Strapping device having a pivotable rocker

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mobile strapping device for strapping packaged products using a loop of wrapping strap. The strapping device includes a tensioning device for applying tension to the strap and a connecting device for connecting two overlapping portions of the strap. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning wheel and a tensioning plate. The tensioning wheel is supported by a rocker that is pivotable to change a distance separating the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate. The mobile strapping device includes a motor that is operably connectable to the rocker or the tensioning wheel such that the motor causes pivoting of the rocker or rotation of the tensioning wheel when operating in a first direction of rotation. In various embodiments, gearing, including a plurality of planetary gear sets, is used to operatively connect the motor to the rocker and the tensioning wheel.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A strapping device comprising:
 a base comprising a tensioning plate;   a rocker pivotable between a first rocker position and a second rocker position;   a rotatable tensioning wheel that is pivotable with the rocker such that movement of the rocker from the first rocker position to the second rocker position moves the tensioning wheel away from the tensioning plate and movement of the rocker from the second rocker position to the first rocker position moves the tensioning wheel toward the tensioning plate;   a friction-welding device comprising an oscillatable welding shoe; and   a motor comprising a drive shaft rotatable in a first rotational direction to cause the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position and in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to cause the welding shoe to oscillate.   
     
     
         2 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a toothed belt operably connecting the drive shaft of the motor to the welding shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmission mechanism operably connecting the drive shaft of the motor to the friction-welding device such that rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction actuates the transmission mechanism to move the friction-welding device from a release position to a welding position. 
     
     
         4 . The strapping device of  claim 3 , further comprising an input device actuatable to activate the motor to rotate the drive shaft in the first rotational direction to cause the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position. 
     
     
         5 . The strapping device of  claim 4 , further comprising a spring biasing the rocker toward the first rocker position. 
     
     
         6 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first gearing operably connecting the drive shaft to the welding shoe. 
     
     
         7 . The strapping device of  claim 6 , further comprising a second gearing operably connecting the drive shaft of the motor to the friction-welding device such that rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction actuates the transmission mechanism to move the friction-welding device from a release position to a welding position. 
     
     
         8 . The strapping device of  claim 7 , wherein the drive shaft is operably connected to the tensioning wheel to rotate the tensioning wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The strapping device of  claim 8 , further comprising a third gearing operably connecting the drive shaft to the rocker, wherein the drive shaft is operably connected to the tensioning wheel via the third gearing to rotate the tensioning wheel. 
     
     
         10 . The strapping device of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more clamping elements movable from a first configuration to a second configuration to switch the third gearing from a first state in which the third gearing operably connects the drive shaft to the tensioning wheel so rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction causes the tensioning wheel to rotate to a second state in which the third gearing operably connects the drive shaft to the rocker so rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction causes the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position. 
     
     
         11 . The strapping device of  claim 10 , wherein the third gearing comprises a first gear component and a second gear component, wherein when the third gearing is in the first state the first gear component is rotatable and at least one of the one or more clamping elements prevents the second gear component from rotating, and wherein when the third gearing is in the second state at least one of the one or more clamping elements prevents the first gear component from rotating and the second gear component is rotatable. 
     
     
         12 . The strapping device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more clamping elements comprise a first clamping element and a second clamping element, wherein the first clamping element is movable from a disengaged position in which the first clamping element does not prevent the first gear component from rotating to an engaged position in which the first clamping element prevents the first gear component from rotating, wherein the second clamping element is movable from a disengaged position in which the second clamping element does not prevent the second gear component from rotating to an engaged position in which the second clamping element prevents the second gear component from rotating. 
     
     
         13 . The strapping device of  claim 12 , wherein the first gear component operably connects the drive shaft to the tensioning wheel, and wherein the second gear component operably connects the drive shaft to the rocker. 
     
     
         14 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker is pivotably mounted to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The strapping device of  claim 14 , wherein the rocker is pivotably mounted to the base so a torque is applied to the rocker during a tensioning process that causes the tensioning wheel to exert a force on the tensioning plate. 
     
     
         16 . The strapping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lifting element operably connecting the drive shaft to the rocker such that rotation of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction causes the lifting element to rotate to impart a lifting force on the rocker to cause the rocker to pivot from the first rocker position to the second rocker position. 
     
     
         17 . The strapping device of  claim 16 , wherein the lifting element comprises a cam. 
     
     
         18 . The strapping device of  claim 17 , wherein the cam is positioned on an outer surface of a ring gear. 
     
     
         19 . The strapping device of  claim 17 , wherein the cam is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the tensioning wheel. 
     
     
         20 . The strapping device of  claim 19 , wherein the drive shaft is operably connected to the tensioning wheel to rotate the tensioning wheel.