Patent ID: 7377213

Claim:
A floating strapping head for a strapping machine of the type for positioning, tensioning and sealing a strapping material to itself around a load, the strapping machine comprises a frame with a strap chute, the floating strapping head mounted within the frame, and the floating strapping head comprising: a tensioning module; a sealing module for welding overlying courses of the strapping material to one another; a drive assembly operably connected to the tensioning module and the sealing module and configured to move the tensioning and sealing modules toward and away from one another; and a guide along which the tensioning and sealing modules move laterally, together and toward and away from one another, wherein when tension is drawn in the strapping material with an end of the strapping material gripped by the sealing head and an opposite portion of the strapping material gripped by the tensioning module, and the drive assembly is actuated to move the tensioning and sealing modules away from one another, the tensioning and sealing modules move along the guide, as one, to equalize the tension in the strapping material on either side of the strapping head.