CA1045539A - Automatic cable tie installation tool - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention provides an automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser mem-ber spaced from said tool member and a conveyor member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for trans-mitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said dispenser member not being supported by said tool member.

Description

S53~
This invention relates to the field of bund].ing a plurality of wires or the like and specifically to an automatic cable tie installation tool :Eor fas-tening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like.
This application is a divisional application of copending application 220,~37 filed February 19, 1975.
The prior art tools of this type have comprised a . complex structure including a cartridge mounted directly on the ., tool containing a plurality of cable ties. A comple~ transferring mechanism was required to transfer the cable ties to the jaws .
of the tool. Since such a device was necessarily heavy when including the aforementioned structure, it was additiona].ly re-quired to utilize some type oE counterbalancing system to attempt to elimlnate the operator fatigue associated with utilizing the heavy prior art tool. Accordingly, i-t would be . .
desirable -to fabricate an automatic cable tie installation tool that is light-weight and fatigue-ree when used without an awkward counterbalancing system.
The prior art tools utilized a plunger or ram to apply the force required to position a cable tie around -the bundle and through the head o the cable tie. The pl.unger in addi-tion to increasing the weight o -the cable tie installation tool also pro-duced a safety hazard inasmuch as the operator could have a finger pinched or smashed by movemen-t of -the plunger toward the ~ ~.
bundle of wires which movement once initia-ted was not capable of . - .
being terminated. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide .
an automatic cable tie installation tool wherein such a heavy ..
and dangerous ram is eliminated. . . ~.
Another problem of the prior art tools is that the ~ .
actuating mechanism of the tools could be teased such that a :~
-tool cycle could be actuated prior to termination oE the pre-1 :'~

. , . '~ :

~ 553~
ceding cycle w~ h ~(J~ cause jam~ing ~ the t~ Accord-ingly, it ~ould be desir.lbLe lo l~luvid~ ~n autonlatic C.l~J]C
tie insta]lation tool wherein once the too:L cycl.e is initiated, inadvertent OT deliberate movement o.f the actuating mechanism .~, by an operator will not initiate a second cycle until com- ~
. pletion of the first cycl.e. It voulcl ad(litionally be desirable :
to provide such a tool with reset means wherein deliberate cessation oE the initiated cycle can be accomplished.
:- ~3 Another problem with the prior art tools is that :~
~', 10 the jaws of the tools adapted to be positioned about a bundle ~.
. o~ w.ires or the like once actuated could not be stopped and '. an operator's fingers could be positioned between the iaws whereby upon actuation of the tool cycle the Eingers would ;, be smashed between the jaws. It would therefore be desirable to provide a safety mechanism such that a predeterTnined Eorce against closing of the jaws will prevent their closing thereby .
: eliminating any possible injury to the operator.
... Still another problem area in the prior art tools . ,Oy ~ ' was that the cycle could be completed independent of the cable tie being positioned for tensioning about the bundle -.
oE wi.res or the like. 'rhis could result in an operator ~ assuming a cable tie was properly positioned merely because ~ 'the tool mechanically :Einished a cycle. The operator would ~ ~.
. then continue subsequent assembly operations and later have -, to go back and apply a cable tie in the same position. Such ~
,~ a procedure results in the loss of valuable operator time. .~ ~.
:
,~ It would accordingly be desirable to ensure that cycle actua- :
tion is not completed,until a cable tie is properly positioned . .
.
' about. a bundle oE wires or the like.
In the prior art cartridges containing cable ties, ~ it was necessary be:fore inserting the cartridge into the tool :

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` ~IIL0~5539 to perfo~ sccor-ldclly opercltiolls -res~lting in ~lle l~ss o~
cxpensive opera~or l~bor time. ~coldirlgly, it would be desirable to fabricate a cartridge for use with an automatic cable tie installation tool wherein r)laccment oE the cartridge in a dispenser renders the cable ties positioned in the car-triclge ready for transmittal to the tool mernber.
~ccordingly, it is ~in object oE -the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic cable tie installation "~
,~, tool. It is another object of the present invention to pro-~ 10 vide an automatic cable tie installation tool that is light--;
~;~ weight and fatigue-ree even when used without a counterbalancing . system. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic cable tie installation tool wherein ; inadvertent movement of the actuating mechanism ~ill not initiate a second cycle of the tool ~In-Eil completion o the ~irst cycle. Yet ano-ther objec-t of the present invention is to provide a cable tie installation tool wherein the tool ....
orients a cable tie so as to guarantee threading the tip of ~3 the cable tie through the cable tie head. Still another object of the presen-t invention is to provide an automatic cable tie installation tooi wherein potential injury to an operator is substantially eliminated. ~n additiollal object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cable tie înstallation tool wherein cycle completion will not occur unless the cable tie is properly positione~ in the tool. A
still urther ohject of the present invention is -to provide ~ ;
an automa-tic cable tie installation tool wherein a dispenser containing a cartridge having cable ties disposed therein is ; ~-spaced from the hand held tool member. Yet a further obiect 3C o the present invention is to provide an automatlc cable tie installation tool having a fluid operated mechanism ~hich ~ ~

-3- ~ -5S3~
- sc4uentially ap~Jlie5 a cal)le tie ;~bout ~ undie oE wirQs or the like, tightens the cable tie to ~I prc~etermirle-l tensioll, cuts off and ejects the severecl tip o r tile cc-~le tie. Yet an additional object Or the present inventioll is to provide ~-~ cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of cable ties for use with the automatic cable tie installation tool wherein the cartridge may be simply inserted in a dispenser without d secondary operations being required to permit egress of the cable ties contained in the cartridge. Still ano-ther object ., .
of the present invention is to pro~ide an automatic cable ~, tie installation tool wherein a signal is given -to the oper~
~;~ ator indicating the dispenser must be reloaded. Otller objects ancl advantages of the present invention wil] becoine apparent ,, .
as the ~ollowing description proceeds and the features of novelty characterizing the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to an~ forming a part of this specification.
Briefly, the present invention comprises an automatic cable tie installation tool or fastening a cable tie under a predetermined tension about a bundle oE wires or the like.
The tool comprises a hand held tool memher, a dispenser member spaced rom the tool rnember for r~ceiving a cartrldge con-.
taining cable ties, and a conveyer member interconnecting ;~
the tool member and dispenser member. Ihe tool memher comprises receiving means for receiving a cable tie from the dispenser, positioning means for positioning the cable tie in a closed loop about.the bundle of wires, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires and severing means for cutting the tail of the cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires. The dispenser member ~ comprises a cartridge receiving opening, release means for .
' ' ' ' a- :

, r~ -_ ~ 4 S S 3~
lelc~asirlg ~sl:r.liTIi]ll~ mearls on ~he olr~ri~l~e t~ ermi~ e~ress of the ca~le tics contaille(l thelein cLIl~l ~rallsfel- mea31s for transferrincu the cable ties into the conveyer ~ember. I:or a better understandirlg of the preserlt invention reference ri should be ma~e to the accomparlying ~rawin~s w}lerein the same reference numerals have been applie(l to like parts an~ wllerein:
FIG. 1 is a reduced perspective view oE the automatic cable tie installation tool built in accord ~ith the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along .~ Lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
:~ FIG. 3 is an enlargetl partial sectional view ~. . .
~;~ similar to FIG. 2 wlth parts removed ancl showing the relation-ship of the ~arts with a cable ~ie positioned or assembly.
'!
FIG. ~ is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the relationship of the parts at cut-ofE.
FIG. 5 is an explode~ isometric view showing the tool member ~echanism.
FIG. 6 through 11 are sectional views taken along ~;
Lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the parts of the valve thereoE
~uring a completed cycle of the automatic tool.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken alollgl Lines l2-12 oE FIC. 3 assuming FIG. 3 is shown in :Eull. -FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along Lines 13-13 .. . :~ of FIG. 3 assuming FIC. 3 is shown in full. ~
``i FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view ~aken along ~-- ~ .
Lines 14 14 oE FIG. 3 assuming IIC. 3 is shown in full.
FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along Lines 15-15 oE FIG. 3.
FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15 showing the position of the parts at initiation of the tool cycle. ~ -' :, .

~ . . . .

45~3~
Fl(;. 17 is a sectiollal view takeJI cl~ng Lines 17-17 o~ lIG. 1.
FIG. l8 is a sectional view takell cllong Lines ~ 18-18 of FIG. 1.
: ~J .
'~ FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along Lines 19-lg of FIG. 17 assuliling IIG. 17 is shown -in full.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along Lines 20-20 of FIG~ 18 assuming FIG. 18 is shown in full.
~, FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along Lines ~, 10 21-21 of FIG. 17. "
FIG. 22 is a top view taken along Lines 22-22 of FIG.l, with -the cover and cartridge removed.
, FIGS. 23 through 28 are schematics showing t}le ~i position of the dispenser valves cluring a complete tool cycle.
`:~ FIG. 29 is a partial sectiona:l view taken along Lines 29-29 oE FIG. 1.
:: .
~! FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along ~ines @
30-30 of FIG. 29, assuming FIG. 29 is shown in full.
FIG. 31 is a front view of the dispenser member 20 of FIG. l, with the cover rernoved and parts broken away.
FIG. 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken along Lines 32-32 o~ ~IC. 31.
~ FIG. 33 is a side view o~ FIG. 32 with parts broken :.
away to show the positioning of the cartridge relative to .
, the dispenser.
FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken along Lines ~34-34 of FIG. 33 with the cartridge removed.
FIG. 35 is a partial sectional view taken along Lines 35-35 of FIG. 22, assuming a cartridge is positioned in ~ -the dispenser. ~ `
.
~ FIG. 36 is an enlarged partial sectional view ~a . ..
~~ taken along Lines 36-36 of FIG. 22.
.-. . , .. . :. . . . .

LS53~
~ l~. 37 is a sectional view ~k~n alo~ l,ines 37-37 oE ~IC. 3G.
~ IG. 38 is a sectional view taken along Lines 38-38 o~ FIG. 31.
s33 - FIG. 39 is a front view o~ the cartridge built in accord with the present invention.
~IG. ~b is a bottom view oE FIG. 39.
FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along l.ines . ~ . .
; ~ 41-41 of FIG. 39.
~ 10 FIG. 42 is a sectional view taken along l.ines . ,~ .
42-42 of FIG. 39.
,~ ~IG. ~3 is a l)artial cnd view oE lIG. 39 taken along Lines ~3-43.
Reerring now to tile drawings, there ;s shown in , .
IG. 1 an automatic cable tie :installation tool generally indicated at 50 comprising a tool member generally indicated at 51, a conveyer member generally in~icated at 52 and a dispenser member generally ;ndicated at 53 having a cartridge 54 containing a plurality of selE-locking cable ties 55 positioned therein. The cable ties 55 are oE the type com-~ prising a strap ~ortion and a head ~ort-ion having a strap-.
.7 receiving opening therethrough as exe1nplified by Caveney ~ , , .
et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,660,869 assigned to the same assignee , as the present invention.
Reerring now to FIGS~ 39-43, the cable tie cartridge 54 is disclosed comprising a pair of sides 56 suitably secured together along the interface adjacent their outer edge 57 and having a feeder arm 58 rotatahly supported therebetween a~ 59. The feeder arm 58 has a keyed aperture 6l for receiving a driver to resiliently bias the cable ties contained therein to a cable tie e~i~t opening 62. The sides 56 adjacent ` `:

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:

--` lO~S539 the e~lge 5~ (lefille a cable tie ~,ead ol)e~ 63 to ~ rmit passage of a cable tie head there~llrou~h. Ihe l)ody portions 64 of the sides 56 are positioned apart a clistarlcc sufficient j to permit the pclssagc of the strap portion o~ the cable ~ie ~, supported in the cartridge 54. ~djacent the exit opening 62, a flange 66 e~tends inwardly ~rom cach o~ the sides into the cable tie head opening a distance sufficient to prevent egress oE a cable tie. Release means in the form of a projection 67 extends outwardly adjacent the cable tie exit -opening 62 from each of the sides. As best shown in FIG. 41, ~, a locator portion 68 of each of the sidewalls tapers inwardly -~ adjacent the exit opening 62 to define locating means. As ;~ shown in FIG. 43, the rear of the cartridge a~jacent the exit ~4 opening is provided with a probe opening 69. T}le cartridge ~ is provided with a stop 71 as shown in FIC. 35 to limit move-`~ ment of the feeder arm 58 to a position wherein the feeder arm ensures movement of the last cable tie out of the cartridge.
~ s best shown in FIG. 22, the dispenser member 53 is shown with the cover 72 removed therefrom and comprises an outside fluid Eitting 73 adapted :Eor suitable connection to a source of fluid under pressure. l'he dispenser member 53 includes a plurality of maniold mounte~ valve modules 7~, the particular structure of which is not shown as these modules are commercially available and their function is pointed out ,~ wikh particularity in the description of FIGS. 24 through 29.
The dispenser member 53 includes a cartridge receiving means in the form oE a pair of spaced sidewalls 76 defining a cartridge receiving opening 77 therebetween as best shown in FIG. 22. A cable tie chamber 78, as shown in ~IGS. 32, 33 is disposed adjacent the cartriclge receiving opening 77. At the right hand end of the cartridge receiving .

.

openirlg, release me.lns is positioned coml)nisi~ i71 the preferred embodiment, a plurality of calll surLaces 79, 81, 8~.
A first pair of cam surfaces 79 converge to the le~t in ~IGS. 22, 34, and a second pair of cam surfaces 81 converge in the direction of the cartridge receiving opening 77. The cam surface 82 tapers rearwardly from thc car~ridge receiving opening 77. Referring now to FIG. 35, a pneumatic cylinder 83 having a rod 84 positioned for movement due to air pressure in the cylinder, is positioned adjacent the cable tie chamber t~ 10 78. The rod 84 is supported ~or movement Erom a first position behind a cable tie disposed in the chamber 78 to a second ,~, position wherein the rod transfers the cable tie from the : ~,. ..
,~ cable tie chamber 78 into a dispenser cab,le tie tube 86. ~ ' ~ 1 ' ,,;; passageway 87 is provided in the dispenser cable tie tube 86 : ';
for transmitting fluid under pressure behind the head of a cable tie positioned therein. It will be appreciated that '~ when the rod 84 seals the end o-f the dispenser cable tie tube ,~
86 as best shown in FIG. 36 and fluid under pressure enters ~,',' passageway 86, the cable tie is transmitted through the''' '~ 20 conveyer member 52 to the tool member 51. , ~' Cartridge locators in the form oE a pair of spaced ~' uprights 88 are positioned as shown in l-lC., 38 extencling into ' ' ffffff the cartridge receiving opening 77 to properly position the cartridge in the cartridge receiving opening by mating with . . .
the tapering locator portions 68 of the cartridge 54. As ff shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser is provided wi~h an access door 89 haYing a releasable lock 90 positioning the door adjacent the cartriclge receiving opening and defining a wall thereof. It will be appreciated that removal of the door ~ '-' permits access to the cable tie chamber for removing any,cable ties that could possibly be jammed therein.

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~9- ' ~4ss39 :
A load harldle 91 ro~a~al)1y s~lppor~ed on ~he doo1 : is best shown sectioned in FIG. 29 and com~)rises a keye~
driver 92 spring biased so that the (lr.iver enters the cartridge receiving opening 77 for matin~ engagemcrlt ~i.th the keyed .
~'; portion 61 of fee~er arm 5~. ~ coiled sprin~ 93 ~s shown in :~
~[G. 30 biases the load handle 91 ~or movemellt in a clockl~ise dircction from the position as shown in I-IG. l. In order to . ! .
;:~ position a cartridge 54 in the cartridge receiving opening 77, :~ the load handle 9l is engaged and moved to the phantom position ,~ lO of FIG. 29 whereupon the driver 92 is removed from ~he cartridge ~ with the cartridge locator means 68 positioned in engagement .
~ . ,.~ .. .
.. , with the cartridge loc~tors 88 and the cam sur~aces 79 enga~ing the projections 67 to separate the cartri(lge sides 56 at the ? exit opening 62, as shown in phantom in FIG~ 35, and widen ~ the space between the :~langes 66 to permit egress of a cable .~ tie into the cable tie chamber 78. The handle is then rotated `
,.. . .
-~ couterclockwise while in the phantom position of ~IG. 29 and .
;~ roleased whereupon the driver enters the keyed aperture 61 . . in the feeder arm 58 whereupon the cable ties 55 are res.iliently.
biased to the e~it opening 62. Upon retraction of the rod 84 ~rom the cable tie chamber 78, the cable tie adjacent the c~it opening 62 is resiliently biased into the cable tie chamber , . . .
78 by the fee~er arm 58. ~s shown in ~IG. 3C, a probe 96 is mounted in the dispenser for movement through the probe opening 69~in the cartridge 54 and pneumatically connected to ..;:, ~ ~, .
:: ; a signal 97 (FIG. 22):thereby when the feeder arm 58 has . resiliently urged the last cable tie in the cartridge into po-sition in the cable~tie chamber 78 and moved below the probe ~: opening 69, the probe movement of the probe 96 into the cartridge 30: 54 opens a valve which actuates the signal 97. When the probe ~ 96 enters the cnrtridge 54 and engages the feeder arm 58 - ~ or a cable tie, the signal 97 is not actuated. ~.

:

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~ ~ S S 39 ~ ~-- ~ Re~e~rillg llOW ~.0 t:he ~o~l mem~er 5~ is acl~pted . to be hand hcld and has positiclled th~reon j~w ~tuating - means in the form o~ a jaw trigger Ial resilicntly connectccl.~ to a lower jaw lOZ such that movement oF the jaw trigger 101 to the position shown i.n ~hantom in FIG. 3 so as to permit placeMent oE the tool member about a bundle o:f w:ires 103 as shown in FI~. 1. A thumb slicle 104 is disposed in the . tool housing as shown in FIG. 1 for relative move~ent to , .,~ , .~ initiate actuation of the tool cycle. The thumb slide 104 is ~.
~ lO suitably connected to a spring biased actuator block 106 shown -il in FIGS. 15 and 16 as comprising an actuator pin 107 resiliently -''J biased by a spring 108 into engagement with a reduced diameter ; .
:, portion 109 of ac-tuator means in the form of an actuator rod. .;.
' i 111. The actuator rod 111 is suitably supported in the tool :
member 5~ by a plurality of actuator rod supports 112 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 15. ~lovement oE the actuator block 106 . "~ . .
to the left in FIG~ 16 will cause the actuator pin 107 to `~ also move to the left engaglng the shoulder 113 of the actuator :~ rod 111 ancl urging it to also move. As the actuator pin 107 moves to the left, it engages an actuator pin retainer 114 and resiliently urges the actuator pin retainer 114 against , .. ~ .
:~ the bias spring ll6. ~s the actuator rod lll con~inues to .~ .move to the left as will be hereinaEter describecl, the ~ . actuator pin 107 is cammecl outwardly against the bias of spring ; 108 by a cam surface 117 on the actuator rod 111 from the ~.. ~ , .
position in FIG. 16, to the position as shown in FIG. 15, ~ .3 whereupon the ac:tuator pin retainer 114 abuts against the reduced diameter portion 118 oF the actlJator pin 107 and ' prevents the actuator pin 107 from returnin~ to the position : 30 of FIG. 16. It should be appreciated that movement of the .:
: actuator block 106~relative to the pin retainer 114, once the :.
~ ,, ' ., :' ' . . .

.
: : , . .
- , : , 3L~4SS39 actuator ro~ 111 is iJl position of ~rG. 15, wiII ~ause the actuator pin retainer 11~ to erlgage tlle actucltor pin ]~7 and prevent movement thereof toward the ac-tuator rod. If the actuator rod lll should return to the position o~ ~IG. 16, it will be necessary to also return the actuator ~)lock 106 to the position of r:IG. 16 ~e~ore the actuator pin 107 is -free to move into engagement with the reduced diameter portion 109.
The forward end of the actuator rod 111 as best shown in ~IG. 3, comprises a conical cam surface 121 and retaining means in the ~orm o~ a reduced diameter portion forming a detent 122. ~ovement o~ the actuator rod 111 to the position as shown in FIG. 3 causes the cam surface 121 to pass between a primary wire latch 123 and a secondary spring latch 124 ~sllch thclt the primary wire latch 123 is positioned in the detent 122 so as to prevent inadvertent rearward movement of the actuator rod 111 Erom the ~osition as shown in PIG. 3. The primary wire latch 123 and secondary . . , .
-~ spring latch 124 are longitudinally ofEset relative to the detent 122 so that when the primary wire latch 123 is positioned in the detent 122, the secondary spring latch : . .
124 is spaced rear~ardly there~rom as shown in FIG. 3.
~ s best shown in FIG. 5, the primary wlre latch 123 has a pair o~ ends 126 passing through apertures in a latch frame 127 and anchored in apertures 128 in one of the actuator rod supports 112 thereby permitting both the ~, primary wire latch 123 and latch frame 127 to pivot.
The portion o~ the primary wire latch 123 engaging the detent 122 is positioned such that upward movement of the latch frame 127 from the position of FIG. 3 will cause upward movement o~ the primary wire latch 123 out of engagement with ~he detent 122. Limited downward movement of the latch frame 127 can occur without movement of the ; ~-prlmary wire latch 123 since the prlmary wire latch extendsthrough elongated vertical slots 129 in latch frame 127.
:.
~ -12- ~

' ' ~ ! ~ ' . . ' ' ~L045539 `
The secon~ y spr.ing Iatch 12~ Inls i ts .I.~tC~ing l)ortion 131.
positione~ aga.illst the lowerm~st portio]l of the latch fr~e .
. - ~ .
- 127 and is pivotally woun~l around the cnds 126 oE the l)rimary .q wire latch 123. T'nds 132 of the secondary spring latch 124 .:~ are looped over the primary wire latch 123 to bias tlle , primary wire latch into the position o~ l:lG. 3. '-', ~cceiving means in the -~orm of a cable tie tube -.' 136 is positioned in the tool member 51 or receiving a ,, .~. ,~ . .
~,~ cable tie 55 from the dispenser member 53 as will be hereinafter- . .
~, 10 more particularly clescribed. Air pressure in the cable tie ,. :
.
- ~i tube 136 urges,the cable tie 55 to the position as sllown ., in FIG. 3 wherein the head of the cable tie is positionecl - .
:,' against a head stop or abutment 137. The cross-sectional rcctangular con~iguration of the cable tie tube 1~6 cooperates '.
w.ith the cable tie head configuration and maintalns -the ,~ dcsi're(l orientation of the cable tie 55 as :it is transmitted from the dispenser member 53 into position against the ,,- , ~,~ abutment 137. ~ cable tie head retainer rod 138 is ~ositioned ,~ for movement with the actuator rod 111 and has a head retainer 139 connected thereto and positioned to cngage the head o~
~ the cable tie 55 to prevent :inaclvertent removal o~ the cable :'~ t:ic prior to assembly of the cable tic abollt the bunclle o~
w:ires or the like. As shown ln FIG~ 3, the head retainer ~' ' ~ ro~ 138 is biased to the ~osition as shown.by a suitable spring ' ':
,:.,. ~141. A retainer ring 142 is securecl to the actuator rocl 111 '.:,'.'' and co,nstrained to move therewith whereby movement of the actuator rod to the right from the position shown in FIG. 3 ,,.'' causes the retalner ring to engage the end 143 o~ the. head .'~.', . retainer rod 138 and move the head retainer 139 to the right ,.
permitting~egress of the cable tie rom the tool a~ter completion ., .' ,, , . :
~ ~ of the cycle... ;~n~inlet passage~way 146 passing through a .. " ,~

;. ' ' ' ,' ;' ' ' -13~
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r~ .
1~)45539 cal)le ~ie tube sul-T~ort l.~7 interconllec~s the cable ti.e tu~e 13G throug}l its aperture with a ~i~yllraorn 1~8 through an air passa~e ~in 14~ ~osit,ioned in mounti.n~ plate lSl as best shown in FICS. 5 and 12. The mounting l~late 151 is I~rovide~l with an air llassageway pcrmitting air to flow hellind the diap}lrà~m 1~8. Tlle diaphragnl 148 is connectecl to a diaphragm rod 152 which is resiliently biased to ~he position shown in FIG. 14, by a suitable biasing means as shown in the ~orm of a spring 153. The end of the diaphrag~ rod lSZ opposite -~
the diaphragm 148 i5 connected to a pin actuating link 154 suitably pivotably supported in mountinK plate 155.
` 1 , -'~ An upper jaw 156 is pivotably secured to the ~' .'~ tool housing by a jaw pivot 157. Jaw actuatin~ means in the ;,., ~orm of a jaw actuating rod 158 is secured to tile up~er jaw ~:".~ 156 through the jaw actuating pivot 1S9. ~ reta.i.ner ring 161 is positione~ on the rocl 158 :Eor reta:inin~ a jaw actuator .'J spring 162 hav.ing one end ~isposed against the retainer , j .
,~ ring and the other end disposed agalnst a sleeve 163 having ,,~ a plurality o-E arms lG4 disposed in a detent 165 on the .'.
~ 20 jaw actuator rod 158. The jaw actuator rod 158 is connected :,~ , for.relative movement to a jaw actuator block 167 by means of ~ a jaw actuator ~in 168 disposed in a slot 169 in the jaw '~
;'~ actuator block 167 and positioned in a hole 171 in the jaw ~ , . , .:
actuator rod 158.' Thus it wlll be appreciatecl that movement '.'~
. . .
of the jaw actuator block 167 produces movement o:~ the jaw ~ ~.
actuator rod is8 unle,ss a force is applied to the jaw '. .", actuator rod lS8:sufflcient to cam the arms 164 out o~ the detent 165 whereupon ~the pin 168 is free to move the length of .
'~ the 'slot 169 be~ore movement o:f the jaw actuator rod 158 l 30 will continue. Thus it wi.ll be appreciated that in the event ''~' !
an operator's fingers are placed between the jaws lOZ, 156, '.
movement of the upper jaw 156 will cease prior to exerting a , ~ ~orce on the operator's fingers sufficient to cause injury. .,: ' '~, : ' , " . ~

, f` 104SS39 - 'I'he cnd of the jaw ac~uator b~ock 167 ~ spose(l opl)osite th~ slecv~ l.fi3 i.s ~orked ~Ind support~(l for movement - on a flatted porti.on of a cam gear sll~rt 172. A c;-ln detent ,' pin 173 is ~is~osed in an actuator block aperture 174 and provided w-ith detents 175 for engagillg a spri.l-l~ b.iased ~, dctent positioner 176. Tlle jaw actuator block 167 is s'ui~ablyspring biasecl to the position as S]IQWn in l'lG. 3 by a return ~ spring 177.
: ~ ~ fluid actuated motor 181 is suitably mounted in `~ lO the tool member housing and drives a motor gear l82 positioned ~' ~ ' for engagement with bevel gear 183 suitably supported in ~1 1 l, the'housing on bevel gear shaft 184 mounted on bearings i.85.
, Transfer gear 186 is also secured to the bevel gear shaEt 184 , 'and positionecl for cngagement with a cam gear l87 supported . .~
~ ~ :Eor rotational movement about the flatted cam gear sha~t 17Z.
,~ .
~ The cam gear as best sllown in IIGS. 3, ~, and 5 has on one "~J side a pair of radial ramps 188 extending from the center of .'~ the gear arcuately radially out-~ardly thereErom. ~t the tip ~ of each of the ramps 188, an additional lateral ramp 189 .' , 20 extends transversely from the ~ace o~ the gear outwardly from .:.' i,' the face of the gear to a height corresponding to the height "' ,''1 of the radial ramps 188 as best shown at 190 on ~IG. ~
.' .. .
.. Tlle tool member Sl is provided with t.ensioning means '~, '~ ' including a ~ripper gear 193 having a pair of gripper teeth :; . on each o'f its gear teeth and positioned for driving engagement with the cam'gear 187. I`he gripper gear 193 is supported for . ' , ; relative movement between a pair of gripper plates 194. The '~'' ~ ~ gr.ipper plates are supported for pivotal movement in the tool : ~ Jnember 51'about a pair of pivot pins l9S and have a strcap "~
~ 30 guide 196 positioned therebetweenand space~ from the gripper '' gear 193 a distance sufficient to permit movement o.F the strap '.~.
portion of a cable tie 55 therebet-~een. In order to eliminate `~ ' ' ,. . .
~ 15- ~
:~ , .
~ .

~ILal45539 the in~luence of any external drive ~olce to t~le gr:ipper gear 193, pivot I).in 195 is positioned on the pitci~ e between cclm gear 187 ancl gripper ge.lr 193. Ille gripper plates 19.4 permit translational movement o.E the grippcr gear 1~3 relative to the strap guide 196 by means of all clongated slot 197 rotatably s~Zpporting t:he gripper l~car shaft 198.
~s best shown in FIG. 3~ a gripper gear sprin9 199 resil.iently biases the gripper gear 193 to a position closely adjacent the.strap guide 196. It will be apprecia-ted that the geometry of the slots 197 is such that the gripping forces on the s-trap portion of a cable tie 55 positioned between the gripper gear 193 and the strap guide 196 are increased upon attempted remo~al of the strap portion so as to provide a self-energi~ing ~ .
. ~
aspect to the gripper gear 193. ~s the gripper gear 193:.
rotates to permit removal o the strap portion, a force is : appli.ed on thegripper gear shaft 198 ur.ging it to the lower . .
:. ~ortion of slots 197 wherein the gripper gear teeth are` ;.
: ~ .
closer to the strap guide 196. By providing a rotary eed the length of the strap portion capable of being tensioned .: 20 through the head portion is theoretically infinite. The prior art tools relying on a gripper attached to a mova~)le : :
rocl were limited to tensioning the strap an amount corresponding to the stroke of the rod.
A cam foIlower 201 is supported by a cam follower .::-`: pin 202 positioned between the gripper plates 194. Each :. . ~ .
: of the gripper:plates~194 is provided.with a cutter blade actuator 203 and the right gripper plate is provlded with.
i a latch release leg 204. The latch release leg 204 is positioned . ~ .
, : for engagement with -t.he latch frame 127. Severing means in .
`.~ 30 in the form of a cutter blade Z06 having upstanding arms 207 . .
.~: o.n each side is disposed a~djacent the cahle tie tube 136 ' : ' ~ ' ' `
, -16- ;.
. .

havirlg a cutter ~)ortion 208 posi.ti.oned adjacer)t. to ~ cable tie aperture 209 in the cahle tie tube 136 such that movemen~
o~ the cutter blade 206 to the riOht in ~G. 3 urges the cutter portion 208 agaillst the strap portion o~ a cable tie ~ 55 passing through the aperture 209 and ~orcing the strap .,~ -portion aga.inst the rear abutment or wall of thc cable tic aperture 209 severing the cable tie as shown in FIG. 4. The arms 207 are positioned for engagement with cutter blade actuators 203.
. 10 The cam follower 201 is positioned in a ~etent 210 on a pivotal arm 211 suitably mounted in the tool member 51 . -; . ...
- ~ Eor pivotal movement about pin 212. ~ cam surface 213 is : ,~ provided opposite the detent 2:10 ~rom the pivo~ 212 on the .:
I pivotal arm 211. The arm 211 is suitably b:iase~ into the '1 position as sllown :in FIG. 3 by any suitable adjusting biasing ~ . means connected to tlle pivotal arm 211 at a point on the ; opposite side o~ the pin 212 from the cletent 210 and cam ,",~
surface 213. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, suitable biasing ~:.
.~, 20 means urging the detent 210 to the position as shown in FIG. :
`~ 3 comprises a rod 214 secured to a yoke p:ivotally mounted at one end to the pivotal arm 211 and having its other end ..~
:~ disposed or longltudinal relative movement i.n a block 216. ~.
:-~ ~ spring 217 abuts aga.illst the block 216 urging the rod 214 and connected arm 211 to the position as shown in FIG. 3. ~:
~.
At the end o~ the block 216 opposite the spring 217, a tension ~,_ adjusting knob 218 is threaded into the end of the block : ~ 216 such that rotational movement of the knob will move the .' block 216 longitudinally thereby increasing or decreasing ., 30 the biasing force on the pivotal arm 211.
.
ReEerring now to FIGS. 6 through 11, the valve spool generally indicated at 221 is disclosed comprising a ` ' ; ~
: ,. ~ :

:
. : ~ .. . . .. .

~ 045S39 priln~ry spoo:L ~22 corlnected tc) ~he ~ctu~or rod l:ll ancl ~
seconcltlry spooL 223 as best shown in FT~. ~. F~(;, G shows the normal position of the primary sp.Dol 222 an(l secondary spool 223 when the tool is connectecl to a source of fluid uncler pressure ~hich enters the valve at 224. For the purpose of clarity, the presence o~ f].uicl under pressure is shown in FIGS. 6 through 11 by means of clots. FIG. 7 shows the position of the primary spool 222 and secondary spool 223 after initial movement of ~he thumb sLide 104 has moved the actuator block 106 and the actuator rod 111 as hereinbe~ore ~.
clescribed. Continuecl movement of the thumb slide 104 moves .
the primary spool 222 to the position as shown in FIG. 8 hich position is the maximum amoun-t oE travel brought about by movement oE the thumb slide 104. In the position -.
shown in ~IG. 8, air moves hehincl the primary spool 222 at 226 urging the primary spool to the position ns shown in FIG. 9. With the primary spoo.l in the position of FIG. 9, the actuator rod lll is in the pos.ition of FIG. 3 such that . ~
the primary l~ire latch 123 is positioned in the detent 122 : . .
so as to prevent rearward movement o~ the actuator rod 111.
In this position, air enters the motor 18:L through the line : .
227 ancl t~rns the motor gear 182 ancl associateci gears connectecl .thereto. Air acldltionally enters the p:ilot line 228 so that a signal is transmittecl to the dispenser member S3 to transmit ~.
, : :
.: a cable tie 55 ~rom the dispenser member to the tool member.
; In the position of FIG. 9, air pressure on the motor end 229 of the secondary spool is equal to the pressure on tlle actuating piston end 230 thereof whereupon the difference in - area where the pressure ;.s applied causes. the secondary .
`~ 30 s~pool 223 to move to the rlght in FIG. 9 to the position as .
~ .
~,~ shown in FIG. 10. In this position, air continues to be . :;~ . .

., .
. . ' ::: .

';', , ~ .';

- 1045~39 sul)pJied to t.he mot~r l~l. and into the pii~ line 228. T~e motor will ~:h~ts r~ un1-i.l. t:he l)rirnary ~ire 3i~t.cll 123 .~n~l seconclary latch 124.are rcleasecl permitt::ing thc actuator rod , lll to return to its stable pos:iti.on ~Inder the force of a.~ rcturn spring 231 s}lot~n :in r:lG. 2. Since the prilllary spool .i, 222 is connected to thc actuator rocl 111, rnovel~ent also ~:
.. ~ returns the primary spoo:l to the position o~ ~IGS. 6 and 11 .. opening the air port 232 putting pressure on the actuating :.
. ~ piston end of the secondary spool forcing the secondary spool .. ;;
.~ 10 into the position as shown in FIG. 6 whereupon the cycle is ~ ready to be repeated. Air exhausts Erom the valve spool 221 at 233 and 234.
,~ .
Referring now to ~IG~ 13, reset means is discIosed .::~
;;1 and comprises a rcset button 236 connectcd to a.reset shaft .:~
~ 237 having an aperture 238 extendin~ therethrough. The .. :.
; .~' reset b.utton 236 is biased into tlle position as shown in FIG.
. .., ~ , .... .... ..
13 by a suitable reset spring 239. I.atch release means in the form of a substantially tubular member 241 having an . ~
actuator arm 242 positioned in the aperture 238 is disposed .~;; 2~ around the actuator rod 111 and has a pair of latch release . ~ .
~ scgments 243 and 2-44 projecting between the primary wire ;~ ~ latch 123 an~ secondary spring latch 124. I.ooking a-t F~G. 13, lt will be appreciated th~t upon movement o.f the reset button ~ 236 to the left, the tubular member 241 will be rot~ted :i: counterclockwise:whereupon an upper edge 246 of ~he right latch.release segment 244 will engage the primary wire latch 123 and~ the lower edge 247 of the left latch release segmènt ~ .
~ 243 will engage the s~econdary s.pring latch 124 and bring:about - s~ relative separation between the primary wire latch and : 30 secon~ary spring latch. This disengages the detent 122 in ;.: ~ the actuator rod 111 from the primary wire latch 123 and ,: ,~ ~

'i '.
1 9 - : .

4~i3~
seconclary sprill~ lat:ch 1~ whereup~n t:he r~ u.ltor rod 11l will return under its spring bias to its original position :. and terminate continuation of an existi.ncg cycle. It will ; . be appreciatecl that the tool member 51 coulcl be used with ;.~ many combinations o.E dispensers or even ~I hand feed supplying a single cable tie into the cable tie tube l36. .. -Referring now to lIGS. 17 through 21, the conveyer : ~ means is clisclosed and comprises a tool disconnect generally ~ ,~
~ ~ indicatecl at 251 in FIG. 17 having a pilot tube 252 pneumatically~ r, connected to the.pilot line 228 ancl a supply tube 253 for ~ pneumatic connection to the supply l.ine 224. ~ cable tle : "~ conveyer tube 254 is positioned for connection to the cable .. i tie tube 136 .in the too:L member 5l. ~ (lispenser disconnect :5 ;,~ 256 is disclosed .in FIC. 18 also containing a pilot tube 252, .`,j supply tube 253, and cable tie conveyer tube 25~ which tubes are continuous between the tool disconnect and dispenser disconnect. The cable tie conveyer tube 254 may be provicled . ... '.
with a spring support 257 to prevent any possible bending . of the tube that could possibly result in preventing a cable .
tie 55 from b~,ing transmitted from the dispenser member 53 ~ . to the tool member 51. The tool disconnect 251 and clispenser :~ disconnect 256 may be provlcled with any su.itable means i~ preventing inadvertent removal :~rom the associatecl tool member : and dispenser member respectively as shown by the latches 258 :~
. positioned or respective engagement with a detent in the tool - member and in the dispenser member. ~ release button 259 is . .
also provided to permit separation of the. disconnects from . , .
their associated members. .. ~.
- ReEerrin.g now to FIGS. 23 through 28, disclosed are .
: 30 ~the schematics disclosing the pneumatic circuitry of the :
~1 . ...

.;:
.. ..
; . -20-.

:

~ 4 5 .. ~ disperlser menll)er 53. I-t ~./ill be appreci~ted t~ many combinations could be utilized to l)rin~ abou~: the desired cnd purpose and accordin~ly, these particul~r schelnatics are illustrated as disclosing the preferre(l eml~o(liment. A
~1 dot at the intersection oE the lines indicates a connection -- ' whereas the absence o F a dot indicates a cross over.
FIG. 23 shows the schematics for a plurality of - valves, 261-267, a regulator 268, the cylinder 83 and associated ram 84, in addition to the valve spool 221, the dispenser cable tie tube S6, all of which are shown in position .. . .
~, with air pressure applied to ~he circuit. Arrows are utilized . ;. ~ .
~`; to show air pressure in the various lines. In FIG. 23, ,~. .
~ ., Valve 261 is shifted ~against its spring and the cylinder 83 .... , ~
is under pressure at the head end.
Upon actuation of thumb slide l04 to move actuator .j rod 111 into la-tched engagement with the primary wire latch . ,~ . .,~ .
~ 123, air enters the pilot line 228 as hereinbefore described.
....
~ In FIG. 24, line pressure shi~ts Valve 264 thereby permitting ... ;~j .
prcssure to shift Valves 265 and 266 whereupon air passes through the regulator 268 into the dispenser cable tic tube ;` 86 through ~assageway 87 thereby l3ropelling the cahle t;e 55 through the cable tic conveyer tube 254 to the tool member 51. ~t this point às shown in FIG. 24, the cylinder 83 remalns under pressure at the head end. Upon return of the . .. , :
actuator rod lllto its initial position upon completion of ~; the cycle due to the cable tie 55 being ~pplied about a bundle of wires or the like, valve spool 221 cl~ses eliminating -~
air pressure in pilot line 228 whereupon Valve 264 returns under spring pressure to the position shown in FIG. 25. Al--.o ~;
; 30 in Flg. 25, Valve 263 shifts due to pressure supplied throu~h Valve 264 from Line 269. The pressure is supplied even though '. ' ' , ,:

10~553~ :
Valve 264 has shift~ since VCL1VeS 7.~5 (Ind 266 retnain Ol~en sli~h~ly after Valvc 264 llas rcturncd to ~,he posi tiOII O~
FIG. 25. Valves 265 artd 266 are shown sll.i.~'te(l in ~IG. 25 under the spring pressure due to loss of pressure in Lines 271 and 272. Accordin~ly, fluid pressure :is no longer -' supp'lied to the (lispen~er cab].e tie tube 8fi. ~he r~d 84 also retracts due to pressure in Line Z73. Valve 262 shifts :~
pressurizing Valves 265 and 266 thereby preventing reactuation ' ~ by improper signal from valve spool 221. Thus it ~ill be '' ~5~ lO appreciated that a new cycle cannot be started until the rod . , ,.. ,,~ 84 has fully retracted permitting anot]ler cable t-ie 55 to be positioned in the dispenser cable tie chamber 78. Back ? pressure in Line 274 frorn the heacl end o~ the cylinder keeps ; t Valve.261 shifted against lts spring as shown in FIG. 25.
" Referring now to PIG. 26, the back pre~sure in the ~i head end of the cylinder 83 bleeds of~ through port 274 of "' .. ~ Valve 263 whicX has.not yet shifted. Valve 261 shifts under :.
"~ spring tension since back pressure from the cylincle:r in Line :, ,`,~ 274 is no longer present. Valve 261 now provides pressure ; 20 to Valve 263 shifting :it and c]ianX;ng the cylincLer clirection as shown in l:IG. 27, where Valve 263'has shifted supplying pressure into the back end o~ t}te cylincler 83. Pressure in ~ .
.~ Line 274 shifts Valve 261 against its spring blocking a , :, ' : signal to shift Valve 263. Back pressure in Line 273 keeps Valve 262 shifted against its spring permitting pressure in .
~; Line 276 to pressurize:Valves 265 ancl 266 preventing them from shifting whlle t~he cylinder 83 is in motion. '.' , ~; Turning now to FIG. 28, the cylinder has fully . -extended the rod 84 and delivered a cable tie to the dispenser '` ~ cable tie tube 86 with the tip of the rod sealing the cable `'' : ~ tie tube so that upon application c~ the air pressure into '~.

: , . '- '"

-22~

1~4SS39 . .
~assagew~y 87 as d~ribed l~:it]l r~ference to F[~. 2~, the , :;
cable tie 55 wil:l he transmittecl to tlle tool member. Back , , pressure in l~ine 273 blcecls oEf throug~) Valve 262 upon full _ extcnsion o rod 8~ thereby rcmov:irlg l.i~le l)ressurc ~rom '' Linc 276 an~ permitting Valves 2G5 arld 266 to shi~t upon . rcceipt o~ ~he pilot s-ign~l from the tool mernber Sl as shown in ~IG. 24. This restores the circuit to the ~orm of FIG. `' ,~ 23 whe,reby the circuit is ready for anoth,er cycle upon ` ~ actuation of the valve spool 221.
, Valve 267 is a manually operable valve act'uated . .
~ by removal or closure of the access door 89 o~ the dispenser : , member 53. I~hen the access door is removed, Valve 267 , shiEts from the posltion shown and rctracts the cylinder ' '`J,~ rod 84 permltting removal of any rnaterial ~hich may be jamming 'the dlspenser cable tle tube 86. Closure of the ~ront cover ' ! ~
' ~ . permits Valve'267 to return to its pos-tlon as shown under ~ . the force of its return spring.
,~ ~ Referring back to ~IG. 24, there is' shown Valve ,.~ 277. When air enters the Line 252, the probe 96 is urged .`,' ZO between. the sides of cartridge through the probe opening 69. ' :' :~j If tlie probe 96 engages a cable tie or the end of the ~eeder . ~ arm 58, ~urther movement thercof ls llmited and nothing ,:.~, :`~ happens. If the feeder arm 58 has moved below the probe 96 ,''.~''~ then the additional movement of the probe into the cartridge '~' '' shifts Valve 277 sending air under pressure into ~ine 298 " , .
actuating the signal;97. In this manner, the operator is.' '' .~ ~
" in~ormed when a new cartridge should be inserted into the ~ -, ., ispenser. It will thus be appreciated that a cable tie will .. -' always be positloned in the cable tie chamber 7~ for transmittal 30~ into the dispenser cable tie tube for transmittal to the ~ tool member Sl upon receipt oE the pilot signa~l ~rom the tool. : ' .

:~, ~ . . .; ' . ~ , . . .

, . -23-.~, , .

- 1~455;~9 In the evellt an operator should ~ail t:o respon~ to the signal 97 .In(l the cycle is actuated a cable tie ~ill l)e transmitte~l to the tool but there will not be a cable tie 9 available for positioning in the clble tic c~amber 78. It shouldi bt~ appreciate~ that the nex-t sub~eq~l~nt cycle cannot be cornpleted since a cable tie will not be transmitted to : ' "
the tool member 51 and the cutoff necessairy to release ~ the primary wire latch 123 and terminate the cycle will not ;~ occur. Accordingly, in this event it wlll be necessary to ~ 10 actuate the reset button 236.
., rj ~laving thus described the mechanism of the tool, a complete cycle will now be explained in order that the overall operation oE the automatic cable t;e instaLIation ~ tool and the interaction oE the parts thereoE may be better ; i~ appreciated.
The operator first engages the lo~er j~w tri~ger 101 to separate the upper and lower jaws 156 102 an~ ~ermit the jaws of the tool to be placed around the bun~le o i .~.~ .
wires 103. Next the slide 104 is actuated a predetermined 2.0 distance whereupon air pressure in Line 226 behind the ; primary spool 222 forccs the actuator rocl 111 to the posit;on as shown in E:IC~ 3. Si}nu:ltaneo~sly, air ;s supplied to the . .
- motor 181 driving the gears 182 183~ 186 187 an~ 193.
Also~ simultaneously, a pilot signal is transerred through , ,.
; ~ pilot line 228 to the dispenser whereupon fluid pressure `, . .
enters the dispenser cable tie tube 86 ~orcing the cable tie ;
55 from the dispenser member 53, through the conveyer member 52 into position adjacent the head stop 137 in the cable tie ..
tube 136 in the tool member 51 with the strap portion following the guide surface defined by the upper and lower jaws 156 102, and coming to rest with the tip thereof in ai ~ position adjacent the opening in the c~ble tie head.

';'.' . : ,, ,,,,~ :
,. .
~ -24-~: ' . . .

4553~ :
Once tlle cable t.ie he~ rulsses t~le inl~t ~,assa~ew~y '~.~
1~6 in tile cal):le tic tube 13G> f:luid pressure ellters ~ellind ,.
the diaphra~m 148 urging the dia~ ragm rod 152 to the left in ~IG. 14 causing the pin actuating link 154 to p:ivot and move the pin 173 to the right frorn its.~osition in IIG. 12.
:, ~- l'his brin~s the I)in into engagement ~ith one oL the radial .. . .
ramps 188 o~ tlle.cam gear driving the upper jaw 156 into j the,position as shown in FIG. ~. ~s the pin 173 is urged ; ~ radially outwardly from the cam gear shaft 172 by ramp 188, it engages one of the lateral ramps 189 and is urged laterally , .'3 from the face of the gear 187 until it returns, to the position .
: ;~ of FIG. 12. ~he pin 173 cannot return from the pos:ition ;,.. ~,i of FIG. ~ as long as the pin actuating l.ink 154 i.s ~:ivoted .,.~'.~ from the position in fIG. 1~ as the link prevents its ~,'.
;~ return once the pin 173 has moved to the position o.E FIG. 12.~.
,. . ~ j , ,~ . The movement oE the upper jaw 156 relative to the lower jaw 102 threads the cable tie tip -through the opening in the ' .;~
;~ cable tie head ~irecting the tip through the aperture 209 .,:~
. ~ , .
'and between the gripper gear 193 and cable tie guide196 '.
.: . .
0 whereupon the gripper gear continues to tension the cable :.' ,~ , ti.e until the predetermined tension as sét by the bias on ~' .... ~ .
~ the detent 210 i.s reached whereu,pon the c~m ollol~er 201 '.~,'~ moves out o.E its position in the detent and the gripper ", plates 194 rotate about the pivot,pin 195 moving the c'ut-ter :, bIade 206, due~to~the engagement of the cutter bla~e actuators ;3;~ ~ ~ 20~ with the upstanding arms 207, as shown in FIG. 4 and severing the threading portion of the cable tie adjacen-t th'e '.',.
cable:tie head. : ' ~' Simultaneously, the latch release arm 204 engages : :
.,, :
30 ~ the latch Erame 1~27 and pivots the latch frame upl~ardly from the:position .in FIG. 3 to the position in FIG. 4 wherein the ., ~~ . .
:~ , : 2S-104553~
prirnary wile latch 123 is remove(l tror~ the rod detent LZ2 ancl the seconcl~ry spring latcll 124 ~ng~ges th~ rod d~tellt.
The cam surface 213 a(lj.lcent the cuttcr detent 21~ now that the force :is removed :Erom the gripper plate.s 1.94 ~Ir~es ,.~
.the cam ~ollo-~er 201 back .into l)os:ition .in the cuttcr dctent 1 210 l~hereupon the latch ~rame 127 i.s rnoved back to i.ts original position as shown in T:~. 3 rcmoving the seconclary ~ spring latch 124 from engagement in the rocl detent 122 .:~ permitting the rod actuator 111 to return to its original .
. ~ 10 positibn as the gripper plates 194 return to their position .~ as shown in ~I~. 3 the cuttcr blade actuators 203 return q~ the cutter blade to the position of ~IG. 3. Upon the return ' J~l o the actuator rod 111, the head rctainer 139 .is rcrnoved ;i p~rmitting the cable tie head to be removed .Erom the tool . ;,..................................................................... .
member 51. I~it}l the cable tie head removecl ~rom the end .~ . of the cable tie tube 136, pressllre l~ehincl the cliaphragm 148 is eliminated whereupon the diap}lra~m rod 152 and pin actuating link 154 will rcturn to the positions as shown in ::
., FIG. 14 permitting the pin 173 to rcturn to the position of FIG. 3. .
Upon rcturn o~ the actultor rod 111 to its original osLtion, another cablc tic is trans:fcrrcd :~rorn the cab.lc tle chamber 78 Into the dispenser cable ti.e tube 86 ancl : the rod.84 has sealed the end of the cable tie tube 86 '''~'r' whereupon another cable tie is positioned for transmittal :
: . ~
to the tool member 51.
.,~
~ The preceding cycle takes ~lace ;.n less than a : second.
~ j .
I~hile there has been illustrated and described : .
: 30 ~hat is at present considered to be a ~referred embodiment . . .
o~ the present invention .it ~i.ll be appreci.lted that ~. :
n . numerous changes and modifications arc likely to occ:ur to , ., , ,~ , .. .

~, . . . . .

r~
` ~L6)4553g those sk.ille-l in the alt an~l it is intell~]e~ in Lhe appellde~
claims to cover ~11 those changes and moclifications whicll ~all within the true spir.it an~ scope Or the present invention.

: ' :. .

~ ' 1 ,~J . :~.
J
"'' "'~ . ' ' '' ',~ ;j, , ' ,' ::
; ~,1 . ':
r , , .
~ ~
"''i; ~ " . , . '.
'~ , , ,',~''~ ;
' ''~,~ ' ' ' " "
. . . . .. .
~ , .
.'~ , . ..

:' :'':'' ':,~ ~''~ ' .'' , . i,;: ' , ' . ~,` , ' .'~ .
27~
., : .

Claims (22)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from said tool member and a conveyer member interconnecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said dispenser member being unsupported by said tool member.

2. The automatic cable tie installation tool of claim 1 wherein said tool member comprises receiving means for receiving a cable tie from said dispenser, positioning means for positioning said cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires or the like, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires or the like, and severing means for cutting a tail of said cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires or the like.

3. The automatic cable tie installation tool of claim 2 wherein adjustable biasing means restrains movement of said severing means until after a predetermined tension has been developed in said cable tie.

4. The automatic cable tie installation tool of claim 1 wherein signal means is provided for indicating said dispenser requires replenishing of cable ties.

5. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member, and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member; said tool member comprising receiving means for receiving a cable tie from said dispenser, positioning means for positioning said cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires or the like, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires or the like, and severing means for cutting a tail portion of said cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires or the like; said positioning means comprising jaw means adapted to be positioned around the bundle of wires or the like and jaw actuating means for moving said jaw means from a first posi-tion permitting placement of said jaw means about a plurality of wires or the like to a second position wherein said jaw means is closed about said bundle of wires or the like, said jaw means defining a path for a strap portion of the cable tie around the bundle of wires or the like, said jaw actuating means being further adapted to move said jaw means to a third position wherein said jaw means threads the strap through the cable tie head.

6. The cable tie installation tool of claim 5 wherein said receiving means comprises a tube having an abut-ment at one end for restraining further movement of the head of the cable tie.

7. The cable tie installation tool of claim 6 wherein said jaw actuating means is provided with an override whereby application of a predetermined force to said jaw means will prevent movement of said jaw means from said second position to said third position.

8. The automatic cable tie installation tool of claim 7 wherein said jaw actuating means comprises a rod pivotally connected to said jaw means and a sleeve is disposed on said rod having a detent positioned in a groove in the rod whereby movement of said sleeve brings about movement of said rod until a restraining force is developed in the rod suffi-cient to cam the detent out of said groove bringing about relative movement between said sleeve and said rod.

9. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said tool member comprising receiving means for receiving a cable tie from said dispenser, and propelling means for propelling a cable tie from said dispenser member through said conveyer member to said receiving means, said propelling means comprising a source of fluid under pressure adapted to be injected into said conveyer member.

10. The cable tie installation tool of claim 9 wherein said receiving means comprises a tube having an abutment at one end for restraining further movement of a head of the cable tie.

11 . The cable tie installation tool of claim 5 wherein movement of said jaw means from said second position to said third position is initiated by fluid pressure behind the head of said cable tie when said cable tie head is positioned against said abutment.

12. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member and propelling means for propelling a cable tie from said dispenser member through said conveyer member to said tool member, said tool member being provided with cycle actuating means movable from a first position wherein said propelling means is disengaged to a second position wherein said propelling means is actuated, said tool member additionally having locking means wherein movement of said cycle actuating means to said second position disengages said cycle actuating means from repeated actuation until a cable tie has been positioned in a closed loop about the bundle of wires or the like and a tail of the cable tie severed.

13. The cable tie installation tool of claim 12 wherein said tool member is provided with reset means for disengaging the locking means and returning the cycle to a start position.

14. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle or wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member interconnecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said tool member comprising receiving means for receiving a cable tie from said dispenser, positioning means for positioning said cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires or the like, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires or the like, and severing means for cutting a tail of said cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires or the like;
said tensioning means comprises a rotatable gripper, said gripper being supported by supporting means rotatably mounted in said tool and movable from a first position wherein said gripper is positioned to tension the cable tie and a second position wherein said supporting means actuates a blade to sever the tail of said cable tie, said supporting means com-prising a shaft extending generally transversely of the cable tie, said gripper rotating about said shaft to tension the cable tie.

15. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like com-prising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member; said tool member comprising receiving means for receiving a cable tie from said dispenser, positioning means for positioning said cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires or the like, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires or the like, and severing means for cutting the tail of said cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires or the like;
said tensioning means comprising a fluid driven gear having a plurality of teeth thereon adapted to engage a cable tie and develop a tension in the cable tie.

16. The cable tie installation tool of claim 15 wherein said gear is supported on a plate mounted for pivotal movement within said tool; said plate having a cam follower positioned in a biased detent whereby when a predetermined tension is developed in said cable tie, said plate pivots and moves said cam follower out of said detent.

17. The cable tie installation tool of claim 16 wherein said plate is connected to said severing means whereby pivotal movement of said plate actuates said severing means.

18. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said conveyer member comprising an elongated tube having sidewalls configured for cooperation with a head of said cable tie to maintain the desired orientation of the cable tie during transmittal from said dispenser member to said tool member.

19. An automatic cable tie installation tool for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprising a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from and unsupported by said tool member and a conveyer member inter-connecting said tool member and said dispenser member for transmitting a cable tie from said dispenser member to said tool member, said dispenser comprising cartridge receiving means for receiving and positioning a cartridge therein, said cartridge receiving means including a cartridge receiving opening, a cable tie chamber disposed in communication with said cartridge receiving means, release means positioned adjacent said chamber for releasing restraining means on a cartridge containing cable ties to permit egress of a cable tie from said cartridge into said cable tie chamber, transfer means for transferring a cable tie positioned in said cable tie chamber into said conveyer member, and propelling means responsive to a signal from the tool member for propelling said cable tie to said cable tie installation tool.

20. The cable tie installation tool of claim 19 wherein said release means comprises a plurality of cam surfaces, a first pair of cam surfaces converge in the direction of said cable tie chamber, a second pair of cam surfaces con-verge in the direction of said cartridge receiving opening.

21. The cable tie installation tool of claim 19 wherein said cartridge receiving means includes a locator positioned for mating engagement with locator means on said cartridge for properly positioning said cartridge relative to said cartridge receiving opening.

22. The cable tie installation tool of claim 19 wherein said propelling means comprises a source of fluid under pressure adapted to be injected into said conveyer member.