Means Comprising Hand-manipulatable Implement Patents (Class 29/758)
  • Patent number: 6931719
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to perform an insulation-displacement connecting operation and a cover mounting operation efficiently, and hence to improve a yield for insulation-displacement joint connectors having many contacts. The apparatus includes a press unit (200) with a slide unit (220) for carrying connection-assisting parts, such as a wire-checking device for checking a housing of an insulation-displacement joint connector, a wire pushing device and a cover holder. A wire checking operation, a wire pushing operation and a cover mounting operation are performed continuously by switching the slide unit (220) by means of a switching device (230) and successively driving the connection-assisting parts by means of one press (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshi Itai, Koji Fujita, Kenji Hashimoto, Junichi Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 6922888
    Abstract: An attachment for a tool used to attach and remove load break elbows and protective caps from bushings disposed on a transformer is provided. The tool attachment includes an elbow engaging member that is positionable around a load break elbow or cap fixed to a bushing. The engagement member is fixedly secured to a horizontal bar that includes a number of aligned openings extending through the bar. These openings are selectively alignable with a pair of openings disposed on a vertical bar to pivotally attach the vertical and horizontal bars to one another. The vertical bar also includes an opening through which a pulling eye on the elbow or cap can extend when the tool attachment is positioned on the elbow or cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Speed Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Barry, Todd K. Knapp
  • Patent number: 6918179
    Abstract: A method for preforming of two or more flexible cables in an arrangement consisting of a combination of rigid printed circuit boards and flexible cable sections extending therebetween. Moreover, also provided is an apparatus for the preforming of two or more flexible cable sections of a combination of rigid printed circuit boards and therewith interposed flexible cable sections which are adapted to interconnect the rigid printed circuit boards. The apparatus consists of a tool constituted of an elongated cylindrical member having a tapered leading end which narrows into an ultra-thin flat end section of a blade-like configuration, and which is adapted to be pushed between the flexible cables and so as to preform the flexible cable sections and cause them to yield in a predetermined outwardly bowed permanently relationship between the rigid printed circuit boards at the opposite ends thereof to lengthen the fatigue life of the conductors in the flexible cable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Curtis Randall, Thomas Stanley Truman, Daniel James Winarski, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 6915563
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing attached die having a pivoting means, having a pivot point and first and second sides, the pivot point having a corresponding first y coordinate, the first and second sides positioned opposite to one another, said pivoting means capable of attaching to a die carrier. The apparatus also having a shaft attached to the first side of the pivoting means. The apparatus further having a counterweight attached to the second side of the pivoting means. The apparatus lastly having a clamping means capable of attaching to at least one die, the die having a corresponding second y coordinate, wherein the first y coordinate is greater than the second y coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lannie R. Bolde, Christopher Wayne Whittaker
  • Patent number: 6915562
    Abstract: A device for the insertion and extraction of a plug-in module into a module frame which has at least one front module bar, contains a swivel-mounted lever which is located in the front area of the plug-in module and whose short lever arm has at least one lever cam and a push-off nose and a pressure piece which is fastened to the module bar. The pressure piece absorbs the forces transferred from the lever, whereby the pressure piece has at least one recess, in which the lever cam of the lever reaches into during the insertion of the plug-in module. Furthermore the pressure piece has at least one push-off shoulder against which the push-off nose of the lever pushes off during the extraction of the plug-in module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Joist, Volker Haag, Paul Mazura, Klaus-Michael Thalau, Hans-Jorg Weiler
  • Patent number: 6904655
    Abstract: A helical drive system for seating and unseating a removable component, such as a printed circuit board, into a slot is described. The helical drive system includes a receptacle fixed to a housing proximate the slot. A handle and drive shaft are attached to the printed circuit board. The drive shaft has a helical groove that mates with a pin included in the receptacle. Rotation of the drive shaft pulls the printed circuit board into the slot and fully seats the printed circuit board. Rotation in the other direction unseats the printed circuit board. The helical groove has an enlarged entry that terminates in one or more points. This configuration facilitates the automatic alignment of the pin with the helical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lima, Keith Jeffrey Hocker, Mario David Bogdan, Tony Joseph Lilios
  • Patent number: 6895663
    Abstract: A tool head is used for securing a tap connector having a C shaped member and a wedge using a ram tool. The tool head comprises an elongate base member comprising first and second ends. A collar at the first end of the base member has a through opening for receiving a ram tool. A head at the second end of the base member is aligned with the collar through opening to engage a C shaped member. A cable stop plate is mounted to the head for limiting movement of a tap line cable received in a C shaped member when a ram tool is securing a tap connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Huskie Tools
    Inventor: Todd J. Itrich
  • Patent number: 6874223
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is attached to a support by positioning fasteners into the device at the leading and trailing edges of the device and then positioning the device with respect to the support such that the leading edge fastener(s) slide downward into a slot in a first bracket and the trailing edge fastener slides laterally downward into a slot in a second fastener causing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateral slots in the first and second brackets. In the embodiment, the first bracket has an L shaped slot while the slot in the second bracket includes a ramp. After the fasteners are captured by the brackets, the user, in one embodiment, may tighten the fasteners from the outside of a housing in which the support resides by inserting a tightening tool through openings in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Natalie Reilley
  • Patent number: 6862802
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in attaching a head gimbal assembly (HGA) onto an actuator arm of an actuator assembly during an HGA installation process. The apparatus includes, a central body portion with a base support surface; and a pair of support arms extending from the central body portion forming a channel sized to accommodate expansion of an attachment aperture of an actuator arm during the installation process. Each support arm includes, a first and second support surface offset from and parallel to the base support surface. A first support arm thickness is formed between the first support surface and the base support surface, while a second support arm thickness is formed between the second support surface and the base support having a thickness less than the first support arm thickness. Each support arm thickness supports a corresponding HGA adjacent actuator arm during the installation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Q. Cruz, Darrell R. Johnson, Mark L. Simpson, Jason P. Delaney
  • Patent number: 6829813
    Abstract: An electrical signal filter housing of the type including a threaded female connector adapted to mate with a hexagonal cable connector having a span X, the filter housing including a cylindrical body having a span Y, which is substantially greater than X, a threaded female connector portion having a base connected to a first end of the cylindrical body, a male connector portion connected to a second, opposed end of the cylindrical body, and a drive member disposed proximate the base of the threaded female connector portion, the drive member having a span substantially equal to X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Eagle Comtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Zennamo, Joseph N. Maguire
  • Patent number: 6820326
    Abstract: A compression assembly tool having multiple split bases for attaching connectors of different sizes to corresponding coaxial cables of different dimensions by compressing the connectors axially. The tool uses a light rigid O-frame and at least two pairs of split base supports located at different distances from a compression plunger driven by a lever handle. The handle is spring-loaded to the open position, but is held in the closed position by a wire bail for storage. The pairs of split base supports have annular bearing surfaces of different diameters that support the back of different connectors over a full 360 degrees. The split base supports are pivotally attached to the body, are held closed by a spring and are easily opened by squeezing push surfaces located on the split base supports towards each other to pivot the split base supports to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Capewell Components Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Tarpill, Tadeusz Zagula
  • Patent number: 6817089
    Abstract: A tool for disengaging electrical connectors includes a central body section with disconnecting prongs projecting from the opposite ends thereof. The prongs are offset relative to the plane of the body section but extend in the same direction so that one set of the prongs forms an arcuate surface which facilitates the use of the prongs to disengage connector sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6807728
    Abstract: A crimping tool has a handle lever portion and a crimp portion with a press and a base housing. The base housing has a placement location with a recessed surface for engaging a jack and a recessed region for a cable. The base housing also has lateral regions that have frictionally engaging surface portions for clamping to wire ends. The press has a plunger and a housing with terminating blades for shearing excess wire from the cable when the tool engages a twisted pair cable to a jack. The blades cut the wires and the excess wire is discarded. The press and the base housing then disengage and the jack is removed from the tool with the cable in communication with the electrical contacts of the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michelle Griffin, Steve Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 6802117
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the insertion and extraction of a PC board into and from a card cage, comprising a mounting body, an engager, and an actuator. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has a ring-shaped mounting body having a clearance hole therethrough. The apparatus is slidably and rotatably mounted on a cylindrical rod through the clearance hole such that the apparatus is slidably rotatable along the length of the cylindrical rod. In operation, the engager is positioned in physical contact with the PC board in a notch in the board such that when a force is applied to the actuator, the engager is effected to urge the board to move in the direction of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: George Dalisay
  • Publication number: 20040194304
    Abstract: A tool and method for using the tool is provided for engaging electrical hardware devices. The tool has a handle; a planar body; a planar engagement bar projecting normal from the body; a pair of arms, one arm formed at each of two ends of the bar; and each arm further bending and terminating in a bottom hook portion, the bottom hooks aligned in a common plane parallel to and spaced a gap distance from the bar and generally normal to the planar body. The hook spacing dimension is about equal to or slightly greater than an outer dimension of an electrical hardware device workpiece body but less than an outer dimension of a rectilinear lip element projecting from the hardware device workpiece. The gap distance is about equal to or slightly greater than a thickness dimension of the rectilinear lip element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam I. Armstrong, Alexander V. Verrigni
  • Publication number: 20040177495
    Abstract: A tool head is used for securing a tap connector having a C shaped member and a wedge using a ram tool. The tool head comprises an elongate base member comprising first and second ends. A collar at the first end of the base member has a through opening for receiving a ram tool. A head at the second end of the base member is aligned with the collar through opening to engage a C shaped member. A cable stop plate is mounted to the head for limiting movement of a tap line cable received in a C shaped member when a ram tool is securing a tap connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Huskie Tools
    Inventor: Todd J. Itrich
  • Publication number: 20040168309
    Abstract: There is described a unit (1) for crimping the terminals (2) of an electric connector (3) to respective conducting tracks (4) of a flat cable (5). The unit (1) has an anvil assembly (26) having receiving means (36) for receiving the connector (3); and a pressure assembly (27) movable to and from the anvil assembly (26) in a first direction (B) perpendicular to the flat cable (5), and having matrix means (104, 105) which are pressed onto the receiving means (36) to crimp the terminals (2) of the connector (3) to respective conducting tracks (4) of the flat cable (5). The receiving means (36) have supporting means (71) for supporting the terminals (2) of the connector (3); and locating means (77) which, when loading the connector (3) onto the anvil assembly (26), interact with the terminals (2) to set the terminals (2) in predetermined positions on the supporting means (71) in a second direction (D) crosswise to the flat cable (5) and to the first direction (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Luigi Aluffo
  • Publication number: 20040163238
    Abstract: A hand-held tool for terminating connectors onto a coaxial cable has an elongated body and an end stop and plunger on the body, the plunger being controlled by a lever arm which will axially advance the plunger toward and away from the end stop to radially compress a portion of the connector into firm crimping engagement with the end of the coaxial cable. To accommodate different lengths of connectors, a receiver is resiliently mounted on the plunger for insertion of different length adapter tips to vary the axial spacing between the receiver and the end stop according to the length of connector being terminated; and in still another form the body may include a hinged adapter adjacent to the end stop to vary the effective distance between the end stop and plunger according to the length of fitting being terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: International Communication Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Randall A. Holliday
  • Patent number: 6757948
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe and method for making the same is provided which has an advantageous construction and method of assembly. The ultrasonic probe has a segmented ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of individual independent transducers, a plurality of piezoelectric transducers connected to a first end of a respective individual independent transducer; and a plurality of electrical connections electrically communicating each the piezoelectric transducer with a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Andrei A Ptchelintsev, Roman Gr. Maev
  • Patent number: 6726494
    Abstract: An extraction tab (1) is provided to extract an electrical connector (2) from a mating electrical device. The electrical connector includes a mating portion (20) and a retaining portion (21). The extraction tab includes an engaging portion (11) and a handling portion (12). The engaging portion has a bottom section (110) and a top section (111). The bottom section has an engaging hole (114) for engaging with the mating portion of the electrical connector. The top section has a first plate (112) and a second plate (113) connected with each other. The handling portion extends from the bottom section for receiving an extracting force for extracting the electrical connector from the mating electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lung-Sheng Tai, Chia-Ming Kuo, Zhen-Da Hung, Hsien-Chu Lin
  • Patent number: 6725534
    Abstract: An extraction tip having first and second extraction segments. The first extraction segment is positioned at a distal end of the extraction tip and the second extraction segment is spaced therefrom. The first extraction segment includes an axial slot for transverse insertion of a stem portion of a pin and the second extraction segment is recessed from the first extraction segment to form a stepped surface between the first and second extraction segments. The second extraction segment is non-expandable to hold a head portion of the pin in abutment with the stepped surface so that the stepped surface pushes against the head portion to eject the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: George A. Schwartzbauer
  • Patent number: 6725533
    Abstract: A cable stripping tool for removing an outer protective jacket of a cable. The cable stripping tool is used to remove a pre-defined amount of the jacket in one rotation of the cable stripping tool. The cable stripping tool allows the rotation of the cable stripping tool by hand during jacket removal in tight areas, where other stripping tools are too difficult to use. The cable stripping tool includes a main body and a cutting blade. The main body includes a blade half and a clamping half. The main body is preferably made from a plastic material to lower production cost, but can be made from marry other types of materials. The blade half and clamping half are binged together by a hinge pin. An inside surface of each half together form a cable receiving area between each other to receive the cable, when the halves are mated and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lemco Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Roger M. Losinger
  • Publication number: 20040074087
    Abstract: A flairing device having a handle and a body connected to the handle. The body includes an inner wall forming an open ended chamber in the body. The open ended chamber has an opening at one end of the body. An outer wall forms an edge with the inner wall at the one end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Incorporated
    Inventors: Monty Jake Foster, Joe Capobianco
  • Publication number: 20040068866
    Abstract: A heat sink hand placement tool for manually installing a heat sink to an integrated circuit (IC). The heat sink tool includes a heat sink interface block having a lower surface adapted to provide a force on a heat sink disposed over an IC. A force transducer interfaces with an upper surface of the heat sink interface block to produce an electrical signal, which is routed to a measurement circuit to measure the electrical signal. A chassis is disposed over the force transducer and the measurement circuit, wherein the chassis is adapted to receive a force from a user, such that the force is transmitted to the lower surface of the heat sink interface block. The measurement circuit then provides an indication of the force being applied within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Michael S. Baxter
  • Patent number: 6708396
    Abstract: A hand-held tool for terminating connectors onto a coaxial cable has an elongated body and an end stop and plunger on the body, the plunger being controlled by a lever arm which will axially advance the plunger toward and away from the end stop to radially compress a portion of the connector into firm crimping engagement with the end of the coaxial cable. To accommodate different lengths of connectors, a receiver is resiliently mounted on the plunger for insertion of different length adapter tips to vary the axial spacing between the receiver and the end stop according to the length of connector being terminated; and in still another form the body may include a hinged adapter adjacent to the end stop to vary the effective distance between the end stop and plunger according to the length of fitting being terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Communication Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Randall A. Holliday
  • Publication number: 20040049913
    Abstract: A tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is disclosed. The tool includes a first member and a second member connected to the first member. The first member has an extension member connected thereto, and a first nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the first bottom end. The second member has a receiving member connected thereto, and a second nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the second bottom end. The first and second members are movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position. The open position is at least 50 degrees from the closed position. A method of inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Dukes, Jack E. Caveney
  • Patent number: 6705002
    Abstract: A tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is disclosed. The tool includes a first member and a second member connected to the first member. The first member has an extension member connected thereto, and a first nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the first bottom end. The second member has a receiving member connected thereto, and a second nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the second bottom end. The first and second members are movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position. The open position is at least 50 degrees from the closed position. A method of inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Dukes, Jack E. Caveney
  • Patent number: 6704987
    Abstract: The present invention is a terminator tool used in combination with a cable security terminator for installing or removing the cable security terminator. The terminator tool includes a handle, a shaft, a retaining pin and a spring member. The shaft is hollow and extends from the handle. The shaft includes a pin hole to receive the retaining pin, a handle end and a terminator end. The handle end is the end inserted and secured into the handle. The terminator end includes two ear slots and receives the spring member. The terminator end is sized to fit into a tool end of the cable security terminator. Ears of the spring member extend from the ear slots of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Glenn G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040031144
    Abstract: A tool for everting a stripped portion of the braided conductive shielding of a coaxial cable in preparation for the attachment of a coaxial cable connector thereto. In order to attach a coaxial cable connector to the end of a coaxial cable, a portion of the cable jacket near the end of the coaxial cable is first stripped by a suitable stripping tool to expose a portion of the underlying braided shielding. The tool of the present invention is employed to evert the exposed portion of the braided shielding layer and fold it over the unstripped adjacent jacket. A preferred embodiment of the tool includes a handle with a circular opening therein dimensioned to receive a coaxial cable inserted thereinto. The circular opening has a plurality of bristles disposed around the circumference thereof. A fixed end of the bristles is supported by the handle. The free opposing end of the bristles extend radially inwardly toward the center of the circular opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Holland
  • Patent number: 6687991
    Abstract: A process for cutting and removing a portion of an outer sheath having spaced apart insulation covered wires and a core member containing an uncovered ground wire there-between. The sheath is cut by plier jaw members having cutting edges which define en opening configured to the sheath. On closing the sheath is cut circumferentially without significantly cutting the insulation on the wires or the unsheathed ground wire. The cut portion of the sheath is then removed in one continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Stride Tool Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard R. Murg
  • Patent number: 6684491
    Abstract: An extraction device for removing a connector plug from a disc drive socket including first and second lever plates having a length extending between opposed first and second ends and a width extending between opposed sides and the first and second lever plates being pivotally connected between the first and second ends to form lever handles and lever arms. The lever arms include opposed fingers spaced along the width of the lever plates between opposed sides. The lever arms include a slot between fingers, a width of which is sized to enclose a length of the connector plug. A spring biases the lever arms of the first and second lever plates towards one another and the lever plates being movable against a spring bias to open the lever arms to remove a connector plug. A method for removing a connector from a disc drive socket including aligning an extraction device with the connector plug and operating the device to remove the connector plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Philippe Vaillant
  • Patent number: 6681480
    Abstract: A technique is provided for installing circuit components, such as memory devices, in a support, such as a socket. The device to be installed is supported in a holder or shell. The holder is positioned over a support region in the receiving socket. A manual actuator is pressed into the holder to eject the device from the holder and to install the device in the support. The holder may be configured to hold a single device, or multiple devices aligned in slots defined by partitions. A multi-device tray may be provided for indexing devices toward an ejection slot, through which the devices are installed by manual actuation of an ejecting actuator. The technique provides protection for the device prior to and during installation, and facilitates manual installation of such devices without requiring direct hand contact with the device either prior to or during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Kinsman, Mike Brooks, Warren M. Farnworth, Walter Moden, Terry Lee
  • Publication number: 20040010905
    Abstract: A termination tool for terminating cable cores in telecommunications module contacts, comprises a handle, a jig for receiving the cores and stuffing them into a contact, and a trimmer (10) on said jig, wherein said trimmer (10) is at least double-acting, so that at least two cable cores can be trimmed to length in a single operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Friedhelm Denter, Hans-Dieter Otto, Norbert Gaertner
  • Patent number: 6678945
    Abstract: A tool is described for the backside removal of single pins from a high pin density connector, either from the connector itself or a connector with pins such as compliant pins mounted in plated through vias on a host such as a printed circuit board. A pin is driven from a connector by advancing a sleeve portion to surround the pin and subsequently pushing the pin from the connector using a shaft with a spherical, concave end surface, whereby the pin is radially confined by the sleeve and aligned and driven by the shaft as it is advanced through the sleeve. Where the connector is mounted on a printed circuit board with the pin resident in a plated through via, the sleeve is aligned with and abutting the printed circuit board at the via opening and the shaft is thereafter advanced through and beyond the sleeve to engage, align and drive the pin with the via wall providing radial confinement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machnies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Lee Eaton, Gregory Jay Geilow, Michael Lee Graham, Jeffrey C. Shonkwiler
  • Patent number: 6675466
    Abstract: Intake device for connector modules between two treatment posts for these modules, the device having a holding arm for the modules provided with a comb positioned at the end of an arm, the comb coming to hold the connector at the level of the paddles joined with the contacts borne by the connector, the comb driving the modules between an intake post for the connectors and a crimping post for the flexible circuit onto the connector contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: FCI
    Inventor: Flavio Fantini
  • Patent number: 6655014
    Abstract: A device for inserting wires and/or pipes in a tubular, flexible sheath includes a sleeve (11), with a split (111) made therealong. The sleeve (11) is encircled by a cylindrical tubular body (21) also having made therealong a relative split (211). The sleeve (11) can turn inside this cylindrical tubular body (21), so as to define two working positions, first (H1) and second (H2). In the first working position (H1), the split (111) of the sleeve (11) corresponds to the split (211) of the tubular body (21), so that the wires can be inserted into the device. In the second working position (H2), the split (211) of the tubular body (21) is closed by the sleeve (11), so as to block the wires inside the device. A rounded, wedge-shaped member (23) rising over the cylindrical tubular body (21) is to be slidably fitted in the flexible sheath (F). The profile of the member (23) allows to open the edges of the elements (3) of the sheath, so as to insert the wires thereinside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Richco Italia S.r.l.
    Inventor: Ezio Babini
  • Publication number: 20030204948
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the safe and easy installation of wall-mounted electrical outlets and switches utilizing a multi-functional tool. Two different but similar tools are provided, each in the form of an insulated handle that may be detachably engaged with either a wall socket or a wall switch. The wall socket device includes one or more prongs for temporary engagement with slots in the socket fixture, and may include testing circuitry. The wall switch device is temporarily attached to a switch fixture using one or more magnets. Both tools may also include built-in electrical wire measuring, stripping and bending structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan Cahill, Deborah Unser
  • Patent number: 6640426
    Abstract: A pin grid array insertion and extraction tool is disclosed that is used to both insert and extract pin grid array connectors. The tool comprises a rigid window frame defined by bars connected to handles wherein the bars define straight slots and ramped slots on an elongated side that engage tabs and sliders of a header and socket of a pin grid array connector. The ramped slots are used to generate mechanical advantage and bring the insertion force seen by an operator's hand down to reasonable levels when engaging or disengaging connector pins to or from their mating receptacles. By using ramped slots the insertion and extraction tool can be made very compact in almost every dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Brian E. Sonnichsen
  • Patent number: 6637101
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved coaxial cable preparation tool (1) that is used to prepare a coaxial cable terminal end for connector installation. The tool comprises two stages. The first stage, the jacket stripper, is used to trim the cable jacket. The second stage (20), the cable trimmer, is used to trim the remaining center, the outer conductors and the foam insulation of the coaxial cable. The first stage (10) consists of a cup or cylinder (11) with an outer cylindrical wall (12). In addition, it also comprises a blade (13) and a scrap port (14). In addition, the first stage cylinder (11) has a bore (16) extending axially down its center. The diameter of the bore (16) is set to receive a coaxial cable. The second stage consists of a hub (21) (or cutter head), a collet bearing (22) and a body (23). In addition, like the first stage, it also contains blades (13) and scrap ports (14). The scrap ports or debris ports (14) allow trimmed cable media to escape from the bores in the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Hathaway, Vinny Benevento, John Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 6634096
    Abstract: A terminal removal jig, for removing a terminal within a connector housing, having an outer case with a guide groove, a positioning member which has a protruding portion to be engaged with a terminal insertion hole at a front end of the connector housing, an elastic body for urging the positioning member and an unlocking plate secured on the outer case and having an unlocking pin to be mated with a locking lance within the connector housing. The unlocking pin is located behind the protruding portion and is kept in contact with the outer wall of the positioning member. The protruding portion is engaged with the terminal insertion hole and the tip of the unlocking pin faces a terminal removal jig insertion hole opposite to the locking lance. A protruding strip is formed on the outer wall and a front guide hole is formed in the unlocking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Kimihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 6634891
    Abstract: A reworking device (10) for removing an electrical element (20) mounted on a motherboard (40) comprises a body portion (12), a pair of hooks (14) formed at two opposite ends of the body portion for engaging with a bottom surface of the element, and an elastic arm (16) formed at each of the two opposite ends of the body portion to lift up the element-when solders are reflown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew C. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20030192173
    Abstract: A tool for disengaging electrical connectors includes a central body section with disconnecting prongs projecting from the opposite ends thereof. The prongs are offset relative to the plane of the body section but extend in the same direction so that one set of the prongs forms an arcuate surface which facilitates the use of the prongs to disengage connector sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6625867
    Abstract: A tool cartridge for seating and cutting a communication wire in a terminal block. The cartridge includes a tool end and a base end. A wire seating blade and a wire cutting blade extend outwardly from the cartridge and are mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the cartridge and to each other. A spring bias detent assembly forces the wire seating and wire cutting blades into contact with each other for longitudinal movement together relative to the cartridge. A compression spring resists longitudinal movement of the wire seating and wire cutting blades in the direction of the base of the cartridge by seating pressure applied to the cartridge. A cam is positioned to release the detent assembly thereby disengaging the wire seating and wire cutting blades from movement together after a predetermined compression of the compression spring. The release of the blades from movement together permitting the compression spring to drive the cutting blade to its cutting position to cut the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Jonker
  • Publication number: 20030172523
    Abstract: A device for the insertion and extraction of a plug-in module into a module frame which has at least one front module bar, contains a swivel-mounted lever which is located in the front area of the plug-in module and whose short lever arm has at least one lever cam and a push-off nose and a pressure piece which is fastened to the module bar. The pressure piece absorbs the forces transferred from the lever, whereby the pressure piece has at least one recess, in which the lever cam of the lever reaches into during the insertion of the plug-in module. Furthermore the pressure piece has at least one push-off shoulder against which the push-off nose of the lever pushes off during the extraction of the plug-in module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Joist, Volker Haag, Paul Mazura, Klaus-Michael Thalau, Hans-Jorg Weiler
  • Patent number: 6615480
    Abstract: A blade assembly for a punch down tool includes a base member having a mounting block. The mounting block is releasably attachable to the chuck of a punch down tool. First and second extensions are connected to the mounting block. Each extension terminates at a wire-engaging head and has a blade-receiving shoe formed therein. First and second cutting blades are mounted on the first and second blade-receiving shoes, respectively. Each cutting blade has a cutting edge that extends beyond the end of its associated wire-engaging head. The cutting blades are fastened to the shoes by attachment elements that may be ultrasonically welded to the blades. A notch or groove receives a base edge of the cutting surface. The body member is made of glass-filled plastic while the cutting blade is metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey A. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20030145457
    Abstract: A crimping tool has a handle lever portion and a crimp portion with a press and a base housing. The base housing has a placement location with a recessed surface for engaging a jack and a recessed region for a cable. The base housing also has lateral regions that have frictionally engaging surface portions for clamping to wire ends. The press has a plunger and a housing with terminating blades for shearing excess wire from the cable when the tool engages a twisted pair cable to a jack. The blades cut the wires and the excess wire is discarded. The press and the base housing then disengage and the jack is removed from the tool with the cable in communication with the electrical contacts of the jack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Michelle Griffin, Steve Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 6601285
    Abstract: An impact tool for use by telecommunications personnel for the insertion of communications wires in a terminal block. The impact tool includes an impact tool cartridge having a seating blade and a cutting blade. The seating blade is retractable against a compression spring while the cutting blade is fixed so that upon the application of seating pressure to the impact tool, the seating blade retracts and the cutting blade is exposed to cut the wire. In another embodiment of the invention, a spring loaded detent supplements the compression spring in resisting retraction of the seating tool. A noise producing mechanism is located in the impact tool handle for producing an audible sound upon completion of the wire seating and terminating operations. A storage compartment for the seating and cutting blades is formed in the impact tool handle and has a door pivotally mounted for opening and closing movement relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Jonker, David Henke
  • Publication number: 20030135992
    Abstract: A removing jig includes a shaft (10) having a first end (11) for abutting a motherboard (60) on which a back plate (50) is mounted and having a second end (12), a stationary hub (25) fixedly mounted on the shaft near the first end, a sliding hub (20) slidably mounted around the shaft between the second end and the stationary hub, and a plurality of claws (30) each including a finger (32) and a rib (33). Each finger has a free end (32a) having a catch (34), and a fixed end (32b) pivotably secured to the sliding hub. One end of each rib is pivotably secured to the stationary hub, and an opposite end is pivotably secured to the finger. When the sliding hub is moved toward the second end, the catches of the claws firmly clasp the back plate and pull the back plate away from the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 6594888
    Abstract: A squeezing tool for coaxial cable connector, to be used for a coaxial cable interconnected to a coupling means, which comprises a tilted module support, two tilted movable modules being coaxially deployed in the tilted module support to support the connector of the coupling means. The coupling means is assembled with one end of the cable in a manner free from compression, tension, or pressure, plus a grip brought to advance or regress along the surface of the module axialwise by means of a cranket means. The connector coupling section is eventually thrusted into the module, while application of force axialwise is permitted to bring the module compressed into the module support. Meanwhile the perimeter of one end of the connector coupling section is uniformly squeezing to shrink essentially conically to facilitate coupling to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Chi-Fu Chang
  • Patent number: 6591487
    Abstract: The present invention providing a compressing tool for a joint body to compress and connect an insertion component to conjoin with the stiff-jacketed cable, includes a multistage propulsion mechanism, a replaceable molding structure situated on the axial line of the multistage propulsion mechanism and away from the multistage propulsion mechanism at an axial interval for supporting the stiff-jacketed coaxial cable, and a handle bar gradually moving along the direction of the axial line toward the surface of the molding structure through the multistage propulsion mechanism, so as to make the joint body and the insertion component conduct compression and connection between the multistage propulsion mechanism and the molding structure, and to enable one end of the coaxial connector to shrink and conjoin with the stiff-jacketed cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Chi-Fu Chang