Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a cable tie about an object is described. Further, a relatively compact banding tool that facilitates cable tie tensioning is described.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a pair of feed gears for feeding a wire from a wire reel mounted on a binding machine body; an electric motor for driving the feed gears; a partition plate provided between the feed gears and the electric motor to partition the feed gears and the electric motor; and first and second discharge portions for discharging wire shavings. The partition plate is surrounded by a wall except for portions of the partition plate being adjacent to the first and second discharge portions. The first and second discharge portions are disposed so that the partition plate positions between the first and second discharge portions.

Abstract: A jaw for a sealless strapping machine includes a jaw element having a body that defines a linkage portion, a hook portion and a base portion. The hook portion extends transverse to the leg portion. The linkage portion, hook portion and base portion are contiguous and are formed from a single piece of material. The jaw element includes a plurality of punches extending upwardly from the base portion, and define a juncture of the punches and the base. Each punch is defined by a peak and a valley between the peak and the peak of an adjacent punch. The juncture of the punches and the base is formed as a relieved having a smooth radii transitions along the relieved area.

Abstract: A metal locking tie formed from a locking head and an elongate strap extending through the locking head. The locking head is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and two sides. The locking head includes a strap passageway that extends through the locking head from an entrance end to an exit end. The bottom wall of the locking head has a tab that extends upwardly toward the strap passageway in the locking head. The strap has a first end, a second end, and an aperture therethrough. When the strap is positioned within the locking head the upwardly extending tab of the locking head engages the aperture in the strap. A metal locking tie tool secures the strap to the locking head by displacing a portion of the strap in the locking head.

Abstract: A plurality of electric wires of a wire harness have a filler applied to predetermined waterproofing portions thereof. A sheet is wound on a peripheral surface of a bundle of electric wires to which the filler has been applied, and the sheet-wound waterproofing portion is repeatedly pressed from opposite sides. By such pressing, a relative displacement of the electric wires and the filler can be accelerated and the filler can be spread and filled securely in the waterproofing portion.

Abstract: A strapping unit for wrapping a tightening strap around a packaged item has a base plate, a tensioning device, a sealing device and a separating device. The tensioning device is provided with an actuable tensioning tool being fastened releaseably to the strapping unit by at least one fastening element. The sealing device is provided with a single- or multi-part sealing tool being fitted on the strapping unit by at least one releaseable, further fastening element. The separating device has a blade which can be brought into contact with the strap. At least part of the separating device is fitted releaseably on the strapping unit by at least one further, releaseable fastening element. The fastening elements are of a design which enables the fastening elements to be actuated by the same tool. Worn parts can therefore be swapped with very little maintenance effort.

Abstract: A strap sealer has a dual action piston. A seal forming assembly is operably connected to the piston. The sealer includes a housing that defines a cylinder and has a penetration therein. A piston is disposed in the cylinder for reciprocating movement. The piston defines upper and lower pressure regions of the cylinder. The sealer includes a compressed air inlet, first and second flow paths between the inlet and the upper and lower pressure regions and a valve assembly for providing flow communication between the inlet to supply air to and exhaust air from the upper and lower pressure regions. A ram is mounted to the piston for reciprocating movement therewith. The ram traverses through the housing penetration. The ram has first and second cross-sectional areas that are different from each other. As the piston reciprocates, the ram traverses through the housing penetration.

Abstract: A compact hand-operated pneumatic strapping tool is disclosed. The tool has a compact arrangement of the sealing and the tensioning valves, and a combination sealing motor/valve module arrangement. A cam driven tooth terminates the sealing step. The valve/motor arrangement results in a more compact and lighter weight strapping tool, for drawing a steel strap around a load, and sealing the strap by punching interlocking slits into the strap ends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a band clamp with an improved lock between the band and the buckle of the band clamp. The improved lock is of the type of lock where the band is passed through the buckle and then shaped to form a locking surface that engages the exterior of the buckle to prevent the band from being pulled back through the buckle. Characteristic of the improved lock is that the lateral cross-section of the locking surface is, in one embodiment substantially V-shaped. In other embodiments, the lateral cross-section is substantially U-shaped and substantially .OMEGA.-shaped. In a further embodiment, a banding tool is disclosed for use with a band and a buckle separate from the band, wherein the banding tool forms both a band lock on one band end and a retaining member on the opposite band end such that the retaining member inhibits the non-attached buckle from separating from the band during lock formation.

Abstract: A crimping or rollover tool for an end of a metal band used to secure a metal braid to an electrical conductor is formed in a plier-like tool having a guide for accurately locating the tool and a pivotable crimping element operable to effect crimping of the band end without loosening of the band. The guide is slidingly coupled to a jaw of the tool with the crimping element pinned to the guide. Closing of the tool jaws causes rotation of the crimping element to bend the band end over a band buckle without pushing the band end backwards through the buckle.

Abstract: A manual banding tool is provided with a band tension limit, which can be adjusted while the tool is coupled to a test device, such as a strain gauge. The manual banding tool includes a shuttle mechanism for incrementally advancing the band through the tool during a forward stroke. The shuttle mechanism is mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted handle by way of an overcenter toggle mechanism. The overcenter toggle mechanism is coupled to a spring tensioning assembly, which includes a plurality of spring members, such as Belleville washers, disposed near the rear of the tool. An adjustment screw on the rear cover portion of the tool allows the spring tension of the spring members to be adjusted. Once the band tension limit is reached, the spring members collapse, allowing the overcenter toggle mechanism to lock the handle in position thereby preventing further movement of the shuttle mechanism. The termination may then be bent by hand such that the band is at approximately a 90.degree.

Abstract: A banding tool (10) is provided for tensioning a band clamp (12) around a protective shield (17). The tool (10) comprises a housing (20) having a hollow handle (22) and a head receptacle (34). Pivotally attached to the housing (20) is a pull up handle (116) and a cutoff handle (154). Received within the hollow handle (22) is a tensioning assembly (24) comprising a force storing device (26), a plunger (28), an adjustment screw (30) and a connecting rod (32). Attached within a head receptacle (34) of the housing (20) is a head (36). The head (36) contains a tension block (46) which is slidably received therein. A tension transfer lever interconnects the assembly (24) and the block (46) for tensioning of the band (13). The force storing device (26) is precompressed to approximately equal the desired tension on the band (13). Once the tension in the band (13) approximately equals the precompression of the force storing device (26), the operator is provided with a signal by the locking of the pull up handle (116).

Abstract: A banding tool (10) is provided to tension and lock a band (12) and a buckle (14) around an object (16). The tool (10) has a housing (18) and a pull-up/cut-off handle (20) for cooperatingly tensioning the band (12). Upon properly tensioning the band (12) around the object (16), the handle (20) is further manipulated to engage a locking/cutting lever (26). The lever (26) engages a head (42) which holds a punch (46) therein and includes a surface (49). The punch (46) first contacts the band (12) to deform and lock the band (12) to itself. The surface (49) of the head (48) then bends and cuts the tail (134) from the band (12).

Abstract: A banding tool for tightening a band about a woven metal braid portion of an electrical cable about a tubular termination sleeve portion of an electrical connector. The tool comprises a band tension limit which can be adjusted while the tool is coupled to a test device, such as a strain gauge. The tool includes a shuttle mechanism for incrementally advancing the band through the tool during a forward stroke. The shuttle mechanism is mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted handle by way of an overcenter toggle mechanism. The overcenter toggle mechanism is coupled to a spring tensioning assembly, which includes a plurality of spring members, such as Belleville washers, disposed near the rear of the tool. An adjustment screw on the rear cover portion of the tool allows the spring tension of the spring members to be adjusted. Once the band tension limit is reached, the overcenter toggle mechanism locks the handle in its closed position, thereby preventing further movement of the shuttle mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a fold-over seal about overlapping lengths of strap. The open seal is positioned with the strap lengths between the legs. Opposing jaws are pivoted about axes against the open seal legs toward the strap lengths to bend the seal legs inwardly while decreasing the distance between the seal and the pivot axes of the jaws. The decrease in the distance between the jaw pivot axes and the seal is limited at a predetermined minimum distance, but the jaws continue to be pivoted to fold the seal legs adjacent the strap lengths. As the jaws approach the fully closed position, the distance between the seal and the jaw pivot axes is increased, and this forces the seal crown and legs closer together as the crimping of the seal is completed.

Abstract: A band finishing tool having a scissor-type mechanism utilizes a sliding pawl to hold one side of the buckle. The other side of the buckle is held along the edges of by buckle holding members to allow the free end of the tab to be folded over and engage the outside band diameter. The sliding pawl is mechanically coupled to the scissor-type mechanism. A rigid rollover member is mechanically coupled to the sliding pawl by way of a coupling spring. Initial squeezing of the scissor-type mechanism causes the sliding pawl to engage the buckle. Further squeezing of the scissor-type mechanism causes the rollover member to move laterally with respect to the pawl. This movement causes the tab to be folded over the buckle. The tool also includes a slot for prebending the leading edge of the tab at approximately a 45.degree. angle with respect to the band axis.

Abstract: A manual banding tool is provided with a band tension limit, which can be adjusted while the tool is coupled to a test device, such as a strain gauge. The manual banding tool includes a shuttle mechanism for incrementally advancing the band through the tool during a forward stroke. The shuttle mechanism is mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted handle by way of an overcenter toggle mechanism. The shuttle mechanism includes a tensioning pawl assembly for gripping the band during a forward stroke. A retaining pawl assembly is mounted adjacent the feed track of the band holds the tension in the band while the shuttle mechanism is in its return stroke. The overcenter toggle mechanism is coupled to a spring tensioning assembly, which includes a plurality of spring members, such as Belleville washers, disposed near the rear of the tool. An adjustment screw on the rear cover portion of the tool allows the spring tension of the spring members to be adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting and tightening an open clamp about an object to be fastened in which a first jaw-like member causes the band end portion intended to constitute the inner band portion to be placed about the object to be fastened, a second jaw-like member then causes the other band end portion of the clamp intended to constitute the outer band portion to be placed about the object to be fastened in such a manner that the outwardly extending hook or hooks in the inner band portion is or are adapted to engage with the corresponding aperture or apertures in the outer band portion.

Abstract: A ball-lock tie application tool includes a blade projecting from the front face of the tool disposed to engage a ball-containing finger on the head of the tie. During tensioning of the tie around an object by the tool the blade deforms the finger inwardly against the locking ball which results in a greater retention of the initial tension applied by the tool to the tie.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for tensioning a bundling strap about an item to be bundled having a motor and a rotatable output shaft coupleable to one end of an elongated external screw threaded shaft supported for rotation at its opposite end by an end cap. A guide block is adapted for linear reciprocal movement along the shaft between the hand-held unit and the end cap and has threads corresponding to screw threads on the shaft, the guide block having connected thereto means for gripping the bundling strap. A reversible power means energizes the hand-held unit and reverses or halts the direction of rotation of the output shaft upon exertion of a predetermined force upon the guide block.

Abstract: A tool for tightening an annular clamping band around a hose includes a substantially V-shaped forming punch adapted to be pivoted to an active position by a reciprocating pneumatic actuator. As the punch pivots to its active position, it rams part of the free end portion of the band into a substantially V-shaped throat formed in an anvil. The actuator then shifts the punch and the anvil in a direction applying tension to the band as the band is drawn between and is reshaped by the punch and anvil.

Abstract: A tool for finishing a banding operation with a metal band which includes an integral buckle bends the tip of the free end of the band and then folds such free end back into overlying relation with the band buckle in such manner that no sharp edges of the band or the buckle are exposed.