The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 24, 2003
Jack E. Caveney, Hinsdale, IL (US);
Robert J. Krisel, Oak Forest, IL (US);
James A. Brownlee, Park Forest, IL (US);
Panduit Corp., Tinley Park, IL (US);
Abstract
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.