Cable tie

Abstract

A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough.

1 . A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough, and wherein an upper surface of the flexible tail portion is arcuate in order to facilitate removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening. 
     
     
         2 . A cable tie according to  claim 1  wherein the head portions tapers from the first slot and the opening. 
     
     
         3 . A cable tie according to  claim 1  wherein the cable tie comprises a second slot, the second slot being in communication with both the first slot and the opening. 
     
     
         4 . A cable tie according to  claim 3  wherein the second slot is adapted to retain a portion of the flexible tail portion, the flexible tail portion having already been passed through the first slot. 
     
     
         5 . A cable tie according to  claim 3  wherein the second slot is located intermediate the first slot and the opening. 
     
     
         6 . A cable tie according to  claim 3  wherein at least a portion of an upper wall of at least one of said first and second slots slopes upwardly towards the opening. 
     
     
         7 . A cable tie according to  claim 3  wherein at least one of said first and second slots comprises one or more land portions adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion with the slot. 
     
     
         8 . A cable tie according to  claim 1  wherein the first slot includes retaining means. 
     
     
         9 . A cable tie according to  claim 8  wherein the retaining means comprises one or more locking lugs adapted to engage with a series of grooves on one or more surfaces of the flexible tail portion. 
     
     
         10 . A cable tie according to  claim 9  wherein the retaining means comprises at least one locking lug adapted to engage with a series of grooves on each of an upper and lower surface of the flexible tail portion. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A cable tie according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible tail portion comprises side portions interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . A cable tie according to  claim 12  wherein the side portions are rounded or beveled. 
     
     
         14 . A cable tie according to  claim 12  wherein the side portions are provided with a series of grooves adapted to engage with one or more further retaining means located in the first slot. 
     
     
         15 . A cable tie according to  claim 14  wherein the first slot comprises a plurality of retaining means adapted to engage with the series of grooves in the upper surface, the lower surface and one or more side portions of the flexible tail portion. 
     
     
         16 . A cable tie according to  claim 1  wherein the cable tie is fabricated from nylon.