TOOL FOR THE AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION OF DISCRETE CABLE TIES PROVIDED ON A CONTINUOUS RIBBON OF CABLE TIES

摘要

AbstractAn automatic cable tie installation tool for applyingdiscrete cable ties around bundles of wires or the likewhere the cable ties are provided to the tool on a continuousribbon. The automatic tool including a dispenser mechanismthat accepts the ribbon of cable ties and provides discretecable ties therefrom; a tool mechanism that positions thediscrete cable tie around the bundle of wire, tensions thetie to a preselected value and severs the tail of the cabletie; and a conveyance mechanism that delivers the cable tieprovided by the dispenser mechanism to the tool mechanism.The dispenser mechanism including a reel mechanism for pro-viding the cable tie ribbon to the dispenser mechanism, agrooved cylinder that carries individual cable ties forpositioning and translating the ribbon longitudinally, anindex mechanism for rotating the cylinder in accurate incre-ments, a mechanism for separating individual cable ties fromthe ribbon, a guide mechanism for positioning the ribbonlaterally relative to the separation means and a mechanismfor transferring the separated cable ties to the conveyancemechanism. The ribbon includes a strip portion extendingthe length of the ribbon having a plurality of cable tiesconnected thereto by respective connecting tabs. The stripportion having an alignment mechanism adapted to cooperatewith the guide mechanism in the dispenser to accuratelyposition the ribbon laterally in the dispenser mechanism.