Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound helically in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels, while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: A modular plug especially suited for terminating electrical cords in which the conductors are disposed in a generally non-planar array includes a plastic housing with at least two tiers of conductor-receiving cells and a plurality of terminal-receiving openings associated with the cells. Each opening includes a slot extending parallel to and communicating with the associated cell. The length of each slot is exposed to an exterior surface of the housing. A terminal is inserted partially into each opening with portions of the housing which define the opening being in compressive engagement with edge surfaces of the terminal to support the terminal against unintended movement. An assembler removes a plastic jacket from an end portion of a cord and inserts each insulated conductor into a predetermined one of the cells. Then the assembler actuates a tool to anchor the plug to the cord and to sever excess lengths of the conductors.

Abstract: A cord terminating plug includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing with a free end and a cord input end which opens to a cavity and with provisions for preventing ingress of moisture and other contaminants. A cord jacket anchoring member disposed within a well is formed integrally of the housing through a connecting hinge oriented toward the free end and a frangible portion oriented inward the cord-input end. The anchoring member has two intersecting externally facing surfaces with one of the surfaces having a stop formed thereon. Forces are applied to the anchoring member to disconnect it from the housing through the frangible portion and move it pivotally into clamping engagement with the cord jacket.

Abstract: A plug for terminating a cord in the field includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing having a cord-input aperture, internal surfaces defining a cavity for receiving an end portion of the cord, jacket and conductor anchoring members, and facilities for supporting terminals in a partially seated position in terminal-receiving openings in the housing. The terminals have internal contacting portions for engaging cord conductors and external contacting portions for engaging electrically associated components of a telephone apparatus when the plug is inserted thereinto. The temporary terminal support facilities include webs formed integrally with the housing. Portions of the terminals are embedded in the webs while portions of the webs are reformed into clamping engagement with other portions of the terminals during the partial insertion of the terminals.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: A plug for terminating a cord includes an unipartite, non-hinged, dielectric housing with a free end and a cord-input aperture in the other end and with internal surfaces defining a cavity. A jacket anchoring member is formed integrally of the housing and has a surface which protrudes into the cavity slightly beyond the adjacent surface of a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input aperture when the anchoring member is in an initial position. Forces are applied to the anchoring member to partially disconnect it from the housing and move it into an actuated position with substantially all of the protruding surface in clamping engagement with the jacket and with a portion of another surface of the anchoring member into locking engagement with a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input end of the housing. Another portion formed integrally with the housing is reformed into a strain relief element in engagement with the conductors.