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: 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.

Abstract: Clamp for use with an apparatus which connects insulated wires of an electrical cable to a multi-row electrical connector by incrementally moving a connector holder relative to a stationary wire insertion mechanism. The clamp is pivotably linked by a pair of arms to one end of a slide which has a holder for the electrical connector at the other end, so that incremental movement of the holder causes corresponding incremental movement of the clamp. The clamp position is adjustable to orient the cable either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of movement of connector holder, and the clamp moves either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of movement, so that the cable projects either perpendicular or parallel to the connector when all the wires are connected.

Abstract: Optical waveguide terminating apparatus applies a pair of plug members of the type having metal retention sleeves therein to cut and strip the ends of a jacketed optical waveguide cable. Plug members are delivered to a insertion station attached to a metal carrier strip and are clamped securely between an anvil and an upper clamp which move together vertically under the action of followers riding in cam slots in a moving cam block, which also determines movement of other components. Cable is positioned relative to insertion station by aligning exposed fibers in narrow channels in top of shear bar which drops to remove carrier strip and positions cable guide channels in cable feed path. A pair of cam actuated jaws grip the cable and advance the ends toward the terminating station; the guides drop away during this advance to permit the jaws to fully insert the cable ends in the plug member.

Abstract: Apparatus 50 for splicing a pair of optical waveguides 32,34 in a splice 5 having three cylindrical rods 2 in a tubular plastic body 12 having a profiled surface 20 which is radially compressed by crimping collars 26. Apparatus 50 has holders 96,96' which hold body 12 stationary and clamping pins 106,106' activated by clamping levers 102,102' to hold waveguides 32,34 stationary while crimpers 90,90' are moved together by rotating handle 65'. Clamping slide 114 and clamp 116 travel on rods 115,117 a limited distance useful in placing the waveguide ends in the center of the splice 5 prior to moving the crimping collars 26.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pre-assembling a connector housing, which is pre-loaded with a plurality of terminals, with a respective connector cover and subsequently applying the pre-assembled connector to terminate a multi-conductor flat cable. The pre-loaded connector housings and the covers are separately fed to the apparatus by magazines. Each cover is positioned with respect to a housing and applied thereto with the assembly thereafter being rotated and moved to a termination station where a multi-conductor flat cable is terminated by the connector. The feed arrangement assures that only a single cover and connector will be fed from the respective magazines for each pre-assembly operation thereby obviating the possibility of jamming.

Abstract: Terminating apparatus for flat multi-conductor cable comprises a gravity discharge magazine which dispenses connector having a cover partially assembled to a housing preloaded with terminals at a delivery station. A carriage which reciprocates transversely beneath the magazine transports the connector from the delivery station to a terminating station where the cable is inserted between the cover and housing from the opposite direction. A ram presses the housing against the cover to terminate the cable in the terminals while the carriage holds the connector at the terminating station and a clamp holds the cable in a guide channel which aligns the cable for termination.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying pre-split wires of a multi-conductor cable into a predetermined coplanar array comprises a guide plate with a recess therein and a lid which closes thereagainst. Side by side wires are pushed into a wire receiving opening of the recess and are gathered into a strait therein and splayed into channels which align the wires for termination to terminals at insertion stations where the channels open on the end of the plate. An insertion ram pushes the leading ends of the wires downward into the terminals while the guide plate pivots downward against the action of a spring. A wire catch is provided to prevent reverse movement of wires in the channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for joining a cap and base to form a modular telephone plug and terminating the wires therein. The machine includes mechanisms for advancing the strip-mounted cap to the work area, severing it from the strip, clamping and dressing the wires across the cap, means for placing the base onto the cap and welding the two together, mechanism for clamping the welded plug while other mechanisms trim the ends of the wires protruding from the front of the plug and fully insert terminals which had been partially inserted into the cap.