Cable Clip From Tubing

In modern households the amount of device-related separate cables has been augmenting steadily over the years: mobile phone chargers, headsets, usb-connectors for various devices, video connectors, LAN cables and the like. This instructable presents a solution for hanging those cables properly, using easy-to-make and user-friendly clips, from which cables can be hung vertically. The solitary design (one clip for one cable) allows to pin up the cables where you need them: one clip in every room or closet. The only requirement is that enough space is available vertically: the cable is supposed to hang all stretched out. This prevents the cable from raveling at the same time.

Basic material is some flexible tubing: 2 cm (0.8 in) for one cable clip is fine. In this instructable transparent tubing with an outer diameter of 8 mm (0.31 in) has been used, and an inner diameter of 4 mm (0.16 in). Wider tubing may be used to hang thicker cables, pencils or even brooms. The idea is to remove some material at the exterior sides, to result in two triangular clasps, constituting a fastening clip. In order to pin up the clip, a small hole at the backside of the clip allows to screw it on a wall or closet.

The author of this instructable is also selling the cable clips. The webshop is accessible through https://www.instructables.com/member/openproducts.

The following steps will guide you through the process or creating your own clips. In step 8 some words are spend on explaining why this clip is innovative.

The material you'll need for the cable clip:

 - a tube;
 - a small screw and possibly a wall plug, depending on the surface you'd like to mount the cable clip onto.

The tools you'll need for shaping the cable clip:

 - a knife or a pair of scissors for cutting the tubing;
 - a drill and a small bit or a nail and a hammer for making the hole at the backside;
 - something to prevent the tube from being cut through (a large nail for example).

Using the pair of scissors is safer than using the knife, especially since the knife should be really sharp. In addition, be careful that the tube isn't rolling while you are exerting pressure with the knife.

The tube needs to be cut at the desired length. I suggest to choose a length between 1 cm and 3 cm (0.4 in and 1.2 in). Cutting the tube might require more force than you expect.

Then, two cuts need to be made in an X-shaped fashion. See the pictures. If you're using a knife, it is convenient to insert a strong piece of round material (I used a large nail) to prevent cutting across the tube. Using a pair of (small) scissors is safer, but the cut will be less sharp.

Finally a drill and a small bit are needed to make hole that allows to stick a screw through. Alternatively but less elegant, one might opt for using a nail and a hammer. Now the cable clip is ready for mounting.

Mount the clip to the wall. Make sure that enough space is reserved to let the cable hang out freely. If mounting to a stone or plastered wall you'll need a plug (use the smallest you can find). Alternatively, one can pin down a series of cable clips on a board like coathooks, and screw the piece of wood to the wall (this alternative is not shown in this instructable).

It's important to get familiar with your new clip. You need to pull the cable skillfully in order not to ruin your expensive headset.

To hang the cable: position the cable in the upper triangular opening while leaving a few centimeters of space towards the connector. Push the cable gently with a finger of one hand towards the clip while pulling the cable down softly with the other hand. Then let the connector be supported by the upside of the cable clip.

To remove the cable from the clip: gently pull the cable from underneath towards the triangular opening at the bottom until the two triangular clasps release the cable. The other way round is possible as well: then first pull the cable a little upward to free the connector from the clip, then pull down towards the upper triangular opening.

The cable clip has been tested with a variety of cables. All tests were successful, including the case of a 180 g (0.40 lb) mobile phone charger.

The concept described in this instructable has innovative aspects. These are:

 - The clip is made from tubing in a way that can and may be reproduced;
 - The clip encloses the cable completely and in such a way that it cannot easily slide out, there is no free space so even thin cables will not fall out;
 -The flexible nature of the clip makes that it automatically adjusts to thicker cables;
 -The form of the clasps is multifunctional: it guides sliding the cable in and out and encloses the cable;
 -The design and making of the clip is easy and doesn't require complex manufacturing;
 -The solitary design (one clip for one cable) allows to pin up the cables where you need them: one clip in every room or closet.

The concept described in this instructable is made available through a Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), and the innovative part has been described under Step 8.

The reader who doesn't want to bother with the tubes and the scissors can proceed directly to the author's webshop for purchasing cut-and-dried clips. The webshop is accessible through https://www.instructables.com/member/openproducts.

Commercial use of the concept described here is possible at no costs provided that the name of the author of this instructable, ‘openproducts’ is mentioned, preferably including a reference to this instructable. For other arrangements send a Private Message through the instructables member page (https://www.instructables.com/member/openproducts).

If this design infringes any rights then refer to Article 28 in the Terms of Service (https://www.instructables.com/tos.html).