Patent Abstract:
A cable tie includes a band that extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The cable tie also includes a housing, affixed near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band when the first end of the band is brought toward the housing in a loop. The housing includes: walls that enclose a space and have a stop toward the second end of the band; a first mass in the space; and a second mass placed in the space and between the first mass and the stop. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the first end passes under the first mass and the second mass and exerts a pull on the first mass toward the second mass. When the first mass is pulled toward the second mass, the second mass acts as a spring between the first mass and the stop and prevents the first mass from hitting the stop. After the first end is inserted into the housing and when the first end is being pulled out of the housing, due to a force exerted by the second mass to the first mass and the walls, the first mass squeezes the first end against the bottom of the housing and locks the first end in the housing.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0001]    A cable tie is used for fastening, binding, bundling, and/or organizing cables/wires. Different types of cable ties are made for use in different environments and applications. For example, some cable ties are made for outdoor use. Some cable ties are made for a specific industry, such as the food industry. Some are made for heavy-duty use (e.g., cable ties made of metal), for bundling large cables. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the description, explain the embodiments. In the drawings: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cable tie in an open configuration according to one implementation; 
           [0004]      FIG. 1B  is an isometric perspective bottom/side view of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  in the open configuration; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an expanded isometric perspective top/side view of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  in the closed configuration; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  in the closed configuration; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable tie before an end of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  is inserted into a locking body of the cable tie; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable tie when the end of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  is partially inserted into the locking body of the cable tie; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable tie after the end of the cable tie of  FIG. 1A  is partially inserted into the locking body and the cable tie is in the closed configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cable tie according to another implementation; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of the cable tie according to yet another implementation; and 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6A-6C  are cross-sectional side views of the cable tie according to different implementations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. 
         [0014]    As described herein, an anti-slip cable tie provides for a small/minimum slack in binding, fastening or bundling cables. To tie/bundle cables using the anti-slip cable tie, one end of a band, of the cable tie, that encircles the cables is inserted into the housing of a locking body of the cable tie. When the end of the band is inserted within the housing of the locking body, the band pushes a ball bearing within the housing toward an inner wall of the housing. Another ball within the housing, however, prevents the ball bearing from moving backwards beyond a point and bumping into the inner wall. When the band is pulled/tugged in the forward direction away from the inner wall, the ball bearing, being close to a front of the wall, prevents the end of the band from slipping and locks the band in place. Because the other ball prevents the ball bearing from moving about in the housing, the ball bearing continues to lock the band in place. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows an isometric perspective top/side view of an exemplary cable tie  100  in an open configuration according to one implementation, together with an xyz-axes  101 . As shown, cable tie  100  includes locking body  102  and a band  104 . In  FIG. 1A , cable tie  100  is oriented such that band  104  extends along the x-axis of xyz-axes  101  and the unit normal vector of the flat surface of band  104  is parallel to the z-axis. Band  104  has an interior portion inside of housing  108 . 
         [0016]    When band  104  is wrapped about cables and an end of band  104  (e.g., section  116 - 3 ) is inserted within locking body  102 , locking body  102  prevents the end from slipping back out of locking body  102  and the band from unwrapping about the cables. 
         [0017]    Locking body  102  includes a side wall  106 - 1 , a top wall  106 - 2 , a side wall  106 - 3 , bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5  (shown in  FIG. 1B ), and housing  108 . Walls  106 - 1  through  106 - 5  (collectively referred to as “walls  106 ”) extend along the x-axis from a side face  112 - 1  to a side face  112 - 2  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). In one implementation, walls  106  may be made of one continuous strip of rigid material wrapped (e.g., loosely) about band  104 , such that there is a gap/opening  114 - 1  and gap/opening  114 - 2  ( FIG. 1B ) between walls  106  and band  104 . 
         [0018]    Housing  108  includes a side portion  110 - 1  (also referred to as a “stop  1101 -”), a top portion  110 - 2 , and a side portion  110 - 3  (collectively referred to as “portions  110 ”). As further described below, portions  110  are configured/shaped to enclose and interact with elements within housing  108 , to prevent a portion of band  104  (which was inserted through opening  114 - 1  and  114 - 2 ) from sliding out from housing  108  when anti-slip cable tie  100  is in the closed configuration. In  FIG. 1A , housing  108  is in the shape of a dome, and may be made of steel, plastic, or another suitable material. 
         [0019]    Band  104  includes an entrance section  116 - 1 , a middle section  116 - 2 , and an end section  116 - 3 . Band  104  also includes a side edge  120 - 1 , a front edge  120 - 2 , and a side edge  120 - 3  (not shown). In one embodiment, side edge  120 - 1  and front edge  120 - 2  form an acute angle, such that, along the side edge  120 - 1  and parallel to the x-axis, the end of band  104  tapers to a tip  122  that can be more easily inserted into a gap/opening  114 - 2  (see  FIG. 1B ) after band  104  is bound around cables/wires, to result in a closed (loop) configuration. The end of tip  122  may be rounded, so that a user may not easily and accidentally puncture oneself with tip  122 . In one embodiment, when band  104  binds/bundles cables/wires, bottom surface  118 - 2  ( FIG. 1B ) of band  104  may face the cables/wires and be in contact with the cables/wires. Band  104  may be made of flexible material, such as steel, or another material. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  shows an isometric perspective bottom/side view of cable tie  100  in an open configuration, together with an xyz-axes  101 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates a number of features, of cable tie  100 , that are not shown in  FIG. 1A . For example,  FIG. 1B  shows side edge  112 - 2  with gap/opening  114 - 2 .  FIG. 1B  also shows band  104  extending from entrance portion  116 - 1  into locking body  102  (along the negative axis) and exiting from locking body  102  via opening  114 - 2  to form a clip  124  with a flap  126  that covers bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5  in the direction of the x-axis. As shown, clip  124  and flap  126  are integrally formed with band  104 . In a different implementation, clip  124  and flap  126  may be constructed separately from band  104  and then affixed together via screws or another mechanism. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , flap  126  includes, in one embodiment, at about the middle of its surface, a tab  128  with a crease  130 . Bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5  above tab  128  has a hole (e.g., a square hole whose front edge is aligned with a front edge of tab  128 ) (not shown in  FIG 1B ). Tab  128  is thrust upward in the direction of arrow  129  into the hole, bent about crease  130  (e.g., in the direction of the z-axis). 
         [0022]    In this configuration, side walls  106 - 1  and  106 - 3  of locking body  102 , clip  124 , and tab  128  hold/affix a portion of locking body  102  to an interior portion of band  104 , with the bottom surface  118 - 2  of band  104  being flush with an interior surface (the surface within locking body  102 ) of bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5  and the top surface of flap  126  being flush with the exterior surface (the surface in the z-direction) of bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5 . Side walls  106 - 1  and  106 - 3  prevent the interior portion of band  104  from moving laterally in the negative/positive y-direction with respect to locking body  102 . Clip  124 , which is integral to band  124 , prevents locking body  102  from sliding in the negative/positive x-direction relative to the interior portion of band  104 . Tab  128 , having been pushed into the hole in bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5 , catches an edge of the hole when an external force is applied to locking body  102  relative to the interior portion of band  104  in the positive x-direction. Tab  128  and the hole prevents locking body  102  from sliding in the x-direction relative to the interior portion of band  104 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an expanded isometric perspective top/side view of cable tie  100  in the closed configuration. In  FIG. 2 , end portion  116 - 3  of band  104  has been inserted into gap/hole  114 - 2  formed at side wall  112 - 2  of locking body  102 , and passed through and out of locking body  102  via gap/hole  114 - 1 , resulting in the closed configuration. In the configuration, a section/portion of band  104  (e.g., end section  116 - 3 ) overlaps with entrance portion  116 - 1  of band  104 . In  FIG. 2 , bottom surface  118 - 2  of end section  116 - 3  would be in contact with the top surface  118 - 1  of entrance section  116 - 1 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie  100  in the closed configuration.  FIG. 3  shows a number of features that are not visible in  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 2 . As shown, housing  108  encloses space  302  in which a ball bearing  304  and sphere  306  are placed. In one implementation, ball bearing  304  may be made of metal (e.g., steel) and sphere  306  may be made of elastomeric or another material (e.g., plastic, rubber, sponge-like or spring-like material, stainless steel sponge, etc.). In the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 3 , ball bearing  304  and sphere  306  may have approximately the same diameter. In other implementations, the diameters may be different. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  also shows entrance portion  116 - 1  extending into housing  108  as an interior section/portion  308 , which joins clip  124 . In the closed configuration, interior section  308  is underneath end section  116 - 3  and above bottom walls  106 - 4  and  106 - 5 . In  FIG. 3 , bottom wall  106 - 4  is illustrated as having front area  310 - 1  and a rear area  310 - 2 . Between front area  310 - 1  and rear area  310 - 2  is a rectangular/square hole  312 , into which tab  128  protrudes in the direction of arrow  129 . As explained above, an edge of tab  128  engages an edge of square hole  312  if housing  108  is pushed/pulled in the x-direction relative to interior section  308 . and prevents housing  108  from sliding in the x-direction relative to interior section  308  (e.g., prevents housing  108  from detaching from interior portion  308  of band  104 ). 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A through 4C  are cross sectional side views of cable tie  100  at different stages of closing cable tie  100  into a loop.  FIG. 4A  is a cross sectional side view of cable tie  100  before end section  116 - 3  of band  104  is inserted into locking body  102  via gap/opening  114 - 2  to be in the closed configuration. Like  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4A  shows ball bearing  304  and sphere  306  occupying space  302  of housing  108 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional side view of cable tie  100  when end section  116 - 1  of band  104  is partially inserted into locking body  102  of cable tie  100 . Un  FIG. 4B , after band  104  is wrapped about a bundle of cables/wires, end section  116 - 3  is pushed in the direction of arrow  406  via gap/opening  114 - 2  into housing  108 . Consequently, end section  116 - 3  overlaps with interior section  308 . As end section,  116 - 3  moves further in the direction of arrow  406 , section  116 - 3  also pushes ball bearing  304 , causing ball bearing  308  to move in the direction of arrow  408 , such that section  11603  may slide underneath ball bearing  108 . In addition, section  116 - 3  also pushes ball bearing  304  in the direction of arrow  410 , causing an area  412  on ball bearing  304  to contact an area  414  of sphere  306 . Although the force on area  414  pushes sphere  416  in the direction of arrow  416 , because area  418  of sphere  416  is in contact with stop  110 - 1  (or the interior surface of side portion  110 - 1 ) of housing  108 , sphere  306  moves, in the direction of x-axis, little or no distance. Accordingly, sphere  306  prevents ball bearing  304  from moving further in the direction of arrow  410  and touching stop  110 - 1 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4C  is a cross sectional side view of cable tie  100  after end section  116 - 3  of band  104  is inserted into locking body  102  and cable tie  100  is in the closed configuration. In  FIG. 4C , having been inserted fully into housing  108 , end section  116 - 3  overlaps with entrance section  116 - 1 . From this position, if band  104  is pulled in the direction of arrow  419 , the frictional force between band  104  and ball bearing  304  causes ball bearing  304  to move in the direction of arrow  420  to the extent that there is space/clearance in space  302 . Because space  302  within housing  108  is tapered in the negative x-direction, as ball bearing  304  is driven in the direction of arrow  420  until ball contacts the surface of portion  110 - 3  (also referred to as “stop  110 - 3 ”), area  424  and  422  of ball bearing  304  exert increasing force on the interior surface of portion  110 - 3  of housing  108  and on the top surface of end section  116 - 3  of band  104 , respectively. The downward force exerted by area  422  of ball bearing  304  on end section  116 - 3  may pinch end section  116 - 3  between ball bearing  304  and interior section  308 , and thus prevent end section  116 - 3  from retreating back in the direction of arrow  410  through gap/opening  114 - 2 . That is, ball bearing  304  provides for the locking mechanism of cable tie  100 . 
         [0029]    As briefly discussed above, in a different embodiment without sphere  306  in space  302 , when end section  116 - 3  is inserted into housing  108 , end section  116 - 3  may cause ball bearing  304  to move all the way (or significant portion of the way) to stop  110 - 1  of housing  108 . With ball bearing  304  in such a position, if band  104  were pulled back in the direction of arrow  419  (e.g., due to the weight of cables that are bound by cable tie  100 ), as end section  116 - 3  moves in the same direction relative to housing  108 , ball bearing  304  would also move from the stop  110 - 1  of housing  108  toward the interior surface of portion  110 - 3  of housing  108 , until ball bearing  304  locks end section  116 - 3 , and, therefore, band  104 . The distance covered by ball bearing  304  until ball bearing  304  locks band  104  is approximately the amount of slippage of band  104  allowed by cable tie  100 . The slippage may result in an undesirable amount of slack in band  104  when cable tie  100  is in the closed configuration, with band  104  wrapped about cables/wires. 
         [0030]    In contrast, with sphere  306  in place as illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C , ball bearing  304  cannot move in the direction of arrow  410  when end section  116 - 3  is inserted into housing  108  (or can only move a small amount). Hence, when band  104  is pulled in the direction of arrow  419  (e.g., by the weight of the cables that are wrapped by band  104 ), ball bearing  304  cannot travel a significant distance until ball bearing  304  locks band  104 . In other words, sphere  306  prevents band  104  from slipping, and thus creating slack between band  104  and the cables bundled by cable tie  100  (e.g., slipping distance&lt;the distance occupied by sphere  306  (e.g., the diameter)). 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie  100  according to another implementation. In this implementation, cable tie  100  includes, in the place of sphere  306 , a cylinder  502 . Cylinder  502  may play a role similar to that of sphere  306  in the implementations described above. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric cut-away perspective top/side view of cable tie  100  according to another implementation. In this implementation, cable tie  100  includes, in the place of sphere  306 , a block  504 . Block  504  may prevent ball bearing  304  from allowing undesirable slippage of band  104  when band  104  is closed around cables/wires, in a manner similar to that described above for sphere  306  (e.g., by occupying a space between ball bearing  304  and stop of housing  108 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6A-6C  are cross-sectional side views of cable tie  100  according to other, different implementations.  FIG. 6A  shows the cross-sectional view of cable tie  100  according to one implementation. In this implementation, ball bearing  604 , square/cube  606  and side portions  602 - 1  through  602 - 3  replace ball bearing  304 , sphere  306 , and side portions  110 - 1  through  110 - 3 , respectively, illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . Furthermore, each of ball bearing  604 , resilient cube  606 , side portions  602 - 1  through  602 - 3  has a functional role corresponding to the role of bearing  304 , sphere  306 , and side portions  110 - 1  through  110 - 3 , respectively. In addition, resilient cube  606  acts as a spring between bearing  604  and side portion  110 - 1 . Cube  606  exerts a pressure on bearing  604  by pushing against side portion  602 - 1  and bearing  604 . This prevents bearing  604  from moving away substantially from portion  602 - 3 , and reducing the force on section  116 - 3  when section  116 - 3  is fully inserted in housing  108 . 
         [0034]    In a typical implementation, resilient cube  606  may be made of stainless steel wire mesh. Depending on the implementation, resilient cube  606  may be replaced by a stainless steel mesh of another shape, such as a round ball, cylinder, rectangular box/prism, etc. In contrast to portions  110  in  FIGS. 4A-4C , portions  602  may be longer or shorter—that is, portions  603  may extend to properly accommodate resilient cube  606 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6B  shows the cross-sectional view of cable tie  100  according to yet another implementation. In this implementation, ball bearing  608  and sphere  610  and side portions  612 - 1  through  612 - 3  replace ball bearing  304 , sphere  306 , and side portions  110 - 1  through  110 - 3 , respectively, illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . Each of ball bearing  608 , sphere  610 , side portions  612 - 1  through  612 - 3  has a functional role similar to the role of bearing  304 , sphere  306 , and side portions  110 - 1  through  110 - 3 , respectively. In this implementation, ball bearing  608  is smaller (i.e., has a smaller diameter) than sphere  610  such that ball bearing  608  occupies slack/room in housing  108 . Ball bearing  608  and sphere  610  prevents each other from “sloshing” in housing  108  (by occupying the space in housing  108 ), and thus from reducing the force exerted by bearing  608  and/or sphere  610  on section  116 - 3  when section  116 - 3  is fully inserted in housing  108 . 
         [0036]    Portions  612  may be dimensioned to properly accommodate ball bearing  608  and sphere  610 . In some implementations, both ball bearing  608  and sphere  610  may be composed of the same or similar materials (e.g., stainless steel). 
         [0037]      FIG. 6C  shows the cross-sectional view of cable tie  100  according to still yet another implementation. In this implementation, sphere  614  and replaces ball bearing  304  and sphere  306 , and portions  616 - 1  through  616 - 3  replace portions  110 - 1  through  110 - 3  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . In  FIG. 6C , portions  616 - 1 ,  612 - 1 , and  616 - 3  are shaped/cut such that portions  616 - 1  and/or  616 - 2  (“housing  108 ” or buckle) act as backstop against sphere  614 . Once inserted into housing  108 , section  116 - 3  acts as a leaf spring on sphere  614  and pushes sphere  614  against portions  616 - 1  through  616 - 3 . That is, when section  116 - 3  of cable tie  100  is inserted in housing/buckle  108 , sphere  614  is pressed against portions  616  (e.g., especially portions  616 - 1  and  616 - 2 ) by section  116 - 3 . When section  116 - 3  is being pulled back out of housing  108 , sphere  614  is pulled toward portion  616 - 3 , which increases the force applied by section  116 - 3  against sphere  614 . This causes sphere  614  to increase its force on portion  616 - 3 , preventing section  116 - 3  from being pulled out of housing  108 . In this implementation, section  116 - 3 &#39;s leaf-spring action against sphere  614  and the shape of portions  616  prevent sphere  614  from moving substantially away from portion  616 - 3 . This causes sphere  614  to maintain constant pressure on section  116 - 3  and not allow section  116 - 3  to slip away from within housing  108 . 
         [0038]    In some implementations, interior position  308  may include a “dimple” or a hole. In other implementations, interior portion  308  excludes (i.e., is without) a dimple or a hole. If a hole or a dimple exists on interior position  308 , when section  116 - 3  is fully inserted into housing  108  bearing/sphere (e.g., any one of bearing  304 , sphere  306 , cylinder  502 , cube  606 , bearing  608 , sphere  610 , or sphere  614 )) may drive the area (of section  116 - 3 ) bearing sits into the hole (on interior portion  308 ) underneath section  116 - 3 . In this way, the dimple or hole on interior position  308  may further stabilize the bearing/sphere, when section  116 - 3  is locked by the bearing/sphere. 
         [0039]    The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the teachings. For example, in some implementations, housing  108  may be shaped differently than that illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6C . Furthermore, in some implementations, more than a single sphere  306 , cylinder  502 , or block  504  may be placed within housing  108  to prevent ball bearing  304  from “sloshing” and allowing slippage of band  104  in the closed configuration. In some implementations, in place of sphere  306  or cylinder  502 , or block  504 , a spring or spring-like component may be places in housing  108  to prevent slippage. Furthermore, depending on the implementation, a different type of band  104  may be used in place of band  104  (e.g., thicker band, narrower band, etc.). In still other implementations, top surface  118 - 1  of band  104 , the interior surfaces of housing  108  and/or ball bearing  304  may include ridges to increase the friction between top surface  118 - 1  of band  104 , the interior surfaces of housing  108 , and/or ball bearing  304 . 
         [0040]    Although different implementations have been described above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the implementations may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims. 
         [0041]    It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. 
         [0042]    No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the implementations described herein unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1