Abstract: A portable tool for simultaneously terminating a plurality of conductors in a mass termination, insulation displacement connector. The connector is positioned in a connector holder mounted on a wiring board. The tool includes structure for detachably mounting the tool on the connector holder. The tool also includes an insertion assembly which reciprocates relative to the holder for moving the conductors to terminate them in the connector. The mounting structure includes locking structure for locking the tool to the holder only prior to termination of the conductors. Thus the operator is prevented from inadvertently removing the tool from the holder prior to conductor termination.

Abstract: A tool for assembling a plurality of conductors into secured engagement with a mandrel of a multicontact electrical connector includes a plurality of spaced combs which are positioned adjacent a nest to hold the conductors transversely above a mandrel which is supported in the nest. In each cycle of operation, a head of the tool is prepositioned with respect to the nest and moved into engagement with the conductors to cause a forming die of the head to partially form the conductors about the mandrel and cooperate with a blade adjacent the nest to sever excess lengths of free end portions of the conductors. The head is repositioned with respect to the next so that when the head is again moved, in a second step of the cycle, forces are applied which are sufficient to form the conductors completely about the mandrel with each conductor being pressed into secured engagement with an associated recess on each side of the mandrel.

Abstract: A portable tool and method for simultaneously terminating a plurality of conductors in a connector positioned in a connector support which is mounted on a wiring board. The connector includes a housing defining a series of spaced wire-receiving cavities and a metallic terminal element having a wire-receiving portion disposed in each cavity with the conductors positioned in alignment with the cavities. The tool includes means for detachably mounting the tool on the connector support, a ram which reciprocates relative to the connector, an insertion assembly carried by the ram, movable cutter means carried by the ram adjacent the insertion assembly, and fixed cutter means underlying the conductors when the tool is mounted on the support. The insertion assembly includes a plurality of wire insertion fingers for moving the conductors into the cavities.

Abstract: A portable manually operated tool for applying multicontact connectors to flexible flat cable includes a pair of pivoted jaws which include respective connector body and cover holding members. The jaws are opened and closed by manually actuated handles including a locking toggle mechanism. The connector holding members include cooperating alignment guides and position stops. One of the connector holding members is mounted for limited movement on one of the jaws to provide for engagement of the alignment guides and to provide even distribution of the clamping force on the connector. The tool also includes a retractable cable cutter and positioning stop as well as a cable alignment and support tray.

Abstract: A pressing tool for electrical connectors, or the like, including an elongated housing, an anvil carried by the housing adjacent one end thereof, a presser carried by and movable relative to the housing toward and away from the anvil along a presser path perpendicular to the anvil, an elongated handle extending longitudinally of the housing and accessible from the exterior thereof, means connecting the handle to the housing for producing longitudinal movement of the handle relative to the housing in response to lateral movement of the handle relative to the housing, and means for converting such longitudinal movement of the handle relative to the housing into movement of the presser along the presser path toward the anvil. Reversed movement of the handle is prevented until the presser has been moved a predetermined distance toward the anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for electrically connecting groups or bundles of wires to each other by means of a connector which has a plurality of displation type contacts therein arranged in parallel rows. The apparatus comprises a frame having means thereon for holding the connector and a wire guide means for locating the wires in alignment with the terminals in the connector. The wires are trimmed and inserted by means of a roller which is mounted on the frame and which is moved along a working stroke path which extends parallel to the length of the connector. The wire guide means can be selectively positioned relative to the connector to locate the wires in alignment with different groups of terminals in the connector.

Abstract: A multicontact electrical connector comprising a two-piece connector housing in which electrical contacts are mounted within one of the housing sections. The rearward ends of the contacts are provided with slotted tubular termination sections which are adapted to receive insulated wires to form electrical and mechanical connections between the contacts and the wires. The second section of the housing functions as a tool which forcibly inserts the wires into the termination sections of the contacts at an acute angle. A plurality of wires may be connected to the contacts simultaneously at a work site without the necessity of any special tool or fixture. The termination sections of the contacts may be utilized for terminating flat cables as well as insulated round wires.

Abstract: A contact retention assembly in which a contact is mounted in a contact cavity in a connector insulator from the rear and is released from the front of the insulator to allow removal of the contact rearwardly from the cavity. The contact is formed with a laterally and rearwardly extending spring retention tine that extends across the contact cavity and engages the wall of the cavity to prevent rearward movement of the contact in the cavity. An aperture is provided in the contact in front of the tine. A tool is inserted from the front of the insulator into the aperture, and threaded therein so that the end of the tool will deflect the tine rearwardly, thereby releasing it from its engagement with the wall of the contact cavity. The contact is then free to be removed rearwardly from the cavity.

Abstract: Plier-type hand tool comprises a frame having spaced-apart jaws and a fixed handle extending therefrom. One of the fixed jaws has a ram therein which is reciprocable towards and away from the other jaw. The actuating means for moving the ram comprises a movable handle which is pivoted to the frame. Closing of the handles causes two toggle mechanisms to be straightened which are concatenated with the ram. The arrangement of the toggle mechanisms is such that a relatively deep throat is provided between the jaws for the acceptance of a wide workpiece such as a flat electrical cable. A removable tension member may be provided on the ends of the jaws to prevent excessive flexure of the jaws during use of the tool.