Wire tie

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tie for wrapping around an article, including an arcuate portion on a first portion of the tie; and a movable locking device on a second portion of the tie, the movable locking device adapted to couple to the arcuate portion.

1 . A tie for wrapping around an article, comprising:
 an arcuate portion at a first portion of the tie; and   a movable locking means at a second portion of the tie, the movable locking means adapted to couple to the arcuate portion.   
   
   
       2 . A tie according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the arcuate portion is an enclosed loop.   
   
   
       3 . A tie according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the movable locking means is a ratchet system.   
   
   
       4 . A tie according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a body, the arcuate portion located at a first end of said body and the movable locking means located at a second end of said body.   
   
   
       5 . A tie according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the body includes a plurality of indentations, and the locking means includes at least one protrusion adapted to engage at least one of said plurality of indentations.   
   
   
       6 . A tie according to  claim 4 , wherein
 said locking means is configured to be movable toward the first end and not toward the second end.   
   
   
       7 . A tie according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the locking means includes a protrusion adapted to engage a portion of the tie.   
   
   
       8 . A tie according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the locking means includes a hook configured to prevent the arcuate portion from decoupling from the locking means.   
   
   
       9 . A tie for wrapping around at least one article, comprising:
 a body portion having a first end and a second end;   a locking means at the second end, said locking means movable relative to the body portion and configured to engage the body portion; and   an arcuate portion at the first end adapted to engage the locking means, such that said tie forms a substantially closed loop around the at least one article.   
   
   
       10 . A tie according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the arcuate portion is an enclosed loop.   
   
   
       11 . A tie according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the movable locking means is a ratchet system.   
   
   
       12 . A tie according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the locking means includes a hook configured to prevent the enclosed loop from disengage from the locking means.   
   
   
       13 . A tie according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the body includes a plurality of indentations, and the locking means includes at least one protrusion adapted to engage at least one of said plurality of indentations.   
   
   
       14 . A tie according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said locking means is configured to be movable toward the first end and not toward said second end.   
   
   
       15 . A tie according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the locking means includes a protrusion adapted to engage a portion of the tie.   
   
   
       16 . A method of wrapping at least one article, comprising the steps of
 providing a tie having body with a first end and a second end, the tie having an arcuate portion at the first end and a locking means at the second end,   wrapping the tie around the at least one article,   engaging a portion of the arcuate portion with the locking means, and   moving the locking means relative to the body.   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the arcuate portion is an enclosed loop, and   the locking means is a ratchet system.   
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step
 passing the ratchet system through the enclosed loop prior to the step of moving the locking means relative to the body.   
   
   
       19 . A tie according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the locking means includes a hook configured to prevent the enclosed loop from disengage from the locking means.   
   
   
       20 . A tie according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the step of moving the locking means includes pulling the second end.