The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 1979
Filed:
Oct. 11, 1977
John H Leslie, Winnetka, IL (US);
George A Crosby, Long Grove, IL (US);
Signode Corporation, Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A combination jam-clearing and torque sensing traction wheel assembly and strap feed stopping mechanism is disclosed for use in a strapping machine which feeds strap in a chute about an article to form a loop and subsequently tensions the loop tightly about the article. The strap is fed into the chute by a rotating traction wheel which is driven through a torque sensing assembly comprising a driven plate, a spring-biased driver plate, and drive motor. Feeding of the strap is intermittently stopped and started as the driver plate is forced out of engagement with the driven plate when the torque increases beyond a predetermined amount in response to increased strap feed resistance resulting from an obstruction in the chute. In one embodiment, the strap feed stopping mechanism includes a permanent strap end abutment member located just past the strap overlap region in the strapping machine. When the strap free end hits the abutment member, the driver plate is forced out of engagement with the driven plate and feeding of the strap is terminated. In another embodiment, the strap feed stopping mechanism includes a ratchet wheel and a pawl actuated by a sensor in the strap chute and which is responsive to the strap free end location in the chute when a loop is being formed. Tripping of the sensor by the strap free end actuates a mechanism to move a pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel to prevent further strap feed rotation of the traction wheel secured thereto. Additionally, the restraint against the traction wheel rotation causes the driver plate to disengage from the traction wheel.