HARNESS CABLE LACING TOOL

• US 3,821,058 A
• Filed: 05/25/1972
• Issued: 06/28/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Miller A
• Original Assignee: Miller A
• Inventors: MILLER A
• Application Number:
  US05/256,781
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• US Class Current: 156/468
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 13/285 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 13/327 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/01272 Harness tying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1343 Cutting indefinite length web after assembly with discrete article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1793 Grip or clamp for web end
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip

Abstract

A tool for fastening a length of thermoplastic resin coated lacing tape around a cable is characterized by means for twisting together the lacing tape ends, heating means for fusing the twisted ends, and means for severing the cable securing tape loop from the supply. Preferably the tool is pistol-shaped and houses a motor which rotates a tubular drive shaft having a twisting member at the muzzle end. The heating and severing means are contained in jaws retracted in the tool barrel and connected to a carrier threadingly engaging a drive screw on the drive shaft exterior. Lacing tape supplied through the shaft is looped around the cable and the free end attached to the twisting member. Rotation of the drive shaft simultaneously twists the tape securely against the cable and extends the jaws into fusing and severing contact with the tape twisted ends. Counter-rotation retracts the jaws in readiness for the next lacing operation. Alternatively, the jaws may be solenoid actuated.

Claims

1. A harness cable lacing tool for securing a length of lacing tape around a wire bundle, comprising:

a housing, a drive motor in said housing, a tubular drive shaft extending through to one end of said housing and having at said one end a twisting member, a source of lacing tape, said tape extending through said shaft and said twisting member, a part of said twisting member receiving the free end of said tape after looping around said bundle, said drive motor rotating said shaft and member to twist together the ends of said tape loop, a heating element, and means for positioning said heating element against said tape to fuse said twisted ends.

2. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 wherein said lacing tape comprises a line of first material having one melting temperature, said line being covered with a thermoplastic resin having a second, lower melting temperature, said heating element heating said lacing tape to a temperature intermediate said first and second temperatures to melt said resin but not said line.

3. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 further comprising means for terminating said twisting when said lacing tape is twisted securely against said cable while continuing to position said heating element.

4. A cable lacing tool according to claim 3 wherein said means for terminating comprises a slip clutch connecting said drive shaft and said twisting member.

5. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 wherein said twisting member comprises a disc across said shaft one end, said disc having a first notch through which extends said lacing tape from said source, and a second notch receiving said tape free end.

6. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 wherein said housing is pistol-shaped and including a trigger-positioned switch for controlling operation of said motor.

7. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 wherein said drive shaft includes an external drive screw, wherein said heating element is contained in a pair of jaws, and wherein said means for positioning comprises a carrier cooperatively engaging said drive screw to extend said jaws forwardly of said housing and into heat providing contact with said lacing tape twisted ends as said shaft is rotated in a first direction, and to retract said jaws when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction.

8. A cable lacing tool according to claim 7 wherein said jaws also include knife means for cutting said lacing tape twisted ends from the tape supplied through said shaft.

9. A cable lacing tool according to claim 7 further comprising:

guide means in said housing to prevent rotation of said carrier as said jaws are positioned, and means for mounting a spool of lacing tape and for guiding tape from said spool into said tubular drive shaft.

10. A cable lacing tool according to claim 1 wherein said heating element is jaw mounted, and wherein said means for positioning comprises a solenoid for extending said jaw into operative engagement with said twisted ends.

11. A hand held tool for securing a thermoplastic coated lacing tape around a wire bundle, comprising:

a grip-shaped housing, means for twisting together the ends of a length of said tape extending around said bundle, said twisting means being contained substantially within said housing and including a rotatable member engaging said ends and drive means for rotating said member, a pair of jaws retractable into said housing, said jaws containing heating means for applying heat to said lacing tape to fuse said twisted ends and a cutter for severing said fused ends from a tape supply line, and extension/retraction means for extending said jaws into operative engagement with said heating element positioned against said twisted ends to fuse them together and with said cutter in severing relationship with said tape, and for retracting said jaws back into said housing subsequent to fusing and severing of the tape.