In-toto connector

• US 5,337,983 A
• Filed: 09/15/1992
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MCAM Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MCAM Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Mailey, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PELTO, REX
• Application Number:
  US07/945,016
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 403/405.1, 403/409.1, 403/397, 403/392, 403/DIG. 9, 24/16 PB, 24/30.5 P, 248/74.3, 248/68.1, 248/610, 248/74.2
• US Class Current: 248/74.3
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/137 and consisting of a flexible band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/09 Adjustable clamp

Abstract

There is provided a cable tie which incorporates a cushioning means which also functions as a retaining means. The cable tie comprises a housing and a strap. The strap can be separate from or integral with the housing. When the free end of the strap is assembled within the housing, a plurality of angularly extending fins maintains the integrity of the assembled components. A second plurality of longitudinal fins extend angularly from the inside circumference of the assembled clamp. The resiliency of the fins provides a cushioning to the device encircled by the strap. In addition the second plurality of longitudinally extending fins provide a resistance means to the sliding of the cable tie in a direction along a vehicle bracket or other member to which the cable tie is attached or to the longitudinal movement of the wiring harness within the cable tie itself. Another embodiment of the cable tie comprises a housing which is adapted to be secured to a separate vehicular member and utilizes a plurality of the tie straps to secure the housing to a wiring harness or other object.

Claims

1. A cable tie comprising:

a housing having at least one through aperture;

a strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said strap mating with said housing;

means for retaining said strap in said aperture of said housing when said second end of said strap is inserted into said aperture, said retaining means integral with and disposed along substantially the entire length of said strap between said first and second ends; and

means for cushioning a device encircled by said strap, said cushioning means integral with and extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said strap between said first and second ends.

2. The cable tie of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of fins angularly extending from at least one face of said strap.

3. The cable tie of claim 1 wherein said cushioning means comprises a plurality of fins angularly extending from one face of said strap.

4. The cable tie of claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of fins extend longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said strap between said first and second ends.

5. The cable tie of claim 3 wherein a portion of said plurality of fins extend in a first angular direction and the other portion of said plurality of fins extend in a second angular direction.

6. The cable tie of claim 1 wherein said strap is integral with said housing.

7. A cable tie system comprising:

a housing having a plurality of through apertures;

means for attaching said housing to a body, said attaching means integral with said housing;

a plurality of straps, each of said straps having a first end and a second end, said first end of each of said straps mating with said housing;

means for retaining each of said straps in a respective aperture of said housing when said second end of said strap is inserted into said respective aperture, said retaining means integral with and disposed along substantially the entire length of each of said straps between said first and second ends; and

means for cushioning a device encircled by each of said straps, said cushioning means integral with and extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of each of said straps between said first and second ends.

8. The cable tie system of claim 7 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of fins angularly extending from at least one face of each of said straps.

9. The cable tie system of claim 7 wherein said cushioning means comprises a plurality of fins angularly extending from one face of each of said straps.

10. The cable tie system of claim 9 wherein a portion of said plurality of fins extend in a first angular direction and the other portion of said plurality of fins extend in a second angular direction.

11. The cable tie system of claim 7 wherein said plurality of straps are integral with said housing.

12. The cable tie system of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of fins extend longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said strap between said first and second ends.