Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The invention generally relates to a strapping tool. More particularly, the invention relates to a strapping tool that is configured to apply tension to a piece of strapping, and/or to notch or crimp a strapping seal member that secures end portions of the piece of strapping to one another.
Various tools are known in the packaging art for performing numerous functions related to the manipulation of strapping, which is commonly used as a closing mechanism for packages, and as a convenient means for easily attaching two objects to one another (e.g., attaching a box to a pallet). Some of these conventional tools are powered directly from a centralized system, such as a building electrical system or a central pneumatic system. Other conventional packaging tools have a power supply that is an integral part of the tool. Both of the aforementioned types of conventional packaging tools have numerous limitations and drawbacks. For example, conventional combination strapping tools, which perform both tensioning and sealing operations, utilize a vast array of intricate components, resulting in these tools being heavy, overly complicated, and quite expensive.
Further, many of the various tools known in the packaging art notch or crimp a strapping seal member using jaws that squeeze the strapping seal member. Because such these conventional tools comprise many intricate components subject to failure, they are often not as reliable as desired by the users thereof.
Therefore, what is needed is a strapping tool that utilizes fewer and simpler components than conventional tools so as to reduce the overall complexity of the tool, and thereby provide a more cost effective alternative for performing strapping operations. Moreover, there is a need for a strapping tool that is more reliable than conventional strapping tools so as to minimize the disruption of strapping operations resulting from tool repairs and replacements. Furthermore, there is a need for a strapping tool that is easier to transport than conventional strapping tools. In addition, there is a need for a strapping tool that employs stamping, such as using a punch and die, rather than squeezing, to create a notch in a strap.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a strapping tool that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a strapping tool. The strapping tool includes a motive power source; and a scaling assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first punch and a die. The first punch and die are configured to crimp or cut a notch in a strapping seal member and/or a piece of strapping so as to secure the piece of strapping around a package or bundle of items.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the motive power source comprises one of: (i) a pneumatic motor, (ii) an electric motor, (iii) a liquid fuel-based motor, (iv) a piston, and (v) a handle.
In another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise a cam member and a follower member. The cam member operatively couples the follower member to the motive power source, and the follower member cooperates with the die and is configured to position the die beneath the strapping seal member.
In still another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise an actuator operatively coupled to the motive power source. The actuator is configured to drive the first punch into the strapping seal member and/or the piece of strapping proximate to the die thereby crimping or cutting the notch in the strapping seal member and/or the piece of strapping.
In yet another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise a tensioning assembly operatively coupled to the motive power source. The tensioning assembly includes a cam member and at least one tensioning foot member. The cam member operatively couples the at least one tensioning foot member to the motive power source, and the at least one tensioning foot member of the tensioning assembly is configured to apply tension to the piece of strapping while being driven in an oscillatory manner by the motive power source.
In an alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the die may comprise a bottom support portion and a side support portion. The bottom support portion and the side support portion hold the strapping seal member in place during operation.
In a second alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the sealing assembly may further comprise a second punch, and the first punch is disposed in front of the die and the second punch disposed behind the die during operation.
In a third alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the strapping tool may further comprise a die lifting assembly, the die lifting assembly including a handle member operatively coupled to the die; and wherein, when the handle member is depressed by a user, the die is configured to be raised out of the strapping pass line of the strapping tool.
In still another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise a drive component operatively coupling the motive power source to the scaling assembly, the drive component configured to position the die beneath the strapping seal member.
In accordance with one or more other embodiments of present invention, there is provided a strapping tool. The strapping tool including a motive power source and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a die configured to hold a strapping seal member, a first punch, a second punch, a follower member, a cam member, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The follower member is configured to cooperate with the die so as to position at least a portion of the die beneath the strapping seal member. The cam member operatively couples the follower member to the motive power source. When positioned by the follower member, the die holds a strapping seal member.
The first punch and the second punch are respectively disposed in front of and behind the die to crimp or cut first and second notches, respectively, in the strapping seal member and/or a piece of strapping. The first and second actuators are coupled to the motive power source, and configured to drive the first punch and second punch, respectively, into the strapping scal member and/or the piece of strapping proximate to the die thereby notching or crimping the strapping seal member and/or the piece of strapping.
In another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise a tensioning assembly operatively coupled to the motive power source. The tensioning assembly may include a tensioning cam member and at least one tensioning foot member. The tensioning cam member operatively couples the at least one tensioning foot member to the motive power source, and the at least one tensioning foot member of the tensioning assembly is configured to apply tension to the piece of strapping while being driven in an oscillatory manner by the motive power source.
In still another further embodiment of the present invention, the die of the strapping tool may comprise a bottom support portion and a side support portion, the bottom support portion, and the side support portion may hold the strapping seal member in place during operation.
In yet another further embodiment of the present invention, the strapping tool may further comprise a die lifting assembly, the die lifting assembly including a handle member operatively coupled to the die; and wherein, when the handle member is depressed by a user, the die is configured to be raised out of the strapping pass line of the strapping tool.
In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the motive power source comprises one of: (i) a pneumatic motor, (ii) an electric motor, and (iii) a liquid fuel-based motor.
In an alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the strapping tool further comprises a tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly is configured to apply tension to the piece of strapping, and wherein the motive power source supplies power to both the sealing assembly and the tensioning assembly by means of a drive shaft.
In a second alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the strapping tool further comprises one or more one-way bearings disposed on the drive shaft so as to enable the tensioning assembly to be actuated by rotating the drive shaft in a first rotational direction and the sealing assembly may be actuated by rotating the drive shaft in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction.
In a second alternate embodiment of the strapping tool described immediately above, the strapping tool further comprises a single control button configured to control the operation of both the tensioning assembly and the scaling assembly.
In yet another further embodiment of the present invention, the scaling assembly further comprises an additional die that is configured to remain stationary.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
It should be understood all references to direction and position in the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the strapping tools as presented in the drawings. For example, in
Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.
The following reference characters identify the associated elements depicted in the drawings describing the present invention:
A first illustrative embodiment of the strapping tool is seen generally at 100 in
Initially with reference to the illustrative embodiment of
In the illustrative embodiment, the internal components of the sealing assembly 94 are housed within the front housing member 10 of the strapping tool 100. The internal components of the tensioning assembly 96 are housed behind and protected by cover plate 70. The front housing member 10 encloses the constituent components of the sealing assembly 94. Also, as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the strapping tool 100 further comprises a control system operatively coupled to the electric motor 78 for controlling the operation of the tensioning and sealing assemblies 96, 94. As shown, the control system of the illustrative strapping tool 100 includes a single control button 90 configured to control the operation of both the tensioning assembly 96 and the sealing assembly 94 (i.e., when depressed by a user, the control button 90 initiates the tensioning and sealing operations of the strapping tool 100). Although, while a single control button 90 is used in the illustrative embodiment, in other alternative embodiments, the control system of the strapping tool 100 may include a plurality of control buttons or manual controls for controlling the tensioning and sealing operations of the tool 100. In these alternative embodiments, at least a first one of the control buttons may be configured to control the operation of the tensioning assembly 96, while at least a second one of the control buttons may be configured to control the operation of the sealing assembly 94. In the illustrative embodiment, the control system of the strapping tool 100 further comprises a microcontroller for performing the central processing operations for the control of the strapping tool 100.
Referring now to
Driver assembly further includes 5:1 gear reducer 114 for controlling rotational power received from drive shaft 118. The rear spline 30 is on the input side of the gear reducer 114, while the front spline 32 is on the output side of the gear reducer 114. The cutter actuator 67 is also driven by the drive shaft 118 that provides power to the sealing assembly 94 and the tensioning assembly 96. The cutter actuator 67 revolves around the drive shaft 118 and physically pushes the cutting blade 50 down through the strapping, thereby slicing the excess end portion of the strap so that it can be removed from the remainder of the strap.
As shown in the exploded view of
As shown in
Referring again to
While one-way bearings 115, 116 are utilized in the illustrative embodiment for regulating the tensioning, sealing, and cutting operations of the strapping tool 100, other means for controlling the directional rotation of the punch and die actuator 110 may be used. For example, in one or more alternative embodiments, a clutch subassembly may be operatively coupled to the drive shaft 118 rather than the one-way bearings 115, 116 so as to enable the tensioning assembly 96 to be actuated by rotating the drive shaft 118 in a first rotational direction and the sealing assembly 94 and the cutting operations to be actuated by rotating the drive shaft 118 in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction. As another example, in one or more other alternative embodiments, a one-way ratchet subassembly or one-way indexing subassembly may be operatively coupled to the cam drive shaft 118 rather than the one-way bearings 115, 116 so as to enable the tensioning assembly 96 to be actuated by rotating the drive shaft 118 in a first rotational direction and the sealing assembly 94 and the cutting operations to be actuated by rotating the drive shaft 118 in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction.
In the illustrative embodiment, the motive power source 78 is in the form of electric motor powered by the battery pack 80. However, in other embodiments, other types of motive power sources may be used, such as pneumatic motors, liquid fuel-based motors (e.g., gasoline-powered motors), motors driven by mechanical spring assemblies, and manually-actuated power sources (e.g., a power source driven by the turning of a crank by user, etc.).
Also, while a single electric motor 78 drives both the tensioning assembly 96 and the sealing assembly 94 in the illustrative embodiment, separate motors may be used for the tensioning and sealing assemblies 96, 94 in alternative embodiments.
Next, with reference primarily to
Now, with reference primarily to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It should be understood that the phases of the sealing operation described with respect to
In an alternative embodiment, the punches 20 and 22 may be configured to be driven down in unison, rather than the front punch 20 being thrust downward into the seal member 106 prior to the rear punch 22 being thrust downward into the seal member 106.
A second illustrative embodiment 200 of a strapping tool is illustrated in
Strapping tool 200 comprises a stationary die 216 and a moveable die 217. Stationary die 216 is permanently disposed such that it may cooperate with front punch 20 and/or rear punch 22 whenever either or both are thrust downward to create notches in seal member 106.
Moveable die 217 of strapping tool 200 is similar to right die 16b of strapping tool 100 in that each such die may be automatically rotated into a position to cooperate with front punch 20 and/or rear punch 22 to create notches in seal member 106. During the scaling operation of strapping tool 200, similar to strapping tool 100, motive power source 78 rotates drive shaft 118 which in turn rotates punch and die actuator 110. Through its rotation, punch and die actuator 110 cooperates with follower 228 to automatically rotate moveable die 217 into proper position for notching seal member 106.
A third illustrative embodiment 300 of a strapping tool is illustrated in
Similar to strapping tool 200, strapping tool 300 comprises a stationary die 316 and a moveable die 317. Stationary die 316 is permanently disposed such that it may cooperate with front punch 20 and/or rear punch 22 whenever either or both are thrust downward to create notches in seal member 106.
Moveable die 317 of strapping tool 300 is similar to moveable die 217 of strapping tool 200 in that it may be rotated into a position to cooperate with front punch 20 and/or rear punch 22 to create notches in seal member 106. The mechanism for performing such rotation, however, is different from either of strapping tools 100 and 200. A user manually causes movable die 317 to be rotated into its operative position. Specifically, strapping tool 300 comprises a displaceable handle portion 386 disposed above stationary handle portion 388. The front of displaceable handle portion is linked to actuator link 328 which in turn is linked to moveable die 317. When a user depresses displaceable handle portion 386, actuator link 328 is lifted and moveable die 317 is rotated into proper position for notching seal member 106. As with illustrative strapping tools 100 and 200, automated operation of punches 20 and 22 are controlled by motor 78.
In an alternative embodiment, both dies of the sealing assembly may be configured to remain stationary, rather than one or both dies being displaced.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention
While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.
This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/100,027, entitled “Strapping Tool”, filed on Jan. 23, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/332,768, entitled “Strapping Tool”, filed on May 27, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,560,247, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/030,469, entitled “Strapping Tool”, filed on May 27, 2020, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. This patent application also incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/282,235, entitled “Strapping Tool”, filed on Feb. 21, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,130,598, and U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/804,415, entitled “Strapping Tensioning And Sealing Tool”, filed on Nov. 6, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,745,158.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63030469 | May 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 18100027 | Jan 2023 | US |
Child | 18594607 | US | |
Parent | 17332768 | May 2021 | US |
Child | 18100027 | US |