AU2016101532A4

AU2016101532A4 - Retaining device and method

Info

Publication number: AU2016101532A4
Application number: AU2016101532A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Zohrab Keledjian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-08-30
Filing date: 2016-08-30
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-30

Abstract

A retaining device (10) is provided for retaining a plurality of elongate elements (36) such as cables or cords in a bundled condition. The device includes an elongate, bistable retention component (12) having a first stable condition in which the retention component is in a straightened-out formation, and a second stable condition in which the retention component is in a coiled formation. The device further has an engagement element (22) fixed to the retention component, which is adapted for releasable engagement with a part of the retention component spaced from the end to which the engagement element is attached, to form a loop in the retention component. The invention extends to a method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition using such a device. 4 ~CV) LZ re I 1r c-Jn d r4 LI..Ih p.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a retaining device for retaining a plurality of elongate elements such as cables or cords in a bundled condition, and to a method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition using such a device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When working with cables, cords and the like, such as electrical cables, it is often desired to bind such items together in a group or bundle.

Known ways of achieving this are the use lengths of bendable wire ties or the like. Such a tie is typically wound around a group of cables with the two opposite ends of the tie then being wound around each other to bind the tie in place to keep the cables in bundle.

Another known item for performing a similar function is a cable tie which is an elongate item usually of plastics material. Such a device typically has a loop at one end through which the other end can be fed after the device has been wrapped around a bundle of cables. A one-way ratchet device or formation is provided, for interlocking with teeth formations arranged along the device adjacent to the end which is fed through the loop, to keep the device locked in place around the bundle of cables.

Another known tie includes a flexible strap and a hook-and-loop fastener for holding the strap in placed after it has been wound around a bundle of cables.

However, a disadvantage of such devices is that they are often awkward to hold and manipulate when wrapping them around bundles of cables and tying them in place, especially in hard-to-reach working locations.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate disadvantages of the prior art or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a retaining device for retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the device including: an elongate, bistable retention component having a first end and an opposite second end, and having, and being movable between, a first stable condition in which the retention component is in a straightened-out formation, and a second stable condition in which the retention component is in a coiled formation; and an engagement element fixed to the first end, the engagement element being adapted for releasable engagement with a part of the retention component spaced from the first end for forming a loop in the retention component.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the retention component includes an elongate, bistable inner portion, and an outer skin of elastomeric material that envelops the inner portion, the skin including said first and second ends. Preferably, the inner portion includes an elongate sheet of spring metal having two opposite side edges, a first face extending between the side edges, and an opposite second edge extending between the side edges, the sheet being curved in transverse cross section such that the first face is concave and the second face is convex.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the engagement element defines an aperture adapted to receive the second end therethrough such that a portion of the retention component contiguous with the engagement element defines the loop.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the method including: providing a retaining device according to the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, in its first stable condition; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device and plurality of elongate elements adjacent to each other; manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around the plurality of elongate elements thereby retaining the elongate elements in a bundled condition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes: providing a retaining device according to claim 3 in its first stable condition; passing the second end of the retaining device through the aperture such that a portion of the retention component contiguous with the engagement element defines a loop; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device adjacent to the plurality of elongate elements with at least one of the elongate elements caused to extend through the loop with a remainder of the elongate elements not extending through the loop; and manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around at least the remainder of elongate elements thereby retaining the plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the method including: providing a retaining device which includes an elongate, bistable retention component having a first end and an opposite second end, and having, and being movable between, a first stable condition in which the retention component is in a straightened-out formation, and a second stable condition in which the retention component is in a coiled formation, wherein the retaining device is provided while in its first stable condition; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device and plurality of elongate elements adjacent to each other; manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around the plurality of elongate elements thereby retaining the elongate elements in a bundled condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a retaining device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section view along line ll-ll of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section view along line Ill-Ill of a portion of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section view along line IV-IV of a portion of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1 in a first coiled condition; and

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1 in a second coiled condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a retaining device 10.

The retaining device 10 includes an elongate retention component 12 having a first end 14 and an opposite second end 16. The retention component 12 includes an elongate, inner portion 18, and an outer skin 20 of elastomeric material that envelops the inner portion. According to preferred embodiments, the skin is made of, or includes, silicon or silicon rubber.

The device 10 also includes an engagement element 22 integrally joined to the first end 14.

The inner portion 18 includes an elongate sheet of spring metal having two opposite side edges 24, a first face 26 extending between the side edges, and an opposite second face 28 extending between the side edges. The sheet is curved in transverse cross section as shown in Figure 3 such that the first face 26 is concave and the second face 28 is convex.

As a result of the shape of the inner portion 18, it is bistable in that it has a first stable condition in which it is in a straightened-out formation as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a second stable condition in which it is in a coiled formation. The inner portion 18 is adapted for its configuration to be changed from the first stable condition to the second stable condition and vice versa.

Because of the flexibility of the outer skin 20, the skin does not significantly hinder movement of the inner portion 18 between the first and second stable conditions. Therefore, the retention component 12 as a whole has, and is movable between, a first stable straightened-out condition corresponding with the straightened-out condition of the inner portion 18, and second stable coiled condition corresponding to the coiled condition of the inner portion, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

When the retention component 12 is in its first straightened-out stable condition, it can be caused to adopt its second coiled stable condition by manipulating it to bend it or form a kink in the inner portion 18. Once this occurs, the retention component 12 snaps from the first condition into the second condition.

To cause the retention component 12 to adopt the straightened-out condition when it is in the coiled condition, it can be manually straightened. As it is moved into that condition, it snaps into place in that straightened-out condition.

The outer skin 20 includes a portion 30 between the engagement element 22 and the closest end of the inner portion 18. The flexibility of the skin 20 and hence of that portion 30 allows free bending movement of the engagement element 22 relative to the inner portion 18.

The engagement element 22 has an aperture 32 which is shaped and dimensioned to enable the second end 16 of the retention component 12 to pass through the aperture. If the second end 16 of the retention component 12 is fed through the aperture 32, a portion of the retention component contiguous with the engagement element 22 forms a loop 34 as shown in Figure 6.

The retaining device 10 can be used to retain, in a bundled condition, a number of electrical cables or other cords or thin elongate elements (such cables, cords and elements being collectively or individually referred to herein as “elongate elements”, and referenced 36), or even different portions of the same elongate element if such element has been wound up such that those portions extend alongside one another.

In order to use the device 10 for this purpose, a user can, by hand, hold a number of the elongate elements 36, or a single such element which has been wound up as described above. The user can hold a retaining device 10 in its straightened-out condition, and can manipulate the device, for example by slapping it against the held elongate elements 36, thereby causing the device to bend so that it suddenly adopts (snaps into) its coiled configuration.

If the elongate elements 36 and device 10 are held adjacent to each other when this occurs, the retention component 12 can thus wrap around the elongate elements as shown in Figure 5.

Because the coiled form of the retention components 12 is one of its two stable conditions, once wrapped around the elongate elements 36, it can serve to hold them together in a bundle.

The elongate elements 36 can be released by manually straightening the device 10 as described above.

According to a preferred embodiment, before the device 10 is manipulated as described above for causing the retention component 12 to wrap around the elongate elements 36, the second end 16 of the retention component can be fed and pulled through the aperture 32, to form the loop 34 as shown in Figure 6.

One of the elongate elements 36, referenced 36.1, can be passed though the loop 34, as shown in Figure 6, and the loop can be tightened on this element to secure it in relation to the device 10. Alternatively, instead of passing the elongate element 36.1 through the loop 34, the loop can be formed around it. As a further alternative, this may be carried out in relation to more than one of the elongate elements 36.1.

The step of manipulating the device 10 as described above can then be carried out to cause the retention component 12 to wrap around the remaining elongate elements 36.2 as shown in Figure 6. In this manner, those remaining elements 36.2 and the one 36.1 that was passed through the loop 34 can be held together in the bundle by the device 10.

Although the invention as claimed is described with reference to specific embodiments above, it is not limited to those embodiments but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A retaining device for retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the device including: an elongate, bistable retention component having a first end and an opposite second end, and having, and being movable between, a first stable condition in which the retention component is in a straightened-out formation, and a second stable condition in which the retention component is in a coiled formation; and an engagement element fixed to the first end, the engagement element being adapted for releasable engagement with a part of the retention component spaced from the first end for forming a loop in the retention component.

2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the retention component includes an elongate, bistable inner portion, and an outer skin of elastomeric material that envelops the inner portion, the skin including said first and second ends, wherein the inner portion includes an elongate sheet of spring metal having two opposite side edges, a first face extending between the side edges, and an opposite second edge extending between the side edges, the sheet being curved in transverse cross section such that the first face is concave and the second face is convex.

3. A retaining device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the engagement element defines an aperture adapted to receive the second end therethrough such that a portion of the retention component contiguous with the engagement element defines the loop.

4. A method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the method including: providing a retaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in its first stable condition; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device and plurality of elongate elements adjacent to each other; manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around the plurality of elongate elements thereby retaining the elongate elements in a bundled condition.

5. A method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the method including: providing a retaining device according to claim 3 in its first stable condition; passing the second end of the retaining device through the aperture such that a portion of the retention component contiguous with the engagement element defines a loop; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device adjacent to the plurality of elongate elements with at least one of the elongate elements caused to extend through the loop with a remainder of the elongate elements not extending through the loop; and manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around at least the remainder of elongate elements thereby retaining the plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition.

6. A method of retaining a plurality of elongate elements in a bundled condition, the method including: providing a retaining device which includes an elongate, bistable retention component having a first end and an opposite second end, and having, and being movable between, a first stable condition in which the retention component is in a straightened-out formation, and a second stable condition in which the retention component is in a coiled formation, wherein the retaining device is provided while in its first stable condition; providing the plurality of elongate elements; positioning the retaining device and plurality of elongate elements adjacent to each other; manipulating the retaining device to cause it to move from its first stable condition towards its second stable condition such that at least a part of the retention component wraps around the plurality of elongate elements thereby retaining the elongate elements in a bundled condition.