Abstract: An automatic knot-tying device for tying a discrete knot about a workpiece, such as a bundle of wires, has been developed. The present invention works by pulling a filament, such as the FAA-approved lace, transversely around the workpiece. The preferred embodiment of the device comprises a hand-held housing and a knot-tying mechanism within that housing comprising a plurality of carriage rings, for wrapping the filament around the workpiece, at least one shuttle for moving the filament between the carriage rings and along the workpiece at the appropriate steps, and a plurality of hooks for pulling the filament away from the workpiece at the appropriate steps. The operation is finished by cinching, cutting, and reloading so that the resulting knot is discrete and secure. A method for automatically tying a knot around a workpiece uses the present invention to pull, instead of push, a filament around the workpiece.

Abstract: An automatic knot-tying device for tying a discrete knot about a workpiece, such as a bundle of wires, is disclosed herein. The present invention works by pulling a filament transversely around the workpiece. The preferred embodiment of the device comprises a hand-held housing and a knot-tying mechanism within that housing comprising a hollow nozzle for leading the filament toward the workpiece, a wrapping ring for wrapping the filament around the workpiece, and a plurality of pins that extend into and retract out of the path of the filament to form the knot. The operation is finished by cinching and cutting the loose filament so that the resulting knot is discrete and secure. Also disclosed is a method for automatically tying a knot around a workpiece by pulling, instead of pushing a filament around the workpiece.