Abstract: A turn gate is used for receiving and supporting a plurality of wire segments that are successively guided laterally into contact with it by the robotic device during the assembly of the wire harness. The turn gate is positioned at bends in the wire harness and is configured so that each wire segment is positioned on a predetermined location on the inside radius of the curve.

Abstract: A robotically operated wire insertion apparatus for insulation displacement terminals (IDTs) automatically feeds wire to a wire insertion hand, automatically straightens the wire during the feeding so that the wire is aligned with the hand, inserts the wire progressively into a plurality of IDTs and severs the wire from the last inserted IDT, and initializes the apparatus to begin a new wiring cycle. The IDTs may have any orientation in any plane on one or more different substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector block used for placing an electrical connector in precise position for receiving the ends of wire segments that are inserted therein by a robotic device. The connector block includes a socket upon which the connector is supported. The socket (hence the supported connector) can be selectively positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the robotic device. The connector block also includes a lock pin for both securing the socket in position and for providing a readily detectable indication of which particular rotational orientation in which the socket is disposed. The connector block also includes a reference pin usable for establishing the particular orientation of the connector block relative to the form board.

Abstract: Cable harness manufacturing apparatus comprises a pair of rails defining a linear path through a workstation where a press terminates ribbon cable to connectors in connector receiving fixtures independently journaled to the rails. A first stop on the path positions connectors sequentially at the workstation while a series of second stops along the path downstream of the workstation act on the lead fixture to define the length of cable between pairs of connectors as well as triggering the press for sequential terminations of connectors in remaining fixtures. A cutter carriage journaled to the rails upstream of the workstation is spring loaded to urge remaining fixtures to the workstation. A third stop along the path downstream stops the lead fixture when it is desired to cut the cable, the cut end subsequently being drawn flushly into the last connector terminated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for fabricating cable harness assemblies of the type wherein a plurality of mating pairs of electrical connector parts are terminated to a continous flat cable segment. Termination includes compressing a predetermined cable portion between a pair of connector parts, one of which has a plurality of insulation displacing terminals positioned therein. The connector parts are transported between loading stations and a termination station, by connector holders mounted on a pair of opposed rotatable indexing turrets. At least one of the connector holders is advanced inwardly toward the termination station, so as to bring the two connector parts together in compression, after a cable segment is located therebetween.Thereafter, the cable is advanced to bring another predetermined portion to the termination station, while the turrets are indexed to present a second pair of opposed mating parts to the termination station.

Abstract: Wire harnesses are automatically fabricated with pre-cut and preconfigured ends in a robotic wire harness assembly system including a wire preparation subsystem, a wire reeling subsystem, a wire terminating subsystem, a wire queuing subsystem, a layup subsystem, associated robots, and a logic controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors to flat conductor cables comprising an installation station having a platen means for supporting cables in a generally horizontal plane and also having press means for coupling connectors to the cables supported thereat. The apparatus also includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions in a generally vertical orientation and a transport station to sequentially move connector portions from the magazines to the installation station while reorienting them from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. Also disclosed is the method for carrying out the installation with the above described apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for rapidly and accurately inserting axial lead components such as capacitors and resistors or the like into printed circuit boards mounted in an X-Y PC board positioning device. In accordance with the invention a plurality of magazines each of which contain a multiplicity of the components are loaded into a receiver chute of the apparatus. The apparatus functions, responsive to a signal from the PC positioning device, to remove an individual component from a magazine, deflect the leads to a position at right angles to the body of the component and insert the thus formed leads accurately into spaced apertures of the PC board which have been manuvered by the X-Y apparatus to a component receiver station. The device includes means for automatically removing exhausted magazines and replacing the same with filled magazines.

Abstract: Wire stripping and crimping tools are combined in modules movable along parallel rails. An individual preparing a cable slides a particular tool module in front of a work station where each wire, requiring the same contact, is first stripped then moved to an adjacent crimper where a contact is crimped thereto. A second module carrying a second type of contact is then positioned into place and the cycle is repeated for those wires requiring fastening of the second type of contact thereto. By sequentially moving different modules to the cable, the entire cable becomes dressed in situ.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching insulation penetrating connectors to the ends of flat multiple pair cables has a sheath stripping station and a connector attaching station. Spaced knives slit the sheath crosswise of the cable and translate in the direction of the cable to strip the sheathing while conductor separating and engaging combs engage on each side of the cable one conductor of each pair of conductors prior to complete removal of the severed sheath end but operative upon complete sheath removal to separate the conductors into two planar arrays diverging in opposite directions from the general plane of the cable. A carriage holding the cable with bared end is arranged to translate from the sheath stripping station to the connector attaching station where connector holding jaws are articulable for the purpose.

Abstract: A die set assembly for crimp connecting an electrical lead to terminals or the like. The device includes apparatus for cooperatively feeding the length of electrical lead, a length of terminal, and a crimp connector strip, carrying series of crimp connectors. The device further includes apparatus for adjustably positioning a cutter relative to the die set assembly, whereby when the length of electrical lead and crimp connector strip have been positioned in the machine, and the terminal length determined, the machine will crimp a crimp connector, a lead and predetermined length of terminal and sever the crimp connector from the strip and cut a predetermined length of terminal.

Abstract: In the automatic equipping of, for example, printed circuit boards with components, the problem of the unknown position of the component legs occurs. According to the invention, the positions of the component legs in a component picked up by a gripper are measured by a sensor immediately before plug-in. This sensor is essentially composed of two independently horizontally movable perforated plates, each including an infrared emitting diode which emits onto a stationary position photodiode situated therebelow. The measured result can be employed for the positional correction or for the rejection or acceptance of the component.

Abstract: Programmable apparatus makes finished wire harnesses or sub-assemblies therefor from segments of insulated wire which may differ in length, gauge or insulation color. The apparatus includes a selector module which draws wire strands from a plurality of wire coils and presents them in a desired sequence to a wire loader module which then feeds a desired length of each strand to a conveyor end and then severs it. The conveyor comprises two laterally spaced conveyor units, having a releasable wire guide therebetween, which releasably grip each wire segment near its opposite ends. Stripper modules and terminal presses alongside the two conveyor units enable selective stripping and terminal attachment at either or both segment ends. A wire double associated with a conveyor unit is selectively operable to group the ends of two or more segments in that conveyor unit so that a single terminal can be attached thereto.

Abstract: An automated flexible manufacturing system for fabricating electrical cable harness assemblies. The system includes a wire preparation system in which the wires are cut to length, provided with the desired electrical terminations and marked for identification under the control of computing means to which wire harness data is fed. The prepared wires are transported to an automated cable harness assembly system which is also controlled from computing means to which the wire harness data is fed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible cable is fed by feeding means along a predetermined path of travel where it intersects with a pair of spaced apart, elongate strips of terminals. The strips of terminals are arranged with the terminals facing in opposite directions and predetermined lengths thereof are fed by feeding means such that the predetermined lengths of the stripes and the flexible cable are in a superposed relation. Rows of terminals are separated from the strips of terminals and fastened by terminal applicator means to the flexible cable in electrical conductive relation to the conductors therein. This procedure is repeated at predetermined, spaced apart locations along the length of the elongate strip of flexible cable to form interconnected cable harnesses of the cable and terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing electrical harnesses, the apparatus comprising a wire feed path extending horizontally and axially of the apparatus, a connector attaching device located alongside the wire feed path. The attaching device includes a punch and a die to press the wires into the connectors, and a cutter located adjacent to the punch and die such that the cutter is operated independently of the punch and die. A wire measuring and feeding device is reciprocally movable along the wire feed path, with the wire measuring and feeding device including an intermittently movable chuck enabling the connected-attached wires to be pulled to a desired length. A connector selecting and supplying device enables the connectors having a desired number of poles to be selected from connectors and supplied onto the die. A wire selecting and supplying device includes a chuck for selecting the wires which correspond to the selected connectors and supplying the selected wires to the connector attaching device.

Abstract: A slotted beam contact element (13) for an electrical connector is constructed by forming an opening in a metallic strip (31) and then, if necessary, reshaping at least one portion of the strip which defines the opening. Then a bifurcated beam (14) is formed in the strip with the opening being disposed between at least portions of inner edge surfaces of the furcations (15--15) of the beam after which the furcations are moved toward each other. Forces are applied to the furcations at locations (38--38) along a major surface (35) of the strip adjacent to outer edge surfaces (37--37) of the furcations to cause the inner edge surfaces to define a slot having a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors to multi-conductor insulated cables, comprises a table which is movable along a first path past a fixed cable clamp, the table carrying a cable stripper assembly and a connector applicator assembly, which are independently movable on the table along paths perpendicular to the second path. The table and the two assemblies are arranged to be moved cyclically so that first a cable held by the cable clamp has the insulation stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper assembly, whereafter a connector previously fed to the applicator is applied to the end of the cable. The stripper assembly may have cable shield slitting means and the applicator may have cable shield folding back means.

Abstract: Electrical harnesses comprising wires having a multi-contact connector on one end and discrete terminals on the free ends of the wires are produced by feeding individual wires, cutting a lead from the fed wire, moving the cut ends laterally to terminating zones, and attaching a terminal to one cut end and connecting the other cut end to a terminal in a multi-contact connector. The process is then repeated until wires have been connected to all of the terminals in the connector. An apparatus is also described for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A combination tool is provided (FIG. 1) for carrying out all of the operations necessary to connect a telephone jack to the appropriate cable, by first cutting the cable to the length using cutting blades provided on the tool, and then stripping the insulation sheet from the cable by stripping blades also provided on the tool, subsequently crimping the jack to the cable using a punch and die crimping set also provided on the tool. The tool comprises a pair of parts 10, 12 which are generally parallel to one another and are closed together by a lever 40 using a fulcrum and roller system.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and preparing cables use a grip head having a cable gripping device which is swingable by a drive between end positions delimited by a shock absorber and which is mounted on one end on a shaft rotatable about an axis extending rectangularly to a cable run. A force-transmitting element is coupled to be swingable with the grip head in spaced relationship to the mentioned axis, and a link is disposed between the force-transmitting element and the shock absorber. The force-transmitting element is positionable in a mid-position between end positions thereof opposite to the shock absorber and on a line intersecting the mentioned axis at right angles. The force-transmitting element may be arranged on a drive power link which is mounted on the same end of the shaft as the grip head.

Abstract: A wire length varying device for an apparatus for making electrical harnesses, with the device comprising a tension pulley unit located on a wire supply path. The tension pulley unit constantly urges the individual wires to return in a counterflow direction. A return preventive device selectively stops the wires from returning under an urging provided by a moving chuck, thereby enabling the stopped wires to slacken by the respective selected lengths. Thus, the lengths of the connector-free terminal end portions of the wires are differentiated as desired.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a crimping process of the type wherein linear sections of a specified length are cut off from a roll of insulated wire and the opposite ends are insulation-stripped and crimped, and wherein the insulated wire is periodically advanced along a path of travel by a distance corresponding to the length of the wire sections. The stripped ends of the insulated wire and wire section are rotated from the path of travel and inserted in a crimping for crimping thereof and thereafter these ends, after crimping, are rotated back into the path of travel, with the crimped wire section then being removed from the path and the crimped insulated wire being conveyed further along the path. The invention, the provision in parallel with the insulated wire of a second insulated wire which is processed and crimped in the same way as the first wire for crimping.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual conductors in an array thereof is characterized by a member having an abutment surface operable against the axial ends of the conductors to cause the same to buckle radially outwardly of the axis of the cable to form a buckled array of conductors. A rotator assembly is provided for rotating each conductor in a buckled array past a reference position. A grasping finger selects the conductor disposed at the reference position and transposes the same to a different predetermined position.

Abstract: An electrical harness fabrication machine which produces harnesses which comprise ribbon cable having a connector at each end. Each connector has a housing with terminals loaded therein. Prior to termination to the cable, the terminals are partially preloaded into their respective housings so that conductor engaging ends thereof are presented to a termination station for mass termination. A conductor engaging end of the terminals are free standing sections which form an insulation displacement slot therebetween. The termination assembly has a portion adjacent conductor stuffing blades for laterally supporting the conductor engaging ends of the terminals during the termination operation. In addition, pilot members are provided to cooperate with a connector nest having a preloaded connector received therein and the conductors for accurately aligning the conductors, conductor engaging ends of the terminals and the termination assembly with respect to one another.

Abstract: A printed circuit board modification and repair system is presented which functions under computer control. Modification is accomplished by securing the printed circuit board to an X-Y positioning fixture mounted on a work station table. After indexing to a reference point, the X-Y positioning fixture can be moved fore, aft and sideways by computer command to bring a specific location on the printed circuit board under any one of a plurality of heads mounted above the work station surface. One head will contain an etch cutting bit for making cuts in printed circuit connections. A second head has mounted thereon a laser beam discharge device for removing conformal coatings and wire insulation. A third head mounts a wire dispenser for making new conductive paths and a glue dispenser for securing the newly positioned wire to the board. A fourth head contains an ultra-violet lamp for achieving quick cures of glues and epoxy.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting electronic elements comprises: a board positioning means having a pair of rails disposed on an X-Y table, the board positioning means being adapted to fix and position a board which is fed thereto along the rails; an element supply means having a plurality of element supply units each adapted to feed to its element supply position an electronic element to be inserted in the board, the element supply units being arranged such that their element supply positions are placed in one or a plurality of rows; a plurality of chucks each formed such as to correspond to the configuration and size of the associated electronic elements to be inserted; an inserting head having a holder mechanism and adapted to detachably support one of the chucks by the holder mechanism and to reciprocatively move between a chuck exchanging position and element supply and insertion positions; and a chuck exchanging means including a chuck unit in which the chucks are arranged on an index-movable plate and a chuck

Abstract: A small, simple, accurate, low-cost wire cutting and stripping apparatus includes a wire feed mechanism which periodically feeds a measured length of an insulated wire strand to a wire cutter/stripper mechanism which clamps the wire strand, severs it and scores the insulation, axially separates the wire segment cut from the wire strand and strips the scored insulation during such axial separation. The wire feed mechanism is driven intermittently by a continuously rotating electric motor through an electrically-operated wire feed clutch/brake, the clutch mechanism of which engages in response to an electric signal from a timer switch (start wire feed) and which disengages in response to an electric signal from an electric wire measuring encoder (measure and stop wire feed). The wire cutter/stripper mechanism includes a stationary pair of separable clamps, a movable pair of separable bladed cutter/stripper heads and a movable pair of separable clamps.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for automatically producing cable with terminals crimped thereto is disclosed which includes a cable storing section, for storing various kinds of cables, a cable selecting section for selecting a required cable, a cable measuring and cutting section, a cable sheath stripping section for removing insulative sheath at the foremost end parts of the cable, a terminal crimping section having a plurality of terminal pressure connecting machines arranged in line along a conveyor, and a control circuit. The control circuit automatically controls selection of kinds of cables and terminals and their working conditions at every time when operations are achieved in each of the sections. The cable measuring and cutting section is provided with a direct measuring mechanism in which a distance of movement of the measuring head is measured while it is stretched under the effect of tension.

Abstract: Under the direction of a controller, taped axial lead components are sequentially advanced to a forming area at which the components are severed from the taped ends of their leads, formed into a hairpin-type configuration, and positively driven into engagement with conveyor-mounted carrier clips for subsequent handling by radial lead apparatus.

Abstract: A machine (1) for the application of marker sleeves (17) from a web (10) in which strips (A-D) of the marker sleeves are fed to an indexing head (62) and then to an application station (90) at which an endmost sleeve is removed from a strip and opened to enable an operator to insert a wire (6) through an opened sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting electrical connectors to a flat multi-conductor cable comprises a work table on which are arranged a connector orienting assembly for placing electrical connectors at loading locations in different selected vertical and lengthwise orientations, a press for connecting the connectors to the cable by forcing the cable conductors into conductor receiving portions of terminals of the connectors, an assembly for feeding the cable intermittently through the press, a shuttle for receiving connectors from the loading locations and being movable intermittently along a path extending between the orienting assembly and the press, rams for loading connectors from the loading locations into the shuttle and an insertion assembly for driving the connectors from the shuttle into the press.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for manufacturing electrical cords comprising modular multi-contact connectors attached to opposite ends of a segment of a multi-conductor sheathed cable. Each connector comprises a plastic housing having a cavity for receiving an end of the cable segment, displaceable anchors for mechanically engaging the cable sheath and the insulation on the conductors, and flat contacts displaceable for piercing the insulation on the conductors and making electrical contact with the wires therewithin. The apparatus includes: machinery for cutting segments from a strand of cable and for conveying them along a path; strippers along the path for removing small portions of the sheath from the ends of the segments to expose the ends of the insulated conductors therewithin; trimmers along the path for trimming the exposed ends of the insulated conductors; and connector attachment machines along the path.

Abstract: The tool includes a pair of handles which combine to form a hand grip for manipulation of the tool. When the handles are closed, a support element is displaced from its illustrated home position within the head portion, engages a connector and displaces it forwardly against a die to crimp the connector element to the multi-conductor wire positioned in the connector and effect electrical contact between individual contact elements in the connector and the conductors in the multi-conductor wire. The tool also provides for stripping the end of the wire to fit within the connector. Guide elements with upwardly open yokes on one handle accommodate the wire, and blade elements on the other handle provide a slicing action on opposite sides of the sheath of the wire as the blades engage the sheath as the handles are closed so that the sheath may be stripped to expose the conductors for insertion into the connector.

Abstract: Lead making apparatus has normally aligned transfer heads with conductor cutting and stripping blades therebetween. Each head is mounted on a rotatable transfer head shaft and has a slide with a clamp thereon through which wire is fed and clamped. The slides carry followers in respective first arcuate track segments which pivot to pull the slides away from each other for insulation stripping. The transfer head shafts rotate in opposite directions through ninety degrees to align stripped ends with terminating stations as the followers ride through first arcuate track segments into second arcuate track segments, each pair of track segments forming a continuous ninety degree arc of circular track. The second track segments pivot an adjustable amount to push the slides forward for inserting conductor into terminals to an adjustable degree. Transfer head shafts carry pinion gears fixed thereto against rotation and driven by a rack which reciprocates intermittently.

Abstract: Wire processing apparatus comprises first and second wire treatment stations. Wires are fed through the second station and their free ends are terminated to an electrical connector at the first station. Wire lengthening rollers are then operated to advance the wires by different lengths, so that they form loops between the wire treatment stations. During such advance of the wires, wire tensioning rollers are operated to keep the wires in tension between the tensioning rollers and the wire lengthening rollers and to pay out the wires into the loops. The wire lengthening, and the wire tensioning, rollers are then stopped and the wires are simultaneously severed at the second wire treatment station and the severed ends of the leads so formed are terminated to a second electrical connector at the second wire treatment station, after which, the terminated leads are ejected from the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors on cables is disclosed. Each connector comprises a connector housing having a conductor receiving end and terminals therein which receive wires and establish contact therewith. A cover or closure is provided which is assembled to the connector housing at the conductor receiving end. The apparatus comprises a housing jig, a cover jig which is opposed to the housing jig, and a cable locator which locates the cable between the two jigs. Cooperating cutter blades may be provided on the jigs so that when they are moved towards each other, the cable will be cut and the conductors moved into the terminals in the connector housing. In accordance with a further embodiment, the housings and covers are produced as continuous strip material which is fed to the two jigs. Strip material cutters are provided for cutting a connector housing and a section of cover members from the strip at the time of installation of the connector on the cable.

Abstract: Contact insertion and wire lay apparatus for manufacture of wire harnesses which provides for insertion of a contact affixed to the trailing end of a wire segment after wire lay. The invention provides for gripping a wire segment while the segment is caused to lay in a desired configuration. A pair of sets of tip jaws enable forward and trailing end contacts of the wire segment to be inserted into selected contact holding devices. In addition, the apparatus is arranged to facilitate lateral receipt and rejection of the wire segments.

Abstract: A machine cuts elongated wire segments from a continuous wire strand. A belt type conveyor conveys each segment in incremental steps along a path, with the axis of each segment transverse thereto. The conveyor initially grips a segment near one end and presents it to a first terminal attachment machine on one side of the conveyor where a first terminal is attached. Then, separator devices cause the conveyor to temporarily release its grip on the wire segment to allow wire shifter devices, first, to axially shift the wire segment very rapidly a great distance so that the conveyor can regrip the wire segment near its other end and, secondly, to axially shift the wire segment slowly for a short distance to precisely position its opposite end in final position wherein a second terminal attachment machine on the other side of the conveyor attaches a second terminal to the opposite end. A control system comprises sensors for determining when the wire segment has been moved by the wire shifters.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for feeding axial lead components directly from a sequencer to an insertion head, while eliminating direct supplying of components to the insert head via a prededicated inventory such as reeled tapes or films having components attached thereto in a predetermined sequence. Preferably, an endless chain conveyor carries the components to the insert head in chain clips which positively retain the leads thereof while allowing centering of the bodies and electrical function testing of the components just prior to insertion of the leads into corresponding holes of a circuit board. Direct supply from a sequencer having a series of individually and programmably controlled dispenser heads provides for quick and flexible variation of an input sequence without manual intervention.

Abstract: A belt type conveyor is provided for conveying segments of wire cut from a continuous strand by a cutting machine to other wire processing machines, such as terminal attachment machines or the like. The conveyor comprises a pair of endless flexible belts supported one above the other by pulleys and guide rails so that the upper flight in the lower belt closely confronts the lower flight in the upper belt whereby wire segments entrapped between the flights are movable along the path of travel of the confronting flights. Each wire segment is disposed so that its axis is perpendicular to the path of travel of the flights and the ends of the segment extend beyond the sides of the flights so as to be accessible to the processing machines. A drive mechanism drives the confronting flights in steps or increments in the same direction and at the same speed. The belts and guide rails are constructed so that the confronting flights are biased toward each other to ensure a firm grip on the wire segments.

Abstract: Clamp for use with an apparatus which connects insulated wires of an electrical cable to a multi-row electrical connector by incrementally moving a connector holder relative to a stationary wire insertion mechanism. The clamp is pivotably linked by a pair of arms to one end of a slide which has a holder for the electrical connector at the other end, so that incremental movement of the holder causes corresponding incremental movement of the clamp. The clamp position is adjustable to orient the cable either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of movement of connector holder, and the clamp moves either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of movement, so that the cable projects either perpendicular or parallel to the connector when all the wires are connected.

Abstract: Arranged along a cable path of travel is a first cable guide, a pair of retractable transport rolls, a second cable guide, and a cable gripper unit possessing actuatable grippers. The gripper unit is pivotable throughout a predetermined pivot angle about a pivot axis arranged perpendicular to the cable path of travel and into a cable fitting or processing position. There is also provided a cutter unit. All of these components are arranged in succession in the feed or travel direction of the cable as it moves along the cable path of travel. The pivot axis of the gripper unit is arranged between the end of the first cable guide and the clamping point or nip of the pair of transport rolls. The cable fitting or processing position encloses with the cable path of travel an angle of approximately 90.degree.. The pivot axis piercingly extends through the cable path of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing electrical harnesses, wherein a required number of wires are fed in an equally spaced state to a cutting and wire-to-connector assemblying section at which the wires are cut and separated into two wire groups. At the wire-to connector assemblying section the connectors are affixed to each of the abutting terminals of the wire groups in a single punch and die action. An advancing wire group, which has a connector at the other terminal affixed in a previous process, is released as a finished harness from the apparatus.

Abstract: Lead making apparatus has normally aligned transfer heads with conductor cutting and stripping blades therebetween. Each head is mounted on a rotatable transfer head shaft and has a slide with a clamp thereon through which wire is fed and clamped. The slides carry followers in respective first arcuate track segments which pivot to pull the slides away from each other for insulation stripping. The transfer head shafts rotate in opposite directions through ninety degrees to align stripped ends with terminating stations as the followers ride through first arcuate track segments into second arcuate track segments, each pair of track segments forming a continuous ninety degree arc of circular track. The second track segments pivot an adjustable amount to push the slides forward for inserting conductor into terminals to an adjustable degree. Transfer head shafts carry pinion gears fixed thereto against rotation and driven by a rack which reciprocates intermittently.

Abstract: A tool connects plugs to the ends of communication wires and in particular is used with modular type communication plugs. The tool includes two relatively pivoted handle members that are restrained in the amount that they can be separated and which include a punch that will positively force connector tangs of a plug positioned in a provided receptacle in the tool into the ends of wires of a communication cord to properly and positively connect the individual wires of the cord to the proper terminal of the plug as the handles are squeezed. The tool also has knives which can be used for stripping a specified length from the end of the outer sheath from the insulated wires before inserting the wires into a plug carried in a close fitting receptacle in one of the handle members. The punch has separated lands or bars that separately bear against each contact tang of the plug and in this way force the connecting tang into the individual communication wires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an insulated wire. A long continuous wire coated with insulation covering is paid out intermittently, fed by a predetermined amount, clamped and cut into short wires with their opposite ends are stripped automatically. The method is performed by a device comprising a wire measuring section including a pair of measuring rollers to hold the wire and pay it out intermittently by a predetermined amount, a wire feeding section having a pinch rollers to feed the paid-out wire similarly by a predetermined amount, a wire cutting section having a wire cutter and a pair of insulator cutters, and a wire holding and transferring section to transfer cut-off short wires for final treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for direct application of color-coded wires into an electrical connector. A notched disc is rotatable in a first direction to drape an individual wire over a row of terminals in the connector half. The wire then escapes from the disc and is fed by a transferring mechanism into an automatic wire trimming and inserting mechanism which loads the wire into a selected terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals on opposite sides of an elecrical connector in a single stroke comprising first and second wire insertion heads mounted on respective opposite sides of a connector holder which includes a slide mounted on an anvil and linked to an insertion ram carrying the first wire insertion head so that wire insertion movement of the insertion ram relative to the holder produces corresponding movement of the slide.

Abstract: Optical waveguide terminating apparatus applies a pair of plug members of the type having metal retention sleeves therein to cut and strip the ends of a jacketed optical waveguide cable. Plug members are delivered to a insertion station attached to a metal carrier strip and are clamped securely between an anvil and an upper clamp which move together vertically under the action of followers riding in cam slots in a moving cam block, which also determines movement of other components. Cable is positioned relative to insertion station by aligning exposed fibers in narrow channels in top of shear bar which drops to remove carrier strip and positions cable guide channels in cable feed path. A pair of cam actuated jaws grip the cable and advance the ends toward the terminating station; the guides drop away during this advance to permit the jaws to fully insert the cable ends in the plug member.