US2612804A - Strap fastening tool - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1952 B. M. CRAIG 2,612,804

STRAP FASTENING TOOL Filed Julie 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l we if?" y I (mi 3;;

4 Sheets-S heet 2 B. M. CRAIG STRAP FASTENING TOOL v 4 mm U 4 2 A m Oct. 7, 1952 Filed June 2, 1947 Oct. 7, 1952 CRAIG 2,612,804

STRAP FASTENING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 2, 1947 iron or .i1'g1a z 5;

Vr//\\ 46 75 1 if Oct. 7, 1952 B. M. CRAIG STRAP FASTENING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheei 4 Filed June 2, 1947 Ezv'enfin; M14711. &9

Patented Oct. 7, 1 952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" STRAP FASTENING TOOL Burnie M. Craig, Pasadena, Calif" assignor to Michael J. McAneny, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application June 2, 1947, Serial No. 751,912

13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to certain new and useful improvements in hand-operated tools for facilitating the banding or strapping of packages by metallic straps and buckles.

It has for one of its objects to provide a reliable and efficient tool of this character which is designed and constructed for use on all types and shapes of packages to be shipped, and which in a given operative stroke tensions or tightens the strap about the package, cuts the strap to the length required, and finally forms, couples and seals the end of the strap to the buckle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a strap-fastening tool which is so designed as to adapt it for use with thin strap material, which can be readily brought into and out of operative relation to a strap to be fastened, and which embodies in a unit mechanism controlled by an actuating lever or handle the functions of tensioning, cutting, forming and scaling in sequence.

A further object is to provide the tool with simple and effective means for holding the strap in its tensioned, package-encircling position and at the same time relieve the free end of the strap of any tension thereon so as to enable it to be readily and properly formed or bent and properly presented into coupling engagement with the buckle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel gripping means for exerting a pull or tension on the strap about the package in such a manner that when the actuating lever is moved in one direction it positively grips the strap and when partially moved in the opposite direction it is released from the strap prior to taking another bite or hold on the strap, if required.

Other features of the invention reside in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of my tool showing the same in operative relation to a package. Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal section thereof taken on line 3-3, Figure 1. Figur 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4, Figure 2. Figure 51s a fragmentary top plan view of the front end of the tool showing the buckle-rest and strap-clamping mechanism. Figure 6 is a front end view of the same. Figure 'l is a cross section taken on line 1-1, Figure 5. Figure 8 is a detail side view showing the.

relation of the buckle and strap portions to the 2 I tool. Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the buckle and strap-clamping assembly. Figure 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of such assembly. Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal section, similar to'Figure 3, showing the tool in its strap-tensioning position. Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing the tool in its strapcutting and forming position. Figures 13, 14 and 15 are fragmentary longitudinal sections, similar to Figure 3, showing, respectively, the tool in its strap-cutting and forming positions, its position for bending-the end of the strap over and into coupling relation with. the buckle, and the final position of sealing the strap to the buckle. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the buckle. Figure 17 is a side elevation of the buckle and the coacting strap portion, showing the terminal end of the strap bent about and inserted in the lower retaining loop of the buckle.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, it consists of an openlike, rectangular frame composed of spaced, longitudinal side rails l5, I5, a transverse tie member 15 disposed between the rear ends of said rails and suitably shaped to provide a laterally-opening guide slot i6 therein for bringing thetool into and out of engagement with the package band or strap to be operated upon by the tool as well as to provide a supportingfoot for the rear end 'of the tool, and front extensions l1, I! of substantially T-sh,ape in plan bolted or otherwise secured to the outer sides of said rails and on which the strap-clamping and buckle-rest assembly of the tool are mounted. For the purpose of manipulating the tool when buckling a retaining strap about a package or the like, a suitable handle I8 is provided which extends rearwardly from the frame. and. is fixed at its forward end in the tie member IS. The position of the tool in use is depicted in Figure 1, where 7 l9 indicates the package to be banded, 20 indicates a metallic strap or band about to be buckled and sealed about the package by the tool, and

2| indicates a completely sealed strap secured at its ends to a buckle 22.

This buckle is blanked and formed from a single piece of rectangular-shaped metal or the like folded upon itself and, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, has longitudinal flanges 23 at its opposite sides to be received by the tool in operative relation thereto, a central longitudinal passage 24 through which the opposing free ends of the strap are threaded in overlying relation, and front and rear portions offset from the top and bottom sides of the buckle to provide arched loops or straps and 26, respectively, which are inclined slightly to the plane of the buckle. One end of the strap 20 to be applied to the package is extended through the buckle-passage 24 and folded or reversely bent about the underside of the buckle, while the opposing overlying end of the strap is extended in the reverse direction through the buckle-passage. It is in this looplike position of the strap about the package that the tool is brought into operative relation there'- with and with its buckle to pull the strap snugly and tightly about the package in one stroke-like operation of the tool and hold it in that position with the free end of the overlying portion of the strap free of tension, after which the steps of cutting such untensioned free end, forming or bending it over the buckle, and finally sealing the strap-ends and buckle are performed in a second stroke-like operation of the tool. That end of the strap bent about the buckle may assume the position shown in Figures 11 and 12, or its free end may be inserted into the buckle-loop 28, as shown in Figure 17.

Guided for lateral adjustment on the lower ends of the transverse, substantially medial flanges 21 of the side rail extensions H, H, and which flanges terminate in spaced relation at their opposing inner ends to clear the side edges of th strap, as shown in Figures 5, '7, and 10, are companion block-like members or bucklerests 28 having hook-like lips 29 at their lower ends for detachable gripping engagement with the front ends of the side flanges 23 of the buckle 22,

in the manner shown in such figures and also in Figures 11 and 12. By preference, the lower guide portion 30 of the flanges 21 are substantially T-shaped and the companion interfitting grooves 3| of the buckle-rests are of like shape. Each of the latter is set in its adjusted position, as determined by the size of the buckle, by

an adjusting screw 32 mounted transversely in the corresponding side rail extension and engaging a threaded opening in the block member, in

the manner shown in Figure 7.

Disposed forwardly of the buckle-rests 28 in .parallel relation thereto and mounted for movement toward and from each other between the front ends of the side rail extensions [1, i1 are strap-engaging jaws or blocks 33 having lugs or projections 34 at the bottom sides of their inner or opposing ends for releasable supporting engagement beneath the marginal side edges of the strap 20, as shown by dotted lines in Figure l 6. These jaws are guided at their lower ends on a transverse rod 35 supported at its ends in the side rail extensions and rising from the other side of each jaw is an upright flange 36. A rotatable cylindrical cam 31 is journaled on each jaw-flange 36, but held againstaxial displacement relative thereto, and an axle 38 supported at its ends in the side rail extensions serves, jointly with the guide rod 35, to properly guide the jaws and their companion cams bodily toward and from each other. Each cam has a spiral or diagonal groove 39 disposed part-way about its periphery and extending into the same is a coupling pin 40 projecting forwardly from the upper end of the companion or adjoining buckle-rest 28, as'shown in Figures 5 and 9. A

crank handle or actuating knob 4| is connected jointly to the companion earns 31 by radial arms 42 each fixed at one end to its cam and extending at its other end through a longitudinal slot 43 formed in the handle and terminating at such end in an outwardly-bent shank 44 free to move or slide in a longitudinal opening 45 formed in the handle and in communicating relation with said slot. A cover or hood 46 extends over the cams 31 and associated parts and it has a forwardly and downwardly converging opening 41 therein through which the handle-arms 42 extend and along the edges of which they are guided. In the released or non-strap engaging position of the jaws 33, the operating handle assumes the upright position shown in Figures 3 and 6. Upon turning this handle forwardly to the substantially horizontal position shown in Figures 1 and 9, the cams 31 are turned therewith and because of the cam-groove and coupling pin construction 39, 40, the cams and their companion jaws 33 are compelled to contract or shift toward each other to bring the jaw-lugs 34 beneath and in supporting engagement with the marginal edges of the strap. In this position of the parts, the lower adjoining portions of the jaw-blocks above lugs 34 partially overhang the top or outer face of the strap in the manner shown in Figures 6 and 9.

Each strap-engaging jaw 33 is also provided with means for effectually clamping that portion of the strap forwardly of the buckle, as supported from beneath by the jaw-lugs 34, to the tool during the operation of pulling or tensioning the strap snugly about the package and subsequently sealing it to the buckle. This clamping action, furthermore, is performed simultaneously with that of the movement of the cams and the jaws to their strap-engaging position. To this end, a vertically-swinging gripping dog 48 is fulcrumed at 49 to the inner face of each jaw-block 33 and rearwardly of the cam-axle 38. a recess 50 being provided to receive it so the dog is in the operating path of the companion cam 3'! and in a plane intersecting the companion strap-supporting jaw-lug, as shown in Figures 6 and 9. This dog is preferably in the form of a two-armed lever with one arm having gripping teeth 5| at the lower end thereof and the other arm being engaged by a spring 52 .seated in an adjoining portion of the companion jaw-block and constantly urging the dogto seek a strap-gripping position. Each cam governs the movement of the companion dog into and out of its gripping position, and in the released position of the operating handle 4|, shown in Figure 3, the respective cams 31 engage the dogs in a manner to project them in a direction to bring their gripping teeth 5| above and clear of the strap. On its periphery each cam has a fiat or chordal face 53 which functions, in the operative or gripping position of the handle 4!,

to allow the companion dog 48 to be displaced by its spring 52 in a direction to bring its teeth into gripping engagement with the strap, as shown in 'Figures 9 and 15,- these dogs together with the strap-engaging mechanism which-serves to grip and pull or tighten the strap about the package, to cut the overlying stretch of the strap at a point rearwardly of the buckle, to form or shape such resulting rearward extension of the strap and fold and direct it into coupling engagement with the buckle, and to finally seal the buckle and strap to provide a strong connection. This mechanism is further so constructed as to perform the tightening operation of the strap about the package when moved in one direction, while the remaining operations are performed when the mechanism is moved in the opposite direction. This mechanism is preferably constructed as follows:

The numeral 5 3 indicates a slide-member of substantially U-shape in plan and grooved at its opposite sides for guiding engagement with the side rails l5, [50f the tool-frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 4:. .One side wall of this slide member extends somewhat below that of its opposite side and has fastened thereto a horizontally-disposed cutter block or anvil 55 extending the full length of such member and bridging the open bottom thereof. The opposite wall of the slide member has an upright recess 56 in the inner face thereof at its front end for a purposewhich will later appear. The bottom side of the cutter block is substantially in the same plane as the buckle-e rest lips 29 and jaw-lugs 34, and in operation the tool rests on the forwardly-extending or lower stretch of the strap 20 while the rearwardly-extending or overlying portion of the strap passes over the top side of such block in the manner shown in Figure 3; the tool being brought laterally into and out of operative relation with the strap. At its front end the cutter block has a pointed nose 51 and immediately to the rear and in the top side thereof has a forwardly-sloping face 58 terminating at its front end in a like-facing shoulder 59. Immediately to the rear of this sloping face is a transverse recess Bil, all of these parts of the cutter block functioning during the forming and cutting operations on the strap.

Disposed in the open space of the slide member 54 and pivoted at its lower end at 6| thereto is a vertically-swinging rock member 52 which cooperates with the cutter block in gripping,

forming, cutting and sealing the strap to the buckle. At its lower rear or corner end this rock member is serrated, as indicated at 63, so that when it is rocked rearwardly it serves as a gripping pawl by gripping the top side of the strap and clamping it firmly against the top of the cutter block or anvil 55. Forwardly of this grip-,

ping pawl portion of the rock member and extending transversely of the lower side thereof is a downwardly opening notch or groove 64 for re-. ceiving the cut or sheared end of the strap in the manner shown in Figure 13. This groove defines along the rear side thereof a cutting or shearing front edge the groove 54 defines a downwardly and rearwardly directed, substantially V-shaped die portion 66 which cooperates with the sloping face 58, shoulder 55 and pointed nose 5'! of the cutter block, upon the completion of the forward rocking stroke of the rock member, to upwardly I bend or form the severed end portion of the strap in the manner shown in Figure .12. At its lower front oncorner end the rock member-tz 'has a.?

6 second, substantially V-shaped die portion 61 which functions to .press and seal the upwardlybent end of the strap downwardly in arched -like fashion against and into couplingengagement with the buckle, as seen in Figure15. The'upp'er end of this second die portion .terminatesina forwardly-facing nib or projection 68 which func- .tions at a predetermined time in the strap-bending operation to contact theJupWardIy-be'nt tip end of the strap and, upon a forward movement 'ofthe slide and rock member, impart a slight lift thereto in order to insure a positive subsequent engagement of the die portion'Blxof such rock member with the strap-end to forceit into= coupling relation with the buckle. f

Pivoted at 69 in the slideerecess 56 adjacent the opposing outer wall of the rock member 62-is a vertically-swinging latch 70 having a spring ll abutting the same for constantly. urging it in the forwardly-swinging direction, showni n :Figure 2,

with the lower rear edge of the latch abutting the opposing inclined face of the recess. A-pin-H projects laterally from one side of the rockmember for engagement with this latch'to govern'the rocking movements of such member during the operation of the tool; When the slide member approaches the forward end of its stroke.-shown inl -lgures 12 and 13, the front end of thelatch I it abuts the opposing rear wall of thera-il-flange 'Zltocause such latch to rock rearwardly to release the coupling pin 12 therefrom-whereupon the rock member 52 is free to be rocked ina rearward direction by the manipulation-of the handle '53 to cut the strap 28 to the "proper length as 'well'as form itssheared end in themanner depicted in Figure 13. The slide and rock members or operated manually totheir'respective operatingpositionsby means of averticallyswinging operating handle or lever lapi'voted at its front end at i l between a pair of lugs 15 rising from the rock member and including a pair of toggle links 16 pivoted at one end-at 'Il to said operating lever outwardly of its pivot 74 and attheir I other ends at T8 to the upper end of the tie member 56. Between the latter and theslide member 54 is a resilient stop for cushioning its rearward movement, such stop preferably-consisting of a plunger 19 guidedin theproje'cted front end of the handle .18 and backed by a spring 30, as shown "in Figure 3. This resilient st'op also tends-to urge the slide member forwardly from its retracted position and thereby facilitates the rapid operation of the tool during the pawls 48 are depressed by cam 31, is placed over strap 251 and buckle 22 is engaged with flange portionsilt between buckle rests 2'8 and lips 29 and with the portion of the strap extending through the buckle passing through 's'lot l'fia 'at the rear of the tool and overlying anvil55 of slide as. Cam lever 42 is turned to the'position illustrated in Fig. 2 shifting strap grippingmembers 33 from their open -full line position-to the "strap engaging position dotted line position with lugs 54 engaged beneaththe strapas illustrated in Fig. 6. Inthis position pawls 48 are urged by 54,62 are shifted sprints-'52; into engagement; with the; strap, the pawl. lever arms :having: entered the chordal. re.- misses; of the.- cams. This causes. the tool. to. be retained; and the, strap; to be engaged between the; gripping: dogs- 48.' and: lugsi 3.4 against with,- drawal- OfPthBI .strap from; the. buckle but permits a, drawingmovement: of the strap; through the buckle: by the; tool. Following engagement. of the; tool. with the stranand buckle, the handle. 13; is swung to. cause thapawlend 63.0f rocker 6.2:to be. elevated above .tnerstrap. and the slide. 5.4; to slide; forwardly: a distance determined. by the. extent of movement Ofsthe: handler. Swinging: ofthe; handle in: a. re.- verse direction causes: pawl 63. to grip. the strap .aflfi-instz anvil. 55: andaslidezd l; is. forced rearward- 1y; togdraw' the; strap through the buckle and. ten.- sion ,it, the; tension thereof being: held beyond the buckle; by en agement of: dogs; 48; This. operatiqnsmayzbe-repeated, as desired to. effect. completestightening: of. the strap through the buckle and ea'ound' the; Object. In. thefstraptensioning movements; of the slide, and rock member latch "11 is; in-engagement with pin 12 limiting forward mcking; movement. of rocker 6'2 but when the strap: is; sufficiently tensioned, and; severing and fastening of ;the untensionedcut end to the-buckle ,is .,des ired; the slide is caused to be moved to a forward-position wherein. latch is tripped by engggernentwith the-rail flange; 2-! to allow further rocking of memberGZ by the handle to .cnttherstrap and bendits end upwardly by the copperating-cutting and, bending die portions of therocker fiz and anvil 55. After cutting and .formingthe strap; slide: 5 4,together with rocker 62, is moved by the handle rearwardly until the forward end portions 61 and Share disposed rearwardly of thebent end of the strap, after which the. slide. is: again advanced to cause rocker portion to initiate an upward folding movement of, the strap and portion 6.1 to fold the strap end over the upper side of the buckle. and forcethe end of the strap under. arch 25 of the buckle. Inthis movement, the untensioned severed end ot the strap. is in effect bent around the end of the-buckle, andironedinto substantially flat errgagementtwiththe buckle with the end of the strap. confined by the buckle, arch.

g The, strapa'having been tensioned, cut, formed andgfolded over and'into the buckle, camoperating; lever 4 2 is' swung upwardly to its original position and the; machine or tool isireleased from s.trap and-buckle engagement.

I claim as my invention:

1. A strap fasteningtool oftheschara'cter described, comprising aframe having meansthereon to detachably receive. a buckle to which one end ofa bandedstrap,is'connected, said buckle- ,receiving means includinglaterally-adjustable =members havingrests thereon for supportin rthe marginal side; edges of the buckle, laterally-displaceable means mountedon said frame forwardflyiofmsaid:buckle-receiving means and adapted toirecelve; and clamp thereto the other. end of he strapto befastened to the buckle, and means mounted on saidframeand operatively'connected ;-to'said strap receivingi means for actuating the same. toward and from'each other into and out of-the engagement with themarginal side edges h i ed 2. A strap fastening tool of the character described,, comprising a frame-having means thereomtohetachably receive abuckle towhich one ;end-;; of;,a banded strap. is, connected, laterallyedisnlacea'ble means; mountedon said frame forwardly 'ofsaid. buckleereceivins means and adapted: to; detachably-receive the other end of the. strap to be'fastened' to the buckle, gripping elements: mountedon. said strap-receiving means forreleasably clamping such: strap portion thereto, andymeans, mounted on said frame and 0D- eratively connected to. the strap-receiving, means for-actuating the sameinto and out of receiving relation: with. the strapend the gripping elements into. and", out. of: clamping relation with the. strap.

3.. A strap; fasteningv tool of the. character de;- scribed, comprisingaaframe having meansithereon to: dcta-chably' receive: a buckle to, which one end of; a; banded strap. is connected, means mounted on said frame forwardly of said bucklereceiving; means for; movement laterallythereof into: and out: Of receiving relation with the other end of the strap, spring pressed gripping elements. applied to; said: strap-receiving means in correlation thereto. for releasably clamping. such strap: portion thereto, and manually controlled actuating: means for the. strap-receiving means and the gripping: elements for causing the projectionof the.strap-receivingxmeansintoreceiving engagement and for releasing the gripping element: for gripping engagement with the strap whenimoved inone direction and the retraction of: such parts to: their released positions when moved inthe oppositedirection.

l: A strap fastening. tool" of? thecharacter described; comprising aframehaving means thereon to detachably receive a buckle to which one end: of av banded strap is connected, means mounted on saidiframe forwardly of said bucklereceiving means: for movement laterally. thereof into: and. out. of receiving; relation. with the other end of: the strap, vertically-displaceable' gripping elements pivoted on said straprreceiving means for rele asably clamping the .strapthereto, springs engaging saidelements for normally urging them to; a. clampingposition, and. manually actuated, oscillatory and laterally-movable means. operatively' connected: to. said strap-receiving means forcausing: their lateral displacement into and out. of receiving relation with the strap, said oscillatory means. having: portions in governing relationwithrsaid gripping elements for controlling; their simultaneous. companion displacement into. and out ofclamping engagement with the strap.

.5. A strap fastening tool of the character described, comprising'a frame having means thereon; to: detachably'receive a buckle to which one end of. a bandedv strap is connected, means mounted on said-frame forwardly of'said bucklereceiving. means for movement laterally thereof intoand' out of'receiving relation with the other end of the strap; vertically-displaceable gripping elements. pivoted on said strap-receiving. means for releasably clamping thestrap thereto, springs engagingsaid elements for normally urging them to. aclamping position, manually-actuated oscillatory and. laterally-movable means operatively connected; to said. strap-receiving means for causing their lateral. displacement into and out of; receiving. relation with the strap, said oscillatory.- means having portions in governing relation: with said gripping elements. for controlling their simultaneous companion displacement into and out. oficlamping engagement with the strap,

andan operatingmember for said oscillatory and laterally-movable means including radial arms fixed: at one end. to: such means and a handle slotted to; receive. the. other. ends of said arms to. permit; the; movement. of: said arms laterally toward and from each other and. relative to said handle.

I 6. Astrap fastening tool of the character described, comprising a frame, buckle-receiving members mounted on said frame for lateral adjustment toward and from each other and having rests at their lower ends for supporting the marginal side edges of a buckle, strap-engagin members mounted on said frame forwardly of said buckle-receiving members for lateral displacement toward and from each other into and out of receiving engagement with the strap, spring pressed gripping elements pivoted on said com panion strap-engaging members for releasablyclamping the strap thereto, and means for actuating said strap-engaging members into and out of their strap-engaging positions and for controlling the displacement of their gripping elements into and out of their clamping positions, said means including spirally-grooved cams operatively connected to said members to travel laterally therewith and free to turn relatively thereto, coupling pins projecting from said buckle-receiving members and engaging the grooves of the companion cams, and an operating handle jointly connected to said cams for turning them in one direction or the other to correspondingly displace the strap-engaging members into and out of their operative position, said cams having portions thereon in governing relation with said gripping elements for causing their simultaneous displacement into and out of clamping engagement with the strap.

7. A strap fastening tool of the character described, comprising a frame having a handle at one end and means at its opposite end to detachably receive a buckle to which one end of a strap is connected, releasable clamping means applied to said frame forwardly of said buckle-receiving means for guidingly engaging and gripping the other end of the strap, a strap-engaging slide and rocker mechanism guided for longitudinal movement on said frame to the rear "of the bucklereceiving means and including complementary elements thereon for clamping the strap thereto, for cutting the strap end to the rear ofithe buckle and for forming and sealing such end over the buckle, and a vertically-swinging lever operatively connected to the frame and said mechanism for imparting a fore and aft sliding and rocking action thereto for causing the clamping of the strap on its forward movement and for causing the forming and sealing operations on its rearward movement.

8. A strap fastening tool of the character described, comnrising a frame having a handle at one end and means at its opposite end to detachably receive a buckle to which one end of a strap is connected, releasable clamping means applied to said frame forwardly of said bucklereceiving means for guidingly engaging and gripping the other end of the strap, a strap-engaging slide and rocker mechanism guided for longitudinal movement on said frame to the rear of the buckle-receiving means and including complementary elements thereon for clamping 'the strap thereto, for cutting the strap end to the rear of the buckle and for forming and sealing such end over the buckle, and a vertically-swinging lever operatively connected to said mechanism for imparting a fore and aft sliding and rocking action thereto for causing the clamping of the strap on its forward movement and for causing the forming and sealing operations on its rearward movement, said lever being pivoted at its free end to atherocker portionof said mechanism and link-connected outwardly; I. of such pivot to the rear endof said frame.

9. A strap fastening toolof thecharacter described, comprising aframehavingga handle at one end and means at its opposite end todetacha'bly receive a buckle to ;-which-one end of a strap is connected, releasable clampingmeans applied. to said frame forwardly of said buckle: receiving means for ,guidingly, engaging -and gripping the othersend of'thestrapga strapengaging slide and rocker mechanism guided for,

longitudinal movement: on-said frame to the rear of the buckle-receiving means and. including complementary elements thereon for clampin the strap thereto, for cutting the-strap venchto;

the rear of, the buckle and forforming and sealing such end over the buckle, the rocker portion of said mechanism being pivoted on theqslide portion thereof for relative vertically swinging movement to impart a clamping action on-the strap when rocked in one direction andto 1m:

part a cutting and forming action on that -pQI-1 tion of the straprearwardly of the buckle when rocked in the reverse directionand manually; operated lever andlatch means operativelycon-, nected to said frame and saidslide "and rocker mechanism for imparting relative fore and-aft sliding and: rocking movements thereto 5 10. A strap fastening tool of the-character de-s scribed, comprisingva framehaving a handle at one endand means .atyits :op-posite end to detachably receive a buckle toiwhich one end-,of

a strap is connected, releasable-clamping means; applied to said frame forwardly, ot-saidbucklereceiving means for guidinglw -engaging and gripping the Other endof the strap astrapengaging slidei'and; rocker mechanism; guided for longitudinal movementon said frame .to the rear of the buckle-deceiving:,means,;;-the slide portion of such mechanism being substantially U -shapein" plan and having an anvil-like mem ber bridging" the lower "endg thereof -,overwh-ich the strap is adapted to extend, the rocker por-fl tion of such mechanism being pivoted adjacent its lower end in the U-space of the slide portion for vertically-swinging movement, the opposing faces of said anvil-like member and said rocker having complementary strap-clamping portions thereon, engageable with each other when the rocker is swung in one direction and having complementary shearing and die-forming portions for cutting and forming the end of the strap when the rocker is swung in the reverse direction, and manually operable lever means connected to said rocker portion and said frame for sliding and operating the rocker mechanism.

said mechanism having an'anvil-like member.

at its lower end over which the strap extends and provided at its front end with a nose for bending the free end of the' strap over the buckle, and the rocker of said mechanism'having a die portion complementary, to said anvil nose for bending and pressing the free end of thestrap in sealing relation to the "buckle, "said rd'ckerh'aving a second die portion thereon {engageable with the tip of the bent end for the strap to impart a slight lift thereto for properly presenting the resulting bend in the strap between the complementary :die portions of the rocker and anvil member, and manually operable lever means connected to said rocker portion and said "frame for sliding and operating the rockermechanism.

12. Afstrap fastening tool ofthe character :described, comprising a frame having a :handle .at its -1ear-end, a strap-clamping means at the ,front end of the frame, =means-on said frame for detachablysupporting a buckle reamardly of the strapclamping means, a slide member engageable w ith the strap and guided for longitudinal movement -on the frame toward and from the buckle-supporting means, a rocker member'pivotd at its lower end to said slide member to swing vertically, complementary elements on said slide and roc'k'er members for Jointly operatingon the free end of the strap "to cut, form and'seal the same with the buckle, a verticallyswinging-operating lever pi-voted atits front end to the upper endof said rockermember for actuating the latter and the slide member, a link p'iv'oted at one-end to the rear-end of said .irame and at its other end to :sa'id Z-lever outwardly :of itspi'vot, a "-latch fdl'crumedon said slide member and having a spring bearing thereon for normally urging it to a forwardly-projected :position, and a pin applied to said :rocker member and gmovable therewith into and out :of coupling engagement withsaid latch.

5 13. A strap fas'teningtooloi the character .described, comprising a irame having means at its head-end for guiding engagement with the strap and tor supporting "a buckle in operative relatl'c'in'th'ereto -and'-having'means 'at'its rear end for guiding engagement with the straps, clamping m'eans applied to the head end *of said frame for releasably gripping the strap between it andsaid 1 2 head end fguidin'g means, a slide member guided on said frame between the front and rear ends thereof :and including .adie portion over the top and bottom faces of which the opposing strap ends are adapted to overlie, a rocker :member fulcrumed on said (slide in correlation with the die portion thereof and having gripping, cutting, forming and sealing :elements thereon, areleasable latching connect-ion'between said 'slide and rocker members, and an actuating means .operatively connected'tolsaid frame and tosaidslide and rocker members ifor governing said latching connection and causing the actuation Of the roc'kermember in one directionfor effecting the gripping and tensioning of the strap about the package when :such means is moved in one direction and .for causing the actuation of the rocker member :and the slide member in the 1'everse direction for effecting .the cutting, forming and sealing of the cutend of the strap over and in coupling engagement with the buckle when said actuating means is moved in the opposite direction.

BERNIE .M. CRAIG.

"REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 493,330 Harding Mar. 14, 1893 1,712,037 Halter May 7, 1929 1,939,746 Whitman Dec. 19, 1933 2,036,866 'fFrost .Apr. 7, 1936 2,100,601 Harvey Nov. 30, 1937 2,267,532 Moberg Dec. 23, 1941 2,368,969 Cleveland Feb. 6, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 71,329 Norway Dec. 9, 1946

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