Abstract: A tool for applying an electrical connector to an electrical cable comprises a pair of jaws relatively pivotable on a pivot axis between closed and a range of open positions. A first one of the jaws has a support surface configured to receive a bottom surface of the connector thereon, with the support surface defining a support plane for the connector. A second one of the jaws defines a nest for the connector, the nest having side walls disposed in respective planes at respective different distances from the pivot axis of the jaws. The side walls are arranged such that when the jaws are in the closed position the respective planes of the side walls are angularly offset from perpendicular to the plane of the support surface, and when the jaws are at some open position, the respective planes of the side walls are perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Abstract: A cable making machine for making and electrically testing a cable assembly is disclosed. The machine includes a test circuit for effecting the electrical tests and a unique probe means for electrically connecting the test circuit to the contacts of the connectors being terminated to the cable. The probe means includes a plurality of relatively thin elongated metal probe members having a substantially rectangular cross section that slide in slots formed in an insulated block. Spring members bias the metal probe members toward the connector contacts. A cam, actuated by the ram of the machine causes the insulated block to move the metal robe members away from the connector contacts during the actual termination operation.

Abstract: A cable making machine for making and electrically testing a cable assembly is disclosed. The machine includes a test circuit for effecting the electrical tests and probe members for electrically connecting the test circuit to the contacts of the connectors being terminated to the cable. Spring members bias the metal probe members toward the connector contacts. A latch is provided for releasably holding the connectors in position within the machine against the outwardly directed force of the spring biased probe members. A visual indicator is also provided that is indicative that the connector is fully seated within the machine prior to terminating the connector to the cable.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for and method of aligning the terminals of a group of connectors in side by side abutting relationship with tooling for terminating wires to the terminals thereof. The group of connectors is placed in a track with the first connector against a stop. A plurality of vertically reciprocal guide blades are arranged adjacent the track and are moved upwardly, one at a time, the first engaging the first connector and positioning it relative to the termination tooling followed by subsequent blades engaging the other connectors. These subsequent engagements occur one at a time in sequential order with increasing distance from the stop. When all connectors are positioned by engaging guide blades, wires are terminated to the connector terminals and the guide blades moved out of engagement so that the completed connector assembly can be removed and the process repeated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for and method of aligning the terminals of a group of connectors in side by side abutting relationship with tooling for terminating wires to the terminals thereof. The group of connectors is placed in a track with the first connector against a stop. A plurality of vertically reciprocal guide blades are arranged adjacent the track and are moved upwardly, one at a time, the first engaging the first connector and positioning it relative to the termination tooling followed by subsequent blades engaging the other connectors. These subsequent engagements occur one at a time in sequential order with increasing distance from the stop. When all connectors are positioned by engaging guide blades, wires are terminated to the connector terminals and the guide blades moved out of engagement so that the completed connector assembly can be removed and the process repeated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ram actuating mechanism in a press for terminating wires, or the like. The actuating mechanism imparts movement to the ram in two distinct portions. An air cylinder or other low pressure linear actuator is utilized to effect the relatively long stroke of the first portion of movement. The second portion of movement, which must overcome relatively high insertion forces but over a relatively short distance is effected by a cam and cam follower arrangement. This permits sufficient clearance between the terminating punch and die when the ram is retracted to pass other wire handling mechanisms while at the same time providing a relatively compact mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus adapted to assist in making electrical wiring harnesses comprised of connectors (12) having passages (14) on given center-to-center spacing and containing terminals (20) terminated to flexible wires (40); the method and apparatus featuring providing tooling to effect wire shear and termination on the given spacing via a spring-loaded wire clamp and wire guide means associated with nesting die (50) and punch (54) tooling whereby the wires are sheared and terminated in a single stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method through which a machine is enabled to feed a preloaded electrical connector (10) on appropriate spacings to allow the termination of individual wires (W) in terminals (13) in the connector through a novel indexing feed finger (120) which is capable of engaging surfaces (A-E) on the connector which are different relative to a constant indexing stroke. The indexing finger includes surfaces (126-132) capable of handling more than one set of dimensions of more than one style of connector without adjustment. The invention further includes a mechanism (180) for bending a scored portion of terminals to effect a later removal of the terminal carrier strips.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors to multi-conductor insulated cables, comprises a table which is movable along a first path past a fixed cable clamp, the table carrying a cable stripper assembly and a connector applicator assembly, which are independently movable on the table along paths perpendicular to the second path. The table and the two assemblies are arranged to be moved cyclically so that first a cable held by the cable clamp has the insulation stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper assembly, whereafter a connector previously fed to the applicator is applied to the end of the cable. The stripper assembly may have cable shield slitting means and the applicator may have cable shield folding back means.

Abstract: An applicator for applying an electrical connector to a cable, comprises a roller having a recess in which is an anvil. The roller can be moved between a first angular position to allow a connector to fall from a connector magazine into the recess and a second angular position in which the anvil is opposite to a crimping die which is actuable to cooperate with the anvil to apply a connector in the recess to the cable.