REBAR TIE MACHINE

Abstract

A rebar tying device may include a spool holding section for holding a spool, a spool stopper switchable between a prohibition state in which the spool is prevented from being removed and an enable state in which the spool is enabled to be removed, a rotatable first roller, a rotatable second roller in which the second roller is switchable between a first state in which a wire is held between the first roller and the second roller and a second state in which a distance between the first roller and the second roller is longer than a distance between the first roller and the second roller in the first state, and a twisting unit for twisting the wire. The second roller can be switched from the first state to the second state when the spool stopper switches from the prohibition state to the enable state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to rebar tying machines. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] WO 2021 / 070481 A1 discloses a rebar tying device. The rebar tying device comprises a spool holding portion configured to hold a spool containing a wire such that the spool is rotatable about a spool rotation axis, a spool stop configured to be switchable between a preventive state in which the spool is prevented from being removed from the spool holding portion and an enable state in which the spool can be removed from the spool holding portion, a first roller configured to be rotatable, a second roller configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire is held between the first roller and the second roller, and a second state,in which a distance between the first roller and the second roller is longer than a distance between the first roller and the second roller in the first state, an actuating member configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, and a twisting unit configured to twist the wire wound around the reinforcing bars by the first roller and the second roller., SHORT SUMMARY

[0003] In the rebar tying machine described above, the reel stopper switches from the prohibition state and the enablement state after the second reel is switched from the first state to the second state.

[0004] Furthermore, in the above-described rebar tying machine, to maintain the coil stopper in the inhibited state, a user first switches the coil stopper from the enabled state to the inhibited state and then moves the operating member from the open position to the closed position. Thus, maintaining the coil stopper in the inhibited state requires a complex operation.

[0005] The disclosure herein aims to provide a rebar tying device that facilitates switching of states of a second roller and switching of states of a coil stop, and a rebar tying device that enables a less complex operation for holding a coil stop in a prevent state.

[0006] A rebar tying device disclosed herein may be configured to tie rebars with a wire. The rebar tying device may include a spool holding portion configured to hold a spool having a wire such that the spool is rotatable about a spool rotation axis, a spool stop configured to be switchable between a prevent state in which the spool is prevented from being removed from the spool holding portion and an enable state in which the spool is allowed to be removed from the spool holding portion, a first roller configured to be rotatable, a second roller configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire is held between the first roller and the second roller, and a second state,in which a distance between the first roller and the second roller is longer than a distance between the first roller and the second roller in the first state, and a twisting unit configured to twist the wire wound around the reinforcing bars by the first roller and the second roller. The second roller may be configured to switch from the first state to the second state when the coil stop switches from the inhibition state to the enablement state.

[0007] According to the configuration described above, the second roller switches from the first state to the second state in response to the spool stopper switching from the inhibition state to the enablement state. This facilitates switching of the states of the second roller and the switching of the spool stopper states.

[0008] A rebar tying device disclosed herein may be configured to tie rebars with a wire. The rebar tying device may include a spool holding portion configured to hold a spool having a wire such that the spool is rotatable about a spool rotation axis, a spool stop configured to be switchable between a prevent state in which the spool is prevented from being removed from the spool holding portion and an enable state in which the spool is enabled to be removed from the spool holding portion, a first roller configured to be rotatable, a second roller configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire is held between the first roller and the second roller, and a second state,in which a force for holding the wire between the first roller and the second roller is smaller than a force for holding the wire between the first roller and the second roller in the first state, and a twisting unit configured to twist the wire wound around the reinforcing bars by the first roller and the second roller. The second roller can switch from the first state to the second state when the coil stop switches from the inhibition state to the enablement state.

[0009] According to the configuration described above, the second roller switches from the first state to the second state in response to the spool stopper switching from the inhibition state to the enablement state. This facilitates switching of the states of the second roller and the switching of the spool stopper states.

[0010] A rebar tying device disclosed herein may be configured to tie rebars with a wire. The rebar tying device may include a spool holding portion configured to hold a spool having a wire such that the spool is rotatable about a spool rotation axis, a spool stopper configured to be switchable between a prohibition state in which the spool is prevented from being removed from the spool holding portion and an enablement state in which the spool is allowed to be removed from the spool holding portion, and a locking lever configured to hold the spool stopper in the prohibition state when engaged with the spool holding portion.The locking lever may be configured to engage with the spool holding portion without being operated by a user after the spool stopper is switched from the enabling state to the preventing state.

[0011] According to the configuration described above, the user does not need to operate the lock lever after switching the spool stopper from the enable state to the disable state. Thus, an operation for maintaining the spool stopper in the disable state is less complex. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a rebar tying device 2 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a left side view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment with a coil cover 6 and a left housing 10 removed. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of a coil holding section 22. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of a locking lever 52. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment with the coil cover 6 opened. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the coil cover 6 and a feed unit 74 according to the first embodiment, in which the coil cover 6 is in a second position. Fig. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of the locking lever 52. Fig. Fig. 8 shows a front view of the reel cover 6 and the feed unit 74 according to the first embodiment, in which a second reel 98 is in a first state. Fig. Fig. 9 shows a front view of the spool cover 6 and the feed unit 74 according to the first embodiment, in which the second roller 98 is in a second state. Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the coil cover 6 and the feed unit 74 according to the first embodiment, in which the coil cover 6 is closer to a first position than to a neutral position. Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of rebar tying devices 2 according to the first embodiment and a tenth embodiment in the vicinity of a guide unit 76. Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a cutting unit 78 and a twisting unit 80 according to the first embodiment, in which a front end of a cutting edge 128 is positioned behind a wire guide hole 138. Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the cutting unit 78 and the twisting unit 80 according to the first embodiment, in which the front end of the cutting edge 128 is positioned in front of the wire guide hole 138. Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the cutting unit 78 and the twisting unit 80 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 15 shows a plan view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment with opened side plates 168. Fig. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the side plate 168, a slide unit 170 and a detection sensor 172 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of a bending member 192. Fig. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of the bending member 192. Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit 82 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of a guide unit 76. Fig. 21 shows a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit 82 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 22 shows a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit 82 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 23 shows a side view of a wire W and reinforcing bars R after the wire W has been twisted in the first embodiment. Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of a rebar tying device 2 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 25 shows a left side view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the second embodiment with a left housing 10 removed. Fig. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the rebar tying device 2 according to the second embodiment in the vicinity of a guide unit 76. Fig. 27 shows a front view of a rebar tying machine 2 according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 28 shows a front view of a rebar tying device 2 according to a seventh embodiment. Fig. 29 shows a front view of a reel cover 6 and a feed unit 74 according to an eighth embodiment, in which a second reel 98 is in a first state. Fig. 30 shows a front view of the reel cover 6 and the feed unit 74 according to the eighth embodiment, in which the second roller 98 is in a second state. Fig. 31 shows a cross-sectional view of a rebar tying device 2 according to a ninth and tenth embodiment in the vicinity of a guide unit 76. Fig. 32 shows a side view of a guide unit 76 and a twisting unit 80 of a rebar tying device 2 according to a thirteenth and fourteenth embodiment. DESCRIPTION

[0012] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person skilled in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed below may be used separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved rebar tying devices and methods of making and using the same.

[0013] Furthermore, combinations of features and steps described in detail below may not be necessary to practice the present disclosure in its broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to specifically describe preferred examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, various features of the representative examples described above and below, and the independent and dependent claims, may be combined in ways not specifically and explicitly recited to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

[0014] All features disclosed in the description and / or claims are intended to be considered separate and independent of each other for the purpose of original disclosure and also for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, regardless of the combination of features in the embodiments and / or the claims. Furthermore, all ranges or groupings of units are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or subset of units for the purpose of original disclosure and also for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention.

[0015] A rebar tying device disclosed herein may be configured to tie rebars with a wire. The rebar tying device may include a spool holding portion configured to hold a spool having a wire such that the spool is rotatable about a spool rotation axis, a spool stop configured to be switchable between a prevent state in which the spool is prevented from being removed from the spool holding portion and an enable state in which the spool is enabled to be removed from the spool holding portion, a first roller configured to be rotatable, a second roller configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire is held between the first roller and the second roller, and a second state,in which a distance between the first roller and the second roller is longer than a distance between the first roller and the second roller in the first state, and a twisting unit configured to twist the wire wound around the reinforcing bars by the first roller and the second roller. The second roller may be configured to switch from the first state to the second state when the coil stop switches from the inhibition state to the enablement state.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the wire is not held between the first roller and the second roller when the second roller is in the second state.

[0017] The configuration described above facilitates the insertion of the wire between the first roller and the second roller, as well as the removal of the wire from between the first roller and the second roller.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the second roller may switch from the second state to the first state when the spool stop switches from the enabling state to the preventing state.

[0019] According to the configuration described above, the second roller switches from the second state to the first state in response to the spool stopper switching from the enabling state to the inhibiting state. This facilitates switching of the states of the second roller and the switching of the spool stopper states.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the coil holding portion may include a coil receiving space for receiving the coil therein.

[0021] The configuration described above prevents liquids or dust from adhering to the coil when the coil is accommodated in the coil accommodating space.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying device may further include a connecting member supporting the second spool such that the second spool is rotatable, wherein the connecting member is configured to switch the second spool between the first state and the second state. The spool stop may include an actuating member configured to actuate the connecting member when the spool stop switches from the inhibiting state to the enabling state.

[0023] The configuration described above enables, using a simple mechanism, the second roller to switch from the first state to the second state in response to the spool stopper switching from the inhibition state to the enabling state.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying device may further comprise a prestressing member configured to prestress the connecting member for switching the second roller from the second state to the first state.

[0025] The configuration described above facilitates the switching of the second roller from the second state to the first state by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the spool stop may be pivotable between a first position, where the spool stop is positioned in the inhibit state, and a second position, where the spool stop is positioned in the enable state. The spool stop may be configured to pivot toward the first position when the spool stop is positioned closer to the first position than a neutral position that is between the first position and the second position, and to pivot toward the second position when the spool stop is positioned closer to the second position than the neutral position.

[0027] According to the configuration described above, in the course of pivoting the spool stopper from the first position to the second position, the user can release the spool stopper once the user has pivoted it beyond the neutral position, since the spool stopper automatically pivots to the second position after pivoting it beyond the neutral position. Furthermore, in the course of pivoting the spool stopper from the second position to the first position, the user can release the spool stopper once the user has pivoted it beyond the neutral position, since the spool stopper automatically pivots to the first position after pivoting it beyond the neutral position.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the actuating member may include a roller configured to be rotatable and to contact the connecting member.

[0029] According to the configuration described above, the reel is configured to rotate while contacting the connecting member. This reduces the force required by the user to actuate the reel stopper, compared to a configuration in which the actuating member is not configured to rotate while contacting the connecting member.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the connecting member may be pivotable about a connecting pivot axis. A distance between the connecting pivot axis and a position of the connecting member actuated by the spool stop may be longer than a distance between the connecting pivot axis and a position at which the connecting member supports the second reel.

[0031] The configuration described above reduces the force required for the user to operate the spool stopper, compared with a configuration in which the distance between a position of the link member operated by the spool stopper and the link pivot axis is smaller than the distance between a position at which the link member supports the second reel and the link pivot axis.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying device may further include a locking lever mounted on the coil stop and configured to be operated by a user. The locking lever may be configured to hold the coil stop in the inhibited state when engaged with the coil holding portion.

[0033] The configuration described above allows the user to operate the locking lever with his hand that operates the spool stop.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the spool stop can be pivotable about a stop pivot axis. The stop pivot axis can be located above the spool rotation axis and below the second roller.

[0035] The configuration described above reduces the force required by the user to operate the spool stop compared to a configuration in which the stop pivot axis is located below the spool rotation axis.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the rebar tying device may further include a coil pushing member mounted on the coil stop and a biasing member configured to push the coil pushing member toward the coil when the coil stop is in the inhibiting state.

[0037] In the configuration described above, the spool pressing member prevents the spool from rattling even if the spool rotates while the spool stopper is in the prevention state.

[0038] (First Embodiment) As in Fig. 1, a rebar tying device 2 is a handheld device. The rebar tying device 2 is configured to tie a plurality of rebars R with a wire W. Wires with different diameters (e.g., diameters of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm) can be used in the rebar tying device 2 depending on the diameters of the rebars to be tied. For example, a wire W with a diameter of 1.6 mm or smaller (e.g., 0.8 mm) can be used to tie rebars R that have a small diameter of 16 mm or smaller (e.g., diameter of 16 mm), while a wire with a diameter of 1.6 mm or larger (e.g., 2.0 mm) can be used to tie rebars with a large diameter of 16 mm or larger (e.g., diameter of 25 mm or 32 mm). The following describes the longitudinal direction of a twisting unit 80 (see Fig. 2) is called a front-to-back direction, a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction is called an up-down direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction is called a left-right direction.

[0039] The rebar tying device 2 includes a main body housing 4, a coil cover 6, and a battery pack BP. The main body housing 4 includes a right housing 8 defining the outer shape of a right half of the main body housing 4, and a left housing 10 defining the outer shape of the left half of the main body housing 4.

[0040] The main body housing 4 includes a twisting unit receiving portion 14, a handle 16, a battery receptacle 18, a feeding unit receiving portion 20, and a spool holding portion 22. The twisting unit receiving portion 14, the handle 16, the battery receptacle 18, the feeding unit receiving portion 20, and the spool holding portion 22 are formed by the right housing 8 and the left housing 10.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the twisting unit receiving portion 14 extends in the front-to-back direction. The handle 16 is located at a lower rear portion of the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The handle 16 is configured to be gripped by a user.

[0042] The battery receptacle 18 is located at a lower portion of the handle 16. The battery pack BP is removably attached to the lower end of the battery receptacle 18. For example, the battery pack BP includes a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0043] The feed unit receiving portion 20 is located at a lower front portion of the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The feed unit receiving portion 20 is located at the front of the handle 16.

[0044] The coil holding section 22 is located at a lower portion of the feed unit receiving section 20. In Fig. 2, the spool holding section 22 is shown by a dashed line. The spool holding section 22 is located at the front of the handle 16, the battery receptacle 18, and the battery pack BP. The spool holding section 22 is connected to the front end of the battery receptacle 18. As shown in Fig. 3, the coil holding portion 22 is configured to receive a coil 24. The coil 24 includes a wire W and a coil former 26 on which the wire W is wound.

[0045] The coil holding portion 22 includes a base 30, a cylindrical portion 32, and a projection 34. The base 30 defines a coil receiving space 36. The left end of the base 30 is open.

[0046] The cylindrical portion 32 is located in the coil receiving space 36. The cylindrical portion 32 extends to the left of the base 30. The cylindrical portion 32 is inserted into the coil body 26. The coil 24 is received in the coil receiving space 36 by inserting the cylindrical portion 32 into the coil body 26. The cylindrical portion 32 holds the coil 24 so that the coil 24 is rotatable about a coil rotation axis AX1. The coil rotation axis AX1 extends in the left-right direction.

[0047] The projection 34 projects downward from the lower end of the base 30. The projection 34 is located outside the coil receiving space 36. As shown in Fig. 4, the projection 34 has a vertical surface 34a and an inclined surface 34b.

[0048] The vertical surface 34a is located within a plane on which the front-back direction and the up-down direction lie. The inclined surface 34b is located to the left of the vertical surface 34a. The inclined surface 34b is inclined relative to the vertical surface 34a.

[0049] As in Fig. 1, the coil cover 6 comprises a cover component 40 and an actuating component 42 (see Fig. 6). The cover member 40 is pivotally mounted on the left housing 10. In this embodiment, the cover member 40 is mounted on the feed unit receiving portion 20. The cover member 40 is pivotable about a cover pivot axis AX2. The spool cover 6 is switched between a prohibition state and an enablement state (see Fig. 5) is switched by the pivoting movement of the cover component 40. The cover pivot axis AX2 is located above the battery holder 18 and the coil rotation axis AX1 (see Fig. 2).

[0050] As in Fig. 3, the spool cover 6 is positioned in a first position when in the prevention state. In this state, the spool receiving space 36 is closed by the spool cover 6. Thus, the spool 24 is prevented from being removed from the cylindrical portion 32, that is, from moving out of the spool receiving space 36. When the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the cover member 40 is in contact with the projection 34 from the left side. This prevents the spool cover 6 from pivoting beyond the first position.

[0051] As in Fig. 5, the coil cover 6 is positioned in a second position when it is in the enabling state. In this state, the coil receiving space 36 is opened. Thus, the coil 24 can be removed from the cylindrical portion 32 (see Fig. 3), i.e., moved out of the spool receiving space 36. When the spool cover 6 is in the second position, the cover member 40 is in contact with the left housing 10. This prevents the spool cover 6 from pivoting beyond the second position.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the actuating member 42 is mounted on one end of the cover member 40. The actuating member 42 is located near the cover pivot axis AX2. The actuating member 42 includes a roller 44. The roller 44 is, for example, a bearing such as a needle bearing. The roller 44 rotates about the cover pivot axis AX2 with the pivoting movement of the cover member 40. The roller 44 is rotatable about a central axis AX3. The central axis AX3 extends through the center of the actuating member 42. The central axis AX3 is substantially parallel to the cover pivot axis AX2.

[0053] As in Fig. 3, the rebar tying device 2 further comprises a coil pressing component 48, a prestressing component 50, a locking lever 52 and a prestressing component 54 (see Fig. 7). The coil pressing member 48 has a substantially truncated cone shape. The coil pressing member 48 is slidably mounted on the cover member 40. The biasing member 50 is held between the coil pressing member 48 and the cover member 40. The biasing member 50 biases the coil pressing member 48 in a direction away from the cover member 40.

[0054] When the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the spool pressing member 48 is partially inserted into the spool body 26. The spool pressing member 48 is pressed against the left end of the spool body 26 by the biasing force of the biasing member 50. The spool body 26 is thereby held between the base 30 and the spool pressing member 48. This prevents the spool 24 from rattling in the left-right direction during rotation of the spool 24. During rotation of the spool 24, the spool body 26 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32 and the side surface of the spool pressing member 48.

[0055] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the locking lever 52 is mounted on the lower end of the cover member 40. The locking lever 52 includes a lever body 56 and an engagement portion 58.

[0056] The lever body 56 is pivotable about a lever pivot axis AX4. The lever body 56 is configured to be actuated by the user. The biasing member 54 is held between the rear end of the lever body 56 and the cover member 40. The biasing member 54 biases the rear end of the lever body 56 in a direction away from the cover member 40. The distance between the cover pivot axis AX2 (see Fig. 6) and the lever body 56 is longer than the distance between the cover pivot axis AX2 and the actuating component 42 (see Fig. 6). This allows the user to operate the spool cover 6 with a small force.

[0057] The engagement area 58 is located at the front of the lever pivot axis AX4. As shown in Fig. 3, the engagement portion 58 has a vertical surface 58a and an inclined surface 58b.

[0058] When the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the vertical surface 58a is engaged with the vertical surface 34a of the projection 34. When the vertical surface 58a is engaged with the vertical surface 34a, the pivotal movement of the spool cover 6 from the first position to the second position is prevented.

[0059] The inclined surface 58b is inclined relative to the vertical surface 58a. When the spool cover 6 is pivoted from the second position to the first position, the inclined surface 58b contacts the inclined surface 34b of the projection 34 and then slides on the inclined surface 34b. This pivots the locking lever 52 such that the engaging portion 58 is moved away from the base 30. When the vertical surface 58a of the engaging portion 58 is moved rightward beyond the vertical surface 34a of the projection 34, the locking lever 52 is pivoted by the biasing force of the biasing member 54, so that the engaging portion 58 approaches the base 30 and finally returns to its initial position. Thus, the engagement portion 58 can be brought into engagement with the projection 34 after the spool cover 6 has been pivoted to the first position without the user operating the locking lever 52.

[0060] As in Fig. 1, the rebar tying device 2 further comprises a main power switch 62, a display 64, a binding force increase switch 66, a binding force reduction switch 68, a trigger 70 and a trigger switch 72 (see Fig. 2).

[0061] The main power switch 62, the display 64, the binding force increase switch 66, and the binding force decrease switch 68 are located at a rear portion of the upper surface of the main body casing 4. The main power switch 62 is configured to receive a user operation for switching the rebar tying device 2 between an on state and an off state. The display 64 is configured to display information regarding the rebar tying device 2. When the binding force increase switch 66 is operated, a setting value for the binding force on the wire W applied by the rebar tying device 2 is increased by one step. When the binding force decrease switch 68 is operated, a setting value for the binding force on the wire W applied by the rebar tying device 2 is reduced by one step. The binding force on the wire W corresponds to a force for twisting the wire W, that is,a current value of the twist motor 146, as described later.

[0062] The pusher 70 is mounted on an upper portion of the front surface of the handle 16 and is configured to be pressed. The pusher 70 is configured to be actuated by the user.

[0063] As in Fig. 2, the trigger switch 72 is housed in the handle 16. When the trigger 70 is pressed, the trigger switch 72 is pushed by the trigger 70. In response to the trigger switch 72 being pressed while the rebar tying device 2 is in the on state, the rebar tying device 2 ties the rebars R with the wire W.

[0064] The reinforcing bar tying device 2 further comprises a feed unit 74, a guide unit 76, a cutting unit 78, a twisting unit 80 and a control unit 82.

[0065] The feed unit 74 is received in the feed unit receiving portion 20. The feed unit 74 is supported by the main body case 4. As shown in Fig. 8, the feed unit 74 includes a feed motor 88, a fixed base 90, a feed guide 92, a transfer roller 94, a first roller 96, a second roller 98, a connecting member 100, and a biasing member 102 (see Fig. 6).

[0066] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the feed motor 88 rotates using electric power supplied from the battery pack BP. The feed motor 88 is, for example, a brushless motor.

[0067] The fixed base 90 is fixed to the main body case 4. As shown in Fig. 8, the fixed base 90 supports the feed motor 88.

[0068] The feed guide 92 is fixed to the fixed base 90. The feed guide 92 has a feed hole 92a penetrating the feed guide 92 in the up-down direction. The wire W passes through the feed hole 92a.

[0069] The transfer roller 94 is located at the front of the fixed base 90. The transfer roller 94 is fixed to the shaft of the feed motor 88 via a speed reduction device (not shown). The transfer roller 94 rotates with the rotation of the shaft (not shown) of the feed motor 88. The transfer roller 94 has teeth 94a defined on its outer peripheral surface.

[0070] The first roller 96 is rotatably supported by the fixed base 90. The first roller 96 is located above the cover pivot axis AX2. The first roller 96 rotates about a first roller rotation axis AX6. The first roller 96 has teeth 96a defined in its outer peripheral surface and a groove 96b recessed in the outer peripheral surface. The teeth 96a engage with the teeth 94a of the transfer roller 94. Thus, the first roller 96 rotates with the rotation of the transfer roller 94. The first roller 96 corresponds to a drive roller. The groove 96b extends along the entire circumference of the first roller 96.

[0071] The second roller 98 is located to the left of the first roller 96. The second roller 98 is located above the cover pivot axis AX2. The second roller 98 has teeth 98a defined in its outer peripheral surface and a groove 98b recessed in the outer peripheral surface. The teeth 98a are configured to mesh with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. When the first roller 96 rotates with the teeth 96a meshing with the teeth 98a, the second roller 98 rotates about a second roller rotation axis AX7. Thus, the second roller 98 corresponds to a driven roller. The groove 98b extends along the entire circumference of the second roller 98. When the teeth 98a and the teeth 96a are engaged with each other and the wire W is inserted between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98, the wire W is held in the grooves 96b and 98b between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98.When the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction in this state, the wire W is pulled out from the bobbin 26 (see . Fig. 3) in the direction of the guide unit 76 (see Fig. 2), whereas when the first roller 96 rotates in the reverse direction, the wire W is retracted toward the spool body 26.

[0072] As in Fig. 6, the upper end of the connecting member 100 supports the second roller 98 so that the second roller 98 is rotatable. The connecting member 100 supports the second roller 98 near the second roller rotation axis AX7 of the second roller 98. The connecting member 100 is pivotally supported by the fixed base 90. The connecting member 100 pivots about a connecting pivot axis AX5. The connecting pivot axis AX5 is located below the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 and above the cover pivot axis AX2. The connecting member 100 is configured to pivot between a first connecting position and a second connecting position. The connecting pivot axis AX5 is located below the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7. As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the link member 100 switches the second roller 98 between a first state and a second state by pivoting between the first link position and the second link position.

[0073] As in Fig. 8, the second roller 98 is positioned in a first roller position when in the first state. In this state, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 are engaged with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. Thus, the wire W is held in the grooves 96b and 98b between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The first state thus corresponds to a wire holding state.

[0074] As in Fig. 9, the second roller 98 is positioned in a second roller position when it is in the second state. In this state, the distance between the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7 is longer than the distance between the first roller rotation axis AX6 and the second roller rotation axis AX7 when the second roller 98 is in the first state. Thus, the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second state is longer than the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state. When the second roller 98 is in the second state, the second roller 98 is away from the first roller 96. Thus, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 are not engaged with the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. In this state, the wire W is not held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The second state thus corresponds to a wire non-holding state.In this state, the second roller 98 does not rotate with the rotation of the first roller 96. Thus, even if the wire W is inserted between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98, the wire W is neither pulled toward the guide unit 76 (see . Fig. 2) nor in the direction of the coil body 26 (see Fig. 3) withdrawn.

[0075] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the biasing member 102 is held between the lower end of the connecting member 100 and the fixed base 90. The biasing member 102 biases the connecting member 100 from the second connecting position toward the first connecting position.

[0076] In this embodiment, the connecting member 100 pivots between the first connecting position and the second connecting position by being moved by the coil cover 6. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, when the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the roller 44 is removed from the connecting member 100. Thus, the connecting member 100 is in the first connecting position, and the second roller 98 is pressed against the first roller 96 by the connecting member 100, which is biased by the biasing member 102 (see Fig. 6). As in Fig. 9, when the spool cover 6 pivots from the first position to the second position, the roller 44 pushes the lower end of the link member 100 toward the fixed base 90. The link member 100 is thereby pivoted from the first link position to the second link position. The distance between the position at which the roller 44 pushes the link member 100 and the link pivot axis AX5 is longer than the distance between the link pivot axis AX5 and the second roller rotation axis AX7. This enables a reduction in a force required to push the link member 100, compared with a configuration in which the distance between the position at which the roller 44 pushes the link member 100 and the link pivot axis AX5 is shorter than the distance between the link pivot axis AX5 and the second roller rotation axis AX7.

[0077] As in Fig. 6, when the spool cover 6 is closer to the second position than the neutral position between the first and second positions, the link member 100 applies a force to the spool cover 6 that pivots the spool cover 6 toward the second position by being biased by the biasing member 102. Thus, when the user pivots the spool cover 6 from the first position to the second position, once the spool cover 6 has passed the neutral position, the spool cover 6 automatically pivots toward the second position even if the user releases the spool cover 6. The spool cover 6 is held in the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member 102.When the coil cover 6 is in the neutral position, a plane CP connecting the cover pivot axis AX2 and the center axis AX3 overlaps a neutral plane NP on which the front-back direction and the right-left direction lie. As shown in FIG. Fig. As shown in Figure 10, when the spool cover 6 is positioned closer to the first position than the neutral position, the link member 100 applies a force to the spool cover 6 that pivots the spool cover 6 toward the first position by being biased by the biasing member 102. Thus, when the user pivots the spool cover 6 from the second position to the position once the spool cover 6 has passed the neutral position, the spool cover 6 automatically pivots toward the first position even if the user releases the spool cover 6.

[0078] To replace the coil 24, as shown in Fig. 5, the user grasps the spool cover 6 with one hand, presses the locking lever 52 with the same hand that grasps the spool cover 6, and then pivots the spool cover 6 from the first position to the second position. As shown in Fig. 6, the connecting member 100 is pivoted from the first connecting position to the second connecting position by the roller 44 pressing the lower end of the connecting member 100. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the second roller 98 is moved from the first roller position to the second roller position, thus switching from the first state to the second state. Then, the user pulls the wire W from between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. As shown in Fig. 3, the user removes the coil 24 from the cylindrical portion 32 and attaches a new coil 24 to the cylindrical portion 32. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the user inserts the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. Finally, the user pivots the spool cover 6 from the second position to the first position. The roller 44 is thereby removed from the lower end of the connecting member 100, as shown in Fig. 8, and the connecting member 100 pivots from the second connecting position to the first connecting position. The second roller 98 is moved from the second roller position to the first roller position, thus switching from the second state to the first state. The wire W is thereby held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98.

[0079] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 11, the guide unit 76 is supported by the main body case 4. The guide unit 76 includes a first guide member 110, a second guide member 112, a first pin 114, a second pin 115, and a wire guide 116. The first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 are fixed to the front end of the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 extend forward from the front end of the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The first guide member 110 is open downward. The first guide member 110 has a first wire passage 120 having an upwardly convex shape. The second guide member 112 is located below and away from the first guide member 110. The reinforcing bars R are placed between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112 during tying.The second guide component 112 is open at the top. The second guide component 112 has a second wire passage 122.

[0080] The first pin 114 and the second pin 115 are fixed to the first guide member 110. A portion of the first pin 114 and the second pin 115 are located in the first wire passage 120. The first pin 114 is located near an exit 120a of the first wire passage 120. The second pin 115 is located near an entrance 120b of the first wire passage 120.

[0081] The wire guide 116 is fixed to the second guide member 112. The wire guide 116 is located between the feed unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The wire guide 116 has a first guide hole 116a.

[0082] The wire W from the feed unit 74 passes through the first guide hole 116a of the wire guide 116 and moves on to the entrance 120b of the first wire passage 120. The first guide member 110 guides the wire W forward to pass through the first wire passage 120. While passing through the first wire passage 120, the wire W contacts the first pin 114 and the second pin 115. This gives the wire W a downward curl. After passing through the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120, the wire W moves on to an entrance 122a of the second wire passage 122. The second guide member 112 guides the wire W rearward to pass through the second wire passage 122. After passing an exit 122b of the second wire passage 122, the wire W moves further rearward and upward. A loop RP of the wire W is thereby formed, and thus the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bars R.The reinforcing bars R pass through the loop RP in the left-right direction.

[0083] As in Fig. 2, the cutting unit 78 is received in the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The cutting unit 78 is supported by the main body housing 4. The cutting unit 78 is located between the feeding unit 74 and the first guide member 110. The cutting unit 78 is located above the feeding unit 74 and the spool 24. As shown in Fig. 12, the cutting unit 78 comprises a cutting guide 126, a cutting edge 128, a push lever 130, a bearing shaft 132 (see Fig. 14) and a prestressing component 134 (see Fig. 14).

[0084] The cutting guide 126 is attached to the twisting unit receiving section 14 (see Fig. 2). The cutting guide 126 has a cutting guide hole 136 and a wire guide hole 138. The cutting guide hole 136 penetrates the cutting guide 126 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the wire guide hole 138 is connected to the cutting guide hole 136 near the front end of the cutting guide hole 136. The wire guide hole 138 penetrates the cutting guide 126 in the up-down direction. The wire guide hole 138 is opposite the guide hole 116a of the wire guide 116. The wire guide hole 138 is located between the guide hole 116a and the entrance 120b of the first wire passage 120. Thus, the first wire W passes through the guide hole 116a and then passes through the wire guide hole 138, and then moves to the entrance 120b of the first wire passage 120.

[0085] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the cutting device 128 extends in the front-to-back direction. A front portion of the cutting edge 128 is inserted into the cutting guide hole 136. The cutting edge 128 is supported by the cutting guide 126 so as to be slidable in the front-to-back direction.

[0086] The push lever 130 is located behind the cutting guide 126. The push lever 130 is fixed to the cutting edge 128. The push lever 130 has a first lever portion 140 and a second lever portion 142. The first lever portion 140 is located at the front end of the push lever 130. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 13, when the first lever portion 140 is pushed forward by the twisting unit 80, the push lever 130 moves toward the cutting guide 126. This causes the cutting edge 128 to slide forward beyond the wire guide hole 138. Consequently, the wire W is cut by the cutting edge 128 and the cutting guide 126.

[0087] The second lever portion 142 is located at the rear end of the push lever 130. When the second lever portion 142 is pushed rearward by the twisting unit 80, the push lever 130 is moved away from the cutting guide 126.

[0088] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the support shaft 132 extends in the front-to-back direction. The support shaft 132 is located adjacent to the cutting edge 128 in the left-to-right direction. The rear end of the support shaft 132 is fixed to the push lever 130. A front portion of the support shaft 132 is slidably supported by the cutting guide 126. The support shaft 132 prevents rotation of the push lever 130.

[0089] The biasing member 134 is held between the cutting guide 126 and the push lever 130. The bearing shaft 132 is inserted into the biasing member 134. The biasing member 134 biases the push lever 130 rearward toward its initial position.

[0090] As in Fig. 2, the twisting unit 80 is received in the twisting unit receiving portion 14. The twisting unit 80 is supported by the main body case 4. The twisting unit 80 is located above the cutting unit 78. In the up-down direction, the twisting unit 80 is located between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112. As shown in Fig. 14, the twisting unit 80 includes a twisting motor 146, a speed reducer 148, a screw spindle 150, a sleeve unit 152, a push plate 154, and a holding unit 156.

[0091] The twist motor 146, for example, is a brushless motor. The twist motor 146 rotates around a central axis AX8 using electric power supplied from the battery pack BP. The central axis AX8 extends in the front-to-back direction. The speed reduction device 148 includes a planetary gear mechanism. The rotation of the twist motor 146 is transmitted to the screw spindle 150 via the speed reduction device 148. As a result, the screw spindle 150 rotates around the central axis AX8.

[0092] The screw shaft 150 is inserted into the sleeve unit 152. When the screw shaft 150 rotates, the sleeve unit 152 cooperates with a rotation restricting mechanism (not shown) to move in the front-to-back direction or rotate around the central axis AX8.

[0093] The push plate 154 is rotatably supported by the sleeve unit 152. The push plate 154 has a substantially flat plate shape. The push plate 154 moves together with the sleeve unit 152 in the front-to-back direction. The push plate 154 pushes the first lever portion 140 forward when it moves forward, whereas the push plate 154 pushes the second lever portion 142 backward when it moves backward. The push plate 154 does not rotate together with the sleeve unit 152.

[0094] The holding unit 156 extends forward from a front portion of the sleeve unit 152. The holding unit 156 is located behind the reinforcing bars R (see Fig. 11). The holding unit 156 has a clamping shaft 160, a right clamp 162, and a left clamp 164.

[0095] The clamping shaft 160 is inserted into the sleeve unit 152 from the front end of the sleeve unit 152. The clamping shaft 160 is located on the central axis AX8.

[0096] The right clamp 162 is mounted on the clamp shaft 160 and penetrates the clamp shaft 160 from the right side. The right clamp 162 is movable in the left-right direction relative to the clamp shaft 160. When the right clamp 162 is in its initial state, the right clamp 162 is positioned farthest from the clamp shaft 160 on the right side of the clamp shaft 160. In this state, the right wire passage 165 is formed between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160. The wire W can pass through the right wire passage 165. As the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the right clamp 162 moves leftward toward the clamp shaft 160. Finally, one end of the wire W is held between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160.

[0097] The left clamp 164 is mounted on the clamp shaft 160 and penetrates the clamp shaft 160 from the left side. The left clamp 164 is movable in the left-right direction relative to the clamp shaft 160. When the left clamp 164 is in its initial state, the left clamp 164 is positioned farthest from the clamp shaft 160 on the left side of the clamp shaft 160. In this state, a left wire passage 166 is formed between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. The wire W can pass through the left wire passage 166. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the left clamp 164 moves rightward toward the clamp shaft 160. Finally, another end of the wire W is held between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160.

[0098] When the sleeve unit 152 rotates with one end and the other end of the wire W held by the holding unit 156, the holding unit 156 rotates about the central axis AX8. The wire W is twisted, and thus the reinforcing bars R (see Fig. 2) tied with the wire W.

[0099] As in Fig. 2, the control unit 82 is accommodated in the battery receptacle 18. The control unit 82 includes an MCU (not shown) and switching elements (not shown). The control unit 82 is electrically connected to the main circuit breaker 62 (see Fig. 1), the display 64 (see Fig. 1), the binding force increase switch 66 (see Fig. 1) the binding force reduction switch 68 (see Fig. 1), the trigger switch 72, the feed motor 88, the twisting motor 146 and the battery pack BP.

[0100] As in Fig. 15, the rebar tying device 2 comprises a pair of side plates 168, a pair of sliding units 170 and a pair of detection sensors 172 (see Fig. 16). A sliding unit 170 and a detection sensor 172 are associated with a side plate 168.

[0101] The pair of side plates 168 is mounted to the front end of the twisting unit receiving section 14. The pair of side plates 168 is pressed against the reinforcing bars R when the reinforcing bars R are tied with the wire W. One of the side plates 168 is mounted to the right housing 8 such that the side plate 168 can open and close. The other of the side plates 168 is mounted to the left housing 10 such that the side plate 168 can open and close. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the side plates 168 are normally closed by the preload force of preload members 174. The retaining unit 156 is located behind the side plates 168.

[0102] The sliding units 170 and the detection sensors 172 are located inside the twisting unit receiving section 14. The sliding units 170 and the detection sensors 172 are located above the twisting unit 80. As shown in Fig. 16, each sliding unit 170 includes a sliding plate 178, a magnet holding member 180, a magnet 182, and a biasing member 184.

[0103] The sliding plate 178 extends in the front-to-back direction. The sliding plate 178 is supported by the twisting unit receiving portion 14 (see Fig. 2) is mounted so as to be slidable in the front-to-back direction. The sliding plate 178 is in contact with the rear surface of the sliding plate 178.

[0104] The magnet holding member 180 is fixed to the rear end of the slide plate 178. The magnet holding member 180 holds the magnet 182. The magnet 182 is, for example, a permanent magnet. The magnet holding member 180 is biased forward by the biasing member 184. The slide plate 178 is thereby pressed against the side plate 168.

[0105] The detection sensors 172 are electrically connected to the control unit 82 (see Fig. 2). Each detection sensor 172 has a sensor board 186 and a sensor element 188. The sensor board 186 is attached to the twist unit receiving section 14 (see Fig. 2). The sensor element 188 is mounted on the sensor board 186. The sensor element 188 is a magnetic sensor element. When the side plate 168 is closed, the sensor element 188 faces the magnet 182, whereas when the side plate 168 is opened, the sensor element 188 does not face the magnet 182. Fig. In Figure 16, the position of the magnet holding member 180 and the magnet 182 when the side plate 168 is opened is shown by a dashed line. The detection sensor 172 detects the opening and closing of the side plate 168 through the sensor element 188, which detects a magnetic change in the magnet 182.

[0106] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 17, the rebar tying device 2 further includes a bending member 192. The bending member 192 is accommodated in the twisting unit accommodating portion 14. The bending member 192 has a plate shape. The bending member 192 is located along a plane on which the front-back direction and the up-down direction lie. For example, the bending member 192 is formed of a metal material. The bending member 192 is a separate component from the twisting unit 80. The bending member 192 is fixed to the second guide member 112. Thus, the bending member 192 is immovable relative to the main body case 4. The left surface of the bending member 192 defines a portion of the second wire passage 122 of the second guide member 112. The bending member 192 is located near the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is located to the left of the wire guide hole 138. The bending member 192 is located to the right of the second wire passage 122.Thus, in the left-right direction, the bending member 192 is located between the wire guide hole 138 and the second wire passage 122.

[0107] The flexure member 192 has a contact surface 194. The contact surface 194 is a part of the upper surface of the flexure member 192. The contact surface 194 connects the right surface of the flexure member 192 to the left surface thereof. The width of the contact surface 194 in the right-left direction gradually increases from the rear end of the contact surface 194 toward an inflection point and then is constant from the inflection point to the front end of the contact surface 194. The width of the contact surface 194 in the right-left direction gradually narrows upwards. The contact surface 194 extends downwards and to the right from the upper left end of the flexure member 192. The contact surface 194 is oriented upwards and to the right.

[0108] As in Fig. 18, the contact surface 194 is located in front of the cutting edge 128 (closer to the rebars R than the cutting edge 128). The contact surface 194 is located above the wire guide hole 138 and below the holding unit 156. Thus, in the up-down direction, the contact surface 194 is located between the wire guide hole 138 and the holding unit 156. When the rebar tying device 2 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX8, the contact surface 194 is inclined relative to the central axis AX8. The contact surface 194 is inclined such that its rear end is closest to the central axis AX8 and its front end is farthest from the central axis AX8. The front end of the contact surface 194 is farther from the central axis AX8 than its rear end. The contact surface 194 is curved.

[0109] The control unit 82, which in Fig. 2, executes the process described in Fig. 19 after the main circuit breaker 62 (see Fig. 1) is operated for the first time after the spool 24 has been attached to the spool holding portion 22.

[0110] As in Fig. 19, in S2, the control unit 82 executes an initialization process. Specifically, the control unit 82 repeats a feeding process and a cutting process. In the feeding process, the control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction by a predetermined number of revolutions. The first roller 96 is thereby rotated in the forward direction, and thus the wire W is pulled toward the guide unit 76. In the cutting process, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction by a predetermined number of revolutions, and then rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction by a predetermined number of revolutions. First, when the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the push plate 154 pushes the first lever portion 140 forward. The push lever 130 is thereby moved forward, and the cutter 128 is moved beyond the wire guide hole 138.Then, as the sleeve unit 152 moves rearward, the push lever 130 returns to its initial position by being biased rearward by the biasing member 134. If it is determined that a current value of the twisting motor 146 has decreased after reaching or exceeding a predetermined value during the cutting process, the control unit 82 terminates the initialization process after the cutting process is completed. The decrease in the current value of the twisting motor 146 after reaching or exceeding the predetermined value means that the wire W has been cut by the cutter 128. At the end of the initialization process, a leading end W1 of the wire W is positioned in the wire guide hole 138.

[0111] In S4, the control unit 82 executes a wire pre-feeding process. Specifically, the control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction by a reference number of rotations. As shown in Fig. 20, rotation of the first roller 96 in the forward direction causes the leading end W1 of the wire W to move out of the wire guide hole 138 to a first position. The first position is closer to the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120 than the wire guide hole 138 and the cutting edge 128. The first position is in the first wire passage 120. The first position is at the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120. The first position is not beyond the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120 toward the entrance 122a of the second wire passage 122.

[0112] In S6, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 for a winding process (described later) to be a first number of rotations. When the feed motor 88 rotates in the forward direction by the first number of rotations, the first roller 96 rotates in the forward direction, and the leading end W1 of the wire W is thereby moved from the first position to the left wire passage 166.

[0113] After running the process described in Fig. 19, the control unit 82 executes the process shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 is shown.

[0114] As in Fig. 21, the control unit 82 determines in S20 whether the push button 70 has been pressed. If the control unit 82 determines that the push button 70 has been pressed (YES in S20), the process proceeds to S22.

[0115] In S22, the control unit 82 determines whether the push button 70 has been pressed for the first time after the initialization process. If the control unit 82 determines that the push button 70 has been pressed for the first time after the initialization process (YES in S22), the process continues with S30 in Fig. 22, whereas if the control unit 82 does not determine that the push button 70 has been pressed for the first time after the initialization process (NO in S22), the process proceeds to S24.

[0116] S24 corresponds to the process that Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, which is executed for the second time or more after the initialization process. In S24, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plates 168 are in the process shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, which was last executed. If the control unit 82 determines that the side plates have been opened and closed (YES in S24), the process continues with S30 in Fig. 22, whereas if the control unit 82 determines that the side plates 168 have not been opened and closed (NO in S24), the process proceeds to S26.

[0117] In S26, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction to return the twisting unit 80 to its initial position. Thereafter, the process continues with S30 in Fig. 22 continued.

[0118] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 22, the control unit 82 executes a binding process in S30. Specifically, the binding process includes a winding process, a first holding process, a retracting process, a second holding process, a cutting process, a twisting process, a bending process, and a wire releasing process.

[0119] (Winding process) The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the first roller 96 is rotated in the forward direction, and the leading end W1 of the wire W passes through the wire guide hole 138, the right wire passage 165, the first wire passage 120, the second wire passage 122, and the left wire passage 166 in this order. The loop RP of the wire W is thereby formed, and thus the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bars R. In this state, the reinforcing bars R pass through the loop RP in the right-left direction. Further, the wire W has a downward curl formed by the first pin 114 and the second pin 115 while the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120.

[0120] (First holding process) The first holding process is executed after the winding process. The first holding process is executed 0.1 seconds after the start of the binding process. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152, which is in Fig. 14, the left clamp 164 moves rightward toward the clamp shaft 160. The left wire passage 166 is thereby narrowed, and the leading end W1 of the wire W is finally held between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. Thus, the leading end W1 of the wire W is held by the holding unit 156.

[0121] (Retraction process) The retraction process is executed after the first holding process. The retraction process is executed 0.17 seconds after the start of the binding process. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 in the reverse direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the first roller 96 is thereby rotated in the reverse direction, and the wire W is retracted towards the spool body 26. The diameter of the loop RP of the wire W is thereby reduced, and the wire W finally contacts the reinforcing bars R. In Fig. 11, the loop RP of the wire W with reduced diameter is shown by a dashed line.

[0122] (Second holding process) The second holding process is executed after the retraction process. The second holding process is executed 0.24 seconds after the start of the binding process. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152, which is in Fig. 14, the right clamp 162 moves leftward toward the clamp shaft 160. The right wire passage 165 is thereby narrowed, and the wire W is finally held between the right clamp 162 and the clamp shaft 160 at a position between the wire guide hole 138 and the first wire passage 120. Thus, the wire W is held by the holding unit 156 at two locations.

[0123] (Cutting process) The cutting process is executed after the second holding process. The cutting process is executed 0.27 seconds after the start of the binding process. The control unit 82 continues to rotate the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, when the sleeve unit 152 continues to move forward, the push plate 154 pushes the first lever portion 140 forward. The cutter 128 is thereby moved forward beyond the wire guide hole 138. As a result, the wire W is cut by the cutter 128 and the cutting guide 126 at a position between the wire guide hole 138 and the right wire passage 165. Thereafter, the end of the wire W formed by the cutter 128 cutting the wire W can be referred to as a terminal end W2 of the wire W.

[0124] (Twisting process, bending process) The twisting process is performed after the cutting process. The twisting process is performed 0.31 seconds after the start of the binding process. The bending process is performed during the twisting process. The control unit 82 continues to rotate the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As the sleeve unit 152 and the holding unit 156 rotate, the wire W is twisted. Thus, the reinforcing bars R are bound with the wire W. As shown in Fig. 18, while the wire W is being twisted, the terminal end W2 of the wire W touches the contact surface 194 and then slides on it. This bends the terminal end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bars R. As shown in Fig. 18, the bent terminal end W2 of the wire W is shown by a dashed line, and the wire W is exaggerated. As in Fig. 23, a height L1 indicating the maximum distance between a reinforcing bar R and the terminal end W2 of the wire W is smaller than a height L2 between the reinforcing bar R and an unbent terminal end W2 of the wire W.

[0125] (Wire Release Process) The wire release process is performed after the twisting process. The wire release process is performed 0.41 seconds after the start of the binding process. The control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction. As the sleeve unit 152 moves rearward, the right clamp 162 moves rightward away from the clamp shaft 160, and the left clamp 164 moves leftward away from the clamp shaft 160. The leading end W1 and the trailing end W2 of the wire W are thereby released from the holding unit 156. The wire release process is completed 0.48 seconds after the start of the binding process.

[0126] As in Fig. 22, in S32, the control unit 82 determines whether the side plates 168 have been opened and closed. As shown in Fig. 15, the user removes the rebar tying device 2 from the rebars R after completing the tying of the rebars R. Thus, after the side plates 168 are opened by the leading end W1 and the terminal end W2 of the wire W contacting the side plates 168, the side plates 168 are closed by the leading end W1 and the terminal end W2 of the wire W moving away from the side plates 168. The control unit 82 determines that the side plates 168 have been opened and closed based on the magnetic changes of the magnets 182 detected by the sensor elements 188 of the detection sensors 172.If the control unit 82 determines that the side plates 168 have not been opened and closed within a predetermined period of time (NO in S32), the process proceeds to S34, whereas if the control unit 82 determines that the side plates 168 have been opened and closed (YES in S32), the process proceeds to S36.

[0127] In S34, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 for the next winding process to a second number of rotations. The second number of rotations is greater than the first number of rotations. When the feed motor 88 rotates in the forward direction by the second number of rotations, the first roller 96 is thereby rotated in the forward direction, and the leading end W1 of the wire W is moved from the wire guide hole 138 to the left wire passage 166. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S20.

[0128] In S36, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction to return the twisting unit 80 to its initial position.

[0129] In S38, the control unit 82 executes a wire pre-feeding process. Therefore, the leading end W1 of the wire W is moved to the first position, that is, to the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0130] In S40, the control unit 82 determines whether the pusher 70 is pressed during the wire pre-feeding process. If the control unit 82 determines that the pusher 70 is not pressed during the wire pre-feeding process (NO in S40), the process proceeds to S42, whereas if the control unit 82 determines that the pusher 70 is pressed during the wire pre-feeding process (YES in S40), the process proceeds to S44.

[0131] In S42, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 to be the first number of rotations. After that, the process returns to S20.

[0132] In S44, the control unit 82 sets the number of rotations of the feed motor 88 to the first number of rotations. After that, the process returns to S30. The control unit 82 executes S44 and S30 almost simultaneously. Thus, after S38, the wire W is wound around the reinforcing bars R without stopping the feed motor 88.

[0133] (Effects) The rebar tying device 2 according to this embodiment is configured to tie the rebars R with the wire W. The rebar tying device 2 includes the spool holding section 22 configured to hold the spool 24 having the wire W such that the spool 24 is rotatable about the spool rotation axis AX1, the spool cover 6 (an example of a spool stopper) configured to be switchable between the prohibition state in which the spool 24 is prevented from being removed from the spool holding section 22 and the enable state in which the spool 24 is enabled to be removed from the spool holding section 22, the first roller 96 configured to be rotatable, the second roller 98 configured to be rotatable, in which the second roller 98 is configured to switch between the first state,in which the wire W is held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98, and the second state in which the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 is longer than the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state, and the twisting unit 80 configured to twist the wire W wound around the reinforcing bars R by the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The second roller 98 is configured to switch from the first state to the second state when the coil cover 6 switches from the prohibition state to the enablement state.

[0134] According to the configuration described above, the second roller 98 switches from the first state to the second state in response to the spool cover 6 switching from the prohibition state to the enablement state. This facilitates the switching of the states of the second roller 98 and the switching of the states of the spool cover 6.

[0135] The wire W is not held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 when the second roller 98 is in the second state.

[0136] The configuration described above facilitates the insertion of the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 and the removal of the wire W from between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98.

[0137] The second roller 98 switches from the second state to the first state when the spool cover 6 switches from the enabling state to the preventing state.

[0138] According to the configuration described above, the second roller 98 switches from the second state to the first state in response to the spool cover 6 switching from the enabling state to the inhibiting state. This facilitates the switching of the states of the second roller 98 and the switching of the states of the spool cover 6.

[0139] The coil holding portion 22 has the coil receiving space 36 for receiving the coil 24.

[0140] The configuration described above prevents liquids or dust from adhering to the coil 24 when the coil 24 is accommodated in the coil accommodating space 36.

[0141] The rebar tying device 2 further includes the connecting member 100 that supports the second roller 98 such that the second roller 98 is rotatable, wherein the connecting member 100 is configured to switch the second roller 98 between the first state and the second state. The spool cover 6 includes the actuating member 42 that is configured to actuate the connecting member 100 when the spool cover 6 switches from the inhibiting state to the enabling state.

[0142] The configuration described above enables, using a simple mechanism, the second roller 98 to switch from the first state to the second state in response to the spool cover 6 switching from the prohibition state to the enablement state.

[0143] The rebar tying device 2 further comprises the prestressing member 102 configured to prestress the connecting member 100 for switching the second roller 98 from the second state to the first state.

[0144] The configuration described above enables the second roller 98 to switch from the second state to the first state by the biasing force of the biasing member 102.

[0145] The coil cover 6 is pivotable between the first position, where the coil cover 6 is positioned in the prohibition state, and the second position, where the coil cover 6 is positioned in the enablement state. The coil cover 6 is configured to pivot toward the first position when the coil cover 6 is positioned between the first position and the neutral position, which is between the first position and the second position, and toward the second position when the coil cover 6 is positioned between the first position and the neutral position.

[0146] According to the configuration described above, in the course of pivoting the spool stopper 6 from the first position to the second position, the user can release the spool stopper 6 once it has pivoted beyond the neutral position because the spool stopper 6 automatically pivots to the second position after being pivoted beyond the neutral position. Furthermore, in the course of pivoting the spool stopper 6 from the second position to the first position, the user can release the spool stopper 6 once it has pivoted beyond the neutral position because the spool stopper 6 automatically pivots to the first position after being pivoted beyond the neutral position.

[0147] The actuating member 42 includes the roller 44 configured to be rotatable and to contact the connecting member 100.

[0148] In the configuration described above, the roller 44 is configured to rotate while contacting the connecting member 100. This reduces the force required for the user to operate the spool cover 6 compared to a configuration in which the operating member 42 is not configured to rotate while contacting the connecting member 100.

[0149] The connecting member 100 is pivotable about the connecting pivot axis AX5. The distance between a position of the connecting member 100 actuated by the spool cover 6 and the connecting pivot axis AX5 is longer than the distance between the position at which the connecting member 100 supports the second roller 98 and the connecting pivot axis AX5.

[0150] The configuration described above reduces the force required for the user to operate the spool cover 6, compared with a configuration in which the distance between the position of the link member 100 operated by the spool cover 6 and the link pivot axis AX5 is shorter than the distance between the position at which the link member 100 supports the second roller 98 and the link pivot axis AX5.

[0151] The rebar tying device 2 further includes the locking lever 52 mounted on the spool cover 6 and configured to be operated by the user. The locking lever 52 is configured to hold the spool cover 6 in the preventing state when it is engaged with the spool holding portion 22.

[0152] The configuration described above allows the user to operate the locking lever 52 with his hand that operates the spool cover 6.

[0153] The spool cover 6 is pivotable about the cover pivot axis AX2 (an example of a stop pivot axis). The cover pivot axis AX2 is located above the spool rotation axis AX1 and below the second roller 98.

[0154] The configuration described above reduces the force required by the user to operate the spool cover 6 compared to a configuration in which the cover pivot axis AX2 is located below the spool rotation axis AX1.

[0155] The rebar tying device 2 further includes the coil pressing member 48 mounted on the coil cover 6 and the prestressing member 50 configured to press the coil pressing member 48 toward the coil 24 when the coil cover 6 is in the preventing state.

[0156] The above-described configuration prevents the spool pressing member 48 from rattling the spool 24 even if the spool 24 rotates while the spool cover 6 is in the preventing state.

[0157] The rebar tying device 2 according to this embodiment is configured to tie the rebars R with the wire W. The rebar tying device 2 includes the spool holding portion 22 configured to hold the spool 24 having the wire W such that the spool 24 is rotatable about the spool rotation axis AX1, the spool cover 6 (an example of a spool stopper) configured to be switchable between the prohibition state in which the spool 24 is prohibited from being removed from the spool holding portion 22 and the enable state in which the spool 24 is enabled to be removed from the spool holding portion 22, and the lock lever 52 configured to hold the spool cover 6 in the prohibition state when engaged with the spool holding portion 22.The locking lever 52 is configured to engage with the spool holding portion 22 without being operated by the user after the spool cover 6 is switched from the enabling state to the preventing state.

[0158] According to the configuration described above, the user does not need to operate the lock lever 52 after switching the spool cover 6 from the enable state to the disable state. Thus, the operation for holding the spool cover 6 in the disable state can be less complex.

[0159] (Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 24, the shape of a rebar tying machine 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the shape of the rebar tying machine 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0160] As in Fig. 25, the control unit 82 is accommodated in the twisting unit accommodating section 14. In Fig. 25, the spool cover 6 is open. The control unit 82 is located below the twisting unit 80. The cutting unit 78 is located above the twisting unit 80. The handle 16 is located below the twisting unit receiving section 14. The battery receptacle 18 is located at the lower portion of the handle 16. The feeding unit receiving section 20 is located to the right of the twisting unit receiving section 14 and above the handle 16. The spool holding section 22 is located behind the twisting unit receiving section 14 and the feeding unit receiving section 20 and above the handle 16. The spool 24 is located behind the feeding unit 74, the guide unit 76, the cutting unit 78, and the twisting unit 80. The feeding unit 74 pulls the wire W forward from the spool body 26.

[0161] As in Fig. 26, the cutting unit 78 has a connecting member 226, a fixed cutting edge 228, and a movable cutting edge 230. The connecting member 226 moves the movable cutting edge 230 according to the movement of the twisting unit 80 (see Fig. 25).

[0162] The fixed cutting edge 228 is fixed to the first guide member 110. The fixed cutting edge 228 is located in the first wire passage 120. The fixed cutting edge 228 has a first wire guide hole 234. The first wire guide hole 234 is a through hole. The wire W can pass through the first wire guide hole 234.

[0163] The movable blade 230 is supported by the fixed blade 228. The fixed blade 228 is inserted into the movable blade 230. The movable blade 230 is partially located in the first wire passage 120. The movable blade 230 is connected to the connecting member 226. The movable blade 230 pivots around the fixed blade 228 by being moved by the connecting member 226. The wire W is thereby cut by the fixed blade 228 and the movable blade 230. The leading end W1 of the wire W, which is formed by cutting the wire W, is positioned in the first wire passage 120. When the control unit 82 executes the wire pre-feeding process, the leading end W1 of the wire W is moved from the first wire guide hole 234 to the exit 120a of the first wire passage 120.

[0164] (Third Embodiment) In a third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the start timing of the respective processes of the binding process is different from that of the first embodiment. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 at a faster speed than that of the feed motor 88 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 at a faster speed than that of the twisting motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0165] The first holding process is executed 0.09 seconds after the start of the binding process. The retraction process is executed 0.14 seconds after the start of the binding process. The second holding process is executed 0.20 seconds after the start of the binding process. The cutting process is executed 0.23 seconds after the start of the binding process. The twisting process is executed 0.26 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process is executed 0.34 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process ends 0.40 seconds after the start of the binding process.

[0166] (Fourth Embodiment) In a fourth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the start times of the respective processes of the binding process are different from those of the first embodiment. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 at a faster speed than that of the feed motor 88 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 at a faster speed than that of the twisting motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0167] The first holding process is executed 0.08 seconds after the start of the binding process. The retraction process is executed 0.13 seconds after the start of the binding process. The second holding process is executed 0.18 seconds after the start of the binding process. The cutting process is executed 0.20 seconds after the start of the binding process. The twisting process is executed 0.23 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process is executed 0.30 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process ends 0.35 seconds after the start of the binding process.

[0168] (Fifth Embodiment) In a fifth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the start times of the respective processes of the binding process are different from those of the first embodiment. The control unit 82 rotates the feed motor 88 at a faster speed than that of the feed motor 88 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 at a faster speed than that of the twisting motor 146 in the first embodiment.

[0169] The first holding process is executed 0.06 seconds after the start of the binding process. The retraction process is executed 0.11 seconds after the start of the binding process. The second holding process is executed 0.15 seconds after the start of the binding process. The cutting process is executed 0.17 seconds after the start of the binding process. The twisting process is executed 0.19 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process is executed 0.26 seconds after the start of the binding process. The wire release process ends 0.30 seconds after the start of the binding process.

[0170] (Sixth Embodiment) In a sixth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 27, in the sixth embodiment, the position of the bending member 192 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0171] The bending member 192 is located to the right of the holding unit 156. The bending member 192 is fixed to the main body housing 4. The contact surface 194 is a part of the upper surface of the bending member 192.

[0172] In a modification of the sixth embodiment, the bending component 192 may be located to the left of the holding unit 156, as in Fig. 27 is represented by a dashed line. In this case, the contact surface 194 may be part of the lower surface of the flexure 192.

[0173] In a further modification of the sixth embodiment, the bending component 192 may be located above the holding unit 156, as in Fig. 27 is represented by a dashed line. In this case, the contact surface 194 may be part of the lower surface of the flexure 192.

[0174] (Seventh Embodiment) In a seventh embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 28, in the seventh embodiment, the shape of the bending member 192 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0175] The bending member 192 has a cylindrical shape. The bending member 192 is fixed to the main body housing 4. The bending member 192 surrounds the holding unit 156. The contact surface 194 is a part of the inner surface of the bending member 192.

[0176] (Eighth Embodiment) In an eighth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 29, the feed unit 74 includes a sliding member 300, a bearing member 302, a biasing member 304, and an actuating member 306.

[0177] The sliding member 300 is slidably supported by the bearing member 302.

[0178] The support member 302 is fixed to the fixed base 90.

[0179] The biasing member 304 is held between the lower end of the connecting member 100 and the sliding member 300. The biasing member 304 biases the sliding member 300 in a direction away from the connecting member 100.

[0180] One end of the actuating member 306 is connected to the actuating member 42 of the coil cover 6. The other end of the actuating member 306 is connected to the sliding member 300. The actuating member 306 displaces the sliding member 300 when the coil cover 6 pivots between the first position and the second position.

[0181] When the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the sliding member 300 is in a first sliding position. When the spool cover 6 is in the first position, the second roller 98 is in the first state. As shown in Fig. 30, when the spool cover 6 pivots from the first position to the second position, the sliding member 300 is displaced by the actuating member 306 in the direction away from the lower end of the link member 100 from the first sliding position to a second sliding position. The pivotal movement of the spool cover 6 from the first position to the second position causes the second roller 98 to change from a first pressed state to a second pressed state. The position of the link member 100 does not change due to the pivotal movement of the spool cover 6 from the first position to the second position. The distance between the lower end of the link member 100 and the sliding member 300 in the second sliding position is greater than the distance between the lower end of the link member 100 and the sliding member 300 in the first sliding position.The biasing force of the biasing member 304 against the sliding member 300 in the second sliding position is smaller than the biasing force of the biasing member 304 against the sliding member 300 in the first sliding position. The pressing force with which the second roller 98 is pressed against the first roller 96 in the second pressed state is smaller than the pressing force with which the second roller 98 is pressed against the first roller 96 in the first pressed state. Thus, a force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second pressed state is smaller than the force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first pressed state. Thus, the wire W can be inserted between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 more easily when the second roller 98 is in the second pressed state than when the second roller 98 is in the first pressed state.

[0182] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 29, when the spool cover 6 pivots from the second position to the first position, the sliding member 300 is displaced by the actuating member 306 toward the lower end of the connecting member 100 from the second sliding position to the first sliding position. The second roller 98 is thereby switched from the second pressed state to the first pressed state.

[0183] (Effects) The rebar tying device 2 according to this embodiment is configured to tie the rebars R with the wire W. The rebar tying device 2 includes the spool holding section 22 configured to hold the spool 24 having the wire W such that the spool 24 is rotatable about the spool rotation axis AX1, the spool cover 6 (an example of a spool stopper) configured to be switchable between the prohibition state in which the spool 24 is prevented from being removed from the spool holding section 22 and the enable state in which the spool 24 is enabled to be removed from the spool holding section 22, the first roller 96 configured to be rotatable, the second roller 98 configured to be rotatable, in which the second roller 98 is configured to switch between the first pressed state (an example of a first state),in which the wire W is held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98, and the second pressed state (an example of a second state) in which a force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 is smaller than a force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state, and the twisting unit 80 configured to twist the wire W wound around the reinforcing bars R by the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. The second roller 98 switches from the first pressed state to the second pressed state when the coil cover 6 switches from the prohibition state to the enablement state.

[0184] According to the configuration described above, the second roller 98 switches from the first pressed state to the second pressed state in response to the spool cover 6 switching from the prohibition state to the enable state. Furthermore, since in the second pressed state, the force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 is smaller than the force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first pressed state, the wire W can be easily inserted between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. This facilitates spool replacement.

[0185] (Ninth Embodiment) In a ninth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 31, the rebar tying device 2 further comprises a pushable member 400. The pushable member 400 is pivotally supported by the main body casing 4. The pushable member 400 is located near the first guide member 110. The pushable member 400 is configured to pass through the rebars R (see Fig. 11) positioned between the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 112.

[0186] The control unit 82 (see Fig. 2) carries out the binding process in S30 of Fig. 22 in response to the pushable component 400 being pushed through the reinforcing bars R, while the pusher 70 (see Fig. 2) is pressed.

[0187] (Tenth Embodiment) In a tenth embodiment, differences from the ninth embodiment are described. In the tenth embodiment, the rebar tying device 2 does not have the pusher 70 (see Fig. 2). The control unit 82 (see Fig. 2) carries out the reinforcing bar binding process in S30 of Fig. 22 in response to the compressible member 400 being pressed by the reinforcing bars R.

[0188] (Eleventh Embodiment) In an eleventh embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the eleventh embodiment, in the wire pre-feeding process in S4 of Fig. 19 and S38 in Fig. 22, the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction with the second number of rotations. This moves the leading end W1 of the wire W to the left wire passage 166, as shown in Fig. 11. The first position is in the left wire passage 166. Thus, the loop RP of the wire W is formed. Then, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152 (see Fig. 14) moves forward, the left clamp 164 moves to the right toward the clamp shaft 160. The left wire passage 166 is thereby narrowed, and the leading end W1 of the wire W is finally held between the left clamp 164 and the clamp shaft 160. Thus, the leading end W1 of the wire W is held by the holding unit 156.

[0189] As in Fig. 11, to bind the reinforcing bars R with the wire W, the user first passes the reinforcing bars R through the loop RP of the wire W before pressing the pusher 70. The user then presses the pusher 70 (see Fig. 2). In response, the control unit 82 executes the binding process in S30 of Fig. 22. Specifically, this binding process includes the retraction process, the second holding process, the cutting process, the twisting process, the bending process, and the wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is already formed and the leading end W1 of the wire W is already held by the holding unit 156, the binding process includes neither the winding process nor the first holding process.

[0190] (Twelfth Embodiment) In a twelfth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the twelfth embodiment, in the wire pre-feeding process in S4 of Fig. 19 and S38 from Fig. 22, the control unit 82 first rotates the feed motor 88 in the forward direction by the second number of rotations. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the leading end W1 of the wire W is guided to the left wire passage 166. The first position is located in the left wire passage 166. Thus, the loop RP of the wire W is formed.

[0191] To bind the reinforcing bars R with the wire W, the user first passes the reinforcing bars R through the loop RP of the wire W before pressing the pusher 70 without the leading end W1 of the wire W being held by the holding unit 156. The user then presses the pusher 70 (see Fig. 2). In response, the control unit 82 executes the binding process in S30 of the Fig. 22. Specifically, this binding process includes the first holding process, the retraction process, the second holding process, the cutting process, the twisting process, the bending process, and the wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is already formed, the binding process does not include the winding process.

[0192] (Thirteenth Embodiment) In the thirteenth embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 32, the holding unit 156 includes a hook 500. The hook 500 extends forward from the front portion of the sleeve unit 152. The hook 500 is configured to open and close as the sleeve unit 152 moves in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes and holds the loop RP of the wire W. When the sleeve unit 152 moves rearward, the hook 500 opens and releases the loop RP of the wire W.

[0193] In the thirteenth embodiment, in the wire pre-feeding process in S4, the control unit 82 rotates from Fig. 19 and S38 from Fig. 22, the feed motor 88 first in the forward direction through the second number of rotations. As a result, as shown in Fig. 32, the leading end W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, passes through the second wire passage 122, and then passes through the first wire passage 120 again. Thus, the loop RP of the wire W is formed. Then, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. As the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes, and the loop RP of the wire W is thereby held by the hook 500.

[0194] To bind the reinforcing bars R with the wire W, the user first passes the reinforcing bars R through the loop RP of the wire W before pressing the trigger 70. Then the user presses the trigger 70 (see Fig. 25). In response, the control unit 82 executes the binding process in S30 of Fig. 22. Specifically, this binding process includes the cutting process, the twisting process, the bending process, and the wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is already formed and held by the hook 500, the binding process does not include the winding process, the first holding process, the retraction process, or the second holding process.

[0195] During the wire release process, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the reverse direction. When the sleeve unit 152 moves backward, the hook 500 opens. The loop RP of the wire W is thereby released from the hook 500. Since the cutting process, the twisting process, and the bending process have already been described in the first embodiment, the descriptions of these processes are omitted here.

[0196] (Fourteenth Embodiment) In a fourteenth embodiment, differences from the thirteenth embodiment will be described. In the fourteenth embodiment, the control unit 82 rotates in the wire pre-feeding processes in S4 from Fig. 19 and S38 from Fig. 22 the feed motor 88 in the forward direction with the second number of revolutions. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 32, the leading end W1 of the wire W passes through the first wire passage 120, passes through the second wire passage 122, and then passes through the first wire passage 120 again. Thus, the loop RP of the wire W is formed.

[0197] To bind the reinforcing bars R with the wire W, the user first passes the reinforcing bars R through the loop RP of the wire W before pressing the trigger 70 without the loop RP of the wire W being held by the hook 500. Then the user presses the trigger 70 (see Fig. 25). In response, the control unit 82 executes the binding process in S30 of Fig. 22. Specifically, this binding process includes the holding process, the cutting process, the twisting process, the bending process, and the wire release process. Since the loop RP of the wire W is already formed, the binding process does not include the winding process.

[0198] During the holding process, the control unit 82 rotates the twisting motor 146 in the forward direction. When the sleeve unit 152 moves forward, the hook 500 closes. The loop RP of the wire W is thereby held by the hook 500.

[0199] (Modifications). In one embodiment, the rebar tying device 2 may be a device configured to move autonomously on the rebars R.

[0200] In one embodiment, the first position may be between the cutting edge 128 and the first wire passage 120.

[0201] In one embodiment, the bending member 192 may be fixed to the main body housing 4.

[0202] In one embodiment, the contact surface 194 need not be curved.

[0203] In one embodiment, the flexure member 192 need not define the second wire passage 122.

[0204] In one embodiment, the bending member 192 may bend the terminal end W2 of the wire W toward the reinforcing bars R after the cutting process is completed and before the twisting process is started.

[0205] In one embodiment, the connecting component 100 may support the first roller 96 such that the first roller 96 is rotatable. In this case, the first roller 96 corresponds to a "second roller," and the second roller 98 corresponds to a "first roller."

[0206] In one embodiment, when the second roller 98 is in the second state, the teeth 98a of the second roller 98 may engage the teeth 96a of the first roller 96. In this case, the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 is greater than the distance between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state. Furthermore, the wire W is held between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98. A force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the second state is smaller than a force for holding the wire W between the first roller 96 and the second roller 98 in the first state.

[0207] In one embodiment, the coil holding portion 22 does not need to define the coil receiving space 36 therein. In this case, the coil 24 may be partially exposed when the coil cover 6 is in the preventing state.

[0208] In one embodiment, the actuating member 42 may have a contact portion that is non-rotatable. In this case, the contact portion presses the lower end of the connecting member 100.

[0209] In one embodiment, the locking lever 52 may be mounted in the spool holding portion 22.

[0210] The rebar tying devices 2 according to the second to eighth embodiments and the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments may include the compressible member 400 described in connection with the ninth embodiment. In this case, the control unit 82 may perform the tying process in S30 from Fig. 22 in response to the pushable component 400 being pushed through the reinforcing bars R, while the pusher 70 (see Fig. 2) is pressed. The control unit 82 can start the binding process in S30 from Fig.22 in response to the compressible member 400 being pressed by the reinforcing bars R. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2021 / 070481 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) configured to tie reinforcing bars (R) with a wire (W), with a coil holding section (22) configured to hold a coil (24) having the wire (W) such that the coil (24) is rotatable about a coil rotation axis (AX1), a coil stopper (6) configured to be switchable between a preventive state in which the coil (24) is prevented from being removed from the coil holding section (22) and an enable state in which the coil (24) is allowed to be removed from the coil holding section (22), a first roller (96) configured to be rotatable, a second roller (98) configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller (98) is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire (W) is held between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) and a second state in which a distance between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) is longer than a distance between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) in the first state, and a twisting unit (80) configured to twist the wire (W) wound around the reinforcing bars (R) by the first roller (96) and the second roller (98), in which the second roller (98) is configured to switch from the first state to the second state when the spool stopper (6) switches from the inhibit state to the enable state. [2] A rebar tying device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the wire (W) is not held between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) when the second roller (98) is in the second state. [3] A rebar tying device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second roller (98) switches from the second state to the first state when the coil stopper (6) switches from the enabling state to the preventing state. [4] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coil holding section (22) has a coil receiving space (36) for receiving the coil (24) therein. [5] The rebar tying device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a connecting member (100) supported by the second roller (98) such that the second roller (98) is rotatable, wherein the connecting member (100) is configured to switch the second roller (98) between the first state and the second state, wherein the spool stopper (6) has an actuating member (42) configured to actuate the connecting member (100) when the spool stopper (6) switches from the inhibiting state to the enabling state. [6] The rebar tying device (2) according to claim 5, further comprising a biasing member (102) configured to bias the connecting member (100) for switching the second roller (98) from the second state to the first state. [7] The rebar tying device (2) according to claim 6, wherein the spool cover (6) is pivotable between a first position in which the spool stopper (6) is positioned in the preventing state and a second position in which the spool stopper (6) is positioned in the enabling state, and the spool stopper (6) is configured to pivot toward the first position when the spool stopper (6) is positioned closer to the first position than a neutral position located between the first position and the second position, and to pivot toward the second position when the spool stopper (6) is positioned closer to the second position than the neutral position. [8] Rebar tying device (2) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the actuating member (42) comprises a roller (44) configured to be rotatable and to be in contact with the connecting member (100). [9] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the connecting component (100) is pivotable about a connecting pivot axis (AX5), and the distance between the connecting pivot axis (AX5) and a position of the connecting component (100) actuated by the reel stop (6) is greater than a distance between the connecting pivot axis (AX5) and a position at which the connecting component (100) supports the second roller (98). [10] The rebar tying device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a locking lever (52) mounted on the spool stopper (6) and configured to be operated by a user, wherein the locking lever (52) is configured to hold the spool stopper (6) in the preventing state when engaged with the spool holding portion (22). [11] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the coil stop (6) is rotatable about a stop pivot axis (AX2), and the stop pivot axis (AX2) is located above the coil rotation axis (AX1) and below the second roller (98). [12] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a spool pressing member (48) mounted on the spool stop (6), and a biasing member (50) configured to bias the spool pressing member (48) toward the spool (24) when the spool stopper (6) is in the preventing state. [13] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) configured to tie reinforcing bars (R) with a wire (W), with a coil holding section (22) configured to hold a coil (24) having the wire (W) such that the coil (24) is rotatable about a coil rotation axis (AX1), a coil stopper (6) configured to be switchable between a preventive state in which the coil (24) is prevented from being removed from the coil holding section (22) and an enable state in which the coil (24) is allowed to be removed from the coil holding section (22), a first roller (96) configured to be rotatable, a second roller (98) configured to be rotatable, wherein the second roller (98) is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the wire (W) is held between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) and a second state in which a force for holding the wire (W) between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) is smaller than a force for holding the wire (W) between the first roller (96) and the second roller (98) in the first state, and a twisting unit (80) configured to twist the wire (W) wound around the reinforcing bars (R) by the first roller (96) and the second roller (98), in which the second roller (98) switches from the first state to the second state when the spool stopper (6) switches from the inhibiting state to the enabling state. [14] Reinforcing bar tying device (2) configured to tie reinforcing bars (R) with a wire (W), with a coil holding section (22) configured to hold a coil (24) having the wire (W) such that the coil (24) is rotatable about a coil rotation axis (AX1), a coil stopper (6) configured to be switchable between a preventive state in which the coil (24) is prevented from being removed from the coil holding section (22) and an enable state in which the coil (24) is enabled to be removed from the coil holding section (22), and a locking lever (52) configured to hold the spool stopper (6) in the preventing state when engaged with the spool holding portion (22), in which the locking lever (52) is configured to engage with the spool holding portion (22) without being operated by a user after the spool stopper (6) is switched from the enabling state to the preventing state.

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