The following description relates to a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a hose clamp or band and an attachment for the tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching the band.
Hoses are often connected to fittings using cam and groove fittings that require a clamp or band to be secured around the hose to secure the hose to the fitting. One example of such a hose to fitting connection is on the end of a water transfer hose.
A typical hose clamp includes a band that is formed into a loop or circle and a seal that holds the loop. The seal encircles the overlapped courses of band. To secure the band onto the hose, a tail end of the band is bent up against the edge of the seal (forming a J-seal) and is cut just beyond the J-seal.
One known tool is described and disclosed in Marelin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,726 and includes a screw actuated drive which can be fitted to a hand-held drill. One drawback to such a device is that the tool requires the user to hammer the seal closed and to return a gripper portion to a home position to remove the band and to tension a subsequent band. In addition, there is no consistent way in which to determine the initial tension of the band on the hose.
Another tool is a manual tool in which a lead screw is used to facilitate tensioning. In this tool, again, there is no way in which to determine whether proper tension has been reached. In addition, if the lead screw has been fully threaded but tension has not yet been reached, the gripper has to be reset to complete tensioning.
Other tools have limited take up and/or can only be used in low tension systems. In other tools, tension in the band may be released or reduced when the band is either cut or moved to a position to be cut and/or sealed.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tool or an attachment for the tool for tensioning, cutting, and/or sealing a hose clamp or band while minimizing tension loss in a clamping loop formed by the band. In addition, it may be desirable to provide a tool or attachment for the tool to punch the seal on a hose clamp or band while the band is tensioned. Further still, it may be desirable to provide interchangeable attachments for the tool to perform different functions, such as tensioning, cutting, sealing and/or punching.
According to one aspect, there is provided an attachment for a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band-type clamp. The tool includes a nose piece into which a tail of a band for tensioning around a load is fed and the attachment includes a main body configured for attachment to the tool, the main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot. The attachment also includes a blade having a contact surface and a cutting edge, the blade movably positioned in the blade guide, and a blade biasing element positioned in the blade guide between a portion of the blade and the main body to urge the blade in a predetermined direction.
According to another aspect, there is provided a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band-type clamp. The tool includes a tool body and a nose piece connected to the tool body. The nose piece is configured to receive a tail of a band for tensioning the band around an object. The tool also includes an operating lever having a pivot end pivotably secured to the nose piece, the operating lever having a camming portion at the pivot end and an attachment secured to the nose piece. The attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot, a blade having a contact surface and a cutting edge, the blade movably positioned in the blade guide, and a blade biasing element positioned in the blade guide between a portion of the blade and the main body to urge the blade in a predetermined direction. Rotation of the operating lever in a first direction causes the camming portion to contact the contact surface of the blade and move the blade within the blade guide toward the band guide slot.
According to still another aspect, there is provided an attachment for a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band-type clamp, the tool having a nose piece into which a tail of a band for tensioning around an object is fed. The attachment includes a main body configured for attachment to the tool, the main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed, a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body, the punch mechanism having a punch guide with a longitudinal passageway and a punch tool at least partially positioned within the passageway and configured for reciprocal movement within the passageway, and a return spring positioned in the passageway configured to urge the punch tool in a predetermined direction.
According to yet another aspect, there is provided a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band-type clamp. The tool includes a tool body, a nose piece connected to the tool body, the nose piece configured to receive a tail of a band for tensioning the band around load, and an attachment secured to the nose piece. The attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed, a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body, the punch mechanism including a punch guide having a longitudinal passageway and a punch tool at least partially positioned within the passageway and configured for reciprocal movement within the passageway, and a return spring positioned in the passageway configured to urge the punch tool in a predetermined direction. The punch tool is configured to receive an external force to move the punch tool within the punch guide to impact and punch the band.
According to still another aspect, there is provided a method of forming a clamp from a band of material with a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching the band. The tool includes a tool body and a nose piece connected to the tool body. The nose piece is configured to receive a tail of the band for tensioning the band around an object. The tool also includes an operating lever pivotably secured to the nose piece, the operating lever having a camming portion at a pivot end and an attachment secured to the nose piece. The attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed and a blade guide intersecting the band guide slot. The attachment further includes a blade having an external contact surface and a cutting edge, the blade movably positioned in the blade guide, and a blade biasing element positioned in the blade guide between a portion of the blade and the main body to urge the blade in a predetermined direction. The method includes forming the band into a loop, disposing a buckle on the band so that the loop defines a clamp and a tail extends from the clamp, inserting the tail into the band guide slot of the attachment, rotating the clamp or tool so as to form a transverse bend in the tail, actuating the operating lever to cut the tail with the blade, folding over a remaining portion of the tail on to the buckle and/or band material, and folding opposing tabs of the buckle on to the folded over remaining tail.
According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method of punching a seal in a band of material with a tool for tensioning, cutting and/or punching a band-type clamp, the band having a clamp loop and a tail. The tool includes a tool body and a nose piece connected to the tool body. The nose piece is configured to receive the tail of the band for tensioning the band around a load. The tool also includes an attachment secured to the nose piece. The attachment includes a main body having a band guide slot extending in a direction in which the band is fed, a punch mechanism rotatably mounted on the main body, the punch mechanism having a punch guide with a longitudinal passageway and a punch tool at least partially positioned within the passageway and configured for reciprocal movement within the passageway. The attachment also includes a return spring positioned in the passageway configured to urge the punch tool in a predetermined direction. The method includes inserting the tail of the band into the attachment and the nose piece, tensioning the clamp of the band with the tool, applying an impact to the punch tool to drive the punch tool within the punch guide so as to punch the band at a seal and rotating the clamp or the tool back-and-forth to separate the tail from the clamp.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.
While the present device is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the figures and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the device and is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated.
Referring to
A motor 28 is operably connected to the powertrain 14, which in turn is operably connected to the feed wheel 24 by a drive shaft 30. The powertrain 14 converts the rotational movement of the motor 28 to provide a desired power (torque) to the feed wheel 24 for tensioning of the band B.
The nose piece 22 is a carriage that is moveably mounted or connected to the tool body 12, preferably pivotally mounted, by a pivot pin 32. The nose piece 22 includes a pair of rollers 34a and 34b which function as pinch wheels to pinch the band B between the rollers 34a and 34b and the feed wheel 24. The nose piece 22 is mounted to the body 12 by a biasing element 36, such as the illustrated spring to bias the rollers 34a and 34b toward and into contact with the feed wheel 24. The rollers 34a and 34b are mounted to the nose piece 22 by roller pins 38. Two rollers 34a and 34b are provided to increase the surface area over which the band B contacts the feed wheel 24. This can reduce milling of the band B and allow tension to be drawn on softer band B materials.
A connecting plate 40 mounts to an end of the drive shaft 30 and to the pivot pin 32 that mounts the nose piece 22 to the body 12. In this arrangement, the feed wheel 24 and nose piece 22 are secured to the tool 10, and the nose piece 22 can pivot about the pivot pin 32 to bring the rollers 34a and 34b into contact with the feed wheel 24.
An alignment or guide plate 42 is mounted to a front lower portion of the nose piece 22. The alignment plate 42 is configured to provide a guide for the tail T of the band B (see
The operating lever 26 is mounted to the nose piece 22. The lever 26 includes an elongated handle 48 and a camming portion 50. The camming portion 50, which is at a pivot end of the lever 26 may include a cradle 52 that includes a lip 54, a support surface 56 and a pivot or contact corner 58. The lever 26 is mounted to the nose piece 22 by a pivot pin 60. The camming portion 50 can be an element separate from the lever 26 and secured thereto by fasteners or pins 51 to facilitate replacement of the cutter portion 50. Alternatively, the camming portion 50 can be formed integral with the lever 26.
In use, a band B having a clamp C and a seal S (see
The motor 28 is actuated to turn the feed wheel 24. The spring 36 biases nose piece 22 and thus the roller 34a and 34b toward the feed wheel 24 to capture the end tail T between the feed wheel 24 and the rollers 34a and 34b. In addition, as the seal S begins to move into the nose piece 22, the clamping force on the band B is increased by further urging the nosepiece 22 (and rollers 34a and 34b) against the band B and into the feed wheel 24.
As the feed wheel 24 rotates, it draws tension in the band B, tightening the band B, and in particular, the clamp C, around the hose. When a predetermined tension is reached, the motor 28 stops, but the drivetrain 14 maintains tension in the band B. The feed wheel 24 then reverses slightly, but not so much as to lose tension in the band B. The motor 28 may be operatively connected to, and controlled by, the controller 18, such that the controller 18 may stop the motor 28 when a desired tension is reached. It is understood that this is example is non-limiting, and the motor may be operated and controlled by other mechanisms, for example, a manually operated dial or trigger.
Referring to
Referring to
The main body 112 further includes a mounting section 122 configured to be secured to the nose piece 22 of the tool 10. The mounting section 122 may include, for example, one or more openings 124 configured to receive a fastening element, such as, but not limited to, a threaded fastener. In one embodiment, the main body 112 may be secured to the nose piece 22 by the screws 46 described above and shown in
The main body 112 also includes a band guide slot 126 extending through the main body 112 and having an open end 128 configured to receive the band B. The band guide slot 126 defines a path along which a tail T of the band B may be received, held and fed to nose piece 22 of the tool 10 for tensioning of the band B. The band guide slot 126 may be defined, at least in part, by the mounting section 122 and the alignment plate 42. It is understood that the alignment plate 42 described above and shown in
The main body 112 may also include a lateral fastening bore 132 formed in one side thereof. In one embodiment, the fastening bore 132 is formed in a lateral side of the main body 112 and extends along an axis extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the band B, i.e., a direction in which the band B is fed. The fastening bore 132 is configured to receive a retaining fastener 134, such as a threaded fastener, including, but not limited to, a set screw. The retaining fastener 134 may be received in, and extend through, the main body 112, and into the blade guide 120.
The blade 114 includes a cutting edge 136 configured to engage and cut the tail T of the band B received in the band guide slot 126. The blade 114 may also include a blade seat 138 opposing the main body seat 118. Accordingly, one side of the blade biasing element 116 may be seated against the seat 118 of the main body 112 (formed within the blade guide 120), and another side of the biasing element 116 may be seated against the blade seat 138. The blade 114 may further include a contact surface 140 that is configured to be engaged by the operating lever 26. In one embodiment, the contact surface is contacted by the camming portion 50 of the operating lever 26 to move the blade 114 in the blade guide 120. The contact surface 140 is formed at an opposite side of the blade 114 from the cutting edge 136. In one embodiment, the contact surface 140 may angled at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an axis of movement of the blade 114. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration.
The blade 114 may further include a slotted retaining recess 142 having an end wall 144. The retaining fastener 134 may be received in the slotted retaining recess 142 on the blade 114. The retaining fastener 134 may abut against the end wall 144 of the slotted retaining recess 142 to retain blade 114 in the blade guide 120 to limit movement of blade 114 in one direction. That is, the retaining fastener 134 is configured to retain the blade 114 in the blade guide 120 against the biasing force from the biasing element 116. In one embodiment, the biasing element 116 biases the blade 114 outwardly from the blade guide 120, so that the contact surface 140 projects outwardly from the blade guide 120.
To secure the band and buckle attachment 110 on the tool 10, the band and buckle attachment 110 may be properly positioned relative to the nose piece 22, such that the mounting section 122, and in particular, the openings 124 of the mounting section 122, are aligned with corresponding openings on the nose piece 22. The alignment plate 42 (or 130) is positioned between the mounting section 122 and the nose piece 22. The fasteners, for example, the screws 46 may then be inserted through mounting section 122, the alignment plate 42 (or 130) and received in the nose piece 22 to secure the band and buckle attachment 110 to the nose piece 22 (see
Alternatively, with reference to
Referring to
The guide mount 318 may include opposed ears 324, each ear having an opening 326 therein. The respective openings 326 may be axially aligned and configured to receive a pivot pin 328 therethrough. The opposed ears 324 are spaced from one another.
Still referring to
The punch mechanism 314 includes a punch tool 336. The punch guide 330 may also include a longitudinal passageway 338 formed therein. The longitudinal passageway 338 of the punch guide 330 is configured to receive and guide the punch tool 336 for reciprocal movement within the punch guide 330. The punch tool 336 includes a contact surface 340 and a punch surface 342. The contact surface 340 is configured to receive an external force, for example from a hammer or similar impact tool, to drive the punch tool 336 within the passageway 338. The punch surface 342 may be positioned at an end of the punch tool 336 opposite from the contact surface 340. The punch surface 342 includes an impact head 344. In one embodiment, the impact head 344 may be formed as a point or tip. However, it is understood that different configurations are also envisioned. The impact head 344 is configured to selectively engage the band B to punch an indentation into the band B.
In one embodiment, the punch tool 336 may be formed in two parts: a punch head 346 and a punch tip 348. The contact surface 340 is formed on the punch head 346 and the impact head 344 is formed on the punch tip 348. At least a portion of the punch tip 348 may be received within the punch head 346, and secured therein using a known suitable fastener, such as, but not limited to, a ball bearing 350. The punch head 346 may be retained in the punch guide 330 by one or more set screws 360, received in respective retaining slots 362 on the punch head 346. The set screws 360 allow for movement of the punch head 346 in the passageway 338 while retaining the punch head 346 against inadvertent removal from the punch guide 330.
A return spring 352 may be positioned in the punch guide 330. In one embodiment, the return spring 352 is positioned in the longitudinal passageway 338 of the punch guide 330. The punch tool 336 is positioned in the punch guide 330 with the punch tip 348 extending through a central opening of the return spring 352.
The assembled punch mechanism 314, i.e., the punch guide 330 and punch tool 336, may be positioned relative to the guide mount 318 such that the external knuckle 332 of the punch guide 330 is positioned between the spaced apart opposing ears 324 of the guide mount 318. The pivot pin 328 is then inserted through the respective openings 326, 334 of the spaced apart opposing ears 324 and the external knuckle 332. Accordingly, the punch mechanism 314 may be rotated relative to the guide mount 318, and in turn, the main body 312, about an axis defined by the pivot pin 328 between a first position (see
The band punch attachment 310 further includes a stabilizing spring 354. The stabilizing spring may be, for example, a torsion spring having a first end abutting the main body 312 and a second end abutting the punch mechanism 314. The stabilizing spring 354 is configured to urge the punch mechanism 314 to, and maintain the punch mechanism in, the first position (see
Referring still to
Referring again to
The tension select knob 62 may be moved between different positions corresponding to different desired tension levels. In addition, the tension select knob 62 may be moved to a mode change position. With the tension select knob 62 in the mode change position, the mode select button 510 may be operated as described below to change the operating mode of the tool 10.
The second mode may be a band and buckle mode. In the band and buckle mode, the tool 10 may tension the band B to the selected or desired limit, and/or slightly reverse the band B. The tool 10 may enter the second mode in response to two presses of the mode select button 510. The indicator 64 may blink two times in response to two presses of the mode select button 510. This mode corresponds to use of the tool with the band and buckle attachment 110 described above.
The third mode may be a band punch mode. In the band punch mode, the tool 10 may tension the band B to the selected or desired limit. The tool 10 may enter the third mode in response to three presses of the mode select button 510. The indicator 64 may blink three times in response to three presses of the mode select button 510. This mode corresponds to use of the tool with the band punch attachment 310 described above.
Once a mode is selected using the mode select button 510, the tension select knob 62 may be moved out of the mode change position to a desired tension level.
In the embodiments above, the attachments 110, 310 may be used to build on a battery operated tool platform that allows use on major clamping systems. The attachments 110, 310 may also allow unlimited take up for a preform center punch and band and buckle clamps. Further, the embodiments above allow for electronically controlled tension, so that custom tension settings are based on preform and band and buckle characteristics. Operating modes, i.e., tensioning scenarios, may be changed for different attachments 110, 310 that are used with tool 10. Further still, repeatable tensioning may be allowed for, reducing user feel. The band and buckle attachment 110 also utilizes an existing handle, i.e., operating lever 26, to actuate the cutting mechanism, i.e., the blade 114. The platform will also allow these attachments 110, 310 to be used while bench mounted.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative directional terms such as upper, lower, rearward, forward and the like are for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.
In the present disclosure, the words βaβ or βanβ are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/676,462, filed Apr. 1, 2015, which claims the benefit of and priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/001,382, filed May 21, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Entry |
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ITW Strapbinder catalogue entry from http://clamps.itwstrapbinder.com/viewitems/tensioning-tools-for-hose-and-sign-securement/spin-tight-tools. |
ITW Strapbinder catalogue entry from http://clamps.itwstrapbinder.com/viewitems/tensioning-tools-for-hose-and-sign-securement/center-punch-tools. |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180346160 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62001382 | May 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14676462 | Apr 2015 | US |
Child | 16059362 | US |