585,004. Fastening bale ties. SIGNODE STEEL STRAPPING CO. Dec. 4, 1944, No. 24191. Convention date, Dec. 15, 1943. [Class 146 (ii)] A tool for securing a metallic strap around a package comprises strap-tensioning mechanism operated by a handle D, strap-sealing mechanism operated by handle H, a gripper B for holding one of the overlapping strap ends Y, and means, such as a lever 10, actuated by the handle D for opening the gripper B to permit insertion of the strap end Y. The handle D also serves to rotate the toothed wheel C to tension the strap by feeding the upper end Z of the strap, and to raise the wheel to allow of the insertion of the end Z beneath the wheel. The tool has a magazine E which holds a stock of nested channel-shaped seals, a sealing-mechanism F which receives seals one by one from the magazine, carries them to the overlapping strap ends and deforms or crimps the seal and strap ends together, and a cutter G which severs the strap from the source of supply, the feeding of the seals, sealing, and cutting being actuated by the handle H. The sealing-handle H cannot be operated or the sealing mechanism lowered while the tensioning- handle D is in position to open the gripper B and lift the wheel C. Further, during the sealing the handle D cannot be moved into the position where it opens the gripper B and lifts the wheel C before the seal joint is completed. The gripper B is a block secured on a stud 5 pivoted in the frame A and biassed by a spring 9. It has a slot 13 to accommodate the upper strap end Z, and a spring-pressed latch 14 over the slot. The lever 10, secured on the stud 5 of the gripper B, can be moved independently to lift the gripper, but is provided with a projection 55 adapted to be engaged by a projection 54 on a slotted plate 50 carried by the handle D. The wheel C and a ratchet-wheel 23 (not shown) are mounted on a shaft 20 (not shown) in a link 21 pivoted to the frame at 22. The handle D is mounted on the shaft 20 and carries a spring-pressed pawl which engages the ratchet-wheel 23. A lug on the handle D engages a stop on the frame to cause the wheel C to swing away from the strap end about the pivot 22 when the handle is moved to the extreme rear position. By lifting the plate 50 the wheel C alone can be lifted by movement of the handle D, the gripper B still holding the other strap end. The upper strap end is retained against guide lugs by a bell-crank lever 32 under spring-action, one arm 37 of the lever extending upwardly and carrying a lug 38 extending through a slot to co-operate with a key 130 secured to a sliding part of the sealing-mechanism. The other arm of the bell-crank lever 32 is adapted to be engaged by the handle D to move the lug 38 into the path of the key 130. With the lug in the path of the key, the sealing-mechanism cannot be lowered and in this position the gripper B and wheel C are lifted to release the strap ends. With the key lowered alongside the lug the lever 32 cannot be moved, and in this position the handle D cannot be moved to position to release the strap. The seals in magazine E are urged downwardly by a spiral spring acting on a follower towards an ejector slide which, under spring action, carries the bottom seal to the sealing- mechanism, and is returned by a link 110 actuated by the handle H on its return after the seal joint is formed. The sealing-mechanism includes a slidable block 75 within which is a slidable crosshead having pivoted thereto a pair of links 95 pivotally connected to the upper ends of a pair of opposed sealing-jaws 76 hinged to the block 75. The crosshead has a toothed rack adapted to be engaged by a toothed arc on a stud 80 in the block 75 to which is secured the handle H. A lug 81 on the handle H can engage in an openended slot 82 in a cam bracket 83 secured to the frame to form a fulcrum whereby upward movement of the handle first depresses the block 75 and crosshead 90 (not shown); thereafter a cam 86 secured to the handle engages a roller 87 on the bracket 83 to prevent further downward movement of the block 75, the handle then turns the stud 80 whereby the teeth thereon engage the rack on the crosshead to move the latter relative to the block 75 to cause the jaws 76 to be moved together to form the seal joint. The cutter G is a blade attached to the block 75 which cooperates with a stationary blade 105 to sever the upper strap end before the seal joint is made. The wheel C and gripper B co-operate with hardened plugs secured in the frame. The jaws 76 may be shaped to form a joint of the type shown in Specification 408,686, [Group XVII],