Automatic portable cable tie tool

Abstract

A portable tool configured for tightening bands, such as cable ties, around an elongate object, such as a bundle of cables or the like. The tool includes a command interface that allows a the user of the tool to choose a predetermined final circumferential dimension of the loop formed by the band around the bundle of cables. An electronic unit commands a tensioning device and a severing device depending on the predetermined circumferential dimension chosen by means of the command interface. The invention also relates to a method for commanding the tool.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured for fitting a band around an elongate object, said apparatus comprising:
 an integrated fitting mechanism configured to form the band into a loop closed around the elongate object;   a tensioning device configured to tighten the band around the elongate object;   a severing device configured to sever a portion of the band after the band is tightened around the elongate object;   an electronic control unit in communication with the integrated fitting mechanism, the tensioning device, and the severing device; and   a command interface configured to allow a user of the apparatus to choose a predetermined circumferential dimension of the loop formed by the band around the elongate object, wherein the electronic control unit commands the tensioning device and the severing device depending on the predetermined circumferential dimension chosen through the command interface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning device includes a toothed wheel which is provided to drive a strap of the band in a tightening direction, said toothed wheel equipped with a rotary encoder and wherein the electronic control unit determines that the predetermined circumferential dimension is reached depending on a signal delivered by the rotary encoder. 
     
     
         3 . A method of controlling an apparatus configured for fitting a band around an elongate object, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) choosing a predetermined circumferential dimension of a loop formed by the band around the elongate object via a command interface of the apparatus;   b) positioning the band in a closed loop around the elongate object by means of an integrated fitting mechanism,   c) tightening the band around the elongate object by means of a tensioning device,   d) severing a portion from the band by means of a severing device after the tightening thereof around the elongate object, wherein the severing device is commanded depending on a circumferential dimension chosen in step a).   
     
     
         4 . The method according to the  claim 3 , wherein during the step a), a chosen circumferential dimension is associated with a determined number of rotations of a rotary driving element of the tensioning device and in that step d) is implemented when the rotary driving element has reached the determined number of rotations. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein step a) includes a selection of the circumferential dimension from at least five predetermined circumferential dimensions. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the steps a) through d) are performed in the order listed.