US3483900A - Seal attaching method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 16, 1969 H. PALMLEAF ET Al- SEAL ATTACHING METHOD AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 16, 1967 fnUenZLaifsx Hebeml Palmjeaj Cer ZK@ dijen L'c/zadlewzjso nf. WM-

Dec. 16, 1969 H, PALMLEAF ET AL SEAL TTACHNG METHOD AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Shes?J 2 Filed March 16, 196'? .ww @m Q@ NNL Dec. 16, 11969 H. PALMLEAF ET AL 3,483,900

SEAL ATTACHING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I 1 L M66 43 3 9 Dec. 16, 1969 H. FALMLEAF ET AL SEAL ATTACHNG METHOD AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 16, 1967 Dec. 16, M969 H. PALMLEAF ET AL SEAL ATTACHING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed March 1e, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

nited States Patent O W 3,483,960 SEAL A'fTACl-HNG METHGD AND APPARATUS Herbert Palmleaf, Lake Forest, lil., Albert T. Koehler,

hionticelio, ind., and Richard Lewis Mason, Das

Plaines, lll., assignors to A. J. Gerrard & Company,

Des Plaines, lll., a corporation of illinois Filed 16, 1967, Ser. No. 623,636 int. Cl. BZH' 45/16; BZld 39/04 US. Cl. IL-93.4 19 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DliSCLSURE A method and apparatus for attaching a seal member to a strap band prior to securing the strap band to another strap portion by clinching of portions of the seal onto the second strap. The apparatus includes a seal supporting and strap positioning fixture and an actuating mechanism including crimping jaws operable to cut portions of the seal and crimp the cut portions onto the strap so as to attach the seal thereto preparatory to securing the strap and seal to a second strap.

Background of the invention In the fields of packaging and material handling, and in particular the packagi g of relatively large bulk items, it is conventional to utilize straps or bands to secure the bulk items in bundle form. For example, in the baling of cotton, straps or bands are conventionally wrapped around a bale and the ends of each strap are secured together to firmly retain the cotton in baled form. When the baled cotton reaches its shipping destination, the straps are cut to break down the bale. It is a common practice to reuse the cut straps by securing the cut segments together to obtain a length suflicient to wrap cornpletely around a bundle or bale. Difficulties arise in the known methods of securing the ends of new strip band stock or spliced straps together when the bands are wrapped around a bale. For example, the ends of the strap must generally be manually held together while securing them; a loose strap end is generally left hanging which causes injury to adjacent bales and to the persons handling the bales; and the known methods are time consuming. Gne known method for securing the ends of a strap together about a bale employs a buckle aflixed to one end of the strap with the free end of the strap being coupled to the buckle through inter-wrapping of the free end with the buckle member. The known buckle method of securing the ends of a strap together about a bale or bundle is diflicult and clumsy in operation, ineliicient for its intended purpose, and relatively expensive. Moreover, the use of such a buckle generally leaves a loose end of the strap hanging free, thereby causing damage to adjacent bales or bundles and causing injury to persons handling the bundles.

Summary of the invention lt is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for attaching a seal member to one end of a strap band prior to wrapping the strap about a bale or bundle, to thereby facilitate securing of the ends of the strap about the bundle in a quick and eflicient manner.

Another Object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a'seal member to a strap band generally adjacent one end thereof to allow the end of the band having the seal thereon to be brought into overlying relation with another band portion and secured thereto in a manner to preclude an end portion of the band from extending loosely beyond the seal and thereby causing injury to adjacent articles.

Patented Dec. 15, 1969 A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a seal member to a strap band in a manner to tixedly crimp portions of the seal to the band without disturbing portions of the seal which are to be subsequently clinched upon a second strip band to thereby secure the two strap bands together.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for attaching a seal member to a strap band which includes the steps of cutting portions of the seal in a manner to form tabs which are bent over and crimped upon the strap band to thereby xedly attach the seal to the band, while maintaining the seal in a conguration to readily receive a second strap band portion therein for subsequent clinching of the seal member onto the second strap band.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for attaching a seal member to a strap band, which apparatus utilizes a novel crimping jaw mechanism to form tab portions on the seal member and crimp the tab portions onto a strap band disposed adjacent thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for attaching a seal member to a strapband, which apparatus includes a novel control circuit havin(7 safety switches which preclude operation of the apparatus without a strap band being placed in proper position relative to a seal to be attached thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for attaching a seal member to a strap band which eliminates the need for manually placing a seal member about two strap bands to be secured together, and which method facilitates a highly eliicient positioning and securing of a strap band and seal to a second strap band portion.

In a preferred embodiment of a seal attaching apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, a seal securing mechanism including a pair of spaced parallel side plates is adapted to be supported by a support plate on a portable stand. Seal guide and advancing means are supported on the support plate and are operatively associated with the seal securing mechanism to selectively feed individual seal members of a continuous length of seals into the seal securing mechanism. The seal securing mechanism further includes vertically reciprocal means comprising a cutter blade for severing an advanced seal member from the continuous length of seals, a pair of seal retaining lingers adapted to retain the severed seal within the securing mechanism during upward movement of the seal, a seal stop for maintaining the severed seal in axial position within the securing mechanism, and opposed pairs of pivotally supported crimping jaws which serve to cut tab portions from the seal member and crimp the tab portions onto a strap band disposed in overlying relation on the seal member during upward movement of the jaws. A hold down and shear block is pivotally supported adjacent the seal securing mechanism and operatively associated with the seal stop so as to pivot downwardly and firmly retain the strap band against the upper surface of the raised seal member during cutting of the tab portions and crimping thereof onto the strap adjacent the forward end.

A pair of operating switches are preferably provided in a control circuit which includes upper and lower travel limit switches and start7 stop and run switches to control actuation of the apparatus. The operating switches are positioned such that one of them will be actuated by the forward end of the strap band when properly positioned to have a seal attached thereto. while the other operating switch must be depressed by the operator when the strap band is properly positioned within the seal securing mechanisrn. The limit switches are such that after a seal member has been attached to the forward end of a strap band and the strap and attached seal removed from the apparatus by the operator, the vertically reciprocable elements of the seal securing mechanism will stop in their lowermost positions preparatory to the next cycle.

Further objects and advantages of our invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views and where:

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a seal securing apparatus embodying the present invention, with the seal supplying mechanism and the hydraulic actuating circuit being omitted;

FIGURE 2 is an end view taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIGURE l, with the control switch plate and limit switches removed;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the seal securing device of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top view, taken partly in section, with the seal cover plate being removed to illustrate a plupality of connected seal members disposed between the seal guide rails and a seal between the seal retaining lingers, the crimping jaws being in their upward crimping positions;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of FIGURE l, illustrating the crimping jaws in their uppermost crimping positions;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 1, but illustrating the crimping jaws of the seal securing mechanism in their lowermost neutral positions;

FIGURE 8 is a reduced elevational view taken substantially along the line 8 8 of FIGURE 6 illustrating the travel limit control switch arrangement for the seal securing mechanism;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view illustrating a seal member fixedly attached to a strap band adjacent the end thereof prior to securing the seal and strap band to a second strap portion;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view illustrating the seal and strap of FIGURE 9 after securing them to a second strap band; and

FIGURE 1l is a diagrammatic view of an electrical control circuit which may be utilized in the seal securing device of FIGURE l.

Description of preferred embodiments Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURES l-3, a seal securing mechanism, designated generally by reference numeral 20, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as being supported by a support plate member 22. The support plate member 22 also serves t0 support seal guiding means, designated generally by reference numeral 24, seal advancing means, illustrated generally at reference numeral 26, a strap guide means 28, and operating switch means, designated generally at reference numerals and 32, respectively, all of which will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow.

The support plate member 22 and its associated supported elements are preferably suitably secured to the upper surface of a bench stand or cabinet top, such as that ydesignated at reference numeral 2 in U.S. Patent No. 2,933,958, to Koehler et al., issued Apr. 26, 1960, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The seal attaching apparatus according to the present invention is preferably mounted on a portable stand or cabinet which can be readily maneuyered into ,con-

.4 venient position at a site whererstrap bands are being utilized in packaging or baling.

The seals, one of which is illustrated in FIGURES i and l0 by reference numeral 34, are preferably formed from suitable metal strip stock and include a at base portion 36 and generally upstanding side portions 38 which, subsequent to the seal 34 being attached to a metallic strap band 48 as hereinafter described, serve to allow the strap band 4) to be xedly secured to a second strap band portion 42 (FIGURE 10) which may comprise the opposite free end of the strap band 40 or any other strap band to which it is desired to secure the strap band 40. Preferably, a plurality of seal members 34 are formed as a continuous strip of connected seals, such as illustrated in FIGURE 1l of the referenced Koehler et al. Patent No. 2,933,958. The continuous strip of connected seals is preferably provided in roll form and supplied to the seal guiding means 24 of the present invention from a supply roll in a conventional known manner.

The seal guiding means 24, the seal advancing means 26, and the strap guide means 28 are similar to those disclosed in the said Koehler et al. Patent No. 2,933,958 and form no part of the present invention. Basically, the seal guiding means 24 comprises a pair of laterally spaced parallel guide rails or bars 42 which form a passageway therebetween adapted to receive the strip or' seals 34 such that the upstanding side portions 38 of the seals will be guided by the opposing inner surfaces of the guide rails. The guide rails 42 are suitably secured to the upper surface of the support plate member 22 by a plurality of shouldered cap screws 44, 46. The shouldered heads of the cap screws 44 extend upwardly above the guide rails 42 and are adapted to retain a cover plate 48 in overlying relation on the guide rails 42 so as to provide a tunnel-like passageway for guiding the seal members 34. The cover plate 48 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending slots 50 adjacent the seal crimping mechanism 20 and a pair of keyhole shaped openings 52 at the opposite end of the cover plate to receive the Shanks of the associated shouldered cap screws 44 with the heads of the cap screws serving to abut the upper surface of the cover plate and thereby releasably retain it against the guide rails 42. The cover plate 48 may be locked in assembled relation on the guide rails 42 by a lever bar 54 pivotally mounted at 56 on an upstanding support member 58 secured to the upper surface of the support plate member 22 as by cap screws 60. The lever bart54 is adapted to engage a locking stud or knob 62 xedly supported on the cover plate 48 and a stud 64 secured to the support plate member 22, thereby preventing movement of the cover plate 48 in a releasing direction when the bar lever 54 is in its downward locking position as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3. Upward pivotal movement of the bar lever 54 allows movement of the cover plate 48 to the left, when viewing FIGURE 3, thereby allowing it to be removed from the guide rails 42.

An inner guide rail 66 comprising a generally rectangular cross sectional shaped member is secured to the Iundersurface of the cover plate 48 such that it is disposed centrally between the inner opposing side surfaces of the guide rails 42. The inner guide rail 66 has a width and depthsuch that a generally C-shaped passageway will be formed between the inner rail 66, the upper surface of the support plate 22, and the guide rails 42. The length of the inner guide rail is preferably at least twice the length of one of the seal members 34 and is positioned generally adjacent the seal securing mechanism 20 to prevent any upward movement of the seals during operation of the seal advancing means 26 as will be explained more fully hereinbelow.

Each of the guide rails 42 is adapted to support a cylindrical index pin 68 (FIGURE 3) for reciprocal movement within a bore 70 provided in the guide rail such that the central axes of the index pins 68 are coincidentq aisasoo Each of the index pins 68 has a threaded stem portion 72 which extends outwardly through an aperture 74 in the bottom wall of the bore 7'1 and receives a pair ofA lock nuts 76 which serve to limit inward movement of the index pin 68. The index pins 68 are urged inwardly by compression coil springs 78 which are disposed about the reduced threaded stem portions 72 within the bores and seat against the bottom of the bore 76 and the head of the index pin 68. The index pins 68 are preferably provided with conically shaped annular edge portions `69 which serve to engage inclined edge portions 39 of adjacent seal members 34 to accurately position or index the seal members 34 relative to the seal 'securing mechanism 29. The indexing pins 68 are also serve to retain the continuous strip of seal members 34 in an advanced position during operation of the seal advancing means 26 as will be more fully described hereinbelow.

The strap guide means 28 comprises a generally U- shaped bracket 80 with the base portion being secured to the upper surface of the cover plate 48 by cap screws 82. A roller member 84 is rotatably supported on a pin 86 between the upstanding leg portions of the U-shaped bracket 88 to allov a strap band 48* to be readily received between the upstanding legs of the bracket and positioned against the roller 84 during operation as will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Seal securing mechanism Referring now to FIGURES 4 7, taken in conjunction with FIGURES 1 3, the seal securing mechanism 2@ includes a pair of spaced substantially parallel side plates 90 and 92 which extend through a generally rectangular opening 93 in the support plate member 22 in normal relation thereto. The side plates 98 and 92 are suitably secured to the support plate member 22 by mounting bars 94 aiiixed to the respective side plates 98 and 92 through cap screws 96 and to the support plate member 22 through suitable cap screws 98. Referring to FIGURES 5-7, each of the side plates 9i? and 92 has a pair of vertically extending parallel slots 100- and 1112, respectively, which serve as guide channels as will be more fully described below. The side plate 90 includes a horizontal slot 104 which extends between the vertically extending slots 188 to form a generally H-shape in combination with the slots 160. The horizontally extending slot 104 serves to f receive a leg portion 106 of an upper cutter block 108 having a generally L-shaped cross section (FIGURE 4). The upper cutter blade 1118 is suitably secured to the side plate 9i? as by cap screws 11i) (FGURE 3) and has a width, as considered in FiGURES 5 and 6, slightly greater than the wi th of the web portions 37 formed between interconnected seal members 34. The vertical thickness of the leg portion 136 of the upper cutter blade 108 is such that when disposed within the horizontal slot 164, a space will be provided between the bottom surface of the extending leg portion 186 and the lower edge surface of the slot 164, which space is just slightly greater than the thickness of the base portion 36 of the seal members 34. The lower surface 19S of the slot 194 is coplanar with the upper surface of the support plate member 22.

The side plate 9i? has a recess 112 provided in the upper end thereof, which recess has a width slightly greater than the width of the strap hands 4l) to which the sealing members 34 are to be attached. The recess 112 has a depth suliicient to guide and position a strap band 4@ in proper vertical operative relation within the seal securing mechanism 20 during operation thereof, as will be described more fully hereinbelow.

Extending between the side plates 91) and 92 are a pair of pin members 114, each pin having its respective ends disposed within opposed vertically extending slots 100, 102. The pins 114 are prevented from axial movement within their respective slots 1GO, 182 by retaining plates 116 and 118 suitably secured to the outer surface of the side plate 90 over the vertically extending slots 108, and retaining plate 128 suitably secured to the outer surface of the side plate 92 over the vertically extending slots 102. Pivotally mounted on each of the pins 114 are a pair of crimping and bending jaws 122, all of which are identical in configuration. The pins 114 also serve to support a pair of spacer members 124 which are generally rectangular in configuration and have recesses 12S (FIG- URE 7) in the upper edge surfaces thereof. The recesses 125 have inclined side edges 127 adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the upstanding legs 38 of a seal member during upward movement of the spacer members. The spacer members 124 are maintained in spaced relation on the pins 114 by a pair of retainer plates 126 which are suitably secured to the spacer members 124 through screws 128.

A pair of identical seal retainer iingers 139 are pivotally mounted upon the pins 114 intermediate the spacer members 124, with the upper portions of the seal retainer fingers being urged inwardly toward each other by coil compression springs 132. Each of the compression springs 132 is received within a bOre 134 (FIGURE 6) provided in each of the retainer plates 126 such that the compression springs 132 seat against the bottoms of the bores 134 and against outer surfaces 136 of the seal retaining ingers 130. An outwardly directed projecting portion 138 is provided on the lower end of each of the outer surfaces 136 of the seal retaining fingers 130, which projections serve to engage their associated retaining plates 12o and thereby limit the inward pivotal movement of the upper ends of the seal retaining lingers about pins 114 due to compression springs 132. The seal retaining ingers 131) are provided with angularly disposed recesses 140 in the opposing surfaces thereof to receive the upstanding side portions 38 of a seal member 34, and include shoulder portions 142 to engage the upper edge surfaces of the side portions 38 when a seal is disposed between the seal retaining fingers 1313 during operation as described more fully hereinbelow. it is will be under'- stood that when a seal member 34 is disposed between the seal retaining lingers 1311, the respective seal retaining lingers will be urged rmly against the upstanding -side portions 38 of the seal member through the compression springs 132 to thereby rmly retain the seal member between the iingers.

Referring to FIGURES 4, 5 and 7, a cutter blade member 146 having a generally rectangular configuration is supported by the pins 114 between the side plate Si) and a pair of opposing crimping jaws 122 so as to be verticaily movable with the pins 114. The cutter blade member 148 is slightly recessed in its upper edge surface to form a cutting or shearing edge 148 adjacent the inner Iface of the side plate 98. The shearing edge 148 is adapted to cooperate with the forward edge portion of the inner end of the leo portion 186 of the upper cutter block 108 to effect severing of a seal member 34 from the connected seal members at the web portion 37 thereof upon actuation ot the seal securing mechanism 2i), as more fully described hereinbelow.

A seal stop and strap guide plate 150 is also supported by the pins 114 so as to be vertically movable therewith and is disposed between the side plate 92 and the adiacent pair of crimping jaws 122. The guide plate 150 has a generally rectangular base portion (FIGURE 6) which receives the pins 114 therethrough and includes a pair of upstanding leg portions 152. The upstanding legs 152 have inner opposing surfaces 154 which are spaced slightly greater than the width of a strap band 40, but less than the distance between the upstanding leg portions 38 of a seal member 34. The upstanding legs 152 include side surfaces 155 which serve to engage the forward end of an advanced seal when the guide plate is raised during operation to thereby maintain the seal in iixed longitudinal relation between the surfaces 155 and the inner surface of side plate 98. The upper portions of the opposing surfaces 154 are preferably provided with inclined surfaces 156 to assist in guiding a strap band 40 between the opposing surface portions 154 of the legs 152 during operation of the crimping mechanism. A vertically extending projection 158 is provided on the rearward surface of the guide plate 150 and is received within a vertically extending recess 160 provided in the adjacent surface of the side plate 92 to assist in stabilizing the guide plate 150 during vertical movement thereof relative to the side plate 92.

Referring to FIGURES 4 6, the upper end of each of the crimping and bending jaws 122 is provided with a shearing surface 17() disposed in normal relation to the side surface portions of the jaws so as to define shearing edges 171 (FIGURE 5) therewith. As will become more apparent hereinbelow, the shearing edges 171 serve to cut portions of the upstanding leg portions 38 of the seal members 34 during operation to form generally triangularly shaped tabs 41 (FIGURE 9). The tabs 41 are bent over and crimped upon the upper surface of a strap band 40 disposed in overlying relation on a seal member 34 by the surfaces 78 and radially shaped shoulders 172 formed on the jaws 122 adjacent surfaces 70 during operation of the seal securing mechanism 2i). The generally radially shaped shoulders 172 terminate in edge surfaces 174 which are disposed on the jaws 122 so as not to engage any portion of a seal member 34 during operation of the seal securing mechanism. The lower ends of the crimping jaws 122 include apertures 176 which receive pins 178 therethrough. The pins 178 are rotatable within the apertures 176 and have axial lengths substantially equal to the distance between the spaced side plates 98 and 92. The outer ends of each of the pins 178 rotatably support roller members 188 and 182, which roller members have axial widths slightly less than the distance between their associated jaws 122 and adjacent side plates. Each of the pins 178 further pivotally supports a pair of identically shaped link members 184. The ends of the link members 184 opposite the pins 178 are pivotally retained on support pins 186 which, in turn, are supported by a clevis 188.

The clevis 188 is generally rectangular in shape and is mounted for vertical movement between the side plates 96, 92 on the upper end of a piston rod 198, as through a pin member 192. The clevis 188 is provided with transverse slots 194 which receive the lower ends of the link members 184 to thereby maintain the links in spaced relation on the pins 178.

The piston rod 190 forms the piston rod of a conventional hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston assembly 196 secured to the lower ends of the side plates 90 and 92 through a base member 198 and through-bolts 280. The cylinder-piston assembly 196 includes a pair of fluid pressure conduit connectors, one of which is shown at 282 in FIGURE 1, which serve to couple the cylinder-piston assembly to a source of fluid pressure and an electrically operated flow control valve. A suitable source of fluid pressure and an electrically operated flow control valve are shown at reference numerals and 17, respectively, in the aforereferenced U.S. Patent 2,933,958, to Koehler et al. with suitable operatively connected fluid pressure conduits being also disclosed therein.

A pair of guide rails 206 are suitably secured to each of the side plates 90 and 92, respectively, such that the guide rails are disposed generally adjacent the side edges of the corresponding side plates. Each of the guide rails 206 includes an upper inclined cam surface 208, with each pair of opposing guide rails 286 having their respective cam surfaces 208 inclined downwardly when considered in a direction toward the vertical center line of the associated side plate. The guide rails 286 serve to limit outward movement of the rollers 180 and 182 which engage inner opposing edge surfaces 210 in rolling relation until the rollers have been moved vertically to a position wherein they engage the inclined cam surfaces 208. It will be understood that vertical movement of the piston rod 190 and the associated clevis 188 will effect upward movement of the links 184 and the crimping jaws 122 with the angular relationship of the jaws 122 about their respective mounting pins 114 being determined bv the inner edge surfaces 210 and cam surfaces 208 of the guide rails 286. The upper limit of vertical movement of the jaws 122 is determined by plug members 212 disposed within the upper ends of the vertically extending parallel slots and 102 in the side plates 98 and 92. respectively. The relative vertical positions of the inclined cam surfaces 288 of the guide rails 206 is such that when the pins 114 have engaged the plugs 212 during upward movement of the clevis 188, the rollers and 182 will begin to roll up their associated cam surfaces 208. thereby pivoting the associated jaws 122 about the pins 114. The links 184 maintain the rollers 180y and 182 in close proximity to the guide rails 286 during raising and lowering thereof through edge portions on the links which contact if the links 184 should pivot toward each other when the rollers are engaging edge surfaces 214i.

Means are provided for maintaining the end of a strap band 48, disposed in operative position within the seal securing mechanism 20, against the upper surface of the fiat body portion 36 of a seal member 34 during crimping of the seal member onto the strap band. Such means includes a hold-down block 220 which also serves as a shear block for cooperation with the shearing edges 171 of the jaws 122, as will be described more fully hereinbelow. The hold-down and shear block 220 is fixedly secured to an arm member 222 through screws 224. The arm member 222 includes a depending portion 226 which is rotatably supported upon an upstanding bracket 228 through a pin 230. The bracket 228 is suitably secured to the upper surface of support plate member 22. A depending cam plate 232 is fixed secured to the arm 222 through cap screws 234 in parallel relation to the depending portion 226 and includes an aperture 236 to receive the pin 230 therethrough for assisting in pivotally supporting the hold-down block 228 for pivotal up and down movement about the pin 230. A coil spring 240 is disposed about the end of pin 230 opposite the cam plate 232 and includes arm portions 242 and 244 which act, respectively, against the undersurface of the arm member 222 and the bracket 228 so as to normally urge the support arm 222 upwardly about the support pin 230, A trip cam 246 is pivotally mounted on the upstanding bracket 228 through a cap screw 248 so as to be rotatable thereabout in a vertical plane coincident with the plane of the cam plate 232. The trip cam 246 underlies the cam plate 232 and includes an edge surface 250 adapted to engage an upper edge portion 159 of the guide plate 150 during upward movement of the guide plate simultaneously with upward movement of the jaws 122. Downward pivotal movement of trip cam 246 is limited by a projection 252 thereon adapted to engage an edge surface 254 in the generally rectangular opening 93 in the support plate member 222 (FIGURE 2). A further edge surface portion 256 on the trip cam 246 is adapted to engage a projecting shoulder portion 258 provided an the cam plate 232 during upward pivotal movement of the trip cam. The relative positions of the edge surface 256 on the trip cam 246 and the shoulder portion 258 on the cam plate 232 are such that when the trip cam 246 hasbeen pivoted to its uppermost position through engagement of the edge surface 250 against the edge portion 159 `of the guide plate 150, the hold-down and shear block 220 will be pivoted downwardly to firmly engage the upper surface of a strap band 40 positioned in the seal securing mechanism 20 preparatory to having a seal member 34 attached thereto.

The hold-down and shear block 220 has parallel vertical side surfaces 260 (FIGURES 1 and 4) which are spaced a distance substantially equal to the axial distance between the jaws 122 disposed on the pins 114. The side surfaces 260 provide shearing faces for cooperation with the shearing edges 171` on the crimping jaws 122 during upward inward pivotal movement of the jaws. The holddown and shear block 220 further includes inclined surfaces 262 (FIGURES 2 and 6) which are angularly disposed relative to the plane of the bottom surface to firmly seat against the inner vopposing surfaces of the upstanding side portions 38 of a seal member 34 during operation.

To insure proper positioning of a strap band 40 within the seal securing mechanism 2i), When considered in a direction normal to the side plates 9i), 92, a stop lever 266 is provided on the side of the seal securing mechanism opposite the seal guiding means 24. The lever 266 also forms the operating lever for the operating switch means 32, which, as noted above, is operative to close a circuit allowing operation of the seal securing mechanism when a strap band 4G is properly positioned within the seal securing mechanism, Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, the stop lever 266 is pivotally supported about a pin 267 within a vertical slot 268 of a support bracket 27 0 which is secured to the upper surface of the support plate member 22 by cap screws 272. The lever 266 includes a forward generally concave edge surface 274 which serves to engage the forward edge of a strap band 4t) and thereby determines the relative axial position of the strap band within the seal securing mechanism 20. A recess 276 is formed in the stop lever 266 to provide a clearance between the lever 266 and the upper end of the side plate 92, thereby allowing the forward edge surface 274 to depend downwardly between the upstanding leg portions 152 of the seal guide plate 15). The end of the stop lever 266 opposite the strap engaging edge surface 274 includes a contact surface 278 which is received within a slot 280 formed within the upper end of a plunger member 282. The plunger member 282 is vertically slidable within an upstanding boss 234 secured to the support plate member 222 and depends through an aperture 236 in the support plate member. The plunger member 232 serves to trip a conventional operating switch 238 (FIGURE l) provided in an electrical control circuit to be described more fully hereinbelow. It will be seen by viewing FIGURE 4 that the line of contact between the forward end of the strap band 4t) and the surface 274 of the stop lever 266 is vertically above the pivotal axis of pin 267 thereby producing a moment arm relative to the pin 267 such that upon engagement of the strap band end with the lever 266, the lever will pivot about. the pin 267 to thereby depress the plunger member 282 and actuate the operating switch 288, A recess 290 is formed centrally in the upper end of the side plate 92 to allow free pivotal movement of the stop lever 266.

Alternatively, the operating switch 28S may be eliminated from the above described embodiment, thereby requiring that only the operating switch means 3i) be actuated to effect operation of the subject invention after the control circuit has been otherwise closed as will become apparent hereinbelow. If it is desired to eliminate the operating switch 288, the stop lever arm 266 is lixedly secured to the support bracket 27 0 in the position as illustrated in FIGURE 4. In this manner the edge surface 273 of the stop lever 266 serves as a stop means against which the end of a strap band is positioned when inserted within the seal securing mechanism 2t).

Seal feeding mechanism The seal advancing means 26 of the present invention is substantially identical to that disclosed in the aforereferenced U.S. Patent 2,933,958 to Koehler et al. and will therefore only be described briefly herein. Referring to FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, the seal advancing means 26 includes a rock lever 292 pivotally mounted about a transverse pin 294 carried by a pair of depending spaced brackets 296. The spaced brackets 296 are suitably iixedly secured to the undersurface of the support plate member 22 such that the rock lever 292 is disposed between the two depending brackets. The upper end of the rock lever 292 pivotally supports a seal engaging pawl 298 through a support pin 360 with both the upper end of the rock lever and the seal engaging pawl extending upwardly through a suitable opening 299 in the support plate 22. The seal engaging pawl 298 has a finger lever 362 secured thereto which allows the seal engaging pawl to be selectively manually rotated about the pin 390 to move the pawl out of engagement with the seal members as will become apparent hereinbelow. The seal engaging pawl 293 is urged to an upward position or counter-clockwise rotation about the pin 301B by a coil spring 304, the ends of which are adapted to engage the pawl and a web portion 306 of the rock lever 292. The extent of upward rotational movement of the pawl 298 about the pin 300 may be limited by engagement of the finger lever 302 with the upper end of the web portion 366. The seal engaging pawl 29S is preferably provided with a pair of generally triangular lugs 308 which are adapted to enter slots 43 formed in the continuous connected seal members 34 adjacent the junctures 37 of adjoining seals (FIGURE 5).

The lower end of the rock lever 298 pivotally supports a trunnion member 310 through a pin 312. The trunnion member 310 is fixedly secured to a shaft 314 which in turn is suitably secured to a cross bar 316. The cross bar 316 is secured to the ends of a pair of horizontally disposed parallel shafts 313, one of which is illustrated in FIGURE 1, which are slidably received through bushings 317 in corresponding apertures provided in the side plates 9i) and 92 so as to be axially slidable therein. The shafts 318 are urged to a position wherein the cross bar 316 abuts adjacent bushings 317, as shown in FIGURE l, by coil compression springs 329 disposed about the shafts between the outer surface of the side plate 92 and retaining nuts 322 secured on the outer ends of the shafts. Each of the shafts 318 has a cam member 324 fixedly secured thereon, with each cam member having an upper inclined cam surface 326 adapted to engage one of a pair of rollers 323 rotatably mounted on portions 33t) and 331 of the shaft or pin member 192 (FIGURE 6) during downward movement of the clevis 188 coincident with extension and retraction of the piston 19t? during operation of the seal securing mechanism 26. It will be understood that as the rollers 328 engage the cam surfaces 326 upon downward movement of the clevis 18S, the shafts 318 will be caused to move to the left, when viewing FIGURE 1, thereby rotating the rock lever 292 about pin 294 through shaft 314. Such rotational movement of the rock lever 292 will cause the upstanding lugs 308 on the seal engaging pawl 298, which lugs have previously been urged into engagement with the slots 43 between adjacent adjoined seal mem-bers 34, to move the seal members 34 along the seal guide 24 during indexing of the seal members. Conversely, when the roller members 32S are raised to a position above the cam members 324, the shafts 318 will be urged to the right by compression springs 320, thereby rotating the rock lever 292 to the position shown in FIG- URE 1. During such retraction of the rock lever 292, the lugs 368 of the seal engaging pawl 298 will leave their associated slots 43 through downward pivotal movement of the pawl and slide along the bottom of the fiat center surface 36 of the next rearward seal member 34 to be introduced into the next rearward slots 43 preparatory to the next indexing movement of the seal advancing `means 26.

Control switches As noted hereinabove, the present invention utilizes a control circuit which controls the admission of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinder-piston assembly 196 through suitable couplings 202 to effect operation of the seal securing mechanism 20. A suitable hydraulic power source is disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Patent 2,933,958 to Koehler et al. Basically, the control circuit of the present invention, described more fully hereinbelow, includes a pair of operating switches which may be actuated upon proper positioning of a strap band 40 l 1 within the seal securing mechanism 20 to initiate vertical movement of the piston member 190. The control circuit further includes limit switches which serve to control the limits of upward and downward movement of the piston rod 190 as well as to establish a stop position.

Referring to FIGURE 8, taken in conjunction With FIGURES 1 `and 6, the side plates 90 and 92 are adapted to support a switch panel plate 332 in -generally vertical position through a pair of support bars 334. The switch panel plate 332 serves to support a conventional normally open contact upper travel limit switch 336 and a conventional normally closed contact lower travel limit switch 338. As will become apparent hereinbelow, the lower limit switch 338 also serves to open the control circuit when actuated, thereby stopping movement of the piston rod 190. The limit switches 336 and 338 are provided with operating levers 336 and 338', respectively, each of which is provided at its free end with a roller 340. Cooperable with the rollers 348 for actuation of the associated operating levers is a cylindrical portion 346 provided on an extension member 344 (FIGURE 6) which is threadedly connected to the end 331 of pin 192. Engagement of the cylindrical portion 346 with the rollers 340 elects actuation of the limit switches 336 and 338 to control the movement of piston rod 190 and thus reciprocation of the vertically movable elements of the seal securing mechanism 20.

The support panel plate 332 also serves to suitably support the aforedescribed normally open operating switch 288, operative through the lever 266 of the switch means 32, and a normally open operating switch 350 disposed below a plunger member 352. The plunger 352 is supported for vertical sliding movement within an aperture 354 in the support plate member 22 below an operating lever 356 of the switch means 30, which operating lever 356 is suitably pivotally supported on the upstanding support bracket 58. A coil compression spring 358 is disposed about the upper end of the plunger member 352 intermediate the upper surface of the support plate member 22 and the lower edge of the operating level 356 to urge the operating lever upwardly about its pivotal connection to the support bracket 58. Upper pivotal movement of the operating level 356 is limited by engagement with a retainer plate 360 secured to the upper end of the support bracket 58.

Electrical control circuit Referring now to FIGURE l1, taken in conjunction with FIGURE 8, a suitable electrical control system for the seal attaching apparatus described hereinabove is illustrated diagrammatically. The control system utilizes a conventional three phase electric motor M adapted to be operatively connected to a three-phase line L through a start and stop switch means indicated generally by reference numeral 362. The start and stop buttons, 364 and 366, respectively, may be suitably located adjacent the seal securing mechanism 20 as on a control box 368 (FIGURE 3). The motor M serves to drive a suitable hydraulic pump such as that designated by reference numeral is the aforereferenced U.S. Patent No. 2,933,958 to Koehler et al.

A pair of conductors 370 and 372 are connected, respectively, to conductors L1 and L3 of the three-phase line L for providing an energizing circuit for solenoid coils of a spring centered ow control valve as will be more fully described below. A manually operable run switch 374 may be suitably supported by the control box 368 and serves to allow the operator to move the piston rod 190 and the corresponding vertically movable elements of the seal securing mechanism to their lowermost positions if the mechanism 20 has been stopped at a point other than its lowermost position.

A rst conventional relay 376 is connected between the conductors 372 and 370 through the run switch 374, a normally closed relay contact 378 of a second conventional relay 380, a normally open relay contact 382 of the relay 376, and the series connected normally open operating switches 288 and 350. The run switch 174, the operating switches 288, 350 and the relay contact 382 are connected in parallel between the conductor 370 and the relay contact 378 of relay 380. The normally closed relay contact 382 serves as a holding circuit for the relay 376.

The second conventional relay 380 is connected between the conductors 378 and 372. through the normally closed bottom travel limit switch 338, the normally open upper travel limit switch 336 and a normally open relay contact 384 of the relay 380. The relay contact 384 is connected in parallel with the upper limit switch 336 and serves as a holding circuit for the relay 380. A lirst solenoid coil 386 is connected between the conductors 370 and 372 through a normally open relay contact set 388 of the relay 376 and comprises an energizing coil for a. conventional electro-mechanical spring centered flow control valve (not shown) which directs fluid pressure flow to the cylinder-piston assembly 196. A second solenoid coil 390 is connected between the conductors 370 and 372 through a normally open relay contact set 392 of the relay 380 and comprises an energizing coil for the llow control valve, the coil 398 serving to effect movement of the spool of the control valve in a direction opposite to that obtained through energizing the lirst solenoid coil 386.

Operation Having described the elements comprising a preferred embodiment of a seal securing apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the general operation thereof will now be briey described. For purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the cover plate 48 of the seal guiding means 24 has been removed as above described, that a continuous strip of interconnected seal members 34 (FIGURE 5) has been properly inserted into the seal guide means and brought into engaging relation with the lug portions 308 on the seal engaging pawl 298 of the seal advancing means 26 such that the forwardmost seal member is disposed adjacent the Side plate 98, and that the index pins 68 are properly disposed between edges 39 of adjacent upstanding wall portions 38 ofthe seal members.

The operation of the above described control circuit is as follows. It is assumed for purposes of illustration that the seal attaching apparatus had been previously stopped at a point wherein the piston rod is at its lowermost position with the extension member 346 engaging the roller 340 on switch arm 338 to open the normally closed lower limit switch 338. It is further assumed that the stop button 366 had been depressed to open the start switch 364. When the operator desires to attach a seal member 34 to a strap band 40, he lirst depresses the start button 264 to energize motor M and allow conduction through conductors L1 and L3. With the operating switches 288 and 350 open, the run switch 374 open, and the lower limit switch 338 open as above described, the relay contacts 388 and 392 will be open to prevent energizing of the solenoid coils 386 and 398. As the operator inserts a strap band into proper position within the seal securing mechanism 20, the end of the strap band engages the lever 266 to actuate the operating switch 288. The operator then depresses lever 356 to actuate operating switch 350. It can be seen that with the start button 364 and the operating switches 288, 350 all closed current will flow through the normally closed relay contacts 378 to thereby energize relay 376. Energizing relay 376 effects closing of relay contacts 382 and 388 to thereby energize the solenoid coil 386 and etect upward movement of the piston rod 190 and the vertically movable elements operatively associated therewith. As above noted, relay contacts 382 form a holding circuit for the relay 376 and maintain it energized when the operating switches 28S and 350 are opened after the operator removes the band and attached seal from the mechanism 2). When the movable elements of the seal securing mechanism reach their uppermost limits, i.c., when a seal has been properly attached to the strap band by the crimping jaws 122, the extension 346 will engage the roller 3d@ on the upper limit switch arm 336 to close upper limit switch 336. Closing limit switch 336 will allow current flow through the normally closed operating switch to energize relay 38h. Energizing relay 380 causes the relay contacts 37S to open thereby interrupting the circuit through relay 376 and opening relay contacts 332 and 383. Opening relay contact 383 de-energizes solenoid coil S6 and allows the iow control valve to be moved to a position wherein iiuid pressure will be introduced into the cylinder-piston assembly 1% to effect downward movement of piston rod 190. Such movement of the iiow control valve is established through the above noted energization of relay 380 which closes relay contacts an 392 simultaneously with opening of the relay contacts 37S. Closing contacts 392 energizes the solenoid coil 39S to eiiect movement of the flow control valve to a position wherein piston rod 19% will move downwardly. The relay 33t) will remain energized after the upper limit switch 336 is opened due to the holding circuit of relay Contact 334, thereby maintaining the described downward movement of piston rod 199.

When the piston rod 19t, moves downwardly to a position wherein the extension 35:6 engages the roller 34m on the arm 53S of the normally closed lower limit switch 33S, switch 33S will be opened. Opening switch 338 deenergizes relay 3"@ which thereupon allows relay Contact 37S to close and relay contacts 384 and 392 to open. Closing relay contacts 37S prepares the relay 37o for energizing in a manner as above described, while opening relay contacts 384 and 392 opens the holding circuit for relay 38@ and de-energizes the solenoid coil 390, respectively. With the lower limit switch 338 so opened, both solenoid coils 33e, 399 will be deenergized thereby allowing the iiow control valve to move to center position wherein vertical movement of piston rod 190 will cease. The operator may then depress the stop button 36o to open switch means 362 until such time as he again desires to attach a seal member to a strap band. it will be understood that the above described cycle may be repeated continuously as the operator depresses the actuating levers 266 and 356 when inserting a strap band within the mechanism 26 to attach a seal member thereto.

There may be times when the operator for some reason stops the seal attaching apparatus at a point wherein the vertically movable components of the seal securing mechanism 2) are at a position other than their above described lowermost positions. In such a case it is preferable that the operator, after depressing the start button 364 to energize the motor M, next depress or close the run switch 374 which will energize the relay 376 through the normally closed relay contact 378. Energizing relay 376 will close the holding circuit relay contacts 332 and the relay contacts 388 to energize the sole-- noid coil 386, thereby effecting movement of the piston rod 19S through an upward and downward cycle as above described until the bottom limit switch 33S is opened to stop the piston rod in its lowerrnost position. Thereafter, the operator need only insert a strap band within the seal securing mechanism and actuate the operating switches 2% and 3S@ to repeat the above described seal attaching cycle.

During a cycle of operation, the seal attaching mechanism and seal advancing mechanism will complete the cycle as follows: Assuming that a strip of seal members 34 has been inserted in the seal guide means 24 as above noted, and that the control circuit has stopped the seal securing mechanism 2G in a lowermost position, it will be understood that as the rollers 328 on the extensions 1d 33t? and 331 of the pin 192 approached the said lowermost position, the rollers engaged the cam member 324 to advance a seal member 34 into the seal securing mechanism 2G as above described.

In the lowermost position of the piston rod 19t), illustrated in FIGURE 6, the crimping jaws l122 are in an open position with the rollers 18o engaging the inner edge surfaces 210 of the guide rails 206. The shearing edge 14S of the cutter blade member 146 and the bottorn edge surface of the recesses 125 of the spacer members 121iare disposed below the plane of the bottom surfaces of the seal members 3d so as not to interfere with forward movement of the seals during indexing thereof. When the piston rod 199 is in the lowermost position, the holddown and shear block 220 is urged to an upward position about its pivotal mounting pin 239 through the action of the coil spring 24,0 acting against the arm member 222.

When the operator inserts the forward end of a strap band within the recess 112 of side plate 90 and against the forward edge surface 274 of the lever member 266 and actuates operating switches 28S and 350, the piston rod 190 will begin its upward movement. As the vertically movable elements of the seal securing mechanism 26 are raised with the piston rod 190 and clevis 188, the spring retainer fingers will be spread as they engage the upstanding side portions 38 of the advanced seal member. The seal member is thereupon received within the recesses 146 of the retaining fingers 130 such that the upper edges of the side portions 38 abut the shoulder portions 142 adjacent the recesses 14@ to thereby firmly position the seal member between the retaining fingers. Simultaneously with the seal retaining fingers receiving the advanced seal member therebetween the surfaces 15S of the opstanding leg portions 152 of the seal guide 159 engage portions of the forward edge of the advanced seal member to maintain the seal in relative xed longitudinal position between the sideplate 90 and the leg surfaces 155 during upward movement of the seal member.

Just as the advanced seal member is received within the recesses of the seal retainer lingers 130, the shearing edge 14S of the cutter blade 146 engages the bottom surface of the advanced seal member adjacent the connecting web portion 37 and severs the advanced seal from the continuous length of seals thereby allowing free upward movement of the seal with the retaining fingers 130. During such upward movement, the shoulder portion 159 of the seal guide plate will engage the edge surface 256 of the trip cam 246 and rotate it upwardly about the cap screw 248. The edge surface portion 256 of the trip cam will thereupon engage the downwardly projecting shoulder 258 of the cam plate 232 to pivot the hold-down block 220 downwardly to rmly engage against the upper surface of the strap 40 disposed in overlying relation to the seal member 3d. During initial movement of the piston rod 19t) upwardly from its aforedescribed lowermost position, the rollers 180 will be in rolling Contact with the inner opposing surfaces 214i of the guide rails 206, thereby forcing the pin members 114 and the associated elements supported thereon upwardly within the vertically extending slots 160 and 1(92 in the side plates 90 and 92, respectively. The relative position of the shoulder 159 on the seal guide 150 and the configurations of the trip cam 246 and the cam plate 232 are such that the hold-down block 220 will be forced downwardly into engaging relation with the upper surface of the strap band 40 when the rollers reach the point of intersection of the inclined cam surfaces 208 with the inner surfaces 210 of the guide rails 296. At this point, the pins 114 will engage the plugs 212 in the upper ends of slots 100, 162.

As the pins 114 abut the plugs 212, the roller members 180 are caused to roll upwardly along the inclined cam surfaces 208 of the guide rails 206 thereby rotating the upper ends of the jaws 122 about the pins 114 inwardly toward each other. Continued outward movement of the rollers 180 on the surfaces 208 causes the shearing surfaces 170 of jaws 122 to engage the portions of the upstanding sides 38 of the seal member 34 disposed outwardly from either side of the seal retaining fingers 130, with the shearing edges 171 cooperating with the shear surfaces 260 of the hold-down block 220- to cut generally triangularly shaped tabs 41 Afrom the seal sides 38, as illustrated at 41 in FIGURE 9. Continued upward movement of the piston 190 causes the jaws 122 to rotate further inwardly toward each other, thereby causing the shoulder portions 172 thereon to bend the cut tab portions 41 downwardly upon the upper surface of the strap band 40 and pinch the triangularly shaped tabs firmly against the upper surface of the strap band.

The arm 336 of the upper limit switch 336 is so adjusted in relation to the end portion 346 of the extension 344 on the pin 192 that actuation of the switch 336 will take place when the seal securing mechanism reaches its uppermost position as illustrated in FIGURE 6, thereby reversing movement of the piston rod 190 after the tabs 41 have been crimped upon the strap band 40 as aforedescribed. The upper ends of the opposing jaws 122 are thereafter caused to be pivoted away from each other as the rollers 180 descend downwardly on the inclined cam surfaces 208 of the guide rails 266. Continued downward movement of the piston rod 190 causes the rollers 180` to again engage the vertical opposing surfaces 210 of the guide rails 206 whereby the pins 114 and the elements carried thereby will be moved downwardly. Simultaneously, the hold-down block 220 will pivot upwardly to thereby allow the strap band 40 and seal member 34 secured thereon to be removed from the seal securing mechanism.

As the cutter blade member 146 and the spacer members 124 of the seal securing mechanism 20 are lowered to a position wherein the shearing edge 148- and the lower edge portions of the spacer recesses 125 pass below the plane of the upper surface of the support plate member 22, the rollers 328 disposed on the outer extending portions 330 and 331 (FIGQ'RE 6l) of the pin 192 will again engage the inclined surfaces 326 of the cam members 324 to thereby urge the shafts 318 in a direction to effect actuation of the seal advancing means 26 as above described. It will be understood that the arm 33S of the lower limit switch 338 is suitably adjusted to achieve the desired results.

As above noted, if desired, the operating switch 288 may be eliminated and the lever member 266 fixedly secured to the 'bracket 270 to serve as a positioning stop for the strap band. In such case, the control circuit illustrated in FIGURE l1 would be modified accordingly to eliminate the switch 288 and thereby utilize the single operating switch 350.

While a preferred embodiment of our invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and `scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for attaching a seal member having a lbase and generally upstanding side portions to a strap band and the like, comprising, a support plate member, seal securing means disposed on said support plate member and including reciprocally mounted jaw means adapted to receive a seal member therein and attach portions of the upstanding sides of the seal member to a strap band when positioned in overlying relation to the seal member, said reciprocally mounted means being adapted to attach portions of said upstanding sides of said seal to said strap band while maintaining the remaining portions of said sides in generally upstanding relation to the base of said seal, and means for effecting reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted jaw means.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reciprocally mounted means includes oppositely disposed crimping jaw means pivotable to an open position when moved to a first position to receive a seal member therebetween, and pivotable to engage the side portions of the seal member when moved to a second position in a manner to cut tab portions from the upstanding side portions of the seal member and crimp said tab portions onto a strap band when disposed in overlying relation to the seal member, said crimping jaws being effective to crimp said tab portions while the remaining portions of said sides are maintatined in generally upstanding relation to the base of the seal to thereby fixedly attach the seal member to the strap band during reciprocation of said reciprocally mounted means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said reciprocally mounted means further includes seal retainer means adapted to receive a seal member when moved to said first position and firmly retain the seal member in fixed longitudinal relation to said crimping jaw means during movement of said jaw means to said second position.

4. An apparatus as dened in claim 2 including seal guide means adapted to guide a plurality of connected seal members, and seal advancing means operatively associated with said guide means and said reciprocally mounted means and adapted to advance a seal member into said reciprocally mounted means during reciprocation of said reciprocally mounted means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said reciprocally mounted means includes a cutter plate member adapted to sever a seal member advanced into said reciprocally mounted means when said cutter plate member is moved toward said second position.

6. An apparatus for attaching a seal member having a base and generally upstanding side portions to a strap band and the like, comprising, a support plate member` seal securing means disposed on said support plate member and including oppositely disposed crimping jaw means pivotable to an open position when moved to a first position for receiving a seal member therebetween, and pivotable to engage the side portions of the seal member when moved to a second position in a manner to cut tab portions from the side portions of the seal and crimp said portions onto a strap band when disposed in overlying relation to the seal member to fixedly attach the seal member to the strap band during reciprocation of said reciprocally mounted means, means for er"- fecting reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted means, and pivotally supported hold-down rneans operatively associated with said reciprocally mounted means so as to be pivoted downwardly to firmly engage the strap band against the seal member during movement of said crimping jaw means to said second position.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including stop lever means adapted to be engaged by a strap band when disposed Within said seal securing means, said stop lever means serving to position the strap band longitudinally within said seal securing means preparatory to having a seal member attached thereto.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said hold-down means includes shear surfaces thereon for cooperation with said crimping jaw means to facilitate cutting of said tab portions When said crimping jaw means are moved to said second position.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said crimping jaw means comprises two spaced pairs of oppositely disposed crimping jaws, said crimping jaws including shearing surfaces on the outer end portions thereof adapted to engage the side portions of a seal member and cut tab portions therefrom during movement of said crimping jaw means to said second position, said jaws further including shoulder portions adapted to bend the cut tab portions onto a strap band disposed in overlying relation to the seal member and pinch said tab por- 17 tions onto the strap band to thereby xedly attach the seal member to the strap band.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said seal retainer means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed pivotally mounted seal retaining fingers, said seal retaining fingers having recesses formed in the opposing surfaces thereof to receive the side portions of a seal member when said seal retainer means are moved to said first position.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including operating switch means adapted to be actuated when a strap band is disposed in overlying relation to a seal member disposed within said crimping jaw means, said operating switch means being operatively associated with said means for effecting reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted means whereby said reciprocal movement will be effected upon actuation of said operating switch means.

12. An apparatus as delined in claim 3 wherein said crimping jaw means and said seal retatiner means are supported for pivotal movement about support pin means, and including guide channel means to receive said support pin means whereby said pins will be guided within said guide channel means during reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted means.

13. An apparatus as delined in claim 2 wherein said means for effecting reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted means includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder-piston assembly, and including limit switch means operative to selectively effect reversal of movement of said reciprocally mounted means.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 including an operating switch operatively associated with said stop lever means, said operating switch being further operatively associated with said means for effecting reciprocal movement of said reciprocally mounted means whereby said reciprocal movement can be effected only upon actuation of said operating switch.

15. For use in an apparatus for attaching a seal having a base and generally upstanding side portions to a strap band and the like, a seal securing mechanism including reciprocally supported crimping jaw means, said crimping jaw means comprising oppositely disposed crimping jaws movable to a first position to receive a seal member therebetween and movable to a second position to engage portions of the upstanding sides of the seal member and cut tab portions therefrom, said crimping jaws being further adapted to bend said tab portions onto a strap band when disposed in overlying relation to the seal member and pinch said tab portions onto the strap band to fixedly secure the seal member thereon 18 Iwhile maintaining all but the tab portions of the sides in generally upstanding relation to the base of said seal.

16. A method of attaching a seal member to a length of strap band preparatory to affixing the strap band to a second strap by means of the seal, the seal having a base portion and generally upstanding side portions defined by longitudinally spaced edges, comprising the steps of positioning the base portion of the seal in underlying engaging relation to the strap band, cutting portions of the upstanding sides of the seal adjacent the longitudinally spaced edges thereof to form generally upwardly directed tab portions severed from the sides but integral with the base portion of the seal, bending the tab portions inward onto the upper surface of the strap band while maintaining the remaining portions of the sides in generally upstanding relation to the base, and crimping the bent tab portions against the upper surface of the strap band to tixedly attach the seal to the strap band.

17. A method as defined in claim 16 including the step of firmly maintaining the seal in underlying engaging relation with the strap band and preventing inward deformation of the upstanding side portions of the seal other than the tab portions during cutting of said tab portions and crimping of the tabs onto the strap band.

18. A method as deiined in claim 16 wherein said tab portions are cut from the side portions of the seal in a manner to provide upwardly directed tabs on the edges of the side portions of the seal member thereby forming two pairs of oppositely disposed tabs which are crimped onto the upper surface ofthe strap band.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the seal member is formed integral with a plurality of connected seal members, and including the step of severing a seal member from the remaining seal members prior to cutting said tab portions from the upstanding sides thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,996,109 4/1935 Hiering 29-513 2,797,714 7/1957 MacChesney 140-93.4 2,800,960 7/1957 Cutler 29-513 2,882,934 4/1959 Gerrard 8l-9.1 2,933,958 4/1960 Koehler et al 8l-9.l 3,066,599 12/1962 Koehler 81-9.1 3,215,064 11/1965 Koehler 81-9.l

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner E. M. COMBS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 29-513; 100-30

Images