Bundling tool

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping tool configured to tension a metal strap around a load, and after tensioning, to attach the overlapping portions of the strap to each other by cutting notches in a sealing element positioned around the overlapping portions of the strap and in the overlapping portions of the strap itself.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 050,965, filed July 13, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 196,391, filed June 3, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to strapping tools, and more particularly to strapping tools configured to tension strips around a load and attach overlapping portions of the strips to each other to form a tension strip loop around the load. Background Technology

[0004] The battery-powered strapping tool is configured to tension a strip around a load and attach overlapping portions of the strip to each other to form a tensioned strip loop around the load. To use one of these strapping tools to form a tensioned strip loop around the load, the operator first pulls the front end of the strip from the strip supply source, wraps the strip around the load, and positions the front end of the strip below another portion of the strip. The operator then introduces one or more of these overlapping strip portions (depending on the type of strapping tool) into the strapping tool and actuates one or more buttons to initiate: (1) a tensioning cycle, during which the tensioning assembly tensions the strip around the load; and (2) a sealing cycle following the completion of the tensioning cycle, during which the sealing assembly attaches the overlapping strip portions to each other (thus forming a tensioned strip loop around the load), and during the sealing cycle, the cutting assembly cuts the strip from the strip supply source.

[0005] How a strapping tool attaches the overlapping portions of the strips to each other during a sealing cycle depends on the type of strapping tool and the type of strip. Some strapping tools constructed for plastic strips (such as polypropylene or polyester strips) include friction welders, heated blades, or ultrasonic welders, which are configured to attach the overlapping portions of the strips to each other. Some strapping tools constructed for plastic or metal strips (such as steel strips) include grippers that are mechanically deformed (called "crimping" in the strapping industry) or cut notches (called "notching" in the strapping industry) in sealing elements positioned around the overlapping portions of the strips to attach them to each other. Other strapping tools constructed for metal strips include punches and dies, which are configured to form a set of mechanically interlocking cuts in the overlapping portions of the strips to attach them to each other (called "no-seal" attachment in the strapping industry). Summary of the Invention

[0006] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a strapping tool configured to tension a metal strip around a load, and after tensioning, to attach the overlapping portions of the strip to each other by cutting notches in sealing elements positioned around the overlapping portions of the strip and in the overlapping portions of the strip itself. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the strapping tool disclosed herein.

[0008] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A block diagram of some components of a binding tool.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the support component of the working assembly of the binding tool.

[0010] Figure 3A and Figure 3B yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the working components of the binding tool.

[0011] Figure 4A yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the tensioning component of the working component.

[0012] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A perspective view of the tensioning assembly, including the tensioning gear and tensioning wheel.

[0013] Figure 4C yes Figure 4B Tensioning assembly gear device and tensioning wheel edge Figure 4B A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 4C-4C.

[0014] Figure 4D yes Figure 4B An exploded perspective view of the tensioning assembly gear device and tensioning wheel.

[0015] Figure 5A yes Figure 3A A 3D view of the disconnected components of the working components.

[0016] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A Disconnection component along Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 5B-5B.

[0017] Figure 5C yes Figure 5A An exploded perspective view of the disconnected connection component.

[0018] Figure 5D yes Figure 3AA perspective view of a portion of the working components, including the disconnecting component and the tensioning component.

[0019] Figure 6A yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the working components, including the joystick assembly.

[0020] Figure 6B and Figure 6C This is a 3D view of the joystick assembly.

[0021] Figure 6D and Figure 6E This is an exploded 3D view of the joystick assembly.

[0022] Figures 7A to 7D yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional side view of the binding tool, showing the rocker assembly and tensioning assembly in different positions.

[0023] Figure 8A and Figure 8B They are Figure 3A The working components, tensioning components, and door components, as well as Figure 1A An elevation view and a perspective view of a portion of the retaining component of the strapping tool. The tensioning component and the door component are in their respective tensioned and original positions, and the retainer of the retaining component is in its released position.

[0024] Figure 9A and Figure 9B They are Figure 8A and Figure 8B The tensioning assembly and door assembly shown are as follows Figure 8A and Figure 8B The diagram shows an elevation view and a perspective view of a portion of the retaining assembly. The tensioning assembly and the door assembly are in their respective strip insertion positions, and the retaining assembly is in its retaining position.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 1A A perspective view of the housing of a strapping tool, including the retainer and enable components of the strapping tool.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 1A A perspective view of a portion of the strapping tool, with the casing removed to show... Figure 8A The retaining components and Figure 10 The retainer enables the component.

[0027] Figure 12A and Figure 12B yes Figure 8A The retaining components and Figure 10A perspective view of the retainer enable component, wherein the retainer enable switch of the retainer enable component is in its deactivated position and enabled position, respectively.

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 A 3D view of the retainer enabling component.

[0029] Figure 14 yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of the binding tool, showing... Figure 10 The retainer enables the component.

[0030] Figure 15A and Figure 15B yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the sealing component of the working component.

[0031] Figure 15C and Figure 15D yes Figure 15A Partial exploded perspective view of the sealing assembly.

[0032] Figure 16A yes Figure 15A An exploded perspective view of the sealing component, the gripper component, and the object blocking component.

[0033] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A The object blocking component is basically along Figure 15C A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 16B-16B.

[0034] Figure 17A and Figure 17B yes Figure 16A A 3D view of an object blocking component, specifically an object blocker.

[0035] Figure 18A yes Figure 15A The sealing components are basically along Figure 15A A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 18A-18A.

[0036] Figure 18B yes Figure 15A The sealing components are basically along Figure 15A A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 18B-18B.

[0037] Figure 18C yes Figure 15A The sealing components are basically along Figure 15A A three-dimensional view of the cross section taken from line 18C-18C.

[0038] Figure 19A yes Figure 15A A cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly, showing the sealing assembly in its original position and Figure 16A The object blocker of the object blocking assembly is in its retracted position. For clarity, some parts of the sealing assembly are not shown.

[0039] Figure 19B yes Figure 6A A cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly, showing the sealing assembly moved approximately halfway from its original position to its sealing position, and Figure 16A The object blocking component's object blocker is in its blocking position. For clarity, some parts of the sealing component are not shown.

[0040] Figure 20A yes Figure 15A A three-dimensional view of a portion of the sealing assembly.

[0041] Figure 20B and Figure 20C yes Figure 15A A reverse perspective view of a portion of the sealing assembly.

[0042] Figure 21 yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the working components, showing the driving components.

[0043] Figure 22 It corresponds to Figure 21 Side view.

[0044] Figure 23A and Figure 23B yes Figure 3A The side view of the working component shows the tensioning component in its strip insertion position and strip tension position, respectively.

[0045] Figure 24A yes Figure 3A A 3D diagram of the working components, the driving components, and the transformation components.

[0046] Figure 24B yes Figure 24A An exploded 3D view of the conversion component.

[0047] Figure 25A yes Figure 2 Part of the support components Figure 15A Part of the sealing assembly and Figure 24A A three-dimensional view of a portion of the conversion component, wherein the effective length of the connecting rod of the conversion component is at its minimum.

[0048] Figure 25B yes Figure 2 Part of the support components Figure 15A Part of the sealing assembly and Figure 12A A three-dimensional view of a portion of the conversion component, wherein the effective length of the connecting rod of the conversion component is at its maximum value.

[0049] Figures 26A to 26H yes Figure 2 Support components and Figure 24A A side view of a portion of the conversion assembly, showing how the effective length of the conversion assembly's linkage changes during the sealing cycle.

[0050] Figure 27 It is a schematic elevation view of the strips and sealing elements positioned around the load before they are tensioned and sealed by the strapping tool.

[0051] Figure 28A yes Figure 2 Part of the support components and Figure 15A A cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly, with the sealing assembly and the grippers in their original positions.

[0052] Figure 28B yes Figure 2 Part of the support components and Figure 15A A cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly, wherein the sealing assembly is in its sealing position and the jaws are in their original positions.

[0053] Figure 28C yes Figure 2 Part of the support components and Figure 15A A cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of the sealing assembly, wherein the sealing assembly is in its sealing position and the jaws are in their sealing positions after notches are cut in the sealing element and strip.

[0054] Figure 29 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a sealing element with a notch. Detailed Implementation

[0055] While the systems, devices, and methods described herein can be implemented in many different forms, the accompanying drawings and the specification describe certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all components shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be required, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. Variations may be made in the arrangement and type of components; the shape, size, and material of components; and the manner in which components are connected without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise stated, any orientation mentioned in the specification reflects the orientation of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, terms relating to installation methods such as mounting and connecting are not intended to be limited to direct installation methods but should be broadly interpreted to include indirect and operatively mounted methods such as connecting. This specification is intended to be considered as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of this disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0056] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example embodiment of the strapping tool 50 (sometimes referred to as the “tool” in this embodiment for simplicity) and some of its components and parts are shown. The strapping tool 50 is configured to perform a strapping cycle comprising: (1) a tensioning cycle during which the strapping tool tensions a strip (a metal strip in this example embodiment) around a load; and (2) a sealing cycle during which, after tensioning the strip, the strapping tool attaches the overlapping portions of the strip to each other by cutting notches (referred to as “open notches” in the strapping industry and in this embodiment) in sealing elements positioned around the overlapping portions of the strip and in the overlapping portions of the strip itself, and cuts the strip from a strip supply source.

[0057] The strapping tool 50 includes a housing 100, a working component 200, a first handle 1100 and a second handle 1200, a display component 1300, an actuation component 1400, a power supply 1500, and a controller 1600. Figure 1B ), one or more sensors 1700 ( Figure 1B ), retaining component 1800 ( Figures 8A to 9B ) and retainer enable component 3850 ( Figures 10 to 14 ).

[0058] exist Figure 1A The housing 100, best shown in the diagram, is formed of a plurality of parts (not individually labeled) that collectively at least partially surround and / or support some (or all) of the other components and parts of the strapping tool 50. The housing also supports the retaining assembly 1800 and the retainer enabling assembly 3850, as referenced below. Figures 8A to 14 As explained. In this example embodiment, housing 100 includes: a front housing section that at least partially surrounds and / or supports at least some of the components of the working assembly 200, the display assembly 1300, and the actuation assembly 1400; a rear housing section that at least partially surrounds and / or supports the power supply 1500 and the controller 1600; and a connector housing section that extends between the bottom of the front housing section and the bottom of the rear housing section, and connects the bottom of the front housing section and the bottom of the rear housing section. A first handle 1100 extends between the top of the front housing section and the top of the rear housing section, and is integrally formed with these housing sections in some embodiments. This is merely an example, and in other embodiments, components of the strapping tool may be supported and / or surrounded by any suitable portion of housing 100. Housing 100 may be formed from any suitable number of components joined together in any suitable manner. In this example embodiment, housing 100 is formed of plastic, but in other embodiments the housing may be made of any other suitable material.

[0059] The working assembly 200 includes most of the components of the strapping tool 50, which are configured to perform strapping cycles to tension the strip around a load, attach overlapping portions of the strip to each other, and cut the strip from a strip supply source. Specifically, the working assembly 200 includes a support 300, a tensioning assembly 400, a sealing assembly 500, a drive assembly 700, a rocker assembly 900, a door assembly 1000, and a disconnect assembly 1900.

[0060] exist Figure 2 The support member 300, best shown in the diagram, serves as a direct or indirect common support for the tensioning assembly 400, sealing assembly 500, drive assembly 700, rocker assembly 900, door assembly 1000, and disconnection assembly 1900. The support member 300 also includes components configured to assist in changing the effective length of the link 820 of the switching assembly 800 of the drive assembly 700 during sealing cycles, as described below relative to... Figures 24A to 26H The explanation given.

[0061] The support member 300 includes a body 310, a leg 320 extending laterally from the bottom of the body 310, a tensioning assembly mounting element 330 extending rearward from the body 310, and a drive and conversion assembly mounting element 340 extending upward from the body 310. The front side of the body 310 defines a door receiving recess 350, which is sized, formed, oriented, and otherwise configured to receive a door 1010 of the door assembly 1000 and to allow the door 1010 to move between a lower original position and an upper strip insertion position (as described below relative to...). Figures 8A to 9B (As described). The body 310 includes a first sealing assembly mounting tongue 372a and a second sealing assembly mounting tongue 372b aligned on one side of the door receiving recess 350, and a third sealing assembly mounting tongue 374a and a fourth sealing assembly mounting tongue 374b aligned on the other side of the door receiving recess 350. A circumferentially spaced first linkage connector 392 and a second linkage connector 394 protrude from the drive and conversion assembly mounting element 340. A roller 380 is coupled to a foot 320 and is capable of rotating freely relative to the foot.

[0062] exist Figures 4A to 4D The tensioning assembly 400, best shown in the diagram, is configured to tension a strip around a load during a tensioning cycle. The tensioning assembly 400 includes: a tensioning assembly support 410; a tensioning assembly gear assembly 420; a tensioning wheel 440 driven by the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420; and covers (not labeled) attached to the tensioning assembly support 410 to partially or completely enclose certain components of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 and the tensioning wheel 440.

[0063] The tensioning gear assembly 420 includes: a driven gear 421; a first sun gear 422; first planetary gears 423a, 423b, and 423c; a carrier 424; a first ring gear 425; a spacer 426; a second ring gear 427; a tensioning wheel support 428; and second planetary gears 429a, 429b, and 429c. The components of the tensioning gear assembly 420 are centered on the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a, and some of these components are rotatable about the tensioning wheel rotation axis. The carrier 424 includes: a first planetary gear carrier 424a to which the first planetary gears 423a-423c (e.g., via corresponding bearings and mounting pins) are rotatably mounted; and a second sun gear 424b, which is rotatable about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a with the planetary gear carrier 424a (and is integrally formed with the planetary gear carrier). The first ring gear 425 includes internal teeth 425it and external teeth 425ot. The second ring gear 427 includes internal teeth 427it. The tensioner carrier 428 includes a second planetary gear carrier 428a and a tensioner shaft 428b, which is rotatable with the second planetary gear carrier 428a about a tensioner rotation axis 440a (and is integrally formed with the second planetary gear carrier). The second planetary gears 429a-429c are rotatably mounted to the second planetary gear carrier 428a (e.g., via corresponding bearings and mounting pins).

[0064] A first sun gear 422 (e.g., via a spline connection) is fixedly mounted to a driven gear 421, such that the driven gear and the first sun gear rotate together about the tensioner rotation axis 440a. The first sun gear 422 meshes with and is motive-engaged with first planetary gears 423a-423c. The first planetary gear meshes with the internal teeth 425it of a first ring gear 425. The second planetary gear meshes with the internal teeth 427it of a second ring gear 427. A spacer 426 separates the first ring gear 425 and the second ring gear 427. A second sun gear 424b extends through the spacer 426 and meshes with and is motive-engaged with second planetary gears 429a-429c. A tensioner 440 (e.g., via a spline connection) is fixedly mounted to a tensioner shaft 428b, such that the tensioner shaft and the tensioner rotate together about the tensioner rotation axis 440a.

[0065] The tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 is mounted to the tensioning assembly support 410. The second ring gear 427 is fixed in terms of rotation relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a (i.e., the second ring gear 427 cannot rotate relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a). In this example embodiment, a pin (shown but not labeled) is positioned between the outer surface of the second ring gear 427 and the tensioning assembly support 410 to prevent relative rotation, but any suitable component (such as a set screw, glue, or a high-friction component or fastener) can be used to do so. The disconnect coupling assembly 1900 (unless actuated, as described below) fixes the first ring gear 425 in terms of rotation relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a (therefore the first ring gear cannot rotate relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a).

[0066] During the tensioning cycle, drive assembly 700 drives driven gear 421, as described below. Driven gear 421 initially moves itself and the first sun gear 422 in the tensioning rotation direction (from […] in this example embodiment)... Figure 4B The first sun gear 422 drives the first set of planetary gears 423a-423c. Because the disconnected coupling assembly 1900 prevents the first ring gear 425 from rotating around the tensioner rotation axis 440a, the rotation of the planetary gears 423a-423c causes the carrier 424 (including the second sun gear 424b) to rotate around the tensioner rotation axis 440a in the tensioning rotation direction. The second sun gear 424b drives the second set of planetary gears 429a-429c. Because the second ring gear 427 cannot rotate around the tensioner rotation axis 440a, the rotation of the planetary gears 429a-429c causes the tensioner support 428 and the tensioner 440 mounted thereon to rotate around the tensioner rotation axis 440a in the tensioning rotation direction. Accordingly, the tensioning assembly gear device 420 operatively connects the drive assembly 700 to the tensioning wheel 440 so that the tensioning wheel 440 rotates about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a in the tensioning rotation direction.

[0067] The tensioning assembly 400 is movably mounted to the tensioning assembly mounting element 330 of the support 300 and is configured to be in a tensioned position relative to the support 300—particularly relative to the foot 320 of the support 300—and about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a of the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405, under the control of the rocker assembly 900 (described below). Figure 7A , Figure 8A and Figure 8B ) and the strip insertion position ( Figure 7C , Figure 9A and Figure 9B The tensioning assembly 400 pivots between the tensioning roller 440 and the support 300 roller 380 when the tensioning assembly 400 is in the tensioned position. When the tensioning assembly 400 is in the tensioned position, the tensioning roller 440 is adjacent to (and in this embodiment contacts) the support 300 roller 380 (or, if the strip has been inserted into the strapping tool 50, adjacent to the upper surface of the strip). When the tensioning assembly 400 is in the strip insertion position, the tensioning roller 440 is spaced apart from the roller 380 so that (as described below) the top of the strip can be inserted between the tensioning roller 440 and the roller 380. The tensioning assembly biasing element 400s ( Figure 3B (Although it is a compression spring in this example embodiment, it could be any other suitable type of biasing element) biases the tensioning assembly 400 to the strip tension position.

[0068] exist Figures 5A to 5D The disconnect assembly 1900, best shown in the diagram, is configured to allow the tensioning wheel 440 to rotate about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a in a direction opposite to the tensioning rotation direction, to facilitate the removal of the tool 50 from the strip after the tensioning process is complete. The disconnect assembly 1900 includes a disconnect assembly shaft 1910, a disconnect assembly housing 1920, a first engageable element 1930, an expandable element 1940, a second engageable element 1950, and a first bearing 1960a and a second bearing 1960b.

[0069] The disconnectable assembly shaft 1910 includes a body 1912 having a first end 1912a with an irregular cross-section and a second end 1912b with teeth. A first bearing support 1914 extends from the first end 1912a, and a second bearing support 1916 extends from the second end 1912b. The disconnectable assembly housing 1920 includes a tubular body 1922 having teeth 1924 extending around its outer periphery. The body 1922 defines an opening 1922o. A first engageable element 1920 includes a tubular bushing having a cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface having a periphery that matches the periphery of the first end 1912a of the body 1912 of the disconnectable assembly shaft 1910. An expandable element 1940 includes a torsion spring having a first end 1940a and a second end 1940b. The second engageable element 1950 includes a tubular body 1952 and an annular flange 1954 located at one end of the body 1952. An opening 1954o is defined through the flange 1954.

[0070] A first engageable element 1930 is mounted on a first end 1912a of the body 1912 of the disconnectable assembly shaft 1910 for rotation therewith, and is disposed within the body 1922 of the disconnectable assembly housing 1920. A second engageable element 1950 is also disposed within the body 1922 of the disconnectable assembly housing 1920, such that the body 1952 of the second engageable element 1950 is adjacent to the first engageable element 1930, and such that at least a portion of the disconnectable assembly shaft 1910 extends through the second engageable element 1950. An expandable element 1940 (a torsion spring in this example embodiment) is disposed within the body 1922 of the disconnectable assembly housing 1920 and surrounds the bodies 1952 of the first engageable element 1930 and the second engageable element 1950. The outer diameter of the first engageable element 1930 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the body 1952 of the second engageable element and is equal to or greater than the resting inner diameter of the torsion spring 1940. This means that the torsion spring 1940 applies a compressive force to the bodies 1952 of the first engageable element 1930 and the second engageable element, preventing those components (and the disconnect assembly shaft 1910) from rotating relative to each other. The first end 1940a of the expandable element 1940 is received in an opening 1954o defined by a flange 1954 passing through the second engageable element 1950, and the second end 1940b of the expandable element 1940 is received in an opening 1922o defined in the body 1922 of the disconnect assembly housing 1920. Bearings 1960a and 1960b are respectively mounted on the first bearing support 1914 and the second bearing support 1916 of the disconnect assembly shaft 1910.

[0071] like Figure 3B , Figure 5D and Figure 6AAs best shown, the disconnect assembly 1900 is mounted to the tensioning assembly support 410 and operatively connected to the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420. More specifically, the disconnect assembly 1900 is mounted to the tensioning assembly support 410 via a fastener (not labeled) that secures the second engageable element 1950 relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 in terms of rotation, such that the second engageable element 1950 (and the first end 1940a of the expandable element 1940 received in the opening 1954o of the flange 1954 of the second engageable element 1950) cannot rotate relative to the tensioning assembly support 410. Teeth on the second end 1912b of the body 1912 of the disconnect assembly shaft 1910 mesh with the external teeth 425ot of the first ring gear 425 of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 of the tensioning assembly 400. Since the body 1952 is fixed in rotation relative to the tensioning assembly support 410 and the disconnecting coupling shaft 1910 is fixed in rotation relative to the tensioning assembly housing 410, the disconnecting coupling shaft 1910 is fixed in rotation relative to the tensioning assembly housing 410 because the teeth on the second end 1912b engage with the external teeth 425ot of the first ring gear 425 of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420.

[0072] The disconnect assembly 1900 is actuable (e.g., via the rocker assembly 900 described below) to disengage the torsion spring 1940 from the first engageable element 1930, allowing the first engageable element 1930 and the disconnect assembly shaft 1910 to rotate relative to the second engageable element 1930. As explained above, the first end 1940a of the second engageable element 1950 and the expandable element 1940 (i.e., received in the opening 1954o of the flange 1954 of the second engageable element 1950) is fixed in rotation relative to the tensioning assembly support 410. To disengage the torsion spring 1940 from the first engageable element 1930, the disconnect assembly housing 1920 is rotated relative to the tensioning assembly support 410, the first end 1940a of the torsion spring 1940, and the second engageable element 1950. The second end 1940b of the torsion spring 1940 (accepted in an opening 1922o defined in the body 1922 of the disconnect assembly housing 1920) rotates with the disconnect assembly housing 1920. When this occurs, the inner diameter of the torsion spring 1940 near its second end 1940b begins to expand and eventually expands sufficiently (thus reducing or completely eliminating the compressive force) to allow the first engageable element 1930 and the disconnect assembly shaft 1910 to rotate relative to the second engageable element 1950 (and the torsion spring 1940).

[0073] At the completion of the tensioning cycle, the tensioning wheel 440 maintains a significant tension in the belt, and the belt exerts a reaction force (or torque) on the tensioning wheel 440 in the opposite direction to the tensioning direction. After the tensioning process is complete, actuation of the disconnect assembly 1900 allows the tensioning wheel 440 to rotate in the opposite direction to release the tension in a controlled manner. Specifically, at the completion of the tensioning cycle, the disconnect assembly shaft 1910 continues to prevent the first ring gear 425 of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 from rotating about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440, which prevents the tensioning wheel 440 from rotating in the opposite direction to the tensioning direction. As the disconnect assembly housing 1920 is rotated (e.g., via actuation of the rocker assembly 900 as described below), the inner diameter of the torsion spring 1940 near its second end 1940b begins to expand. Ultimately, the force exerted by the first ring gear 425 on the disconnect assembly shaft 1910 exceeds the compressive force exerted by the torsion spring 1940 on the first engageable element 1930. When this occurs, the first ring gear 425 rotates about the tensioner rotation axis 440a in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. Since the first sun gear 422 is fixed in rotation (via the drive assembly 700), this causes the first planetary gears 423a-423c to rotate about the tensioner rotation axis 440a in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. This (as explained above) causes the tensioner 440 to rotate about the tensioner rotation axis 440a in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction.

[0074] exist Figures 6A to 6E The rocker assembly 900, best shown in the diagram, is operatively connected to: (1) a tensioning assembly 400 and configured to move the tensioning assembly 400 relative to the support member 300 from a strip tensioned position to a strip insertion position; and (2) a disconnecting coupling assembly 1900 and configured to actuate the disconnecting coupling assembly, thereby enabling the tensioning wheel 440 to rotate in a direction opposite to the tensioning rotation direction. The rocker assembly 900 includes a rocker arm 910, a rocker gear 930, a rocker pivot pin 940, a rocker travel pin 950, and a rocker biasing element (not shown). The rocker arm 910 includes a rocker body 912 defining two aligned travel pin slots 912s, a rocker arm 914 extending rearward from the rocker body 912, and a blocking finger 916 extending upward from the rocker body 912 and transversely to the rocker arm 914.

[0075] The rocker pivot pin 940 and the rocker travel pin 950 attach the rocker 910 to the tensioning assembly 400, so that the rocker 910 can be in its original position relative to the tensioning assembly 400. Figure 7A ) and the middle position ( Figure 7BThe rocker arm pivots between the tensioning assembly 400 and the disconnecting coupling assembly 1900. Specifically, the rocker arm pivot pin 940 extends through openings (not shown) defined by the tensioning assembly support 410 and the rocker arm body 912 of the rocker arm 910, allowing the rocker arm 910 to pivot about the pivot pin 940 (which defines the rocker arm pivot axis (not shown)) and relative to the tensioning assembly 400 and the disconnecting coupling assembly 1900. The rocker arm travel pin 950 extends through an opening (not shown) defined by the travel pin slot 912s of the rocker arm body 912, passing through the tensioning assembly support 410.

[0076] As the rocker arm 910 pivots about the pivot pin 940 (and the rocker arm pivot axis) and relative to the tensioning assembly 400 and the support 300, the travel pin slot 912s moves relative to the rocker travel pin 950 (mounted to the tensioning assembly support 410). The size, shape, position, and orientation of the travel pin slot 912s constrain the pivoting movement of the rocker arm 910 about the pivot pin 940 between its original position and intermediate positions. Figure 7A As shown, when the rocker arm 910 is in its original position, the rocker arm travel pin 950 is positioned and engaged at the upper end (unmarked) of the travel pin slot 912s, thereby preventing the rocker arm 910 from rotating further clockwise relative to the tensioning assembly 400. Conversely, as... Figure 7B As shown, when the rocker arm 910 is in its intermediate position, the rocker arm travel pin 950 is positioned at the lower end (unmarked) of the travel pin slot 912s, thereby preventing the rocker arm 910 from rotating further counterclockwise relative to the tensioning assembly 400. Although not shown here, a rocker arm biasing element (although a torsion spring in this example embodiment, it could be any other suitable component) biases the rocker arm 910 back to its original position.

[0077] like Figure 6A As best shown, rocker gear 930 is attached to rocker body 912 of rocker 910 via rocker travel pin 950, such that rocker gear 930 is rotatable about rocker travel pin 950. Rocker 910 is operatively connected to rocker gear 930 and configured to rotate rocker gear 930 about rocker travel pin 950 when rocker 910 pivots from its original position to its intermediate position. As rocker gear 930 rotates, it actuates disconnect assembly 1900, as described above. More specifically, as rocker gear 930 rotates, it engages with teeth 1924 of body 1922 of disconnect assembly housing 1920, thereby forcing disconnect assembly housing 1920 to rotate (thus actuating disconnect assembly 1900).

[0078] As explained above and as... Figure 7BAs shown, once the rocker arm 910 reaches its middle position, the rocker arm travel pin 950 is located at the lower end of the travel pin slot 912s, thereby preventing the rocker arm 910 from rotating further counterclockwise relative to the tensioning assembly 400. At this time, if the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip tensioned position, such as... Figure 7B As shown, a force is continuously applied to the handle 1100 on the rocker arm 910 (and in particular the rocker arm 914) causing the rocker arm 910 and the tensioning assembly 400 to rotate together about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a until the rocker arm 910 reaches its actuated position and the tensioning assembly 400 reaches its strip insertion position. Figure 7C The image shows a rocker arm 910 in the actuated position and a tensioning assembly 400 in the strip insertion position.

[0079] The blocking finger 916 is sized, formed, positioned, and otherwise configured such that when the rocker arm 910 is in its original position and the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip-tensioned position, the blocking finger 916 prevents the tensioning assembly 400 from moving from its strip-tensioned position to its strip-insertion position (and consequently, the rocker arm 910 toward the handle 1100). Figures 7A to 7D As shown in the best embodiment, housing 100 defines a blocking finger opening 980, which is sized and formed such that as rocker arm 910 pivots from its original position to its intermediate position, blocking finger 916 can pass through opening 980 and enter housing 100.

[0080] When the tensioning assembly 400 is in its tensioned strip position and the rocker arm 910 is in its original position, such as Figure 7A As shown, the blocking finger 916 is adjacent to the portion of the housing 100 that defines the blocking finger opening 980 (but it may be adjacent to any other suitable part of the housing or other parts of the tool used for this purpose). If a force is applied to the tensioning assembly 400 at this time (e.g., by cutting a strip from the strip supply source and releasing the tension stored therein) and an attempt is made to move the tensioning assembly 400 from its strip-tensioned position to its strip-inserted position, the resulting upward movement of the rocker arm 910 (without pivoting away from the tensioning assembly 400 relative to its original position) causes the blocking finger 916 to engage the housing 100. Figure 7D As shown, this prevents the tensioning assembly 400 from moving further toward its strip insertion position and prevents the rocker arm 910 from moving further toward the handle 1100.

[0081] When the rocker arm 910 is in its middle position and the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip tensioned position, the blocking finger 916 does not prevent the tensioning assembly 400 from moving from its strip tensioned position to its strip insertion position. For example... Figure 7BAs shown, as the joystick 910 moves from its original position to its intermediate position, the blocking finger 916 passes through the blocking finger opening 980 and enters the housing. Figure 7C As shown, as the operator holds the rocker arm 910 in its actuated position, the blocking finger 916 does not prevent the tensioning assembly 400 from pivoting upwards about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a to its strip insertion position. Accordingly, in order for the rocker arm 910 to move the tensioning assembly 400 from its strip tensioned position to its strip insertion position, the rocker arm 910 must first move from its original position to its intermediate position when the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip tensioned position. Figure 7B (As best shown in the image).

[0082] exist Figures 8A to 9B The retaining assembly 1800, best shown in the diagram, is mounted to the housing 100 and configured to hold the tensioning assembly 400 in its strip insertion position and automatically release the tensioning assembly 400 in response to the initiation of a tensioning cycle, enabling the tensioning assembly 400 to move (via a tensioning assembly biasing element) to its strip tensioned position. The retaining assembly 1800 includes a retainer 1810, a retainer support 1820, and a retainer biasing element 1830.

[0083] The retainer 1810 includes a body 1812 having a mounting ear 1814 at one end, a tension wheel shaft engagement 1816 at the opposite end, and a biasing element engagement 1818 protruding from the body 1812 between the mounting ear 1814 and the tension wheel shaft engagement 1816. The retainer bracket 1820 includes a mounting pin attached to and projecting inwardly from the housing 100. The retainer 1810 is mounted to the retainer bracket 1820 via the mounting ear 1814, so that the retainer 1810 can be in a released position around the retainer bracket 1820 and relative to the tension wheel shaft 428b (and here the entire tensioning assembly 400). Figure 8A and Figure 8B ) and maintain position ( Figure 9A and Figure 9B Rotation between ) . The retainer biasing element 1830 (here a torsion spring, but it may include any suitable spring or other type of biasing element) applies a force on the biasing element engagement 1818, which biases the retainer 1810 toward its retaining position.

[0084] like Figure 8A and Figure 8BAs shown, when the tensioning assembly 400 is in its tensioned position, the retainer 1810 is in its released position. When the retainer 1810 is in its released position, the retainer biasing element 1830 forces the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816 into contact with the tension wheel shaft 428b. This force is small enough (e.g., the spring constant is small enough, and the coefficient of friction between the tension wheel shaft and the tension wheel shaft coupling is small enough) not to affect the ability of the tension wheel shaft 428b to rotate during the tensioning cycle. As the operator moves the rocker arm 910 from its original position to its actuated position (e.g., to release the strip from the strapping tool 50), the tensioning assembly 400 begins to rotate to its strip insertion position. As the tensioning assembly 400 reaches its strip insertion position, the tension wheel shaft 428b rises above the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816. When this occurs, the retainer biasing element 1830 forces the retainer 1810, which is no longer obstructed by the tension wheel shaft 428b, to rotate to its retained position. When the retainer 1810 is in its holding position, the retainer biasing element 1830 forces the body 1812 into contact with the tension wheel shaft 428b.

[0085] At this time, as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816 is located below the underside of the tension wheel shaft 428b (between the tension wheel shaft 428b and the support leg 320 of the support member 300) and engages the underside of the tension wheel shaft. When the operator releases the rocker arm 910, the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816 prevents the tensioning assembly 400 from moving to its strip tensioned position. The tensioning assembly biasing element 400s causes the tension wheel shaft 428b to apply a force to the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816. This force is large enough to prevent the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816 from moving to its released position as the strapping tool 50 moves around. In addition, the retainer biasing element 1830 continues to apply a force to the retainer 1810 to resist the retainer 1810 from moving to its released position. When the tensioning cycle starts, the tension wheel shaft 428b begins to rotate (from... Figure 9A and Figure 9B The view shown is from a counter-clockwise rotation. The coefficient of friction between the tension wheel shaft 428b and the retainer 1810 is sufficiently large, and the force applied to the retainer 1810 by the retainer biasing element 1830 is sufficiently small, such that rotation of the tension wheel shaft 428b forces the retainer 1810 to its release position. When this occurs, the tensioning assembly biasing element forces the tensioning assembly 400 to its strip tensioned position, at which point the tensioning assembly 400 begins to tension the strip.

[0086] The ability of the holding component to keep the tensioning component in its strip insertion position reduces operator fatigue by: (1) eliminating the need for the operator to continue resisting the force of the tensioning component bias element to hold the lever in its actuated position while removing the strip from the strapping tool; and (2) eliminating the need for the operator to pull the lever when preparing to insert another strip into the strapping tool for tensioning and to continue resisting the force of the tensioning component bias element to hold the lever in its actuated position while inserting the strip into the strapping tool.

[0087] exist Figures 10 to 14 The retainer activation component 3850, best illustrated herein, is configured to enable or deactivate the ability of the retainer component 1800 to hold the tensioning component 400 in its strip insertion position. The retainer activation component 3850 includes a retainer activation switch 3852, a retainer activation switch biasing element 3854 (although a spring in this example embodiment, it could be any other suitable biasing element), and a first biasing element retainer 3856 and a second biasing element retainer 3858 (a washer in this example embodiment, but could be any other suitable component). The retainer enable switch 3852 includes: a disc-shaped head 3852a; a shaft 3852b extending from and rotatable with the head 3852a; and a retainer engagement 3852c (which, although a cam in this example embodiment, could be any other suitable component), located at the end of the shaft 3852b opposite to the head 3852a and rotatable with both the head 3852a and the shaft 3852b. A retainer enable switch biasing element 3854 surrounds the shaft 3852b and is positioned between the head 3852a and the retainer engagement 3852c. Bias element retainers 3856 and 3858 also surround the shaft 3852b and are positioned on opposite sides of the retainer enable switch biasing element 3854.

[0088] The retainer activation assembly 3850 is mounted to the housing 100 such that the head 3852a of the retainer activation switch 3852 is outside the housing 100, the shaft 3852b of the retainer activation switch 3852b extends through an opening (not labeled) in the housing 100, and the retainer engagement 3852c is inside the housing 100 and adjacent to the retainer 1810. The retainer activation switch biasing element 3854 is in a compressed state, and thus applies a force to the housing 100 and the retainer engagement 3852c via the biasing element retainers 3856 and 3858. This force is used to resist rotation of the retainer activation switch 3852.

[0089] The retainer enabling assembly 3850 is mounted to the housing 100, such that the retainer enabling switch 3852 can rotate relative to the housing 100 and the retainer 1810 of the retaining assembly 1800 between a deactivated position and an enabled position. Figure 11 and Figure 12A As shown, when the retainer enable switch 3852 is in its deactivated position, the retainer engagement 3852c is positioned to engage the body 1812 of the retainer 1810 and hold the retainer 1810 in the deactivated position against the biasing force of the retainer biasing element 1830. In this example embodiment, when the retainer 1810 is in its deactivated position, the retainer 1810 is oriented such that the tension wheel shaft engagement 1816 disengages from the tension wheel shaft 428b of the tensioning assembly 400 (although in other embodiments, the deactivated and released positions of the retainer 1810 are the same). By holding the retainer 1810 in the deactivated position, when the operator moves the lever 910 from its original position to its actuated position (e.g., to release the strip from the strapping tool 50), the retainer enable switch 3852 prevents the retainer biasing element 1830 from rotating the retainer 1810 to its held position and into contact with the tension wheel shaft 428b. This necessarily prevents the tension wheel shaft coupling 1816 from engaging the underside of the tension wheel shaft 428b and holding the tensioning assembly 400 in its strip-inserted position when the operator releases the lever 910. Accordingly, when the retainer enable switch 3852 is in its deactivated position, it disables the ability of the retaining assembly 1800 to hold the tensioning assembly 400 in its strip-inserted position.

[0090] like Figure 12B As shown, when the retainer enable switch 3852 is in its enabled position, the retainer engageor 3852c disengages from the body 1812 and is positioned such that the retainer 1810 can rotate between its released and retained positions, as described above. Figures 8A to 9B It operates as described. Therefore, when the operator moves the rocker arm 910 from its original position to its actuated position, the retainer biasing element 1830 forces the retainer 1810 to rotate to its retaining position and contact the tension wheel shaft 428b. When the operator releases the rocker arm 910, the tension wheel shaft engagement 1816 of the retainer 1810 engages the underside of the tension wheel shaft 428b and prevents the tensioning assembly 400 from moving from its strip insertion position to its strip tensioned position. Accordingly, when the retainer enable switch 3852 is in its enabled position, it enables the retaining assembly 1800 to retain the tensioning assembly 400 in its strip insertion position.

[0091] The retainer enabling component 3850 thus provides the operator with flexibility to choose whether they want to utilize the retaining component to hold the tensioning component in its strip insertion position, which may be desirable in some use cases and undesirable in others. In some embodiments, the tool includes a retaining component but not a retainer enabling component.

[0092] exist Figures 8A to 9BThe door assembly 1000, best illustrated herein, is configured to facilitate easy insertion of the strip and is adjustable to accommodate strips of different thicknesses. The door assembly 1000 includes a door 1010 and a plurality of links 1012, 1014 and 1016.

[0093] Door 1010 is slidably received in a door receiving recess 350 of the body 310 of support 300 and held in the recess by a retaining bracket (not shown for clarity). A strip receiving opening (not marked) is defined between the bottom of door 1010 and the top surface of the foot 320 of support 300. Door 1010 can be in its original position relative to support 300. Figure 8A and Figure 8B ) and retraction position ( Figure 9A and Figure 9B The door 1010 moves between the two positions. When in the original position, the door 1010 is positioned relative to the foot 320, so the height H1 of the strip receiving opening is equal to or just greater than the thickness of the specific strip to be tensioned and sealed. When in the retracted position, the door 1010 is positioned relative to the foot 320, so the height H2 of the strip receiving opening is greater than the height H1.

[0094] The position of the tensioning assembly 400 controls the position of the door 1010 via links 1012, 1014, and 1016. One end of link 1016 is fixedly connected to the tensioning assembly 400, and the other end is pivotally connected to one end of link 1014. The other end of link 1014 is pivotally connected to one end of link 1012. The other end of link 1012 is fixedly connected to the door 1010. Links 1012, 1014, and 1016 are sized, formed, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured such that: (1) when the tensioning assembly 400 is in the tensioned position, the door 1010 is in its original position (and the strip receiving opening has a height H1); and (2) when the tensioning assembly 400 is in its inserted position, the door 1010 is in its retracted position (and the strip receiving opening has a height H2). More specifically, when the tensioning assembly 400 pivots from the belt tension position to the belt insertion position, the connecting rod 1016 pivots counterclockwise (from...). Figures 8A to 9B (From the viewpoint shown). This causes link 1014 to pivot clockwise, which forces link 1012 to move upward and carry door 1010.

[0095] One problem with some known strapping tools is the difficulty in inserting the strip into the tool. These known strapping tools include a door located in front of the tensioning wheel, so that a seal engages the door during the tensioning cycle and thus the door prevents the seal from contacting the tensioning wheel. The door is fixed in place and positioned so that the strip receiving opening defined between the bottom of the door and the top of the strapping tool's (on which the strip rests during operation) legs has a height equal to or slightly greater than the strip thickness. This prevents the strip from moving up and down during the operation of the strapping tool. The problem is that it is difficult and time-consuming for the operator to align the strip with the strip receiving opening to insert it into the opening, which is preferably slightly greater than the strip thickness.

[0096] The door assembly disclosed herein addresses this problem by increasing the height of the strip receiving opening as the tensioning assembly moves to its strip insertion position. In other words, the tensioning assembly (via a linkage) is coupled to the door, so movement of the tensioning assembly from the strip tensioned position to the strip insertion position causes the door to move from its original position to its retracted position, widening the strip receiving opening. This makes it easier for the operator to insert the strip into the strip receiving opening, simplifying the operation of the strapping tool.

[0097] The position of door 1010 relative to leg 320 is also variable. Specifically, door 1010 can be fixed to link 1012 in any of several different vertical positions. By changing the vertical position of door 1010 relative to link 1012, the operator can change the height H1 of the strip receiving opening when door 1010 is in its original position. For example, in this embodiment, link 1012 is connected to door 1010 via screws. The screws extend through an elongated slot that extends along the length of door 1010. To change the height H1 of the strip receiving opening when door 1010 is in its original position, the operator loosens the screws, slides door 1010 up or down relative to link 1012 (using the slot), and then retightens the screws.

[0098] One problem with some known strapping tools is that reconfiguring the tool to use strips of different thicknesses is time-consuming. To reconfigure the tool for different thicknesses, the operator must replace the existing door with a door of a different size set for the new strip (e.g., a longer door (for thinner strips) or a shorter door (for thicker strips)). This requires the operator to partially disassemble the strapping tool, which not only causes downtime but also requires the operator to manually identify when a different door is needed and to correctly match the door to the different strip thicknesses. Using the wrong door can lead to failed or substandard strapping (and in the latter case, poor joint strength).

[0099] The door assembly 1000 disclosed herein solves this problem by enabling the operator to change the position of the door 1010 relative to the link 1012 and thus change the height H1 of the strip receiving opening when the door 1010 is in its original position. This improves upon prior art strapping tools by allowing the operator to quickly and easily move the door to accommodate strips of different thicknesses without having to replace one door with another.

[0100] exist Figures 15A to 20C The sealing assembly 500, best shown in the diagram, is configured to attach the overlapping portions of the strip to each other during a sealing cycle to form a tensioned strip loop around a load by notching both the sealing element positioned around the overlapping portion of the strip and the overlapping portion of the strip itself. The sealing assembly 500 includes a front cover 502, a rear cover 506, a gripper assembly 520, an object blocking assembly 600, and an object blocking lift element 630.

[0101] The front cover 502 is generally U-shaped. The rear cover 506 includes a generally flat base 506a, two mounting wings 506b and 506c extending rearward and inward from opposite lateral ends of the base 506a, and a lip 506d extending forward from the base 506a toward the gripper assembly 520. The object blocker lifting element 630 is pivotally mounted to the base 506a via a pivot pin 640 and is configured to rotate about the pivot pin 640, as described in more detail below in conjunction with the object blocker assembly 600. The front cover 502 and the rear cover 506 are connected to each other via one or more suitable fasteners (not labeled) and cooperate to partially enclose the gripper assembly 520, the object blocker assembly 600, and the object blocker lifting element 630.

[0102] The sealing assembly 500 is movably (more specifically, slidably) mounted to the support 300 via a rear cover 506. Specifically, the rear cover 506 is positioned such that a first sealing assembly mounting tongue 372a and a second sealing assembly mounting tongue 372b of the support 300 are received in a recess defined between a base 506a and a first mounting wing 506b, and that a third sealing assembly mounting tongue 374a and a fourth sealing assembly mounting tongue 374b of the support 300 are received in a recess defined between a base 506a and a second mounting wing 506c. This mounting configuration allows the sealing assembly 500 to move vertically relative to the support 300 and prevents the sealing assembly 500 from moving laterally or backward relative to the support 300. Figure 19A and Figure 19BAs best shown, a laterally spaced first sealing assembly mounting element 390a and a second sealing assembly mounting element 390b are fixedly attached to the body 310 of the support 300 and extend through corresponding vertically extending slots (not marked), which are defined through the base 506a of the rear cover 506. These slots, along with the sealing assembly mounting elements 390a and 390b, work together to constrain the sealing assembly 500 relative to the support 300 in its original position. Figure 19A and Figure 28A ) and (lower) sealing position ( Figure 19B , Figure 28B and Figure 28C The vertical movement between the sealing assembly 500 and the sealing position is such that the sealing assembly mounting elements 390a and 390b are located at the lower end of the slot in the original position and at the upper end of the slot in the sealing position. As described below, the drive assembly 700 controls the movement of the sealing assembly 500 between its original position and the sealing position.

[0103] like Figure 15C and Figure 15D As shown in the optimal configuration, the gripper assembly 520 includes: a connector 522; a connector pivot 524; a first connector / gripper link 526 and a second connector / gripper link 528; a first gripper 530; a second gripper 534; a third gripper 538; a fourth gripper 542; a first gripper connector 546; a second gripper connector 550; a third gripper connector 566; a fourth gripper connector 567; a first upper gripper pivot 571 and a second upper gripper pivot 572; and a first lower gripper pivot 573 and a second lower gripper pivot 574. The first gripper 530 and the second gripper 534 form a pair of opposing inner grippers, while the third gripper 538 and the fourth gripper 542 form a pair of opposing outer grippers.

[0104] The first coupler / gripper link 526 and the second coupler / gripper link 528 are both pivotally connected to the coupler 522 via a coupler pivot 524 near their respective upper ends. This pivotable connection allows the first coupler / gripper link 526 and the second coupler / gripper link 528 to pivot relative to the coupler 522 and the coupler pivot 524 about the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the coupler pivot 524. Here, the coupler pivot 524 includes a pivot pin held via a retaining ring (not labeled), although in other embodiments the coupler pivot can be any other suitable pivot. Figure 15B As shown in the best view, the rear end of the connector pivot 524 is positioned in a slot (not marked) defined in the rear cover 506, thus the slot restricts the vertical movement of the connector pivot 524 between the upper and lower positions.

[0105] The upper portions of each of the first jaw 530 and the second jaw 534 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the connector / jaw links 526 and 528 via upper jaw pivots 571 and 572, respectively. The upper portions of each of the third jaw 538 and the fourth jaw 542 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the connector / jaw links 526 and 528 via upper jaw pivots 571 and 572, respectively. These pivotable connections allow the first inner jaw 530 and the first outer jaw 538 to pivot about the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the upper jaw pivot 571 relative to the connector / jaw link 526, and the second inner jaw 534 and the second outer jaw 542 to pivot about the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the upper jaw pivot 571 relative to the connector / jaw link 528.

[0106] The lower portion of each of the first jaw 530 and the second jaw 534 is pivotally connected via lower jaw pivots 573 and 574 to the first jaw connector 546, the second jaw connector 550, the third jaw connector 566, and the fourth jaw connector 567. The lower portion of each of the third jaw 538 and the fourth jaw 542 is pivotally connected via lower jaw pivots 573 and 574 to the first jaw connector 546, the second jaw connector 550, the third jaw connector 566, and the fourth jaw connector 567. This pivotable connection allows the first jaw 530 and the third jaw 538 to remain in their original positions relative to the jaw connectors 546, 550, 566, and 567 about the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the lower jaw pivot 573. Figure 28A ) and sealing position ( Figure 28C The pivotable connection allows the second jaw 534 and the fourth jaw 542 to pivot about the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the lower jaw pivot 574 relative to the jaw connectors 546, 550, 566 and 567 in their respective original positions. Figure 28A ) and sealing position ( Figure 28C It pivots between )

[0107] like Figure 15D and Figure 18CAs best shown, each jaw has a lower tooth and an upper tooth. The lower tooth cuts a notch in the overlapping portion of the sealing element and the strip during the sealing cycle. If the object blocker 605 is in its blocking position (described below) at the start of the sealing cycle, the upper tooth engages (described below) the object blocker 605 of the object blocker assembly 600, and as the jaws move to their respective sealing positions, the upper tooth moves the object blocker 605 toward its retracted position. This prevents the jaws from damaging the object blocker 605. More specifically, the first jaw 530 has a lower tooth 530a and an upper tooth 530b, the second jaw 534 has a lower tooth 534a and an upper tooth 534b, the third jaw 538 has a lower tooth 538a and an upper tooth 538b, and the fourth jaw 542 has a lower tooth 542a and an upper tooth 542b.

[0108] The object blocking assembly 600 is mounted to the gripper assembly 520 (more specifically, to the second gripper connector 550) and is configured to prevent objects from unintentionally entering the space between the first gripper 530 and the second gripper 534 and the third gripper 538 and the fourth gripper 542. This space is sometimes referred to herein as the "sealing element receiving space". This reduces the likelihood of objects interfering with the operation of the strapping tool. It also prevents the grippers of the strapping tool from damaging the object (or vice versa). Figure 16A and Figure 16B As shown in the best view, the object blocking assembly 600 includes: an object blocker 605 formed by a first object blocker portion 610 and a second object blocker portion 620; an object blocker fastener 650; a pin 660; a plurality of biasing elements 670a, 670b, 670c and 670d; a biasing element holder 680; and a plurality of fasteners 690.

[0109] Object blocker 605 Figure 17A and Figure 17B The best-illustrated part is formed by a first object stop portion 610 and a second object stop portion 620 engaged by an object stop fastener 650 and a pin 660. The first object stop portion 610 includes a body 612 and a mating lug 614 extending from the rear surface of the body 612. The body 612 defines cylindrical bias element receiving holes 612a and 612b extending downward from the upper surface of the body 612. The bias element receiving holes are sized, formed, oriented, and otherwise configured to partially receive bias elements 670d and 670c, respectively. The lower side of the body 612 includes a curved object engagement surface 612c (but in other embodiments, this surface may be planar). Opposite side surfaces of the body 612 define vertically extending slots 612d and 612e. The toothed engagement pins 616a and 616b are received from front to back in holes defined in the body 612 and are positioned to extend across slots 612d and 612e, respectively.

[0110] The second object blocker portion 620 includes a body 622 and a mating lug 624 extending from the front surface of the body 622. The body 622 defines cylindrical bias element receiving holes 622a and 622b extending downward from the upper surface of the body 622. The bias element receiving holes are sized, formed, oriented, and otherwise configured to partially receive bias elements 670b and 670a, respectively. The lower side of the body 622 includes a curved object engagement surface 622c (but in other embodiments, this surface may be planar). Opposite side surfaces of the body 622 define vertically extending slots 622d and 622e. Toothed engagement pins 626a and 626b are received from front to back in holes defined in the body 612 and positioned to extend across slots 622d and 622e, respectively.

[0111] The object blocker 605 is slidably mounted to the second gripper connector 550. More specifically, as Figure 16A and Figure 16B As best shown, the second jaw connector 550 includes a body 552 and a neck 554 extending upward from the center of the body 552. The body 552 and neck 554 define an object block mounting slot 556 through which an object block 605 passes. An object block 605 is assembled such that mounting elements 614 and 624, object block fasteners 650, and pins 660 extend through the object block mounting slot 556. After assembly, the object block 605 is retracted relative to the second jaw connector 550 (and constrained by the size of the object block mounting slot 556). Figure 19A ) and (lower) blocking position ( Figure 19B Vertical movement between them. The bias element holder 680 is attached to the neck 554 of the second jaw connector 550 via a fastener 690 to constrain the bias elements 670a, 670b, 670c, and 670d into their respective bias element receiving holes 622b, 622a, 612b, and 612a within the object blocker 605. The bias element 670 biases the object blocker 605 to its blocking position.

[0112] The object blocker lifting element 630 is operably engaged with the object blocker 605 to hold the object blocker 605 in its retracted position when the sealing assembly 500 is in its original position, thereby preventing the object blocker 605 from interfering with the sealing element and the strip during strip insertion and strip tensioning. In this example embodiment and as... Figure 15CAs best shown, the object blocker lifting element 630 includes a body 632 having an object blocker engagement 634 at one end and an opposite free end 636. As described above, the object blocker lifting element 630 is pivotally mounted to the rear cover 506 via a pivot pin 640. The object blocker lifting element 630 is pivotable relative to the object blocker 605 about a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the pivot pin 640. The object blocker engagement 634 is received in a recess 622f (…). Figure 17B In this context, the recess is defined within the second object blocker portion 620 of the object blocker 605 and is partially defined by the upper wall 622w of the second object blocker portion 620. For example... Figure 19A and Figure 19B As shown in the best embodiment, the free end 636 is positioned between the first sealing assembly mounting element 390a and the lip 506d of the rear cover 506. The object blocker lifting element 630 is in its original position relative to the rest of the sealing assembly 500. Figure 19B ) and lifting position ( Figure 19A It pivots between )

[0113] The object blocker lifting element 630 is positioned and configured such that its position partially controls the position of the object blocker 605. Specifically, when the object blocker lifting element 630 is in the lifted position, it applies a force to the object blocker 605 that overcomes the biasing force of the biasing element 670 and holds the object blocker 605 in its retracted position. Specifically, the surface 634a of the object blocker connector 634 applies a force to the upper wall 622w of the second object blocker portion 620. Conversely, when the object blocker lifting element 630 is in its original position, it does not apply this force to the object blocker 605, and the object blocker 605 can move between its retracted position and its blocked position. The biasing element 670 biases the object blocker lifting element 630 to its original position (i.e., in this embodiment, biasing the upper wall 622w into contact with the surface 634a).

[0114] The position of the sealing assembly 500 controls the position of the object blocker lifting element 630 (and therefore, partially controls the position of the object blocker 605). For example... Figure 19AAs best shown, when the sealing assembly 500 is in its original position, the first sealing assembly mounting element 390a engages the object blocker lifting element 630 between its free end 636 and the pivot pin 640, forcing the object blocker lifting element 630 into its raised position. This, in turn (and as described above), forces the object blocker 605 into its retracted position. As the sealing assembly 500 moves from its original position to its sealed position, a space is created between the lip 506d and the first sealing assembly mounting element 390a. With the creation of this space, the biasing element 670 forces the object blocker 605 toward its blocked position. This causes the object blocker lifting element 630 to pivot, thus maintaining contact with the first sealing assembly mounting element 390a. Figure 19B The image shows the object blocker lifting element 630 and object blocker 605 after they have reached their respective original and blocking positions.

[0115] When object blocker 605 is in its blocking position and jaws 530, 534, 538, and 542 are in their original positions, object blocker 605 and jaws are in a blocking configuration. In this blocking configuration, object blocker 605 occupies a significant portion of the sealing element receiving space (not labeled) defined between jaws 530 and 538 and jaws 534 and 542, and below jaw connectors 546, 550, 566, and 567. As described in detail below, in response to the application of a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force of biasing element 670, object blocker 605 moves from its blocking position to its retracted position and remains there until the force is removed. In the retracted position, object blocker 605 is not positioned in the sealing element receiving space, allowing the sealing element and strip to be positioned there for sealing.

[0116] If the sealing cycle (as described below) begins with the object blocker 605 and jaws 530, 534, 538, and 542 in the blocking configuration, the jaws are configured to move the object blocker 605 toward its retracted position, thereby preventing damage to the jaw assembly 520 or any other component of the binding tool 50 during the sealing cycle. Specifically, when the object blocker 605 is in its blocking position, the upper teeth 530b, 534b, 538b, and 542b of the jaws 530, 534, 538, and 542 are adjacent to the pins 626b, 626a, 616b, and 616a of the object blocker 605, respectively. As the jaws begin to pivot from their respective original positions to their respective sealing positions, the upper teeth engage their respective pins. The continued movement of the jaws toward their respective sealing positions causes the upper teeth to exert sufficient force on the pins to overcome the biasing force of the biasing element 670 and move the object blocker 605 toward its retracted position. As this occurs, the lower tooth enters a slot defined in the side of the object blocker 605. Figure 18C The grippers are shown in their sealed position after the object blockers are moved to their retracted position.

[0117] One problem with some known strapping tools that use jaws to crimp or notch the strips and (if applicable) sealing elements is that foreign objects can (inadvertently) enter the space between the jaws, rather than the strips and (if applicable) sealing elements or anything else besides the strips and sealing elements. This is problematic for several reasons. Objects can interfere with the operation of the strapping tool and result in suboptimal strength at the joints formed by attaching overlapping strip portions to each other, potentially leading to accidental joint failure and product loss. Furthermore, objects can damage the jaws and / or other components of the sealing assembly during the sealing process, requiring tool repair and causing downtime. Further, the sealing assembly may be damaged or destroyed by the object.

[0118] The object blocking assembly disclosed herein addresses this problem by discharging foreign objects from the sealing element receiving space between the jaws and preventing foreign objects from unintentionally entering the sealing element receiving space between the jaws. Specifically, if a loose foreign object—such as the shaft of a screwdriver—is located in the sealing element receiving space between the jaws as the sealing assembly reaches its sealing position, the object blocker will force the object out of the sealing element receiving space as it moves from its retracted position to its blocking position. Once the object blocker reaches its blocking position, a minimum clearance exists between the object blocker and the lower teeth of the jaws, thereby preventing foreign objects from entering the sealing element receiving space between the jaws.

[0119] like Figures 20A to 20CAs shown, the first jaw connector 546, the second jaw connector 550, and the third jaw connector 566 include respective support surfaces 546s, 552s, and 566s configured to support a sealing element during a sealing cycle. In this example embodiment, the support surfaces 546s, 552s, and 566s are planar and parallel to each other. The support surfaces 546s, 552s, and 566s support the sealing element during a sealing cycle. In this example embodiment, as... Figure 20B and Figure 20C As shown in the optimal configuration, the support surfaces 546s of the first jaw connector 546 and 566s of the third jaw connector 566 are coplanar, while the support surface 552s of the second jaw connector 550 is offset by a distance Y below the support surfaces 546s and 566s. In other words, the support surface 552s of the second jaw connector 550 is below the support surfaces 546s of the first jaw connector 546 and 566s of the third jaw connector 566. The lower support surface of the second jaw connector helps prevent the sealing element SE from bending along the longitudinal direction of the strip during the completion of the sealing cycle (from...). Figure 20B and Figure 20C From the perspective of entering and leaving the page.

[0120] Although not shown here, the cutter is positioned in a recess defined in the rear cover 506 and is movable within that recess. Figure 15B (best shown in the diagram), and is mounted to connector pivot 524. Downward movement of connector pivot 524 causes connector pivot 524 to force the cutter downward to cut the strip from the strip supply source, and upward return movement of connector pivot 524 causes the cutter to return upward.

[0121] exist Figure 3B as well as Figures 21 to 23B The drive assembly 700, best shown in the diagram, is operatively connected to the tensioning assembly 400 and configured to rotate the tensioning pulley 440 to tension the strip, and is operatively connected to the sealing assembly 500 to attach overlapping portions of the strips to each other. The drive assembly 700 includes a working assembly actuator 710, a first transmission 720, a second transmission 730, a first belt 740, a third transmission 750, a second belt 760, and a conversion assembly 800.

[0122] In this example embodiment, the working component actuator 710 includes a motor (and is referred to herein as motor 710), particularly a brushless DC motor including a motor output shaft 712 having a motor output shaft rotation axis 712a (however, in other embodiments, motor 710 may be any other suitable type of motor). Motor 710 (via motor output shaft 712) is operatively connected to and configured to drive a first drive unit 720, which (described below) is configured to selectively transmit the output of motor 710 to either the tensioning assembly 400 or the sealing assembly 500. In other embodiments, the binding tool includes separate tensioning actuators and sealing actuators configured to actuate the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly, respectively, rather than a single actuator configured to actuate both the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly.

[0123] The first transmission 720 includes any suitable gear mechanism and / or other components configured to selectively transmit the output of motor 710 via a first belt 740 to a second transmission 730 and via a second belt 760 to a third transmission 750. More specifically, the first transmission 720 is configured such that: (1) rotation of the motor output shaft 712 in a first rotational direction causes the first transmission 720 to transmit the output of motor 710 via the first belt 740 to the second transmission 730 but not to the third transmission 750; and (2) rotation of the motor output shaft 712 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction causes the first transmission 720 to transmit the output of motor 710 via the second belt 760 to the third transmission 750 but not to the second transmission 730. Thus, in this embodiment, a single motor (motor 710) is configured to actuate both the tensioning assembly 400 and the sealing assembly 500.

[0124] To achieve this selective transmission of the motor output, the first transmission 720 includes: a first pulley (or other suitable component) (unmarked) mounted on a first flywheel (unmarked) that is mounted on the motor output shaft 712; and a second pulley (or other suitable component) (unmarked) mounted on a second flywheel (unmarked) that is mounted on the motor output shaft 712. The first pulley (via a first belt 740) is operatively connected to the second transmission 730, and the second pulley (via a second belt 760) is operatively connected to the third transmission 750. When the motor output shaft 712 rotates in a first direction: (1) the first flywheel and the first pulley rotate with the motor output shaft 712, thereby transmitting the motor output to the second transmission 730 via the first belt 740; and (2) the motor output shaft 712 rotates freely via the second flywheel, which does not cause the second pulley to rotate. Conversely, when the motor output shaft 712 rotates in the second direction: (1) the second flywheel and the second pulley rotate with the motor output shaft 712, thereby transmitting the motor output to the third transmission 750 via the second belt 760; and (2) the motor output shaft 712 rotates freely via the first flywheel, which does not cause the first pulley to rotate. This is merely one example embodiment of the first transmission 720, and in other embodiments, it may include any other suitable components.

[0125] The second transmission 730 is configured to transmit the output of the first transmission 720 to the tensioning assembly 400 to cause the tensioning pulley 440 to rotate. More specifically, the second transmission 730 is configured to transmit the output of the first transmission 720 to the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 of the tensioning assembly 400 to cause the tensioning pulley shaft 428b and the tensioning pulley 440 to rotate thereon. Accordingly, the motor 710 (via the first transmission 720, the first belt 740, the second transmission 730, the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420, and the tensioning pulley shaft 428b) is operatively coupled to the tensioning pulley 440 and configured to cause the tensioning pulley 440 to rotate. In this example embodiment, the second transmission 730 includes an intermediate gear assembly 732 positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to engage the driven gear 421 of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 of the tensioning assembly 400—regardless of the rotational position of the tensioning assembly 400—to transmit the output of the motor 710 to the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420, thereby rotating the tensioning wheel 440. The intermediate gear assembly 732 is positioned and otherwise configured to maintain the operative connection between the motor 710 and the tensioning assembly 400 as the tensioning assembly 400 pivots between its belt tensioned position and belt insertion position.

[0126] Specifically, and as Figure 21As best shown, the intermediate gear assembly 732 includes a first intermediate gear 732a and a second intermediate gear 732b. The first intermediate gear 732a and the second intermediate gear 732b (via bearings or any other suitable component) are rotatably mounted to the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405 and are rotatable about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a. That is, the first intermediate gear 732a and the second intermediate gear 732b rotate about the same axis around which the tensioning assembly 400 pivots between its belt tensioned position and its belt insertion position. The first intermediate gear 732a and the second intermediate gear 732b are fixed in rotation relative to each other (e.g., via a splined or keyed connection) and therefore rotate together about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a. A first belt 740 engages with the first intermediate gear 732a and thus drives the first intermediate gear 732a and the second intermediate gear 732b to rotate about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a.

[0127] The intermediate gear assembly 732 transmits the output of the second transmission 730 to the tensioning assembly 400. More specifically, the second intermediate gear 732b drives and directly drives the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420 (and here the driven gear 421), which in turn causes the gear 421 to rotate about the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a.

[0128] like Figure 23A and Figure 23B As shown, since the intermediate gear assembly 732 can rotate about the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a, the distance Z between the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a and the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a remains constant within the operating tolerance as the tensioning assembly 400 pivots between its belt tensioned position and belt insertion position. For example, when the tensioning assembly 400 pivots between its belt tensioned position and belt insertion position, the distance Z between the tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a and the tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a remains the same or at least substantially the same (e.g., + / - 10%). This ensures that the second intermediate gear 732b maintains its drive engagement with the driven gear 421 throughout the entire range of motion of the tensioning assembly 400, thereby ensuring that the motor 710 is not operatively disconnected from the tensioning assembly 400 as the tensioning assembly 400 pivots. This arrangement improves upon an alternative arrangement (not shown) in which there is no intermediate gear assembly and the first belt 740 directly drives the driven gear 421 of the tensioning assembly gear assembly 420. In this alternative arrangement, the distance between the rotation axis 440a of the tensioning wheel and the rotation axis 712a of the motor output shaft decreases as the tensioning assembly 400 pivots from its belt tensioned position to its belt insertion position. This pivoting creates slack in the first belt 740, which can cause the first belt 740 to slip or completely disengage from the motor output shaft 712 and / or the driven gear 421, leading to tool failure.

[0129] The third transmission 750 is configured to transmit the output of the first transmission 720 to the conversion assembly 800. The third transmission 750 may include any suitable components, such as one or more gears and one or more shafts arranged in any suitable manner. In this example embodiment, the third transmission 750 includes a third transmission gear assembly 752 that is driven by a second belt 760 to rotate about a third transmission rotation axis 752a.

[0130] like Figure 21 and Figure 22 As best shown, the tensioning assembly 400 and the drive assembly 700 define at least four axes of rotation: a motor output shaft rotation axis 712a, a tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a, a tensioning wheel rotation axis 440a, and a third transmission rotation axis 752a. In this example embodiment, these four axes of rotation are parallel to each other. Figure 22 From the perspective shown, these axes are oriented from left to right as follows: tension wheel rotation axis 440a, motor output shaft rotation axis, tensioning assembly pivot axis 405a, and third transmission device rotation axis 752a. Figure 22 From the view shown, these axes are oriented from bottom to top as follows: tension wheel rotation axis 440a, tension assembly pivot axis 405a, motor output shaft rotation axis 712a, and third transmission device rotation axis 752a.

[0131] This arrangement of the rotation axes (and components rotating around these axes) allows the motor 710 to directly drive the conversion assembly 800 (via the second belt 760) and indirectly drive the tensioning assembly 400 (via the first belt 740 and the intermediate gear assembly 732). This arrangement of the rotation axes also ensures that when the tensioning assembly 400 pivots about its pivot axis 405a, the distance Z between the motor output shaft rotation axis 712a and the tensioning pulley rotation axis 440a remains constant within the operating tolerances (as described above). This distance Z... Figure 23A As shown, the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip insertion position, and the distance is... Figure 23B As shown, the tensioning component 400 is in its strip tensioned position.

[0132] The conversion assembly 800 is configured to transmit the output of the third drive 750 to the sealing assembly 500 to perform a sealing cycle comprising: moving the sealing assembly from its original position to its sealing position, causing the jaws of the sealing assembly to move from their original positions to their sealing positions to cut notches in the sealing element and strip, causing the jaws to move back to their original positions to release the notched sealing element and strip, and moving the sealing assembly back to its original position. In doing so, in this embodiment, the conversion assembly 800 is configured to convert rotary motion (rotation of the shaft and gears) into linear motion (reciprocating translational movement of the coupling).

[0133] Conversion component 800 in Figures 24A to 26H The best shown in the diagram includes a drive wheel 810, a bearing 815, a connecting rod 820, and a retainer 850.

[0134] like Figure 24B As shown in the optimal configuration, the drive wheel 810 includes a generally cylindrical base 812 and a disc-shaped head 814 located at one end of the base 812. The base 812 and the head 814 are about the drive wheel rotation axis A. 810 Centered on and capable of rotating around it. The linkage drive shaft 816 extends from the head 814 and rotates about the linkage axis A. 820 Centered on the head 814, the connecting rod drive shaft 816 is located near the periphery of the head 814, thus the connecting rod rotation axis A... 820 With respect to the axis of rotation A of the drive wheel 810 Radially spaced.

[0135] Link 820 includes a first connector 830 and a second connector 840. The first connector 830 includes a body 832 having a head and opposite feet. The head through the body 832 defines a link drive shaft mounting opening 834. A first support connector 836 extends radially from the head of the body 832. The feet of the body 832 include one or more (two in this case) stop fingers 838. A second support connector 839 (here, a roller) is mounted between the stop fingers 838. The second connector 840 includes a body 842 having a head and opposite feet. The feet through the body 842 define a connector mounting opening 844. Near the head, the body 842 includes a stop element 848 comprising one or more (two in this case) stop surfaces 848a. A first connector 830 and a second connector 840 are connected to each other via a pivot 822 extending between the foot of the body 832 of the first connector 830 and the head of the body 842 of the second connector 840. The first connector 830 and the second connector 840 are pivotable relative to each other about the pivot 822. Once connected, the head of the body 832 of the first connector 830 forms the head of the link 820 (and is referred to as such hereinafter), and the foot of the body 842 of the second connector 840 forms the foot of the link 820 (and is referred to as such hereinafter).

[0136] like Figure 3A As shown in the best embodiment, the base 812 of the drive wheel 810 is supported by a journal via a bearing 815 in the drive and conversion assembly mounting element 340 of the support 300. In this example embodiment, the bearing is a roller bearing, so the drive wheel 810 can rotate about the drive wheel axis A. 810 Rotate 300 degrees relative to the support member. For example... Figure 24A As shown in the optimal configuration, the connecting rod drive shaft 816 of the drive wheel 810 is received in the connecting rod drive shaft mounting opening 834 of the first connector 830 of the connecting rod bracket 820 to mount the connecting rod 820 to the drive wheel 810. A retaining ring 850 is inserted into a groove (not marked) defined around the periphery of the connecting rod drive shaft 816 to hold the connecting rod 820 in the drive wheel 810. Once installed, the connecting rod 820 is rotatable about the connecting rod axis A. 820 Rotates relative to drive wheel 810.

[0137] Although not shown, a third transmission device 750 (e.g., via a shaft and a suitable gear mechanism) is operatively connected to the drive wheel 810 and configured to cause the drive wheel 810 to rotate about the drive wheel axis A. 810 Rotation. (e.g.) Figure 3A , Figure 24A and Figure 24BAs shown in the optimal configuration, the foot of the link 820 is pivotally connected to the connector 522 of the sealing assembly 500 via a pin (unmarked) extending through the connector mounting opening 844, thus allowing the link 820 to revolve around axis A. 844 ( Figure 24A The motor 710 (via a third drive 750, a second belt 760, and a conversion assembly 800) is pivoted relative to the coupling 522. Accordingly, the motor 710 is operatively coupled to the sealing assembly 500 and configured to control the sealing assembly 500 to perform a sealing cycle as described below.

[0138] More specifically, the rotation of the motor output shaft 712 of the motor 710 in the second rotational direction causes the rotation of the second pulley of the first transmission 720. The second belt 760 transmits the output of the first transmission 720 (in this case, the rotation of the second pulley) to the third transmission 750, which in turn transmits the output of the first transmission 720 to the conversion assembly 800. More specifically, the third transmission 750 transmits the output of the first transmission 720 to the drive wheel 810 of the conversion assembly 800, causing the drive wheel 810 to rotate about the drive wheel axis A. 810 Rotate to support the connecting rod 820.

[0139] The drive wheel 810 has an initial position and a sealed position. In some embodiments, the sensor(s)1700 include an initial position sensor configured to detect when the drive wheel 810 is in its initial position and transmit this information to the controller 1300. Figure 25A and Figure 26A As best shown, when the drive wheel 810 is in its original position: the foot of the connecting rod 820 is in its original position (its highest position in this example embodiment); the sealing assembly 500 is in its original position; and the grippers 530, 534, 538, and 542 are in their respective original positions. After the sealing cycle begins, the drive wheel 810 begins to rotate from its original position (counterclockwise in this example embodiment) to its sealing position. As the drive wheel 810 rotates from its original position to its sealing position, the connecting rod 820 applies a force to the coupling 522, which causes the coupling to force the sealing assembly 500 to move from its original position toward its sealing position.

[0140] After the sealing assembly 500 reaches its sealing position (and before the drive wheel 810 reaches its sealing position), the continued rotation of the drive wheel 810 toward its sealing position causes the connector 522 to move toward the jaws relative to the front plate 502 and back plate 506 of the sealing assembly 500 (guided by the connector pivot 524 received in a slot defined in the back plate). This causes the upper ends of the first connector / jaw link 526 and the second connector / jaw link 528 to move downwards, which causes the lower ends of the first connector / jaw link 526 and the second connector / jaw link 528 to move outwards. This causes the upper portions of the jaws to move outwards. This causes the lower portions of the jaws to move inwards. In other words, this causes the jaws to pivot from their respective original positions to their respective sealing positions. Figure 25B and Figure 26F As shown, when the foot of the linkage 820 reaches its sealing position (its lowest position in this example embodiment) and the drive wheel 810 reaches its sealing position, the grippers are in their respective sealing positions. The drive wheel 810 continuing to rotate back to its original position reverses this movement: the grippers move from their sealing positions back to their original positions, and then the sealing assembly moves back to its original position.

[0141] The components of the conversion assembly 800 are sized, formed, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to change the distance between the head and foot of the link during a sealing cycle. In other words, the components of the conversion assembly 800 are sized, formed, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to change the effective length of the link 820—in this example embodiment, axis A—during a sealing cycle. 820 With A 844 The distance D between them allows the sealing assembly 500 to move rapidly toward its sealing position (by increasing the effective length of the link 820) and, after the notch is opened, to move toward its original position (by decreasing the effective length of the link 820). The minimum effective length of the link 820 is D. MIN (D 最小 And the maximum effective length of link 820 is D. MAX (D 最大 ),like Figure 25A and Figure 25B As shown in the image.

[0142] Figures 26A to 26H This demonstrates how the components of the conversion assembly 800 cooperate to change the effective length of the link 820 during a sealing cycle. At the start of the sealing cycle, the drive wheel 810 and the foot of the link 820 are in their respective original positions, and the effective length of the link 820 is D. MIN ,like Figure 26AAs shown. The drive wheel 810 begins to rotate from its original position to its sealed position, thereby carrying the connecting rod 820. As... Figure 26B As shown, this brings the second support connector 839 into contact with the second link connector 394. Continued rotation of the drive wheel 810 causes the first connector 830 to rotate counterclockwise relative to the drive wheel 810 and the second connector 840 (from...). Figures 26A to 26H (From the viewpoint shown), this causes the effective length of link 820 to increase to its maximum value D. MAX ,like Figures 26C to 26E As shown. Figure 26E As shown, the effective length of link 820 reaches its maximum value D. MAX At this time, the stop finger 838 of the first connector engages the stop surface 848a of the stop element 848 of the second connector 848 (this prevents the first connector 830 from rotating further relative to the second connector 840), and the second support connector 839 disengages from the second link connector 394. In this example embodiment, the sealing assembly 500 reaches its sealing position and the effective length D of the link 820 reaches its maximum value. MAX Previously, the grippers began to move from their original positions to their sealing positions.

[0143] The effective length of the connecting rod 820 reaches D. MAX Subsequently, as the drive wheel 810 continues to rotate toward its sealing position, the connecting rod 820 maintains its effective length as the grippers continue to move from their original positions to their sealing positions. In this example embodiment, the effective length of the connecting rod 820 reaches its maximum value D. MAX At this point, the grippers begin to contact the sealing element (as described in detail below). Figure 26F The image shows the drive wheel 810 in its sealed position, at which point the grippers have also reached their sealed positions and have notched the sealing elements and strips. Subsequently, the continued rotation of the drive wheel 810 causes the first support coupling 836 to contact the first linkage coupling 392 of the base 300, as... Figure 26G As shown, as the drive wheel 810 continues to rotate back to its original position, the engagement between the first support connector 836 and the first link connector 392 causes the first connector 830 to rotate clockwise relative to the drive wheel 810 and the second connector 140. Figure 26H As shown, when the drive wheel 810 reaches its original position, this relative rotation of the first connecting member 830 causes the effective length of the connecting rod 820 to change from D. MAX Reduce to D MIN In this example embodiment, the effective length of link 820 reaches its minimum value D. MIN At that time, the sealing component 500 reaches its original position.

[0144] The timing of the rotation of the sealing assembly 500 and the gripper relative to the drive wheel 810, and the effective length of the link 820, can differ in other embodiments. For example, in another embodiment, the effective length of the link 820 reaches its maximum value D. MAX At that time, the sealing assembly 500 reaches its sealing position, after which the grippers begin to move to their sealing positions.

[0145] Compared to existing tools with a fixed effective length of linkage, varying the effective length of the linkage during the sealing cycle offers several advantages. Since the sealing assembly reaches its sealing position shortly after the start of the sealing cycle, more of the linkage drive shaft's stroke is used to cut notches in the sealing element and strip (compared to existing tools) as the drive wheel rotates from its initial position to its sealing position. This means less force is required to cut the notches. Consequently, the components of the gripper assembly—such as the grippers, gears, connectors, etc.—are lighter (and in some cases smaller) than those of existing tools, making the tool lighter (and in some cases more compact), and therefore easier to handle. Because less force is required to cut the notches, the amount of torque the motor must provide is less than that of existing tools, meaning the motor draws less current and is more efficient. This also allows the motor to run faster compared to existing tools, thus increasing the speed of the sealing cycle.

[0146] Display assembly 1300 includes a suitable display screen 1310 having a touch panel 1320. Display screen 1310 is configured (at least in this embodiment) to display information about the strapping tool, and touch screen 1320 is configured to receive operator input, such as desired strip tension, desired welding cooling time, and operator input as known in the art. A display controller (not shown) can control display screen 1310 and touch panel 1320, and in these embodiments, the display controller is communicatively connected to controller 1300 to send signals to and receive signals from controller 1300. Other embodiments of the strapping tool do not include a touch panel. Other embodiments of the strapping tool do not include a display assembly.

[0147] The actuation component 1400 is configured to receive operator input to initiate tensioning and sealing cycles. In this example embodiment, the actuation component 1400 includes a first button actuator 1410 and a second button actuator 1420, which initiate tensioning and / or sealing cycles according to the operating mode of the strapping tool 50, as described below. Other embodiments of the strapping tool 50 do not have the actuation component 1400, but instead integrate the functionality of the actuation component into the display component 1300. For example, in one of these embodiments, two areas of the touch panel define virtual buttons that function identically to the mechanical button actuators.

[0148] Controller 1600 includes a processing device (or processing devices) communicatively connected to a memory device (or multiple memory devices). For example, the controller may be a programmable logic controller. The processing device may include any suitable processing device, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, one or more microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a digital signal processor core, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more integrated circuits, and / or state machines. The memory device may include any suitable memory device, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory, random access memory, one or more digital registers, cache memory, one or more semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, and / or optical media such as integrated hard disks and / or removable memory. The memory device stores instructions executable by the processing device to control the operation of the strapping tool 50. Controller 1600 is communicatively and operatively connected to motor 710, display assembly 1300, actuation assembly 1400, and sensors(s)1700, and is configured to receive signals from and control those components. The controller 1600 is also communicatively connected to an external device, such as a computing device, to send information to and receive information from the external device (e.g., via WiFi, Bluetooth, near field communication or other suitable wireless communication protocols).

[0149] The controller 1600 is configured to operate the strapping tool in one of three operating modes: (1) manual operation mode; (2) semi-automatic operation mode; and (3) automatic operation mode. In manual operation mode, the controller 1600 operates the motor 710 to cause the tension wheel 440 to rotate in response to and while maintaining the actuation of the first button actuator 1410. The controller 1600 operates the motor 710 to cause the sealing assembly 500 to perform a sealing cycle in response to and while maintaining the actuation of the second button actuator 1420. In semi-automatic operation mode, the controller 1600 operates the motor 710 to cause the tension wheel 440 to rotate in response to and while maintaining the actuation of the first button actuator 1410. Once the controller 1600 determines that the tension in the strip has reached the (preset) desired strip tension, the controller 1600 automatically operates the motor to cause the sealing assembly 500 to perform a sealing cycle (without requiring additional input from the operator). In automatic operation mode, controller 1600 operates motor 710 to cause tension wheel 440 to rotate in response to actuation of first button actuator 1410. Once controller 1600 determines that the tension in the strip has reached the (preset) desired strip tension, controller 1600 automatically operates the motor to cause sealing assembly 500 to perform a sealing cycle (without requiring additional input from the operator).

[0150] Power source 1500 (via suitable wiring and other components) electrically connects to and is configured to power several components of the strapping tool 50, including motor 710, display assembly 1300, actuation assembly 1400, controller 1600, and sensors(s) 1700. In this example embodiment, power source 1500 is a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium battery), although in other embodiments the power source can be any other suitable power source. Power source 1500 is sized, formed, and otherwise configured to be received in a socket (not labeled) defined by housing 100. Strapping tool 50 includes one or more battery securing devices (not shown) to releasably lock the power source 1500 in place when it is received in the socket. A release device of strapping tool 50 or actuation of power source 1500 unlocks power source 1500 from housing 100 and allows an operator to remove power source 1500 from housing 100.

[0151] A strapping cycle is performed using strapping tool 50, the strapping cycle comprising: (1) a tensioning cycle, wherein strapping tool 50 tensions strip S around load L; and (2) according to Figures 28A to 28CA sealing cycle is described, wherein the strapping tool 50 notches the sealing element SE positioned around the overlapping top and bottom portions of the strip S and the top and bottom portions of the strip itself, and cuts the strip from the strip supply source. Initially: the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strip insertion position (held there by the retainer 1810); the sealing assembly 500 is in its original position; the grippers are in their respective original positions; the object stopper 605 is in its retracted position; the drive wheel 810 is in its original position; the rocker arm 910 is in its actuated position; and the door 1010 is in its strip insertion position. For the purposes of this example, the strapping tool 50 is in automatic mode.

[0152] The operator first pulls the front end of strip S from the strip supply source (not shown) and passes the front end of strip S through the sealing element SE. While holding the sealing element SE, the operator wraps the strip around the load L and positions the front end of strip S below another portion of strip S, passing the front end of strip S through the sealing element SE again. The sealing element SE is then positioned around the overlapping top and bottom portions of strip S. The operator then bends the front end of strip S backward and slides the sealing element SE along strip S until it encounters a bend. Figure 27 The position of the bend and sealing element SE at this time is shown.

[0153] The operator then inserts the top portion of the strip S into the strip receiving opening behind the sealing element SE, such that the top portion of the strip S is between the tensioning roller 440 and the roller 380 of the support leg 320 of the support member 300. The operator then manually pulls the strip S to eliminate slack and pushes the strapping tool 50 towards the sealing element SE until the sealing element SE engages the door 1010 and is trapped between the bend in the bottom portion of the strip S and the door 1010. Figure 28A As shown, the sealing element SE is below the object blocker 605 at this time.

[0154] The operator then actuates the first button actuator 1410 to initiate the strapping cycle. In response, the controller 1600 initiates the tensioning cycle by controlling the motor 710 to begin rotating the motor output shaft 712 in the first rotational direction. This causes the tension wheel shaft 428b and the tension wheel 440 thereon to begin rotating. The rotation of the tension wheel shaft 428b forces the retainer 1810 to rotate to its released position. When this occurs, the tensioning assembly biasing element forces the tensioning assembly 400 to its strip tensioned position. This causes the tension wheel 440 to engage with the top portion of the strip S and clamp it onto the roller 380. At this time, the bottom portion of the strip S is located below the support leg 320. The movement of the tensioning assembly 400 back to the strip tensioned position causes the door 1010 to return to its original position, in which the door 1010 is barely in contact with the top portion of the strip or is just above the top portion of the strip.

[0155] As the tensioning pulley 440 rotates, it pulls the top portion of the strip S, thereby tensioning the strip S around the load L. Throughout the tensioning cycle, the controller 1600 monitors the current drawn by the motor 710. When this current reaches a preset value related to the (preset) desired strip tension for this strapping cycle, the controller 1600 stops the motor 710, thus terminating the tensioning cycle.

[0156] The controller 1600 then automatically initiates the sealing cycle by controlling the motor 710 to rotate the motor output shaft 712 in the second rotational direction. As described above, this causes the sealing assembly 500 to move to its sealing position. As the sealing assembly 500 moves to its sealing position, the object blocker lifting element 630 releases the object blocker 605 to move toward its blocking position. Figure 28B As shown, the object blocker 605 contacts the sealing element SE and is forced to remain in place by the sealing element SE. The sealing assembly 500 is positioned relative to the sealing element SE, so that the sealing element SE is within the sealing element receiving space of the sealing assembly 500 when it is in its sealing position. After the sealing assembly 500 reaches its sealing position, the jaws: (1) pivot from their respective original positions to their respective sealing positions to cut notches in the top and bottom portions of the sealing element SE and the strip S within the sealing element SE, as shown. Figure 28C As shown in the figure; then (2) they pivot from their respective sealed positions back to their respective original positions so that the strapping tool 50 can be removed from the strip S. Figure 29 The notched sealing element SE and the strip S are shown.

[0157] While the sealing assembly includes grippers configured to cut into the sealing element to attach two portions of the strip to itself, in other embodiments, the sealing assembly may include other sealing mechanisms, such as friction welding assemblies or non-sealing attachment assemblies.

[0158] Other embodiments of the strapping tool may include fewer components, parts, and / or features than those included in the strapping tool 50 shown above and in the accompanying drawings. For example, other strapping tools may include fewer than all (including only one) of a conversion assembly, an object blocking assembly, a retaining assembly, a retainer enabling assembly, an intermediate gear mechanism, a dual-pivot rocker, a rocker with blocking fingers, a disconnecting coupling assembly, a gripper connector with an offset support surface, and a door assembly, as well as any combination of two or more of these. In other words, while the specific example strapping tool 50 described above includes all these components, parts, and features, they are independent of each other and may be included individually or in any combination of two or more in other strapping tools.

[0159] Various embodiments of the strapping tool include: a support member including legs; a tensioning assembly mounted to the support member and pivotable relative to the legs of the support member about a tensioning assembly pivot axis between a tensioned position and a strap insertion position, the tensioning assembly including: a rotatable tension wheel shaft; a tension wheel mounted to the tension wheel shaft for rotation with the tension wheel shaft; and a tensioning assembly gear assembly operatively connected to the tension wheel shaft to rotate the tension wheel about a tension wheel rotation axis spaced apart from the tensioning assembly pivot axis; and an intermediate gear assembly operatively connected to the tensioning assembly gear assembly about the tensioning assembly pivot axis. A gear mechanism for driving the tensioning assembly; a rocker arm mounted to the tensioning assembly and pivotable relative to the tensioning assembly and about a pivot axis between an initial position and an intermediate position, wherein the pivot axis of the tensioning assembly is different from the pivot axis of the rocker arm; wherein the rocker arm is pivotable relative to the support member and about the pivot axis of the tensioning assembly from the intermediate position to an actuated position to move the tensioning assembly from the belt tensioned position to the belt insertion position; wherein the rocker arm includes a blocking device for preventing the tensioning assembly from moving from the belt tensioned position to the belt insertion position when the rocker arm is in the initial position; and a disconnecting coupling device for allowing the tensioning wheel to engage with the tensioning wheel. The rocker arm rotates about the axis of rotation of the tension wheel in the opposite direction of rotation. The rocker arm is operably connected to the disconnect assembly to actuate the disconnect device when pivoting from the original position to the intermediate position. A sealing assembly is mounted to the support and is movable relative to the support between the original position and the sealing position of the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes: spaced-apart first and second jaw connectors, each including a first and second support surface; a central jaw connector positioned between the first and second jaw connectors and including a central support surface; and a first pair of jaws. The first pair of grippers is located between the first gripper connector and the central gripper connector and includes opposing first and second grippers that are pivotable between their respective original gripper positions and gripper sealing positions; the second pair of grippers is located between the central gripper connector and the second gripper connector and includes opposing third and fourth grippers that are pivotable between their respective original gripper positions and gripper sealing positions; wherein a strip path is defined between the first and second grippers and between the third and fourth grippers and below the first support surface, the second support surface and the central support surface, wherein the central support surface is closer to the strip path than the first and second support surfaces;A conversion assembly includes a link operably connected to the sealing assembly and configured to move the sealing assembly from its original position to its sealing position and to move the jaws from their respective original positions to their respective sealing positions. The link includes means for changing the effective length of the link while moving the sealing assembly from its original position to its sealing position. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the drive intermediate gear and the conversion assembly. A retaining mechanism is provided for holding the tensioning assembly in the strip insertion position. A deactivation mechanism is provided for preventing the retaining mechanism from holding the tensioning assembly in the strip insertion position.

[0160] Various embodiments of the strapping tool include: a support member including legs; a housing including a handle and defining an opening to block fingers, the housing at least partially surrounding the support member; a tensioning assembly mounted to the support member and pivotable relative to the legs of the support member about a tensioning assembly pivot axis between a tensioned position and a strap insertion position, the tensioning assembly including: a rotatable tension wheel shaft; a tension wheel mounted to the tension wheel shaft for rotation with the tension wheel shaft; and a tensioning assembly gear assembly operatively connected to the tension wheel shaft to rotate the tension wheel about a tension wheel rotation axis spaced apart from the tensioning assembly pivot axis; an intermediate gear assembly, the intermediate gear assembly... A gear mechanism is rotatable about the tensioning assembly pivot axis and operably connected to the tensioning assembly gear mechanism to drive it; a rocker arm is mounted to the tensioning assembly and is pivotable relative to the tensioning assembly and about its pivot axis between an initial position and an intermediate position, wherein the tensioning assembly pivot axis is different from the rocker arm pivot axis; the rocker arm is pivotable relative to the support member and about the tensioning assembly pivot axis from the intermediate position to an actuated position to move the tensioning assembly from the strip tensioned position to the strip insertion position; the rocker arm includes a stop finger positioned and oriented such that movement of the rocker arm from the initial position to the intermediate position is actuated. The blocking finger passes through the opening of the blocking finger and enters the housing, and the blocking finger prevents the tensioning assembly from moving from the strip tension position to the strip insertion position when the rocker arm is in the original position; a disconnecting coupling assembly is actuable to allow the tensioning wheel to rotate about the axis of rotation of the tensioning wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of tensioning rotation, wherein the rocker arm is operatively connected to the disconnecting coupling assembly to actuate the disconnecting coupling assembly when pivoting from the original position to the intermediate position; a sealing assembly is mounted to the support and is movable relative to the support between the original position and the sealing position of the sealing assembly, the sealing assembly including: a spaced-apart first jaw connector and a second jaw connector. A two-jaw connector, wherein the spaced-apart first and second jaw connectors each include a first support surface and a second support surface; a central jaw connector positioned between the first and second jaw connectors and including a central support surface; a first pair of jaws located between the first and central jaw connectors and including opposing first and second jaws pivotable between their respective original jaw positions and jaw sealing positions; and a second pair of jaws located between the central and second jaw connectors and including opposing third and fourth jaws pivotable between their respective original jaw positions and jaw sealing positions.A strip path is defined between the first and second grippers and between the third and fourth grippers, and below the first support surface, the second support surface, and the central support surface, wherein the central support surface is closer to the strip path than the first and second support surfaces; a conversion assembly includes a link comprising a first connector and a second connector connected to each other, wherein the link is operably connected to the sealing assembly and configured to move the sealing assembly from its original position to its sealing position and to move the grippers from their respective original positions to their respective sealing positions, wherein the first connector and the second connector are... Two connecting members are configured to move relative to each other to change the effective length of the link while moving the sealing assembly from its original position to its sealing position; a drive assembly including a motor operably connected to the intermediate gear device to rotate the intermediate gear device about the pivot axis of the tensioning assembly in the tensioning rotation direction and operably connected to the conversion assembly and configured to drive the link; a retainer including a body having a tension wheel shaft engagement, wherein the retainer is movable relative to the tension wheel shaft between a release position and a retaining position; a retainer biasing element that biases the retainer to the retaining position; and;

[0161] A retainer engagement device is movable relative to the retainer between an enabled position and a disabled position, wherein when the tensioning assembly is in the strip insertion position and the retainer is in the retaining position, the retainer tension wheel shaft engagement device engages the tension wheel shaft of the tensioning assembly to retain the tensioning assembly in the strip insertion position, wherein when the retainer engagement device is in the disabled position, the retainer engagement device prevents the retainer from moving to the retaining position, and wherein when the retainer engagement device is in the enabled position, the retainer engagement device enables the retainer to move to the retaining position.

Claims

1. A binding tool, comprising: A support member, which includes legs; The tensioning assembly is mounted to the support and is movable relative to the leg of the support between a tensioned position and a inserted position. The tensioning assembly includes a rotatable tensioning wheel shaft and a tensioning wheel, the tensioning wheel being mounted to the tensioning wheel shaft to rotate together with the tensioning wheel shaft. A motor operably connected to the tension wheel shaft and configured to rotate the tension wheel shaft in a first rotational direction; A retainer comprising a body having a tension wheel shaft engagement, wherein the retainer is movable relative to the tension wheel shaft between a release position and a retaining position; and A retainer biasing element that biases the retainer to the retaining position. When the retainer is in the released position away from the tension wheel shaft, the retainer biasing element forces the tension wheel shaft engagement of the retainer to contact the surface of the tension wheel shaft of the tensioning assembly, so that the tension wheel shaft engagement can further engage the tension wheel shaft, thereby holding the tensioning assembly in the strip insertion position.

2. The binding tool as described in claim 1, wherein, When the tensioning assembly is in the strip insertion position and the retainer is in the retaining position, the rotation of the tensioning wheel shaft in the first rotational direction forces the retainer to move to the release position, thereby enabling the tensioning assembly to move to the strip tensioning position.

3. The strapping tool of claim 2, further comprising a tensioning component biasing element that biases the tensioning component to the strip tension position such that when the retainer holds the tensioning component in the strip insertion position and then moves to the release position, the tensioning component biasing element forces the tensioning component to move to the strip tension position.

4. The binding tool as described in claim 3, wherein, When the tensioning assembly is in the strip insertion position and the retainer is in the retaining position, the tensioning assembly biasing element causes the tensioning wheel shaft to apply a force to the tensioning wheel shaft coupling in the direction of the support leg of the support member.

5. The binding tool of claim 4, further comprising a housing that at least partially surrounds the support, the tensioning assembly, and the motor, wherein, The retainer is supported by the housing.

6. The binding tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The body of the retainer further includes a biasing element connector, wherein the retainer biasing element engages the biasing element connector to bias the retainer to the retaining position.

7. The binding tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The retainer biasing element includes a torsion spring and the retainer is pivotable between the release position and the retaining position.

8. The binding tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The retainer is positioned such that when the tensioning assembly is in the tensioned position of the belt and the retainer is in the released position, the tensioning wheel shaft coupling engages the tensioning wheel shaft.

9. The binding tool as described in claim 1, wherein, When the tensioning assembly is in the strip insertion position and the retainer is in the retaining position, the retainer's tension wheel shaft coupling extends below the tension wheel shaft.

10. The binding tool as described in claim 9, wherein, When the tensioning assembly is in the strip insertion position and the retainer is in the retaining position, the retainer's tension wheel shaft coupling is located between the support leg and the tension wheel shaft.

11. The strapping tool of claim 1, further comprising a retainer engagement member movable relative to the retainer between an enabled position and a deactivated position, wherein, When the retainer engagement is in the deactivated position, the retainer engagement prevents the retainer from moving to the holding position, wherein when the retainer engagement is in the activated position, the retainer engagement enables the retainer to move to the holding position.

12. The strapping tool of claim 11, further comprising a retainer activation switch, the retainer activation switch including a head and the retainer engagement member, wherein, The head is operatively connected to the retainer engagement to move the retainer engagement between the deactivated position and the activated position.

13. The binding tool of claim 12, further comprising a housing that at least partially surrounds the support, the tensioning assembly, and the motor, wherein, The retainer and the retainer activation switch are supported by the housing, wherein at least a portion of the head of the retainer activation switch is outside the housing.

14. The strapping tool of claim 13, further comprising a retainer enable switch biasing element that resists movement of the retainer engagement between the deactivated position and the enabled position.

15. The binding tool as described in claim 14, wherein, The retainer engagement is rotatable between the deactivated position and the activated position, wherein the retainer activation switch biasing element includes a spring extending between the retainer engagement and the housing.

16. A binding tool, comprising: A support member, which includes legs; The tensioning assembly is mounted to the support and is movable relative to the leg of the support between a tensioned position and a inserted position. The tensioning assembly includes a rotatable tensioning wheel shaft and a tensioning wheel, the tensioning wheel being mounted to the tensioning wheel shaft to rotate together with the tensioning wheel shaft. A motor operably connected to the tension wheel shaft and configured to rotate the tension wheel shaft in a first rotational direction; A retainer comprising a body having a tension wheel shaft engagement, wherein the retainer is movable relative to the tension wheel shaft between a release position and a retaining position; and A retainer biasing element that biases the retainer to the retaining position. When the tensioning assembly is in the tensioned position and the retainer is in the released position, the retainer biasing element forces the retainer's tension wheel shaft engagement to contact the tension wheel shaft of the tensioning assembly, and when the tensioning assembly is in the inserted position and the retainer is in the held position, the tension wheel shaft engagement further engages the tension wheel shaft to hold the tensioning assembly in the inserted position.

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