Robert S Nix

US Patent:

6533013, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/588146

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B 1304

US Classification:

156361, 156367, 156368, 156378, 156494, 156580, 53399

Abstract:

An electric strapping tools and methods therefor having an electric motor with an output shaft coupled to a feed wheel, a modulator circuit coupled to a power input of the motor for controlling strap tension. A magnet is disposed on an end of the motor armature and offset from the rotation axis thereof, and a magnetic field detector is disposed near magnet to detect rotation of the armature. The motor rotates the feed wheel and vibrates a welding jaw when the shaft rotates in the same direction, and tool parameter adjustment potentiometers are isolated from abuse by the tool user by corresponding control knobs coupled thereto.

US Patent:

6732638, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/342831

Inventors:

John A. Rometty - Barrington IL
Jason R. Nasiatka - Northbrook IL
Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B 1332

US Classification:

100 33R, 100 99, 156358, 156378, 156502, 53507

Abstract:

A time-out indicator is adapted for use in a pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap. The strapping tool has a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston, a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A pneumatic module is mounted to the cylinder housing to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing and the pneumatic weld motor. The time-out indicator includes a sleeve fitted into an opening in the module. The opening is disposed above and in communication with the cylinder. The sleeve defines a central, longitudinal opening. An indicator is biasedly mounted in the sleeve and disposed for contact with the piston.

US Patent:

6895733, May 24, 2005

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839440

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

IllinoisTool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B011/00

US Classification:

53582

Abstract:

A pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap includes a piston, a weld motor operably connected to the piston and a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A tensioning motor is configured for unidirectional rotation. A feed wheel is operably connected to the tensioning motor by a drive assembly to tension the strap prior to adhering the strap onto itself. A transmission cooperates with the drive assembly and is switchable between a first state in which the transmission engages the drive assembly to permit only one-way rotation of the drive assembly and a second state in which the transmission permits two-way rotation of the drive assembly. The strapping tool includes a self-contained pneumatic module that is removably mounted to a cylinder housing. The module includes a compressed gas inlet, a plurality of valves and passageways between the inlet and the valves to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor and the pneumatic tensioning motor.

US Patent:

6907717, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Jun 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171890

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B011/00
F16D067/00

US Classification:

53582, 53399, 1922232

Abstract:

A pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap includes a piston, a weld motor operably connected to the piston and a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A tensioning motor is configured for unidirectional rotation. A feed wheel is operably connected to the tensioning motor by a drive assembly to tension the strap prior to adhering the strap onto itself. A transmission cooperates with the drive assembly and is switchable between a first state in which the transmission engages the drive assembly to permit only one-way rotation of the drive assembly and a second state in which the transmission permits two-way rotation of the drive assembly. The strapping tool includes a self-contained pneumatic module that is removably mounted to a cylinder housing. The module includes a compressed gas inlet, a plurality of valves and passageways between the inlet and the valves to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor and the pneumatic tensioning motor.

US Patent:

6918235, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839556

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B65B011/00

US Classification:

53582, 100 33 PB

Abstract:

A pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap includes a piston, a weld motor operably connected to the piston and a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A tensioning motor is configured for unidirectional rotation. A feed wheel is operably connected to the tensioning motor by a drive assembly to tension the strap prior to adhering the strap onto itself. A transmission cooperates with the drive assembly and is switchable between a first state in which the transmission engages the drive assembly to permit only one-way rotation of the drive assembly and a second state in which the transmission permits two-way rotation of the drive assembly. The strapping tool includes a self-contained pneumatic module that is removably mounted to a cylinder housing. The module includes a compressed gas inlet, a plurality of valves and passageways between the inlet and the valves to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor and the pneumatic tensioning motor.

US Patent:

20070131496, Jun 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/306001

Inventors:

Robert Nix - Algonquin IL, US
Dorene Nix - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16D 55/22

US Classification:

188072300, 188072100, 188073100

Abstract:

A brake assembly is configured for a strapping tool tensioning motor having a housing and an output shaft operably connected to a tensioning wheel. The brake assembly includes a one-way bearing operably connected to the motor output shaft to permit the shaft to rotate relative to the bearing in the first direction and to stop rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing in the reverse direction. The bearing has at least two stop members thereon. A brake element is operably mounted to the motor movable toward and away from the bearing for movement into and out of engagement with one of the bearing stop members. The brake element stops reverse rotation of the motor shaft and bearing. A brake release is operably connected to the brake element for moving the brake element into and out of engagement with the one of the bearing stop members. A biasing element biases the brake element into engagement with the one of the bearing stop members. When the brake is engaged with the one of the bearing stop members, the motor can freely rotate in the first direction and cannot rotate in the second reverse direction. The brake release moves the brake element out of engagement with the one of the bearing stop members and the motor can freely rotate in the second reverse direction until the brake release is reengaged with one of the bearing stop members.

US Patent:

51368889, Aug 11, 1992

Filed:

Apr 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/688469

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL

Assignee:

Signode Corporation - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16H 2702
G05G 506

US Classification:

74 88

Abstract:

In a mechanism for converting oscillatory rotation of an input shaft to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft, two bevel gears are mounted around the input shaft and a bevel gear intermeshed therewith is coupled to the output shaft. Each bevel gear mounted around the input shaft can be alternately coupled to and uncoupled from the input shaft via an associated pawl disposed in a socket in the input shaft and biased toward an operative position wherein such pawl is extended into a single recess in a bearing surface of such bevel gear. Paired pawls and paired recesses may be optionally employed where high torque is encountered. Oscillatory rotation of the input shaft is limited to a range of approximately 180. degree. between two limiting positions. Camming surfaces on the pawls and the gears respectively provide for movement of each pawl from its operative position.

US Patent:

58535241, Dec 29, 1998

Filed:

Jun 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/883555

Inventors:

Robert J. Nix - Algonquin IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156358

Abstract:

A strapping tool has a timing control circuit incorporated therein which comprises a first pressure-operable valve for time-controlling a plastic strap welding operation, and a second pressure-operable valve for restricting fluid line flow from a source of fluid to an air drive motor of the tool during the tensioning phase of the strapping operation while permitting unrestricted fluid line flow from the source of fluid to the air drive motor of the tool during the welding stage of the strapping operation.