Tension indicating device for use with a banding tool
AssigneeBand-It-IDEX, Inc.
InventorMiklos B. Marelin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method are provided for indicating when a predetermined amount of tension has been applied to a band by a banding tool. The apparatus includes a housing, a lever for transferring pressure, and a tension indicator. As a tool handle is rotated to apply tension to a band, pressure is applied to the lever. When the tension applied is substantially equal to the predetermined tension, the lever pivots and activates the indicator, indicating to the operator of the banding tool that sufficient tension has been applied. In one embodiment, the indicator extends into the path of the rotating tool handle, thus preventing the operator from applying further tension to the band.
Claims27
A tension indicating device for use with a banding tool of the type having a frame, a threaded rod, a band holding clamp on one end of the rod, and a rotating tool handle cooperating with the rod for applying tension to a band, the tension indicating device comprising:
- (a) a housing having a first bore for receiving the rod therethrough;
- (b) pressure transfer means, pivotably secured to said housing, for transferring a pressure applied by the tool handle thereto, said pressure corresponding to tension applied to the band;
- and
- (c) indicating means at least partially disposed within a first recess of said housing, responsive to a pivoting movement of said pressure transfer means, for indicating the application of a predetermined tension applied to the band.
A tension indicating device for use with a banding tool of the type having a frame, a threaded rod, a band holding clamp on one end of the rod, and a rotating tool handle cooperating with the rod for applying tension to a band, the tension indicating device comprising:
- (a) a housing comprising:
- (i) a first bore for receiving the rod therethrough;
- (ii) a first surface;
- and
- (iii) a second surface in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from said first surface;
- (b) pressure transfer means, pivotably secured to said housing, for transferring a pressure applied by the tool handle thereto, said pressure corresponding to tension applied to the band, said pressure transfer means comprising:
- (i) a second bore for receiving the rod therethrough;
- (ii) a pressure contact area for contacting the tool handle;
- (iii) a first face distal said pressure contact area;
- and
- (iv) a second face proximate said pressure contact area;
- (c) an indicating rod at least partially disposed within a recess of said housing for indicating the application of a predetermined tension applied to the band;
- (d) a locking arm, pivotably secured to said housing and responsive to a pivoting movement of said pressure transfer means, for restraining said indicating rod when pressure applied to said pressure contact area is less than said predetermined tension and for permitting said indicating rod to extend outwardly from said recess when pressure applied to said pressure contact area is substantially equal to said predetermined tension;
- and
- (e) means for adjusting said predetermined tension.
A method for indicating when a predetermined tension has been applied to a band by a banding tool on which a tension indicating device has been secured, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) setting a tension adjusting bolt to the predetermined tension;
- (b) clamping the band in a band holding clamp;
- (c) applying tension to the band and pressure to the tension indicating device;
- and
- (d) releasing a tension indicating rod from a recess in the tension indicating device when the pressure applied to the tension indicating device is substantially equal to the predetermined tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.