Adjustable platen track

Claim 2

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, and a strap retainer mounted adjacent to said backing wall for movement between a retaining position and releasing position, said strap retainer in the retaining position thereof cooperating with said backing wall to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainer being so shaped and dimensioned that said path has a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainer in the releasing position thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path.

Claim 3

The binder strap track set forth in claim 1, wherein said path is generally rectangular in shape.

Claim 4

The binder strap set forth in claim 1, wherein said strap retainer includes a plurality of retainer sections arranged in substantially end-to-end relation along said backing wall, each of said retainer sections being movable between a retaining position and a releasing position.

Claim 5

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, and a pair of strap retainers respectively mounted adjacent to opposite side edges of said backing wall for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path.

Claim 6

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, and a pair of strap retainers respectively mounted adjacent to opposite side edges of said backing wall for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path.

Claim 7

The binder strap track set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said strap retainers includes a retaining portion generally U-shaped in transverse cross section and having a bight and two substantially parallel legs with the open ends of said retaining portions being disposed toward each other, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof having one leg of each of said retaining portions disposed substantially coplanar with and extending laterally outwardly of said backing wall with the other leg of each of said retaining portions spaced a predetermined distance from said backing wall, the inner ends of said other legs of said retaining portions being spaced apart a distance less than the width of the associated strap for retaining the strap in said path when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof.

Claim 8

The binder strap track set forth in claim 4, wherein said backing wall is formed of a solid bar structure substantially rectangular in transverse cross section.

Claim 9

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap from a strapping head around an object to be bound and back to the head, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a strap retainer having an entry section and a tapered exit section mounted adjacent to said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, the entry section of said strap retainer extending from the associated head partly around the object to be bound and being shaped and dimensioNed for cooperating with the adjacent portion of said backing wall to define an entry portion of said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall, the tapered exit section of said strap retainer extending from said entry section back to the associated head and being shaped and dimensioned for cooperating with the adjacent portion of said backing wall to define a tapered exit portion of said path having a width adjacent to said entry portion substantially equal to the width thereof and having a width adjacent to the associated head substantially equal to the width of said backing wall, whereby the entry portion of said path accommodates ready passage of the associated strap therethrough while the exit portion of said path positively and accurately positions the associated strap in the associated head.

Claim 10

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap from a strapping head around an object to be bound and back to the head, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a strap retainer having an entry section and a tapered exit section mounted adjacent to said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, the entry section of said strap retainer extending from the associated head partly around the object to be bound and being shaped and dimensioNed for cooperating with the adjacent portion of said backing wall to define an entry portion of said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall, the tapered exit section of said strap retainer extending from said entry section back to the associated head and being shaped and dimensioned for cooperating with the adjacent portion of said backing wall to define a tapered exit portion of said path having a width adjacent to said entry portion substantially equal to the width thereof and having a width adjacent to the associated head substantially equal to the width of said backing wall, whereby the entry portion of said path accommodates ready passage of the associated strap therethrough while the exit portion of said path positively and accurately positions the associated strap in the associated head.

Claim 11

The binder strap track set forth in claim 7, wherein said path is generally rectangular in shape and includes four straight portions interconnected by four corner portions, the associated strapping head being disposed along one of said straight portions.

Claim 12

The binder strap track set forth in claim 7, wherein said path is generally rectangular in shape and includes four straight portions interconnected by four corner portions, the associated strapping head being disposed along one of said straight portions, and further including a second tapered section in the straight portion of said track immediately preceding said one straight portion for accurately positioning the associated strap in the last corner portion of said track.

Claim 13

A binder strap for guiding a binder strap from a strapping head around an object to be bound and back to the head, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a pair of strap retainers each having an entry section and a tapered exit section and respectively mounted adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof cooperating with each other and with said backing wall to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the entry sections of said strap retainers extending from the associated head partly around the object to be bound and respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of the adjacent portion of said backing wall for cooperating therewith when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof to define an entry portion of said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall, the tapered exit sections of said strap retainers extending from said entry sections back to the associated head and respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of the adjacent portion of said backing wall for cooperating therewith when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof to define a tapered exit portion of said path having a width adjacent to said entry portion substantially equal to the width thereof and having a width adjacent to the associated head substantially equal to the width of said backing wall, whereby the entry portion of said path accommodates ready passage of the associated strap therethrough while the exit portion of said path positively and accurately positions the associated strap about the associated head.

Claim 14

A binder strap for guiding a binder strap from a strapping head around an object to be bound and back to the head, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a pair of strap retainers each having an entry section and a tapered exit section and respectively mounted adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof cooperating with each other and with said backing wall to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the entry sections of said strap retainers extending from the associated head partly around the object to be bound and respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of the adjacent portion of said backing wall for cooperating therewith when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof to define an entry portion of said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall, the tapered exit sections of said strap retainers extending from said entry sections back to the associated head and respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of the adjacent portion of said backing wall for cooperating therewith when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof to define a tapered exit portion of said path having a width adjacent to said entry portion substantially equal to the width thereof and having a width adjacent to the associated head substantially equal to the width of said backing wall, whereby the entry portion of said path accommodates ready passage of the associated strap therethrough while the exit portion of said path positively and accurately positions the associated strap about the associated head.

Claim 15

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof cooperating with each other and with said backing wall to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions.

Claim 16

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof cooperating with each other and with said backing wall to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions.

Claim 17

The binder strap track set forth in claim 11, wherein said support pin extends through a complementary opening in said backing wall, with the opposite ends of said pin respectively extending a predetermined distance outwardly of the adjacent side of said backing wall.

Claim 18

The binder strap track set forth in claim 11, and further including bias means coupled to said strap retainers for urging said strap retainers into the retaining positions thereof.

Claim 19

The binder strap track set forth in claim 11, and further including a tension spring disposed transversely of said backing wall inwardly of the axis of said support pin and coupled at the opposite ends thereof to said strap retainers for urging said strap retainers toward each other and to the retaining positions thereof.

Claim 20

The binder strap track set forth in claim 11, wherein said pin engages one of said straight portions on each of said strap retainers and is spaced a predetermined distance from the other of said straight portions on each of said strap retainers when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof, said pin being spaced said predetermined distance from said one straight portion on each of said strap retainers and being in engagement with said other straight portion on each of said strap retainers when said strap retainers are in the releasing positions thereof.

Claim 21

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions.

Claim 22

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a backing wall extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions.

Claim 23

The bindeR strap track set forth in claim 16, wherein each of said strap retainers includes a retaining portion generally U-shaped in transverse cross section and having a bight and two substantially parallel legs with the open ends of said retaining portions being disposed toward each other, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof having one leg of each of said retaining portions disposed substantially coplanar with and extending laterally outwardly of said backing wall with the other leg of each of said retaining portions spaced a predetermined distance from said backing wall, the inner ends of said other legs of said retaining portions being spaced apart a distance less than the width of the associated strap for retaining the strap in said path when said strap retainers are in the retaining positions thereof.

Claim 24

The binder strap track set forth in claim 16, wherein each of said strap retainers includes a plurality of retainer sections arranged in substantially end-to-end relation along said backing wall, and a plurality of support pins respectively carried by said backing wall adjacent to each of said retainer sections, each of said retainer sections having openings therein for receiving the opposite ends of the adjacent support pins therethrough for supporting said retainer sections for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions.

Claim 25

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 26

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 27

The binder strap track set forth in claim 19, wherein said stationary section is generally U-shaped and includes a bight portion and a pair of substantially parallel leg portions, said movable section extending between said leg portions and movable longitudinally thereof toward and away from said bight portions.

Claim 28

The binder strap track set forth in claim 19, wherein said stationary section is generally U-shaped and includes a bight portion and a pair of substantially parallel leg portions, said movable section extending between said leg portions and movable longitudinally thereof toward and away from said bight portion, and further including a strapping head carried by said movable section for feeding the associated strap to and removing the associated strap from said track.

Claim 29

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and said stationary section having an opening therein extending from the outer periphery thereof inwardly to said path, a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom along the adjacent portion of said stationary section and through said opening, said transition member lying along said path and defining a smooth free portion thereof extending from said stationary section to said movable section to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap therebetween.

Claim 30

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and said stationary section having an opening therein extending from the outer periphery thereof inwardly to said path, a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom along the adjacent portion of said stationary section and through said opening, said transition member lying along said path and defining a smooth free portion thereof extending from said stationary section to said movable section to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap therebetween.

Claim 31

The binder strap track set forth in claim 22, wherein said flexible transition member comprises a coil of flexible tape mounted along the periPhery of said guide adjacent to said opening for rotation about a predetermined axis, and means biasing said coil toward rotation in a reeling direction, an unreeling portion of said coil extending through said opening and being coupled to said movable section and movable therewith, whereby movement of said movable section in one direction effects the unreeling of the tape from said coil while the movement of said movable section in the other direction accommodates the reeling of said tape onto said coil.

Claim 32

The binder strap track set forth in claim 22, and further including a generally V-shaped coupling member carried by said movable section and having first and second intersecting guide surfaces thereon, said first guide surface disposed in said path along said stationary section in facing relation therewith, said second guide surface extending from said first guide surface along the portion of said path defined by said movable section, said flexible transition member being coupled to said second guide surface for guiding the associated strap thereonto from said stationary section.

Claim 33

The binder strap track set forth in claim 22, wherein said stationary section is generally U-shaped and includes a straight bight portion and a pair of substantially parallel leg portions, and a pair of roller corner portions respectively coupled between the opposite ends of said bight portion and the adjacent leg portions, said movable section including a straight portion extending between said leg portions, and a pair of roller corner portions respectively coupled between the opposite ends of said movable section and the adjacent leg portions.

Claim 34

The binder strap track set forth in claim 22, wherein said stationary section includes first and second stationary members separated by a predetermined distance to define said opening therebetween, and a pair of splice plates interconnecting said first and second stationary members across said opening.

Claim 35

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and each of said sections including a backing wall having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap and a strap retainer mounted adjacent to said backing wall for movement between a retaining position and a releasing position, said strap retainer in the retaining position thereof cooperating with said backing wall to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainer being so shaped and dimensioned that said path has a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainer in the releasing position thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary section for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 36

A binder strap track for guiding a binder strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap guide including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, and each of said sections including a backing wall having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap and a strap retainer mounted adjacent to said backing wall for movement between a retaining position and a releasing position, said strap retainer in the retaining position thereof cooperating with said backing wall to define a path for the associated strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said strap retainer being so shaped and dimensioned that said path has a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainer in the releasing position thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary section for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 37

The binder strap track set forth in claim 27, wherein each of said strap retainers includes a plurality of retainer sections arranged in substantially end-to-end relation along the associated backing wall, each of said retainer sections being movable between a retaining position and a releasing position.

Claim 38

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, each of said sections including a backing wall having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, and a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary section for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 39

A binder strap track for guiding a strap around an object to be bound, said track comprising a strap guide defining a path for the associated strap extending substantially about the location where the object to be bound is positioned and including a stationary section and a movable section coupled to said stationary section and movable with respect thereto for varying the length of said strap guide, each of said sections including a backing wall having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated strap, a support pin carried by said backing wall and disposed transversely thereof, and a pair of strap retainers respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of said backing wall, each of said strap retainers including two straight portions having corresponding surfaces thereon intersecting to define an angle therebetween and having an opening therein with the axis of said opening passing through the intersection of said surfaces, the openings in said strap retainer respectively receiving the opposite ends of said support pin therethrough for supporting said strap retainers for movement between retaining positions and releasing positions, said strap retainers in the retaining positions thereof respectively extending laterally of the opposite side edges of said backing wall and cooperating therewith to define a path for the associated binder strap about the location where the object to be bound is positioned, said path having a width substantially greater than the width of said backing wall for accommodating ready passage of the associated strap therethrough, said strap retainers in the releasing positions thereof accommodating removal of the associated strap from said path, the position of the openings providing a minimum clearance between said support pin and said mounting members for any predetermined combination of opening and pin dimensions, and a flexible transition member coupled to said movable section and extending therefrom to said stationary section for bridging the gap therebetween, said transition member defining a smooth free portion of said path to facilitate the guiding of the associated strap across the gap between said stationary section and said movable section.

Claim 40

The binder strap track set forth in claim 29, and further including means carried by said movable section for moving the retainers on said stationary section to the releasing positions thereof to accommodate passage of said movable section along the adjacent portion of the associated backing wall.