GB2572017A - Flat-pack structure and assembly method - Google Patents

(57) A flat-pack structure 250 for assembly into a cable restraint, including a rectangular strip with a plurality of lines of weakness 254 extending across the strip. The lines of weakness may be formed by elongate holes 254c-d, perforations, or notches 254a-b 254e-f in opposite edges of the strip. The structure may include holes 251 for securing the restraint against a surface (using a screw, for example). The securing holes may be an extension of holes forming the lines of weakness (3310B, figure 33B). The structure may include a locking mechanism, such as a tab 255 and slot 254g at corresponding ends of the strip, to secure the restraint in its assembled configuration. The cable restraint may be formed by folding the strip along two or more lines of weakness. The flat-pack structures can be manufactured and transported more efficiently than pre-folded cable restraints, and can satisfy different cable volumes and shapes.

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FLAT-PACK STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flat-pack structure from which a cable restraint may be assembled, and a method of assembling the cable restraint from the flat-pack structure.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pre-folded cable restraints such as those described in GB 2532298 B are very useful. However, due to their shape and design, they do not tessellate easily, and therefore require a large amount of space while they cannot be effectively secured in oblique shapes. The invention of the present application addresses these issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the present invention provides a flat-pack cable restraint, which may be manufactured, transported, stored, merchandised, handled, and installed more efficiently than known cable restraints. Specifically, the present invention provides a flat-pack structure for assembly into a cable restraint, including a rectangular or substantially rectangular strip, wherein there are a plurality of lines of weakness extending across the strip. The assembled restraint can also satisfy different cable volume and shaping demands from same base section, with versions which can be locked also.

Such flat-pack structures are far more easily transportable than the pre-folded configuration, and can then be folded up to form a clip such as those shown in GB 2532298 B at time of installation. In addition to structures such as those shown in GB 2352298 B, flat-pack structures according to the present invention may be assembled into a variety of other shapes. For example, they may be folded into clips which are suitable for use as suspension clips, brackets, and “top-hat” profile cable restraints. These are described in more detail later in the application. Thus, flat-pack structures according to the present invention give rise to a great degree of versatility and may be assembled to form a large range of different types of cable restraint.

In the present application, the term “line of weakness” should be understood to mean a line at which the strip of is easiest to fold. By providing lines of weakness in the strip, it is ensured that when a user acts to fold the strip, the corners or folds form at desired locations along the strip. It is possible therefore to select, at the point of assembly or manipulation of the flat-pack and adjustable structure, the dimensions of such a cable restraint. In particular, the flat-pack structure of the present invention enables the user to select the size and shape of the cable-restraining channel or channel in the final cable restraint. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the strip is substantially flat or flat.

The present invention requires that the lines of weakness extend “across the strip”. By this we mean that the lines are oriented in a direction which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the strip.

Here, the term “rectangular or substantially rectangular” should be understood to mean that the width of the strip is approximately constant, i.e. there is no tapering or similar. In preferred embodiments, the width of the strip may be constant for no less than 50% of its length, 60% of its length, 70% of its length, 80% of its length, 90% of its length or 95% of its length. In some embodiments, the strip may be rectangular with rounded corners.

Throughout this application, where the terms “approximately”, “around” or “about” are used in combination with a numerical value, this may be interpreted to represent a range of values which may be ±30% of the value, ± 20% of the value, or ± 10% of the value. It must be stressed that such expressions are also intended to include the value itself, e.g. “about 20cm” should be understood to cover something which is exactly 20cm.

It is preferable that the strip be made of a malleable material, so that it may be easily folded to form the cable restraint. Preferably, the strip is made of metal, or any other material that might be fit for purpose. In some embodiments, the strip may be made of mild steel. Mild steel in particular has been found to have suitable characteristics for the folding of the arms without risk of damage to the material itself. Mild steel also has a suitable high melting point to avoid structural failure during e.g. a building fire. This ensures that cables passing through a cable restraint assembled from the flat-pack structure of the present invention may be securely retained against a mounting surface in case of fire. In doing so, this can prevent cables dropping during a fire, and can also prevent potentially fatal cable entanglement. In some situations, the cable restraints formed from the flat-pack structure of the present invention may be mounted inside non-metal (e.g. plastic) trunking. In these cases, in case of fire, the plastic trunking may melt or burn away, but the cables will still be held up by the metal cable restraints.

Other metals from which the strip may be made include, but are not limited to: stainless steel, brass, Aluzinc.

The thickness of the strip is preferably 0.1 to 2.0 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 mm and most preferably 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the lines of weakness may be provided by a hole in the strip. Such a hole is preferably elongate, having a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip. The presence of an elongate hole running across the strip means that, at that particular position along the longitudinal axis, the total width of material is substantially reduced. This means that there is less resistance to folding, hence the line of weakness. In some embodiments, the elongate hole may be rectangular or substantially rectangular (e.g. rectangular with rounded corners). In other embodiments, it may be substantially rectangular, with semi-circular ends, or may be trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal.

In embodiments in which the elongate holes have rounded edges/corners, a rounder fold results when the flat-pack structure is assembled into the cable restraint. In contrast, if the elongate holes have sharp corners, such as in the case of the trapezoidal holes, a sharper fold results. By providing a flat-pack structure having both round- and sharp-cornered elongate holes, or combination of both round- and sharp-cornered elongate holes, a user is able to select the sharpness or angularity of the resulting fold by selecting at which point to fold the flat-pack structure.

The elongate holes may be referred to as “slots” or “slits”. It is preferred that the length of the elongate hole is no less than 50% of the width of the strip, no less than 60% of the width of the strip, no less than 70% of the width of the strip, no less than 80% of the width of the strip, or no less than 90% of the width of the strip.

In some embodiments, all of the lines of weakness may be in the form of holes, i.e. the plurality of lines of weakness may be provided by a respective plurality of holes. All of the holes may be identical or substantially identical to each other. The optional features set out above with respect to the initial hole may apply to any or all of the plurality of holes.

Rather than an elongate hole, the line of weakness may be provided by a plurality of perforations extending across the strip. The total width of these perforations (i.e. the total width of the perforations along a line running across the strip in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip) again may be no less than 40% of the width of the strip, 50% of the width of the strip, no less than 60% of the width of the strip, no less than 70% of the width of the strip, no less than 80% of the width of the strip, or no less than 90% of the width of the strip.

Instead of or in addition to one or more holes, at least one line of weakness may be provided by a notch in the edge of the strip at that point. This provides a line of weakness in the same way that the holes do, i.e. providing a reduction in the width of the strip. In preferred embodiments, the line of weakness in question may include a second notch, on the opposite side of the strip to the first notch. A hole may be located between the notches, to further reduce the width of the strip. Each notch may have a width (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip at that point along its length) of no less than 1mm, no less than 2mm, no less than 3mm, no less than 4mm, or no less than 5mm. Preferably, the notches have a width of 3mm.

In other embodiments, the lines of weakness may be provided by lines extending across the strip where the strip has a reduced thickness, and therefore which provide less resistance to folding than the rest of the strip. The lines of reduced thickness may be formed e.g. by scoring.

It should be stressed that the plurality of lines of weakness may be made up of any combination of holes, perforations, notches, and lines of reduced thickness as described above.

In addition to the form of the lines of weakness, there are several optional features relating to the number and arrangement of the lines of weakness. The invention requires that there are a plurality of lines of weakness. In preferred embodiments, there may be at least four lines of weakness, namely a first line of weakness, a second line of weakness, a third line of weakness and a fourth line of weakness. In addition to this, it is useful to define a first end of the strip and a second end of the strip. In such cases, it is preferred that the distance between the first line of weakness and the first end of the strip is the same as the distance between the second line of weakness and the second end of the strip (referred to as di,₂). In other words, the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness are arranged symmetrically around the centre of the strip. Similarly, it is preferred that the distance between the third line of weakness and the first end of the strip is the same as the distance between the fourth line of weakness and the second end of the strip (referred to as ¢/3,4). Embodiments as described in this paragraph may be referred to as symmetrical four-line embodiments, for brevity.

In symmetrical four-line embodiments as defined above, let us say that c/1,2 is greater than cfe,4. Then, the strip may be folded along the first and second lines of thickness, to form a Ushape, having two arms. Then, the arms may be folded inwards respectively along the third and fourth lines of weakness to form two cable-restraining channels. Alternatively, the arms may be folded inwards respectively along the third and fourth lines of weakness to form a single cable-restraining channel.

In some embodiments, the strip may further include a fifth line of weakness and sixth line of weakness, wherein the distance between the fifth line of weakness and the first end is the same as the distance between the sixth line of weakness and the second end (referred to as cfc,e). In such cases, ds,e may be greater than cfe,4. These embodiments may be referred to as symmetrical six-line embodiments. The presence of the additional lines of weakness relative to the symmetrical four-line embodiments means that the size of the one or two cable-restraining channel (as described in the previous paragraph) may be varied in order to suit a user’s particular needs. In embodiments having six lines of weakness, it is preferred that the distance between the first and third lines of weakness is the same as the difference between the third and fifth lines of weakness. Similarly, it is preferred that the distance between the second and fourth lines of weakness is the same as the distance between the fourth and sixth lines of weakness. This represents a six-line symmetrical embodiment of the structure of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is preferred that the lines of weakness on one or both halves of the structure are evenly spaced or approximately evenly spaced.

In embodiments having three or more lines of weakness, the flat-pack structure of the present invention may be folded to form a bracket. Specifically, the flat pack structure may be folded at approximately 90° along e.g. a first and third line of weakness (or any two lines of weakness on the same side of the structure) to form a C-shaped portion. The flat-pack structure may then also be folded at approximately 90° along a line of weakness on the other side of the structure, e.g. a second or fourth line of weakness. In this way, a bracket is formed, which has the general shape of a lower case “p”, “b”, “q” or “d”, depending on the angle from which it is viewed. Specifically, such a bracket includes a base portion, a first arm extending at 90° or approximately 90° from a first end of the base portion. The bracket further includes a restraining portion including a second arm extending at 90° or approximately 90° from a second end of the base portion (the second end opposite to the first end), and a third arm extending at 90° or approximately 90° from the opposite end of the second arm from the end which is connected to the second end of the base portion. The region defined by the base, the restraining portion and part of the first arm represents a cable-restraining portion. Preferably, the third arm is shorter than the base portion - this means that cables can then be placed easily into and removed from the cable-restraining portion.

In embodiments having four of more lines of weakness, the flat-pack structure may be folded to form a top-hat shaped cable restraint. Specifically, such a shape may include a base portion having a first end and a second end, with a first and second arm extending at 90° or approximately 90° from the first and second end respectively. A third arm and fourth arm then extend from the opposite ends respectively of the first and second arms at 90° or approximately 90° outwards from the base portion. A cable-restraining portion is thus defined by the base portion, the first arm and the second arm. Such a top-hat shaped clip may then be secured to a surface via the third and fourth arms, so that said surface effectively forms a fourth wall of the cable-restraining portion.

In the embodiments described above, the strip includes an even number of lines of weakness. This ensures that it is possible to assemble either a cable restraint having either one cable-restraining channel or two, symmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) cablerestraining channels. In other words, the flat-pack structure can be folded inwardly to form two triangular or substantially triangular cable-restraining channels. In other embodiments, there may be no need to form two symmetrical cable-restraining channels, and so the plurality of lines of weakness may include an odd number of lines of weakness.

The flat-pack structure may further include a securing means allowing the cable restraint to be retained against a surface. In some embodiments, the securing means may be in the form of a central hole (in addition to any holes/notches/perforations providing lines of weakness), located approximately longitudinally centrally, and preferably also centrally in the width direction. This hole is preferably shaped to receive a fastener such as a screw or a nail, by which the fully formed cable restraint may be fastened to a surface such as a wall, ceiling or the like. In preferred embodiments, the central hole is circular. The diameter of such a hole is preferably less than that of the head of a screw/nail which is to be used to secure the cable restraint to a surface. It is preferred that the width of the central hole (i.e. the width in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip) is less than the width of each of the holes/notches/perforations in each of the lines of weakness. In this way, when a bending force is applied to the strip, the strip tends to bend at one or more of the lines of weakness, rather than at the central hole.

In some embodiments the securing means may be in the form of a hole close to the end of the flat-pack structure. This could be in addition to or instead of a central hole. By “close to the end of the flat-pack structure”, this could mean that the hole is closer to the end of the structure in question than the outermost line of weakness. When the flat-pack structure is assembled to form a bracket, as described above and shown in Figs. 34A to 35B, the hole is preferably present in the first arm, enabling the bracket to be fixed to a (vertical) wall.

In some embodiments there may be a first hole at a first end of the flat-pack structure, and a second hole at the second end of the flat-pack structure. When the flat-pack structure is assembled to form a top-hat shaped cable restraint as described above and shown in Figs. 36A to 37B, the first hole and the second hole may be located respectively in the third arm and the fourth arm, and may be used to secure the cable restraint to a surface, to prevent cables from falling out of the cable-restraining portion.

Flat-pack structures according to embodiments of the present invention having a first hole at a first end, and a second hole at a second end, and preferably having three or more lines of weakness, may also be assembled into a suspension clip. When the flat-pack structure is assembled to form a suspension clip as shown in Figs. 38A to 41, the first and second hole are preferably lined up so that e.g. a rod from which the clip is to be suspended can pass through. The clip may then be folded in any manner using the other lines of weakness to form a cable-restraining portion.

It should be noted that the hole (including the first hole and the second hole) may be formed as an extension of a slot or elongate hole which forms one of the outermost lines of weakness.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include a locking mechanism configured to secure the cable restraint into configuration, once it has been assembled. In preferred embodiments a locking tab is located at the first end of the strip or a locking tab may be included integrally or in the main body of the flat pack cable constraint. In addition, a corresponding locking slot is located between the centre of the strip and the second end. When the flat-pack structure is assembled to form a cable restraint having e.g. one cablerestraining channel, the tab may be passed through the locking slot in order to secure the cable restraint into a given configuration. In some embodiments, the locking slot may be a hole providing one of the plurality of lines of weakness on the half of the strip between the centre and the second end, i.e. the second, fourth or sixth line of weakness. In other embodiments, the locking slot may be an additional slot in that half of the strip.

The tab is preferably integral with the rest of the strip.

In some embodiments in which the tab is integral with the rest of the strip, the tab is in the form of an extension of the strip having a smaller width than the rest of the strip. The tab is preferably rectangular or substantially rectangular in shape, and may have rounded corners. In such embodiments, the tab may include a line of weakness. This means that when the tab is placed through an elongate hole of a cable restraint formed from the flat-pack structure of the present invention, it can easily be folded back for added security as Figs. 30A to 30C and 31A to 31C. The tab’s line of weakness is preferably in the form of a hole, such as a circular hole or elongated slot, but may also be in the form of a scored line, at least one notch, or perforations. The width of the tab in these embodiments is preferably around 12mm. The hole in the tab may be one of the first hole or the second holes located respectively at the first end of the second end of the flat-pack structure.

In other embodiments in which the tab is integral with the rest of the strip, the tab may not represent an extension of the strip, but may be located within the strip itself. In such cases, the tab may be pushed out from the main body of the strip itself. Such tabs may be formed from a slot in the strip which may be in the form of e.g. three sides of a rectangle or square (with rounded or angular corners), three sides of a trapezium (with rounded or angular corners), two sides of a triangle (with a rounded or angular corner), a semi-circle, or substantially arch-shaped.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming a cable restraint from the flat-pack structure of the first aspect of the invention, the method including the steps of folding the strip along two or more lines of weakness to form one or more cable-restraining channels.

Further optional features of the invention are set out below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A to 1E show various symmetrical four-line embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 2A and 2B show enlarged versions of Figs. 1B and 1C, with annotations.

Figs. 3A to 3C show six-line embodiments with no lock

Figs. 3D to 3F show six-line embodiments with locking tab

Figs. 4A and 4B show enlarged versions of Figs. 3B and 3E, with annotations.

Figs. 5A to 5C show examples of a cable restraint which may be formed from the structure shown in Fig. 3D.

Figs. 6A to 6C show six-line embodiments with no lock

Figs. 6D to 6F show six-line embodiments with locking tab

Figs. 7A and 7B show enlarged versions of Figs. 6B and 6E, with annotations.

Figs. 8A to 8C show examples of a cable restraint which may be formed from the structure shown in Fig. 6D.

Figs. 9A to 14D show additional alternative symmetrical four-line embodiments.

Figs. 15A to 28B show additional alternative embodiments.

Figs. 29A to 29C show alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the locking tab is located within the main body of the strip.

Figs. 30A to 31C show further examples of how the locking mechanism of a cable restraint may be formed from the flat-pack structures of the present invention.

Figs. 32A to 32F show the flat-pack structures of Figs. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 7A, 7B with annotations.

Figs. 33A to 33F show alternative embodiments of flat-pack structures according to the present invention.

Figs. 34A to 43C show various configurations into which flat-pack structures according to Figs. 3D, 3D, 33B and 33C may be assembled, including brackets, top-hat shaped cable restraints, and suspension clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs. 1A to 1E show various embodiments of the flat-pack structure of the present invention. Broadly speaking, each of these structures 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 is rectangular with rounded corners, and has a first end 110a, 120a, 130a, 140a, 150a and a second end 110b, 120b, 130b, 140b, 150b. At the centre of each of the structures 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 is a central hole 111, 121, 131, 141, 151 which is arranged to receive e.g. a screw or a nail. In each of Figs. 1A to 1E, the central hole 111, 121, 131, 141, 151 is shaped to be wider than e.g. the point or the thread of the screw/nail, but narrower than the head. In this way, when the assembled clip is fastened to a surface, the base of the head rests against the flat of the structure 110, 120, 130, 140, 150. Each of structures 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 include four lines of weakness, but the structures differ in the nature of those lines of weakness. In each case, the arrangement of the lines of weakness on the structures 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 is symmetrical, so they may be referred to as symmetrical four-line embodiments, to use terminology from earlier in this application.

In Fig. 1A, the lines of weakness are provided by elongate holes 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d. The outermost slots 114a, 114d have a constant width with semi-circular ends. The innermost slots 114b, 114c are trapezoidal. As will be evident, the length of the slots 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d makes up a significant portion of the width of the structure at that point in order to provide an effective line of weakness.

The structure 120 shown in Fig. 1B is the same as in Fig. 1A except the innermost holes 124b, 124c are the same shape as the outermost holes 124a, 124d. The structure 130 shown in Fig. 1C differs from structure 110 of Fig. 1A in that the outermost holes 114a, 114d are replaced by pairs of notches 134a, 134d, each pair consisting of a notch on each of the top and bottom edge of the structure 130. In each pair of notches 134a, 134d, the two notches are aligned. This alignment ensures that when a bending force is applied to the structure 130, the resulting fold is in a direction which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structure 130. The structure 140 shown in Fig. 1D is the same as the structure 130 of Fig. 1C except the innermost holes 144b, 144c are the same shape as the holes 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d of Fig. 1B, rather than being trapezoidal as in Fig. 1C. The structure 150 shown in Fig. 1E is the same as the structure 140 in Fig. 1D with four pairs of notches 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, rather than two pairs of notches and two elongate holes.

Fig. 2A is an enlarged version of Fig. 1B which is annotated to illustrate various dimensions of the flat-pack structure. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the values of the parameters shown may be as set out below:

/.strip is preferably around 56 mm.

H/strip is preferably around 20 mm.

c/i,2 is preferably around 10 mm.

cfe,4 is preferably around 16 mm.

Z-hoie is preferably around 14 mm including radii.

H/hoie is preferably around 3 mm.

R is preferably around 2.6 mm.

It should be noted that the ratio Lhoie/H4trip should be larger than the ratio 2/?/W/_stnp. This ensures that there is less resistance to bending at the elongate holes 124a, 124b, 124c, 124c than there is at the central hole 121, hence the provision of a line of weakness.

Fig. 2B is similar, but shows an enlarged version of Fig. 1C to illustrate the dimension /.notch, which may be between 2 and 6 mm, preferably 3 to 5 mm, most preferably 5 mm.

Here, it should be noted that the ratio 2Z._notch/H/_strip should be larger than the ratio 2/?/H/_stri_P, to ensure that the pair of notches provides an effective line of weakness.

Figs. 3A to 3F show six more structures 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 according to the present invention. Broadly speaking, each of these structures 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 is rectangular with rounded corners, and has a first end 210a, 220a, 230a, 240a, 250a, 260a and a second end 210b, 220b, 230b, 240b, 250b, 260b. At the centre of each of the structures 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 is a central hole 211, 221, 231, 241, 251,261 which is arranged to receive e.g. a screw or a nail. In each of Figs. 3A to 3E, the central hole 211, 221, 231, 241,251,261 is shaped to be wider than e.g. the point or the thread of the screw/nail, but narrower than the head. In this way, when the assembled clip is fastened to a surface, the base of the head rests against the flat of the structure 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260. Each of structures 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 includes six lines of weakness, but the structures 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 differ in the nature of those lines of weakness.

In Figs. 3A to 3C structures 210, 220, 230, the arrangement of the lines of weakness is symmetrical, so they may be referred to as symmetrical six-line embodiments, to use terminology from earlier in this application. In Fig. 3A, all of the lines of weakness are provided by elongate holes 214a, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e, 214f, which in structure 210 have a constant width and semi-circular ends. In Fig. 3C, the lines of weakness are provided by notches 234a, 234b, 234c, 234d, 234e, 234f similar to those in Fig. 1E. In Fig. 3B the lines of weakness are provided by a combination of notches 224a, 224b, 224e, 224f and elongate holes 224c, 224d.

Fig. 4A is an enlarged version of Fig. 3B which is annotated to illustrate various dimensions of the flat-pack structure. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the values of the parameters shown may be as set out below:

/.strip is preferably around 102.5mm

W/strip is preferably around 20mm c/i ,2 is preferably around 14.75mm d₃,4 is preferably around 24.75mm d₅,e is preferably around 33.75mm

Z-hoie is preferably around 14mm including radii

H/hoie is preferably around 3mm

Z-notch is preferably around 5mm

R is preferably around 2.6 mm (radius)

The ratios Z__hOie/H/strip and 2Z__notch/H/strip should be greater than the ratio 2/?/l/l/_stri_P. In some embodiments, the first and second ratios may be equal or approximately equal. This means that there is less resistance to bending at the elongate holes 224c, 224d and the notches 224a, 224b, 224e, 224f than there is at the central hole 221, hence the provision of a line of weakness.

Figs. 3D to 3F show structures 240, 250, 260, which each include a tab 245, 255, 265 having a hole 246, 256, 266 in the centre.

Fig. 3D shows structure 240 which includes elongate holes 244a, 244b, 244c evenly spaced on the left hand side, and elongate holes 244d, 244e, 244f, 244g, evenly spaced on the right hand side. The spacing between the elongate holes 244a, 244b, 244c on one side may be the same as the spacing between the elongate holes 244d, 244e, 244f, 244g on the other side, as is the case in Fig. 3D. When structure 240 is assembled to form a cable restraint, tab 245 may be placed through any one of the elongate holes 244d, 244e, 244f, 244g in order to secure the arrangement in place. Figs. 5A to 5C show examples of assembled cable restraints in which the tab 245 is placed through holes 244e, 244f, and 244g respectively. An arrangement providing a plurality of slots on the right hand side is advantageous since it provides the user with several options for the size of the cablerestraining channel formed when the cable restraint is assembled, and provides an ability for the cable restraint to be functional inside oblique spaces such as the 45 degree designs of chamfered plastic trunking systems.

Fig. 3E shows structure 250 which includes notches 254a, 254b, on the left hand side, and notches 254e, 254f on the right hand side. The structure 250 further includes elongate hole 254c on the left hand side, and elongate holes 254d, 254g on the right hand side. Each of the notches and holes provides a line of weakness. The lines of weakness 254a, 254b, 254c are evenly spaced on the left hand side, and the lines of weakness 254d, 254e, 254f, 254g are evenly spaced on the right hand side. As with Fig. 3D, structure 250 also includes a tab 255. When structure 250 is assembled to form a cable restraint, tab 255 may be placed through one of the elongate holes 254e, 254g in order to secure the arrangement in place.

Fig. 3F shows structure 260 which includes notches 264a, 264b, 264c on the left hand side, and notches 264d, 264e, 264f on the right hand side. The structure 260 further includes elongate hole 264g on the right hand side. Each of the notches and holes provides a line of weakness. The lines of weakness 264a, 264b, 264c are evenly spaced on the left hand side, and the lines of weakness 264d, 264e, 264f, 264g are evenly spaced on the right hand side. As with Figs. 3D and 3E, structure 260 also includes a tab 265. When structure 260 is assembled to form a cable restraint, tab 265 may be placed through elongate hole 264g in order to secure the arrangement in place.

Fig. 4B is an enlarged version of Fig. 3E which is annotated to illustrate various dimensions of the flat-pack structure. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the values of the parameters shown may be as set out below:

/.strip is preferably around 110.5mm

H/strip is preferably around 20mm

Ltab is preferably around 8mm l/l/tab is preferably around 12mm

Z-hoie is preferably around 14mm including radii

Whole is preferably around 3mm

Dl is preferably around 14.75mm

Dr is preferably around 4.75mm

D is preferably around 10mm

Z-notch is preferably around 5mm • R is preferably around 2.6mm (radius)

Rtab is preferably around 3.1mm (radius)

The ratios Lhoie/H/strip and 2Z_notch/H/_strip should be greater than the ratio 2/?/W/_stri_P. In some embodiments, the first and second ratios may be equal or approximately equal. This means that there is less resistance to bending at the elongate holes 254c, 254d and the notches 254a, 254b, 254e, 254f than there is at the central hole 251, hence the provision of a line of weakness.

Figs. 6A to 6F show structures 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 which are largely equivalent to those in Figs. 3A to 3F. Equivalent features differ only in that they begin with a “3”, rather than a “2”, and for conciseness, the description will not be repeated here. The structures 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 differ in terms of the relative arrangement of the various features. This is illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B which are enlarged versions respectively of Figs. 6B and 6E annotated various dimensions of flat-pack structures 320 and 350.

Figs. 8A to 8C show examples of assembled cable restraints in which the tab 345 of structure 340 of Fig. 6D is placed through holes 344e, 344f, and 344g respectively. An arrangement providing a plurality of slots on the right hand side is advantageous since it provides the user with several options for the size of the cable-restraining channel formed when the cable restraint is assembled.

Fig. 7A is an enlarged version of Fig. 6B which is annotated to illustrate various dimensions of the flat-pack structure. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the values of the parameters shown may be as set out below:

Z-strip is preferably around 157mm

H/strip is preferably around 20mm

D\_ is preferably around 24mm

Da is preferably around 10mm

D_b is preferably around 21mm

Z-hoie is preferably around 14mm including radii

H/hoie is preferably around 3mm

Z-notch is preferably around 5mm

R is preferably around 2.6mm (radius)

The ratios Z_hoie/H/stri_P and 2Z_notch/H/_strip should be greater than the ratio 2F?/W/_Strip. In some embodiments, the first and second ratios may be equal or approximately equal. This means that there is less resistance to bending at the elongate holes 324c, 324d and the notches 324a, 324b, 324e, 324f than there is at the central hole 321, hence the provision of a line of weakness. As is clear, this varies from other symmetrical six-line embodiments in that the distance between the first line of weakness and the third line of weakness is less than the distance between the third line of weakness and the fifth line of weakness.

Fig. 7B is an enlarged version of Fig. 6E which is annotated to illustrate various dimensions of the flat-pack structure. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the values of the parameters shown may be as set out below:

Z-strip is preferably around 165mm

W/_Strip is preferably around 20mm

Ltab is preferably around 8mm l/l/tab is preferably around 12mm

Z-hoie is preferably around 14mm including radii l/l/hoie is preferably around 3mm

D\_ is preferably around 24mm

Dr is preferably around 14mm

Da is preferably around 10mm

D_b is preferably around 21mm

Z-notch is preferably around 5mm

R is preferably around 2.6mm (radius)

Rtab is preferably around 3.1mm (radius)

The ratios Z_hoie/H/stri_P and 2Z_notch/H/_strip should be greater than the ratio 2F?/W/_Strip. In some embodiments, the first and second ratios may be equal or approximately equal. This means that there is less resistance to bending at the elongate holes 354c, 354d and the notches 354a, 354b, 354e, 354f than there is at the central hole 351, hence the provision of a line of weakness.

Figs. 9A to 27E show several other examples of flat-pack structures of the first aspect of the invention.

The flat-pack structures shown in Figs. 9A and 9B are the same as those in Figs. 1B and 1A respectively, but with sharp corners rather than rounded corners. Figs. 10A to 10E show examples of symmetrical four-line clips with rounded corners, in which the outermost lines of weakness are provided by pairs of notches having rounded ends. In Figs. 10A to 10E, the innermost lines of weakness are provided respectively by elongate holes having rounded ends, trapezoidal elongate holes, rectangular elongate holes having sharp corners, pairs of notches having rounded ends, and pairs of notches having sharp corners and a generally trapezoidal shape. The flat-pack structures of Figs. 11A to 11E are equivalent to those in Figs. 10A to 10E, with sharp corners rather than rounded corners. The flat-pack structures of Figs. 12A to 12E are equivalent to those in Figs. 10A to 10E, with pairs of rectangular notches forming the outermost lines of weakness, rather than notches with rounded edges. The flat-pack structures of Figs. 13A to 13E are equivalent to those in Figs. 12A to 12E, with sharp corners rather than rounded corners. The dimensions of Figs. 9A to 13E may be generally the same as those shown in Fig. 2A and 2B.

Fig. 14A shows a flat-pack structure equivalent to that shown in Fig. 1B, having sections on opposite corners cut out. Furthermore, the central hole is in the form of a slot which opens along the top edge of the flat-pack structure. Fig. 14B shows a flat-pack structure which is equivalent to that shown in Fig. 14A but with sharp corners, rather than rounded corners. Figs. 14C and 14D show flat-pack structures equivalent to Figs. 14A and 14B respectively, with a regular central hole.

Figs. 15A and 15B show symmetrical six-line flat-pack structures where the two outermost pairs of lines of weakness are provided by elongate holes having rounded ends. In Fig. 15A, the innermost lines of weakness are also provided by elongate holes having rounded ends, in Fig. 15B the innermost lines of weakness are provided by trapezoidal elongate holes.

Figs. 16A and 16B show equivalent flat-pack structures to those in Figs. 15A and 15B but with a tab having a central hole on the leftmost end, and an additional elongate hole at the rightmost end, into which the tab may be inserted.

Figs. 17A to 17E show six-line symmetrical flat-pack structures. In each case, the two outer pairs of lines of weakness are provided by pairs of notches having rounded ends. In Figs. 17A to 17E, the innermost lines of weakness are provided respectively by elongate holes having rounded ends, generally trapezoidal elongate holes, rectangular elongate holes, pairs of notches having rounded ends, and pairs of notches having a generally trapezoidal shape. Figs. 18A to 18E show flat-pack structures which are equivalent to the flat-pack structures shown in Figs. 17A to 17E each having a tab with a central hole on the leftmost end and an additional rounded elongate hole on the rightmost end, into which the tab may be inserted. The flat-pack structures shown in Figs. 19A to 19E are equivalent to those shown in Figs. 17A to 17E but wherein the pairs of notches forming the two outermost pairs of lines of weakness are rectangular, with sharp corners, rather than rounded edges. Figs. 20A to 20E show flat-pack structures equivalent to those shown in Figs. 19A to 19E each having a tab with a central hole on the leftmost end and an additional rounded elongate hole on the rightmost end, into which the tab may be inserted. The dimensions of Figs. 15A to 21B may be generally the same as those shown in Fig. 4A and 4B.

Figs. 21A and 21B are similar to Figs. 14A and 14C respectively, but with different dimensions.

Figs. 22A and 22B are equivalent to Figs. 15A and 15B, with different dimensions. In particular the distance between the outermost lines of weakness and the ends of the flatpack structure is greater, and the gap separating the innermost pair lines of weakness from the middle pair of lines of weakness is larger than the gap separating the outermost pair of lines of weakness from the middle pair of lines of weakness. Figs. 23A to 23B are equivalent to Figs. 16A to 16B in the same way. Figs. 24A to 24E are equivalent to Figs. 17A to 17E in the same way. Figs. 25A to 25E are equivalent to Figs. 18A to 18E in the same way. Figs. 26A to 26E are equivalent to Figs. 19A to 19E in the same way. Figs. 27A to 27E are equivalent to Figs. 20A to 20E in the same way. The dimensions of Figs. 22A to 28B may be generally the same as those shown in Fig. 7A and 7B.

Figs. 28A and 28B are similar to Figs. 21A and 21B respectively, but with different dimensions.

Figs. 29A to 29C show examples of flat-pack structures according to the present invention in which the locking tab is integral with the main body of the flat-pack structure. In these drawings, the tab may be described as arch-shaped.

Figs. 30A to 31C show examples of the flat-pack structures of Figs. 16A and 23A in which the locking tab is folded back along the line of weakness to lock the cable restraint into its assembled configuration.

Figs. 32A to 32F, show a set of flat-pack structures of the present invention, corresponding respectively to Figs. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 7A, and 7B, with detailed measurements.

Figs. 33A to 33E show additional embodiments of flat-pack structures according to the present invention. Each of the embodiments shown include a first hole 3300A, 3300B, 3300C, 3300D, 3300E at a first end of the flat-pack structures, and a second hole 331OA, 331 OB, 331OC, 331OD, 331OE at a second end of the flat-pack structures. The first holes 3300B, 3300C, 3300D, 3300E are in the form of a circular hole having a diameter greater than the width of the slots forming the lines of weakness. The first hole 330A and the second holes 331 OA, 331 OB, 331OC, 331OD, 331OE are in the form of semi-circular extensions to the leftmost or rightmost lines of weakness in each of the embodiments of Figs. 33A to 33E.

Figs. 34A and 34B show different views of a bracket which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 6D. Figs. 35A and 35B show different views of a bracket which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 3D. Figs. 36A and 36B show different views of a top-hat shaped cable-restraint which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 33C. Figs. 37A and 37B show different views of a top-hat shaped cable restraint which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 33B. Figs. 38A and 38B show different views of a suspension clip which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 33C. Figs. 39A and 39B show different views of a suspension clip which may be formed from the flat-pack structure shown in Fig. 33B. Figs. 40 and 41 show alternative ways in which the flat-pack structures of Figs. 33C and 33B respectively may be folded into a suspension clip.

Figs. 42A and 42B show different views of an alternative structure which may be formed using a flat-pack structure of Fig. 33C. Figs. 43A to 43C show different views of an alternative structure which may be formed using a flat-pack structure of 33C. In particular, Figs. 43B and 43C demonstrate that flat-pack structures of the present invention can be folded to form cable restraints which are able to fit inside a cable conduit, such as that which forms the subject of WO 2005/086304 A1.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

All references referred to above are hereby incorporated by reference.