WO1996039072A1

WO1996039072A1 - Retaining clip for electrical cable and electrical cable with such a clip

Info

Publication number: WO1996039072A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/009066
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Evans; David Swendson
Original assignee: Baxter International Inc.
Priority date: 1995-06-06
Filing date: 1996-06-05
Publication date: 1996-12-12

Abstract

An elongate electrical cable (18) and cable retaining clip (24), particularly adapted for use with medical devices, provides for the cable to be doubled on itself or coiled and to be clipped to itself for storage. When so stored, the cable is protected both from damage and from contamination of a connector (22) portion of the cable, both of which can adversely affect functionality of thecable (and medical device) with possible adverse patient safety considerations. The cable retaining clip provides for manual clipping of the cable to itself, and for release of the cable from its doubled or coiled storage position in response to a manual tug on the cable. Thus, the cable and medical device are ready for immediate use when necessary, and the cable is protected from damage and contamination.

Description

Retaining Clip for Electrical Cable and Electrical Cable with such a Clip

Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of retaining clips or fasteners for holding electrical cables, and electrical cables having such retaining clips. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of retaining clips for electrical cables of the type which semi-permanently and removably attach to an electrical cable, and which provide for the cable to be doubled on itself or coiled and to be removably secured into the retaining clip at another location along the length of the cable for storage.

Background of the Invention

For many years some home appliances which include a relatively long electrical cord, such as vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers, have included provisions for the cord to be coiled and stored by wrapping the cord around a pair of cleats. Usually these cleats are spaced apart from one another along the handle of the vacuum or scrubber machine. The cord is wrapped around these cleats and includes a resilient molded U-shaped retaining clip near the plug end of the cord by which this free plug end may be secured to a wrap of the coiled cord. In this way, the cord is stored on the handle of the machine in a wrapped coil about the cleats with the free end of the cord removably secured by the U-shaped retaining clip feature to a wrap of the cord itself. When a user needs to uncoil the cord, the resilient U-shaped retaining clip is snapped off of the cord coil, and the cord is removed from the cleats. Usually, these resilient U-shaped retaining clips are molded as part of the electrical plug of the cord, or are molded onto the cord itself near the plug. Consequently, the retaining clips are permanently attached to the cord, and are of the same type of resilient thermoplastic material used to form the insulating jacket of the electrical cord or to mold the body of the electrical plug. These conventional retaining clips cannot be retro-fitted to cables not originally so equipped because they are molded on the cable at the time of manufacture. Also, this type of retaining clip may not provide as secure a retention of the cable as is desired because the retaining clip is formed of the same resilient but shape-retaining material (usually a PVC material) from which the electrical plug is molded.

Another conventional wire holding retaining clip, which is somewhat similar to the U-shaped cord clips found on consumer home appliances, is used for electrical wiring in the automotive art. In this art, the high-tension ignition wires of an automobile engine may be held apart from one another and from nearby structure by a generally flat and elongate molded plastic clip, usually with two, four, or six U-shaped wire-receiving recesses or grooves in parallel side-by-side relationship along its length. These retaining clips are used to receive and secure the high-tension ignition wires along their length, so that the wires are held away from one another and from nearby structure of the engine compartment.

With these conventional automotive wire-retaining clips, all of the wire-receiving recesses or grooves are substantially the same configuration. The electrical wires or ignition cables are forced into the recesses of the retaining clip, with the resilience of both the clip and the jacket of the electrical wire allowing the wire to enter the retaining clip recess. Usually, manual force alone will be sufficient to force the wires into the recesses of such conventional retaining clips. Once so received in such a retaining clip, the resilient shape-retaining nature of the plastic or rubber material of the electrical wire jacket insures that the wire is reliably retained in the clip. Should the user of such a retaining clip decide to relatively move the clip along the length of the wires, a similar amount of force will be required to remove the wires from within the recesses of the clip. A considerable level of force may be required both to insert and to remove electrical wires from such retaining clips.

Summary of the Invention

A need has been recognized in the medical art for a retaining clip which can be used on and retro-fitted to electrical cables of the type used with blood pressure monitors and other such modern electrical monitoring and treatment devices. These monitoring and treatment devices are frequently used in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and in patient rooms, such as in cardiac care units. Because bed side space is at a premium in such environments, the monitoring and treatment consoles of the devices usually are placed on carts some distance from the bed side. Electrical cables of considerable length are then used to connect the patient with the particular monitoring and treatment devices. The lengths of these cables, because part of the cable will lay free on the floor when their free ends are not attached to apparatus at the patient, then present a clutter and safety hazard around the emergency rooms, operating rooms, and other such hospital and clinic areas.

Additionally, the connectors used at the free ends of such cables may be damaged by being stepped on or run over with patient or apparatus carts. These connectors may also be contaminated with moisture, water, soap, and other foreign materials if they are simply allowed to lay free on the floor. Particularly, when the floors around such equipment are mopped, water and soap solution may enter the connectors. If the medical device must be used while the cable connector is still wet, the chances are high that the monitoring device will give no reading or an incorrect reading. Alternatively, patient treatment apparatus may not function correctly, or may apply an incorrect level of treatment because of such a fouled connector. Even if the water in such connectors evaporates before the medical device is to be used again, it may leave behind a scum of soap and other foreign material which similarly interferes with obtaining a correct reading of the patient's condition or with correctly applying a patient treatment. Under such circumstances, the medical personnel attempting to use such medical treatment or monitoring devices may assume that the apparatus itself is at fault. However, obtaining another replacement medical device always requires time, which the patient may not be able to spare under exigent circumstances. Also, simply connecting another medical device to the faulty cable will result in a continuation of the problem. Sometimes the cable itself will be correctly recognized as the source of the problem, and will be replaced. However, obtaining another cable also takes time, and the faulty cable may be thrown away at considerable expense when the only thing wrong with the cable was water or soap in its connector.

Accordingly, were a retaining clip available which could be used on new cables for medical devices, and which could be retro-fitted to existing cables, and which would allow the cable ends and connectors to be kept safely out of harms way, the cables would deliver better and more reliable service. Further, patient safety would be improved because more reliable monitoring and treatment would be available from the medical devices without delays caused by faulty cables. Additionally, safety and convenience for medical personnel would be improved because of a decreased likelihood of tripping over or becoming entangled in a length of electrical cable from such a device. This retaining clip would allow the cable to be doubled back and coiled on itself so that the free plug end of the cable can be secured to the cable intermediate of its ends. As so secured, the plug of the cable is retained removably at a location preventing damage to the plug, and also preventing the entry into the plug of moisture and other foreign materials. In the medical environment it is important that such a clip attached very securely to the cable so that the clip itself is not accidently detached and lost, possibly to itself become a foreign body in the environment, for example. Also, the retained end part of the electrical cable should be securely retained, but be easily and quickly removed so that the medical treatment or monitoring device can be quickly put into use. Preferably, the retaining clip should be configured so that a simple tug on the retained cable will release the cable from the clip.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cable retaining clip for semi-permanent installation on a cable at a portion thereof, and for releasably retaining another portion of the cable, the cable retaining clip comprising a body of substantially rigid and shape-retaining material having a length, the body defining at least two mutually parallel recesses each substantially matching the cross sectional size and shape of the cable, and one of the at least two recesses being of a length substantially equal to the full length of the body to semi-permanently receive a portion of the cable therein, while another of the at least two recesses is shorter than the one recess to releasably retain another portion of the cable. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a medical device sitting on a cart and having an electrical cable attached to and extending from the device. The electrical cable is looped on itself so that a connector end portion of the cable is secured to another portion of the cable adjacent to the device by a retaining clip embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the retaining clip seen in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged end view of the retaining clip seen in Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a retaining clip according to the present invention; and

Figure 5 provides an end view of the retaining clip seen in Figure 4.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Viewing Figure 1, a medical device 10 is seen to be sitting on a shelf 12 of a cart (generally indicated with the numeral 14) . The medical device 10 may be a treatment device, or a patient monitoring device, such as a blood pressure monitor. Attached to a front panel 16 of the device 10 is an electrical cable 18. The cable 18 may be permanently attached to the device 10, but more preferably includes a connector 20 which is plugged into a matching connector (not visible in the drawing Figures) at the front panel 16 of the device 10. Cable 18 is generally several feet in length, and when in use may extend over a considerable distance from the cart 14 to a patient (not seen in the drawing Figures) who is being monitored or treated. The cable 18 at its distal end 20 includes a connector 22 at which the cable interfaces with monitoring or treatment apparatus attaching to the patient. When the cable 18 is not in use, it is doubled back on itself and secured adjacent to its distal end to itself near the device 10. In order to provide for this storage position of the cable 18, a retaining clip 24 is carried on the cable 18 adjacent to the device 10 and removably secures the cable 18 adjacent to its distal end in the position seen in Figure 1. In this position of the cable 18, the connector 22 is disposed with its open distal end downwardly so that moisture and foreign material will not fall into the connector. Further, the connector 22 is kept off the floor so that it is not damaged by being stepped on or run over with a cart. As will be seen and easily understood in view of the following, the distal end of cable 18 may be secured to the proximal portion of the cable in the position as seen in Figure 1, or in a reversed position having connector 22 disposed upwardly at its open end. Also, the retaining clip 24 may be secured either removably or permanently, as will be seen, to either the proximal or distal end portions of the cable 20.

Viewing now Figures 2 and 3 in conjunction with one another, it is seen that the retaining clip 24 includes a body 26, which may be made as an injection molding of substantially rigid plastic material, for example. Alternatively, the body 26 may be formed as a section of an elongate substantially rigid and shape-retaining extrusion of plastic or metal (of aluminum, for example) which is trimmed to the configuration seen in Figures 2 and 3 after being extruded to the required cross sectional shape. In end view (referring to Figure 3) , the body 26 of retaining clip 24 has a generalized H-shape in cross section, and includes two opposed mutually parallel grooves or recesses, referenced with the numerals 28 and 30. The grooves or recesses 28 and 30 extend longitudinally of the retaining clip 24, and receive portions of the cable 18 therein, recalling Figure 1. Both of the grooves or recesses 28 and 30 preferably are substantially of the same cross sectional configuration in size and shape, as is illustrated. However, these grooves or recesses 28 and 30 may be different in size or shape, or both, in order to selectively control the difference in retention force provided between the retaining clip 24 and the respective portions of the cable 18, as will be further explained.

The body 26 of retaining clip 24 includes two pairs of opposed spaced apart wall portions, referenced with the numerals 32, 34 and 36, 38. The wall portions 32, 34 cooperatively define the recess 28, while the wall portions 36, 38 cooperatively define recess 30. All of these wall portions 32-36, along with a cross bar portion 40 of the body 26, define respective parts of an elongate arcuate surface 42 within each recess 28 and 30, which surface 42 closely matches the size of the cable 18. Surface 42 extends through an angle of about 120 degrees, viewing Figure 3, so that a lateral opening 44 is formed from each recess 28, and 30. The lateral opening 44 from recess 28 is reduced in length in comparison with the opening 44 from recess 30 by angulated and concave side edges 46 extending from the ends of the body 26 toward the center thereof. These angulated side edges 46 do not meet but define therebetween a part length of opening 44 from the recess 28 (indicated with the numeral 48 at which the side walls 32 and 34 have their full depth and define a pair of opposed transition ridge surfaces 50 between the arcuate surfaces 44 and a pair of outwardly angulated surfaces 52. In contrast, the opening 44 from the recess 30 is substantially equal in length to the length of the body 26, so that the opposed transition ridge surfaces 50 at this opening is also substantially equal in length to the length of body 26. Viewing Figure 3, it is seen that the retaining clip 24 defines a transverse plane of symmetry (PI) so that the two opposite ends of this retaining clip are mirror images of one another. Similarly, viewing Figure 2, it is seen that the retaining clip 24 defines two longitudinal planes of symmetry (P2, and P3) , which are orthogonal to one another, and which are also planes across which the opposite parts of the retaining clip 24 are mirror images of one another.

Considering now the use of the retaining clip 24, it will be seen from Figure 1 that the clip has an engagement at the longer recess 30 which will effect a comparatively semi-permanent (but still removable with the application of sufficient manual force) grip on the cable 18. The user of the retaining clip 24 may position this clip anywhere along the length of the cable which is convenient, and engage the clip at recess 30 onto the cable with manual force. After the retaining clip 24 is so positioned, the distal end portion of the cable adjacent to the connector 22 may be temporarily clipped into the retaining clip with a lesser manual force (as can be appreciated from the comparatively shorter length of the transition ridge 50 to recess 28) . As seen in Figure 1, the cable 18 is then stored with the connector 22 off the floor and disposed to prevent foreign material from entering this connector. When a user wants to use the device 10, simply grasping the distal end portion of the cable 18 above or below the clip 24 and pulling outwardly will result in this distal end portion being angulated relative to the axis of the recess 28, and "peeling" out of the recess 28 because the cable wedges out of the recess along the angulated side edge surfaces 52. That is, the angulated side edge surfaces 52, with the application of a comparatively small manual force, causes the cable 18 to peel out of the recess 28 from one end thereof to the other, releasing the cable 18 for use. However, the weight of the cable 18 alone is not sufficient to cause the cable to disengage from the clip 24. The use and operation of the retaining clip 24 are substantially the same whether the clip is installed semi-permanently on the proximal portion of the cable and releasably retains the distal portion, as shown; or if the clip is semi-permanently installed on the distal portion and releasably engages with the proximal cable portion for storage.

An advantage of the present invention resides in the simplicity of structure of the present cable retaining clip, and the simplified release of the cable 18 from the clip when the cable is to be used. However, the recess 30 of the retaining clip 24 sufficiently grasps the cable 18 that there is virtually no risk of the clip being inadvertently lost from the cable 18. In other words, the recess 30 does not have the propensity to form an angulated intersection of transition ridge surfaces 50 with the axis of the cable 18 when this cable is manually pulled outwardly relative to the clip 24, which in the recess 28 results in the cable peeling out of this recess with comparative ease. Also, the comparative tenacity of grip at the recess 30 on cable 18, and the comparative ease of disengagement of the cable at recess 28 can be selected by choosing the relative lengths of these recesses and the angulation of the side edge surfaces 46. With the present retaining clip, the applicants have determined that a ratio of about 30 percent for length part 48 and a concave angulated surface 46 which intersects with ridge surface 50 at about a 45 degree angle gives satisfactory results. However, it is apparent that these angles and proportions may be altered in view of the size, weight, retention force, and ease of release from the retaining clip which is desired for a particular application and cable. On the other hand, should the user wish to remove the clip 24 from the cable 18, possibly to re-install it at another location so as to effect a different storage configuration for the cable, manual force will be sufficient to remove and re-install the clip 24. The clip 24 may be retro-fitted to existing cables to improve the service life and safety of use of these cables. In the event that the user wishes to permanently position the clip 24 at a location along a cable, a drop of anaerobic adhesive will serve to permanently mount the clip 24 on a cable.

Figures 4 and 5 depict another embodiment of the present retaining clip. In order to obtain reference numerals for use in describing the embodiment of Figure 4, features of this embodiment which are the same as, or which are equivalent in structure or function to, those features described above, are referenced with the same numeral used above, and increased by one-hundred (100) . The retaining clip 124 depicted in Figure 4 includes a body 126 which is generally of U-shape in transverse cross section. This body 126 may be fabricated by injection molding, or extrusion, as explained above with respect to the retaining clip 24. However, the configuration of the clip 124 lends itself also to fabrication using an embossing or coining operation combined with die stamping to plan shape to provide both the necessary surface shape of the surface of the work piece which will form the internal cross sectional surface shape, and of the plan view configuration of the clip (while flat) , after which the clip work piece is folded on itself to the U-shaped configuration for the clip 124 seen in Figure 4. These embossing, coining, die stamping, and folding operations may be performed using progressive dies in a single stamping or punch press, if desired. Particularly, this manufacturing methodology allows the retaining clip 124 to be fabricated rapidly and inexpensively from a sheet material, such as from sheet steel which can be tempered, from sheet aluminum material which solution hardens to be less malleable, or from other materials which are conveniently worked in one condition and are thereafter tempered or hardened to a stronger and more spring-like condition.

Viewing the retaining clip 124, it is seen that this clip includes a single groove or recess, referenced with the numeral 128/130. The groove or recess 128/130 extends longitudinally of the retaining clip 124, and is divided into an outer portion 128 and an inner portion 130 by a longitudinal pair of opposed lands, referenced with the numeral 150'. The body 126 of retaining clip 124 includes a pair of opposed spaced apart wall portions, referenced with the numerals 132 and 134. The wall portions 132, 134 cooperatively define the recess 128/130. In the recess portion 130 an elongate arcuate surface 142', which closely matches the size of the cable 18 is defined. Surface 142 extends through an angle of about 120 degrees, viewing Figure 4, so that a lateral opening 144' is formed communicating between the recess portions 128 and 130 and between the surfaces 150'. The walls 132 and 134 also include inner arcuate surface portions 142, which effectively define the recess 128 above the surfaces 150'. Outwardly from the recess portion 128, a lateral opening 144 is reduced in length in comparison with the opening 144• between these recess portions by angulated and concave side edges 146 extending from the ends of the body 26 toward the center thereof. These angulated side edges 146 do not meet but define therebetween a part length of opening 144 from the recess 128 (indicated with the numeral 148 at which the side walls 132 and 134 have their full depth. The side walls 132 and 134 define a transition ridge surface 150 between the arcuate surface 142 and a pair of outwardly angulated surfaces 152. The transition ridge surface 150 does not extend the full length of the body 126. In contrast, the surfaces 150' and opening 144 outwardly from the recess 30 toward the recess 128 is substantially equal in length to the length of the body 126.

Consequently, considering now the use of the retaining clip 124, it will be seen that the clip can be engaged at recess 130 on a length of cable 18. The cable will be passed first through opening 144 into recess 128, and then further passed through opening 144' between surfaces 150' into recess 130. As so received in the recess 130, the cable 18 will be semi-permanently retained. Next, another length of cable 18, possibly a distal end portion thereof, is received for temporary retention into the recess 128. As was the case with the retaining clip 24 described above, when the cable length in recess 128 is pulled outwardly of the clip, this cable length will angle relative to the transition ridge surfaces 150, and will "peel" out of the clip 124. The weight of the cable 18 alone is not sufficient to cause the cable to disengage from the clip 124. The use and operation of the retaining clip 124 is substantially the same as described above whether the clip is installed semi-permanently on the proximal portion of the cable and releasably retains the distal portion, as shown in Figure 1; or if the clip is semi-permanently installed on the distal portion and releasably engages with the proximal cable portion for storage.

While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. For example, a retaining clip within the scope of the present invention may have other than a H-shape or U-shape in cross section. It is possible for the retaining clip to have an X-shape in cross section, with one of the four recesses having a full length for semi-permanent retention on a length of cable, and the other three recesses having shorter (and not necessarily equal) lengths, for releasably retaining portions of a cable. With a retaining clip of this type, if the three other (less than full length) recesses have differing lengths, a cable coiled and clipped into the retaining clip in sections starting with the longest recess first will release and uncoil incrementally in the opposite sequence. Consequently, a coiled cable will release and uncoil only to the extent that a user pulls out one, two or three sections of the coiled cable. The other remaining coiled sections will remain in the retaining clip, improving the organization and safety in use of the cable. The same functional effect may be achieved with a retaining clip of U-shaped cross section by providing more than two recesses along the depth of the U-shape. With this configuration of retaining clip (i.e., U-shaped with multiple recesses) a cable coiled in sections with the first most proximal sections placed in the deepest recesses, and with more distal cable sections placed progressively outwardly into individual ones of the communicating recesses, will release and uncoil in the opposite sequence. Accordingly the depicted and described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Claims

We Claim ;

1. A cable retaining clip for semi-permanent installation on a cable at a portion thereof, and for releasably retaining another portion of the cable, said cable retaining clip comprising: a body of substantially rigid and shape-retaining material having a length, said body defining at least two mutually parallel recesses each substantially matching the cross sectional size and shape of the cable, and one of said at least two recesses being of a length substantially equal to the full length of said body to semi-permanently receive a portion of the cable therein, while another of said at least two recesses is shorter than said one recess to releasably retain another portion of the cable.

2. The cable retaining clip of Claim 1 wherein said body includes a pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said another recess, said pair of opposed wall portions defining a pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces, which side edge surfaces both form an angle with the longitudinal axis of said another cable portion and effectively reduce the length of said another recess.

3. The cable retaining clip of Claim 2 wherein said body is substantially of H-shape in transverse cross section.

4. The cable retaining clip of Claim 3 wherein said body defines a pair of longitudinal orthogonal planes of symmetry, and said body includes portions which are mirror images of one another about each one of said pair of planes of symmetry.

5. The cable retaining clip of Claim 4 wherein said body defines a transverse plane of symmetry, and said body includes portions which are mirror images of one another about said transverse plane of symmetry.

6. The cable retaining clip of Claim 2 wherein said body is substantially of U-shape in transverse cross section, said at least two mutually parallel recesses being spaced apart along a depth of said U-shaped recess and communication with one another.

7. The cable retaining clip of Claim 6 wherein said one recess is located at a position of maximum depth of said U-shaped recess, and said another recess is located at a position of lesser depth into said U-shaped recess.

8. The cable retaining clip of Claim 2 wherein said pair of opposed wall portions each define one of a pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said another recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable.

9. The cable retaining clip of Claim 8 wherein said pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces transecting and also effectively reducing the length of said axial transition ridge surfaces at said another recess.

10. The cable retaining clip of Claim 9 wherein said body includes another pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said one recess, said another pair of opposed wall portions each define one of a another pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said one recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable.

11. The cable retaining clip of Claim 10 wherein said another pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces extend substantially the full length of said body.

12. An elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip for adjustable semi-permanent installation at a selected position along the length of the cable, and for releasably retaining another portion of the cable spaced along the length of the cable from the selected position, so that the cable may be coiled or doubled back on itself and releasably retained in such a condition for storage, said elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip comprising: a length of electrical cable having a cross sectional shape; a cable retaining clip; said cable retaining clip including a body of substantially rigid and shape-retaining material having a length, said body defining at least two mutually parallel recesses extending along the length of said body and each substantially matching the cross sectional size and shape of said cable, and one of said at least two recesses being of a length substantially equal to the full length of said body to semi-permanently receive a portion of said cable therein, while another of said at least two recesses is shorter than said one recess to releasably retain another portion of said cable.

13. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 12 wherein said body is substantially of H-shape in transverse cross section.

14. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 13 wherein said body defines a pair of longitudinal orthogonal planes of symmetry, and said body includes portions which are mirror images of one another about each one of said pair of planes of symmetry.

15. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 14 wherein said body defines a transverse plane of symmetry, and said body includes portions which are mirror images of one another about said transverse plane of symmetry.

16. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 12 wherein said body is substantially of U-shape in transverse cross section, said at least two mutually parallel recesses being spaced apart along a depth of said U-shaped recess and communication with one another.

17. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 16 wherein said one recess is located at a position of maximum depth of said U-shaped recess, and said another recess is located at a position of lesser depth into said U-shaped recess.

18. The elongate electrical cable and cable retaining clip of Claim 12 wherein said body includes a pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said one recess, said pair of opposed wall portions each defining one of a respective pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said one recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable; said pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces extending substantially the full length of said body, and another pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said another recess, said another pair of opposed wall portions also defining one of a pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said another recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable; a respective pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces, which side edge surfaces both form an angle with the longitudinal axis of said another cable portion and effectively reduce the length of said another recess; said pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces transecting and also effectively reducing the length of said axial transition ridge surfaces at said another recess.

19. A cable retaining clip for semi-permanent installation on a cable having a cross sectional size and shape along a length thereof at a first selected portion thereof, and for releasably retaining another selected portion of the cable, so that the cable may be coiled or doubled back on itself and releasably retained in such a condition for storage, said cable retaining clip comprising: a body of substantially rigid and shape-retaining material having a length, said body defining at least two mutually parallel recesses each substantially matching the cross sectional size and shape of the cable, and one of said at least two recesses being of a length substantially equal to the full length of said body to semi-permanently receive the first selected portion of the cable therein in response to manual force of a first level, while another of said at least two recesses is shorter than said one recess to both temporarily retain and release said another selected portion of the cable also in response to manual force of a second level less than said first level; said body including a pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said one recess, said pair of opposed wall portions each defining one of a pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said one recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable; said pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces at said one recess extending substantially the full length of said body; wherein said body includes another pair of opposed wall portions which cooperatively define therebetween said another recess, said another pair of opposed wall portions defining a pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces, which side edge surfaces both form an angle with the longitudinal axis of said another cable portion and effectively reduce the length of said another recess; wherein said another pair of opposed wall portions each define one of a pair of cooperative opposed axial transition ridge surfaces located outwardly of said another recess and extending parallel with an axis of said cable; and wherein said pair of cooperatively angulated side edge surfaces transect and also effectively reduce the length of said axial transition ridge surfaces at said another recess.

20. The cable retaining clip of Claim 19 wherein said body is substantially of H-shape in transverse cross section.

21. The cable retaining clip of Claim 19 wherein said body is substantially of U-shape in transverse cross section, said at least two mutually parallel recesses being spaced apart along a depth of said U-shaped recess and communicating with one another.