Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7216679?dq=6246862
Timestamp: 2014-04-16 22:18:51
Document Index: 440625632

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 04', 'Application No. 2004', 'Application No. 05', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 05075328']

Patent US7216679 - Cable tie tool having modular tool head - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe cable tie tool has a modular tool head and a tool handle from which the tool head may be detached. The attachment and detachment provided by the modular tool head provides for the use of multiple tool heads with a single tool handle in which is mounted a trigger mechanism. Each modular tool head...http://www.google.com/patents/US7216679?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7216679 - Cable tie tool having modular tool headAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7216679 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/055,929Publication dateMay 15, 2007Filing dateFeb 11, 2005Priority dateFeb 13, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2496857A1, CA2496857C, CN1660673A, CN100548812C, DE602005015370D1, EP1564145A1, EP1564145B1, US20050178459Publication number055929, 11055929, US 7216679 B2, US 7216679B2, US-B2-7216679, US7216679 B2, US7216679B2InventorsJoey D. Magno, Jr., Johan Tapper, Anders Fahlen, Joakim Norin, Goran Paulsson, Sven WadlingOriginal AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (47), Non-Patent Citations (14), Classifications (11), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCable tie tool having modular tool headUS 7216679 B2Abstract The cable tie tool has a modular tool head and a tool handle from which the tool head may be detached. The attachment and detachment provided by the modular tool head provides for the use of multiple tool heads with a single tool handle in which is mounted a trigger mechanism. Each modular tool head is secured to the tool handle by a latch mechanism. Each tool head further includes a tensioning mechanism for applying a tension force to a cable tie. Each tensioning mechanism provides for application of a corresponding tension force to the cable tie proportional to the force applied to the tensioning mechanism by the trigger mechanism. The respective tension forces are different for at least one uniform force applied by the trigger mechanism to the corresponding tensioning mechanisms.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,362 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Feb. 13, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a cable tie tool having a modular tool head, and more specifically, to such a tool head which may be detachably secured to the tool handle of the cable tie tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The cable tie tool of the present invention has a modular tool head and a tool handle from which the tool head may be detached. The attachment and detachment provided by the modular tool head provides for the use of multiple tool heads with a single tool handle in which is mounted a handle linkage.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 6�6 of FIG. 4 showing components located within the modular tool head and the linkage located within the tool handle;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 7�7 of FIG. 6 showing components located within the modular tool head and tool handle;
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view in the plane indicated by line 13�13 of FIG. 10 showing the pin which connects the rod link to the tool handle;
FIG. 14 is a front elevation view in the plane indicated by line 14�14 of FIG. 10 showing the pin which connects the inner trigger link to the tool handle;
FIG. 15 is a front elevation view in the plane indicated by line 15�15 of FIG. 10 showing the pin which connects the inner trigger link to the outer trigger link;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 28�28 of FIG. 25 showing components located within the modular tool head and the linkage located within the tool handle;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 29�29 of FIG. 28 showing components located within the modular tool head and tool handle;
FIG. 35 is cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 35�35 of FIG. 34 showing components within the head and handle housings, including the latches in the open positions;
FIG. 37 is cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 37�37 of FIG. 34 showing components within the head and handle housings, including the latches in the open positions;
FIG. 38 is cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 38�38 of FIG. 34 showing components within the handle housing, including the latches in the open positions;
FIG. 40 is cross-sectional view in the plane indicated by line 40�40 of FIG. 34 showing the handle housing;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a cable tie tool 10 is shown for securing a cable tie to a bundle of articles, such as wires or cables. The cable tie tool 10 includes a modular tool head 12 and a tool handle 15.
The tool head 12 has proximal and distal ends 20, 22, and includes a tension adjustment knob 27 and other components, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/544,361 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on even date herewith and entitled �Tension and Anti-Recoil Mechanism for Cable Tie Tool�, having as the inventors Joey D. Magno, Jr., Johan Tapper, Anders Fahlen, Joakin Norin, Goran Paulsson and Sven Wadling. The tool head 12 includes a rear housing ring 23 located to the rear thereof, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 21. The rear housing ring 23 has a pair of diametrically opposed arms 24 each of which extends rearwardly from the rear edge of the ring. The arms 24 each have rear end portions the outer surfaces of which have hook formations 25 thereon. The outer surface of the rear end of each hook formation 25 is chamfered, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 21. Examples of components which may be included in the tool head 12 are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,425 issued Jun. 29, 1999.
An alternative embodiment of the cable tie tool 10 a is shown in FIGS. 22 to 30. FIGS. 22 to 26, and 28 to 30 are views which correspond to the views of FIGS. 1 to 8, respectively. Parts shown in FIGS. 22 to 30 which correspond to parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 21 have the same reference numeral as in FIGS. 1 to 21 with the addition of the suffix �a� in FIGS. 22 to 30. The tool head 12 a is generally the same as the tool head 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 21. The tool handle 15 a shown in FIGS. 24 to 30 includes a trigger mechanism 191 as shown in FIGS. 28 and 30.
An alternative embodiment for the tool head 12 b and tool handle 15 b is shown in FIGS. 31 to 51. Parts shown in FIGS. 31 to 51 which correspond to parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 21 have the same reference numeral as in FIGS. 1 to 21 with the addition of the suffix �b� in FIGS. 31 to 51.
The tool head 12 b includes a tensioning mechanism having a tension adjustment knob 27 the outer surface of which has a circular groove 30 generally adjacent to the proximal end thereof, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36. The circular groove 30 is contained in a plane which is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool head 12 b. The portions of the shell members 33 b which form the distal end 45 b of the barrel 40 b are secured together by an upper hook flange 34 which is inserted into a corresponding upper catch flange 36, shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. The upper hook and catch flanges 34, 36 facilitate the connection of upper portions of the shell members 33 b without requiring a connecting screw or similar fastener. These portions of the shell members 33 b are further secured together by inner and outer tab flanges 38, 39 which depend from the lower portion of the distal end 45 b. The inner and outer tab flanges 38, 39 are secured together by a connecting screw. The shell members 33 b are assembled by first connecting the upper hook and catch flanges 34, 36, and then bringing together the inner and outer tab flanges 38 b, 39 b for connection by inserting the connecting screw through the passages therein.
Formed on the inner surface of each shell member 33 b within the barrel 40 b is an elongate track 52 defined by a rim 53 having a generally elliptical shape. The track 52 has front and rear ends 55, 57. Contained within each of the tracks 52 is a corresponding end of the pin 105 b. The pin 105 b extends through the upper ends of the inner trigger links 97 b. The barrel 40 b has a pair of generally elongate longitudinal cutouts 60 on opposite sides thereof generally adjacent to the distal end 45 b. The periphery of each cutout 60 has a proximal portion defined by a rim 62 which extends radially outward from the outer curved surface of the barrel 40 b. The inner edge of each rim 62 has a curvature which matches the curvature of the barrel 40 b. The outer edge of each rim 62 is contained in a plane which is generally parallel to the central plane 35 b. The tool handle 15 b includes a pair of latches 65 b each of which has a latch body 70 which is supported in a respective cutout 60 by a latch pin 67, as shown in FIGS. 32, 42 and 43. Each latch pin 67 extends through a passage 72 in the respective latch body 70. Each passage 72 is generally perpendicular to upper and lower edges of the respective latch body 70, as shown in FIGS. 34 to 36. When each latch 65 b is supported in a respective cutout 60, the axis of the associated latch pin 67 is generally vertical relative to the upper and lower surfaces of the barrel 40 b. Each latch 65 b has a periphery which corresponds to the periphery of the respective cutout 60 such that, when the latch is supported in the respective cutout, the periphery of the latch is generally adjacent to the periphery of the cutout. The portion of each latch body 70 in generally proximal relation to the passage 72 constitutes a proximal portion 75 of the latch body. The outer surface of each proximal portion 75 is generally flat, as shown in FIG. 32. Each proximal portion 75 adjoins the portion of the cutout 60 having the rim 62 which provides the outer curved surface of the barrel 40 b with a flat portion with which the outer surface of the proximal portion may have an even relation. The inner surface of each proximal portion 75 has a curvature which matches the curvature of the inner surface of the barrel 40 b. The portion of each latch 65 b in generally distal relation to the passage 72 constitutes a distal portion 77. The inner and outer surfaces of each distal portion 77 have a curvature which generally matches the curvature of the barrel 40 b, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 37. Extending inwardly from the inner surface of each distal portion 77 generally adjacent to the distal ends thereof is a lip 80, the central plane of which is generally perpendicular to the central plane 35 b. The inner and outer edges of each lip 80 have a curvature which generally matches the curvature of the distal portion 77.
The pivotal connections between the inner and outer trigger links 97 b, 122 b provided by the pin 105 b provides for the outer trigger link to pivot in the directions 134 b, 137 b toward open and closed positions, respectively. The ends of the pin 105 b are contained within the corresponding rims 53 of the tracks 52 such that pivoting of the inner trigger links 97 b in the directions 117 b, 119 b causes the pin 105 b to translate longitudinally within the track. When the inner trigger links 97 b are pivoted in the direction 117 b to the open position, the pin 105 b approaches the front end 55 of the track 52 but does not reach it resulting in a longitudinal clearance between the pin 105 b and the front end 55. When the inner trigger links 97 b are pivoted in the direction 119 b to the closed position, the pin 105 b approaches the rear end 57 of the track 52 but does not reach it resulting in a longitudinal clearance between the pin 105 b and the rear end 57. The lateral clearances between the ends of the pin 105 b and the portion of the handle housing 32 b contained within the rim 53 is sufficiently limited to limit any lateral deflection of the upper ends of the inner and outer trigger links 97 b, 122 b which may result from the cantilevered support of these links by the pin 100 b. Pivoting the rod link 142 b in the direction 119 b and pivoting the latches 65 b to the open positions 82, against the resistance of the respective springs 87, allows removal of the tool head 12 b from the tool handle 15 b. The tool head 12 b may be inserted into the tool handle 15 b by pivoting the outer and inner trigger links 122 b, 97 b in the directions 134 b, 117 b such that the rod link 142 b pivots in the direction 149 b into engagement with the trigger stop 42 b. The latches 65 b are pivoted to the open positions 82 against the resistance of the springs 87.
When the tool head 12 b is fully inserted into the tool handle 15 b, the latches 65 b are released allowing forcible pivoting thereof by the springs 87 to the respective closed positions 85 shown in FIG. 46. This causes the lips 80 b of the latches 65 b to fit into a respective arcuate segment of the circular groove 30, as shown in FIG. 46, thereby to mount and retain the tool head 12 b to the handle housing 32 b. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,425 issued Jun. 29, 1999 is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/614,435 filed in the USPTO on Jul. 7, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/185,985 filed in the USPTO on Jul. 7, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/185,986 filed in the USPTO on Jul. 7, 2003 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein. The entire disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,361 filed in the USPTO on Feb. 13, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,362 filed in the USPTO on Feb. 13, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,472 filed in the USPTO on Feb. 13, 2004 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein. The entire disclosure of the U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 11/056,078, filed in the USPTO on even date herewith and entitled �Tension and Anti-Recoil Mechanism for Cable Tie Tool�, having as the inventors Joey D. Magno, Jr., Johan Tapper, Anders Fahlen, Joakin Norin, Goran Paulsson and Sven Wadling, and is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The entire disclosure of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/055,938, filed in the USPTO on even date herewith and entitled �Cycle Counter for Cable Tie Tool�, having as the inventor Joey D. Magno, Jr., is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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No. 29/185,986, filed Jul. 7, 2003, Magno, Jr. et al., USPTO Filing Receipt, specification and drawings.Classifications U.S. Classification140/123.6, 140/93.2International ClassificationB65B27/00, B65B59/04, B65B13/02, B21F9/02, B21F9/00Cooperative ClassificationB65B13/027, B65B59/04European ClassificationB65B13/02T1, B65B59/04Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionNov 15, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 6, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., DELAWAREFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MAGNO JR., JOEY D.,;FAHLEN, ANDERS;PAULSSON, GORAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016429/0836;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050301 TO 20050314RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google