FR3133494A1 - Cable tie device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable tie device comprising: a main body for receiving a harness; a strap integrated into the main body which is adapted to tighten a beam received by the main body; a connector for attaching the device to a panel; a latchless passage through which a strap separate from the main body can be inserted to tighten a beam received by the main body. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Cable tie device Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the fixing of cables such as electrical harness cables. The invention can also be applied for fixing flexible tubes of the hose type.

Technical background

It is known to use cable ties to secure electrical harness cables.

It is also known to provide such cable ties with an integrated connector, such as a clip, to allow their attachment to panels, such as vehicle body panels.

The present invention aims to provide such a more versatile cable tie of this type.

Based on this problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to a cable tie device comprising: a main body for receiving a harness; a strap integrated into the main body which is adapted to tighten a beam received by the main body; and a lockless passage through which a strap separate from the main body can be inserted to clamp a beam received by the main body. The cable tie device may also include a connector for securing the device to a panel.

The passage can be between the connector and the main body. The main body may include a cradle, for example to receive the beam. The passage can be between the connector and the cradle.

According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a cable attachment device comprising:

a main body for receiving a beam;

a strap integrated into the main body which is adapted to tighten a beam received by the main body;

a connector for attaching the device to a panel; And

a latchless passage through which a strap separate from the main body can be inserted to tighten a beam received by the main body.

The main body may include a pair of cradles. The cradles can be spaced apart, for example from one another. Each cradle can be intended to receive a respective beam. The cradles may be equally spaced from the connector, for example so as to place each pair of harnesses at a predetermined location on the panel.

The passage may include a main passage, for example between the connector and the main body. The passage may include a branch, for example between the cradles. The branch may allow a respective separate strap to be secured around each beam.

The main passage may be substantially parallel to a panel on which the device is mounted, in use. The branch can be orthogonal to the main passage. The branch can extend from the main passage, for example from a central part of the main passage. The branch and the main passage can together form a T shape.

The connector may include a clip. The connector or clip may include at least one tab. The connector or clip may include a pair of tabs. The tab(s) may be intended to engage a hole in a panel. The tab(s) may include a free end. The branch may allow a tool to be inserted therein to retract the tabs toward each other to release the clip from the panel.

The or each tab may include one or more barbs or notches, for example a pair of barbs. The or each tab can be elastically deformable towards the other tab, for example in order to engage removably in the respective edges of a panel which describes a hole in which the connector is inserted.

The cable tie device may include a preload skirt. The cable tie device may include a preload leg. The cable tie device may include a pair of preload legs. Each preload leg may extend from a respective side of the device or main body. The cable securing device may include two or more pairs of preload legs. Each preload leg of each pair may extend from a respective side of the device or main body.

The or each cradle may include a curved surface. The curved surface of the or each cradle may include a rib. The or each rib may project from the curved surface and/or along at least a portion of its circumference. The or each rib can be used to inhibit the translation of a beam received thereon.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cable tie device comprising: a cradle with a curved surface for receiving a beam; a strap integrated into the cradle which is adapted to tighten a beam received by the curved surface; and a rib projecting from the curved surface and along at least a portion of its circumference to inhibit translation of a beam received thereon. The cable tie device may also include a connector for securing the device to a panel.

The rib may extend over most or almost all of its circumference. The or each rib may have a length, for example an effective length. The or each rib may have a width, for example an effective width. The length of the rib can be at least five times its width. The length of the rib can be at least seven times its width.

The or each rib may be located at or near the center of the curved surface. The or each rib may be located at or adjacent to the axial center of the curved surface. The or each rib may be located at or adjacent to the circumferential center of the curved surface.

The curved surface of the or each cradle may include a pair of ribs. The or each rib can be positioned substantially the same distance from the center of the curved surface. The curved surface of the or each cradle may include a third rib, which may be between the pair of ribs and/or located centrally or adjacently to the curved surface.

For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

In the context of the present application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual characteristics of these, can be taken independently or in any combination. In other words, any embodiments and/or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner, unless those features are incompatible.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "for example", "for example" and any other similar terms used herein should be construed as non-limiting, such that any feature so described does not necessarily have to be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. Applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend on and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in this manner

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which we will refer to the appended drawings in which:

there is a perspective view of a cable attachment device according to one embodiment of the invention, taken from above;

there is a perspective view of the cable tie device of the , taken from the bottom;

there is an enlarged perspective view of the main body of the cable tie device of Figures 1 and 2, showing the rib projecting from the curved surface of one of the cradles;

there is a perspective view of one end of the cable attachment device of Figures 1 to 3, illustrating the passage;

there is a sectional view of the main body of the cable tie device of Figures 1 to 4 showing the tabs of the clip.

Detailed description of the invention

Different aspects of different embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the figures, there is shown a cable clamp device 1, which comprises a main body 2, a strap 4 integrated into the main body 2 and a passage 5 without a lock described by the main body 2. The clamp device -cable 1 can also include a connector 3 depending on the main body 2.

The main body 2 is hollow and comprises a pair of spaced apart cradles 20, a pair of side walls 21 connecting the cradles 20 and a pair of spaced apart preload feet 22, extending outwards, dependent on each side wall 21. Thus, a pair of preload feet 22 extend from each end of the main body 2.

Each cradle 20 has a curved surface to receive a respective beam. Each cradle 20 also includes a rib 23 projecting from the curved surface and along its circumference. Each rib 23 is located at the axial center of the curved surface and has a length L ₁ corresponding substantially to the circumferential length of the curved surface. Each rib 23 also has a width L ₂ , significantly less than its length L ₁ . The ribs 23 are configured to engage on the flexible external surface of the beam in order to prevent its translation along the cradle 20.

Connector 3 is a U-shaped clip in this example, with a base 30 across its lower end and a pair of connecting arms 31, each joining one side of the base 30 to a respective one of the side walls 21 The connector 3 also comprises a pair of tabs 32 extending from the base 30 towards the main body 2. Each tab 32 comprises a pair of barbs or notches 33 and is elastically deformable towards the other tab 32, in order to engage removably in the respective edges of a panel which describes a hole into which the connector 3 is inserted.

In this example, the tabs 32 have free ends, which can be forced towards each other to release the barbs 33 from the panel, thereby allowing the device 1 to be removed from the panel. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the presence of two barbs 33, as well as the preloading feet 22, allow the connector 3 to adapt to panels of different thicknesses.

Alternatively (not shown), connector 3 includes a hole. A bolted assembly can be accommodated in connector 3 hole and panel hole. According to a variant (not shown) we can use a rivet or a tree to fix it in a hole in a panel. According to another variant (not shown), a clipping system can be implemented on a screw or a threaded stud secured to a panel.

The strap 4 is in particular formed in one piece or even made integrally with the main body 2.

The strap 4 comprises a first part 40, which extends from the outer end of the curved surface of a cradle 20, and a second part 41, which extends from the outer end of the curved surface of the another cradle 20. The first part 40 comprises a toothed zone 42 and a tapered free end 43 extending from the toothed zone 42 at an angle. The second part 41 comprises a lock 44 at its free end to receive the first part 40 and engage in the toothed zone 42, in order to tighten and retain the bundles received on the cradles 20.

The cable clamp device 1 is for example made from a plastic material. It can be produced by molding, in particular by injection molding.

As illustrated on the , each cradle 20 has an end wall 24 depending on the outer end of the curved surface. Passage 5 comprises a main passage 50 whose ends are described by a cutout in each end wall 24. Passage 5 also comprises a branch 51 described by the space between the cradles 20. Branch 51 gives access to tongues 32 of the connector 3, which allows a tool to be inserted into the branch 51 to bring the tabs 32 closer to each other and release the device 1 from a panel. As illustrated more clearly by , the main passage 50 and the branch 51 together describe a T-shaped passage.

In use, device 1 is attached to a panel by inserting connector 3 into a hole in the panel. A pair of bundles can be received on the cradles 20 and tightened by the strap 4 before or after fixing the device 1 on the panel. In the event that one or both bundles need to be released from device 1, a user can cut strap 4 to release them. Those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1 will remain fixed to the panel after this operation.

However, unlike known cable attachment devices, the device 1 according to the invention can be reused. First, the two parts 40, 41 of the strap 4 are cut and removed from the main body 2. Then one or both bundles are again placed on the cradles 20. A separate cable tie ( not shown) can then be inserted through the main passage 50, wrapped and tightened around the two bundles to retain them to the device 1 in a manner similar to the integral strap 4.

Alternatively, a separate cable tie (not shown) can then be inserted into the branch 51 and exit through one side of the main passage 50, wound and tightened around a bundle received on only one of the cradles 20. Indeed, Separate cable ties (not shown) can be wrapped and tightened around individual bundles received on each cradle 20.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that several variants of the aforementioned embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "include" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not exclude) other parts, additives, components, wholes or stages. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular includes the plural, unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, the specification should be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention shall be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless inconsistent with this one. All features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), and/or all steps of a method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any manner any combination, except for combinations where at least some of these features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of all the preceding embodiments. The invention extends to any new feature, or any new combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the claims, abstract and drawings accompanying it), or to any new feature, or any new combination, steps of any method or process thus disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or prior to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (5)

A cable tie device comprising:
a main body for receiving a beam;
a strap integrated into the main body which is adapted to tighten a beam received by the main body;
a connector for attaching the device to a panel;
a latchless passage through which a strap separate from the main body can be inserted to tighten a beam received by the main body. A cable tie device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a cradle for receiving the harness and the passage is between the connector and the cradle. A cable tie device according to claim 2, wherein the main body comprises a pair of spaced apart cradles each for receiving a respective harness and the passage includes a branch between the cradles, thereby enabling a respective separate strap to be attached around each beam. A cable tie device according to claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a clip with a pair of tabs for engaging a hole in a panel, the prong allowing a tool to be inserted therein to retract tabs towards each other to release the clip from the panel. A cable tie device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the or each cradle comprises a curved surface with a rib projecting therefrom and along at least a portion of its circumference for inhibiting the translation of a beam received thereon.