Title: CABLE TIE HOLDER

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cable tie holder.

State of the art

The use of cable ties (also called clamping straps) is widespread to securely fix cables, tubes or other elements of similar shape to one another or to another element. These cable ties, of elongated shape and typically made of plastic, comprise a tongue with a rack and a ratchet system. Once inserted the tongue inside the ratchet, there can be no more release of the tongue itself; it is possible only a further tightening.

It is known making cable tie holders using one of the cable ties itself. Typically, in fact, it is known to wrap and tighten a cable tie around a plurality of cable ties, in order to support them and keep them together.

US 6,637,595 B1 , US 7,032,792 B2, US 2007/138050 A1 , KR20170003673 (U), KR20180032312 (A) describe known cable tie holders.

Summary of the invention

The Applicant has found that the known cable tie holders have some drawbacks and/or can be improved in some aspects.

For example, the holder made by means of a single cable tie wound and tightened around a plurality of cable ties entails the waste of the cable tie used to support the others, which is consumed without the possibility of re-use. Furthermore, the user must continuously adjust the tightening of the holder cable tie as the number of cable ties decreases, in order to keep the tightening constant on the remaining cable ties, making this type of holder uncomfortable. In case that this adjustment operation is not carried out properly, the holder cable tie results loose, with consequent accidental release of the cable ties and consequent waste or loss of time to collect them.

The cable tie holders of the type described in US 6,637,595 B1 are inconvenient to use, since they are not transportable by a user but they are positionable only in the proximity of fixed and/or bulky and/or difficult to transport structures such as for example walls, shelving, etc.

The cable tie holders of the type described in US 7,032,792 B2 are inconvenient to use, since it is necessary, whenever a cable tie is to be used, to carry out the following steps: open the holder, remove the cable tie and then close the holder, thus making the whole operation, in the long run, repetitive and annoying for the user. Moreover, according to the Applicant, cable tie holders of the type described in US 2007/138050 A1 are inconvenient to use, bulky and impractical to transport. Furthermore, at each use of a cable tie, it is necessary to open, unroll and rewind the holder, with consequent increase in operating times, inconvenience and repetitiveness of action and therefore annoyance for the user. Furthermore, the reloading operation of the holder is rather laborious.

Cable tie holders of the type described in KR20170003673 (U) are inconvenient to use, especially in the initial phase of insertion of the plurality of cable ties, since it is necessary for the user to win the elastic reaction of the elastic element present in the holder. Furthermore, this holder is structurally complex.

According to the Applicant, in the cable tie holders as of the type described in KR20180032312 (A), the rolled single body has, in the central part, a space whose inner surface is not completely in mutual contact. In other words, there is a space having a lower dead volume which is greater than the space occupied by the cable ties, when in small numbers (e.g. two or three cable ties). Therefore, it may happen that the cable ties inserted inside this space, when in small numbers, are not appropriately retained by the holder, with consequent fall of the cable ties themselves. Furthermore, it is necessary for the user to repeatedly adjust the traction exerted by the closing element in order to keep the tightness of the folded portion around the cable ties constant, as the number of these decreases.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cable tie holder which is convenient to use and to transport, which allows the simple initial insertion of the cable ties and their easy extraction, without the need to carry out further and repetitive operations (for example opening/closing of a cover, repeated adjustment of the tightness of the holder around the cable ties as the number of these decreases, etc.).

Object of the present invention is also to provide a cable tie holder whose reliability in retaining the cable ties does not vary as a function of the number of cable ties contained therein (i.e. that provides optimum tightening in the presence of a substantial number of cable ties which remains effective as the number of these decreases and vice versa). According to the Applicant the problem of realizing one or more of these objects is solved by a cable tie holder according to the attached claims and/or having one or more of the following features combined together.

According to an aspect the invention relates to a cable tie holder comprising a first and a second wall distinct from each other and connected by a hinge portion, wherein the first and second wall have respectively a first and a second surface belonging to a same side of said holder, wherein at least said first wall is elastically yielding at said first surface, wherein in a closing configuration of said holder said first and second surface are facing each other and are in mutual contact, said first wall being elastically deformed to keep pushing the first surface against the second surface.

According to the Applicant, the presence of a first and a second wall which are distinct from each other and connected by means of a hinge portion, allows the first wall to be moved with respect to the second wall and/or vice versa, in particular allowing the first and the second surface to assume a mutually facing and of mutual contact position, in the closing configuration of the holder. In this way it is also identified a reference surface on which placing the cable ties in the opening position of the holder, coinciding with the first and/or the second surface.

Moreover, according to the Applicant, the presence of the first elastically yielding wall at the first surface, allows, thanks to the elastic deformation assumed by the wall itself in the closing configuration of the holder, to be able to keep pushing the first surface against the second surface, thus achieving the locking of the cable ties inserted in the holder between the first and the second surface. In this way it is possible to contain a variable number of cable ties without the need for repeated adjustment of the tightening of the holder when in the closing configuration, since once an initial tightening suitable to support all the cable ties inserted in the holder has been carried out, the first elastically yielding wall ensures the constant and mutual keeping pushing of the two surfaces even as the number of the cable ties contained in the holder decreases. In fact, the space, between the first and the second surface, left empty by a cable tie extracted from the holder is promptly filled by the portion of the first elastically deformed surface closest to it, which tends spontaneously to reach a configuration of less deformation. Consequently, the cable tie holder maintains its reliability constant as the number of cable ties contained varies, since, as described above, it is ensured the support of the inserted cable ties regardless of their number.

Furthermore, the fact that the first wall is elastically yielding, makes it easy and quick for the user to insert the cable ties in the holder without taking excessive time in order to arrange them in an optimal manner. In fact, the elastically yielding wall makes it possible to avoid interlocks between the two walls and the cable ties, even if the latter were not arranged with adequate attention. Furthermore, it is possible for the user to extract the cable ties in an equally simple and rapid manner, extracting them from one of the sides of the holder, without the need to carry out further operations (for example opening and closing a cover) which would be repetitive and annoying during the working activity.

The present invention in one or more of the aforesaid aspects can have one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably said holder is structured to assume an opening configuration in which said first and second surfaces are departed from each other. In this way it is possible positioning the cable ties on at least one of said first and second surface left free when the holder is in the opening configuration.

Preferably said holder comprises a locking system. In this way it is possible maintaining the holder in the closing configuration with the first wall deformed.

In an embodiment said locking system is by Velcro, wherein the hooked layer of the Velcro is placed on one between said first and second wall and the slotted layer of the Velcro is placed on the other between said first and second wall.

In another embodiment said locking system is by screw and the locking takes place by tightening a threaded element, physically connected to one between said first and second wall, on a respective thread, physically connected to the other between said first and second wall.

In a further embodiment said locking system comprises a slot and a button, wherein said slot is physically connected to one between said first and second walls and said button is physically connected to the other between said first and second wall.

In a still further embodiment said locking system comprises a ΊG clip preferably elastically flexible (for example made of metal and/or comprising a resilient element such as an elastomeric block or a spring), wherein the clip, in the closing configuration, is fixed at one side of the holder to tight with the respective parallel portions the first and second wall.

Typically said holder is transportable. In this way it is convenient to be used by the user.

The holder extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of said hinge portion and along a transverse direction parallel to said rotation axis of said hinge portion.

Preferably said first and/or second wall have a length, along said longitudinal direction, greater than or equal to 10 cm and/or less than or equal to 15 cm.

Preferably said first and/or second wall have a width, along said transverse direction, greater than or equal to 5 cm and/or less than or equal to 15 cm.

Preferably said first and/or second wall have a same length, along said longitudinal direction, and/or a same width, along said transverse direction.

Preferably said holder comprises a hooking element. In this way it is possible for the user to fix the holder to his own body, for example to a belt and/or to a garment.

Preferably said first wall comprises a respective elastically yielding portion, more preferably made of spongy and/or elastomeric material, forming said first surface. In this way it is realized the yielding of the first surface.

Preferably said second wall comprises a respective elastically yielding portion, more preferably made of spongy and/or elastomeric material, forming said second surface. Preferably in said closing configuration also said second wall is elastically deformed to keep said first surface pushing against said second surface. In this way it is enhanced the tightening effect on the cable ties.

Preferably the respective elastically yielding portions are distinct and separate from each other. In this way it is facilitated the mutual movement about the hinge portion. Preferably, in the closing configuration, the first wall is folded on the second wall as a book.

Preferably said hinge portion is made of flexible and foldable material. In this way the hinge is made in a simple and economic way.

In an embodiment at least one of, preferably both, said first and second wall com prises/com prise a respective rigid portion.

Preferably said hinge portion comprises a mechanical hinge which mutually connects the two rigid portions. Preferably said elastically yielding portion of the first wall is fixed to said respective rigid portion, and more preferably has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the respective rigid portion.

Preferably the second wall coincides with said respective rigid portion. In this way the holder is handy and durable.

Preferably the second wall comprises, at the second surface, a series of grooves, more preferably parallel to a rotation axis of the mechanical hinge, structured to house the ties. In this way it is possible to have an invitation and/or a reference for a correct arrangement of the cable ties.

In an embodiment, said second wall comprises said respective rigid portion and an elastically yielding portion. Preferably said elastically yielding portion of the second wall is fixed to said respective rigid portion, and more preferably has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the respective rigid portion.

In an embodiment said first and second wall comprise a respective flexible portion connected to each other with continuity at said hinge portion. In this way the holder is safe during the use and moreover simple and economic to be made.

Preferably the holder, in the closing configuration, is self-rolled up, more preferably as a spiral with axis parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge portion (for reducing, for example, its whole encumbrance).

In an embodiment the holder further comprises a third wall connected to the second wall by a further hinge portion. Preferably the third wall comprises a third surface belonging to said same side of the holder, wherein the third wall is elastically yielding at the third surface.

Preferably the third wall comprises a respective flexible portion, connected to the second wall with continuity, more preferably connected to the respective flexible portion of the second wall, at said further hinge portion, said further hinge portion being made of flexible and foldable material.

Preferably said holder comprises a resistant fabric or other sheet of flexible material (for example a coated polyester fabric, a sheet of elastomeric mixture, a polymeric sheet, etc.), preferably in a single piece, which makes said respective flexible portions of the first and second wall (and eventually of the third wall) and the hinge portion (and/or the further hinge portion). Preferably the third wall comprises a respective elastically yielding portion, more preferably made of spongy and/or elastomeric material, forming said third surface. Preferably the respective elastically yielding portions are distinct and separate from each other. Preferably, in the closing configuration, the third wall is folded as a book on a set comprising said first and second wall in turn folded as a book.

Preferably said respective elastically yielding portion of the first and/or of the second and/or of the third wall is fixed to said respective flexible portion, and more preferably has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the flexible portion.

Preferably in the closing configuration an interface between the first and second surface remains accessible from two opposite sides of said holder, more preferably from two sides perpendicular to a rotation axis of the hinge portion. In this way it is possible to contain cable ties of different sizes and/or lengths, since these are free to protrude from both sides of the holder, since the first and the second surfaces achieve an optimal locking of the cable ties also at the only central portion of the latters.

Set comprising the holder according to the above in the closing configuration and a plurality of cable ties interposed between the first and second surface.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified by the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of non- limiting example of the present invention, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cable tie holder in an opening configuration, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 shows the holder of figure 1 in a closing configuration;

Figure 3 shows a cable tie holder in an opening configuration, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

figure 4a shows the holder of figure 3 in a first closing configuration;

figure 4b shows the holder of figure 3 in a second closing configuration;

figure 5 shows a cable tie holder in an opening configuration, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

figure 6 shows the holder of figure 5 in a closing configuration;

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention In the figures it is showed a cable tie holder 1 , according to the present invention, with the respective cable ties 50 inserted. For the sake of explanation conciseness, the same reference numbers will be used for the same elements or for mutually corresponding elements in the different embodiments.

Exemplarily the cable tie holder 1 comprises a first 2 and a second wall 3 distinct from each other and connected by a hinge portion 4, wherein the first 2 and second wall 3 have respectively a first 5 and a second surface 6 belonging to a same side of the holder 1 (for example the visible side in figures 1 ,3 and 5). At least the first wall 2 is elastically yielding at the first surface 5.

In a closing configuration (shown in figures 2, 4a, 4b and 6) of the holder 1 the first 5 and second surface 6 are facing each other and are in mutual contact and the first wall 2 is elastically deformed (not shown) to keep pushing the first surface 5 against the second surface 6.

Exemplarily the holder 1 extends along a longitudinal direction 21 perpendicular to a rotation axis 20 of the hinge portion 4 and along a transverse direction 20 parallel to the rotation axis 20 of the hinge portion 4.

Exemplarily in the closing configuration an interface 18 between the first 5 and second surface 6 remains accessible from two opposite sides 19 of the holder 1 , wherein the two sides are perpendicular to a rotation axis 20 of the hinge portion 4. Exemplarily the first 2 and the second wall 3 have a same length along the longitudinal direction, and a same width, along the transverse direction.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1 and 2, the first and the second wall 3 exemplarily have a length equal to 8 cm and a width equal to 12 cm.

In the embodiment shown in figure 3 and 4a, 4b the first and the second wall 3 exemplarily have a length equal to 5 cm and a width equal to 15 cm.

In the embodiment shown in figure 5 and 6, the first and the second wall 3 exemplarily have a length equal to 5 cm and a width equal to 8 cm.

Exemplarily the holder 1 is structured to assume an opening configuration (shown exemplarily in figures 1 ,3 and 5) in which the first 5 and second 6 surfaces are departed from each other and left free, i.e. accessible.

Exemplarily in the closing configuration, the first wall 2 is folded on the second wall 3 as a book.

Exemplarily the holder 1 comprises a locking system 8. In the embodiments shown the locking system 8 is by Velcro.

Exemplarily the holder 1 is transportable and comprises a hooking element (not shown), for example a reed hook, for the hooking to a garment such as a belt.

Exemplarily the first wall 2 comprises an elastically yielding portion 10 made of spongy material, forming the first surface 5.

With reference to the first embodiment of figure 1 and 2, the first 2 and the second wall 3 comprise a respective rigid portion 11 , wherein the hinge portion (4) comprises a mechanical hinge (not shown as known per se) which mutually connects the two rigid portions 11. In the aforesaid embodiment the second wall 3 consists of the respective rigid portion 11 and comprises, at the second surface 6, a series of rigid grooves 13, parallel to the rotation axis 20 of the hinge, structured to house the cable ties 50. Exemplarily (figures 1 , 2) the hooked layer of the Velcro is placed on the second wall 3 and the slotted layer of the Velcro is placed on the first wall 2. Exemplarily (figures 1 , 2) the portion 10 made of spongy material of the first wall 2 is fixed to the respective rigid portion 11 and it has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the rigid portion 11.

In a not shown embodiment the second wall 3 comprises, in the same way as the first wall 2, a respective rigid portion and a respective elastically yielding portion fixed to the respective rigid portion, wherein the respective elastically yielding portion has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the respective rigid portion.

With reference to the second and to the third embodiment respectively of figures 3, 4a and 4b and of figures 5 and 6, the first 2 and the second wall 3 comprise a respective flexible portion 14 connected to each other with continuity at the hinge portion 4, the hinge portion 4 being foldable.

Exemplarily (figure 3, 4a, 4b, 5 and 6) even the second wall 3 comprises a respective elastically yielding portion 10, made of spongy material, forming the second surface 6.

Exemplarily the respective elastically yielding portions 10 are physically not continuous between each other (but they can be also continuous between each other).

Exemplarily the holder 1 of figure 4b, in the closing configuration, is self-rolled up as a spiral with axis parallel to a rotation axis 20 of the hinge portion 4. In the embodiment of figures 3 and 4a, 4b the hooked layer of the Velcro is placed on the second wall 3 and the slotted layer of the Velcro is placed on the second wall 3 too.

With reference to the embodiment of figures 5 and 6, the holder 1 further comprises a third wall 15, connected to the second wall 3 by a further hinge portion 4’. Exemplarily the third wall 15 comprises a third surface 16 belonging to the same side of the holder 1 , wherein the third wall 15 is elastically yielding at the third surface 16. Exemplarily the third wall 15 comprises a respective elastically yielding portion, made of spongy material, forming said third surface 16.

Exemplarily the third wall 15 comprises a respective flexible portion 14, connected with continuity to the respective flexible portion 14 of the second wall 3, at said further hinge portion 4’, wherein the further hinge portion 4’ is foldable (about a further rotation axis 20’).

Exemplarily, in the closing configuration, the third wall 15 is folded as a book on the set of the first 2 and second 3 wall in turn folded as a book.

Exemplarily in the figures 3, 4a, 4b, 5 and 6 the flexible portions 14 and the hinge portion 4 (and the further hinge portion 4’) are made of a single piece of resistant fabric.

Exemplarily (figures 3, 4a, 4b, 5 and 6) the respective portion 10 of spongy material of the first 2 and/or of the second 3 and/or of the third wall 15 is fixed to the respective flexible portion 14 and has an extension substantially equal to an extension of the flexible portion 14.

In the embodiment of figure 5 and 6 the hooked layer of the Velcro is placed on the third wall 15 and the slotted layer of the Velcro is placed on the first wall 2.

In use, the holder 1 is first arranged in the opening configuration wherein the cable ties 50 are loaded arranging them on at least one of the surfaces 5 and 6.

Exemplarily in figure 1 the cable ties 50 are shown arranged along the grooves 13 of the second rigid surface 6 of the second wall 3, while in figure 3 and 5 they are shown arranged on the second smooth and elastic surface 6 of the second wall 3. After that, the first and second walls are folded as a book in the closing configuration, so that the cable ties remain locked thanks to the mutual pushing of the first 5 and the second surface 6 in mutual contact. In the embodiment of figure 4b, in the closing configuration, the holder is further self- rolled up as a spiral.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and 6, a first group of cable ties 50 is arranged on the second surface 6, and the first wall 2 is then folded as a book onto the second wall 3. Then, a second group of cable ties 50 is arranged on the first wall 2 folded as a book (typically the second layer of cable ties is arranged on the respective flexible portion 14 of the first wall 2) and locked by the third wall 15 which is in turn folded as a book on the remaining two.

In a further embodiment not shown, the holder further comprises a fourth wall similar to the third wall, as previously described with reference to the holder with reference to the embodiment of figures 5 and 6, wherein the fourth wall is connected to the third wall by a still further hinge portion, similar to the hinge portions as described with reference to the embodiment of figures 5 and 6. In use, the cable ties 50 are arranged on the second and on the third wall, then, in the closing configuration, the first and fourth walls are folded as a book respectively on the second and third walls. Subsequently, a set consisting of the first and second walls is in turn folded as a book on a set consisting of the third and of the fourth wall, or vice-versa.