Patent ID: 7374152

Claim:
A binding machine comprising: a body portion; a ratchet device coupled to said body portion; a first handle portion including first and second side members, said first and second side members being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to one another, said first handle portion being coupled to said ratchet device for rotational activation of said ratchet device; a second handle portion including third and fourth side members, said third and fourth side members being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to one another, said second handle portion being pivotally coupled to said first handle portion at respective mutually proximate ends thereof; a helical spring, said helical spring being disposed between said first and second side members, said helical spring being adapted to provide a monotonically increasing force in opposition to a pivotal displacement of said first handle portion with respect to said second handle portion; an inner cross member, said inner cross member having a first end coupled to said first side member and a second end coupled to said second side member, said helical spring having a first end coupled to said inner cross member; and an outer cross member, said outer cross member having a third end coupled to said third side member and a fourth end coupled to said fourth side member, said helical spring having a second end coupled to said outer cross member.