US 11,440,689 B2 · Shock absorbing feed wheel assembly

Abstract

A strapping machine of the type that feeds, retracts, tensions and seals strap to itself to form a loop of strap around a load, has a shock absorbing feed wheel assembly. The machine includes a frame, a feed head having a motor, a tension head, a sealing head and a strap chute mounted to the frame. The feed wheel assembly has a friction engaging surface and at least one pocket formed therein. A spring hub is engaged with the feed wheel and has at least one pocket formed therein corresponding to the feed wheel pocket. The spring hub is operably connected to the feed head motor. At least one spring is positioned in the feed wheel pocket and the spring hub pocket and is sandwiched between the feed wheel and the spring hub. The feed wheel is driven by rotation of the spring hub and engagement of the spring with the feed wheel pocket and spring hub pocket. The shock absorbing feed wheel assembly dampens the forces on the feed head motor and drive when the feed wheel comes to an abrupt stop and prevents strap slippage.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A strapping machine comprising:

a frame;
a tension head mounted to the frame;
a sealing head mounted to the frame;
a strap chute mounted to the frame, and
a feed head mounted to the frame and comprising:
an output shaft;
a motor drivingly engaged to the output shaft;
a feed wheel having a friction engaging surface and defining a feed wheel pocket;
a spring hub defining a spring hub pocket and engaged with the feed wheel such that the spring hub pocket is aligned with the feed wheel pocket, wherein the output shaft is operably connected to the spring hub to rotate the spring hub;
a biasing element positioned in the feed wheel pocket and the spring hub pocket such that the biasing element is sandwiched between the feed wheel and the spring hub and operably connects the feed wheel and the spring hub such that rotation of the spring hub by the output shaft causes the spring hub to drive the feed wheel by engagement of the biasing element with the feed wheel and the spring hub;
and
a disc spring positioned on an opposite side of the spring hub from the feed wheel, the disc spring forcing the spring hub into engagement with the feed wheel.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shock absorbing feed wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Shock absorbing feed wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18