Strapping Tensioning And Sealing Tool

Abstract

A strapping tensioning and sealing tool is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the strapping tensioning and sealing tool includes a tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly configured to apply tension to a piece of strapping; and a sealing assembly, the sealing assembly comprising at least one cam member, at least one crimping jaw member, and a motive power source, the at least one cam member operatively coupling the at least one crimping jaw member to the motive power source, and the at least one crimping jaw member of the sealing assembly configured to crimp a strapping sealing member so as to secure the piece of strapping around a package or bundle of items.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A strapping tool, comprising:
 a tensioning assembly, said tensioning assembly configured to apply tension to a piece of strapping; and   a sealing assembly, said sealing assembly comprising at least one cam member, at least one crimping jaw member, and a motive power source, said at least one cam member operatively coupling said at least one crimping jaw member to said motive power source, and said at least one crimping jaw member of said sealing assembly configured to crimp a strapping sealing member so as to secure said piece of strapping around a package or bundle of items.   
     
     
         2 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said tensioning assembly comprises a tensioning wheel operatively coupled to an additional motive power source, said additional motive power source driving said tensioning wheel so as to apply tension to said piece of strapping. 
     
     
         3 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said motive power source comprises one of: (i) a pneumatic motor, (ii) a battery-powered electric motor, and (iii) a liquid fuel-based motor. 
     
     
         4 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said strapping tool does not require a counterbalance for a user to operate said strapping tool. 
     
     
         5 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said motive power source of said sealing assembly comprises an electric motor, and wherein said strapping tool further comprises a control system operatively coupled to said electric motor of said sealing assembly, said control system configured to measure motor load by means of amperage integration for assessing whether said strapping sealing member is correctly applied. 
     
     
         6 . The strapping tool according to  claim 5 , wherein said control system further comprises a plurality of control buttons, a first one of said control buttons configured to control the operation of said tensioning assembly and a second one of said control buttons configured to control the operation of said sealing assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The strapping tool according to  claim 5 , wherein said control system further comprises a microcontroller configured to control one or more hardware timers, one or more microcontroller timers, or one or more other timers so as to operate a plurality of timer circuits. 
     
     
         8 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said tensioning assembly is connected to said sealing assembly by means of a hinge member such that said sealing assembly is configured to rotate relative to said tensioning assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing assembly further comprises a cutting blade for cutting said piece of strapping, and said at least one cam member of said sealing assembly comprises a first cam member and a second cam member, said cutting blade being operatively coupled to said second cam member by means of a cutting blade linkage member. 
     
     
         10 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first battery-powered electric motor and a second battery-powered electric motor, said first battery-powered electric motor powering said tensioning assembly, and said second battery-powered electric motor forming said motive power source of said sealing assembly for powering said sealing assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The strapping tool according to  claim 10 , wherein said first battery-powered electric motor is disposed generally perpendicular to said second battery-powered electric motor. 
     
     
         12 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said motive power source of said sealing assembly is additionally configured to provide power for said tensioning assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said tensioning assembly comprises a tensioning wheel operatively coupled to an electric motor, and wherein said strapping tool further comprises a control system operatively coupled to said electric motor of said tensioning assembly, said control system configured to measure motor load by means of amperage integration for assessing said tension applied to said piece of strapping. 
     
     
         14 . The strapping tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one crimping jaw member is operatively coupled to said at least one cam member by at least one crimp arm member. 
     
     
         15 . The strapping tool according to  claim 14 , wherein said sealing assembly further comprises a resilient member, said resilient member configured to bias said at least one crimp arm member in an upward position such that said at least one crimping jaw member is continually operatively coupled to said at least one cam member by means of an arm pin subassembly.