WO2000002793A1

WO2000002793A1 - Merchandise pairing tie

Info

Publication number: WO2000002793A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/014407
Authority: WO
Inventors: James C. Benoit
Original assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
Priority date: 1998-07-10
Filing date: 1998-07-10
Publication date: 2000-01-20
Also published as: AU8569498A

Abstract

A tie (111) for use in pairing together two objects. The tie (111) comprises a head (121) having an elongated channel (127) extending therethrough, a locking tang within the head (121), and a strap (131). A projection (137) is formed on the strap (131) between the first end (133) and the second end (135). The portion of the strap (131) from the projection (137) to the first end (133) is in the form of an elongated, flexible filament (139). The elongated filament (139) is narrow in thickness, narrow in width and has a generally uniform, rectangularly shaped cross section. The portion of the strap (131) from the projection (137) to the second end (135) is formed in a ladder structure (141) having a plurality of rungs (147). The rungs (147) of the strap (131) are sequentially engaged by the locking tang when the strap (131) is inserted into and through the elongated channel (127) to form a closed loop. The projection (137) serves as a stop to limit the minimum size of the closed loop.

Description

MERCHANDISE PAIRING TIE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tie for pairing together two objects such as shoes or sneakers or gloves. Ties are widely used for the bundling of objects such as a group of wires.

One known tie comprises a serrated strap that is fitted to an apertured head containing an internal pawl or locking tang that engages the serrations of the strap. Another known tie is in the form of an apertured strap fitted to a buckle-like head, with a tongue that enters the apertures of the strap. In U.S. Patent No. 3,766,608 to Fay, which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a tie formed by a locking head and an attached ladder strap. The head contains a longitudinal guide channel for receiving the strap, after encirclement of items to be bundled, and an internal locking tang. The latter is deflected with respect to relatively narrow auxiliary channels on opposite sides of the guide channel. One of the auxiliary channels receives the locking tang during the bundling of the items; the other auxiliary channel contains a stop against which the locking tang becomes abutted in planar engagement by the reverse thrust of the -harnessed items.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,347,648 to Dekkers, which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a tie formed by a locking head and an attached ladder strap. The head contains a locking tang and a guide channel that receives the strap after encirclement of items to be bundled. The tang engages the rungs of the ladder strap for the adjustable retention of the items. The free end of the strap has a light-weight webbed tail that facilitates the insertion of the strap into the head. The strap is advantageously molded of a stretch reorientable material and is subsequently stretched to produce a suitable strengthening and elongation of the webbed tail.

Ties have been found to be very useful and effective in bundling objects together. In addition, some ties, particularly the tie described in U.S. Patent No. 4,347,648 to Dekkers, have also been used as a tie to pair together articles of commerce, such as pairs of shoes. Used in this manner, the tie does not hold the pair of articles together in a bundle but rather serves to keep the two pieces of merchandise together. In this capacity, the tie has been found to be very a useful device, for example, in displaying a pair of shoes for sale.

To use a tie of the type described above to pair together a pair of shoes, the tail end of the strap is inserted through an eyelet or under the shoelace of each shoe. The tail is then inserted through the guide channel of the head so that the strap forms a closed loop. As the strap is further drawn forward through the guide channel of the head, the closed loop decreases in size.

It should be noted that if the strap is drawn too far forward through the guide channel of the head, the size of the closed loop of the tie will become too small to enable a prospective buyer to comfortably put on both shoes at the same time because the two shoes will be too close to each other.

Accordingly, in U.S. Patent No. 5,685,048 to J.C. Benoit, which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed a merchandise pairing tie for use in pairing together two objects. The tie comprises a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, a locking tang within the head, and a strap extending from the head. The strap is approximately 30 cm in length and is formed in a ladder structure having a plurality of rungs. The rungs of the strap are sequentially engaged by the locking tang when the strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop. As the strap is further inserted through the elongated channel, the size of the closed loop is decreased. The tie further includes a projection formed on a rung of the strap and located approximately 26 cm from the head. The projection protrudes upward from the rung approximately 1 mm and serves as a stop to limit the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed when the strap is inserted into the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new tie of the type having a locking head and an attached ladder strap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tie as described above which is particularly useful in pairing two objects.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tie as described above which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

Accordingly, there is provided a tie for pairing together two objects comprising a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, a locking tang within said head, a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being integrally formed onto said head, and a projection formed on said strap between the first end and the second end, the portion of said strap from said projection to the first end being in the shape of a filament, the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end being engagable by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop, wherein increased insertion of said strap through the elongated channel decreases the size of the closed loop, said projection limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed.

Additional objects, as well as features and advantages, of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration of an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, broken away in part, of a prior art tie for pairing together two objects;

Fig. 2 is a right side view, broken away in part, of the prior art tie shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a perspective view, broken away in part, of the prior art tie shown in Fig. 1 , the strap being shown inserted through the head;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the prior art tie shown in Fig. 1 , the tie being shown pairing together two shoes;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, broken away in part of a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for pairing together two objects; Fig. 6 is a right side view, broken away in part, of the tie shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, broken away in part, of the prior art tie shown in Fig. 6, the strap being shown inserted through the head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective and side views, respectively, of a prior art tie for pairing together two objects, the tie being represented generally by reference numeral 11. Prior art tie 11 is of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent number 5,685,048 to J.C. Benoit, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Prior art tie 11 includes a head 21 and an attached strap 31.

The internal structure of head 21 is shown in Fig. 3. Head 21 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a bottom wall 23, a top wall 25, and an elongated channel 27 which extends through head 21 from bottom wall 23 to top wall 25. Head 21 further includes a locking tang 29 which may be either of the stationary type or the deflectable type.

Strap 31 is constructed in the form of a ladder structure and is approximately 30cm in length. Strap 31 comprises a pair of side rails 33 and 35 and a plurality of rungs 37. Strap 31 further includes a elongated webbed tail 39 integrally formed at its free end. Tail 39 is formed by extensions 41 and 43 of side rails 33 and 35, respectively. Webbing 45 occupies the interval between extension side rails 41 and 43. Tail 39 tapers into a narrow tip 47 approximately 1mm in width.

Strap 31 can be molded and then stretched. Strap 31 is preferably constructed of a molecular reorientable type material, such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester, urethane, or the like. This material, upon stretching, not only reduces the volume per unit length of the strap but also provides enhanced physical properties. For example, there is increased strength in tensile and shear strength.

The particular construction of tail 39 must be noted. Webbing 45 facilitates production of prior art tie 11 with improved operating, molding and stretching characteristics. Because of webbing 45, the material inserted into the mold, which is advantageously accomplished by injection molding, has an enlarged channel for the flow of material, as compared with the standard ladder structure. The result is that imperfections that often attend molding, such as cold shuts, voids and nit marks are either eliminated or significantly reduced in extent. Moreover, it must be noted that because tail 39 tapers into a narrow tip 47 of approximately 1mm width, tail 39 can be threaded through relatively narrow openings, such as the eyelet of a shoe. This construction enables the user to pair together articles which have relatively small holes. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, strap 31 further includes an upwardly extending projection 49. Projection 49 is formed on a rung 37-1 and is located at a distance "I" of approximately 26cm from head 21. Projection 49 protrudes upward from rung 37-1 a distance "h" of approximately 1mm. Projection 49 serves as a stop when prior art tie 11 is used to pair together two objects as will be described in detail below.

Prior art tie 11 may be used to pair together two objects such as shoes, sneakers, or sandals.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a pair of shoes S., and S₂ paired together with prior art tie 11. Prior art tie 11 is attached to shoes S₁ and S₂ in the following manner. First, tail 39 is threaded through eyelet E₁ in shoe S., and then eyelet E₂ in shoe S₂. Tail 39 is then inserted into channel 27 of head 21 to form a closed loop. Tail 39 is advanced through bottom wall 23 of head 21 and out through top wall 25 in a forward direction, the forward direction being represented by arrow F in Fig. 3. Drawing strap 31 forward through head 21 decreases the size of the closed loop. Locking tang 29 is designed so as to permit strap 31 to advance forward through head 21. Locking tang 29 is also designed to engage rungs 37 when strap 31 is thrust in the reverse direction, the reverse direction being shown by arrow R in Fig. 3. Therefore, strap 31 can be advanced forward through head 21 to decrease the size of the closed loop, but strap 31 can not be thrust in the reverse direction to increase the size of the closed loop. As a result, once strap 31 is advanced through head 21 to secure shoes S_T and S₂ together, shoes S₁ and S₂ remain paired together until cable tie 11 is severed, which precludes any further use of prior art tie 11.

Strap 31 is capable of advancement through head 21 until projection 49 hits up against bottom wall 23 of head 21. As can be appreciated, projection 49 limits how far strap 31 can be advanced forward through head 21 , thereby limiting the minimum size of the closed loop. Due to the location of projection 49 on strap 31 , namely, approximately 26cm from head 25, shoes S_Ϊ and S₂ can be moved relative to each other so that they are spaced apart from each other at a distance of approximately 13cm, the approximate distance required for one to comfortably try on both shoes of a pair at the same time.

Referring now to Figs. 5-7, there is shown a tie constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for pairing together two objects, the tie being represented generally by reference numeral 111. As will be discussed in detail below, tie 111 is longer in length, less expensive to manufacture and more flexible than prior art tie 11.

Tie 111 includes a head 121 and an attached strap 131.

Head 121 is identical in construction with head 21 of prior art tie 11. Specifically, head 121 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a bottom wall

123, a top wall 125, and an elongated channel 127 which extends through head

121 from bottom wall 123 to top wall 125. Head 121 further includes a locking tang

129 which may be either of the stationary type or the deflectable type.

Strap 131 comprises a first end 133, a second end 135 and an enlarged rectangular projection 137 which is formed on strap 131 at a location between first end 133 and second end 135. First end 133 is integrally formed onto head 121 to make tie 111 a unitary device. Projection 137 serves as a stop when tie 111 is used to pair together two objects, as will be described in detail below. Projection 137 also serves to divide strap 131 into two portions. The portion of strap 131 from projection 137 to first end 133 is in the form of an elongated, flexible filament 139. Elongated, flexible filament 139 is narrow in thickness, narrow in width, and has a generally uniform, rectangularly-shaped cross-section.

It should be noted that elongated filament 139 is not limited to a generally rectangularly-shaped cross-section. Rather, elongated filament 139 could have an alternatively-shaped cross-section (i.e., circular or elliptical) without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The portion of strap 131 from projection 137 to second end 135 comprises a ladder structure 141. Ladder structure 141 comprises a pair of side rails 143 and 145 and a plurality of rungs 147. Ladder structure 141 terminates into a elongated webbed tail 149 which is formed at second end 135. Tail 149 is formed by extensions 151 and 153 of side rails 143 and 145, respectively. Webbing 155 occupies the interval between extension side rails 151 and 153. Tail 149 tapers into a narrow tip 157 approximately 3mm in width. As shown in Fig. 6, projection 137 protrudes upward above rungs 147 a distance "h"' of approximately 1 mm. Similarly, projection 137 protrudes downward beneath rungs 147 a distance "h"" of approximately 1 mm.

Strap 131 can be molded using conventional molding techniques. As can be appreciated, the simplicity of the size and shape of elongated filament 139 considerably simplifies the process for molding strap 131 when compared to the process for molding strap 31 of prior art tie 11. As a consequence, tie 111 is considerably cheaper to mold than prior art tie 11 , which is desirable.

Upon completion of the molding process, filament 139 of tie 111 can be stretched using conventional stretching techniques so that projection 137 is a distance "I"' of approximately 59.5 cm from head 21 after the stretching process, strap 131 having a total length of approximately 63.3 cm. Strap 131 is preferably constructed of a molecular reorientable type material, such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester, urethane, or the like. This material, upon stretching, not only reduces the volume per unit length of the strap but also provides enhanced physical properties, such as an increase in tensile and shear strength.

It should be noted that the thin size and shape of elongated filament 139 makes strap 131 of tie 111 much more flexible than strap 31 of prior art tie 11 , which is desirable. Increased levels of flexibility in strap 131 of tie 111 simplifies the ease in which tie 111 can be formed into a closed loop during use. It should also be noted that the particular size and shape of elongated filament 139 enables filament 139 to be stretched a considerable length. In particular, due to the construction of elongated filament 139, strap 131 of tie 111 can be stretched a length much longer length than strap 31 of prior art tie 11 without the need for additional materials, which is desirable.

In use, tie 111 functions similarly to tie 11 to pair together two objects such as shoes, sneakers, or sandals. Specifically, tie 111 can be used to pair together two shoes in the following manner. First, tail 149 is threaded through an eyelet in each shoe. Tail 149 is then inserted into channel 127 of head 121 to form a closed loop. Tail 149 is advanced through bottom wall 123 of head 121 and out through top wall 125 in a forward direction, the forward direction being represented by arrow F' in Fig. 7. Drawing strap 131 forward through head 121 decreases the size of the closed loop. Locking tang 129 is designed so as to permit strap 131 to advance forward through head 121. Locking tang 129 is also designed to engage rungs 147 when strap 131 is thrust in the reverse direction, the reverse direction being shown by arrow R' in Fig. 7. Therefore, strap 131 can be advanced forward through head 121 to decrease the size of the closed loop, but strap 131 can not be thrust in the reverse direction to increase the size of the closed loop. As a result, once strap 131 is advanced through head 121 to secure the pair of shoes together, the shoes remain paired together until cable tie 111 is severed.

Strap 131 is capable of advancement through head 121 until projection 137 hits up against bottom wall 123 of head 121.

It should be noted that, because strap 131 of tie 111 is considerably longer than strap 31 of tie 11 , tie 111 can be used to pair together two objects but, at the same time, can enable the two objects to be separated approximately 29.5 cm apart from one another. To the contrary, prior art tie 11 can be used to pair together two objects but can only separate the two objects approximately 13 cm apart from one another.

The increase in the length of strap 131 of tie 111 compared to the length of strap 31 of prior art tie 11 is significant in that tie 111 pairs together two objects, such as shoes, without prohibiting a prospective buyer from having the opportunity to put on the shoes and comfortably walk around in order to sample the comfort of the shoes, which is desirable. To the contrary, prior art tie 11 does not allow a prospective buyer to walk in the shoes with the freedom that tie 111 permits. Rather, prior art tie 11 allows a prospective buyer to put on both shoes comfortably, but does not comfortably enable the buyer to walk around in the shoes.

The embodiment of the present invention described above is intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A tie for pairing together two objects comprising: a) a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, b) a locking tang within said head, c) a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being integrally formed onto said head, and d) a projection formed on said strap between the first end and the second end, e) the portion of said strap from said projection to the first end being in the shape of a filament, f) the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end being engagable by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop, wherein increased insertion of said strap through the elongated channel decreases the size of the closed loop, said projection limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed.

2. The tie as claimed in claim 1 wherein said filament is substantially uniform in cross-section.

3. The tie as claimed in claim 2 wherein the portion of said strap from said projection to said second end comprises a ladder structure having rungs which are sequentially engaged by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel.

4. The tie as claimed in claim 3 wherein said filament is narrow in thickness.

5. The tie as claimed in claim 4 wherein said filament is narrow in width.

6. The tie as claimed in claim 5 wherein said projection is approximately 59.5 cm from the head.

7. The tie as claimed in claim 6 wherein said strap is approximately 63.3 cm inches in length.

8. The tie as claimed in claim 7 wherein said projection is generally rectangular in cross-section.

9. The tie as claimed in claim 8 wherein said projection extends upward from the strap portion from said projection to said end approximately 1 millimeter.

10. The tie as claimed in claim 9 wherein said projection extends downward from the strap portion from said projection to said end approximately 1 millimeter.

11. The tie as claimed in claim 10 wherein said strap includes a webbed tail portion which tapers into a narrow tip approximately 3 millimeters wide, thereby facilitating the insertion of said strap through relatively small openings.

12. The tie as claimed in claim 11 wherein said strap is formed by molding.

13. The tie as claimed in claim 12 wherein the strap portion from said projection to said first end is stretched.

14. The tie as claimed in claim 13 wherein said strap is constructed of plastic.

15. A method of pairing together two objects such as shoes, comprising the steps of: a) providing a tie comprising a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, a locking tang within said head, a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being integrally formed onto said head, a projection formed on said strap between the first end and the second end, the portion of said strap from said projection to the first end being in the shape of a filament, the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end being engagable by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop, wherein increased insertion of said strap through the elongated channel decreases the size of the closed loop, said projection limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed, b) inserting said strap through an opening in each object, c) inserting the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end into the channel of said head to form a closed loop, and d) pulling the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end through said head until said projection hits upon said head thereby limiting the minimum size of the closed loop.

16. A tie for pairing together two objects comprising: a) a head having an elongated channel extending therethrough, b) a locking tang within said head, c) a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being integrally formed onto said head, and d) a projection formed on said strap between the first end and the second end, e) the portion of said strap from said projection to the first end being comprising an elongated filament, f) the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end comprising means engagable by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel to form a closed loop, wherein increased insertion of said strap through the elongated channel decreases the size of the closed loop, said projection limiting the minimum size of the closed loop which can be formed.

17. The tie as claimed in claim 16 wherein said elongated filament is substantially uniform in cross-section.

18. The tie as claimed in claim 17 wherein the means engagable by said locking tang on the portion of said strap from said projection to the second end is a ladder structure, the ladder structure having rungs which are sequentially engaged by said locking tang when said strap is inserted into and through the elongated channel.