Patent Publication Number: US-11046466-B2

Title: Apparatus for tensioning a cable lacing tape device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/703,993, filed Jul. 27, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/590,845 filed Nov. 27, 2017, both entitled “Apparatus for Tensioning a Cable Lacing Tape Device,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the installation of a cable lacing tape and more particularly to an apparatus for tensioning a cable lacing tape device. 
     BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
     Cable lacing tapes may be used for a variety of applications. Modern cable lacing tapes typically are a thin, relatively flat, woven, or braided cord, often referred to as a “tape”, having filaments that may be made of materials such as nylon, polyester, or aramid fiber, and which may be impregnated with coatings to enhance particular performance characteristics. However, cable lacing tape has drawbacks in that the cable lacing tape typically is tied by hand in a costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming process. Due to these problems, several attempts have been made to automate the cable lacing and tensioning process. 
     One such device for automated knot tying is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,378. The described device includes an automatic knot-tying device for tying a discrete knot about a workpiece, such as a bundle of wires. The device works by pulling a lacing tape, transversely around the workpiece and wrapping the filament around the workpiece. A shuttle moves the filament between carriage rings and along the workpiece at the appropriate steps, and a plurality of hooks pull the filament away from the workpiece at the appropriate steps. The operation is finished by cinching, cutting, and reloading so that the resulting knot is discrete and secure. At least one drawback of the described device is that it requires a complicated mechanism to both wrap and tie a knot about the workpiece. 
     In still another example, International Application Number PCT/US2012/044413, describes a hand-held tool for tensioning and severing a cable tie. The device includes a reciprocating tensioning mechanism such as a pawl link for tensioning the cable tie tail, a locking mechanism to prevent further tensioning upon the attainment of a preselected tension level in the tie tail, and a severing device to sever the tie tail from the cable tie head once installed. 
     Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,428, which is discloses an apparatus for tensioning a material including a housing, a spur shaft reciprocally coupled to the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing and to the spur shaft to effect translation of the spur shaft when the trigger is operably moved, a tensioning device mounted to the housing and operably coupled to the spur shaft such that translation of the spur shaft causes operation of the tensioning device, and a passage having an inlet and an outlet, the passage operably coupling the inlet and outlet to the tensioning device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an example apparatus for tensioning a cable lacing tape device as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the apparatus with a portion of the housing removed. 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged side elevational view of the tensioning assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the mechanism during normal operation. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the tensioning assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevational view of the tensioning assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the assembly during an example cutting operation. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an example capstan assembly for use in the example apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the example capstan assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the example capstan assembly of  FIG. 5 , showing relative rotational displacement between an inner and an outer capstan. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the example capstan assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged detailed view of the front portion of the example apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the apparatus mating with an example cable lacing device. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged detailed view of the front portion of the example apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the apparatus mated with the example cable lacing device. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view showing the example capstan assembly of  FIG. 5  in a neutral configuration with a cable lacing tape located therein. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 11 , showing the example capstan assembly in a skewed position with a cable lacing tape retained therein. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the example apparatus for tensioning a cable lacing tape device as disclosed in  FIG. 1 , including an extension spring mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure of example methods and apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0267844 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,682,806, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, both generally disclose a cable lacing tie for holding a plurality of objects together. The disclosed cable lacing tape devices generally include a head assembly and a length of cable lacing tape that can be retained by the head assembly upon activation of the retaining device. In the disclosed example devices, a free end of the cable lacing tape is routed (generally be hand) through an opening in the head around retainer, which is actuatable from an unlocked position to a locked position by pulling the free end of the cable lacing tape with sufficient force. 
     In at least some instances, the example cable lacing tie devises comprise a length of woven aramid fiber tape with a synthetic rubber coating attached to a polymer fastener. While the free end must be activated with sufficient force to actuate the retainer, this tape material may be difficult to grip by hand and furthermore may be difficult to grip mechanically utilizing the standard cam action of existing cable tie guns due to the coating acting as a dry lubricant as well as the abrasive nature of the aramid fiber. 
     It has been found that a directional change, wrapping, and/or folding of the lace assists in the grip allowing the tool to build tension in the lace. This tension is required to both activate the retainer in the fastener head as well as activate the cutting action in the tool linkage (if available). 
     Referring now to the figures, an example apparatus  10  for tensioning an example cable lacing tape device, such as the cable lacing tape device  5  (see  FIG. 9 , showing the device  5  without an associated tape), is illustrated. As described herein, the example apparatus  10  tensions the cable lacing tape device  5  to the proper predetermined tension and optionally cuts a free end of the cable lacing tape once the predetermined tension is achieved. 
     The example apparatus  10  includes a housing  12  in the general shape of a pistol or gun having a grip  13 , trigger  14 , and a barrel portion  16 . In this example, a forward end of the barrel portion  16  includes an exposed capstan assembly  17  as will be disclosed in further detail below. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one sidewall  12   a  of the housing  12  has been cut away to show the other housing sidewall  12   b  and the internal parts and a tensioning assembly  22  of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the example apparatus  10  generally comprises a manual actuating mechanism, such as the trigger  14  and the tensioning assembly  22  that typically reciprocates to operate the capstan assembly  17  but actuates a cutting head  24  once a predetermined tension in achieved. The tensioning assembly  22  is mounted within the barrel portion  16  of the housing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the example tensioning assembly  22  comprises a gear  26  rotatably coupled to the housing  12  about an axis  27  in the direction of the arrow B. The trigger  14  is pivotally coupled to the housing  12  and is operable in the direction of the arrow A to rotate the gear  26  within the housing  12 . The gear  26  includes a driving gear portion  28  and a reciprocating gear portion  30 . The driving gear portion  28  is operably coupled to the trigger  14 . The reciprocating gear portion  30  is coupled to a correspondingly geared driving member. Therefore, movement of the gear  26  in either direction of the arrow B causes reciprocating movement of the inner plate  32  in the direction of the arrows C. 
     In this example, the driving member is an inner plate  32 . It will be appreciated that the driving member may be any suitable element, including, for instance, a single element such as a plate, shaft, or other suitable member. In addition, although the driving member in this example is an “inner” plate, this nomenclature is for ease of understanding and it will be understood that the relative positioning (inner, outer, etc.) is merely illustrative and the driving member may be located in any suitable orientation and/or relative position related to any other element in the apparatus  10 . 
     The example inner plate  32  is operably coupled to a driven member, such as for example, an outer plate assembly  34 . As with the driving member, it will be appreciated that the driven member may be any suitable element, including, for instance, a single element such as a plate, shaft, or other suitable member. In addition, although the driven member in this example is an “outer” plate assembly, this nomenclature is also for ease of understanding and it will be understood that the relative positioning (inner, outer, etc.) is merely illustrative and the driven member may be located in any suitable orientation and/or relative position relative to any other element in the apparatus  10 . 
     The example outer plate assembly  32  includes a pair of outer plates  34   a ,  34   b . In this example, the inner plate  32  includes a pair of pins  36  that extend through corresponding slots  38  defined in each of the outer plates  34   a ,  34   b . The two outer plates  34   a ,  34   b  are coupled to one another via various links, including links  35 ,  37 ,  39 , and  41  to contain the inner plate  32  with the pins  36  within the slots  38 . Hence, the inner plate  32  can move, e.g., slide longitudinally, relative to the outer plates  34   a ,  34   b.    
     In the illustrated example, relative movement between the inner plate  32  and the outer plates  34   a ,  34   b , is controlled by a biasing element, such as a coil spring  40 . More precisely, the example coil spring  40  extends between a first pair of shoulders  42   a ,  42   b , formed on the inner plate  32  and a second pair of shoulder  44   a ,  44   b , formed on each of the outer plates  34   a ,  34   b . In this arrangement, longitudinal movement of the inner plate  32  in the direction of the arrow S (see  FIG. 3A ) will cause the coil spring  40  to resist compression and transfer force to the outer plate assembly  34 , with little or no relative movement between the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34 . 
     An end of the outer plate assembly  34  opposite the shoulder  44   a ,  44   b , comprises a ratcheted spur  48  coupled to the assembly  34 . In this example, the spur  48  is coupled to the assembly by the link  35 . As the outer plate assembly  34  reciprocates with the inner plate  32 , the spur  48  likewise reciprocates in the same manner. As the spur  48  moves, the ratchets engage the rotatably mounted capstan assembly  17  through corresponding, circumferentially disposed ratchets or dogs, which are hidden from view and therefore not shown. Thus, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, during normal operation of the apparatus  10  (i.e., when the capstan assembly  17  is under little or no torsional load), reciprocal movement of the inner plate  32  will cause the outer plate assembly  34  to move together with the inner plate  32 , and thus cause rotational movement of the capstan assembly  17 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 and 11-12 , the capstan assembly  17  is illustrated in detail. The example assembly generally comprises an inner capstan  50  and an outer capstan  52 . It will be understood, however, that the capstan assembly may be one or more integrated or separate elements as desired, including a single capstan. In this example, however, the inner capstan  50  is rotatably coupled to the housing  12  and as noted above, is operably coupled to the spur  48  to rotate in the direction of the arrow D. The outer capstan  52 , meanwhile circumferentially surrounds the inner capstan  50  and is rotatable about the inner capstan  50 . In this example, the relative movement between the inner capstan  50  and the outer capstan  52  is limited by a pin  54  and a slot  56  arrangement. While the outer capstan  52  is independently rotatable relative to the tool, the outer capstan  52  is free to move independent only a predetermined amount of angular degrees relative to the inner capstan  50  before the inner capstan  50  and outer capstan  52  engage with each other and rotate together. 
     Each of the inner capstan  50  and the outer capstan  52  includes a slit  60  transverse to the axis of rotation, which defines a plurality of fingers  58 . In this example, each finger  58  includes chamfered surfaces  62  proximate to the slit  60  to assist in the insertion of a cable lacing tape  200  into the slits  60 . In the position of  FIGS. 5 and 6  the inner capstan  50  and the outer capstan  52  are rotatably arranged such that the slits  60  are in alignment. In the position of  FIGS. 7 and 8  the outer capstan  52  has rotated relative to the inner capstan  50  such that the slits  60  are slightly misaligned. 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lacing tape  200  is placed within the capstan assembly  17  an into the slits  60  that are aligned. As the capstan assembly  17  rotates ( FIG. 12 ), the outer capstan  52  rotates relative to the inner capstan  50  to misalign the slits  60  and thereby pinch the lacing tape  200  between the inner capstan  50  and the outer capstan  52 , preventing the lacing tape from being withdrawn from the capstan assembly  17 . Accordingly, because the lacing tape  200  is securely pinched between the two capstans, further rotation of the capstan assembly  17  causes the lacing tape  200  to wind around the outer circumferential surface of the outer capstan  52 . 
     It will be appreciated by one of or ordinary skill in the art that the lacing tape  200  may be secured in any suitable manner and not necessarily through a “pinch” hold, including for instance, a friction fit or other suitable retention means. In addition, in this example, the location and size of the pin and slot may vary as desired and may be located on either of the capstans or may be eliminated altogether. It will be further appreciated that the manner in which the relative movement between capstans is limited (if limited at all) may be differ from the manner shown. 
     As disclosed previously, during normal operations (e.g., a first operating mode), reciprocal movement of the inner plate  32  is coupled with movement of the outer plate assembly  34  and causes rotation of the capstan assembly  17 . As the lacing tape  200  is wrapped around the outer capstan  200 , and the device  5  is pressed against the housing  12  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ), tension is built up on the lacing tape  200 . As the tension continues to increase, further attempts to rotate the capstan assembly  17  causes a force build up in the coil spring  40 . At a predetermined tension, the resistive force against rotational movement of the capstan assembly  17  is greater than the force applied between the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34  by the coil spring such that the outer plate assembly  34  no longer moves within the housing and the coil spring  40  compresses. Thus, in this second operating mode, the inner plate  32  moves relative to the stationary outer plate assembly  34 . 
     In the example illustrated, relative movement between the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34  causes actuation of a second operating mode action, such as for instance, an activation sound, a visual indicator, or a cutting action such as an actuation of the optional cutting head  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the inner plate  32  is coupled to a pivoting bar  70  via a link assembly  72 . The link  72  is coupled to the outer plate assembly  34  at the link  37 . As such, movement of the inner plate  32  causes the pivoting bar  70  to move in the direction of the arrow E. Also illustrated in  FIG. 4  is a cutting bar  74 . During normal operation ( FIG. 3A ; the first operating mode), the cutting bar is not engaged. During relative movement between the plates  32  and  34  ( FIG. 4 ; the second operating mode), however, the pivoting bar  70  pivots into engagement with the cutting bar  74 , and with corresponding ratchets  76   a ,  76   b  on each of the pivoting bar  70  and the cutting bar  74 , the cutting bar  74  is moved towards and into engagement with the cutting head  24  to pivot the cutting head  24  in the direction of the arrow F. Specifically, the cutting head  24  is pivotally mounted to the housing  12  about an axis  80  and includes a knife  82  that contacts and cuts the lacing tape  200 . The cutting head  24  may be removable and/or replaceable as desired. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9-12 , a nose piece  202  may be provided at the distal end of the barrel portion  16 . In this example, the nose piece  202  defines an aperture  204  through or around which the cable lacing tape  200  may be threaded. The aperture  204  is also sized to receive the housing of the cable lacing device  5 . To aid in the alignment of the apparatus  10  and the cable lacing device  5 . 
     As detailed herein, in operation the apparatus  10  is capable of applying a tensioning force to a free end of the cable lacing table  200  of the cable lacing tape device  5 . For instance, in this example, the cable lacing tape is fed through or around (e.g., under) the aperture  204  in the nose piece  200  and into the slits  60  in the capstan assembly  17 . The trigger  14  may then be actuated to translate the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34 . The capstan assembly  17  is rotated with the outer plate assembly, and the outer capstan  52  and the inner capstan  50  rotate to a misaligned position to grip the lacing tape  200  and to wrap the lacing tape  200  about the outside of the capstan assembly  17 . 
     As the trigger  14 , the inner plate  32 , the outer plate assembly  34  and the capstan assembly  17  are repeatedly actuated, the cable lacing tape  200  wraps around the outside of the capstan so that the nose piece  202  rests against the cable lacing tape device  5 , thereby causing tension in the cable lacing tape  200 . Once a predetermined tension is achieved in cable lacing tape  200  a retainer  7  is activated within the cable lacing tie device  5  and actuated into the locked position. In addition, the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34  move relative to one another to actuate the cutting head  24  to cut the lacing tape  200  to the proper size and remove any excess tape. As a result, the apparatus  10  will both tension and securely actuate the device  5 , and further cut the excess tape from the free end  100 . 
     It will be appreciated that the cutting head  24  may be biased in a position wherein the lacing tape  200  is not contacted during normal operation of the apparatus  10 . It will be further appreciated that the predetermined tension may be selected, controlled, and/or otherwise adjusted or varied by any suitable manner, including by varying the spring constant of the biasing element, varying the distance between the shoulder of the inner plate and the outer plate assembly, or other suitable manner. In at least one example, the forces associated with the coil spring  40  may be selectively adjusted by any suitable adjustment mechanism to change the biasing force applied by the spring  40  to the inner and outer plates  32 ,  34 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , another example apparatus  10 ′ is shown. In this example, the apparatus  10 ′ utilizes multiple extension springs  1300  as opposed to the coil spring  40 , but otherwise operates under the same operating principle. It will, therefore, be understood that any suitable biasing mechanism may be utilized to prevent relative movement between the inner plate  32  and the outer plate assembly  34  until the predetermined tension is achieved. 
     In this example, linearizing the linkage makes the input squeeze force consistent throughout the tool handle stroke. The linear linkages for the blade cutting and the tensioning linkage work in opposite directions. Further, the head nest automatically aligns (see  FIGS. 9-10 ) the head to ensure the force applied to the lace is perpendicular to the fastener making pin activation consistent. 
     It will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that by optimizing any of the various variables affecting the “gripping” strength of the pinch, such as for instance, the rotational disparity between the inner and outer capstan, and the distance between the surfaces of the inner and outer capstan relative to the thickness of the tape, the surface material composition (e.g., frictional characteristics), and/or any other characteristic, the amount of force created by the pinching action between the inner and outer capstan may be changed as desired. 
     Although certain example methods and apparatus have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.