Panduit Corporation

James A Brownlee

Jack E Caveney

Robert J Krisel

William A Bernard

Joseph P Leszczewicz

Jason O'Young

Jonathan A DeMik

Jeffery S Kuzmuk

Jerry V Leanna

Stephen Olewinski

Jonathan A Demik

A cable tie is provided that includes an integral cable tie head and strap. The strap includes a first end forming a neck section, a free end opposite the first end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the free end, the intermediate section having a predetermined width Band thickness Tdefining a predetermined cross-sectional area. The cable tie head is secured to the neck area of the strap at the first end of the strap, the cable tie head having a width E that is wider than strap width B and including a strap accepting channel containing a locking device. The strap accepting channel is sized to receive the free end of the strap. The neck section has a width that transitions from a width of B to a width E' that is substantially the same as width E and a thickness Tthat is thinner than T, the neck section having a cross-sectional area that is at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the intermediate section of the strap so as to have a tensile strength at least equal to a tensile strength of the intermediate section of the strap. The cable tie may be a bent neck type cable tie. Preferably, the neck section has at least one recessed channel defining the reduced thickness Tand thickened side portions.

Cable tie with wide neck

A two-piece cable tie is provided that is capable of usage with an automated cable tie installation tool. The two-piece cable tie accommodates improved gripping of large or small bundles. By including a cored-out region near the neck, the cable tie can secure a near zero bundle size. By including a transverse pad on the bottom side of the cable tie strap near the cable tie head, the cable tie can be prevented from rotation relative to the bundle to which is it secured. A preferred cable tie strap has a wide recessed center section and high side rails that increase lateral clamping force. To resist barb inversion, the cable tie preferably includes a reinforcement area underneath the metal locking device when used with a strap having a recessed area. By maintaining relatively high side rails and a thin web section in the tip, the cable tie can achieve zero insertion force while maintaining sufficient strap rigidity and size to enable feeding of the strap through an automated cable tie installation tool.

Two-piece cable tie suitable for use in an automated cable tie installation tool

A cable tie is provided that includes an integral cable tie head and strap. The strap includes a first end forming a neck section, a free end opposite the first end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the free end, the intermediate section having a predetermined width B and thickness T defining a predetermined cross-sectional area. The cable tie head is secured to the neck area of the strap at the first end of the strap, the cable tie head having a width E that is wider than strap width B and including a strap accepting channel containing a locking device. The strap accepting channel is sized to receive the free end of the strap. The neck section has a width that transitions from a width of B to a width E&prime; that is substantially the same as width E and a thickness T that is thinner than T , the neck section having a cross-sectional area that is at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the intermediate section of the strap so as to have a tensile strength at least equal to a tensile strength of the intermediate section of the strap. The cable tie may be a bent neck type cable tie. Preferably, the neck section has at least one recessed channel defining the reduced thickness T and thickened side portions.

A low profile cable tie, preferably a two-piece cable tie, has a low profile locking head with a lateral strap accepting channel and a strap preferably molded with a right angle bend that is retained in this state during non-use. The cable tie has a clean exterior appearance, including a top surface free of openings and a smooth lateral opening. With this cable tie, a strap accepting channel is provided in the locking head that is substantially parallel to a strap attachment axis. The strap accepting channel divides the locking head into a first part, which is secured to the strap, and a second part which contains a locking device. By providing the locking device on the second part, the first part can be made thinner, allowing the strap accepting channel to be closer to the cable bundle being tied. Further, in the case of a two-piece cable tie having a metal locking device, the locking device is preferably bent so as to have a fixed end substantially parallel to the strap accepting channel axis and a free end positioned within the strap accepting channel at an acute angle relative to the strap accepting channel axis. A bottom wall may be shorter in length than an upper wall to define a recessed inset that widens the effective strap accepting channel entrance without increasing the height of the locking head. The inset also allows entrance of the strap over a broader range of entrance angles.

Low profile cable tie with prebent strap

A two piece cable tie is provided having an improved metal locking device anchoring system. The cable tie includes a strap including a first end and a free end and a locking head secured to the first end of the strap that defines a strap accepting channel in the head having a strap entry end and a strap exit end. The locking head further includes a metal locking device receiving cavity adjacent to and open toward the strap exit end of the locking head and a mounting slot having an inner support wall, an outer support wall and a support slot communicating the mounting slot with the receiving cavity. A metal locking device is mounted through the metal locking device receiving cavity into the mounting slot. The metal locking device has a free end positioned within the strap accepting channel and a fixed end having at least one bent tang protruding outwardly from a surface of the metal locking device. The fixed end having the at least one bent tang is insertable through the support slot. Upon such insertion, the inner support surface of the mounting slot resiliently urges at least a protruding edge of the at least one bent tang against the outer support surface to anchor the metal locking device within the mounting slot and resist withdrawal of the metal locking device in a direction towards the exit end of the strap accepting channel. The inventive cable tie is capable of multiple strap threading without failure. The barbed anchoring system and method are particularly suited for cable ties having a bent metal locking device with a mounting slot parallel with the strap accepting channel.

Low thread force cable tie with anchored locking device

Low profile cable tie

A two piece cable tie is provided having an improved locking device support. The cable tie includes a strap with a first end and a free end, a locking head having a strap accepting channel, and a metal locking device mounted within an anchoring housing region of the head to form a cantilever beam having a mounted end fixed to a support of the locking head and a free end positioned within the strap accepting channel. The strap includes a central inwardly projecting groove of a predefined width that defines a thinned portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the strap to the free end of the strap. The strap accepting channel has a channel width W defined between an end wall and the inner wall The strap accepting channel also includes a support guide projecting from the inner wall of the locking head into the strap accepting channel to restrict the width of the channel accepting channel to a width W , which is less than W . The free end of the metal locking device has a length L that is greater than W and preferably no greater than W . The support guide has a width transverse to the width of the strap accepting channel that is less than the predefined width of the projecting groove of the strap. The support guide also includes a ledge that provides a support surface for the metal locking device that changes the locking device from one having a cantilever support to one with a simple beam support when the locking device is bent downward by a sufficient withdrawal force. This withdrawal force is sufficient to cause the locking device to fully pierce the thinned portion of the strap, which allows the free end of the locking device to rest upon the ledge. The strap may include a V-shaped groove at the first end to improve flexibility of the strap.

Low thread force cable tie with locking device that pierces strap

A two-piece cable tie is provided that can be more readily assembled and achieves a low insertion force while maintaining desired strap retention force. The cable tie includes a metal locking device that is bent at a predetermined bend angle and then precisely located within a locking device receiving cavity. The cable tie includes a strap including a first end and a free end and a locking head secured to the first end of the strap along a strap attachment axis. The locking head includes a strap accepting channel in the head that has a strap entry end and a strap exit end on opposite ends of a strap accepting channel axis. The strap accepting channel divides the locking head into a first part and a second part, with the first part being secured to the first end of the strap and the second part including metal locking device receiving cavity adjacent to and open toward the strap exit end of the locking head and an extending wall located between the receiving cavity and the strap accepting channel. The metal locking device, which is preferably prebent, is mounted within the metal locking device receiving cavity by having a fixed end mounted to a support slot of the end wall of the locking head and oriented substantially parallel to the strap accepting channel axis. The metal locking device further includes a free end angled at an acute angle relative to the strap accepting channel axis and extending into the strap accepting channel. When mounted, the free end preferably substantially rests upon a fulcrum point of the extending wall and extends beyond the wall by a predetermined distance into the strap accepting channel.

Cable tie with bent locking device and method of manufacture therefor

A cable tie is provided having a lowered cable strap insertion force. The cable tie includes a strap with a first end and a free end, a locking head having a strap accepting channel, and a metal locking device mounted within a metal locking device receiving cavity of the head having a fixed end mounted to a support of the locking head and a free end positioned within the strap accepting channel. The locking head includes a recessed pocket provided between the fixed end and the strap accepting channel that defines a reduced thickness support membrane that allows controlled deflection of the fixed end to achieve lower strap insertion force. By making the recessed pocket open into the metal locking device receiving cavity, molding and aesthetic advantages can be achieved.

Cable tie with thread force reducing structure

Cable tie

A device for engagement with a threaded post or stud, including a housing having a generally cylindrical axial bore with a top side and a bottom side for engagement with the stud from either the top or bottom sides. The stud engaging member includes a plurality of flexible tangs and can further include an integrally formed cable tie for securing a bundle of wires to the threaded stud.

Stud engaging device

A low thread force two piece cable tie includes a strap, a locking head forming a strap accepting channel, a metal barb positioned within the channel and mounted to the locking head, and a cored out pocket disposed adjacent the metal barb at the entrance to the strap accepting channel. The cored out pocket allows for a slight rotation of the metal barb during insertion of the tip of the strap which enhances the threadability of the cable tie.

Low thread force cable tie

A stretched cable tie has a head connected to a strap having teeth on both sides of the strap. A moveable pawl is positioned on a ledge inside the head and urges the strap into engagement with a fixed tooth within the head so that teeth on both sides of the strap are engaged by the pawl and fixed tooth respectively. A sharp corner is provided more than a multiple of the spacing between the strap teeth below the fixed tooth so as to allow the corner to penetrate the strap and engage the adjacent tooth to aid in providing a withdrawal force. A portion of the wall of the head behind the fixed tooth is removed to facilitate cooling and eliminate shrinkage in the area of the fixed tooth.

Growing community of inventors

Park Forest, IL, United States of America

James A Brownlee