Metal tie tool with rotary gripper and ball setting device
A tool for installing a metal locking tie is disclosed. The tool includes a tension mechanism and a ball set and cut-off mechanism. The tension mechanism tensions the metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle. The ball set and cut-off mechanism includes a guide block and a shear block that engages the guide block. Once the tool tensions the metal locking tie, a ball set and cut-off handle is manually activated to push the guide block and the shear block forward in the tool thereby setting a ball in a metal locking tie head and shearing a portion of the tensioned metal locking tie.
1. A tool for installing a metal locking tie, the tool comprising:
a tension mechanism for tensioning the metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle;
a ball set and cut-off mechanism for setting a ball in a metal locking tie head and for shearing a portion of the tensioned metal locking tie, wherein the ball set and cut-off mechanism includes a guide block and a shear block engaging the guide block, wherein the tool further includes a fixed pin, whereby once the shear block contacts the fixed pin the shear block remains stationary while the guide block continues to move forward; and
a handle for activating the ball set and cut-off mechanism.
2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a handle link for connecting the handle to the ball set and cut-off mechanism.
3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the handle is manually activated.
4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the guide block includes an extension adapted to be connected to the handle.
5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the shear block includes a finger for engaging the metal locking tie head and driving the ball in the metal locking tie head forward.
6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the ball set and cut-off mechanism further includes a device for restraining the shear block to the guide block and for creating a constant force on the shear block.
7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a mandrel for winding the metal locking tie.
8. A tool for installing a metal locking tie, the tool comprising:
a tension mechanism for tensioning the metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle;
a ball set and cut-off mechanism for setting a ball in a metal locking tie head and for shearing a portion of the tensioned metal locking tie, wherein the ball set and cut-off mechanism includes a guide block and a shear block engaging the guide block, wherein the shear block is keyed to the guide block by pins; and
a handle for activating the ball set and cut-off mechanism.
9. The tool of claim 8 , wherein the guide block includes a slot adapted to receive one of the pins.
10. The tool of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the pins is positioned between the guide block and the shear block.
11. The tool of claim 10 wherein the tool further includes a fixed pin, whereby once the shear block contacts the fixed pin the shear block remains stationary while the guide block continues to move forward.
12. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the pin positioned between the guide block and the shear block pushes the shear block downward towards an anvil in the tool.
13. The tool of claim 12 , wherein the shear block pushes the metal locking tie past the anvil to shear the metal locking tie.