US2638314A

US2638314A - Hand strap tensioning tool

Info

Publication number: US2638314A
Application number: US231588A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernard T Mcferren; Fred S Seybert
Original assignee: Sharon Steel Corp
Current assignee: Sharon Steel Corp
Priority date: 1951-06-14
Filing date: 1951-06-14
Publication date: 1953-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-12

Description

May 12, 1953 B. T.MFE RREN ETA; 2,638,314

HAND STRAP TENSIONING T601.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1951 INVENTORS rnard TM Ferren Be an FredS.Seybert d ATTORNEYS May 12, 1953 a MQFE REN ET 2,638,314

HAND STRAP TENSIONING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1951 I INVENTORS Bernard TM Ferren a Fred S. Seybert' "a; wfigw M ATTORNEYS Patented May 12, 952.

UNITEDQ'STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,638,314 HAND STRAP TENSIONING TOOL Bernard T. McFerren, Youngstown, and Fred S. Seybert, -Warren, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to, Sharon Steel Corporation,

Sharon, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 14, 1951, Serial No. 231,588

7 6 Claims.

The invention relates generally to tools for stretching or tensioning metal'straps or bands around a bundle or package, the.overlapped ends of the straps being then secured together by a suitable sealing tool. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved hand stretching tool having novel means for raising the feed wheel to permit insertion of the overlapped, ends of the strap between the feed wheel which engages the top end and the anchoring plug which engages the bottom end. It is customary while holding the tool with the feed wheel adjusted or raised, to apply the tool laterally over the overlapped ends of the strap to position the strap ends directly under the feed wheel, whereupon the feed wheel is lowered to engage the top end of the strap.

In certain prior hand stretching tools such as that shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,969,115, issued August '7, 1934, to A. T. Bergstrom, 'the feed wheel is mounted on an eccentric shaft which is rotatably adjustable by a separate handle for raising and lowering the feed wheel. This. adjusting handle projects laterally from one side of the tool and causes the tool to be unbalanced. Moreover, the operation of the laterally projecting adjusting handle requires either the use of both hands or holding the tool in one hand and operating the handle by pushing it against a solid object like the edgeof a table, and this places the tool in an awkward position.

Furthermore, in such prior tools, if thefeed wheel and eccentric shaft are not machined to fit substantially perfectly, when the, tensioning handle is oscillated during the stretching op-' eration the feed wheel tends to slip on the metal strapping, with the result that the operator has to hold down on theiadjusting handle while oscillating the tensioning handle. 3

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hand tensioning tool in which the feed wheel is adjusted by manipulation of the tensioning handle and does not requirea' separate adjusting handle. 1 1

Another object is to provide a novel hand tensioning tool in which the feed wheel is raised and held in raised position using one hand, only which at the same time supports the tool in position to apply it to the overlapped ends of the band. I

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hand'tensioning tool in whichthe feed wheel isfraised by squeezing the tensioning handle.

A further object is to provide a novel hand tensioning tool in which the feed wheel is easily adjusted but does not slip on the strap during the tensioning operation.

A still further object is to provide a novel hand tensioning tool which is lighter in weight, better balanced and more easily manipulated than prior tensioning tools. 1

- These and other objects are accomplished by i the parts, improvements, combinations and arrangements comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification as exemplifying the best known mode of carrying out the invention, the nature of the invention being set forth in the following general statement, and the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

In general terms, the novel tool includes a feed wheel journaled on a shaft which is pivotally mounted for swinging upwardly in slots in a frame to raise the feed wheel with respect to the frame, the tensioning handle being journaled on the feed wheel shaft and having a ratchet pawl for driving the feed wheel, there being a shoulder on the frame on which to rock the tensioning handle and raise the feed wheel by releasing the pawl and squeezing the handle toward the frame, and there being a stop on. the handle operatively connected to the pawl and normally engaging the frame to prevent rooking the handle to raise the feed wheel.

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example;

Figure 1 is a' plan view of the improved tool, part of the handle being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, parts being broken away; 7

Fig. 3 is a front end view thereof with parts broken I away;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view as on line 4-4, Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts broken away and in section, showing the manner of releasing the pawl and squeezing the handle lever I to raise the feed wheel;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view as on line 6-4:, Fig. l; and

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view as on line 1-1, Fig. 4.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts I throughout the several views of the drawings.

The improved tool preferably includes a main frame indicated generally at It which is provided with spaced bases or feet H and I2 adapted to rest upon a surface of a bundle ,or package around which the metal strap or band is being tensioned or stretched. The overlapping ends and b of the band are adapted to be positioned over the front foot i I and the rear portion of the band is adapted to extend under the rear foot 12, there being a slot l3 provided in the bottom surface of the rear foot for receiving the band. The front foot Ii has screwed therein a hard ened plug 14- having an upper serrated surface l4 projecting above the upper surface of the foot for engaging the lower portion b of the strap to frictionally hold it as the other end of; the strap is stretched by the feed wheel, 7

3 As best shown in figs. 1, 3 and 7., the front foot H is connected on one side of the strap position with a vertical longitudinally extending flange [5 which forms part of the main frame it. Another vertical longitudinally extending flange i6 is laterally spaced from the flange P5 and parallel therewith, and flanges 415 and at are connected at the front of the tool by atransverse web ll, the rear ends of the flanges being connected by a transverse web it. Preferably, the main frame includes a substantially horizontal rib portion M? which extends rearwardly from the top of web 18 and curves downwardly at its rear to join the rear foot 1'2. Preferably, the frame also includes .a horizontal rib 20 extending along one side of the tool and connecting the bottom portion of flange 5 with the foot 12. Thus the ribs [9 and 20 define ahand hole in the frame between "the feet 11 and [2, for carrying and supporting the tool in a balanced position in one hand.

The feed wheel indicated generally at '21: is mounted between the flanges 15 and :iB directly over the plug It, so that the overlapping ends of the strap may be gripped between {the "feed wheel and the plug. The feed wheel is Journaled on a feed wheel shaft 2'2 having its ends extending through slotted openings 23 in the flanges 1'5 and 1 6. The shaft 22 is normally positio'ned in the lower ends of the slots 23, as "indicated in Fig. 2, and the slots extend upwardly and forwardly therefrom for a purpose to be described. Preferably, the outer ends of theishaft '22 are grooved and carry split retaining rings 24 which retain washers 25 engirdling the s'h'aft and covering the slots23.

The shaft 22 is swingably supported on the flanges l5 and 15 by a pair of links 233 which are pivoted at their upper ends on pins 27 secured in the flanges l5 and it, the shaft .22 being journalecl in the lower ends of the links 2.6. The angle of inclination of the slots "23 substantially coincides with arcs on a radius measured "from the pivot pins 21 as the centers, and the shaft has enough clearance in the slots so that as the shaft 22 is swung in the links the shaft can move in the slots 23 from one end to the other, thereof the slots 23 acting as guides "for the shaft.

As shown, the feed wheel 12! .is provided with laterally spaced circular serrated ,portions .29 which are adapted to grip the upper overlapped portion 2) of the strap as best shown in Fig. '7. Between the serrated portions '29 the feed wheel is provided with a recessed circular series of ratchet teeth 3b which areadaptedt'o be engaged by a driving pa'wl'tl at the rear .of the'fe'ed Wheel and by a holding pawl 32 at the front thereof. The holding pawl is journaled on .a pawl shaft 33 having its ends mounted in the flanges f5 and it with split retaining rings 3 on the projecting ends of the shaft. A coil spring "35 is looped over the upper end of the pawl and is coiled around the shaft 33 with its *fa'e'e ends abutting the web l7 so as to *urge 'the end '01 the pawl into holding engagement with the ratchet teeth so, "as best shown in Fig. 4. ICollars 36 onthe shaft 33 at eac'h 'side o'f the holding pawl 32 carry relatively heavy coil springs 31, the rear ends 38 of which ipress downwardly on the lower ends of the :links 26 and normally urge the shaft 22 :rearwardly downward against the lower ends of slots 23.

The oscillating handle for arotatingthe :feed

zoomorisingv laterally spaced arms 4! which straddle the feed wheel and fit between the feed wheel and the links 26, the front ends of the arms being journaled on the feed wheel shaft, as best shown in Fig. 7. The handle do prefer ably has an inverted U-shape in cross section andih'asaiknob 42 :on its rear end.

The driving pawl 3| is pivoted on a pin 43 extending between and mounted in the arms ll of the handle yoke, the lower end it of the pawl being adapted selectively to engage the ratchet teeth '30 of the feed wheel to drive the same in a clockwise direction, so that the serrations 2d grip the upper "end portion of b of the band and slide 'it over the "lower portion b which is frictionally held stationary by the plug is. A coil spring '45, looped over the end 3 5 of the pawl and wrapped around the pin 43, with its free ends abutting a "pin '46 secured between the yoke arms urges "the end M of the pawl into driving engagement with one of the teeth so of the feed wheel. Thus, if the handle MI is "raised to the dotdash position shown in Fig. 4, the pawl ratchets over the teeth 3]] of the feed wheel and engages a higher tooth, whereupon when the handle oscillated downwardly the feed wheel is rotated clockwise to slide the end b of the band forwardly and tighten the band around a package, after which the overlapped ends can be sealed by 'asuitable sealing tool.

In order to raise the feed wheel to allow insertion or removal of the overlapped ends of the band, the "feed wheel shaft 22 is raised to the upper ends of the slots '23. This operation is accomplished in the present improved tool by squeezing the handle All with the same hand holds the tool with the fingers inserted under the rib 1'9, in the manner shown in Fig.

- 5. To raise the feed wheel, the upper end of the driving pawl 31 is pushed with'the thumb to release the lower end 4! of the pawl, in the man-- ner shown in "Fig. "5, the pawl end 44 being withdrawn into a notch '41 provided "at the top of theweb .l 8, best 'shownxin Fig. 4.

The upper end of the pawl all is connected by means :of a link "48 to the upper end of a stop arm "#9 pivoted on a pin'lifl secured in the handle Ml, the lower end of the stop arm normally resting on the rib 19 of the frame and preventing further downward movement of the handle it). When the ,pawl "85! is released by pushing forwardly on -its upper end, the link swings the lower end of the stop arm "49 rearwardly, as in Fig. 5, allowing the handle to swing downwardly until the yoke arms "'4"! rest on the shoulder 5i formed at the upper end of the web it.

Now, if the handle so is squeezed toward the rib E9 of "the frame, the handle will rock on theshoulder 5| as a fulcrum and raise the shaft 22 toward the upper ends of the slots 23, consequen'tly raising the feed wheel 2! as shown in Fig. ,5 to provide clearance between the feed wheel and the overlapped ends of the band to permit their "insertion or removal. As shown in Figs. 4 and '5, a stop pin 52 may be provided at the rear of the ,pin .50 for abutting the stop arm '49 .tolimi't its .rearwardswing.

Accordingly, when the operator-of .thetool desires to raise the feed wheelfor inserting or removing .the overlapped ends of the band, he merely lpushes ion the upper .end of pawl and then squeezes the handle without changing the tool in a balanced position, excepting to move wheel is provided at its vfront end with .a woke position of his *hand which normally carries the his thumb slightly and then squeeze with the fingers. Thus the operators other hand remains free for other operations such as positioning the overlapped ends of the band for ready insertion into the tool.

In operating the tool during the stretching operation, each time the handle is lowered, the stop arm 45 abuts the top of rib is and prevents the handle from rocking on the shoulder 51' and raising the feed wheel shaft 22. Thus the feed wheel drives the upper portion of the band forwardly without any slippage, because the downward motion of the handle tends to force the shaft 22 downwardly and increase the grippin action, and the shaft raises only when the pawl ill is manipulated to swing the stop arm 49 rearwardly and allow the handle so to rock on the shoulder 5 1.

Moreover, the improved. tool is always well balanced because there is no offset or laterally projecting adjusting handle as in many prior constructions. The tool is light in weight and inexpensive to manufacture and is easily carried and manipulated without resulting in fatigue of the operator.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a stretching tool, the combination of a frame, a feed wheel shaft, a feed wheel journaled on said shaft, means swingably mounting said shaft in said frame permitting raising and lowering said feed wheel, a handle lever journaled on said shaft, a ratchet pawl operatively connecting said handle lever to said feed wheel, a shoulder on said frame for abutting said handle lever, said shoulder providing a fulcrum about which the handle lever may rock to raise the feed wheel, and a stop arm pivoted on the handle lever operatively connected to said pawl and normally engaging the frame to prevent rocking the handle.

2. In a stretching tool, the combination of a frame, a feed wheel shaft, a feed wheel journaled on said shaft, links pivotally mounted on the frame and swingably mounting said shaft in said frame, said frame having guide slots receiving the ends of said shaft, a handle lever journaled on said shaft, a ratchet pawl operatively connecting said handle lever to said feed wheel, a shoulder on said frame for abutting said handle lever said shoulder providing a fulcrum about which the handle lever may rock to swing the feed wheel upwardly, and a stop arm pivoted on the handle lever operatively connected to said pawl and normally engaging the frame to prevent rocking the handle.

3 In a stretching tool, the combination of a frame, a feed wheel shaft, a feed wheel journaled on said shaft, links pivotally mounted on the frame and swingably mounting said shaft in said frame, said frame having guide slots receivin the ends of said shaft, spring means urging said shaft to lowered position, a handle lever journaled on said shaft, a ratchet pawl operatively connecting said handle lever to said feed wheel, a shoulder on said frame for abutting said handle lever said shoulder providing a fulcrum about which the handle lever may rock to raise the feed wheel, and a stop arm pivoted on the handle lever operatively connected to said pawl and normally engaging the frame to prevent rocking the handle.

4. In a stretching tool having a frame, a shaft, 2. feed wheel journaled on the shaft, and a tensioning handle lever journaled on said shaft for actuating the feed wheel, links upon the frame swingably mounting said. feed wheel shaft in said frame for raising and lowering movement, said frame having guide slots receiving the ends of the feed wheel shaft, and a shoulder on the frame for abutting an intermediate portion of the handle said shoulder providing a fulcrum about which the handle may rock to raise the feed wheel, and a stop movably mounted on the handle for normally engaging the frame to prevent the handle from contacting said shoulder.

5. In a stretching tool having a frame, a feed wheel, a shaft for the feed wheel iournaled in the frame, a tensioning handle journaled on said shaft, and a ratchet pawl connecting said handle to said feed wheel, links pivotally mounted on the frame and swingably mounting said shaft on said frame, said frame having slots receiving and guiding said shaft, a rib extending longitudinally of the frame and forming a hand hole therein, a shoulder at the front end of said rib for abutting an intermediate portion of the handle in lowered position, and a stop arm pivoted on the handle operatively connected to said pawl and normally engaging said rib when the handle is lowered, whereby releasing said pawl will release said stop arm and allow squeezing the handle downwardly toward said rib to rock said handle on said shoulder and raise the feed wheel.

6. In a stretching tool having a frame, a feed wheel, a shaft for the feed wheel jcurnaled in the frame, a tensioning handle journaled on said shaft, and a ratchet pawl connecting said handle to said feed wheel, links pivotally mounted on the frame and swingably mounting said shaft on said frame, said frame having slots receiving and guiding said shaft, a rib extending longitudinally of the frame and forming a hand hole therein, a shoulder at the front end of said rib for abutting an intermediate portion of the handle in lowered position, spring means urging said feed wheel to lowered position, and a stop arm pivoted on the handle operatively connected to said pawl and normally engaging said rib when the handle is lowered, whereby releasing said pawl will release said stop arm and allow squeezing the handle downwardly toward said rib to rock said handle on said shoulder and raise the feed wheel.

BERNARD T. MCFERREN. FRED S. SEYBERT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number