WO2006121311A1

WO2006121311A1 - Cable tie

Info

Publication number: WO2006121311A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joeng Hyun Seo; Jung Won Seo
Original assignee: Joeng Hyun Seo; Jung Won Seo
Priority date: 2005-05-13
Filing date: 2006-05-13
Publication date: 2006-11-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable tie which is extensively used in communication equipment installation companies, auto companies, electronic home appliances manufacturers, living goods manufacturers and the like in order to bundle together a plurality of cables or the like. The cable tie comprises a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness; one or more flexible engagement members formed along one side edge or both side edges of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle in one direction; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel, the strap-accepting channels having a smaller width than that of the strap body. In this manner, the cable tie according to the present invention comprises one or more strap-accepting channels formed thereon, so that the cable tie is previously cut into a required length for use, thereby preventing waste of a resource, and so that one cable tie is utilized as a plurality of cable ties, if necessary, thereby improving efficiency in its work, as well as providing a neat arrangement of untidy cables.

Description

Description CABLE TIE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a cable tie, and more particularly to a cable tie which is extensively used in communication equipment installation companies, automobile companies, electronic home appliances manufacturers, living goods manufacturers and the like in order to bundle a plurality of electric wires together or attach a predetermined article to a specific object and the like.

[2]

Background Art

[3] The cable tie generally known in the art includes a cable tie head and a flexible strap which are formed integrally therewith. The cable tie head includes a strap- accepting channel and a resilient projection which is formed on the inner side- walls defining the strap-accepting channel and which has a slant portion on the inner surface thereof. The flexible strap having a first end forming the cable tie head and a second e nd opposite to the first end includes a series of engagement protrusions disposed along one or both of the top or the bottom surfaces thereof in such a manner as to be operated correspondingly to the resilient projection. In this instance, the resilient projection and the engagement protrusions are constructed such that they are slidingly engaged with each other in one direction, and are supported to each other in the opposite direction by means of a jaw formed on the resilient projection. With this construction, after the cable tie is placed around a to-be-bundled object, when the free end of the strap is inserted through the strap-accepting channel, the engagement protrusions and the resilient projection are slidingly engaged with each other so as to tie the to-be-bundled object. In this instance, the strap cannot be pulled backwards out of the strap-accepting channel since the engagement protrusion is retained by means of the jaw of the resilient projection.

[4] There is, however, a shortcoming in that the conventional cable ties described above have limitations in use because only one cable tie can be used to tie a to- be-bundled object at a time regardless of the length of the outer circumference of a to- be-bundled object.

[5] In this manner, in case where the length of the outer circumference of the to- be-bundled object is smaller than the whole length of the strap, a problem may occur that the remaining portion of the strap upon the insertion of the strap through the strap- accepting channel needs to be cut off, to thereby lead to inefficiency in engagement work as well as waste of a resource. Also, there occurs troublesomeness that several cable ties are needed to tie bundles when coupling several bundles together. [6]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cable tie, which is previously cut into a required length in use, thereby preventing waste of a resource.

[8] It is another object of the present invention to provide a cable tie in which one cable tie is utilized as a plurality of cable ties, if necessary.

[9]

Technical Solution

[10] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a cable tie, which comprises a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness; one or more flexible engagement members formed along one side edge or both side edges of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle in one direction; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel, the strap-accepting channels having a smaller width than that of the strap body.

[11] Here, the strap-accepting channels of the present invention are formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body, so that an engaged portion between the strap-accepting channel and the engagement member can come into much closer contact with the to-be-bundled object when tying the to-be-bundled object.

[12] Further, the strap-accepting channels of the present invention including a resilient pawl member for permitting the strap body to be readily inserted therethrough so as to be engaged with the engagement member by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body.

[13] Here, the resilient pawl member is protrudingly formed in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward the pulled-out direction from the inserted direction of the strap body.

[14] According to the present invention, there is also provided a cable tie, which comprises a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness, the strap body including a pair of side guides extending longitudinally the length of strap body formed along either top or bottom surface thereof, and one or more engagement members formed along one or both of the top and the bottom surfaces of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle between the side guides; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel, the strap-accepting channel having a guide-inserting hole for permitting the pair of guides to be inserted and guided therethorugh.

[15] Here, the strap-accepting channels of the present invention are formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body, so that a contact area between a to-be-bundled object and the strap body can be widened so as to allow the to-be-bundled object and the strap body to come into much closer contact with each other when tying the to-be-bundled object.

[16] Further, the strap-accepting channels of the present invention including a resilient pawl member formed on an inner side- wall thereof, for permitting the strap body to be readily inserted therethrough so as to be engaged with the engagement member by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body.

[17] According to the present invention, there is also provided a cable tie, which comprises a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness, the strap body including one or more engagement member formed along one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angel; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel.

[18] Further, the strap body further comprises a seating portion formed around the strap- accepting channels and adapted to receive the engagement member after the engagement member is inserted through the strap-accepting channel.

[19] Moreover, a cable tie assembly according to the present invention comprises a cable tie roll device, in which the cable tie according to the present invention is wound and accommodated, the cable tie roll device having an outlet opening formed on a side thereof for discharging the cable tie therethrough, such that the accommodated cable tie is transferred to the outlet opening by the rotation of rotatable portions; and a cutting portion provided inside of the cable tie roll device for cutting the transferred cable tie.

[20] Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to the present invention.

[23] FIGs. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing cable ties, which comprise a resilient pawl member.

[24] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 3.

[25] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 3.

[26] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the cable tie according to the present invention is used. [27] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cable tie roll device according to the present invention. [28] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cable tie roll device according to the present invention. [29] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a winding portion of the cable tie roll device according to the present invention. [30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another type of a cable tie according to the present invention.

[31] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 10.

[32] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 10.

[33] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of another type of a cable tie according to the present invention.

[34] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 13.

[35] <Explanation on the main parts in the drawing>

[36] 10: strap body 20: engagement member

[37] 30: strap-accepting channel

[38] 40: resilient pawl member

[39] 50: cable tie roll device

[40] 51 : outlet opening 52: rotatable portion

[41] 53: cutting portion 54: rotatable handle

[42] 60: guide 70: guide-inserting hole

[43] 80: seating portion 100: cable tie

[44]

Mode for the Invention [45] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereafter described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [46] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to the present invention. FIGs.2 and 3 are perspective views showing cable ties, which comprise a resilient pawl member. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the cable tie according to the present invention is used. FIG.7 is a perspective view showing a cable tie roll device according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cable tie roll device according to the present invention. FIG.9 is a perspective view of a winding portion of the cable tie roll device according to the present invention.

[47] As shown in drawings, the cable tie according to the present invention comprises an elongated strap body 10 having a predetermined thickness; engagement members 20 formed along one side edge or both side edges of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle; and strap-accepting channels 30 penetratingly formed in the strap body 10 in a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10.

[48] Here, the strap body 10 is formed into a flat elongated strap shape having a predetermined thickness and made by flexible material having a predetermined strength.

[49] One or more engagement members 20 are formed along one side edge or both side edges of the strap body 10 in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle. In this instance, the engagement members 20 are formed to be protruded at a predetermined angle in one direction, so that the strap body 10 can be readily inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30 with respect to the inserted and advanced direction of the strap body 10, and so that the engagement member 20 can be retained by the strap-accepting channel 30 after being inserted, thereby preventing the engagement member 20 from being pulled backwards out of the strap-accepting channel 30.

[50] As shown in FIGs.1 and 2, the engagement members 20 are protrudingly disposed in one direction on the opposite elongated side surfaces of the strap body 10 in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. As shown in FIGs.3 through 6, the engagement members 20 are more densely disposed with comparison to those shown in FIGs.1 and 2.

[51] One or more strap-accepting channels 30 are penetratingly formed in the strap body

10 in a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10, and through which one free end of the strap body 10 is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member 20 to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel 30.

[52] The cable tie 100 is then cut into individual strap bodies of desired length, when a number of strap-accepting channels 30 are continuously provided on the strap body 10. In this instance, the width Ll of the strap-accepting channels is preferably formed to be smaller than the width L2 of the strap body 10 including the engagement member, so that the engagement member 20 can be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel 30. In this regard, since the engagement member 20 is made of a material having flexibility and a predetermined strength, the strap body 10 is readily inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, to thereby prevent the engagement member 20, once inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, from being withdrawn therethrough.

[53] Further, the strap-accepting channels 30, as shown in FIG. 5, are desirably formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10, so that a contact area between a to-be-bundled object and the strap body 10 can be widened so as to allow the to-be-bundled object and the strap body 10 to come into much closer contact with each other when tying the to-be-bundled object. In this instance, the angle(a) is desirably 5° degree.

[54] Moreover, the strap-accepting channels 30 further desirably comprise a resilient pawl member 40 formed on an inner side- wall thereof, for permitting the strap body 10 to be readily inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, and for being engaged with the engagement member 20 by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body 10. In this instance, the resilient pawl member 40 is formed on the inner side- walls defining the strap-accepting channel 30, so that the width of the strap- accepting channel 30 can be widened upon the insertion of the strap body 10, thereby facilitating the insertion of the strap body 10, and so that once the engagement member 20 is inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, it is retained on the upper surface of the resilient pawl member 40, thereby preventing the strap body 10 from being withdrawn.

[55] In this instance, the resilient pawl member 40 is desirably formed such that it is pro- trudingly formed in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward the pulled-out direction from the inserted direction of the strap body 10. In other words, the lower portion of the resilient pawl member 40 functions to facilitate the insertion of the engagement member 20 formed on the strap body 10, and the engagement member 20 is engaged with the resilient pawl member 40 after it is inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, to thereby preventing the strap body 10 from being withdrawn.

[56] Moreover, as shown in FIGs. 7 to 8, a cable tie assembly desirably comprises a cable tie roll device 50, in which the cable tie 100 according to the present invention is wound and accommodated, the cable tie roll device 50 having an outlet opening 51 formed on a side thereof for discharging the cable tie 100 therethrough, such that the accommodated cable tie 100 is transferred to the outlet opening 51 by the rotation of rotatable portions 52; and a cutting portion 53 provided inside of the cable tie roll device 50 for cutting the transferred cable tie 100. A rotatable handle 54 is affixed to the outer periphery surface of the rotatable portions 52, by which a user can easily rotate the roatable portion 52. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of female and male engagement members are respectively formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the rotatable portions 52 so as to be cooperatively engaged with each other.

[57] Accordingly, in such a manner, the cable tie 100 is accommodated in the cable tie roll device 50, thereby facilitating its carrying, and the cable tie 100 is cut into a required length, if necessary, thereby preventing waste of a resource, as well as improving efficiency in its work.

[58] Meanwhile, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another type of a cable tie according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 10.

[59] Another type of a cable tie according to the present invention comprises a flat elongated strap body 10, the strap body 10 including a pair of side guides 60 extending longitudinally the length of strap body 10 formed along one or both of the top and the bottom surfaces thereof, and an engagement member 20 formed along one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body 10 in such a manner as to be protruded between the side guides; and a strap-accepting channel 30 penetratingly formed in the strap body 10 in a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10, the strap-accepting channel having a guide-inserting hole 70 for permitting the pair of guides to be inserted and guided therethorugh.

[60] Another type of a cable tie according to the present invention has a similar configuration to that of the cable tie 100 described above, but it has a different configuration from that of the cable tie 100 in that a pair of guides 60 are formed on the strap body 10, in that the strap- accepting channel 30 has the guide-inserting hole 70, and in that the engagement member 20 is protruded from one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body 10.

[61] Here, the flat elongated strap body 10 having a predetermined thickness includes a pair of side guides 60 extending longitudinally the length of strap body 10 formed along one or both of the top and the bottom surfaces thereof, and one or more engagement members 20 formed along one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body 10 in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle between the side guides 60.

[62] One or more strap-accepting channels 30 are penetratingly formed in the strap body

10 in a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10, and through which one free end of the strap body 10 is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member 20 to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel 30. Also, the strap- accepting channel 30 has the guide-inserting hole 70, through which the guides 60 of the strap body 10 are inserted and guided. In other words, the strap body 10 is securely inserted through and engaged with the strap-accepting channel 30, since the guides 60 of the strap body 10 are inserted and guided through the guide-inserting hole 70.

[63] Here, the strap-accepting channels 30 are desirably formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body 10 in the same manner as in the cable tie of the present invention described above, so that a contact area between a to-be-bundled object and the strap body 10 can be widened so as to allow the to-be-bundled object and the strap body 10 to come into much closer contact with each other when tying the to-be-bundled object.

[64] Further, as shown in FIGs. 10 and 11, the strap-accepting channels 30 include a resilient pawl member 40 formed on an inner side- wall thereof, for permitting the strap body 10 to be readily inserted through the strap-accepting channel 30, and for being engaged with the engagement member 20 by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body 10.

[65] As shown in FIG.12, the engagement member 20 is retained on the upper surface of the resilient pawl member 40 formed on the inner side- walls defining the strap- accepting channel 30, when the strap body 10 is inserted through and engaged with the strap-accepting channel 30.

[66] The another type of the cable tie according to the present invention may be wound and accommodated in the cable tie roll device 50 which comprises a cutting portion 53 in the same way as the cable tie 100 described above, thereby facilitating its carrying.

[67] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of another type of a cable tie according to the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 13.

[68] As shown in FIG. 13, the engagement member 20 is retained on the upper surface of the resilient pawl member 40 formed on the inner side-walls defining the strap- accepting channel 30 in the same manner as FIG. 11. However, the strap body 10 has not guides 60, and the strap-accepting channel 30 has not a guide-inserting hole 70.

[69] As shown in FIG. 14, the engagement member 20 is retained on the upper surface of the resilient pawl member 40 formed on the inner side-walls defining the strap- accepting channel 30 as the same manner as FIG. 12, when the strap body 10 is inserted through and engaged with the strap-accepting channel 30. However, the strap body 10 has not guides 60, and the strap body 10 further comprises a seating portion 80 formed around the strap-accepting channels 30 and adapted to receive the engagement member 20 after the engagement member 20 is inserted through the strap- accepting channel 30. In this instance, the engagement member 20 is inserted through and engaged with the strap-accepting channel 30 by the resilient restoration force of the engagement member 20.

[70] Industrial Applicability

[71] As described above, according to the present invention, the cable tie comprises one or more strap-accepting channels formed thereon, so that the cable tie is previously cut into a desired length in use, thereby preventing waste of a resource, and so that one cable tie is utilized as a plurality of cable ties, if necessary, thereby improving efficiency in its work, as well as providing a neat arrangement of untidy cables. Also, the inventive cable tie reduces the manufacturing cost due to its simplified configuration.

[72] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[73]

Claims

[ 1 ] A cable tie comprises : a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness; one or more flexible engagement members formed along one side edge or both side edges of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle in one direction; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel, the strap- accepting channels having a smaller width than that of the strap body.

[2] The cable tie according to claim 1, wherein the strap-accepting channels are formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body, so that a contact area between a to-be-bundled object and the strap body is widened so as to allow the to-be-bundled object and the strap body to come into much closer contact with each other when tying the to- be-bundled object.

[3] The cable tie according to claim 1, wherein the strap-accepting channels include a resilient pawl member formed on an inner side- wall thereof, for permitting the strap body to be readily inserted therethrough so as to be engaged with the engagement member by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body.

[4] The cable tie according to claim 3, wherein the resilient pawl member is pro- trudingly formed in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward the pulled-out direction from the inserted direction of the strap body.

[5] A cable tie assembly comprises: a cable tie roll device, in which the cable tie according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is wound and accommodated, the cable tie roll device having an outlet opening formed on a side thereof for discharging the cable tie therethrough, such that the accommodated cable tie is transferred to the outlet opening by the rotation of rotatable portions; and a cutting portion provided inside of the cable tie roll device for cutting the transferred cable tie.

[6] A cable tie comprises: a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness, the strap body including a pair of side guides extending longitudinally the length of strap body formed along one or both of the top and the bottom surfaces thereof, and one or more engagement members formed along one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angle between the side guides; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel, the strap- accepting channel having a guide-inserting hole for permitting the pair of guides to be inserted and guided therethorugh.

[7] The cable tie according to claim 6, wherein the strap-accepting channels are formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a lengthwise direction of the strap body, so that a contact area between a to-be-bundled object and the strap body is widened so as to allow the to-be-bundled object and the strap body to come into much closer contact with each other when tying the to- be-bundled object.

[8] The cable tie according to claim 6, wherein the strap-accepting channels include a resilient pawl member formed on an inner side- wall thereof, for permitting the strap body to be readily inserted therethrough so as to be engaged with the engagement member by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body.

[9] A cable tie assembly comprises: a cable tie roll device, in which the cable tie according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is wound and accommodated, the cable tie roll device having an outlet opening formed on a side thereof for discharging the cable tie therethrough, such that the accommodated cable tie is transferred to the outlet opening by the rotation of rotatable portions; and a cutting portion provided inside of the cable tie roll device for cutting the transferred cable tie.

[10] A cable tie comprises: a flat elongated strap body having a predetermined thickness, the strap body including one or more engagement member formed along one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the strap body in such a manner as to be protruded at a predetermined angel; and one or more strap-accepting channels penetratingly formed in the strap body in a lengthwise direction of the strap body, and through which one free end of the strap body is inserted to form a closed loop, thereby permitting the engagement member to be engaged and fixed to the strap-accepting channel.

[11] The cable tie according to claim 10, wherein the strap-accepting channels include a resilient pawl member formed on an inner side-wall thereof, for permitting the strap body to be readily inserted therethrough so as to be engaged with the engagement member by its resilient restoration force after the insertion of the strap body.

[12] The cable tie according to claim 10, wherein the strap body further comprises a seating portion formed around the strap-accepting channels and adapted to receive the engagement member after the engagement member is inserted through the strap-accepting channel.

[13] A cable tie assembly comprises: a cable tie roll device, in which the cable tie according to any one of claims 10 to 12 is wound and accommodated, the cable tie roll device having an outlet opening formed on a side thereof for discharging the cable tie therethrough, such that the accommodated cable tie is transferred to the outlet opening by the rotation of rotatable portions; and a cutting portion provided inside of the cable tie roll device for cutting the transferred cable tie.