The present invention relates to hand held tensioning and cutting tools, and particularly to an improved hand tool for tensioning and cutting cable ties.
Cable ties are widely used in a variety of environments and applications. They may be used, for example, to bundle a plurality of elongate wires, cables, or other elongate articles. Cable ties may also be used to secure elongate articles to rigid structures or used as hose clamps, by way of example. Such cable ties typically include an elongate tail portion which is threaded through an integral head portion to encircle the articles to be bound and the tie tail is drawn through the cable tie head to tightly bind the elongate articles into a bundle. After the tie is tensioned around the bundle, the excess length of the tie tail which extends out of the head portion is then severed by the tool close to the head. Ties are often applied in high volumes and to precise tensions.
One disadvantage of many presently available tie tensioning and severing tools is that those tools require an operator to apply an excessive force on their triggers which leads tool operator fatigue after only a relatively small number of cables ties have been installed by the operator. Additionally, many prior art tie tensioning and severing tools have their tool triggers mechanically linked to the tensioning and severing mechanisms in a manner that the actual tension attained in the cable tie immediately prior to severing of the cable tie tail varies with the position of the operator's grip on the trigger during operation of the tool. Tools which rely upon mechanical linkages often increase the tension in the cable tie above the preselected value immediately prior to severing due to the movement of the linkages during the tensioning operation. This can cause stretching, weakening or breakage of the tie during severing.
The present invention is directed to a hand-held tensioning and severing tool which avoids the aforementioned shortcomings.
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, an improved hand-held tie tool is provided which includes reciprocating means for tensioning the cable tie tail, means for locking the tensioning means once a predetermined tension is met, and means for severing the cable tie tail from the cable tie while the tension is locked.
In accordance with another principal aspect of the present invention selective tension adjustment system is provided in the form of an acme thread cam and knob for selectively changing the preselected tie tension to a selected tension value.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hand held tie tensioning and severing tool capable of reliable operation which consistently severs the cable tie tail at substantially uniform tension levels and greatly reduces recoil impact from the system. The tool may further sever the cable tie tails of successively tensioned cable ties consistently at uniform tension levels, irrespective of user generated tool trigger force.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand tool for tensioning and severing cable ties which includes rotatable selective tension adjustment means for rapidly and reliably selecting a number of preselected tension levels. Further, the cutoff cam system of the present invention provides enhanced cutoff performance and durability with the tension cut off range being increased to approximately 20-200N.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held tool having improved ergonomics at user/tool interfaces to thereby reduce musculoskeletal injury to the user and improve work environment safety.
Yet another object is to provide an improved blade nosepiece interface whereby error in blade installation by the user is greatly reduced.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
As seen in
The present device provides consistent tension and cutting performance such that uniform tension per setting across all tools is achieved. The device target goal is no scatter in tension force per setting. Present devices have tolerances of up to +/−25N. Tolerance range is greatly reduced with the present device.
Tension Adjustment System
The present tool 10 includes a novel tension adjustment mechanism. As will be seen, the tension control and adjustment mechanism of the present tool 10 functions to provide a controlled tension to the rear of the cutoff cam 36 (see
The tension adjustment system of the present device is simple to use and eliminates the use of two knobs, as in known devices, through the use of an acme thread cam action and knob as will be discussed. With reference particularly to the view of
As seen in
Preferably, the adjustment knob 56 includes indicia 68 to designate selected tension settings. The indicia 68 may correspond to the incremental tension ranges provided by detents 70 on the adjustment knob 56 in which a ball 72, or other suitable device, rides. The present tension adjustment system further includes capability to calibrate, hold and lock. A locking latch 74 is slidingly located on the housing 66 of the fixed cam 64. As seen particularly in the view of
Tension-Lock-Cut System
The tension-lock-cut system embodying various features of the invention, and its operation, may be seen in
Linkage
As seen, the linkage 82 includes a pawl link 28 mounted for horizontal, linear reciprocal movement relative to the housing 12. The pawl link 28 is supported for linear movement within the housing 12 by way of channels (not shown) formed in the interior wall the housing 12. A tie gripping pawl 30 is carried at the forwardmost end 84 of the pawl link 28 (see
Referring further to
A pair of trigger inner links 100 extends upwardly into the barrel portion 16 of the housing 12 alongside the trigger handle link 90 between the arms 92. The lower ends 102 of the trigger inner links 100 are pivotally joined to the trigger handle link 90 for pivoting movement around a substantially horizontal pivot axis 104. The upper ends 106 of the trigger inner links 100 further include apertures 108. The upper ends 106 support a horizontally disposed dog bone cam shaft 110 that is concentrically aligned with the apertures 94 in the upper ends of the trigger handle link 90 and apertures 108 in the inner trigger links 100. Intermediate links 112 each comprise rigid, elongate, substantially parallel member that are of arcuate form. The intermediate links 112 are each pivotally joined at their lower ends 114 at a rearward point 116 of the cutter link 118. The intermediate links 112 are further pivotally joined at their upper ends 120 to the upper ends 106 of the trigger inner links 100 by way of dog bone cam shaft 110.
A rack member 32 having a plurality of upstanding teeth 31 is affixed to the rearwardmost end 122 of pawl link 28. The rack member 32 is adapted to engagingly support pinion member 34. Pinion member 34 includes a plurality of teeth members 33 adapted to engage the corresponding teeth members 31 in the rack member 32. The pinion member 34 further includes an upstanding arm member 124 and pivot members 126. Pivot members 126 are adapted to support pinion torsion spring 128 (see
The cutoff cam 36 is pivotally mounted for pivotal movement around a substantially horizontal pivot axis 130 and includes a cradle 132 in its upper surface. The dog bone cam shaft 110 ordinarily rests in the cradle 132. The cutoff cam 36 is preferably further formed with a pair of spaced apart blocks 134 which form a channel 136 at a rearward portion of the cutoff cam 36. The channel 136 is adapted to receive the upstanding arm member 124 of pinion 34. It is to be noted that the width of the cradle 132 is preferably of a width great enough to enhance toll longevity and consistent repeatability.
As further shown, the linkage 82 also includes a handle link 88 having an upper end extending upwardly and forwardly toward the rear end 122 of the pawl link 28. A pair of substantially parallel spaced short links 86 is pivotally joined at their forward ends 138 to the trigger inner link 100 at pivot axis 140. The short links 86 are further joined at their rearward ends 130 to the handle link 88 for pivoting movement around substantially horizontal axis 142.
As mentioned previously, the linkage 82 is coupled to the tension adjustment system through the U-bracket 38. Forward ends 40 of the U-bracket 38 are pivotally coupled to the rear end of the cutoff cam 36 by means of a pin 42 extending through the forward ends of the U-bracket 38 and through the elongated slot 44 formed in the cutoff cam 36.
Tension Operation
As viewed in
When the tie 20 is initially installed and the tie tail 26 is first pulled back, it generates little resistance to being pulled. As the tie 20 draws up against the bundle 22, the tie tail 26 begins to resist being pulled. The resistance is felt by the pawl link 28 and is transferred through the handle link 88, the short link 86 and inner trigger link 100 to the dog bone cam shaft 110. As long as the tie tail 26 does not resist being pulled by the pawl link 28, little resistance is felt by the handle link 88 as it is pushed back by the short link 86. As the tie tail 26 begins to resist being pulled, the resistance felt by the pawl link 28 is transferred back through the handle link 88, the short link 86, the inner trigger link 100, and to the dog bone cam shaft 110. The resistance force transferred by the short link 86 to the inner trigger link 100 tends to pivot the inner trigger link 100 in a clockwise direction about the pivot axis 140. Such pivoting movement on the inner trigger link 100 is impeded by the dog bone cam shaft 110 that is held in position by the cutoff cam 36.
The resistance force that is transferred to the dog bone cam shaft 110 through inner trigger link 100 tends to rotate the cutoff cam 36 around the cam pivot axis 130. The cutoff cam 36 resists such rotation due to the restraining force applied to it by the tension control mechanism. The force increases as the tie tail 26 is pulled more snugly, until the resistance force becomes great enough to overcome the force applied to the cutoff cam 36 by the tension control mechanism. When this occurs, the cutoff cam 36 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown by arrow C in
An alternative, low tension arrangement may be seen in the views of
Lock Operation
The lock operation may be best viewed in the illustration of
Cutoff Operation
Cutoff of the tie tail 26 and movement of cooperating parts may be viewed in
Ergonomics
The present device 10 is further provided with certain features designed to improve the ergonomics of the device. As may be viewed particularly in
With particular reference to
As may be viewed in
The overall design and mentioned ergonomic improvements to the tool 10 are known to improve measurable applied grip force, thereby reducing musculoskeletal injury to the user and improving work environment safety. For example, when rated on the Borg-10 rating of perceived exertion scale, users consistently rated the tool 10 as requiring less than “moderate” effort as compared to other prior art tools. (See Borg, G. A., Psychophysical Bases of Perceived Exertion, Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982; 14(5): 377-81 for discussion of the Borg-10 scale). Further, when evaluated using the Strain Index, (see Moore J S, Garg A., The Strain Index: A Proposed Method to Analyze Jobs for Risk of Distal Upper Extremity Disorders, Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1995 May; 56(5): 443-458), the present tool 10 resulted in more “low risk” scenarios as compared to other prior art tools. The Strain Index is a semi-quantitative evaluation method that considers several exposure variables to determine the risk of user musculoskeletal disorders. Variables include intensity of effort, efforts per minute, percent duration of exertion, among others.
Blade Interface
With attention now to
As further viewed in
With specific reference to
Calibration
As mentioned previously, the tension adjustment system may be calibrated at the point of manufacture or may be calibrated in the field. Calibration sets the base tension point from which the further tension adjustments, discussed previously, may be made. During calibration, a calibration tension tool 80 may be used.
With specific reference to
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,403 entitled “Cable Tie Tensioning and Cut-Off Tool and Method of Using”, filed 30 Jun. 2011.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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