US20170057714A1 - Cable tie - Google Patents
Cable tie Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170057714A1 US20170057714A1 US15/240,898 US201615240898A US2017057714A1 US 20170057714 A1 US20170057714 A1 US 20170057714A1 US 201615240898 A US201615240898 A US 201615240898A US 2017057714 A1 US2017057714 A1 US 2017057714A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- buckle
- cable tie
- tool head
- protecting portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D63/00—Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps, for bundling or supporting articles
- B65D63/10—Non-metallic straps, tapes, or bands; Filamentary elements, e.g. strings, threads or wires; Joints between ends thereof
- B65D63/1018—Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like
- B65D63/1027—Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like the integral securing member being formed as a female and male locking member, e.g. locking head and locking teeth, or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D63/00—Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps, for bundling or supporting articles
- B65D63/10—Non-metallic straps, tapes, or bands; Filamentary elements, e.g. strings, threads or wires; Joints between ends thereof
- B65D63/1018—Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like
- B65D63/1027—Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like the integral securing member being formed as a female and male locking member, e.g. locking head and locking teeth, or the like
- B65D63/1063—Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like the integral securing member being formed as a female and male locking member, e.g. locking head and locking teeth, or the like the female locking member being provided with at least one plastic barb
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2563/00—Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps for bundling or supporting atricles
- B65D2563/10—Non-metallic straps, tapes or bands; Filamentary elements, e.g. strings, threads, wires; Joints between ends thereof
- B65D2563/101—Details of non-metallic straps, tapes or bands
- B65D2563/108—Appendages formed with/on the strap for purposes other than joining, releasing or bundling, e.g. for fixing the strap to a wall, label plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cable tie (a clamping band). More particularly, the present invention relates to a cable tie for clamping or binding a clamped article (e.g., a wiring harness) in order to attach the same to an object member (e.g. a body panel of a vehicle).
- a clamped article e.g., a wiring harness
- a known cable tie is taught by, for example, JP 2012-137145A.
- the known cable tie 701 is intended to be used for clamping or binding a wiring harness (a clamped article W) that is used for vehicle wiring in order to attach the same to a body panel of a vehicle (an object member) (not shown).
- the cable tie 701 includes a desired length of flexible belt 710 (a holding member) that is configured to circumferentially hold the wiring harness W, a buckle 720 to which one longitudinal end of the belt 710 is connected, and an engagement leg or anchor 730 integrally connected to the buckle 720 and configured to be inserted into an attaching hole (not shown) formed in the body panel of the vehicle.
- the belt 710 In order to clamp the wiring harness W, the belt 710 is looped and the wiring harness W. Thereafter, a leading end of the wrapped belt 710 is inserted into an insertion hole 722 formed in the buckle 720 and is then drawn from an outlet 722 b of the insertion hole 722 of the buckle 720 . Thereafter, the belt 710 is tightened or fastened by pulling the leading end thereof drawn from the buckle 720 . At this time, an engagement claw 760 a formed in an engagement strip 760 of the buckle 720 can selectively engage engagement teeth 710 a of the belt 710 , so that the belt 710 can be locked or secured to the buckle 720 while the belt 710 is fastened around the wiring harness W.
- the wiring harness W can be clamped by the fastened belt 710 and the buckle 720 .
- the anchor 730 is inserted into the attaching hole of the body panel.
- the anchor 730 can be fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 701 can be connected to the body panel.
- the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via the cable tie 701 .
- an excess portion of the belt 710 drawn from the buckle 720 and tightened may preferably be cut off while leaving a required length of remaining portion S.
- the belt remaining portion S may generally have edges formed in a cut surface S 1 thereof.
- the buckle 720 has a pair of protecting portions 724 formed therein.
- the protecting portions 724 are positioned across the outlet 722 b of the insertion hole 722 so as to laterally cover the belt remaining portion S.
- the protecting portions 724 of the buckle 720 may prevent the fingers h ( FIG. 38 ) of workers from contacting the edges of the belt remaining portion S. As a result, the fingers h of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges of the belt remaining portion S.
- the remaining portion S of the belt 710 tends to warp in an end portion (a portion adjacent to the cut surface S 1 ).
- the warped end portion (the cut surface S 1 ) of the belt remaining portion S may be displaced or deflected from the protecting portions 724 of the buckle 720 .
- the protecting portions 724 cannot sufficiently cover the belt remaining portion S. That is, the protecting portions 724 cannot effectively prevent the fingers h of workers from contacting the edges of the belt remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers h of workers cannot be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges of the remaining portion S.
- a cable tie may include a belt and a buckle to which a proximal end of the belt is connected.
- the belt wrapped around a clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the clamped article.
- an excess portion of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion, so that the clamped article can be clamped by the cable tie.
- the buckle has a protecting portion that is positioned adjacent to the outlet end of the insertion hole and is configured to cover both sides of the remaining portion of the belt.
- the remaining portion of the belt has a substantially rectangular cut surface.
- the protecting portion is configured to cover all of four corners of the substantially rectangular cut surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
- the remaining portion of the belt may be prevented from being warped. Therefore, a distal end portion of the remaining portion may be prevented from being displaced or deflected from the protecting portion.
- the protecting portion may effectively prevent the fingers of workers from directly contacting edges formed in the cut surface of the remaining portion. Therefore, the fingers of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges.
- the protection portion is tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt.
- the protecting portion of the buckle can be easily fitted into a slot formed in a tool head of a specialized tool that is used for treating the excess portion of the belt.
- the protection portion has arcuate bulged portions formed in a distal end thereof.
- the arcuate bulged portions are configured such that in a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, only top portions thereof enter a slot formed in the tool head.
- upper and lower margins of the central top portions of the arcuate bulged portions may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of the slot of the tool head. Therefore, in this condition, a relative position of the protecting portion to the tool head (the slot) may be determined in height direction. As a result, in such a condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head due to, for example, a fastening force that may be applied to the belt via the specialized tool, one of upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be effectively prevented from entering the slot of the tool head.
- one of the upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- a curvature of the arcuate bulged portions is determined such that even when an inclination is produced between an axis line of the protecting portion and a line perpendicular to an opening surface of the slot of the tool head in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the arcuate bulged portions do not interfere with a traveling path of a blade of an internal cutter of the specialized tool.
- the arcuate bulged portions may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- the protection portion has projected portions formed in a distal end thereof.
- the projected portions are configured such that in a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the projected portions enter a slot formed in the tool head.
- upper peripheries and lower peripheries of the projected portions may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of the slot of the tool head.
- a relative position of the protecting portion to the tool head may be determined in height direction.
- one of the upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a first representative embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1 , in which a belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion;
- FIG. 3 is an elevational view of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a first modified form of the cable tie
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a second modified form of the cable tie
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a third modified form of the cable tie
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a fourth modified form of the cable tie
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a second representative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 11 is an elevational view of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cable tie of which a belt is wrapped around a wiring harness, which shows a condition before an excess portion of the belt is cut off using a specialized tool;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a condition in which the specialized tool is applied to the cable tie;
- FIG. 16 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against a tool head of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by an internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 19 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined with respect to the tool head;
- FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 19 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 22 is a partially cross-sectional side view of a cable tie in a comparative example and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut an excess portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring harness;
- FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 25 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined with respect to the tool head;
- FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 25 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a third representative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 28 ;
- FIG. 30 is an elevational view of FIG. 29 ;
- FIG. 31 is a plan view of FIG. 29 ;
- FIG. 32 is a side view of FIG. 29 ;
- FIG. 33 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut an excess portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring harness;
- FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 33 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool;
- FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a conventional cable tie
- FIG. 37 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 36 , in which a belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion;
- FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37 , which illustrates disadvantages of the conventional cable tie.
- FIG. 1 to FIG. 35 Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 35 .
- a cable tie 1 (a clamping band) is intended to be used for clamping or binding a wiring harness W (a clamped article) that is used for vehicle wiring in order to attach the same to a body panel of a vehicle (an object member) (not shown).
- the cable tie 1 may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin.
- the cable tie 1 may include a desired length of flexible belt 10 (a holding member), a buckle 20 and an anchor 30 (an engagement leg).
- the belt 10 , the buckle 20 and the anchor 30 will be hereinafter described.
- the belt 10 may have a substantially constant width over the entire length thereof and may be configured to circumferentially hold the wiring harness W.
- the belt 10 may have a proximal end 10 a that is integrally connected to the buckle 20 (which will be hereinafter described). Further, the belt 10 may have a tapered distal end 10 b that may function as a free end.
- the belt 10 may have a plurality of engagement teeth or rack teeth 10 c that are formed in an inner surface thereof.
- the rack teeth 10 c may preferably be arranged at a constant pitch distance in a longitudinal direction of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 may have such a structure.
- the buckle 20 may have a box-shaped member having an insertion hole 22 that is formed therethrough.
- the insertion hole 22 may be configured such that the belt 10 is inserted thereinto.
- the insertion hole 22 may have an inlet end 22 a and an outlet end 22 b that are communicated with each other.
- the buckle 20 may have a protecting portion 24 that is formed therein.
- the protecting portion 24 may be positioned adjacent to the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 . Further, the protecting portion 24 may be configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining portion S of the belt 10 .
- the protecting portion 24 may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S 2 of a substantially rectangular cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 .
- the protecting portion 24 may preferably have an inner shape corresponding to the four corners S 2 of the cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 in cross section.
- the remaining portion S of the belt 10 may be formed when an excess portion of the belt 10 inserted into and drawn from the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 is cut off, which will be hereinafter described.
- the protecting portion 24 may preferably be tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle 20 toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt 10 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the buckle 20 may have one transverse wall (a lower wall in FIG. 2 ) to which the proximal end 10 a of the belt 10 is connected.
- the buckle 20 may have the other transverse wall (an upper wall in FIG. 2 ) to which the anchor 30 (which will be hereinafter described) is connected.
- the buckle 20 may have an engagement strip 26 formed in one transverse wall of the buckle 20 .
- the engagement strip 26 may be positioned in the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 .
- the engagement strip 26 may be configured to be bent or deformed toward and away from the other transverse wall of the buckle 20 (i.e., in a vertical direction of the buckle 20 ) about a proximal end portion thereof due to elasticity of the synthetic resin.
- the engagement strip 26 may have engagement claws 26 a that are formed in a distal end portion thereof.
- the engagement claws 26 a may be arranged and constructed to engage the rack teeth 10 c formed in the belt 10 inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 .
- the buckle 20 may have such a structure.
- the anchor 30 may be connected to the buckle 20 while a dish-shaped stabilizer 28 is interleaved therebetween.
- the anchor 30 may be configured to be inserted into and connected to an attaching hole (not shown) that is previously formed in the body panel (not shown) on a predetermined wiring route of the wiring harness W.
- the anchor 30 may includes a pillar 30 a that is projected from a central portion of the stabilizer 28 , and a pair of flexible strips 30 b that are respectively connected to a distal end of the pillar 30 a so as to be projected obliquely downward (toward the stabilizer 28 ) and outward therefrom.
- the anchor 30 may have such a structure.
- the belt 10 of the cable tie 1 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, the distal end 10 b of the belt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 through the inlet end 22 a and may then be drawn from the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 . Subsequently, the distal end 10 b of the belt 10 drawn from the buckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or fasten the belt 10 around the wiring harness W.
- the belt 10 may be pulled out of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack teeth 10 c formed therein successively contact the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 . Thereafter, when the belt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, the engagement claws 26 a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage the rack teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be temporarily tightened or fastened around the wiring harness W.
- the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20 may be processed or treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool (not shown).
- the protecting portion 24 of the buckle 20 may be fitted into a recess or open-sided slot formed in a mouthpiece or tool head of the specialized tool while the excess portion of the belt 10 is inserted into the slot.
- an operating lever or trigger of the specialized tool may be manipulated.
- the belt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition.
- the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 may selectively engage the engagement teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W.
- the excess portion of the belt 10 may be automatically cut off while leaving the remaining portion S.
- the wiring harness W can be clamped by the cable tie 1 (the belt 10 and the buckle 20 ).
- the anchor 30 of the cable tie 1 may be inserted into the attaching hole formed in the body panel.
- the anchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 1 can be connected to the body panel.
- the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via the cable tie 1 .
- the cable tie 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention may have a structure described above. That is, the buckle 20 may have the protecting portion 24 that is configured to cover the both sides and the outer surface of the belt remaining portion S which may be formed when the excess portion of the belt 10 is cut off.
- the protecting portion 24 may have the substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S 2 of the substantially rectangular cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 . Therefore, even if a tensional force is applied to the belt 10 via the wiring harness W due to a complicated wiring route of the wiring harness W, unlike the prior art, the remaining portion S of the belt 10 may be prevented from being warped.
- a distal end portion (the cut surface S 1 ) of the remaining portion S may be prevented from being displaced or deflected from the protecting portion 24 . That is, the protecting portion 24 can sufficiently cover the remaining portion S. As a result, the protecting portion 24 may effectively prevent the fingers of workers from directly contacting edges formed in the cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges formed in the cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S.
- the protecting portion 24 of the buckle 20 may be tapered from the proximal end toward the distal end in the width direction of the belt 10 . Therefore, the protecting portion 24 can be easily fitted into the slot formed in the tool head of the specialized tool.
- a protecting portion 124 may have a semicircular removed portion 112 formed therein.
- the cable tie 101 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs.
- a protecting portion 224 may have a semi-elliptical removed portion 212 formed therein. Similar to the first modified form, the cable tie 201 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs.
- a protecting portion 324 may have a semi-oval removed portion 312 formed therein. Similar to the first modified form, the cable tie 301 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs.
- a protecting portion 424 may be configured so as to completely surround the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 . That is, the protecting portion 424 may have a tubular shape. According to the cable tie 401 thus modified, a protecting portion 424 may function to cover the inner surface of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 as well as the both sides and the outer surface thereof. Further, in the cable tie 401 thus constructed, the protecting portion 424 may not be tapered from its proximal end toward its distal end in the width direction of the belt 10 . Therefore, the belt 10 of the cable tie 401 may be treated (tightened and cut off) using a different type of specialized tool of which a tool head is modified.
- FIGS. 9 to 27 A second detailed representative embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 27 . Further, because the second embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the first and second embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted.
- a cable tie 501 of the second embodiment may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin.
- the cable tie 501 may include the flexible belt 10 , the buckle 20 and the engagement leg or anchor 30 ( FIGS. 9-13 ).
- the buckle 20 may have a tubular member having the insertion hole 22 that is formed therethrough.
- the buckle 20 may have (right and left) side walls 20 a and 20 b , an upper wall 20 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the side walls 20 a and 20 b , and a lower wall 20 d bridging or connecting lower peripheries of the side walls 20 a and 20 b.
- the buckle 20 may have a protecting portion 524 that is formed therein.
- the protecting portion 524 may be positioned adjacent to the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 . Further, the protecting portion 524 may be configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining portion S of the belt 10 .
- the protecting portion 524 may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S 2 of a substantially rectangular cut surface S 1 of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 .
- the protecting portion 524 may have (right and left) side walls 524 a and 524 b each having a substantially L-shape in cross section, and an upper wall 524 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the side walls 524 a and 524 b .
- the remaining portion S may be formed when an excess portion of the belt 10 inserted into and drawn from the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 is cut off, which will be hereinafter described.
- the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 may respectively be configured to be thinner than the side walls 20 a and 20 b of the buckle 20 .
- the upper wall 524 c of the protecting portion 524 may preferably be configured so as to be flush with the upper wall 20 c of the buckle 20 .
- forward or distal end surfaces of the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 may respectively be bulged in an arcuate or circular arc shape.
- the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 may respectively have curved or arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the forward or distal end surfaces thereof.
- the bulged portions 540 and 542 may respectively be specially shaped (which will be hereinafter described).
- the belt 10 of the cable tie 501 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, the distal end 10 b of the belt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 through the inlet end 22 a and may then be drawn from the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 . Subsequently, the distal end 10 b of the belt 10 drawn from the buckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or fasten (lock) the belt 10 ( FIG. 14 ).
- the belt 10 may be pulled out of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack teeth 10 c of the belt 10 successively contact the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 . Thereafter, when the belt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, the engagement claws 26 a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage the rack teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W ( FIG. 14 ).
- the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20 may be treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool 50 ( FIG. 15 ).
- the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be pressed against a mouthpiece or tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 while the excess portion (a substantial portion containing the distal end 10 b ) of the belt 10 is inserted into a recess or open-sided slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of the specialized tool.
- the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may respectively be pressed against the slot 54 formed in the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 .
- upper and lower margins of the top portions 540 a and 542 a of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries 54 a and 54 b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- a relative position of the protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction.
- the specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e., an operating lever or trigger 50 a of the specialized tool 50 may be manipulated).
- the belt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition.
- the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 may selectively engage the engagement teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W.
- an internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 may be projected into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 , so that a blade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 may move along its traveling path L 3 .
- the excess portion of the belt 10 drawn from the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S.
- the desired fastened condition of the belt 10 may be slightly released or loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut surface S 1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 may substantially be pulled back inside the protecting portion 524 . As a result, the cut surface S 1 may be prevented from projecting from the protecting portion 524 (the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 ).
- a curvature (degree of curve) of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may preferably be configured such that in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10 , the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may not interfere with the traveling path L 3 of the blade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 ( FIG. 18 ).
- the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be configured such that the curvature thereof is smaller than a curvature of a circle P passing through the upper and lower peripheries 54 a and 54 b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 and contacting the traveling path L 3 .
- the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52 beyond the traveling path L 3 of the blade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 ( FIGS. 16 to 18 ).
- the relative position of the protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction while the top portions 540 a and 542 a of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 enter the slot 54 of the tool head 52 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19 , even when the protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50 , one of upper and lower peripheries 524 d of the protecting portion 524 may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- the belt 10 temporarily locked to the buckle 20 may be treated using the specialized tool 50 .
- one of the upper and lower peripheries 424 a ′ of the protecting portion 424 ′ may be partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 to form cut pieces C at the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut off.
- the cable tie 501 of the second embodiment may have a structure described above. That is, the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 may respectively have the curved or arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the distal end surfaces thereof.
- the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may preferably be arranged and constructed such that in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10 , only the top portions 540 a and 542 a thereof may enter the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- the upper and lower margins of the top portions 540 a and 542 a of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may respectively contact the upper and lower peripheries 54 a and 54 b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 . Therefore, in this condition, the relative position of the protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54 ) may be determined in height direction.
- the relative position of the protecting portion 524 to the tool head 52 may be determined. Therefore, even when the protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50 , one of the upper and lower peripheries 524 d of the protecting portion 524 may be effectively prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- one of the upper and lower peripheries 524 d of the protecting portion 524 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut off.
- the curvature of the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be determined such that even when the axis line L 1 of the protecting portion 524 is inclined with respect to the line L 2 perpendicular to the opening surface 54 c of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10 , the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 may not interfere with the traveling path L 3 of the blade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 .
- the arcuate bulged portions 540 and 542 formed in the protecting portion 524 of the buckle 20 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut off.
- FIGS. 28 to 35 A third detailed representative embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 35 . Further, because the third embodiment relates to the second embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the second embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the second and third embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted.
- a cable tie 601 may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin.
- the cable tie 601 may include the flexible belt 10 , the buckle 20 and the engagement leg or anchor 30 ( FIGS. 28-32 ).
- the buckle 20 may have a protecting portion 624 that is formed therein.
- the protecting portion 624 may have (right and left) side walls 624 a and 624 b each having a substantially L-shape in cross section, and an upper wall 624 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of the side walls 624 a and 624 b.
- the belt 10 may be pulled out of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 while the rack teeth 10 c of the belt 10 successively contact the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 . Thereafter, when the belt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, the engagement claws 26 a of the engagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage the rack teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W.
- the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may preferably be arranged and constructed so as to enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 when the protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10 . Therefore, at this time, the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 ( FIG. 33 ).
- upper and lower peripheries 640 a and 642 a of the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may respectively contact the upper and lower peripheries 54 a and 54 b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- a relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction.
- the specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e., the trigger 50 a of the specialized tool 50 may be manipulated).
- the belt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until the belt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition.
- the engagement claws 26 a formed in the engagement strip 26 of the buckle 20 may selectively engage the engagement teeth 10 c of the belt 10 .
- the belt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to the buckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W.
- the internal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 may be projected into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 , so that the blade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 may move along the traveling path L 3 .
- the excess portion of the belt 10 drawn from the outlet end 22 b of the insertion hole 22 of the buckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S.
- the desired fastened condition of the belt 10 may be slightly released or loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut surface S 1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of the belt 10 may substantially be pulled back inside the protecting portion 624 . As a result, the cut surface S 1 may be prevented from projecting from the protecting portion 624 (the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 ).
- the wiring harness W can be clamped by the cable tie 601 (the belt 10 and the buckle 20 ). Thereafter, the anchor 30 of the cable tie 601 may be inserted into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, the anchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that the cable tie 601 can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via the cable tie 601 .
- the relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction while the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 are introduced into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 . Therefore, even when the protecting portion 624 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50 , one of upper and lower peripheries 624 d of the protecting portion 624 may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- one of the upper and lower peripheries 624 d of the protecting portion 624 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of the belt 10 may be cut off.
- the cable tie 601 of the third embodiment may have a structure described above. That is, the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may respectively be formed in the distal end surfaces of the side walls 624 a and 624 b of the protecting portion 624 .
- the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may preferably be arranged and constructed so as to enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion 624 of the buckle 20 is pressed against the tool head 52 of the specialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of the belt 10 .
- the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may enter or fit into the slot 54 of the tool head 52 , so that the upper and lower peripheries 640 a and 642 a of the rounded projected portions 640 and 642 may respectively contact the upper and lower peripheries 54 a and 54 b of the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- the relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction.
- the relative position of the protecting portion 624 to the tool head 52 may be determined in height direction. Therefore, in such a pressed condition, even when the protecting portion 624 is inclined with respect to the tool head 52 due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to the belt 10 via the specialized tool 50 , one of upper and lower peripheries 624 d of the protecting portion 624 may be prevented from entering the slot 54 of the tool head 52 .
- the wiring harness W is exemplified as the clamped article.
- the clamped article may be a single cable or other such cable-like members.
- the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 are respectively configured to be thinner than the side walls 20 a and 20 b of the buckle 20 .
- the upper wall 524 c of the protecting portion 524 is configured so as to be flush with the upper wall 20 c of the buckle 20 ( FIG. 11 ).
- each of the side walls 524 a and 524 b of the protecting portion 524 may be configured so as to be flush with each of the side walls 20 a and 20 b of the buckle 20 .
- the upper wall 524 c of the protecting portion 524 may be configured to be thinner than the upper wall 20 c of the buckle 20 .
- the side walls 524 a and 524 b and/or the upper wall 524 c of the protecting portion 524 may respectively be configured to be thinner than the side walls 20 a and 20 b and/or the upper wall 20 c of the buckle 20 .
Abstract
A cable tie may include a belt and a buckle to which a proximal end of the belt is connected. When the belt wrapped around a clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the clamped article. After the belt is locked to the buckle, an excess portion of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion. The buckle has a protecting portion that is configured to cover both sides of the remaining portion of the belt. The protecting portion is configured to cover all of four corners of a cut surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
Description
- Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a cable tie (a clamping band). More particularly, the present invention relates to a cable tie for clamping or binding a clamped article (e.g., a wiring harness) in order to attach the same to an object member (e.g. a body panel of a vehicle).
- Description of Related Art
- A known cable tie is taught by, for example, JP 2012-137145A. As shown in
FIGS. 36 to 38 , the knowncable tie 701 is intended to be used for clamping or binding a wiring harness (a clamped article W) that is used for vehicle wiring in order to attach the same to a body panel of a vehicle (an object member) (not shown). Thecable tie 701 includes a desired length of flexible belt 710 (a holding member) that is configured to circumferentially hold the wiring harness W, abuckle 720 to which one longitudinal end of thebelt 710 is connected, and an engagement leg oranchor 730 integrally connected to thebuckle 720 and configured to be inserted into an attaching hole (not shown) formed in the body panel of the vehicle. - In order to clamp the wiring harness W, the
belt 710 is looped and the wiring harness W. Thereafter, a leading end of thewrapped belt 710 is inserted into aninsertion hole 722 formed in thebuckle 720 and is then drawn from anoutlet 722 b of theinsertion hole 722 of thebuckle 720. Thereafter, thebelt 710 is tightened or fastened by pulling the leading end thereof drawn from thebuckle 720. At this time, anengagement claw 760 a formed in anengagement strip 760 of thebuckle 720 can selectively engageengagement teeth 710 a of thebelt 710, so that thebelt 710 can be locked or secured to thebuckle 720 while thebelt 710 is fastened around the wiring harness W. Thus, the wiring harness W can be clamped by the fastenedbelt 710 and thebuckle 720. Subsequently, theanchor 730 is inserted into the attaching hole of the body panel. As a result, theanchor 730 can be fixed to the body panel, so that thecable tie 701 can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via thecable tie 701. - Generally, an excess portion of the
belt 710 drawn from thebuckle 720 and tightened may preferably be cut off while leaving a required length of remaining portion S. The belt remaining portion S may generally have edges formed in a cut surface S1 thereof. However, thebuckle 720 has a pair of protectingportions 724 formed therein. The protectingportions 724 are positioned across theoutlet 722 b of theinsertion hole 722 so as to laterally cover the belt remaining portion S. The protectingportions 724 of thebuckle 720 may prevent the fingers h (FIG. 38 ) of workers from contacting the edges of the belt remaining portion S. As a result, the fingers h of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges of the belt remaining portion S. - However, as shown in
FIG. 38 , in the knowncable tie 701 taught by JP 2012-137145A, the remaining portion S of thebelt 710 tends to warp in an end portion (a portion adjacent to the cut surface S1). When the belt remaining portion S of thebelt 710 is warped, the warped end portion (the cut surface S1) of the belt remaining portion S may be displaced or deflected from the protectingportions 724 of thebuckle 720. As a result, the protectingportions 724 cannot sufficiently cover the belt remaining portion S. That is, the protectingportions 724 cannot effectively prevent the fingers h of workers from contacting the edges of the belt remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers h of workers cannot be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges of the remaining portion S. - Thus, there is a need in the art for improved cable ties.
- For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a cable tie may include a belt and a buckle to which a proximal end of the belt is connected. When the belt wrapped around a clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the clamped article. After the belt is locked to the buckle, an excess portion of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion, so that the clamped article can be clamped by the cable tie. The buckle has a protecting portion that is positioned adjacent to the outlet end of the insertion hole and is configured to cover both sides of the remaining portion of the belt. The remaining portion of the belt has a substantially rectangular cut surface. The protecting portion is configured to cover all of four corners of the substantially rectangular cut surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
- According to this aspect, unlike the prior art, even if a tensional force is applied to the belt via the clamped article due to, for example, a complicated wiring route of the clamped article, the remaining portion of the belt may be prevented from being warped. Therefore, a distal end portion of the remaining portion may be prevented from being displaced or deflected from the protecting portion. As a result, the protecting portion may effectively prevent the fingers of workers from directly contacting edges formed in the cut surface of the remaining portion. Therefore, the fingers of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the protection portion is tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt.
- According to this aspect, the protecting portion of the buckle can be easily fitted into a slot formed in a tool head of a specialized tool that is used for treating the excess portion of the belt.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the protection portion has arcuate bulged portions formed in a distal end thereof. The arcuate bulged portions are configured such that in a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, only top portions thereof enter a slot formed in the tool head.
- According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, upper and lower margins of the central top portions of the arcuate bulged portions may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of the slot of the tool head. Therefore, in this condition, a relative position of the protecting portion to the tool head (the slot) may be determined in height direction. As a result, in such a condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head due to, for example, a fastening force that may be applied to the belt via the specialized tool, one of upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be effectively prevented from entering the slot of the tool head. Therefore, even when the specialized tool is operated (even when a trigger is manipulated) in such a condition in which the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head, one of the upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a curvature of the arcuate bulged portions is determined such that even when an inclination is produced between an axis line of the protecting portion and a line perpendicular to an opening surface of the slot of the tool head in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the arcuate bulged portions do not interfere with a traveling path of a blade of an internal cutter of the specialized tool.
- According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head of the specialized tool, the arcuate bulged portions may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by the internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the protection portion has projected portions formed in a distal end thereof. The projected portions are configured such that in a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the projected portions enter a slot formed in the tool head.
- According to this aspect, in the pressed condition, upper peripheries and lower peripheries of the projected portions may respectively contact upper and lower peripheries of the slot of the tool head. Thus, a relative position of the protecting portion to the tool head may be determined in height direction. In such a condition, even when the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head due to, for example, a fastening force that may be applied to the belt via the specialized tool, one of upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from entering the slot of the tool head. As a result, even when the specialized tool is operated (even when a trigger is manipulated) in a condition in which the protecting portion is inclined with respect to the tool head, one of the upper and lower peripheries of the protecting portion may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by an internal cutter at the same time as the excess portion of the belt may be cut off.
- Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and the claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a first representative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 1 , in which a belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion; -
FIG. 3 is an elevational view ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a plan view ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 5 is a view similar toFIG. 2 , which illustrates a first modified form of the cable tie; -
FIG. 6 is a view similar toFIG. 2 , which illustrates a second modified form of the cable tie; -
FIG. 7 is a view similar toFIG. 2 , which illustrates a third modified form of the cable tie; -
FIG. 8 is a view similar toFIG. 2 , which illustrates a fourth modified form of the cable tie; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a second representative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is an elevational view ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 13 is a side view ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cable tie of which a belt is wrapped around a wiring harness, which shows a condition before an excess portion of the belt is cut off using a specialized tool; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a condition in which the specialized tool is applied to the cable tie; -
FIG. 16 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against a tool head of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 17 is a view similar toFIG. 16 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by an internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 18 is a view similar toFIG. 16 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 19 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined with respect to the tool head; -
FIG. 20 is a view similar toFIG. 19 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 21 is a view similar toFIG. 19 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 22 is a partially cross-sectional side view of a cable tie in a comparative example and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut an excess portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring harness; -
FIG. 23 is a view similar toFIG. 22 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 24 is a view similar toFIG. 22 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 25 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which the protecting portion formed in the buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool while it is inclined with respect to the tool head; -
FIG. 26 is a view similar toFIG. 25 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 27 is a view similar toFIG. 25 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cable tie according to a third representative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 28 ; -
FIG. 30 is an elevational view ofFIG. 29 ; -
FIG. 31 is a plan view ofFIG. 29 ; -
FIG. 32 is a side view ofFIG. 29 ; -
FIG. 33 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the cable tie and the specialized tool, which shows a pressed condition in which a protecting portion formed in a buckle is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut an excess portion of a belt wrapped around a wiring harness; -
FIG. 34 is a view similar toFIG. 33 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is being cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 35 is a view similar toFIG. 33 , which shows a condition in which the excess portion of the belt is completely cut by the internal cutter of the specialized tool; -
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a conventional cable tie; -
FIG. 37 is a partially enlarged view ofFIG. 36 , in which a belt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a buckle and in which an excess portion of the belt drawn from the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion; and -
FIG. 38 is a view similar toFIG. 37 , which illustrates disadvantages of the conventional cable tie. - Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention are shown in
FIG. 1 toFIG. 35 . - A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4 . As shown inFIG. 1 , a cable tie 1 (a clamping band) is intended to be used for clamping or binding a wiring harness W (a clamped article) that is used for vehicle wiring in order to attach the same to a body panel of a vehicle (an object member) (not shown). - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thecable tie 1 may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin. Thecable tie 1 may include a desired length of flexible belt 10 (a holding member), abuckle 20 and an anchor 30 (an engagement leg). Thebelt 10, thebuckle 20 and theanchor 30 will be hereinafter described. - First, the
belt 10 will be described (FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Thebelt 10 may have a substantially constant width over the entire length thereof and may be configured to circumferentially hold the wiring harness W. Thebelt 10 may have aproximal end 10 a that is integrally connected to the buckle 20 (which will be hereinafter described). Further, thebelt 10 may have a tapereddistal end 10 b that may function as a free end. - The
belt 10 may have a plurality of engagement teeth or rackteeth 10 c that are formed in an inner surface thereof. Therack teeth 10 c may preferably be arranged at a constant pitch distance in a longitudinal direction of thebelt 10. Thebelt 10 may have such a structure. - Next, the
buckle 20 will be described (FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Thebuckle 20 may have a box-shaped member having aninsertion hole 22 that is formed therethrough. Theinsertion hole 22 may be configured such that thebelt 10 is inserted thereinto. Theinsertion hole 22 may have aninlet end 22 a and anoutlet end 22 b that are communicated with each other. Thebuckle 20 may have a protectingportion 24 that is formed therein. The protectingportion 24 may be positioned adjacent to theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22. Further, the protectingportion 24 may be configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining portion S of thebelt 10. In particular, the protectingportion 24 may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S2 of a substantially rectangular cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10. In other words, the protectingportion 24 may preferably have an inner shape corresponding to the four corners S2 of the cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 in cross section. Further, the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 may be formed when an excess portion of thebelt 10 inserted into and drawn from theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 is cut off, which will be hereinafter described. - The protecting
portion 24 may preferably be tapered from a proximal end connected to thebuckle 20 toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt 10 (FIG. 2 ). Further, thebuckle 20 may have one transverse wall (a lower wall inFIG. 2 ) to which theproximal end 10 a of thebelt 10 is connected. Conversely, thebuckle 20 may have the other transverse wall (an upper wall inFIG. 2 ) to which the anchor 30 (which will be hereinafter described) is connected. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thebuckle 20 may have anengagement strip 26 formed in one transverse wall of thebuckle 20. Theengagement strip 26 may be positioned in theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20. Theengagement strip 26 may be configured to be bent or deformed toward and away from the other transverse wall of the buckle 20 (i.e., in a vertical direction of the buckle 20) about a proximal end portion thereof due to elasticity of the synthetic resin. Further, theengagement strip 26 may haveengagement claws 26 a that are formed in a distal end portion thereof. Theengagement claws 26 a may be arranged and constructed to engage therack teeth 10 c formed in thebelt 10 inserted into theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20. Thebuckle 20 may have such a structure. - Finally, the
anchor 30 will be described (FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Theanchor 30 may be connected to thebuckle 20 while a dish-shapedstabilizer 28 is interleaved therebetween. Theanchor 30 may be configured to be inserted into and connected to an attaching hole (not shown) that is previously formed in the body panel (not shown) on a predetermined wiring route of the wiring harness W. In particular, theanchor 30 may includes apillar 30 a that is projected from a central portion of thestabilizer 28, and a pair offlexible strips 30 b that are respectively connected to a distal end of thepillar 30 a so as to be projected obliquely downward (toward the stabilizer 28) and outward therefrom. Theanchor 30 may have such a structure. - Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring harness W to the body panel will be described. First, the
belt 10 of thecable tie 1 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted into theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 through the inlet end 22 a and may then be drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22. Subsequently, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 drawn from thebuckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or fasten thebelt 10 around the wiring harness W. Due to the temporary tightening operation of thebelt 10, thebelt 10 may be pulled out of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 while therack teeth 10 c formed therein successively contact theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20. Thereafter, when thebelt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a of theengagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage therack teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. Thus, thebelt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be temporarily tightened or fastened around the wiring harness W. - Thereafter, the
belt 10 temporarily locked to thebuckle 20 may be processed or treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool (not shown). In particular, the protectingportion 24 of thebuckle 20 may be fitted into a recess or open-sided slot formed in a mouthpiece or tool head of the specialized tool while the excess portion of thebelt 10 is inserted into the slot. Subsequently, an operating lever or trigger of the specialized tool may be manipulated. Upon manipulation of the trigger, thebelt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until thebelt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition. When thebelt 10 reaches the desired fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20 may selectively engage theengagement teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. As a result, thebelt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W. - After the
belt 10 is locked to thebuckle 20, the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be automatically cut off while leaving the remaining portion S. Thus, the wiring harness W can be clamped by the cable tie 1 (thebelt 10 and the buckle 20). Thereafter, theanchor 30 of thecable tie 1 may be inserted into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, theanchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that thecable tie 1 can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via thecable tie 1. - The
cable tie 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention may have a structure described above. That is, thebuckle 20 may have the protectingportion 24 that is configured to cover the both sides and the outer surface of the belt remaining portion S which may be formed when the excess portion of thebelt 10 is cut off. In particular, the protectingportion 24 may have the substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S2 of the substantially rectangular cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10. Therefore, even if a tensional force is applied to thebelt 10 via the wiring harness W due to a complicated wiring route of the wiring harness W, unlike the prior art, the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 may be prevented from being warped. Therefore, a distal end portion (the cut surface S1) of the remaining portion S may be prevented from being displaced or deflected from the protectingportion 24. That is, the protectingportion 24 can sufficiently cover the remaining portion S. As a result, the protectingportion 24 may effectively prevent the fingers of workers from directly contacting edges formed in the cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S. Therefore, the fingers of workers can be effectively prevented from being irritated or injured by the edges formed in the cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S. - Further, according to the structure, the protecting
portion 24 of thebuckle 20 may be tapered from the proximal end toward the distal end in the width direction of thebelt 10. Therefore, the protectingportion 24 can be easily fitted into the slot formed in the tool head of the specialized tool. - Modified forms of the representative embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 5 to 9 . As shown inFIG. 5 , in a cable tie 101 (a first modified form of the cable tie 1), a protectingportion 124 may have a semicircular removedportion 112 formed therein. Thecable tie 101 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , in a cable tie 201 (a second modified form of the cable tie 1), a protectingportion 224 may have a semi-ellipticalremoved portion 212 formed therein. Similar to the first modified form, thecable tie 201 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , in a cable tie 301 (a third modified form of the cable tie 1), a protectingportion 324 may have a semi-ovalremoved portion 312 formed therein. Similar to the first modified form, thecable tie 301 thus modified may have additional effects, e.g., reduction in weight and material costs. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in a cable tie 401 (a fourth modified form of the cable tie 1), a protectingportion 424 may be configured so as to completely surround theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20. That is, the protectingportion 424 may have a tubular shape. According to thecable tie 401 thus modified, a protectingportion 424 may function to cover the inner surface of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 as well as the both sides and the outer surface thereof. Further, in thecable tie 401 thus constructed, the protectingportion 424 may not be tapered from its proximal end toward its distal end in the width direction of thebelt 10. Therefore, thebelt 10 of thecable tie 401 may be treated (tightened and cut off) using a different type of specialized tool of which a tool head is modified. - A second detailed representative embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 9 to 27 . Further, because the second embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the first and second embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. - Similar to the
cable tie 1 of the first embodiment, acable tie 501 of the second embodiment may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin. Thecable tie 501 may include theflexible belt 10, thebuckle 20 and the engagement leg or anchor 30 (FIGS. 9-13 ). - The
buckle 20 may have a tubular member having theinsertion hole 22 that is formed therethrough. In particular, thebuckle 20 may have (right and left)side walls upper wall 20 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of theside walls lower wall 20 d bridging or connecting lower peripheries of theside walls - Similar to the first embodiment, the
buckle 20 may have a protectingportion 524 that is formed therein. The protectingportion 524 may be positioned adjacent to theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22. Further, the protectingportion 524 may be configured to cover both sides and an outer surface of a remaining portion S of thebelt 10. In particular, the protectingportion 524 may preferably have a substantially C-shape in cross section so as to cover all of four corners S2 of a substantially rectangular cut surface S1 of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10. That is, the protectingportion 524 may have (right and left)side walls upper wall 524 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of theside walls belt 10 inserted into and drawn from theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 is cut off, which will be hereinafter described. - As will be apparent from
FIG. 11 , theside walls portion 524 may respectively be configured to be thinner than theside walls buckle 20. Further, theupper wall 524 c of the protectingportion 524 may preferably be configured so as to be flush with theupper wall 20 c of thebuckle 20. - As best shown in
FIG. 13 , forward or distal end surfaces of theside walls portion 524 may respectively be bulged in an arcuate or circular arc shape. In other words, theside walls portion 524 may respectively have curved or arcuate bulgedportions portions - Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring harness W to the body panel using the
cable tie 501 will be described. First, similar to the first embodiment, thebelt 10 of thecable tie 501 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted into theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 through the inlet end 22 a and may then be drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22. Subsequently, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 drawn from thebuckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or fasten (lock) the belt 10 (FIG. 14 ). Due to the temporary tightening operation of thebelt 10, thebelt 10 may be pulled out of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 while therack teeth 10 c of thebelt 10 successively contact theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20. Thereafter, when thebelt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a of theengagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage therack teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. Thus, thebelt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W (FIG. 14 ). - Thereafter, the
belt 10 temporarily locked to thebuckle 20 may be treated using a (gun-type) specialized tool 50 (FIG. 15 ). In particular, the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 may be pressed against a mouthpiece ortool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 while the excess portion (a substantial portion containing thedistal end 10 b) of thebelt 10 is inserted into a recess or open-sided slot 54 formed in thetool head 52 of the specialized tool. As a result, as shown inFIG. 16 , the arcuate bulgedportions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 may respectively be pressed against theslot 54 formed in thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50. However, as previously described, the arcuate bulgedportions portions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10, onlytop portions slot 54 of thetool head 52. Therefore, at this time, only thetop portions portions slot 54 of thetool head 52. - As a result, as shown in
FIG. 16 , upper and lower margins of thetop portions portions lower peripheries slot 54 of thetool head 52. Thus, in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, a relative position of the protectingportion 524 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction. - Subsequently, the
specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e., an operating lever or trigger 50 a of thespecialized tool 50 may be manipulated). Upon manipulation of thetrigger 50 a, thebelt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until thebelt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition. When thebelt 10 reaches the desired fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20 may selectively engage theengagement teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. As a result, thebelt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W. - As shown in
FIG. 17 , after thebelt 10 is locked to thebuckle 20, aninternal cutter 56 of thespecialized tool 50 may be projected into theslot 54 of thetool head 52, so that ablade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 may move along its traveling path L3. As a result, as shown inFIG. 18 , the excess portion of thebelt 10 drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S. - Further, as will be apparent from
FIGS. 17 and 18 , upon completion of a cutting operation of thebelt 10, the desired fastened condition of thebelt 10 may be slightly released or loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut surface S1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 may substantially be pulled back inside the protectingportion 524. As a result, the cut surface S1 may be prevented from projecting from the protecting portion 524 (the arcuate bulgedportions 540 and 542). - Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the wiring harness W can be clamped by the cable tie 501 (the
belt 10 and the buckle 20). Thereafter, theanchor 30 of thecable tie 501 may be inserted into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, theanchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that thecable tie 501 can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via thecable tie 501. - Further, a curvature (degree of curve) of the arcuate bulged
portions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10, the arcuate bulgedportions blade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 (FIG. 18 ). In addition, the curvature of the arcuate bulgedportions portion 524 and a line L2 perpendicular to an openingsurface 54 c of theslot 54 of thetool head 52 in such a pressed condition, the arcuate bulgedportions blade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 (FIG. 21 ). As will be recognized, the inclination θ may sometimes be produced due to, for example, a fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50. - In particular, as shown in
FIG. 16 , the arcuate bulgedportions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 may be configured such that the curvature thereof is smaller than a curvature of a circle P passing through the upper andlower peripheries slot 54 of thetool head 52 and contacting the traveling path L3. Therefore, in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the arcuate bulgedportions 540 and 542 (thetop portions slot 54 of thetool head 52 beyond the traveling path L3 of theblade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 of the specialized tool 50 (FIGS. 16 to 18 ). Further, even when the substantial inclination θ is produced between the axis line L1 of the protectingportion 524 and the line L2 perpendicular to the openingsurface 54 c of theslot 54 of thetool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the arcuate bulgedportions 540 and 542 (thetop portions slot 54 of thetool head 52 beyond the traveling path L3 of theblade 56 a of the internal cutter 56 (FIGS. 19 to 21 ). - As described above, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the relative position of the protectingportion 524 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction while thetop portions portions slot 54 of thetool head 52. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 19 , even when the protectingportion 524 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50, one of upper andlower peripheries 524 d of the protectingportion 524 may be prevented from entering theslot 54 of thetool head 52. As a result, as shown inFIGS. 20 and 21 , even when thespecialized tool 50 is operated (even when thetrigger 50 a is manipulated) in a condition in which the protectingportion 524 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52, one of the upper andlower peripheries 524 d of the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. - To the contrary, as shown in
FIGS. 22 to 24 , in acable tie 401′ (a comparative example) in which forward or distal end surfaces of side walls of a protectingportion 424′ of thebuckle 20 are respectively flattened (i.e., in which the side walls of the protectingportion 424′ are not respectively bulged in the forward or distal end surfaces thereof), similar to thecable tie 501 of the second embodiment, thebelt 10 temporarily locked to thebuckle 20 may be treated using thespecialized tool 50. In particular, the protectingportion 424′ of thebuckle 20 may be pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 while the excess portion of thebelt 10 drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22 is inserted into theslot 54 formed in thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50. Subsequently, thespecialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e., thetrigger 50 a may be manipulated). As a result, thebelt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to thebuckle 20. After thebelt 10 is locked to thebuckle 20, theinternal cutter 56 of thespecialized tool 50 may be projected into theslot 54 of thetool head 52, so that theblade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 may move along the traveling path L3. Thus, the excess portion of thebelt 10 drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S (FIG. 24 ). - However, in the
cable tie 401′, in a pressed condition in which the protectingportion 424′ of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, a relative position of the protectingportion 424′ to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) cannot be determined in height direction because unlike thecable tie 501 of the second embodiment, the distal end surfaces of side walls of the protectingportion 424′ are respectively flattened and not bulged. - Therefore, as shown in
FIG. 25 , in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 424′ of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, when the protectingportion 424′ of thebuckle 20 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50, one of upper andlower peripheries 424 a′ of the protectingportion 424′ may enter theslot 54 of thetool head 52 to interfere with the traveling path L3 of theblade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 of thespecialized tool 50. As a result, as shown inFIGS. 26 and 27 , when thespecialized tool 50 is operated in a condition in which the protectingportion 424′ is inclined with respect to thetool head 52, one of the upper andlower peripheries 424 a′ of the protectingportion 424′ may be partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 to form cut pieces C at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. - The
cable tie 501 of the second embodiment may have a structure described above. That is, theside walls portion 524 may respectively have the curved or arcuate bulgedportions portions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10, only thetop portions slot 54 of thetool head 52. - As a result, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the upper and lower margins of thetop portions portions lower peripheries slot 54 of thetool head 52. Therefore, in this condition, the relative position of the protectingportion 524 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction. - Thus, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the relative position of the protectingportion 524 to thetool head 52 may be determined. Therefore, even when the protectingportion 524 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50, one of the upper andlower peripheries 524 d of the protectingportion 524 may be effectively prevented from entering theslot 54 of thetool head 52. As a result, even when thespecialized tool 50 is operated (even when thetrigger 50 a is manipulated) in a condition in which the protectingportion 524 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52, one of the upper andlower peripheries 524 d of the protectingportion 524 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. - Further, in the
cable tie 501, the curvature of the arcuate bulgedportions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 may be determined such that even when the axis line L1 of the protectingportion 524 is inclined with respect to the line L2 perpendicular to the openingsurface 54 c of theslot 54 of thetool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10, the arcuate bulgedportions blade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56. - Therefore, even when the protecting
portion 524 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 524 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the arcuate bulgedportions portion 524 of thebuckle 20 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. - A third detailed representative embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 28 to 35 . Further, because the third embodiment relates to the second embodiment, only the constructions and elements that are different from the second embodiment will be explained in detail. Elements that are the same in the second and third embodiments will be identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such elements may be omitted. - Similar to the
cable tie 501 of the second embodiment, acable tie 601 may be integrally formed as a unit by integral molding of a rigid synthetic resin. Thecable tie 601 may include theflexible belt 10, thebuckle 20 and the engagement leg or anchor 30 (FIGS. 28-32 ). - Similar to the second embodiment, the
buckle 20 may have a protectingportion 624 that is formed therein. The protectingportion 624 may have (right and left)side walls upper wall 624 c bridging or connecting upper peripheries of theside walls - As best shown in
FIG. 32 , forward or distal end surfaces of theside walls portion 624 may respectively be partially protruded. In other words, the protectingportion 624 may have rounded projectedportions side walls - Next, an attaching operation for attaching the wiring harness W to the body panel using the
cable tie 601 will be described. First, similar to the second embodiment, thebelt 10 of thecable tie 601 may be looped and the wiring harness W in order to clamp the wiring harness W. Thereafter, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 wrapped around the wiring harness W may be inserted into theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 through the inlet end 22 a and may then be drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22. Subsequently, thedistal end 10 b of thebelt 10 drawn from thebuckle 20 may be pulled in order to temporarily tighten or fasten (lock) thebelt 10. Due to the temporary tightening operation of thebelt 10, thebelt 10 may be pulled out of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 while therack teeth 10 c of thebelt 10 successively contact theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20. Thereafter, when thebelt 10 reaches a desired temporarily fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a of theengagement strip 26 may temporarily selectively engage therack teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. Thus, thebelt 10 can be temporarily locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W. - Thereafter, the
belt 10 temporarily locked to thebuckle 20 may be treated using thespecialized tool 50. In particular, the protectingportion 624 of thebuckle 20 may be pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 while the excess portion (a substantial portion containing thedistal end 10 b) of thebelt 10 is inserted into a recess orslot 54 formed in thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50. As a result, as shown inFIG. 33 , the rounded projectedportions portion 624 of thebuckle 20 may respectively be pressed against theslot 54 formed in thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50. However, the rounded projectedportions portions slot 54 of thetool head 52 when the protectingportion 624 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10. Therefore, at this time, the rounded projectedportions slot 54 of the tool head 52 (FIG. 33 ). - As a result, as shown in
FIG. 33 , upper andlower peripheries portions lower peripheries slot 54 of thetool head 52. Thus, in a pressed condition in which the protectingportion 624 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, a relative position of the protectingportion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction. - Subsequently, the
specialized tool 50 may be operated (i.e., thetrigger 50 a of thespecialized tool 50 may be manipulated). Upon manipulation of thetrigger 50 a, thebelt 10 temporarily fastened around the wiring harness W may be sufficiently tightened or fastened until thebelt 10 reaches a desired fastened condition. When thebelt 10 reaches the desired fastened condition, theengagement claws 26 a formed in theengagement strip 26 of thebuckle 20 may selectively engage theengagement teeth 10 c of thebelt 10. As a result, thebelt 10 is ultimately locked or secured to thebuckle 20 so as to be completely fastened around the wiring harness W. - As shown in
FIG. 34 , after thebelt 10 is locked to thebuckle 20, theinternal cutter 56 of thespecialized tool 50 may be projected into theslot 54 of thetool head 52, so that theblade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 may move along the traveling path L3. As a result, as shown inFIG. 35 , the excess portion of thebelt 10 drawn from theoutlet end 22 b of theinsertion hole 22 of thebuckle 20 may be cut off while leaving the remaining portion S. - Further, as will be apparent from
FIGS. 34 and 35 , upon completion of a cutting operation of thebelt 10, the desired fastened condition of thebelt 10 may be slightly released or loosened (i.e., a backlash may be produced). Therefore, the cut surface S1 (end portion) of the remaining portion S of thebelt 10 may substantially be pulled back inside the protectingportion 624. As a result, the cut surface S1 may be prevented from projecting from the protecting portion 624 (the rounded projectedportions 640 and 642). - Thus, similar to the second embodiment, the wiring harness W can be clamped by the cable tie 601 (the
belt 10 and the buckle 20). Thereafter, theanchor 30 of thecable tie 601 may be inserted into the attaching hole formed in the body panel. As a result, theanchor 30 can be fixed to the body panel, so that thecable tie 601 can be connected to the body panel. Thus, the wiring harness W can be attached to the body panel via thecable tie 601. - Further, as shown in
FIG. 33 , the rounded projectedportions portion 624 of thebuckle 20 may be configured so as to not interfere with the traveling path L3 of theblade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 when the rounded projectedportions slot 54 of thetool head 52. Further, the rounded projectedportions blade 56 a of theinternal cutter 56 even when the rounded projectedportions slot 54 of thetool head 52 while the protectingportion 624 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52. - As described above, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 624 of thebuckle 20 are pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the relative position of the protectingportion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction while the rounded projectedportions slot 54 of thetool head 52. Therefore, even when the protectingportion 624 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 in this condition due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50, one of upper andlower peripheries 624 d of the protectingportion 624 may be prevented from entering theslot 54 of thetool head 52. As a result, even when thespecialized tool 50 is operated (even when thetrigger 50 a is manipulated) in a condition in which the protectingportion 624 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52, one of the upper andlower peripheries 624 d of the protectingportion 624 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. - The
cable tie 601 of the third embodiment may have a structure described above. That is, the rounded projectedportions side walls portion 624. The rounded projectedportions slot 54 of thetool head 52 in the pressed condition in which the protectingportion 624 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50 in order to cut the excess portion of thebelt 10. - Therefore, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 624 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the rounded projectedportions slot 54 of thetool head 52, so that the upper andlower peripheries portions lower peripheries slot 54 of thetool head 52. Thus, the relative position of the protectingportion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction. - As described above, in the pressed condition in which the protecting
portion 624 of thebuckle 20 is pressed against thetool head 52 of thespecialized tool 50, the relative position of the protectingportion 624 to the tool head 52 (the slot 54) may be determined in height direction. Therefore, in such a pressed condition, even when the protectingportion 624 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52 due to, for example, the fastening force that may be applied to thebelt 10 via thespecialized tool 50, one of upper andlower peripheries 624 d of the protectingportion 624 may be prevented from entering theslot 54 of thetool head 52. As a result, even when thespecialized tool 50 is operated (even when thetrigger 50 a is manipulated) in the condition in which the protectingportion 624 is inclined with respect to thetool head 52, one of the upper andlower peripheries 624 d of the protectingportion 624 may be prevented from being unexpectedly partially cut or removed by theinternal cutter 56 at the same time as the excess portion of thebelt 10 may be cut off. That is, this embodiment may have the same effect as the second embodiment. - Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiments, the wiring harness W is exemplified as the clamped article. However, the clamped article may be a single cable or other such cable-like members.
- Further, in the second embodiment, the
side walls portion 524 are respectively configured to be thinner than theside walls buckle 20. In addition, theupper wall 524 c of the protectingportion 524 is configured so as to be flush with theupper wall 20 c of the buckle 20 (FIG. 11 ). However, each of theside walls portion 524 may be configured so as to be flush with each of theside walls buckle 20. In addition, theupper wall 524 c of the protectingportion 524 may be configured to be thinner than theupper wall 20 c of thebuckle 20. That is, theside walls upper wall 524 c of the protectingportion 524 may respectively be configured to be thinner than theside walls upper wall 20 c of thebuckle 20. The same is true on the first and third embodiments. - Representative examples of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the all further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in this specification may be combined in ways that are not specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful embodiments of the present invention.
Claims (6)
1. A cable tie, comprising:
a belt, and
a buckle to which a proximal end of the belt is connected,
wherein when the belt wrapped around a clamped article is inserted into an insertion hole of the buckle through an inlet end and is then tightened, the belt can be locked to the buckle while the belt is fastened around the clamped article,
wherein after the belt is locked to the buckle, an excess portion of the belt drawn from an outlet end of the insertion hole of the buckle is cut off while leaving a remaining portion, so that the clamped article can be clamped by the cable tie,
wherein the buckle has a protecting portion that is positioned adjacent to the outlet end of the insertion hole and is configured to cover both sides of the remaining portion of the belt,
wherein the remaining portion of the belt has a substantially rectangular cut surface, and
wherein the protecting portion is configured to cover all of four corners of the substantially rectangular cut surface of the remaining portion of the belt.
2. The cable tie as defined in claim 1 , wherein the protection portion is tapered from a proximal end connected to the buckle toward a distal end in a width direction of the belt.
3. The cable tie as defined in claim 1 , wherein the protection portion has arcuate bulged portions formed in a distal end thereof, and wherein the arcuate bulged portions are configured such that in a pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, only top portions thereof enter a slot formed in the tool head.
4. The cable tie as defined in claim 3 , wherein a curvature of the arcuate bulged portions is determined such that even when an inclination is produced between an axis line of the protecting portion and a line perpendicular to an opening surface of the slot of the tool head in the pressed condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against the tool head of the specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the arcuate bulged portions do not interfere with a traveling path of a blade of an internal cutter of the specialized tool.
5. The cable tie as defined in claim 1 , wherein the protection portion has projected portions formed in a distal end thereof, and wherein the projected portions are configured such that in a condition in which the protecting portion is pressed against a tool head of a specialized tool in order to cut the excess portion of the belt, the projected portions enter a slot formed in the tool head.
6. The cable tie as defined in claim 1 , wherein the protection portion has a substantially C-shape in cross section.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2015166494 | 2015-08-26 | ||
JP2015-166494 | 2015-08-26 | ||
JP2016034109A JP2017044331A (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2016-02-25 | Belt clamp |
JP2016-034109 | 2016-02-25 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170057714A1 true US20170057714A1 (en) | 2017-03-02 |
Family
ID=58097508
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/240,898 Abandoned US20170057714A1 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2016-08-18 | Cable tie |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170057714A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11434055B2 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2022-09-06 | Hellermanntyton Gmbh | Fastening system |
USD982429S1 (en) * | 2021-06-04 | 2023-04-04 | Hellermanntyton Corporation | Cable tie |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4735387A (en) * | 1985-04-26 | 1988-04-05 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Band with buckle |
US7316375B2 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2008-01-08 | Piolax, Inc. | Band clamp |
US20080164383A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-07-10 | Paul Gunzburger | Cable tie with electrical connector fastener |
US20090293234A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-03 | Yu-Chung Chang | Constrictive band |
US20120159742A1 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2012-06-28 | Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Fastener |
-
2016
- 2016-08-18 US US15/240,898 patent/US20170057714A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4735387A (en) * | 1985-04-26 | 1988-04-05 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Band with buckle |
US7316375B2 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2008-01-08 | Piolax, Inc. | Band clamp |
US20080164383A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-07-10 | Paul Gunzburger | Cable tie with electrical connector fastener |
US20090293234A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-03 | Yu-Chung Chang | Constrictive band |
US20120159742A1 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2012-06-28 | Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Fastener |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11434055B2 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2022-09-06 | Hellermanntyton Gmbh | Fastening system |
USD982429S1 (en) * | 2021-06-04 | 2023-04-04 | Hellermanntyton Corporation | Cable tie |
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Owner name: DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KAMIYA, HARUHISA;IWAHARA, TOSHIO;KATO, MAKOTO;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:039560/0279 Effective date: 20160704 |
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