Dual channel tie lock

Abstract

A multipurpose cable tie lock has a body with two channels passing through it. Within each channel is a pawl or other device that allows for one-way motion and locking of a strap passing through the channel. The channels may be parallel or anti-parallel in relation to one another regarding the direction through which a tie strap may move. The locking head may also be rotatable about its center in order to change the orientation of the two channels relative to one another. The multipurpose cable tie lock may include three or more channels optionally. Multipurpose cable tied locks may be used in combination with one or more tie straps to provide systems for holding multiple objects.

1 .- 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A cable tie lock comprising;
 a parallelepiped body defined by a first face, a peripheral wall and a second face;   two channels each extending from the first face to the second face through the body;   wherein each channel includes a pawl and an abutment wall opposite the pawl;   wherein the pawl in each channel limits motion of a cable tie through the channel to one direction only.   
     
     
         5 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  wherein the channels both allow a cable tie to travel in the same direction. 
     
     
         6 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  wherein each channel allows a cable tie to travel through it only in a direction opposite to the other channel. 
     
     
         7 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  further comprising a cable tie extending from the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         8 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  further comprising a third channel having a pawl and an abutment wall opposite the pawl. 
     
     
         9 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  wherein the body is comprised of two modules, each module having one of the channels. 
     
     
         10 . The cable tie lock of  claim 9  wherein the modules may be rotated relative to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The cable tie lock of  claim 9  wherein the modules may be separated into two separate single channel tie locks. 
     
     
         12 . The cable tie lock of  claim 11  wherein the modules may be re-attached. 
     
     
         13 . The cable tie lock of  claim 12  wherein the modules may be reattached in only one orientation relative to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The cable tie lock of  claim 4  wherein the peripheral wall comprises four walls, wherein one wall includes a tab and an opposing wall includes a socket capable of removably engaging a tab on a second cable tie lock. 
     
     
         15 . A system of cable tie locks comprising a plurality of cable tied locks each having:
 a parallelepiped body defined by a first face, a peripheral wall and a second face; and,   two channels each extending from the first face to the second face through the body;   wherein each channel includes a pawl and an abutment wall opposite the pawl;   wherein the pawl in each channel limits motion of a cable tie through the channel to one direction only;   wherein the peripheral wall comprises four walls, wherein one wall includes a tab and an opposing wall includes a socket; and,   wherein a tab on one cable tie lock removably engages a tab on a second cable tie lock.   
     
     
         16 . The system of cable tie locks of  claim 15  wherein two removably engaged cable tie locks are rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The system of cable tie locks of  claim 15  wherein two removably engaged tie locks are not rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The system of cable tie locks of  claim 15  wherein two removably engaged tie locks have channels perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The system of cable tie locks of  claim 14  wherein two removably engaged tie locks have channels parallel to each other.