Single-handled banding tool having multiple pivot points

A banding tool for tensioning a band about an object, comprising:

• a banding tool housing;
• a first handle associated with said banding tool housing;
• a band tensioning assembly associated with said banding tool housing, said band tensioning assembly comprising a tensioning assembly housing comprising a base, said band tensioning assembly further comprising a gripper pivotally interconnected with said tensioning assembly housing by a gripper pivot pin, said gripper being displaceable from said base, wherein said first handle comprises a gripper actuator pin which is fixed relative to said first handle and which interfaces with said gripper, wherein a pivoting of said first handle in a second direction opposite said first direction substantially about said first pivot point pivots said gripper away from said base whereby a band may be freely moved between said gripper and said base;
• a band cutting assembly associated with said banding tool housing;
• first means for actuating said band tensioning assembly, said first means for actuating comprising first means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a first pivot point in a first direction;
• and
• second means for actuating said band cutting assembly, said second means for actuating comprising second means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a second pivot point different from said first pivot point and in said first direction.

A banding tool for tensioning a band about an object, comprising:

• a banding tool housing;
• a first handle associated with said banding tool housing;
• a band tensioning assembly associated with said banding tool housing, said tensioning assembly housing comprising a base;
• a band cutting assembly associated with said banding tool housing;
• first means for actuating said band tensioning assembly, said first means for actuating comprising first means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a first pivot point in a first direction;
• second means for actuating said band cutting assembly, said second means for actuating comprising second means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a second pivot point different from said first pivot point and in said first direction;
• a first handle pivot pin fixedly interconnected with said first handle, said first handle pivot pin comprising said first pivot point;
• a gripper actuator pin fixedly interconnected with said first handle, said gripper actuator pin comprising said second pivot point;
• a gripper pivotally interconnected with said tensioning assembly housing by a gripper pivot pin, wherein said band tensioning assembly comprises said tensioning assembly housing and said gripper and wherein said gripper actuator pin of said first handle operatively interfaces with said gripper;
• a toggled linkage system operatively interfaced with said first handle pivot pin;
• and
• a cutter linkage system operatively interfaceable with said first handle pivot pin, said band cutting assembly comprising said cutter linkage system.

A banding tool for tensioning a band about an object, comprising:

• a banding tool housing;
• a first handle associated with said banding tool housing;
• a band tensioning assembly associated with said banding tool housing, said band tensioning assembly comprising a tensioning assembly housing comprising a base, said band tensioning assembly further comprising a gripper pivotally interconnected with said tensioning assembly by a gripper pivot pin, said gripper being displaceable from said base, wherein said first handle further comprises a gripper actuator pin which is fixed relative to said first handle and which operatively interfaces with said gripper, wherein a pivoting of said first handle in a second direction opposite said first direction about said first reference axis pivots said gripper away from said base whereby a band may be freely moved between said gripper and said base, said gripper actuator pin comprising said second pivot point;
• a band cutting assembly associated with said banding tool housing;
• first means for actuating said band tensioning assembly, said first means for actuating comprising first means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a first pivot point in a first direction, said first means for pivoting comprising a first handle pivot pin fixed relative to said first handle, said first handle pivot pin comprising said first pivot point;
• and
• second means for actuating said band cutting assembly, said second means for actuating comprising second means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a second pivot point different from said first pivot point and in said first direction, said second means for pivoting comprising means for moving said first handle pivot pin away from said first pivot point.

A method for installing a band clamp about an object with a banding tool comprising a first handle, a band tensioning assembly, and a band cutting assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

• engaging said band with said band tensioning assembly;
• performing a first pivoting step comprising pivoting said first handle about a first pivot point;
• performing a first advancing step comprising advancing said band tensioning assembly using said performing a first pivoting step;
• tensioning said band using said performing a first advancing step;
• performing a second pivoting step comprising pivoting said first handle about a second pivot point after said tensioning step, said first and second pivot points being at different locations;
• performing a second advancing step comprising advancing said band cutting assembly using said performing a second pivoting step;
• and
• cutting said band using said performing a second advancing step, wherein during said performing a second advancing step no tension remains associated with said first handle from said first advancing step.

A banding tool for tensioning a band about an object, comprising:

• a banding tool housing;
• a first handle associated with said banding tool housing;
• a band tensioning assembly associated with said banding tool housing;
• a band cutting assembly associated with said banding tool housing;
• first means for actuating said band tensioning assembly, said first means for actuating comprising first means for pivoting said first handle substantially about a first pivot point in a first direction;
• and
• second means for actuating said band cutting assembly, said second means for actuating comprising second means for pivoting said first handle about a second pivot point different from said first pivot point and in said first direction, wherein when said second means for actuating said band cutting assembly is engaged, no tension remains associated with said first handle from said first means for actuating said band tensioning assembly.