GB2221246A

GB2221246A - Tie for elongate elements

Info

Publication number: GB2221246A
Application number: GB8914448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willibald Kraus
Original assignee: TRW United Carr GmbH and Co
Current assignee: TRW United Carr GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1988-07-05
Filing date: 1989-06-23
Publication date: 1990-01-31
Also published as: DE3822752A1; SE8902420L; SE501753C2; FR2633905B1; GB8914448D0; FR2633905A1; SE8902420D0; DE3822752C2; GB2221246B

Description

1 - 2221246 TIE FOR ELONGATE ELEMENTS The invention relates to a tie for

securing together and mounting elongate elements, comprising a receiving portion for the elements formed by an arched bearing part, a band-shaped looping part having at least one engagement element which is detachably connectable to at least one catch element of the tie for forming a closed loop with the receiving portion, and a mounting portion adjoining the receiving portion by which the tie may be mounted to a support.

Ties of the above-mentioned type are frequently used for securing together and mounting flexible pipes, electric cables or other elongate elements to be held together to form a complete combination, for example in the field of entertainment electronics or the automobile industry.

In this connection, a cable tie has already been disclosed as prior art which, between a mounting portion on the one side, has a band-shaped looping part provided with a plurality of webs and, on the other side, at the end of an arched neck, has a catch element with hook-shaped engagement areas (German patent specification 2,813.484). This cable tie can be used only for specific areas of application so that, for example, different numbers of cables of 2 smaller or larger diameter cannot be satisfactorily mounted.

Further known cable ties have likewise been conceived only for specific areas of application and therefore are not versatile (US patent specification 3,930,2871 US patent specification 3,471,190. US patent specification 3,486,200)

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to design a tie of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that it can be used for the effective securing together and mounting of different numbers of elongate elements, such as cables or pipes, and/or such elements of different diameters.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the arched bearing part comprising a resilient inner shell and a rigid outer shell surrounding the inner shell. This results in the advantage that elongate elements of various diameter in a larger or smaller number may be satisfactorily mounted in the tie. This tie can be firmly closed and released again, and squeaking or rattling noises caused by movement of the elongate elements are substantially avoided.

The mounting portion of the tie may be shaped for cooperating with a Tbolt, a saw-tooth bolt and also 1 3 f or shaped and round holes in the support. Further connecting means are also conceivable.

The tie can, f or example, be advantageously used anywhere in the body space of a motor vehicle, f rom the engine compartment, instrument panel and floor to the passenger compartment and boot, and, furthermore, depending on the material used various temperatures cannot have an adverse ef f ect on the reliability of the tie.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resilient inner shell is directly connected to the looping part via a thin intermediate portion, the catch element arranged on an arched neck opposite the receiving portion. Here, the resilient inner shell can advantageously be designed as a flexible band having hollow bodies spaced apart from one another and directed towards the inner side of the rigid outer shell, in which arrangement these hollow bodies can advantageously have a trapezoidal shape. Once assembly has been carried out, i.e. when the tie is looped around the elongate elements, the trapezoidal hollow bodies, when stressed, are pressed outwards and bear against the inner side of the rigid outer shell.

Undesired opening is thus prevented.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is also possible for the mounting portion of the tie on 4 one side to merge into the receiving portion and on the other side to merge into the band-shaped looping area, with the catch element comprising a plurality of profiles arranged on the outer wall of the outer 5 shell, and the engagement element being formed by at -least one catch projection located at the free end portion of the looping part. Here, in the assembled state, a section of the looping part can be positioned in the intermediate space between the inner and outer shells, which advantageously results in a very stable assembled state of the tie.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion comprises a further resilient shell located inwardly of said inner shell, said further shell merging with the inner shell adjacent the mounting portion and connected at a free end to the free end of the inner shell by a web. Thus three arched, shell-shaped elements, namely the outer shell, the inner shell and the further shell. may lie next to one another in an equidistant state so that the elongate elements are received in an optimum manner and are fixed in a functionally reliable manner.

Furthermore, it is possible f or an arched spring element to adjoin the inner circumference of the resilient inner shell above the mounting portion, which spring element is, for example, designed in an S-shape. Thus reliable seating in the interior of the tie is ensured in a simple manner when a larger number of elongate elements of different diameter are mounted.

It is also possible for a rib to interconnect the outer and inner shells at their free ends, a section of the looping part being designed in a fork shape with two parallel webs which are able to pass either side of the rib into the intermediate space and the catch projection being provided at the free end of the looping part via a bridge-shaped part linking the webs. The webs are thereby located in the intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner shell and thus lead to a very stable assembled state.

It is also possible for the inner shell, at its end remote f rom its free end, to merge into a spring element arched in an S-shape. This results in a simplification in the design without the functional reliability of the tie being impaired.

In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in side view in an open condition; 6 Figure la shows a perspective view of the embodiment in Figure 1; Figure lb shows a front view of the embodiment in Figure 1; Figure 2 shows another means of embodiment f or the invention in side view, with three shell areas running equidistantly; Figure 2a shows the embodiment in Figure 2 in perspective view; Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention in side view; Figure 3a, shows a perspective view of the embodiment in Figure 3; and Figures 4, 5 and 6 show respectively three further embodiments of the invention in side or perspective view.

The tie shown in Figures 1, la and 1b comprises a receiving portion for receiving elongate elements which are to be secured together and mounted by the tie, a band-shaped looping part 3, a catch element 5 and a mounting portion 6. The underside of the mounting portion 6 is designed as a base plate f or f ixing, f or example, to a support by a T-bolt or by other elements.

The receiving portion 1 for the elongate elements comprises an arched bearing part 2 which is connected 1 7 to the looping part 3 via a thin intermediate area 9. Here, the arched bearing part 2 is formed from a resilient inner shell 7 and a rigid outer shell 8 surrounding the inner shell 7. The resilient inner shell 7 is designed as a flexible band having hollow bodies 11 arranged at a distance from one another and directed towards the inner side of the rigid outer shell 8. The hollow bodies 11 shown in Figures 1 and la are of trapezoidal design. The inner and outer shells 7 and 8 respectively of the receiving portion 1 are connected to one another preferably in the mounting portion 6 via at least one web 12.

The looping part 3 comprises a profiled interlocking portion 13 as an engagement element 4 with an adjoining grip 14. Located opposite this looping part 3 in the illustrated open condition of the tie is the catch element 5, which adjoins the mounting portion 6 via an arched neck 10. The catch element 5 has two catch projections 15 and 16 which lie one above the other and are arranged diagonally relative to one another in such a way that they can interact with the corresponding teeth of the profiled interlocking portion 13 of the looping part 3.

For assembly, the tie is f ixed to a support via the mounting portion 6, f or example by a clip (not shown) or by knocking onto a profiled bolt.

8 Thereafter, the elongate elements are inserted into the receiving portion, starting with the elements of small diameter. The tie is kept open until all elements are properly laid. Only then is the tie closed via the grip 14, as a result of which the looping part 3, with its profiled interlocking portion 13, engages into the catch projections 15 and 16 of the catch element 5 and thus securing together and mounting of the elongate elements by the tie is completed.

Since the resilient inner shell 7 is designed as a flexible band having hollow bodies 11 arranged spaced apart from one another and directed towards the inside of the rigid outer shell 8, and these hollow bodies 11 are for example, of trapezoidal design, the advantage results during assembly that the hollow bodies are pressed outwards against the inner side of the outer shell 8.

After assembly, the elongate elements are mounted in the tie in such a way that they cannot slip, thus squeaking and rattling noises are avoided. By the interaction of the profiled interlocking area 13 with the catch projections 15 and 16. it is also possible to reliably mount a larger or smaller number of elongate elements of different diameter in the tie. By pressing back the profiled interlocking portion out 9 of engagement with the catch projections 15 and 16 the entire unit can be released again, the looping part 3 pulled out and individual elongate elements removed.

Instead of the hollow bodies 11, T-shaped supporting elements or similar parts, for example, can also be used. In addition, it is also possible for the outer shell 8 to have webs on its inner side which locate between the hollow bodies 11. Consequently, there is a loose connection between inner and outer shells 7 and 8, as a result of which any risk of injury during assembly of elongate elements of smaller diameter is avoided.

In the tie shown in Figures 2 and 2a, the mounting portion 6 merges on one side into the receiving portion 1 which consists of inner and outer shells 71 and 81 and on the other side into the bandshaped looping part 31. Here, the receiving portion 1 and the looping part 31 are thus opposite one another.

The mounting portion of the tie is provided with a clip connection 39. Located above this clip connection 39 is a web 12 which connects the inner shell 71 to the outer shell 81 in the lower area adjacent the fixing portion 6. In the upper area, at their free ends the two shells 71 and 81 are connected to one another by a rib 19.

The provision of the inner shell 71 and the outer shell 81 results in an intermediate space 18 which is of such dimensions that a section of the looping part 31 can be positioned therein in the assembled state of the tie. To this end a section of the looping part 31 is designed in a fork shape with two parallel webs 20 and 21 which are able to pass either side of the rib 19 into the intermediate space 18. Adjoining these webs at the front end is a part 22 which is designed in a bridge shape and has a catch projection 17 in the centre.

During assembly, the band-shaped looping part, with its two webs 20 and 21.. is pushed into the intermediate space 18 between inner shell 71 and outer shell 81 in such a way that the rib 19 lies between the two webs 20 and 21 and imparts guidance to the latter. In the process, the catch projection 17 slides over the catch elements 51 arranged on the outer circumference of the rigid outer shell 81 until the elongate elements are reliably enclosed in the receiving portion. Assembly is thus complete.

It can be recognised in Figures 2 and 2a that the band-shaped looping part 31 merges into a base part 27 which, arched upwards, adjoins the mounting portion 6 of the tie element.

In the embodiment in Figures 2 and 2a, the 11 receiving portion is provided with a further resilient shell 23 located inwardly of inner shell 71. The shell 23 merges with the shell 71 at a junction 25 adjacent the mounting portion and the free ends of the shells 23, 71 are interconnected by a web 24. The three shells 23, 71 and 81 are equidistantly spaced apart. The provision of two shells 23 and 71 which are resiliently deformable results in a more satisfactory mounting of elongate elements of different diameter.

Provided above the mounting portion 6 is at least one arched spring element 26 which projects into the space between the receiving portion 1 and the base 27 of the looping part 3r. In this way, also a larger number of elongate elements of different diameter can be satisfactorily secured together by the tie.

Whereas in the exemplary embodiment in Figures 2 and 2a three shells 23, 71 and 81, each at a distance from one another, form the receiving portion 1 of the tie, in the embodiment in Figures 3 and 3a the receiving portion 1 is equipped with two shells separated from one another by an intermediate space 18, namely a resilient, or flexible, inner shell 71' and the rigid outer shell 811. Here, a profiled area in the form of saw-tooth-like profiles forms the catch elements 511 which are again provided on the outer 12 side of the rigid outer shell 811. These catch elements 511, with regard to their saw-tooth-like profiles, are narrower in width than the overall width of the outer wall of the outer shell 811.

The two shells 71 and 811 are again connected to one another at their free ends by a rib 19 and adjacent the mounting portion 6 by the base part 27.

Again arranged opposite the receiving portion 1 is the band-shaped looping part 31, which has an engagement part 411 at the front end. The engagement part 411 is designed in a U-shape, the catch projections 17 being arranged in the base area 31 of the U. Furthermore, two gripping portions 29 and 30 are provided which are each arranged on the outer surfaces of the legs 32 and 33 of the U according to Figure 3a. A section of the band-shaped looping part 31 again consists of two webs 20 and 21 running parallel next to one another at a distance apart. Here, the distance between the webs 20 and 21 is such that they can be guided into the intermediate space 18 between the inner shell 71 and the outer shell 811; the rib 19 is thus slightly narrower than the intermediate space between the two webs 20 and 21 of the band- shaped looping part 31.

Adjoining the inner circumference of the elastic inner shell 71 above the mounting portion 6 is an 1 13 arched spring element 28 which is preferably designed in an S shape. In this way, elongate elements of different diameter are also satisfactorily mounted in the assembled state.

For assembly, after the tie has been fixed to a support at its mounting portion 6, the required number of elongate elements are inserted into the receiving portion 1, and thereafter by taking hold of the two gripping portions 29 and 30, the engagement part 411 is pushed into the intermediate space 18 between the elastic inner shell 71 and the rigid outer shell 811.

i.e. the two webs 20 and 21, is positioned in the intermediate space 18 and, once assembly is complete. the catch projection 17 is interlocked with a tooth of the saw-tooth-like profile of the catch elements 511.

Thus a section of the elastic looping part 31,, In this embodiment, it is also possible for a spring element 28 designed in an S shape to be used which ensures further effective securing of the 20 elongate elements to be mounted.

The embodiment according to Figure 4 is similar to that according to Figure 3 and Figure 3a, but the engagement element 41 is designed analogously to the embodiment according to Figure 2 and Figure 2a and, in this manner, a bow-shaped part 22 having a central catch projection 17 is produced. The mounting portion 14 6 has a fixing element 36 which can, for example, be introduced into a corresponding orifice of a support (not shown).

The receiving portion 1 again consists of an arched resilient inner shell 71 and a rigid outer shell 811 surrounding this inner shell 71 which shells are connected to one another at their f ree ends by a rib 19. On the outer side, the rigid outer shell 811 again has saw-tooth-like profiles of the catch elements 511.

The exemplary embodiment in Figure 5 is the same as the embodiment in Figure 4, except that the mounting portion 6 comprises a connection f ormed by a clip 37 known per se with two elastic legs and a rigid centre area. An elastic lip is provided on the upper side so that the entire unit can be clipped into a support opening of corresponding configuration with the two legs of the connection 37 positioned behind the support opening.

In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 6, the receiving portion 1 again consists of an arched elastic inner shell 711 and a rigid outer shell 811 surrounding this inner shell 711. Here, however, the inner shell 711, at the end remote from the web 19 at the front end, merges into a spring element 34 arched in an S shape. Between the inner shell 711 and the :F outer shell 811, a further web 35 is arranged in a transition area leading to this spring element 34. The mounting portion 6 comprises a stud-like part for connecting to a support opening (not shown). Located opposite the receiving portion 1 is the band-shaped looping part 31, which, in a manner analogous to the design according to Figures 3 and 3a, is again provided at the front side with the engagement part 4#".

In each of the embodiments, the tie is designed in such a way that, for a larger or smaller number of elongate elements, such as cables and/or pipes, of different diameter, it can be used virtually universally for securing the elements together and fixing them to a support. In each embodiment the tie comprises a receiving portion comprising an arched bearing part 2 which is formed by a flexible, or resilient, inner shell 7, 71, 711 and a rigid outer shell 8, 81, 811 surrounding the inner shell 7,, 711.

In the embodiments in Figures 2 to 6, a f urther advantage results in that the looping part 31 is positioned in the intermediate space 18 between the shells and undesired generation of noise is thereby prevented and in addition no protruding gripping element gets in the way.

1 6

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tie for securing together and mounting elongate elements, comprising a receiving portion for the elements f ormed by an arched bearing part, a bandshaped looping part having at least one engagement element which is detachably connectable to at least one catch element of the tie for forming a closed loop with the receiving portion and a mounting portion adjoining the receiving portion by which the tie may be mounted to a support, wherein the arched bearing part comprises a resilient inner shell and a rigid outer shell surrounding the inner shell.

2. A tie according to claim 1, wherein the resilient inner shell is directly connected to the looping part via a thin intermediate portion, and the catch element is arranged on an arched neck opposite the receiving portion.

3. A tie according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a resilient inner shell comprises a flexible band having hollow bodies spaced apart from one another and directed towards the inner side of the rigid outer shell.

4. A tie according to claim 3, wherein the hollow 17 bodies are of a trapezoidal shape mutually interconnected at the shorter of their parallel sides.

5. A tie according to claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the inner and outer shells of the receiving portion are connected to each other via at least one web.

6. A tie according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the looping part comprises a profiled interlocking portion and an adjoining grip, the profiled interlocking portion being adapted to be locked in the catch element via at least one catch projection thereof.

7. A tie according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion merges on one side into the receiving portion and on the other side into the bandshaped looping part, and wherein the catch element comprises a plurality of profiles arranged on the outer wall of the outer shell, the engagement element comprising at least one catch projection located at the free end portion of the looping part.

8. A tie according to claim 7, wherein in an assembled state, a section of the looping part is positioned in an intermediate space between the inner 18 and outer shells.

9. A tie according to claim 8, wherein a rib interconnects the outer and inner shells at the f ree ends thereof and said looping part is designed in a f ork shape and with two parallel webs which are able to pass either side of said rib into said intermediate space, the catch projection being provided at the free end of the looping part via a bridge-shaped part linking the webs.

10. A tie according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the receiving portion comprises a further resilient shell located inwardly of said inner shell, said further shell merging with the inner shell adjacent the mounting portion and connected at a free end to the free end of the inner shell by a web.

11. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one arched spring element projects above the mounting portion into a space between the receiving portion and a base of the 20 looping part.

12. A tie according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein an arched spring element adjoins the inner side of the 1 19 resilient inner shell above the mounting portion.

13. A tie according to claim 12, wherein the spring element is arched in an S-shape.

14. A tie according to claim 7, wherein the profiles of the catch element are saw-tooth-like and extend over the entire width of the outer side of the outer shell.

15. A tie according to claim 7, wherein the profiles of the catch element are saw-tooth-like and are narrower in their width than the overall width of the outer side of the outer shell.

16. A tie according to claim 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 or 15, wherein the engagement element is provided with lateral-gripping portions.

17. A tie according to claim 16, wherein the engagement element is designed in a U-shape, the catch projection being arranged in the base area of the U and the two gripping portions being arranged on respective outer surfaces of the legs of the U.

18. A tie according to claim 9, wherein the inner 0 shell at the end remote f rom the rib at the free end thereof, merges into a spring element which is arched in an S-shape.

19. A tie according to claim 18, wherein, between inner and outer shells, a web is arranged in the transition area leading to the spring element.

20. A tie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion is provided with a clip or knock-on connection for connecting the tie to a support.

21. A tie for securing together elongate elements. comprising an arched receiving portion for receiving the elements comprising a rigid arched member disposedoutwardly of a flexible arched member, and a flexible strap securable relative to the arched receiving portion for retaining the elements therein.

22. A tie for elongate elements substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1,1a,lb; 2,2a; 3,3a; 4; 5; or 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990 C. The Patent Office. State House. 6671 High Hoiborn, London TAICIR4TP-Further copies maybe obtainedfrom, The Patent Office Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD Printed by Multiplex techniques itd. st mary Cray, Kent, Con. l.'87