US3486200A - Cable strap - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1969 H. ORENICK CABLE STRAP Filed July 23. 1968 INVENTOR- EM/L H. oEEN/CK ATTOEA/Ef 3,486,200 CABLE STRAP Emil H. Orenick, 9011 W. Moreland Road, Pal-ma, Ohio 44129 Filed July 23, 1968, Ser. No. 746,854 Int. Cl. B65d 63/00 US. Cl. 2416 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A re-usable cable-strap embodying a unitary notched and headed band, wherein the cable encircling band engages its head, and is releasably locked therein by flexion of the band.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a re-usable cable-strap for maintaining electrical cables used in automobiles, trucks, and the like, in compact bundles wherein the grouped cables are maintained in parallel alignment as they travel from the control panel to the various operating units.

Another object is to provide such a strap that can be snuggly looped around cables and locked in place, without the use of tools.

A further object is to provide a cable-strap having locking means that can be released at will, without destroying the strap, which may then be readily re-applied without eifecting its efficiency.

Still another object is to provide' a unitary cable-strap, of the type stated, that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These, and other objects of the invention, will become apparent from a reading of the following specification, together with the accompanying drawing, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the cable-strap that is the subject of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the strap head, show ing the strap band in its, flexed, locked position;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the cable-strap, showing its band curved around a bundle of cables, prior to its insertion into the head;

FIGURE 5 is a side view, showing the strap pulled through the head and snuggly surrounding the cable bundle shown in FIGURE 4; and,

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the cable-strap showing its band extending through the head in its upwardly flexed, locked, position, as illustrated, in section, in FIG- URE 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 the cable-strap that is the subject of this invention, broadly indicated by reference numeral 10.

The cable-strap 10 comprises a substantially flat, flexible, band having a slotted lock-head 13, formed integral therewith, at one end thereof, and a tongue 21 at the other end, adapted to be inserted through the head slot 14, when the band is curved upon itself, around a bundle of cables 18, as seen in FIGURE 5.

The cable-strap 10 may be fabricated from any material having the required physical characteristics of flexibility, dimentional and heat stability, freedom from sharp edges that might abrade the cables, and high dielectrical strength.

A preferred material that meets all these qualifications is a plastic commonly known as nylon.

nited States Patent 0 3,486,209 Patented Dec. 30, 1969 ice This plastic is tough, wear resistant, and stable under temperatures up to 300 R, which is desirable for use around automobile engines, where elevated temperatures are common.

The cable-strap 10 is cast in one piece, with the length of the band 20 determined by the size of the loop required to encircle the number of cables 18, to be held therein.

The band 20 is substantially fiat over its length, with a downwardly curved section 17 and the head,,13, for the purpose of indicating in which direction the band should be bent in encircling the held cables 18, as seen in FIG- URES 2 and 4.

The head 13 has a slot 14 therethrough, whose floor is in a plane that is a continuation of the band 20, as seen in FIGURE 2.

The band 20 has a plurality of spaced and opposed notches 11 cut in the side edges thereof, between the head 13 and tongue 21, which defines a plurality of spaced and opposed teeth 12.

Reference numerals 15 and 16 indicate a pair of opposed lugs located inside the head 13, immediately above the plane of the slot 14, parallel thereto, and spaced apart a distance equal to that between the roots of the opposed band notches 11.

In applying the strap 10 to a bundle of electrical cables 18, as seen in FIGURE 4, the band 20 is looped around the cables 18 with its tongue placed in alignment with the head slot 14. The tongue 21 is then made to pass through the slot 14, and the band 20 pulled forward, in the plane of the slot, until its looped section is snugly fitted around the cables 18, as seen in FIGURE 5.

While holding the band 20 taut, the band is flexed sharply upward, at an angle of to position one pair of the opposed notches 11 between the head lugs 15 and 16, with one pair of the adjacent teeth 12 seated on top of the opposed lugs, as seen in FIGURE 3. In this, flexed position, the band is securely locked against retractive movement out of the head 13. The natural resilience of the grouped cables will maintain the band teeth in firm engagement with the lugs 15 and 16.

To intentionally remove the cable-strap 10 the upwardly flexed portion of the band 20 is pulled forward, against the resistance of the encircled cables, until the engaged teeth are free of the lugs, at which point the band is flexed downward, back to its horizontal plane, in which position it is free to be retracted through the slot 14 and out of the head 13.

The so released cable-strap can be replaced and removed as often as required, without damage to itself and without any loss in its holding efliciency.

It will now be clear that there has been provided a device which accomplishes the objectives heretofore set forth.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, it is to be understood that the specific embodiment thereof as described and illustrated herein is not to be considered in a limited sense.

I claim:

1. A cable strap adapted to encircle two or more cables and maintain them in a compact bundle, comprising:

(a) a flexible, flat, band having an enlarged slotted head at one thereof, formed integral therewith, and extending from one side thereof, and a tongue at the other end thereof adapted to be laterally inserted in the head slot when the band is curved upon itself around a bundle of cables;

(b) the band having a plurality of spaced and opposed notches cut in the edges thereof, between the head and tongue, defining a plurality of spaced and opposed teeth;

(c) a pair of opposed strap guiding and locking lugs located in the head immediately above the plane of the slot, parallel thereto, and spaced apart a distance equal to that between the roots of the opposed band notches;

(d) that portion of the band in the head slot being adapted to be flexed between a first, flat position, clear of the head lugs, and a second, upwardly tilted position, wherein the lugs are engaged by one set of the paired notches and teeth;

(e) the band being free to travel through the head slot, in either direction, when in its first position, and being locked against retraction therefrom, When in UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1961 Hallsey.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,379,034 10/1964 France. 1,086,292 10/1967 Great Britain.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner

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