Tool head for automatic cable tie installation system
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsP. Michael Eason, Lane Moultrie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved tool head for use with an automatic cable tie installation system providing improved reliability, and reduced jamming and/or failure. The improved tool head incorporates a structurally rigid frame which locates and supports the interacting and cooperating components of the tool head in a precise relationship despite such factors as flexing and twisting of the housing, thermal expansion and contraction of the housing, and operational wear.
Claims16
A tool head for installation of a cable tie about a bundle of elongate articles, the tool head being adapted for use with a remote dispenser, cable tie bandolier and cable tie delivery hose of an automatic cable tie installation system, said cable tie including a head and an elongate tail extending therefrom, the tool head comprising:
- a housing including first and second cooperating shells;
- a jaw assembly for grasping and directing said cable tie about said articles;
- a tie passage communicating at one end with said cable tie delivery hose and at the other end with said jaw assembly whereby a cable tie supplied by said remote dispenser is delivered to said jaw assembly;
- a tie tensioning assembly for tensioning said cable tie upon installation of said cable tie about said elongate articles, said tie tensioning assembly including a drive train and a pawl gear cut-off mechanism;
- and
- a structurally rigid frame sized for location within said housing, said frame providing a fixed and common reference structure independent of said housing to both support said pawl gear cut-off mechanism and to locate said pawl cut-off mechanism with respect to said drive train.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.