Cable retention system

Abstract

A cable retention system includes a cable tie and a storage and installation tool. The cable tie includes an elongated band having head and tail ends. The inner surface of the band includes spaced grooves offset toward the tail end to render it more flexible than the head end. Teeth along the inner surface of the band adjacent the head end and along the outer surface of the band adjacent the tail end engage in a circumferential direction when the head end overlaps the tail end. The tool has an annular configuration with an elongated longitudinal opening and an inner raceway for receiving cables. The opening enables the tube to be slipped over a group of cables and moved along the cables. As the tube is moved along the cables, the ties are slipped off and onto the cables at selected spaced locations for securing the cables into a bundle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 359,867 entitled CABLE RETENTION DEVICE filed Feb. 7, 2003, which is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 333,255,430 entitled CABLE RETENTION DEVICE filed on Feb. 8, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to retaining devices and, more particularly to a tie for securing one or more objects such as cables, wires or conduits in a bundle or to another object. [0003] Existing cable ties take several forms. The most elementary example is a wire which is either bare or is coated with insulation and which is twisted around one or more cables which it is desired to bundle together. A more popular cable tie which is now used is a preformed plastic strip having teeth which pass through a catch box, where the teeth engage a complemental restraint which locks the end of the tie in place. [0004] The disadvantages of the prior a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a preformed cable tie with a unique, non-binding configuration that can be easily secured with one hand. The cable tie has a partially deformable inner surface and is designed to return to its approximate original shape when released. The cable tie can be used to secure a bundle of small diameter cables with a positive outwardly directed \"spring action\" rather than an inwardly directed cinching action. The invention also includes a storage and installation tool for easy handling and use. The technical effects of the invention include a reduced likelihood of binding the cable, a spring memory that allows for easy adjustment, a sure lock mechanism, and a positive engagement for the user."

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantages of the prior art devices described above are several, First, and foremost, with many types of cable, especially low voltage computer cables, the cable is sensitive to binding and it is frequently the case that the cable tie is tightened too tightly so that it adversely affects the performance of the equipment being fed by the cable.

If an uncoated wire is utilized as the tie, significant damage to the cable or cables being secured may result.

Their lumens may become narrowed or partially occluded if a cable tie is overtightened, diminishing the rate of flow of liquids or gases carried by the conduits.

Another disadvantage of the prior art, even when utilizing the more popular plastic cable ties described above, is that there is no way to judge when the tie is properly secured.

Since there is no margin for error, the tie may be too tight and may adversely affect performance without the knowledge of the installer who applied the tie.

Another disadvantage of prior art ties is that for the most part, once they are tightened, they cannot be released without use of a cutting tool, which destroys the tie.

Another disadvantage of prior art ties is that, even when installed properly so as not to bind the cable during normal use, if the cable is bent around a corner there is the possibility of the cable becoming pinched and adversely affected, even though this was not the case when the cable was laid out in a straight line.

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