Strap installation tool

Claim 2

A handtool for tensioning and severiNg a strap extended through a strap retaining means comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposed cutting means operable to cut a strap positioned therebetween, a restraining means adapted for opposing movement of the strap retaining means, means for urging said cutting means apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a gripping means operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said restraining means to tension the strap, and an operating means mounted for movement independent of either of said jaws and which is operatively connected to said gripping means and said cutting means to position said cutting means for tensioning and subsequent cutting of the strap whereby the relative positions of said cutting means are solely dependent on the position of the operating means and independent of strap tension.

Claim 3

The handtool defined by claim 1 wherein said restraining means is formed independently of said cutting means.

Claim 4

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws are resilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cutting means respectively positioned on the other end thereof and normally spaced apart to provide a resilient bias means therebetween.

Claim 5

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is pivotally mounted to one of said jaws.

Claim 6

The handtool as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said jaws includes a fulcrum element extending from said jaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivot positioned away from other said jaw for pivotally retaining said operating means.

Claim 7

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a pawl with tool means extending in opposing relation with the surface of one of said jaws.

Claim 8

The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said gripping means further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage one of said jaws in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said jaw to prevent engagement of said tooth means with said jaw.

Claim 9

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough after being inserted between and beyond said cutting means.

Claim 10

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a guide mans is secured to one of said jaws between said jaws to direct the strap from between said cutting means and into engagement with said gripping means.

Claim 11

The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said pawl is adapted to engage a strap against one of said jaws to be operable for tensioning said strap.

Claim 12

The handtool as defined in claim 10 wherein said jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagement between said pawl and said jaw.

Claim 13

The handtool as defined in claim 1 including a deflecting means opposite said cutting means to deflect a strap inserted through said cutting means.

Claim 14

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a bias means is provided for urging said gripping means into engagement with the strap inserted in said tool.

Claim 15

The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

Claim 16

A handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent position for said operating means to tend to prevent movement of said operating means in either direction with said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.

Claim 17

A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through tensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the tensioning and cutting movement of said lever to operate said tensioning pawl and to operate said cutters.

Claim 18

A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through tensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the tensioning and cutting movement of said lever to operate said tensioning pawl and to operate said cutters.

Claim 19

A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween and to be positioned to selectively oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap or strap retaining collar therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through positioning, tensioning, and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the positioning, tensioning, and cutting movement of said lever for respectively moving said cutters to a partially closed position to restrain the retaining collar from movement therebetween with the strap, to operate said tensioning pawl, and to operate said cutters.

Claim 20

A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positioned therebetween and to be positioned to selectively oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving the strap or strap retaining collar therebetween, a cam lever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position through positioning, tensioning, and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the positioning, tensioning, and cutting movement of said lever for respectively moving said cutters to a partially closed position to restrain the retaining collar from movement therebetween with the strap, to operate said tensioning pawl, and to operate said cutters.

Claim 21

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said jaws are resilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cutters respectively positioned on the other ends thereof and normally spaced apart to provide said bias resilient means therebetween.

Claim 22

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw includes a fulcrum element extending from said first jaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivot positioned away from said first jaw and beyond said second jaw for pivotally retaining said lever.

Claim 23

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said pawl gripping element comprises a tooth means extending in opposing relation with the surface of said first jaw.

Claim 24

A handtool as defined in claim 20 wherein said pawl gripping element further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage said first jaw in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said first jaw to prevent engagement of said tooth means with said first jaw.

Claim 25

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough after being inserted between and beyond said cutters.

Claim 26

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein a guide means is secured to one of said jaws between said jaws to direct said strap from between said cutters and under said pawl.

Claim 27

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said tensioning pawl is adApted to engage a strap against said first jaw to be operable for tensioning the strap.

Claim 28

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagement between said pawl and said first jaw.

Claim 29

A handtool as defined in claim 16 including a deflecting means adjacent said interconnected portion thereof to deflect a strap inserted through said cutters and directed along said jaws toward said interconnected jaw portion thereof.

Claim 30

A handtool as defined in claim 17 wherein said cam surface means is a series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detent reaction between said lever and said second jaw to tend to prevent movement of said lever in either direction when said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said lever for tensioning action through said pawl without sufficient reaction through said upper jaw with respect to said cutters to actuate said cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.

Claim 31

A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said cam lever is provided with a series of cam portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said cam lever for tensioning action through said pawl gripping means without actuation of said cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.