Strapping device with locking assembly resetting device

Abstract

The invention provides a strapping device. The strapping device comprises a supporting piece, a tensioning assembly, a blocking assembly and a reset device. The supporting piece comprises a tensioning plate and a welding plate. The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning wheel and is movable relative to the tensioning plate between a tensioned position and a strap insertion position. The blockade assembly includes a weld arm and is switchable between an original configuration in which the weld arm is spaced from the weld plate and a blockade configuration in which the weld arm is closer to the weld plate. The tensioning assembly is operably connected to the reset device to move the reset device from the home position to the actuated position when the tensioning assembly is moved from the tensioned position to the strap insertion position. This movement causes the reset device to switch the blockade assembly to the original configuration.

Description

[0001] Priority

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 387,370, filed on Dec. 14, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to strapping devices, and more particularly to strapping devices configured to tension a strap around a load and attach overlapping portions of the strap to each other to form a tensioned strap loop around the load. Background Art

[0004] A strapping device is configured to tension a strap around a load and attach overlapping portions of the strap to each other to form a tensioned strap loop around the load. A battery-powered strapping device is one type of strapping device. To form a tensioned strap loop around a load using one of these strapping devices, an operator first pulls the leading end of the strap from a strap supply, wraps the strap around the load, and positions the leading end of the strap beneath another portion of the strap. The operator then inserts one or more of these overlapping strap portions (depending on the type of strapping device) into the strapping device and actuates one or more buttons to initiate: (1) a tensioning cycle during which a tensioning assembly tensions the strap around the load; and (2) a sealing cycle after completion of the tensioning cycle during which a sealing assembly attaches the overlapping strap portions to each other (thereby forming a tensioned strap loop around the load) and cuts the strap from the strap supply.

[0005] Since a strapping device operator may use a handheld strapping device hundreds of times per day, there is a continuing need to make the strapping device as easy to use as possible (without sacrificing performance) and reduce operator fatigue. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Each embodiment of the present disclosure provides a strapping device, including a support member, a tensioning assembly, a locking assembly, and a locking assembly reset device. The support member includes a tensioning plate and a welding plate. The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning wheel and is movable relative to the tensioning plate between a tensioning position and a strap insertion position. The locking assembly includes a welding arm and is switchable between an original configuration and a locking configuration, in which original configuration the welding arm is at a first distance from the welding plate, and in which locking configuration the welding arm is at a shorter second distance from the welding plate. The locking assembly reset device is movable between an original position and an actuating position. The tensioning assembly is operatively connected to the locking assembly reset device and is configured to move the locking assembly reset device from the original position to the actuating position when the tensioning assembly moves from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position. The locking assembly reset device is positioned such that when the locking assembly is in the original configuration, the movement of the locking assembly reset device from the original position to the actuating position causes the locking assembly reset device to switch the locking assembly from the locking configuration to the original configuration to release the strap joint after locking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the strapping device of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 1C is Figure 1A and Figure 1B a block diagram of certain components of the strapping device.

[0009] Figures 2A to 2C is Figure 1A and Figure 1B a diagrammatic view of the strapping device securing a load to a pallet.

[0010] Figure 2D is Figure 1A a perspective view of a friction welded strap joint formed by the strapping device of to attach two overlapping portions of a strap.

[0011] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is Figure 1A and Figure 1B a perspective view of the working components of the strapping device.

[0012] Figure 4A is Figure 3A and Figure 3B a perspective view of the tensioning assembly of the working components.

[0013] Figure 4B is Figure 4A an exploded perspective view of the tensioning assembly.

[0014] Figure 4C is Figure 4A a perspective view of the tensioning assembly of alongFigure 4A A perspective sectional view taken along line 4C-4C.

[0015] Figure 4D is Figure 4A A front elevation view of the rocker mover of the tensioning assembly.

[0016] Figure 5A is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A perspective view of the disconnecting assembly of the working assembly.

[0017] Figure 5B is Figure 5A An exploded perspective view of the disconnecting assembly.

[0018] Figure 5C is Figure 5A A perspective sectional view of the disconnecting assembly taken along line 5C–5C. Figure 5A of

[0019] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A perspective view of the actuating assembly of the working assembly.

[0020] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A perspective view of the cam engagement assembly of the working assembly, with the actuating assembly adapter in its original and actuated positions respectively.

[0021] Figures 8A to 8G is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A side view of a portion of one side of the working assembly, showing the tensioning assembly moving from its tensioned position to its strap insertion position and back to its tensioned position. For clarity, some components of the working assembly are not shown.

[0022] Figures 9A to 9G is corresponding to Figures 8A to 8G opposite Figure 3A and Figure 3B A side view of a portion of the opposite side of the working assembly. For clarity, some components of the working assembly are not shown.

[0023] Figure 10A is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A perspective view of a portion of the working assembly.

[0024] Figure 10B is Figure 3A and Figure 3B A perspective sectional view of a portion of the working assembly.

[0025] Figure 11A is Figure 3A and Figure 3B a front elevation view of a working component, showing a locking component of the working component in a locked configuration and a locking component reset device of the working component in an original position.

[0026] Figure 11B is similar to Figure 11A a front elevation view, showing a locking component reset device in an actuated position and a locking component between a locked configuration and an original configuration.

[0027] Figure 11C is similar to Figure 11A and Figure 11B a front elevation view, showing a locking component reset device in an actuated position and a locking component in an original configuration. Detailed Description

[0028] Although the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be implemented in various forms, the drawings illustrate and the specification describes certain exemplary and non - limiting embodiments. Not all of the components shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be required, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. The arrangement and type of components; the shape, size, and material of components; and the connection manner of components may vary without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise specified, any direction mentioned in the specification reflects the orientation of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further, terms related to installation methods such as mounting, connecting, etc. are not intended to be limited to direct installation methods, but should be broadly interpreted to include indirect and operably mounting, connecting, etc. This specification is intended to be regarded as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0029] Figures 1A to 11C An exemplary embodiment of a strapping device of the present disclosure and certain of its components and parts in the form of a battery - powered portable strapping device 50 is shown. As Figures 2A to 2C shown, the strapping device 50 is configured to perform a strapping cycle to tension and lock a strap S (a plastic strap in this exemplary embodiment) around a load L on a pallet P to form a tensioned strap loop that secures the load L to the pallet P. An operator pulls the strap S from a strap supply source (not shown) and wraps the strap around the load L and through an opening in the pallet P until a lower portion LP of the strap S (which includes a front end of the strap S) is positioned below an upper portion UP of the strap S, as Figure 2AAs shown. Then, the operator introduces the overlapping upper portion UP and lower portion LP of the strap S into the strapping device 50 and actuates one or more buttons to initiate a strapping cycle. As Figure 2B shown, the motor-driven tensioning assembly performs a tensioning cycle during which the strapping device 50 tensions the strap S around the load L. Once a preset tension is reached in the strap S, as Figure 2C shown, the motor-driven locking assembly performs a locking cycle during which the strapping device 50 connects the upper portion UP and lower portion LP of the strap S to each other via friction welding to form a strap joint SJ, as Figure 2D shown, and cuts the strap S from the strap supply source.

[0030] The strapping device 50 includes a housing 100( Figure 1A and Figure 1B ), a working assembly 200( Figure 3A and Figure 3B ), a cover 1300( Figure 1A ), a first button actuator 1410 and a second button actuator 1440( Figures 1A to 1C ), a display assembly 1490( Figures 1A to 1C ), a power supply 1500, a controller 1600( Figure 1C ), and one or more sensors 1700( Figure 1C ).

[0031] In Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe housing 100 shown is formed of a plurality of components (not individually labeled) that together at least partially enclose and / or support some (or all) of the other components and parts of the strapping device 50. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 100 includes a front housing section 110, a rear housing section 120, a motor housing section 130, and a handle section 150. The front housing section 110 at least partially encloses and / or supports at least some of the components of the working assembly 200. The rear housing section 120 at least partially encloses and / or supports at least some of the components of the display assembly 1490 and defines a receiving seat sized, shaped, and otherwise configured to receive and at least partially enclose and / or support the power supply 1500 and the controller 1600. The motor housing section 130 extends between and connects the bottom of the front housing section 110 and the bottom of the rear housing section 120 and at least partially encloses and / or supports at least some of the components of the working assembly 200 (including the motor 1100). The handle housing section 150 extends between and connects the top of the front housing section 110 and the top of the rear housing section 120 and defines a handle for use by an operator. This is merely an example, and in other embodiments, the components of the strapping device may be supported and / or enclosed by any suitable portion of the housing 100. The housing 100 may be formed of any suitable number of components joined together in any suitable manner. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 100 is formed of plastic, but in other embodiments, the housing may be made of any other suitable material. The cover 1300 is attached to the front housing section 110 and covers a portion of the working assembly 200.

[0032] In Figure 3A and Figure 3B The working assembly 200, best shown in

[0033] In Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe support member 300, best shown in , serves as a direct or indirect common mount for the tensioning assembly 400, the disconnect assembly 500, the actuation assembly 600, the cam engagement assembly 700, the latching assembly 900, the transmission 1000, the motor 1100, and the latching assembly reset device 1200. The support member 300 includes a base 300b and a frame 300f extending from the base 300b. The base 300b supports the tension plate 312 below the tension wheel 400w of the tensioning assembly 400 (described below) and supports the welding plate 314 below the welding hoof 942 of the latching assembly 900 (described below).

[0034] In Figures 4A to 4D The tensioning assembly 400, best shown in , is operable (using the motor 1100) to tension a strap around a load during a tensioning cycle and to move the tensioning assembly 400 relative to the support member 300. The tensioning assembly 400 includes a rocker 400r, a rocker cover 400c, a tensioning assembly gearing, and a tension wheel 400w driven by the tensioning assembly gearing. The tension wheel 400w is supported by the tensioning assembly gearing, which in turn is supported by the rocker 400r.

[0035] The tensioning assembly gearing includes: a driven shaft 410; a tensioning assembly flywheel 412; a first set of planetary gears 414a, 414b, and 414c; a gear cover 415; a rocker mover 420; a rollback ring gear 430; a rollback idler gear 431; a planet carrier 432; a second set of planetary gears 434a, 434b, 434c, and 434d; a third set of planetary gears 436a, 436b, and 436c; and bearings 405b1, 405b2, 405b3, and 405b4. Certain components of the tensioning assembly gearing are centered about the tension wheel rotation axis A400w, and certain components of the tensioning assembly gearing are rotatable about the tension wheel rotation axis. The driven shaft 410 includes a shaft portion 410a having a driven end 410a1 and a first sun gear 410b at an opposite end of the driven end 410a1. The first set of planetary gears 414a through 414c are rotatably mounted to the rocker cover 400c (such as via respective bearings and mounting pins) and are held in place by the gear cover 415. The rollback ring gear 430 includes internal teeth 430it and external teeth 430ot. The planet carrier 432 includes a planet gear carrier 432a and a second sun gear 432b, to which the second set of planetary gears 434a through 434d are rotatably mounted (such as via respective bearings and mounting pins), and the second sun gear is rotatable with the planet gear carrier 432a about the tension wheel rotation axis A400w (here integrally formed with the planet gear carrier). The third set of planetary gears 436a through 436c are rotatably mounted to the rocker 400r.

[0036] InFigure 4D The rocker mover 420, best shown in Figure 4D , includes an annular gear 421 having internal teeth 421it and supporting an annular cam support 422 that includes angularly spaced first cam 424, second cam 426, and third cam 428. The first cam 424 has a front end 424le and a rear end 424te connected by a convexly curved finger engaging surface 424s. The finger engaging surface 424s has a vertex 424s' that corresponds to the point on the finger engaging surface 424s that is furthest from the center of the cam support 422. The vertex 424s' of the finger engaging surface 424s is at a distance Rmax from the center of the cam support 422, and the rear end 424te of the cam 424 is at a distance Rmin from the center of the cam support 422. Rmax is greater than Rmin such that the vertex 424s' is further from the center of the cam support 422 than the rear end 424te. The portion of the finger engaging surface 424s that extends between the vertex 424s' and the rear end 424te is curved such that the distance between the finger engaging surface 424s and the center of the cam support 422 decreases from the vertex 424s' to the rear surface 424te. The second cam 426 and the third cam 428 are the same as the first cam 424 and are not described separately for the sake of brevity. The components of the second and third cams are identified herein with reference numerals similar to those of the components of the first cam 424, where the leading "424" is replaced with "426" and "428", respectively. The first cam 424, second cam 426, and third cam 428 are angularly spaced such that each cam is spaced from the others by the same angle α, which is 120 degrees in this exemplary embodiment. Although the rocker mover includes three cams in this exemplary embodiment, the rocker mover may include any suitable number of one or more cams in other embodiments.

[0037] The shaft portion 410a of the driven shaft 410 extends through and engages with the tensioning assembly flywheel 412, which flywheel is itself supported and positioned within a hole defined through the cover 400c, which cover is attached to the rocker 400r. The tensioning assembly flywheel 412 is configured to permit the driven shaft 410 to rotate relative to the rocker 400r in a tensioning rotational direction T (referred to as the tensioning direction T), and to prevent the driven shaft 410 from rotating in a rollback direction TREV, which rollback direction is a rotational direction opposite to the tensioning direction T. The first sun gear 410b of the driven shaft 410 meshes with and is drivingly engaged with a first set of planetary gears 414a - 414c. The first set of planetary gears 414a - 414c meshes with the internal teeth 421it of the ring gear 421 of the rocker mover 420. The bearing 405b1 rotatably supports the rocker mover 420 and separates it from the rocker 400r and the cover 400c. The first sun gear 410b of the driven shaft 410 extends through the gear cover 415, and meshes with and is drivingly engaged with a second set of planetary gears 434a - 434d. The second set of planetary gears 434a - 434d meshes with the internal teeth 430it of the rollback ring gear 430. The bearing 405b2 rotatably supports the planet carrier 432 such that the planet carrier 432 is rotatable relative to the rocker 400r. The second sun gear 432b of the planet carrier 432 meshes with and is drivingly engaged with a third set of planetary gears 436a - 436c. The tensioning wheel 400w is rotatably mounted to the rocker 400r via bearings 405b3 and 405b4 such that the third set of planetary gears 436a - 436c meshes with the internal teeth (not labeled) of the tensioning wheel 400w and is thus drivingly engaged with the tensioning wheel 400w. The tensioning wheel 400w is held in position longitudinally (in the direction of the tensioning wheel axis A400w) via suitable retainers and suitable fasteners (not shown for clarity).

[0038] The tensioning assembly 400 is movably mounted to the support 300 via the rocker 400r and the tensioning assembly mounting shaft 395( Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) and is configured to be moved relative to the support 300 (specifically relative to the base 300b of the support 300) and about the rocker pivot axis A400r under the control of the motor 1100 (described below) between a tensioning position( Figures 8A to 8C and Figure 8G ) and a strap insertion position( Figures 8D to 8F) pivot therebetween. When the tensioning assembly 400 is in the tensioned position, the tensioning wheel 400w is adjacent to the tensioning plate 312 of the support 300 (or, if the strap has been inserted into the strapping device 50, adjacent to the upper surface of the upper portion of the strap). When the tensioning assembly 400 is in the strap insertion position, the tensioning wheel 400w is spaced apart from the tensioning plate 312 such that the overlapping upper and lower portions of the strap can be inserted between the tensioning wheel 400w and the tensioning plate 312. The weight of the tensioning assembly 400 and one or more springs or other biasing elements (not shown) bias the tensioning assembly 400 to the tensioned position.

[0039] Specifically, the tensioning assembly mounting shaft 395 extends through an opening defined by the frame 300f of the support 300 and through openings defined by the first mounting ear 400r1 and the second mounting ear 400r2 of the rocker 400r. The rollback idler gear 431 is rotatably mounted to the tensioning assembly mounting shaft 395 and is positioned between the mounting ear 400r1 and the mounting ear 400r2 of the rocker 400r such that the teeth of the rollback idler gear 431 mesh with the external teeth 430ot of the rollback ring gear 430.

[0040] In Figures 5A to 5C The disconnect assembly 500, best shown in, controls whether the rollback ring gear 430 can rotate about the tensioning wheel axis A400w. Generally, when the disconnect assembly 500 is in the engaged configuration, the disconnect assembly 500 prevents the rollback ring gear 430 from rotating about the tensioning wheel axis A400w, which enables the motor 1100 to drive the tensioning wheel 400w to tension the strap and enables the tensioning wheel 400w to maintain the tension in the strap after the tensioning cycle is completed. Conversely, when the disconnect assembly 500 is in the released configuration, the rollback ring gear 430 can rotate about the tensioning wheel axis A400w such that the tensioning wheel 400w can release the held tension. The disconnect assembly 500 includes a disconnect assembly shaft 510, a first engagable element 520, a second engagable element 530, an expandable element 540, a sleeve 550, a threaded fastener 560, a spacer 570, and a gear 580.

[0041] The disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510 includes a body 512, a first end 512a of the body having an irregular cross-section and a second end 512b of the body having teeth extending radially about its circumference. A first support 514 extends from the first end 512a. The first engageable element 520 includes a tubular bushing having a cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface having a perimeter that matches the perimeter of the first end 512a of the body 512 of the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510. The second engageable element 530 includes a tubular body 532 and an annular flange 534 located at one end of the body 532. An opening 534o is defined through the flange 534. The expandable element 540 includes a torsion spring having a first end 540a and a second end 540b. The sleeve 550 includes a tubular body 552 having teeth 554 extending about its outer perimeter. The body 552 defines an opening 554o.

[0042] As best shown in Figure 5C the first engageable element 520 is mounted on the first end 512a of the body 512 of the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510 so as to rotate therewith about the disconnect coupling rotational axis A500. The second engageable element 530 surrounds the first support 514 of the body 512 of the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510 and is positioned such that the body 532 is adjacent and coaxial with the first engageable element 520. The expandable element 540 surrounds the first engageable element 520 and the body 532 of the second engageable element 530. The outer diameter of the first engageable element 520 is substantially the same as and equal to or greater than the rest inner diameter of the expandable element 540. This means that when the disconnect coupling 500 is in the coupled configuration (described below), the expandable element 540 exerts a compressive force on the first engageable element 520 and the body 532 of the second engageable element 530 that prevents these components (and the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510) from rotating relative to each other about the disconnect coupling rotational axis A500. The second end 540b of the expandable element 540 is received in the opening 534o defined through the flange 534 of the second engageable element 530. At least a portion of the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510, the first engageable element 520, the second engageable element 530, and the expandable element 540 are received within and surrounded by the sleeve 550. The first end 540a of the expandable element is received in the opening 554o defined through the body 552 of the sleeve 550. A gear 580 is mounted to the second end 512b of the body 512 of the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510 such that the gear 580 is rotationally fixed with respect to the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510. A spacer 570 separates the first engageable element 520 and the gear 580.

[0043] As best shown in Figure 5CAs best shown in, the disconnect assembly 500 is mounted to the frame 300f of the support 300 and operatively connected to the tension assembly gear means. More specifically, the disconnect assembly 500 is mounted to the frame 300f via a fastener 560 that rotationally fixes the second engageable element 530 relative to the frame 300f such that the second engageable element 530 (and the second end 540b of the expandable element 540 received in the opening 534o of the flange 534 of the second engageable element 530) cannot rotate relative to the frame 300f about the disconnect assembly axis of rotation A500. A gear 580 operatively connects the body 512 of the disconnect assembly shaft 510 to the rollback ring gear 430 of the tension assembly gear means. Specifically, the teeth on the gear 580 engage the teeth of a rollback idler gear 431 which in turn engages the external teeth 430ot of the rollback ring gear 430. In other embodiments, there is no rollback idler gear and the teeth of the gear of the disconnect assembly directly engage the external teeth of the rollback ring gear.

[0044] The disconnect assembly 500 has a coupled configuration and a released configuration. Figure 5C The disconnect assembly 500 is shown in the coupled configuration. When the disconnect assembly 500 is in the coupled configuration, the expandable element 540 applies a compressive force to the bodies 520 and 532 of the first and second engageable elements 520 and 530 that prevents them from rotating relative to each other about the disconnect assembly axis of rotation A500. Since the body 532 of the second engageable element 530 is rotationally fixed relative to the frame 300f of the support 300 and the disconnect assembly shaft 510 is rotationally fixed to the first engageable element 520, the disconnect assembly shaft 510 (and thus the gear 580) is rotationally fixed relative to the frame 300f. Since the gear 580 engages the rollback idler gear 431, when in the coupled configuration, the disconnect assembly 500 prevents the rollback idler gear 431 from rotating about the rocker axis of rotation A400r and thus prevents the rollback ring gear 430 from rotating about the tensioner axis of rotation A400w.

[0045] The disconnect assembly 500 can be switched from a coupled configuration to a released configuration (e.g., by an actuation assembly 600 as described below) such that the first engagable element 520 and the disconnect assembly shaft 510 can rotate relative to the second engagable element 530 about a disconnect assembly axis of rotation A500. As explained above, the second end 540b of the second engagable element 530 and the expandable element 540 (received in the opening 534o of the flange 534 of the second engagable element 530) is rotationally fixed relative to the frame 300f. To switch the disconnect assembly 500 from the coupled configuration to the released configuration, the sleeve 550 rotates relative to the frame 300f, the second end 540b of the expandable element 540, and the second engagable element 530 about the disconnect assembly axis of rotation A500 from a coupled position to a released position in a release direction R550. Since the first end 540a of the expandable element 540 is received in an opening 554o defined in the body 552 of the sleeve 550, the first end 540a rotates with the sleeve 550. When this occurs, the inner diameter of the expandable element 540 near its first end 540a begins to expand and eventually expands enough (thereby reducing or completely eliminating the compressive force) such that the first engagable element 520 and the disconnect assembly shaft 510 can rotate relative to the second engagable element 530 (and the expandable element 540) about the disconnect assembly axis of rotation A500. When the sleeve 550 is released, the first end 540a of the expandable element 540 biases the sleeve 550 to rotate in a coupling direction C550 opposite the release direction R550 until the sleeve 550 reaches the coupled position (meaning the disconnect assembly 500 returns to its coupled configuration).

[0046] As best shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B the actuation assembly 600 is operatively connected to the disconnect assembly 500 to switch the disconnect assembly between the coupled and released configurations. The actuation assembly 600 includes an actuation assembly body 610 and a disconnect assembly actuator 620. The actuation assembly body 610 includes a trigger 612, spaced-apart first mounting ears 614a and second mounting ears 614b extending from the trigger 612, a cam engagement assembly actuator 616 extending from the second mounting ear 614b, and an actuating rod 618 extending between the mounting ears 614a and 614b. Each of the mounting ears 614a and 614b defines a vertically extending slot therethrough. The disconnect assembly actuator 620 includes an actuated arm 622, a gear arm 624 connected to the actuated arm 622, and a gear 626 at the free end of the gear arm 624.

[0047] The first mounting ear 614a and the second mounting ear 614b of the actuation assembly body 610 are pivotally mounted to the frame 300f via a pivot (such as a pivot pin) (not labeled). The disconnect assembly actuator 620 is pivotally mounted to the actuator mounting pin 690, which extends through a slot defined by the first mounting ear 614a and the second mounting ear 614b of the actuation assembly body 610 and is fixed to the frame 300f (such as via a retaining ring). The actuated arm 622 of the disconnect assembly actuator 620 is positioned above the actuating rod 618.

[0048] The actuation assembly body 610 is pivotable relative to the frame 300f about the actuation assembly body axis A610 between an original position ( Figure 8A 、 Figure 8F and Figure 8G ) and an actuated position ( Figures 8B to 8E ). A biasing element (not shown) (such as a compression spring or a torsion spring) biases the actuation assembly body 610 to the original position. When the actuation assembly body 610 is in the original position, the actuator mounting pin 690 is positioned at the top of the slot defined by the first mounting ear 614a and the second mounting ear 614b of the actuation assembly body 610. Conversely, when the actuation assembly body 610 is in the actuated position, the actuator mounting pin 690 is positioned at the bottom of the slot. The actuator mounting pin 690 and the slot thus define the (pivoting) range of movement of the actuation assembly body 610.

[0049] The disconnect assembly actuator 620 is pivotable relative to the frame 300f about the actuator axis A620 between an original position ( Figure 8A ) and an actuated position ( Figures 8B to 8G ). A biasing element 620b (a torsion spring in this exemplary embodiment, but can be any suitable biasing element) biases the disconnect assembly actuator 620 to its original position. The actuation assembly body 610 is operatively connected to the disconnect assembly actuator 620 to move the disconnect assembly actuator 620 from its original position to its actuated position. Specifically, when the actuation assembly body 610 moves from its original position towards its actuated position, the actuating rod 618 engages the actuated arm 622 of the disconnect assembly actuator 620 and forces it to pivot about the actuator axis A620 until it (and the actuation assembly body 610) reaches its actuated position.

[0050] The disconnect assembly actuator 620 is positioned, oriented and otherwise configured to control which configuration the disconnect assembly 500 is in. Specifically, when the disconnect assembly actuator 620 is in its original position, as Figure 8AAs shown, the disconnect coupling assembly 500 is in its coupled configuration. The teeth of gear 626 are disengaged from the teeth 554 of sleeve 550, and sleeve 550 is in its coupled position. When disconnect coupling actuator 620 is moved from its original position to its actuated position, as Figure 8B shown, gear 626 engages the teeth 554 of sleeve 550 and rotates sleeve 550 in the release direction R550 until sleeve 550 reaches its released position and the disconnect coupling assembly 500 is in its released configuration. When disconnect coupling actuator 620 is moved back from its actuated position to its original position, gear 626 moves to enable sleeve 550 to rotate back to its coupled position in the coupling direction C550, such that the disconnect coupling assembly 500 is in its coupled configuration. In this embodiment, gear 626 disengages from the teeth 554 of sleeve 550 near the end of its movement.

[0051] The cam engagement assembly 700 (best shown in Figure 7A and Figure 7B ) can be moved by the actuation assembly 600 to a position engaging one of cams 424, 426, and 428 of the rocker mover 420 of the tensioning assembly 400 to raise the tensioning assembly 400 from its tensioned position to its strap insertion position. The cam engagement assembly 700 includes a cam engagement member 710, an actuation assembly engagement member 720, and a biasing element 730. The cam engagement member 710 includes a cam engagement member body 712 and cam engagement fingers 714 extending from the cam engagement member body 712. The actuation assembly engagement member 720 includes an actuation assembly engagement member body 722, actuator engagement fingers 724 extending from the actuation assembly engagement member body 722, and a stop 726. The actuation assembly engagement member 720 is pivotally connected to the cam engagement member 710 such that the actuation assembly engagement member 720 can pivot relative to the cam engagement member 710 about the cam engagement assembly axis of rotation A700 between an original position ( Figure 7A ) and an actuated position ( Figure 7B ). The biasing element 730 (a compression spring in this exemplary embodiment, but can be any other suitable biasing element) biases the actuation assembly engagement member 720 to its original position.

[0052] As best shown in Figures 9A to 9G , the cam engagement assembly 700 (specifically the cam engagement member 710 and the actuation assembly engagement member 720) is pivotally mounted to the tensioning assembly mounting shaft 395 and is configured to pivot relative to the support 300f about the rocker axis A400r between an original configuration ( Figure 9A and Figure 9G ), a cam engagement configuration ( Figure 9B ), and a stop configuration ( Figures 9C to 9G) pivot therebetween. When the cam engagement assembly 700 is in the original configuration, the actuator engagement adapter 720 is in its original position relative to the cam adapter 710, the actuator engagement finger 724 is below the cam engagement assembly actuator 616, and the cam engagement finger 714 is in its original position removed from the rotational paths of the first cam 424, second cam 426, and third cam 428 of the rocker mover 420. A biasing element, which is a tension spring or any other suitable spring, biases the cam engagement assembly 700 to the original configuration. When the cam engagement assembly 700 is in the cam engagement configuration, the actuator engagement adapter 720 is in its original position relative to the cam adapter 710, and the cam engagement finger 714 is in the cam engagement position and intersects the rotational paths of the first cam 424, second cam 426, and third cam 428 of the rocker mover 420. When the cam engagement assembly 700 is in the stop configuration, the actuator engagement adapter 720 is in its original position relative to the cam adapter 710, and the cam engagement finger 714 is in the stop position and engages a stop 390 mounted to the frame 300f.

[0053] from 10 A to Figure 11C The latching assembly 900, best shown in

[0053] , is configured to attach overlapping portions of the strap to each other via friction welding during a latching cycle to form a tensioned strap loop around the load. The latching assembly 900 includes a first link arm 910, a second link arm 920, a first latching assembly biasing element 930, a second first latching assembly biasing element 932, a welding arm 940, a welding shoe 942, a cutter 944, and an eccentric shaft (not shown). The welding shoe 942 is slidably mounted to the welding arm 940 such that the welding shoe 942 can oscillate relative to the welding arm 940. The eccentric is operatively connected to the welding shoe 942 and is configured to oscillate the welding shoe 942 when rotated. A toothed belt 900b operatively connects the transmission 1000 to the eccentric to rotate the eccentric. The cutter 944 is removably mounted to the welding arm 940.

[0054] The welding arm 940 is pivotally mounted to the support 300 and can pivot relative to the support 300 and the welding plate 314 about a welding arm axis A940 between an original position ( Figure 3A and Figure 11C ) and a latching position ( Figure 10A , Figure 11A and Figure 11B) pivot therebetween, in which original position, the welding shoe 942 is spaced apart from the welding plate 314, and in which locked position, the welding shoe 912 is adjacent to the welding plate 314 and is positioned to weld the strap. The first link arm 910 and the second link arm 920 operably connect the actuator 1000 to the welding arm 940 such that the actuator 1000 can move the welding arm 940 from the original position to the locked position. The first link arm 910 is pivotally mounted to the support 300 via a first pivot 900p1 (such as a pivot pin). The second link arm 920 couples the first link arm 910 to the welding arm 940. Specifically, one end of the second link arm 920 is pivotally connected to one end of the first link arm 910 via a second pivot 900p2 (such as a pivot pin), and the other end of the second link arm 920 is pivotally connected to the welding arm 940 via a third pivot 900p3 (such as a pivot pin). The first locking assembly biasing element 930 surrounds the second link arm 920 and, as explained below, biases the locking assembly 900 to its locked configuration. The second locking assembly biasing element 932 biases the locking assembly to its original configuration.

[0055] When the locking assembly 900 is in the original configuration with the welding arm 940 in the original position ( Figure 3A and Figure 11C as shown), the first link arm 910 and the second link arm 920 are oriented such that they form an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees (i.e., an acute or obtuse angle). When the locking assembly 900 is in the locked configuration with the welding arm 940 in the locked position ( Figure 10A 、 Figure 11A and Figure 11B as shown), the first link arm 910 and the second link arm 920 form an angle greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees (i.e., a reflex angle). As described in detail below, the actuator 1000 is configured to switch the locking assembly 900 from its original configuration to its locked configuration, and the locking assembly reset device 1200 is configured to switch the locking assembly 900 from its locked configuration to its original configuration by simultaneously manipulating the orientations of the first link arm 910 and the second link arm 920.

[0056] In Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe drive assembly 1000, best shown in, is driven by a motor 1100, operably connected to a tensioning assembly 400 and configured to rotate a tensioning wheel 400w in a tensioning direction T to tension a strap and pivot the tensioning assembly 400 to its strap insertion position, and is operably connected to a latching assembly 900 and configured to cause the latching assembly 900 to attach overlapping portions of the strap to each other. The drive assembly 1000 includes a drive gear arrangement and a variable offset coupling 800. The drive gear arrangement includes a drive gear 1012 (a bevel pinion in this exemplary embodiment), and the variable offset coupling includes a driven gear (a bevel gear in this exemplary embodiment). The drive gear arrangement and the variable offset coupling 800 are mounted to a support 300 such that the drive gear 1012 meshes with the driven gear.

[0057] The drive gear arrangement 1010 includes suitable components (such as gears, bearings, and flywheels) that transfer rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor 1100 in a first drive direction to the drive gear 1012 to rotate the drive gear 1012 (but do not drive any components of the latching assembly 900 in this exemplary embodiment). The drive gear 1012 drives the driven gear to rotate in the tensioning direction T, and other components of the variable offset coupling 800 transfer the rotational movement of the driven gear 1022 to a driven shaft 410 of the tensioning assembly 400 to rotate the driven shaft 410 in the tensioning direction T.

[0058] Components of the drive gear arrangement 1010 transfer rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor 1100 in a second drive direction opposite the first drive direction to the latching assembly 900 to switch the latching assembly 900 from its original configuration to its latching configuration and drive a toothed belt 900b to rotate an eccentric member and oscillate a welding shoe 942 (but do not drive the drive gear 1012 in this exemplary embodiment). More specifically, the drive gear arrangement 1010 includes a cam 1010c ( Figure 11C ) that is driven to rotate by the output shaft when the output shaft of the motor 1100 rotates in the second drive direction. The cam 1010c engages a free end (not shown) of a first link arm 910 of the latching assembly 900, causing the first link arm 910 of the latching assembly 900 to rotate clockwise about a first pivot 900p1 (from Figures 11A to 11C the perspective shown) to raise a second pivot 900p2 and switch the latching assembly 900 to the latching configuration, thereby moving the welding arm 940 to its latching position.

[0059] This is merely an example drive assembly, and a strapping device may include any suitable one or more drive assemblies that operably connect one or more motors to a tensioning assembly and a latching assembly to drive these assemblies.

[0060] InFigure 3A and Figure 3B The motor 1100, shown best in Figure 3A , is operably connected (via the gearing 1000) to the tensioning assembly 400 and the latching assembly 900 and is configured to drive these assemblies, as explained herein. The motor 1100 includes the output shaft (not shown) mentioned above. In this exemplary embodiment, the motor 1100 is an electric motor, but can be any suitable motor.

[0061] In Figures 10A to 11C The latching assembly reset device 1200, shown best in Figures 10A to 11C , is movable to switch the latching assembly 900 from its latched configuration to its original configuration. More specifically, the tensioning assembly 400 is operably connected to the latching assembly reset device 1200 and is configured to move the latching assembly reset device 1200 when moving from the tension position to the strap insertion position to automatically switch the latching assembly 900 from its latched configuration to its original configuration. The latching assembly reset device 1200 includes a head 1210 and an actuating arm 1220 extending from the head 1210. The latching assembly reset device 1200 is movably (here, pivotably) mounted to the support 300 and is movable relative to the support 300, the tensioning assembly 400, and the latching assembly 900 between an original position ( Figures 10A to 11A ) and an actuated position ( Figure 11B and Figure 11C ). A suitable spring or other biasing element biases the latching assembly reset device to the original position. The latching assembly reset device 1200 is positioned such that the head 1210 is adjacent to the second pivot 900p2 (here, above it), and the actuating arm 1220 can be engaged by a part of the tensioning assembly 400 (the rocker cover 400c in this exemplary embodiment). In this embodiment, the actuating arm 1220 is in continuous engagement with the rocker cover 400c, but this may not be the case in other embodiments.

[0062] The position of the tensioning assembly 400 controls the position of the latching assembly reset device 1200. Specifically, when the tensioning assembly 400 is in the tension position, the latching assembly reset device 1200 is in the original position. When the latching assembly reset device 1200 is in the original position, the head 1210 is disengaged from the latching assembly 900 such that the latching assembly 900 can switch from the original configuration to the latched configuration without interference. Figure 11A The latching assembly reset device 1200 in the original position and the latching assembly 900 in the latched configuration are shown. When the tensioning assembly 400 moves from the tension position to the strap insertion position, this tensioning assembly (the rocker cover 400c here) engages the actuating arm 1220 of the latching assembly reset device 1200 and pivots the latching assembly reset device 1200 from its original position to its actuated position. As Figure 11BAs shown, this causes the head 1210 to move downward, engaging the second link arm 920 of the locking assembly 900 above the second pivot 900p2 (but in other embodiments, the head may engage the first link arm 920), and forcing the second pivot 900p2 downward. This switches the angle formed by the first link arm 910 and the second link arm 920 from a major angle to an oblique angle, as Figure 11B shown. Once this occurs, the second locking assembly biasing element 932 forces the locking assembly 900 into its original configuration, as Figure 11C shown. Thus, the tensioning assembly 400 is operably connected to the locking assembly 900 via the locking assembly reset device 1200 to automatically switch the locking assembly 900 from its locked configuration to its original configuration when the tensioning assembly moves from its tensioned position to its strap insertion position, thereby releasing the strap joint after locking.

[0063] This is merely an example of a locking assembly reset device, and any other suitable configuration may be employed. For example, the rocker may include components positioned to engage and move the locking assembly reset device when the tensioning assembly moves from its tensioned position to its strap insertion position.

[0064] In Figures 1A to 1C the display assembly 1490 shown includes a suitable display screen 1492 having a touch panel 1494. The display screen 1492 is configured to display information about the strapping device 50 (at least in this embodiment), and the touch screen 1494 is configured to receive operator inputs such as a desired strap tension and a desired welding cool-down time. A display controller (not shown) may control the display screen 1492 and the touch panel 1494, and in these embodiments, the display controller is communicatively connected to the controller 1600 to send signals to and receive signals from the controller 1600. Other embodiments of the strapping device do not include a touch panel. Still other embodiments of the strapping device do not include a display assembly. Some embodiments of the strapping device include a separate button panel instead of a touch panel located below or integrated with the display screen.

[0065] The first button actuator 1410 and the second button actuator 1440 are operable to initiate a tensioning cycle and / or a locking cycle, as described below. Other embodiments of the strapping device 50 do not have button actuators, but instead incorporate the functionality of the button actuators into the display assembly 1490. For example, in one of these embodiments, two regions of the touch panel define virtual buttons having the same functionality as mechanical button actuators.

[0066] In Figure 1CThe controller 1600 shown includes one or more processing devices communicatively connected to one or more memory devices. For example, the controller can be a programmable logic controller. The processing device can include any suitable processing device, such as but not limited to a general-purpose processor, a dedicated 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, one or more field-programmable gate array circuits, one or more integrated circuits, and / or a state machine. The memory device can 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 such as integrated hard disks and / or removable memories, magneto-optical media, and / or optical media. The memory device stores instructions executable by the processing device to control the operation of the strapping device 50. The controller 1600 is communicatively and operably connected to the motor 1100, the display component 1490, the button actuators 1410 and 1440, and the sensor 1700, and is configured to receive signals from and control these components. The controller 1600 can also be communicatively connected to an external device such as a computing device (e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communication, or other suitable wireless communication protocols) to send information to and receive information from the external device.

[0067] The controller 1600 is configured to operate the strapping device in one of three operating modes to perform a strapping cycle: (1) manual operation mode; (2) semi-automatic operation mode; and (3) automatic operation mode. In the manual operation mode, the controller 1600 operates the motor 1100 to rotate the tensioning wheel 400w in response to the first button actuator 1410 being actuated and maintained in its actuated state. The controller 1600 operates the motor 1100 to cause the locking assembly 900 to perform a locking cycle in response to the second button actuator 1440 being actuated. In the semi-automatic operation mode, the controller 1600 operates the motor 1100 to rotate the tensioning wheel 400w in response to the first button actuator 1410 being actuated and maintained in its actuated state. Once the controller 1600 determines that the tension in the strap reaches a (predetermined) desired strap tension, the controller 1600 automatically operates the motor 1100 to cause the locking assembly 900 to perform a locking cycle (without additional input from the operator). In the automatic operation mode, the controller 1600 operates the motor 1100 to rotate the tensioning wheel 400w in response to the first button actuator 1410 being actuated. Once the controller 1600 determines that the tension in the strap reaches a (predetermined) desired strap tension, the controller 1600 automatically operates the motor 1100 to cause the locking assembly 900 to perform a locking cycle (without additional input from the operator).

[0068] The sensor 1700 includes any suitable sensor, such as a micro switch, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic position sensor, etc., which is configured to detect the position of certain components of the strapping device 50 and send appropriate signals to the controller 1600. The sensor 1700 may include, for example: one or more tensioning assembly position sensors, which are configured to detect when the tensioning assembly 400 is in its tensioning position and / or its strap insertion position; one or more trigger position sensors, which are configured to detect when the actuation assembly body 610 is in its original position and / or its actuation position; and one or more actuation assembly sensors, which are configured to detect actuation of the first button actuator 1410 and the second button actuator 1440.

[0069] The power supply 1500 is electrically connected (via appropriate wiring and other components) to several components of the strapping device 50 and is configured to power these components of the strapping device, including the motor 1100, the display assembly 1490, the controller 1600, and the sensor 1700. In this example embodiment, the power supply 1500 includes a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium battery), but in other embodiments the power supply can be any other suitable power supply. The size, shape, and other aspects of the power supply 1500 are designed to be received in the receiving seat defined by the rear housing section 120 of the housing 100. The strapping device 50 includes one or more power supply fixing devices (not shown) to releasably lock the power supply 1500 in place when the power supply 1500 is received in the receiving seat. The release device of the strapping device 50 or the actuation of the power supply 1500 unlocks the power supply 1500 from the housing 100 and enables the operator to remove the power supply 1500 from the receiving seat.

[0070] The following describes the use of the strapping device 50 to form a tensioning strap loop around a load. Initially, the tensioning assembly 400 is in its tensioning position, the actuating assembly body 610 is in its original position (meaning that the disconnect coupling assembly 500 is in its coupled configuration), the cam engaging assembly 700 is in its original configuration, and the blocking assembly 900 is in its original configuration, as shown in FIG. Figure 8A , Figure 9A and Figure 11C For the purposes of this example, the strapping device 50 is in automatic mode.

[0071] The operator first pulls out the front end of the strap from a strap supply source (not shown), wraps the strap around the load, and positions the front end of the strap S below another part of the strap to form an upper part and a lower part of the strap. Then, the operator pulls the trigger 612 and, in doing so, moves the actuator assembly body 610 from its original position to the actuated position, as Figure 8B and Figure 9B shown. When this occurs, as described above, the disconnect assembly actuator 620 switches the disconnect assembly 500 from the coupled configuration to the released configuration. Additionally, the pivoting of the actuator assembly body 610 causes the cam engagement assembly actuator 616 to engage the actuator engagement finger 724 and forces the cam engagement assembly 700 to move to its cam engagement configuration. Once one of the sensors 1700 detects that the actuator assembly body 610 has reached the actuated position, the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to rotate the output shaft in a first drive direction.

[0072] As explained above, the transmission 1000 transfers this rotational movement of the output shaft to the drive shaft 410 of the tensioning assembly 400 and causes the drive shaft to rotate in the tensioning direction T. This causes the first sun gear 410b to rotate in the tensioning direction T about the tensioning pulley axis of rotation A400w. The first sun gear 410b drives the first set of planetary gears 414a - 414c. Since the first set of planetary gears 414a - 414c are fixed in terms of rotating about the tensioning pulley axis A400w, they drive the rocker mover 420 to rotate about the tensioning pulley axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T. Eventually, the front end of one of the cams 424, 426, and 428 (here the front end 424le of the first cam 424) engages the cam engagement finger 714 and forces the cam engagement finger 714 to pivot until it engages the stop 390, thereby moving the cam engagement assembly 700 to its stop configuration, as Figure 8C and Figure 9C shown. Since the stop 390 prevents the cam engagement finger 714 from pivoting further and the cam 424 abuts against the cam engagement finger 714, the continued rotation of the rocker mover 420 forces the rocker 400r and the entire tensioning assembly 400 to pivot upward about the rocker axis A400r towards its strap insertion position.

[0073] The first sun gear 410b also drives the second set of planetary gears 434a-434d. Since the disconnect assembly 500 is in its released configuration, the rollback ring gear 430 can rotate about the idler pulley axis of rotation A400w, and the rotation of the second set of planetary gears 434a-434d causes the rollback ring gear 430 to rotate about the idler pulley axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T, rather than causing the second planet carrier 430 (and the idler pulley 400w) to rotate (although there may be a small amount of rotation due to drag torque). Once the controller 1600 determines that the tensioning assembly 400 has reached its strap insertion position (such as based on feedback from one of the sensors 1700), as Figure 8D and Figure 9D shown, the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to stop rotating the output shaft. Generally, when the tensioning assembly 400 is in its strap insertion position, the apex 424s' of the finger engaging surface 424s of the cam 424 engages the cam engaging finger 714. In other words, the support point of the cam 424 against the cam engaging finger 714 is the apex 424s'. The tensioning assembly flywheel 412 prevents the driven shaft 410 from reversing, thereby ensuring that the tensioning assembly 400 remains in the strap insertion position. Accordingly, the tensioning assembly gearing operably connects the motor 1100 and the transmission 1000 to the tensioning assembly 400 to move the tensioning assembly 400 from its tensioning position to its strap insertion position.

[0074] With the tensioning assembly 400 in its strap insertion position, while continuing to pull the trigger 612 to hold the actuator assembly body 610 in the actuated position, the operator inserts the overlapping upper and lower portions of the strap between the idler pulley 400w and the tensioning plate 312 and between the welding hoof 942 and the welding plate 314, as Figure 8E and Figure 9E shown. Then, the operator releases the trigger 612 such that the appropriate biasing element can force the actuator assembly body 610 back to its original position, as Figure 8F and Figure 9F shown. A latch (not shown) engages and holds in place a protrusion 622a of the actuated arm 622 of the disconnect assembly actuator 620, thereby holding the disconnect assembly 500 in its released configuration.

[0075] Once one of the sensors 1700 detects that the actuator assembly body 610 has reached the original position (or has left the actuated position, depending on the embodiment), the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to rotate the output shaft in the first driving direction. As explained above, this causes the rocker mover 420 to rotate in the tensioning direction T about the tensioning pulley rotation axis A400w. As the rocker mover 420 rotates, the cam 424 is offset from its apex 424s' towards the rear end 424te of the cam 424 at the support point of the cam engaging finger 714 (i.e., the engagement point where the finger engaging surface 424s of the cam 424 engages the cam engaging finger 714). The curved shape and orientation of the finger engaging surface 424se cause the tensioning assembly 400 to gradually lower from its strap insertion position towards its tensioning position while the cam engages the cam engaging finger 714, as Figure 8F and Figure 9F shown. Continued rotation of the rocker mover 420 eventually causes the cam to disengage from the cam engaging finger 714, at which point a suitable biasing element forces the tensioning assembly 400 to complete its movement to its strap tensioning position and moves the cam engaging assembly 700 back to its original position, as Figure 8G and Figure 9G shown. Once the controller 1600 determines that the tensioning assembly 400 has reached its tensioning position (such as based on feedback from one of the sensors 1700), the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to stop rotating the output shaft.

[0076] Then, the operator actuates the first button actuator 1410, which (via the pivot lever) disengages the latch from the protrusion 622a of the actuated arm 622 of the disconnect assembly 620. As described above, this enables the disconnect assembly 500 to switch from its release configuration to its engaged configuration via the biasing forces applied by the expandable element 540 and the biasing element 620b, such that the motor 1100 can operate to tension the strap S. Once one of the sensors 1700 detects the actuation of the first button actuator 1410, the controller 1600 initiates the strapping cycle. The controller 1600 begins the tensioning cycle by controlling the motor 1100 to rotate the output shaft in the first drive direction. As explained above, the transmission 1000 transfers this rotational movement of the output shaft to the drive shaft 410 of the tensioning assembly 400 and causes the drive shaft to rotate in the tensioning direction T. This causes the first sun gear 410b to rotate about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T. The first sun gear 410b drives the first set of planetary gears 414a to 414c. Since the first set of planetary gears 414a to 414c are fixed in terms of rotating about the tensioning wheel axis A400w, they drive the rocker mover 420 to rotate about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T. Since the cam engagement assembly 700 is in its original configuration, the cam engagement fingers 714 are not in the rotational paths of the cams 424, 426, and 428 of the rocker mover 420, and the tensioning assembly 400 does not pivot from its tensioning position.

[0077] The first sun gear 410b also drives the second set of planetary gears 434a to 434d. Since the disconnect assembly 500 is in its engaged configuration, it prevents the rollback ring gear 430 from rotating about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w, and the rotation of the second set of planetary gears 434a to 434d causes the planet carrier 432 (including the second sun gear 432b) to rotate about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T. The second sun gear 432b drives the third set of planetary gears 436a to 436c, thereby causing the tensioning wheel 400w to rotate about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T. Accordingly, the tensioning assembly gearing operably connects the motor 1100 and the transmission 1000 to the tensioning wheel 400w to cause the tensioning wheel 400w to rotate about the tensioning wheel axis of rotation A400w in the tensioning direction T.

[0078] When the tensioning wheel 400w rotates in the tensioning direction T, the tensioning wheel pulls the upper portion of the strap S above the lower portion of the strap S, thereby tensioning the strap S around the load. Throughout the tensioning cycle, the controller 1600 monitors the current drawn by the motor 1100. When this current reaches a preset value related to the (preset) desired strap tension for the strapping cycle, the controller 1600 stops the motor 1100, thereby terminating the tensioning cycle. At this time, the strap applies a torque to the tensioning wheel 400w in the reverse direction TREV. The tensioning wheel 400w transfers this torque to the third set of planetary gears 436a to 436c, which transfer this torque to the second sun gear 432b of the planet carrier 432. The second set of planetary gears 434a to 434d transfer this torque to the first sun gear 410b of the driven shaft 410 and the reverse ring gear 430. The tensioning assembly flywheel 412 prevents the driven shaft 410 from rotating in the reverse direction TREV. The disconnect assembly 500 is in its coupled configuration and prevents the reverse ring gear 430 from rotating in the reverse direction TREV. Accordingly, the torque applied by the strap to the tensioning wheel 400w is absorbed by the components of the tensioning assembly 400 and the disconnect assembly 500, enabling the tensioning wheel 400w to maintain the tension in the strap without rotating in the reverse direction TREV.

[0079] After completing the tensioning cycle, the controller 1600 automatically starts the sealing cycle by controlling the motor 1100 to start rotating the output shaft in the second drive direction. This causes the drive 1000 to drive the toothed belt 900b to start rotating the eccentric and oscillating the welding shoe 942, and to switch the sealing assembly 900 from its original configuration to its sealing configuration, and in doing so pivot the welding arm 940 to its sealing position. When the welding arm 940 reaches the sealing position, the welding shoe 942 forces the overlapping upper and lower layers of the strap against the welding plate 314, while the cutter 944 cuts off the upper layer of the strap from the strap supply source. The oscillatory movement of the welding shoe 942 locally melts together a portion of the upper layer of the strap and a portion of the lower layer of the strap. After the motor output shaft rotates for a preset period of time or a preset number of revolutions, the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to stop rotating the output shaft, thereby completing the sealing cycle.

[0080] After the sealing cycle is completed, the operator pulls the trigger 612 again, and in doing so moves the actuator assembly body 610 from its original position to its actuated position. When this occurs, as described above, the disconnect assembly actuator 620 switches the disconnect assembly 500 from the coupled configuration to the released configuration. After the sealing cycle is completed, the strap continues to apply a torque to the tensioning wheel 400w that acts in the reverse direction TREV. Switching the disconnect assembly 500 from the coupled configuration to the released configuration enables the tensioning wheel 400w to rotate in the reverse direction TREV, thereby releasing the torque in a controlled manner.

[0081] Specifically, when the strapping process is completed, the disconnect coupling assembly 500 continues to prevent the return annular gear 430 of the tensioning assembly gear device from rotating in the return direction TREV. As explained above, this prevents the tensioning wheel 400w from rotating in the return direction TREV after tensioning, so that the tensioning wheel 400w can maintain the tension in the strap. When the operator moves the actuator assembly body 610 to its actuated position, the disconnect coupling assembly actuator 620 begins to rotate the sleeve 550 of the disconnect coupling assembly 500 to its release position, and the inner diameter of the expandable element 540 of the disconnect coupling assembly 500 begins to expand. Eventually, the torque exerted by the return annular gear 430 (via the return idler gear 431 and the gear 580 of the disconnect coupling assembly 500) on the disconnect coupling assembly shaft 510 of the disconnect coupling assembly 500 exceeds the compressive force exerted by the expandable element 540 on the first engageable element 520. When this occurs, the return annular gear 430 begins to rotate in the return direction TREV about the tensioning wheel rotation axis A400w, so that the second set of planetary gears 434a to 434d and the planet carrier 432 can rotate in the return direction TREV about the tensioning wheel rotation axis A400w. This causes the tensioning wheel 400w to rotate in the return direction TREV about the tensioning wheel rotation axis A400w to release the torque exerted by the tensioned strap.

[0082] Once one of the sensors 1700 detects that the actuator assembly body 610 has reached the actuated position, the controller 1600 controls the motor 1100 to rotate the output shaft in the first driving direction to raise the tensioning assembly 400 to its strap insertion position, as explained above. When the tensioning assembly 400 moves, the tensioning assembly forces the blocking assembly reset device 1200 to pivot to its actuated position and, in doing so, engages the blocking assembly 900 to force the blocking assembly 900 to switch to its original configuration and release the strap S, as Figure 11B and Figure 11C shown. Then, the operator removes the strapping device 50 from the tensioned strap loop.

[0083] Although the blocking assembly of the above exemplary embodiment of the strapping device is configured to form a friction-welded strap joint, the blocking assembly may include other blocking mechanisms (such as notching jaw assemblies, crimping jaw assemblies, seamless joint assemblies, ultrasonic welding assemblies, or hot knife assemblies) configured to block any suitable type of strap (such as metal straps, plastic straps, or paper straps) in other embodiments.

[0084] The above exemplary embodiment of the strapping device includes a single motor configured to drive both the tensioning assembly and the blocking assembly. In other embodiments, the strapping device includes separate motors configured to drive the tensioning assembly and the blocking assembly, respectively, and may include separate transmissions for each motor.

[0085] Other embodiments of the strapping device may include fewer components, parts, and / or features than those included in the strapping device 50 described above and shown in the drawings. In other words, although the strapping device 50 includes all of the above components, parts, and features, they are independent of each other and may be included independently in other strapping devices.

[0086] Although the above-described strapping device is a handheld strapping device, in other embodiments, the strapping device may be any other suitable strapping device, such as a stand-alone automatic or semi-automatic strapping machine.

Claims

1. A strapping device, comprising: A support member, the support member including a tensioning plate and a welding plate; A tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly including a tensioning wheel, the tensioning assembly being movable relative to the tensioning plate between a tensioning position and a strap insertion position; A locking assembly, the locking assembly including a welding arm, the locking assembly being switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration, the welding arm is at a first distance from the welding plate, in the second configuration, the welding arm is at a second distance from the welding plate, the second distance being shorter than the first distance; And A locking assembly reset device, the locking assembly reset device being movable between a first position and a second position, Wherein the tensioning assembly is operatively connected to the locking assembly reset device and is configured to move the locking assembly reset device from the first position to the second position when the tensioning assembly moves from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position, Wherein the locking assembly reset device is positioned such that when the locking assembly is in the first configuration, the movement of the locking assembly reset device from the first position to the second position causes the locking assembly reset device to switch the locking assembly from the second configuration to the first configuration.

2. The strapping device according to claim 1, wherein, The tensioning assembly is positioned to contact the locking assembly reset device when moving from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position to force the locking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

3. The strapping device according to claim 2, wherein, The locking assembly reset device includes a head adjacent to the locking assembly and an actuating arm extending from the head, wherein the tensioning assembly is positioned to contact the actuating arm of the locking assembly reset device when moving from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position to force the locking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

4. The strapping device according to claim 3, wherein, The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning assembly gear device, a rocker arm accommodating the tensioning assembly gear device, and a rocker arm cover attached to the rocker arm to at least partially enclose the tensioning assembly gear device, wherein the tensioning assembly is positioned such that when the tensioning assembly moves from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position, the rocker arm cover contacts the actuating arm of the locking assembly reset device to force the locking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

5. The strapping device according to claim 2, wherein, The locking assembly reset device is pivotable between the first position and the second position.

6. The strapping device according to claim 5, further comprising a biasing element that biases the locking assembly reset device to the first position.

7. The strapping device according to claim 1, wherein, The locking assembly further includes: A first linkage device pivotally connected to the support member via a first pivot; and A second linkage device pivotally connected to the first linkage device via a second pivot and pivotally connected to the welding arm via a third pivot, Wherein, when the blocking assembly is in the first configuration, the first linkage device and the second linkage device form an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Wherein, when the blocking assembly is in the second configuration, the first linkage device and the second linkage device form an angle greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

8. The strapping device according to claim 7, wherein, The blocking assembly reset device is positioned such that when the blocking assembly is in the first configuration, the movement of the blocking assembly reset device from the first position to the second position causes the blocking assembly reset device to move the second pivot to switch the blocking assembly from the second configuration to the first configuration.

9. The strapping device according to claim 8, wherein, The blocking assembly reset device is positioned such that when the blocking assembly is in the first configuration, the movement of the blocking assembly reset device from the first position to the second position causes the blocking assembly reset device to move the second pivot downward to switch the blocking assembly from the second configuration to the first configuration.

10. The strapping device according to claim 9, wherein, The tensioning assembly is positioned to contact the blocking assembly reset device when moving from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position, so as to force the blocking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

11. The strapping device according to claim 10, wherein, The blocking assembly reset device includes a head adjacent to the second pivot and an actuating arm extending from the head. Wherein, the tensioning assembly is positioned to contact the actuating arm of the blocking assembly reset device when moving from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position, so as to force the blocking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

12. The strapping device according to claim 11, wherein, The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning assembly gear device, a rocker arm accommodating the tensioning assembly gear device, and a rocker arm cover attached to the rocker arm to at least partially enclose the tensioning assembly gear device. Wherein, the tensioning assembly is positioned such that when the tensioning assembly moves from the tensioning position to the strap insertion position, the rocker arm cover contacts the actuating arm of the blocking assembly reset device, so as to force the blocking assembly reset device to move from the first position to the second position.

13. The strapping device according to claim 12, wherein, The blocking assembly reset device is pivotable between the first position and the second position. Wherein, the strapping device further includes a biasing element that biases the blocking assembly reset device to the first position.

14. The strapping device according to claim 9, wherein, The blocking assembly reset device is pivotable between the first position and the second position.

15. The strapping device according to claim 14, further comprising a biasing element that biases the blocking assembly reset device to the first position.

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