US20110162171A1

US20110162171A1 - Fixing tie

Info

Publication number: US20110162171A1
Application number: US12/737,329
Authority: US
Inventors: Engelbert Gmeilbauer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-02
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: WO2010000242A1; CN102159837A; EP2313662A1; DE202008008961U1; RU2011103540A; EP2313662B1; DE112009001515A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing tie (10) which comprises a strip (18), provided with transverse ribs or transverse saw teeth (16) on at least one side, and a lock (20) which locks the strip inserted into the same in the direction of withdrawal. A head (12) is molded onto the end of the strip and the lock (20) is designed as a separate piece that can be put on the strip (18).

Description

The invention relates to a fixing tie with a strip provided with transverse ribs or transverse saw teeth on at least one side and a lock which locks the strip inserted into the same in the direction of withdrawal.
Cable ties are favored fixing elements for temporarily or permanently joining practically all kinds of objects. They are plastic bands or strips, which are provided with ribs or saw teeth running transversely to its longitudinal extension. A small cuboid-shaped head is formed on one end of such a plastic strip, with a rectangular through-opening corresponding to the profile of the band or strip. A locking lip or tongue, spring pre-loaded relatively to a longitudinal side of the rectangular through-opening, which allows itself to be pushed aside when inserting the band or strip and which catches one of the ribs or saw teeth grooves when pulling the strip so that the strip cannot be pulled back without using an appropriate tool, is set in the through-opening. The head equipped in such a manner will be called a lock in the following. Cable ties are therefore generally destined for single use only; once closed, a cable tie is opened by ripping the strip by means of a knife or a tong.
The field of application of cable ties far outruns the function suggested by its designation: fastening and tying electrical cables. They can be used for instance and among other things in the plumbing trade (for fastening the insulation of a pipe), in tool building, packaging, . . . through to a restraining instrument for refractory delinquents.
It is impossible to use the known cable ties to join plate- or strip-shaped objects, to fasten stretched objects to plate- or strip-shaped objects or to attach objects to a wall or a ceiling.
Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to extend the field of application of cable ties in the disclosed manner.
According to the invention, this object is solved in such a manner that a head is formed on one end of the strip and that the lock is configured as a separate part that can be slipped onto the strip. A similar fixing element is already known from the document EP 14 96 270 A2. This is however not a fixing tie with a flexible strip but a wall fastening for radiators with a rigid pole equipped with a thread on the one end of which a head is formed and on the other end of which a self-locking lock can be slid.
The head is basically configured as an element disposed transversely to the longitudinal extension of the strip, the transverse extension of which exceeds that of the strip in at least one direction.
In preferred embodiments, the head is saucer-shaped or configured as a bar or a balk disposed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip.
The bar or balk can preferably be bent or swiveled in relation to the strip in the manner of a toggle bolt.
In another preferred embodiment, the head is configured in the shape of a wedge or a cone pointing in the direction of the strip.
In another variant, the head is configured as a hollow wall anchor and the strip is formed on its base from the inside.
In a variation of the fixing tie according to the invention, the lock is configured in the shape of a saucer and inserted between two strips if necessary. A saucer-shaped lock is however known from the fixing element known in the document EP 14 96 270 A2.
Another variation of the fixing tie according to the invention allows for the use of an independent strip as material sold by the meter: this fixing tie has a double lock as an integral component with two individual locks, the first individual lock locking outward after inserting a separate strip from the outside. The second lock locks in the direction of the first lock after passing around the other end of the strip, forming a loop and inserting the strip into the second lock.
In another preferred embodiment, a disc is provided which can be slid on the strip up to the head, the head and the disc being preferably configured in the shape of a saucer and the concave sides of the saucers are facing each other.
A hose that can be slid on the strip and that can be squeezed in the longitudinal direction is provided for use as a pop rivet.
The toothed section of the strip preferably reaches directly up to the head.
The strip is preferably equipped with a toothed section on both sides, the toothed sections being offset relative to each other by half a spacing and the lock being equipped with two opposing locking tongues between which the strip must be led.

In the following, the invention is explained by means of the exemplary embodiments represented in the drawing:

FIG. 1 a a sectional view,

FIG. 1 b a perspective view of a fixing tie equipped with a saucer as a head,

FIG. 1 c the section of an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 1 d a view of a fixing tie with a head equipped with an axis,

FIG. 2 a a perspective view of a fixing tie equipped with a wedge-shaped head with an associated dowel (lock),

FIG. 2 b, 2 c sectional views of two different phases during fitting,

FIG. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c sectional views of another embodiment of a fixing tie during different phases of fitting,

FIG. 3 d, 3 e, 3 f a variation of the embodiment of the head from FIG. 3 a-3 c,

FIG. 4 a, 4 b views of a fixing tie equipped with a wedge- or cone-shaped head,

FIG. 4 c the section of an exemplary fitting of the fixing tie of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b;

FIG. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c a view and a section of a variation of the embodiment of the fixing tie according to the invention,

FIG. 6 a sectional view of a development of the fixing tie of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 a, 7 b, 7 c another embodiment of the fixing tie of FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 a, 8 b a perspective view of a variation of the embodiment of the fixing tie similar to that of FIG. 4 a, and

FIG. 9 a, 9 b a section and perspective view of a fixing tie with a squeeze hose disposed under the head.

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show the section or a perspective view of a fixing tie 10 composed of a head 12 in the shape of a saucer 14 and a strip 18 equipped with a toothed section 16 formed on it. A lock 20, in the rectangular through-opening of which is set a locking tongue 24, is slid onto the strip 18. On its side facing the strip 18, the locking tongue 24 is equipped with a sharp edge or several saw teeth which catch the teeth 16 of the strip 18. In case of a tensile load between the saucer 14 and the lock 20, the tongue 24 becomes wedged with the teeth 16 and blocks a further separation movement.
FIG. 1 c schematically shows the joining of two plates or sheets 25: The strip 18 of the fixing tie 10 is pulled through two aligned openings in the plates 25; by pulling the strip 18 against the lock 20, the plates 25 come to rest tightly against each other and are solidly joined by means of the fixing tie 10.
FIG. 1 d shows another embodiment of the head 12: an axis 28, which can for instance be hinged into an accordingly shaped bearing, is arranged in the head.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, the head 12 is configured in the shape of a wedge 30, the point of which is formed onto the strip 18. The lock 20 consists of a cuboid-shaped expansion bolt, the flanks 26 of which are pushed apart when the wedge 30 is pushed or pulled into the rectangular through-opening. By pulling the strip 18 and fixing it by means of the locking tongue 24 in a corresponding opening of a wall or plate, a positive fit with the fixing tie can be achieved. By means of another lock 20 such as the one in FIG. 1 a, another object can be fastened to this “suspension”. A fixing tie with a cone-shaped head can be used with an accordingly shaped cylindrical expansion bolt. In this case however, if a locking tongue is not also provided, the fixing tie should be fastened by means of a lock such as the one in FIG. 1 a.
FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 3 c show an embodiment of the fixing tie, in which the head 12 is configured as a so-called hollow wall anchor 32. After inserting it into, a bore in a plate or the wall 34 of a hollow brick and pulling the lock 20 tight, the hollow wall anchor 32 is deformed behind the bore in a fungoid manner and thus secures the piece to be fastened 35.
FIGS. 3 d, 3 e and 3 f show a fixing tie with a very similarly configured head 12 in which the foot of the hollow wall anchor 32 however has a locking tongue 24 and is thus itself configured as a lock. The head can thus be independently secured in a plate 36. Another lock 20 then serves to fastening another object, e.g. a plate 38.
The hollow wall anchor of FIG. 3 a-3 c can be configured flat or as a circular cylinder, as shown in FIGS. 3 d and 3 e. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 d-3 f the shown flat shape with two wings 42, which are formed at the top onto the end of the strip 18 and at the bottom onto the foot 40 of the bolt, is recommended for manufacturing reasons because of the rectangular shape of the opening in the foot 40 of the hollow wall anchor.
FIG. 4 a-4 c show a fixing tie with a head 12 in the shape of an anchor 44 with two, respectively six anchor arms, i.e. in the shape of a so-called anchor bolt. After inserting it into a bore, the arms are spread over the edges of the bore and are spread another when the strip 18 is pulled tight, until they rest closely on the wall.
FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c show a variation of the fixing tie according to the invention in which the lock 20 itself formed on the strip 18 is configured as a saucer (cf. FIG. 1). When reverse bending the strip 18 and inserting it in the lock 20, a loop is formed as shown in FIGS. 5 b and 5 c.
FIG. 6 shows a fixing tie in which a double lock 46 and a strip 18 represent separate elements. The double lock 46 combines two individual locks 48, 50 in one element. The heads of the individual locks are set on the arms of an angle 46 in such a manner that their channels run at an angle relative to each other, in the present case of approximately 90°. The locking tongue 54 of one of the individual locks 48 is formed on the angle 46 at the beginning of the channel, so that its teeth lock the strip 18 outward. The locking tongue 56 of the other individual lock 50 is formed on its outer wall, namely on the end facing the channel of the first individual lock 48. After forming a loop, its teeth lock the strip upward in the direction of the channel of the first lock 48. This embodiment permits the use of an endless strip 18 equipped with toothed sections 16. For installation, a piece having the adequate length is cut off of the endless strip and is inserted in one of the locks 48 (in the drawing, the one with the approximately horizontally running channel), the locking tongue 54 of which locks outward, until its toothed section 16 catches the locking tongue 54. The other end of the strip 18 is then pushed into the (in the drawing vertically running) through-opening of the other lock 50, the locking tongue 56 of which locks in the opposite direction. The strip 18 is then pulled tight and the out-sticking end is shortened by the required length.
An embodiment similar to that of FIG. 5 is shown in FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c. The lock 20 is here formed, approximately in the middle, between two connected strips 18. On the one hand, a loop (FIG. 5, 6) can thus be formed and on the other hand, another object can be fastened by means of another individual lock.
FIG. 8 a shows a fixing tie 10, the head 12 of which, formed on the strip 18, is configured in the shape of two wings or arms 60 similar to the arms of the fixing tie of FIG. 4 a, slightly bent in the direction of strip 18. In other words, the wings 60 have the shape of a widened V, the arms of which enclose the strip 18. A saucer 62, the convex side of which faces the head 12, is slid on the strip 18 under the head 12. The strip 18 is equipped on both sides with a toothed section 16, the teeth of both sides being offset relative to each other by half a spacing. The finer division thus achieved, allows for a stronger pressing between the bodies to be joined. The toothed sections run, as already shown in FIG. 1, directly up to the head 12. The fixing tie is thus made more multifunctional because it makes it possible to fasten very thin objects, e.g. sheets. The lock 20 is also configured in the shape of a saucer, the concave side of the saucer facing the head 12. The lock 20 is equipped with two opposing locking tongues 24, of which only one end formed on the lock 20 is shown. The teeth or edge of the locking tongues catch alternately the groove between the teeth of one of the toothed sections. Instead of offsetting the toothed sections by half a spacing, it would be possible to have synchronous toothed sections 16 and to dispose the locking tongues in the lock offset relative to each other by half a spacing.
FIG. 8 b shows the fixing tie of FIG. 8 a with the saucer 62 adjacent to wings 60 of the head 12, the wings 60 being slightly splayed. The pressing between the objects to be joined is further increased by the concave shape of the saucer and of the lock.
FIG. 9 a shows a fixing tie 10 after the manner of a pop rivet. A squeeze or shrink hose 64 is set below the head 12 formed on the strip 18. When joining two objects 36, the head 12 is pushed through a bore into said hose. When pulling tight the lock 20, the hose 64 fills the bore and is folded in the manner of an accordion (FIG. 9 b), so that a strong pressing between the objects 25 can be achieved through the interaction with the lock 20. Compared to pop rivets, in which an aluminum tube is used instead of the hose, a more secure joining can here be achieved because the folded hose 64 fills the bore and the head 12 and hose 64 cannot slide through the bore. The lock 20 is configured as a saucer, like the one in FIG. 8 a, 8 b, and has two opposing locking tongues 24 which catch alternately the teeth offset relative to each other of both toothed sections 16.

Claims

1. A fixing tie with a strip (18) provided with transverse ribs or transverse saw teeth (16) on at least one side and a lock (20) which locks the strip inserted into the same in the direction of withdrawal, a head (12) is formed on one end of the strip and that the lock (20) is configured as a separate part that can be slid onto the strip (18) wherein the head (12) is configured in the shape of two wings (60) having the shape of a widened V, the arms of which enclosing the strip (18) and that a saucer (62), the convex side of which faces the head (12), is slid on the strip (18) under the head (12) and that the strip is equipped on both sides with a toothed section (16), the toothed section (16) being offset relative to each other by half an spacing and the lock (20) being equipped with two opposing locking tongues (24) or with synchronous toothed sections, the locking tongues (24) being disposed in the lock (2) offset relative to each other by half an spacing and the lock (20) being configured in the shape of a saucer, the concave side of the saucer facing the head (12).

2. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the head (12) is configured as an element set transversely to the longitudinal extension of the strip (18), with its transverse extension being greater than that of the strip (18) in at least one direction.

3. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the head (12) is configured in the shape of a saucer. (FIG. 1 a)

4. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the head is configured as a bar or a balk (28) set transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip. (FIG. 1 d)

5. The fixing tie according to claim 4, wherein the bar or balk (28) can be bent or swiveled relative to the strip (18).

6. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the head (12) is configured in the shape of a wedge or cone pointing in the direction of the strip for use with an expansion bolt. (FIG. 2)

7. The fixing tie according to claim 6, wherein a lock is integrated into the expansion bolt.

8. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the head (12) is configured as a hollow wall anchor and that the strip (18) is formed onto its base. (FIG. 3, 4)

9. A fixing tie with a strip (18) provided with transverse ribs or transverse saw teeth (16) on at least one side and a lock (20) which locks the strip inserted into the same in the direction of withdrawal, the lock itself being configured in the shape of a saucer. (FIG. 5)

10. The fixing tie according to claim 9, the lock being formed approximately in the middle between two connected strips (18). (FIG. 7)

11. A fixing tie with a double lock (46) as an integral component with two individual locks (48, 50), the first individual lock (48) locking outward from the outside and the second lock (50) locks in the direction of the first lock (48) after passing around the other end of the strip, forming a loop and inserting the strip into the second lock (50). (FIG. 6)

12. The fixing tie according to claim 1, comprising a disc (saucer 60) that can be slid onto the strip (18). (FIG. 8)

13. The fixing tie according to claim 12, wherein the disc (60) and the lock (20) is configured in the shape of a saucer and that the concave sides of the saucers are facing each other.

14. The fixing tie according to claim 1, further comprising a hose (64) that can be slid onto the strip (18) and squeezed in the longitudinal direction. (FIG. 9)

15. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the toothed section (16) of the strip (18) reaches up to the head (12).

16. The fixing tie according to claim 1, wherein the strip (18) is equipped on both sides with a toothed section (16), the toothed sections (16) being offset preferably by half an indentation, and that the lock is equipped with two opposing locking tongues (24) between which the strip (18) must be inserted. (FIG. 8, 9)