Strapping device having a pivotable rocker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022185517-A1
Application number	US-202217653581-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 4, 2022
Priority date	Sep 24, 2012
Publication date	Jun 16, 2022
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

The invention is claimed as follows:

1 . A strapping device comprising:
a base comprising a tensioning plate and a stop element; a rocker pivotably mounted to the base about a rocker axis; a tensioning wheel rotatable about a tensioning axis; gearing supported by the rocker and operably connected to the tensioning wheel to rotate the tensioning wheel about the tensioning axis in a tensioning direction, the gearing comprising an engaging element adjacent the stop element; a motor operably connected to the gearing to drive the gearing to rotate the tensioning wheel about the tensioning axis in the tensioning direction; and a battery powering the motor, wherein the engaging element is shaped and positioned to engage the stop element and cause the tensioning wheel to exert a pressing force against the tensioning plate in response to a counterforce acting on the tensioning wheel as the tensioning wheel rotates in the tensioning direction to tension strap positioned between the tensioning wheel and the tensioning plate.

2 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the counterforce comprises a torque in a direction opposite the tensioning direction.

3 . The strapping device of claim 2 , wherein the torque in the direction opposite the tensioning direction is exerted by the strap.

4 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the pressing force is proportional to the counterforce.

5 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the gearing comprises a gear element comprising the engaging element.

6 . The strapping device of claim 5 , wherein the engaging element extends radially outward from the gear element relative to the tensioning axis.

7 . The strapping device of claim 6 , wherein the gear element comprises a planet carrier to which multiple planet gears are rotatably mounted, wherein the planet carrier is rotatable about the tensioning axis.

8 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein the engaging element comprises a radially extending cam.

9 . The strapping device of claim 1 , wherein rocker is pivotable about the rocker axis to move the tensioning wheel between a first position a first distance from the tensioning plate and a second position a second distance from the tensioning plate, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

10 . The strapping device of claim 9 , further comprising a biasing element operably connected to the rocker to bias the tensioning wheel to the second position.

11 . The strapping device of claim 10 , wherein the motor is operably connected to the rocker to move the rocker against the biasing force of the biasing element to move the tensioning wheel from the second position to the first position.

12 . The strapping device of claim 11 , wherein the gearing operably connects the motor to the rocker.

13 . The strapping device of claim 12 , wherein the gearing operably connects the motor to only one of the rocker and the tensioning wheel at a time.

14 . The strapping device of claim 13 , wherein the gearing comprises a first rotatable gear element and a second rotatable gear element, the strapping device further comprising a locking mechanism operable to lock only one of the first and second gear elements against rotation at a time.

15 . The strapping device of claim 14 , wherein the gearing operably connects the motor to the rocker when the locking mechanism locks the first gear element against rotation and operably connects the motor to the tensioning wheel when the locking mechanism locks the second gear element against rotation.

16 . The strapping device of claim 15 , wherein the first and second gear elements comprise different components of a planetary gear train.

17 . The strapping device of claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises first and second pivotable clamps.

18 . The strapping device of claim 17 , wherein the first clamp is pivotable to engage the first gear element and lock the first gear element against rotation, wherein the second clamp is pivotable to engage the second gear element and lock the second gear element against rotation.

Assignees

• Signode Ind Group Llc

Inventors

• Finzo Flavio
• Neeser Mirco
• Takidis Dimitrios

Classifications

• B65B13/32

  by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive · CPC title

• B65B13/025

  Hand-held tools · CPC title

• B65B13/22 Primary

  Means for controlling tension of binding means · CPC title

• B65B13/02

  Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes · CPC title

• B65B13/185

  Details of tools (B65B13/24 takes precedence) · CPC title