GB1565110A - Rensioning device for a banding strap - Google Patents

Description

(54) A TENSIONING DEVICE FOR A BANDING STRAP (71) We, WILLIAM PRESS & SON LIMITED, a British Company of 22 Oueen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AH, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a device for tensioning banding straps. The invention seeks to provide a device which is suitable for tensioning standard grades and widths of plastics banding straps which are used in conjunction with self-locking buckles of metal or plastics. The device is useful for tensioning banding straps used to secure leak sealing muffs around pipes.

According to this invention there is provided a device for tensioning banding straps comprising a handle with a cranked end. the apex of the crank having a bearing member, the free end of the crank having a guide means over which a banding strap may pass to extend across the angle formed by the arms of the crank to lie over a support member and a clamping means operable by a lever and serving to pinch the strap against the support. The guide will preferably comprise a roller rotatably secured to the end of the crank and the bearing member will be of a resilient nature. The clamp means may be a cam conveniently formed by a roller secured to the handle through an offset axis.

The invention is further described and illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment and a modification thereof bv wav of an example.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows the device in side view, Figure 2 shows the device in plan view from above, and Figures 3 and 4 are similar views of the device incorporating a strap cutting means.

As shown in the drawings the device comprises a handle 1 of which the end 2 is cranked. The handle is formed from two parallel spaced plate members joined by cross pieces 3 and 9. The pin 4 forms the axle for a guide strap bearer 5 constructed as a roller. A bearing member 6 which in use forms a fulcrum for the device is located at the apex of the cranked end and retained by a pin 7. This member comprises a rubber of soft to medium resilience and includes an embedded bush lying around the pin 7. The member 6 is formed as a block. the block being rotatable so as to even the wear. The handle has a support plate 9 and in use the strap of banding material pases over the roller 5 and extends across the limbs of the cranked end to pass over the support 9 as shown.Spaced from the support 9 is clamping means 11 which comprises a cylindrical body provided with a manually operable lever 12 and pivoted at 13 offset from the axis. With this arrangement force applied to the lever 12 and directed towards the handle 1 causes the strap to be securely held against the support 9 by virtue of the camming action.

In the construction shown the cranked end includes an angle of 120 degrees and the support 9 is at an angle of 5 degrees to the normal of the longitudinal axis of handle 1 to correspond to the face angle presented by the clamp means 11. The roller 5 is of a rubber material such that the strap does not slide off sideways when applying tension.

The roller is arranged to rotate to even out any wear occurring on the surface.

In use the bearing member 6 will normally be placed over the length of strap around the article and in straddling the strap will to a certain extend prevent same from moving.

The surface of the clamp means 11 may be smooth or knurled as required and this in conjunction with the camming action creates the necessary tension in the strap.

In use the banding strap is fitted around an article and fastened through the usual buckle after which any slack is taken up by pulling the strap through the buckle by hand until reasonably taut. About nine inches of strap will be left on the free side of the buckle and this is passed over guide 5 between support 9 and clamp means 13. The strap is then locked in the device by pressing lever 12 towards handle 1 after which bearing member is placed at a suitable position on the article and the handle 1 depressed thereby to tension the strap.

The lever 12 may then be released and the device removed from the strap.

In a modification as shown in Figures 3 and 4 a strap cutting device 14 is fitted by a bracket 16 at a position between support 9 and member 5. The cutting device may however, be part of bearer 5. Cutting is effected by coaction between the edge of cylinder 16, rotated by lever 15 and an edge of a die 17. The device is conveniently arranged so that the optimum tightness in the strap is obtained but the tool is designed so that it is not capable of exerting sufficient force whereby the strap may be fractured.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A device for tensioning banding straps comprising a handle with a cranked end, the apex of the crank having a bearing member, the free end of the crank having a guide means over which a banding strap may pass to extend across the angle formed by the arms of the crank to lie over a support member and a clamping means operable by a lever and serving to pinch the strap against the support.

2. A device in accordance with Claim 1.

wherein the guide means comprises a roller rotatablv secured to the end of the crank.

3. A device in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing member is resilient.

4. A device in accordance with any preceding claim. wherein the clamping means comprises a cam cooperating with a fixed support abutment.

5. A device in accordance with any preceding claim. wherein the handle comprises two spaced plate parts between which the bearing member, guide means, support member and clamping means are mounted.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. an article and fastened through the usual buckle after which any slack is taken up by pulling the strap through the buckle by hand until reasonably taut. About nine inches of strap will be left on the free side of the buckle and this is passed over guide 5 between support 9 and clamp means 13. The strap is then locked in the device by pressing lever 12 towards handle 1 after which bearing member is placed at a suitable position on the article and the handle 1 depressed thereby to tension the strap. The lever 12 may then be released and the device removed from the strap. In a modification as shown in Figures 3 and 4 a strap cutting device 14 is fitted by a bracket 16 at a position between support 9 and member 5. The cutting device may however, be part of bearer 5. Cutting is effected by coaction between the edge of cylinder 16, rotated by lever 15 and an edge of a die 17. The device is conveniently arranged so that the optimum tightness in the strap is obtained but the tool is designed so that it is not capable of exerting sufficient force whereby the strap may be fractured. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A device for tensioning banding straps comprising a handle with a cranked end, the apex of the crank having a bearing member, the free end of the crank having a guide means over which a banding strap may pass to extend across the angle formed by the arms of the crank to lie over a support member and a clamping means operable by a lever and serving to pinch the strap against the support.

2. A device in accordance with Claim 1.

wherein the guide means comprises a roller rotatablv secured to the end of the crank.

3. A device in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing member is resilient.

4. A device in accordance with any preceding claim. wherein the clamping means comprises a cam cooperating with a fixed support abutment.

5. A device in accordance with any preceding claim. wherein the handle comprises two spaced plate parts between which the bearing member, guide means, support member and clamping means are mounted.