AU2013101473A4 - Cable Ties - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable tie (10) comprising: (i) a head (12) provided at one end of an elongate strap (14), the head (12) having an aperture (16) provided therethrough and a retaining means (22) provided therein; (ii) the retaining (22) means being arranged to allow the strap (14) to be inserted and pulled through the aperture (16) in a first direction but not in a second direction generally opposed to the first direction; and (iii) an indicia (30) is provided on the surface of the cable tie (10) to allow for the identification thereof, wherein the cable tie (10) is provided in a pair bearing identical indicia whereby the association of two items can be indicated

Description

"Cable Ties" Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to cable ties. More particularly, the cable ties of the present invention bear an indicia that allows a user to designate some relation with one or more other such cable ties. Further, it is intended that the cable ties of the present invention will provide a simple and robust identification system for use when dismantling machinery, intended for later reassembly. Background Art [0002] Typically, when machinery is dismantled, and will require subsequent reassembly, an identification system is utilised to keep track of where and how individual components, such as hoses, wiring, bolts and mounts fit together to allow for quicker reassembly time. This is especially useful when another person has to reassemble the machinery or the machinery has remained disassembled for an extended period of time. Presently employed methods of tagging the machine components include the use of marking tags, which comprise a thin metal plate which can be engraved with a hard object, such as a knife, before being attached to the desired components with a length of wire. One of the primary problems associated with this type of marking tag is that it is often difficult to engrave or write on the tag in confined conditions, such as underneath a piece of machinery, or if the operator's hands are covered in grease and oil. Further, the tags are often unintentionally detached during transportation or the cleaning of the disassembled parts. [0003] Other identification methods include the use of information tags, which are similar to the previously mentioned silver marking tags, but are made of paper laminated in clear plastic. These tags are secured to the machinery by a length of string. These tags have similar problems to the aforementioned silver marking -2 tags. However, due to their construction are more likely to be destroyed during general use. [0004] A further identification method involves the use of coloured cable ties that are affixed to the machinery components. However, the use of such a method is limited by limited colours available and the number of components that usually require tracking. Further, colour markings may be of limited value in dirty environments [0005] The cable ties of the present invention have as one object thereof to overcome substantially the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto. [0006] The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application. [0007] Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Disclosure of the Invention [0008] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cable tie comprising: (i) a head provided at one end of an elongate strap, the head having an aperture provided therethrough and a retaining means provided therein; -3 (ii) the retaining means being arranged to allow the strap to be inserted and pulled through the aperture in a first direction but not in a second direction generally opposed to the first direction; and (iii) an indicia is provided on the surface of the cable tie to allow for the identification thereof, wherein the cable tie is provided in a pair bearing identical indicia whereby the association of two items can be indicated. [0009] Preferably, the strap is provided having a substantially flat profile and the aperture is a transverse aperture through the head of the cable tie. [0010] Preferably, the retaining means is in the form of a flexible barb. Still preferably the barb is inclined with respect to the plane of the transverse aperture. Still further preferably the indicia is provided in the form of numbers, letters, symbols or a combination thereof. [0011] Preferably, the indicia is formed integrally with the cable tie. Still preferably, the indicia is repeated more than once along the length of the cable tie. [0012] In one form of the invention, the indicia are provided in a form that is resilient and resists rubbing off or fading [0013] Preferably, the pairs of identical cable ties are provided with indicia depicting a sequential or otherwise associated set. [0014] In one form of the present invention, the pairs of the cable ties are provided as part of a plurality of cable ties that bear indicia that relate to one another in some manner.

-4 Brief Description of the Drawings [0015] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a cable tie according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of the cable tie in Figure 1; Figure 3 (a) and (b) depicts a further form of the cable tie in Figure 1 as provided in a sequential set of pairs of identical cable ties; and Figure 4 shows a pair of the cable ties of Figure 3 used in conjunction with a paired nut and bolt. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention [0016] In Figure 1 there is shown a cable tie 10 in accordance with the present invention. The cable tie 10 comprises a head 12 and an elongate strap 14. The head 12 is provided at one end of the strap 14 and both are molded using a plastic with appropriate tensile properties to form a unitary cable tie 10. The head 12 is substantially rectangular in shape and has an aperture, for example a transverse aperture 16, therethrough. The aperture 16 further has an inner bottom wall 18 and an inner top wall 20. The aperture 16 is of an appropriate width to allow the strap 14 to pass through the aperture 16. A retaining means, for example a flexible barb 22, is fixed to the inner bottom wall 18. The barb 22 is inclined with respect to the plane of the aperture 16 to allow the strap 14 to be inserted and pulled through the aperture 16 in a first direction, due to flexure of the barb 22, but not in a second direction generally opposed to said first direction. [0017] As seen in Figure 1, the strap 14 is constructed as a substantially flat elongate strip which is generally rectangular in shape. Due to its plastic -5 composition, the strap 14 is highly flexible in nature and is easily curved into a tight loop for the tail end of the strap 24 to be passed through the aperture 22 of the head 12. The strap 14 further comprises a top surface 26 and, as shown in Figure 2, a bottom surface 28. [0018] On the top surface 26 of the strap 14 an indicia 30 is provided. The indicia 30 allows the identification of the cable tie 10 by a user (not shown). The indicia 30 is provided in the form of a combination of numbers and letters, but may additionally or alternately be provided as symbols or a combination of the same. The indicia 30 are formed integrally with the elongate strap 14. It is envisaged that the indicia 30 may be applied in another permanent manner. It is further envisaged that the indicia 30 may be repeated several times, that is more than once, along the length of the elongate strap 14. [0019] A plurality of ratchet shaped teeth 32 are formed into the bottom surface 28 along the entirety of its length, with each tooth extending laterally across the width of the strap 14. The tail end 24 is curved to aid its insertion into the aperture 16. As the tail 24 is passed through the aperture 16, the barb 22 sequentially engages with each of the teeth on the strap 14 to further aid the precluding of the withdrawal of the strap 14 from the head 12. [0020] In Figure 3(a) there is shown the cable tie 10 as provided in a sequential set of 1000 identical pairs. A plastic connector 36 is used to join the identical pairs of cable ties 10 together and can be easily broken or snapped prior to use. Similarly, in Figure 3(b) there is shown a sequential set of 100 identical pairs. Further, the indicia 30 appear a number of times on the strap 14 to allow ready reference by a user from any angle. [0021] In Figure 4 there is shown an identical pair of cable ties 10, used for the marking of bolt 38 and a corresponding nut 40. In use, a user (not shown) will form the cable tie 10 into a locked loop around an appropriate section of a first item that requires identification, for example the bolt 38. In a similar manner, another cable -6 tie 10 can be looped around a second item that the user wishes to associate with the first item, for example nut 40. Typically, the two cable ties bear identical indicia on the straps 14, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), to identify an association between the bolt 38 and the nut 40. [0022] As may be seen from the above description, the present invention provides a cable tie for use in identifying items during disassembly which is easily attached to the items in confined spaces, such as beneath machinery. Further, due to its construction, the cable tie of the present invention is difficult to unintentionally detach from the item during the course of ordinary transportation or cleaning. Additionally, the indicia provided on the strap are preferably provided in a form that is resilient and will resist rubbing off or fading over extended periods of time and harsh conditions. [0023] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A cable tie comprising: (i) a head provided at one end of an elongate strap, the head having an aperture provided therethrough and a retaining means provided therein; (ii) the retaining means being arranged to allow the strap to be inserted and pulled through the aperture in a first direction but not in a second direction generally opposed to the first direction; and (iii) an indicia is provided on the surface of the cable tie to allow for the identification thereof, wherein the cable tie is provided in a pair bearing identical indicia whereby the association of two items can be indicated.

2. A cable tie according to claim 1, wherein the indicia is provided in the form of numbers, letters, symbols or a combination thereof.

3. A cable tie according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicia are provided in a form that is resilient and resists rubbing off or fading.

4. A cable tie according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the indicia is formed integrally with the cable tie.

5. A cable tie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pairs of identical cable ties are provided with indicia depicting a sequential or otherwise associated set.