Plastic Band Patents (Class 24/16PB)
  • Patent number: 5904442
    Abstract: A protrusion provided at one end of a first fitting body is engaged with one of the recesses in a plurality of grooves provided at one end of a second fitting body in the lengthwise direction, whereby the degree of overlapping between the first fitting body and the second fitting body is adjusted. Then, the other end of the first fitting body and the other end of the second fitting body engaging with the recesses and protrusions of a fluted portion of a sensor portion are fixed with a fixing screw. Thus, the other end of the first fitting body and the other end of the second fitting body are drawn near to each other, and a fitting for a bicycle is firmly fixed to the fork or other part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cateye Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Takeda
  • Patent number: 5901416
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a releasable and reusable tie strap for bundling a group of wires together. A plastic tie strap has a clip head attached to the strap. The clip head has a hinged cover which can be releasably closed over the strap. The clip head has a ratchet tooth which engages ribs on the strap. The hinged cover is closed over the strap to cause the ratchet tooth to engage the ribs. The strap may then be drawn through the clip head to achieve the desired tightness around the object it is tying. The ratchet tooth prevents withdrawal of the strap from the clip head until the hinged cover is opened. Thus, the device may be opened and reused. Alternate embodiments utilize pins in lieu of the hinged cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur William Mears
  • Patent number: 5896623
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Mark Martin
  • Patent number: 5893456
    Abstract: The one piece rubber tying and fastening device comprising an endless band with an outer face located between two lateral faces, a knob and a neck portion connecting the said knob to the outer face of the endless band, the said knob having a substantially circular face and two intermediate faces connecting the said circular face to the neck portion, while the neck portion has two opposite side faces connecting the outer face of the endless band to the intermediate faces of the knob, whereby the intermediate faces in the neighborhood of the neck portion and the two side faces of the neck portion have a minimum bend radius of 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ghent Supply N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Bosmans
  • Patent number: 5890265
    Abstract: A flexible strap has a locking head and a free end. The strap is received in a passage in the locking head where it is engaged by a locking tab which is biased toward engagement with the strap as it passes into and through the passage. The locking tab prevents withdrawal of the tie from the locking head. The strap can be released for withdrawal from the locking head by moving the tab against the bias. An opening is provided in the locking head generally opposite to the location of the locking tab. The strap, throughout the major portion of its extension, has a width which is less than the width of the opening. The opening in the locking head is preferably provided with spaced shoulders in the area of the engagement between the locking tab and the straps serrations. An inclined lip is provided in the area through which the strap exits the locking head. The lip is angled such as to displace the strap from the normal exterior of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Tyton Hellermann Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Christian, Mark E. Federspiel
  • Patent number: 5884367
    Abstract: The cable tie strap, having elongate strap body and a locking head provides for receipt of the cable tie strap in the head in either direction. The cable tie strap includes a hollow locking head and an elongate strap having toothing on each side of the strap. A locking bar is positioned within the hollow head. The strap body may be inserted into the hollow head in either direction. The locking bar is lockingly engagable with the toothing on either side of the strap upon insertion of the strap into the head in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimiro Teagno, Peter M. Wells, Jr., Wasim Khokhar
  • Patent number: 5884368
    Abstract: A method for coupling at least two structures. The method comprises engaging the structures with a resilient, elongated band. The band has a plurality of spaced-apart projections extending away from a first portion thereof and a plurality of spaced-apart apertures positioned in a second portion thereof. The method further comprises receiving the projections in the apertures, and changing the shape of the projections and/or the apertures to bias the projections into engagement with the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Boe
  • Patent number: 5881435
    Abstract: A tie strap device is in the form of an elongated body of substantially yieldably resilient deformable and reformable material. The elongated body includes a strap and a locking head. The strap has opposite longitudinal surfaces and opposite ends. The locking head is formed at one end of the strap while the other end of the strap is free. The locking head defines a cavity therethrough having an interior surface. The locking head has portions which are connected together and define a line of weakness in the locking head in communication with the cavity. The line of weakness allows for separation of the portions from one another and forcible removal of the strap from the cavity in response to a pulling force applied by the strap on the locking head at the line of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard A. Jermyn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5878520
    Abstract: The new advertising band for quick and easy locking, unlocking and re-locking about merchandise is a flexible strip having a lead end section, a body section, and a tail end section. The lead end section is equipped with a lock aperture having a maximum dimension in the longitudinal direction and a minimum dimension transverse thereto. The body section has a substantial length and transverse width for displaying advertising information. Its length is at least as great as the combined length of both the lead and the tail end sections. The tail end section has laterally paired locking members separated by neck members along its length. It is easily pulled through the aperture to lock any pair of the locking members against the minimum dimension edges of the aperture and yet is easily and quickly unlocked from the aperture by aligning its locking members with the maximum dimension of the aperture and pulling it free from the aperture. The ideal lock aperture has a Saturn design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bedford Industries
    Inventors: Jay A. Milbrandt, Debra K. Houseman, John B. Linquist
  • Patent number: 5878465
    Abstract: The flexible cladding for encasing cable harnesses or other tubular objects has a track-type casing (10) having longitudinal connecting parts (11, 12). Longitudinal concertina-type formations (24), designed as rounded waves, are positioned between the connecting parts thereby making the flexible cladding highly expansible and ductile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Zipper-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Jenner
  • Patent number: 5875522
    Abstract: A grommet and adjustable strap fastener assembly including an elongate strap member having a head portion at a first end in combination with at least one body member having a first strap aperture for receiving the elongate strap member. A retention member protruding into the first strap aperture of the body member permits adjustable passage of the elongate strap member through the first strap aperture in a first direction. The retention member prevents passage of the elongate strap member through the first strap aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction. According to another aspect of the invention, the body member includes a second strap aperture disposed in a recess wherein the head portion of the elongate strap member is disposable in the recess of the body member when the elongate strap member is disposed through the second strap aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Latal, Dave G. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 5873303
    Abstract: A method for binding bundled objects, in particular pieces of cable is disclosed. A first end of a binding material is used to encircle the bundled objects and is then passed through an opening located on a second end of the binding material. A pulling force is then applied to the binding material thereby tightly securing the bundled objects. The binding material is then bent forming a folded edge and passed through a second opening. Finally, the first end is pressed against a portion of the binding material wrapped around the bundled objects, thus producing a static friction and securing the bundled objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fapro Automation AG
    Inventors: Hans Hodosy, Beat Hodosy
  • Patent number: 5871193
    Abstract: A hanger loop of rope material provides for the suspension of innumerable articles in various industries, but is particularly well suited for use in underground mining, where it may be used to support electrical cables, pneumatic and hydraulic lines, air ventilation ducts, etc., above the floor of the mine drift. The hanger loop is preferably formed of a braided synthetic fiber which has been treated to provide flame retardant properties and which is also electrically non-conductive. Treated, braided polypropylene is a suitable material for the present rope loop. The closed loop is formed by passing the first end of the rope diametrically through its opposite end portion, and then coaxially through that same portion to secure the first end therein and to form a smaller closed loop. The second end is then inserted coaxially into the body of the main loop to secure the second end within the body of the main loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: William J. B. Jacobs, Tanya S. Jacobs, Mark W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5865416
    Abstract: A security tie down includes a threaded sleeve embedded in a ground surface, and a steel eyebolt screwed into the sleeve. An object for being secured, such as a vehicle, is tied to a ring of the eyebolt with a locked cable. The eyebolt includes hard faced welded beads welded thereon for resisting cutting. When not in use, the eyebolt may be unscrewed to avoid tripping passersby, and a threaded plug may be screwed into the sleeve to exclude dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: John Hanaway
  • Patent number: 5855591
    Abstract: An anchoring system includes a simply-structured suture-like device which permits a fluid tube or similar medical article to be easily attached to the patient without the use of needles and without suturing anything to the patient. The anchoring device desirably includes two threads or filaments and two corresponding receptacles. The filaments include protuberances which cooperate with apertures of the receptacles to permit easy insertion of the distal ends of the filaments into the receptacles, but inhibit retraction of the filament distal ends from the receptacles. A health care provider simply wraps the filament around the fluid tube or threads the filament through a suture hole in the medical article, and then threads the distal end of the filament through the receptacle aperture until the filament holds the medical article tightly against an anchor pad of the anchoring system. The anchor pad in turn includes an adhesive bottom surface which can be attached to the patient's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Venetec International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Bierman
  • Patent number: 5852850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chain of interconnected closure clips, designed for the necks of bags or film tubes, having a uniform cross-sectional profile and two free ends lockable together to close the closure clip, which chain is characterized in that the closure clips comprise projections located in mutual alignment between the ends on the outer contour and are connected only in the region of these projections, such that the projections form a through-web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System Corp.
    Inventors: Jurgen Hanten, Eggo Haschke, Walter Grzondziel, Gunter Vermehren
  • Patent number: 5848771
    Abstract: A one-piece flexible strap clamp which may be wrapped in either of two directions about barriers, or about objects of varying shape such as insulators or lugs, or around fences, or about linear objects such as cable, wire, or bundles of cable or wire. The clamp may be installed onto a variety of support surfaces, such as underground support arms, wildlife/animal barriers, dielectric covers, or tubular guards, without the need for any additional fasteners or other mounting equipment or pieces, and is more tamper proof than previous versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Virginia Plastics Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Hancock-Bogese, Stephen B. Bogese, II
  • Patent number: 5839169
    Abstract: A cable tie (10) includes a tie portion (12) and a head portion (14). The tie portion (12) is inserted through a slot (16) of the head portion (14). The slot (16) allows for insertion of the tie portion (12) and prevents de-insertion of the tie portion (12). After insertion, an excess length 22 of the tie portion (12) is trimmed away leaving a remaining edge (24). The head portion (14) includes a safety guard (18) attached by a flexible hinge (20) that snaps onto the head portion (14) to enclose the remaining edge (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: DSC Telecom L.P.
    Inventors: John B. Edwards, Kenneth M. Draganski
  • Patent number: 5836053
    Abstract: A one piece cable tie for forming a plurality of objects such as cables into a bundle includes an elongated flexible strap having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, a first end and a second end. The strap further includes a plurality of transverse raised cross-members projecting up from the top planar surface, said raised cross-members being spaced along the length of the strap and defining therebetween a plurality of openings. A locking head is integrally formed to the first end of the strap. The locking head includes an outer end wall, an inner end wall and a pair of sidewalls which together define a generally rectangularly shaped strap accepting channel therebetween. A holding tab is disposed within the locking head and projects out from the inner end wall and into the strap accepting channel. The outer end wall is shaped to include an angled locking face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Davignon, Richard M. Bastien, James C. Benoit
  • Patent number: 5836054
    Abstract: The invention entails a cable tie having an elongated body and a hollow receiving head. The receiving head is attached to the body at one end. At the other end, the receiving head contains a mouth opening. The mouth opening is sufficiently large to receive the opposite end of the body. Teeth are arranged on the exterior of the body. At least one locking arm with a lip is positioned at the mouth opening. Preferably, the arm should have two ends with a pivot point in between. The lip should be positioned on one side of the pivot point. The teeth and the lip are positioned to cooperate with one another so that the locking arm holds the body in position when the body is inserted into the receiving head. By applying pressure to the end of the arm opposite the lip, the arm may be pivoted so that the lip will disengage the teeth, allowing the body to be freely withdrawn from the receiving head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Medisys Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5832567
    Abstract: A cable tie (10) includes a tie portion (12) and a head portion (14). The tie portion (12) is inserted through a slot (16) of the head portion (14). The slot (16) allows for insertion of the tie portion (12) and prevents de-insertion of the tie portion (12). After insertion, an excess length 22 of the tie portion (12) is trimmed away leaving a remaining edge (24). The head portion (14) includes a safety guard (18) attached by a flexible hinge (20) that snaps onto the head portion (14) to enclose the remaining edge (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: DSC Telecom L.P.
    Inventors: John B. Edwards, Kenneth M. Draganski
  • Patent number: 5826308
    Abstract: A bundling strap assembly includes a strap for surrounding articles to be packed and a buckle for securing the strap. The strap has two rows of through holes defined along a longitudinal direction of the strap, a reinforcement rib formed between the two rows of the through holes and a plurality of bosses formed on both major surfaces of the strap for engaging with the articles to be packed. The buckle has a central through opening defined therein and two latching elements resiliently and respectively connected to two opposite inner faces defining the through opening. Each of the two latching elements is connected to the corresponding inner face at one end thereof and has two rows of single direction teeth protruding inward from an inner surface thereof to engage with the through holes defined at two ends of the strap and thereby securing the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Kun-sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 5819374
    Abstract: A retention clip which secures radiant heating tubing to a reinforcing bar or wire used to reinforce a concrete slab. In one embodiment, the clip has a C-shaped body which includes a pair of parallel legs connected by a straight bight. The bight is hinged in the center so it can be bent to bring the free ends of the legs together. A pin on one leg then enters a socket on the other leg and a flange on the pin interlocks with a shoulder of the socket to hold the clip around the tubing and reinforcing element. The clip body has stiffening ribs to enhance its strength and dimensional stability. An alternative embodiment provides a straight clip body having a central hinge joint and two elbow joints about which the body can be flexed to bring interlocking ends together. Each elbow joint includes opposing pairs of lugs which provide stability. A block on one side of each elbow joint enters a groove between the opposing lugs to lock the joint against sideward swaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Ellenistic, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Chiles, Daniel T. Chiles, Kimmie F. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 5819375
    Abstract: A tensioning strap for securing one or more elongate cables, pipes, hoses or similar objects has an elongate, flexible strap part which is provided with arresting elements and a tensioning lock which is affixed at one end of the strap part and is arranged to hold the strap part which is formed as a noose around and engages the objects. In order to form bundles of objects which are sensitive to pinching and have different overall bundle cross-sections without any risk of pinching or reductions in cross-section of the objects, a blocking element is provided in the region of the tensioning lock which comes into blocking engagement with the strap part and prevents further closing of the noose which is formed by the strap part when the strap part surrounds the objects in a closely abutting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Michael Kastner
  • Patent number: 5815891
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head of the cable tie includes an aperture therethrough for insertably accommodating the strap. The head of the cable tie also includes a barb embedding surface adjacent the aperture through the head. A metallic locking barb is embedded in the embedding surface in a direction substantially parallel to the aperture in the head. The metallic locking barb is bent to form an obtuse angle so that the metallic locking barb extends into the aperture in the head to permit movement of the strap in an insertion direction and to prevent substantial movement of the strap in a withdrawal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Students, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5814056
    Abstract: A seal 10 comprises a bushing 11 and a thread 12, wherein the bushing 11 has a first lumen 15 and a second lumen 16. The lumina 15 and 16 extend along the entire length of the bushing 11. The thread 12 can be introduced at one end into the second lumen 16 and has a swelling 21 at the free end which prevents reintroduction and travel of the end of the thread through the second lumen 16. The thread 12 can be introduced into the first lumen 15 via its other free end and pushed through first lumen 15. Enlargements 20 are formed on the thread 12 having a size preventing introduction into the first lumen 15 without the exercise of force. The bushing 11 and the thread 12 are manufactured from a flexible material having a stable shape. When the enlargements 20 are pulled into the first lumen 15, the bushing 11 bends and seats on e.g. tissue to be ligated. When the enlargements 20 are completely pulled into the first lumen 15, the seal 10 is permanently closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Willy Rusch AG
    Inventors: Rudiger L. Prosst, Klaus Roth, Gerhard Buess, Marc O. Schurr
  • Patent number: 5810854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching connective tissue to each other or to underlying bone is described. The invention includes a band with latching grooves to engage a detached clamping head. At one end of the band is an opening through which the other end of the band may pass to allow the band to form a loop. The end of the band is then inserted into the detached clamping head which has a ratcheting pawl which engages the grooves in the band to hold the band and prevent its slipping. The band may also have a bulb element at or near the end of the band with the opening. There may also be a number of disk or bulb elements to distribute the force on the tissue. The band may also have varying width to provide different force on the tissues. The band and clamping head may be manufactured of biocompatable polymers such as implantation grade nylon, polyethylene or biosoluble material. A method for use of the present invention to repair a torn rotator cuff is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: William R. Beach
  • Patent number: 5806819
    Abstract: A clip-type fastening device having a deformable and resilient body which is constructed of first and second deformable aperture defining portions which in combination define an aperture within the body. First and second engaging members are integrally formed with the deformable aperture defining portions and are inter-engageable to clamp the body around a fixed member in a step-lock fashion. The aperture defining portions and engaging members may be deformed and separated in a twisting manner to release the body from the fixed member and a deformable clip portion is likewise separable to releasably secure an object such as a length of cord or a flag grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Michael A. Martone
  • Patent number: 5802675
    Abstract: An improved disposable restraining device having double loops formed of two separate, flexible straps joined together by an interlocking cover is extremely strong, tamper resistant and more easily molded than single strap devices. The device is designed to be folded into a compact storage position which can be easily carried by law enforcement personnel yet is instantly ready for use. The cover provides a shield for the locking mechanism and additional strength in the area between the two loops. The straps include a core material designed to resist friction cutting and the cover may be constructed of a harder material than the straps for maximum strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Armament Systems & Procedures, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5802676
    Abstract: A strap for securing a bundled power cord for convenient storage and a power tool having a power cord to which the strap is substantially permanently secured. The strap has fastening elements on two extended surfaces and a pair of slots through which the cord is passed to attach the strap to the cord. The slots, shown as slits, are sized relative to a plug on the cord so that the plug resists withdrawal of the cord from the slots and the flexible strap remains permanently on the cord without impeding the use of the power cord or tool. The attached strap is wrapped around the bundled cord, with the fastening elements on one side of the strap engaging the fastening elements on the other side of the strap to form a fastening and secure the cord. In preferred forms the strap is a flat strip of material carrying molded hooks on one side, synthetic resin integral with the hooks serving to secure loop material defining the opposite side of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Nancy Jane Tolan
  • Patent number: 5802888
    Abstract: An improved disposable double-loop restraining device is tamper resistant, utilizes a non-keyed lock and include a core material designed to resist friction cutting. A coded removable tab is provided for positively tracking a detainee with an arrest record. The device may be folded allowing large quantities to be easily stowed on the person of law enforcement personnel for mass arrest situations, and is brightly colored to assist in readily identifying detained individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Arament Systems and Procedures, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5803413
    Abstract: A one-piece cable tie for securing a cable to a mounting surface having a threaded stud attached thereto, the cable having an outer sheath of convoluted tubing. The cable tie comprises an elongated strap and a locking head on one end of the strap. The locking head is adapted to cooperate with the strap to form a loop around the cable. The cable tie further includes a fastener coupled to the locking head for securing the cable to the threaded stud. The fastener includes a boss having a central bore to enable the boss to be mounted over the threaded stud. The fastener also includes a plurality of flexible fingers formed to the boss which are disposed to project into the bore. Each finger comprises an arm pivotally connected to the boss and an engagement head formed to the arm for engaging the threaded stud. The fastener further includes a cover connected to the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Benoit, Clinton Noddin Matthews
  • Patent number: 5799376
    Abstract: An integrally formed tie strip (10) is formed with a series of apertures (14), at respective locations that are spaced apart in succession along the strip, and is formed with a series of laterally projecting latch members (11), at respective locations that are spaced apart in succession along the strip, for resisting withdrawal from one of the said apertures after having been passed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Andrew John Harsley
  • Patent number: 5799375
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided for easy loading in a fastener gun, the assembly being formed so as to also be easily operated upon by the fastener gun. The fastener assembly comprises a plurality of fasteners and at least one runner, wherein the fasteners are disposed in a predetermined direction and substantially coplanar with one another to form a plane, and each of the fasteners is attached to the at least one runner, the at least one runner being spaced from the plane of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignees: J.E. Co., Ltd., Ben Clements and Sons
    Inventor: Shoichi Fukami
  • Patent number: 5797670
    Abstract: A portable power tool light for mounting to a portable power tool and method of using the portable power tool light are provided and preferably include a belt shaped to detachably mount to and surround a distal portion of a portable power tool. A portable power tool preferably has a power tool main body and a handle connected to and extending outwardly from the main body. The belt includes a fastener for securely fastening the belt to the outer surface of a distal portion of a portable power tool. Flexible lighting means preferably is connected to the belt and extends outwardly therefrom toward a distal portion of a power tool for flexibly positioning a light source to direct radiation from the light source toward an object for using the power tool thereon to thereby illuminate the object for increasing visibility of the object to the user of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: American Industrial Design Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Jack Snoke, Michael John Mark, Javier Verdura, Kevin A. Nagatani
  • Patent number: 5797404
    Abstract: A disposable handcuff providing a two loop expandable strap restraint for law enforcement formed from a continuous single foldable strap that is light weight, strong, inexpensive, disposable, and can be formed of readily available and readily obtainable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Emery John Stanchin, II
  • Patent number: 5792409
    Abstract: Balanced injection molding in a multi-cavity mold of a plurality of ties having a uniform maximum thickness between opposite broad sides of the tongue of the tie is accomplished by providing mold pieces in which the relative dimensions of projections for forming ratchet teeth on the tongue of the ties in different mold cavities are non-uniform such that when plastic material is injected into the mold cavities, the injected plastic material flows through the different mold cavities at respective flow rates that cause the mold cavities to be completely filled approximately simultaneously with the injected plastic material. In making the mold pieces, the dimensions of the projections initially are larger than required for forming ratchet teeth of a preferred dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: GB Electrical, Inc.
    Inventors: Soren Christian Sorensen, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5781975
    Abstract: A bundling tie having a head at one end, a tail at the other end, and a central strap body therebetween. The head includes a strap ingress face for receiving the strap and a strap egress face from which the inserted strap exits the head. The head further includes a central passageway in communication with the strap ingress face and the strap egress face for receipt of the tail. A metallic locking barb is embedded into a flexible foundation in the head. The flexible foundation is partially defined by a channel around the foundation. The channel provides increased barb rotation upon strap insertion into the head while also providing a stop surface that requires greater barb deflection upon attempt to withdraw the strap from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Wells, Jr., George Robertson
  • Patent number: 5782648
    Abstract: A device to secure an electric plug to a wall outlet by the use of a fastener which attaches to the electric cord and which also attaches to the wall socket. The device is of two pieces, to allow adjustment for the size of the electrical plug. The device attaches to the wall socket by the use of a shouldered screw which replaces the standard screw holding the wall place in place. One version of the device is designed to securely connect an electric plug to an extension cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Edwin R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5781970
    Abstract: A strap retainer comprising a flexible elongated body having two planar sides and two free ends adapted for closure on to each other. A locking pawl is integrally formed with one free end and comprises a post and a head section forming a free end. A receptacle for the locking pawl is integrally formed with the other free end. The receptacle has top and bottom surfaces that are parallel to the planar sides of the body. There is a cavity in the top surface of the receptacle, having an enlarged section and a narrow section extending through the free end of the receptacle. The enlarged section is longer than the head section of the locking pawl and the narrow section is narrower than the head section of the locking pawl. There is at least one flexible locking tooth in the enlarged section of the cavity that protrudes into the cavity. A shoulder element is arranged on each side of the cavity to define an insertion area in the top surface of the receptacle corresponding to the shape of the locking pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: National Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5774944
    Abstract: A band cable having a tie through hole which is formed within a head, a stopper which is protrudedly formed on the top surface of the tie through hole, and a tie, on which a plurality of first grooves are formed, which is formed as a unitary body with the head, the band cable including a second groove formed on the lower portion of the tie through hole; and an elastic supporting member whose left and right side surfaces are separated from the inner side surface of the head, thus to move upwardly and downwardly, whereby after the tie is inserted into the tie through hole and is coupled with the head, if the tie coupled with the head is to be released, a user grasps the tie and then presses downwardly it with his thumb, and thereby, as the elastic supporting member is pushed in the downward direction of the second groove, the stopper is easily deviated from the first grooves formed on the tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Woncheol Choi
  • Patent number: 5775653
    Abstract: A clamp device for attaching a vehicular component to a tubular member. The clamp device includes a split ring that has a latch end member, a tab end member, and a device disposed on the latch end member and the tab end member for interengaging the latch end member and the tab end member when the ring is closed around the tubular member. The clamp device further includes a component retention member that is fixedly attached to the ring for positively orienting the component on the tubular member. The retention member has a support member that is integrally formed with the ring, and a housing member that is affixed to the support member. The housing member includes a device for slidably receiving and releasably attaching the component to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Horney, Thomas M. Knowles
  • Patent number: 5772258
    Abstract: A conduit clamp assembly having a band and first and second jaws, the jaws connected one to each of the opposite ends of the band and the jaws having interfitting teeth configured to permit insertion of one jaw into the other and to oppose separation of the jaws once engaged. The band includes a beam connected to the interior the band, the beam extending along and spaced from a length of the interior of the band and the beam being movable toward and away from the band and engaging the conduit before the band. An elongated strap is connected at one end to the band and extends from the band. A tab is attached to the strap in an area spaced from the connection of the strap to the band, the tab being connectable to an element so that the clamp is attachable to a conduit with a bushing and the strap is attachable to the element to maintain attachment of the element to the conduit when the element is separated from the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Tyton-Hellermann Corp.
    Inventors: Edward P. Dyer, Kenneth A. Christian
  • Patent number: 5766218
    Abstract: A binding device and method of use for providing a compressive force across tissue boundaries to promote healing. The binding device includes a strap adapted to form a loop about injured tissue and a tension member attached to the strap, wherein the tension member maintains a predetermined stress level in the loop which compresses the edges of the tissue together to foster healing. The tension member is preferably a shape memory effect alloy, such as nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy. The binding device also includes a one-way locking mechanism which keeps the strap in a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Metamorphic Surgical Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Arnott
  • Patent number: 5758390
    Abstract: A cable tie which can be used for bundling electrical wires or many other objects. The cable tie of this invention comprises an elongate strap of plastic material composed of a longitudinal channel on one side and transversal notches on the other. This cable tie secures the wires by inserting its tail through either side of its block head. When the tail of the cable tie is inserted into the aperture located on a first side of the block head, the said cable tie becomes locked and impossible to be open (not re-usable). However, when the tail of the cable tie is inserted into the aperture located on the opposite side of the block head, the said cable tie becomes locked but re-usable by using a lever arm mechanism to release the elongate strap from the block head and open the cable tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Gerald Villeneuve
  • Patent number: 5758443
    Abstract: A support device of information for the identification of hospital in- or out-patients is provided in the form of a strip of flexible material that can be wound on the end of limbs or round the neck of the patient like a bracelet or collar. The device includes an element for clamping the two free ends of the strip together formed from a first part and a second part cooperating one with the other and with the free ends of the strip to ensure a permanent adjustable clamping of the bracelet or of the collar. The first part of the element has a flat surface suitable for receiving and storing for a subsequent reading information suitable for the identification of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Healtech S.A.
    Inventor: Gianandrea Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 5755013
    Abstract: Method and articles for holding fluid conduits at a desired lateral distance from each other for connection to spaced-apart connection points, for example vehicle fuel line connections or domestic appliance flexible hoses. Preferred holding articles are described having heat-shrinkable rings connected by an integral connecting portion, or having a sheet with heat-shrinkable end portions (30) which can be wrapped around conduits (70) and a spacer (50) to hold the conduits at the required separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Raychem S. A.
    Inventors: Anthony Ronald Leslie Fitch, Michael Jones, Andre Muller
  • Patent number: 5745957
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head includes a passageway therethrough for inserting the strap and a flexibly hinged locking pawl adjacent the passageway. The cable tie resists longitudinal deformation of the locking notches when adjacent the locking teeth on the pawl. Side edge-barriers are located along the strap adjacent the head so that the strap may be cut at a location between the side edge-barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Wasim Khokhar, Mark A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5745958
    Abstract: A rectangular band disposed in a closed loop about a cable coiled in a hank to facilitate the handling and storage of the hank when the cable is not in use. The band has two adjacent longitudinal slits through which a cable end is projected to hold the band on the cable when it is used and also so it is readily handy to again bind the cable after its use into a hank. In its position on the hank, the band holds the end of the cable projected through the slits in the same plane as the hank and thus provides a flat, compact condition in the hank and in the cable end that is favorable for handling and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Alan Kaldor
  • Patent number: 5730399
    Abstract: A mount assembly provides for the mounting of service lines of a variety of types and sizes to a support structure, such as a frame rail for an over-the-highway truck or tractor, with relative ease. The mount assembly includes a mount having a saddle for securing the service line to the mount with a self-sizing tie and having a latch for securing the mount to the support structure. The strap of another tie may be inserted through an opening of the support structure and through an opening of the latch such that a ratchet positioned in relation to the latch opening engages at least one of a plurality of sloping teeth of the strap. A spacer of the mount provides a clearance area for the service line from the support structure so as to minimize or avoid any gathering of debris between the service line and the support structure and therefore minimize or avoid any chafing or corrosion of the service line or of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Frank T. Baginski