Releasing tool for one-piece cable tie

Claim 2

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally moveable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, a retaining hook extending from said one end of said body on the other side of said passage and being engageable with the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface and said hook engages the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof and said wedge is disposed in the opening between the pawl and the strap, said wedge urging the pawl into the disengaged condition thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 3

The releasing tool set forth in claim 1, wherein the end of said body adjacent to said wedge and said hook is shaped complementary to the adjacent portion of the frame when said tool is in the operative position thereof.

Claim 4

The releasing tool set forth in claim 1, and further including, a handle integral with and extending outwardly from said body adjacent to the other end thereof to facilitate the gripping and operation of said tool.

Claim 5

The releasing tool set forth in claim 1, and further including a handle integral with said body adjacent to the other end thereof and extending outwardly from said other side of said passage, said handle having finger recesses on the opposite sides thereof to facilitate the gripping and operation of said tool.

Claim 6

The releasing tool set forth in claim 1, wherein said tool is of an integral, molded, single-piece construction.

Claim 7

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out oF engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a straight passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, said wedge having a first flat camming surface parallel to and substantially in alignment with said one side of said passage and a second flat camming surface intersecting said first camming surface at an acute angle thereto and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of said passage, and a retaining hook extending from said one end of said body on the other side of said passage and being engageable with the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface of the frame and said hook engages the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof and said wedge is disposed in the opening of the frame between the pawl and the strap, said first camming surface engaging the row of teeth on the strap and said second camming surface engaging the set of teeth on the pawl when said tool is in the operative position thereof, whereby said second camming surface urges the pawl into the disengaged position thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 8

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out oF engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a straight passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, said wedge having a first flat camming surface parallel to and substantially in alignment with said one side of said passage and a second flat camming surface intersecting said first camming surface at an acute angle thereto and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of said passage, and a retaining hook extending from said one end of said body on the other side of said passage and being engageable with the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface of the frame and said hook engages the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof and said wedge is disposed in the opening of the frame between the pawl and the strap, said first camming surface engaging the row of teeth on the strap and said second camming surface engaging the set of teeth on the pawl when said tool is in the operative position thereof, whereby said second camming surface urges the pawl into the disengaged position thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 9

The releasing tool set forth in claim 6, wherein said first camming surface extends outwardly from said body a distance substantially less than the distance between the entry and exit surfaces of the frame.

Claim 10

The releasing tool set forth in claim 6, wherein said wedge is integral with said body.

Claim 11

The releasing tool set forth in claim 6, wherein said first and second camming surfaces have widths respectively equal to each other and less than the width of the associated strap.

Claim 12

The releasing tool set forth in claim 6, wherein said passage comprises a slot formed in one side of said body.

Claim 13

The releasing tool set forth in claim 6, wherein said passage is substantially rectangular in cross section and is shaped complementary to the strap.

Claim 14

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, the frame having a guide surface adjacent to the entry surface and extending from the opening to the exterior of the frame, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening and is engaged with the pawl, said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, and a retaining hook including an elongated arm and a prong thereon extending inwardly therefrom, said arm extending from said one end of said body substantially normal thereto on the other side of said passage, said prong being integral with the outer end of said arm and extending inwardly thereFrom toward said wedge and being engageable with the guide surface of the frame, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface and said prong engages the guide surface of the frame and said wedge is disposed in the opening between the pawl and the strap, said wedge urging the pawl into the disengaged condition thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 15

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, the frame having a guide surface adjacent to the entry surface and extending from the opening to the exterior of the frame, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening and is engaged with the pawl, said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, and a retaining hook including an elongated arm and a prong thereon extending inwardly therefrom, said arm extending from said one end of said body substantially normal thereto on the other side of said passage, said prong being integral with the outer end of said arm and extending inwardly thereFrom toward said wedge and being engageable with the guide surface of the frame, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface and said prong engages the guide surface of the frame and said wedge is disposed in the opening between the pawl and the strap, said wedge urging the pawl into the disengaged condition thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 16

The releasing tool set forth in claim 12, wherein said retaining hook has a width less than the width of the associated strap and greater than the width of said wedge.

Claim 17

The releasing tool set forth in claim 12, wherein said hook is resiliently mounted on said body and is shaped complementary to the adjacent portion of the associated frame when said tool is in the operative position thereof whereby said hook latches into engagement with the guide surface of the frame when said tool is in the operative position thereof.

Claim 18

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece molded cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, a retaining hook extending from said one end of said body on the other side of said passage and being engageable with the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface and said hook engages the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof and said wedge is disposed in the opening between the pawl and the strap, the longitudinal axis of said passage and the portion of the strap disposed therein being disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded when said tool is in the operative position thereof to facilitate insertion of said wedge between the strap and the pawl, said wedge urging the pawl into the disengaged condition thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 19

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece molded cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tie having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, a retaining hook extending from said one end of said body on the other side of said passage and being engageable with the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface and said hook engages the frame adjacent to the entry surface thereof and said wedge is disposed in the opening between the pawl and the strap, the longitudinal axis of said passage and the portion of the strap disposed therein being disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded when said tool is in the operative position thereof to facilitate insertion of said wedge between the strap and the pawl, said wedge urging the pawl into the disengaged condition thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 20

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece molded cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, the frame having a guide surface adjacent to the entry surface and extending from the opening to the exterior of the frame, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tiE having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a straight passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, said wedge having a first flat camming surface substantially parallel to and substantially in alignment with the one side of said passage and a second flat camming surface intersecting said first camming surface at an acute angle thereto and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of said passage, a retaining hook including an elongated arm and a prong thereon extending inwardly therefrom, said arm extending from said one end of said body substantially normal thereto on the other side of said passage, said prong being integral with the outer end of said arm and extending inwardly therefrom toward said wedge and being engageable with the guide surface of the frame, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface of the frame and said prong engages the guide surface of the frame and said wedge is disposed in the opening of the frame between the pawl and the strap, the longitudinal axis of said passage and the portion of the strap disposed therein being disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded when said tool is in the operative position thereof to facilitate insertion of said wedge between the pawl and the strap, said first camming surface engaging the row of teeth on the strap and said second camming surface engaging the set of teeth on the pawl when said tool is in the operative position thereof, whereby said second camming surface urges the pawl into the disengaged position thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.

Claim 21

A releasing tool for releasing an integral one-piece molded cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, the frame having a guide surface adjacent to the entry surface and extending from the opening to the exterior of the frame, a pawl mounted within the opening in the frame and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and being pivotally movable between an engaged position in engagement with the row of teeth and a disengaged position out of engagement with the row of teeth, the cable tiE having an assembled condition wherein the strap is disposed through the opening at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded and is engaged with the pawl; said releasing tool comprising a body, said body having a straight passage therethrough for accommodating the portion of the associated strap extending beyond the exit surface of the associated frame when the associated cable tie is in the assembled condition thereof, a wedge extending from one end of said body adjacent to one side of said passage, said wedge having a first flat camming surface substantially parallel to and substantially in alignment with the one side of said passage and a second flat camming surface intersecting said first camming surface at an acute angle thereto and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of said passage, a retaining hook including an elongated arm and a prong thereon extending inwardly therefrom, said arm extending from said one end of said body substantially normal thereto on the other side of said passage, said prong being integral with the outer end of said arm and extending inwardly therefrom toward said wedge and being engageable with the guide surface of the frame, said tool having an operative position wherein the portion of the strap extending beyond the exit surface is disposed in said passage and said body overlies and contacts the exit surface of the frame and said prong engages the guide surface of the frame and said wedge is disposed in the opening of the frame between the pawl and the strap, the longitudinal axis of said passage and the portion of the strap disposed therein being disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded when said tool is in the operative position thereof to facilitate insertion of said wedge between the pawl and the strap, said first camming surface engaging the row of teeth on the strap and said second camming surface engaging the set of teeth on the pawl when said tool is in the operative position thereof, whereby said second camming surface urges the pawl into the disengaged position thereof when said tool is in the operative position thereof to disengage the set of teeth on the pawl from the row of teeth on the strap, thereby to release the strap so that it may be readily withdrawn from the frame.