Abstract: A clamping apparatus for a hose or another suitable tubular member. A coiled band forms an opening within which the hose or other tubular member is positioned. The coiled band forms an inner band, a middle band and a outer band. The middle band is sandwiched between the inner band and the outer band. A retainer is positioned about the inner band and the outer band, to retain the inner band, the middle and the outer band in a sandwiched position with respect to each other. Two or more projections extend radially inward, toward the opening formed by the coiled band, from the inner band. The projections interfere with the retainer to limit movement of the retainer in two directions, opposite to each other, along a longitudinal axis of the band.

Abstract: A ball/roller-lock cable tie for holding an article or group of articles together in a bundle including a elongate strap body capable of being deformed to encompass the article or group of articles; a locking head disposed adjacent one end of the strap body for receiving a second end of the strap body; and a ball or cylindrical pin, positioned within the locking head, for lockingly engaging the second end of the strap body. The tie further includes a strap body extension attached to and extending from the locking head such that the extension is sandwiched between the article or articles being bundled and the second end of the strap body upon insertion into the locking head.

Abstract: A non-slip seat belt cover includes an elongated, rectangular section of covering material having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a first elongated strip of hook-and-pile fastener, attached along one of the longer edges of the exterior surface; a second elongated strip of hook-and-pile fastener, attached along the longer edge of the interior surface opposite the edge to which the first fastener strip is attached; and a securing mechanism including a plurality of prong members secured to the interior surface of the interior surface adjacent one of the shorter ends of the rectangular section. The securing member is preferably a cleat pad having a plurality of rows of prong members extending from the cleat pad. The prong members are preferably angled with respect to the cleat pad at an angle between twenty-five and sixty degrees. When angled prong members are utilized, the point of the prongs should be oriented away from the adjacent shorter edge of the rectangular section.

Abstract: A ring for swaging constituted by a rolled-up length of metal strip whose two ends are bonded together without give rise to significant increased thickness in the bonding zone. The ends of the strip are disposed substantially in contact with each other via their terminal edges, and the thickness of each of said ends is close to half the thickness of the strip. The inside faces of the ends are offset outwardly relative to the inside surface of the ring so as to constitute a housing for a plate whose thickness is close to half the thickness of the strip. A set of complementary studs and holes is provided on the ends of the strip and on the plate, said studs being engaged in the holes and their free ends being riveted to the element opposite from the element carrying them.

Abstract: A U-shaped clip having leg parts disposed outwardly from a crown on either side of a central axis, the leg parts having a configuration for intermeshing with each other during a clinching operation. The crown, on the interior thereof, is provided with a locking rib which extends transversely of the crown, the locking rib providing a planar surface which maintains abutting or adjoining metal tapes in a rigid position to prevent longitudinal and transverse movements between the metal tapes.

Abstract: A seal is provided for joining a pair of overlapping plastic strap portions. The seal includes a body of sheet material having a strap engaging surface which engages the strap portions when the seal is closed about the strap portions. The body has a plurality of teeth projecting from the strap-engaging surface. Each tooth is formed of material displaced outwardly from the strap-engaging surface to define a recess therein. Each tooth has a solid configuration defined by converging side surfaces and truncated along a top surface.

Abstract: A self-locking bundling tie for engagement about electrical cables, pipes or the like is disclosed. The tie includes a head and a strap attachable to the head. The head comprises a housing and a planar locking insert slidably received in the housing cavity. The insert is movable between two locking position in the housing. In a first position, the insert has an opening for receipt of an end of the strap therethrough. Upon movement of the insert interiorly of the housing cavity to a second locked position, the insert opening with a portion of the strap end therethrough is moved interiorly of the housing and the strap end is deformed into a reverse bend to thereby lock the strap in the bundling tie head. The strap end may be severed at the housing. The insert includes an extending portion which extends beyond the end of the housing to protect the user from the sharp severed end.

Abstract: A strap fastener buckle for fastening opposing ends of an object encircling strap includes first and second bridge portions partially defining first and second tubular portions and a deformable retainer extending from the buckle intermediate first and second bridge portions. One end of the strap is initially secured to the buckle. The free end of the strap is then secured to the buckle by passing the free end through first and second tubular portions, folding the free end over second bridge portion, severing the free end at a predetermined point short of the second bridge portion, and securing the severed end between first and second bridge portions by deforming the retainer to a position overlying the severed end of the strap.

Abstract: Self-locking bundling ties for engagement about electrical cables, pipes or the like comprises a flat, metallic strap and a metallic head separably attached thereto. In the preferred form, the head is crimped to a folded-over end of the metallic strap. The head comprises a generally tubular housing with a generally planar locking insert slidably received in the housing cavity. The housing and insert include cooperative latching structure for holding the insert fixed in at least two positions relative to the housing. In a first position, the insert has an opening for receipt of the unattached end of the strap therethrough. Upon movement of the insert interiorly of the housing cavity to a second locked position, the insert opening with a portion of the strap end therethrough is moved interiorly of the housing and the strap end is deformed into a reverse bend to thereby lock the strap in the bundling tie head.

Abstract: A band clamp having an integral buckle includes an elongated band; a buckle member at one end of the band and having a base in the plane of the band, side portions and a top portion connecting the side portions forming a loop for retaining one or more passes of the band; and a tongue member extending in the plane of the base opposite the band, a pair of notches extending into the base at the sides of the tongue. When tension is applied the band with the band extending through the buckle and enclosing the sleeve, the tongue member is deflected toward the sleeve by the band for permanently deforming the base and portions of the sides of the buckle in conformity with the sleeve when the sleeve has an equivalent diameter of less than about 20 times the thickness of the band.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a plurality of strips of compressible material together comprising, a resiliently rigid plate member; a pair of vertical bar members carried by the plate member normal thereto and disposed parallel to one another at a distance generally equal to the width of the strips to be clamped together; a horizontal bar member shorter in length than the distance and disposed in parallel, spaced relationship to the plate member; and, a pair of joining bar members connected between respective ones of the ends of the vertical bar members and the horizontal bar member, the joining bar members forming and angle of between 120.degree. and 150.degree. with the horizontal bar member; and wherein, the vertical bar members, the horizontal bar member, and the joining bar members are of a resiliently rigid and deformable material.

Abstract: Method of assembly of the shell with the strap of a clamping collar, and collars obtained with this method.This method consists in fixing the strap under the shell of the collar and no longer by passage inside the latter. With this in mind the shell (7) has, in the part forming its base (8), cut-outs preferably forming two tongues provided between remaining parts of the base. These tongues are cranked and the shell is fitted over the strap in a straddling position. The tongues are then flattened, the force applied preferably causing the corresponding strap portion (2) to penetrate by bending into the opening thus formed in the base of the shell. A non-slip bond is obtained between the shell and the strap owing to raised parts of the strap penetrating into the cut-out or opening in the base of the shell and forming immobilization stops.

Abstract: An improved U-clip of the type having a first side with a pair of transversely-spaced prongs with bevelled inside ends and a second side having a medial prong with a bevelled inside end is disclosed, such clip further having rounded side edges.

Abstract: A clamping band for affixing an electromagnetic shielding sleeve to an electrical cable or the like, which band may be positioned around the connector and tightened by a pulling force, and which band can be removed and replaced. The band comprises a single strip of metal with a strap section and a buckle section, with the buckle section having an opening for receiving the strap section to form a circle for positioning about the shield and connector. The band is tightened by pulling to the desired size, after which it is folded over to lock the band in place and cut to an appropriate length.

Abstract: In order to guarantee the sealing quality of a joining between a pipe socket and a tube by means of a clamp pressing a tube on a pipe wall, where the press-on power to be exercised by the tube clamp will act as uniformly as possible all over the total pipe circumference and cause no damage to the tube, it is suggested that the clamp is an open tube clamp being operative by its inner clamping power over a relatively wide-ranged press-on surface, being moved into its acting position by a tool overcoming the clamping power, and where an almost uniform pressing is provided extending over the total press-on surface (F) by a cross section increasing from the open ends (E1, E2) in direction to the clamping dead center (R).

Abstract: A tensioning band includes a plurality of notches in the free end. Formed in the notches are tabs which extend between the free end and the tensioned loop to prevent the loop from moving against the article being tensioned and thereby relaxing the tension.

Abstract: A fiber bale press is equipped with a hooping mechanism for applying wire-hoops to a fiber bale produced by the press. The press has at least one pressing plate and a counter pressure plate as well as a hoop material supply device. The hoop material is steel wire cut to suitable lengths for forming hoops. The steel wire ends are secured to each other by a sealing member, such as a tubular metal sleeve, which receives one steel wire end in each of its ends. The tubular metal sleeve is rigidly secured to the ends of the hoop forming wire by a crimping mechanism. Preferably the steel wires are hooped around a bale in a cross-over relationship so that at least the wire-hoops close to and in parallel to a bale edge are held in place by wire-hoops running perpendicularly to the bale edge. This mechanism avoids loops at the ends of the baling wire.

Abstract: A captive nut plate for engagement by a screw useful when attaching corrugated composite or plastic sheets together includes a semi-cylindrical body shaped to match the curvature of a corrugated sheet. A pair of upstanding irregular pentagon-shaped piercing prongs are centrally positioned along curved edges of the body and are aligned with a central hole therethrough, for receiving the screw. The captive nut plate is installed by positioning it in a convex pocket on a semi-cylindrical tool in proper alignment with a concave edge corrugation of a first sheet. A soft mallet is then used to drive the corrugated material down onto the nut plate so that the upstanding prongs pierce through the sheet. The irregular pentagon-shape of the prongs assures that the prongs extend through the sheet beyond their widest portion. The prongs are then peened over to provide a permanent installation on the first sheet.

Abstract: Clamp of the type constituted by a wound-over metal band, a first end of which is provided on its external face with an oblong patch of transversely extending scores or teeth, the width of said patch being preferably less than that of the band, whereas the second end is provided with a fastener joined to the band and wound over crosswise thereof on the outside of the band to provide a passage for the first end. The two ends of the fastener cover one another on the outside of the band and are assembled by a bent strip of metal of which the side facing the band is provided with scores or the like, extending crosswise to the band and designed to cooperate with the scores or teeth of the first end of the band.

Abstract: A strap seal joint and method for applying a seal to the overlapping ends of a strap about a bale of resilient material are disclosed. The bale is initially restrained against expansion in a press. The strap is provided with two oppositely facing major side surfaces having predetermined frictional characteristics. The strap is looped around the bale to overlap inner and outer and end portions of the strap. The seal is applied to the overlapping end portions of the strap. The seal and one of the strap end portions are in an interlocking engagement sufficient to prevent withdrawal of the strap end portion from the closed seal.

Abstract: A clamp structure especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears, and in which outwardly extending hooks adapted to engage in apertures are used to mechanically interconnect the clamp structure; to enable tightening of the band about an object to be fastened, cold-deformed pressed-out embossments are provided in inner and outer band portions, which extend generally in the circumferential direction so that each pressed-out embossment remains integral at least on both sides thereof, where the tool-engaging surfaces thereof are able to withstand very large tightening forces in the circumferential direction which permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure.

Abstract: A clamp is provided which includes a buckle of high strength material with top, bottom, and side walls defining a rectangular passage. An elongate band is anchored at one end to the buckle and wrapped on itself and passed through the buckle at least twice to define a clamp structure for securing a hose on a conduit.The top wall of the buckle has two integral but discrete locking tabs centrally located and adapted to be bent down about their lines of juncture with the top wall. A chisel-tipped punch is driven radially inward between the free ends of the tabs to force them into the adjacent layer of the band, causing band metal to flow and produce upset interlocks between the band and the tabs outward of the tabs. The ends of the tabs also cause band metal to flow into a bulge between the tabs. The punch tip divides the bulge and flows the metal toward the tab ends to produce a second pair of upset interlocks between the band and the tabs.

Abstract: A strap seal joint and method for applying a seal to the overlapping ends of a strap about a bale of resilient material are disclosed. The bale is preferably initially restrained against expansion in a press. The strap is provided with two oppositely facing major side surfaces having predetermined frictional characteristics. The strap is looped around the bale with a predetermined length of an inner end portion of the strap adjacent the bale extending at least partially around a corner of the bale and being overlapped by an outer end portion of the strap. The seal is applied to the overlapping end portions of the strap and deformed to crimp the seal against the outer end portion sufficiently to prevent withdrawal of the strap outer end portion from the closed seal.

Abstract: A device for splicing the free ends of a wire belt comprised of pivotally interlocked laterally extending zigzag-shaped and longitudinally spaced apart wires or strips. The zigzag shape of each wire or strip results in each end of the belt having longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart loops with laterally extending sections which are disposed in complementary relationship with the space between loops in the opposite belt end. The splicer is composed of a metal strip having a plurality of laterally spaced apart hook portions corresponding with the loops and projecting integrally from the edge in staggered relationship with similar hook portions at the other edge of the strip. The hook portions engage and form a pivotal connection with the laterally extending sections in the adjacent free ends of the belt.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus, and a new metal seal for use in securing overlying portions of generally flat, non-metallic strap with little or no strap bulging under applied seal-closing forces and with a firm interlock between the applied seal and embraced strap portions.

Abstract: A closure seal for use in securing overlapped bands wrapping a package as disclosed in which the closure seal has a floor portion, a flange extending from one side thereof and a flap having two flap portions extending from the other side thereof. Apparatus for use with the closure seal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped body having a central wall and diverging side walls. The end edges of the central wall are notched so that a stack of the bodies can be placed in nesting relationship in a C-shaped magazine and can then be laterally removed, one at a time for use. One side wall is longer than the other and has openings to receive tongs of an applying tool.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and shearing strap has a tensioning wheel, a ratchet wheel means associated with the tensioning wheel, and a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet wheel means when the tensioning wheel is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. When the pawl is engaged, the ratchet wheel drives a single stroke cut-off mechanism. A latch means is provided to place the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel. A pawl positioning means connects the latch means and the pawl, and releases the pawl from engagement with the ratchet wheel means as a cut-off stroke is executed. The strapping tool is further provided with a cutting block which has a chamfer along the cutting edge of the block so that the edge of the cut strap is bent downwardly upon being cut, and wear on the cutting edge is minimized as the strap is tensioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a connection between two overlapping band or tape sections of a strip or strap wrapped around a package or thelike with the aid of a closure seal having a floor portion which merges at one side with a flange edge and at the opposite side there merges a flap. The apparatus includes a band tensioning roll, a closure mechanism for the closure seal and an actuation mechanism. The closure mechanism contains a punch for closing the closure seals, the punch having a working surface including a flat contact surface intended to act upon the flap of the closure seal and a curved flanging surface intended to act upon the flange edge of the closure seal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a buckle usable for securing the two ends of a looped band together about a workpiece, the new and unusual feature being directed to the provision of a distortable element provided in the buckle body which as a tension applying tool draws up on the complementary band the distortable element of the buckle gives a visual indication of the appropriate or predetermined tension having been applied to the band. Thereafter, the buckle and band are permanently set relative to each other.