US3837373A

US3837373A - Tool for tensioning a circular band

Info

Publication number: US3837373A
Application number: US00311865A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Beardsley
Original assignee: Band It Co
Current assignee: Band IT Idex Inc
Priority date: 1972-12-04
Filing date: 1972-12-04
Publication date: 1974-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-24

Abstract

Tool for tensioning a circular band having a tangential tail and a buckle connecting lapping portions of the band, characterized by a portable tool having band tensioning means and a pivoted crimping head adapted to form a specific type of crimp in the outer band, the crimping head adapted to be moved away from an interferring position at which the tool and band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break off the tail adjacent the buckle.

Description

[ Sept. 24, 1974 llnited States Patent 1191 Beardsley 3,346,023 10/1967 140/934 X 3,641,629 2/1972 Beardsley........................... 24/23 W TOOL FOR TENSIONING A CIRCULAR BAND Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

Assistant Examiner-Joseph A. Walkowski Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sheridan, Ross & Fields [57] ABSTRACT Tool for tensioning a circular band having a tangential [52] tail and a buckle connecting lapping portions of the 10 /3 0/ 0/ band, characterized by a portable tool having band [51] Int. B21f 9/0 tensioning means and a pivoted Crimping head adapted to form a specific type of crimp in the outer Q1 3 19 H 38 9.1 W 30 92 W 3 M2 .4 m2 M3 mu m 0 M3 e 9 f! W d0 l l F m 5 band, the crimping head adapted to be moved away from an interferring position at which the tool and [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break off the tail adjacent the buckle.

2,312,400 3 1943 81/93 2,536 536 1 1951 Childress et a1. 140/934 x 12 Claims 6 Drawlng Flgllres 1 TOOL FOR TENSIONING A CIRCULAR BAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION US. Pat. No. 3,641,629 to Harold H. Beardsly discloses a band buckle characterized by a sleeve having a rectangular channel for receiving overlapping portions of a band, the buckle having cut-outs at opposite edges into which the upper or outer band is deformed to provide locking dimples or detents. Such patent also discloses a tool having jaws which may be moved toward each other to form the detents. It further discloses a shear for severing the band after the detents have been formed and broadly discloses tensioning the band prior to forming the detents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tool which is provided with jaws which form detents on a band employed with a buckle of the type referred to and thus this feature is conventional. It differs in certain respects, exemplary of which are: the shear is omitted and in lieu thereof the excess or tail portion of the band is broken off adjacent one end of the buckle by relative rotational movement between the band and tool in the plane of the band. Since the direction of movement of the tail, during the breaking operation, is from generally tangential to outwardly radial, the head which carries the jaws would prevent such relative rotation if it were fixed relative to the band tail crimping means, as in the Beardsly patent. One feature of the invention is thus to move the crimping jaws to a non-interferring position when the tail is to be broken off.

Another feature, resides in a jaw carrying head which, when moved in one direction, latches in a position for forming the detents and upon movement of a lever forms the detents, reverse movement of the lever effecting unlatching of the head and movement thereof to a non-interferring position wherein the band tail'may be broken off in a manner as disclosed by US. Pat. No. 2,312,400 to Govanus.

Another feature resides in the use of a clutching device for preventing retrograde movement of the band tail.

The features, above, exemplify the principal objects of th invention. Further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an isometric view of the tool forming the subject of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of FIG. 1, portions being shown in section as taken on line 2-2, FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation as viewed in the direction of arrow 5, FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a bench mount for the tool.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the fixed portions of tool 10 comprise a body member 12 having a longitudinal channel 14 therein forming a floor 16 along which the tail T of a clamp C may slide during tensioning thereof. As will be understood, the clamp is conventional to the extent that the ends of the band are disposed in lapped relation within buckle B, the lower band portion being provided with a hook H and the upper band portion being providedwith the tangential tail T. The buckle, however, is of the type disclosed in the Beardsly patent, previously referred to. A circular guide rod 18 is rigidly affixed at one end to body member 12, its other end being provided with a transverse handle 20.

Rod 18 carries a slide member 22 through which tail T extends and is reciprocated by a lever 24 pivotally secured to body 12 by pin 26, the lever being connected to slide 22 by link 28 and pins 30,32. Pin 32 pivotally carries a pulling dog or clutching member 34 having teeth 36 which engage the tail during downward movement of lever 24 as indicated by arrow 38, FIG. 2. As will be apparent, when lever 24 is moved in the opposite direction teeth 36 slide along the tail. A manually operated lever 40 is pivotally carried by slide 22 having an end 42 which extends into an aperture in dog 34, a spring 44 surrounding such end for urging dog 34 into clutching relation with the tail. As will be apparent, when lever 40 is depressed, end 42 lifts the teeth out of engagement with the tail, permitting lever 24 to be moved downwardly without moving and tensioning the tail.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a buckle pusher or abutment 46 is pivotally connected to body 12 adjacent its left end by a pivot pin 48, pin 48 also carrying a holding dog 50 provided with teeth 52. A spring 54, disposed between buckle abutment 46 and holding dog 50 urges both toward floor 16. Abutment 46 is provided with an end 56 which is engaged by end 58 of lever 24 when the lever is moved to its uppermost position and lifts pusher 46 away from floor 16 to permit tail T to be inserted beneath pusher 46.

Pin 26 pivotally supports a detent forming or crimping head 60 which may be secured to body 12 in the position shown in FIG. 2 by a latching member 62 connected to head 60 by a pivot pin 64, the latching member having a portion 66 adapted to be moved clockwise to release the latching member against the urge of a spring 68. The latching member is U-shaped (not shown) having another latching leg, like that shown in FIG. 2 which latches to body 12 at the opposite side thereof, portion 66 forming the bight between the legs of the U-shaped latching member.

Crimping head 60 pivotally carries a pair of levers 70 having crimping or dimple forming ends 72 which are urged apart by spring 74 and adapted to be moved toward each other by a cam 76 formed on the end of a lever 78. This construction is similar to that disclosed in the Beardsly patent and operates in like manner to form the detents in the outer portion of the band.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bench mount 80 which may be optionally employed, comprising a pair of spaced

bosses

82,84 having aligned aperture therethrough for receiving handle 20. Boss 84 is provided with a slot 86 of a width slightly in excess of the diameter of rod 18. By rotating rod 18 to a vertical position it may be slid through slot 84 to a position between the bosses, after which it may be rotated to a generally horizontal position, locking it to the bosses. While not essential, a plastic cap 88 may be slid over boss 84 to partially close part of slot 86 and form a cover for that end of the bench mount.

ln the operation of the tool, clamp C is disposed around an article, such as a hose adapted to be squeezed onto a hose fitting and lever 24 is moved to or near or toward its uppermost position (means not shown may be provided to limit this uppermost position), raising buckle pusher 46 and permitting tail T to be inserted beneath same and also beneath pulling dog 34. Lever 24 is then oscillated to tension tail T as desired, contracting the band around the article. Lever 78 is then rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 2) rotating cam 76 which moves lever ends 72 toward each other and forming detents in the outer band engageable within the buckle apertures. Lever 78 is then rotated clockwise until it engages bight 66 of the latching member which disengages the latches and also swings the crimping head to a non-interferring position at which the tool and band may be rotated relatively in the plane of the band to break off the tail adjacent the buckle. The tail may then be removed from the tool by oscillating lever 24 until it is advanced a sufficient distance beyond slide 22 to permit it to be grasped and removed from slide 22.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for securing ends of a looped band to a buckle of the type having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and side walls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer slideable portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the outer portion having a straight tail extending beyond the buckle adapted to be tensioned to thereby contract the band around an article, said sidewalls each having a first aperture therein, each joined to a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent the side edges of same, the first apertures providing access for wedgelike ends of a band crimping device to enter between said portions in lateral directions toward each other, the second apertures providing recesses into which only said outer band portion may be crimped without shearing same, in directions away from said adjacent portion, to form locking detents disposed therein, said tool comprising:

a. a body member having a channel through which said tail may slide and an abutment at one end thereof engageable with one end of the buckle,

b. a rectilinearly slideable tensioning member carried by the body member through which the tail is adapted to extend,

c. a first lever carried by the body member and operatively connected to the tensioning member for oscillating same,

d. means for clutching the tensioning member to the tail during movement of the first lever in one direction of its oscillation,

e. a crimping head pivotally connected to the body member having a pair of moveable members each having a wedge-like end adapted to enter a said first aperture and between said outer and inner portions,

f. a second lever pivotally carried by the crimping head and means operated thereby for conjointly moving the wedgelike ends toward each other, the construction being such that said wedgelike ends crimp only said outer portion, without severing same, in a direction away from said adjacent portion and form locking detents disposed within the second apertures which are subjected to shear and without weakening the band in tension at the locking detents,

g. means for latching the crimping head to the body member in a position for forming the locking detents, the crimping head, when unlatched, adapted to be swung to a non-interferring position with respect to the buckle at which position the tool and tensioned band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break the tail from the band adjacent one end of the buckle.

2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation.

3. A tool in accordance with claim 1 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation, said abutment and second clutching means being pivotally mounted on the same axis and resiliently urged against a face of the channel.

4. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for latching the crimping head to the body member is adapted to be moved to unlatched position by movement of said second lever in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved during formation of the detents.

5. A tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the crimping head latching means is pivotally carried by the crimping head and resiliently urged toward latching position.

6. A tool in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said buckle.

7. A tool in accordance with claim 6 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation.

8. A tool in accordance with claim 6 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation, said abutment and second clutching means being pivotally mounted on the same axis and resiliently urged against a face of the channel.

9. A tool in accordance with claim 6 wherein the means for latching the crimping head to the body member is adapted to be moved to unlatched position by movement of said second lever in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved during formation of the detents.

10. A tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein the crimping head latching means is pivotally carried by the crimping head and resiliently urged toward latching position.

11. A tool for securing ends of a looped band to a buckle of the type having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and side walls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer slideable portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the outer portion having a straight tail extending beyond the buckle adapted to be tensioned to thereby contract the band around an article, comprising:

b, a rectilinearly slideable tensioning member carried by the body member through which the tail is adapted to extend,

(1. means for clutching the tensioning member to the tail during movement of the first lever in one direction of its oscillation,

e. a crimping head pivotally connected to the body member having moveable means for forming locking detents between the band and buckle,

f. a second lever pivotally carried by the crimping head and means operated thereby for moving said moveable means,

g. means for latching the crimping head to the body member in a position for forming the locking detents, the crimping head, when unlatched, adapted to be swung to a noninterferring position with respect to the buckle at which position the tool and tensioned band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break the tail from the band adjacent one end of the buckle.

12. A tool in accordance with claim 11 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation, said abutment and second clutching means being pivotally mounted on the same'axis and resiliently urged against a face of the channel, the means for latching the crimping head to the body member adapted to be moved to unlatched position by movement of said second lever in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved during formation of the detents, the crimping head latching means being pivotally carried by the crimping head and resiliently urged toward latching position.

Claims

1. A tool for securing ends of a looped band to a buckle of the type having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and side walls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer slideable portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the outer portion having a straight tail extending beyond the buckle adapted to be tensioned to thereby contract the band around an article, said sidewalls each having a first aperture therein, each joined to a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent the side edges of same, the first apertures providing access for wedgelike ends of a band crimping device to enter between said portions in lateral directions toward each other, the second apertures providing recesses into which only said outer band portion may be crimped without shearing same, in directions away from said adjacent portion, to form locking detents disposed therein, said tool comprising: a. a body member having a channel through which said tail may slide and an abutment at one end thereof engageable with one end of the buckle, b. a rectilinearly slideable tensioning member carried by the body member through which the tail is adapted to extend, c. a first lever carried by the body member and operatively connected to the tensioning member for oscillating same, d. means for clutching the tensioning member to the tail during movement of the first lever in one direction of its oscillation, e. a crimping head pivotally connected to the body member having a pair of moveable members each having a wedge-like end adapted to enter a said first aperture and between said outer and inner portions, f. a second lever pivotally carried by the crimping head and means operated thereby for conjointly moving the wedgelike ends toward each other, the construction being such that said wedgelike ends crimp only said outer portion, without severing same, in a direction away from said adjacent portion and form locking detents disposed within the second apertures which are subjected to shear and without weakening the band in tension at the locking detents, g. means for latching the crimping head to the body member in a position for forming the locking detents, the crimping head, when unlatched, adapted to be swung to a non-interferring position with respect to the buckle at which position the tool and tensioned band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break the tail from the band adjacent one end of the buckle.

6. A tool in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said buckle.

11. A tool for securing ends of a looped band to a buckle of the type having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and side walls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer slideable portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the outer portion having a straight tail extending beyond the buckle adapted to be tensioned to thereby contract the band around an article, comprising: a. a body member having a channel through which said tail may slide and an abutment at one end thereof engageable with one end of the buckle, b. a rectilinearly slideable tensioning member carried by the body member through which the tail is adapted to extend, c. a first lever carried by the body member and operatively connected to the tensioning member for oscillating same, d. means for clutching the tensioning member to the tail during movement of the first lever in one direction of its oscillation, e. a crimping head pivotally connected to the body member having moveable means for forming locking detents between the band and buckle, f. a second lever pivotally carried by the crimping head and means operated thereby for moving said moveable means, g. means for latching the crimping head to the body member in a position for forming the locking detents, the crimping head, when unlatched, adapted to be swung to a noninterferring position with respect to the buckle at which position the tool and tensioned band may be relatively rotated in the plane of the band to break the tail from the band adjacent one end of the buckle.

12. A tool in accordance with claim 11 including second clutching means for preventing retrograde movement of the tail during movement of the first lever in its other direction of oscillation, said abutment and second clutching means being pivotally mounted on the same axis and resiliently urged against a face of the channel, the means for latching the crimping head to the body member adapted to be moved to unlatched position by movement of said second lever in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved during formation of the detents, the crimping head latching means being pivotally carried by the crimping head and resiliently urged toward latching position.