Abstract: A two-piece strapping tool having a manual tensioner and a battery-operated sealer is disclosed. The tensioner is a feedwheel tensioner that uses a serrated feedwheel to grip a first portion of the strap and a tension gripper to hold a second portion of the strap in a stationary position. The tensioner is configured to matingly receive the sealer between the tensioner's support legs such that the sealer may readily engage the overlapping portions of the strap to be welded. The sealer is battery-operated and uses a vibrational-type weld assembly driven by an electrical motor to weld overlapping portions of the strap. The sealer also includes a cutting assembly to sever the welded strap from a strap source.

Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed for applying a non-metallic strap around a load. The tensioner includes a base and a lever that can pivot. A drive gear is mounted to the lever and rotates clockwise. A tension gear engages the drive gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A feed wheel is coupled to the tension gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A gripper is attached to the base. The strap is held stationary by the gripper, wrapped around the load, is fed underneath and is in contact with the feed wheel. When the lever is rotated down, the feed wheel rotates counter-clockwise. The strap is pulled toward a distal end of the tensioner and is tensioned in a clockwise direction around the load.

Abstract: A full complement needle bearing includes a race and a plurality of rollers. The race defines an opening for receiving an associated shaft. The race has first and second radially inwardly directed collars on opposing ends of the race to form a channel. The first collar includes a first groove formed along an inner surface of the first collar, and the second collar includes a second groove formed along an inner surface of the second collars. Each of the plurality of rollers has a central portion, a first nib extending from one end of the central portion and a second nib extending from an opposing end of the central portion. At least a portion of the first nib is retained within the first groove and at least a portion of the second nib is retained within the second groove so as to retain the rollers parallel to the associated shaft.

Abstract: A plastic seal and system is configured for sealing to first and second confronting courses of plastic strap material. The seal includes a body having first and second opposing walls. The first wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a first wall opening, and the second wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a second wall opening. The sealing element is connected to the body by one or more frangible connectors. The body defines a central opening for receiving the first and second confronting courses of strap material generally parallel and adjacent to their respective opposing walls. The first sealing element is sealed to the first course of strap material and the second seal element is sealed to the second course of strap material to form a strap seal. A tool and a method for positioning and tensioning a plastic strap around a load are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed for applying a non-metallic strap around a load. The tensioner includes a base and a lever that can pivot. A drive gear is mounted to the lever and rotates clockwise. A tension gear engages the drive gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A feed wheel is coupled to the tension gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A gripper is attached to the base. The strap is held stationary by the gripper, wrapped around the load, is fed underneath and is in contact with the feed wheel. When the lever is rotated down, the feed wheel rotates counter-clockwise. The strap is pulled toward a distal end of the tensioner and is tensioned in a clockwise direction around the load.

Abstract: A plastic seal and system is configured for sealing to first and second confronting courses of plastic strap material. The seal includes a body having first and second opposing walls. The first wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a first wall opening, and the second wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a second wall opening. The sealing element is connected to the body by one or more frangible connectors. The body defines a central opening for receiving the first and second confronting courses of strap material generally parallel and adjacent to their respective opposing walls. The first sealing element is sealed to the first course of strap material and the second seal element is sealed to the second course of strap material to form a strap seal. A tool and a method for positioning and tensioning a plastic strap around a load are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic seal and system is configured for sealing to first and second confronting courses of plastic strap material. The seal includes a body having first and second opposing walls. The first wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a first wall opening, and the second wall has a sealing element formed therein that is bounded by a second wall opening. The sealing element is connected to the body by one or more frangible connectors. The body defines a central opening for receiving the first and second confronting courses of strap material generally parallel and adjacent to their respective opposing walls. The first sealing element is sealed to the first course of strap material and the second seal element is sealed to the second course of strap material to form a strap seal. A tool and a method for positioning and tensioning a plastic strap around a load are also disclosed.

Abstract: A small profile strapping tool includes a body defining a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston for actuation during a weld cycle, a pneumatic tensioning motor for actuation during a tensioning cycle, and a pneumatic module removably mounted to the cylinder housing. Within the module, a pilot valve controls a flow of gas into the module, a tensioning motor valve controls gas flow to the tensioning motor to draw tension in the strap, a weld cycle valve controls gas flow to the weld motor and piston, a timer and an accumulator are configured to isolate gas flow to the weld motor upon reaching a predetermined pressure in the accumulator following actuation, and a pneumatic signal circuit disposed between the cylinder and a bleed valve includes a signal valve that controls actuation of the bleed valve to route gas to the tension motor to maintain tension in the strap following the weld cycle.

Abstract: A small profile strapping tool tensions a strap around a load, adheres the strap onto itself, and cuts a feed end of the strap. The tool includes a body defining a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston for actuation during a weld cycle to adhere the strap onto itself and a pneumatic tensioning motor for actuation during a tensioning cycle to tension the strap prior to adhering the strap onto itself. Operation of the strapper is controlled by a pneumatic module that is removably mounted to the cylinder housing. A compressed gas inlet provides gas to the module. A pilot valve is in flow communication with the gas inlet for controlling the flow of compressed gas into the module. A tensioning motor valve controls compressed gas flow to the tensioning motor to draw tension in the strap and a weld cycle valve controls compressed gas flow to the weld motor and piston.

Abstract: A crimping tool for installing a metal crimp seal onto overlapping layers of plastic strap material includes a tool head, at least three pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements and each pair being spaced from its adjacent pair, and at least two crimpers, one crimper disposed between adjacent pairs of jaw elements, the crimper extending between the jaw elements.

Abstract: A clamp is configured for use with a coil handler device for grasping, lifting and transporting a coil of material, the material coiled in such a manner as to have an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The handler device includes a frame and a lifting assembly. The clamp includes a body, and first and second clamping surfaces for engaging and securing the coil along a radial line at the inner and outer peripheries of the coil. A first clamp leg is elongated in a direction along the radial line. A second clamp leg is fixedly connected to the first clamp leg, transverse to the first clamp leg at a first end. The second clamp leg has a second end operably connected to the lifting assembly for raising and lowering the coil secured by the clamping element. First and second clamp arms are positioned along the first clamp leg for securing the coil at the inner and outer peripheries.

Abstract: A crimping tool for installing a metal crimp seal onto overlapping layers of plastic strap material includes a tool head, at least three pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements and each pair being spaced from its adjacent pair, and at least two crimpers, one crimper disposed between adjacent pairs of jaw elements, the crimper extending between the jaw elements.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for use with a strapping tool includes a cutter having a polygonal cross-sectional configuration, a plurality of cutting surfaces defining a pair of elongate cutting edges, and a plurality of retaining recessed. The cutting edges are an in-use edge and a spare edge. The cutter is engaged with a movable die holder having a support surface for the cutting body. The holder includes a slot defining a plurality of projections. The projections are configured so that the retaining recesses of the cutter fit within the support surface slot. The cutter is reversible on the die holder such that the in-use and spare cutting edges are interchangeable by rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A coil handler device is configured for grasping, lifting and transporting a coil of material that is coiled in such a manner as to have an outer periphery and an inner periphery and to define a longitudinal axis. The handler device includes a frame and a grasping and lifting assembly. The grasping and lifting assembly includes at least one clamping clement having first and second clamping surfaces for engaging and securing the coil along a radial line at the inner and outer peripheries of the coil. The clamping element includes a first clamp leg elongated in a direction along the radial line and a second clamp leg fixedly connected to the first clamp leg transverse to the first clamp leg at a first end. The second clamp leg has a second end operably connected to a lifting assembly for raising and lowering the coil when it is secured by the clamping element.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for use with a strapping tool includes a cutter having a polygonal cross-sectional configuration, a plurality of cutting surfaces defining a pair of elongate cutting edges, and a plurality of retaining recessed. The cutting edges are an in-use edge and a spare edge. The cutter is engaged with a movable die holder having a support surface for the cutting body. The holder includes a slot defining a plurality of projections. The projections are configured so that the retaining recesses of the cutter fit within the support surface slot. The cutter is reversible on the die holder such that the in-use and spare cutting edges are interchangeable by rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A clamp is configured for use with a coil handler device for grasping, lifting and transporting a coil of material, the material coiled in such a manner as to have an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The handler device includes a frame and a lifting assembly. The clamp includes a body, and first and second clamping surfaces for engaging and securing the coil along a radial line at the inner and outer peripheries of the coil. A first clamp leg is elongated in a direction along the radial line. A second clamp leg is fixedly connected to the first clamp leg, transverse to the first clamp leg at a first end. The second clamp leg has a second end operably connected to the lifting assembly for raising and lowering the coil secured by the clamping element. First and second clamp arms are positioned along the first clamp leg for securing the coil at the inner and outer peripheries.

Abstract: A coil handler device is configured for grasping, lifting and transporting a coil of material that is coiled in such a manner as to have an outer periphery and an inner periphery and to define a longitudinal axis. The handler device includes a frame and a grasping and lifting assembly. The grasping and lifting assembly includes at least one clamping element having first and second clamping surfaces for engaging and securing the coil along a radial line at the inner and outer peripheries of the coil. The clamping element includes a first clamp leg elongated in a direction along the radial line and a second clamp leg fixedly connected to the first clamp leg transverse to the first clamp leg at a first end. The second clamp leg has a second end operably connected to a lifting assembly for raising and lowering the coil when it is secured by the clamping element.

Abstract: A tool for cutting strapping comprises a housing and a slot defined in a base of the housing. A blade is mounted upon the housing, and a handle is pivotally mounted upon the housing between a position remote from the blade and a position adjacent to the blade. A pusher is pivotally mounted upon the handle and is biased into engagement with the base by a spring so as to normally close the entrance to the slot. When strapping is to be cut, the strapping is inserted into the slot causing the pusher to be moved out of the way against the biasing force of its spring. Upon the strapping passing the pusher, the pusher returns to its original position whereby the pusher now engages the strapping. Manipulation of the handle toward the blade causes the pusher to push the strapping into engagement with the blade thereby cutting the strapping.

Abstract: A progressive punch is used in a strapping machine for positioning and sealing an associated strap material around a load. The punch is positioned in a jaw assembly that includes a movable punch support and a fixed punch support configured to receive the associated strap therebetween. The movable and fixed supports each include at least one punch having at least two punching heads. The punching heads each have a height that is defined by a distance between an outermost peripheral point of the punching head and a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement. The heights of the punching heads are different from one another so that the punching heads progressively engage the strap, with the punching heads initially engaging the strap material at a different times from one another.

Abstract: A progressive punch is used in a strapping machine for positioning and sealing an associated strap material around a load. The punch is positioned in a jaw assembly that includes a movable punch support and a fixed punch support configured to receive the associated strap therebetween. The movable and fixed supports each include at least one punch having at least two punching heads. The punching heads each have a height that is defined by a distance between an outermost peripheral point of the punching head and a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement. The heights of the punching heads are different from one another so that the punching heads progressively engage the strap, with the punching heads initially engaging the strap material at a different times from one another.