A device for applying tension to cable lacing 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 tapes, and more particularly to an apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable routing tapes.

Background Art

[0002] Background Cable routing tapes can be used for various applications. Modern cable routing tapes are typically thin, relatively flat, woven or braided cords, often referred to as "tapes," which contain filaments made of materials such as nylon, polyester, or aramid fibers, and may be infiltrated with coatings to improve certain performance characteristics. However, cable routing tapes have the disadvantage that they are typically manually tied in a costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming process. Due to these problems, several attempts have been made to automate the process of routing and tensioning, terminating, and cutting cables.

[0003] An example of an automatic knot-forming apparatus is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,648,378. The described apparatus includes an automatic knot-forming apparatus for forming individual knots around a workpiece such as a wire bundle. The apparatus operates by pulling a routing tape across the perimeter of the workpiece and winding 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 disadvantage of the described apparatus is that it requires a complex mechanism to wind and tie knots around the workpiece.

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

[0005] Another example is U.S. Patent No. 9,701,428, which discloses a device for applying tension, comprising a housing; a spur shaft coupled to the housing; a trigger operably coupled to the housing and the spur shaft, causing movement of the spur shaft when the trigger is operably moved; a tensioning device mounted on the housing and operably coupled to the spur shaft, the tensioning device being actuated by the movement of the spur shaft; and a passage having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being operably coupled to the tensioning device. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] overview An apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable lacing 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 exerting a biasing force on the sliding worm gear, and a capstan rotatably engaged with the sliding worm gear and configured to receive the cable lacing tape. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a cutting mechanism configured to cut the lacing tape when a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan. The biasing force of the biasing element is configured to prevent the movement of the sliding worm gear until a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan.

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

[0008] The capstan may include a gear coupled to a sliding worm gear, the sliding worm gear being configured to move relative to the gear when the biasing force of the biasing element is exceeded.

[0009] The biasing element includes a spring, and the motor may be an electric motor or a pneumatic motor. The device may include a trigger that communicates with the motor, and the trigger is configured to actuate the motor by applying tension to, terminating, or cutting the cable lacing tape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an apparatus for applying tension to, terminating, and cutting cable lacing tape, in which various aspects of the disclosure are realized. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an elevation view of the apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an elevation view of the nosepiece and capstan of the device. [Figure 4] This is a bottom view of the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 5] This is a detailed view of the left side inside the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 6] This is a detailed view of the right side inside the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 7] This is a detailed plan view of the inside of the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 8] This is a detailed front perspective view of the inside of the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 9]This is a rearward perspective detailed view of the inside of the nosepiece and capstan. [Figure 10] This is a detailed view of the bottom of the nosepiece and capstan interior. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments. However, the present invention can be carried out 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 is thorough and complete and fully conveys the scope of the 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, both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, generally disclose cable lacing ties for holding multiple objects together. The disclosed cable lacing ties generally include a head assembly and a length of cable lacing tape that can be held by the head assembly when the retainer of the head assembly is actuated. In the disclosed example cable lacing ties, the free end of the cable lacing tape is routed (usually by hand) through an opening in the head assembly around the retainer, and is actuated from an unlocked position to a locked position by pulling the free end of the cable lacing tape with sufficient force.

[0013] In at least some examples, cable lacing tape consists 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 enough force to activate the retainer, but this tape material can be difficult to grasp by hand, and furthermore, because the coating acts as a dry lubricant and the aramid fibers are abrasive, it can be difficult to mechanically grasp using the standard cam action of existing cable lacing tape guns.

[0014] It is known that changing the direction, wrapping, and / or folding of the cable lacing tape enhances grip and allows the tool to apply tension to the cable lacing tape. This tension is necessary not only to activate the retainer in the head assembly but also to activate the cutting action in the tool link (if available).

[0015] Referring here to Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary apparatus 100 for applying tension to and cutting cable lacing tape is illustrated. As described herein, the exemplary apparatus 100 applies tension to the cable lacing tape to a suitable predetermined tension, then acts on 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 106. In this example, an exposed capstan 108 is included at the front end of the barrel 106.

[0017] The device 100 includes a battery 112 for supplying power for operation. During operation, cable lacing tape is loaded into the capstan 108, and the trigger 114 is pressed, causing the electric motor 120 to rotate a sliding worm gear 126, which is held in an initial position by a spring 124, as will be described in more detail below. The sliding worm gear 126 meshes with a gear 130 connected to the capstan 108, rotating the capstan 108 and applying tension to the cable lacing tape. When a predetermined torque is applied to the capstan 108 and the retainer of the lacing tape head assembly (not shown) is activated, the spring tension is overcome, and the sliding worm gear 126 is pushed axially backward around its axis of rotation, then meshes with the cutting mechanism 110, which cuts the cable lacing tape while maintaining the appropriate tension so as not to tear it.

[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 a shaft 122 and a 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. A 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. A cutting head spring 132 of the connector 136 holds the cutting head 118 and the blade 116 within the barrel portion 106 until activation. A 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] Referring here to Figures 9 and 10, the movement of the sliding worm gear 126 is achieved by the meshing of the gear 130 connected 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, moving the sliding worm gear 126 relative to the gear 130 toward the motor 120, and the motor 120 stops rotating. Once the cutting mechanism 110 operates as described above and the cable lacing tape is cut, the capstan 108 (and gear 130) rotates again, and the sliding worm gear 126 returns to its initial position, ready to tighten another cable lacing tape.

[0023] Those skilled in the art who benefit from the teachings shown in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings will be able to conceive of many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

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

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force is configured to prevent the sliding worm gear from moving on the capstan until it exceeds a predetermined torque.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cutting mechanism is activated by the movement of the sliding worm gear.

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

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cutting head comprises a blade configured to cut the cable lacing tape.

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

7. The apparatus according to 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 according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element includes a spring.

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

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a trigger that communicates with the motor, wherein the trigger is configured to activate the motor by applying tension to and cutting the cable lacing tape.

11. A device for applying tension to cable lacing tape, terminating it, and cutting it. A shaft having a first end and a second end, A sliding worm gear coupled to the first end of the shaft, A motor is coupled to the second end of the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft, A trigger that communicates with the motor, wherein the trigger is configured to activate the motor by applying tension to and cutting the cable lacing tape, A spring is coupled to the shaft between the sliding worm gear and the motor, and applies a biasing force to the sliding worm gear. A capstan having a first side configured to engage with the cable lacing tape and a second side having a gear that rotatably engages with the sliding worm gear, A cutting mechanism comprising: a cutting mechanism configured to activate the cutting mechanism by moving the sliding worm gear when a predetermined torque is exceeded on the capstan, thereby cutting the cable lacing tape.

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

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

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

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

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

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the biasing force is configured to prevent the sliding worm gear from moving on the capstan until it exceeds a predetermined torque.

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

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a lever and a cutting head, the lever being configured to rotate the cutting head to cut the cable lacing tape when engaged by the movement of the sliding worm gear.

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

Images