Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for tensioning metal locking ties, and more particularly to a power tool for tensioning metal locking ties.

Background of the Invention

[0002] As is well known to those skilled in the art, cable ties or straps are used to bundle or secure a group of articles such as electric wires and cables. Cable ties of conventional construction include a cable tie head and an elongated tail extending therefrom. The tail is wrapped around a bundle of articles and thereafter inserted through the passage in the head. The head of the cable tie typically supports a locking element, which extends into the head passage and engages the body of the tail to secure the tail to the head.

[0003] In practice, the installer manually places the ties about the articles to be bundled and inserts the tail through the head passage. At this point, a cable tie installation tool is used to tension the tie to a predetermined tension. The tools of the prior art, although capable of tensioning and thereafter severing the excess portion of the cable tie, typically have several disadvantages therewith.

[0004] As a result, it is desirable to provide an improved metal tie tool for tensioning metal locking ties that is easy to operate, operates quickly, and reduces operator fatigue.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to a power tool for tensioning metal locking ties. The power tool has a base and a tool head mounted to the base. The base includes a drive mechanism. The tool head includes a tension mechanism, a gripper assembly secured to the tension mechanism, and a tool nose. The tension mechanism includes a lead screw and a lead nut attached to the lead screw. The gripper assembly includes a gripper housing secured to the lead nut. When the lead screw rotates, the lead nut moves along the lead screw pulling the gripper housing towards the base of the tool to tension the metal locking tie.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool of the present invention for tensioning metal locking ties.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 with the tool head removed from the tool base.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2.

[0009] FIG. 4 is partial side sectional view of the tool head of FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 positioned to receive a metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 5 with the metal locking tie received in the tool nose. '

[0012] FIG. 7 is partial sectional view of the tool of FIG. 6 with the metal locking tie received in the tool nose.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 6 as the tie is being tensioned.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the tool of FIG. 7 with the gripper engaging the metal locking tie as the tie is beginning to be tensioned.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the tool of FIG. 9 with the gripper engaging the metal locking tie as the tie is tensioned around the bundle.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 10 as the tie is being tensioned.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the tool of FIG. 6 after the tie has been tensioned.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a front view of the tool of FIG. 1. Detailed Description

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the electric tool 20 for tensioning metal locking ties of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the electric tool 20 with the tool head 50 detached from the tool base 30. The tool base 30 includes an electric driver 32, a driver battery 34, a selection device 36, and a trigger 38. The tool head 50 is designed to be mounted to the tool base 30 and secured thereto by driver mount 52 and attachment fastener 54.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the tool head 50 includes a tubular frame 60, a gripper assembly 80, and a tool nose 120. The tubular frame 60 is designed to provide a long reach thereby enabling the tool 20 to tension cable ties 150 in congested tight spaces. The tubular frame 60 is 14 inches long, however, varying lengths of the tubular frame 60 are contemplated. The tubular frame 60 includes a rectangular slot 62 extending along the length of the tubular frame 60. The tubular flame 60 houses the tension mechanism 64 of the tool. The tension mechanism 64 includes a lead screw 66 and a lead nut 68 attached thereto. The lead nut 68 is positioned in the center of the tubular frame 60 and extends through the rectangular slot 62 (see

FIG. 4). The tubular frame 60 also includes a lead screw thrust bearing 72 to permit rotation and to support the axial load. The lead screw 66 is attached to the electric driver 32. As discussed below, as the lead screw 66 rotates, the lead nut 68 moves along the lead screw 66.

[0021] The tool nose 120 includes a side entry cable tie receiving slot 124. As discussed below, the tie 150 is slid in the side entry cable tie receiving slot 124 to enable the tool to grip the tie

150 for tensioning.

[0022] The gripper assembly 80 is secured to the lead nut 68 of the tension mechanism 64 by fasteners 70. The gripper assembly 80 includes a gripper housing 82, a gripper 110, and a rolling member 116. The gripper housing 82 includes a top 84, a bottom 86, a first side 90, a second side 92, a first end 94, and an opposite second end 98. The first end 94 includes fastener openings 96 that extend from the top 84 to the bottom 86 of the gripper housing 82. The fastener openings 96 receive the fasteners 70 that secure the lead nut 68 to the gripper housing 82. The bottom 86 of the gripper housing 82 includes a semi-circular opening 88 that extends from the first side 90 to die second side 92. The second end 98 includes a side entry angled slot 100 for receiving the cable tie 150. The side entry slot 124 in the tool nose 120 aligns with the side entry angled slot 100 in the gripper housing 82. The second end 98 of the gripper housing 82 also includes an upper member 102 which forms a cable tie pressure plate when the cable tie 150 is tensioned.

[0023] The gripper 110 is pivotally attached to the second end 98 of the gripper housing 82. The gripper 110 includes a plurality of teeth 114 for engaging the cable tie 150 inserted in the tool 20. The rolling member 116 is positioned under the semicircular opening 88 formed in the bottom 86 of the gripper housing 82. The rolling member 116 facilitates the movement of the gripper housing 82 towards the tool base 30 when the tensioning mechanism 64 is activated.

[0024] FIGS. 5-13 illustrate the operation of the tool 20. A metal locking tie 150 is wrapped around a cable bundle 160 and the tip 156 of the strap 154 of the metal locking tie 150 is feed through the tie head 152. The metal locking tie 150 is pre-tensioned by hand until the strap

154 is snug.

[0025] The tool 20 of the present invention is prepared for tensioning by returning the gripper housing 82 to a forward home position. When the gripper housing 82 is located in the forward home position, the gripper 110 is pivoted to an open position away from the upper member 102 of the gripper housing 82. The opened gripper 110 enables the tie tip 156 to be easily inserted in aligned side entry slot 124 in the tool nose 120 and the side entry slot 100 in the gripper housing 82.

[0026] After the tie tip 156 has been inserted, the tool 20 is pushed against the tie head 152 to minimize the amount of stroked required to reach the predetermined desired tension. [0027] Once the cable tie and tool are in the correct position, the driver selection device 36 is moved to the tensioning position. Next the drive trigger 38 is actuated which causes the drive motor in the tool base 30 to turn the internal lead screw 66 in the tool head 50. As the internal lead screw 66 is turned, the lead nut 68 and attached gripper housing 82 move toward the tool base 30.

[0028] When the gripper housing 82 starts to move, the gripper 110 pivots to a closed position towards the upper member 102 of the gripper housing 82. As the gripper 110 closes, it pinches the tie 150 positioned between the gripper 110 and the upper member 102 of the gripper housing 82. The teeth 114 extending from the gripper 110 bite into the tie 150. As the lead screw 66 and lead nut 68 are advanced, the gripped tie 150 is pulled and tightened around a bundle 160.

[0029] The tool operator activates the tool until the cable tie has reached the predetermined tension. Once the desired tightness has been reached, the tool operator releases the drive trigger 38. Next, the driver selection device 36 is switched and the gripper housing 82 returns to a forward home position away from tool base 30. Once the gripper housing 82 returns to the forward home position, the gripper 110 pivots open and the operator may easily pull the tool

20 away from the tensioned cable tie 150.

[0030] The power tool of the present invention provides fast gripper actuation which improves the quickness of the tool. The power tool enables cable tie tensioning without damaging and distorting the cable tie tip. The side entry of the tie results in an easier tool to operate. The power tool provides a long actuation stroke allowing full tensioning of most ties without running multiple cycles thereby reducing operator fatigue when activating the tool. The power tool also provides the operator the ability to tension to a low tension which allows the cable tie to be released and reused. [0031] Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in tire art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation.