Cable tie

• US 20050204515A1
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cable Ties, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cable Ties, Inc.
• Inventors: Hewes, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/16.PB
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2563/107 having a release mechanism, e.g. reusable bundling straps
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/1063 the female locking member being provided with at least one plastic barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band

Abstract

A cable tie having an elongated tongue with two ends and two broad sides, a tip at one end of the tongue, a set of ratchet teeth extending along at least one broad side of the tongue, and a locking head at the other end of the tongue. The locking head has sides defining an opening for receiving the tip of the tongue, and a movable pawl that is hinged at one side of the opening, with another side of the locking head defining an abutment wall that is across the opening from the pawl. The pawl engages with one or more of the ratchet teeth when the tongue has been inserted through the opening with the set of ratchet teeth facing the pawl. At least one other side of the locking head defines a thinned region that can be torn by the user to release the tongue from the head.

Claims

1. A cable tie, comprising:

an elongated tongue with two ends and two broad sides;

a tip at one end of the tongue;

a set of ratchet teeth extending along at least one broad side of the tongue;

a locking head at the other end of the tongue, the locking head having sides defining an opening for receiving the tip of the tongue, and a movable pawl that is hinged at one side of the opening, with another side of the locking head defining an abutment wall that is across the opening from the pawl, and wherein the pawl engages with one or more of the ratchet teeth when the tongue has been inserted through the opening with the set of ratchet teeth facing the pawl; and

wherein at least one other side of the locking head defines a thinned region.

2. The cable tie of claim 1, further comprising a user-graspable lever mechanically coupled to the thinned region.

3. The cable tie of claim 2, wherein the lever extends from the head substantially along and beside the tongue.

4. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the thinned region extends along at least part of one side of the head.

5. The cable tie of claim 4, wherein the head has four sides that define an essentially rectangular opening, and the thinned region is along a side that is adjacent to the side that defines the abutment wall.

6. The cable tie of claim 5, wherein the thinned region extends to the outer edge of the head.

7. The cable tie of claim 4, wherein the thinned region extends to the outer edge of the head.

8. The cable tie of claim 2, wherein the thinned region can be torn by manipulation of the lever.

9. The cable tie of claim 8, wherein the tearing force is in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tongue.

10. The cable tie of claim 9, wherein the head lies essentially in a plane in which at least some of the tongue also lies, and the tearing force is transverse to the plane.

11. The cable tie of claim 10, wherein the tearing force is essentially perpendicular to the plane.

12. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein the thinned region defines at least part of one side of the locking head.

13. The cable tie of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the thinned region is directly adjacent to the opening.

14. The cable tie of claim 2, further comprising a notch in the head that defines a lever pivot region.

15. The cable tie of claim 1, further comprising an extending twist portion coupled to the thinned region.

16. The cable tie of claim 15, wherein the twist portion is wider than the head.

17. The cable tie of claim 16, wherein the twist portion is along the side of the head that defines the abutment wall.

18. The cable tie of claim 16, wherein the twist portion is along a side of the head adjacent the side that defines the abutment wall.

19. A cable tie, comprising:

an elongated tongue with two ends and two broad sides;

a tip at one end of the tongue;

a set of ratchet teeth extending along at least one broad side of the tongue;

a locking head at the other end of the tongue, the locking head having sides defining an opening for receiving the tip of the tongue, and a movable pawl that is hinged at one side of the opening, with another side of the locking head defining an abutment wall that is across the opening from the pawl, and wherein the pawl engages with one or more of the ratchet teeth when the tongue ahs been inserted through the opening with the set of ratchet teeth facing the pawl;

a thinned region that extends along at least a part of one side of the head; and

a user-graspable lever mechanically coupled to the thinned region.

20. A cable tie, comprising:

an elongated tongue with two ends and two broad sides;

a tip at one end of the tongue;

a set of ratchet teeth extending along at least one broad side of the tongue;

a locking head at the other end of the tongue, the locking head having four sides defining a substantially rectangular opening for receiving the tip of the tongue, and a movable pawl that is hinged at one side of the opening, with another side of the locking head defining an abutment wall that is across the opening from the pawl, and wherein the pawl engages with one or more of the ratchet teeth when the tongue ahs been inserted through the opening with the set of ratchet teeth facing the pawl;

a thinned region that extends along at least a part of a side of the head that is adjacent the side that defines the abutment wall; and

a user-graspable lever mechanically coupled to the thinned region, wherein the lever extends from the head substantially along and beside the tongue.