AU2012308084B2

AU2012308084B2 - Cable tie

Info

Publication number: AU2012308084B2
Application number: AU2012308084A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Caleb Wells Biggers
Original assignee: Biggers Michael
Current assignee: Biggers Michael
Priority date: 2011-09-16
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-27
Also published as: AU2012308084A1; WO2013036985A1

Abstract

A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion comprising at least a pair of substantially rigid side walls, said head portion further comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough.

Description

WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 A Cable Tic Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to cable ties, and, more specifically, to releasable and reusable 5 cable ties. Background Art. Cable ties have long been used by electricians and other tradespeople, as well as in a large variety of other industries, as a fast, simple and reliable method for holding together a number 10 of cables. pipes, conduits and the like. Typically, cable ties comprise a long flexible tail portion connected to a head portion. In use, the tail of the cable tie is pushed into a slot in the head portion and pulled through to tighten around the cables or pipes to be held. The head portion typically comprises a locking lug 15 which engages with grooves on one side of the tail to prevent the cable tie from loosening or releasing when in use. Most standard cable ties are single-use only, as there is no mechanism by which the cable tie may be released when no longer required. Typically, the only way to remove a standard cable 20 tie is to cut it, effectively destroying the cable tie, and potentially damaging the cables or wires held by the cable tie. In addition, when cutting a cable tie holding live electrical cables, accidental damage to the cables could also result in a worker receiving an electric shock or even being electrocuted. 25 Some attempts have been made to produce reusable cable ties. However, the additional manufacturing costs of producing cable ties with complex release mechanisms can make these cable ties more expensive than the single-use variety. Further, existing releasable cable ties require the use of two hands to release. This is inconvenient in use, especially if the cable tie is positioned in a region of restricted access and/or restricted vision. 30 A further attempt has been made to overcome the drawbacks of conventional cable ties by producing reusable cable ties having openings in the head portion thereof through which the tail of the cable tie may be removed in order to release the cable tie. However, the walls of WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 2 the head portion of these cable ties are generally adapted to elastically deform to allow the tail of the cable tie to be more easily released. A drawback of this type of cable tie is that it has been found that the deformable nature of the head portion can lead to the unwanted release of the cable tie. In some cases, a locking member may be used to prevent this from occurring, 5 which increases the complexity and cost of these cable ties. Thus, the reliability of cable ties of this type is not ideal. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general 10 knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention. It is an object of the invention to provide a cable tie which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice. 15 In one form, the present invention resides in a cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, the head portion comprising at least a pair of substantially rigid side walls, said head portion further comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in 20 an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough. The side walls of the head portion are substantially rigid. By this, it is envisaged that the pair of side walls of the present invention will remain substantially undeformed during the 25 engagement of the flexible tail portion with, and the removal of the flexible tail portion from, the head portion of the cable tie. Ihe provision of substantially rigid side walls may be achieved using any suitable technique. For instance, the substantially rigid side walls may be fabricated from a substantially rigid 30 material. Alternatively, the side walls may be fabricated from a material that is not inherently substantially rigid, but through the geometry, thickness and/or positioning relative to other walls of the head portion or the like, substantially rigid side walls may be achieved.

WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 3 Preferably, a passageway formed in said head portion tapers from said first slot to said opening. Preferably, the cable tie comprises a second slot, being in communication with both said first 5 slot and said opening, said second slot allowing an end of said flexible tail portion, which has been passed through said first slot, to be looped around and a portion of the flexible tail portion to be retained in said second slot. Preferably, at least a portion of an upper wall of at least one of said first and second slots 10 slopes upwardly towards said opening. In some embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of an upper wall on each side of the opening slopes upwardly towards said opening in at least one of said first and second slots. In this embodiment of the invention, the opening located between the sloping portions may be of 15 any suitable dimensions. However, it is envisaged that the opening located between the sloping portions will be sufficient to allow the tail of the cable tie to pass therethrough. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of said first and second slots may comprise one or more land portions. The one or more land portions may be adapted to assist 20 in retaining the flexible tail portion within the slot. Preferably, the one or more land portions are located in an upper wall of the first or second slots. The one or more land portions may be of any suitable shape or size. For instance, the one or more land portions may comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends generally parallel to a bottom wall of the slot. Preferably, the one or more land portions comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends 25 inwardly from an outermost region of the slot. Most preferably, the one or more land portions extend horizontally inwardly from an outermost region of the slot. In embodiments of the invention in which a portion of the upper wall of the first or second slots slopes upwardly towards the opening, it is preferred that the sloping portion of the upper 30 wall is located intermediate a land and the opening. In some embodiments of the invention, each of said first and second slots includes one land portion located on either side of the opening.

WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 4 By providing the slots with one or more land portions, the likelihood of the accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening may be reduced or even eliminated. 5 The flexible tail portion of the cable tie comprises a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface of the tail engages with retaining means in said first slot. The upper surface may be flat, comprise beveled edges or sloping upper walls. In some embodiments of the invention, the upper surface of the flexible tail portion may be arcuate in order to facilitate the removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening. In an alternative embodiment, 10 however, the upper surface of the flexible tail portion may be substantially flat. Preferably the retaining means located in the first slot comprises one or more pawls. The one or more pawls may engage with a series of grooves located on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie to retain said flexible tail portion in place when in use. 15 In another embodiment of the present invention, both upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie may be provided with a series of grooves for engaging with one or more further retaining means. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the flexible tail portion is provided with side portions interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces. 20 While the side portions may be of any suitable shape and configuration, in some embodiments of the invention, the side portions are rounded. Alternatively, the side portions may be beveled. The side portions may be provided with a series of grooves. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the series of grooves provided on the side portions may be provided with the same spacing as the grooves located on the lower and/or upper surfaces of 25 the flexible tail portion. In embodiments of the invention in which the side portions of the flexible tail portion are provided with a series of grooves, the first slot may further comprise one or more retaining means (for instance, in the form of locking lugs) adapted to engage with the grooves on one or more of the side portions. 30 Preferably, however said first slot comprises a single pawl located to facilitate engagement with the grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion. The pawl may be of any suitable size, shape or configuration. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl comprises an upper portion adapted to engage with the flexible tail portion, and a WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 5 lower portion comprising one or more elongate members extending between the upper portion of the pawl and a lower wall of the first slot. In some embodiments of the invention, the elongate member may be provided with reinforcement. For instance, the points at which the elongate member joins the pawl and/or the lower wall of the first slot may be thicker or 5 provided with one or more reinforcing ribs or the like. Alternatively, one or more bracing elements may be provided that extends between the pawl and the elongate member and/or the lower wall of the first slot and the elongate member. The elongate member may comprise a tongue or a stem on which the pawl is formed or mounted. 10 Preferably, the pawl may be provided with one or more projections (ridges, ribs, teeth or the like) on an upper surface thereof adapted to engage with the grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion. The one or more projections may be of any suitable profile. For instance, the projections may be rounded, pointed, frustoconical or the like, or any suitable combination thereof. A skilled addressee will understand that the exact size and shape of the 15 projections is not critical. In some embodiments, the one or more elongate members are capable of elastic deformation. Thus, as the flexible tail portion is drawn through the first slot, it is envisaged that the elongate member may flex in a first direction. Preferably the first direction of flex is 20 substantially parallel to the direction in which the flexible tail portion passes through the first slot. This may result in the pawl engaging with the grooves on the lower side of the flexible tail portion in a ratcheting action as the flexible tail portion is drawn through the first slot. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl may be arranged such that the upper 25 surface of the pawl slopes upwardly along at least a portion of its length from the entrance to the first slot to the rear of the first slot. The upper surface of the pawl may slope at any suitable angle. In this way, if it is attempted to draw the flexible tail portion backwards through the first slot, the elongate member will flex in such a way that the upper surface of the pawl will force the flexible tail portion into close proximity to, or abutment with, an upper 30 wall of the first slot. This action, along- with the engagement between the one or more projections on an upper surface of the pawl and the grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion, assists in preventing the release of the cable tie by drawing the flexible tail portion backwards through the first slot.

WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 6 It is envisaged that, in order to release the cable tie, the elongate member may be capable of flexing in a second direction. Preferably, the second direction in which the elongate member is capable of flexing is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment 5 of the invention, it is envisaged that flexing the elongate member in the second direction (for instance, by twisting the flexible tail portion of the cable tie in the first slot) will result in the elastic deformation of the elongate member (for example, to cause the elongate member to flex or rotate transversely or laterally) to move the pawl sufficiently to enable the disengagement of the flexible tail portion from the pawl. Once disengaged from the pawl, the 10 flexible tail portion may be removed through the opening in the head portion of the cable tie, thereby releasing the cable tie. It is envisaged that a user will be able to release the cable tie using only one hand. More specifically, it is envisaged that a user will be able to release the cable tie using only two fingers of the same hand. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the first slot may be provided with one or more recesses into which the flexible tail portion may be at least partially inserted when being disengaged from the retaining means (pawl). It is envisaged that, as the elongate member flexes and the flexible tail portion is disengaged from the pawl, at least a portion of the flexible tail portion may be received within one of the one or more recesses. In this way, sufficient space for the 20 complete disengagement of the flexible tail portion may be provided. In addition, as the flexible tail portion is received in the one or more recesses, the position of the one or more recesses may serve to align the flexible tail portion for quick and easy release from the head portion of the cable tie. The one or more recesses may be positioned between the elongate member and a side wall of the first slot. 25 The one or more recesses may be located at any suitable point within the first slot. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a recess is located on each side of the pawl and elongate member, thereby allowing the flexible tail portion to be twisted either in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction in order to be disengaged from the pawl. 30 Positioning a recess on either side of the pawl also serves to effectively lengthen the elongate member, thereby providing the elongate member with a greater flexing capability.

WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 7 The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured from any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the cable tie is manufactured from a polymer. For instance, the polymer may be a polyamide (such as nylon, and, in particular, nylon 66). 5 The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured to a large variety of lengths and widths to suit a wide variety of different applications. Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings 10 in which:. Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the head portion of a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the head portion of a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 15 Detailed Description of the Drawings. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a cable tie 10 of the present invention. The cable tie 10 comprises a flexible tail portion 11 and a head portion 12. The head portion 12 comprises a first slot 13 through which the flexible tail portion 11 may be 20 passed. The flexible tail portion 11 is retained in place in the first slot 13 by retaining means comprising a pawl 14 mounted on an elongate member 15. The first slot 13 is in communication with an opening 16 in an outer wall 17 of the head portion 12. The upper surface of the pawl 14 is provided with a plurality of ridges (or teeth) 18 adapted to 25 engage with a series of grooves (not shown) in the lower surface of the flexible tail portion 11. In this way, the pawl 14 and the flexible tail portion 11 are engaged and the risk of the accidental release of the cable tie 10 is minimised. As the flexible tail portion 11 is drawn through the first slot 13, it abuts an upwardly sloped surface 22 at the rear of the pawl 14 and then engages with the ridges 18. As the flexible tail portion 11 is drawn further through the 30 first slot 13, the elongate member 15 flexes so as to allow the pawl 14 to act in a ratcheting motion until the flexible tail portion 11 has been drawn through the first slot 13 the desired distance. The ridges 18 engage with grooves (not shown) in the flexible tail portion 11 so as to lock the flexible tail portion II against any movement to draw the flexible tail portion 11 WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 8 backwards through the first slot 13. If a force is applied to the flexible tail portion II to attempt to draw the flexible tail portion 11 backwards through the first slot 13, the elongate member 15 flexes, forcing the pawl 14 5 upwards towards the upper wall 23 of the first slot 13. In this situation the flexible tail portion 11 may be forced into abutment with (or close proximity to) the upper wall 23 as an additional means of preventing the accidental release of the cable tie 10. When the flexible tail portion 11 is being inserted into the first slot 13, or when an attempt is 10 made to withdraw the flexible tail portion backwards through the first slot 13, the movement of the elongate member 15 will be substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the flexible tail portion 11 through the first slot 13. The side walls 19 of the head portion 12 are formed from a substantially rigid material, or a 15 non-rigid or semi-rigid material that, due to the thickness, geometry and/or position of the side walls 19 relative to other walls of the head portion 12, takes on substantially rigid properties, such that when the flexible tail portion 1 of the cable tie is inserted into the first slot 13 or released through the opening 16, there is no deformation or only minimale or little deformation of the side walls 19. Thus, the tail is securely held within the head of the cable 20 tie. A pair of recesses 20 are located one on each side of the elongate member 15. When the flexible tail portion 11 is to be released from the pawl 14, a user will twist or rotate the flexible tail portion, thereby causing an elastic deformation of the elongate member 15. This 25 elastic deformation will be in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the flexible tail portion 11 through the first slot 13. In other words, the pawl flexes sideways, laterally or transversely due to. the twisting action applied to the tail as part of the action required to remove the tail from the head via the opening. As the elongate member 15 deforms, the flexible tail portion II is released from the pawl 14 through disengagement of 30 the ridges 18 from the grooves (not shown) on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion 11, and at least a portion of the flexible tail portion 11 is received in one of the recesses 20. The tail portion 11 may then be aligned for removal through the opening 16, causing the release of the cable tie 10. It is envisaged that the process of releasing the flexible tail portion WO 2013/036985 PCT/AU2012/000894 9 11 from the head portion 12 will be achieved by a one-handed action. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures, the head portion 12 is provided with a second slot 21 (or "keeper") into which excess flexible tail portion 11 may be inserted 5 after the flexible tail portion II has been retained in the first slot 13. In this way, the excess tail portion 11 may be neatly retained. This also eliminates the need to cut off the tail portions of the cable tie, which exposes sharp edges and can lead to injury. In addition, in some jurisdictions, cutting off the excess tail portion of a cable tie may not comply with local standards or legislation. 10 Once released, it will be appreciated that the cable tie 10 can be reused any number of times by simply repeating the step of inserting the flexible tail portion I1 into the first slot 13. In this way, by contrast to cutting conventional cable ties in order to release them, the waste associated with conventional cable ties can be reduced, bringing with it significant 15 environmental benefits. It will be appreciated that the cable tie of the present invention, in providing an easily releasable cable tie, avoids possible difficulties that frequently arise where conventional cable ties are used to secure bundles of electrical wires or other similar types of wires or coaxial 20 cables, etc, in order to release the cable tie. In instances where non-releasable cable ties are used, the operator will typically remove the cable tie by cutting the cable tie. A sharp blade or knife is required to cut through the secured cable tie. Using a sharp instrument to cut the secured cable tie presents a significant risk of accidentally cutting into or through the bundled wires, especially where the cable tie has been applied to wires located in a confined region or 25 in a different location. The potential risk of accidentally cutting through wires could result in a serious electrical fault or a fatal accident. This risk is largely obviated by the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to 30 variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion comprising at least a pair of substantially rigid side walls, said head portion further comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being provided with retaining means to retain the flexible tail portion, the first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough, and wherein the first slot is further provided with one or more recesses into which the flexible tail portion is at least partially inserted when being disengaged from the retaining means.

2. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein a passageway formed in the head portion tapers from the first slot to the opening.

3. A cable tie according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cable tie further comprises a second slot in communication with both the first slot and the opening.

4. A cable tie according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of an upper wall on each side of the opening slopes upwardly towards said opening in at least one of said first and second slots.

5. A cable tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first slot contains one or more land portions adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion within the first slot.

6. A cable tie according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the second slot contains one or more land portions adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion within the second slot.

7. A cable tie according to claim 4 or claim 6 wherein the one or more land portions in the first and/or second slot extend horizontally inwardly from an outermost region of the slot.

8. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means comprises a pawl adapted to engage with a lower surface of the flexible tail portion.

9. A cable tie according to claim 8 wherein an upper portion of the pawl is provided with one or more projections on an upper surface thereof adapted to engage with grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion. 11

10. A cable tie according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the pawl further comprises one or more elongate members extending between the upper portion of the pawl and a lower wall of the first slot.

11. A cable tie according to claim 10 wherein, when the flexible tail portion is drawn through the first slot, the one or more elongate members flex in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the direction in which the flexible tail portion passes through the first slot.

12. A cable tie according to claim 11 wherein, in order to release the cable tie, the one or more elongate members are capable of flexing in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

13. A cable tie according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the one or more recesses are positioned between the elongate member and a side wall of the first slot.

14. A cable tie according to claim 13 wherein one of the one or more recesses is located on each side of the elongate member.

15. A cable tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cable tie is released by passing the flexible tail portion through the opening in the head portion of the cable tie.

16. A cable tie according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cable tie is fabricated from a polyamide.

17. A cable tie substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.