FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to cable ties for bundling and tying together items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cable ties, also known as harnessing devices, bundling devices, security straps, have been a commodity bundling strap for decades. Generally, a cable tie is a one-piece tie of synthetic plastic material, comprising a flexible elongate strap, a head at one end of the strap, an aperture extending through the head, a pawl (sometimes also referred to as a tang) disposed within the aperture. The pawl is pivotably connected to a wall of the head for movement in an arc across the aperture in the lengthwise direction of the strap, and is formed with one or more transverse teeth extending into the aperture. The strap includes a series of transverse ratchet serrations formed on one surface. The ratchet serrations and pawl teeth are profiled so as to cooperate and permit passage of the free end of said strap through the aperture from the pivoted end of the pawl, so as to prevent subsequent withdrawal of the strap in the opposite direction.

[0003] In use, the strap is looped around a bundle of articles (for example, electric cables or the like) or around, between, or through any other feature, and the free end of the strap is inserted into and pulled through the aperture in the head, the pawl teeth ratcheting the serrations in the strap to tighten around the bundle and to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the aperture.

[0004] Cable ties come in variety of fastening styles and sizes, as illustrated in the disclosures of US Patents 4,658,478, 4,009,509, 4,754,529, 3,965,538, 3,484,905, 3,368,247, 3,660,869, 4,776,067, 5,745,957, 5,890,265, 6,003,208 and 7,017,237, the disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties. Notwithstanding the simplicity of their function, there remains a need for improvements in the function and utility of cable ties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a cable tie having a pre-shaped strap extending from the locking head, including a portion of the strap having a non-linear shape. The nonlinear shape includes the shape in an unbiased condition. The non-linear portion can be substantially the entire length of the strap, including the entire length of the serration portion of the strap, the distal length portion of the strap, or any one or more portions at any position(s) along the strap. The non-linear shape can include, without limitation, a circular, a curved, a sinusoidal curved, an angled, and a bent shape, and combinations thereof. Specific non-linear shapes include, without limitation, a circular shape, a U-shape, and a V-shape.

[0006] The present invention also provides a cable tie with a strap having a first surface including a plurality of serrations, and including one or more toothless portions along the length of the strap which do not have serrations. The toothless portions allow the locking head to move freely along the toothless portion in either longitudinal direction, without ratcheting engagement.

[0007] The present invention also provides a cable tie that can be used with one or more channeling loops that are positioned along the length of the strap, to receive the distal end of the same or a separate cable tie strap. A channel loop can be fixed in position to, including being formed integral with, the strap. A channel loop can also be a separate element that is using in combination with a cable tie, which can be a conventional cable tie or a cable tie of the present invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Figure 1 shows a cable tie having a pre-formed circular strap.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a locking head of a cable tie.

[0010] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the locking head of Figure 2 taken through line 3-

3.

[0011] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the locking head of Figure 2 taken through line 4- 4 of Figure 3.

[0012] Figure 5 shows a cable tie having a pre-formed circular strap for providing a locking strap on a container box and lid having a locking port.

[0013] Figure 6 shows the cable tie having the pre-formed circular strap manipulated in through the locking port of the lid and container box.

[0014] Figure 7 shows pre-formed circular strap pulled through the locking head of the cable tie to form a locking strap to secure the lid to the container box.

[0015] Figure 8 shows another cable tie having the pre-formed V-shaped strap.

[0016] Figure 9 shows the cable tie having the pre-formed V-shaped strap of Figure 8 manipulated in through the locking port of the lid and container box. [0017] Figure 10 shows the cable tie having the pre-formed V-shaped strap of Figure 8 manipulated with the distal end extending back through the handle opening.

[0018] Figure 11 shows the pre-formed V-shaped strap of Figure 8 pulled through the locking head of the cable tie to form a locking strap to secure the lid to the container box.

[0019] Figure 12 shows another cable tie having the pre-formed U-shaped strap.

[0020] Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a cable tie including a strap having a first surface including a plurality of serrations, and including several toothless portions along the length of the strap which do not have serrations.

[0021] Figure 14 shows the cable tie of Figure 13 with the strap pulled through the locking head to a toothless portion of the strap.

[0022] Figure 15 shows another cable tie including a strap having several toothless portions including one toothless portion proximate the locking head.

[0023] Figure 16 shows a cable tie including an integral channel loop.

[0024] Figure 17 shows a sectional view of the cable tie of Figure 16 through line 17-17.

[0025] Figure 18 shows an alternative cable tie of Figure 17.

[0026] Figure 19 shows an alternative cable tie of Figure 16.

[0027] Figure 20 shows an alternative cable tie of Figure 19.

[0028] Figure 21 shows a cable tie including separate channel loops.

[0029] Figure 22 shows a sectional view of the cable tie of Figure 21 through line 22-22.

[0030] Figure 23 shows a sectional view of the cable tie of Figure 20 through line 23-23.

[0031] Figure 24 shows a group of cable ties looped together with separate channel loops.

[0032] Figure 25 shows an alternative cable tie including a separate channel loop.

[0033] Figure 26 shows a sectional view of the cable tie of Figure 25 through line 26-26.

[0034] Figure 27 shows a plan view of the cable tie of Figure 26.

[0035] Figure 28 shows a plan view of an alternative cable tie of Figure 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] As used herein, the term "unbiased" related to the shape of a cable tie or portion thereof means the natural shape without any outside force acting upon any portion of the cable tie. Cable ties having pre-shaped, non-linear straps

[0037] Figure 1 show a cable tie 30 having a locking head 10 and strap portion 32 having a pre-formed circular shape. The feature of the cable tie to return to the pre-formed shape after all manipulating force on the strap is removed is also described herein as a shape memory. The pre-formed circular shape of the strap 32 allows the user to manipulate (to bias) the cable tie into any other shape, such as curved or more straightened, to allow the distal end 33 of the cable tie to be threaded through an opening or slot. When the manipulation or bias is removed, the shape memory of the pre-formed cable tie returns to the circular shape. Advantageously, this places the distal end 33 of the strap 32 close to the aperture 19 in the locking head 10, which can facilitate the assembly and locking of the strap to the locking head.

[0038] The elements of the strap and locking head are well known in the art. In an illustration of an embodiment of the cable tie, the strap 9 can include a plurality of transversely disposed serrations 8 that extend substantially the entire length of the strap, from the proximal end at the connection of the strap with the locking head 10, to the distal tip end 33.

[0039] Any conventional locking head 10 can be employed with the cable tie 30. Figures 2-4 shows an example of the features and mechanism of a locking head 10 configured for perpendicular entry. The locking head 10 is formed from a plurality of walls that define an aperture 19 having an inlet end 20 and an outlet end 21, the walls including a base wall 12, an opposed outer wall 13, and a pair of side walls 14. A pawl 11 is connected pivotably at a proximal end 15 to the base wall 12, proximate the inlet end 20, and extends both into and along the aperture 19 to a distal end 16. The distal end 16 of the pawl 11 can move in an arc across the aperture 19 in the lengthwise direction of the strap 32, and includes one or more transverse teeth 17. One or more guides 22 and 23 on the inside of the walls can guide the position of the strap 32 through the aperture 19. The proximal end 9 of the strap 32 connects to and extends perpendicularly from one of the walls of the locking head, such as the base wall 12, and perpendicularly to the direction of entry of the distal end 33 of the strap through the aperture 19. The transverse teeth 17 of the pawl 11 engage ratchetedly the transverse serrations 8 of a conventional strap 32 as it is pulled, to allow the strap 32 to pass through the aperture 19 in only one direction, and prevent subsequent withdrawal of the strap 32 in the opposite direction, thereby locking the cable tie 30 into a closed loop.

[0040] The term "ratchet" or "ratcheting" refers to the movement of the serrations passed the tooth/teeth of the pawl of a cable tie. Typically, either the serrations or the pawl tooth, or both, have a moderately sloped surface on one side and a steeper rise on the other side of the teeth. While the pawl is biased toward the serrations, the pawl moves out of the path of the serrations when the moderately sloped surface on the serration(s) face and advance toward the moderately sloped surface on the tooth (teeth) of the pawl. As the rack of teeth advance into the tooth of the pawl, the pawl moves pivotally or axially against spring bias. If the serrations of the strap are forced in the opposite direction, the steeper rise on the opposite side(s) of the serration(s) confront the steeper rise on the other side of the tooth of the pawl, which prevents withdrawal of the cable tie strap from through the locking head that holds the pawl.

[0041] The invention also includes any of the cable ties described herein, configured for perpendicular entry, or for parallel entry instead of perpendicular entry. An example of a parallel entry cable tie is shown in Figures 13 and 14, wherein the proximal end 9 of the strap 62 connects to and extends parallel with one of the walls of the locking head, such as the base wall 12, and parallel with the direction of entry of the distal end 33 of the strap 62 through the aperture 19, as shown in Figure 14. Non-limiting examples of parallel entry locking heads are described in US Patents 5,745,957, 5,890,265, and 6,003,208.

[0042] Figures 5-7 show one of a number of advantageous uses of the circular cable time. Illustrated in Figure 5 is a handled box with a locking port lid, which is one described in any one of International Patent Applications PCT/US 12/37402 and WO2012- 154763, US Patent Application Publications US 2012-0267385, and US Patent Applications 13/606,059, 61/649,231, 61/643,818, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. The assembled box container includes a handle opening 3 in the opposed sidewalls 1. A lid covers the top opening of the box container and has opposed sidewalls 2 that cover the upper portion of the box sidewalls 1. A locking port 5 is formed in the box and lid as a pair of registered apertures through the upper portion of the box sidewall 1 and the lid sidewall 2. As shown in Figure 5, a user's hand (not shown, for simplicity) manipulates the distal tip 33 of the strap 32 of the circular cable tie 30 into the locking port 5, and then manipulates (pivots or rotates) the circular cable tie 30 to guide the distal end 33 out through the handle opening 3 as shown in Figure 6. The user then inserts the distal end 33 of the strap 32, now conveniently positioned near the locking head 10, in through the inlet end 20 of the aperture 19 of the locking head 10. The strap 32 can then be pulled through the aperture 19 so that the plurality of serrations 8 ratchet past the pawl 11 as desired by the user. The cable tie 30 can be cinched up tightly to secure the lid and its sidewall 2 to the box container 1 to provide a locking strap as shown in Figure 7. The pre-formed circular shape of the strap 32 allows the distal end 33 to be conveniently tucked back inside the aperture of the locking port 5, if desired.

[0043] One can easily imagine the challenge presented with threading a standard straight- formed cable tie in through the locking port, and fishing the distal end back through the handle opening 3, which is at best a two-handed operation by a person with reasonably good dexterity. If the finger of the person using the conventional cable tie slips during the fishing of the distal end out through the opening, the strap springs back into the container, and the fishing process begins again. By comparison, the circular cable tie 30 can be threaded through the locking port 5 and back out the handle opening 5 with one hand, without requiring great dexterity.

[0044] There are undoubtedly numerous advantages to the use of a pre-formed cable tie, including the circular cable tie, over conventional straight-strapped ties.

[0045] The invention also pertains use of the cable ties of het invention with locking ports of boxes and other containers wherein any wall or panel of a box, lid, inserted panel, or side panel, is joined to another such wall or panel of the same or another box, lid, inserted panel, or side panel, through any port, slot, or opening, or two or more ports, slots, or openings, or combinations thereof.

[0046] Figure 8 shows another pre-shaped cable tie 40 having a locking head 10 and strap portion 42 having a pre-formed V-shape, the strap portion 42 including a proximal portion 41 attaching to and extending from the locking head 10, and a distal portion 42 joined with the proximal portion 41 at a bend 45 in the strap. In the illustrated embodiment, the serrations 8 extend continuously along the proximal portion 41 , through the bend 45, and through the distal portion 42, to the distal tip 43. The proximal portion 41 connected to the locking head 10 is typically longer than the distal portion 42. Typically the pre-shaped strap portion has a bend angle between the proximal and distal portions of about 15 - 120 degrees, including at least about 30 degrees, at least about 45 degrees, at least about 60 degrees and at least 75 degrees, and including up to about 105 degrees, up to about 90 degrees, up to about 75 degrees, up to about 60 degrees, and up to about 45 degrees. The radius of the bend 45 is typically at least 2 mm, including at least about 5 mm, and up to 10 mm or more. The length ratio of the proximal portion 21 to the distal portion is about 3: 1 to about 1 : 1.5, including up to about 2.5: 1 , up to about 2: 1 , up to about 1.75: 1 , up to aboutl .5 : l, and up to about 1.25: 1.

[0047] Figures 9-11 show one of a number of advantageous uses of the V-shaped cable tie, again illustrated with a handled box with a locking port lid as described above. As shown in Figure 9, the V-shaped cable tie 40 is folded at the bend 45 to bring the two portions 41 and 42 of the strap together, and a user's hand (not shown, for simplicity) holds at least the locking head 10 and manipulates the bend 45 end of the folded cable tie into the locking port 5. When the distal tip 43 has passed though the locking port and has cleared all the walls of the lid and container box, the distal portion 42 of the strap springs outward from the bend 45 to the preformed V-shape. The user can then manipulate the V-shape cable tie 40 to guide the distal end 43 out through the handle opening 3 as shown in Figure 10. The user then inserts the distal end 43 of the strap in through the inlet end 20 of the locking head 10, pulls it through the aperture 19, and cinches the strap portions 41,42 up tightly to secure the lid to the box container, and form a locking strap as shown in Figure 11.

[0048] Figure 12 shows another pre-shaped cable tie 50 having a locking head 10 (configured for parallel entry) and strap portion 52 having a pre-formed U-shape, the strap portion including a proximal portion 51 attaching to and extending from the locking head 10, and a distal portion 52 joined with the proximal portion 51 at a curved portion 55. In the illustrated embodiment, the serrations 8 extend continuously along the proximal portion 51, through the curved portion 55, and through the distal portion 52, to the distal tip 53. The proximal portion 51 is typically a little longer than the distal portion 52. Typically the pre- shaped curved portion 55 has an arc angle, between the proximal and distal portions, of at least about 150 degrees and up to about 210 degrees, such as 180 degrees as illustrated, including at least about 160 degrees, and at least about 170 degrees, and up to about 200 degrees, and up to about 190 degrees. The radius length of the curved portion 55 typically depends upon the overall length of the strap, and is typically at least about 10 mm, including at least about 15 mm, at least about 20 mm, and at least about 25 mm, and up to about 50 mm or more, including up to about 35 mm, up to about 25 mm, and up to about 15 mm.

[0049] The U-shaped cable tie has the same number of advantageous uses as the other preformed cable tie described above, again including as a locking strap for a handled box with a locking port lid as described above. The distal end of the U-shaped cable tie can be inserted through the locking port and out through the handle opening, and then inserted into the locking head and cinched tight to provide a locking strap.

[0050] The cable ties with a pre-shaped, non-linear strap can be formed by conventional means, including forming the strap from a thermoplastic in molding or extrusion process and apparatus that secures the strap in the desired shape until the molten thermoplastic material has cooled to a temperature at which the solid thermoplastic material maintains the desired shape without external force or retaining.

[0051] Alternatively, a cable tie formed into the conventional linear shape can be positioned and retained into the desired shape, and then the thermoplastic material of the strap is heated to a softening temperature at which the thermoplastic will adopt the pre-formed shape after the material is cooled in the retained shape to a temperature at which the thermoplastic material maintains the desired shape without external force or retaining.

Cable tie strap without serrations

[0052] In any of the embodiments and other aspects of the invention, a cable tie is provided that has a strap that includes one or more portions along the length of the strap which do not have serrations. These "toothless" portions allow the locking head and the pawl to move along the length of the strap without ratcheting engagement, so that the position of the locking head can be advanced and retreated along the length, and the circumference of the connected cable tie can be varied. This gives the user some flexibility to insert and connect the distal end of the strap to the locking head and position the locking head into a toothless portion so that the circumference can be reversibly adjusted to accommodate additional cables, tubes, or other items that will be secured by the cable tie. The cable tie can be a conventional cable tie, or a cable tie of the present invention described herein, and can include either of a perpendicular entry locking head or a perpendicular entry locking head.

[0053] Figure 13 illustrates an embodiment of a cable tie 60 having a strap 62 that includes one or more portions 65 along the length of the strap which do not have serrations 8. In one such embodiment, the strap 62 includes a first serration portion 64a including serrations 8 adjacent to a first toothless portion 65a without serrations. The first portion of serrations allows the strap to be looped around items and then secured to the locking head 12 into a closed loop. The length of the first serration portion 64a can be of any length and any number of serrations. The length of the first toothless portion 65a can be of any remaining length of the strap, up to and including the remaining length of the strap. The "toothless" portion 45a allows the locking head 10 to move along the length without ratcheting engagement as shown in Figure 14. Typically the first toothless portion 65 a is longer than the first serration portion 64a. In an embodiment where the first toothless portion 65a extends the remaining length of the strap, the closed loop remains adjustable, and does not allow the locking head to be cinched tightly up to the locking head.

[0054] In another such embodiment, the strap 62 can include a second serration portion 64b that subsequently engage and are ratcheted by the locking head 12. The length of the second serration portion 64b can be of any remaining length of the strap, up to and including the remaining length of the strap. The locking head 12 can be cinched along the length of the second portion of serrations 64b to further restrict the circumference of the closed loop.

[0055] In yet another such embodiment, the strap 62 can include a second toothless portion 65b that subsequently allows the locking head 12 to be slid back and forth along the toothless portion. The length of the second toothless portion 65b can be of any remaining length of the strap, including the remaining length of the strap. Figure 15 illustrates a cable tie 70 with a second toothless portion 75b that extends the remaining portion of the strap 72, which allows the closed loop to remain adjustable, without allowing the locking head to be cinched tightly up to the locking head.

[0056] Again in Figure 13, in yet another embodiment, the strap 62 can include a third serration portion 64c that engage and are ratcheted by the locking head 12. The length of the third serration portion 64c can be of any remaining length of the strap, up to and including the remaining length of the strap, as shown in Figure 13.

[0057] It can be understood that any number of alternating serration sections and toothless sections can be positioned the length of the strap, with either a serration section or a toothless section the proximal end, adjacent the locking head. The alternating serration and toothless sections can be of the same lengths, or different lengths. The portion of the strap 62 most proximate to the locking head 12 can be a serrated portion as shown in Figure 13, or can be a toothless portion as shown in Figure 15.

[0058] It can also be understood that the toothless portions can be used in any of the other cable tie embodiments described herein, for example the V-shaped and U-shaped straps, including along the linear portion or bend portion of a strap. [0059] The locking head of any one of the cable tie embodiments of the present invention can alternatively be configured having the strap connected to an edge of one of the walls of the locking head, such as the base wall, and extending parallel with the aperture through the locking head, as shown in Figure 13.

Channeling Loop for securing the strap

[0060] In any of the embodiments and other aspects of the invention, a cable tie can be used with one or more channeling loops that are positioned along the length of the strap, to receive the distal end of the same or a separate cable tie strap. A channel loop can be fixed in position to, including being formed integral with, the strap. A channel loop can also be a separate element that is using in combination with a cable tie. The cable tie can be a conventional cable tie, or a cable tie of the present invention described herein.

[0061] Figures 16-19 illustrate a first embodiment of a cable tie 80 having a channeling loop 85 attached to the strap 82. The channeling loop 85 has a one or more walls that attach on opposed edges 88 of the strap 82 and extending from the strap on the surface opposite the serrations 8, to define a channel 89 oriented with the length of the strap 82. As illustrated in Figure 17, the walls are illustrated as an upper wall 86 and sidewalls 87. In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 18, the walls are illustrated as a lower wall 84, an upper wall 86 and sidewalls 87, with the lower wall 84 connected to the upper surface of the strap 82. The channel 89 is sized to receive the distal end 83 and body of the strap 82 after their insertion into and ratcheting through the parallel-entry locking head 12. The channeling loop provides a means for holding the loose distal portion of the strap close to the body of the strap. In the illustrated embodiment, the channeling loop 85 is located close to the locking head 12 (within 1-2 strap- widths from the locking head), though can positioned anywhere along the length of the strap.

[0062] In an aspect and further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, the attached channeling loop 85 can be positioned adjacent to the locking head (Figure 19), and even in contact with or as an integral extension of the body of the locking head (Figure 20), to prevent access to the pawl 11 of the locking head after the strap has been ratcheted into place. The proximity of the channeling loop blocks access to the pawl, preventing a person from "picking" the lock and loosening the cable tie. In this case, the only way to remove the secured cable ties is by cutting the strap. [0063] Figures 21-22 illustrate a second embodiment of a combination cable tie 90 with a separate and positionable channeling loop attached to the strap. Figures 21 and 22 show a first separate channeling loop 91 having one or more walls that enclose a channel 97. The walls are illustrated as sidewalls 94 and opposed wall 95. The channel 97 is sized to receive the distal end the strap 92 (shown in Figure 22) before the end of the same strap 92 is inserted into and through the locking head 12. The remaining space of the channel 97 can then receive the distal end and body of the strap 92, after insertion and ratcheting through the locking head 12. The width (lateral dimension) of the channel can be configured to provide a frictional fit of the strap 92, wherein the opposed side edges 92a of the strap 92 frictionally contact the inner surfaces 94a of the walls 94 of the channeling loop 91 , to inhibit or limit completely free movement of the channeling loop 91 along the strap, so that the separate channeling loop 91 does not easily fall off the distal end of the strap 92. The separate channeling loop 91 is positionable anywhere along the strap length, and provides a means for holding the loose distal portion of the strap, close to the body of the strap, after ratcheting through the locking head.

[0064] Figure 23 shows a second separate channeling loop 93 having one or more walls that enclose the first channel 97 and a separate second channel 99. The walls are illustrated as the sidewalls 94 and the opposed walls 95, and an intermediate wall 98 connected to the sidewalls 94 between the opposed walls 95. The first channel 97 is sized to receive the body of the strap 92 (shown in Figure 21) before the end of the same strap 92 is inserted into and through the locking head 12. The second channel 99 is sized to receive the distal end and body of the strap 92 after its insertion and ratcheting through the locking head 12. The separate channeling loop 93 likewise is positionable anywhere along the strap length, and provides a means for holding the loose distal portion of the strap, close to the body of the strap, after ratcheting through the locking head.

[0065] Figure 24 shows a utility for any one of the integral channeling loop 85 or separate channeling loops 91 or 93. A strap 92 of a first cable tie 90a can be inserted through a channel 89 of an integral channeling loop 85 of another cable tie 80. In turn, a second strap 92 of another second cable tie 90b can be inserted through a channel 99 of a separate channeling loop 93 of first cable tie 90a, and so forth. This permits secured items such as cables within separate cable ties to be looped together with the channeling loops. [0066] An alternative embodiment of a channeling loop with a strap that includes an extending portion or stop portion, extending from either or both side edge of the strap, that inhibits or blocks the separate channeling loop from falling off the distal end of the strap. Figure 25 shows show a cable tie with at least one projection positioned on a surface of the body of the cable tie, and a separate channeling loop (illustrated as separate channeling loop 91). The projection or projections can be placed on the back surface of the strap (opposite the serrations), or on either or both side edges of the body of the strap. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 76 are placed on the side edges 92a of the strap 92. The projection(s) 76 is usually placed near the distal end of the strap 92 so that the separate channeling loop 91 can be moved freely along the body of the strap 92 within the confines of the projection(s). The projection can be a rounded or domed projection, as illustrated in the sectional view shown in Figure 26, where the distance between the outermost tip of the projections 76 (or, where only a single projection is used, the distance between the outermost tip of the projection 76 and the opposite side edge 92a of the strap) is about equal to and usually just slight larger than the natural distance between the inside surfaces 94a of the sidewalls 94 of the channeling loop 91. The material of the channeling loop 91 and its side walls 94, which is typically a thermoplastic, including nylon, is resilient and slightly flexible, which allows the portion of the strap 92 with the projection(s) 76 to be forced through the open space 97 of the channeling loop 91. Figure 27 shows a plan view of the strap 92 extending through the channeling loop 91 with the projections 76 extending from the lateral side edges 92a.

[0067] Figure 28 shows an alternative embodiments of the projections, in plan view, where the projections 77 have a proximally-extending tip 78 (extending away from the distal end of the cable strap). The configuration of the projection(s) 77 is intended to provide insertion of the distal end and projection(s) 77 through the open space 97 of the channeling loop 91, where the side walls 94 of the channeling loop 91 will fold laterally inwardly the proximally-extending tip(s) 78 toward the side edge 92a of the strap as they the projection(s) 77 pass, but will inhibit, limit or prevent withdrawal of the portion of the strap 92 with the projection(s) 77 back through the channeling loop 91 as the proximally-extending tip(s) 78 engage the front face 94b of the side walls 94 of the channeling loop 91. The projections 77 provide easy installation of the channeling loop 91 (or 92) onto the strap body, but inhibit or block the separate channeling loop from falling off the distal end of the strap. [0068] It is understood that any of the cable ties of the invention can have longer or shorter lengths, or widths, depending upon the user's need.

[0069] The material of the cable tie can be any conventional material used, including thermoplastics including nylon, metals including steel, nickel, stainless steel, and alloys, and composites.