Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

Abstract: In circuit tester apparatus using one or more carrier elements, each carrier element having one or more first electrical connectors, the combination comprising one or more base sections, one or more second electrical connectors carried by the section or sections and positioned to interfit the one or more first electrical connectors when the element or elements are assembled to the section or sections, at least two of the multiple base sections located for bridging thereof by at least one carrier element. Carrier elements may comprise adapter cards.

Abstract: In circuit tester apparatus using one or more carrier elements, each carrier element having one or more first electrical connectors, the combination comprising one or more base sections, one or more second electrical connectors carried by the section or sections and positioned to interfit the one or more first electrical connectors when the element or elements are assembled to the section or sections, at least two of the multiple base sections located for bridging thereof by at least one carrier element. Carrier elements may comprise adapter cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

Abstract: In circuit tester apparatus using one or more carrier elements, each carrier element having one or more first electrical connectors, the combination comprising one or more base sections, one or more second electrical connectors carried by the section or sections and positioned to interfit the one or more first electrical connectors when the element or elements are assembled to the section or sections, at least two of the multiple base sections located for bridging thereof by at least one carrier element. Carrier elements may comprise adapter cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping sheathing from longitudinally axially extending wire at controllable depth comprising a frame; a carriage on the frame linearly movable longitudinally; wire clamp structure on the carriage for sidewardly clamping the wire sheathing, at a location spaced from the end of the wire advanced past the clamp structure, the clamp structure movable longitudinally by the carriage; a rotating spindle on the frame and blade structure on the spindle and rotatable thereby to rotatably cut into the wire sheathing, the blade structure having cutting edges; structure to control the depth of cutting of the blade structure into the sheathing, and as the spindle rotates; and first drive structure operatively connected with the carriage to carry the wire to longitudinally selected positions at which the blade structure then cuts into the sheathing to controlled depth, the carriage being retractable so that a cut plug of the sheathing is pulled endwise off the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire comprising conveyor structure for displacing the wire endwise, the conveyor structure including first upper and lower endless conveyors engageable with opposite sides of the wire; and first upper and lower assemblies for carrying and controllably driving the conveyors; there being frame structure, including guide structure on which the assemblies are supported and guided for movement toward and away from one another; there being timing belts operatively connected with the assemblies to transmit drive to the conveyors via the assemblies, in different positions of the assemblies associated with the relative movement thereof. Wires of different diameters may be advanced by the conveyors while the same axis of wire travel is maintained.

Abstract: The method of processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feed means and cutter means, the steps that include operating the feed means and cutter means to displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forward section having a rearward end portion; and, the rearward section having a forward end portion, and; stripping sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions; the cutter means including three blade pairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displaced toward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward and forward portions during controlled endwise

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a printing head comprising a plurality of coaxial, rotatable printing wheels, disposed substantially side-by-side and employing printing characters, and a control rotor for controlling the printing wheels and having its axis parallel to that of the printing wheels and positioned to be moved bi-directional to come into engagement with any selected printing wheel and then to be rotated about its axis to rotate the selected printing wheel for bringing into printing position a desired character thereon, comprising mounting structure mounting the control rotor toi) move axially parallel to the axis of the printing wheels,ii) move toward and away from the axis of the printing wheels,iii) rotate as aforesaid; and drive structure to effect the i) movement, the ii) movement and the iii) rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping sheathing from wire at controllable depth, includes:(a) a frame,(b) wire clamp mechanism on the frame for sidewardly clamping the wire sheathing, at a location spaced from the end of the wire advanced past the clamp mechanism,(c) a carriage on the frame linearly movable longitudinally toward and away from the wire clamp mechanism,(d) a rotating spindle on the carriage and structure including a blade or blades on the spindle and rotatable thereby to rotatably cut into the wire sheathing at a location proximate the guide,(e) a wire engaging guide mounted on the carriage independently of the spindle for sidewardly engaging the wire sheathing at a location between the clamp mechanism and the blade structure,(f) a control on the spindle to control the depth of cutting of the blade or blades into the sheathing, and as the spindle rotates,(g) and a drive operatively connected with the carriage to carry the blade or blades to selected positions along the wire and at which the blade or blades t

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping sheathing from wire at controllable depth, includes:(a) a frame,(b) wire clamp mechanism on the frame for sidewardly clamping the wire sheathing, at a location spaced from the end of the wire advanced past the clamp mechanism,(c) a carriage on the frame linearly movable longitudinally toward and away from the wire clamp mechanism,(d) a rotating spindle on the carriage and structure including a blade or blades on the spindle and rotatable thereby to rotatably cut into the wire sheathing at a location proximate the guide,(e) a wire engaging guide mounted on the carriage independently of the spindle for sidewardly engaging the wire sheathing at a location between the clamp mechanism and the blade structure,(f) a control on the spindle to control the depth of cutting of the blade structure into the sheathing, and as the spindle rotates,(g) and a drive operatively connected with the carriage to carry the blade structure to selected positions along the wire and at which the blade structure t

Abstract: Wire stripping apparatus for automatically stripping insulation off a wire core, comprises:(a) a guide forming at least one opening to receive an insulated wire end,(b) at least one wire end sensor for sensing a wire end inserted through that opening, or a selected opening of a group,(c) wire end clamping structure operable in response to said sensing to clamp the insulated wire inserted through said opening,(d) cutter structure operable in response to said sensing to sever a predetermined length of insulation on the insulated wire end inserted through the opening,(e) and carriage structure carrying the sensor and the cutter structure to retract same relatively away from said clamp structure after it has clamped the wire end and after the cutter structure has severed the insulation, thereby to pull a selected length of insulation off the wire core.

Abstract: A wire processing system, comprises:(a) structure to advance a wire of selected cross section generally endwise toward a primary station, the wire having a forward portion,(b) a wire deformer at the primary station to form at least one bend in the advancing wire,(c) a clamp at the primary station to clamp the forward portion of the wire that has passed the deformer,(d) a cutter to sever the wire after a selected length of wire has advanced past the cutter, whereby a wire section of predetermined length is formed,(e) and conveyor apparatus operable to grip the formed wire section and to convey that section along a generally longitudinally extending travel path away from the primary station after the clamp releases the wire, and with at least one end of the formed wire section presented laterally for processing, as for example insulation stripping and attachment of terminals to stripped wire ends.

Abstract: A flexible strand stacker comprises:(a) a conveyor having an elongated endwise traveling stretch onto which the strand is fed to be carried endwise on the stretch,(b) a gripper to grip a trailing portion of the strand as forward extent of the strand is carried endwise on the stretch,(c) structure to effect displacement of the gripper to a position locating the gripped portion of the strand sufficiently out of alignment with the stretch that the strand is progressively pulled sidewardly off the stretch in response to endwise travel of the stretch relative to the strand,(d) and a holder such as a roller is provided to temporarily and locally hold the trailing portion of the strand to the traveling conveyor means stretch to travel therewith; the holder then releases the wire strand and the gripper initially grips the trailing portion of the strand.

Abstract: A flexible strand stacker comprises:(a) a conveyor having an elongated endwise traveling stretch onto which the strand is fed to be carried endwise on the stretch,(b) a gripper to grip a trailing portion of the strand as forward extent of the strand is carried endwise on the stretch,(c) structure to effect displacement of the gripper to a position locating the gripped portion of the strand sufficiently out of alignment with the stretch that the strand is progressively pulled sidewardly off the stretch in response to endwise travel of the stretch relative to the strand,(d) and a holder such as a roller is provided to temporarily and locally hold the trailing portion of the strand to the traveling conveyor means stretch to travel therewith; the holder then releases the wire strand and the gripper initially grips the trailing portion of the strand.

Abstract: Wire section handling apparatus, for use with separately supported wire section terminating means, comprising(a) an arm, structure supporting the arm for pivotal displacement between first and second positions, and means to pivot the arm,(b) a head on the arm including a clamp to grip the wire section when the arm has been pivotally displaced to said first position, so that the wire section may be transported by the arm to said second position,(c) the head having a guide thereon adapted to telescopically interfit a locating guide at said second position, thereby to accurately locate the wire section for termination thereof,(d) an actuator to extend the arm in said second position to effect said telescopic interfit, and position the wire section for termination,(e) whereby the arm may subsequently be retracted and the clamp unclamped, to free the wire from the arm and head.

Abstract: Wire stripping apparatus for automatically stripping insulation off a wire core, comprises:(a) a guide forming at least one opening to receive an insulated wire end,(b) at least one wire end sensor for sensing a wire end inserted through that opening, or a selected opening of a group,(c) wire end clamping structure operable in response to said sensing to clamp the insulated wire inserted through said opening,(d) cutter structure operable in response to said sensing to sever a predetermined length of insulation on the insulated wire end inserted through the opening,(e) and carriage structure carrying the sensor and the cutter structure to retract same relatively away from said clamp structure after it has clamped the wire end and after the cutter structure has severed the insulation, thereby to pull a selected length of insulation off the wire core.

Abstract: Apparatus for the high speed automatic cutting of measured lengths of a multiplicity of materials in which the material is guidingly fed from a supply source centrally of a feed path by a pair of adjustable feed rollers driven by a stepping motor that measures the length of material to be cut in terms of the cumulative steps of the stepping motor, and in which a reciprocable cutter knife is actuated in each cutting operation by a controlled single revolution of a connected drive shaft. A presser member supported for movement with the cutter knife engages the material in advance of the cutting blade and holds the material during cutting. The feed rollers are adjustable to a preset operative position and are spring urged to this position, but are arranged for independent manual movement to a wider separation of the rollers than in the preset position. The urging spring is also adjustable to vary its effective urging force.