Cable tie with an improved buckle

Abstract

A cable tie, which generally comprises a band with an interconnected buckle, includes features that allow it to receive a free end of the band more efficiently and/or prevents user contact with a cut end of the band. Some of the contemplated cable ties also facilitate interconnection of the band to the buckle.

1 . A cable tie, comprising:
 a band having a first end and a second end and having a first edge and a second edge extending between said first and second ends, said first edge and said second edge defining a first plane;   a buckle integrally formed with said band at the first end of said band, said buckle including a first side wall portion extending from said first edge of said band and a second side wall portion extended from said second edge of said band, said buckle further including a head extending between said first side wall portion and second side wall potion, said head being offset from said first plane, thereby defining an opening for receiving said first end of said band; and   wherein said head includes a selectively deflectable appendage interconnected to a leading edge, the interconnection of the appendage to said head including at least one aperture that facilitates selectively bending said appendage towards said head.   
     
     
         2 . The cable tie of  claim 1 , wherein said head also comprises a trailing edge that is positioned opposite from said leading edge, said trailing edge comprised of an insert that is made of a material that is harder that the material of the band. 
     
     
         3 . The cable tie of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said band is angled away from said head. 
     
     
         4 . The cable tie of  claim 1 , wherein said head also comprises a training edge that is positioned opposite from said leading edge, said trailing edge comprised of an insert that is made of a material that is harder that the material of the band; and
 wherein said first end of said band is angled away from said head.   
     
     
         5 . A cable tie, comprising:
 a band having a first end and a second end and having a first edge and a second edge extending between said first and second ends, said first edge and said second edge defining a first plane;   a buckle integrally formed with said band at the first end of said band, said buckle including a first side wall portion extending from said first edge of said band and a second side wall portion extended from said second edge of said band, said buckle further including a head extending between said first side wall portion and second side wall potion, said head being offset from said first plane, thereby defining an opening for receiving said first end of said band; and   wherein said head includes a protrusion that extends in a direction away from said band.   
     
     
         6 . The cable tie of  claim 5 , wherein said head also comprises a trailing edge that is positioned opposite from said leading edge, said trailing edge comprised of an insert that is made of a material that is harder that the material of the band. 
     
     
         7 . The cable tie of  claim 5 , wherein said first end of said band is angled away from said head. 
     
     
         8 . The cable tie of  claim 5 , wherein said head also comprises a training edge that is positioned opposite from said leading edge, said trailing edge comprised of an insert that is made of a material that is harder that the material of the band; and
 wherein said first end of said band is angled away from said head.   
     
     
         9 . A locked band clamp, comprising:
 a band having a first end and a second end and having a first edge and a second edge extending between said first and second ends, said first edge and said second edge defining a first plane;   a buckle integrally formed with said band at the first end of said band, said buckle including a first side wall portion extending from said first edge of said band and a second side wall portion extended from said second edge of said band, said buckle further including a head extending between said first side wall portion and second side wall potion, said head being offset from said first plane, thereby defining an opening for receiving said first end of said band;   a curled portion of said band that engages a trailing edge of said head that prevents relative motion of said buckle relative to said band; and   a means for obstructing associated with said head that blocks said curled portion from being contacted.   
     
     
         10 . The locked band clamp of  claim 9 , wherein said means for obstructing is a selectively deflectable appendage interconnected to a leading edge said head, the interconnection of the appendage to said head including at least one aperture that facilitates selectively bending said appendage towards said head. 
     
     
         11 . The locked band clamp of  claim 9 , wherein said means for obstructing is a protrusion interconnected to said head that extends in a direction away from said band.