US3645302A

US3645302A - Strap installation tool

Info

Publication number: US3645302A
Application number: US20927A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack E Caveney; Roy A Moody; Raymond F Roberson
Original assignee: Panduit Corp
Current assignee: Panduit Corp
Priority date: 1970-03-19
Filing date: 1970-03-19
Publication date: 1972-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-28

Abstract

Two structural embodiments are disclosed, each has resiliently connected jaws with a cutter on each jaw cooperating with the cutter on the other jaw. A cam lever is pivotally mounted to one of the jaws and has a cam operatively engageable with the other jaw to operate and position the jaws relative to each other, and to operate a strap tensioning pawl.

Description

United States Patent Caveney et al.

1451 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] STRAP INSTALLATION TOOL [72] Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Chicago; Roy A. Moody, Flossmoor; Raymond F. Roberson, Tinley Park, all of I11.

[73] Assignee: Panduit, Tinley Park, 111.

[22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 20,927

[52] 11.8. C1 ..l40/93.2, 140/1236 [51] Int. Cl. .3211 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..140/93, 932,117, 121, 123.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bell ..140/93 Schwester et al. 140/ 123.6

Brohawn 140/1 23.6

Lawson et a] 140/1216 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-Evan D. Roberts [57] ABSTRACT Two structural embodiments are disclosed, each has resiliently connected jaws with a cutter on each jaw cooperating with the cutter on the other jaw. A cam lever is pivotally mounted to one of the jaws and has a cam operatively engageable with the other jaw to operate and position the jaws relative to each other, and to operate a strap tensioning pawl.

28 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures Pmmmmeemz 6 3,645,302

SHEET 1 [IF 2 30 38 48 jj/ 57 r 62 FIG. 6 FIG. ll

INVENTORS.

JACK E. CAVENEY ROY A. MOODY RAYMOND F. ROBERSON ATTORNEY STRAP INSTALLATION 'roor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention related to a handtool for installing a binder strap by tensioning and severing a strap which has the end thereof inserted through a retaining collar to assume an assembled condition. The tool of this invention provides cutters and jaws that can be positioned to accept and tension the end of the assembled strap to the exclusion of the retaining collar thereof, or to accept a strap and a strap retaining collar of an assembled or installed strap for severing same, and thereby respectively facilitate either the severance of an installed strap, or the tensioning assembly of a strap to install same.

The subject invention provides a strap installation tool wherein strap cutters and jaws thereof are automatically positioned and actuated by a single continuous pivotal movement of a cam lever whereby a cutter or a slipper and jaw structure is positioned to restrain movement of a strap retaining collar of a partially assembled strap while the end of the strap is moved through the retaining collar to tension the strap with respect to the collar thereof to facilitate the snug installation of the strap to a bundle of wires or the like.

In addition, the structure of the tool in this invention provides an automatic positioning of cutter teeth for restraining a strap retaining collar without requiring supplemental restraining structures therefor while tensioning a strap with respect to the retaining collar thereof to automatically complete the assembly of the strap and to install the strap to a bundle or the like by a single or repeated oscillatory movement of a single cam lever.

The structure of the subject invention further automatically provides limited tensioning and ultimate severing of the strap after a predetermined tension is reached within the strap or upon arbitrary determination to sever the strap prior to reaching a given tension limit, all of which is provided in response to the pivotal movement of the single actuating lever.

It is a further object of this invention to provide full open and tensioning positions for the jaws thereof as relatively stable detent-type reactions with respect to the tool actuating lever to provide readily obtainable and physically recognizable positions during the single continuous pivotal movement of the cam lever in the manual operation of the tool.

Other advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings within:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned top plan view of a first basic embodiment of the handtool of this invention showing a strap looped around a bundle of wires, through the strap retaining collar, and inserted into the tool against a deflector or guide thereof. FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the tool illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the cutter in position to allow entry of the strap and the restraining strap retaining collar.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing the strap being tensioned by the tensioning pawl.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the strap cutting action thereof.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of the first embodiment of this invention showing the jaws thereof in the full open position with the cutters spaced apart to receive the strap retaining collar of an assembled strap.

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view of the pawl shown in FIGS. l-S.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the tooth of the pawl in engagement with the strap shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing interreaction between the tensioning pawl and the lower jaw and the strap.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the pawl showing one lateral row of teeth.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along line 10-40 of FIG. 9 showing the configuration of the gripping surface of the pawl therein.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the strap gripper element of a third embodiment of the pawl shown in FIGS. 3-8 having multiple longitudinal gripping teeth.

FIG; 12 is a partial sectional top plan view of a second basic embodiment of the tool of this invention showing a partially assembled strap with the end thereof looped around a bundle, inserted through a strap retaining head, and inserted through the cutters of the tool into the guide between the jaws thereof.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the tool of this invention as illustrated in FIG. 12 and showing the cutter thereof in position to allow entry of the end of the strap and to restrain the strap retaining collar.

FIG. 14 is partially sectioned view of the tool of this invention illustrated in FIG. 12 and taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 11 showing the strap being tensioned by the pawl, the tension relief structure in the lower jaw, and a strap deflector.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 12 showing the strap cutting action thereof.

FIG. 16 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of the second embodiment of this invention showing jaws in the full open position thereof with the cutters spaced apart to receive the strap retaining collar of an assembled strap.

FIG. 17 is a general partial sectional view of the cutter portion of the tool of this invention showing same in combination with a bundle restraining bracket.

A strap installation tool generally represented by the numeral 20 is shown in FIGS. 1-7 for the purpose of illustrating and describing a basic and preferred first embodiment of this invention. Tool 20 includes, generally, first jaw 21, second jaw 22, cam lever 23, cam 24, fulcrum bracket 25, and tensioning pawl 26. Tool 20 is illustrated with respect to the typical use thereof in regard to the installation of a strap 28 (FIGS. l-5) around wires 29 wherein the strap 28 is assembled by looping the end 28a thereof around the wires 29, inserting the free end 280 through a strap retaining collar 30 (FIGS. I-3), and inserting the end 28a of the strap 28 into tool 20 to bundle the wires 29 (FIGS.3and4).

laws

21 and 22 are made of resilient material such as spring steel and are respectively bent so as to be spaced apart at the left (FIGS. 1-5) when rigidly secured together at the right on a guide or deflector 31 by a rivet 32 or the like. A resilient hand saddle 33 is also secured to the jaw 21 by rivet 32 and is provided with a flange 34 whereby tool 20 can be urged to the left toward bundle 29 when tool 20 is held in the hand with the fingers positioned laterally in saddle 33.

Cutters

37 and 38 are respectively provided on

jaws

21 and 22 to cooperate to sever strap 28 therebetween when

jaws

21 and 22 are moved together against the resilient bias thereof (FIG. 4). Restraining

surfaces

39 and 40 are respectively provided on

cutters

37 and 38. An insertion guide or deflector 41 is secured to upper jaw 22 between

jaws

21 and 22 by a rivet or similar means 42 and is adapted to direct strap 28, inserted between cutters 37 and 38 (FIG. 2), toward upper surface 43 of lower jaw 21 so as to pass beneath pawl 26.

Fulcrum 25 (FIGS. l-5) is secured to lower jaw 21 by a rivet or similar means 45, is provided with two upwardly extending fulcrum arms 46, and has a pivot comprising a pin 47 extending between arms 46 beyond second jaw 22. Cam lever 23 is 'pivotally retained on pivot pin 47 with cam 24 comprising two extended members 24 with a series of

cam surface portions

48, 49, 50, and 51 adapted to engage with upper surface 52 of upper jaw 22 adjacent cutter 38.

In particular, cam surface portion 48 is illustrated as a flat surface and provides a full open position (FIG. 5) when lever 23 is moved to the full counterclockwise position to facilitate positioning of cutter 38 with respect to cutter 37 to allow-the doubled strap 28 and retaining collar 30 to enter therebetween. Cam surface portion 49 is also flat and provides a reaction with the upperjaw 22 to position the upper jaw with respect to the lower jaw 21 (FIG. 2) whereby strap 28 may enter between

cutters

37 and 38 but, collar 30 will be restrained from movement therebetween by restraining

surfaces

39 and 40.

Cam surface portion 50 is substantially concentric with respect to pivot 47 and accordingly, movement of lever 23 causing cam portion 50 to react with upper jaw 22 by movement of lever 23 between the FIG. 2 position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3) to the position shown in FIG. 3, will provide no change in relative position of

cutters

37 and 38 of

j aws

21 and 22. Cam surface portion 51 is an extended eccentric surface whereby, movement of lever 23 from the position shown in FIG. 3 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4) to the position shown in FIG. 4, the upper jaw 22 will be moved with respect to the lower jaw 21 to cause

cutters

37 and 38 to cooperate to sever strap 28 therebetween.

Pawl 26 (FIGS. 1-8) is generally U-shaped in cross section (FIGS. 6 and 8) with longitudinally extending arms 55 (FIGS. 2 and 6) adapted to be pivotally connected to lever 23 by a pin 56 whereby pawl 26 is eccentrically mounted with respect to pivot 47 of lever 23. A torsion spring 57 is mounted on pin 56 with

ends

58 and 59 thereof respectively in engagement with an inner surface 60 of lever 23 and a lateral bar 61 on pawl 26 to provide a bias between lever 23 and pawl 26. The bias thus created by spring 57 will urge pawl 26 toward upper surface 43 of lower jaw 21, and lever 23 counterclockwise about pivot 47.

Jaws

21 and 22 are placed in the full open position (FIG. by moving lever 23 counterclockwise from any other position shown. In lieu of any action from spring 57, this counterclockwise movement will be limited by either: full open cam surface 48 in reaction with upper surface 52 of jaw 22: or a gripper element 62 in engagement with jaw 22 (FIG. 5).

Gripper element 62 is provided with a laterally extending tooth 63 having a radius 64 on one of both ends thereof adapted to respectively engage upper comers 65 of jaw 21 when pawl 26 is urged toward jaw 21 by spring 57 and the clockwise action of lever 23. A space 66 is thus providedbetween gripper tooth 63 and surface 43 of jaw 21 to allow gripper tooth 63 to embed into strap 28 but, to prevent direct cutting of strap 28 by complete and direct severing action between surface 43 and tooth 63.

The second and third embodiment of the pawl gripper element teeth 67 and 68 (FIGS. 9 and 11) illustrated on

pawls

26a and 26b (FIGS 9-11) may be used in lieu of tooth 63 (FIG. 7) and with or without radius 64. The spacing required between teeth 67 and the upper surface 43 of jaw 21 to prevent cutting of strap 28 by complete and direct action between surface 43 and tooth 67, is provided by the recesses 69 between the lateral row of teeth 67. Likewise, recess 70 between teeth 68 (FIG. 11) will cause the force exerted by pawl 26 against strap 28 to be distributed over the strap material confined therein and thus tend to prevent the direct cutting of strap 28 by the pawl 26b.

In operation, the first embodiment of the tool of this invention is utilized in conjunction with a binder strap 28 which is assembled by insertion of the end thereof through a retaining collar 30 (FIG. 1) with the strap being looped around a bundle of wires or the like 29 (FIGS. 2 and 3) upon which the strap is to be installed (FIG. 4 and 5). The end of the assembled strap 28a is inserted in the tool 20 with lever 23 preferably in the tensioning position (FIG. 2) wherein flat cam surface 49 has been caused to position jaw 22 with respect to jaws 21 so that

cutters

37 and 38 are positioned to allow insertion of the end of strap 28 but, to restrain the retaining collar 30 of the assembled strap. The end of the strap 280 will be directed by guide 41 to pass beneath spring biased pawl 26 and, if the strap is sufficiently long, to engage deflector guide 31 (FIG. 1) and be directed to one side thereof.

Tool 20 is thus moved along the end of the strap until

surfaces

39 and 40 of the

cutters

37 and 38 engage strap retaining collar 30. Lever 23 is reciprocated between the FIG. 2 position to the FIG. 3 position by alternately rotating lever 23 clockwise about pivot 47 against the bias of spring 57 and

jaws

21 and 22, and subsequently by releasing lever 23 to allow spring 57 to urge lever 23 counterclockwise to move from the FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 2 position. The pivot 56 of the pawl 26 will urge the pawl down and to the right (FIG. 3) in engagement with strap end 28a in the first instances (FIGS. 7 and 8) with sufiicient force to move the strap end 280 to the right along upper surface 43 of jaw 21. As previously explained, radius 64 of pawl 26 will be in engagement with comer 65 of jaw 21 to allow tooth 63 to embed in the end of strap 28 but, to prevent direct severing of the end of the strap 28 by tooth 63 during the tensioning action.

Eventually, strap end 280 will become tensioned between the retaining collar 30 and tooth 63 of pawl 26 with a force balanced by the tension in the remaining portion of the strap around bundle 29 whereby, further tensioning reciprocation (FIGS. 2 and 3) of lever 23 will cause the end of the strap to be stretched therebetween rather than be drawn through collar 30. At this time, or at any time during the tensioning reciprocation of lever 23, lever 23 can be further pivoted from FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 4 position to move jaw 22 with respect to jaw 21 to cause

cutters

39 and 40 to cooperate to sever the end of strap 28 adjacent restraining collar 30 (FIG. 4). Accordingly, successive tensioning reciprocation of lever 23 will merely result in repeated stretching and contracting of the strap 28 around the bundle 29.

If strap 28 is caused to reach the limit of its elasticity by the tensioning reciprocation of lever 23, or if strap end 28a does not possess sufficient resiliency to allow the repeated stretching and contracting as a result of the tensioning reciprocation of lever 23 referred to above, repeated tensioning oscillation of lever 23 will result in stretching without contraction, which in turn, will result in excess stretching of strap 28 between

cutters

37 and 38 and the tooth 63 of pawl 26. However, inasmuch as tooth 63 is caused to partially embed in the strap 28 (FIG. 7) during tensioning reciprocation of lever 23, thereby reducing the strap cross-sectional area, the stress on the strap will be the greatest in this area causing the strap to eventually tend to fracture at this point upon continued tensioning stretching, thus preventing further and possible undesirable tensioning of strap 28 about bundle 29. Thus, the first embodiment of the tool of this invention provides automatic strap tension limitation predetermined by, among other things, the configuration of tooth 63 and the characteristics and configuration of the material of the strap 28.

A strap installation tool generally represented by the numeral is shown in FIGS. 12-16 for the purpose of illustrating and describing a basic second embodiment of this invention. Tool 80 includes, generally, first jaw 81, second jaw 82, cam lever 83, earn 84, fulcrum 85, and tensioning pawl 86. Tool 80 is illustrated with respect to the typical use thereof in regard to the installation of a strap 88 around wires 89 wherein the strap 88 is assembled by looping the end 88a thereof around the wires 89, inserting the end 880 through a strap retaining collar 90 (FIGS. 12-14), and inserting the end 88a of the strap 88 into tool 80 to bundle the wires 89 (FIGS. 15 and 16).

Jaws

81 and 82 are made of resilient material such as spring steel with respective slots 81a and 82a therethrough, and are respectively bent so as to be spaced apart at the left (FIGS. 13-16) when rigidly secured together at the right by a rivet 92 or the like. Slots 81a and 82a terminated at one end in a continuous strap deflecting surface 91, and at the other ends at 94 and 95 respectively.

Cutters

97 and 98 are respectively provided on

jaws

81 and 82 to cooperate to sever strap 88 therebetween when

jaws

81 and 82 are moved'together against the resilient bias thereof (FIG. 15). Restraining surfaces 99 and 100 are respectively provided on

cutters

97 and 98. An insertion guide or deflector 101 is secured to lower jaw 81 between

jaws

81 and 82 and is adapted to direct strap 88, inserted between cutters 97 and 98 (FIGS. 13), toward upper surface 103 of lower jaw 81 so as to pass beneath pawl 86.

Fulcrum 85 (FIGS. 12-16) is secured to lower jaw 81, is provided with two upwardly extending fulcrum arms 106, and

have a pivot comprising a pin 107 extending between arms 106 beyond second jaw 82. Cam lever 83 is pivotally retained on pivot pin 107 with cam 84 comprising two extended members 84 with a series of

cam surface portions

108, 109, 110, and 111 adapted to engage with upper surface 112 of upper jaw 82 adjacent cutter 98.

In particular, cam surface portion 108 is illustrated as a flat surface and provides a full open position (FIG. 16) when lever 83 is moved to the full counterclockwise position to facilitate positioning of cutter 98 with respect to cutter 97 to allow the doubled strap 88 and retaining collar 90 to enter therebetween. Cam surface portion 109 is also flat and provides a reaction with the upper jaw 82 to position upper jaw 82 with respect to the lower jaw 81 (FIG. 13) whereby strap 88 may enter between

cutters

97 and 98 but, collar 90 will be restrained from movement therebetween by restraining

surfaces

99 and 100.

Cam surface portion 110 is eccentric and curved with respect to pivot 107 whereby movement of lever 83 will cause cam portion 110 to react only slightly with upper jaw 82 by movement of lever 83 between FIG. 13 position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 14) to the FIG. 14 position, will provide only slight change in relative position of

cutters

97 and 98 of

jaws

81 and 82. Cam surface portion 111 is an extended eccentric surface whereby movement of lever 83 from the position shown in FIG. 14 (shown in phantom line in FIG. 15) to the FIG. 15 position, upper jaw 82 will be moved with respect to lower jaw 81 to cause

cutters

97 and 98 to cooperate to sever the strap 88 therebetween.

Pawl 86 (FIGS. 12-16) is generally bar shaped and is pivotally connected to lever 83 by a pin 116 whereby pawl 86 is eccentrically mounted with respect to pivot 107 of lever 83. A torsion spring 117 is mounted on pin 116 with

ends

118 and 119 thereof respectively in engagement with an intersurface 120 of lever 83 and pawl 86 to provide a bias between lever 83 and pawl 86. The bias thus created by spring 117 will urge pawl 86 toward upper surface 103 of lower jaw 81 and lever 83 counterclockwise about pivot 107 thereof.

.

laws

81 and 82 are placed in the full open position (FIG. 16) by moving lever 83 counterclockwise from any other position shown. In lieu of any action from spring 1 17, this counterclockwise movement will be limited by full open cam surface 108 in detent reaction with upper surface 112 of jaw 82 (FIG. 16).

A general gripper element is provided on the lower end of pawl 86 and includes a small flat surface 122 and a series of laterally extending teeth 123. Pawl 86 is pivotally attached to lever 83 by pin 116 whereby, in lieu of a strap 88 within tool 80 and with lever 83 in the collar restraining position (FIG. 13), pawl 86 will be rotated clockwise about pin 116 by spring 117 with the general plane of the gripper element teeth 123 at an angle to surface 103 of jaw 81. Flat surface 122 of pawl 86 will thereby be in engagement with surface 103 rather than teeth 123. Thus, the gripper element teeth 123 will not tend to engage surface 103 when a strap 88 is not present. Accordingly, when lever 83 is moved clockwise about pin 107, urging pawl 86 downwardly and to the right (FIGS. 13 and 14) along surface 103, teeth 123 will not be caused to react with surface 103 and thereby prevent possible damage to teeth 123 or surface 103.

When a strap 88 is present between pawl 86 and jaw 81 (FIGS. 13 and 14) pawl 86 will be rotated slightly counterclockwise whereby gripper element teeth 123 will engage and embed into strap 88 to cause strap 88 to be moved to the right along surface 103 of jaw 81, when lever 83 is moved through the tensioning stroke (FIG. 14). The recesses between teeth 123 will cause the force exerted by pawl 86 against strap 88 to be distributed over the strap material confined therein and thus tend to prevent the direct cutting of strap 88 by pawl 86 in much the same matter as that referred to in regard to teeth 68 (FIG. 11) of the second embodiment of pawl 26 of the first embodiment of this invention.

The termination edge 94 of slot 81a in jaw 81 is positioned along surface 103 of jaw 81 to limit the length of tensioning reaction along surface 103 by pawl 86 in response to the action of lever 83 through the tensioning movement thereof (FIG. 14). In particular, continued clockwise tensioning movement of lever 83 beyond that shown (FIG. 14)'will result in causing gripper element teeth 123 of pawl 86 to move to the right beyond termination edge 94 of slot 81a (FIG. 15) to preclude further tensioning reaction with surface 103 during any continued clockwise movement of lever 83.

In operation, the second embodiment of the tool of this invention is utilized in conjunction with a binder strap 88 which is assembled by insertion of the end thereof through a retaining collar (FIG. 12) with strap 88 being looped around a bundle of wires or the like 89 (FIGS. 13 and 14) upon which strap 88 is to be installed (FIGS. 15 and 16). The end of the assembled strap 88 is inserted in the tool 80 with lever 83 preferably in the tensioning position (FIG. 13) wherein flat cam surface 109 has been caused to position jaw 82 with respect to jaw 81 so that

cutters

98 and 97 are positioned to allow insertion of the end of strap 88 but, to restrain the retaining collar 90 of the assembled strap. The end of the strap 88 will be directed by guide 101 to pass beneath biased pawl 86 and, if the strap is sufficiently long, to engage deflector guide 91 (FIGS. 14 and 15) and be directed above or below same.

Tool 80 is thus moved along the end of the strap 88 until

surfaces

99 and 100 of

cutters

97 and 98 engage strap retaining collar 90. Lever 83 is reciprocated between the FIG. 13 position to the FIG. 14 position by alternately rotating lever 83 clockwise about pivot 107 against the bias of spring 117 and spring bias of

jaws

81 and 82, and subsequently by releasing lever 83 to allow spring 117 and

jaws

81 and 82 to urge lever 83 counterclockwise to move from the FIG. 14 position to the FIG. 13 position. The eccentric pivot 116 of the pawl 86 will urge pawl 86 down and to the right (FIG. 14) in engagement with strap end 88a, in the first instance, with sufficient force to move the strap end 88a to the right along upper surface 103 orjaw 81.

Eventually, strap end 880 will become tensioned between the retaining collar 90 and teeth 123 of pawl 86 with a force balanced by the tension in the remaining portion of the strap around bundle 98 whereby, further tensioning reciprocation (FIGS. 13 and 14) of lever 83 will cause the end of the strap 88 to be stretched therebetween rather than be drawn through collar 90. At this time, or at any time during the tensioning reciprocation of lever 83, lever 83 can be further pivoted from the FIG. 14 position to FIG. 15 position to move jaw 82 with respect to jaw 81 to cause

cutters

99 and 100 to cooperate to sever the end of strap 88 adjacent restraining collar 90 (FIG. 15). Accordingly, successive tensioning reciprocation of lever 83 will merely result in repeated stretching and contracting of the strap 88 around the bundle 89.

If strap 88 is caused to reach the limit of its elasticity by the tensioning reciprocation of lever 83, or if strap end 88a does not possess sufficient resiliency to allow the repeated stretching and contracting as a result of the tensioning reciprocation of lever 83 referred to above, repeated tensioning occilation of lever 83 will result in stretching without contraction which, in turn, will result in excess stretching of strap 88 between

cutter

97 and 98 and the tooth 123 of pawl 86. However, inasmuch as teeth 123 are caused to partially embed in the strap end 880 during tensioning reciprocation of lever 123, thereby reducing the strap cross-sectional area, the stress on the strap will be the greatest in this area causing the strap to eventually tend to fracture at this point upon continued tensioning stretching, thus precluding further and possibly undesirable tensioning of strap 88 about bundle 89. The second embodiment of the tool of this invention thereby provides an automatic strap tension limitation predetermined by, among other things, the configuration of teeth 63 and the characteristics and configuration of the material of the strap 28.

Further, the second embodiment of the tool of this invention provides an additional automatic limit on the tension that can be applied to the strap 88 by the tool 80. In particular, the location of the termination edge 94 of the slot 81a along surface 103 will determine the effective length of the tensioning stroke of pawl 86 with respect to surface 103 during clockwise movement of lever 83 (FIG. 14). Thus, positioning of termination edge 94 toward

cutters

97 and 98 to left will result in a lesser tensioning limit on the effect from lever 83 and positioning of termination edge 94 away from cutters 97 and 98 (to right) will result in a greater limit on the tensioning effect from lever 83. i Another variation of the two illustrated embodiments of this invention is shown in FIG. 17 as applied to the preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1-5). This variation includes a bundle or strap collar restrainer 125 which is shown to be formed as an extension of fulcrum 25. Restrainer 125 has a restraining surface 126 having an opening 127 therethrough for receiving strap end 28a and for restraining collar 90 to allow tensioning of the assembled strap 28 by action of lever 23 as explained above.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining means comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposed cutting means operable to cut a strap positioned therebetween, a restraining means adapted for opposing movement of the strap retaining means, means for urging said cutting means apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a gripping means operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said restraining means to tension the strap, and an operating means mounted for movement independent of either of said jaws and which is operatively connected to said gripping means and said cutting means to position said cutting means for tensioning and subsequent cutting of the strap whereby the relative positions of said cutting means are solely dependent on the position of the operating means and independent of strap tension.

2. The handtool defined by claim 1 wherein said restraining means is formed independently of said cutting means.

3. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws are resilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cutting means respectively positioned on the other end thereof and normally spaced apart to provide a resilient bias means therebetween.

4. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is pivotally mounted to one of said jaws.

5. The handtool as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said jaws includes a fulcrum element extending from said jaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivot positioned away from other said jaw for pivotally retaining said operating means.

6. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a pawl with tool means extending in opposing relation with the surface of one of said jaws.

7. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said gripping means further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage one of said jaws in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said jaw to prevent engagement of said tooth means with said aw.

8. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough after being inserted between and beyond said cutting means.

9. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a guide mans is secured to one of said jaws between said jaws to direct the strap from between said cutting means and into engagement with said gripping means.

10. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said pawl is adapted to engage a strap against one of said jaws to be operable for tensioning said strap.

11. The handtool as defined in claim 10 wherein said jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagement between said pawl and said jaw.

12. The handtool as defined in claim 1 including a deflecting means opposite said cutting means to deflect a strap inserted through said cutting means.

13. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a bias means is provided for urging said gripping means into engagement with the strap inserted in said tool.

14. Tire handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

15. A handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of carn surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent position for said operating means to tend to prevent movement of said operating means in either direction with said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operat ing means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

16. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnectedjaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a frrll open position through tensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the tensioning and cutting movement of said lever to operate said tensioning pawl and to operate said cutters.

17. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween and to be positioned to selectively oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap or strap retaining collar therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through positioning, tensioning, and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the positioning, tensioning, and cutting movement of said lever for respectively moving said cutters to a partially closed position to restrain the retaining collar from movement therebetween with the strap, to operate said tensioning pawl, and to operate said cutters.

18. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said jaws are resilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cutters respectively positioned on the other ends thereof and normally spaced apart to provide said bias resilient means therebetween.

19. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw includes a fulcrum element extending from said first jaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivot positioned away from said first jaw and beyond said second jaw for pivotally retaining said lever.

20. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said pawl gripping element comprises a tooth means extending in opposing relation with the surface of said first jaw.

21. A handtool as defined in claim 20 wherein said pawl gripping element further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage said first jaw in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said first jaw to prevent engagement of said tooth means with said first jaw.

22. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough after being inserted between and beyond said cutters.

23. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein a guide means is secured to one of said jaws between said jaws to direct said strap from between said cutters and under said pawl.

24. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said tensioning pawl is adapted to engage a strap against said first jaw to be operable for tensioning the strap.

25. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagement between said pawl and said first aw.

26. A handtool as defined in claim 16 including a deflecting means adjacent said interconnected portion thereof to deflect a strap inserted through said cutters and directed along said jaws toward said interconnected jaw portion thereof.

27. A handtool as defined in claim 17 wherein said cam surface means is a series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an

- eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent reaction between said lever and said second jaw to tend to prevent movement of said lever in either direction when said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said lever for tensioning action through said pawl without sufficient reaction through said upper jaw with respect to said cutters to actuate said cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.

28. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said cam lever is provided with a series of cam portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said cam lever for tensioning action through said pawl gripping means without actuation of said cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.

Claims

7. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said gripping means further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage one of said jaws in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said jaw to prevent engagement of said tooth means with said jaw.

14. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

15. A handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent position for said operating means to tend to prevent movement of said operating means in either direction with said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

16. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through tensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the tensioning and cutting movement of said lever to operate said tensioning pawl and to operate said cutters.

25. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagement between said pawl and said first jaw.

27. A handtool as defined in claim 17 wherein said cam surface means is a series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent reaction between said lever and said second jaw to tend to prevent movement of said lever in either direction when said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said lever for tensioning action through said pawl without sufficient reaction through said upper jaw with respect to said cutters to actuate said cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.