GB2361261A

GB2361261A - Elasticated cable tie

Info

Publication number: GB2361261A
Application number: GB0008856A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Maynerd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-12
Filing date: 2000-04-12
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Also published as: GB0008856D0

Abstract

A tie for a coiled cable 9 comprises an elasticated length of material having a first portion 5,6,7 for securing a free end of the cable 9, and second portion 8 for looping around and securing the remaining coiled cable. Preferably the tie has an eyelet 2 to allow the cable to be hung from a storage hook. The tie may be provided with either poppet fasteners or 'hook and loop' tape to allow the tie to be used with various sizes of cable. The tie may be used with other coiled items such as rope or hose pipes.

Description

2361261 1 CABLE STORAGE DEVICE This invention relates to a device which

holds an elongated flexible element in a coiled position to keep it tidy and prevent tangling whilst stored.

Various devices are in use at present but are usually designed for one specific cable or flexible element for example an 'extension mains lead'. These devices involve complicated plastic mouldings which are expensive and substantially increase the 'bulk' of the coiled item.

The object of this invention is to provide a much simplified storage device which can be quickly attached to a variety of flexible elements, is very simple to use, will not increase the bulk of the coiled element and is very cheap to produce.

Primarily this device is designed for audio and mains cables as used in the music industry. However the principle concept of the device could easily be adapted to apply to DIY power tool power cables, washing lines, hose pipes, ropes etc.

In the music industry, 'bands'on tour carry with them hundreds of audio and mains cables which without a proper storage method can get tangled together in transit. This device gives a simple method of keeping the cable held firmly coiled, which prevents tangling and therefore saves time when the cable is next needed.

Many new products which are supplied with electric cables are nearly always supplied with a plastic coated wire tie twisted around the cable to keep it contained in transit. These are very effective but they are not designed to be reused. A very simple version of this invention could replace that plastic coated tie and then continue to be reused for the life of the product the cable was supplied with. An example would be an electric drill, normally supplied with about 2 metres of cable which could be kept neatly coiled with this invention when the drill was not in use.

Preferably the device is made with a single piece of elasticated material but it could be made with fabric or flexible PVC particularly when designed for one specific cable or coiled element where the required diameter is fixed.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 shows the device attached to one end of an 'audio jack cable' FIGURE 2 shows the cable coiled and the device holding the coiled cable firmly in position.

As shown in Figure 1, the cable clip is attached near one end of the cable. The attachment method may vary but in this example the elasticated material is folded back on itself, 1 and stitched at 5, then goes over the cable and is secured with 'hook and loop tape' at 6 & 7. Hook & loop tape is used to allow easy attachment to various diameters of flexible elements with various sizes of termination.

Just above the stitching,5, there is a metal'popper' fastener, male type, 4 which clamps the folded elasticated material and provides the attachment point for the female part of the popper fastener, 8.

2 In use, the cable is held in one hand at the point of attachment of the device and the cable coiled into that same hand in the normal way of coiling a cable or rope. When the coiling is complete the other end of the elasticated device is stretched under and around all the cable loops, 9, fig 2 and then attached by the popper fastening 8 to 4, thus holding the coiled cable firmly in place ready for storage.

A large eyelet, 2, is located at the top of the device in case there is a requirement to store on a suitable wall hook or to link groups of cables together. It is anticipated that these devices will be sold in coloured sets of 4 or 6 to make colour coding of 'groups' of cables easy.

To simplify the drawings the cables have been shown truncated at 10,11 & 12.

To facilitate use of this device with various lengths and diameters of cable additional male 1 popper' fastenings can be spaced along the elasticated material, see fig 1 showing male fasteners at 3 and 4. This choice of fastening position ensures the cable can be held firmly by the elasticated strap but without overstretching.

Where there is a requirement for use with very large coils of cable, rope or hose the device can be made proportionately larger and stronger.

3

Claims

1. The 'cable storage device' comprises a length of elasticated material fashioned into a tie as in fig 1 so that one end can remain attached to the end of a cable to be stored and the other end stretched under the coiled cable and fastened to the upper part of the cable tie at a suitable point.

A 'cable storage device' as claimed in claim 1 wherein at the top of the cable tie a large eyelet is provided to hang the cable on any conveniently placed storage hook.

A'cable storage device'as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are several 'popper' fastener points on the cable tie to allow the cable tie to be used with various size cables.

4 A'cable storaae device'as claimed in claim 1 wherein'hook & loop'tape could be used instead of 'popper' fasteners.

A'cable storage device'as claimed in claim 1 wherein the size and strength of the device varies to accommodate other commonly used coiled items such as hose pipes and rope.