SELF-ENERGIZING GRIPPER FOR STRAPPING MACHINE

摘要

A self-energizing gripper (12) is configured for use in a strapping machine (10) that includes a rigid surface (42) along which a strapping material (5) traverses and against which the strapping material is clamped. The self-energizing gripper (12) includes first (38) and second (40) links mounted at respective first ends to the strapping machine (10) for pivotal movement and a gripping element (34) pivotally mounted to respective second ends (48, 50) of each the first (38) and second (40) links. The gripping element includes a substantially planar gripping element surface (36). The first (38) and second (40) links are mounted to the gripping element (34) for pivotal movement of the gripping element along an arcuate path toward and away from the rigid surface (42) and the gripping element (34) surface remains parallel as the gripping element moves along the arc between an open gripper position and a closed gripper position.