Cable Holding Element

Abstract

A cable holding element includes a base body and a number of latching projections that project from the base body. The latching projections may be curved or straight, or angled. A first row of latching projections preferably opposes a second row of latching projections and cooperates to define a channel area for guiding the cable. The latching projections are arranged to interlock without contact, in a comb-like manner. The base body can have a closed cross-section, an L-shape, W-shape or other shape to enable the latching projections to form at least one channel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cable holding device comprising:
 a number of cable holding elements for the accommodation of one or multiple cables;   each cable holding element defines a portion of a base body and forms a number of latching projections that project from the base body;   the latching projections have ends that project from areas opposite each other from the base body;   the latching projections and the base body define a channel area for guiding the cables; and   the latching projections interlock without contact so that the end of at least one of the latching projections aligns between two latching projections projecting from the respective opposite area.   
     
     
         2 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the latching projections defining the channel area are L-shaped, so that the channel area defines a closed cross-section. 
     
     
         3 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the channel area defines a U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The cable holding devices as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the latching projections interlock without contact in a comb-like manner so that the end of at least one latching projection is arranged between two opposing latching projections. 
     
     
         5 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the latching projections are flexible and resilient to flex between an initial position to a flexed position where the projections contact against the base body. 
     
     
         6 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the latching projections are curved. 
     
     
         7 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the curve is an angled-hook shape featuring a first and second latching projection section on each latching projection, wherein the first latching projection section projects in an angle of 70°-90° and wherein the second latching projection section continues at the distant end of the respective area of the first latching projection section and projects with an angle between 70° to 110° to the first latching projection section. 
     
     
         8 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the curve is an angled-hook shape featuring a first and second latching projection section extending normally on each respective latching projection. 
     
     
         9 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the two latching projection sections are constructed integrally, and developed from a flat body. 
     
     
         10 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the two latching projection sections are constructed integrally, and developed from a rod-shaped body. 
     
     
         11 . A cable holding device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the two latching projection sections enclose an angle of less than or equal to 90°. 
     
     
         12 . A cable holding device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the latching projections align parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . A cable holding device comprising:
 a number of cable holding elements for the accommodation of one or multiple cables;   the cable holding elements define a base body having an L-shaped cross-section having two ends, and number of latching projections that project from the ends to form a first row of latching projections and a second row of latching projections; and   the first row of latching projections are angled at between 70-90 degrees with respect to the second row of latching projections, the ends of the first row and second row of latching projections interlock without contact to define a channel area for guiding the cables.   
     
     
         14 . The cable holding devices as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the cable holding elements are equally spaced in a generally linear arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the ends of the first row and the second row of latching projections interlock at a 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         16 . A cable holding device comprising:
 a number of cable holding elements for the accommodation of one or multiple cables;   the cable holding elements define a base body having a W-shaped profile, and number of latching projections that project from the base body;   the latching projections having ends that oppose each other, the ends interlock without contact to define at least one channel area for guiding the cables; and   the cable holding elements are equally spaced on the base body.   
     
     
         17 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein W-shaped profile has a central bow edge and at least some of the latching projections extend from the central bow edge. 
     
     
         18 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein W-shaped profile has a central bow edge and a trailing edge and the latching projections extend both from the central bow edge and the trailing edge. 
     
     
         19 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein at least some of the latching projections extending from the central bow edge oppose the latching projections extending from the trailing edge. 
     
     
         20 . The cable holding device as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the W-shaped profile has a leading edge and at least some of the latching projections extend from the leading edge, at least some of the latching projections extending from the central bow edge oppose the latching projections extending from the leading edge.