Device for removably coupling a plurality of structures
AssigneeMicron Electronics, Inc.
InventorCraig L. Boe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for coupling at least two structures. The apparatus comprises a resilient, elongated coupling member having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures and a plurality of projections positioned between respective pairs of adjacent apertures. The apertures in a first portion of the coupling member are sized and positioned to removably receive the projections of a second portion of the coupling member when the coupling member is wrapped around a bundle or structure.
Claims39
A connection device, comprising a band elongated along a longitudinal axis and being elastically stretchable in direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis between an unstretched position and a stretched position, the band having a plurality of projections extending from a first surface of the band, the band further having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, at least one of the apertures being between the projections and extending from a second surface of the band toward the first surface of the band, apertures of a first portion of the band being dimensioned to receive projections of a second portion of the band, at least one of the apertures being defined by opposing aperture walls portions, the walls being movable toward and away from each other in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position when the band is in the unstretched position and a second position with the walls biased against opposing walls of a corresponding projection when the band is in the stretched position, the band being sufficiently flexible to be folded upon itself with the first portion proximate to the second portion.
A device for coupling at least two structures, comprising a generally planar coupling member elongated along a longitudinal axis and elastically stretchable along the longitudinal axis between an unstretched position and a stretched position, the coupling member being bendable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the coupling member having a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending therethrough generally in the plane of the coupling member and further having a plurality of projections connected to and extending away therefrom, apertures of a first portion of the coupling member being sized and positioned to removably receive projections of a second portion of the coupling member when the second portion of the coupling member is positioned proximate the first portion of the coupling member, at least one of the apertures being defined by opposing aperture walls the walls being movable toward and away from each other in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position when the coupling member is in the unstretched position and a second position with the walls biased against opposing walls of a corresponding projection when the coupling member is in the stretched position.
A device for bundling cables, comprising:
- a band elongated along a longitudinal axis and being elastic in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis to stretch between an unstretched position and a stretched position, the band having a first surface, a second surface facing opposite the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending therethrough from the first surface to the second surface;
- and
- a plurality of projections connected to and extending away from the second surface of the band, the band having a first portion positioned to overlap a second portion when the band engages the cables, the apertures being positioned in the first portion of the band and the projections being positioned on the second portion of the band, the apertures being sized to receive projections on the second portion of the band when the band is stretched along the longitudinal axis from an unstretched position to a stretched position, the apertures being defined by opposing aperture walls, the walls being movable toward and away from each other in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position when the band is in the unstretched position and a second position with the walls biased against a corresponding projection when the band is in the stretched position.
An assembly of bundled wires, comprising:
- a first elongated wire;
- a second elongated wire adjacent to and in contact with the first elongated wire;
- and
- a generally planar coupling member elongated along a longitudinal axis and folded upon itself to encircle the first and second wires, projections extending away from a first portion of the coupling member being removably received in apertures of a second portion of the coupling member, the apertures being positioned generally in plane of the coupling member, at least one of the apertures being defined by opposing aperture walls, the walls being movable toward and away from each other in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position when the coupling member is in the unstretched position and a second position with the walls biased against opposing walls of a corresponding projection when the coupling member is in the stretched position.
A device for coupling at least two structures, comprising a band having spaced apart apertures extending therethrough, each aperture being formed by walls defining a generally elliptical shape, the band further having a plurality of projections connected to and extending away therefrom, the band having a first portion positioned to engage a second portion when the band couples the two structures, the apertures of the first portion being of a first size when the band is in an extended state and being of a second size when the band is in a retracted state, the first size being smaller than the second size, the projections of the first portion being sized to extend at least partially into the apertures of the second portion when the apertures are of the first size.
A device for coupling at least two structures, comprising a band having spaced apart apertures extending therethrough, each aperture being defined by six aperture walls and having a generally hexagonal shape, the band further having a plurality of projections connected to and extending away therefrom, the band having a first portion positioned to engage a second portion when the band couples the two structures, the apertures of the first portion being of a first size when the band is in an extended state and being of a second size when the band is in a retracted state, the first size being smaller than the second size, the projections of the first portion being sized to extend at least partially into the apertures of the second portion when the apertures are of the first size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.