Abstract:
A strapping machine for forming a seal between two portions of strapping material includes a fixed support and a movable support movable away from and toward the fixed support to form the seal. The strapping machine includes an eccentric shaft defining primary and secondary axes of rotation, and having a key extending from an end thereof. The movable support moves about the secondary axis. An actuating lever rotates about the primary axis to move the movable support toward and away from the fixed support. A shaft securing member has a key receiving aperture for engaging the shaft key in only one orientation. The shaft securing member is fastened to the body to secure the shaft in a desired orientation. The strapping machine includes a reversible actuating lever to accommodate strapping operations in multiple orientations. A variable strap width assembly accommodates use of various strap widths.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to an improved strapping tool. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a strapping tool that accommodates strapping material of varying widths and thickness, and facilitates operation in more than one orientation. 
     Strapping machines or strappers are well known in the art. The machines are used to strap together articles, e.g., a load, with strapping material. Strapping material is offered in a variety of sizes and materials and is generally stored on a roll. Conventional strapping materials include plastic and metals, such as steel. Steel strapping is typically coated with, for example paint, to inhibit corrosion. 
     Typically, a free end of strapping material is passed around the load until there is an overlap between the free end and the strapping material still connected to the roll. The overlapping portion of strapping material is placed between jaws of a strapping machine and the free end of the strapping material is fixed in place by a gripper portion of the machine. After the strapping material is fixed, the material is generally tightened or tensioned around the articles to a desired tension. This is accomplished by operating a feed wheel to pull back or tension the strapping material. 
     A typical strapping machine includes sealing heads for sealing the free end of the strapping material onto itself, around the load. Typically, in manual (i.e., hand-operated) strapping machines, a handle is rotated which applies a force to cause a punch or sealing head to engage and press down against the strap to seal the strap to itself. After the strapping material is sealed, the strapping material still connected to the roll is cut by a cutter, which is a portion of the strapper. This completes one strapping operation. 
     In one known type of strapper, the sealing head and the cutter are carried by a jaw assembly within the strapper. The jaw assembly includes a stationary or fixed sealing head, a movable sealing head and the cutter. The cutter moves with the movable sealing head into and out of engagement with the strap material to form the seal and cut the strap from the roll or supply. Typically, the movable portion of the jaw is actuated by rotation of an actuator handle. The handle rotates about a shaft that is positioned within the strapper body. 
     Although straps are typically available having standard widths and thicknesses (i.e., gauges), there are tolerances within which the strap may be supplied. This is particularly the case with respect to the strap gauge. Strap is typically available in standard thicknesses of ½ inch, ⅝ inch and ¾ inch. 
     To this end, strappers are required to properly function with varying thicknesses and widths of strap. Thus, whenever a “new” source of strap is supplied, such as when a new roll of strap is used, the sealing head height can require adjustment. 
     In one arrangement for adjusting the tool to accommodate varying thicknesses of strap, the shaft on which the actuator handle is positioned is eccentrically formed. In this manner, the portion of the handle that is positioned with the strapper body has one axis of rotation and the portion on which the jaw assembly is mounted has different axis of rotation. This permits adjusting the distance that the movable sealing head moves relative to the fixed sealing head, and thus permits adjusting the gap between the sealing heads when the heads are fully engaged. 
     To fix the position of the shaft, a hexagonal key extends from an end of the shaft. A plate having a key-way with a mating hexagonal opening is fitted over the key and is secured in place to the strapper body by a fastener that is inserted though a notched opening in the plate. The plate can be rotated such that the fastener rides through the notched opening to rotate the shaft for adjusting the shaft position (and thus the height of the movable sealing head). 
     Although this arrangement permits readily adjusting and setting the sealing head height (by rotating the shaft through 360°), because the key and key-way are hexagonal shaped, the key can fit into the key-way in any one of six positions. While this provides flexibility in adjusting the sealing head height, it also creates the possibility (and probability) that the key will be improperly set within the key way, thus improperly setting the height of the movable head relative to the fixed head. 
     In an arrangement for accommodating varying strap widths, one strapper uses a simple, removable stop plate against which the strap rests when it is fully inserted into the jaw assembly. In one position, the plate is configured to accommodate one width of strap, and when removed, the strapper accommodates another size of strap. Thus, only two of the three “standard” widths are accommodate by any one strapper without major reconfiguration and changes to the tool. 
     In addition, due to awkwardly shaped loads, it may be easier to perform strapping operations in different orientations. This is particularly so given that the strapper is often used “in the field,” from locations ranging from logging sites to large indoor warehouse facilities. As such, the strapper may be operated with the jaw residing horizontally, vertically or even at an incline between the horizontal and vertical. To this end, the orientation and position of the actuating handle can be different throughout use at any given site or location. 
     Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a strapper machine that can be readily adjusted to accommodate strap material of varying widths and thicknesses. Desirably, such strapper accommodates strap material of varying thicknesses, such as when rolls of material are changed out, with minimal effort. More desirable, such a strapper further permits maintenance on the strapper head or jaw while maintaining a predetermined setting for the strap thickness. 
     Additionally, such a strapper can accommodate any of the three standard strap widths with minimal adjustment. Desirable, such a strap width adjustment is carried out by movement of parts within and part of the strap width setting assembly. Moreover, such a strapper further accommodates operation an a variety of orientations and positions so as to reduce operator fatigue and to improve leverage in operation of the actuator handle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A strapping machine forms a seal between two portions of strapping material and cuts an upper layer of the strapping material without impinging a lower layer of the strapping material. The strapping machine includes a strapping machine body having first and second shaft apertures formed therein. The body further includes first and second fastener apertures formed in the body adjacent one of the shaft apertures. 
     An eccentric shaft includes first and second shaft sections integral with one another defining primary and secondary axes of rotation. Preferably, the first shaft section defines two sections, each defining the primary axis of rotation. 
     The second shaft section is eccentric relative to the first shaft section, and defines the secondary axis of rotation. The axes are spaced from and parallel to one another. The shaft is positioned in the body with the first shaft sections in the shaft apertures for rotation therein. To effect the eccentricity in the shaft, the shaft sections can have equal or different diameters with different axes of rotation. A key extends from an end of the first shaft section. 
     The machine includes a fixed support and a movable support. The movable support includes a cutter mounted thereto and is movable away from and toward the fixed support to form the seal and cut the upper layer of strapping material. The movable support is movable toward the fixed support to a define desired clearance therebetween. 
     An actuating lever is rotatable about the eccentric, second shaft section. The actuating lever is operably connected to the movable support for moving the movable support toward and away from the fixed support. 
     A shaft securing member has a key receiving aperture that is configured for engagement with the shaft key in only one orientation. The shaft securing member is fastened to the body to secure the shaft in a desired orientation. The securing member has at least one fastener opening therein for alignment with one of the first and second apertures in the strapping machine body. 
     The shaft is rotated to a position to set the desired clearance between the movable and fixed supports. The shaft securing member is engaged with the shaft and is fastened to the strapping machine body to secure the shaft at that rotated position. The shaft is removable from the body and replaceable only at that rotated position. 
     In a present embodiment, shaft key has a square shape having a corner removed, and the key receiving aperture has a corresponding square shape having a corner removed. 
     The shaft securing member can be formed as a wedge-shaped plate that fastens to the machine body. The key receiving aperture can be formed at about an apex of the plate. The shaft securing member fastener opening can be formed as an elongated opening or slot. Preferably, the fastener opening can be formed as an elongated opening having an arcuate shape having a focus at the key receiving aperture. 
     Alternately, the shaft securing member fastener opening is formed as a series of adjacent fastener openings formed as a series of adjacent fastener openings lying along an arcuate path having a focus at the key receiving aperture. 
     The actuating lever can include a pivot portion and a reversible handle. The handle has a straight segment and an angled segment. The reversible handle is removably connected to the pivot portion and can be secured to the pivot portion in a first orientation in which the angled segment extends in a first direction and a second orientation opposite the first orientation. The handle can be secured to the pivot portion by fasteners. 
     The strapping machine can further include a variable strap width accommodating assembly. The variable width assembly includes outside and inside guides to secure and hold the strapping material between the fixed and movable supports during the sealing and cutting operation. 
     The outside guide includes first and second guide elements pivotally connected to one another. The outside guide is removably connected to the strapping machine body. The first and second guide elements have different thicknesses relative to a plane defined generally by the strapping material between the fixed and movable supports. The outside guide elements are configured to pivot so that one is positioned in a depending orientation relative to the other. 
     An inside guide is mounted to the strapping machine body intersecting the strapping material plane. The depending outside guide element guide is moveable into the strapping material plane to abut the strapping material and position the strapping material between the inside and outside guides when the movable support is moved toward the fixed support for forming the seal. 
     In a present configuration, the outside guide first and second elements are pivotally mounted to one another by a pivot pin. The entire outside guide is mounted to the strapping machine body by the pivot pin. 
     The non-depending outside guide element is positioned in a longitudinal orientation relative to the depending guide element. The longitudinally oriented element is further mounted to the strapping machine body by a pin connecting the longitudinal guide element to the strapping machine body to secure the outside guide to the body. 
     The inside guide defines first and second guide edges and is connected to the strapping machine body at a point of connection. The point of connection is a first distance from the first guide edge and a second distance from the second guide edge, different from the first distance. 
     Apertures are formed in the inside guide and the strapping machine body at the point of connection. A fastener secures the guide to the strapping machine body. 
     Advantageously, the inside and outside guides are independently positionable on the strapping machine body. To this end, the machine accommodates at least three different strapping material widths. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary improved strapping machine or strapping tool embodying the principles of the present invention, the illustrated tool is shown including a reversible actuating handle and an eccentric shaft on which the handle and the jaw assembly are mounted; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary strapping tool of FIG. 1 in which the actuating handle is shown in a first position as in FIG.  1  and is shown in a reversed position in phantom lines, the tool further shown with an outside strap width guide mounted therein; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an eccentric shaft with a connector configured to rotate about a portion of the eccentric shaft, and a reversible actuating handle configured to cooperate with the connector pursuant to principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the strapping tool body (relative to FIG. 1) showing the shaft key, and key-way and shaft securing plate, the body having fastener apertures formed therein for securing the plate to the body, and further illustrates two exemplary positions in which the plate is secured to the body to lock the position of the key and shaft; 
     FIG. 4A illustrates an alternate shaft securing plate; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an inside strap width guide in different positions and a front view of the corresponding outside strap width guide positions, and further illustrates the manner in which the inside and outside width guides cooperate with one another for accommodating differing strap widths; 
     FIGS. 6 a-c  illustrate different positions of the outside guide of FIGS. 2 and 5; and 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the inside guide removably connected to a rear portion of the machine body of FIG. 4 pursuant to principles of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section, normally, “Detailed Description of the Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and does not imply, nor should be referred to limit the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein. 
     The invention may be used in a variety of strapping machines or strapping tools (also referred to as strappers) such as the exemplary strapper  2  illustrated in FIG.  1 . The illustrated strapper  2  includes a strapping machine body  4 , a gripper (not shown), feed wheel  6  and accompanying feed lever  8 . The illustrated strapper  2  further includes a cutter  10  (FIG. 2) and accompanying actuating lever  12 , which is configured to rotate about an eccentric shaft  14 . 
     A jaw assembly  16  is operably connected to the shaft  14  and actuating lever  12 , as will be described below. The jaw assembly  16  includes movable and fixed supports  18 ,  20 , respectively. Sealing elements  22  are carried by the supports  18 ,  20 . Those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate the various strapping machines that may include different embodiments of grippers, feed wheels and/or accompanying levers and cutters, or other structures used to grip a strap, tension a strap around a load and cut the strap. 
     In a typical use, a first end of strapping material (S), which can be stored on a roll, is passed around a load L and fed into the jaw assembly  16 , between the movable and fixed supports  18 ,  20  and gripped by the gripper. This results in an overlap of strapping material S so the first end, which is gripped by the gripper, forms a lower layer of strapping material  24 . An upper layer of strapping material  26 , which is still connected to the roll, overlaps the lower layer  24 . The feed wheel  6  and the accompanying feed lever  8  are then operated to tighten the strap around the load L. The strap S, which defines a plane, generally indicated P in FIG. 1, is then sealed to itself and cut by the cutter  10 . 
     A seal is formed in the strapping material S, between the upper layer  26  of the strap and the lower layer  24  by rotating the actuating lever  12 , which will cause the movable support  18  to move downwardly toward the fixed support  20  with the strap S therebetween, as shown in FIG.  1 . Referring now also to FIG. 2, this causes the sealing elements  22 , which are attached to the movable support  18 , to seal the upper layer of strap material  26  into the lower layer of strap material  24 . This also causes the cutter  10  to engage and cut the upper layer of strapping material  26  from the roll. 
     The cutter  10  is mounted to the movable support  18 , which, in turn is operably connected to the actuating lever  12 , by a connector  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  28  includes a pin  30  formed on the actuating handle  12 , spaced from the handle&#39;s axis of rotation, and a hook  32  formed on the movable support  18 . The hook  32  and the pin  30  cooperate with one another such that rotation of the handle  12  (as seen in FIG. 2) lifts the movable support  18  upward, away from the fixed support  20 . The actuating lever  12  rotates about the eccentric shaft  14 , as will be described below. 
     Other connector  28  configurations that provide for translation of rotational movement into linear or near linear movement will be recognized by those skilled in the art, and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, such as variations of the illustrated, exemplary pin and hook configuration. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, the connector  28  includes a flat surface  33 , contiguous with a curved or arcuate camming surface  35 . As the handle  12  is rotated, the camming surface  35  contacts a bearing surface  37  of the movable support  18 , urging the support  18  downwardly (to the fixed support  20 ), a distance that is equal to the radial distance d 35  from the camming surface  35  to the primary axis of rotation A 1 , described below. 
     When strapping material of different thickness is used, the initial height of the cutter  10  is adjusted to ensure that the cutter  10  does not impinge the lower layer of strapping material  24  during cutting operation. This is to reduce the potential for impinging the lower layer of strapping material  24  which can affect the integrity of the strap used to bind the load together. 
     In the illustrated strapper  2 , the cutter  10  height is adjusted by rotating the eccentric shaft  14 . Because the cutter  10  is fixedly mounted to the movable support  18 , rotating the eccentric shaft  14  varies the radial distance d 35  from the camming surface  35  to the primary axis of rotation A 1 . 
     The shaft  14  operably connects the handle  12  to the strapper body  4  and the jaw assembly  16 , including the cutter  10 . The ends  34 ,  36  of the eccentric shaft are positioned within shaft apertures  38 ,  40  formed within the body  4  in a manner that allows for the shaft  14  to rotate, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The illustrated eccentric shaft  14  is formed having three shaft sections  42 ,  44 ,  46  that are integral with one another. 
     The first shaft section  42  has a first end  48 . The first and third or outer sections  42 ,  46  have a common axis of rotation A 1 , which defines the first or primary axis of rotation. The second or central shaft section  44  is eccentric relative to the outer sections  42 ,  46 , and thus defines the second or secondary axis of rotation A 2  that is parallel to and spaced from the primary axis A 1 . 
     As can be seen from FIG. 2, the outer shaft sections  42 ,  46  are positioned and rotate within the strapper body  4 , while the central shaft section  44  resides within the handle aperture, and provides a pivot, i.e., an axis of rotation A 2 , for the handle  12 . To this end, because the handle  12  rotates about the central section  44 , the location of the handle  12  axis (the secondary axis A 2 ) moves or shifts relative to the body  4  and the fixed support  20  as the shaft  14  is rotated. 
     The connector  28  (and thus the movable support  18 ) is operably connected to the handle  12 . Thus, rotating the shaft  14  shifts the height of the connector  28  relative to the body  4  and support  18 . In that the cutter  10  is fixedly mounted to the movable support  18 , and in that the movable support  18  moves downwardly to the fixed support  20  only as far as it is urged by contact of the camming surface  35 , rotation of the connector  28  (by rotating the handle  12 ) varies the radial distance d 35  that the movable support  18  (and attached cutter  10 ) are moved relative to the fixed support  20 . Thus, rotating the shaft  14  shifts or varies the height of the cutter  10  relative to the fixed support  20 . 
     FIGS. 1-4 show the first and second ends  34 ,  36  of the shaft  14  positioned in the first and second shaft apertures  38 ,  40 . The first end  34  shaft  14  has a shaped protrusion or key  60  formed thereon. 
     A locking plate  62  is used to lock the position of the shaft  14  relative to the body  4 . Referring to FIG. 4, the plate  62  includes a key-way  64  formed as an aperture that corresponds to the key  60  on the shaft end  34  the cooperate with one another to lock the shaft into a desired position. 
     The plate includes a second aperture formed as a notched opening as indicated at  66  or as a series of circular openings, as indicated at  69   a-h  in FIG. 4A, that cooperate with one of a plurality of fastener apertures  68 ,  70  formed within the strapper body  4 . A fastener is inserted though the second aperture  66  and into one of the fastener apertures  68 ,  70  to lock the plate  62  and, consequently, the shaft  14  in a selected position. As set forth above, rotating the shaft shifts the position or height of the movable support  18  and thus the cutter  10  relative to the fixed support. Thus, locking the shaft  14  at a particular position locks the relative height of the cutter  10 . 
     That is, because the handle  12  pivots about the eccentric portion  44  of the shaft  14 , as the shaft  14  is rotated, the distance between the camming surface  35  and the fixed support  20  varies. Because the height of the movable support  18  is fixed, the depth or distance into which the moveable support  18  is urged into the fixed support  20  varies with rotation of the shaft  14 . Thus, locking the plate  62  locks the cutter  10  starting height into one position because the initial cutter  10  height is established by the position of the eccentric shaft  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the fastener arrangement in conjunction with the pair of apertures  68 ,  70  openings in the body  4  and the opening  66  slotted (or series of circular openings  69 ) in the plate  62  provides a wide range over which the shaft  14  can be locked into a desired position. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a threaded fastener inserted into and threadedly engaging the body  4 , other configurations for this arrangement will be recognized by those skilled in the art and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Typically, manual strapping machines are used to strap several groups of articles together at, for example, a remote location, site or as another example, at a warehouse facility. At these sites, strapping machine disassembly may be required for service to, for example, dislodge an errant piece of strap that has become lodged in the tool. In many instances, the strap supply need not be changed, and as such, it is desirable to maintain the height at which the cutter has been set. To this end, during disassembly, the plate  62  is generally kept in place and the eccentric shaft  14  is removed to perform the required maintenance. 
     During reassembly, the key  60  is reinserted into the plate  62  to fit into or cooperate with the shaped aperture  64 . In known strapping tools, the keys and apertures permit replacing the shaft in a position other than the original position prior to disassembly. For example, in one known strapping tool a hexagonal key is fitted into a corresponding hexagonal aperture. Thus, because the key can be replaced in any of six different ways into the aperture, the potential, and in fact likelihood of improperly replacing the shaft is quite great. This inevitably results in a loss of valuable operator time and may also result in faulty strapping tool operations (if the lower layer of the strap is impinged or cut while in use because of a faulty key position). 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the key  60  on the shaft, as it fits into the plate aperture  64  permits replacement in only one orientation. In a present embodiment, the key  60  has a square shape having a corner removed to form an irregular, five-sided shape. The aperture  64  has a corresponding shape so that the key is received by the plate  62  in only one orientation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other shaped keys and apertures can be used that permit the shaft to be replaced in only one position, such as, for example, any irregular shape including non-equilateral triangles, five cornered rectangles, or other non-symmetrical polygons. 
     As set forth above, the slotted opening  66  (or series of circular openings  69 ) and the number of fastener apertures  68 ,  70  can be varied to increase the number of positions into which the key  62  can be locked into the plate to provide essentially a 180 degree range over which the shaft  14  can be locked into place. The variation in the placement, number and orientations of these cooperating openings will be recognized by those skilled in the art and is within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a reversible actuating lever  12  permits strapping machine  2  operation in multiple orientations. Often times, due to awkwardly shaped loads, it may be easier to perform strapping operations by positioning the strapping machine  2  along a side of the load, rather than atop the load. Strapping along a side of the load or in other orientations, however, may be cumbersome, and may prevent use of maximum leverage to rotate the handle  12 . 
     The reversible actuating lever  12  allows a user to apply a force to the actuating lever in both horizontal and vertical orientations with greater ease. The reversible actuating lever  12  shown in FIG. 1 has a straight segment  76  and an angled segment  78 . Referring to FIG. 3, the straight segment  76  is removably connected to connector  28 , which includes a circular portion  80  and a straight portion  82 . The circular portion  80  is configured to pivot about the eccentric shaft portion  44 . The straight segment of the connector  82  extends from the circular portion  80  and is removably connected to the straight segment of the actuating lever  76  by fasteners  84  inserted through apertures  86  formed therein. The fastener arrangement can include, for example, threaded bolts and the like. Alternately, the fastener can be of a clamp-like configuration that holds the two sections  76 ,  82  together. Those skilled in the art will recognize the various other fastener arrangements that can be used for joining these sections of the lever  12 . 
     The reversible lever  12  of FIG. 2 has two positions P 1 , P 2 . In a first position P 1 , a first side of the lever  88  faces outward and a handle of the lever  90  points upward whereas a second side of the lever  92  faces outward and the handle  90  points downward in a second position P 2 . To change lever  12  positions, fasteners  84  that connect the straight segments of the actuating lever and connector  76 ,  82  to each other are removed to remove the actuating lever  12 . The lever  12  is then “flipped” around and the fasteners  84  replaced. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that in other embodiments, the reversible actuating lever and connector can be configured to have an infinite number of positions depending on the cross-sectional shape of the actuating lever and connector. For example, the actuating lever a circular cross section with an O-ring clamp configuration could permit adjustment in numerous positions. These other shapes are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     As set forth above, three different standards of strap width, namely ½ inch, ⅝ inch and ¾ inch, are presently in use. However, known strapping tools cannot accommodate these three different widths without major changes to the tool. Referring to FIGS.  2  and  5 - 7 , the present strapper  2  includes adjustable outside and inside guides  94 ,  96  to accommodate these three different strap widths. As seen in FIG. 6 a , the outside guide  94  is shown in a first position and includes a first guide element  98  pivotally connected to a second guide element  100  by a pin  102 . The first and second guide elements can have differing lengths and thickness or have the same lengths and thickness in alternate embodiments. The inside guide  96  of FIG. 7 is a formed as a plate. 
     The outside guide  94  shown in FIG. 2, shows the outside guide  94  connected to the strapping machine body  4  by two fasteners  104 . As shown in FIGS. 6 a-c , a first aperture  106  is formed in the first guide element  98  and a second aperture  108  is formed in the second guide element  100 . Further, first and second holes  110 ,  112  are formed in the strapping machine body  4 . The first aperture and first hole  106 ,  110  receive a fastener  104  and the second aperture and second hole  108 ,  112  receive a second fastener  104  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     To adjust the outside guide  94 , fasteners  104  and outside guide  94  are removed, and the second guide element  100  is rotated 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 6 b . The outside guide  94  is the rotated so that the second guide element  100  is on top and the first guide element  98  is on the bottom, as shown in FIG. 6 c . The outside guide  94  is then reconnected in a second position to the strapping machine body  4 . 
     An inside guide  96  is shown in FIG.  7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inside guide  96  is shown connected to a back end of the strapping machine body  114  at a point of connection aperture  116  formed within the inside guide  96  and a point of connection bore  118  formed within the back end  114  of the machine body  4  by a fastener  120 . In FIG. 7, the back end  114  of the strapping machine body  4 , a posterior side  122  of which is shown in FIG. 4, is illustrated with other elements of the strapping machine  2  removed for ease of illustration. 
     The inside guide  96  of FIG. 7 is a plate defined by a substantially rectangular shape and the point of connection aperture  116  is formed along a vertical axis V of the inside guide  96 . The distance d 1  from the axis V and a first side  124  of the inside guide  96  is different from the distance d 2  between the axis V and a second side  126  of the inside guide  96 , which is opposite the first side  122 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the inside guide  96  can be defined by various shapes and be connected to the strapping machine body  4  at various locations and in various manners. To adjust the inside strapping guide  96 , the user can loosen the fastener  120 , and rotate the inside guide  96 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the inside and outside guides  94 ,  96  can accommodate straps of three different widths. For example, the outside guide  94  may be in a first position and accommodate straps of two widths (A, B) when the inside guide  96  is in first and second positions. Further, the outside guide  94  may be in a second position and accommodate straps of two different widths (C, D) when the inside guide  96  is in the first and second positions. It is, however, anticipated that two of the widths (e.g., widths B and D) are equal to one another, thus accommodating three different strap widths. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.