Cable bundling tool

Abstract

A tool for tensioning and cutting a band clamp is provided with a body, a stationary handle, and a movable lever that are selectively positionable with respect to the body to provide a plurality of gripping options.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tool for tensioning and cutting a band clamp, comprising:
 a body;   a handle interconnected to said body that is selectively rotatable thereto;   a lever rotatably interconnected to said body, said lever associated with a ratcheting wheel positioned in said body, said lever being capable of movement towards said handle to rotate said ratcheting wheel;   a mandrel extending from said body and associated with said ratcheting wheel that also rotates in response to movement of said lever towards said handle; and   wherein said lever and handle are capable of moving together from a first position of use extending laterally from said body to a second position of use extending longitudinally from said body.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is rigidly interconnectable to said body in a plurality of locations. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the position of said lever is controlled by a pin that is interconnected to said body. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said mandrel employs two perpendicularly-oriented slots. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a head interconnected to said body, said head having an opening that is adapted for receiving a free end of a band clamp, said head also including a means for severing the band. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein said means for severing is a blade that is rotatably associated with said head, said blade also associated with an arm that is positionable on either the left side of the right side of said body. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein said arm is rotated to rotate said cutting blade to sever the band, said rotation does not locate any part of said arm beyond the end of said head. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism is comprised of a spring-biased ratcheting wheel that is selectively rotated when said lever is transitioned proximate to said handle, said lever associated with a tension pawl that engages said ratcheting wheel so that movement of said lever transfers rotational energy to said mandrel. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism is a comprised of a tensioning clutch bearing that works in conjunction with a holding clutch bearing that allow said mandrel to rotate in only one direction in response to said lever moving towards said handle. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said handle and said lever are selectively interconnected to said body by removable pins. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said handle and lever are selectively positionable such that the position of said body, said lever, and said handle generally correspond to at least one of a scissors and a pistol. 
     
     
         12 . A tool having a body, a head for receiving a free end of a band clamp, a handle fixedly interconnected to but selectively positionable relative to said body, a lever rotatably interconnected to said body, said lever associated with a ratcheting wheel positioned in said body, a mandrel extending from said body and associated with said ratcheting wheel that rotates in response to movement of said lever towards said handle, and wherein said handle is able to rotate relative to said body, the improvement comprising:
 wherein said handle and lever are selectively positionable such that the position of said body, said lever, and said handle generally correspond to at least one of a scissors and a pistol.   
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said handle can be rigidly interconnected to said body in a plurality of locations. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said lever can be rotatably interconnected to said body in a plurality of locations. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said mandrel employs two perpendicularly-oriented slots. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said head has an opening that is adapted for receiving a free end of a band clamp, said head also including a mean for severing the band. 
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16 , wherein said means for severing is a blade that is rotatably associated with said head, said blade also interconnected to an arm positionable on either the left side of the right side of said body. 
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 17 , wherein said arm is rotated to actuate said cutting blade to sever the band and no part of said arm will extend beyond the end of said head. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said ratcheting wheel is spring-biased and is selectively rotated when said lever is transitioned proximate to said handle, said lever associated with a tension pawl that engages said ratcheting wheel so that movement of said lever transfers rotational energy to said mandrel. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein said ratcheting mechanism is a comprised of a tensioning clutch bearing that works in conjunction with a holding clutch bearing that allows said mandrel to rotate in one direction in response to said lever moving towards said handle.