Presses – Binding – Binder tighteners and joiners
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-01
2003-04-15
Ostrager, Allen (Department: 3725)
Presses
Binding
Binder tighteners and joiners
C100S0330PB, C140S093200, C140S123600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06546853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of band tightening and cutting devices, and in particular, to a device for easily and safely winding and tightening a band around a number of electric wires, and cutting and removing an excess portion of the band.
2. Description of Related Art
A band is often used for bundling a number of electric wires. The electric wires may be used for connection between various kinds of electrical equipment mounted in a vehicle, such as an automobile, or in various kinds of electrical machinery and apparatuses, such as facsimile and copy machines. Generally, such a band includes a band portion that extends from a band base portion having a hooking hole. A band for bundling a number of electric wires may also be called a cable tie. Bundling electric wires with a band is accomplished by encircling the electric wires with the band portion, inserting an end of the band portion into the hooking hole and tightening the band around the electric wires, and cutting and removing an excess portion of the band.
FIG. 8
shows a conventional device and method for bundling a number of electric wires for a wire harness of an automobile. A group of electric wires D constituting a wire harness W/H wired on an assembly board Z is bundled with a band B. While various types of bands are known, a band having hooking blades B-
3
at a band base portion B-
1
with a band portion B-
2
extending therefrom, and that may be installed on an automobile body panel, is shown in the conventional example.
A known device for banding a number of electric wires includes a plurality of wiring jigs
2
having U-shaped receiving portions for supporting electric wires, and a plurality of banding jigs
3
for applying bands to the electric wires, projecting from an assembly board Z. Each banding jig
3
includes a retaining board
3
b
on the upper end of a support bar
3
a
that projects from the assembly board Z, and a recessed portion
3
c
notched into one end of the retaining board
3
b.
To secure a band around a bundle of electric wires, a tube C for protection is wound around the bundle to form a sheath on the outside of the electric wires D wired on the assembly board Z. A worker encircles the band portion B-
2
of the band B around a portion of the bundle on which the tube is sheathed and inserts the band portion B-
2
into the hooking hole of the band base portion B-
1
, then inserts the band B in the recessed portion
3
c
of the banding jig
3
. Then, the band portion B-
2
is tightened by pulling it while clamping the end of the band portion B-
2
with pliers P, then an excess portion of the band portion B-
2
that is unnecessary is cut with a nipper N.
As described above, the tightening of the band portion B-
2
is performed by a worker who holds the pliers P by grasping, and the tightness of the band portion B-
2
depends on the particular workers. Accordingly, the tightness of the band portion B-
2
may differ by every worker, and it becomes difficult to maintain a consistent level of product quality. Occasionally, the tube C may be destroyed by over-tightening the band portion B-
2
. Further, if the pliers P happen to be pulled off the band portion B-
2
during tightening, the surroundings may be damaged by the pliers P, and there is a fear that the workers themselves may be injured.
Additionally, considering the above-mentioned banding method from the standpoint of work efficiency, the worker is required to use the pliers P for pulling the band portion B-
2
, and to use the nipper N for cutting. Therefore, the exchange of holding the nipper N in place of the pliers P is required, the work cannot be continuously performed, and the method is troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, the present invention includes a tightening and cutting device for fastening and cutting a band that bundles a group of electric wires forming a wire harness.
The present invention is directed to a band tightening and cutting device. An object of the invention is to provide a band tightening and cutting device that provides a consistent amount of band tightening, even if the band tightening is performed by different workers. Another object of the invention is to provide a band tightening and cutting device that maintains a consistent level of product quality. Another object of the invention is to provide a band tightening and cutting device that does not require the worker to exchange the holding of tightening and cutting tools. Another object of the invention is to provide a band tightening and cutting device that provides improved operation efficiency. Further, another object of the invention is to provide a band tightening and cutting device for assembling a wire harness for an automobile.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a tightening and cutting device is provided for fastening and cutting a band that bundles a group of electric wires forming a wire harness including a base member having a band-retaining portion on the upper end of a support bar that projects from an assembly board provided at a location on the assembly board corresponding to a bundling location on the assembly board where a band is fastened around a group of electric wires wired on the assembly board. The base member has a band holding member, a band pulling mechanism that may be rotated in a direction so that the band holding member is moved upward, and a cutting blade that is movable to a band retaining portion side of the base member in response to the rotation of the band pulling mechanism. Furthermore, a band base portion of the band is retained by the band-retaining portion and the end of the band portion encircling the electric wires is held by the band holding member, and the band is fastened around the electric wires at a certain location by fastening the band portion and cutting an excess portion of the band.
Thus, when the tightening and cutting device for fastening and cutting a band of the present invention is provided extending from an assembly board, the device of the present invention can be used as a band fastening jig so that the band is positioned against a group of electric wires forming the wire harness and secured around the electric wires. Further, since all of the bundling, tightening and cutting steps can be performed with the device of the present invention, the exchange of holding tools is unnecessary, and the banding operation can be more efficient.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the band-retaining portion is formed by notching an end part of the base member.
In another aspect of the present invention, the band pulling mechanism includes a substantially L-shaped member having a vertical member and a horizontal member provided on the upper face of the base member, and a rotational member mounted on said vertical member in a freely rotatable manner.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the device includes a sliding member provided on the horizontal member of the substantially L-shaped member movable in an upward and a downward direction, wherein the sliding member includes a pressure member, and the band holding member and the pressure member are provided on the rotational member.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the cutting blade may have a cam part on an upper side and may be housed and slidable in a recessed portion in the base member so as to be linked with the band-retaining portion, in a manner in which the cutting blade can slide, and the band portion is pulled by the rotation of the rotational member, the sliding member is moved in a downward direction by the pressure member in response to rotation of the rotational member and contacts the cam part of the cutting blade, and the cutting blade is moved to the band-retaining portion side of the base member to cut an excess portion of the band.
In a further aspect of the invention, the rotational member is rotated, the cutting blade is moved to the band-re
Goetz John S
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Ostrager Allen
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
LandOfFree
Band tightening and cutting device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Band tightening and cutting device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Band tightening and cutting device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3061733