Paper Cable Retainer With Mechanical Interlocking Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable retainers face challenges in being environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient in manufacturing, as they often require multiple components and adhesives, and do not utilize recyclable materials effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cable retainer formed entirely of paper, using a single integrally formed piece with preformed folds and mechanical interlocking structures, such as tabs and slots, to securely hold wound cables without adhesives, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable retainers use multiple components and adhesives, then cable retention reliability is improved, but environmental friendliness and manufacturing cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (retention loops, fingers, flaps, tabs, slots) into a single integrally formed paper structure. This eliminates the need for separate adhesive applications and multiple assembly steps while maintaining the same cable retention function through mechanical interlocking of the integrated components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates adhesives from the cable retainer system entirely, replacing them with mechanical interlocking features (tabs fitting into slots, folded fingers engaging with flaps) that provide the same retention function without chemical bonding agents
2Reliability
If traditional cable retainers use multiple components and adhesives, then cable retention reliability is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional plastic or metal retainers to paper-based material, fundamentally altering the environmental characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through optimized fold geometry and mechanical interlocking design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fully recyclable paper construction that can be easily discarded and recovered in recycling streams, eliminating the need for complex disassembly of multiple components and adhesives, thereby improving environmental friendliness while maintaining reliable cable retention
3Ease of manufacture
If cable retainers use adhesives, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing complexity and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the paper structure into distinct functional zones (retention loops, fingers, flaps, tabs, slots) separated by preformed folds, allowing each segment to perform its specific function while being assembled through simple mechanical interlocking rather than complex adhesive application processes
4Ease of manufacture
If cable retainers are formed entirely of paper without adhesives, then environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness are improved, but structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure within the single paper material by incorporating multiple layers of folded paper (fingers and flaps forming retention loops), interlocking tabs and slots, and reinforced fold geometry that collectively provide structural strength equivalent to or greater than traditional multi-material retainers
Data Source
AI summary
Cable retainers for cables are disclosed. The cable retainers may include a panel having a pair of loop locks. The loop locks may engage each other to form a loop. The cable retainer may include a first and a second retention loop. Each retention loop may have a finger with a slot formed at a fold line of the finger. Each retention loop may also have a flap with a tab formed at a fold line of the flap. The finger and the flap of the first retention loop may be located directly across the panel from one another. The finger of the second retention loop may be located at a first end of the panel while the flap of the second retention loop may be located at a second end of the panel. The tabs and slots of each retention loop may interlock to form a rectangular cable passage. The cable may also include a reinforcement structure disposed in a retention loop. The reinforcement structure may be stepped reinforcement structure. The cable retainer may be formed entirely of paper and may be formed without and adhesive.