery. 
     In order to quickly and easily release the cable tie for reuse, the tip of the flexible tail portion  24  may be withdrawn from the second slot  19 . Following this, the flexible tail portion  12  may be released by pulling it up through the opening  15  with a twisting motion. Thus, the cable tie is quickly released without damage, ensuring that it may be used again. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the upper surface  25  of the flexible tail portion  12  has sloped sides. Locking lugs  14  engage with grooves (not shown) located on upper  25  and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion  12 , thereby retaining the cable tie in place. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show various views of the end of a cable tie in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     In these Figures, a cable tie  28  according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The cable tie  28  comprises a head portion  29  and a flexible tail portion  30 . The head portion  29  comprises a first slot  31  through which the flexible tail portion  30  may be passed. The flexible tail portion  30  is retained in place in the first slot  31  by retaining means comprising a locking lug  32  adapted to engage with the series of grooves  39  provided on the flexible tail portion  30 . The first slot  31  further comprises a pair of land portions  33  in the wall of the slot  31  that extend inwardly from the outermost region of the slot  31 . Land portions  33  extend in a generally horizontal direction. The land portions  33  are provided such that one land portion  33  is provided on each side of an opening  34  in the wall of the slot  31 . The wall of the first slot  31  further comprises sloping portions  35  located intermediate the lands  33  and the opening  34 . 
     The sloping portions  35  converge adjacent one another such that the opening  34  is only narrow. By providing only a narrow opening  34 , the likelihood of accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion  30  through the opening  34  is reduced. In this embodiment of the invention, an elastic deformation of the sloping portions  35  is required in order to remove the flexible tail portion  30  through the opening  34 . 
     The head portion  29  of the cable tie  28  further comprises a second slot  36  into which the flexible tail portion  30  may be inserted after it has been passed through slot  31  and then looped around. The second slot  36  comprises a pair of land portions  37  adapted to retain the flexible tail portion  30  within the slot  36 . In addition, the second slot  36  comprises an opening  38  in an outer wall of the head portion  29 . The flexible tail portion  30  retained in both the first slot  31  and he second slot  36  may be removed from the head portion  29  through the opening  38  when release of the cable tie  28  is desired. 
     In  FIG. 8  there is shown a cable tie  40  according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The cable tie  40  comprises a head portion  41  and a flexible tail portion  42 . The head portion  40  comprises a first slot  43  through which the flexible tail portion  42  may be passed. The flexible tail portion  42  is retained in place in the first slot  43  by retaining means comprising a locking lug  54  adapted to engage with the series of grooves (obscured) provided on the flexible tail portion  42 . The first slot  43  further comprises a pair of land portions  44  in the wall of the slot  43  that extend inwardly from the outermost region of the slot  43 . Land portions  44  extend in a generally horizontal direction. The land portions  44  are provided such that one land portion  44  is provided on each side of an opening  45  in the wall of the slot  43 . The wall of the first slot  43  further comprises sloping portions  46  located intermediate the lands  44  and the opening  45 . 
     The sloping portions  46  converge adjacent one another such that the opening  45  is only narrow. By providing only a narrow opening  45 , the likelihood of accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion  42  through the opening  45  is reduced. In this embodiment of the invention, an elastic deformation of the sloping portions  46  is required in order to remove the flexible tail portion  42  through the opening  45 . 
     The head portion  41  of the cable tie  40  further comprises a second slot  47  into which the flexible tail portion  42  may be inserted after it has been passed through slot  43  and then looped around. The second slot  47  comprises a pair of land portions  48  adapted to retain the flexible tail portion  42  within the slot  47 . In addition, the second slot  47  comprises an opening  49  in an outer wall of the head portion  41 . The flexible tail portion  42  retained in both the first slot  43  and he second slot  47  may be removed from the head portion  41  through the opening  49  when release of the cable tie  40  is desired. 
     The head portion  41  further comprises an additional pair of locking lugs  50  located in the first slot  43 . These additional locking lugs  50  are adapted to engage with a series of grooves  51  located on the rounded edges  52  of the flexible tail portion  42 . Thus, the tail is locked into place by grooves and locking lugs that are located at three locations, namely, underneath the tail and at the rounded edges of the tail. This improves the retention of the tail in the head. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the cable tie  40  of  FIG. 8  is shown when in use. The flexible tail portion  42  has been pushed through the first slot  43  in the head portion  41 . In this embodiment of the invention, the grooves  51  provided on the rounded edges  52  of the tail  42  are engaged by locking lugs (obscured) located in the slot  43 , while the grooves  53  on the lower surface of the tail  42  are engaged by a further locking lug  54  which serves to retain the tail  42 . 
     The slot  43  is provided with recessed portions  55  wherein the rounded edge  52  of the tail portion  42  may be located temporarily while the tail portion  42  is being removed from the head portion  41  through opening  45 . Recessed portions  55  provide a region into which an edge of the tail can move during manipulation of the tail to remove the tail from the head portion. This facilitates removal of the tail. 
     Once the tail portion  42  has been passed into and retained in the first slot  43 , excess tail  42  may be looped around and retained in the second slot  47 . 
     It has now surprisingly been found that a quick-release, reusable cable tie can be constructed by providing an opening in an outer wall of the head portion of a cable tie. This cable tie is cheaper to produce and easier to use than other reusable cable ties presently available, and is sufficiently durable to be used many times over. 
     Cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be used to secure cables or wires together. The cable ties may be easily released, for example, by simply twisting the tail in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction. Only minimal twist pressure is required to release the cable ties. Cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention release faster and more easily than presently available releasable cable ties. Indeed, cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be released using only one hand, or indeed using only two fingers or a finger and thumb. This enables the cable tie to be easily released when required, even if the cable tie is secured in confined areas or in areas of restricted access or vision. 
     In some embodiments, the cable tie in accordance with the present invention includes locking lugs located at two or more, or even three or more locations, within the head section, to secure locking strength. In some embodiments, the cable tie may have an inbuilt keeper section in the tail for receiving and holding any surplus length of the tail. This may eliminate the need to cut off any unused tail and enhances neatness in use. This also avoids the need to dispose of any severed tail sections, thereby minimising the environmental impact arising from severed tail sections. Further, the housed surplus tail section, which may be located in the keeper section in the head of the cable tie, will be positioned such that it extends over the tail portion that is retained in the head, thereby minimising the risk of accidental release. 
     It will be appreciated that the cable tie of the present invention, in providing an easily releasable cable tie, avoids possible difficulties that frequently arise where conventional cable ties are used to secure bundles of electrical wires or other similar types of wires or coaxial cables, etc, in order to release the cable tie. In instances where non-releasable cable ties are used, the operator will typically remove the cable tie by cutting the cable tie. A sharp blade or knife is required to cut through the secured cable tie. Using a sharp instrument to cut the secured cable tie presents a significant risk of accidentally cutting into or through the bundled wires, especially where the cable tie has been applied to wires located in a confined region or in a different location. The potential risk of accidentally cutting through wires could result in a serious electrical fault or a fatal accident. This risk is largely obviated by the present invention. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.