Method and apparatus for retaining elongated flexible articles including visual inspection apparatus inspection probes

Abstract

A tie for retaining a length of an elongated flexible article can include a strap having a proximal end for attachment to an attachment location of the elongated flexible article and a distal end. For retaining a length of an elongated flexible article, a proximal end of a strap can be attached to an attachment location, and an extending portion of the strap can be wrapped around a bundle of flexible article sections, and then secured by securing a more distally located section of the strap to a more proximally located section thereof.

1 . A method for retaining a length of an elongated flexible article in relation to a section of said elongated flexible article, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tie including a strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end has at least one hole formed thereon;   threading said elongated flexible article through said at least one hole and moving said strap to a desired attachment location of said elongated flexible article so that said strap has an extending portion extending from said attachment location;   coiling said elongated flexible article into a coil configuration;   wrapping said extending portion of said flexible tie around a bundle comprising a plurality of sections of said elongation flexible article, said bundle being defined when said elongated flexible article is in said coil configuration; and   securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap for securing of said elongated flexible article.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing step includes the step of providing hook and loop type fasteners and wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing said hook and loop type fasteners. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing step includes step of providing a button and at least one button hole, and wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing said button and said at least one button hole. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said securing step includes the step of utilizing an external fastening device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said tie to have first and second wings at a proximal end thereon, and wherein said at least one hole is a pair of holes, one of said pair of holes being formed at said first wing and said second hole being formed at said second wing. 
   
   
       6 . A tie for use in retaining an elongated flexible article, said tie comprising:
 a strap of a generally elongated shape having a proximal end for attachment to said elongated flexible article and a distal end, said proximal end having at least one through hole for accommodation of said elongated flexible article, said strap being flexible to allow bending thereof and being generally flat to define a first surface facing a first direction and a second surface facing a second direction generally opposite said first direction, wherein said strap has formed on said first surface a securing device, said strap being configured so that said distal end can be folded to form a loop with a remainder of said material member, and further being configured so that a more distally located section of said strap can be secured to a more proximally located section of said material member with use of said securing device.   
   
   
       7 . The tie of  claim 6 , wherein said securing device is a button. 
   
   
       8 . The tie of  claim 6 , wherein said securing device is a hook and loop type fastener. 
   
   
       9 . The tie of  claim 6 , wherein said strap is configured so that said strap can be secured in either of a first surface to second surface orientation or in a second surface to first surface orientation. 
   
   
       10 . A tie comprising:
 a strap having a proximal end portion adapted for attachment to an elongated flexible article, and an elongated body portion extending in a generally straight direction along an axis where said strap is in an unstressed state, said strap comprising bendable material and being generally planar in an unstressed state, said strap further having a substantially even thickness throughout said strap, said strap having a dimensional thickness of less than a length of said strap and having a first surface and a second surface, said proximal end having a width greater than a width of said body and being defined by a pair of wings, each wing having a hole defined therein for accommodation of said elongated flexible article, said strap comprising bendable material and being configured so that said wings can be bent into a position at which said holes generally oppose one another, said strap further being constructed so that when said wings are bent in a position at which said holes oppose one another, said elongated body portion when unstressed extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an imaginary line running through centers of said holes so that when a loop that can be defined by securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap, said loop has an axis running in a direction generally parallel to said imaginary line.   
   
   
       11 . The tie of  claim 10 , wherein said strap includes a button and hole arrangement for securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap. 
   
   
       12 . The tie of  claim 10 , wherein said strap is adapted to be capable of either one of a first surface to second surface orientation or a first surface to first surface orientation for securing of a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap. 
   
   
       13 . A tie for use in retaining an elongated flexible article, said tie comprising:
 a strap having a proximal end for attachment to said elongated flexible article, and a distal end, said proximal end being characterized by a pair of spaced apart and opposing member sections each having a hole for accommodation of said elongated flexible member, said strap being adapted so that a more distal section of said strap can be detachably secured to a more proximal section of said strap for retaining of a length of said elongated flexible article.   
   
   
       14 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap has an unstressed state in which said strap is generally flat and planar and a stressed state, the strap being adapted so that when said member sections oppose one another said strap is in a stressed state. 
   
   
       15 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap is adapted so that said strap will be broken when a pulling force in excess of a predetermined force magnitude is applied thereto, the predetermined magnitude being a force magnitude which a human of average strength is capable of imparting. 
   
   
       16 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap is adapted so that said strap will be broken when a pulling force in excess of a predetermined force magnitude is applied thereto, said predetermined magnitude being a force magnitude of between about 20 pounds and about 70 pounds. 
   
   
       17 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap is a one piece member. 
   
   
       18 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap comprises an elongated flat first surface and an elongated flat second surface, wherein said first surface faces in a direction generally opposite said second surface. 
   
   
       19 . The tie of  claim 13 , wherein said strap is manufactured by stamping of a flat piece of bendable material. 
   
   
       20 . A method for using an inspection apparatus, said inspection apparatus for use in the performance of an inspection of an equipment article, said inspection apparatus being of the type having a handset and an elongated probe extending from said handset, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a tie comprising a strap having a proximal end and a distal end;   (b) attaching said proximal end to an attachment location of said elongated probe;   (c) configuring a length of said elongated probe into a coil configuration;   (d) wrapping an extending section of said strap around a bundle of elongated probe sections, said bundle being defined when said elongated probe is in a coil configuration; and   (e) securing a more distal section of said strap to a more proximal section of said strap to retain said length of said elongated probe in a certain position in relation to said attachment location.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said strap to be of sufficient structural strength as to support an expected load imparted by said length of elongated probe being retained, and wherein said providing step further includes the step of providing said strap to be of sufficient structural weakness as to be capable of breaking when a manually applied pulling force above a threshold magnitude is imparted thereto, said threshold magnitude being a force magnitude which a human of average strength is capable of imparting. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said threshold magnitude is a force of between about 20 pounds and about 70 pounds. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said providing step includes the step of providing said tie in such form that said tie can be consumed by said equipment article without negatively impacting operation of said equipment article. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said providing step includes the step of forming a hole for accommodation of said elongated probe, at said proximal end of said strap.