Patent ID: 8356641

Claim:
A tool for tensioning a band relative to an associated buckle, the band and buckle positioned around a work piece, comprising: a frame; a tensioning wheel rotatably fixed relative to said frame, said tensioning wheel adapted to engage a first surface of a band; a drive source operatively associated with said tensioning wheel to provide rotational motion to said tensioning wheel; a toggle arm having a first end and a second end, said toggle arm pivotally connected to said frame at a point between said first and second ends; a pinch wheel rotatably fixed to said first end of said toggle arm, said tension wheel adapted to engage a second surface of the band; a first pneumatically actuated cylinder connected to said second end of said toggle arm, said first pneumatically actuated cylinder having a finite length of travel and outputting a finite force; wherein the pivoting toggle arm increases the force applied by the pinch wheel on the band to an amount greater than the output force of the first pneumatically actuated cylinder; wherein said tension wheel has a textured surface in the form of a toothed pattern and said pinch wheel has a textured surface for engaging the band; and wherein each tooth formed on said toothed pattern of said tension wheel has an edge that engages the band, and wherein no edge is continuous across the width of said tension wheel.