End machine

Abstract

This technology provides an improved user experience for strapping machines. [Solution] The strapping machine comprises a housing that defines a storage space capable of accommodating a reel, a cover member that is movable between an open position that opens the storage space and a closed position that closes the storage space, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a projection provided on one of the housing and the cover member, a locking member attached to the other of the housing and the cover member and movable between a locked position in which it interferes with the projection when the cover member moves from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position in which it does not interfere with the projection when the cover member moves from the closed position to the open position, and a locking biasing member that biases the locking member toward the locked position. When the cover member moves from the open position to the closed position, the projection presses against the locking member via an inclined surface, causing the locking member to move from the locked position toward the unlocked position against the biasing force of the locking biasing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , ,

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a bundling machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bundling machine that bundles an object to be bundled using a wire. The bundling machine defines an accommodation space capable of accommodating a reel including the wire and a bobbin around which the wire is wound, and supports the reel accommodated in the accommodation space rotatably around a predetermined reel rotation axis. A housing, a cover member rotatably attached to the housing around a predetermined cover rotation axis and movable between an open position for opening the accommodation space and a closed position for closing the accommodation space, and a locking mechanism for locking the cover member in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a locking member attached to the housing and movable between a locking position that interferes with the cover member when the cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position and an unlocking position that does not interfere with the cover member when the cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Normally, a strapping machine is used with the cover member locked in the closed position by a locking member (also called the cover-locked state). On the other hand, when attaching, detaching, or replacing a reel, the strapping machine is used with the cover member moved to the open position (also called the cover-open state). In the strapping machine described in Patent Document 1, two operations are required to return the strapping machine from the cover-open state to the cover-locked state: closing the cover member and moving the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position. This may result in the strapping machine being inconvenient to use. This specification provides a technology that can improve the usability of a strapping machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A binding machine disclosed herein comprises a housing that defines a housing space capable of housing a reel including the wire and a bobbin around which the wire is wound, and supports the reel housed in the housing space so as to be rotatable around a predetermined reel rotation axis; a cover member that is rotatably mounted to the housing around a predetermined cover rotation axis and is movable between an open position that opens the housing space and a closed position that closes the housing space; and a locking mechanism for locking the cover member in the closed position. The locking mechanism comprises a projection provided on one of the housing and the cover member; a locking member attached to the other of the housing and the cover member and movable between a locked position in which the cover member interferes with the projection when it moves from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position in which the cover member does not interfere with the projection when it moves from the closed position to the open position; and a locking biasing member that biases the locking member toward the locked position. At least one of the projection and the locking member has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cover member moves from the open position to the closed position. When the cover member moves from the open position to the closed position, the projection presses against the locking member via the inclined surface, causing the locking member to move from the locked position to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the locking biasing member.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the cover member of the strapping machine is moved from the open position to the closed position, the locking member moves over the projection via the unlocked position, and then the locking member is moved to the locked position by the biasing force of the locking biasing member. As a result, the strapping machine returns to the cover-locked state. Therefore, with the above configuration, the strapping machine can be returned from the cover-open state to the cover-locked state with a single operation of moving the cover member from the open position to the closed position. This improves the usability of the strapping machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a view of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, with the cover locked, as seen from the rear, upper left. [Figure 2] This is a view of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, with the cover open, as seen from the front, lower left. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the reel 22 attached to the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a view of the cover member 18 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, seen from the front, lower right. [Figure 5] This is a view of the cover member 18 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, seen from the front, lower right. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the structure near the locking mechanism 20 when the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment is in the cover-locked state, viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the structure near the locking mechanism 20 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, in the unlocked state, viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the structure near the locking mechanism 20 during the process in which the cover member 18 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment moves from the open position to the closed position, viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 9]This diagram shows the structure near the locking mechanism 20 during the process in which the cover member 18 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment moves from the open position to the closed position, viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 10] This is a view of the lever 52 of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, seen from the front, upper, and left. [Figure 11] This is a view of the lower part of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment, seen from the rear, lower, and right. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the structure near the storage space 24 when the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment is in the open position, viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 13] This diagram shows the internal structure of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Representative and non-limiting examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is intended simply to show those skilled in the art details for carrying out preferred examples of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the disclosed additional features and inventions may be used separately from or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide a further improved binding machine.

[0009] Furthermore, the combinations of features and processes disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for carrying out the present invention in the broadest sense, and are described solely to illustrate representative examples of the present invention. Moreover, the various features of the following representative examples, as well as the various features described in the claims, do not necessarily have to be combined in the same way as the examples described herein, or in the order listed, to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] All features described herein and / or in the claims are intended to be disclosed individually and independently of each other, as limitations to the specific matters described in the original disclosure and in the claims, separate from the features described in the examples and / or in the claims. Furthermore, all descriptions of numerical ranges and groups or clusters are intended to disclose intermediate configurations as limitations to the specific matters described in the original disclosure and in the claims.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the projection may be provided on the housing. The locking member may be attached to the cover member.

[0012] When switching the strapping machine from the cover-locked state to the cover-open state, the user moves the cover member toward the open position while maintaining the locking member in the unlocked position. With the above configuration, since the locking member is attached to the cover member, the locking member moves together with the cover member. Therefore, the user can move the cover member toward the open position with one hand while maintaining the locking member in the unlocked position with the other hand. Thus, the user can switch the strapping machine from the cover-locked state to the cover-open state with one hand. This improves the usability of the strapping machine.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the binding machine may further include a grip for the user to grasp. When the binding machine binds the object to be bound, the direction in which the object to be bound is located relative to the binding machine is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the binding machine is located relative to the object to be bound is defined as the rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the direction in which the grip extends is defined as the left-right direction, the reel rotation axis may extend along the left-right direction.

[0014] The size of the reel in the axial direction of the reel rotation axis is compact compared to the size of the reel in the radial direction of the reel rotation axis. According to the above configuration, since the reel rotation axis is arranged along the left - right direction, the size of the reel becomes compact in the left - right direction. Thereby, the size of the housing for accommodating the reel can be made compact in the left - right direction.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the locking mechanism may further include a lever that rotates around a predetermined lever rotation axis. The lever may include an operation piece operated by the user, and a locking piece disposed on the side opposite to the operation piece as viewed from the lever rotation axis and functioning as the locking member. When the cover member is in the closed position, the lever rotation axis may extend along the left - right direction.

[0016] If the operation piece is made long in a direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis, when the user pushes the operation piece to move the locking piece, the force required to push in the operation piece can be reduced. However, when the operation piece is made long, the shape of the housing or the cover member to which the lever is attached may become distorted. The housing or the cover member tends to be formed in a shape along the reel for the convenience of accommodating the reel. Therefore, the shape of the housing or the cover member is generally compact in the direction in which the reel rotation axis extends (i.e., the left - right direction) and large in the direction perpendicular to the reel rotation axis (i.e., the front - back, up - down direction). According to the above configuration, the lever rotation axis extends along the left - right direction. For this reason, even if the length of the operation piece is made long in the direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis (i.e., the front - back, up - down direction), since the housing or the cover member is larger in that direction originally, there is no need to greatly change the shape of the housing or the cover member. Therefore, even if the operation piece is made long in the direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis, the shape of the housing or the cover member does not become distorted. Thereby, the force required to push in the operation piece can be reduced without distorting the shape of the housing or the cover member.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the tying machine may further include a battery attachment portion provided at a lower portion of the grip and configured to removably attach a battery pack that supplies power to the tying machine. The operating piece may be disposed in front of the battery pack attached to the battery attachment portion.

[0018] For convenience of attaching and detaching the battery pack to and from the tying machine, a space may be provided around the battery pack. According to the above configuration, the operating piece is disposed in front of the battery pack. Therefore, the finger of the user who operates the operating piece can be moved away from the space around the battery pack. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the finger of the user who operates the operating piece from interfering with the tying machine.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the cover rotation axis may be disposed on a plane parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the cover member can be opened toward the side of the tying machine (i.e., the left direction or the right direction). Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to open the cover member with the side surface of the tying machine facing the user.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the storage space may be disposed in front of the grip.

[0022] If there is a heavy object behind the grip, it may be difficult to operate the tying machine while holding the grip. According to the above configuration, when the reel, which is a heavy object, is stored in the storage space, it is disposed in front of the grip. This makes it easier to operate the tying machine while holding the grip.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the tying machine may further include a cover biasing member that biases the cover member toward the closed position.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the force required for the operation of moving the cover member from the open position toward the closed position is reduced by the biasing force of the cover biasing member.

[0025] (Examples) As shown in Figure 1, the rebar tying machine 2 ties multiple rebars R together using wire W. The rebar tying machine 2 comprises a main body 4, a grip 6, a battery mounting section 10, and a reel holder 12. The grip 6 is a cylindrical member for the operator to grasp. The grip 6 is located on the lower rear side of the main body 4. The grip 6 is integrally formed with the main body 4. A trigger 14 for causing the rebar tying machine 2 to perform a tying operation is attached to the upper front side of the grip 6. The battery mounting section 10 is located below the grip 6. The battery mounting section 10 is integrally formed with the grip 6. A battery pack B for supplying power to the rebar tying machine 2 is detachably attached to the battery mounting section 10. The battery pack B is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The reel holder 12 is located on the lower front side of the main body 4. The reel holder 12 is located in front of the grip 6. In this embodiment, when the rebar tying machine 2 ties the rebar R, the direction in which the rebar R is located as seen from the rebar tying machine 2 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the rebar tying machine 2 is located as seen from the rebar R is defined as the rear direction, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the direction in which the grip 6 extends is defined as the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as the up-down direction.

[0026] The top surface of the main unit 4 is equipped with a power switch 4a for turning the power of the rebar tying machine 2 on and off, a setting switch 4b for changing various settings such as the tying force of the rebar tying machine 2, and a display unit 4c for displaying information regarding the current settings of the rebar tying machine 2.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the reel holder 12 comprises a holder housing 16, a cover member 18, and a locking mechanism 20. The holder housing 16 is located at the front lower part of the main body 4, in front of the battery mounting portion 10. The holder housing 16 defines a storage space 24 for accommodating the reel 22. The storage space 24 is located in front of the grip 6. The cover member 18 is located on the left side of the rebar tying machine 2. The cover member 18 is attached to the holder housing 16 so as to be rotatable around a cover rotation axis AX1 via a shaft 26 (see Figure 1) located above the storage space 24. The cover rotation axis AX1 is located on a plane that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The cover rotation axis AX1 is inclined at 10 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction. The cover member 18 is movable between an open position (position shown in Figure 2) that opens the storage space 24 and a closed position (position shown in Figure 1) that closes the storage space 24. Figure 2 shows the cover member 18 in its fully open position. In this position, the first contact surface 28 on the cover member 18 (see Figure 1) and the second contact surface 30 on the holder housing 16 (see Figure 1) come into contact with each other, preventing the cover member 18 from being opened any further. The rotation angle of the cover member 18 from the closed position at this time is 120 degrees. Hereafter, the rotation angle of the cover member 18 from the closed position will also be referred to as the "opening angle".

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the reel 22 includes a bobbin 32 and a wire W wound around the bobbin 32. The bobbin 32 comprises a body 34 around which the wire W is wound, a left flange 36 extending radially outward from the left end of the body 34, a right flange 38 extending radially outward from the right end of the body 34, a recess 40 recessed to the left from the right surface of the body 34, and an identification projection 42 protruding to the right from the bottom surface of the recess 40.

[0029] The reel 22 is attached to the reel holder 12 with a support cylinder 44 (see Figure 2) provided inside the holder housing 16 receiving into a recess 40. The reel 22 is rotatably supported by the support cylinder 44 around a reel rotation axis AX2 that extends in the left-right direction. The reel 22 is also attached to the reel holder 12 with the left end of the body portion 34 in contact with a support 46 (see Figure 2) provided on the cover member 18.

[0030] The length of the identification projection 42 is set to a different length for each type of reel 22. Therefore, the type of reel 22 can be identified based on the length of the identification projection 42. The types of reel 22 referred to here are classified by, for example, the diameter of the wire W, the material of the wire W, the presence or absence of a covering material covering the wire W and the material of the covering material, the presence or absence of surface treatment on the wire W and the content of the surface treatment. The rebar tying machine 2 (see Figure 1) is also equipped with a wire type detection device (not shown) that detects the type of reel 22 by detecting the length of the identification projection 42 of the reel 22 attached to the reel holder 12 (see Figure 1). The wire type detection device is housed, for example, inside a support cylinder 44 (see Figure 2).

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the locking mechanism 20 comprises a lever 52 and a coil spring 54. The cover member 18 comprises a cover body 56 that covers the reel 22 (see Figure 3) and a lever support portion 58 formed at the lower part of the cover body 56.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the lever support portion 58 includes a shaft hole 58a into which the shaft 60 is inserted, and a bush hole 58b for housing a ring bush 61 fixed to the shaft 60. The shaft 60 is also inserted into a shaft hole 64 provided in the lever 52. The lever support portion 58 rotatably supports the lever 52 via the shaft 60.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the lever 52 is rotatable around a lever rotation axis AX3 that extends in the left-right direction relative to the lever support portion 58. The lever 52 includes an operating piece 62 positioned rearward when viewed from the lever rotation axis AX3, and a locking piece 66 positioned forward when viewed from the lever rotation axis AX3. Note that Figure 4 illustrates the front, back, up, down, left, and right directions when the cover member 18 is in the closed position.

[0034] The coil spring 54 is supported by a first support projection 68 protruding upward from the upper surface of the operating piece 62 and a second support projection 70 protruding downward from the lower surface of the cover body 56. The coil spring 54 biases the operating piece 62 downward relative to the cover body 56. As a result, a moment acts on the lever 52 that causes it to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the right, about the shaft 60. The locking piece 66 is positioned on the opposite side of the operating piece 62 when viewed from the lever rotation axis AX3, and is therefore biased upward by the moment acting on the lever 52. The lever 52 also further includes a first contact wall 72 protruding upward from the upper surface of the locking piece 66. The cover member 18 further includes a second contact wall 74 protruding downward from the lower surface of the cover body 56. The upper end of the first contact wall 72 and the lower end of the second contact wall 74 come into contact with each other, preventing the locking piece 66 from moving any further upward. Therefore, when the user does not operate the lever 52, the lever 52 is held in a position where the upper end of the first contact wall 72 and the lower end of the second contact wall 74 are in contact with each other due to the biasing force of the coil spring 54. In this embodiment, the position of the lock piece 66 at this time is also called the "locked position".

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the locking mechanism 20 further includes an engaging projection 76 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the holder housing 16. When the cover member 18 is in the closed position and the locking piece 66 is in the locked position, the first locking surface 78 formed on the locking piece 66 and the second locking surface 80 formed on the engaging projection 76 face each other in the left-right direction. The first locking surface 78 is a plane oriented to the left and extends perpendicularly to the left-right direction. The second locking surface 80 is a plane oriented to the right and extends perpendicularly to the left-right direction. Even if one attempts to move the cover member 18 in the opening direction (i.e., upward to the left), the first locking surface 78 of the locking piece 66 interferes with the second locking surface 80 of the engaging projection 76, preventing the cover member 18 from opening any further. Therefore, the rebar tying machine 2 is in a state where the cover member 18 is locked in the closed position by the locking piece 66 (i.e., cover locked state). From this state, when the user pushes the operating piece 62 (see Figure 4) upward against the biasing force of the coil spring 54 (see Figure 4), the locking piece 66 moves downward from the locked position.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, as the locking piece 66 moves downward, the first locking surface 78 of the locking piece 66 and the second locking surface 80 of the engaging projection 76 eventually cease to face each other in the left-right direction. In this state, the locking piece 66 does not interfere with the engaging projection 76 when opening the cover member 18. In this embodiment, the position of the locking piece 66 at this time is also called the "unlocked position". When the locking piece 66 is in the unlocked position, the cover member 18 is allowed to be opened to the open position.

[0037] For example, the user can hold the rebar tying machine 2 by grasping the grip 6 (see Figure 1) with their right hand, and then push in the operating piece 62 (see Figure 4) with their left hand, while simultaneously moving the cover member 18 together with the operating piece 62 upward and to the left, thereby opening the cover member 18 to the open position. This allows the rebar tying machine 2 to be switched from the cover locked state to the state in which the cover member 18 is open (i.e., the cover open state).

[0038] On the other hand, when returning the rebar tying machine 2 from the open cover state to the locked cover state, the user only needs to move the cover member 18 in the closing direction (i.e., downward to the right) without having to push in the operating piece 62 (see Figure 4).

[0039] As shown in Figure 8, when the cover member 18 is moved in the closing direction, the first inclined surface 82 formed on the locking piece 66 and the second inclined surface 84 formed on the engaging projection 76 come into contact in the left-right direction. The first inclined surface 82 is a plane oriented upward to the right. The first inclined surface 82 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cover member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position. Specifically, the first inclined surface 82 extends from top to bottom as it moves from left to right. The second inclined surface 84 is a plane oriented downward to the left. Similarly, the second inclined surface 84 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cover member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position. Specifically, the second inclined surface 84 extends from top to bottom as it moves from left to right. Therefore, when the cover member 18 is moved in the closing direction, the engaging projection 76 presses the locking piece 66 downward via the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 84. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the locking piece 66 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the coil spring 54 (see Figure 4). If the cover member 18 is moved further in the closing direction from this state, the locking piece 66 overcomes the engaging projection 76. As shown in Figure 6, the locking piece 66 that has overcome the engaging projection 76 is returned to the locked position by the biasing force of the coil spring 54 (see Figure 4). As a result, the rebar tying machine 2 returns to the cover locked state.

[0040] Figure 10 shows the first locking surface 78 and the first inclined surface 82 in stereoscopic view. As mentioned above, the first inclined surface 82 converts the movement of the locking piece 66, which moves to the right together with the cover member 18, into a movement directed downward to the right (see Figure 8). Therefore, the first inclined surface 82 can also be said to be a cam surface that converts the direction of the movement of the locking piece 66.

[0041] As shown in Figure 11, the lever 52 is positioned on the underside of the rebar tying machine 2. The operating piece 62 is positioned in front of the battery pack B, which is attached to the battery mounting section 10. The front of the battery pack B is spaced rearward when viewed from the rear surface of the cover member 18. Therefore, there is space 86 behind the operating piece 62. Even if the user's finger pushing the operating piece 62 extends behind it, the presence of space 86 prevents the finger from interfering with the battery pack B.

[0042] As shown in Figure 12, the rebar tying machine 2 includes a cover biasing mechanism 92 for biasing the cover member 18. The cover biasing mechanism 92 is housed in the holder housing 16 at the top of the housing space 24. The cover biasing mechanism 92 includes a shaft 94 whose position is fixed relative to the holder housing 16, a swinging member 96 that is swingably mounted around the shaft 94, and a coil spring 98 that biases the swinging member 96 relative to the holder housing 16. The shaft 94 extends in a direction parallel to the cover rotation axis AX1. The swinging member 96 includes a plate portion 100 that extends downward when viewed from the shaft 94. The plate portion 100 has a flat plate shape that spreads perpendicularly in the left-right direction. The coil spring 98 biases the plate portion 100 to the left relative to the holder housing 16. The outer circumferential surface of a roller (not shown) that is rotatably mounted to the cover member 18 via a pin 102 abuts against the left surface of the plate portion 100. The roller is positioned on the opposite side of the cover body 56 when viewed from the cover rotation axis AX1. When the cover member 18 moves in the opening direction (i.e., upward to the left), the roller moves downward along the left surface of the plate portion 100. When the cover member 18 moves in the closing direction (i.e., downward to the right), the roller moves upward along the left surface of the plate portion 100. The biasing force of the coil spring 98 acts on the cover member 18 via the plate portion 100 of the oscillating member 96, the roller, and the pin 102.

[0043] When the opening of the cover member 18 exceeds 90 degrees, the reaction force acting on the cover member 18 from the plate portion 100 of the oscillating member 96 (i.e., the biasing force of the coil spring 98) generates a moment that rotates the cover member 18 in the direction of opening. Specifically, a moment is generated that rotates the cover member 18 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, around the cover rotation axis AX1. Therefore, when the user releases their hand from the cover member 18 while the opening of the cover member 18 exceeds 90 degrees, the biasing force of the coil spring 98 moves the cover member 18 toward the open position. As a result, the cover member 18 is held in the open position (specifically, the position where the first contact surface 28 of the cover member 18 and the second contact surface 30 of the holder housing 16 are in contact with each other).

[0044] On the other hand, when the opening of the cover member 18 is less than 90 degrees, the reaction force acting on the cover member 18 from the plate portion 100 of the oscillating member 96 (i.e., the biasing force of the coil spring 98) generates a moment that rotates the cover member 18 in the closing direction. Specifically, a moment is generated that rotates the cover member 18 clockwise when viewed from the front, around the cover rotation axis AX1. Therefore, when the user releases their hand from the cover member 18 when the opening of the cover member 18 is less than 90 degrees, the biasing force of the coil spring 98 moves the cover member 18 toward the closed position. As a result, the cover member 18 is closed to a position where at least the first inclined surface 82 of the locking piece 66 abuts against the second inclined surface 84 of the engaging projection 76 (for example, the position shown in Figure 8). When the user releases their hand from the cover member 18 while the cover member 18 is open to a certain extent (for example, when the cover member 18 is open to 88 degrees or more), the locking piece 66 will overcome the engaging projection 76, and the rebar tying machine 2 will return to the cover-locked state (the state shown in Figure 6). This is because the larger the opening of the cover member 18, the more the coil spring 98 compresses and the greater the restoring force of the coil spring 98 becomes, so the force with which the cover member 18 closes becomes stronger when the user releases their hand from it.

[0045] As shown in Figure 13, the rebar tying machine 2 includes a feeding mechanism 132, a guiding mechanism 134, a cutting mechanism 136, a twisting mechanism 138, a feeding motor 140, and a twisting motor 142.

[0046] The feed mechanism 132 is housed in the front lower part of the main body 4. The feed mechanism 132 includes a feed roller 144. The feed roller 144 is connected to a feed motor 140 via a reduction gear (not shown). When the feed motor 140 rotates, the feed roller 144 rotates. By rotating in the forward direction, the feed roller 144 feeds the wire W out of the bobbin 32 and sends it forward and upward toward the guide mechanism 134. Conversely, by rotating in the reverse direction, the feed roller 144 pulls the wire W back toward the bobbin 32.

[0047] The guide mechanism 134 is located at the front of the main body 4. The guide mechanism 134 comprises an upper curl guide 146 and a lower curl guide 148. When tying the reinforcing bar R, it is positioned between the upper curl guide 146 and the lower curl guide 148. The wire W fed out from the feed roller 144 is first guided by the upper curl guide 146 and passes through the upper curl guide 146 from rear to front. While the wire W passes through the upper curl guide 146, the upper curl guide 146 imparts a downward curl to the wire W. After passing through the upper curl guide 146, the wire W is guided by the lower curl guide 148 and passes through the lower curl guide 148 from front to rear. After that, the wire W moves to the rear upper side. As a result, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bar R.

[0048] The cutting mechanism 136 is housed in the lower part of the main body 4. The cutting mechanism 136 includes a cutter (not shown) that cuts the wire W that is fed from the feeding mechanism 132 to the guide mechanism 134. The cutter cuts the wire W in conjunction with the twisting mechanism 138, which will be described later.

[0049] The torsion mechanism 138 is housed in the main body 4. The torsion mechanism 138 comprises a sleeve unit 150 and a gripping unit 152. The sleeve unit 150 is connected to the torsion motor 142 via a reduction gear (not shown). When the torsion motor 142 rotates, the sleeve unit 150 moves in the front-rear direction or rotates around a rotation axis that extends in the front-rear direction. The gripping unit 152 is located at the front of the torsion mechanism 138. The gripping unit 152 grips a first point of the wire W around the reinforcing bar R when the sleeve unit 150 moves forward. The gripping unit 152 grips a second point of the wire W around the reinforcing bar R that is closer to the base end than the first point when the sleeve unit 150 moves further forward. From this state, the wire W is cut by the cutting mechanism 136, and as the sleeve unit 150 rotates in the forward direction, the gripping unit 152 rotates integrally with the sleeve unit 150. As a result, the gripping unit 152 twists the wire W. Consequently, the reinforcing bar R is bound together using the wire W. When the sleeve unit 150 rotates in the reverse direction, the wire W is released from the gripping unit 152, and the sleeve unit 150 moves backward.

[0050] Each time the trigger 14 is operated, the rebar tying machine 2 performs a series of tying operations: the feeding mechanism 132 feeds the wire W from the bobbin 32, the guiding mechanism 134 winds the wire W around the rebar R, the twisting mechanism 138 grips the first point of the wire W, the feeding mechanism 132 pulls the wire W back towards the bobbin 32, the twisting mechanism 138 grips the second point of the wire W, the cutting mechanism 136 cuts the wire W, and the twisting mechanism 138 twists the wire W.

[0051] (modified version) The rebar tying machine 2 may also be used as a tying machine for tying objects other than rebars R (for example, metal pipes).

[0052] (See Figure 6) An engaging projection 76 may be provided on the cover member 18, a lever support portion 58 may be provided on the holder housing 16, and the lever 52 and coil spring 54 may be attached to the holder housing 16.

[0053] (See Figure 8) The locking piece 66 does not have to have a first inclined surface 82. When the cover member 18 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the edge of the locking piece 66 may come into contact with the second inclined surface 84 of the engaging projection 76. Even in this case, the engaging projection 76 presses the locking piece 66 to the unlocked position via the second inclined surface 84, so the rebar tying machine 2 can be returned to the cover-locked state with a single operation of moving the cover member 18 to the closed position. Alternatively, the engaging projection 76 does not have to have a second inclined surface 84. When the cover member 18 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the edge of the engaging projection 76 may come into contact with the first inclined surface 82 of the locking piece 66. Even in this case, the engaging projection 76 presses the locking piece 66 to the unlocked position via the first inclined surface 82, so the rebar tying machine 2 can be returned to the cover-locked state with a single operation of moving the cover member 18 to the closed position.

[0054] (See Figure 4) The lever 52 is not limited to being rotatably mounted to the cover member 18, but may also be slidably mounted to the cover member 18. Therefore, the locking piece 66 may be configured to slide between a locked position and an unlocked position. The direction in which the locking piece 66 slides may be vertical or horizontal. In this case, the direction in which the first inclined surface 82 and / or the second inclined surface 84 face may be changed to match the direction in which the locking piece 66 slides.

[0055] (See Figure 2) The reel rotation axis AX2 does not have to extend along the left-right direction. For example, the reel rotation axis AX2 may extend along the front-back direction or along the up-down direction.

[0056] (See Figure 1) When the cover member 18 is in the closed position, the lever rotation axis AX3 does not have to extend along the left-right direction. For example, when the cover member 18 is in the closed position, the lever rotation axis AX3 may extend along the front-back direction or along the up-down direction.

[0057] (See Figure 11) The operating piece 62 does not have to be positioned in front of the battery pack B attached to the battery mounting section 10. For example, the lever 52 may be positioned on the front of the cover member 18, thereby positioning the operating piece 62 at the front lower part of the rebar tying machine 2. In this case, the position of the engaging projection 76 may be changed to match the position of the lever 52 (specifically, the locking piece 66).

[0058] (See Figure 2) The storage space 24 may be located at a position other than in front of the grip 6 (for example, above and behind the grip 6).

[0059] (See Figure 12) The rebar tying machine 2 does not need to be equipped with a cover biasing mechanism 92. Therefore, it is not necessary for a moment to be generated in the cover member 18 that causes the cover member 18 to rotate in a predetermined direction around the cover rotation axis AX1.

[0060] (Features of the example) In one or more embodiments, a rebar tying machine 2 (an example of a tying machine) comprises a housing space 24 capable of accommodating a reel 22 including a wire W and a bobbin 32 around which the wire W is wound, and a holder housing 16 (an example of a housing) that rotatably supports the reel 22 housed in the housing space 24 around a predetermined reel rotation axis AX2, a cover member 18 that is rotatably mounted to the holder housing 16 around a predetermined cover rotation axis AX1 and is movable between an open position that opens the housing space 24 and a closed position that closes the housing space 24, and a locking mechanism 20 for locking the cover member 18 in the closed position. The locking mechanism 20 includes an engaging projection 76 (example of a projection) provided on the holder housing 16 (an example of one of the housing and cover member), a locking piece 66 (example of a locking member) attached to the cover member 18 (an example of the other of the housing and cover member), which is movable between a locked position in which it interferes with the engaging projection 76 when the cover member 18 moves from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocked position in which it does not interfere with the engaging projection 76 when the cover member 18 moves from the closed position to the open position, and a coil spring 54 (example of a locking biasing member) that biases the locking piece 66 toward the locked position. The engaging projection 76 and the locking piece 66 each have inclined surfaces 82 and 84, respectively, which are inclined with respect to the direction in which the cover member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position. When the cover member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position, the engaging projection 76 presses against the locking piece 66 via the inclined surfaces 82 and 84, causing the locking piece 66 to move from the locked position toward the unlocked position against the biasing force of the coil spring 54.

[0061] With the above configuration, when the cover member 18 is moved from the open position to the closed position on the rebar tying machine 2 in the open position, the locking piece 66 moves through the unlocked position and over the engaging projection 76, and then the locking piece 66 is moved to the locked position by the biasing force of the coil spring 54. As a result, the rebar tying machine 2 returns to the cover locked state. Therefore, with the above configuration, the rebar tying machine 2 can be returned from the cover open state to the cover locked state with a single operation of moving the cover member 18 from the open position to the closed position. This improves the usability of the rebar tying machine 2.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the engaging projection 76 is provided on the holder housing 16. The locking piece 66 is attached to the cover member 18.

[0063] When switching the rebar tying machine 2 from the cover locked state to the cover open state, the user moves the cover member 18 toward the open position while maintaining the locking piece 66 in the unlocked position. With the above configuration, since the locking piece 66 is attached to the cover member 18, the locking piece 66 moves together with the cover member 18. Therefore, the user can move the cover member 18 toward the open position with one hand while maintaining the locking piece 66 in the unlocked position with the other hand. Thus, the user can switch the rebar tying machine 2 from the cover locked state to the cover open state with one hand. This improves the usability of the rebar tying machine 2.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2 further comprises a grip 6 for the user to grasp. When the rebar tying machine 2 ties a rebar R (an example of an object to be tied), the direction in which the rebar R is located relative to the rebar tying machine 2 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the rebar tying machine 2 is located relative to the rebar R is defined as the rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the direction in which the grip 6 extends is defined as the left-right direction. In this configuration, the reel rotation axis AX2 extends along the left-right direction.

[0065] The size of the reel 22 in the axial direction of the reel rotation axis AX2 is more compact than the size of the reel 22 in the radial direction of the reel rotation axis AX2. With the above configuration, since the reel rotation axis AX2 is arranged along the left-right direction, the size of the reel 22 becomes compact in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to make the size of the holder housing 16 that houses the reel 22 compact in the left-right direction.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the locking mechanism 20 further comprises a lever 52 that rotates around a predetermined lever rotation axis AX3. The lever 52 comprises an operating piece 62 operated by the user and a locking piece 66 positioned opposite the operating piece 62 with respect to the lever rotation axis AX3. When the cover member 18 is in the closed position, the lever rotation axis AX3 extends along the left-right direction.

[0067] If the operating piece 62 is made longer in a direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis AX3, the force required to push the operating piece 62 in order to move the locking piece 66 will be reduced. However, if the operating piece 62 is made longer, the shape of the holder housing 16 or cover member 18 to which the lever 52 is attached may become distorted. The holder housing 16 or cover member 18 tends to be formed in a shape that follows the reel 22 in order to accommodate the reel 22. Therefore, the shape of the holder housing 16 or cover member 18 is generally compact in the direction in which the reel rotation axis AX2 extends (i.e., left-right direction) and large in the direction perpendicular to the reel rotation axis AX2 (i.e., front-back, up-down direction). According to the above configuration, the lever rotation axis AX3 extends along the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the length of the operating piece 62 is increased in a direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis AX3 (i.e., in the front-back, up-down, and down directions), the holder housing 16 or cover member 18 is larger in that direction than before, so there is no need to significantly change the shape of the holder housing 16 or cover member 18. Consequently, even if the operating piece 62 is increased in a direction perpendicular to the lever rotation axis AX3, the shape of the holder housing 16 or cover member 18 does not become distorted. As a result, the force required to push in the operating piece 62 can be reduced without distorting the shape of the holder housing 16 or cover member 18.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2 further includes a battery mounting section 10 located below the grip 6, to which a battery pack B that supplies power to the rebar tying machine 2 can be attached and detached. The operating piece 62 is positioned in front of the battery pack B attached to the battery mounting section 10.

[0069] Due to the need to attach and detach the battery pack B to the rebar tying machine 2, a space 86 may be provided around the battery pack B. In the above configuration, the operating piece 62 is positioned in front of the battery pack B. Therefore, the user's fingers operating the operating piece 62 can be moved into the space 86 around the battery pack B. This prevents the user's fingers operating the operating piece 62 from interfering with the rebar tying machine 2.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, the cover rotation axis AX1 is positioned on a plane parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0071] With the above configuration, the cover member 18 can be opened to the side of the rebar tying machine 2 (i.e., to the left or to the right). This makes it easier for the user to open the cover member 18 when the side of the rebar tying machine 2 is facing the user.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the accommodation space 24 is located in front of the grip 6.

[0073] If there is a heavy object behind the grip 6, it may become difficult to operate the rebar tying machine 2 while holding the grip 6. With the above configuration, the heavy reel 22 is positioned in front of the grip 6 when it is housed in the storage space 24. This makes it easier to operate the rebar tying machine 2 while holding the grip 6.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying machine 2 further includes a coil spring 98 (an example of a cover biasing member) that biases the cover member 18 toward the closed position.

[0075] With the above configuration, the force required to move the cover member 18 from the open position to the closed position is reduced by the biasing force of the coil spring 98. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 2: Rebar tying machine, 4: Main body, 4a: Power switch, 4b: Setting switch, 4c: Display unit, 6: Grip, 10: Battery mounting part, 12: Reel holder, 14: Trigger, 16: Holder housing, 18: Cover member, 20: Locking mechanism, 22: Reel, 24: Storage space, 26: Shaft, 28: First contact surface, 30: Second contact surface, 32: Bobbin, 34: Body, 36: Left flange, 38: Right flange, 40: Recess, 42: Identification projection, 44: Support cylinder, 46: Support body, 52: Lever, 54: Coil spring, 56: Cover body, 58: Lever support part, 58a: Shaft hole, 58b: Bushing hole, 60: Shaft, 61: Ring bush, 62: Operating piece, 64: Shaft hole, 66: Locking piece, 68: 1st support projection, 70: 2nd support projection, 72: 1st contact wall, 74: 2nd contact wall, 76: Engaging projection, 78: 1st locking surface, 80: 2nd locking surface, 82: 1st inclined surface, 84: 2nd inclined surface, 86: Space, 92: Cover biasing mechanism, 94: Shaft, 96: Oscillating member, 98: Coil spring, 100: Plate section, 102: Pin, 132: Feed mechanism, 134: Guide mechanism, 136: Cutting mechanism, 138: Torsion mechanism, 140: Feed motor, 142: Torsion motor, 144: Feed roller, 146: Upper curl guide, 148: Lower curl guide, 150: Sleeve unit, 152: Gripping unit, AX1: Cover rotation shaft, AX2: Reel rotation shaft, AX3: Lever rotation shaft, B: Battery pack, R: Reinforcement bar, W: Wire

Claims

1. A binding machine that uses wire to bind objects, A housing is provided which defines a housing space capable of accommodating a reel including the wire and a bobbin around which the wire is wound, and which supports the reel housed in the housing space so as to be rotatable around a predetermined reel rotation axis, A cover member is mounted to the housing so as to be rotatable around a predetermined cover rotation axis, and is movable between an open position that opens the housing space and a closed position that closes the housing space. The cover member is equipped with a locking mechanism for locking it in the closed position, The locking mechanism is A projection provided on one of the housing and the cover member, A locking member is attached to the other of the housing and the cover member, and is movable between a locked position in which the cover member interferes with the projection when it moves from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocked position in which the cover member does not interfere with the projection when it moves from the closed position to the open position. The system includes a lock biasing member that biases the locking member toward the locked position, At least one of the projection and the locking member has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cover member moves from the open position to the closed position. A binding machine wherein, when the cover member moves from the open position to the closed position, the projection presses the locking member via the inclined surface, causing the locking member to move from the locked position to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the locking biasing member.

2. The aforementioned projection is provided on the housing, The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is attached to the cover member.

3. It also features a grip for the user to hold, The binding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the binding machine binds the object to be bound, the direction in which the object to be bound is located relative to the binding machine is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the binding machine is located relative to the object to be bound is defined as the rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the direction in which the grip extends is defined as the left-right direction, the reel rotation axis extends along the left-right direction.

4. The locking mechanism further includes a lever that rotates around a predetermined lever rotation axis, The lever comprises an operating piece operated by the user and a locking piece positioned on the opposite side of the operating piece as viewed from the lever's rotation axis, and functioning as the locking member. The binding machine according to claim 3, wherein when the cover member is in the closed position, the lever rotation shaft extends along the left-right direction.

5. The grip is further provided with a battery mounting section located at the bottom of the grip, from which a battery pack that supplies power to the binding machine can be attached and detached. The binding machine according to claim 4, wherein the operating piece is positioned in front of the battery pack attached to the battery mounting portion.

6. The binding machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cover rotation shaft is arranged on a plane parallel to the front-rear direction.

7. The fastening machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the storage space is located in front of the grip.

8. The binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a cover biasing member for biasing the cover member toward the closed position.

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