US2194108A - Box strapping machine - Google Patents

Description

8 0 ,J. m I 2 March 19, 1940. P. WRIGHT BOX snugrme imam Filed Nov. 30, 1935 8 Sheetsheet 1 mmvrox I P im ll! k/q/mr ATTORNEYS.

March 19, 1940. P. WRIGHT BOX STRAPPING CHINE Filed Nov. 30; 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 a V a N\\ kw m 7 H mm m l hp u 7 m n l- .A f 1H m V R M 2 i m B J V wy /M #5 h an J 5 ms Iv i1 N: m 3 N 2 ma mm: mm a .3

8 Shuts-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

lam/m Wmmr Mar- AHDRNEYS.

March 19, 1940. P.- WRIGHT no: S'IBAPHIIG ucxmm and Nov. 30, 1935 Much 19, 1940.

P. wmGH-r B01 s'rmrxxe media:

Filed Nov. so) 1935 a Sheets-Sheet 4 64 m ATTORNEYS.

P. WRIGHT BOX STRAFPIHG can:

Filed flov. 30,, 1935 March 19, 1940.

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P. WRIGHT BOX srmrrme ucams Filed Nov. 30, 1935 March 19, 1940.

. Sheets-Sheet 6 am y mm mm March 19, 1940.

P. WRIGHT BOX STRAPPING KAGHINE Filed Nov. so, 1935 a Sheets Sheet7 1k Nam wl a;

N, ATTORNEYS.

March 19, 1940. wRlGHT 159x STRAPPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 1 INVENTOR. P/IRVl/V WRIGHT ATTORNEYS.

' binding straps, bands, or the like, to boxes, bundies and packages; it being the principal object Patented Mar. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE aox s'ranrrmo moms Parvin Wright, smmq wuhsma, by

memo and direct assignments, to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Iliinois Application November :0, ms, Serial No. szjm,

' 18 Claims; (cl. ido -s1) This invention relates to bundle, or box, binding machines, and it has reterence'moreparticularly to machines for the application of metallic of the invention to provide a machine wherein means are provided for clamping a box in position for binding; for advancing the band or strap endwise, from a source of supply, about the box in a manner to cause the end, after the band has encircled the box, to be overlapped with a 1 portion thereoi leading to the supply; ior securely holding the advanced end of the strap while the slack is removed and the band placed 1 under tension about the box; for applying a m a sealing clip tothe overlappedportions oi the strap and means for severing the strap to free the bound bundle for removal from the machine 1 while that end of the strap leading to the supply of its parts, and in their mode of operation, as

will hereinafter be fully described. 7

In accomplishing the objects of the invention.

1 have provided the improved detailsoi con-: 'struction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. v1 is an elevation of a' box strapping machine embodied by the present invention, showing a box located on the table, ready to be clamped for application of a binding strap.

Fig. 2 is a detail, in elevation, of the box clamp rod and clutch, as seen when looking in the direction oi the arrow 11 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail ofv the gearing for. making.

adjustment of the box clamping means when changing over from boxes of one size to another Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of parts of the trigger mechanism in set position, the band gripping and clip applying means and associated parts shown in position just prior to actuation of the trigger mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail, showing the trigger after be- 1 ing actuated to "release position and showin the band end as held by the grippers during the tension applying operation.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional detail oi parts shown in Fig, 4, as'seen on the line 8-8 in Fla. 4.

Fig. so is a detailoi the band cutter mecha- Fls. 7

feeding rollsand the band tensioning'bar and its grip dog.

Fig. 8 is a detail of the band tensioning bar'and dog and its actuating means. a

Fig. '9 is a plan, or top view of theparts in Fla. 8.

I'is. 9a is a Flg. 10 is a plan view or a part of the machine showing the driving motor, the. transmission gearing and the driving clutch tor the clip apply ing and band cutting devices.

shown crosssection on linefla -ta. in

is an enlarged elevation of parts, as shown in Fig. I, particularly showing the band Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional detail showing parts as seen on section line |l-ll'in Fig. 10.

. Fig. 11a is a detail of the clutch mechanism. Fig. 12 is an end view, partly in cross section of the driving and reversing gearing as seen on line l2i2 in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a cross section on line "-43 in Fig. 14 is a plan, or top view of a part oi the machine.

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail through a portion oi! the band guideway and illustrating the band guide fingers and the means whereby they are retracted for application of a clip to overlapped parts 0! the band.

Fig. 16 is a cross section on line i8l6 in 1'18. 15. a

Fig. 17 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the clutch shifting and release means associated 5 with the main clamp lever.

Fig. 18 is a top view illustrating the clutch shitting-bell crank and parts connected thereto as seen" when looking in the direction of arrow b in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a detail of parts oi'the clutch shiiting and clamp release devices.

- Fig. 20 is a detail of the gripp law actuatin8 and locking means.

' Fig. 21 is a cross sectionaldetail, on line 2l-2iions. 20.

Fig. 22 is a cross section on line 22-22 in 118 20 is an enlarged, cross sectional view, as seen on line 22-22 in Fig. 4, of the seal applying and clinching means.

Fig. 2Q is a wiring diagram for control of the 4 motor.

Fig. 30 isa cross sectional view on the line 30-30 in Fig. 4 illustratingthe mounting of the band gripping Jaw levers.

The present machine, briefly described, comprises a table for supporting a box, and means for clamping the box against the table top while a strap is being applied' thereto. That movement of the clamping means which sets it against the box is arranged to automatically set the machine in operation thereby to cause a strap, or band, to be fed between friction rolls into a guideway by which the strap is guided about, the box and opposite ends brought into an overlapped relation. After the moving-strap has thus en.- circled thebox, its advanced, or initial end engages and actuates a trigger mechanism whereby gripper jaws are moved to grip and hold the strap end and a clutch is shifted to cause reversal of the direction of the feed rolls so that the slack of the strap is taken up and the band placed under additional tension about the box. Then the seal applying means is actuated to apply a seal tothe overlapped parts of the band, and a shear is actuated to cut the strap adjacent the clip thereby to free the bound box for removal from the machine. The final operation of the machine is to automatically trip the box clamp and to throw the machine out of gear and in readiness for receiving another box.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- In its present preferred form of construction, the machine comprises a rectangular, supporting frame structure having vertical legs or uprights I at its four comers, joined rigidly across their lower ends by longitudinal bars 2 and by transverse bars 3, and likewise joined, across their upper ends, by longitudinal bars 4 and cross bars 5. This base frame structure forms a support for the binding mechanism, as will presently be described, and it also mounts, at one end, a pair of transverse angle bars 6-6 between which a plurality of parallel conveyer rolls 1 are rotatably mounted providing a table for easy conveyance of boxes into and from binding position.

Fixed vertically within the base frame structure is a tubular guide or standard Hi. This is fixed at its lower end on a cross plate I I, supported by and fixed to the longitudinal bars 2. At its upper end the standard is fixed by an embracing strap I2 to the angle bar 6' and is thereby rigidly fixed in upright position. Telescopically movable in the guide It is a post, or extension I3. This extends from the upper end of guide l and, at its upper end, has a horizontal bed plate I4 rigidly fixed thereon which is the mounting bed for practically all of the operating or moving mechanisms. This bed plate extends at one side of the post transversely across the roller table, as best seen in Fig. 1, and at the other side of the post, it is extended sufliciently for the mounting thereon of an electric motor and the transmission gearing;

. the motor l6 being supported from the bed plate I by a bracket I5 and being disposed axially in the longitudinal direction of the plate.

As will be best understood by reference to Figs. 1 and-10, the drive shaft |6a of the electric motor l6 extends into a gear housing H and is equipped therein with a worm [3 which drives a relatively large worm wheel I! fixed on a cross shaft that is revolubly supported in bearings 2|2| in opposite walls of housing I1. This shaft 23 extends forwardly with reference to the showing in Fig. 1, through the housing wall, as shown in Fig. 12,. and at its outer end is revoluble in a supporting bearing 22 on the base plate. Fixed on theshait 23, within housing I! and adjacent gear I3, is a gear wheel 25 meshing with and driving a smaller gear 23 fixed on a cross shaft 21 located parallel with and directly below shaft 20,

and substantially co-extensi've therewith. The

shaft 21 is revolubly mounted at one end'in bearings 23 in the gear housing walls and, at its other end is revoluble in a bearing bracket 28 fixed to the-under side of bed plate I4 and below the bearing 22.

Freely revoluble on the cross shaft 20 near the bearing 22, is a gear wheel 30 that is fixed to, or is integral with, a band feed friction wheel 3| of the same size but spaced slightly therefrom, as seen in Fig. 12.. The gear wheel 30 meshes with and is adapted to be driven in opposite directions by a larger gear wheel 32 that is revoluble on the cross shaft 21 and attachedto or integral with a friction wheel 33 also revoluble on shaft 2] and disposed'in alinement with the friction wheel 3| to coact therewith in the feeding of the box binding strap into the machine and for retracting it in removal of slack from an applied band. The feed friction wheel or roll 33 has a flat based, annular peripheral groove or channel 33a within which the friction wheel or roll 3| projects. This groove also serves as a guide for the band to prevent its displacement from between the friction wheels.

The supply ofstrap, or binding band material preferably would be wound on a reel, as designated at 35 in Fig. 1, which reel is revolubly supported on an axle 36. The band 38 is drawn off the reel and is fed into the machine by the action of, and between the friction rolls 3| and 33. Also, the band, after being placed about a box,

is retracted by action of the rolls 3| and 33 to remove all slack therefrom, and this is incident to the reversal in direction of rotation of the friction rolls.

It will be best understood by reference to Figs.

12 and 13 that the friction rolls are driven in one direction or the other through the mediacy of a shiftable clutch collar 40. This collar is keyed on shaft 21 and is shiftable longitudinally on the shaft. The collar 40 has clutch teeth 4| and 4| at its opposite ends. In one position, as seen in Fig. 12, the teeth 4| engage with opposedly facing teeth 32 on the hub portion of a gear wheel 43 that is fixed to or is integral with the friction wheel 33, thus to drive the friction wheel 3| in a direction for advancing the band 33 into the machine.

When the clutch collar 40 is shifted to its other extreme, its teeth 4| engage with opposedly facing teeth 43 on the hub of a gear wheel I! revolubly mounted on shaft 21 adjacent gear 26. Thus, the driving of gear wheel 45 is only through the mediacy of the clutch collar. Revolubly supported in bearings 46-46, depending from the plate H above the clutch, is a short shaft 41, which, at its opposite ends has gear wheels 43 and I3 fixed thereon. These gears mesh respecbolt 10, to the lower portion of rack bar, and.

tively with the gear wheels 43 and a gear 43a on a supporting shaft 43b. Gear 43a, in turn,

meshes with the gear 45, as seen in Fig. 13. Thus,

when clutch collar 40 is shifted into engagement with'teeth 44 to drive gear 45, this effects the position, causes the binding strap to .be fed into the machine. In its other extreme position, it causes the band to be withdrawn from the machine to take up the slack in a band placed about a box. The means for shifting the clutch collar 43 to these different positions operates automatically and it will be subsequently described in detail.

The position-of the bed plate l4, spaced above and extending across the roller table, and mount ed by the post l3 makes it available as a means for clamping the boxes against movement during a strapping operation. It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1, that there is a coiled spring 50 contained within the tubular post l3 which supports the bed plate '4 and that the lower-end of this spring, which is under compression, rests against a support the latter being extended through a longitudinal slot 52 in the post It and fixed for support at its outer end to a rack bar 53. This rack bar is extended parallel with the post and at its upper end is guided in mesh with a gear pinion 54 fixed on a horizontal shaft 55 revolubly mounted beneath the table in supporting bearings 56. An adjusting shaft 51 extends to the side of the machine, see Fig. 1, and is there equipped with a crank 58 while at its inner end it is equipped with a worm 59 meshing with a worm wheel 60 fixed on shaft 55. Rotation of the crank shaft 51 causes an upward or downward adjustment of the rack bar, and a corresponding raising or lowering of the post l3. It will be observed also that the lower end of post l3 terminates at a point spaced from the support 5| and this, by reason of the compressibility of the spring 58. permitsthe plate l4 to be pulled downward and clamped against a box, provided the two are reasonably close together and without making adjustment by means of crank shaft 51.

It is to be understood that the crank shaft adjustment is to take care of that adjustment necessary when changing over from one size of box to another that can not be taken care ofin the clearance between the lower end of post l3 and the support 5|. Upon the completion of a binding operation, and release ofthe-clamping plate,

presently described, the spring 50 raises the post l3 and bed l4 to a position to free the box; this tion is eifectedby the following means:

Pivotally attached at its inner end to the lower portion of post "I, is a foot lever 55 extended to the side of the machine and there equipped with a foot plate 88. This lever, at a point near its outer end, has a short link 61 pivotally attached thereto by bolt 88. A second lever 68 is pivotally attached at its inner end, by a pivot at its outer end this lever 58 is pivotally connected by bolt II with the link 81; this link being provided at intervals therealong with holes 12 to receive the bolt 1!. Attached to the under side of the bed plate I4 is the strap guideway 15. This is in the form of an upwardly opening U-shaped rail, disposed in a vertical plane parallel with the direction of extension of bed plate l4, and provided at the ends of its two leg portions with flanges Ha-15b whereby it is secured rigidly to the bed plate.

Attached to the lower portion of thisband guideway 15, are the upper ends of a V-shaped yoke 11. A bolt 18 is pivotally attached, at its lower end, by pivot 13, to the lever 68.with the bed plate to be pulled down and tightly clamped against the top of the box. It will be understood that in this operation of clamping the box, the spring yields to the extent necessary. Furthermore, the spring 8| yields'after the neces- IsOary clamping pressure has been placed on the After the bed plate has thus been brought down against the box. it is necessary to hold it there until the completion of the binding 'or strapping operation. For this purpose a vertical clutch rod 83 is fixed at its lower end in the base frame and extends at its upper end portion through an aperture 86 through one end of a clutch plate 81 fixed to and overlying the end of the bed plate.

This clutch plate, as shown best in Fig. 2 is permitted a slight upward and downward movement at the end' through which the rod 83 extends by reason of pivotal attachment pins 88 through its opposite end portion. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be observed that the attached end of plate 81 is spaced above the plate M by reason of a spacer 88, and it will be observed that the diameter of the opening 86 is such that the rod 83 cannot slide freely through it except when the plate is perpendicular thereto. Also,

it will be observed that there is a bolt 80 extended through'an aperture 9| in plate 81 and'fixed in bed plate l4 and that a coiled spring 92 is mounted about the upper end of the bolt and bears downwardly against the plate 81 to hold it normally in 'a position at which it will effect a tight grip on the rod 83. Therefore, when the bed plate 14 is pulled downwardly, the clutch P ate 81' will slide freely down rod 83, but should it start to move upwardly, a gripping action of plate 81 is immediately effected on rod 83 thereby to hold the bed plate l4 in clamping position. Release of the clutch plate is effected at the time of completion of a binding operation and this will be subsequently described.

Before describing the binding operation, it is I desired to call attention to the fact that the band gu deway 15 is of such dimensions that it will surround the box, and thatin positioning a box on the table, the box is so located that the place "at which it is desired the band shall be placed,

will be in the plane of the guideway,

Assuming that a box has been placed on the table and that it has been clamped by manual actuation of the bed plate I4 downwardly against its top surface; the binding, or strapping, operation proper then starts, and the mechanism which effects this operation is automatically set into motion by the action of and coincident with the clamping operation.

By reference again to Fig. 1, it will be observed that a vertical link "a is pivotally attached at its lower end to the outer end of lever The upper end of this link is pivotally attached to a lever arm 92 which is pivotally mounted by a bolt 94 revolubly mounted in the upper portion of a housing and bracket that is fixed upon the bed plate I4. The lever arm 92, as shown in Fig. 4, has a stud 91 extended therefrom, and this stud is adapted when the arm 03 is swung downwardly, to engage and actuate the control slide 98 of a switch 98, thereby to close an electric circuit to be closed through the motor to set the machine in motion. The resetting of the switch slide 88 to open the circuit is effected at the completion of a cycle of operation as will later be described.

Assuming now that the end of the binding strap 38 has been threaded between the two friction feed rolls II and 12 and that the box B has been located in position on the table and has been manually clampedby'the bed plate incident to depressing the foot lever SI, and that also incident thereto the lever arm 02 has been actuated downwardly and has closed the switch 09 and the motor started, the strip 28 will then be advanced by the feed rolls for encircling the box. First, however, it is necessary to shift the clutch collar 40 into driving engagement with the teeth 42. This is effected as follows: Fixed to the mounting end of the lever arm 03, is a downwardly depending arm I00, seen in Figs. 17 and 19, which is arranged to engage with and move a slide IOI mounted on guide rods I02 which, in turn, are supported at their ends in a bracket I03 fixed to the bed plate I4. When this slide is thus shifted to the left with reference to Fig.

19, it engages at one end with the end of a clutch shift rod I05 and causes an endwise movement of the latter. This rod, as is shown best in Fig. 1'7, is connected with one arm I06 of a bell crank I01. The other arm I 00 of the bell crank overlies the clutch collar 40 and has a stud I00 extended downwardly therefrom into the annular encircling groove 40a in the collar. when the bell crank is actuated by the endwise shifting of rod I05 under action of slide IOI, it moves .clutch collar 40 to a position at which the teeth 4I interlock with the teeth 42 and thus the feed rolls 2| and 20 are set in motion and the strap 38 is fed into the machine.

After passing from the feed rolls, the strap is guided within a fiat tubular guide II2 toward the clip or seal applying position. From the end of this tubular guideway, the strap passes across the top of the box and is received between an overlying guide plate I I3, shown best in Fig. 4, and the top of bed plate I4. As the strap continues to advance, its initial end will be guided through a bed plate opening I I4 and then into one end of the interior channel of the guideway which encircles the box, and on emerging from the other end of this guideway 10, the end of the strap, designated at 30a in Fig. 4, will move into underlapped relation with that portion of the band, b, leading to the supply.

It will be here mentioned that the guideway 15 is channeled, as at lie in Fig. 4, throughout its length and this channel opens to the inner face of the guideway for withdrawal of the strap. Also, the natural stiffness of the band or strap is sufllcient to prevent its dropping out of the guideway or buckling while it is being pushed therein to encircle the box.

After the advanced portion of the binding strap has completely encircled the box in its travel through the guideway I5, and its initial end has come into underlapped relation with the end portion of the band leading to the supply, then this advance movement is stopped and the feed rolls are immediately reversed to remove the slack from the band, and to cinch it up tightly about the box preparatory to applying a seal about the overlapped portions. The reversing of the feed rolls is incident to the shifting of the clutch collar 40 from the full line position of Fig. 12 to its other extreme at which its teeth 4I' engage with teeth 44 to drive the reversing gear 43a. Shifting of the clutch collar 40 and also the actuation of the holding jaws to hold the end of the strap while it is drawn taut about the box is under control of a trigger mechanism which is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The trigger mechanism comprises a trigger II 5 pivotally suspended on the front face of the bracket or housing 05 by a pivot 5'. At the lower end of this trigger is a horizontally and forwardly extended foot II which underlies the top run 30b of the strap 38, but is extended to a position at which it will be engaged by the end portion 300 of the strap as it advances after encircling the box, in underlapped relation with the part D. This foot has a notch Ilia, see Fig. 5, within which the end of the advancing strap will .abut, thereby to actuate the trigger on its pivot to release position, as seen in Fig. 5.

As the end of the strap advances into position to contact with the trigger foot, it passes between open band gripping jaws I20 and I2I. The jaw I2. is a projection from the lower end of a lever I22 that is pivoted at a medial point on a hub I22 extending through and revoluble. in a bearing in the front wall of the bracket 95. The jaw I 2I is a projection from a lever I24 overlying lever I22 and mounted on a pivot I25 that is extended from and is eccentric of pivot hub I22. These jaws, respectively, underlie and overlie the end "a; of the strap. The upper end of lever I 24, which terminates below the upper end of lever I22 has a longitudinal slot I26 and a pin I2'I, fixed in the upper end of lever I 22. extends into this slot thereby to cause an opening and closing action of the jaws incident to a back and forth action of the upper end of lever I22; this being by reason of their eccentric mountings.

The trigger H5 is formed at the side adjacent the lever I22 with an upwardly facing shoulder I 30. Likewise, the lever I22 is formed at one side with a downwardly facing shoulder I3I. the trigger II! is set, its shoulder I20 engages with the shoulder I2I, thereby holding lever I22 in such position that the jaws I2l-I2I will be opened apart for the passage therebetween of the advancing end of the strap, as shown in Fig. 4. A leaf spring In is fixed to the bracket 05 and bears against the lower end of the trigger Hi to yieldingly urge and hold it in set position. Also, a coiled spring I24, under tension, is attached to a stud bolt lfl through the upper end of lever I22 and to a bolt III in the bracket, thus to pull the levers when released by the trigger,

Whenaudios tothat position at which the jaws be caused to tightly grip the strap between them.

It will here be stated that the trigger is ac v incident to the clamping action of the bed plate. When the foot lever is depressed, it pulls down on rod 55a, this actuates arm 55 downwardly to cause a short arm I fixed to pivot to contact against the stud I35 and thus swings the lever I22 toa position that permits the trigger shoulder I30 to lock beneath the lever shoulder I5 I thus to hold the parts set, the jaws open and spring I34 under tension.

Thus, it is apparent that, when the advancing end of strap 55 engages the trigger foot II5, it will actuate the trigger to release position and the jaws, under tension of spring I54, will be actuated to grip and hold the end of the strap preparatory to reversal of the feed rolls and the application of tension on the band to tighten it about the box.

It will be seen, by reference to Fig. 19 that the stud bolt I55, at the upper end of lever I22, extends rearwardly and through an arcuate slot I40 in the bracket 55, and, at the back side of the bracket the stud is slidably contained in a longitudinal slot I H of a latch arm I42. -The latch arm is pivotally mounted 'on the bracket by apivot I opposite the slotted end and at one side has a projecting shoulder I44 adapted to engage .with an opposedly facing shoulder I45 on the slide IOI to retain the latter at that position to which it was shifted, by action of the lever I05, on starting the machine.

When the trigger iI I5 releases the lever I22, and the spring I34 actuates the lever I22 to close the gripping jaws against the initial end of the strap, this movement of lever I22 also, by reason of the bolt I extended into slot I of the latch arm, causes the latter to move pivotally onpivot I45 and its shoulder I44 to'be disengaged from shoulder I45. This disengagement of shoulders re- /lease's the slide IIII and permits the shifting. of

the clutch collar 40. This will be understood by reference to Fig. 17 wherein it is shown that the clutch shift rod I05 that is actuated by the slide IOI,'is guided through an apertured support I55 I fixed to the base plate I4. Also, it is shown that, at a point spaced from the support I55, the rod has a collar I5I fixed thereon, and that a coiled spring I52 encloses the rod and is held under compression between the support and collar. Thus, when the slide IOI is released incident to the tripping of the latch arm I42, it permits the rod I05 to be shifted under expansion of spring I52, with a. consequent shifting of clutch collar 40 to the position for effecting the reversal of the feed rolls 3| and 35. This reversal of the feed rolls effects the retraction of the strap and tightens the band about the box.

As the feed rolls, in reverse, cause the strap to be retracted, it is stripped from the guideway 15, by reason of the inwardly opening guide channel that extends its entire length, and it is then drawn snugly about the box. The friction of the feed rolls on the strap, however, is not sumcient to draw the strap to the desired tightness,

against the box to remove slack; then, a tension applying means takes effect on the strap to draw the band taut and to'hold it while a seal is applied to theoverlapped'ends. This tension applying means will now be described with reference to Figs. 7, 8, Sand 90.

Disposed horizontally, to ext d transversely across the motor driven cross shaft 20, is a band tensioning bar I50. This bar has an outer end extension, bar I5I of reduced width, which is;

slidable at its. outer end in a support and guide 1' At its'inner end, the bar I50 has a downwardly extending plate I55 fixed rigidly thereto and at the lower end of the plate, a band grip dog I54 is pivoted by a bolt I55. The lower end of this dog' extends into the band guide channel I I55 of a slide I51 and is pivotally attached to the slide by a transverse pivot pin I55. The guide channel I55 is lengthwise of the slide I51 andv opens through the opposite ends thereof, and the strap 55 in passing into the machine, is laid in this channel and normally slides freely between the lower end of the grip dog I54 and the channel base. The slide also is slidably movable, in

its longitudinal direction, within a guide slot I10 tudinal slot I14 in the end of bar I12. The'free end of latch bar I12 terminates close to plate I55 andhas a cam contact portion I12 at its upper edge extended above the top longitudinal edge of bar I50. Slidable on the bar extension I5I, and seated against the pivoted end of latch bar I12, is a collar "217 against which one end of a heavy coiled spring I15 presses. The outer end of spring I15 seats against a nut I15 adjustable on the bar to regulate the compression of the spring. Also, mounted on the bar I5I, is a coiled spring I11 which bears at its opposite ends against the nut I15 and against the. bar guide I52, thus to urge the bar I55 toward the left.

It will be observed by reference to. Fig. 9 that the end of the latch bar I 12 which is engaged by the spring I15 is so shaped that the spring pressure thereagainst normally holds the free end of the latch lever somewhat above the level of bar I50,.and this is for a purpose presently described. Y

In the under edge of the latch bar I12 is a notch or recess forming an abutment I15, and on the inner face of a. spiral gear wheel I that is fixed on driven shaft 20 is a lug I5I that is adapted during a period of rotation of wheel I50 to engage this abutment to thereby cause the bar I55 to be shifted lengthwise, and in a direction for shifting. the bar I50 to place tension on the band which encircles the box.

It will be apparent, by reference to Fig. 8, that with gear wheel I50 rotating in the direction of v the arrow thereon, and with the latch bar I12 in the dotted line position shown, the lug I8I will engage the abutment and cause the shifting of the bar I50. Thus, as the bar starts to shift, the pull on the grip dog through the pivot connection I55 will cause the dog to coact with the base of slide I 61 to grip and hold the strap for the application of tension thereto.

The amount of tension that may be applied to the band is limited by the yielding of the coiled spring I15, and the tension of this spring may be regulated by adjustment nut I15. When the lug I5I disengages the latch bar abutment I18, the bar I68 is actuated back to initial position by the expanding of spring I11.

,It is to be understood that the gear wheel I80 is continuously rotating, but it is not proper that the tension bar I 88 be actuated with each rotation, but only at a certain time. Therefore, the bar I12 is normally held in its raised position by the spring I15, as seen in full lines in Fig. 8, to not be engaged by the lug I8I, so that normally no action of bar I88 takes place.

The spiral gear wheel I88 at all times is in driving mesh with a gear I81 of like kind and size, revoluble on a shaft I88 that overlies the bed plate I4 lengthwise thereof. The shaft I88 is revolubly supported at one end in a bearing I88 and at its other end in supporting bracket bearing I88 on the upper end of a bracket I8I that is fixed to base I4 at a location approximately medial of its ends. Fixed on this driven shaft I88 is a cam I82 having a rise I82a adapted with each rotation of the cam to engage the cam contact portion I12 of latch lever I12, thereby to depress this latch lever to a position at which its abutment will be in position to be engaged by the lug I8I on gear I88 for actuation of the bar I88. The shaft I88, when rotated, is revolubly driven by the gear I81, but only through the mediacy of a clutch collar I84 that is slidably keyed on shaft I88 adjacent the gear. As shown in Fig. 11a, the collar has a spring pressed stud I95 in one end adapted to seat in a socket I88 in the face of gear I81 to thereby efiect a driving connection between the gear I81 and shaft I88. The shifting .of this clutch collar I84 toward driving position is coincident with the shifting of collar 48 by means of the connections shown in Figs. 17 and 18, wherein I81 designates a clutch collar shift lever, pivoted at a medial point on the housing I1, by a pivot pin I88. One end of the lever I81 terminates adjacent the side of the collar, and is equipped with a pin I88 extended into an encircling groove 288 in the collar to provide the clutch shifting connection. The other end of the lever is operatively connected by a yielding link 28I of a suitable kind with the end of shift rod I85. This provides that, when clutch collar 48 is shifted into position to cause driving of the feed rolls SI and 88 for advancing the band into the machine, the shifting means, at the same time, effects the shifting of collar I84 toward the face of gear wheel I81 but, for proper timing, it is temporarily restrained from operatively connecting with the gear by means of a lever arm 28!, see Figs. 10 and 11, which is disposed in a direction transversely of the shaft I88, and is pivotally fixed at one end as at 288, on the gear housing I1, and has its other end positioned to be pulled by a spring 281 between the face of gear I81 and the adjacent end of collar I84, thereby to hold them apart and the stud I88 disengaged from the socket I88. In proper timing, however, a stud 288, which is set on the face of gear I81, engages the arm 288 and lifts its free end upwardly from the hub of collar I84, and the collar, being urged toward the gear by the yielding link 2", causes the stud I85 to be seated in the gear socket I88, thereby eifecting the driving connection which completes the driving connection for rotation ofshaft I88.

As the shaft I88 rotates, it causes the cam I82 to operatively engage and depress the latch lever I12 into position for engagement by the lug I8I on gear I88, thereby efiecting that movement of bar I88 whereby tension is placed on the box band prior to applying the seal thereto. In the present instance, the effective travel of bar I 88 is approximately one-half inch; if more, spring I18 absorbs it. Y

A sealing clip is applied to a band after the slack has been removed and tension applied, and just immediately before the tension bar is released by disengagement of lug I8I from the latch bar I12. The sealing clip is applied to the overlapped portions 88a and 88b of the band, but before it can be applied, certain conditions must be present which will now be explained. f

By reference toFigs. 4, 15 and 16 it will be observed that the band, or strap, 38, as it is paid into the machine, is guided first over the jaws I2I-I28 and above the foot II8 of the release trigger. The guiding means consists of a pair. of spring metal fingers 2I02I I which continue beyond the end of guide tube II 2. These fingers are substantially co-extensive, fiat springs, disposed one on top of the other and fixed at their ends, which underlie the delivery end of guide tube II2, to a slide 2I2. The upper finger 2III has its free end portion curved upwardly toward the overhanging end of guide plate II3, thereby to cause the strap 88, when it is initially advanced, to be lifted over the grip jaw I2I and foot H8 and guided beneath the guide plate II3 into the guideway 15. Then, as the end of the strap, after passing about the box, comes out of the guideway 150, it engages the under side of the finger 2 which is downwardly bowed, and it is guided thereby between the jaws I20-I2I and into contact with the foot I I8.

Therefore, before applying the seal, it is nec- 'essary to withdraw the fingers 2I8--2I I from be' tween the overlapped end portions of the strap, and it is also necesary to bring the overlapped portions flatly together.

By reference to Fig. 15 it is seen that the fingers 2I8 and 2 are fixed to a block 2I2 that is slidably movable in a guideway 2I8 in base I4 beneath the end of guide tube II2. This block is operatively connected Ly means of a link 2I6, with the lower end portion of a lever 2I1 that is pivotally attached at a point intermediate its ends as at 2I8' to a supporting bracket 2I8 fixed on base plate I4. A coiled spring 228 is attached to the lever M1 at a point below its pivot, and is fixed under tension to the bracket I8I, thereby.

to move and yieldingly hold the lever in a position at which the fingers 2III2II will operate to guide the strap properly between the grip jaws. On the upper end of lever 2 I1 is a cam roller 22I that is held, by reason of spring 228, against a cam 22! fixed on the shaft I88. This cam is timed to actuate the lever 2" to withdraw the shown in Fig. 25 and in Fig. 28 it is shown as.

applied to the band.

Referring to Fig. 23, it will be noted that the lapped ends of the band are parallel and one is spaced above the other. Extended below the lower end of the band are two parallel, spaced lift levers 228-228 which are pivotally movable on the arcuate surface 2050 of the cam rail 205,

supporting-studs 223 flxedin a plate 233 which,

in turn, is fixed to base plate I4. The rearward ends of these levers, when actuated downwardly cause the forward ends to swing upwardly against the lower strap and lift it up against the upper strap. While these parts are so held in contact, as shown in Fig. 24, the clip is applied thereto. The levers arevactuated for lifting the strap by reason of contact with their outer ends of a pivotally movable head 235,- which, as shown in Fig. 23-, is disposed transverse- 1y. of and across the strap ends and is pivotally supported from its rearward end by a pivot bolt 235 fixed on aim; 231 on the rear edge of the plate I 4. This head .235, as presently described;

-' carries the seal swedging jaws and is movable from and against band.

The head 235 is provided in its under edge with a transverse channel 230 ,within which the seals will be received from a feed magazine under action of a feed slide presently described. When received in this channel, the seals open the overlapped ends of the downwardly and are supported between a pair of seal clinching jaws 233-233. When the head is subsequently actuated downwardly about its pivot 236, the overlapped ends of the band or strap are received in the channel and within the seal. It will be observed that the opposite side walls of the seal are at this time open and outwardly inclined for easy application tothe band.

The two jaws have pivotal supports 239-233 close to their ends, and have levers or actuating portions 240 240' extended upwardly therefrom in diverging relation. Pivotallymounted in the head by a pivot bolt 24! at a point between the upper .ends of the jaw actuating levers, is a main lever 242, and links 243-243 pivotally and operatively connect the upper ends of the jaw levers, respectively, with the mounting head 242' of lever 242 at points opposite the pivot bolt 24l'. The lever 242 extends in a vertical plane transversely of the machine and along the face of a wheel 245 that is fixed on shaft I30. The wheel has an eccentric stud 240 projecting from its outer face and this mounts a roller 2400 that ex tends into and is movable along a longitudinal slot 241 in the lever 242. I

A locking toggle, or elbow lever, comprising two pivotally connected links l and 252 connects with the lever 240 of jaw 230 and with the pivot 236. broken, operates to lock the jaws in open position and also, by reason of thegconnections with jaw lever 240 and the connection of lever 240 with lever 242, looks the head 235 and lever 242 against relative movement. However, the toggle will be broken upwardly incident to the head being brought down to the position at which the overlapped portions of the strap are received in the seal. This breaking of the toggle is by reason of the engaging of a bolt 250 with the plate I4; the bolt being adjustably fixed in the toggle llnk'25l.

Assuming the parts to be associated as described, and in the position shown in Fig. 23, it

is quite apparent that with the wheel 245 rotating This toggle, when straight or unpresently described, thus to hold the head down and the elbow lever comprising links 2 and 252 is broken upwardly by the contact of bolt 258 with the base plate. Then, farther rotation of wheel causes the lever 242 to swing on its pivot 2 thereby to actuate the jaws together and against the sides of the seal to bendthem beneath the under side of the band and to tightly clinch them to secure the strap ends together.

As the pivot stud 245 crosses the vertical central line of the wheel and again starts upward, it causes a quick-swing of lever 242 to the left (with reference to Fig. 23) and this again opens the jaws and locks the toggle to hold them in open position.

To insure the correct action of the lever and thereturn of the toggle to locking position while the pivot stud moves across the lower side of the circle from one side of the vertical center of the wheel to the other side, a rail 205 is fixed to the top edge of the clinching head 235 and this has .a part of its top surface arcuately curved as at 20511; the center of curvature being on the axial center of wheel 245 when the clinchinghead is 25 the clinching Jaws are being actuated by the swinging of the lever 2412, the roller 240a will be traveling along the arcuate surface of the bar 255, thus to hold the clinching head down in position until after the clip has been applied and clinched to the overlapped ends of theband.

After the band ends have been sealed together,

, the end of the strap leading to the supply is cut at a point closely'outside the seal. This cutting 0 of the strap is effected by means of a shearing blade 215 at the lower end of a lever 218 that is pivotally fixed,-by a pivot 211 to a block 210 on the clip magazine. This blade transversely overlies the strap and operatively coacts with a fixed shear plate 270 on the plate II. The lever has a spring 200 attached thereto to normally hold the blade in open, or raised position. The lever extends into position to be engaged by a stud 2" projecting from the rear face of wheel 245 thereby to be actuated to cut the strap, thus to free the bundle for removal from the machine.

The seal feeding means comprises a vertical magazine or hopper-J00 in which a pack of nested seals are located to feed downwardly by gravity. On the lower end 01' the magazine is a guide 301 containing a feed slide 302. The slide is reciprocally movable to a'dvance the seals, one at a time, from the magazine into a holder 303 at-' tached to the side of the magazine. As seen in Fig. 27, the slide 302 has a pin and slot connection as at 305 with a lever 300 pivotally fixed to a bracket 30! on :the back of the magazine. A coiled spring 204, contained in a socket 300 in the bracket, acts against the lever 306 to move it to a retracted position. An actuating lever M0 is pivotally supported by a pivot on the bracket "I and this has a link 3l3 connecting it at its lower end with the slide 302 and at its upper end has a cam roller "5 engaging a cam 315 fixed on shaft lllwhich operates, upon the completion of each strap shearing operation, to advance one seal into the guideway- 203. This pushes the next previously advanced seal from the .guideway into the channel between the Jaws of the clinching head, preparatory to the next operation; it being understood that, when the seal clinching head is lifted, as seen in Fig. 23, it is then properly registered with the guideway 303 to receive the advanced seal.

After the seal has been clinched and the strap cut, the box is then ready for removal from the machine, but in order to free it, the initial end of the band must be released from between the grip jaws and the band must be pushed from the jaws and also from the other parts which it overlaps; for instance; the foot H6 and levers 228. These operations are effective as follows: Extended in an upright position adjacent the face of the wheel 245 is a lever arm 320 fixed at its lower end to a supporting shaft 32I that extends horizontally and lengthwise of the bed plate and is revolubly mounted in supporting bearings on the fixed bracket 95 as seen in Fig. 19. The upper end of the lever extends into position at which it will be engaged and moved by the stud 246 extended. from the face of wheel 245 thereby to rock the shaft 32I through a definite arc. Fixed on the inner end of the hub I23 which mounts the jaw levers, is a horizontal cross plate 325, the opposite ends of which extend to opposite sides of the hub. This plate is held against movement during a band applying and tightening operation and during the clip sealing operation, and thereby holds the grip jaws against loosening their hold on the initial end of the band. However, when it is finally desired to release the band end, the plate is released and the hub I23 is rotated thereby through an interval whereby the pivot point I25 for lever I24 is elevated relative to the center of the hub and this lifts the grip jaw I2I to free the band end.

When the jaws are set against the band, as during a binding operation, the cross plate 325 is held against that jaw releasing movement by V a latch 328 supported from bracket 95 by a pivot 329 and acted on by a spring 330 to yieldingly hold it in supporting position beneath the adjacent end of the plate 325.

When the lever arm 320 is rocked rearwardly by the movement of stud 246 on wheel 245, the shaft 32I is likewise rocked, and a short lever arm 335 fixed on the rock shaft engages the latch 328 and displaces it upwardly from supporting contact with the plate 325, permitting that end of the plate thus to swing downwardly. There is also a lever arm 335 fixed on the rocker shaft and this is arranged to engage and lift the opposite end of plate 325 after the release by latch 328. This movement of plate 325 rotates the hub I23 and insures release of the grip jaws. Coincident with the release of the grip jaws, the band is kicked out" from the jaws and free of the foot II6 and band supporting levers. This is effected by means of a vertical lever 340 which is pivotally supported from bracket 95 by a pivot 3 as seen in Fig. 6. The lower end of the lever is disposed just back of the band and its upper end is connected by a link 342 with the lever arm 320. Thus, when lever 320 is actuated rearwardly, it effects the kick out action of lever 3 Ii.

Simultaneously with the release of the band, the clamping actionv of the bed plate I4 against the box is released. This is effected by means of a release arm 345 on the end of shaft 32I and with its end extended to a position immediately beneath the movable end of clutch plate 81. Therefore, when the shaft 32I is rotatably actuated, the arm effects thatlifting action of the plate that is necessary for and which results in the release of its hold on clutch rod 33, and the spring 50 then operates to lift the bed plate I4 upwardly to free the box. Simultaneously with the release action, the switch slide 55, is actuated upwardly by an arm 355 on shaft HI and this stops the motion of the machine.

The various parts associated with the jaw release plate 325 are brought back to normal position by pressure of a coiled spring 552 which is set in a socket 355 in bracket 55 and bears up wardly against plate 325, as seen in Figs. 19 and 20.

Referring now to the wiring diagram, Fig. 29, it is observed that the main circuit wires 355- 365 connect with switch 95. A circuit wire 35! leads from the switch to one side of the motor. Two brushes 355 and 359 are disposed to contact with a circuit breaker fixed on shaft I55 and are connected respectively with the motor I5 and switch 99. The circuit breaker comprises a cylindrical hub of non-conductive material coaxial of the shaft I88, and fitted with a metal sleeve 315 with a gap 3lI. This gap is so arranged that it effects the opening of the motor circuit at a predetermined interval just before the end of a cycle of operation and this slows it practically to a stop. The momentus causes it to coast just far enough to again close the circuit between the brushes but during this open circuit interval, the main switch will be opened. The purpose of the circuit breaker is to open the motor circuit at a time in advance of the completion of a cycle, that it will be slowed to a stop when the cycle is completed. This time of opening the circuit may be varied as desired by rotatably adjusting the sleeve on the shaft I55.

Assuming that the parts are so assembled, the sequence of operation of the machine, briefly described, is as follows:

Assuming that the box B is placed on the roll table, depression of the foot pedal 55 and lever 65 effects the clamping of the bed plate I4 against the top of the box. Releasing of the clamping action is prevented by the locking of the clutch plate 81 with the rod 55. Coincident with this depression of the foot pedal and clamping of the box, the lever 33 is actuated downwardly to set the trigger mechanism and to close the circuit switch 59, thereby to energize the motor. This action of the arm 53 also shifts the clutch collar for driving the band feed rolls.

The band is advanced by the feed rolls along the guideway I5, and its advancing end portion finally trips the trigger thereby closing the grip jaws against the end of the band and reversing the direction of the feed rolls so that slack is removed from the band. It is drawn tightly about the box and placed under tension.

the outside of the seal. Immediately following the severing of the band the kick out" mechanism is actuated to remove the band from between the Jaws and this is coincident with the opening of the jaws, the opening of the switch circuit and the release of the clutch plate 51 from therod 53. Opening of the circuit stops the operation of the motor and the release of the clutch plate permits the spring 55 to lift the ,clamp plate free of the box for removal of the box from the machine.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is'--.

1. In a box strapping machine, a table, a bed plate supported above the table and having a downwardly yieldable mounting, means operable to adjust the bed plate downwardly against a box placed on the table, thereby to clamp the box for strapping, and means mounted on the bed plate and operable to place and secure a strap under tension about the box.

2. In a box strapping machine, a table,'a bed plate supported above the table and having a downwardly yieldable mounting, means operable to adjust the bed plate downwardly against a box placed on the table, thereby to clamp the box for strapping, a releasable clutch for holding the bed plate in box clamping position, means on the bed plate operable to locate and secure a strap under tension about a clamped box and means for automatically releasing said clutch.

upon completion of the strapping operation. 4

' 3. In a box strapping machine, a supporting table, a bed plate spaced above the table, a downwardly yieldable support for the bed plate, means for actuating the bed plate downwardly against .a box on said table to clamp it for strapping, a

guideway encircling the clamped box, means for advancing a strap endwise within the guideway,

thereby to cause it to encircle the box and its;

advanced end to be overlapped with the opposite end of the box encircling portion, means 'for placing the strap under tension about the box, means for applying a seal to the overlapped ends of the box encircling band and means for severing the strap atthe outside of the seal.

4. In a box strapping machine, aitable, a bed plate spaced'above the table and having a down-' wardly yieldable support, means for actuating the bed plate downwardly against a box on said table to clamp it for strapping, a clutch for holding the bed plate in clamping position, a guideway fixed to the bed plate and encircling the clamped box, driven feed rolls foradvancing a strap endwise along the guideway to cause it to encircle the box and its advanced end to be overlapped withtheopposite end of the box encircling por tion, a gripper for receiving and holding the said advanced end, means for reversing the feed rolls to place the band under tension about the box, means for applying a seal to. the overlapped ends of the band, means for severing the strap at the outside of the seal and means operable to release the'clutch and gripper.

5. A machine as in claim 4 wherein an electric motor is "provided forv drivingthe feed rolls and devices are actuated by the box clamping means to start the motor, and devices operate incident to the release of the'clamping means to stop the a motor. i

6. In a box strapping machine, the combina- 'tion with means for holding a box for strapping and a reversible strap feeding means, of a guideway in which a strap may be advanced endwise T end to effect an actuation of the gripper to grip the strap end and a reversal of the feeding means with its advanced end in lapped relation with the opposite end portion of the box encircling band, a trip member positioned to be engaged by the end of the band, a gripper adapted to be re-' leased by the trip to grip the band end and to reverse the feeding mechanism whereby to place the box encircling band and the two end portionsthereof under tension, and means for applying a joining seal to the overlapped portions thereof.

8. In a box strapping machine, means for supporting a box for strapping, a reversible strap feeding means, a guideway in which a'strap will be advanced endwise by the said feeding means to encircle the box and locate its advanced end in lapped relation with the opposite end portion of the box encircling band, means for gripping theadvancedend of the strap after the box has been encircled, means'operable incident to gripping the strap end for reversing the strap feeding means for retracting'the strap to displace it from the guideway and to place it and the overlapped'end portions thereof under tension about the box, means for applying a holding seal to the lapped portions to secure the band under tension about the box and means for severing the strap at the outside of the seal. I

9. In a box strapping machine, means for supporting a box for strapping, strap feeding means,

a guideway in which a strap may be advanced to receive the advanced and of the strap between them after it has encircled the box, means operable by the advancing end of the band to cause the jaws to grip'and hold the band end, and to reverse the direction of the band feeding means thereby to draw the band from the guideway and about the box, means for applying a seal to the overlapped portions of the band and means. operable, after the seal is applied, to cut the'strap at the outside of the seal.

10. In a box strapping machine, means, for supporting a box for strapping, reversible feed rolls operable in one direction for advancing a strap into the machine, a guideway in which the strap may be advanced endwise by said'feed rolls to cause it to encircle the box, a pair of grip jaws arranged to receivethe advancing end of the strap between them-after it has encircled the box, a trigger mechanism arranged to be actuated by the advancing end of the strap tomeans for applying tension to the band andmeans for applyin a holding seal to the opposite end portions of the box encircling portion after it has been placed under tension andmeans for cutting the strap adjacent the seal.

- 11. In a box strapping machine, a table, a bed plate supported above the table and having a.

downwardly yieldable mounting, means operable .to adjust the bed plate downwardly against a box placed on the table, thereby to clamp the box for strapping, a releasable clutch for holding the bed plate in" clamping position, a guideway fixed to the bed plate to encircle a box on the table,

and opening inwardly throughout its length toward the box, a reversible strip feeding means, operable to feed a strap endwise into said guideway to cause it to encircle the box, grip Jaws arranged to receive the advanced end after it'has encircled the box, a trigger mechanism adapted to be released by said advancing end after it has passed into the said jaws, to cause said jaws to grip and hold the advanced end, and to cause said strap feeding means to be reversed, to draw the strap from the guideway about the box, means operable to place the band under tension about the box, means for applying a seal to the band, and meansfor severing the strap adjacent the seal and for releasing said clutch and grip jaws.

12. In a box strapping machine, a box support, reversible feed rolls for feeding a strap intothe machine, a guideway in which the strap may be advanced endwise to encircle the box and locate its advanced end in lapped relation with the opposite end of the box encircling band, a pair of open grip jaws arranged to receive said advancing end after encircling the box, a trigger mechanism, normally positioned to retain said jaws in open position, and releasably therefrom by said advancing end of the strap to permit the jaws to grip the strap end, means operable incident to actuation of said trigger to reverse the feed rolls to draw the strap from the guideway, while held by the jaws about the box, means for applying an added tension to the band after it has been drawn about the box, means for placing a holding seal to the lapped ends of the box encircling band while it is held under tension, means for cutting the band at the outside of the seal, and means for releasing said jaws for the band end and for displacing the band therefrom.

13. In a box strapping machine, the combination with means for advancing a strap endwise about a box, and means for receiving and gripping the advanced end of the strap after encircling the box, of a strap tensioning means comprising a shiftable bar, a grip dog mounted thereon, normally passing the band freely therethrough, a shifting lever pivotally mounted on the bar and having an abutment shoulder, a rotatably driven member, a yieldable means normally holding the lever elevated out of path of travel of the rotatably driven member and means timed with the operation of the strap advancing means for depressing said lever to cause its abutment to be engaged by said rotatably driven member to actuate the bar for applying tension to the band.

14. In a box strapping machine, the combination with a seal applying means, a guideway encircling the box and terminating at the opposite side of the seal applying means in which a band may be advanced endwise to encircle the box and its advanced end to be underlapped with the other end of the box encircling portion beneath the seal applying device and a band guide member bridging the gap beneath the seal applying means, of means for withdrawing the said guide member and means for elevating the lower band end against the upper portion for reception of the seal.

15. In a machine of the character described, a frame structure, a table thereon for mounting a box, a tubular standard fixed in the frame, a post telescopically movable in the standard and extending upwardly therefrom, a bed plate mounted by the standard to overlie the table, a box binding mechanism mounted by the bed plate, a coiled spring contained in the post and standard and acting against the latter to yieldably support the bed plate and to counterbalance the-weight thereon, a foot pedal and means operatively connecting the pedal with the bed plate to clamp the latter against a box located on the table.

16. In a box strapping machine, the combination with means for applying a strap about a box and for overlapping its ends, and means for applying tension to the band, of means for applying a seal 'to the said ends of the band including a seal clamping head having seal closing jaws therein, means for placing a seal in the jaws, an actuating lever for actuating the head and jaws having a cam surface and a rotating member operable against said surface thereby first to actuate the head to position the jaws and sealabout the band ends and then by a differential force to effect the closing of the jaws to apply the seal.

17. In a box strapping machine, strap gripping means comprising a pair of levers disposed longitudinally, one upon the other, and each pivotally supported intermediate its ends with the supporting pivots offset from each other in a direction transverse of the levers; said levers being provided at corresponding ends with cooperating are curved to grip the band between them with a rolling action.

PARVIN WRIGHT.

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