Low profile latchable tie

#The present invention relates to a clamping device for various objects and, in particular, to a cable tie for constraining plural objects.

#A number of fastening or clamping devices have been devised for a variety of purposes. For example, clamps are used with electrical systems to connect electric shielding or insulation about electric wires, especially about electrical connectors that receive current carrying conductors. Clamps used in such applications are typically referred to as cable ties.

#Cable ties generally are of one-piece construction, consisting of a metal or plastic band with a buckle or head attached rigidly to one end of the band. The free end of the band feeds through the buckle to form a loop enclosing the electrical wires. The buckle typically contains locking teeth or tabs which interlock with slots or teeth in the band during band adjustment to retain a desired periphery of the band.

#These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a cable tie according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the cable tie;

#A tie for securing together multiple articles such as cables is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Forming the tie his an insertion guide portion 12, a flexible strap 13, a head 14 joining the guide portion 12 and the strap 13, and a latch 15 attached to the head 14. The head 14 includes an outer end portion 18 joined to the guide portion 12 and an inner end portion 19 joined to the strap 13. Defined by the head 14 is a channel 21 for receiving the strap 13 (FIGS. 8-10) during use of the tie 11. The channel 21 extends between an outer opening 22 defined by the outer end portion 18 of the head 14 and an inner opening 23 defined byte inner end portion 19. Also formed by the inner end portion 19 forming the channel 21 are top wall 28 and side, wall portions (FIG. 5) of the head 14 which wall portions retain the strap 13 within the channel as shown in FIG. 8 of the bead 14 is an upwardly opening cavity 26 extending between the inner opening 23 and the strap 13. Communicating vertically with the cavity 26 and overlain thereby is another opening 27 also extending between the inner opening 23 and the strap 13.

#The strap 13 includes an elongated section 31 with a longitudinal axis X and a transition section 32 joining the head 14 to the elongated section 31. Defined by the elongated section 31 is a head end 35 joined to the transition section 32 and a tail end 36 for insertion into the channel 21 through the outer opening 22 of the head 14. Also defined by the elongated section 31 are an upper surface 37 and a lower surface 38, a major length of which defines a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart first teeth 39 extending transversely to the axis X. The elongated section 31 has a uniform cross-section and corresponding uniform width. Defined by the transition section 32 are side surfaces 41 and 42 joined by an upper and lower connecting surfaces 43, 44 extending between the side surfaces 41, 42. A plurality of transversely extending groove recesses 46 are formed in the upper connecting surface 43 and a plurality of similar transversely extending groove recesses 47 are formed in the lower connecting surface 44. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the transition section 32 has diminishing transverse cross-sections extending between the head 14 and the elongated section 31.

#The cavity 26 is partially formed by an inclined ramp surface 51 at an inner end of the transition section 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the ramp surface 51 slopes upwardly from an inner edge 52 of the cavity opening 27 to the upper connecting surface 43 of the transition section 32 Further defining the cavity 26 are inner surfaces 53, 54 of, respectively, connector portions 56, 57 of the head 14 which connector portions extend between the inner opening 23 and the transition section 32. Preferably, both the cavity 26 and the another opening 27 have transverse widths substantially equal to the uniform width of the elongated strap section 31 so as to accommodate its passage after exiting the channel 21 of the head 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector portions 56, 57 taper downwardly from the inner end portion 19 of the head 14 to the ramp surface 51 so as to have therebetween diminishing transversely aligned cross-sectional areas. Preferably however, a minimum combined aligned transverse cross-sectional area of the connector portions 56, 57 anywhere between the inner opening 23 and the inner end of the another opening 27 is substantially equal to the uniform cross-sectional area of the elongated strap section 31 so as to conserve material and not establish a structural weakness subject to rupture by tensile forces applied to the tie 11. The combined transverse, cross-sectional area at the inner end of the another opening 27 is shown in Fit. 6.