Abstract: A plurality of components are force-fitted into a workpiece simultaneously, by the following steps: preparing a dummy workpiece with tool supports fixed thereto in a predetermined pattern, each tool support being removably surmounted by a component insertion tool; placing the dummy workpiece beneath a magnetic chuck on the platen of a hyrdraulic press; lowering the platen so that the tools are magnetically secured to the chuck; raising the platen to remove the tools from the tool supports; replacing the dummy workpiece by an actual workpiece with the components arranged thereon in said predetermined pattern; lowering the platen so that each tool on the chuck force-fits the component therebeneath into the workpiece; raising the platen with the tools thereon; and removing the actual workpiece from the press.

Abstract: Apparatus for force fitting components into a workpiece comprises a gantry supporting two insertion heads above an indexable support for the workpiece, a workpiece pick-up station on each side of the workpiece, and rods by which the insertion heads are suspended from the gantry and which are rotatable to translate the insertion heads between positions over the pick-up stations and positions over the workpiece and to operate tooling of the insertion heads to pick-up components from the pick-up station and to force fit them into the workpiece. The apparatus is programmed so that when one of the insertion heads is located over a pick-up station the other is located over the workpiece.

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: An electrical connector transfer nest for use in transferring an electrical connector from a connector pick-up station to a work station, comprises a frame in which are slidably mounted, a pair of plungers, one of these having means for releasably retaining a connector thereon. The nest is arranged to receive a flat cable between the plungers, so that by moving the plungers towards one another, against the action of a return spring, conductor receiving portions of terminals of the connector can be forced through the cable to receive the conductors. Means are provided for releasing the connector from the nest, after it has been terminated to the cable and as the plungers are moved apart by the return spring. The other plunger may be arranged, releasably to receive, a cover for the connector, the cover having means for stuffing the cable conductors into the wire receiving portions of the terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying insulating sleeves to electrical terminals, comprises a frame having a horizontal surface on which is a terminal locator for locating in front of a sleeve applicator ram, a terminal on a lead transported horizontally by a conveyor. A lead capturing and terminal positioning member is moved towards the terminal locator to position the terminal therein and the applicator ram is advanced to apply a sleeve to the terminal. When the sleeve has been applied to the terminal by means of the ram and the ram has been retracted, an ejector throws the terminal with the sleeve thereon, vertically out of the terminal locator, and a sleeve feed ram feeds a further sleeve between the applicator ram and the terminal locator. The above operations take place during a dwell period of the conveyor.

Abstract: A clinching plate for supporting a circuit board to be loaded with electrical connectors by means of a robot or a pick-and-place machine, comprises a plurality of clinching units set in openings in the plate. The units comprise pairs of slides having clinching ears for clinching a pair of posts at each end of each connector to the board to hold the connectors in place while the board is transported to a soldering station. One clinching unit is provided for each connector and each unit is operated by means of an individual drive cylinder under the control of the microprocessor of the mother machine.

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 severing components from a strip of components and for inserting the severed components one by one into a work piece, comprises means for feeding the strip of components incrementally to a component severing station, means for severing the leading component from the strip at the severing station and an insertion tool for inserting the severed leading component into the work piece; all driven by a stepping motor through step down transmission means acting on a main cam shaft. A disc cam on the shaft has on opposite faces cam tracks receiving cam followers connected to the insertion tool and the severing means, the feeding means being driven through a barrel cam on the shaft. An electronic control unit monitors the angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: A moulded insulating housing for a female electrical contact has an internal latching boss for engagement with detent means on the female contact. The latching boss, which is shaped as a right angle triangle, as seen in plan view, has a first ramp tapering towards one end of the housing and a latching shoulder facing the opposite end of the housing. A second ramp formed integrally with a lower wall of the housing opposite to the first ramp is directed towards the one end of the housing. The latching boss, has a flat summit which is also shaped as a right angle triangle as seen in plan view, the first ramp and the latching shoulder immediately adjoining the flat summit.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors onto multiconductor electrical cable, the cable being a jacketed cable, comprises a table movable in opposite directions along two mutually perpendicular paths relative to a cable gripper mechanism, the table carrying a cable stripper mechanism and a press with a device for feeding a strip of connectors to the press. The table is arranged to move cyclically in such a way that, first, a cable held by the gripper mechanism has the jacket stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper mechanism, whereafter the leading connector of the strip is held in the press and moved onto the end of the cable and is connected thereto by the press.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing is formed of two relatively slidable parts movable between a condition in which contact cavities are aligned, for insertion of contacts and a condition in which the cavities are slightly out of alignment so that one housing part presents shoulders overlapping edges of cavities in the other part for positively retaining contacts in the other part. The housing parts have interengaging guide means and resilient latch means securing the housing parts in the second condition.

Abstract: A unitary, molded card straightener is selectively mounted along the mouth of a card edge connector. The straightener funnels the card edge toward the mouth of the card edge connector and impinges against the side of the card prior to entry thereof into the connector, so that warpage in the card is flattened by the straightener.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals, fixed in an insulating housing; a metal roller; and, a finger-piece for moving the roller between first and second switching positions engaging only one and both terminals respectively. The one terminal is resiliently flexed to bias the roller against the second terminal in the second switching position. The one terminal comprises a cantilever spring having an upset end protruding into the roller path and providing the fulcrum for an overcenter action biassing the roller in either switching position.

Abstract: A nine position circuit board mounted switch is disclosed for encoding the frequency output of a remote transmitter. Each switch position includes a manual selector set to provide a voltage output selected from two available voltage levels. The nine positions thereby provide an encoded output selected from three to the ninth power possibilities.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a base (1) of electrically insulating material carrying an input contact (2) and a plurality of output contacts (3); a bridging contact (5) fixedly mounted on the base (1) in permanent connection with the input contact (2), and having a plurality of resilient contact arms (6) respectively associated with the output contacts (3), and an operating member mounted on the base and formed with a plurality of cam projections (11) adapted and arranged to engage the contact arms (6) of the bridging contact (5) as the operating member (8) is moved relative to the base (1), thereby to urge the contact arms (6) into contact with the associated output contacts (3).

Abstract: A filter assembly is disclosed having the capability of mating at opposite ends with electrical contacts of different dimensions. The subject assembly also allows the filter to be mounted in an aperture of a panel with minimal risk of damage to the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interconnect device to provide electrical connections between printed circuit boards or a supported flexible circuit board and a wire wrap connection or solder tail connection or the like. More specifically the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a device, stamped and formed from a coplanar strip of conductive material and having a double thickness leg on top of which is an elongated spring arm formed into a rectangular shape to reduce the height it occupies in a housing while providing high spring force. Additionally, stress-distribution means is incorporated into the device.

Abstract: An equivalent universal telephone jack is disclosed including a base module on which wire terminations are made without the need for special tools. A variety of covers are interchangeably assembled to the base module, adapting the same for mounting in a cabinet, for providing a series of tap offs along a telephone wiring system or for retrofitting existing telephone wiring systems with replacement jacks.

Abstract: A two-part connector has an arm on one part with a configured tip keyed to an aperture in an end wall of the hood of the other part. The tip can be engaged with the aperture when the two parts are inclined and mating is effected by relative pivotal movement.

Abstract: A wire stuffer mechanism removes wires successively from a jig at a first operating station (e.g. terminating) and then transfers them to a second station (e.g. contact inserting) spaced from the first station. The jig is annular and has closely spaced wire locating slots on one side. The transfer mechanism includes a plurality of widely circumferentially spaced jaws mounted for stepped rotation between the station in synchronism with incremental movement of the jig. The contact insertion mechanism comprises contact guides of complementary shape to the contact and insertable into a housing cavity from one side of the housing to mate with and guide a contact into the cavity from the other side of the housing.