Installation, insulation displacement, and terminating tool
An installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wires and the electrical contact members of the electrical connector.
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The present invention relates generally to an installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector, and more particularly to a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector wherein the power tool is relatively compact in size in order to permit the same to be readily held or grasped by means of an operator's hand, and yet, the tool is powerful enough to develop the needed thrust forces in order to achieve the insertion and electrical connection of the plurality of electrical wires to the plurality of electrical contact blade members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, and wherein further, the power tool is capable of achieving a quick-change replacement of its driven insertion tool assembly so as to enable the power tool to be operatively used in connection with the insertion and electrical connection of a plurality of electrical wires, to a plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within differently configured electrical connectors, or alternatively, to enable the replacement of the cutter blade component of the driven insertion tool assembly when, for example, the cutter blade component becomes worn and dull.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious tools are of course well-known in the PRIOR ART for accomplishing, for example, the insertion of a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to achieve electrical connection of the plurality of electrical wires with a plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within the electrical connector, in accordance with insulation displacement techniques. Such PRIOR ART tools, devices, or implements usually suffer or exhibit operational drawbacks or disadvantages which has necessitated the development of a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques. For example, the PRIOR ART tools are not usually relatively small in size so as to enable the same to be readily held, grasped, or manipulated by means of an operator. Furthermore, when it has been attempted to construct PRIOR ART tools of the aforenoted type such that the tools have in fact been of relatively small size so as to be capable of being readily held, grasped, and manipulated by means of an operator, such tools have usually been unable to develop the sufficiently large thrust forces which are required in order to successfully achieve the insertion and electrical connection of the plurality of electrical wires to the plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within the electrical connector, in accordance with insulation displacement techniques. Still yet further, it has likewise been experienced that in order to, for example, replace the driven insertion tool assembly so as to enable the tool to be operatively used in connection with the insertion and electrical connection of a plurality of electrical wires, to a plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within differently configured electrical connectors, or alternatively, to enable the replacement of the cutter blade component of the driven insertion tool assembly when, for example, the cutter blade component becomes worn and dull, the process required for achieving such replacement of the driven insertion tool assembly within such PRIOR ART tools is quite tedious and time-consuming.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector wherein the tool is relatively compact in size in order to permit the same to be readily held or grasped by means of an operator's hand, and yet, the tool is powerful enough to develop the needed thrust forces in order to achieve the insertion and electrical connection of the plurality of electrical wires to the plurality of electrical contact blade members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, and wherein further, the power tool is capable of achieving a quick-change replacement of its driven insertion tool assembly so as to enable the tool to be operatively used in connection with the insertion and electrical connection of a plurality of electrical wires, to a plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within differently configured electrical connectors, or alternatively, to enable the replacement of the cutter blade component of the driven insertion tool assembly when, for example, the cutter blade component becomes worn and dull.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, wherein the tool effectively overcomes the various operational drawbacks and disadvantages characteristic of the PRIOR ART installation tools and terminating tools.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, wherein the tool is relatively compact in size so as to readily enable the same to be held, grasped, and manipulated by operator personnel.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, wherein the tool is relatively compact in size so as to readily enable the same to be held, grasped, and manipulated by operator personnel, and yet the tool is constructed in such a manner as to be powerful enough to develop a sufficient level of thrust forces which will enable the tool to successfully insert the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and achieve the electrical connection of the plurality of electrical wires to the electrical contact members of the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques.
A last object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, and wherein further, the tool is capable of achieving a quick-change replacement of its driven insertion tool assembly so as to enable the tool to be operatively used in connection with the insertion and electrical connection of a plurality of electrical wires, to a plurality of electrical contact blade members, disposed within differently configured electrical connectors, or alternatively, to enable the replacement of the cutter blade component of the driven insertion tool assembly when, for example, the cutter blade component becomes worn and dull, whereby such replacement operations do not require substantial operational down-time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector so as to electrically connect the plurality of electrical wires to a plurality of electrical contact members disposed within the electrical connector in accordance with insulation displacement techniques, which comprises a base fixture or framework upon which an electrical connector is mounted while the electrical wires are being installed therein, a driven insertion tool set or assembly for actually installing or inserting the electrical wires into the electrical connector such that the electrical wires will be properly electrically connected to the electrical contact members disposed internally within the electrical connector, and an insertion tool driving assembly for driving the insertion tool set or assembly so as to achieve the installation or insertion of the electrical wires into the electrical connector. The driving assembly comprises a three-chamber piston-cylinder driving assembly for developing an enhanced level of thrust forces required to insert the wires into the electrical connector as well as to cause the insulation displacement connection therebetween, and the driven insertion tool set or assembly is fixedly mounted upon a holder mechanism which is removably mounted upon the driving assembly by means of a quick-release mechanism. In a similar manner, the driving assembly and the insertion punch or die set holder are also mounted upon the base fixture or framework by means of a relatively quick installation mechanism which includes a predetermined arrangement of parts for ensuring that the components parts are in fact properly and accurately oriented so as to achieve the installation and wire termination procedure. Means are also provided upon the base fixture or framework for effectively rigidly securing or immobilizing the electrical connector, and still further, an array of electrical connection pins are mounted within a header and are disposed in electrical connection with the contact members of the electrical connector so as to be capable of electrical connection to external testing equipment for testing the electrical integrity of the electrical connections established within the electrical connector as a result of the installation of the electrical wires therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSVarious other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
More particularly, it is seen that the three-chamber pneumatic or air-actuated piston-cylinder assembly 18 comprises a first chamber pneumatic or air cylinder housing section 20, a second chamber pneumatic or air cylinder housing section 22, and a third chamber pneumatic or air cylinder housing section 24. A first divider 26 is fixedly interposed between the lower end of the first chamber cylinder housing section 20 and the upper end of the second chamber cylinder housing section 22 so as to effectively define, along with the first chamber cylinder housing section 20, a first piston chamber 28 within which a first piston member 30 is adapted to be reciprocally disposed, a second divider 32 is fixedly interposed between the lower end of the second chamber cylinder housing section 22 and the upper end of the third chamber cylinder housing section 24 so as to effectively define, along with the second chamber cylinder housing section 22, a second piston chamber 34 within which a second piston member 36 is adapted to be reciprocally disposed, and a mounting plate 38 is fixedly disposed beneath the lower end of the third chamber cylinder housing section 24 so as to effectively define, along with the third chamber cylinder housing section 24, a third piston chamber 40 within which a third piston member 42 is adapted to be reciprocally disposed. The three piston members 30,36,42 are fixedly mounted upon a piston rod 44 which is diametrically stepped at predetermined axial positions so as to respectively define shoulder portions 46, 48,50 upon which the three piston members 30,36,42 are seated, and in this manner, when the three piston members 30,36,42 are caused to be moved vertically downwardly under the influence of the pneumatic or air-driving forces, as will become more apparent hereinafter, the piston rod 44 will be moved downwardly. In a similar manner, the mounting plate 38 is provided with an annular recess or pocket 52 within which the lower end of an annular coil spring 54 is disposed, and it is seen that the upper end of the coil spring 54 is disposed in contact with the undersurface portion of the third piston member 42. In this manner, when the pneumatic or air-driving forces are terminated, the coil spring 54 will force the third piston member 42 vertically upwardly, and the third piston member 42 will cause the piston rod 44 to move vertically upwardly so as to, in turn, cause the first and second piston members 30,36 to move upwardly simultaneously therewith. In order to transmit such vertical forces, as well as to lockingly retain the three piston members 30,36,42 at their seated positions upon the shoulder portions 46,48,50 of the piston rod 44, and still further, in order to lockingly retain the piston rod 44 at its predetermined axial position with respect to the three piston members 30,36,42 so as to effectively prevent the piston rod 44 from moving axially downwardly with respect to the three piston members 30,36,42, annular retainers 56,58,60 are respectively fixedly mounted upon the piston rod 44 at axial positions located immediately above each one of the three piston members 30,36,42.
With additional reference being made to
As best seen in
When the three-chamber piston-cylinder assembly 18 is disposed in its non-actuated state, as disclosed within
As is well-known in connection with actuating or driving piston-cylinder assemblies, when, for example, an actuating fluid impacts upon a first side of a piston, fluid must be simultaneously exhausted from a second opposite side of the piston in order to in fact permit the piston to move. If such were not the case, the piston would in effect be locked in position within the cylinder whereby movement of the piston would not be able to be achieved. Accordingly, exhaust ports or the like must be effectively provided in connection with each one of the piston chambers 28,34,40 in order to permit the respective pistons 30,36,42 to move within the piston chambers 28,34,40. As can therefore be seen from
In a similar manner, as can likewise be appreciated from
Lastly, in connection with the three-chamber piston-cylinder insertion tool driving assembly 18, in order to fixedly secure the mounting plate 38 and the first, second, and third chamber cylinder housing sections 20,22,24 together, a plurality of shoulder bolt fasteners, not shown, are utilized. More particularly, as can best be seen from
In order to complete the construction of the three-chamber piston-cylinder insertion tool driving assembly 18, it is further seen from FIGS. 1,3,9 and 10 that the mounting plate 38 is provided with a vertically oriented central opening or through-bore 108 within which there is disposed a bearing member 110 through which the lower end of the piston rod 44 is guided while undergoing its vertically reciprocal movements. Still further, the mounting plate 38 is provided with a pair of additional vertically oriented through-bores 112,114 within which the upper ends of a pair of vertically oriented guide rods or guide pins 116,118 are respectively disposed. As can best be seen from
As disclosed within
More particularly, as shown in
As can best be seen from
If the handle portion 158 of the quick-release locking pin 154 is now pushed slightly axially inwardly such that the O-ring member 166 is slightly axially compressed, the spring-biased detent button 172 will have passed entirely through the bore 152 and will emerge therefrom upon the opposite rear side of the punch or die set holder 132 so as to effectively engage the rear surface of the punch or die set holder 132. If the handle portion 158 is also substantially simultaneously rotated through an angular displacement of a quarter-turn or 90°, the full diametrical extent of the shaft portion 156 will now be disposed adjacent to the narrow slot portion of the key-shaped hole or aperture 148 formed within the lower end portion of the piston rod 44 so as to effectively prevent the passage back through such narrow slot portion of the key-shaped hole or aperture 148 of the shaft portion 156 of the quick-release locking pin 154. Accordingly, the punch or die set holder 132 is now fixedly disposed in its LOCKED state upon the insertion tool driving assembly 18, and if, when desired, the handle portion 158 of the quick-release locking pin 154 is rotated through an angular displacement of 90° in the reverse direction, the punch or die set holder 132 can be quickly disposed in its RELEASED state with respect to the insertion tool driving assembly 18.
As has been noted hereinbefore, the punch or die set holder 132 is adapted to fixedly mount thereon the set of punches or dies 134 which are to be utilized in connection with the insertion of the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector 14 which is mounted upon the base fixture or framework 12. As can best be seen from
As can additionally be appreciated from
Accordingly, as seen from
With reference now being made to
Continuing still further, it is seen that each one of the upstanding supports 210,212 is further provided with a vertically oriented bore or socket 226,228 into which the lower end portions of the guide rods 116,118, upon which the punch or die set holder 132 is slidably guided in vertically reciprocal modes, are adapted to be disposed as can be appreciated from
More particularly, as can be further appreciated from
In order to dismount or disassemble the entire insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 from the base fixture or framework 12, the aforenoted movements are simply conducted in a reverse order. It can therefore be appreciated that this assembly and disassembly mode of operation of the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 with respect to the base fixture or framework 12 is simpler and easier than if the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 were to be axially inserted into the base fixture of framework 12 because, for example, both of the set screws 234,236 would have to be threadedly engaqed and disengaged with respect to their respective upstanding supports 210,212 each time an insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 was to be mounted upon or dismounted from the base fixture of framework 12. On the other hand, by means of the present invention, the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 only needs to have one end thereof axially inserted within the upstanding support 210 whereupon the assembly 16-18 is then rotated until the other end thereof is angularly latched or locked within the upstanding support 212 so as to achieve the mounting of the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 upon the base fixture or framework 12, and conversely, the assembly 16-18 need only be rotated so as to be unlatched or unlocked from the upstanding support 212 and then axially withdrawn from the upstanding support 210 in order to quickly achieve the dismounting or disassembly of the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 from the base fixture or framework 12.
Continuing further, and in view of the fact that at this point in time, that is, when the insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 has only been mounted upon the base fixture or framework 12 such that the three-chamber insertion tool driving assembly 18 has not as yet been actuated, then the punch or die set holder 132 is disposed at its elevated position with respect to the base fixture or framework 12 upon which the electrical connector 14 is mounted. In order to therefore further ensure that the aforenoted angular positioning of the entire insertion tool section-insertion tool driving assembly 16-18 was properly completed and achieved whereby the array of insertion dies or punches 174 will in fact be properly disposed or aligned with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector 14 so as to in fact properly insert the electrical wires into the electrical connector 14 when the three-chamber insertion tool driving assembly 18 is actuated, an additional safety mechanism is provided upon the insertion tool 10 of the present invention. More particularly, as can be seen from FIGS. 1, 3,20,21, and 23, the upstanding support 210 is provided with an upstanding finger or tooth 248 within a corner region thereof, and as can be seen from
With reference now being made to
In a somewhat similar manner, it is seen that the horizontally projecting central portion 256 of the first support component 252 is provided with a horizontally extending recessed slot 262 within which a first side of an electrical pin header 264 is adapted to be seated as can best be appreciated from
It is additionally seen that the electrical pin header 264 comprises a plurality of vertically oriented pins which are mounted at substantially vertically central regions thereof such that first sections 263 of the pins project above the header 264 while second sections 265 of the pins project below the header 264 as best seen in
In order to in fact secure the first and second support components upon the base fixture or framework 12 so that they can in fact structurally cooperate together, it is further seen that the first support component 252 is provided with a pair of mounting bracket sections 272,274 which extend in opposite directions away from the central slotted region 262, and that each one of the mounting bracket sections 272,274 is respectively provided with a substantially rectangularly configured recessed region or vertically oriented slot 276, 278. In a similar manner, the second support component 268 is provided with a pair of mounting bracket sections 280,282 which extend in opposite directions away from the central slotted region 270, and each one of the mounting bracket sections 280,282 is respectively provided with a substantially rectangularly configured recessed region or vertically oriented slot 284,286. Accordingly, when the first and second support components 252,268 are mated together, the outwardly extending mounting bracket sections 272 and 282 will be disposed together within the slotted or channel portion 218 of the upstanding support 210 while the mounting bracket sections 274 and 280 will be similarly disposed together within the slotted or channel portion 220 of the upstanding support 212. In addition, the vertically oriented slots 276,286 of the mounting bracket sections 272, 282, as well as the vertically oriented slots 278,284 of the mounting bracket sections 274,280, together form substantially square-shaped apertures through which suitable bolt fasteners 288,290, as seen in
In connection with a last unique and novel feature of the tool 10 of the present invention, a cutter blade element 296 is adapted to be pivotally mounted upon the base fixture or framework 12 so as to be disposed immediately adjacent to, and in abutment with, the electrical connector 14 mounted upon the base fixture or framework 12. In this manner, the cutter blade element 296 is disposed in a position which enables the cutter blade element 296 to operatively cooperate with the cutter die or element 176 fixedly mounted upon the punch or die set holder 132 when the punch or die set holder 132 is driven vertically downwardly by means of the three-chamber driving assembly 18 including piston rod 44. More particularly, as can best be seen from
In order to normally maintain the cutter blade element 296 at its operatively cooperative cutting position with respect to the electrical connector 14 and with respect to the cutter die or element 176, the rear surface of the upper blade body portion 298 of the cutter blade element 296 is provided with a recessed region or pocket 324 within which the head 326 of a shoulder bolt 328 is adapted to be disposed as best shown in
In this manner, when an end-type electrical connector 14 is initially inserted or installed upon the base fixture or framework 12, a lowered chamfered portion 344 of the electrical connector 14 can interface or interact with the forwardly projecting knife edge portion 302 of the cutter blade element 296 so as to cause the cutter blade element 296 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in
Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, there has been developed and disclosed a new and improved installation, insulation displacement, and terminating power tool, for inserting electrical wires into, and for electrically connecting the electrical wires to electrical contact members disposed within, an electrical connector, wherein, briefly, the power tool comprises a three-chamber pneumatic driving section for developing an enhanced level of driving force necessary for inserting and terminating the electrical wires into and upon the electrical connector, a quick-release mechanism for mounting a punch or die set holder upon the driving section so as to enable the quick exchange or replacement of the particular punch or die set, a quick insertion system for mounting the driving section-punch or die set holder assembly upon the base fixture or framework, and primary and secondary means for accurately positioning both the electrical connector and an associated pin header upon the base fixture or framework wherein the pin header is also used for integrity verification of the electrical circuits defined between the installed electrical wires and the electrical contact members of the electrical connector.
Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector for mating with a plurality of electrical contact members fixedly mounted within the electrical connector, comprising:
- a base fixture upon which an electrical connector is to be installed;
- an insertion die holder upon which a set of insertion dies is mounted for encountering and forcing the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector;
- a driving assembly for moving said insertion die holder toward said base fixture so as to cause said set of insertion dies mounted upon said insertion die holder to force the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and mate with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector;
- means for fixedly mounting said insertion die holder upon said driving assembly so as to comprise an integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit; and
- means for permitting axial insertion of a first end of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit into a first end of said base fixture and for permitting angular rotation of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit with respect to said base fixture such that a second end of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit engages a second end of said base fixture so as to fixedly mount said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit upon said base fixture.
11. The tool as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for mounting said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit upon said base fixture, comprises:
- a first socket defined within said base fixture;
- a first set screw mounted upon said base fixture and operatively associated with said first socket;
- a second socket defined within said base fixture;
- a second set screw mounted upon said base fixture and operatively associated with said second socket;
- a first guide rod mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit and having structure incorporated thereon for permitting said first guide rod to bypass said first set screw when said first guide rod is axially inserted into said first socket and for engaging said first set screw when said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit is angularly rotated such that said first guide rod is axially retained within said first socket; and
- a second guide rod mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit and having structure incorporated thereon for engaging said second set screw when said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit is angularly rotated such that said second guide rod is axially retained within said first socket.
12. The tool as set forth in claim 11, wherein:
- said first guide rod comprises a flat peripheral portion for axially bypassing said first set screw, and a first annular recessed portion for operatively engaging said first set screw; and
- said second guide rod comprises a second annular recessed portion for operatively engaging said second set screw.
13. The tool as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:
- a detent recess formed within said second guide rod; and
- spring-biased plunger latching means disposed within said second socket for engaging said detent recess of said second guide rod so as to latchingly retain said second guide rod within said second socket at a fully angularly rotated position.
14. The tool as set forth in claim 11, wherein:
- said first guide rod fixedly mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit, and said first socket defined within said base fixture, have first predetermined diametrical extents, and said second guide rod fixedly mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit, and said second socket defined within said base fixture, have second predetermined diametrical extents which are different from said first predetermined diametrical extents of said first guide rod and said first socket such that said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit can only be mounted upon said base fixture in a single predetermined orientation.
15. The tool as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:
- an aperture defined within said insertion die holder at a predetermined angular position; and
- a tooth integrally formed upon said base fixture at a predetermined angular position for insertion within said aperture defined within said insertion die holder so as to ensure that said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit has been rotated to said fully angularly rotated position.
16-20. (canceled)
21. A tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector for mating with a plurality of electrical contact members fixedly mounted within the electrical connector, comprising:
- a base fixture upon which an electrical connector is to be installed;
- an insertion die holder upon which a set of insertion dies and a cutter die are mounted for encountering and forcing the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector;
- a driving assembly for moving said insertion die holder toward said base fixture so as to cause said set of insertion dies mounted upon said insertion die holder to force the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and mate with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector; and
- cutter means movably mounted upon said base fixture for permitting said electrical connector to be mounted upon and removed from said base fixture and for operatively cooperating with said cutter die for severing the electrical wires when an end-type electrical connector is being fabricated.
22. The tool as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:
- trunnion means pivotally mounting said cutter means upon said base fixture.
23. The tool as set forth in claim 21, wherein:
- said cutter means comprises a cutter blade element comprising a substantially arcuate cut-out section for permitting the discharge of severed pieces of the electrical wires so as to prevent the accumulation of severed pieces of the electrical wires and jamming of said tool.
24. The tool as set forth in claim 23, further comprising:
- a cutter blade holder fixedly mounted upon said base fixture; and
- spring biasing means interposed between said cutter 878 blade holder and said cutter blade element for normally biasing said cutter blade element toward said operatively cooperative position with respect to said cutter die.
25. A tool for inserting a plurality of electrical wires into an electrical connector for mating with a plurality of electrical contact members fixedly mounted within the electrical connector, comprising:
- a base fixture upon which an electrical connector is to be installed;
- an insertion die holder upon which a set of insertion dies and a cutter die are mounted for encountering and forcing the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector;
- cutter means movably mounted upon said base fixture for permitting said electrical connector to be mounted upon and removed from said base fixture and for operatively cooperating with said cutter die for severing the electrical wires when an end-type electrical connector is being fabricated;
- a driving assembly for moving said insertion die holder toward said base fixture so as to cause said set of insertion dies mounted upon said insertion die holder to force the plurality of electrical wires into the electrical connector and mate with the electrical contact members of the electrical connector;
- means for fixedly mounting said insertion die holder upon said driving assembly so as to comprise an integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit; and
- means for permitting axial insertion of a first end of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit into a first end of said base fixture and for permitting angular rotation of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit with respect to said base fixture such that a second end of said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit engages a second end of said base fixture so as to fixedly mount said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit upon said base fixture.
26. The tool as set forth in claim 25, wherein said means for mounting said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit upon said base fixture, comprises:
- a first socket defined within said base fixture;
- a first set screw mounted upon said base fixture and operatively associated with said first socket;
- a second socket defined within said base fixture;
- a second set screw mounted upon said base fixture and operatively associated with said second socket;
- a first guide rod mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit and having structure incorporated thereon for permitting said first guide rod to bypass said first set screw when said first guide rod is axially inserted into said first socket and for engaging said first set screw when said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit is angularly rotated such that said first guide rod is axially retained within said first socket; and
- a second guide rod mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit and having structure incorporated thereon for engaging said second set screw when said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit is angularly rotated such that said second guide rod is axially retained within said first socket.
27. The tool as set forth in claim 26, wherein:
- said first guide rod comprises a flat peripheral portion for axially bypassing said first set screw, and a first annular recessed portion for operatively engaging said first set screw; and
- said second guide rod comprises a second annular recessed portion for operatively engaging said second set screw.
28. The tool as set forth in claim 27, further comprising:
- a detent recess formed within said second guide rod; and
- spring-biased plunger latching means disposed within said second socket for engaging said detent recess of said second guide rod so as to latchingly retain said second guide rod within said second socket at a fully angularly rotated position.
29. The tool as set forth in claim 26, wherein:
- said first guide rod fixedly mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit, and said first socket defined within said base fixture, have first predetermined diametrical extents, and said second guide rod fixedly mounted upon said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit, and said second socket defined within said base fixture, have second predetermined diametrical extents which are different from said first predetermined diametrical extents of said first guide rod and said first socket such that said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit can only be mounted upon said base fixture in a single predetermined orientation.
30. The tool as set forth in claim 28, further comprising:
- an aperture defined within said insertion die holder at a predetermined angular position; and
- a tooth integrally formed upon said base fixture at a predetermined angular position for insertion within said aperture defined within said insertion die holder so as to ensure that said integral insertion die holder and driving assembly unit has been rotated to said fully angularly rotated position.
31. The tool as set forth in claim 25, further comprising:
- trunnion means pivotally mounting said cutter means upon said base fixture.
32. The tool as set forth in claim 25, wherein:
- said cutter means comprises a cutter blade element comprising a substantially arcuate cut-out section for permitting the discharge of severed pieces of the electrical wires so as to prevent the accumulation of severed pieces of the electrical wires and jamming of said tool.
33. The tool as set forth in claim 32, further comprising:
- a cutter blade holder fixedly mounted upon said base fixture; and
- spring biasing means interposed between said cutter blade holder and said cutter blade element for normally biasing said cutter blade element toward said operatively cooperative position with respect to said cutter die.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 13, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Anatoly Gosis (Palatine, IL), James Turek (La Grange, IL)
Application Number: 11/580,088
International Classification: B23P 19/00 (20060101);