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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Endeavor
The present invention relates to systems and methods for locking and interconnecting cable ties. More particularly, the invention relates to cable tie locks for common zip ties that allows for adjustment and reuse of both the locks and the zip ties and further provides methods for interlinking multiple zip ties.
Background Information
Flexible ties for use in bundling elongated members such as wires, cables, etc. are well known. Typically, such ties include an elongated flexible tie strap made of suitable material. The tie usually has a free end (tail) and a locking head at the opposite end. The tie strap is flexible; the free end (tail) is capable of being looped 270 degrees around back toward itself and inserted into the locking head after which the diameter of the loop formed by the tie strap can be adjusted to fit in the desired manner over the intended bundle. A normal entry tie head is a tie head wherein the insertion of the tie strap into the locking head and then its extension through the locking head is generally normal, perpendicular, or oblique to the tie strap, while the tie strap is in an unfastened, or generally planar orientation.
Cable ties are typically single use devices. When adjustment is required, the cable tie is snipped off and discarded and a new cable tie is used. In addition, the amount of cable tie required for any given project is often significantly less than the amount of zip tie length present in a standard zip tie. The additional length is often in the way of other objects and unsightly. Thus, it is often cut off and thrown away.
Several cable ties have been designed that provide for unlocking the tie head such that the tie strap may be removed from the head. These designs invariably result in a weaker head having a lock capable of withstanding lesser forces than a simpler locking head that may not be adjusted to allow re-versing direction of the tie strap.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a cable lock system that minimizes waste of materials and simplifies adjustments of the ties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is a multipurpose cable tie lock that allows use and reuse of otherwise wasted materials. In addition, the multipurpose cable tie locks of the invention increase the utility and functionality of standard cable ties.
In greater detail, the locking head portion of a typical cable tie is provided but without attachment to a typical tie strap. The locking head may be permanently or removably attached to a second tie head to provide a multipurpose cable tie lock. The lock may be laterally symmetric. Optionally, several Lochhead mechanisms may be combined together to form three or more locks in a single system.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a cable tie of the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a cable tie of the prior art;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cable tie of the prior art;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multipurpose cable tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a multipurpose cable tie lock having a tie strap and securing objects in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a multipurpose cable tie lock used in conjunction with a cable tie of the prior art in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a system of multipurpose cable tie locks in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a side view of a system of multipurpose cable tie locks in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a system of multipurpose cable tie locks and accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a multipurpose cable tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of a multipurpose cable tie lock in FIG. 10 in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a front view of a matrix of dual channel tie locks and accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 17 is a top view of the alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock shown in FIG. 16 in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock shown in FIG. 16 in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 19 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 20 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 21 is a front view of alternative embodiments of a dual channel tie lock connected in tandem in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 22 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock and a tied lock spacer in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 23 is a front view of a series of alternative embodiments of dual channel tie locks connected side-by-side in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 24 is a front view of a series of alternative embodiments of dual channel tie locks connected side-by-side in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a zip tie in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 26 is a front view of an another alternative embodiment of a zip tie in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 27 is a top view of a zip tie head lock ring in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 28 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a cable tie strap in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 29 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with principles of the invention;
FIG. 30 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 31 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The drawings are intended to show the characteristics of the present invention and are not necessarily made to scale. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention discloses improvements related to cable ties, also known as zip ties. A zip tie usually includes a long cable or strip and a locking head and a mechanism for engaging these two components that only allows sliding movement in a single direction. The locking head generally includes a pawl inside a channel which may engage slots or teeth along the tie strap. These mechanisms are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art had need not be discussed in any length herein.
FIGS. 1-3 show a type of cable tie often referred to as a zip tie 10 that is typical of the prior art. The zip tie 10 includes a locking head 12 and an elongate tie strap 14. The tie strap 14 may include a series of slots 24. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the slots 24 may optionally be teeth, holes or other mechanisms commonly used on the tie strap of a zip tie.
The locking head 12 may include a body 15 that may typically be parallelepiped in shape. The body may be defined by an entry face 25 an exit face 23 and a peripheral wall 21, which may extend around the body 15 of the locking head 12 between the entry face 25 and the exit face 23. A channel 20 may extend through the body 15 from an entry port 17 on the entry face 25 to the exit port 16 on the exit face 23. The channel 20 typically includes a pawl 22 on one side and an abutment wall 19 opposite the pawl 22. The portion of the body 15 between the abutment wall 19 and the peripheral wall 21 is an abutment buttress region 18.
In use, the tie strap 14 forms a loop 26 by inserting it into the entry port 17 on the entry face 25 and through the channel 20 of the locking head 12. The slots 24 engage the pawl 22 and the tie strap 14 protrudes outward through the exit port 16 on the exit face 23. The loop 26 may be tightened to securely retain cables or other objects. The use of a pawl 22 or similar mechanism provides for movement of the tie strap 14 through the locking head 12 in a single direction 27.
The tie strap 14 may extend some distance from the locking head 12. This protruded region 28 may extends a substantial difference and get in the way of other objects or devices. Often, the protruded region 28 is clipped at location 25 for both practical and as aesthetic reasons. As a result, the protruded region 28 is wasted and is often thrown away. The zip tie 10 may thus be used to wrap around and tightly restrained one or more objects. If one or more of the objects is removed, the loop 26 may be shrunk by pulling more of tie strap 14 through the locking head 12. However, it is not possible to add more objects such as cables into the loop 26 because it may not be expanded.
The abutment buttress region 18 may typically be a relatively thick region of the body 15. This strengthens the abutment wall 19, thereby strengthening the one-way locking of the tie strap 14 within the head 12. The loop 26 may on occasion be subjected to substantial force pulling the tie strap 14 in the opposite direction. By buttressing the abutment wall, the locking mechanism within the locking head 12 may be capable of withstanding substantial force.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a multipurpose cable tie lock 30 in accordance with the principles of the invention. The multipurpose cable tie lock 30 may include a body 31 having an entry wall 34, and exit wall (not shown) and peripheral wall 32. Two channels 36 and 37 may extend through the body 31. Each of the channels 36 may have an abutment wall 33 and an abutment buttress region 35 between the abutment wall 33 and the peripheral wall 32. These channels 36 may each also include a pawl or other mechanism for providing locking and one-way transition through the channels 36 and 37 opposite the abutment walls 33. In this embodiment, the body 31 is latterly symmetric about a groove 38. The groove 38 may optionally run across the entire surface, including the entry face 34, peripheral wall 32 and exit face, not shown.
FIG. 5 shows a multipurpose cable tie lock 30 in use with a tie strap 40. It may be seen here that the channels 36 and 37 include a plurality of small pawls or teeth 43 for engaging the teeth 44 on the tie strap 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is an alternative mechanism commonly used with cable ties or zip ties. The tie strap 14 may be the unused protruding region of a tie strap such as item 28 in FIG. 3 after having been cut at location 25, thereby forming rough end 42. Optionally, the tie strap 40 may be formed without a locking head for use with a multipurpose cable tie lock 30.
The rough end 42 may be first inserted into the channel 36 in the direction of arrow 39 such that the rough end 42 may be substantially flush with the exit face 49. The front or smooth and 50 of the tie strap 40 may then be inserted through the channel 37 in the direction of arrow 47, thereby forming a loop 41 that may be used to securely hold together a plurality of cords or other objects 45. The smooth end 50 may be pulled so that the strap 40 and loop 41 are sufficiently tight. Optionally, all or a portion of the tie strap 40 protruding outward from the exit face 49 of the lock 30 may be clipped and removed for both as aesthetic and practical reasons. The multipurpose cable tie lock 30 thus allows an otherwise unused, wasted portion of a cable tie such as region 28 of FIG. 3 to be used and not wasted.
If an operator wishes to disengage the strap 40 from the lock 30, he or she may clipped the strap 40 at the point where it enters the channel 36. The strap 40 may then be pulled all the way through channel 37 while the relatively small portion of the strap within the channel 36 may be similarly pushed through and discarded. As a result, only a very small portion of the strap may be wasted. The remaining portion of the strap 40 and the lock 30 may be reengaged to secure the cords or other objects 45 plus additional objects, or may be used to secure completely different items. In this embodiment, channels 36 and 37 operate in the same direction.
FIGS. 6 shows a multipurpose cable tie lock 52 in accordance with the principles of the invention. Here, a common cable zip tie 10 of the prior art has formed its loop 26 by running tie strap 14 through locking head 12. Loop 26 secures and restrains objects 54. The protruding region 28 of tie strap 14 has been inserted into a first channel 60 of the multipurpose lock 52, which allows sliding of a tie strap in the direction of arrow 62. The tie strap 14 may then form a second loop 56 about objects 58 and then be inserted into a second channels 64 that allows sliding in the direction of arrow 66. Thus, multipurpose cable lock 52 differs from multipurpose cable lock 30 in that the two channels provide sliding in opposite directions. The distal end 68 of the tie strap 14 may be cut at the point where it protrudes from the second channels 64 or may be used with another multipurpose cable tie lock to secure additional objects.
FIG. 7 demonstrates how a multipurpose cable tie lock 30 may be used in conjunction with a multipurpose cable tie lock 71 with a tie strap 70 in order to accomplish the same functionality as the system shown in FIG. 6. Multipurpose cable tie lock 71 operates the same as multipurpose cable tie lock 52. That is, its channels 73 and 75 provide sliding in opposite directions, and each uses a pawl mechanism. Multipurpose cable tie lock 71 includes another functionality. Rotation joint 78 may allow rotation around the center of the multipurpose cable tie lock. The rotation joint 78 may optionally include a locking mechanism such that once the channels 73 and 75 are in a preferred orientation, the cable tie lock 71 may be locked into place to hold the two channels in their orientation to one another. Thus, while FIG. 7 shows the lock 71 with channels 71 and 73 pointed in opposite directions, it may be rotated such that they have the same direction, oriented the same as the channels of multipurpose cable tie lock 30.
FIG. 8 shows a system of multipurpose cable tied locks 89. To cable tie locks 30 used in succession with a tie strap 90. The cable locks 30 allow two objects 88 to be held together tightly without actually being in contact. It may be desirable to keep objects 88 from being in direct contact. Optionally, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 may result from using the tie strap 90 and a first cable lock 30 to restrain a single object by forming a loop 92. At a later point in time, it may be desirable to attach a second object 88 adjacent to the first object. In this situation, no additional tie straps are required. An operator may simply use a second multipurpose cable tie lock 32 to form a second loop 94 and add the second object 88 to the system.
FIG. 9 shows to cable lock systems 89 that have been combined together using another multipurpose cable tie lock 95. In this embodiments, to separate cable lock systems 89 may be secured to one another using a multi-purpose cable tie lock 95 to connect the tie straps 90.
FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a multipurpose cable tie lock 100. The cable tie lock 100 has a body 102 having a front face 104, a peripheral wall 108 and a rear face not shown. The multipurpose cable tie lock 100 may also include three channels 106. The inclusion of a third channel further broadens the uses and advantages of the multipurpose cable tie lock 100.
FIG. 11 shows another alternative embodiment of a multipurpose cable tie lock 110. Multipurpose cable tie lock 110 includes a body 112 having a first channel 114 and two channels 116. The two channels 116 are parallel to each other while the first channel 114 is anti-parallel to the channels 116. The multipurpose cable tied lock 110 may also include a ridge 120 that may be formed to allow easy separation of sections 122 and 124 along the channel 120. It may be desirable in some cases to split a multipurpose cable tie lock into separate components.
FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock 130 in accordance with the principles of the invention. In this embodiments, the dual channel tie lock 130 may include two channels 130, each having a pawl 138. The channels 130 extend from the entry face 136 to the exit face 134. Zip tie straps engaging the dual channel tie lock 130 may run parallel to each other.
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock 140 in accordance with the principles of the invention. Dual channel tie lock 140 may have anti-parallel channels 144, each containing a pawl 148. The anti-parallel channels 144 extend from a first face 142 to a second face 146. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that zip tie straps may engage the channels 144 opposite to one another and inverted relative to one another.
FIG. 14 shows another alternative embodiment of a dual channel zip tie lock 150 in accordance with the principles of the invention. Two channels 154 may be parallel but inverted relative to one another and may extend from entry face 158 to exit face 152. FIGS. 12-14 are exemplary of some optional configurations that a dual channel tie lock in accordance with the principles of the invention may include.
FIG. 15 shows a grid or matrix 160 formed from several dual channel tie locks 162 in accordance with the principles of the invention. The dual channel tie locks 162 may be connected by vertical next 164 and horizontal 166. Optionally, the next 164 and 166 may be broken relatively easily by bending and or twisting them. A matrix 160 may be advantageous for providing several dual channel tie locks 162 in a configuration that may be easy and convenient to store prior to use. Optionally, a matrix 160 may be beneficial for configuring a plurality of cords, cables or other devices in close proximity to one another. For example, if three cables are intended to run parallel to one another over a distance, one cable may be attached to the dual channel tie locks of row 161, another cable may be attached to the tie locks of row 163, and a third cable may be attached to the tie locks of row 165. The horizontal necks 166 may then be broken while the vertical necks 164 are kept intact. This may result in four groups of three parallel tie locks 162 which may then be spread apart while keeping cables properly oriented relative to one another.
FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock 170 in accordance with the principles of the invention. The dual channel tie lock 170 may have two channels 174 housed within a body 172. The top face 176 of the tie lock 170 may include a tab 182 configured to slide and/or snap into a socket such as socket 180 on the bottom face 178 of the tie lock 170. Dual channel tie locks 170 may be connected into two or more tandem tie locks 170.
FIGS. 17-18 show a circular tab 182 on the top surface 176 and a round socket 180 on the bottom face 178. Circular tab 182 may be inserted into and engage with the socket 180 by pushing the tab 182 through socket entrance 181. When the tab 182 is snapped into the socket 180, it may allow two tandem tie locks 170 to rotate relative to one another along a vertical axis.
FIGS. 19-20 show alternative embodiments of a tab and socket in accordance with the principles of the invention. A top face 184 may include a trapezoidal tab 186 which may taper downward from its top to the top face 184. A bottom face 188 may include a socket 190 that tapers inward as it progresses toward the bottom face 188. The tab 186 may be inserted into the socket 190 by pushing it through socket entrance 194. Two shoulders 192 hold the tab 186 securely in place within the socket 190.
FIG. 21 shows to dual channel tie locks 170 connected to one another using the tab 182 and the socket 180. Additional tie locks 170 may be coupled to either of the shown tie locks. This may allow an operator to attach several dual channel tie locks together in tandem.
FIG. 22 shows a dual channel tie lock 170 and a spacer 200 and accordance with the principles of the invention. The spacer may include a body 202 having a desired length. The spacer 200 may include a tab 206 corresponding to a socket 180 and a socket 204 corresponding to a tab such as 182. A spacer 200 may be used to adjust the distance between two or more tie locks.
FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment of dual channel tie locks to 210 in accordance with principles of the invention. Each tie lock to 210 may include a tab 212 and a socket 214. The tab 212 and the socket 214 may have configurations similar to those shown in FIGS. 17-20. Tie locks 210 may be snap together side-by-side rather than top to bottom as shown in FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 shows a plurality of alternative embodiments of dual channel tie locks 220 and accordance with the principles of the invention. Each tie lock 220 may include a tab 222 configured to engage with a socket 224 or, optionally, a socket 226. Similarly, tabs 226 may be configured to engage with sockets to 228 and/or sockets to 224. This embodiment may be used to configure dual channel tie locks in a plurality of different ways.
FIG. 25 shows an alternative embodiment of a zip tie 230 configured to interact with dual head tie locks similar to those shown in FIGS. 16-24 in accordance with the principles of the invention. A zip tie 230 may features similar to those of the zip ties shown in FIGS. 1-3. The zip tie 230 may include a lock head 232 and a strap 234. The lock head 232 may include a channel 236 having a pawl 238. The top in 235 of the lock head 232 may include a socket 240 configured to engage with a tab similar to those shown in FIGS. 16-24.
FIG. 26 shows another alternative embodiment of a zip tie 250 configured to interact with dual head tie locks similar to those shown in FIGS. 16-24 in accordance with the principles of the invention. The zip tie 250 may include a lock head 252 and a strap 254. The zip tie 250 may include a channel 256 having a pawl 258. The top 255 of the lock head 252 may include a tab 260 configured to engage sockets such as those shown in FIGS. 16-24. Both tab 260 and socket 240 may be round and configured to allow rotation or may optionally be designed to engage a tool head lock rigidly to prevent rotation.
FIG. 27 shows a lock head ring 270 comprised of a plurality of lock heads 272 forming an annular ring. Each of the lock heads 272 includes a channel 274. The channels 274 may be configured parallel to each other such that straps enter the channels 274 from the exterior of the ring and enter the center 278 of the ring when they exit the lock heads 272. Optionally, the channels 274 may be configured in an opposite manner such that straps inter-the lockets 272 from the center 278. Optionally, the channels 274 may alternate between parallel and anti-parallel configurations sequentially about the ring 270. Necks 276 may connect adjacent lock heads 272. The necks 276 may be designed to easily break or may optionally may be designed to disconnect and reconnect.
FIG. 28 shows an alternative embodiment of a tie strap 300 having an elongate cylindrical and flexible body 302. Annular flanges 304 may be evenly spaced along the longitudinal length of the body 302. Flanges 304 may include a flat side 306 that may be substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 302. Flanges 304 may extend completely or partially about the body 302.
FIG. 29 shows an alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock 310 having a body 312, two cylindrical channels 316, a socket 318 and a tab 320. In this embodiment, each of the two channels 316 includes two diametrically opposed pawls 314. Dual channel tie lock 310 may include many of the same functionalities of other exemplary dual channel tie locks shown in the previous drawings. Dual channel tie lock 310 may be configured to engage a tie strap such as the one shown in FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 shows another alternative embodiment of a dual channel tie lock 330 configured to engage a tie strap such as the one shown in FIG. 28. Dual channel tie lock 330 may include a first body 332 having a cylindrical channel 336 and a second body 334 having a cylindrical channel 338. Both channels 336 and 338 may include one or more pawls 340 that engage a tie strap fed through it. Body 332 may include a tab 348 and a socket 350. Similarly, body 334 may include a tab 344 and a socket 346. In this embodiment, the bodies 332 and 334 may be connected at a joint 342. The joint 342 may be a rotating joint that may allow the bodies 332 and 334 to be rotated relative to each other. Optionally, the joint 342 may allow the bodies 332 and 334 to be disconnected and reconnected to one another.
FIG. 31 shows an alternative embodiment of a tie lock 400 and accordance with the principles of the invention. Tie lock 400 includes a dual channel tie lock 404 having to symmetrical components 408 and 406. A zip tie strip 410 has a tapered in 412 that may be flexed around and fed in to a channel in component 406. The zip tie strip 410 also has a flat stop plate 414. The strip 410 passes through a channel within component 408 and the stop plate 414 abut component 408. The stop plate 414 prevents the dual channel tie lock 404 from sliding off the zip ties strip 410. Component 408 of the dual channel tie lock 404 may only move along the strip 410 in the direction shown by arrow 416. It may be desirable to provide dual channel tie locks and the configuration shown in FIG. 31 to facilitate easy manipulation of a tie lock mechanism and a zip tie strip.
It may also be desirable to package and organize dual channel tie locks and zip tie straps and cartridges that may be used in conjunction with a zip tie gun.
Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
