Device for applying tension to cable raceway tape

Abstract

The apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable raceway tape includes a housing, a shaft having a first end and a second end, a sliding worm gear coupled near the first end of the shaft, and a motor coupled near the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft. The apparatus also includes a biasing element coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor and applying a biasing force to the sliding worm gear, and a capstan rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear. Further, the apparatus includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the raceway tape when a predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded. The biasing force is configured to prevent movement of the sliding worm gear until a predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded and the cutting mechanism is actuated by movement of the sliding worm gear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Field of the Invention The present disclosure generally relates to the attachment of cable routing tape, and more particularly to an apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable routing tape.

Background Art

[0002] Background Cable routing tape can be used for various applications. Modern cable routing tape is typically a thin, relatively flat, woven or braided cord, often referred to as "tape", which contains filaments made of materials such as nylon, polyester, or aramid fibers, and may have a coating infiltrated to improve certain performance characteristics. However, cable routing tape has the drawback that it is typically a costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming process to manually tie. Due to these problems, several attempts have been made to automate the process of routing and tensioning cables, terminating, and cutting.

[0003] An example of an automatic knot-forming device is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,648,378. The described device includes an automatic knot-forming device that forms individual knots around a workpiece such as a wire bundle. The device operates by pulling a routing tape across the perimeter of the workpiece and wrapping filaments around the workpiece. The shuttle moves the filaments in appropriate steps between carriage rings and along the workpiece, and a plurality of hooks pull the filaments away from the workpiece in appropriate steps. This operation is completed by tightening, cutting, and reloading so that the resulting knots are individual and secure. At least one drawback of the described device is that it requires a complex mechanism to wrap and tie knots around the workpiece.

[0004] As yet another example, International Application No. PCT / US2012 / 044413 describes a handheld tool for applying tension to or cutting cable ties. This device includes a reciprocating tension mechanism, such as a claw link, for applying tension to the tail of the cable tie, a locking mechanism for preventing further tensioning when the tail of the tie reaches a preselected tension level, and a cutting device for cutting the tail of the tie from the head of the cable tie after installation.

[0005] As yet another example, U.S. Patent No. 9,701,428 discloses an apparatus for applying tension, including a housing, a spur shaft interconnected with the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing and the spur shaft to cause movement of the spur shaft when the trigger is operably moved, a tension device attached to the housing and operably coupled to the spur shaft, the tension device being actuated by movement of the spur shaft, and a passage having an inlet and an outlet and operably coupling the inlet and the outlet to the tension device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Summary An apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable raceway tape is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a shaft having a first end and a second end, a sliding worm gear coupled near the first end of the shaft, and a motor coupled near the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft. The apparatus also includes a biasing element coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor and configured to exert a biasing force on the sliding worm gear, and a capstan rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear and configured to receive the cable raceway tape. Further, the apparatus includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the raceway tape when a predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded. The biasing force of the biasing element is configured to prevent movement of the sliding worm gear until a predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the cutting mechanism is actuated by the movement of a sliding worm gear. The cutting mechanism includes a lever and a cutting head, and the lever is configured to rotate the cutting head to cut the lacing tape when engaged by the movement of the sliding worm gear. The cutting head includes a blade configured to cut the lacing tape.

[0008] The capstan includes a gear coupled to the sliding worm gear, and the sliding worm gear may be configured to move relative to the gear when the biasing force of the biasing element exceeds.

[0009] The biasing element includes a spring, and the motor may be an electric motor or a pneumatic motor. The apparatus can include a trigger in communication with the motor, and the trigger is configured to actuate the motor by applying tension to, terminating, or cutting the cable lacing tape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout, the same numbers refer to the same elements.

[0012] U.S. Patent Application No. 2015 / 0267844 and U.S. Patent No. 9682806, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, both generally disclose a cable routing tie for holding multiple objects together. The disclosed cable routing tie generally includes a head assembly and a length of cable routing tape that can be held by the head assembly when the retainer of the head assembly is actuated. In the disclosed example of the cable routing tie, the free end of the cable routing tape is routed (usually by hand) through an opening in the head assembly around the retainer, and is operable from an unlocked position to a locked position by pulling the free end of the cable routing tape with sufficient force.

[0013] In at least some examples, the cable routing tape is composed of a length of woven aramid fiber tape with a synthetic rubber coating attached to a polymer fastener. The free end needs to be actuated with sufficient force to actuate the retainer, but this tape material can be difficult to grasp by hand, and furthermore, since the coating acts as a dry lubricant and the aramid fiber is abrasive, it can be difficult to mechanically grasp using the standard cam action of existing cable routing tape guns.

[0014] It has been found that redirecting, wrapping, and / or folding the cable lacing tape enhances the grip and allows the tool to apply tension to the cable lacing tape, which is necessary not only to activate the retainers in the head assembly, but also to activate the cutting action in the tool link (if available).

[0015] 1 and 2, an exemplary apparatus 100 for tensioning and cutting a cable lacing tape is illustrated. As described herein, the exemplary apparatus 100 tensions the cable lacing tape to an appropriate predetermined tension and then actuates a retainer to cut the free end of the cable lacing tape once the predetermined tension is achieved.

[0016] The device 100 includes a housing 102 in the general shape of a pistol or gun with a grip 104, a trigger 114, and a barrel portion 106. In this example, the forward end of the barrel portion 106 includes an exposed capstan 108.

[0017] The device 100 includes a battery 112 to provide power for operation. In operation, a cable lacing tape is loaded onto the capstan 108 and a trigger 114 is pressed to cause an electric motor 120 to rotate a sliding worm gear 126, which is held in an initial position by a spring 124, as described in more detail below. The sliding worm gear 126 meshes with a gear 130 connected to the capstan 108, causing the capstan 108 to rotate and tension the cable lacing tape. When a predetermined torque is applied to the capstan 108 and a retainer of a lacing tape head assembly (not shown) is actuated, the tension of the spring is overcome and the sliding worm gear 126 is pushed axially backward about its axis of rotation, which then meshes with a cutting mechanism 110 to cut the cable lacing tape while maintaining the proper tension to prevent the cable lacing tape from tearing.

[0018] The cutting mechanism 110 at the end of the barrel portion 106 is configured to pass a cable routing tape, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the cable routing tape is fed through or under the cutting mechanism 110 and into the slit of the capstan 108, and the trigger 114 is actuated to rotate the capstan 108. The capstan 108 continues to rotate, and the cable routing tape wraps around the outside of the capstan 108 until the tip of the cutting mechanism 110 abuts against the head assembly of the cable routing tie. As described above, tension is generated in the cable routing tape by this operation. When a predetermined tension is generated in the cable routing tape, the retainer of the head assembly is actuated to the locked position.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side walls of the housing 102 are cut away to show the internal components of the apparatus 100. In particular, a motor 120 that drives the shaft 122 and the sliding worm gear 126 is shown. The shaft 122 has a first end and a second end, the sliding worm gear 126 is coupled near the first end of the shaft 122, and the motor is coupled near the second end of the shaft 122. The biasing element 124 is coupled to the shaft 122 between the sliding worm gear 126 and the motor 122 and exerts a biasing force on the sliding worm gear 126. The biasing element 124 can include a spring, and the motor 120 can be, for example, an electric motor or a pneumatic motor.

[0020] The capstan 108 is rotatably engaged with a sliding worm gear 126 that drives the capstan 108 to tighten the cable routing tape and apply tension. The cutting mechanism 110 is configured to cut the routing tape when a predetermined torque (or the tension of the cable routing tape) on the capstan 108 is exceeded. The biasing force of the biasing element 124 is configured to prevent the movement of the sliding worm gear 126 until a predetermined torque (or the tension of the cable routing tape) on the capstan 108 is exceeded. The movement of the sliding worm gear 126 activates the cutting mechanism 110.

[0021] The cutting mechanism 110 may include a lever 140 and a cutting head 118, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The lever 140 is fixed by a pin 142 that allows the rotation of the lever. When the first end of the lever 140 is engaged by the movement of the sliding worm gear 126, the second end on the opposite side of the lever 140 rotates about an axis defined by the pin 142. The second end of the lever 140 engages and rotates with the cutting head 118 via a connector 136 to cut the routing tape when the lever 140 is engaged by the movement of the sliding worm gear 126. The cutting head 118 rotates about an axis 134, and the axis 134 may be perpendicular to the pin 142. The cutting head 118 includes a blade 116 configured to cut the routing tape. The cutting head spring 132 of the connector 136 holds the cutting head 118 and the blade 116 within the barrel portion 106 until activation. The bolt 144 coupled to the lever 140 can be adjusted to adjust the distance between the lever 140 and the connector 136 so that the device 100 operates properly.

[0022] 9 and 10, the movement of the sliding worm gear 126 is accomplished by the engagement of a gear 130 coupled to the capstan 108. For example, the sliding worm gear 126 may be configured to move relative to the gear 130 when the biasing force of the biasing element 124 is exceeded. Otherwise, the sliding worm gear 126 rotates in a stationary position because the capstan 108 also rotates. When the cable lacing tape is tightened and the capstan 108 stops rotating, the teeth 138 of the gear 130 mesh with the threads 128 of the sliding worm gear 126, causing the sliding worm gear 126 to move relative to the gear 130 toward the motor 120, which stops rotating. Once the cutting mechanism 110 has been operated as described above and the cable lacing tape has been cut, the capstan 108 (and gear 130) rotates again and the sliding worm gear 126 returns to its original position, ready to tighten another cable lacing tape.

[0023] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings, and it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable raceway tape, comprising: a housing; a shaft having a first end and a second end; a sliding worm gear coupled near the first end of the shaft; a motor coupled near the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft; a biasing element coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor and configured to apply a biasing force to the sliding worm gear; a capstan rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear and configured to receive the cable raceway tape; a cutting mechanism configured to cut the raceway tape when a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biasing force is configured to prevent movement of the sliding worm gear until the predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein movement of the sliding worm gear actuates the cutting mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a lever and a cutting head, and the lever is configured to rotate the cutting head to cut the raceway tape when engaged by movement of the sliding worm gear.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cutting head comprises a blade configured to cut the raceway tape.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the capstan comprises a gear coupled to the sliding worm gear.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sliding worm gear is configured to move relative to the gear when the biasing force of the biasing element is exceeded.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biasing element includes a spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor or a pneumatic motor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a trigger in communication with the motor, the trigger being configured to operate the motor by applying tension to and cutting the cable raceway tape.

11. An apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable raceway tape, comprising: A shaft having a first end and a second end, A sliding worm gear coupled near the first end of the shaft, A motor coupled near the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft, A trigger in communication with the motor, the trigger being configured to operate the motor by applying tension to and cutting a cable raceway tape, the trigger, A spring coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor and applying a biasing force to the sliding worm gear, A capstan having a first side configured to engage the cable raceway tape and a second side having a gear rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear, A cutting mechanism configured to move the sliding worm gear and operate the cutting mechanism to cut the raceway tape when a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan, a device comprising the cutting mechanism.

12. The cutting mechanism comprises a lever and a cutting head, the lever being configured to rotate the cutting head to cut the raceway tape when engaged by movement of the sliding worm gear, the device according to claim 11.

13. The sliding worm gear is configured to move relative to the gear when the biasing force of the biasing element is exceeded, the device according to claim 11.

14. The motor is an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, the device according to claim 11.

15. A device for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting a cable raceway tape, A sliding worm gear, A motor connected to the sliding worm gear and configured to rotate the sliding worm gear, A biasing element applying a biasing force to the sliding worm gear, A capstan rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear and configured to receive the cable raceway tape, A cutting mechanism configured to cut the raceway tape when a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan, a device comprising the cutting mechanism.

16. Further comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, The device according to claim 15, wherein the biasing element is disposed between the sliding worm gear and the motor.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the biasing force is configured to prevent movement of the sliding worm gear until the predetermined torque on the capstan is exceeded.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the cutting mechanism is actuated by movement of the sliding worm gear.

19. The device according to claim 15, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a lever and a cutting head, and the lever is configured to rotate the cutting head to cut the racing tape when engaged by movement of the sliding worm gear.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the capstan includes a gear coupled to the sliding worm gear.

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