Cable tie finger manipulation structure
Method and apparatus for installing a cable tie about a bundle. The cable tie has a ratcheting head and a strap with a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle. A finger engagement structure includes a ratcheting element configured to ratchetingly engage the cable tie, and a contact member configured to facilitate tightening of the cable tie and securement of the bundle to a substrate. The ratcheting element may comprise a second ratcheting head configured to engage the ratcheting pattern of the cable tie, and the contact member may comprise a selected one of a ring, a plate or a third ratcheting head. Alternatively, the ratcheting element may comprise a second strap having a second ratcheting pattern configured to engage a second ratcheting head of the cable tie, and the contact member may comprise a plate from which the second strap extends.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a cable tie comprising a first ratcheting head and a strap having a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the first ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle; and
a finger engagement structure comprising a ratcheting element configured to ratchetingly engage the cable tie and a contact member configured for engagement by a finger of a user to facilitate tightening of the cable tie and securement of the bundle to a substrate, wherein the ratcheting element comprises a second ratcheting head configured to engage the ratcheting pattern of the cable tie, and the contact member comprises a selected one of a ring, a plate or a third ratcheting head.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the contact member comprises a ring structure configured to accommodate insertion of an index finger of the user, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second finger engagement structure affixed to the cable tie adjacent the ratcheting head comprising a second ring structure configured to accommodate insertion of a thumb of the user.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the contact member comprises a plate from which the ratcheting element extends and a layer of adhesive affixed to the plate to facilitate attachment of the plate to a substrate.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the finger engagement structure is a finger tool comprising a tapered finger ring structure configured for contacting insertion of an index finger of the user.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second ratcheting head has a side opening to facilitate lateral movement of the second ratcheting head onto and off of the strap of the cable tie.
6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a thumb tool comprising a tapered thumb ring structure configured for contacting insertion of a thumb of the user, and a cable guide channel with a latching mechanism to receive and secure a portion of the cable tie adjacent the ratcheting head.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the contact member comprises a third ratcheting head connected to the second ratcheting head using an interconnection member connected therebetween.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second ratcheting head is aligned along a first orientation and the third ratcheting head is aligned along a different, second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first ratcheting head of the cable tie comprises a deflectable pawl, wherein the ratcheting pattern of the strap comprises a sequence of shoulder surfaces configured to lockingly engage the deflectable pawl, and wherein the finger engagement structure comprises only a selected one of a second deflectable pawl or a second ratcheting pattern having a second sequence of shoulder surfaces.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the finger engagement structure is affixed to an outer surface of a glove worn by the hand of the user.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the strap of the cable tie is formed of shape memory metal.
12 . An apparatus, comprising:
a cable tie comprising a first ratcheting head and a first strap having a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the first ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle; and
a finger engagement structure comprising a ratcheting element configured to ratchetingly engage the cable tie and a contact member configured for engagement by a finger of a user to facilitate tightening of the cable tie and securement of the bundle to a substrate, wherein the ratcheting element comprises a second strap having a second ratcheting pattern configured to engage a second ratcheting head of the cable tie, and the contact member comprises a plate from which the second strap extends.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the contact member further comprises at least a selected one of a layer of adhesive or a through hole to accommodate a threaded fastener for attachment of the plate to a substrate.
14 . An apparatus, comprising:
a cable tie comprising a first ratcheting head and a strap having a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the first ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle; and
a finger tool comprising a second ratcheting head configured to ratchetingly engage the strap of the cable tie and a finger ring structure configured for engagement of an index finger of a user to facilitate tightening of the cable tie.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second ratcheting head has a side opening to facilitate lateral movement of the second ratcheting head onto and off of the strap of the cable tie.
16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a thumb tool comprising a thumb ring structure configured for contacting insertion of a thumb of the user.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the thumb tool further comprises a cable guide channel with a latching mechanism to receive and secure a portion of the cable tie adjacent the first ratcheting head.
18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a glove configured to be worn by a hand of the user, wherein the finger tool and the thumb tool are each affixed to the glove.
19 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the strap of the cable tie is formed of metal.
20 . An apparatus, comprising:
a cable tie comprising a first ratcheting head and a strap having a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the first ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle;
a first finger engagement structure comprising a ratcheting element configured to ratchetingly engage the cable tie and a contact member to facilitate tightening of the cable tie and securement of the bundle to a substrate, wherein the contact member comprises a first ring structure configured to accommodate insertion of an index finger of the user and the ratcheting element comprises a second ratcheting head; and
a second finger engagement structure affixed to the cable tie adjacent the first ratcheting head comprising a second ring structure configured to accommodate insertion of a thumb of the user.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the cable tie, the first finger engagement structure and the second finger engagement structure are each formed of metal.
22 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the strap of the cable tie is formed of shape memory metal.