GB2465225A

GB2465225A - Ties for tying together a bundle of cables

Info

Publication number: GB2465225A
Application number: GB0820864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yousouf Tossoun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-13
Filing date: 2008-11-13
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Also published as: GB0820864D0

Abstract

An elongate tie 10 adapted for both ends to be inserted into a capture means 16 for self capturing engagement therewith. The capture device is independent of the tie thus increasing the usage and cutting out waste, i.e. on a conventional tie the length is premade. The tie can be metres long, or cm short. The capture device can be reused; once ties are cut free the tie can be pulled though the capture device (allowing it to be reused). The tie can be also reused once cut and pulled though the capture device. The capture device may have a pair of resiliently mounted pawls 18 to engage with teeth 20 on the tie providing ratchet and pawl self capturing. Preferably the tie is so formed that it will not readily twist.

Description

TITLE: Ties, e.q. for tying together a bune of cables

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ties.

BACKGROUND

A tie is known to the inventor having mounted integrelty to one end thereof a capture device through which device the other end of the tie can be inserted to be self-captured thereby. When the tie is drawn tight (e.g. around a buncie of es) through the device, the surplus ctawn through the device can be cut off as waste.

THE INVENTION

The present inventor considers that this waste is not friencly to the environment and could be avoided. His solution is to provide a tie form that is such that a required length could be cut off and both ends inserted into a suitable capture device, thus eliminating most of the waste.

One aspect of the invention consists in an elongate tie adapted for both ends to be inserted into co-cperating capture means for self-capturing engagement therewith. Preferably, the tie is so formed that it wit not readly twist.

Another aspect of the invention consists in tie stock adapted for a length to be cut therefrom to be any such tie.

Preferably, the tie or stock is of strip form. Preferably, the stock is in the form of a roll, preferably of a length of at least 1Dm. The tie or stock may be made of pdyprop4ene, potyamide, nslon, PTFE or metal.

C Another aspect of the invention consists in capture means adapted for both ends of a co-operating elongate tie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent sell-capturing engagement therewith. The same capture means may be * used to fasten together (ends of) respective ties.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a combination of an elongate tie and capture means adapted for both ends * . of the tie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent self-capturing engagement therewith. ***

Another aspect of the invention consists in a combination of tie stock and capture means adapted for a length to be cut * * from the stock to be a tie adapted for both ends of the tie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent self-**** capturing engagement therewith.

* Another aspect of the inntion consists in a combination of a tie and capture means with both ends of the tie inserted into the capture means in sell-capturing engagement therewith. The term end' is used simply to distinguish one end of an elongate tie from the other end, and could extend to any piportion, but not the whole of, the tie. Preferably, the tie, stock, capture means or combination is adapted for an adjustable length of the tie to be self-captured by the capture means.

Preferably, the tie, stock, capture means or combination is adapted for ratchet and pawl sell-capturing engagement beteaen the tie and capture means. The pawl may comprise a plurality of directional teeth adapted to engage co-operating ratchet teeth of said tie for self-capturing engagement with the tie, e.g. at least three or at least five or at least seven pS teeth; this wit usually give added strength compared with a sinqe-tooth pS, and in tests with five teeth under increasing loads the tie broke outside the capture means before the teeth (on the tie andlor capture means) could break to release the tie. The capture means may be formed mondithicalty, including the pawi. Again, the capture means may comprise a metal pawl, e.g a astics body and metal pawl. The capture means may comprise a resiieny mounted pS adapted to bear against the tie, and possitly a pair of said pawis adapted to bear on opposite sides of one end of a tie (so that it does not mtter which aide (i.e. face) of a tie faces a given paM, one or other of the pair of pawis w always engage with the tie), or a fixed paM and restient means to urge the tie to engage the paM. The capture means may comprise anchor means for anchoring the capture means to a support. The tie, stock, capture means or combination may comprise microteeth adapted for engagement with co-operating microteeth for said self-capturing engagement between the tie and capture means.

The tie, stock, capture means or combination may be adapted for the tie to have a track of teeth shaped to be inserted in both directions lengthwise of the tie into co-operating capture means for sell-capturing engagement therewith. Said tie teeth may then of substantially rectangular profle in a direction Song the tack. Alternatively, some of said tie teeth are adapted for said self-capturing engagement upon insertion in one of said directions and Stemate with other of said tie teeth adapted for said self-capturing engagement upon insertion in the other of said directions.

The tie, stock, capture means or combination may be adapted for the tie to have two tracks of teeth shaped for one track to be inserted into co-operating capture means in one direction lengthwise of the tie for self-capturing engagement with the capture means and the other tack to be inserted in the opposite direction for self-capturing engagement with the capture means. The tie, stock, capture means or combination may be adapted for the two tracks to be located simultaneousiy long the tie, or for the two tracks to be located successively along the tie. Said tie teeth may be of substantially triangular proNe in a direction Song the track, e.g. with said triangular proNe having one aide substantially perpendicular to said direction. Likewise the pawl teeth relative to the direction of insertion for which the capture means *fl.

is adapted.

The capture means a combination may have a singe capture means opening to receive both ends of a co-operating * * tie for self-capturing engagement with the capture means, and said singe opening may house a paM with engagement *. means on opposite sides of the pawl adapted to engage respective tie ends inserted into said opening for self-capturing engagement therewith. Again, the capture means or combination may have separeta capture means openings to * * receive the respective ends of a co-operating tie for self-capturing engagement with the capture means. The capture *.** *°. : means a-combination may have separate paMs adapted to engage respective tie portions for self-capturing * ° engagementtherewtth.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a strip comprising a plurality of capture means, or of capture means of combinations, each as aforesaid embodying the invention. Such a strip may be usefully adapted for said capture devices to be cut off the strip. Such a strip may be formed by a process comprising a hot press, continuous method.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method of using any such tie in which two end parts of the tie are inserted into the capture device.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method of using any such tie stock in which a length is cut off from the stock to be a tie embodying the invention.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method of /orming a strip of any such capture means in which there is used hot press continuous /orming.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method of using a ship of any such capture means in which a said capture means is cut off from the strip.

The self-capturing tie means comprise a tie and a separate capture device, together suitable to hdd captive two lie parts, or Iwo parts of the same tie, when inserted into or through the device. The two parts may be separate, e.g. being parts of respective lies, and/or parts separated by the capture device. They may be spaced apart, e.g elong the length of a singie be, and/or by the capture device. They may be inserted from the same side of the capture device or from opposite sides of it. There may be a chain of such ties, with successive ones held together by a said capture device.

A he embodying the invention may be a length of strip, tllamen thread or other elongate materiai that can be used to he up (e.g. the neck of a bag) or to tie together (e.g. a number of cables or other objects, e.g. in a bundie or spaced apart aiong the tie, or an object and a support, e.g. so as to suspend the object from the support). Self-capturing tie means embodying the invention may be means comprising a tie and aiso a capture device into or through which a self-supporting end of the he can be inserted by pushing, together such that due to the insertion the tie w be held captive against withdrawaL Seif-captured means that the tie wit be held captive against wilhdrawai, due to the insertion rather than by any subsequent action being needed for this purpose. The term inserling the he into or through the capture device is to be understood in the widest sense, e.g. it includes engaging the he and device together so that the tie engages in the device such that they are held captive together, e.g. ll elso includes feeding the capture device onto * the lie so that the device is held captive by tine tie and cannot be withdrawn from the lie. ** I

Some of the present embodiments lend themselves to reduction of waste and/or to ecc1ogicai improvements. Some 00.

embodiments lend themselves to new and/or improved uses.

:* In the embodiments, self-capturing tie means, comprising an elongate tie and a separate capture device, are together * suitable to hold captive two separate parts of the tie entenng (e.g. passing into or through) the device. Prerly, the tie is e,dde, but it could be rigid, e.g. a U-shape. There is positive engagement of one part, latching (e.g. onto or * : under) another, not simply friction. S...

Embodiments of the invention may compese any one or mce of the following features: two end portions of the tie O * engage the capture means; said tie comprises ratchet teeth (teeth suiieble to engage pawl means of said device to operate as a ratchet); said teeth comprise micro-teeth; said capture device compnses pawl means to engage in said teeth to hold two parts of the be captive; said pawi means are sprung (springly urged towards engagement with the teeth, e.g. spring-mounted or spring-formed); said device including said pal means is formed monolithically; said device comprises a non body and possibly nlon paM means; said device comprises a pasbcs body and metal paW means; said paW means are held loosely captive in said device; said paw means (possibly a singie paw) are adted to be located between two parts of the tie to hold the same captive; said paW means comprised two paWs; the two parts of the tie may be inserted back to back, e.g. between t paW means; said capture device comprises two dots each provided with engagement and/or capture means to engage and/or hold captive reapecttve parts of the tie; said capture means comprises a singie ot provided with engagement means for the tie; the paW is fixed, e.g. with reslient (e.g. spring) means b urge the lie into engagement therewith; both parts of the tie enter said device on the same side; the capture device may be suitable for variation in se (e.g. thickness or width) or shape (e.g. cross-section) of different parts of the tie or of different ties to engage it; the capture device can be re-used, e.g. with one or more other ties; if a tie is cut (e.g. dose to the capture means), one or both of the two ends can be pufed (tee) through the capture means; thus, for example, lengths can be cutoff the tie, e.g. whie one end is retained captive, e.g. the other (e.g. longer) end can be cut to a shorter length: one or more of the capture devices may be used to capture together two (or more) ties, each of which may be in captured engagement with two (or more) capture devices, e.g. to form a network of the ties, e.g. to form a game or an artistic means; one or both of the ends of a tie may be cut at an ane, e.g. to facilitate threading the same into a capture device; (the cut anqe is not usuaty critical); a plurality of the capture devices may be provided in a strip of the same, e.g. so that they can be cut off from the strip, e.g. so that a capture device may comprise engagement means for more than two tie ends, e.g. three or four or more; the tie may be provided in cats, e.g. of minimum length im, Sm, lOm, 50m or 10Cm; en elongate tie for use in said tie means has teeth such that two parts of the tie (e.g. when bent for this purpose) can enter said capture device and be heid captive thereby; an dongate tie for use in said tie means has teeth such that two parts of the tie (e.g. when bent for this purpose) can enter a capture device from the same side of the capture device and be held captive thereby; each tooth has e profile with e front and rear such that it can be heid captive by a paW when ft enters the capture device from the front and also by a pawl when it enters the capture device from the rear (e.g. so as to en&fe it to be held captive whether it enters said device by the front of the tie or the rear thereof; thus, for example, the tie may be inserted into the capture device from the front or rear of the tie); the teeth may have rectangular protle; the teeth has a protle between their traling edge and their adjecent floor of less than <90 degrees; the tie has two tracks of teeth, one with paW-engaging surfaces rearwards- * facing ralative to the tie and the other track having paW-engaging surfaces forwards-facing ralative to the tie; the tie : andjor capture device may be chemically resistant (chemically inert) and/or ire-resistant: the combination can be made of metal, e.g. for tying together crane loads, or tying up (mounting) a car exheus the tie is a strip pierced with successive transverse (usually at 90 degrees to the length diection) alots or cuts, with one lip of each bent out, or both :1 lips bent out to opposite sides (faces) of the strip; either lip can be the tooth to engage a paW; the tie means enable both ends of the tie to be threaded among workpieces (e.g. a buncie of cables), e.g. in case the exact positioning of both ends needs correcting or changing; the lie means enable, delay in mounting the capture means for capturing * engagement until the end of the procedure, e.g. the gathering or sorting procedure, e.g. among the cables; the tie ***.

*. means can be used to tie two things together or can tie something (or things) up, e.g. the neck of a bag, i.e. effect a ** reslriction, also e.g. for surgical use (and/or, for exame for this application, they can be miniatuhsed, e.g. mwdmum width of tie less than 1mm and of capture means less than 2mm, and/or can be dissolving and/or bio-degredeble); the tie means can be used for e.g. packaging, handcuffs, hdding saplings to a support post, surgery (e.g. to tie up blood vessals); for example when miniaturised, the tie means may comprise as a paW a paM (e.g. a silver) of metal (since this can be made much smaller than a plastics paW, since a piece of metal can be much stronger than a piece of plastics of same se when used for a paW). It is possible to use embodiments of the invention in building construction, e.g. for temporary arranging and tying of caes, then cuthng the tie free and reusing, possibly reusing it for subsequent temporary arrangements, and eventually to finalise the tying. A method of manufacture of a long such tie, may be continuous, and/or a hot press method, and/or may use a rotary teeth thrmer. The capture device may comprise at least one block end be cut from strip of blocks. The tie may have guide walls either side of a track of teeth.

PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION WiTH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS Reierence wit now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa party schematic cross-section through a combination of tie and capture means embodying the invention; Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1, showing what happans when one end of the be is reversed (i.e. rotated about the longitudinal direction of the tie); Figure 3 is a plan view of one half of the capture means without the tie inserted; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 half; FigureS is a schematic vertical cross-section through the cente oftèr hilt capture means of this embodiment; Figure 6 is an end view of the same; Figure? is a vertical cross-section through the be; Figure 8 is a front view of the be; Figure 9 is a horbntal cross section of the be; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a rclt of tie stock; Figure 11 is a plan view of the capture means of another embodiment of the combination having a Sne opening for the two ends of the tie; .. Figure 12 is a vertical cross-section of the Figure 11 embodiment showing the two ends of the tie back to back and *.fl, about to be inserted into the sinqe opening in the copture means; *0* : Figure 13 is an end view of the Figure 11 embodiment * Figures 14, 15 and 16 are schematic views, corresponding to Figures 11, 12 and 13 of a variation thereof having * * respective openings in the capture means for the two ends of the tie, shown in Figure 15 about to be inserted into the respective openings; Figure 17 is a view corresponding to Figure 15 of the same embodiment, showing the two ends of the be inserted into * * the respective openings in the capture means; Figures 18, 1 g and 20 are views corresponding to Figures 7, 8 and 9 but 01 the tie of the Figure 17 embodiment; Figures 21 and 22 are views corresponding to Figures 18 and 20 of a tie having a track of teeth on the back and another one on the front fcc use in a capture means, half of which is like that shown in Figure 12, whereby to pcovide pawl capture on both sides of the tie for impoved strength of retention upon capture; Figure 21 also diustrates a tie of circular cross-section having teeth that extend right around the tie, or alternatively teeth that are the successive turns of a screw thread around the tie; Figures 23, 24 and 25 are a plan view, side view and ho&ontal cross-section of a tie formed of a metal strip with teeth pressed out from from one face and then the other at alternate lips of dots across the tie; Figure 26 is a schematic side view of the tie ready to be inserted in capture means; Figure 27 is a schematic side view of the tie inserted in the capture means (not shown apal from its pawl and urging means) with a single paW effectively engaging both ends of the be; Figure 28 is a cross-section of a hI capture means ccrrqionding to that shown in Figure 5, except that this has only one paW (which means that the tie has to be inserted the correct way round) and this is fixed, together with a be about to be inserted into the capture means.

Figure 29 isa side view of a be with successive tracks of teeth; and Figure 30 is a cross-section corresonding to Figure 1 showing capture means with a fixed peW.

References that are the same in the different Figures refer to items that are the same or function atike, Numerel references with the same first two digits refer to simlar or related items.

Referring to the drawings, an elongate tie 10 is adapted for both ends 12, 14 to be inserted into co-operating capture means 16 for self-capturing engagement therewith. The tie 10 is so formed that it wit not readty twist, see Figure 1, but if ft does have e.g. a hatf twist as seen in Figure 2 the paired paWs 18, 18 wIt stilt ensure engagement with its teeth 20.

Tie stock 22, Figure 10, is adapted for a length to be cut therefrom to be a tie 10, which is of strip form (see Figures 7,8 and 9) and is in the form of a rclI 24 which has a tength of at least 10m and is made of palyamide. The be 10 shown in Figures 23 to 27 is of metel.

The capture means 16, as deafly shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, 12, 15 and 17, is adapted for both ends 12, 14 of a co-operating elongate tie 10 to be inserted into the capture means 16 for concurrent self-capturing engagment therewith.

Figures 1 and 2 show them thus inserted. Thus, the combination of an elongate he 10 and capture means 16 is adapted for both ends 12, 14 of the tie 10 to be inserted into the capture means 16 fri concurrent self-capturing engagement therewith.

A combination of the be stock 22 and capture means 16 is likewise adapted for a length to be cut from the stock 22 to * be a tie 10 adapted for both ends 12, 14 of the tie 10 to be inserted into the capture means 16 for concurrent self- * capturing engagement therewith. Figures 1 and 2 show the combination of tie 10 and capture means 16 with both ends 12, 14 of the tie 10 inserted into the capture means in self-capturing engagment therewith. S...

5*0 aearty, the tie 10 can be pulled through the capture means 16 as far as required, so that the tie 10, stock 22, capture *. * means 16 or said combination thereof is adapted for an acustable length of the tie 10 to be Sf-captured by the capture means 16.

Since the tie 10 comprises ratchet teeth 20 and the capture means 16 comprises at least one peW 18 to engage with the teeth 20, the tie 10, stock 22, capture means 16 or said combination thereof is adapted for ratchet and paW self-capturing engagement between the tie 10 and capture means 16.

Each peW 18 comprises a plurality of directional teeth 26 facing away from the dIrection 21 of insertion of be 10 into capture means 16, so that paW 16 is adapted to engage co-operating ratchet teeth 20 of said tie 10 tor self-capturing engagement with the tie 10.

As seen for example in Figures 1 to 5, the capture means 16 is formed monolithically, induding the paW 18. In the Figure 12 example, the capture means 16 comprises a plastics body 26 (most of which is shown as all the hatched part of Figure 12) and a metS paW 18. Any of the embodiments can be varied to indude a plastic or a metal paW 18, so tong as its teeth 26 ere suitably shaped.

tn the examples of Figures ito 5, the capture means comprise restienlly mounted paWs 18 which mo reslienty from their tie-uninserted positions shown in Figure 5 (to which they are normaily rest ientiy urged by their form ahon pocess, being monolithic with body 28 of capture means 16) to their tie-inserted positions shown in Figure 1 cr2, in which the teeth 26 of one or other of a pair of paWs 18, 18 (which are thus adapted to bear reslienfly on opoosite sides 121, 122 of one or other end 12cr 14 of tie 10) engage capturiny with teeth 20 of that end 12 or 14 tie 10 (but simply bear non-engaginqy with the teeth 207 on the opposite face of the respective end 12 a-14).

tn the Figure 28 example, the capture means 16 comprise a fixed paW 18 (formed integrally, and in fact monolfhicatty with body 28) and reslient means 30 (posslbty also formed integraily, and in fact monolithicatly with body 28) to urge the tie 10 to engage the teeth 26 of the paW 18.

The capture means 16 comprise anchor means 32, i.e. an aperture 32 to take a screw 321 for anchaing the capture means 16 toasupport3fl.

Whereas the embodiments desaibed uthse teeth 20, 26 that are a minimum of 2mm (preferably 3-5mm) in a direction paraf S to dIrection 21 of insertion of tie 10, there may instead by used much 20, 26, tess than 05mm and possibly so small that they cannot be discerned with the naked eye, e.g. tess than 0.1mm, alt in said direction. Such smaller teeth are hereby designated as microteeth 20, 26, i.e. so that the tie 10, stock 22, capture means 16 or combination thereof conipsises microteeth 20 adapted for engagement with co-cperating microteeth 26 for said self-capturing engagement * between the tie 10 and capture means 16. 0*� .

As dearly seen in Figures 12 and 19 to 22, the he 10 in the examples shown there has a single track 201 of teeth 20 shaped to be inserted in both directions 21, 211 lengthwise of the tie 10 into co-operating capture means 16 for self-capturing engagement therewith. For this purpose, said teeth 20 are of substantially rectangular profle in a direction Song the tack, so that in each direction 21, 211 of insertion the taling edges 202, 203 respectively of the teeth 20 wit -r engageapawll8.

* * In the embodiments of Figures 23 to 27, some 204 of said teeth 20 are adapted for said self-capturing engagement *°. : upon insertion in one 21 of said directions 21,211 and these teeth 204 altemate with other 205 of said teeth 20 adapted ** for said self-capturing engagement upon insertion in the other 211 of said directions 21, 211.

In the embodiments of Figures Ito 9, the tie 10 has two tracks 201, 206 ot teeth 20 shaped for one track 201 to be inserted into co-operating capture means 16 in one direction 21 lengthwise of the tie 10 for self-capturing engagement with the capture means 16 and (in the Figure 1 example) the other track 206 to be inserted in the oosite direction 211 for self-capturing engagement with the capture means 16.

In the embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 7, 21 and 23 to 27, the two tracks 201, 206 are located simultaneously Song the tie 10.

In the embodiment of Figure 29, the two tracks 201,206 are located successively along the tie 10, so that when one end 12 of tie 10 is inserted in one direction 21 only track portions 201 can be capturinqy engaged and when the other end 14 of tie lOis inserted only track portions 206 can be capturiny engaged. This is suitable for an example in which the capture means 16 has oSy two singie pavAs 18, one to capture each end 12, 14 of be 10, e.g. the be 10 and capture means 16 then baing cheaper to manulacture.

In the embodiments of Figures 1, 2,5,7 end 23 to 29, said teeth 20, 26 of tie 10 end/or of capture means 16 are of substanbuly triangular prolle in a direction 21 elong the track 211 or of insalion into capture means 16; and said triangular protle has one side 208, 261 substantiaily perpendicular to said direction 21.

In the embodiments of Figures 12 and 30 and (dearly obvious though not e�icity shown in) Figure 27, the capture means 16 has a singie opening 34 to receive both ends 12, 14 of a co-operating be 10 for sell-captunng engagement with the capture means 15. Said singie opening 34 houses a pS 18 with engagement means (pS teeth 26) on opposite sides of the pawi 18 alapted to engage respective tie ends 12, 14 inserted into said opening 34 fcr self-capturing engagement with said engagement means (pawl teeth) 26.

In the embodiments of Figures 1, 2,3-6 and 14-17, the capture means 16 have separate openings 34, 341 to receive the respective ends 12, 14 of a co-operating be 10 fri self-capturing engagement with the capture means 16.

In the embodiments of Figures 1-6 and 11-17, the capture means 16 has separate pawls 16, 18 adapted to engage respective tie portions 12, 14 for self-capturing engagement therewith.

As indicated by dashed tines in Figures 3 and 5, a strip 36 is provided to comprise a p1urdity of capture means 16, 16, adapted for said capture devices 16 to be cut off the strip 36.

As seen in Figure 7, the respective teeth 20 of two simultaneous tracks 201, 206 may be provided exacty opposite * * each other, but a stronger tie is obtained if the teeth 20 of one 201 of the two tracks 201, 206 are staggered with respect to the teeth 209 of the other track 206 as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

I... . . . . The he lOin the examples shown in Figures 1-22 and 28-30 has side guides 101, 102 either side of a track 201 of teeth *: 20, shown especielly in Figures 8 and 9.

* In the Figure 27 example, and 12 is inserted before end 14 is inserted, with a singie pS 18 engaging one track 201 of teeth 204 on one face 121 of the he 10 at one end 12 and the teeth 205 of the other track 206, on the opposite face 122 of the tie 10, at that end 12, engaging teeth 205 at the opposite end 14 of the taller track 201 and serving as a pawl 18 ***: (or at least serving to transmit the capturing action of the actuel paW 18) for said opposite end 14 of the tie 10, there *: being e reslient urging means 30 Qike means 30, Figure 28) on the opposite side (of both pwls 12, 14) of the tie 10 to thepawl 18.

Meti paWs 18, e.g. in the Figure 17 example, have aroot portion 181 buried in the body 28 of capture means 16 so that the remainder of each paW 18 can flex in direction 21 (or 211) as be 10 is inserted in that direction (in order to ellow such insertion) but is supported by body 28 over most 182 of the rest of its length upon any attempt to witha-aw tie lOin the opposite direction, thereby to held tie 10 captured.

The strip 36 or stock 22 is formed by a process comprising a hot press, continuous method.

In a method of using the tie 10, the t end parts 12, 14 of the tie 10 are inserted into the capture device 16.

In a method of using te stock 22, a length is cutoff from the stock 22 to be abe 10.

A strip 36 of capture means 16 is fomied by a method which uses hot press continuous fcoiiing.

In a method of using a ship 36 of capture means 16, a said capture means 16 is cut off from the sfrip 36.

Embodiments of the invenon may comprise any one or more features of the daims, for which purpose the substance thereof is hereby ported into the present desaiption.

It wit be apparent to one sklted in the art, that features of the different embodiments d&losed herein may be omitted, saiected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is imphed the possiblity of its negatve, i.e. a case in which that preference or particutarisahon is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefcre described will be açparenl to pecçe skilled in the art and 1 such variations are to be considered as fIing within the scope of the invention. S... * . . S. * *... * . S... S. ** * I * * .

S *S..

S S... S. * * S * * S* -10-

Claims

CLAIMS1. An elongate lie edapted ftc both ends to be inserted into co-operating capture means for self-capturing engagement therewith.
2. A lie as claimed in claim 1, so formed that ft wil not readly twist.
3. Tie stock adapted for a length to be cut therefrom to be a lie as claimed in claim 1 or 2.
4. A lie or stock as claimed in any one of claims ito 3, which is of strip form.
5. Stock as claimed in claim 4, which is in the form of a ret.
6. Stock as claimed in claim 4 or 5, which has a length of at least 1 Om.
7. A lie or stock as daimed in any one of claims ito 6, made of pdyproplene.
8. A lie or stock as daimed in any one of claims ito 6, made of polyamide.
9. A lie or stock as claimed in any one of claims ito 6, made of n1on.
i 0. A lie or stock as claimed in any one of claims ito 6, made of PTFE.
ii. Alie or stockas claimed in anyone of claims i to6, made ofmetai.
12. Capture means adapted fcc both ends of a co-operaling elongate lie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent self-capturing engagment thereaith.
13. A combinaton of an elongate tie and capture means adapted for both ends of the lie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent self-capturing engagement therewith.
i4. A combinalion of lie stock and capture means adapted fcc a length to be cut from the stock to be a lie adapted for both ends of the lie to be inserted into the capture means for concurrent self-capturing engagement therewith.
15. A combinaton of a lie and capture means with both ends of the lie inserted into the capture means in self-capturing engagment therilh.
16. A lie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 15, adapted for an adjustabie length of the tie to be self-captured by the capture means.
17. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 16, adapted for ratchet and paM self-capturing engagement beten the tie and capture means.*: : :
i8. Capture means or a combination as claimed in claim 17, in which the paM comprises a urelity of direcionel teeth adapted to engage co-operating ratchet teeth of said lie for self-capturing engagement with the lie.
19. Capture means or a combinalion as claimed in claim 17 or i8, in which the capture means is formed monolithically, including the paM.*
20. Capture means or a combinalion as claimed in claim 17 or i8, in which the capture means comises a plastics body and metal paM.
21. Capture means or a combinalion as claimed in any one of daims 12 to 20, in which the capture means S...: compise a rest ientiy mounted pawl.* *. :
22. Capture means or a combinalion as claimed in any one of daims i2 to 2i, in which the capture means compise a pair of said pawts adapted to bear on opposite sides of one end of a lie.
23. Capture means or a combinalion as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20, in which the capture means compise a tbed paM and reslient means to urge the lie to engage the paM.
24. Capture means or a combination as claimed in any one of daims 12 to 23, in wtiich the capture means compise anchor means fct anchoring the capture means to a support
25. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in any one of daims 1 to 11 ix 13 to 24, compising rnicroteeth adapted for engagement with co-operating microteeth for said self-captunng engagement beten the tie and capture means.
26. A tie, stock or combination as darned in any one of claims 1 b 11 or 13 to 25, in which the tie has a track of teeth shaped to be inserted in both directions lengthwise of the tie into co-operating capture means for self-capturing engagement therewith.
27. A tie, stock or combination as claimed in daim 26, in which said tie teeth are of substantially rectangular proile in a direction along the track.
28. A tie, stock or combination as daimed in claim 26, in which some of said te teeth are adapted for said self-capturing engagement upon insertion in one of said directions and alternate with other of said tie teeth adapted for said self-capturing engagement upon insertion in the other of said directions.
29. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as darned in any one of daims 1 to 25, adapted for the tie to have two tracks of be teeth shaped for one track to be inserted into co-operating capture means in one dã-ecbon lengthwise of the tie for self-captunng engagement with the capture means and the other track to be inserted in the oppoade direction for self-captunng engagement with the capture means.
30. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in claim 29, adapted for the two tracks to be located multaneousiy long Ihe tie.
31. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in dam 29, adapted for the two tracks to be located successively along the tie.
32. A tie, stock or combination as daimed in any one of daims 29 to 31, in which sad tie teeth are of substantially triangular protte in a direction along the track.
33. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as dairned in daim 32, in which said triangular profie has one side substantially perpendicular to said direction.
34. Capture means or a combination as daimed in any one of claims 12 to 33, having a single capture means :. opening to receive both ends of a co-carating tie for self-capturing engagement with the capture means,
35. Capture means or a combination as daimed in dam 34, in which sad single opening houses a pa with *... engagement means on opposite sides of the pawl adapted to engage respective tie ends inserted into said opening for self-capturing engagement therewith.
36. Capture means or a combination as daimed in any one of daims 12 to 33, having separate capture means openings to receive the respective ends of a co-operating tie for self-capturing engagement with the capture means.
37. Capture means or a combination as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 36, having separate pawis adapted to * * engage respective tie poilions icr self-capturing engagement therewith. **. :
38. A strip comprising a plurality of capture means, or of capture means of combinations, each as daimed in any * ** one of daims 12 to 37.
39. A strip as claimed in dairn 38, formed by a process comprising a hot pess, continuous method.
40. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as claimed in any one of daims 1, 3, 12, 13 or 38, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.
41. A tie, stock, capture means or combination as daimed in any one of daims 1, 3, 12, 13 or 38, substantiaily according to any exampte hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
42. A method of using a tie as daimed in any of the eceding daims, in which two end parts of the tie are inserd into the capture device.
43. A method of ung be stock as daimed in any of the x-ecedlng dams, in which a tength is cut off from the stock to be a tie as ctaimed in daim 1.
44. A method of forming a strip of capture means as daimed in daim 38, in which there is used hot press continuous forming.
45. A method of using a strip of capture means as daimed in daim 38, in which a said capture means is cut off from the strip. *.I* * * * ** * S... * . **5S ** * S * * . * *.* *.. *S..S * S * * **