Abstract: A system for manufacturing wire harness assemblies is provided. Each wire harness includes a shielded cable having a plurality of insulated conductors therein, with each conductor being terminated at its respective opposed ends and with the terminated ends being mounted in connector housings. The system includes a plurality of pallets that are movable along a conveyor to work stations at which various assembly steps are carried out. A first station is provided for mounting the cables to the pallet, such that the wires at the opposed ends are mounted in fixtures. A second station may selectively deposit drop wires into fixtures on the pallets. A third station trims and strips the ends of the wires and aligns the drop wires with the cable wires. A fourth station sequentially crimps terminals to the ends of the wires, with the pallet being indexable between successive crimps.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing wire harness assemblies is provided. Each wire harness includes a shielded cable having a plurality of insulated conductors therein, with each conductor being terminated at its respective opposed ends and with the terminated ends being mounted in connector housings. The system includes a plurality of pallets that are movable along a conveyor to work stations at which various assembly steps are carried out. A first station is provided for mounting the cables to the pallet, such that the wires at the opposed ends are mounted in fixtures. A second station may selectively deposit drop wires into fixtures on the pallets. A third station trims and strips the ends of the wires and aligns the drop wires with the cable wires. A fourth station sequentially crimps terminals to the ends of the wires, with the pallet being indexable between successive crimps.

Abstract: An electrical terminal structure is provided by a pair of hermaphroditic terminals. In one form of the invention, each terminal is bifurcated to define a pair of elongated semi-cylindrical arms of different diameters defining pairs of elongated spaced edges to provide a four-point contact array. In another form of the invention, a pair of hermaphroditic terminals each are trifurcated to define a central semi-cylindrical arm and two outside arms, combining to provide a six-point contact array.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing slits in wire insulation including a pair of opposed cutting blade assemblies moveable toward the wire to penetrate the wire insulation down to the conductor. The cutting blade assemblies are configured to create one or more sections of the insulation which will completely separate from the wire conductor, or which will be held together remaining in contact with the wire conductor with a small unslit insulation portion.

Abstract: This specification discloses an electrically conductive raceway as used in an prefabricated interior wall panel system with a means for electrically connecting a ground wire directly to a portion of the raceway without the need for separate clips or terminals and the method and apparatus for making same.

Abstract: A wiring harness is disclosed for deploying electrical wires along a wall such as in a modular wall panel system for separating work areas. The wall has an elongate compartment defining a raceway for housing the wires. A first power block is positioned in the raceway at a first location and includes a given number of wires extending therefrom into the raceway. A second power block is positioned in the raceway at a second location longitudinally spaced from the first power block. The second power block has a different number of wires extending therefrom into the raceway toward the first power block. Splicing connectors electrically couple at least some of the wires between the two power blocks.

Abstract: A raceway frame for a curved modular wall panel is made of molded thermoplastic material in order to avoid the expense of secondary forming operations. The frame is generally of an I-shape and is molded in two T-shaped sections which are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding at the contacting bases of the T-sections.

Abstract: A raceway frame for a curved modular wall panel is made of molded thermoplastic material in order to avoid the expense of secondary forming operations. The frame is generally of an I-shape and is molded in two T-shaped sections which are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding at the contacting bases of the T-sections.

Abstract: Circuit transfer apparatus is described for use in transferring from time-responsive control to temperature-responsive control, and vice-versa, in a microwave oven. The low cost, miniaturized apparatus is mounted to the wall of the oven's cooking cavity and is operated from within the cavity by insertion or withdrawal of the cable plug of the heat-sensitive food probe. The probe plug cooperates with insulative elements to activate spring-leaf sheet metal contacts mounted in the housing of the apparatus, to thereby effect the circuit transfer. The housing also serves as mechanical retention means for the probe plug.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for mounting and for connectorizing an electronic switching device containing a heat generating semiconductor to an associated heat sink, wherein the switching device includes a body portion containing the semiconductor, a plurality of leads protruding from the body portion and a metallic heat conductive mounting tab carried by the body portion and protruding in a direction opposite to the leads. The assembly comprises a housing of dielectric material. The housing has a body cavity for receiving the body portion of the switching device and for preventing lateral movement thereof relative to the housing. The depth of the body cavity is slightly greater than the thickness of the body portion of the switching device to receive the complete body portion therein. The housing has a tab cavity for receiving the mounting tab of the switching device, and bias means formed integrally with the tab cavity for biasing the mounting tab outwardly from the housing.

Abstract: A connector for making intimate electrical contact with plural insulated conductors of a flat wire cable which includes plural contacts each having a pair of spaced-apart jaw members with insulation piercing and electrical contact portions extending substantially parallel to and on opposite sides of the axis of an associated conductor. Slots in an inner body portion of the connector hold the contacts in two laterally spaced rows on opposite sides of a central cavity. A rigid bar member inserted into the cavity forces the conductors into engagement with the contacts in both rows to first pierce and continuously strip the insulation adjacent a longitudinal portion of each conductor and then position the stripped conductor adjacent the contact portions which thereafter exert a force normal to and make broad flat surface contact with the conductors.