Side notched cable tie

Abstract

A cable tie with side notches on either one or both sides that allows breaking off the unused end after pulling the tie tight eliminating the need for using a tool to trim the ends off the cable tie. The strap is pulled normally when tightening the cable tie around wires, cables, hoses, tubes or other items in a bundle and then pulled sideways to cause the strap to break off leaving no sharp edges.

1 . A cable tie comprising: 
 a flat, elongated strap with top and bottom surfaces, first and second sides, and a first and second end, said strap having a plurality of notches on said top surface;    a mating head attached to said first end of said strap containing a locking means for engaging said notches when said second end of said strap is threaded through said mating head;    a plurality of side notches on at least one of said first or second sides of said strap, whereby said side notches cause said strap to break near said mating head when said strap is threaded through said mating head and is moved back and forth sideways.    
   
   
       2 . The cable tie of  claim 1  wherein both said first and second sides of said strap contain side notches.  
   
   
       3 . The cable tie of  claim 1  wherein said strap is plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The cable tie of  claim 1  wherein said side notches begin a distance from said mating head.  
   
   
       5 . The cable tie of  claim 1  further containing a tongue on said second end of said strap that is generally narrower than said strap.  
   
   
       6 . A cable tie of the type used to bundle cables, tubing and the like normally provided with a strap containing a plurality of notches on a top surface, said notches mating with a head mounted on an end of said strap, the improvement comprising a plurality of additional notches on at least one side of said strap.  
   
   
       7 . The cable tie of  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of side notches on at least one side of said strap.  
   
   
       8 . The cable tie of  claim 6  wherein said strap is plastic.  
   
   
       9 . The cable tie of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of side notches begins a distance from said head.  
   
   
       10 . A method of removing an unused end of a cable tie without tools comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cable tie with a strap containing a plurality of notches on a top surface, said notches on said top surface engaging with a head mounted on a first end of said strap, said strap also containing a plurality of side notches on at least one side surface;    threading a second end of said strap through said head;    pulling said strap to cause said cable tie to reach a desired tightness;    causing said strap to move from side-to-side or circularly near said head causing an unused portion of said strap to break at one of said side notches.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said strap contains a plurality of notches on each of two sides.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said strap is plastic.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said notches on said side surface begin a distance from said head.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the second end of said includes a tongue generally narrower than said strap.  
   
   
       15 . A method for making a cable tie where an unused end can be removed with no tools comprising: 
 producing a narrow strap with a plurality of notches on a top surface and a plurality of side notches on at least one side;    producing a head attached to a first end of said strap, said head capable of engaging said notches on said top surface.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said strap is produced with a plurality of notches on each side.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said strap is plastic.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said strap is extruded.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said notches on said side of said strap are cut after said strap is extruded.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said strap breaks inside of said head.