Abstract: A method of fabricating a wire harness, the invention comprises several steps. The connectors are positioned at desired locations at a first station. Then wires in lengths dictated by the dimensions of the finished harness are run between predetermined terminal element locations at the connectors. The various wires are fixed in the respective holding means associated with the predetermined terminal element locations so that prior to electrical termination of the wires, the partially completed harness can be moved to a station remote from the first station with the wires maintained relative to the entrances of their corresponding wire-receiving slots.

Abstract: Apparatus for insulating a connector, mechanically joined to one end of an electrical conductor, by positioning a radially expandable resilient insulating sleeve, having an inside diameter in its non-expanded condition smaller than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the connector, about the connector. The connector includes one end portion mechanically joined to the conductor and a terminal end portion for connection to another electrical component. The apparatus of the present invention includes expansion means for expanding the sleeve sufficiently to receive the connector and holding means for maintaining the sleeve in its expanded condition and for permitting the connector to be received, terminal end portion first, into the expanded sleeve.

Abstract: A tie for forming a plurality of objects into a bundle and for holding a pair of objects together comprising an elongate metallic strap, a metallic locking head disposed adjacent one end of the strap for receiving the other end of the strap and metallic roller means captively held within the head for lockingly engaging the strap. The head includes a strap entry face, a strap exit face and a strap-receiving aperture extending between the faces. The head further comprises a floor and a roof diverging in the direction of the exit face. The roller means is movable between a threading position in which it is disposed adjacent the exit face and a locking position wherein the roller means is closer the entry face. The tie further includes strap deflection means functioning along with the roller means to effect a bend in the threaded portion of the strap whereby the threaded strap is maintained in engagement with the roller means without regard to the orientation of the head.

Abstract: A tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects into a bundle and for holding a pair of objects together. The tie of the present invention comprises an elongate strap, a locking head joined to one end of the strap for receiving the other end of the strap and roller means disposed entirely within the locking head for lockingly engaging the strap. The head includes a strap entry face, a strap exit face and a strap-receiving aperture extending therebetween and further includes a floor and a roof which diverge in the direction of the exit face. The locking head also has retention means for retaining the roller means inside the head.

Abstract: An assembly post for holding a portion of elongate objects, such as wires to be formed into a bundle, elevated with respect to a wiring layout board and for defining a turn in the objects. The assembly post comprises means for mounting the post on the layout board and holding means supported by the mounting means for holding the elongate objects. The holding means is movable between an extended position wherein it supports the objects and a retracted position wherein it is closer to the layout board than in its extended position. The post also includes means for maintaining the holding means in its extended position during wiring of the bundle against a predetermined force greater than the weight of the portion of elongate objects whereby, after layout of the bundle, application of a force greater than the predetermined force causes movement of the holding means to its retracted position and permits application of a tying device and removal of the bundle without substantial interference from the post.

Abstract: A pneumatic sensor for connection to the sensor port of a bleed-pressure piloted valve and which is responsive to engagement by an article the presence of which is to be detected to block air from escaping said sensor port. The sensor includes a body having a bore and a target slightly smaller than the bore disposed in the bore and having an aperture the axis of which extends transversely to that of the bore. A tube connected to the sensing port and slightly smaller than the aperture extends through the body and into the aperture. The tube has an opening disposed in the aperture and extending generally toward the end of the target to be engaged by the article. The target is movable between an extended position and a retracted position in which the target blocks the opening, air pressure biasing the target to its extended position and the surface of the target defining the aperture being arcuate.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a mass termination connector, of the type adapted to firmly retain conductors prior to their electrical termination in the connector, as the conductors are laid out and positioned to be firmly retained. The fixture includes a base for mounting on a wiring board and a channel-shaped holder joined to the base for holding the connector. The holder is disposed tilted with respect to the base so that the insulation displacement terminal plates of the connector are inclined whereby movement of a tensioned conductor extending between two connectors is resisted by corresponding inclined plates indenting the insulation of the conductor.

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 tool assembly for use with a prime mover, such as a bench press, to prepare a flat cable for its termination in a mass termination connector. The assembly includes upper and lower supports, at least one of which is adapted for attachment to the prime mover, for reciprocal movement relative to one another. The assembly further includes punch means carried by one of the supports, cutter means carried by one of the supports and selectively operable stop means for limiting relative movement of the supports. The punch means forms a series of windows in the cable insulation between adjacent conductors of the flat cable, the windows being aligned in a row extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the cable. The cutter means severs the conductor of the flat cable adjacent the windows. The punch means extends further toward the support which does not carry the punch means than the cutter means extends toward the support which does not carry the cutter means.

Abstract: A clamp for holding one or more generally elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, in parallel stacked relationship. The clamp includes a base extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the objects and has a surface for engagement with a first side of one of the objects. A cover which also extends transversely of the objects is connected to the base and spaced from the base surface. Finally, the clamp includes resilient pusher means extending from the cover toward the base for engaging a second object side. The pusher means includes a flap extending outwardly from a cover side so that no portion of the flap underlies the cover.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to be mechanically joined to the stripped end of a wire for completing an electrical connection between the wire and another circuit component. The connector includes a metallic connector element and an insulative sleeve formed of heat shrinkable material. The connector element has a connector portion for mechanical connection to the circuit component and a wire-receiving portion spaced from the connector portion for accepting the wire and having a part for being mechanically joined to the wire. One end of the sleeve is disposed about and held by the connector portion with the other end of the sleeve disposed between the one end of the sleeve and the part of the wire-receiving portion of the element.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mechanically joining a plurality of wires to a plurality of other electrical components and for providing low resistance electrical paths between predetermined ones of the plurality of wires and preselected ones of the plurality of other electrical components. The connector includes an insulative housing having a front wall, a back wall and a plurality of spaced barrier walls extending between the front wall and back wall to define an array of cavities extending through the housing. The connector also includes a plurality of metallic terminal elements each of which has a wire terminating portion and a portion for receiving another electrical component with one terminal element preloaded into each of the housing cavities prior to wiring of the connector.

Abstract: A one piece cable tie for positioning first and second wires relative to one another comprising spacer means for spacing the first wire a predetermined distance from the second wire, retaining means for releasably retaining the first wire, securing means for securely holding the first and second wires against relative movement and spaced the predetermined distance, and abutment means for tightening the hold of the cable tie about the wires.

Abstract: A combination of a cable tie mount and a cable tie for forming a plurality of wires into a bundle and for mounting the bundle on a support surface. The tie includes an elongate strap and a locking head joined to one end of the strap for receiving the free end of the strap to encircle the wires. The mount has a base adapted to be secured to the support surface. The tie and mount have components comprising means for securely holding the tie to the mount prior to the locking head receiving the free end of the strap. No part of the mount is encircled with the bundle by the strap and the locking head whereby the mount, securely holding the tie, can be secured to the support surface prior to association of the wires with the tie and whereby the shape of the bundle is not distorted due to the presence of components of the mount being included with the bundle.

Abstract: A one-piece molded thermoplastic cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects into a bundle of generally circular cross-section and for compressively holding a pair of objects in engagement. The tie includes an elongate strap including elongate side rails joined by a thin web with the rails and web substantially symmetrical about a first plane intersecting the rails and web and also substantially symmetrical about a second plane normal to the first and intersecting only the web. A plurality of spaced teeth are disposed on one surface of the web.A locking head joined to the strap includes an abutment wall, strap entry and exit faces, an aperture extending between the faces, and a locking pawl which in its as-molded position, extends into the aperture and toward the abutment wall and strap exit face.

Abstract: A tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects into a bundle and for holding two objects together. The tie includes an elongate strap having a plurality of spaced abutments therealong and a metal locking head joined to one end of the strap. The locking head comprises a floor with a strap-receiving aperture therethrough and a locking tongue for engaging one of the abutments. The tongue and floor are joined by a resilient neck from which the tongue extends toward the floor to at least partially overlie the aperture. Threading of the strap causes the tongue to deflect away from the floor and the tongue lockingly engages one of the abutments upon attempted retrograde movement of the strap.

Abstract: A self-stripping connector is disclosed wherein a pair of channels are disposed in a unitary insulating body having a base portion and cover portion hingedly secured together. The walls of the insulating body define an aperture extending transversely of and intersecting each of the channels and provide a guide surface for a contact element positioned in the aperture for making positive electrical connection to a pair of wires disposed in the channels. The contact element has a first surface defining an outer boundary that is in contact with the guide surface at points spaced on the boundary lying in more than a single plane and is configured so as to be substantially supported against tipping by the insulating body prior to, and during, engagement with the wires.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a plurality of elongate objects such as wires into a bundle of circular cross section. The apparatus comprises a base adapted to be securely affixed to a mount such as a panelboard and a frame for mounting on the base. The frame comprises a pair of arms extending upwardly from adjacent the base with each arm terminating in an end portion. The end portions are movable relative to one another between a retaining position wherein the spacing between the end portions is less than the diameter of one of the objects and a release position wherein the spacing is at least as great as the object diameter. In their release portion, the end portions define an object-receiving opening. The arms are biased toward their retaining position. The apparatus further comprises a length of elastomeric material removably carried by the frame and free of the base. The length includes a portion bridging the arms adjacent the free ends.

Abstract: Harness assembly apparatus for maintaining close grouping of a plurality of flexible elongate objects such as wires as the objects make a turn and are formed into a bundle. The apparatus includes retaining means for releasably holding the objects and further includes support means to be mounted on a panelboard or the like and supporting the retaining means. The retaining means includes generally rigid abutment means which engages the bundle and defines the turn therein, and an arm captively held by the support means. The arm is movable relative to the support means between a retaining position wherein it is disposed above the abutment means and extends at least partially outside the turn and a release position wherein the arm is disposed substantially inside the turn of the bundle. At least a portion of the abutment means is responsive to movement of the arm towards its release position to move away from the turn of the bundle as defined by the abutment means when the arm is in its retaining position.