Operating apparatus for feeding, taking up and tensioning a binding strap

Abstract

A strap binding machine for binding articles includes a traction operating wheel and a back-up operating wheel rotatable in opposite directions so as to achieve forward advancement and rearward retraction of the binding strap whereby feeding, retraction, and high-torque tightening of the binding strap is accomplished with respect to an article to be bound. The back-up wheel is mounted upon an eccentric shaft which is, in turn, mounted upon a connecting link by means of a lever, attached to the eccentric shaft, and a pin engaged within an arcuate slot defined within the lever. The connecting link is attached at one end thereof to a supporting plate upon which is mounted the traction wheel wherein the supporting plate is spring-biased so as to be pivotable in a counterclockwise direction, and the other end of the connecting link is attached to a pneumatic piston-cylinder mechanism. An opening handle is also operatively attached to the eccentric shaft mounting the back-up wheel whereby the gap, bight, or nip defined between the traction and backup wheels is able to be readily enlarged or opened, for insertion of the leading end portion of the binding strap in order to initiate a binding operation, as permitted by means of the lever and connecting link members having the arcuate slot and connecting pin defined and provided therein, respectively.