ACCORDIAN STRAP WITH FORMED WAVES

Abstract

 A tie strap tie for holding an article or group of articles together includes an elongate strap having a locking head at one end and a tail at the other end and an elongate strap body therebetween. The tail is insertable into the locking head for locking the strap around the article or articles. The locking head contains a ball positioned for lockingly engaging said tail upon insertion via a first direction and for locking engagement therewith upon movement of the tail in a second direction opposite said first direction, thereby retaining said tail associated with said locking head. The strap body further defines a major plane and a diametrically opposite minor plane. A plurality of formed waves extends from the major plane opposite the minor plane of the strap body for providing resilient retention of the strap body about said articles or articles.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bundling and attachment devices and more specifically to tie straps for securing about an article or articles to be secured. In even greater particularity, the present invention relates to what is referred to in the art as a "ball-lock" tie strap, which has a ball within a locking head of the tie strap for lockingly engaging the tie strap around the article or articles to be secured. Still, in even further specificity, the present invention relates to a ball-lock tie strap which includes a plurality of formed waves extending from a major plane of the strap body, serving to secure the locking head around the article or articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic tie straps have become increasingly popular for a variety of bundling and attachment applications because of their relatively low initial cost and ease of their installation. In many applications, however, it is desirable to use a metallic tie strap. For instance, metal ties are often used in underground, corrosive, nuclear, and heavy vibration environments and in other situations where they are exposed to harsh conditions.

[0003] Metal tie straps may rely on a locking head which allows insertion of an elongate strap in a first direction but, after a slight movement in a second direction, the locking head locks the elongate strap in a "lock position" to keep the strap from further movement in the second direction and does not allow removal of the strap. If too much play exists in the tie strap, however, and depending upon the design of the tie strap and locking head (as well as the type of article or articles secured) the elongate strap may work its way out through various movements in different directions, allowing the article or articles secured by the tie strap to become loose.

[0004] In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a tie strap which has a means for preventing retrograde movement of the strap from its locked position and for taking up slack and maintaining tension on the strap, ensuring that the tie strap remains locked under all circumstances.

[0005] The present invention addresses the above needs by providing a tie strap according to claim 1.

[0006] The ball lock tie strap according to the invention is for holding an article or group of articles together in a bundle. The tie strap includes an elongate strap having a locking head at one end and a tail at the other end, the elongate strap body there-between. The tail is insertable into the locking head for locking the strap around the article or articles. The tie strap itself is deformable to encompass the article or group of articles. The locking head contains a ball positioned within for lockingly engaging the tail upon insertion of the tail in a first direction, and for locking engagement upon movement of the tail in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby retaining the tail in the locking head. The strap body is defined by a major plane and a diametrically opposite minor plane, with a plurality of formed waves extending from the major plane opposite the minor plane. The plurality of waves provide a spring-like effect for providing resilient retention of the strap body about the article or articles upon locking engagement of the tail with the head. The plurality of waves allow for the elongate strap itself to have a degree of elasticity, compensating for a lack of elasticity if the article or articles encompassed are non-deformable and confirming the tail of the elongate strap does not move in the second direction which might dislodge the locking head, and loosen the article or articles.

[0007] In various embodiments of the invention, the tie strap is formed of stainless steel (such as 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel), aluminum, brass, plastic, or any other material, and may be between 26 and 27 inches (between 660 mm and 686 mm) in length, or, alternately, between 200 mm and 680 mm. The width of the tie strap may be between 4.6mm and 7.9mm.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the formed waves do not extend from the minor plane.

[0009] In various embodiments of the invention, the number of formed waves number between four and seven.

[0010] Each formed wave may form with other waves a sixty degree angle, an angle between fifty-five degrees and sixty-five degrees, a ninety degree angle, or any other angle.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention the formed waves are located adjacent the head, but the formed waves are located in other embodiments in any portion of the strap body, including adjacent to the tail, or in the middle of the strap body.

[0012] In still another embodiment of the invention, all formed waves may have a combined length of less than one inch (25.4 mm).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative tie strap embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the tie strap illustrated in FIG. 1 embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a representative tie strap embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the tie strap illustrated in FIG. 1 embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of a tie strap showing an alternative embodiment of a plurality of formed waves formed in a strap body embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a tie strap showing another alternative embodiment of a plurality of formed waves formed in a strap body embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tie strap illustrated in FIG. 1 embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the tie strap illustrated in FIG. 1 embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the tie strap illustrated in FIG. 8 embodying characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a tie strap embodying characteristics of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the present invention, a representative tie strap for encircling and securing an article or article generally indicated in FIGS. 1 et seq. by reference numeral 10. As displayed in FIG. 1 et seq., tie strap 10 is an elongate member including a locking head 16 at one end and a tail 46 at the other end. An elongate strap body 18 extends between the locking head 16 and the tail 46. The tail 46 is insertable into the locking head 16 for locking the strap around the article or articles to be secured. The locking head 16 contains a ball 22 for retaining the elongate strap 18 and tail 46. The tail 46 may be inserted into the locking head 16 in a first direction and retained via engagement of the locking head 16 and ball 22 upon movement in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby retaining the tail 46 in the locking head 16. The general structure and function of the tie strap discussed herein is more fully described in commonly assigned Patent 6,076,235 issued June 20, 2000, entitled "Cable Tie." This patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety here.

[0015] When clenched around an article or article such as the bundle of steel rods 14 or pipe 12, in order to prevent the ball 22 from moving in the locking head 16, thereby also preventing retrograde movement of the tail in the second direction and avoid the locking head 16 from loosening, a plurality of formed waves formed into the strap body 18 (as displayed variously in FIGS. 1 et seq. at reference numerals 26a, 26b, or 26c) are utilized for enhancing the clenching of strap body 18 around article or articles 12, 14. In various embodiments of the invention, the formed waves may number exactly four, five (as displayed at reference number 26a), six (displayed as reference number 26b), or seven (displayed 26c). More or less formed waves are contemplated as well as being within the scope of the invention. The formed waves 26a, 26b, or 26c may be formed near the tail 46, the locking head 16, or at any other location in the elongate strap 18. The tie strap 10 presents the advantages of high tensile strength, is lightweight, has a long service life, and is simple and economical to manufacture.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the locking head 16, strap body 18, ball 22, and all other elements of the presently disclosed invention are formed of stainless steel to allow the tie strap to be used over a wide variety of temperature ranges and give the tie strap high tensile strength and excellent resistance to corrosion in harsh elements. Steel such as 304 stainless (known alternately as A2 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel), or 316 stainless may be utilized. It should be understood, however, that the tie strap 10 may be constructed out of other materials such as other types of metals including aluminum, brass, copper, iron, or even plastic. Other configurations may be utilized, and all are contemplated as within the scope of the invention. In an embodiment, for example, the sphere 22 may be replaced with a generally cylindrical locking pin, which allows a similar locking engagement.

[0017] Tie strap 10 of the present invention is preferably formed by first obtaining a suitable length of elongate strap 18 depending on application of tie strap 10, from a spool of such (not shown). In an embodiment of the invention, the elongate strap 18 has a length of between 26 and 27 inches (between 660 mm and 680 mm) for general purpose usability in many applications. Alternately, the elongate strap 18 may have a length of 200 millimeters ("mm"), 260 mm, 360 mm, 520 mm, or 680 mm. As still another alternate, the elongate strap 18 may have a length between 190 mm and 200 mm, between 250 and 270 mm, between 350 and 370 mm, between 500 and 540 mm, or between 650 and 700 mm. In various embodiments, the width of the elongate strap 18 may be 4.6 mm, 7.9 mm, or any other (or, alternately, between 4 mm and 5 mm or between 7 and 8 mm). The next step in manufacturing the tie strap 10 is forming the formed waves 26a, 26b, or 26c in the elongate strap 18. In an embodiment, a stamp of a die in a machine press is utilized to form the waves 26a, 26b, 26c in the elongate strap 18. It is most efficient, for manufacturing purposes, for each formed wave to form a sixty degree angle with other formed waves (as displayed in Fig. 4, reference numeral 85), or any angle between fifty-five degrees and sixty-five degrees, since such angles may be formed with one stamp of the die. An angle of ninety degrees (as displayed in Fig. 5, reference numeral 85'), or any angle between eighty-five degrees and ninety-five degrees may be utilized as well, for the sake of utilization of the presently disclosed invention, but forming such waves may require more than one stamp of the elongate strap 18 by the die. The elongate strap 18 is defined by a major plane 4a and a diametrically opposed minor axis 4b plane, as pictured in FIG. 6.

[0018] Locking head 16 is preferably next formed from a generally flat planar metal blank (not shown) which is substantially rectangular in shape. A roof 32, as shown in FIG. 6, preferably in the form of a totally enclosed dome, is first formed in a central portion of the metal blank. In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 7, opposing rectangular notches 34a and 34b are then formed through the metal blank on opposite edges 36a and 36b so that when opposite portions 38a and 38b of the blank, including notches 34a and 34b, are folded together away or beneath roof 32 such that notches 34a and 34b and edges 36a and 36b are in direct opposing relation, they define a bottom 40 of locking head 16 which underlies roof 32. As such, notches 34a and 34b cooperate to define a generally square hole 42 through bottom 40. The respective areas of bend of the metal blank define sidewalls 44a and 44b of locking head 16 while the portion of the metal blank surrounding roof 32 and overlying bottom 40 defines ceiling 43. Thus, it can be seen that sidewalls 44a and 44b interconnect ceiling 43 and bottom 40.

[0019] Next, the roller means of tie strap 10, preferably in the form of sphere 22, is inserted into the locking head 16 through hole 42 in bottom 40. With the locking head 16 oriented so that sphere 22 remains suitably positioned inside of head 16, head 16 is slidably mounted onto strap body 18 over the tail 46 such that bottom 40 is adjacent second surface 20b. In this position, roof 32 and ceiling 43 overlie first surface 20a of strap 18, noting that sphere 22 is captively held within head 16 by roof 32 and strap 18. First end 30 of strap 18 is folded over at perforation 66 and projection 28 is inserted and latched into hole 42, thereby securing the locking head 16 to the strap 18.

[0020] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, locking head 16 includes a strap ingress end 50, a strap egress end 52, and a strap-receiving passageway 54 extending therebetween through locking head 16 which is partially defined by ceiling 43, sidewalls 44a and 44b, and bottom 40. Ceiling 43 may overlie bottom 40 in substantial parallel relation thereto. Roof 32 preferably includes first and second generally straight diverging portions 56 and 58 and a converging generally arcuate portion 60. First and second diverging portions 56 and 58 and bottom 40 diverge from one another in the direction of egress end 52. In a preferred embodiment, second diverging portion 58 has a lesser divergence angle than first diverging portion 56. Conversely, arcuate portion 60 and bottom 40 converge toward one another in the direction of egress end 52. Egress end 52 of head 16 may also serve as a reaction surface for the nose of a conventional strap tightening tool (not shown).

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 8-10, waves 26a, 26b, 26c comprise a plurality of formed waves numbering four formed waves, five waves 26a, six 26b, seven 26c, eight, or more. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of formed waves 26a, 26b, 26c may only extend from the major plane 4a opposite the minor plane 4b. In an alternate embodiment, the formed waves extend from both the major plane 4a and the minor plane 4b of the elongate strap 18. As shown in FIG. 4, in an embodiment of the invention, each formed wave may form an angle with other formed waves between fifty-five degrees and sixty-five degrees, or exactly sixty degrees (as displayed 85). In a separate embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, each formed wave forms an angle with other formed waves between eighty-five degrees and ninety-five degrees, or exactly ninety degrees (as displayed 85'). Note that in FIG. 4, element 85 showing the sixty degree angle is shown with regard to five formed waves 26a and that in FIG. 5, element 85' showing the ninety degree angle is also shown with regard to five formed waves 26a', but note that the discussed angles may be used in connection with any number of formed waves formed in the elongate strap 18. The waves may be formed adjacent the head or elsewhere. All formed waves may have a length of less than one inch (25.4 mm), in an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, roller means such as ball 22 is movable within locking head 12 from a threading position, shown in FIG. 8, wherein ball 22 may be disposed against arcuate position 60 of roof 32 adjacent strap egress end 52, toward a locking or locked position, shown in FIG. 9 wherein ball 22 is wedged between diverging portion 58 of roof 32 and strap 18 closer to strap ingress end 50 which, in turn, wedges the strap 18 against bottom 40, thereby generally preventing retrograde movement of the strap 18 from its locked position in the locking head 16. As used herein, the terms "wedged" or "wedging" are to be accorded their broad meaning to simply indicate that in the locked position, the ball 22 and strap 18 are squeezed or compressed.

[0023] Operation of tie 10 is as follows: After strap 18 is deformed to encompass an article 12 or group of articles 14, tail 46 of strap body 18 is inserted in a first direction, as shown by the direction of arrow A into locking head 16 through strap ingress end 50. As threading continues in the direction of arrow A through passageway 54, strap 18 engages ball 22 lifting and moving it toward its threading position shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that threading of the strap requires very low force as ball 22 can roll on the strap 18 during threading. This is to be contrasted with prior art ties requiring much higher threading force wherein a locking tongue, biased to its locking position, has to be forcefully deflected to its threading position. Continued threading in the first direction shown by arrow A through passageway 54 causes strap 18 to exit from the locking head 16 through strap egress end 52. Strap 18 is pulled through locking head 16 until it tightly encircles the article 12 or bundle of articles 14 to a predetermined level as shown in FIG. 8.

[0024] The tightened position as shown in FIG. 9 results from insertion of the tail 46 in the head 16 and tightening of the strap 18. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 8-9, tightening of the strap 18 may serve to extend the formed waves 26a, 26b, or 26c in a spring-like fashion. The reactive force exerted by the formed waves 26a, 26b, 26c upon being stretched is utilized to exert a substantial force in a second direction, as shown by arrow B, maintaining the locking engagement of the tie strap around the article or articles to be secured.

[0025] Referring to Fig. 9, after strap 18 is tightened to a predetermined level, release of the strap 18 in conjunction with the force from formed waves 26a, 26b, or 26c causes the elongate strap 18 and the ball 22 to move or recoil in the second direction as displayed by arrow B toward the strap ingress end 50 until the ball 22 simultaneously engages roof 32 and strap 18. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the travel of ball 22 between its threading position and locking position is very short. When the ball 22 is in its locking position, the frictional engagement between the ball 22 and the roof 32 and between the ball 22 and strap 18 is generally sufficient to prevent rolling of the ball 22, thus causing the strap to be tightly wedged against bottom 40. In addition, the force associated with stretched formed waves 26a, 26b, 26c as described above in the second direction shown by arrow B further enhances the prevention of ball 22 from rolling, thus enhancing the locking of the strap 18 within head 16 by contributing to the wedging of strap 18 against bottom 40. The continuous force exerted by the formed waves 26a, 26b, or 26c in the direction of arrow B also maintains the clenching of strap 18 around articles 12 or 14. The ball 22, upon incipient locking, also effects permanent deformation of the strap 18 by indentation causing strap material previously underneath the ball 22 to cold flow in effect forming a rim about the indentation.

[0026] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention is designated generally as numeral 10'. Tie 10' is substantially the same as tie 10 with the exception that formed wave 26a, 26b, or 26c indicated as 26a', 26b', or 26c' is positioned at another location on strap 18, such as adjacent the head 16. In still a further embodiment, the formed waves may be located in the center, or approximately the center, of the strap 18.

[0027] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. Tie strap (10, 10') for securing about an article (12) or articles (14), comprising:

an elongate strap (18) having a locking head (16) at one end and a tail (46) at the other end, the elongate strap body (18) therebetween and the tail (46) being insertable into the locking head (16) for locking the strap (10, 10') around the article (12) or articles (14); and

the locking head (16) containing a ball (22) positioned within said locking head (16) for lockingly engaging said tail (46) upon insertion via a first direction and for locking engagement therewith upon movement of the tail (46) in a second direction opposite said first direction thereby retaining said tail (46) associated with said locking head (16);

wherein the strap body (18) further defines a major plane (4a) and a diametrically opposite minor plane (4b), a plurality of formed waves (26a, 26b, 26c) extending from the major plane (4a) opposite the minor plane (4b) of the strap body (18) for providing resilient retention of the strap body (18) about said article (12) or articles (14) upon said locking engagement of said tail (46) with said head (16).

2. Tie strap of claim 1, wherein the formed waves number four.

3. Tie strap of claim 1, wherein the formed waves (26a) number five.

4. Tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein each formed wave forms an angle with other formed waves, said angle between a fifty five degree angle and a sixty five degree angle.

5. Tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein each formed wave forms a sixty degree angle with other formed waves.

6. Tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tie strap (10, 10') is formed of stainless steel.

7. The tie strap of claim 6, wherein the stainless steel is 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel.

8. Tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein the formed waves (26a, 26b, 26c) do not extend from the minor plane (4b).

9. Tie strap of claim 8, wherein the formed waves (26a, 26b, 26c) are located adjacent the head (16).

10. Tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein all formed waves have a combined length of less than 1 inch (25.4 mm).

11. Tie strap of claim 8, wherein the formed waves (26a, 26b, 26c) are located adjacent the tail (46).

12. Tie strap of any of the claims 1-11, wherein the elongate strap (18) has a length between 26 and 27 inches (between 660 and 686 mm).

13. Tie strap of any of the claims 1-11, wherein the elongate strap (18) has a length of between 200 mm and 680 mm.

14. Tie strap of any of the claims 1-11, wherein the elongate strap (18) has a length of selectively one of the following: 200 mm, 260 mm, 360 mm, 520 mm, and 680 mm.

15. The tie strap of any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate strap (18) has a width of 4.6 mm or 7.9 mm.

Drawing