METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETAINING ELONGATED FLEXIBLE ARTICLES INCLUDING VISUAL INSPECTION APPARATUS INSPECTION PROBES
A tie for retaining a length of an elongated flexible article can include a strap having a proximal end for attachment to an attachment location of the elongated flexible article and a distal end. For retaining a length of an elongated flexible article, a proximal end of a strap can be attached to an attachment location, and an extending portion of the strap can be wrapped around a bundle of flexible article sections, and then secured by securing a more distally located section of the strap to a more proximally located section thereof.
The invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for retaining articles in general and particularly to a method and apparatus for retaining an elongated flexible article.
For enabling storage in reduced volume spaces and easy transportation, elongated flexible articles are typically wound into a coil or “wound up” configuration. Hoses, extension cords, and inspection apparatus probes have been observed to be subject to such coiling/winding process for small spaced storage and/or for transportation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONA tie for retaining a length of an elongated flexible article can include a strap having a proximal end for attachment to an attachment location of the elongated flexible article and a distal end. For retaining a length of an elongated flexible article, the proximal end can be attached to an attachment location, and an extending portion of the strap can be wrapped around a bundle of flexible article sections, and then secured by securing a more distally located section of the strap to a more proximally located section thereof.
The features described herein can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.
There is described a tie apparatus (tie) for use in retaining an elongated flexible article. In one embodiment the tie includes a strap comprising one or more material members having a proximal end and a distal end. In one embodiment, the strap can be of bendable construction and can be adapted to be attached to an elongated flexible article, a length of which is to be retained. The strap can be configured so that when attached to an elongated flexible article the distal end extends outwardly from the location of attachment. Once the tie is attached onto an elongated flexible article, the length of the elongated flexible article forward of the attachment location can be coiled up into a coiled configuration. With a length of the elongated flexible article in a coiled configuration the extending distal end of the strap can be wrapped about a bundle of elongated flexible article sections, the bundle being defined by sections of the flexible elongated article when in a coiled configuration.
There is described in
A method for utilizing tie 5 for retaining an elongated flexible article is described with reference to
A major aspect of a coil configuration is that an elongated flexible article 100 will naturally assume an unstressed state when in a coiled configuration, and will remain coiled in a compact configuration without forces being applied thereto. A major aspect of a tie 5 in one embodiment that will be described is that tie 10 can retain article 100 without disturbing the unstressed state of the article when coiled.
A number of methods can be employed for securing a more distally located section of strap 10 to a more proximally located section of strap 10. As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
In one aspect tie 5 is adapted so that strap 10 can be oriented in more than one alternative orientation when a more distal section of strap 10 is secured to a more proximal section of strap 10. In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
A self aligning embodiment of tie 5 is shown and described with reference to
Referring to
In one embodiment, tie 5 can be configured so that when strap 10 is attached on an elongated flexible article 100 the extending portion of strap 10 extends in such manner that a loop 43 formed by securing a first surface 20 and a second surface 22 of strap 10 has an axis A extending substantially in a direction parallel to an imaginary line L extending between the centers of holes 30, 32 when aligned to oppose one another.
For attachment to an elongated flexible article 100, strap 10 can be oriented as shown in
Additional features of tie 5 rendering the described self-aligning features readily achievable are described with reference to
It will be seen that a generally flat planar construction as is highlighted in
Additional specifics of a tie having a self-aligning strap 10 are described with reference to
In each of the described embodiments, strap 10 can be adapted so that a more distal section of strap 10 is detachably secured to a more proximal section of strap 10.
An example of an application utilizing tie 5 is described with reference to
Use of tie 5 with an inspection apparatus is particularly advantageous in that such use increases a range of tasks than can be performed by an inspector. By comparison, without use of a tie 5 an inspector might coil an elongated flexible article 100 and then hand carry the elongated flexible article (be it a video probe, an eddy current probe, or an ultrasonic probe) into or out of an inspection area. Hand carrying of an inspection apparatus 500 with elongated flexible article 100 renders flexible article 100 susceptible to uncoiling, (requiring re-coiling by the inspector) and further prevents the inspector from performing manual tasks (e.g., opening doors or containers) with the hand that is being used to hand carry elongated flexible article 100. Accordingly, tie 5 frees an inspector to perform a variety of useful manual tasks with the hand that would otherwise be holding flexible article 100 (e.g., opening doors, actuating control buttons and the like).
In some inspection environments, dangerous conditions are encountered. For example high heat, radiation, or chemically contaminated environments or environments including falling objects are commonly encountered during inspections which may be carried out with probe equipped visual inspection apparatuses, a probe equipped eddy current sensing apparatus or a probe equipped ultrasonic sensing apparatus. The inventors determined that inspection apparatus elongated flexible inspection probes have a tendency to become entangled in equipment or other objects in an inspection environment. Inspectors who spend substantial time untangling inspection probes expose themselves to health and safety risks.
In another aspect of tie 5, strap 10 can comprise breakable material so as to facilitate manual destruction of strap 10 during use. The breakable characteristic of strap 10 is particularly useful in the case where an inspection apparatus having an elongated flexible probe with tie 5 attached becomes entangled in an object during use. For design of strap 10 to be destructible and yet useful for its intended purposes strap 10 should be configured to support the weight of elongated flexible article 100 and should further be configured to be of sufficient weakness to enable an inspector to destroy strap 10 by imparting manually applied forces to strap 10, e.g., a manually applied pulling force. An average strength human can readily apply a pulling (ripping) force of up to about 70 pounds. In one embodiment a weight of a length of elongated flexible article to be supported is 15 pounds, and in another embodiment, 10 pounds. Accordingly, a breaking threshold above which strap 10 rips can be selected in one embodiment to be in a range of from about 20 pounds to about 70 pounds.
In a still further embodiment, strap 10 can comprise consumable material capable of being consumed by an equipment article being subject to inspection. By being consumable it is meant that the strap will not destroy or negatively impart the article being inspected should the strap enter the equipment article being inspected. One type of equipment article that might be inspected with use of inspection apparatus 500 is an aircraft engine. While a non-consumable material member might negatively impact an aircraft engine on entry into the engine a consumable strap 10 would simply be dispelled (passed from entry to exit side) if it entered an aircraft engine.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1. A method for retaining a length of an elongated flexible article in relation to a section of said elongated flexible article, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a tie including a strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end has at least one hole formed thereon;
- threading said elongated flexible article through said at least one hole and moving said strap to a desired attachment location of said elongated flexible article so that said strap has an extending portion extending from said attachment location;
- coiling said elongated flexible article into a coil configuration;
- wrapping said extending portion of said flexible tie around a bundle comprising a plurality of sections of said elongation flexible article, said bundle being defined when said elongated flexible article is in said coil configuration; and
- securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap for securing of said elongated flexible article.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step includes the step of providing hook and loop type fasteners and wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing said hook and loop type fasteners.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step includes step of providing a button and at least one button hole, and wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing said button and said at least one button hole.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing an external fastening device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said tie to have first and second wings at a proximal end thereon, and wherein said at least one hole is a pair of holes, one of said pair of holes being formed at said first wing and said second hole being formed at said second wing.
6. A tie for use in retaining an elongated flexible article, said tie comprising:
- a strap of a generally elongated shape having a proximal end for attachment to said elongated flexible article and a distal end, said proximal end having at least one through hole for accommodation of said elongated flexible article, said strap being flexible to allow bending thereof and being generally flat to define a first surface facing a first direction and a second surface facing a second direction generally opposite said first direction, wherein said strap has formed on said first surface a securing device, said strap being configured so that said distal end can be folded to form a loop with a remainder of said material member, and further being configured so that a more distally located section of said strap can be secured to a more proximally located section of said material member with use of said securing device.
7. The tie of claim 6, wherein said securing device is a button.
8. The tie of claim 6, wherein said securing device is a hook and loop type fastener.
9. The tie of claim 6, wherein said strap is configured so that said strap can be secured in either of a first surface to second surface orientation or in a second surface to first surface orientation.
10. A tie comprising:
- a strap having a proximal end portion adapted for attachment to an elongated flexible article, and an elongated body portion extending in a generally straight direction along an axis where said strap is in an unstressed state, said strap comprising bendable material and being generally planar in an unstressed state, said strap further having a substantially even thickness throughout said strap, said strap having a dimensional thickness of less than a length of said strap and having a first surface and a second surface, said proximal end having a width greater than a width of said body and being defined by a pair of wings, each wing having a hole defined therein for accommodation of said elongated flexible article, said strap comprising bendable material and being configured so that said wings can be bent into a position at which said holes generally oppose one another, said strap further being constructed so that when said wings are bent in a position at which said holes oppose one another, said elongated body portion when unstressed extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an imaginary line running through centers of said holes so that when a loop that can be defined by securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap, said loop has an axis running in a direction generally parallel to said imaginary line.
11. The tie of claim 10, wherein said strap includes a button and hole arrangement for securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap.
12. The tie of claim 10, wherein said strap is adapted to be capable of either one of a first surface to second surface orientation or a first surface to first surface orientation for securing of a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap.
13. A tie for use in retaining an elongated flexible article, said tie comprising:
- a strap having a proximal end for attachment to said elongated flexible article, and a distal end, said proximal end being characterized by a pair of spaced apart and opposing member sections each having a hole for accommodation of said elongated flexible member, said strap being adapted so that a more distal section of said strap can be detachably secured to a more proximal section of said strap for retaining of a length of said elongated flexible article.
14. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap has an unstressed state in which said strap is generally flat and planar and a stressed state, the strap being adapted so that when said member sections oppose one another said strap is in a stressed state.
15. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap is adapted so that said strap will be broken when a pulling force in excess of a predetermined force magnitude is applied thereto, the predetermined magnitude being a force magnitude which a human of average strength is capable of imparting.
16. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap is adapted so that said strap will be broken when a pulling force in excess of a predetermined force magnitude is applied thereto, said predetermined magnitude being a force magnitude of between about 20 pounds and about 70 pounds.
17. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap is a one piece member.
18. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap comprises an elongated flat first surface and an elongated flat second surface, wherein said first surface faces in a direction generally opposite said second surface.
19. The tie of claim 13, wherein said strap is manufactured by stamping of a flat piece of bendable material.
20. A method for using an inspection apparatus, said inspection apparatus for use in the performance of an inspection of an equipment article, said inspection apparatus being of the type having a handset and an elongated probe extending from said handset, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a tie comprising a strap having a proximal end and a distal end;
- (b) attaching said proximal end to an attachment location of said elongated probe;
- (c) configuring a length of said elongated probe into a coil configuration;
- (d) wrapping an extending section of said strap around a bundle of elongated probe sections, said bundle being defined when said elongated probe is in a coil configuration; and
- (e) securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap to retain said length of said elongated probe in a certain position in relation to said attachment location.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said strap to be of sufficient structural strength as to support an expected load imparted by said length of elongated probe being retained, and wherein said providing step further includes the step of providing said strap to be of sufficient structural weakness as to be capable of breaking when a manually applied pulling force above a threshold magnitude is imparted thereto, said threshold magnitude being a force magnitude which a human of average strength is capable of imparting.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said threshold magnitude is a force of between about 20 pounds and about 70 pounds.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said tie in such form that said tie can be consumed by said equipment article without negatively impacting operation of said equipment article.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein said providing step includes the step of forming a hole for accommodation of said elongated probe, at said proximal end of said strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Inventors: Joseph V. Lopez (Camillus, NY), Edward B. Hubben (Skaneateles, NY), Joshua Lynn Scott (Jordan, NY)
Application Number: 11/925,063
International Classification: B65D 63/10 (20060101);