Clip for Thermocouple Cables

This invention is a Continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/628,780, which was filed on 7 Apr. 2024; in addition, this invention is entitled to the benefits of:

This invention relates to cable clips, specifically to a cable clip that ties cables together so that each cable can be easily identified, and that allows the bound cables to be easily transported and easily placed into their designated location. Additionally, the clip will also prevent cables from getting entangled, and allows specific cables to be easily removed and/or replaced while leaving all other cables in place. The cable clip is primarily designed for Thermocouple Cables (TC's), but can also be used with LAN Cables or any other type of cables.

Zip-Ties are currently used to tie TC's, together. Zip-Ties will tie the TC's together randomly and not in an organized fashion, so that Zip-Ties cannot be used to identify each Thermocouple Cable (TC).

Additionally, when using Zip-Ties, the TC's get entangled; since they are bound together so closely. Untangling TC's is very time consuming process.

And sometimes there are instance where from a set of TC's that are tied together in a Zip-Tie, only one TC needs to replaced. This requires that all TC's are untied, just to remove one TC.

Note, a TC is used to measure the temperature at certain location. TC's are cables that are placed from a SIM of a Kaye Validator to their designated locations within a Warehouse, Refrigerator, Freezer, etc. A SIM can hold 12 TC's. Zip-Ties are also used to tie LAN Cables together.

A cable clip that can be used to tie TC's together. Compared to Zip-Ties, the cable clip allows the TC's to be easily identified; and prevent the TC's from getting entangled, since there is a separation between them, so as to prevent them from twisting together. The cable clip also allows an individual or several individual TC's to be easily removed and/or replaced, while leaving the other TC's in-place. And compared to other organizing cable clips of the prior art, the cable clip allows the bound TC's to be easily transported and easily placed into their designated location. The cable clip can also be used with LAN Cables or any other type of cables.

Despite all of the advantages the cable clip provides, no such device currently exits on the market. If it was obvious, it would have been already implemented because the amount of work and time it will save. The unexpected results are: it allows binding TC's quickly and securely, it allows binding TC's so that they can be identified, it prevents TC's from getting entangled, it allows a specific TC to be easily replaced while leaving all other TC's in place. And it also allows bound TC's to be easily transported and placed into their designated location; so that it doesn't have any disadvantage over Zip-Tie, which the organizing cable clips of the prior art have.

A ClipA is shown in. ClipA has a Rear Strapand a Front Strapthat are joined at one end (which is the closed-end of ClipA) by an End Wall. End Wallshould be flexible enough so that Rear Strapcan be sufficiently separated from Front Strapso as to allow cables to be inserted between Rear Strapand a Front Strap(see).

Alternatively, in order to allow Rear Strapto be sufficiently separated from Front Strap; instead of a flexible End Wall, a stiff End Walland a Hingecan be used (see). Note: The term Rear Strap and Front Strap are interchangeable; meaning that the features shaped on the Rear Strap can be shaped on the Front Strap instead, and vice-versa.

Front Straphas multiple CavitiesA and only one Unique Tighter CavityA, which cavity dimension is smaller/tighter than that of CavitiesA (see). It is recommended that Unique Tighter CavityA is the middle or near middle cable cavity of ClipA.

CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA are used to laterally separate each cable inserted into ClipA. As such, CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA should each be shaped so that they can each laterally contain a separate cable. CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA should also keep the cables in place when Rear Strapis separated from Front Strap.

CavitiesA should not grip the cables tightly, this allows the cables to slide longitudinally relative to CavitiesA.

And Unique Tighter CavityA should grip its cable tightly so as to prevent its cable to slide longitudinally relative to it. Only gripping one cable tightly allows the bound cables held by ClipA to easily bend sideways, so that they can be easily transported and placed into their designated location.

It is recommended that CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA cover slightly more than half of the circumference of the cables to be inserted into them. This will keep the cables inserted into them in place when Rear Strapis opened; which allows individual cables to be removed, while leaving the other cables in place.

In order to be able to lock and unlock Rear Straprelative to Front Strap, so as to be able to lock and unlock the cables inserted into ClipA to ClipA, a Clamping Surfaceis shaped at the open end of Rear Strapand Clamping Surfaceis shaped at the open end of Front Strap. Clamping Surfaceand Clamping Surfaceeach have an indentation for a flexible strap (such as a rubber band for example) on their outer facing surfaces. So that a flexible strap can be used to lock Clamping Surfaceand Clamping Surfacetogether; so as to lock Rear Strapto Front Strap, which will keep the cables within ClipA secure. And to unlock Rear Strapfrom Front Strap, so that the cables can be removed from ClipA; the “flexible strap used” can simply be removed.

In order to have Rear Straponly apply clamping pressure on the cable inserted into Unique Tighter CavityA, a Protrusionis shaped on Rear Strap(see).

Protrusionis a raised surface on “the surface of Rear Strapthat is facing Unique Tighter CavityA”. Protrusionis thick enough and its width is limited so that when Rear Strapis locked to Front Strap; Rear Strap, through Protrusion, only applies clamping pressure on the cable inserted into Unique Tighter CavityA. This will help fix ClipA longitudinally relative to its cables, while allowing the bound cables to be flexible so that they can be easily transported and placed into their designated location. As an illustration, having clamping pressure on the cables to the left and to the right of the cable inserted into Unique Tighter CavityA will significantly reduce the sideways flexibility of the bound cables, such that it will be almost impossible to bend the bound cables sideways.

ClipA also has a Tag Surface; and Sequential Identification Numbers, for identifying each cable, marked on Front Strapand/or Rear Strap.

Each Sequential Identification Numberis positioned on Front Strapand/or Rear Strapso that a cable can be identified by it; such as positioned in front of a cable for example (see). Sequential Identification Numbersshould be sequential numbers; that preferably, but not necessarily, start at 1. For example, each cavity can be numbered consecutively from 1 to the final cavity; such as 1 to 6 for example.

And Tag Surfacecan be used to identify each cable within ClipA through Sequential Identification Numbers. For example, by making a note “Thermocouples #6 to #12” on Tag Surface; it can be deduced that Sequential Identification Numberfor 1=Thermocouples #6, Sequential Identification Numberfor 2=Thermocouples #7, etc.). Or, Tag Surfacecan also be prelabeled, such as 1: ______, 2: ______, 3: ______, etc.

Sequential Identification Numberscan also be used without Tag Surfaceif desired; since memory or other markers (color coding, etc.) can be used.

The main purpose of the clips of this disclosure is to hold TC's together. The main reason In-line Cable Clips are not used for TC's is because the SIM of a Kaye Validator holds 12 TC's; such that the obvious choice for the amount cable cavities is 12. Since TC's are always tied together using a zip-tie per SIM.

But placing 12 TC's in an In-line Cable Clip is not practical; because this would make it difficult to transport the bound TC's and place them into their designated location. Since the bound TC's will be very stiff, and as such very difficult to work with.

The ideal amount of total cable cavities used (including all CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA, if used) for TC's is 6. TC's are often used for temperature mapping of refrigerators. And usually, 4 to 6 TC's are used per shelf; such as: one at each corner, one in the center, and one at the temperature controlling probe. Six TC's allow for the maximum amount of TC's per shelf. And allows the total TC's of a SIM to be split in 2. Twelve TC's would be too much, and splitting the TC's of a SIM to less than 6 would be cumbersome and unnecessary. A cable clip of this disclosure can used with spare cable cavities, and TC's from different SIM's can be used within a cable clip. It is not obvious to use less cable cavities than the maximum amount of TC's of a SIM; as such, using 6 instead of 12 cable cavities is unconventional. But obviously the clips of this disclosure do not have to have 6 cable cavities, they can have more or less cable cavities.

ClipA has multiple CavitiesA and a Unique Tighter CavityA that are for TC's. CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA can be replaced with cable cavities for other type of cables; such LAN Cables, Electrical Cables, etc.show a ClipB, which is identical to ClipA; except that instead of multiple CavitiesA and a Unique Tighter CavityA that are for TC's, it has multiple CavitiesB and a Unique Tighter CavityB that are for LAN Cables.

Additionally, ClipB doesn't have a total amount of 6 cable cavities, since the advantage that a total amount of 6 cable cavities provide for TC's might be not applicable to other cables. A total of amount of 6 cable cavities includes all cable cavities used; including all CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA, if used.

shows a ClipC. ClipC is identical to ClipA, except that Unique Tighter CavityA is replaced by another CavityA, so that it only has CavitiesA. Here Protrusionsimply applies clamping pressure on one CavityA. The CavityA on which Protrusionapplies clamping pressure is preferably the middle or near middle CavityA.

shows a ClipD. ClipD is almost identical to ClipA, except that it has two rows of cable cavities instead of just one. This will reduce the overall width of the clip, so that the bound cables will be easier to work with. Only “the center cavity of one row” should grip its cable tightly. This allows the cable clip to be held in place relative to its cables, while allowing the bound cables to flex and bend easily. If desired the same concept can be expanded to more than two rows.

In detail, ClipD has two oppositely positioned rows of cable cavities shaped on a Cavity Block; one row is shaped on the rear-side of Cavity Block, and the other row is shaped on the front-side of Cavity Block. Each row has preferably the same amount of cable cavities, which are each for a cable.

The row shaped on the rear-side of Cavity Blockhas multiple CavitiesA; while the row shaped on the front-side of Cavity Blockhas multiple CavitiesA and only one Unique Tighter CavityA, which cavity dimension is smaller/tighter than that of CavitiesA (see). Note: The term rear-side and front-side are interchangeable; meaning that the features shaped on the rear-side of Cavity Blockcan be shaped on the front-side of Cavity Blockinstead, and vice-versa.

It is recommended that Unique Tighter CavityA is the middle or near middle cable cavity of the front-side of Cavity Block.

CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA are used to laterally separate each cable inserted into ClipD. As such, CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA should each be shaped so that they can each laterally contain a separate cable. CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA should keep the cables in place when Rear Strapand/or Front Strapare opened, as shown in.

CavitiesA should not grip the cables tightly, this allows the cables to slide longitudinally relative to CavitiesA.

And Unique Tighter CavityA should grip its cable tightly so as to prevent its cable to slide longitudinally relative to it. Only gripping one cable tightly allows the bound cables held by ClipD to bend easily, so that they can be easily transported and placed into their designated location.

Shaped to the rear of Cavity Blockis a Rear Strap, and shaped to the front of Cavity Blockis a Front Strap. ClipD has an open-end, through which cables can inserted, and a close-end. An End Wallis used to join Rear Strapand Front Strapto Cavity Blockat one end of ClipD, which is the closed-end of ClipD.

End Wallextends to the rear and to the front of Cavity Blockat the closed-end of ClipD (see). The extension of End Wallto the rear of Cavity Blockis used to join Rear Strapto Cavity Block; and the extension of End Wallto the front of Cavity Blockis used to join Front Strapto Cavity Block.

End Wallshould be flexible enough so that Rear Strapcan be sufficiently separated from Cavity Block, so as to allow cables to be inserted between Rear Strapand the rear-side of Cavity Block. And End Wallshould also be flexible enough so that Front Strapcan be sufficiently separated from Cavity Block, so as to allow cables to be inserted between Front Strapand the front-side Cavity Block(see).

Alternatively, in order to allow Rear Strapand Front Strapto be sufficiently separated from Cavity Block; flexible End Wallcan be replaced with a stiff End Walland Hinges, which are each located at one end of End Wall(see).

In order to be able to lock and unlock Rear Straprelative to Front Strap, and such also to be able to lock and unlock Rear Strapand Front Straprelative to Cavity Block; a Clamping Surfaceis shaped at the open end of Rear Strap, and Clamping Surfaceis shaped at the open end of Front Strap(see).

Clamping Surfaceand Clamping Surfaceeach have an indentation for a flexible strap, such as a rubber band for example, on their outer facing surfaces. So that a flexible strap can be used to lock Clamping Surfaceand Clamping Surfacetogether; so as to lock Rear Strapand Front Strapto Cavity Block, which will keep the cables within ClipD secure. And to unlock Rear Strapand Front Strapfrom Cavity Block, so that the cables can be removed from ClipD; the “flexible strap used” can simply be removed.

Shaped on the open-end of Cavity Blockare two oppositely positioned Strap Stops(see). One Strap Stopprevents Rear Strapfrom applying any pressure on the cables that are inserted into CavitiesA that are shaped on the rear-side of Cavity Block; and the other Strap Stopprevents Front Strapfrom applying any pressure on the cables that are inserted into CavitiesA that are shaped on the front-side of Cavity Block.

In order to have Front Strapapply clamping pressure only on the cable inserted into Unique Tighter CavityA, a Protrusionis shaped on Front Strap(see).

Protrusionis a raised surface on “the surface of Front Strapthat is facing Unique Tighter CavityA”. Protrusionis thick enough and its width is limited so that when Front Strapis locked to Cavity Block; Front Strap, through Protrusion, only applies clamping pressure on the cable inserted into Unique Tighter CavityA. This will help fix the clip longitudinally relative to its cables, while allowing the bound cables to be flexible so that they can be easily transported and placed into their designated location.

ClipD also has a Tag Surface; and Sequential Identification Numbers, for identifying each cable, marked on Rear Strapand Front Strap.

Each Sequential Identification Numberis positioned on Rear Strapand Front Strapso that a cable can be identified by it; such as positioned in front of a cable for example (see). Sequential Identification Numbersshould be sequential numbers; that preferably, but not necessarily, start at 1. For example, each cavity can be numbered consecutively from 1 to the final cavity; such as 1 to 6 for example.

It is preferred that Sequential Identification Numbersare placed so that the sequential numbering for the Sequential Identification Numbersalternate between Rear Strapand Front Strap. Such as for example, the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Front Strap(see), the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Rear Strap(see), the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Front Strap(see), the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Rear Strap(see), the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Front Strap(see), and the Sequential Identification Number for numberis on Rear Strap(see).

And Tag Surfacecan be used to identify each cable within ClipD through Sequential Identification Numbers. For example, by making a note “Thermocouples #6 to #12” on Tag Surface; it can be deduced that Sequential Identification Numberfor 1=Thermocouples #6, Sequential Identification Numberfor 2=Thermocouples #7, etc.). Or, Tag Surfacecan also be prelabeled, such as 1: ______, 2: ______, 3: ______, etc.

ClipD has multiple CavitiesA and a Unique Tighter CavityA that are for TC's. CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA can be replaced with cable cavities for other type of cables; such LAN Cables, Electrical Cables, etc.show a ClipE, which is identical to ClipD; except that instead of multiple CavitiesA and a Unique Tighter CavityA that are for TC's, it has multiple CavitiesB and a Unique Tighter CavityB that are for LAN Cables.

Additionally, ClipE doesn't have a total amount of 6 cable cavities, since the advantage that a total amount of 6 cable cavities provide for TC's might be not applicable to other cables. A total of amount of 6 cable cavities includes all cable cavities used; including all CavitiesA and Unique Tighter CavityA, if used.