Band Tensioning Tool Insert

Abstract

A band tensioning tool is provided that employs a replaceable insert juxtaposed to a tensioning wheel. The insert is made of low-friction material wherein band galling and tension wheel slippage is drastically reduced. The tool employing the contemplated insert can tension bands of various material properties with predictable repeatability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A band tensioning tool comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered tension wheel;   a foot spaced from said tension wheel, said foot having a recess;   a lever associated with said foot that selectively moves said foot away from said tension wheel; and   an insert positioned in said insert, said recess being made of a low-friction material.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said low-friction insert has a room temperature tensile strength of between about 20,000 to 32,000 psi, room temperature tensile modulus of between about 3-4 Mpsi, room temperature flexural strength of between about 30,000 to 50,000 psi, room temperature flexural modulus of between about 4.9 to 4.12 Mpsi, room temperature compressive strength of between about 40,000-75,000 psi, and room temperature coefficient of friction of between about 0.15 to 0.20. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said low friction insert has a coefficient of friction of between about 0.15 to 0.20. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said low friction insert has a coefficient of friction of between about 0.05 to 0.40. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said low friction insert is made of a composition comprised of a mixture of between about 40%-60% pmr-15 polyamide resin and between about 40%-60% of at least one of carbon fiber and graphite. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said insert has a circular outer perimeter. 
     
     
         7 . A band tensioning tool comprising a gear housing having a tension wheel protruding from a portion thereof; a foot pivotally coupled to said gear housing and having a band support portion disposed generally opposite said tension wheel; a compression foot spring having a first end portion associated with said gear housing and a second end portion associated with said foot, said compression foot spring adapted to pivotally bias said band support portion of said foot toward the tension wheel; a handle having a first end portion coupled to said foot, said handle having an intermediate portion and a second end portion extending from said foot generally along the axial dimension of said gear housing, said handle being actuatable toward and away from said gear housing to pivot said foot against the pivotal bias of said compression foot spring, which moves said band support portion away from said tension wheel to provide a band-receiving gap, the improvement comprising:
 a low-friction insert incorporated in said foot, said low-friction insert being generally aligned with, but spaced from, said tension wheel when said handle is actuated toward said gear housing.   
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein said low-friction insert has a room temperature tensile strength of between about 20,000 to 32,000 psi, room temperature tensile modulus of between about 3-4 Mpsi, room temperature flexural strength of between about 30,000 to 50,000 psi, room temperature flexural modulus of between about 4.9 to 4.12 Mpsi, room temperature compressive strength of between about 40,000-75,000 psi, and room temperature coefficient of friction of between about 0.15 to 0.20. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein said low friction insert has a coefficient of friction of between about 0.05 to 0.40. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein said low friction insert is made of a composition comprised of a mixture of between about 40%-60% pmr-15 polyamide resin and between about 40%-60% of at least one of carbon fiber and graphite. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a band about a plurality of objects, comprising:
 providing a band tensioning tool comprising a pneumatically-powered tension wheel, a foot spaced from said tension wheel, said foot having a recess, a lever associated with said foot that selectively moves said foot away from said tension wheel, and an insert positioned in said insert, said recess being made of a low-friction material;   moving said lever to separate said foot from said tension wheel;   placing a band between said tension wheel and said foot;   releasing said lever which moves said insert into engagement with said band, said band also being engaged to said tension wheel;   rotating said tension wheel, which moves said band across said insert;   achieving a predetermined band tension;   deforming a seal about said band to create a band loop; and   severing an excess portion of said band.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said band does not substantially gall when it moves across said insert. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning bands made of at least one of a carbon steel, a stainless steel alloy, and a steel/nickel alloy, wherein retained force is between about 200-400 lbf. is achieved, regardless of band material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning bands made of at least one of Zeron, Alloy 400, one-quarter hard 304 stainless steel, and 316 stainless steel, wherein retained force is between about 200-400 lbf. is achieved, regardless of band material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning a plurality of Zeron bands with a standard deviation associated with applied band tension is about 30-40. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning a plurality of Zeron bands such that a standard deviation associated with applied band tension is reduced by about 80-90% with respect to a similar tool that does not employ a low-friction insert. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning a plurality of Alloy 400 bands with a standard deviation associated with applied band tension is about 50-60. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tool is capable of tensioning a plurality of Alloy 400 bands such that a standard deviation associated with applied band tension is reduced by about 55-65% with respect to a similar tool that does not employ a low-friction insert. 
     
     
         19 . A band tensioned by the method of  claim 11 .