Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting a group of insulated conductors to a cross-connect connector in which the connector is held in an assembly station and a plurality of conductor insertion tools slidably mounted in side-by-side relationship are moved in sequence to insert the conductors sequentially into terminals of the connector. In a preferred arrangement, alternate conductors are inserted into associated terminals sequentially in one direction along the connector and the other conductors are then inserted into their terminals sequentially in the opposite direction along the connector.

Abstract: An improved machine for applying electrical connectors to electrically conductive cable, such as multi-conductor flat cable. The machine includes a pair of opposed tool members, each of which include a shelf-like recess for receiving a connector portion. The cable is positioned between the tool members which are advanced toward each other for staking the connector body portion to the cable and receiving the connector cap to the connector body, and thus securing the connector to the cable.In each tool member the shelf-like recess is formed from a shelf which is slidably mounted to the tool member and biased to an outward position. When the shelf engages the cable and other tool member, it retracts and the tool member urges the connector onto the cable. Upon retraction of the tool member, the shelf is biased to its extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a terminal onto a stripped end of a wire lead, including an anvil positioned on a frame, and a movable die mounted on a shuttle on the frame so as to be reciprocally vertically slidable thereon. The die is positioned so as to align with the anvil in the indicated direction, and generally so that the die impacts on a terminal held on the upper surface of the anvil. An actuator, such as a shaft having an eccentrically mounted crankpin, is adapted to impart reciprocating motion to the die along said predetermined direction via a link having a variable length connected between the shuttle and the actuator. This link includes an adjusting bolt for adjusting the length of said link means during setup of the apparatus, and a stepped spacer for quickly and easily adjusting the length of the link between runs.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for applying electrical connector sections to a flat multiconductor cable. The apparatus includes a multiconductor cable, and a connector station which includes two connector applying sections. Each section includes a connector supplying magazine or feed for delivering a connector section from the supply magazine to tooling which receives the connector section. Air cylinders advance the tooling to the cable for securement of the connectors thereto and retract the tooling from the connector receiving position.

Abstract: The improvements relate to devices for applying terminals and the like to the ends of filiform bodies such as conductors, lengths of elastic material and other articles. For feeding the metal strip, formed from an interconnected succession of terminals or the like, and for rhythmically moving it into the position in which a terminal is applied to the filiform body and detached from the rest of the strip, the invention provides a pawl, which for this purpose engages the terminal, and is hinged to one end of a lever and subjected to the moment produced by a spring. The lever can rotate about an adjustable point between its ends. At its other end, the lever is hinged to a straight pin adjustably mounted in a guide member. This member is slidably mounted in the frame of the device and carries a roller.

Abstract: Tooling to apply an SDL connector to a cable containing a plurality of conductors contains at least a contact-engaging die surface to apply contacts to said conductors. The die surface is on a crimping plate which is secured to the tooling against a main body member and is incrementally movable vertically by the user of the tooling through a range of adjustment positions to adjust the height of the die surface which results in an adjusted height of the contacts after application. The crimping plate is movable by a plate-moving means such as a wedge member having a slightly sloping bearing surface where the wedge member is moved horizontally atop the main body member by an adjustment screw, for instance. The tooling can be secured in a handtool, or a pneumatic bench machine, or a semiautomatic applicator apparatus as desired.

Abstract: A crimping die apparatus for crimping an electric terminal upon the end of an electrical conductor and severing the terminal from a carrier strip during the crimping operation by means of a cutter driven in its severing action by crimping action of the die is provided with conductor or wire locating fingers opened and closed by motion of the die. The fingers are operable to grip the conductor closely adjacent the plane of action of the cutter and actuation of the cutter is accomplished by the fingers as the fingers align the conductor with the terminal which is to be crimped about the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying end portions of an insulated signal wire and ground wires juxtaposed therewith, to locate said wire end portions in respective wire receiving channels of electrical contacts on opposite sides of an insulating electrical connector body, comprises means for combing out the wire end portions into parallel relationship, means for pushing back the insulation from the end portion of the signal wire and for splaying the wire end portions in opposite directions to locate them so as to straddle the connector body and means for wiping each wire end portion into a respective one of the wire receiving channels.

Abstract: A tool for manually terminating conductors of multiconductor cable into termination sections of electrical connectors. The tool terminates two wires simultaneously into two parallel opposed terminals, and automatically indexes the connector to align the insertion mechanism with the next termination sections of the connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for making electrical harnesses including wires and electrical connectors, the apparatus comprising a wire feed path extending and substantially horizontally and axially of the apparatus; a connector attaching device comprising a cooperating assembling punch and die pair disposed on respective sides of the wire feed path, and a wire cutting blade located adjacent to the punch and die pair; a connector supplying device for supplying the connectors to the assembling die; a first chuck reciprocally movable along the wire feed path for pulling out the wires in its advancing movement for a distance corresponding to a desired length of the electrical harness; a second chuck for holding the supplied wires laterally at equal intervals, and guiding the same to the connector attaching device along the wire feed path, the second chuck reciprocally movable in a small range during which movement to align the top ends of the wires; an insulation covering stripping device mounted on the second chuck; whereby, upon

Abstract: Electrically conductive wires, to be connected to multiple terminal connectors and assembled in a wire harness, are prepared for harness assembly by winding individual wires on a reel, cutting each wire to length with both ends of the wire protruding in aligned but opposite directions from the reel, transporting the reel and wound wire by grasping the protruding ends in conveyor mounted clamps, and presenting the wire ends to stripping and terminal attachment machines as the conveyor carries the reel mounted wire. Each piece of wire remains on its individual reel for storage and handling of stacks of reels, and for manipulation of the wire during its placement in a wire harness.

Abstract: An insulation covering stripping device for use in combination with automatic apparatus for manufacturing electrical harnesses, the device being included in a moving chuck for pulling out the insulation clad wires to a desired length so that the insulation covering stripping is carried out as the same time as when the lengths of the wires are measured, thereby shortening the operation time of manufacturing electrical harnesses.

Abstract: Termination of flat cable is effected with connectors fed individually from a reel having a wound substrate with connectors releasably secured thereto. The connectors are seated in a crimping device and elongate such cable is fed to the crimping device along the cable longitudinal axis. Cable guide and registration apparatus is also disclosed, as is a control system.

Abstract: Wire section handling apparatus, for use with separately supported wire section terminating means, comprising(a) an arm, structure supporting the arm for pivotal displacement between first and second positions, and means to pivot the arm,(b) a head on the arm including a clamp to grip the wire section when the arm has been pivotally displaced to said first position, so that the wire section may be transported by the arm to said second position,(c) the head having a guide thereon adapted to telescopically interfit a locating guide at said second position, thereby to accurately locate the wire section for termination thereof,(d) an actuator to extend the arm in said second position to effect said telescopic interfit, and position the wire section for termination,(e) whereby the arm may subsequently be retracted and the clamp unclamped, to free the wire from the arm and head.

Abstract: Apparatus for crimping electric terminals on electric conductors is disclosed which includes a locator arm operable upon initial actuation of the crimping die to accurately locate the terminal relative to the die before the terminal is engaged with the crimping elements of the die. The apparatus also includes a stripper member operable during the initial stage of retraction of the die to strip the crimped terminal from the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables. An improved installation station including the apparatus includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions and a transport station to sequentially move the connectors from the magazines to the installation station. The installation station includes a surface for retaining cables in a horizontal plane and a press having an avil and ram for coupling connector portions to the cable and to each other. The installation station also includes means to retain connector portions on the ram during the coupling.

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: An apparatus for automatically crimping terminals to electric wires by a cooperation between a pressing punch driven through a press ram and a stationary anvil. The apparatus has a crimp height adjusting mechanism which includes a tapered spacer movable perpendicularly to the press ram, a stopper member having a complementary tapered surface and slidably placed on the tapered spacer so as to be able to move only vertically as the tapered spacer is moved. The stopper member has an upper surface adapted to be contacted by a portion of the press ram thereby determining the stroke end of the press ram. The tapered spacer is slidingly moved in a controlled manner by an electric motor, so that the heightwise position of the stopper member is changed to allow a delicate adjustment of the lower stroke end of the press ram. In consequence, the crimp height is automatically adjusted minutely in accordance with the diameter of the electric wire to be processed.

Abstract: In an assembly for connecting electrical connectors to flat multi-conductor cable, an arm of a robot is provided with a connector transfer nest into which a connector can be fed at a connector feed station, for transfer by the robot to a press through which the cable has been fed. The nest is inserted into the press by the robot so that the cable extends through the nest and the press is then operated to actuate means in the nest to force conductor receiving portions of terminals in the connector through the cable to receive the cable conductors. The robot is then operated to withdraw the nest from the press leaving the connector on the cable and the cable is fed forward to allow the robot to apply a further connector thereto and so on. Means may be provided for severing the cable with the connectors thereon to provide separate electrical harnesses.

Abstract: A hand tool of generally known kind and having a reciprocable ram mounted in a tool frame which defines a guideway for a connector extending transversely of the ram path. The ram has a wire pusher adapted to push a wire into a contact in the connector and the connector is stepped across the ram path so that on successive ram strokes wires can be inserted into respective contacts. Reversible indexing structure is provided comprising an index wheel (33) driven on withdrawal of the tool ram through a lost motion coupling (34) and a fork arm (54). The wheel (33) engages pitch pins (10) and precise indexing is controlled by a register pin (38) on a spring lever (39). A moveable slide (49) selectively engages the fork with opposite sides of wheel (33) to effect indexing in opposite senses.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables including an improved transport station for transporting connectors from a magazine to an installing station supporting a flat conductor cable. The transport means includes rotatable reorientation means to reorient connector portions at the magazines from vertical orientation to horizontal orientations at an intermediate location. The transport station also includes apparatus to retain connector portions on the reorientation means during transportation and also includes pushers to move the connector portions from the intermediate locations to the installation stations.

Abstract: An electrical connector transfer nest for use in transferring an electrical connector from a connector pick-up station to a work station, comprises a frame in which are slidably mounted, a pair of plungers, one of these having means for releasably retaining a connector thereon. The nest is arranged to receive a flat cable between the plungers, so that by moving the plungers towards one another, against the action of a return spring, conductor receiving portions of terminals of the connector can be forced through the cable to receive the conductors. Means are provided for releasing the connector from the nest, after it has been terminated to the cable and as the plungers are moved apart by the return spring. The other plunger may be arranged, releasably to receive, a cover for the connector, the cover having means for stuffing the cable conductors into the wire receiving portions of the terminals.

Abstract: A tool for automatically assembling electrical terminals with a box insulator comprising a piston-activated jaws assembly for securing a wire in place in a work station so that press-driven tools can crimp the wire to a metal connector, after which a piston-activated slide forces an insulated box over the metal connector and its crimped connection thereby completing the assembly.

Abstract: A machine cuts elongated wire segments from a continuous wire strand. A belt type conveyor conveys each segment in incremental steps along a path, with the axis of each segment transverse thereto. The conveyor initially grips a segment near one end and presents it to a first terminal attachment machine on one side of the conveyor where a first terminal is attached. Then, separator devices cause the conveyor to temporarily release its grip on the wire segment to allow wire shifter devices, first, to axially shift the wire segment very rapidly a great distance so that the conveyor can regrip the wire segment near its other end and, secondly, to axially shift the wire segment slowly for a short distance to precisely position its opposite end in final position wherein a second terminal attachment machine on the other side of the conveyor attaches a second terminal to the opposite end. A control system comprises sensors for determining when the wire segment has been moved by the wire shifters.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a wire into a wire-receiving slot of a terminal and simultaneously crimping a U-shaped strain relief portion of the terminal onto the wire comprises a ram made up of a tool holder portion and a force transmitting portion. A crimping die and an inserter are mounted on the tool holder portion to crimp and insert during the stroke of the ram. A spring is mounted between the force transmitting portion and the tool holder portion and is preloaded to the extent that it will be compressed when a force F is exceeded, this force being the force required to crimp the strain relief portion of the terminal onto the wire. An actuator is provided which applies the required force to the force transmitting portion of the ram. The apparatus can be used to crimp and insert wires within a range of diameters.

Abstract: A hand held splicing gun for splicing together exposed portions of a number of wires. The gun includes a frame and a trigger actuated valve that routes compressed air to two drive cylinders mounted to the frame. A first cylinder drives a pair of forming bars against a strip of splicing material. Working in conjunction with a shear block and a forming post, the bars first shear a band from the splicing material and then bend the band into a U-shape about the wires. The second drive cylinder drives a crimping bar against the band, causing the band to bend around the wires, securing them together.

Abstract: In a method of, and apparatus for, mating an insulating housing of an electrical connector and a cover for the housing, to terminate an electrical conductor inserted between the housing and the cover, to an electrical terminal in the housing, the leading connector of a row of connectors fed towards a support, is positioned on the support, the conductor is inserted between the cover and the connector and a terminating punch is applied to the cover to mate it with the housing. The connectors of the row are detachably joined together in the form of a strip and a column of covers is also fed in the direction of the support to position the leading cover of the column between the punch and the support. When the housing of the leading connector has been mated with the leading cover, the leading connector and the next following connector of the strip are relatively displaced to detach the leading connector from the strip.

Abstract: In interconnecting an electrical wire to a conductive terminal having wire receiving slots therein arranged in intersecting disposition, the wire is indexed to the tool and then to the terminal. The wire is located into the slots, without making connection thereto, by applying a light force transversely thereto by a wire pushing element. The connection is made by forcibly inserting the wires into the slots by the pushing element that is configured with a plurality of intersecting splines or vanes to engage the wires and enter the slots within their boundaries during insertion. Such entering of the slots by the splines on the pushing element provides a uniform force application and a full seating of the wires deeply into the slots along a wire length greater than its diameter such that the wires are deformed and wedged tightly in the bottom of the slots.

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: A device for electrically connecting a cylindrical conductor, of the kind comprising at least one fork whose members each have a cutting edge, the conductor to be connected being forced in and gripped between such cutting edges, wherein each member of the fork is prolonged by an arm, the device also comprising a member for inserting and extracting the conductor to be connected, such member having a shape such that it can move the ends of the arms away from one another when the conductor is introduced and keep them apart to a distance such that the distance apart of the cutting edges at the level of the conductor is slightly less than its diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors onto multiconductor electrical cable, the cable being a jacketed cable, comprises a table movable in opposite directions along two mutually perpendicular paths relative to a cable gripper mechanism, the table carrying a cable stripper mechanism and a press with a device for feeding a strip of connectors to the press. The table is arranged to move cyclically in such a way that, first, a cable held by the gripper mechanism has the jacket stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper mechanism, whereafter the leading connector of the strip is held in the press and moved onto the end of the cable and is connected thereto by the press.

Abstract: A method of crimping contact wires (24) into a holder (26) of a brush contact (24) in which a converging series of indentors (16) each having a Vee-shaped tip (72) are advanced into the holder by a cam sleeve (30) engaging cam surfaces (18) on each indentor, to form valley-shaped crimp recess (78) forcing the holder material between adjacent pairs of contact wires (24), which arrange themselves in a symmetrical pattern during the crimping. A series of flats (70) are also formed on the holder (26) end to tightly bundle the contact wires (24) projecting from the holder (26). The indentors (16) and holder (26) are mounted in a nest (14) during the crimping process.

Abstract: A first embodiment of an assembly fixture for locating an electrical connector and a cable with respect to each other for assembly includes adjustable connector locating guides mounted on a base plate and adjustable cable guides mounted on a spring-loaded tiltable cable platform spaced above the base plate. As the cable is forced downwardly into the connector, the cable platform tilts to accommodate the relative motion of the cable with respect to the fixture. After the cable is assembled to the connector, the cable platform returns to its normal horizontal position, partially removing the connector from the connector locating guides. A second embodiment of an assembly fixture includes a connector support which has spaced lands which support the entire area of the connector to prevent breakage of the connector during assembly.

Abstract: A belt type conveyor is provided for conveying segments of wire cut from a continuous strand by a cutting machine to other wire processing machines, such as terminal attachment machines or the like. The conveyor comprises a pair of endless flexible belts supported one above the other by pulleys and guide rails so that the upper flight in the lower belt closely confronts the lower flight in the upper belt whereby wire segments entrapped between the flights are movable along the path of travel of the confronting flights. Each wire segment is disposed so that its axis is perpendicular to the path of travel of the flights and the ends of the segment extend beyond the sides of the flights so as to be accessible to the processing machines. A drive mechanism drives the confronting flights in steps or increments in the same direction and at the same speed. The belts and guide rails are constructed so that the confronting flights are biased toward each other to ensure a firm grip on the wire segments.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying wire joints, of the type having a crimpable metallic ferrule, to the ends of wires. The apparatus includes a feeder for holding a supply of the joints, a tool for applying the joints to be crimped, and a conveyor interconnecting the feeder and the tool for conveying the joints in series. The tool has a crimping station and first and second crimping members which are movable between an open position and a crimping position for applying a joint held at the crimping station. The tool also includes a wire joint advance mechanism responsive to the crimping members moving toward their open position to advance the next upstream wire joint to the crimping station thereby ejecting the wire joint applied to the wires.As a method, the present invention includes the steps of moving a wire joint from a loading station to the crimping station as the crimping members move to their open position.

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 tool and method are disclosed for terminating an electrical conductor to a contact member premounted in an electrical connector or the like, wherein the contact member has a terminal portion with a pair of spaced conductor engaging elements. The conductor is inserted into the contact member to seat the conductor within the terminal portion and make electrical engagement between the conductor and the spaced engaging elements. Simultaneously with the insertion of the conductor, sidewall portions of the contact member between the conductor engaging elements are crimped onto the conductor to mechanically retain the conductor in electrical engagement with the contact member. The novel tool includes a pair of crimping curved surface portions for shearing wall portions of the contact sidewalls between the conductor engaging elements and holding the sheared wall portions onto the conductor, with the surface portions intersecting along a common edge portion.

Abstract: A tool for connecting a cable, particularly a flat cable, to a cable connector, particularly to a flat cable connector or the like. The known termination tools often have relatively complicated adjusting mechanisms for centering the cable connector in relation to the center of the press and for adjusting the working height for the various types of connectors. Finally, with the known tools, there is no possibility of visually monitoring the alignment of the cable conductors with the terminals during the mounting process. The present tool permits a cable connector, regardless of its total length or the number of contacts, to be automatically positioned precisely under the center of the press die by the action of pairs of symmetrically positioned ribs having sloping engagement surfaces. The tool also permits the vertical positioning of cable connectors of different total structural heights by simply reversing the orientation of the connector support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an insulated wire. A long continuous wire coated with insulation covering is paid out intermittently, fed by a predetermined amount, clamped and cut into short wires with their opposite ends are stripped automatically. The method is performed by a device comprising a wire measuring section including a pair of measuring rollers to hold the wire and pay it out intermittently by a predetermined amount, a wire feeding section having a pinch rollers to feed the paid-out wire similarly by a predetermined amount, a wire cutting section having a wire cutter and a pair of insulator cutters, and a wire holding and transferring section to transfer cut-off short wires for final treatment.

Abstract: Retractile cords disposed in a U-shaped configuration are arranged about the periphery of a turntable with the ends of each cord adjacent to the peripheral edge being terminated with modular plugs. As a cord having its ends terminated with modular plugs is moved into a last work station, a pickup arm removes the cord. As the plug-ends are moved outwardly from the turntable, a middle section of the U-shaped cord is engaged by a snagging pin that is moved into one portion of a foldable tray to hold the middle section of the cord as the plug ends are moved farther along above the tray. The plugs are released, and the cord retracts and drops into the tray. Then the snagging pin is retracted, and the tray is caused to be folded to form an opening beween portions of the tray. The cord descends through the opening into an open end of a bag formed between two plies of a plastic material. The plies are bonded together adjacent to the open end and the bag is separated from its supply.

Abstract: Energizing a solenoid causes mechanical means to close a pair of jaws and crimp a cable in a U-shaped cable clamp mounted to a multi-contact connector positioned for termination in an electrically powered termination tool. A movable carriage carries termination means and controls activation of switch means for energizing the solenoid during a portion of its travel. The mechanical means comprise either a link block and toggle levers or bell cranks and push bars. Hold-down means are provided for temporarily holding the cable in the clamp prior to closure.

Abstract: A wire harness manufactured by a new method and a new apparatus is provided. A covered wire paid out from a selected one of reels is extended in a predetermined lay-out and fixed. The thus fixed wire is cut-off from the reel. Then, another wire is paid out from another reel for arranging it in a juxtaposing relation to the previously laid-out wire and cut off from the reel. After repeating the above steps, the arranged wires are tied up to form a wire harness. There is also provided a device which puts the above method into practice, thereby reducing complicated assorting work involved in the manufacture of a wire harness. A method and a device for automatically uncovering end portions of each wire of the wire harness and attaching terminals thereto are also provided to greatly increasing the productivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for successively attaching terminals to stripped ends of electric conductors which are delivered from a wire cutting and insulation stripping apparatus to a conductor supply zone in which the conductors are successively picked up by gripping jaws of finger assemblies carried by a conveyor chain and transported to a terminal attaching zone including successive spaced apart first and second terminal attaching devices, each having dies for crimping a terminal end portion to a received end of the conductor, and in which a conductor gripping mechanism in the terminal attaching zone is operatively controlled to axially move the conductor with a terminal attached to one end by the first terminal attaching means in a direction and for a period dependent upon its length to dispose its opposite end in a predetermined position for the attachment of a terminal thereto by the second terminal attaching device.

Abstract: A contact is bulk fed into the side of a guide block where it is raised up into a crimping head. A sectioned funnel guides wire ends into the positioned contact, after which the sections move apart to permit bottoming of the wires in the contact, and then the contact is crimped to the wire.

Abstract: A machine for application of two-part electrical connectors to multiconductor flat cables has connector magazines for feeding connector bodies and covers to a pre-application station seriatim, and a connector pusher bar for moving a body and a cover from a pre-application station to an application station, one connector part above and one below a flat cable path through the application station. The upper connector part is supported and guided between a pair of plates, one of which has its lower edge inclined toward the opposing plate to provide support for the connector part between the plates, and the plates are resiliently movable apart to permit a platen to push the upper connector part past the inclined support edge and to press it into engagement with the flat cable and the other connector part to complete the application.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the ends of stator windings to stator supply terminals comprises a stator holding device which holds a wound stator with each winding end held by a holding element and an insertion and clamping device which is displaceable toward the stator holding device and which comprises a tong-like gripper for each winding end which is swivelable toward and away and laterally with respect to the stator holding device under variable tension. The grippers engage the winding ends and displace them into the respective supply terminals, whereupon the terminals are clamped by a clamping device.

Abstract: Apparatus to automatically attach a terminal to electrical wire and thereafter to install insulating pods on the terminal. The apparatus includes a press which attaches the terminal to form a terminated wire and a transfer block which moves the terminated wire to an insulation pod installation station. The pods are delivered to the pod installation station in an interconnected fashion so as to form a strip of pods. The first pod on the strip is separated from the rest of the strip and placed on the terminated wire.

Abstract: A combing device for 90 degree axial rotation of a pair of adjacent cable conductors from an original axial orientation. The device comprises a profiled conductor manipulating channel adapted having an upper outwardly flared surface extending the longitudinal length of one sidewall defining the channel. A tapered cut is formed into the flared surface from one end of the channel, and is of decreasing depth therealong, terminating at a point on the flared sidewall surface. Upon simultaneously addressing two parallel and adjacent conductors into the channel at a suitable angle thereto, and drawing the conductors toward the opposite end of the channel while decreasing the angle therebetween, one conductor freely enters the channel, and the other conductor, after having been momentarily deterred by engagement against the tapered cut, rolls into the channel atop the first conductor.

Abstract: An electrical connector and termination tool are disclosed for making crimped, insulation-piercing terminations with insulation covered conductors. The connector includes a dielectric insert, a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the insert and an access passage for insertion of a termination tool to effect the crimp-pierce termination in situ. The termination tool has a bifurcated termination head including separate insertion and crimping members which are used sequentially to first press the conductor into the terminal portion of the contact and then to crimp the contact over the conductor to complete the termination.