Patent Publication Number: US-8522678-B2

Title: Strapping machine having a movable working assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates a strapping machine having a movable working assembly. Particularly, it relates to a strapping machine having a movable working assembly for easy maintenance. In which, it is quick and easy to repair any internal device or part inside the strapping machine. The repairer does not need to stoop or squat down for repairing it. In addition, it saves strength and time to move out the working device or related part. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the traditional strapping machine includes a base  91 , a chute frame  92 , a sealing/cutting mechanism  93 , and a strap supply  94 . There is a maintenance door  95  disposed on the base  91  for a user (or a repairer) to replace a new strap, to inspect the machine, or to repair some parts. The function of this sealing/cutting mechanism  93  is to provide a strap (from the strap supply  94  to the chute frame  92 ) surrounding an object (not shown) and then to proceed the retreating, cutting, and heat sealing actions. 
     However, the sealing/cutting mechanism  93  is very complicated. It includes many internal parts, such as guiding rollers, electric motors, guiding rails, electric heater, controlling circuits, etc (these parts are omitted or simplified in the related figures). Once any internal part has a breakdown during operation, the user has to open the maintenance door  95  and then to squat down with stretching one&#39;s hand inside the machine for inspection. Therefore, the traditional one has the following drawbacks and problems: 
     [1] It is difficult to repair the internal devices or parts inside the traditional strapping machine. When an internal part of sealing/cutting mechanism  93  is out of order, the user has to detach the related parts in sequence from outside to inside. After which, the user needs to check which one is broken. Besides, once the repairing work is done, all these related parts have to be re-installed again. The whole process is time-consuming and troublesome. Therefore, the entire repairing work is quite difficult. 
     [2] The repairer has to stoop or squat down for repairing it. Because the user (or the repairer) has to stoop or squat down to reach the sealing/cutting mechanism  93  inside the base  91  (or other parts), its working efficiency is very low and it tends to cause the user&#39;s back pain or long-term poor posture related pain. 
     [3] It cannot take the sealing/cutting mechanism out. Because this seal/cutting mechanism  93  is fixed inside the base  91 , it cannot be moved out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects of the present invention are to provide a strapping machine having a movable working assembly. In which, it is quick and easy to repair any internal device or part inside the strapping machine. The repairer does not need to stoop or squat down for repairing it. In addition, it saves strength and time to move out the working device or related part. Therefore, this invention can solve the problems of the traditional one listed as follows. It is difficult to repair the internal devices or parts inside the traditional strapping machine. The repairer has to stoop or squat down for repairing it. Plus, it cannot take the sealing/cutting mechanism out. 
     In order to achieve the above mentioned objects, the present invention is provided. A strapping machine having a movable working assembly comprising: 
     a machine body including a controller, a working deck, a storing space, a door, and a horizontal securing portion, the working deck having a working opening, the storing space being beneath the working deck, the door being able to be opened so as to allow the storing space communicating with an external space; the horizontal securing portion being positioned in the storing space; 
     a chute having an upper chute portion and a lower chute portion, the upper chute portion being secured on the machine body; 
     a movable working assembly including: 
     (a) a horizontal movable portion having a horizontal moving portion and a vertical moving base; the horizontal moving portion connecting with the horizontal securing portion and having at least a move-in position and a move-out position; 
     (b) a vertical movable portion having a vertical moving portion and a working device supporting portion; the vertical movable portion which connects with the vertical moving base being movable on the horizontal movable portion vertically and being movable between a move-up position and a move-down position; when the vertical movable portion moving to the move-down position, the lower chute portion being separated from the upper chute portion and the lower chute portion of the chute being not blocked by the working deck; when the vertical movable portion moving to the move-up position, the upper chute portion and the lower chute portion being combined as a loop for guiding a strap to surround a working object; 
     (c) a working device fixed on the working device supporting portion for guiding the strap into the chute and proceeding a strap retracting action, a strap cutting action, and a strap sealing action; the lower chute portion being mounted on the working device; 
     (d) an operation linkage mechanism having a first rod, a central shaft portion, a second rod, and a central pivoting seat; the second rod connecting to the vertical movable portion, the central pivoting portion being pivoted with the central shaft portion; the first rod, the central shaft portion and the second rod being connected as an integral body; when the first rod being moved, the second rod being moved accordingly, so as to control the vertical movable portion moving between the move-up position and the move-down position; 
     after the door being open, the first rod is able to be rotated down so that the vertical movable portion moves from the move-up position to the move-down position, and then the horizontal movable portion is able to be moved from the move-in position to the move-out portion so as to make the working device is moved out from the storing space for easy maintenance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a portion of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a view showing that the movable working assembly is inside. 
         FIG. 3B  is a view showing that the first rod is rotated down. 
         FIG. 3C  is a view showing that the movable working assembly can be moved out. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates the lower chute portion which is kept at the move-up position. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the lower chute portion moved to the move-down position. 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing a traditional strapping machine. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the traditional strapping machine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention relates to a strapping machine having a movable working assembly. It mainly comprises a machine body  10 , a chute  20 , a movable working assembly  30 . 
     With regard to said machine body  10 , it includes a controller  11 , a working deck  12 , a storing space  13 , a door  14 , and a horizontal securing portion  15 . This working deck  12  has a working opening  121 . The storing space  13  is beneath the working deck  12 . The door  14  is able to be opened so as to allow the storing space  13  communicating with an external space. The horizontal securing portion  15  is positioned in the storing space  13 . 
     Concerning the chute  20 , it has an upper chute portion  21  and a lower chute portion  22 . The upper chute portion  21  is secured on the machine body  10 . 
     About the movable working assembly  30 , it includes a horizontal movable portion  31 , a vertical movable portion  32 , a working device  33 , and an operation linkage mechanism  34 . 
     [a] The horizontal movable portion  31  has a horizontal moving portion  311  and a vertical moving base  312 . The horizontal moving portion  311  connects with the horizontal securing portion  15  so that the horizontal movable portion  31  can be moved on the machine body  10  horizontally. Also, the horizontal moving portion  311  has at least a move-in position P 1  and a move-out position P 2  (as illustrated in FIG.  3 C). 
     [b] A vertical movable portion  32  has a vertical moving portion  321  and a working device supporting portion  322 . The vertical movable portion  32  which connects with the vertical moving base  312  is movable on the horizontal movable portion  31  vertically. Plus, the vertical movable portion  32  is movable between a move-up position P 3  and a move-down position P 4  (referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). Hence, when the vertical movable portion  32  moves to the move-down position P 4 , the lower chute portion  22  of the chute  20  is separated from the upper chute portion  21 , and the lower chute portion  22  of the chute  20  is not blocked by the working deck  12 . When the vertical movable portion  32  moves to the move-up position P 3 , the upper chute portion  21  and the lower chute portion  22  are combined together as a loop for guiding a strap to surround a working object. 
     [c] The working device  33  is fixed on the working device supporting portion  322  for guiding the strap into the chute  20  and for proceeding a strap retracting action, a strap cutting action, a strap sealing action, and the like. The lower chute portion  22  of the chute  20  is mounted on a predetermined position of the working device  33 . 
     [d] An operation linkage mechanism  34  has a first rod  341 , a central shaft portion  342 , a second rod  343 , and a central pivoting seat  344 . The second rod  343  connects to the vertical movable portion  32 . The central pivoting portion  342  is pivoted with the central shaft portion  342 . The first rod  341 , the central shaft portion  342  and the second rod  343  are connected as an integral body. When the first rod  341  is rotated, the second rod  243  being rotated accordingly, so as to control the vertical movable portion  32  moves between the move-up position P 3  and the move-down position P 4 . Besides, the operation linkage mechanism  34  can further include a locking portion  34 . When the first rod  341  moves to the upper portion P 3 , the locking portion  34  can lock the first rod  341  at the move-up position P 3 . 
     Therefore, after the door  14  is open (as exhibited in  FIG. 3A ), the first rod  341  is able to be rotated down so that the vertical movable portion  32  moves from the move-up position P 3  to the move-down position P 4  (as shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  4 A and  4 B). Then, this horizontal movable portion  31  is able to be moved from the move-in position P 1  to the move-out portion P 2  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3C ) so as to make the working device  33  is moved out from the storing space  13  for easy maintenance. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , when the first rod  341  is rotated down by a user, this vertical movable portion  32  moves from the move-up position P 3  to the move-down position P 4 . Meanwhile, the lower chute portion  22  of the chute  20  is moves down. Hence, the lower chute portion  22  of the chute  20  is not blocked by the working deck  12 . Under this condition, the working device  33  can be moved out from the storing space  13  (the horizontal movable portion  31  moves to the move-out position P 2 ). 
     By the way, when the use needs to repair or replace some parts, this user only needs to open the door  14  and then rotate down the first rod  341 . Then, it is possible and easy to move the working device  33  from the storing space  13 . This operation is extremely convenient and easy. 
     The advantages and functions of this invention can be summarized as follows. 
     [1] It is quick and easy to repair any internal device or part inside the strapping machine. The present invention has a moveable working assembly which can be moved vertically and horizontally. When the user needs to repair any device or part (such as the working device  33 ), the user can open the door  14  and then rotate the vertical movable portion  32  of the movable working assembly  30  down. After which, the horizontal movable portion  31  can be moved out horizontally. Therefore, it is very easy to repair, inspection, or replacement. Thus, it is quick and easy to repair any internal device or part inside the strapping machine. 
     [2] The repairer does not need to stoop or squat down for repairing it. Because the movable working assembly  30  can be lowered down and then be moved out horizontally, the height of the movable working assembly  30  will be roughly around one-third to on half of a repairer who has an average height. Thus, the repairer does not need to stoop or squat down for repairing it. 
     [3] It saves strength and time to move out the working device or related part. 
     Based on the principle of leverage, the length of the first rod  341  of the operation linkage mechanism  34  is longer, it will save more strength during operation. The entire vertical movable portion  32  and the working device  33  can be move up easily. Its operation is quick and not painful. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention by the appended claims.