Abstract: A modular connector press for terminating different types of connectors to a flat cable includes left and right cable tray assemblies that are mounted for accurately positioning and laterally translating the cable in a first direction transverse to the axial direction of the cable between a loading position for initial positioning of the cable and a termination position where the cable is positioned beneath a press ram. Each tray assembly includes a main body, a cable tray and means for mounting the cable tray to the main body to allow adjustable translation of the cable tray in a second direction transverse to the first direction of translation of the tray assembly means. Each cable tray includes a plurality of connector positioning slots allowing the accurate positioning of terminated connectors of a harness on each cable tray.

Abstract: A wiring duct comprising a base and a cover for providing an opening therebetween for receipt of wires and the like. The base has a pair of sides with their free ends terminating in an arrowhead configuration. The cover is provided with a pair of arms on each side for snapping over the arrowhead to provide a positive latch therewith. The inside arm on each side of the cover is angled away from its respective outside arm to engage the leading edge of the arrowhead and provide for firm engagement with the arrowhead notwithstanding the typical range of tolerances associated with manufacturing products of this type.

Abstract: A high strength, low strap insertion force cable tie having a locking head that locks the distal ends of a strap in two strap positioning channels in the head with two metal barbs each carried by a pawl hingedly mounted to a side wall of the head.

Abstract: A modular telephone connector includes a housing defining a standard telephone jack, a contact carrier that mounts a plurality of metal contacts each having resilient cantilever jack forming portions and insulation displacement portions and a wire positioning fixture having aligned first and second rows of wire guide channels. The connector is assembled by latching the contact carrier and contacts to the housing, positioning wires through first and second wire guide channels of the wire positioning fixture and securing the fixture to the housing and contact carrier with a centrally located cantilever latch arm formed on the fixture inwardly from the periphery of the connector, closely adjacent the row of contacts. The latch arm engages a slot formed in the housing and contact carrier to releasably secure the fixture to the connector. The central latch arm prevents misalignment of the fixture with the housing and contact carrier which can result in defective termination of the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding an electrical connector to a connector termination press includes a slotted rotary drum that receives the leading connector from a ribbon of taped connectors carried on a reel, rotates the connector ninety degrees to reorient the connector and places it in a connector positioning track, and a push rod assembly that advances the connector into an aligned position underneath the ram of a connector termination press.

Abstract: A selectively coated cable tie is only coated along the lateral edges of the strap of the cable tie leaving an uncoated longitudinally extending medial strip portion of the strap for engagement with a locking mechanism in the head of the tie whereby the selectively coated cable tie provides a cable tie with smooth non-abrasive lateral edges while not significantly degrading the effectiveness of the locking mechanism of the tie.

Abstract: A stretched strap cable tie tensioning and severing tool includes a means for positioning a cable tie strap between a severance blade and an anvil and means for moving the severance blade completely through the strap and into engagement with the anvil to sever the strap, wherein the anvil is formed of a ductile metallic material and wherein the blade is of a greater hardness than the anvil sufficient to allow the blade to penetrate the anvil to form a groove therein.

Abstract: A twisted flat cable positioning tray includes a cable tray having a slide for covering and securing a multisection flat cable having one section of the cable twisted 180 degrees to accurately position the twisted cable for termination to a connector in a connector press.

Abstract: A shipping method for facilitating the efficient distribution of goods transmits from a shipping location computer a container packing record identifying an individual container and the items contained therein to a programmable computer located at the shipping destination of the container such that as a container is received at the shipping destination a bar code on the container can be entered into the computer data base and used to identify the container packing record for the container and all of the items contained within the container. The shipping destination computer is programmed to compare the items in the container and provide an output directing the container directly to an order packing area when items needed to fill customer orders are contained within the received container, or, if none of the items are needed to fill a customer order, directing the container to general inventory.

Abstract: A communication box assembly includes a base, a plurality of connector mounting inserts, insert mounting means for securing the inserts to an inner surface of the base juxtaposed in an aligned row in a plurality of insert mounting positions, the insert mounting means positioning the inserts with outer insert edges adjacent an outer edge of the base whereby operative ends of connectors carried by the inserts are positioned for convenient connection with office service cables, and a cover releasably attached to the base which is shaped to enclose the base and inserts.

Abstract: A tape dispenser includes a housing having at least one compartment that rotatably mounts a roll of adhesive tape. Integrally molded adjacent to each compartment is a hinged door movable between an open position, a closed postion and a tape severance position. The door is maintained in the closed position by the latching interaction of the edges of the door and a pair of wedge-shaped ramps disposed on opposing lateral walls of the compartment. An upwardly angled resilient tab is integrally molded with the housing and disposed within each compartment between a severance means and the rotatably mounted tape roll. The tab upwardly directs the distal end of the tape out of the compartment and presents the distal end of the tape to the user to facilitate withdrawal of the tape from the dispenser.

Abstract: A modular telephone connector includes a housing defining a standard telephone jack, a contact carrier that mounts a plurality of metal contacts each having resilient cantilever jack forming portions and insulation displacement portions and a wire positioning fixture having aligned first and second rows of wire guide channels. The connector is assembled by latching the contact carrier and contacts to the housing, positioning wires through first and second wire guide channels of the wire positioning fixture and securing the fixture to the housing and contact carrier with latch arms formed on the fixture. The insulation displacement portion of each contact is positioned in alignment with and between first and second wire guide channels to engage and terminate a wire positioned in the first and second wire guide channels.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly includes a connector and a connector mounting insert and a wall plate having means to secure the wall plate to a standard box. The wall plate includes a platform formed adjacent a connector access window with a resilient latch means formed on the distal end of the platform for securing the insert to the wall plate.

Abstract: A ball-lock tie application tool includes a blade projecting from the front face of the tool disposed to engage a ball-containing finger on the head of the tie. During tensioning of the tie around an object by the tool the blade deforms the finger inwardly against the locking ball which results in a greater retention of the initial tension applied by the tool to the tie.

Abstract: A cable tray for use with a tool for applying a connector to a multiconductor flat cable includes a planar grooved cable positioning surface that aligns individual conductors of a flat cable and a cable transfer rod removably and rotatably mounted perpendicular to the length of the grooves and spaced from a cable positioned on the grooves of the positioning surface an amount sufficient to engage the surface of a cable inserted therebetween and upon rotation of the rod accurately advance the terminal edge of the cable to a desired termination position and securely hold the cable in position until a connector is terminated thereto.

Abstract: A communication box assembly includes a base, a plurality of connector mounting inserts, insert mounting means for securing the inserts to an inner surface of the base juxtaposed in an aligned row in a plurality of insert mounting positions, the insert mounting means positioning the inserts with outer insert edges adjacent an outer edge of the base whereby operative ends of connectors carried by the inserts are positioned for convenient connection with office service cables, and a cover releasably attached to the base which is shaped to enclose the base and inserts.

Abstract: A strap fastener buckle for fastening opposing ends of an object encircling strap includes first and second bridge portions partially defining first and second tubular portions and a deformable retainer extending from the buckle intermediate first and second bridge portions. One end of the strap is initially secured to the buckle. The free end of the strap is then secured to the buckle by passing the free end through first and second tubular portions, folding the free end over second bridge portion, severing the free end at a predetermined point short of the second bridge portion, and securing the severed end between first and second bridge portions by deforming the retainer to a position overlying the severed end of the strap.

Abstract: A flexible one-piece cable tie for harnessing a bundle of wires or the like, the cable tie including an elongated, flexible strap having a ladder structure comprising a plurality of spaced rung-like members with intermediate openings for receiving a locking pawl, the locking pawl being disposed within an enclosed head integral with the strap at one end thereof.

Abstract: A single cable tie loading gate assembly for an automatic cable tie installation tool includes a sliding gate disposed adjacent a cable tie ejection channel. The sliding gate is movable between a closed position sealing the cable tie ejection channel and an open position allowing insertion of a cable tie into the ejection channel for subsequent pneumatic propulsion to the cable tie application mechanisms of the tool.