Band-it-idex, Inc.

Miklos Design LLC

Miklos Balazs Marelin

Hans R Hinnen

Daniel John Nelson

Casey James Dorneman

George A Jansen

Rene Leist

Mark Mossbrucker

Ryan M Stoltz

Matthew J Stillings

Philip A Czebatul

John E Whalen, Jr

A method and apparatus for securing a cable tie about an object is described. Further, a relatively compact banding tool that facilitates cable tie tensioning is described.

Band tensioning tool and calibration device therefor

The inventive disclosures pertain to an improved handgun (and related retrofit/after-market kits) that incorporates an improved gunsight and ergonomically enhanced pistol-grip member. In embodiments, an elongated gunsight-augmentation member is adapted to be inserted between a handgun's existing rear and front gunsights such that the gunsight has been basically transformed into a barrel-length U-shaped channel that makes it clear to a user how to line-up a target, while ensuring that the entire length of the device has a smooth shape and edges to significantly reduce snagging when drawing the firearm. The gunsight-augmentation member can also incorporate an internal fiber-optic rod as a visual aid to line-up a firearm. In variations, the improved handgun incorporates an ergonomically enhanced finger-receiving member disposed at the bottom surface of the pistol-grip and/or magazine that is especially useful for compact handgun designs.

Handgun with gunsight augmentation and enhanced pistol-grip and methods of use

An improved band clamp is provided that employs a punch that forms an indication in the deformed band during locking procedure. More specifically, a punch having at least one shoulder or other indication mechanisms is provided that selectively contacts a band to deform it with respect to a buckle to lock the band and buckle of a band clamp together. The shoulder contemplated thus leaves a mark on the deformed band to quickly provide a visual indication of dimple depth.

Dual locking band clamp and method of forming the same

A tensioning device is provided that includes a separable punching and cutting mechanism. Provided is an impact head that holds a buckle while the band that resides within the buckle is tensioned. After a predetermined tension is achieved, a mechanism is used to lock the band with respect to the buckle then to cut the band. Various data related to tension and cutting performance may also be outputted by the invention.

Stationary band clamping apparatus

An improved tool for locking a band clamp, and an improved lock for a band clamp is disclosed. The tool includes a knife body having a knife edge that progressively cuts the free end of the band over a period of time, rather than simultaneously cutting the entire band width. In one embodiment, this is accomplished with a knife edge that is non-linear. The tool further includes a punch with a rounded or hemispherical shaped leading tip that forms an improved locking dimple. The locking dimple forms an improved lock having side walls that are, at least in part, parallel with the walls of the surrounding aperture in the band. By varying the profile of the knife edge, the punch can more fully form an improved locking dimple.

Method and apparatus for bundling objects

Tensioning of a band clamp about an object under electrical control is provided using a control system operably connected to a banding system. The banding system includes a number of mechanical components involved with tightening, cutting and locking the band clamp, as well as removing a tail portion thereof. The control system is operably connected to the assemblies of the banding system to automatically control at least certain operations associated with performing the functions of the apparatus. The banding system includes: a band tightening assembly including a mandrel about which the tail portion can be wrapped during the band tightening operation; a band cutting/locking assembly including a removable cutting device used in forming the lock and severing the tail portion; and a band ejection assembly used in removing the severed tail portion from the apparatus. The control system preferably includes a load cell that outputs an electrical signal related to the actual tension being applied to the band clamp during the tightening operation. The control system also includes an input/output device for receiving and outputting information related to the functions performed by the banding and control systems.

Powered band clamping under electrical control

The non-preformed clamping device of the present invention includes a buckle having an inclined shroud and a raised rear portion and a band having a pair of retention members for holding the buckle in position on the band. The buckle and band can further include matching markers to permit the user to properly orient the buckle on the band.

Band clamp including band and separately attached buckle

The present invention is a novel banding tool which, prior to being used to provide a securing lock for a band clamp, can extract an unspecified length of excess band from the band clamp during a band clamp tightening operation without the banding tool itself expanding. The tightening is accomplished by the cranking or rotating of a tensioning rod for moving a band gripping assembly along the length of the tensioning rod whereby the band gripping assembly extracts a length of band from the band clamp. The present invention also includes a novel manual tension activation assembly for use in cranking the tension rod. The tension activation assembly can be attached to an end of the tensioning rod at a plurality of torque varying positions according to operator convenience and cranking space restrictions. Alternatively, cranking can be provided by a power drive rather than the manual tension activation assembly. The present invention is also of a modular design whereby the included lock forming components can be replaced, thereby providing various alternatives for the type of lock to be formed in securing the band clamp about an object.

Adaptable banding tool

The present invention provides a band clamp with an improved lock between the band and the buckle of the band clamp. The improved lock is of the type of lock where the band is passed through the buckle and then shaped to form a locking surface that engages the exterior of the buckle to prevent the band from being pulled back through the buckle. Characteristic of the improved lock is that the lateral cross-section of the locking surface is, in one embodiment substantially V-shaped. In other embodiments, the lateral cross-section is substantially U-shaped and substantially .OMEGA.-shaped. In a further embodiment, a banding tool is disclosed for use with a band and a buckle separate from the band, wherein the banding tool forms both a band lock on one band end and a retaining member on the opposite band end such that the retaining member inhibits the non-attached buckle from separating from the band during lock formation.

Anchoring of a band buckle in a band clamp

The present invention provides a band clamp with an improved lock between the band and the buckle of the band clamp. The improved lock is of the type of lock where the band is passed through the buckle and then shaped to form a locking surface that engages the exterior of the buckle to prevent the band from being pulled back through the buckle. Characteristic of the improved lock is that the lateral cross-section of the locking surface is, in one embodiment substantially V-shaped. In other embodiments, the lateral cross-section is substantially U-shaped and substantially .OMEGA.-shaped.

Lock between band and buckle of band clamp

Apparatus and method are provided for indicating when a predetermined amount of tension has been applied to a band by a banding tool. The apparatus includes a housing, a lever for transferring pressure, and a tension indicator. As a tool handle is rotated to apply tension to a band, pressure is applied to the lever. When the tension applied is substantially equal to the predetermined tension, the lever pivots and activates the indicator, indicating to the operator of the banding tool that sufficient tension has been applied. In one embodiment, the indicator extends into the path of the rotating tool handle, thus preventing the operator from applying further tension to the band.

Tension indicating device for use with a banding tool

A banding tool (10) is provided for tensioning a band clamp (12) around a protective shield (17). The tool (10) comprises a housing (20) having a hollow handle (22) and a head receptacle (34). Pivotally attached to the housing (20) is a pull up handle (116) and a cutoff handle (154). Received within the hollow handle (22) is a tensioning assembly (24) comprising a force storing device (26), a plunger (28), an adjustment screw (30) and a connecting rod (32). Attached within a head receptacle (34) of the housing (20) is a head (36). The head (36) contains a tension block (46) which is slidably received therein. A tension transfer lever interconnects the assembly (24) and the block (46) for tensioning of the band (13). The force storing device (26) is precompressed to approximately equal the desired tension on the band (13). Once the tension in the band (13) approximately equals the precompression of the force storing device (26), the operator is provided with a signal by the locking of the pull up handle (116). The cutoff handle (154) is then actuated to move a cutoff knife (180) into bending/cutting cooperation with a cutoff blade (86).

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Aurora, CO, United States of America

Miklos Balazs Marelin