Abstract: A terminal for use in establishing electrical contact with a plurality of wires is disclosed. A slotted terminal which can accept two wires, one above the other, in the same slot may be used in a multi-contact connector or as a splicing connector. Spaced apart plate sections containing an aligned pair of slots are employed. Offset contact slot sections and strain relief slot sections are used to ensure independent contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into the terminals in the modules of a modular type multi-contact electrical connector comprises a frame having a base section and a head portion which is spaced from the base section. A supporting means is provided in the base section for supporting a connector module and an inserter is provided in the head section for inserting wires into terminals in the connector. The inserter comprises a sector having an arcute surface which is disposed adjacent to the connector on the base section. The sector is pivotally mounted in the head section so that it can be rotated relative to its pivotal axis. The pivotal mounting means for the sector is movable in the head section along a rectilinear path which extends parallel to the connector in the base section. When the sector is rotated about its pivotal axis and simultaneously moved along the path, the arcuate surface moves over the surface of the connector and inserts the wires into the terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing electrical harness assemblies and sub-assemblies of the type comprising at least one multi-contact electrical connector and wires secured to, and extending from, the terminals in the connector. The apparatus comprises an insertion zone through which the wires are fed and in which the wires are severed. Electrical connectors are fed into the insertion zone and positioned in alignment with the severed ends of the wires. The wires are connected to the terminals in the connector by moving the connectors laterally towards the wires and, at the same time, moving an insertion tool towards the wires and towards the connector to push the wires into the terminals in the connector. The wire feed means is programmable to permit selective feeding of the wires and/or the feeding of different wire lengths during each operating cycle so that a variety of types of harness assemblies and subassemblies can be produced.

Abstract: High speed wire feeding means comprises a wire feed roll and a pressure roll, the wire feed roll being driven by a printed circuit motor under the influence of control means which maintains a high and constant level of acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the feeding cycle. One embodiment has a single driven feed roll and a plurality of side-by-side pressure rolls for feeding a plurality of wires. This apparatus is capable of producing a bundle of wires having varying lengths in a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals comprises a templet plate having wire-receiving slots extending therethrough from one surface to the opposite surface. The slots extend to one edge of the plate so that wires positioned on one surface adjacent to the edge will, when pressed progressively against the surface, move into the slots. Inserters move through the slots and insert the wires into a connector positioned under the other face of the templet. In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, a shuttle type wire feed is provided in combination with the templet plate and a second wire insertion apparatus is provided to produce electrical harnesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching slotted plate terminals or the like to individual wires such as the wires of a stator coil in an induction motor is disclosed. A rotatable arbor positions the stator in alignment with an insertion track and ram. A terminal is inserted by moving it along the tracks and into a cavity in an insulating housing mounted on the stator. A guide track along which an insertion ram moves a terminal also acts as a depth control for accurate positioning of the terminal.

Abstract: Lighting unit assembly which is adapted to be mounted in a panel comprises a housing having wall portions which define a plurality of enclosures, each enclosure surrounding a lamp bulb mounting site. The lamp bulbs are mounted in removable lamp bulb connectors which have contact terminals which are in contact with the bulb and are also in disengageable contact with terminals in a tap connector. The tap connectors are mounted in the housing adjacent to the lamp bulb sites and the conductors extend through these tap connector housings and are electrically connected to the tap connector terminals. The lighting unit assembly is completely pre-wired and assembled so that when it is inserted into a panel, a harness connector on the conductors in the assembly can be immediately coupled to a complementary harness connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into the wire-receiving portions of terminals in an electrical connector housing comprises a wire-inserting press and a fixture means which is separate from the press and which can be mounted on the press during the inserting operation. The fixture means comprises a block-like member having wire-locating means and housing positioning means thereon arranged such that when the housing and wires are located on the fixture means, the wires will be in alignment with the terminals in the housing. When the fixture means and press are assembled to each other and the press ram is moved towards the fixture means, cooperative aligning pins and sockets on the fixture and on the press ram move into engagement with each other precisely to align the wires and the connector housing with the insertion punches on the press ram.

Abstract: A miniature electrical connector for establishing electrical contact between terminal pads on a ceramic chip substrate carrier to terminal pads on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The connector comprises a frame like member having a plurality of spring contacts located in cavities on the inner edge of the frame member. Individual stamped and formed contacts or contacts mounted on a polymeric film are utilized. A removable cover secures the substrate carrier to the frame member.

Abstract: A simple, compact multi-conductor tap-connector device incorporates at least three standard multi-contact individual connectors with the corresponding terminals in all of the connectors attached only by short wires running directly between the terminals. Various configurations of mating connectors can be fabricated by the same operations. The interconnecting wires form a unique latticework pattern which permits assembly of the device without the need for excess wire and gives the tap-connector device a degree of structural rigidity. Two forms of specialized apparatus suitable for inserting wires into terminal slots to establish electrical contact are used in assembly of the device.

Abstract: A continuous strip of terminal posts comprises a plastic carrier strip through which the posts are inserted at regular spaced apart intervals. The carrier strip is of a thermoplastic material and has a generally H-shaped cross-section. The posts extend between the sidewalls of the carrier strip and through the web portion thereof. The individual posts are removed from the carrier strip at the time of insertion into a printed circuit board by an insertion punch which has a chisel-like end such that it splits the carrier strip during insertion.

Abstract: A tap connection for a multi-conductor cable is disclosed. This tap connection uses two standard separate multi-contact connectors. Cable wires connect corresponding terminals in each of the two connectors. A method and apparatus for assembling this tap connector is also disclosed. Pairs of cable wires are simultaneously inserted into corresponding slotted terminals in both connectors.

Abstract: Wire feeding means which can be used with conventional wire crimping presses are disclosed. A movable funnel is used to precisely position the wires in a crimping station. Movement of the funnel in synchronization with the terminal feed mechanism extracts the wire from the crimping station and relative movement of the wire and the funnel releases the wire from the funnel. A wire gripping channel into which a wire is positioned grips the wire and moves it through the funnel into the crimping station. A sensor which detects the presence of the wire in the channel is located between a barrel and the crimping station. These elements combine to move the uncrimped wire longitudinally into the crimping station and then move the crimped wire laterally out of the crimping station.

Abstract: Electrical junction means for cables which are part of a telephone wiring system comprises a base frame member disposed on the floor of a building. Multi-conductor cables extend across the floor and have connectors on their ends which are mounted in the base frame member. The connectors mounted in the base frame member or mated with connectors on the ends of conventional cables which extend from the junction means to telephones. Carpeting material on the floor extends up to the base frame member and flaps of carpeting are located on top of the base frame member. A cover member is secured by fasteners to the base frame member and serves to protect the connectors therein. The cover member is clamped against the carpet flaps and against portions of the carpeting which are immediately adjacent to the base frame member. This arrangement provides a self-gaging feature which reduces the tendency of the cover member to become loose.

Abstract: A connector for establishing electrical contact between two insulated conductors is disclosed. The connector employs a generally V-shaped member having multiple slots extending inwardly from one longitudinal edge of a metallic terminal member. Two slots on the terminal member penetrate the insulation and establish contact with the conductive core of each conductor. A rigid insulating housing anchors the terminal and provides a means for forcing the conductors into the slots. This V-shaped terminal configuration results in the generation of resilient stresses which lead to the establishment of a sufficient slot-type electrical contact with a conductor having a relatively large number of strands comprising its conductive core. This connector is also adapted for use with flat multi-conductor cable.

Abstract: A connector for affixing a flexible conduit having external helical grooves to an electrical junction box is disclosed. The connector comprises a stamped and formed metallic retaining clip in conjunction with a rigid housing. The clip engages the helical grooves and also establishes contact with a circular hole in one face of the junction box. Both a secure mechanical and electrical connection are established so that the metallic conduit and the metallic junction box can serve as a continuous electrical ground. A straight-through and a right angle version of the connector are disclosed. The retaining clip is mounted in the housing so that the connector snaps into the circular hole and can be removed without damage.

Abstract: Wire-in-slot connecting device comprises a plate-like connector member having an arcuate cross-section and having wire-receiving slot extending inwardly from one end thereof. An insulating housing for the connector member has wire-receiving openings extending therein from one side thereof and has connector member openings extending inwardly from an adjacent side which intersect the wire-receiving openings. The connector member openings have a cross-section which is in the form of a geometric segment, the radius of the arcuate wall thereof conforming to the radius of the connector member.

Abstract: A tap connection for a multi-conductor cable is disclosed. This tap connection uses two standard separate multi-contact connectors. Cable wires connect corresponding terminals in each of the two connectors. A method and apparatus for assembling this tap connector is also disclosed. Pairs of cable wires are simultaneously inserted into corresponding slotted terminals in both connectors.

Abstract: Machine for inserting intermediate portions of wires into a wire-receiving portions of terminals in a two-row multi-contact electrical connector comprises a frame having a connector supporting member extending cantilever fashion from the frame. Wire insertion stations are located on each side of the connector supporting means and have insertion rams for moving the wires laterally of their axes and into the wire-receiving portions of the terminals. The cantilever arrangement of the connector supporting means provides clearance for the wires after they have been inserted into the terminals so that the connector supporting means can be indexed towards the frame so as to position all of the terminals in alignment with inserting rams. A wire stop means is provided at the wire insertion stations which serves to position the wires being inserted in alignment with the inserting rams and to permit movement of the inserted wires past the insertion station during indexing.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a multi-contact connector on a flat, multi-conductor cable comprises a connector supporting means for supporting the connector in a predetermined position and a cable supporting means in surrounding relationship to the connector supporting means. The cable supporting means has a cable supporting surface on which the cable is clamped, the supporting surface being located such that a cable clamped thereon will be adjacent to and directly above terminals extending from a connector supported on the connector supporting surface. Upon applying a force against the cable supporting means, the cable is moved downwardly relative to the connector and the terminals penetrate the cable and establish electrical contact with the conductors therein.