Twist off cable tie fastener

Abstract

An improved twist off cable tie fastener having an elongate flexible strap defining a plurality of parallel adjacent transverse teeth. First end portion of elongate strap is tapered to a rounded tip for insertion through a channel defined in a dimensionally larger head portion carried at opposing end of the elongate strap. At least one angulated tooth carried by a flexing arm within the channel irremovably engages with the transverse teeth defined in the elongate strap. The head portion has two opposing and spaced apart wings to facilitate grasping and rotation by a user about a minor transverse axis of the elongate strap. Partial rotation of the wings concentrates strap fracturing forces at a position immediately adjacent to the head portion causing destruction of the cable tie fastener and allowing removal thereof without tools.

Claims

1. An improved twist-off cable tie comprising: an elongated strap having first and second side portions which are oriented in spaced, parallel relation one relative to the other, and wherein the elongated strap has a first, distal end defining a tapered tip, and a second proximal end, and wherein a plurality of parallel, transversely disposed and spaced teeth are defined by the first side portion, and wherein the elongated strap has a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, and opposite peripheral edges extending between the first and second side portions; a head portion integrally connected to the second, proximal end of the elongated strap, and wherein a channel frame is defined by the head portion, and which has opposite first and second sides, and wherein opposite first and second sidewalls extend between the opposite first and second sides, and wherein the opposite first and second sidewalls are located laterally outwardly relative to the opposite peripheral edges of the elongated strap, and wherein the channel frame defines a medial channel extending between the first and second sides of the channel frame, and wherein the medial channel defines an axis extending between the first and second sides of the channel, and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated strap, and wherein the first side portion of the channel frame defines a plane which is located in spaced, parallel relation relative to the first side portion of the elongated strap, and the second side of the channel frame defines a plane which is coplanar with the second side portion of the elongated strap, and wherein each of the first and second sidewalls has a given height dimension, and width dimension, and wherein the axis defined by the medial channel extends in a direction of passage of the elongate strap through the medial channel; a first discrete wing having a first proximal end which is made integral with the first sidewall, and a second distal end which is located laterally outwardly of the head portion and extends outwardly beyond the first side of the channel frame opposite the second side of the channel frame, and wherein the first end of the first discrete wing is made integral with the channel frame at a distance which is midway along the width dimension of the first sidewall, and wherein the first discrete wing has two opposing major plane parallel surfaces, and a peripheral edge extending between and substantially about the opposing major plane parallel surfaces, and wherein the opposing major plane parallel surfaces are coplanar with the axis defined by the medial channel and extend in the direction of passage of the elongate strap through the medial channel; a second discrete wing having a first proximal end which is made integral with the second sidewall, and a second distal end which is located laterally outwardly of the head portion and extends outwardly beyond the first side of the channel frame opposite the second side of the channel frame, and wherein the first end of the second discrete wing is made integral with the channel frame at a distance which is midway along the width dimension of the second sidewall, and wherein the second discrete wing has two opposing major plane parallel surfaces, and a peripheral edge extending between and substantially about the opposing major plane parallel surfaces, and wherein the opposing major plane parallel surfaces are coplanar with the axis defined by the medial channel, and extend in the direction of passage of the elongate strap through the medial channel and are further coplanar with opposing major plane parallel surfaces of the first discrete wing; a flexing arm which is made integral with the channel frame, and which is operably oriented within the medial channel, and wherein the flexing arm has a distal end which selectively engages with the transverse teeth formed in the elongated strap so as to secure the elongated strap within the medial channel, and wherein the elongated strap when inserted within the medial channel can move in only one direction, and cannot be removed therefrom without the destruction of the cable tie fastener, and wherein the portion of the elongated strap which has been passed through the medial channel defined by the head portion and along the axis defined thereby is coplanar with the opposing major plane parallel surfaces of the each of the first and second discrete wings and the portion of the elongated strap which has been passed through the medial channel defined by the head portion extends in the direction of the second distal ends of the first and second discrete wings, and wherein by exerting torque to the first and second wings the second end of the elongated strap is forcibly separated from the head portion thus causing a destruction of the twist-off cable tie.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

(1) In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein like numbers refer to similar parts throughout:

(2) FIG. 1 is an enlarged orthographic cross-section side view of the improved twist off cable tie fastener taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2 showing the flexing arm within the medial channel, the orientation of the wings, the minor transverse axis of the elongate arm and the configuration of the plural transverse teeth defined in the elongate strap.

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway orthographic top plan view of the improved twist off cable tie fastener of FIG. 1 showing the major transverse axis.

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway orthographic side view of the improved twist off cable tie fastener of FIG. 1 showing the axis of the medial channel and alignment of the two wings therewith.

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric partial cut-away top, end and side view of the head portion of the improved twist off cable tie fastener.

(6) FIG. 5 is an isometric top, side and end view of the improved twist off cable tie fastener.

(7) FIG. 6 is an isometric top and side view of the improved twist off cable tie fastener showing the elongated strap threaded through and engaged within the medial channel as the fastener would be used.

(8) FIG. 7 is a an isometric top and side view similar to that of FIG. 6 with arrows showing the direction of force having been applied to the wings causing the improved twist off cable tie fastener to break adjacent the head portion.

(9) FIG. 8 is an orthographic end view of the head portion opposite the elongate strap.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) An improved twist off cable tie fastener generally provides an elongate strap 10 having a head portion 11 with a channel frame 44 defining a medial through channel 43. The elongate strap 10 and head portion 11 are integrally formed as a single unit, such as by injection molding, and is preferably formed of polypropylene, but may also be formed of nylon, polyethylene and other flexible resiliently deformable plastics and/or thermoplastics.

(11) The elongate strap 10 carries the head portion 11 at one end and is tapered to a rounded tip 15 at the opposing end portion to ease insertion into and through the medial channel 43. The elongate strap 10 has a first side 19 and an opposing second side 20 defined by a first elongate edge portion 17 and a second elongate edge portion 18.

(12) The first side 19 is generally planar and smooth to ease movement of the elongate strap 10 through the channel 43. A plurality of parallel adjacent teeth 25 are defined in the second side 20 of the elongate strap 10 and extend transversely partially across the second side 20 from a position spaced apart from the first elongate edge portion 17 to a position spaced apart from the second elongate edge portion 18, leaving a toothless border 26 adjacent the first elongate edge 17 and a toothless border 26 adjacent the second elongate edge 18. The teeth 25 are defined in the second side 20 from a position spaced apart from the rounded tip 15 to a position spaced apart from the head portion 11.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, each transverse tooth 25 defined in the elongate strap 10 has a crest 25a, a trough 25b, a ramp portion 25c and a relief 25d and collectively form a plurality of transverse teeth 25 along the elongate strap 10 that may easily pass, only in one direction, through the channel 43 while frictionally engaging with an angulated flexing arm 46 carried within the channel 43. Each of the plurality of transverse teeth 25 defined in the elongate strap 10 are dimensionally similar to a distal end portion of the flexing arm 46 which carries strap engaging teeth 47, 48.

(14) The head portion 11 is somewhat wingnut in shape having a first wing 35 at one lateral edge and a second wing 36 at an opposing lateral edge. Each wing 35, 36 is integrally formed with the head portion 11 to extend laterally outwardly from the channel frame 44 which defines the medial channel 43 extending transversely through the head 11 portion from a first side 27 to a second side 28. The first and second wings 35, 36 respectively, are each aligned with an axis 51 of the channel 43 so that the two wings 35, 36 are each oriented generally perpendicularly to the first and second elongate sides 17, 18 respectively of the elongate strap 10 and extend in a direction toward the first side 27 of the head portion 11. This orientation of the first and second wings 35, 36 respectively, causes any forces generated by rotational movement (FIG. 7) of the wings 35, 36 to be along a minor transverse axis 51 of the elongate strap 10. This orientation, which causes the rounded tip portion 15 of the elongate strap 10 to extend outwardly between the two wings 35, 36 when the improved fastener is in use, also allows the improved fastener to be used in locations having limited space because all portions that extend outwardly (away from the item being secured) are oriented along the same plane. As noted previously, the elongate strap 10 is integrally formed with and is connected to the head portion 11 channel frame 44 at a peripheral edge portion 37 generally medially between the first wing 35 and second wing 36. A notch 23 may be defined in the elongate strap 10 immediately adjacent the head portion 11 creating a localized area having reduced resistance to applied rotational motion along with the minor transverse axis.

(15) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 the axis 51 which is defined by the medial channel 43 passes through the medial channel 43 extending between the first side 27 and the second side 28 of the channel frame 44. The axis 51 is oriented perpendicular to the length of the elongate strap 10 and is aligned parallel to the opposing planar surfaces of the two opposing wings 35, 36 carried on each opposing lateral side of the channel frame 44 as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The orientation of the medial channel 44 and the two opposing wings 35, 36 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 causes the rounded tip 15 of the elongate strap 10 opposite the channel frame 44 to extend outwardly from the channel frame 44 between the two opposing wings 35, 36 and coaxially with the axis 51 of the medial channel 43 when the instant improved twist-off cable tie fastener is in use. (FIG. 6) Further still, this alignment and orientation positions the two opposing wings 35, 36 so that twisting/torqueing forces exerted on the wings 35, 36 by the user focuses shearing forces on the elongate strap 10 immediately adjacent the connection of the elongate strap 10 to the channel frame 44 which allows destruction/fracture of the elongate strap 10 immediately adjacent the channel frame 44 and allowing tool-less removal of the instant improved twist-off cable tie fastener.

(16) The channel frame 44 is generally rectilinear and defines the through channel 43 into which the rounded tip portion 15 of the elongate strap 10 is inserted. The side-to-side dimension of the channel 43 is only slightly greater than the distance between the first elongate edge 17 and the second elongate edge 18 along a major transverse axis 53 of the elongate strap 10, and the channel 43 is sized and configured to allow passage of the elongate strap 10 therethrough with limited friction while maintaining positional rigidity therebetween to prevent tampering with a flexing arm 46.

(17) The flexing arm 46 is carried within the channel 43 proximate the elongate strap 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexing arm 46 is angulated into the channel 43 extending away from the second side 28 of the channel frame 44 and toward the first side 27 of the channel frame 44 at an angle 50 which is established in the manufacturing process. Angle 50 pre-loads the flexing arm 46 to enhance frictional engagement with the teeth 25 defined in the elongate strap 10 when the flexing arm 46 is deflected by the elongate strap 10 being inserted through the channel 43. The angle 50 and resiliency of the flexing arm 46 positionally bias the elongate strap 10 into continuous direct frictional engagement with an opposing surface of the channel 43 opposite the flexing are 46. Angle 50 is preferably between approximately 21 degrees and 35 degrees relative to an adjacent inner surface of the channel frame 44 (See FIG. 1), and more preferably the angle 50 is between approximately 24 degrees and 32 degrees relative to the adjacent inner surface of the channel frame 44, and optimally the angle 50 is 28.04 degrees relative to the adjacent inner surface of the channel frame 44.

(18) End portion of the flexing arm 4$, opposite the connection to the channel frame 44 defines a first arm tooth 47, and in the preferred embodiment, an adjacent parallel second arm tooth 48. The flexing arm teeth 47, 48 are sized and configured to securely engage with the transverse teeth 25 defined in the second side 20 of the elongate strap 10. The toothless borders 26 of the elongate strap 10 slide through the channel 43 in laterally outer areas of the channel 43 that are laterally outward of the flexing arm 46 to further increase positional engagement of the elongate strap 10 within the channel 43 and to further reduce the likelihood of successful tampering with the flexing arm 46.

(19) The wingnut configuration of the head portion 11 including the opposing spaced apart wings 35, 36 facilitate grasping and rotation of the head portion 11 by a user. The rotational motion of the wings 35, 36 concentrates the rotational movement about the minor transverse axis 51 of the elongate strap 10 which concentrates breaking forces on the elongate strap 10 immediately adjacent the head portion 11. The rotational motion of the head portion 11 fractures the improved twist off cable tie fastener facilitating destruction of and removal of the improved cable tie fastener without use of tools and without damaging any item the improved twist off cable tie fastener might be securing.

(20) Having described the structure of our improved twist off cable tie fastener, its operation may be understood.

(21) The improved twist off cable tie fastener is positioned about items (not shown) to be secured, or items (not shown) to be secured together such as a grouping of wires (not shown), or a portion of a toy displayed within a display box. The elongate strap 10 is extended about the items (not shown) and the rounded tip portion 15 is looped there-about and then inserted into the channel 43 entering the channel 43 from the second side 28 of the head portion 11 and exiting the first side 27 of the head portion 11 immediately between the first wing 35 and the second wing 36.

(22) The rounded tip portion 15 is grasped by the user, and drawn at least partially through the channel 43 so that some portion of the elongate strap 10 defining teeth 25 passes through the channel 43. As the elongate strap 10 passes through the channel 43 the teeth 47, 48, respectively carried by the flexing arm 46 engage with the teeth 25 defined in the second side 20 of the elongate strap 10. The angulation 50 of the flexing arm 46 relative to the elongate strap 10, and the resiliency of the material forming the improved cable tie fastener allows the flexing arm 46 to bend toward the first side of the head 27 effectively allowing the crests 25a of the teeth 25 to pass over the flexing arm teeth 47, 48 until the elongate strap 10 is snug about the item(s) (not shown) being secured.

(23) The retentive memory of the flexing arm 46 causes the teeth 47, 48 to engage with the teeth 25 defined in the second side 20 of the elongate strap 10 when the elongate strap 10 is no longer being drawn through the channel 43. If the user attempts to withdraw the elongate strap 10 from the channel 43 in the reverse direction, the configuration and angulation of the flexing arm 46 and the flexing arm teeth 47, 48 which are engaged with the elongate strap teeth 25 prevent the withdrawal of the elongate strap 10 from the channel 43.

(24) To remove the fastener, the user grasps the head portion 11 and applies a rotational force to the head portion 11 by means of rotating the two wings 35, 36 simultaneously in a clockwise direction, or simultaneously in a counterclockwise direction about the axis 51 of the through channel 43. The twisting of the head portion 11 concentrates fracturing forces at the interconnection of the elongate strap 10 and head portion 11. The preferred polypropylene material of the improved cable tie fastener is resistant to tensive forces and to shearing forces but is less resistant to rotational forces. The rotational force applied by the twisting of the head portion 11 causes the improved twist off cable tie fastener to break allowing the cable tie's destruction and subsequent removal without tools. Once the cable tie fastener has been destroyed, it cannot be reaffixed.

(25) The foregoing description of our invention is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of a best mode may be set forth as is required, but it is to be understood that various modifications of details, and rearrangement, substitution and multiplication of parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope.

(26) Having thusly described our invention, what we desire to protect by Letters Patent, and