Cable tie adapter

{
  "publication_number": "US10427849B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Cable tie adapter",
  "abstract": "An adapter which allows a non-releasable cable tie to be releasable or which provides an added feature to the function of a cable tie. The cable tie may be installed within the adapter to provide a temporary use or a continually reusable purpose for the cable tie. The adapter may also include features which provide mounting, labeling, or merging of cable ties by simply installing the cable ties within embodiments of the adapter.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A unitary molded plastic one-piece cable tie adapter, comprising: unitary front and rear portions that are parts of a single structure: a front, and an opposing rear edge: an upper surface that is contiguous from the front to the rear edge: wherein the front portion comprises: a front portion bottom; a securing slot that extends from the contiguous upper surface to the front portion bottom; and a movable pawl in the securing slot; and wherein the rear portion comprises: a rear portion bottom; a cavity that is spaced from the securing slot and that is open to the contiguous upper surface; an elongated slot extending from the cavity to the rear edge, the elongated slot having an open top that is open to the contiguous surface; and a fixed securing mechanism located on the contiguous upper surface and extending across part of the elongated slot, to partially cover the open top of the elongated slot; and wherein the adapter is configured such that a cable tie with a head and a strap can be installed in the adapter by placement of the cable tie head in the rear portion cavity with the cable tie strap extending through the entire length of the elongated slot in the rear portion and extending through the securing slot and engaged with the movable pawl in the front portion.",
    "2. The cable tie adapter of claim 1 wherein the movable pawl comprises an integral, extending lever that is configured to be moved by exerting a pushing force against it, to thereby move the movable pawl between a closed position in which the movable pawl at least partially obstructs the securing slot and an open position wherein the movable pawl obstructs the securing slot to a lesser degree than in the closed position, so that an engaged cable tie can be released from the pawl and removed from the securing slot.",
    "3. The cable tie adapter of claim 1 wherein the cavity comprises a tapered hole from the top to the rear portion bottom, allowing access to the installed cable tie within the cavity.",
    "4. The cable tie adapter of claim 3 further comprising a bracket that extends from the rear portion bottom and below the cavity to further support the installed cable tie within the cavity.",
    "5. A unitary molded plastic one-piece cable tie adapter comprising: unitary front and rear portions that are parts of a single structure; a front, and an opposing rear edge: an upper surface that is contiguous from the front to the rear edge; wherein the front portion comprises: a front portion bottom; a securing slot that extends from the contiguous upper surface to the front portion bottom; and a movable pawl in the securing slot with an integral, extending lever that is adapted to be moved, to move the movable pawl between a closed position in which the movable pawl at least partially obstructs the securing slot and an open position wherein the movable pawl obstructs the securing slot to a lesser degree than in the closed position; and wherein the rear portion comprises: a rear portion bottom; a tapered hole from the contiguous upper surface to the rear portion bottom that is spaced from the securing slot and that is open to the contiguous upper surface, allowing access to an installed device within the tapered hole; an elongated slot extending from the tapered hole to the rear edge, the elongated slot having an open top that is open to the contiguous upper surface; and a fixed securing mechanism located on the contiguous upper surface and extending across part of the elongated slot, to partially cover the open top of the elongated slot; and wherein the adapter is configured such that a cable tie with a head and a strap can be engaged with the adapter by placement of the cable tie head in the rear portion cavity with the cable tie strap extending through the entire length of the elongated slot.",
    "6. The cable tie adapter of claim 5 further comprising a bracket that extends from the rear portion bottom and below the tapered hole to further support the installed cable tie within the cavity."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to a cable tie, and more particularly to an adapter that allows standard cable ties to be releasable, reusable, or to have added functions.\n\nCable ties are used by consumers and throughout industry as a means of securing cables or other objects for a variety of applications. Cable ties provide a secure grip to hold goods together in shipment, within enclosures, and for securing such things as bicycle tires upon the roof of a family vacation vehicle. Their potential uses are countless as they provide simple, yet secure attachment. Releasable cable ties have been available for many years, however single-use cable ties are still used significantly, creating unnecessary waste and inconvenience. There is a need to convert single-use cable ties to releasable ties so that they may be released easily or reused or so the cable ties may be used temporarily while designs are being finalized, at which point the permanence of the non-releasable cable tie may be preferred. Also, there is a need to provide a means of identifying the contents secured within a cable tie or a means to secure a cable tie in a particular position within its function so that the gathered materials remain stationary, if desired by a user.\n\nThis disclosure relates to an adapter which may be used with existing cable ties in order to provide additional features beyond the simple securing of materials within an engaged cable tie. A cable tie is installed within the subject adapter, allowing the cable tie to be reusable or so that it may assume another function in addition to its typical function of securing materials.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65D 63/1072",
    "B65D 2563/107",
    "B65D 2563/108",
    "Y02W 30/80",
    "Y02W 30/807"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 63/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Advanced Cable Ties Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "David J. Rogers"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-06-04",
  "publication_date": "2019-10-01",
  "grant_date": "2019-10-01",
  "priority_date": "2015-06-04",
  "application_number": "US-201514730540-A",
  "family_id": "57451985",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}