Folded head cable tie and methods for making and using the same

• US 4,393,548 A
• Filed: 08/04/1980
• Issued: 07/19/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Herb, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US06/175,263
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 24/16 PB, 24/206 A, 24/248 SL, 24/230 CF, 24/17 AD, 248/74 PB
• US Class Current: 24/16.0PB
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/1063 the female locking member being provided with at least one plastic barb
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/2334 the barb having a plurality of serrations
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/30 Installations of cables or lines on walls, floors or ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/43 including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45246 having teeth or serrations [e.g., sliding with respect to each other]

Abstract

A cable tie is formed as a blank having an end extent with first teeth disposed between perforations and a body extent having second teeth extending with the first teeth from a common blank surface. The body extent is drawn through one of the perforations to form a box-like head. The body extent is then arranged about cables to be bundled and is drawn through the head whereupon the first and second teeth interlock to retain the bundled cables.

Claims

1. A self-latching tie comprised of a resilient elongate member having an end extent of folded walls defining a box-like head, said member having a body extent extending integrally and continuously with one wall of said head through an opening in another wall of said head and defining a tail, said head having a longitudinal passage therethrough bounded on opposed sides by walls of said member end extent inclusive of said one wall for receiving said tail, said head and said tail having respective complemental engagement means for securing said tail in such head passage.

2. The tie claimed in claim 1 wherein said first tooth means comprises a plurality of first teeth tapering to said first surface in the direction of said longitudinal succession.

3. The tie claimed in claim 2 wherein said second tooth means comprises a plurality of second teeth in number exceeding said first teeth and tapering to said first surface in the direction of said longitudinal succession.

4. The tie claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and second teeth extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of said member.

5. The article claimed in claim 1 wherein said member is of given lateral expanse in the extent thereof in registry with said second tooth means, said first and second openings being of lateral expanses not less than said given lateral expanse.

6. The tie claimed in claim 5 wherein said first and second openings are of common lateral expanse exceeding said given lateral expanse.

7. The article claimed in claim 1 further including a tail portion longitudinally successive to said second tooth means, said first surface being generally flat in said tail portion.

8. The tie claimed in claim 7 wherein said member defines side margins in said tail portion tapering in the direction of said longitudinal succession.

9. The tie claimed in claim 8 wherein the terminal extent of said tail portion is of lateral expanse less than the lateral expanses of said first and second openings.

10. The tie claimed in claim 1 wherein said member includes a further portion longitudinally successive to and contiguous with said second opening, said first surface tapering to said second surface in said further portion in direction opposite to the direction of said longitudinal succession.

11. The tie claimed in claim 1 formed from a blank, comprising a resilient elongate member having first and second opposite surfaces, said member defining in longitudinally sequential succession, a first opening extending through said first and second surfaces, first tooth means extending transversely of said member and outwardly of said first surface, a second opening extending through said first and second surfaces and second tooth means extending transversely of said member and outwardly of said first surface.

12. The tie claimed in claim 1 wherein said member end extent has plural sections hingeably interconnected to permit changes in respective orientations thereof.

13. The tie claimed in claim 12 wherein said member end extent includes a floor continuous with said member body extent, a first wall hingeably connected to said floor, a ceiling hingeably connected to said first wall and a second wall hingeably connected to said ceiling.

14. The tie claimed in claim 13 wherein said second wall defines an opening therethrough, said body extent being in part resident in such second wall opening.

15. The tie claimed in claim 14 wherein said first wall defines an opening therethrough in longitudinal alignment with said second wall opening.

16. The tie claimed in claim 15 wherein such head longitudinal opening is bounded by said ceiling and said floor and is in registry with both such openings in said first and second walls.