Abstract: Apparatus for applying connectors to multiconductor electrical flat cable includes a motorized cable feed mechanism for feeding predetermined lengths of cable past a power actuated cable cutter to a connector applying position. Power operated cable clamps are disposed on opposite sides of the connector applying position and are movable in the cable feeding direction to precisely locate the leading or trailing end of the cable at the connector applying position. Connector body and cover magazines are disposed adjacent to the connector applying position. A movable connector holding member includes spring biased jaws for releasably holding a connector body and cover spaced apart on opposite sides of a cable insertion slot. The connector holding member is moved from a connector loading position to the connector applying position wherein power actuated retractable rams are operable to apply a connector to a predetermined length of cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting solder preforms on selected circuit board back plane pins. A template, drilled with a pattern of holes corresponding to the pattern of back plane pins and counterbored in hole positions corresponding to back plane pins which are to receive solder preforms, is positioned at an acute angle and vibrated at low frequency. Solder preforms are placed at the upper end of the template and due to the vibration and angle the template is positioned at, slide down the surface of the template and are trapped in the counterbored holes. The preform loaded side of the template is aligned with the circuit board back plane and the two are clamped together, causing the selected back plane pins to pass through the corresponding solder preforms positioned in the template's counterbored holes. The clamping circuit board and template are rotated so the template is positioned above the circuit board.

Abstract: A tool for use with a full rotational freedom, substantially zero friction electrical contact assembly of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,909 comprising a notched rod of a diameter less than the normal concentric gap between the conductor rings, for receiving conductor loops in hanging relation thereon, the rod being mounted in a support base which includes a guide means for radially and axially positioning the rod within a preassembly eccentric gap between the normally concentric conductor rings. Upon closing the eccentric gap to its normal concentric relation, the loops are captured by the conductor rings and the notched rod is withdrawn.

Abstract: A miniature electrical connector comprising an insulative body having spaced, parallel connector pins extending therethrough and held in place by a combination of abutment surfaces on the pins and block, and "C" rings on the pins. In assembling the connector, the "C" rings are formed as part of a metal stamping, and are urged as a unit onto corresponding ones of the pins extending through the body. The "C" rings are released from the stamping by bending the latter along suitably formed fracture lines.

Abstract: Chip type circuit elements are mounted on adhesive layers provided on predetermined positions of a printed circuit board by pushing up each circuit element stack inserted in a magazine which is vertically held just below the corresponding adhesive layer and which is inserted through a corresponding through-hole defined by a lattice-shaped and horizontally placed magazine guide. This method and apparatus can quickly mount chip type circuit elements on the printed circuit board, and make possible an easy change of the circuit element pattern, without necessitating the use of an NC machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting electrical connecting pins or terminals into preformed holes in a circuit board, the apparatus comprised of a vibrating table means and a press means having parallel first and second plattens, a parallel intermediate platten positioned between the first and second plattens by resilient means, the first platten having perpendicularly attached stand-off posts aligned with pin guide holes in the intermediate platten and with pin clearance holes in the second platten, the first and second plattens having slidably attached positioning means for positioning the intermediate platten in two different positions during operation, a pin loading means with template having slidably attached gate means and having tapered holes, the gate means having holes alignable with the pin guide holes and the tapered holes.

Abstract: A hand tool particularly adapted for the rapid and efficient assembly of ge numbers of annular devices such as solder washers onto a plurality of uniformally spaced pins. The invention allows for the vertical stacking of one or more washers onto each pin, without the need for the tedious handling of each washer individually. The working structure is housed in a closable case to allow for operation by hand in a shaking motion without spilling the washers.

Abstract: In a method of making a connection between a plastics sheathed cable and an enclosed cable joint or termination, the enclosure is opened up to expose the existing conductor joint or termination and a separately formed plastics part of the enclosure that includes an end wall is removed. A new part of plastics material including an end wall which has at least one hole of a size appropriate to a cable at said end of the existing joint or termination and which is split between said hole and the peripheral edge of said new part, is applied to the or each cable sheath at said end of the joint or termination. A length of said plastics sheathed cable is passed through a further hole in the end wall of said new part and its conductor or conductors connected to at least one conductor of at least one of the cables of the existing joint or termination.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrical harness comprising wires connected to electrical terminals of a plurality of electrical connectors, according to a desired wiring pattern, each terminal comprises a wire connecting portion in the form of a slotted plate formed integrally with a contact portion in the form of an electrical receptacle. The wires are laid out on a wiring layout board with the aid of wire guiding posts to form a desired wiring pattern, with portions of the wires extending through notches in the housings of the connectors. The terminals are then inserted into through openings in the housings so that the wires received in the notches are captured by the slots of the terminals so that electrial connection is made between the terminals and the wires.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus for accomplishing the conditioning and placement of a plurality of wires for the simultaneous termination of the wires of a multi-pin connector. Terminal sleeves are employed to both position and lock the several wires to the multi-pin connector. The sleeves are held fixed relative to one another in an identification block and wires are threaded therethrough. When positioned, the wires are held by a wire clamp cooperating with the identification block. Simultaneous cutting and stripping of the wires may then be performed in preparation for termination with a multi-pin connector. Once prepared, the wires are positioned adjacent a row of pins on the multi-pin connector and the identification block with the sleeves enclosed is forced toward the prepared ends of the wires and onto the connector pins.