Wireworking – Article making or forming – Clips
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-15
2002-11-19
Larson, Lowell A. (Department: 3725)
Wireworking
Article making or forming
Clips
C100S032000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481467
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to clamping objects and, in particular, tensioning band clamps about hoses using electrical control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of band clamps have been devised or advanced for use in clamping to objects, such as hoses, pipes, poles, cables and the like. Common band clamps can be provided to the user in pre-formed loops in which one or more generally circular wraps are already formed. Such a band clamp can be used with objects about which the one or more loops can be located and then subsequently tightened about the object to firmly hold the band clamp to the object. Common types of band clamps also include those having a free end that is initially wrapped about the object being clamped. Band clamps usually have a buckle or other locking-type element through which one or more wraps of the band arc made. The buckle can be useful in creating a lock for the band clamp after it is properly tightened about the object.
In conjunction with tightening or tensioning the band clamp after it is placed about the object, various tools have been implemented or disclosed that are intended to enhance or facilitate the tightening operation. In many instances, such tools are beneficial in cutting a tail portion of the band clamp after it has been tightened and in creating a desired lock so that unwanted release of the band clamp does not occur. Tools that perform the tightening, locking and cutting functions can be primarily manual, pneumatic or electrical in nature, In the case of pneumatic or electrical tools used for such purposes, the power generated results in these functions being accomplished with limited or reduced physical efforts required by the operator. Band tightening tools that are pneumatic or electrical are usually semiautomatic in that the operator of such a tool is required to perform some, but not all, of the tasks or functions associated with providing a band clamp about an object. Manual tasks that remain can include locating the band clamp about the object and inserting or otherwise locating the band clamp relative to the tool so that the tool can perform one or more of its tightening, locking and cutting functions. In one known pneumatic band tightening apparatus, a desired tension can be set for the band clamp about the object. After this is done, a pneumatic cylinder is activated to pull on the band until the desired band tension is reached. Pneumatic control can also be involved with cutting the band tail portion after the band clamp is tightened and which can also involve forming the lock that prevents unwanted release of the band clamp. When using electrical power with a band clamp, it is known to provide an electric motor that drives a gearing mechanism to which the band clamp is connected for use in tightening the band about the object.
Although different tools have been designed for use with band clamps, it would be advantageous to provide a tool, particularly one that relies on electrical power, that achieves greater control over the band clamping operations. Such a tool should be effective and efficient in tightening the band clamp, forming the band clamp lock and removing the severed tail portion after the band clamp is tightened. Furthermore, it would be beneficial for such a tool to be easily used by the operator in connection with positioning the object to be clamped and insertion, or otherwise joining, of the band clamp to the tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus that electrically controls tightening a band clamp, cutting a clamp tail after the band clamp is tightened including as part of creating a lock for the band clamp and removing the clamp tail from the apparatus. Generally, the apparatus includes a banding system and a control system. The banding system essentially includes mechanical components or hardware for implementing the tightening, cutting/locking, and clamp tail removal functions associated with providing the band clamp about an object, such as a hose. The control system is essentially comprised of hardware components, but could include software, that controls these functions or operations. The control system can be characterized as including a control assembly and an input/output device. The input/output device can comprise one or more audible indicators and/or visual displays for providing desired information to the operator during use of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, a foot switch is included that must be activated at all times in order to continue operation of the apparatus. When the foot switch is released, the apparatus is deactivated. The input/output device can also include a keypad having a number of keys or input elements useful in providing desired inputs that are used by the control system, such as a desired or predetermined tension that is to be applied to the band clamp.
The control assembly is in electrical communication with the input/output device and includes an electric motor that is operably connected to a band tightening assembly. When a band clamp is prepared for tightening about an object and the electric motor is activated, the tightening of the band clamp about the object occurs. The control assembly also has a tension monitoring device that outputs data or other information related to the current band clamp tension. Preferably, the tension monitoring device includes a load cell assembly including a load cell that essentially translates the detected band clamp tension to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is received by signal conditioning circuitry that suitably prepares signals, such as the actual tension related signal for subsequent processing. In that regard, the control assembly includes processing/logic circuitry involved with determining whether the predetermined tension has been reached. After the predetermined tension is obtained, the control assembly causes the tightening of the band clamp to be discontinued, such as by de-activating the electric motor. The control assembly can also include a number of sensors including sensors related to detecting events associated with starting the tightening operation and associated with removal of the clamp or band tail after the cutting/locking operations. Referring to the band tightening assembly, it preferably includes a mandrel about which portions of the band clamp are wrapped as the mandrel is turned using the electric motor and a gear mechanism. The band tightening assembly also includes a gripper mechanism that firmly grips the end portions of the band clamp, which end portions are inserted into the apparatus. The gripper mechanism has an open position for receiving such band clamp portions prior to tightening the band clamp about the object. The gripper mechanism also has a closed position, which is maintained during tightening of the band clamp. In a preferred embodiment, the gear mechanism has at least one gear and the load cell of the load cell assembly is positioned parallel to that gear. The load cell can also be attached to a thrust member, which is joined to the one gear, and the load cell receives an input related to the actual tension of the band clamp using a force associated with the one gear on the thrust member.
The banding system also includes a band cutting/locking assembly that is activated or otherwise caused to operate after the band tightening operation is completed. The band cutting/locking assembly can include electrical control, such as an electric motor, that initiates a cutting device to sever the clamp tail from the tightened band clamp. The cutting device includes a cutting head that performs the cutting operation. The cutting device is preferably removable from the apparatus so that one of a number of selectable cutting devices can be removably connected to the apparatus for providing a desired or particular cutting/locking of the band clamp.
The banding system also includes a band ejection assembly involved with removal of the severed clamp tail from the apparatus. An ejector cup of the band ejection assembl
Czebatul Philip A.
Hinnen Hans R.
Marelin Miklos B.
Band-It-Idex, Inc.
Larson Lowell A.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
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