, FLUSH CUT TIE DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure The disclosure relates to tie devices and more particularly pertains to a new tie device for facilitating flush trimming of excess after securing a tie device.
Prior Art A common drawback of known tie devices is that when excess tie material is trimmed with clippers or another general-purpose tool, a small amount of the cut tie material remains projecting from the tie device. Special tools exist to cut ties to reduce the degree of this problem, but that requires workers to carry yet another tool for a very specialized purpose, which often does not happen in practice. The projecting end of the cut tie can be a nuisance or even dangerous, in that it can cut, scratch, or injure/damage people or equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
A flush cut tie device is provided to solve at least some of the problems of the prior art. The flush cut tie device can be trimmed with a general-purpose tool to leave little or no excess projecting end.
According to various aspects of the invention, a flush cut tie device includes a tie having a first end and a second end, a channel coupled to the first end of the tie, and means for preventing reverse motion of the tie out of the channel when the second end of the tie is extended through the channel. The flush cut tie device further includes at least one groove in an exterior face of a perimeter wall defining the channel, the groove shaped to receive engagement of clippers. The groove is positioned to define an end portion of the channel to be simultaneously removed with an excess portion of the tie and to define a main portion of the channel to remain with a cut end of the tie that is flush with the main portion of the channel when the end portion of the channel and the excess portion of the tie are clipped simultaneously in the same cut.
The means for preventing reverse motion of the tie depends on the type of tie (e.g., ridge type, ladder type, infinitely adjustable type). The means can include a combination of a projection and mating elements such as ridges or "ladder rungs". The projection may be a barb that embeds into a relatively smooth tie surface, in the case of an infinitely adjustable or bard-type tie.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a top front side perspective view of a flush cut tie device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 4 is a top front side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.
2 Figure 5 is a top front side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure after trimming.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 through 5 thereof, a new tie device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, the flush cut tie device 10 generally comprises a tie 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. A channel 18 is coupled to the first end 14 of the tie 12. A projection 20 extends from a perimeter wall 22 defining an interior of the channel 18 wherein the projection 20 is positioned in the interior of the channel 18. A plurality of ridges 24 is positioned in spaced relationship along a length of the tie 12 wherein a selectable one of the ridges 24 is engaged by the projection 20 when the second end 16 of the tie 12 is extended through the channel 18 wherein the projection prevents reverse motion of the tie 12 to pull the second end 16 back out of the channel 18. The projection 20 and ridges 24 are but one means for preventing reverse motion, and other examples include a projection that engages ladder rungs of a ladder-type tie, a 20 barb that embeds into a tie surface (i.e., an infinitely adjustable tie), and similar. Each of a pair of grooves 28 extends into opposite exterior faces 30 of the channel 18, but preferably not into the channel 18 itself. The grooves 28 are positioned for facilitating engagement of clippers 32 to the channel 18 and cutting an end portion 34 of the channel 18 and the tie 12 from a main portion 36 of the channel 18 wherein a cut end 38 of the tie 12 is flush with the main portion 36 of the channel 18 when the end portion 34 of the channel 18 is clipped. The grooves 28 may be joined forming a single circumferential groove 40 extending fully around the channel 18. The single circumferential groove 40 is defined by a pair of straight angled faces 42 such that the single circumferential groove 40 tapers extending inwardly from an outer surface 44 of the channel 18. The projection 20
3 is positioned in the main portion 36 of the channel 18 to prevent interference with engagement to the ridge 24 when the tie is clipped.
In use, the tie 12 is used in conventional fashion. When set, the excess of the tie 12 extending from the second end 16 to the channel 18 may be easily trimmed by the clippers 32 engaging the grooves 28 or selectable sides of the single circumferential groove 40. Cutting with the grooves 28 or groove 40 provides the cut end 38 will be flush with the main portion 36 of the channel 18 after the cut.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure and the claims.
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