Patent ID: 6732638
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B29C,B65B,F15B

Abstract:
A time-out indicator assembly for a pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap, the strapping tool having a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston, a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself, and a pneumatic module mounted to the cylinder housing, the pneumatic module including a compressed gas inlet, a plurality of valves and passageways between the inlet and the valves to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing and the pneumatic weld motor, the module further including at least one timer for operation of the weld motor and for providing pressure to the cylinder, the module configured for controlling timing of the weld motor, the time-out indicator assembly comprising:a sleeve fitted into an opening in the module, the opening disposed above and in communication with the cylinder, the sleeve defining a central, longitudinal opening; an indicator biasedly mounted in the sleeve and disposed for contact with the piston, the indicator including a stem, the indicator reciprocating between a retracted position and an extended position and indicating a cycle of the strapping tool as an in-cycle state in which the cylinder is under pressure, pressurizing the piston to urge the weld element into contact with the strap and a timed-out state in which the piston is not pressurized.