GB2519141A - A fastening tie - Google Patents

Abstract

The tie (1, figure 1) comprising a resiliently flexible elongate strap (2, figure 1). The strap comprise a series a locking sections 22 arranged along the length and a series of neck section 24 of reduced width interconnecting the locking sections. Each locking section comprises a collapsible locking section body, and a slot 26 defined within and extending through the locking section body, arranged to receive a further locking section of the strap when formed into a loop. The locking section body has a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the slot (see figure 4, A greater than C) and is collapsible to at least the width of the slot, enabling the locking section body to be passed through. The neck sections include a projection 32 extending from the surfaces of the strap such that the depth of the neck at the projection is greater than the height of the slot. The slot is expandable to allow the neck to pass therethrough when a force is applied. This tie acts somewhat similar to a zip tie.

Description

A FASThNING TIE The present invention reates to a fastening tie, and in particular to flexible fastening tie for use In fastening delicate objects.

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A cable tie is a commonly kr.:own type of fastener having a widevariety of applicatkms including the bunching of electric cables or wires to organize, and/or retain the cables and wires. Cable ties commonly indude an elongate cable formed from a durable and mouldable material such as nylon, havin.g a serrated toothed strap section including a to series of unidirectional sloping teeth. A corresponding head is configured to receive the strap section and includes a paw that locks against the teeth of the strap to prevent removal of the strap in a direction cpposite to the insertion' direction Cable ties have become widely used as they are cheap to manufacture and quick and convenient to apply For certain applications the common nylon cable tie has been found to be too tensionally rigid, and to apply excessive damping forces to the objects it is secured to; with the cable ties biting into the surface of the objects and/or preventing necessary expansion or flSng. In applications where the objects to be clamped are. prone to d.amage such as tying plants or compressible tubing, a more'sympathetic means of securing the objects is required that provides sufficient hol ding force hut allows movement, growth) expansion and/or prevents damage to the tied object, while retaining the convenience of a common cable tie.

G82323763 desrrihes a fastening tie having a series of diamond shaped sections arranged along its length, and a series of corresponding diamond shaped aperturesdefined within each sectic The tie may be fastened into a loop at any point along its length by passing the strap through itself. The outer walls of the diamond shaped,sections engage the edges of the aperture through which the strap is passed, thereby holding the tie in a loop.

The epeatirtg thamond configuration def!no a senes of flexnle drms thr are coHapible to aUowt.he strap to expand and contract in length. However, it has berm found that the thin wall thickness of the arms due to diamond shape at the apertures results in non-uniform coUaping ofthe strap alOngjts iength. In addition it has been found that the diamond sections pass to easitythrough the apertures leading to a lossof control of the fixing length, and in the reverse direction can result in the dirnohd sections slipping from the.apertures c sing release of the strap.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved fastening tie which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

io According to the present invention there is provided a fastening tiens described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a fastening tie comprising a resiliently flexible elongate strap having a depth defined between its upper and lower surfaces. The strap comprises a series of locking sections tongftudinally arranged along its length and a series of neck sections of reduced width in. the transverse direction interconnectiflg the locking sections. Each locking section comprises a transversely collapsible locking section body and a transversely arranged slot defined within and extending depth wise through the locking section body arrangd to receive a further jacking section of the strap when the strap is farmed into a loop. The locking section body has a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the slot and being transvenely collapsible to at least the width of the slot to enable the locking section body to be passed through a further slot of a further locking section of the strap. The slot has a height defined in the longitudinal direction and the neck section includes a. projection extending from at least oneof the upper and lower surfaces such t. at depth of the neck at the location of the projection is greater than the height of the slot, and the slot is expandable in height to allow the neck to pass therEthrough when a force is applied to urge the neck through the slot.

o In this way the projection provides a stop that prevents the free movement of the strap through the slot thereby improving control over the selected length. The projsction also provides a positive feedback to the user indicating each time a further locking section has been passed through the slot. The projection also assists in preventing release of the strap once it has been tightened to the selected tension The depth of the neck section at the location of the project. .on k preferaNy greater than the depth of the locking section body such that the locking section body is able to be pulled through the slot with less force than the neck section. Preferably the height of the sot is equai to the depth of the locking section. Ass uch, the locking*sectioo is able to pass freely height wise through the slot while the neck secti n is iirtpeded. to

the projection comprises a tapered approach formation on zt least one longitudinal end configured to engage with the slut into which it rs insert-cd to expand the height of Siot in the longitudinal direction to allow the slot to receive the neck therethrough. The tapered approach formation provides a leading edge that tapered from the level of the upper is surface of the locking section to the maximtrn height of the projection, creating an expanding or wedging contact to urge the slot apart Asthe slot i urged apart the locking section of the slot correspondingly contracts inwardly in the transverse direction.

The at ieat one projection comprises a convex configuration curving in at least the longitudinal direction, and preferably comprises a substantially domed configuration. This allows the projection to engage with the slot in any orientation to urge the slot apart.

Preferably a domed projection is provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the neck section thereby providing additional depth and creating a more balanced s: engagement with the slot, The upper and lower domed secUons are preferably aligned such that the neck section is substantially spherical at the location of the projections The slot may comprise at least one concave scalloped recess widening the oper4ing of the slot at the location of the recess and having a profile corresponding to the profile of the at least one projection of the neck section. The scalloped recess defined a cup or detent to receive and. seat the domed projection.

The slot preferably comprises a pair of concave scalloped recesses located along s longitudinallyopposing edges of the slotcn at least one of. the upper and lower surfaces, the concave scalloped recesses corresppndihg in profile to the pair of domed projections and configured to receive and seat the domed sections.. Preferably the slot comprises a pair of concave scalloped recesses located along longitudinally opposing edges of the slat on both the upper anØ lower surfaces, the concave scalloped recessescorresponding in IQ profile to the domed lroiections and defining detents on opposing surfaces of the locking section for receiving the spherical neck section on insertion into the slot in a first direction and n the oppos ng ieturn thr°ction when the neck has passed through the slot The domed sections and the corresponding scalloped recesses may define corresponding iS tapered surfaces configured to create a camming action as the domed sections are urged through the slot to expand the height of the slot to allow the Fleck section to pass thereth rough.

The locking sections are preferably substantially diamond shaped defining a serrated profile along opposing edges of the strap comprising a series of peaks and troughs. The diamond shape of the locking sections allows them to expand and contract in a scissor type manner with an expansion in the longitudinal direction being accompanied by a corresponditg contraction in the transverse direction.

The elongate strap hcludes a spacer section arranged at a location along the length of the strap which does not comprise locking sections. Preferably the spacer section comprises at leat one elongate member having a transverse width less than the width of locking sectionsand connected to licking sections at either end, and comprises at least one aperture. This configuration allows the space section to be formed with significantly less o niatrial than the locking.section& Therefore by replacing the central section of the tie with a spacer section for applications where the central section is substantially

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redundant., significant material savings may be made thereby lowering the cost of the fastener. This is particularly advantageous for high volume appliçaflons such as fasteners for tree saplings where, cost point is a critical consideration, hiaddition, due to the absence of the thinned neck sections along the spacer section it is relatively less flexible s than the rest of the bodysection providing advantageous rigidity für certain applications where flexibility is not desirable along the. entire length.

Preferably the spacer section includes at least two transversely spaced elongate members and a cross brace rneniber connecting the elongate members at a point along their in length. The cross brace provides additional structural support for the relatively thin elongate members.

Where. articles need to Lie tied separately, then preferably the opposite end of the strap may be formed ii'to a secondary loop around a further article or articles.

The secondary loop may be formed by insertIng the opposite end of the strap through another slot, pulling the strap through said other slot such that the serrations thereon successively engage the edges of said otheraperture and releasing the strap once the secondary loop is sufficiently tight.

Preferably the tie comprises a flat strap having serrations along at east one longitudinal side edge thereof, the width of the strap between each pair of adjacent serration$ being less than the width of the slots.

Preferably the strap has se.rrations that have oppositely inclined surfaces which converge towards their tespective crests. Thus, the serrations can easily he pufled through the aperture since the forwardly facing inclined surfaces of the serrations ride over the edges of the slot as the strap is.tightened. When the strap is released, the slot remains held between adjacent serrations. 6*

When a conventional tie is applied tightly around an object there is a risk thathe tie could snap as the object expands or grows. However, a tie which is app.tiS in accordance wah this inv(ntion wii undo itself as an oh ject expands and exerts a radial force on the tie when this happens the cpposkely inclined surfaces of the serrations rid.e over the edges s of the aperture through which the strap extends in a reverse operation of how the strap is tightened on appliction The present invention will now be described ty way of example only with reference to the fdllcwing illustrative figures in which: tO Figure 1 i an sometric vIew of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the fastener of Figure 1; Figure 3: is an enlarged isometric view of the end of the fastener of Figure 1;.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIgure 3; FigureS is an end view of the fastener of Figure 1; and Fisure 6 is a plan, view of a fastener according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a fastening tie 1 comprises an elongate flat strap 2. The strap 2 cØmprises.a central elongate body section 4 and end sections 6 arranged at longitudinally opposed ends of the body sectIon 4 The central body section 4 of the. strap 2 includes side edges 8 arupper surface 10 and a lower surface 12. The tie 1 is preferably formed of 3Q a plastics material and preferably a thermoplastic with the tie 1 being formed as a one-7' plec rn*ulded ar ick.'The piatIts n, trial of thetle 1. Is r4slliently flextbfe, and thusthe tIe 1 canbe:streched,,thetebyseparathi' the serrationsand expandinethe pertres.

The side edges 3 Oft body sEtión 4 have a substantially serrated, profuIeinctudlna S *105 4flontUdlflbtly*xtefldiflgMakeddøgeS 14 lnterspaced by acorrespondln sétlés of troughs 16. The peaks 14and'troughs 16 i1 each skit edges *retoOgituthalLyalined and extend In opposing tateral dke WOOS tEIatlve to'the4E. tral longitudinala xIs ofthe.

sm, 2 such that the peaks 14 and troughs 16 are arraned sit'motr' Ky *bodt'the longitudinal axis of the drap Z. to ach peaked section' 14 inéhdesapafr'ofOppOsiietyifldIne4 walls i taperinginwardly to "ardnhe apex 20of'the peak 14 in:the IatenlIy outwards dirottlon, and meeting at.

thelr'base: with the wal1 13 ottheadjaceM segment: St'the trough 16. In this way each pairof corresponding peaked sectlons,Mfr,easubstantiallv diamond shaped body is segment 22,'wlth eath diamondshaped serent defining a lotktngsegment 22. The corresponding fr's 16 are, laterailyspaced with a bfldg4ngneckseçtlofl 24 defined therebetweenthat'ftnksthe'aølacent diamondiotklng segments22. The aj'' 2 ofeath peaked séctión 14 has a cutv'ed profile.

:zo Each diamond locklnflegment 22 indudesan aperture 2&. The aperture' 26 comprtse, an elongate, substantiafly rectangular slot extending through the. Prap 2 between the'up$r and,lower sudaces The slOt 26 inciudes'a$traight'centrM section 28:'and outwardly Svê4 radiusS ends 30. The peripheral edges oftheapeçtucç 28are Inwardlyspated from'the outer edges of the diamond lotlcing sflment'22 sutb'thatihe aperture 24 Is s,surroundedi''utid It ertttre'peripherybythe bsyofthezhamonøtpckingsegment22.

Each locking segment 22 when viewed from above as M:the plan 4ew at Flguçe 3 han lètetal width A and a Iongttudtn:al he%FtSrepresentJngthe distàncé betwee"the tt*ughs 16. Theslot 26 has a'idth Cextendlngip,The traflsqi:rs Øitettton an:d a hejgtt,b'lp the w kngftudiS recijon,Th,, nSc 24 has a Width E. The width Aof each locking segment is greater than the wtdth,E ofthe:nedt and greater an the'hetght'B such that ech locking segment 22 is longest in the transverse direction. The width A of each locking segment is also greater than the.width C of the slot 26.

The end sections 6 comprise elongate straight sechans extending longitudinally from s either end of the body section 4, The width of the end sections 6 is substantially equal to the width Eof the neck portions 24, The upper and lower surfaces of the end section 6 are curved haying a radius substantially equal to the radius of the dome sections 32 such that the end section 6 are suhstantiaflycylindrical and appear circular wnen viewed end on with circular cross section coffesponding to the cross section of the sphere defined by to the domed sections 32. The distal ends 42 of the end sections 6 are domed and substantially correspond in shape to the domed elements 32. A pturaflty of spaced recesses 38 are formed along the upper surface of each end section 6,. as shown in Figure a, interspaced by a plurality of ridges. The ridges 40 form a grip ect.ion to assist the user in pulling the ends of the tie 1. when fastening.

Referring to Figure 3, each neck section 24 includes a raised domed element 32 located at the neck 16. A first domed element 32 is located on the upper surface of the neck 16, and second domed. element 32 is located symmetrically on the lower surface, such that the first and second domed elements 32 combine to substantially define a spherical element coincident with and extending from opposing surfaces of the neck 16 and loc ted between adjacent locking segments 22. The domed sections 32 project from the respective surfaces of the neck 24 in a direction transverseto the longitudinal axis of the strap 2. The thickness of the neck section 24 from its upper surface to its tower surface is swstantially equal to the height 0 of the slots 26 The dome section' 32 increase the thjckiiess of the necksection 24such that it t:S greater than the height 0 of the.slot 26, Each slot 26 includes scalloped recesses 34 located on longitudinally opposed sides of the slot 26 A first pair of scalloped recesses 34 k provided formed on the upper surface, and a corresponding pair of recesses 34 is formed on the lower suthce, The scalloped sections.

arE located centrally along the width C of the slots 26 along the central longitudinal axis of the strap? a; the penpheil edge ofthe cjots 26, with the pair of recesses 34 oorg arranged symmetrically on either side of the slot 26 The receses extend inwardly into the body of the locking section. 22 from the surface of the locking section 2.6, with the pairot recesses on ppposing sides of the locking section extending into the locking section 22 in opposing directions: The.scailoped sections are concave having a radius S corresponding to the radius of the domed sections 32, wIth each pair of recesses 34 combining to define a detent configured to receive and.seat a domed section 32 and widening the mouth of the slot at the widthwise centre of the slot 26. At the plane of the upper and lower surfaces of the ocking sections 22 the scalloped recesses define an arcuate form projecting away from the peripheral edges of the skt 2.6 in opposing longItudinal directions.

In use, the tie 1 may be wed to secure a first object to further object. For example, the tie may be used to secure a flexible hose to a cable duct or similar support structure, for example within an aircraft. By way of an illustrative example, the operation of the tie will is be described with reference to the above mentioned flexible hose and ducting application, It will however beappreciated that in this explanation the hose isto be interpreted any object or objects that are to be secured, and the ducting is to be interpreted as an further object to which the first object or objects are secured. The tie 1 is extended around the hose and around the part of the ducting to which the: hose is to be secured, such that the tie 1 forms a loop around both. The tie 1 is then fastened by inserting either endS through a selected one of the slots 26 in the one of the locking sections 22. of the body section 4. The selected locking section 22 defines in maximum available length of the tie I in the fastened form. The greater the distance between the end 6 of the tie selected to pass through the slot 26 and the setecte4 locking section 22, the greater the maximum avallabletielengtb Once a swtable ockrng section 22 has been seected, the end 6 of the he 1 s nsemted into the corresponding slot 26 of that locking section. The end sectionS has a cross section of substantially the same diameter as the darned sections 32, which is greater than the width Dofthe slot 25. The domed end 42 of the. end section 6 is received in the detent defined by the pair of scalloped recesses 34. As the domed end 42 of the end section 6 is grater in diameter than the height D of the slot the end does not easily insert into the slot 26. Some three must be applied he the user to urge the end 6 into the sht 26. A wedging arrangement is created between the cony cx surfaces ofthe recesses 34 and the domed end surface 42 of the end section which as the urging force is apphed assists in fo:rcing the s slot 26 to expand and increase in width to accommodate the end section 6 As the slot 26 epands in w1dth the ends of the slot 26 are simultaneously drawn inwatdiy causing the dimond locking section to simultaneously expand in height Band compress in widthA.

As.the end section 6 is pulled through the slot 26 the locking section 22 reaches the slot 26. At this point along the strap 2 the thickness is reduced from the circular profile of the to end section 6 to thethinner body section 4. of the strap having planar parallel upper and lower surfaces. As such at this point the slot 26 expands in width such that it substantially raturns back tç> its origin& configuration The forwardly inclined wa'ls 13 of the first locking section 22 come Into abutment with the end peripheral edges of the slot 26. This abutment causes lateral compression of the locking section 22 with the opposed cuter tips 14 being urged towards each other while the neck section 24 is urged longitudinally aay fon the end section 6 extenchng the longthithna height U of thc lot kind ection and decreasing its width A. At this stage the slot 25 is at its maximum width and withthe locking section 26 received in the slot 26 it is unable to extend in width any further, thereby optimisi.ng the resistance applied to compress the locking section 22. when the zo opposed transverse peaks 14 contract inwardly sufficiently that the width A of the locking section 22 is equal to the width C of the slot the locking section 22 is able to pass through the slot 26.

As the peaks 14 of the locking section 22 pass through. .the slot 26 the rearwardly tapering wails 13 are then in abutment with the s!ot 26 which narrow towards the neck 24 Tberefore as the locking section continues to pass through the slot 26 it is able to expand n width back to Its original configuration as the inward compressional force is released cntil it is fully returned to its. original form when the through at the base of the wall 13 reaches the slot 26. When the locking sectin 22 has passed through the slot 26 the 3o elements 32 of the neck 24 come into engagement withthe slot 26 and are receved within the dctonts defined by the srdlloped secflon 34 As described above in ii relation to the distal end 42 of the stra.p 2, the thE meter of the sphere defined by the domed elements 32 is greater in diameter than the height D of the slot 26. The domed elements 32 are seated in the recesses 34 and this engagement prevents the strap 2 from continuing to pass fre&y through the slot 26. The seating of the ball or sphere. defined by s the domed elements 32. in the corresponding recesses 34 provides a positive phyica feedback to the user indicating th.t the locking section 22 passed through the. slot 26and a further locking section is located ready to be drawn through:. This provides the user with a useful indication of how far the strap 2 is being drawn through the slot 26, as wefi as providing increased ccntrol of the procedure rather than the strap pullihg freely and W unhindered through the slot 26. As with the distal end.42, and increase in force by the user overcomes thus resistance, with the domed sections 32 and theconvex recesses 34 providing the same wedging action to force the slot to increase in height U to permIt the passage of the domed elements 32 of the neck 24.

is The user continues to draw the locking sections 22 through the slot 26 until a suitable length and tension in the strap 2 has been achieved. At this point the user continuesto pull the strap 2. until the nearest ball 32 of the relevant neck section 24 is drawn through the slot. The bali 32 seats in the detent defined by the pair of recesses 34 on the lower surface of the locking section 22 corresponding to the slot 26 and prevent the locking section from returning back through the slot 26 thereby hoding the locked position. If the user were not to pull through the last bafl 32 the locking section would sti I be retained in eth locked position due to the greater width A of the locking section compared to the width C of the slot 26 prevent return without the application ef an overriding force by the user, The fledi.ility and compressibility of locking sections is however such that should the fastened object expand such expansion would be sufficient to cause release of the locking section allowing the strap to expand its fastened. length to permit continued expansion of thefastened object. For example, where the tie is used in horticultural to hold a growing plant, as the plant grows, it exerts a radial force on the tie, which causes the strap 2 to stretch until the force is sufficient to pull the locking section 22 adjacent the lower surface of the strap 2 back through the slpt 2.6. tn this way, the tie 1 adjusts itself automatically as the plant grows The flexibility is also such that if an.overly compressive force is applied to the user, whent isforce is released the strap 2 will release itself to a lest ompressive state thereby avoiding damage to the fastened object.

In certain apphcations double fastening loops may be required and this may be achieved s by creating two separate loops by feeding both distal ends 6 into separate locking section 2.2 to create twin loops.

The locking sections preferably extend continuo.usly.along the entire length cf the strap 2 to maxinlise the number of configurations achievable with the tie 1. In an alternative embothment as shown in Figure 6, a spacer section 150 may be provided along the length of the body section 104 and preferably centrally along its length. The opposing ends 152 of the spacer secton 150 are configured in the same manner as the walls 1.13 of the locking sections tapering transversely outwards away from the neck 124. The spacer section 150 further comprises a pair of elongate filaments 154 interconnecting the end section 152 and spaced apart transversely to define a width substantially equal to the wdth of the locking secftons 122 A emfo ong cross member 156 extencN lrnsversely between the two filaments 154 at the lengthwise centre of the spacer section 150 to minimise towing of the spacer section 150 and improve rigidity Voids 158 areS defined between the filaments 154. The spacer section 150 replaces the locking sections 122 at the centre section.of the body section 104 and as.a significant area of. the spacer section is comprised by the voids 158 the amount of material required to form the spacer section is significantly less than the equivalent length of body section 104 including locking edions 122 the presence of the voids. The length of the filaments 154 may be selected to increase or decrease the length of the spacer section 150 and hence the number of locking section 122 Omitted and material saved Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention beFieved to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features herein.before referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or nol. particular emphasis has been placed thereon.