BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns cable ties. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns tearable cable ties. The invention also concerns a method of using a cable tie and a method of installing wiring to an aircraft component.

[0002] Cable ties and their use to bundle together cables in aircraft are known (see, for example, US3022557).

[0003] Wires are often installed in aircraft in wiring looms. The looms comprise many wires which are typically installed into one part of an aircraft. The installation process typically requires handling and manipulation of bundles of wires and may include, for example, rotating and twisting the bundles of wires and passing the bundles through channels, apertures and conduits. To assist in this process, cable ties are often used to keep the wires together in bundles and are typically eventually removed. The cable ties are made from plastic material (typically polypropylene). Such cable ties can damage cables if the ties rotate or otherwise move relative to the cables, for example, when the loom is being unpacked, moved and/or installed into the aircraft. For example, cables can be damaged when the looms are untwisted in preparation for installation. During installation, cable ties may snag and cause damage to a cable when a cable bundle is being passed through an aperture, for example. The cable ties are typically removed by cutting the cable tie, for example, with a handtool. The use of such handtools may damage a cable.

[0004] Breakable cable ties made from plastics material are known, but these are relatively expensive. Such breakable cable ties comprise a quick-release arm which is used to break the tie.

[0005] The present invention seeks to mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved cable tie and an improved method of installing wiring into an aircraft component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable tie comprising (i) an elongate strap and (ii) a head provided with at least one aperture for receiving the strap so as to form a loop configuration, the cable tie being secured or securable in the loop configuration so as to inhibit withdrawal of the strap from the head, the cable tie comprising at least one portion which is tearable so as to break the loop configuration

[0007] The tearing of the cable tie to break the loop enables removal of the cable tie when required.

[0008] For the avoidance of doubt, it is stated that the cable tie being secured or securable in the loop configuration does not necessarily mean that withdrawal of the strap from the head is prevented, merely inhibited.

[0009] The term "tearable" indicates that the tearable portion may be torn or ripped by a user without the use of tools.

[0010] At least one (and optionally more than one and optionally each) tearable portion comprises paper. The term "paper" generally refers to a material produced by pressing together moist fibres (typically, but not exclusively, cellulosic pulp derived from plants or rags), and includes heavy-weight and heavy-duty paper such as card and cardboard.

[0011] The head may comprise a plurality of apertures for receiving the strap. One or more of the apertures may be in the form of slots, preferably elongate slots. If the head is provided with a plurality of slots (for example, two slots), the slots may be parallel to one another. The slots may form a buckle arrangement for inhibiting unwanted removal of the strap.

[0012] The cable tie may comprise more than one tearable portion. At least one tearable portion may be provided by the strap or head. At least one tearable portion may be provided by each of the strap and the head. [0013] One or both of the head and strap optionally comprises paper, and is optionally formed from paper. One or more coatings or layers may be provided on one or both of the head and strap, in which case the underlying material, such as paper, acts as a support or backing. For example, at least part of the head and/or strap may be provided with a high friction coating to inhibit slippage of the cable tie when in the loop configuration. Any such coating or layer should not interfere with the ability of at least one portion of the cable tie to be torn.

[0014] The strap may comprise a plurality of teeth, the head and teeth being configured to interfere with one another when the cable tie is in the loop configuration thereby securing the cable tie in the loop configuration and inhibiting withdrawal of the strap from the head.

[0015] The strap may comprise a toothed portion provided with teeth. The toothed portion may be adjacent to the head. The toothed portion of the strap may have two edges, wherein a plurality of teeth may extend from one edge of the strap and a plurality of teeth may extend from the other edge of the strap. At least some of and optionally substantially all of the teeth may be generally triangular in shape.

[0016] The strap may comprise a lead portion which is substantially devoid of teeth. The lead portion does not generally interfere with the head, thereby permitting the lead portion to be pulled through the aperture(s) provided in the head with little or no resistance. The lead portion is typically narrower than the toothed portion.

[0017] The strap and optionally the head may be provided with one or more weakening regions, such as perforations. One or both of the toothed portion and the lead portion may be provided with one or more weakening regions. At least one tearable portion (and optionally more than one tearable portion) may be provided with one or more weakening regions.

[0018] The cable tie may comprise an adhesive-bearing portion. The adhesive provided thereon may secure the cable tie in a loop configuration. The adhesive-bearing portion may be provided with a removable cover initially positioned over the adhesive to prevent unwanted contact between adhesive and other surfaces prior to use. [0019] The adhesive-bearing portion may be adjacent the head and may be attached to the head. For example, the adhesive-bearing portion may be attached to the head via a fold. This may facilitate the simple adhesion of the cable tie in a loop configuration.

[0020] The adhesive-bearing portion may comprise a backing with adhesive thereon. The backing may comprise the same material used to make the head and/or strap.

[0021] The head may be provided with adhesive. The adhesive provided thereon may secure the cable tie in a loop configuration. The head may be provided with a removable cover initially positioned over the adhesive to prevent unwanted contact between adhesive and other surfaces prior to use. As mentioned above, the cable tie may comprise an adhesive-bearing portion in addition to an adhesive-bearing head. If the cable tie comprises an adhesive-bearing head, the cable tie may comprise a locking portion for securing the cable tie in a loop configuration, the locking portion being substantially devoid of adhesive. The locking portion may be attached to the head and may be adjacent to the head. The locking portion may be attached to the head by a fold.

[0022] The head may comprise a tab portion extending away from the strap. The tab portion may be substantially convex. The tab portion facilitates handling of cable tie.

[0023] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a tearable cable tie, the method comprising:

providing one or more items to be secured; and

securing the one or more items in a loop formed by a tearable cable tie.

[0024] The method may comprise tearing the tearable cable tie and removing the torn cable tie from the one or more items.

[0025] The cable tie used in the method of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise the features described above in relation to the cable tie of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0026] The cable tie may comprise at least one portion which is tearable. The cable tie may comprise more than one tearable portion.

[0027] The cable tie may comprise a head and a strap, the strap and head interfering with one another to inhibit relative movement of the strap and head once the locking head and strap have formed a loop configuration. [0028] The head and/or the strap may be provided with at least one portion which is tearable. At least one (and optionally more than one and optionally each) tearable portion may comprise paper.

[0029] One or both of the head and strap optionally comprises paper, and is optionally formed from paper. One or more coatings or layers may be provided one on or both of the head and strap, in which case the underlying material, such as paper, acts as a support or backing. For example, at least part of the head and/or strap may be provided with a high friction coating to inhibit the chance of the tie slipping when in a loop configuration around an object. Any such coating or layer should not interfere with the ability of at least one portion of the cable tie to be torn.

[0030] Indeed, the cable tie used in the method of the second aspect of the present invention may be a cable tie in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0031] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing wiring to an aircraft component, the method comprising:

providing an aircraft component;

providing aircraft wiring around which is disposed a tearable cable tie;

tearing the cable tie,

removing the torn cable tie from the aircraft wiring; and

installing the wiring to the aircraft component.

[0032] Installing the wiring to the aircraft component may comprise passing the wiring around which is disposed the tearable cable tie through an aperture or conduit. In this case, the cable tie is typically removed after the wiring is passed through the conduit or aperture.

[0033] The method may comprise unravelling or untwisting the wiring around which is disposed the tearable cable tie.

[0034] The steps above are not necessarily performed in the order stated above, nor are the steps necessarily consecutive steps. For example, the wiring could be installed to the aircraft component and then the cable tie could be torn, enabling removal of the cable tie from the aircraft wiring. [0035] The cable tie may comprise at least one portion which is tearable. The cable tie may comprise more than one tearable portion.

[0036] The cable tie may comprise a head and a strap, the strap and head interfering with one another to inhibit relative movement of the strap and head once the locking head and strap have formed a loop configuration.

[0037] The head and/or the strap may be provided with at least one portion which is tearable. At least one (and optionally more than one and optionally each) tearable portion may comprise paper.

[0038] One or both of the head and strap optionally comprises paper, and is optionally formed from paper. One or more coatings or layers may be provided one on or both of the head and strap, in which case the underlying material, such as paper, acts as a support or backing. For example, at least part of the head and/or strap may be provided with a high friction coating to inhibit the chance of the tie slipping when in a loop configuration around an object. Any such coating or layer should not interfere with the ability of at least one portion of the cable tie to be torn.

[0039] The cable tie may comprise a cable tie in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0040] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the methods of the second and third aspects of the present invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the cable ties of the first aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0042] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cable tie according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0043] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cable tie according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0044] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cable tie according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Figures 4a-4d show a perspective view of the use of the cable tie of Figure 3;

[0046] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a cable tie according to a fourth

embodiment of the invention; and

[0047] Figure 6 shows an aircraft component into which wiring may be installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 shows a cable tie according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cable tie 1 comprises a head 2 and a strap 3. The strap 3 comprises a toothed portion 4 and a lead portion 5, the toothed portion being between the head 2 and the lead portion 5. The toothed portion 4 comprises a plurality of triangular teeth shown generally by reference numerals 8, 9 projecting from each edge of the toothed portion 4. Two parallel slots 6, 7 are provided in head 2 for receipt of strap 3. The lengths of slots 6, 7 are chosen in conjunction with the width of strap 3 and the length of the teeth 8, 9 so that the toothed-portion of the strap 3 may be pulled through the slots 6, 7, but in doing so, there is interference between the portion 11, 12, 13, 14 of the head 2 to the lateral sides of the respective slot 6, 7 and the teeth such that at least some of the teeth 8, 9 are deformed. Pulling the strap 3 back through the slots 6, 7 is resisted by virtue of the relative dimensions of the slots 6, 7 and the toothed portion 4 of the strap 3, together with at least some of the teeth 8, 9 being deformed. Furthermore, passage of the strap 3 through both the slots 6, 7 causes a resistance to removal by virtue of a buckle effect. The cable tie 1 is made from paper, and may be stamped or cut from a sheet of paper. Multiple cable ties may be cut or stamped in one action by using a cutter or stamp to cut or stamp many sheets of paper. The paper is tearable so that when the cable tie 1 is no longer required it may be torn, releasing the cable tie from the article around which it was previously wrapped. [0049] A surface of the toothed portion 4 is provided with a non-slip coating (for example, polyurethane) to decrease the likelihood of the cable tie slipping during use. The slots 6, 7 are sufficiently deep to accommodate several thicknesses of strap 3 and therefore the strap 3 may be wrapped around an object several times, each time passing the strap through one or both (usually one) of the slots 6, 7. On the final insertion of the strap 3 through the head 2, the strap 3 will usually be inserted through both slots 6, 7, thereby providing a buckle effect to inhibit unwanted removal of the strap 3.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a cable tie 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The cable tie 101 is essentially the same as that described above in relation to Figure 1 , but further comprises a plurality of weakening features in the form of apertures which are generally denoted by reference numeral 15. The apertures 15 facilitate the tearing of, and hence removal of, the cable tie.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a cable tie 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The cable tie 201 comprises a head 202 and a strap 203. The head 202 is provided with a single slot 206 for the receipt of the strap 203. The cable tie 201 comprises an adhesive- bearing portion 220 which is used to secure the strap 203 once placed around an article. The adhesive-bearing portion 220 is attached to the head 202 by a fold 221. The adhesive-bearing portion 220 comprises a backing 222 provided with an adhesive 223, the adhesive being covered prior to use by a protector 224. The protector 224 is in the form of a removable film. The head 202, strap 203 and adhesive-bearing portion 220 are made from paper and are therefore tearable (the adhesive-bearing portion 220 being tearable once the protector 224 has been removed).

[0052] The operation of the cable tie 201 will now be described with reference to Figs. 4a-d. Strap 203 is placed around article A and passed through slot 206. Strap 203 may then be tightened by pulling in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 4a. Holding the strap tight, the protector 224 is removed from the adhesive-bearing portion 220 and the adhesive-bearing portion 220 is then folded in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 4c. The adhesive 223 provided on adhesive-bearing portion 220 secures the strap 203 to the head 202, and secures the strap 203 in a tightened condition around article A. Once again, the strap 203 and head 202 are made from paper and therefore may be torn, thereby facilitating removal of the cable tie 201 from the article A.

[0053] Figure 5 shows a cable tie 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The cable tie 301 comprises a head 302 which is provided with a slot 306. The cable tie 301 comprises strap 303 comprising a toothed portion 304 adjacent to the head 302 and a lead portion 305. As for the cable tie of Fig. 1, the toothed portion comprises a plurality of triangular teeth shown generally as reference numerals 308, 309 which project from each edge of strap 303. The cable tie 301 further comprises an adhesive-bearing portion 320 which is attached to the head 302 by a fold 321. The adhesive-bearing portion comprises a backing 322 provided with an adhesive 323, the adhesive being covered prior to use by a protector 324. The protector 324 is in the form of a removable film. In use, strap 303 is passed around an object to be secured and then through slot 306. Strap 303 is then tightened around the object, the protector 324 removed and the adhesive-bearing portion 320 pressed against the head 203 and part of strap 303, thereby securing the strap 303 to the head 302 and holding the strap 303 in a tightened condition. Once again, the strap 303 and head 302 are made from paper and therefore may be torn, thereby facilitating removal of the cable tie 301. Cable tie 301 comprises a convex tab portion 307 which projects away from the strap 303. Tab portion 307 facilitates handling of the cable tie.

[0054] A method of installing wiring into an aircraft component will now be described with reference to Fig. 6. Figure 6 shows an aircraft component 501 comprising a rib 502 provided with an aperture 503. Also shown in Fig. 6 is a raceway 504 which is used to house one or more wires. Prior to installation of the wiring A, cable tie 201 is used to tie the wiring A together, as described above with reference to Figs. 4a-4d. The application of the cable tie 201 takes place, for example, shortly after the wiring A is made and before transportation and installation of the wiring. A wiring loom (not shown) comprising the wiring A and a plurality of cable ties 201 is provided at the installation site. Tape is applied to possible wire chaffing points. The wiring loom is then unravelled and untwisted. Conventional cable ties may chaff against the wires during such a process and may damage the cables, but cable tie 201 being made of paper does not cause such chaffing. Once the wiring loom has been prepared, various cables are routed through the aircraft component 501, for example, by passing one or more cable through an aperture 502 in a rib 503. Conventional cable ties may snag and cause damage to cables when cables are passed through aperture 502, but this is far less likely to happen using the paper cable tie 201. Raceways are then installed into the aircraft component 501. A part of one such raceway 504 is shown in Fig. 6. Prior to installing the wires into the raceway 504, cable tie 201 is manually torn and removed. This enables the wires to be fed into the raceway 504 as required.

[0055] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

[0056] The embodiments above illustrate teeth which extend laterally from the strap.

Those skilled in the art will realise that different configurations of teeth may be used, for example, teeth which project above and/or below the surface of the strap.

[0057] The cable ties described above may be coloured or otherwise labelled to indicate that they are to be removed. This may be of particular importance, for example, in aircraft.

[0058] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.