grip condition achieved by the device this facilitates the procedures of strap jam clearing strap change over and strap coil rewinding fig3 shows the end gripper 1 in the tensioning phase gripper cam 6 has been rotated so as to urge a particular surface of the cam 6 against the cam bearing 14 which moves the end gripper 1 against the strap 7 in a manner which holds the strap 7 in a semi permanent position gripper tooth 3 is urged against the strap 7 pushing a segment of the strap 7 into the tooth anvil gap 11 and against the anvil surface of the tooth anvil gap 11 firmly gripping the strap 7 in place the strap 7 will at this phase remain gripped as the strapping machine executes the tensioning phase fig4 shows one embodiment of the gripper cam 6 first cam surface 15 is urged against the cam bearing 14 just prior to and during the tensioning phase second cam surface 16 is urged against the cam bearing 14 during the strap feeding phase and third cam surface 17 is urged against the cam beating 14 during the rest or home position phase of the strapping cycle providing a soft grip condition fig5 shows another embodiment of the gripper cam 6 seventh cam surface 22 is urged against the cam bearing 14 during the tensioning phase fourth cam surface 18 is urged against the cam bearing 14 during the strap feeding phase fifth cam surface 19 is urged against the cam bearing 14.