Abstract: A portable tool for simultaneously terminating a plurality of conductors in a mass termination, insulation displacement connector. The connector is positioned in a connector holder mounted on a wiring board. The tool includes structure for detachably mounting the tool on the connector holder. The tool also includes an insertion assembly which reciprocates relative to the holder for moving the conductors to terminate them in the connector. The mounting structure includes locking structure for locking the tool to the holder only prior to termination of the conductors. Thus the operator is prevented from inadvertently removing the tool from the holder prior to conductor termination.

Abstract: A tool assembly for use with a prime mover, such as a bench press, for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors in a mass terminator connector. The tool assembly includes a pair of supports, at least one of which is adapted for attachment to the prime mover, for reciprocal movement relative to one another. The assembly also includes a conductor insertion die set carried by one of the supports for inserting the conductors into the connector. This die set includes an insertion die corresponding to each terminal element of the connector. Finally, the assembly includes connector holding means carried by the other support for holding the connector in alignment with the die set. The holding means has connector release means for retaining the connector in the holding means and is engageable by the connector and movable by the connector from a retention position to a release position and biased to the retention position.

Abstract: An integral tie strip formed from sheet stock for fastening elongate objects or for closure of containers. The tie including a substantially planar elongated strap having a plurality of raised portions formed on and projecting from the plane of the strap. Joined to the strap is a substantially planar head having a slit which accepts the strap and flexibly accommodates the receipt of the strap and the raised portions upon insertion of the strap into the head but engages the raised portions upon retrograde movement of the strap. Formed on the head is a locking tongue which is positioned to engage the raised portions and ensure that the raised portions cannot pass through the slit upon retrograde movement of the strap.

Abstract: An automatic cable tie installation tool for applying discrete cable ties around bundles of wires or the like where the cable ties are provided to the tool on a continuous ribbon. The automatic tool including a dispenser mechanism that accepts the ribbon of cable ties and provides discrete cable ties therefrom; a tool mechanism that positions the discrete cable tie around the bundle of wire, tensions the tie to a preselected value and severs the tail of the cable tie; and a conveyance mechanism that delivers the cable tie provided by the dispenser mechanism to the tool mechanism.

Abstract: Termination tooling adapted for use with a prime mover, such as a bench press, for terminating a flat cable in a connector of the type having an insulative base and cover with the base carrying a plurality of insulation displacement terminal elements extending toward the cover. The tooling includes a termination die and holding means for positioning the connector with respect to the termination die. The prime mover is connected to cause the die and the holding means to undergo reciprocal movement relative to one another. The tooling also includes stop means disposed adjacent one side of a connector positioned in the holding means for engaging the leading end of a flat cable. Cable movement means is provided for moving the leading end of the cable a predetermined distance away from the stop toward the connector prior to termination of the connector.

Abstract: A tool for applying an elongate connector to a plurality of insulated conductors. The connector includes a base and a cover with the base having a plurality of insulation displacement terminal elements extending toward the cover. The base and cover are joined by interconnection means for holding the connector in an insertion position for receiving the conductors. The base and cover are movable from the insertion position to a connector termination position in which the elements engage the conductors. The tool includes a die for moving the connector to its termination position, holding means for positioning the connector with respect to the die and prime mover means connected to cause the die and a component of the holding means to undergo reciprocal movement relative to one another. The holding means includes stop means positioned to engage the connector when it is in its insertion position.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a wire harness, the invention comprises several steps. The connectors are positioned at desired locations at a first station. Then wires in lengths dictated by the dimensions of the finished harness are run between predetermined terminal element locations at the connectors. The various wires are fixed in the respective holding means associated with the predetermined terminal element locations so that prior to electrical termination of the wires, the partially completed harness can be moved to a station remote from the first station with the wires maintained relative to the entrances of their corresponding wire-receiving slots.

Abstract: Apparatus for insulating a connector, mechanically joined to one end of an electrical conductor, by positioning a radially expandable resilient insulating sleeve, having an inside diameter in its non-expanded condition smaller than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the connector, about the connector. The connector includes one end portion mechanically joined to the conductor and a terminal end portion for connection to another electrical component. The apparatus of the present invention includes expansion means for expanding the sleeve sufficiently to receive the connector and holding means for maintaining the sleeve in its expanded condition and for permitting the connector to be received, terminal end portion first, into the expanded sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mechanically joining a plurality of wires to a plurality of other electrical components and for providing low resistance electrical paths between predetermined ones of the plurality of wires and preselected ones of the plurality of other electrical components. The connector includes an insulative housing having a front wall, a back wall and a plurality of spaced barrier walls extending between the front wall and back wall to define an array of cavities extending through the housing. The connector also includes a plurality of metallic terminal elements each of which has a wire terminating portion and a portion for receiving another electrical component with one terminal element preloaded into each of the housing cavities prior to wiring of the connector.

Abstract: A combination of a cable tie mount and a cable tie for forming a plurality of wires into a bundle and for mounting the bundle on a support surface. The tie includes an elongate strap and a locking head joined to one end of the strap for receiving the free end of the strap to encircle the wires. The mount has a base adapted to be secured to the support surface. The tie and mount have components comprising means for securely holding the tie to the mount prior to the locking head receiving the free end of the strap. No part of the mount is encircled with the bundle by the strap and the locking head whereby the mount, securely holding the tie, can be secured to the support surface prior to association of the wires with the tie and whereby the shape of the bundle is not distorted due to the presence of components of the mount being included with the bundle.

Abstract: A one-piece molded thermoplastic cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects into a bundle of generally circular cross-section and for compressively holding a pair of objects in engagement. The tie includes an elongate strap including elongate side rails joined by a thin web with the rails and web substantially symmetrical about a first plane intersecting the rails and web and also substantially symmetrical about a second plane normal to the first and intersecting only the web. A plurality of spaced teeth are disposed on one surface of the web.A locking head joined to the strap includes an abutment wall, strap entry and exit faces, an aperture extending between the faces, and a locking pawl which in its as-molded position, extends into the aperture and toward the abutment wall and strap exit face.

Abstract: A self-stripping connector is disclosed wherein a pair of channels are disposed in a unitary insulating body having a base portion and cover portion hingedly secured together. The walls of the insulating body define an aperture extending transversely of and intersecting each of the channels and provide a guide surface for a contact element positioned in the aperture for making positive electrical connection to a pair of wires disposed in the channels. The contact element has a first surface defining an outer boundary that is in contact with the guide surface at points spaced on the boundary lying in more than a single plane and is configured so as to be substantially supported against tipping by the insulating body prior to, and during, engagement with the wires.

Abstract: A clamp for holding a pair of elongate objects such as hoses in spaced, generally parallel relationship. The clamp includes a first elongate flexible strap for engaging one of the objects and a second elongate flexible strap for engaging the other object. The clamp also includes a locking head disposed intermediate the straps for receiving the second strap. The locking head includes locking means for holding the second strap after it has been threaded into the locking head and the first strap carries an apertured frame adjacent its free end. After the first strap has been positioned to partially encompass one of the objects, the second strap can be positioned to partially encircle the other object and the free end of the second strap threaded into the frame, between the objects, and into the locking head thereby holding the objects in spaced, generally parallel relationship.

Abstract: An automatic cable tie installation tool for assembling a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprises a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from the tool member adapted to receive a cartridge containing a plurality of cable ties therein, and a conveyer member interconnecting the tool member and dispenser member. The dispenser member includes release means for releasing restraining means on the cartridge to permit egress of the cable ties contained in the cartridge, and transfer means for transmitting the cable ties into the conveyer member where the cable ties are transmitted to the tool member. The tool member comprises receiving means for receiving a cable tie from the dispenser, positioning means for positioning the cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires, and severing means for cutting the tail of the cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires.

Abstract: An integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an abutment wall and an end wall and an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a ledge extending from the end wall, and a pawl pivotally mounted on and integral with the ledge within the opening and having a set of teeth shaped complementary to the row of teeth and defining with the end wall a strap-receiving throat inclined to the longitudinal axis of the strap as molded, the abutment wall having a plurality of strap-gripping projections thereon extending toward the pawl.

Abstract: An integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an abutment wall and an end wall and an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening therethrough, a ledge on the end wall extending toward the abutment wall, and a pawl pivotally mounted on and integral with the ledge within the opening end having a set of teeth thereon shaped complementary to the row of teeth.

Abstract: An automatic cable tie installation tool for assembling a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like comprises a tool member, a dispenser member spaced from the tool member adapted to receive a cartridge containing a plurality of cable ties therein, and a conveyer member interconnecting the tool member and dispenser member. The dispenser member includes release means for releasing restraining means on the cartridge to permit egress of the cable ties contained in the cartridge, and transfer means for transmitting the cable ties into the conveyer member where the cable ties are transmitted to the tool member. The tool member comprises receiving means for receiving a cable tie from the dispenser, positioning means for positioning the cable tie in a closed loop about the bundle of wires, tensioning means for tensioning the cable tie about the bundle of wires, and severing means for cutting the tail of the cable tie once it has been tensioned about the bundle of wires.