Means To Fasten By Deforming Patents (Class 29/761)
  • Patent number: 7509732
    Abstract: The crimping apparatus crimps a conductor of a FFC (flexible flat cable) to a terminal. The crimping apparatus has a crimping portion and a pressing portion. The crimping portion has an anvil and a crimper which pinch the terminal and the conductor of FFC therebetween. The pressing portion has a pair of stopping bars. The stopping bars each are inserted into a through hole defined in the crimper. The stopping bars of the pressing portion press the conductor positioned on a bottom wall of the terminal against the bottom wall. The crimping portion crimps crimping pieces of the terminal with the stopping bars pressing the conductor against the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hideto Kumakura
  • Patent number: 7475475
    Abstract: Force is manually applied through a compression spring mechanism to a tool member, which in turn carries the end of an insulated wire that is to be seated between the knives of an insulation displacement type connector. A force transducer is used to measure the spring force within the compression spring mechanism, so that seating of the conductor in the connector can be accomplished without any abrupt impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Robert W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7454830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing a harness of electrically conductive wire segments, the apparatus comprising a twisting tool (20) having at least two cavities (31 to 38), each cavity being associated with retaining means (43, 44) enabling at least a portion of a wire segment to be retained in the cavity, release means enabling said wire segment portion to be extracted from the cavity, and opening means (46) enabling said wire segment portion to be inserted into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Serge Pittau, Christian Tourenq
  • Publication number: 20080209716
    Abstract: A crimping apparatus includes an anvil for supporting a metal terminal including a base plate portion for mounting an electric wire thereon and a pair of crimping piece portions extending upwardly respectively from opposite side edges of the base plate portion, and a crimper which has a press-fastening portion for press-fastening the crimping piece portions. The anvil and the press-fastening portion of the crimper cooperate to press-fasten the crimping piece portions for crimping the crimping piece portions to the electric wire mounted on the metal terminal. The press-fastening portion is subjected to a mirror finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi YAGI, Shigeharu SUZUKI, Tetsuro IDE, Hideto KUMAKURA, Kenji SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20080188145
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes an electrically conductive pin extending from a base of the connector. The electrical connector additionally includes a standoff extending from the base adjacent the pin and forming an acute angle with the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Alfredo Grueso, Nestor Estrada
  • Patent number: 7406760
    Abstract: The inventions presented herein provide an armor forming tool for use with an armor forming machine. The machine feeds a continuous strip of metal to a sub-assembly of a cable so as to wrap the continuous strip around the sub-assembly. The tool applies appropriate pressures to the wrapped continuous strip to form an interlocked armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Scotty Joe Ledbetter
  • Publication number: 20080172865
    Abstract: A terminal crimping apparatus includes an anvil for supporting a metal terminal including a base plate portion for placing an electric wire thereon and a pair of crimping piece portions extending upwardly respectively from opposite side edges of the base plate portion and a crimper which includes a press-deforming portion having a generally arch-shape formed of two arc-shaped surfaces which are opposed to the anvil. The anvil and the crimper cooperate to press the crimping piece portions for crimping the crimping piece portions to the electric wire placed on the metal terminal. The shape of the crimper satisfies a formula, Index a=c·cos ?, where c represents a length of the arc-shaped surface of the crimper, and ? represents an angle formed by a tangential line to the arc-shaped surface at a central portion of the crimper and a vertical line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi YAGI, Shigeharu SUZUKI, Naoki KAKUTA, Tetsuro IDE, Hideto KUMAKURA, Kenji SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20080172864
    Abstract: A terminal crimping apparatus includes an anvil for supporting a metal terminal including a base plate portion for placing an electric wire thereon and a pair of crimping piece portions extending upwardly respectively from opposite side edges of the base plate portion, and a crimper which includes a press-fastening portion having a generally arch-shape formed of two arc-shaped surfaces which are opposed to the anvil. The anvil and the crimper cooperate to press-fasten the crimping piece portions for crimping the crimping piece portions to the electric wire placed on the metal terminal. A radius R of curvature of each of the two arc-shaped surfaces of the press-fastening portion of the crimper is determined so as to satisfy the following formula: 0.25 W?R?0.27 W, where W represents a predetermined width of a crimped portion to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi YAGI, Shigeharu SUZUKI, Tetsuro IDE, Hideto KUMAKURA, Kenji SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20080120831
    Abstract: The present invention stacks integrated circuits into modules that conserve board surface area. In a precursor assembly devised as a component for a stacked circuit module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more stiffeners are disposed at least partially between a flex circuit and an integrated circuit. In a two-high stacked circuit module devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit is stacked above a precursor assembly. The two integrated circuits are connected with the flex circuit of the precursor assembly. The present invention may be employed to advantage in numerous configurations and combinations of integrated circuits in modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: James Douglas Wehrly
  • Patent number: 7346980
    Abstract: A press-connecting head of a pair of press-connecting pliers for connecting a coaxial terminal, it is composed of an inserting/retracting member and two pressing dies respectively provided on two mutually opposite sides of the inserting/retracting member; wherein the inserting/retracting member is assembled with the press-connecting pliers by an inserting mode, hence by a simple action of inserting/retracting, different pressing dies of the same press-connecting head can be mutually changed to be exactly aligned with a fixed block, or the press-connecting head can be changed for another one with pressing dies of other specifications. And then the press-connecting pliers using the press-connecting head structure can allow execution of press-connecting operation of the coaxial terminals of different specifications with a coaxial signal line; thus the range of application of the press-connecting pliers can be enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hanlong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Chou Liao
  • Patent number: 7325292
    Abstract: A method for reusing a conductive (carbon) core/glass or sapphire cylinder test electrode comprising expelling spent core material from the tip of the electrode and refinishing the electrode tip for use in further tests and refinished test electrodes produced in accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lara J. Minor
  • Patent number: 7225529
    Abstract: A bonding device. A plurality of bonding units each has a base and a fastening member. Each base has a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a stopper. An electronic device has a circuit unit and a predetermined element. The circuit unit has several first positioning portions and the predetermined element has several second positioning portions. The first positioning portions and the second positioning portions are through holes. When the predetermined element is attached to the upper surface of the circuit unit by aligning the second positioning portions with the corresponding first positioning portions, the second connecting portion of the base is first fit into the first positioning portions of the circuit unit, then the fastening member passes through the second positioning portion of the predetermined element to couple with the fastening member by several turns. Thus, the predetermined element is fixed on the circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Shun-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 7225532
    Abstract: A terminal pliers structure includes a seat, a drive mechanism, and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a first clamping block, a second clamping block, and a spring. In operation, the first clamping block and the second clamping block are forced to pivot in concert with each other, thereby facilitating the user operating the terminal pliers structure, and thereby saving the manual work. In addition, the first teeth of the first clamping block mesh with the second teeth of the second clamping block to enhance the clamping force between the first clamping block and the second clamping block, so that the clamped terminal head can be clamped between the first clamping block and the second clamping block rigidly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Shu Chen Wei
  • Patent number: 7219420
    Abstract: A protective assembly for a printed-circuit electronics card having a metal substrate and a metal screening cover electrically connected to the substrate. The substrate includes a recessed gutter in which the edge of the cover is accommodated. The edge is crimped onto the substrate in the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean Marc Nicolaï, Marc Duarte, Dung Kong-A-Siou
  • Patent number: 7216421
    Abstract: A stamping machine for mounting a retention frame of heat sink (510) to a motherboard (500) includes a machine body (100), an adjusting device (200), and a controlling unit (300). The machine body comprises a support plane (110) and a stamping arm (120) extending upwardly from the support plane. A plurality of adjusting positioning blocks (112) is provided on the support plane for fittingly positioning the motherboard. A stamping assembly (130) is positioned at a forepart of the stamping arm comprises a cylinder (140), a stamping block (150) moveably connected to the cylinder, and a base portion (114) attached on the support plane corresponding to the stamping block. A plurality of stamping posts (170) extends from the stamping block and a plurality of retractable pressing pins (180) depends from the stamping block. A resilient member (190) is disposed around each of the pressing pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Ind. (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JunLin Fu
  • Patent number: 7210221
    Abstract: A base plate and load beam for an HG assembly are formed in series, stacked, and transferred by a transfer system in the form of the stacked-layer series to undergo the necessary assembly processes such as layer joining, slider attachment, and electrical connections between the terminals thereon. When uncompleted HG assemblies are transferred for each of the manufacturing processes, the uncompleted HG assembly is mounted on the assembly jig such as a tray or a block for transference. For this reason, assembling jigs, the number of which is at least equal to the number of the uncompleted HG assemblies remaining at the respective assembly processes would be needed. Accordingly, the efficiency of work space is reduced, and a rise in manufacturing cost is brought about by the need for the assembling jigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Takao Kidachi, Tadaaki Tomiyama, Yoshio Uematsu, Hiromi Ishikawa Ishikawa, Tatsushi Yoshida, Hiroyoshi Yokome, Yukihiro Nakamura, Hisashi Ohyama, Tatsumi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7197816
    Abstract: Hand-held devices that can be used to quickly install flashover protection covers around energized electrical conductors and equipment are provided. Each device includes a guide assembly that defines a pair of spaced-apart, converging passageways that are configured to slidably receive the elongated edge portions of a flexible panel therethrough. The converging passageways force together the opposite edge portions of a flexible panel being advanced through the guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Terry Edward Frye
  • Patent number: 7152309
    Abstract: The pair of press-connecting pliers mainly have a first handle provided with a press-connecting die block, the press-connecting die block at least has two set of press-connecting sections allowing diversion and position changing, while the second handle can drive a press-connecting head to move toward the press-connecting die block to press connect a set of wire and pin in cooperation with the two set of press-connecting sections capable of being opposite to the press-connecting head after diversion; and by the functions of diversion and position changing of the two set of press-connecting sections, the press-connecting pliers at least can do press connecting of pins and wires of two specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hanlong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Chou Liao
  • Patent number: 7134190
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated wire harness machine (40) capable of manufacturing a wire harness (42) unique in-part due to the automation process. The novel wire harness is generally a plurality of bundled, preferably un-stripped, insulated wires (46). Each un-stripped end portion (180, 182) of each wire is preferably terminated to one of a series of electrical connectors (44) of the wire harness. Each connector has at least one wafer (52) which houses a plurality of terminals (54) preferably crimped and electrically terminated to the ends of the wires. The wire harness machine preferably utilizes a pallet (56) which holds all of the wafers of one wire harness. A conveyor (58) transports the pallet and wafers through a series of stations which perform automated manufacturing steps. The first station is a terminal inserter (64) which inserts and locks the terminals within pre-assigned cavities (114) of the wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Bungo, James A. Gourash, Shao Chung Hsieh, John Thomas Kightlinger, Nick M. Loprire, Robert Alan McFall, John C. McLane, Andrew F. Rodondi, Mark J. Vanden Wymelenberg
  • Patent number: 7120997
    Abstract: A connector axial compression tool having a lever end and a cable end, with a body slidably supporting a cradle in a cavity formed in the body. The cradle is slidable via a handle which pivots about the body, linked to the cradle by a lever mechanism. The cradle has a shoulder clamp adapted to mate with a connector body. Operation of the handle moves the cradle towards and away from a cable end of the cavity, against a cable clamp through which the cable may pass but against which a cable clamp sleeve of the connector abuts, axially compressing the connector to couple it to the cable. Because the shoulder clamp holds the connector body rather than pressing against the connector interface, a wide range of different connectors may be used with the same tool, without causing damage to the connector interface of the various connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Nahid Islam, Joon Lee, David John Ball, Rodger Burke
  • Patent number: 7096573
    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 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: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Randall A. Holliday
  • Patent number: 7096565
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an inner conductor from a conductive body integrally forms a flange on one end of the conductive body. The flange is formed integral to the conductive body by flaring the end of the conductive body. The size and shape of the flange is selected to achieve a desired capacitance surface area for use in a resonator. A resonator housing that has a plurality of cavities can be provided with a plurality of conductive bodies that are inserted into holes located in a bottom wall of the resonator body and that protrude into the plurality of cavities. The resonator housing and conductive bodies are placed onto a flanging fixture to produce a flange on each conductive body of a desired size and shape to achieve a desired capacitance surface area. The plurality of conductive bodies can be simultaneously flanged and fastened to the base of the resonator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Teuvo Haapalahti, Pekka Jokilehto, Tapio Suvanto, Pentti Mehtätalo
  • Patent number: 7062846
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for engaging electrical hardware devices. The apparatus 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Adam I. Armstrong, Alexander V. Verrigni
  • Patent number: 7040007
    Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for connecting a modular plug connector with a telephone/data cable, and an axial connector with a coaxial cable, including a pair of operating arms pivotally connected intermediate their ends to define on opposite sides of the pivot axis a pair of operating end portions and a pair of crimping end portions, respectively, a pair of crimping dies being connected between the crimping end portions and containing first recesses for defining a first crimping chamber adjacent the end extremities of the crimping end portions, the adjacent surfaces of the crimping dies containing opposed second recesses cooperating to define a second crimping chamber arranged between the first crimping chamber and the pivot axis of the operating arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Connectool Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie B. Shutts, Yin Ho Cheng, Huang De Sei
  • Patent number: 7028393
    Abstract: A contraction tool includes a main body, and a pressing unit mounted on the main body. The pressing unit includes two press plates each having an upper section formed with a positioning recess and a lower section formed with a tapered face. The contraction tool further comprises a push rod moved relative to the main body and inserted into the positioning recesses of the two press plates of the pressing unit, and an urging member mounted on the push rod to move therewith synchronously and inserted between the tapered faces of the two press plates of the pressing unit. Thus, the contraction tool has an enhanced pressing force and is operated easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Shu Chen Wei
  • Patent number: 7003868
    Abstract: A copper welding rod is used in an arc-welding operation to form a bead that joins a copper starter sheet and a stainless steel hanger bar. The amperage level of the arc-welding equipment is set to generate heat at the weld site which is above the melting point of copper and below the melting point of stainless steel. This results in a welded joint between the copper bead and the hanger bar and a brazed joint between the copper bead and the starter sheet. Since brazing produces little or no fusion, the area of contact between the two dissimilar metals is limited to the interface between them, which significantly reduces the damaging effects of galvanic corrosion. Another improvement lies in the application of a corrosion-resistant metallic coating on the joint between the hanger bar and the starter sheet using a high velocity oxygen fuel flame spray technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: T.A. Caid Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Neal J. Preimesberger
  • Patent number: 6948234
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an end connector compression tool, including: a body; supports to support a cable and uncompressed end connector parts; a compression member axially movable with respect to the body to fixedly attach the end connector parts to the cable by compression of the end connector parts; a handle rotatably attached to the compression member at a first pivot point; and a link rotatably attached to the handle at a second pivot point and to the body at a third pivot point, such that rotation of the handle from an open position to a closed position effects compressive fixed attachment of the end connector parts to the cable. The tool may have an integral coaxial cable stripping function included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Rostra Tool Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Steiner
  • Patent number: 6901657
    Abstract: The wiring harness has a plurality of first sub-harnesses and a plurality of second sub-harnesses. The first sub-harness has a first press-fit terminal joined to each end of a first electrical cable, and the first sub-harness has a first isolator holding the first press-fit terminal. The second sub-harness has a second press-fit terminal, a crimp terminal, a connector housing for accommodating the crimp terminal, and a second isolator supporting the second press-fit terminal. The second press-fit terminal is connected to one end of a second electrical cable, and the crimp terminal is connected to the other end of the second electrical cable. The press-fit terminals held by different ones of the isolators can be connected to one another when any of the first and second isolators are layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 6859995
    Abstract: A new fixture which is capable of holding an HSA throughout all processes is invented so that Quasi-Static Test can be done before swaging. Handling operations are reduced and rework is made much easier. The invention further provides a process for testing the HSA by means of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sae Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Huegung Wang, Yiusing Ho, Chunkau Leung, Waikong Cheung, Shinji Misawa, Jinsuo Sun, Wenxin Chang
  • Patent number: 6860001
    Abstract: A splicing device for connecting component belts via metal splicing two jaws that can be pressed together. At least two centering pins are located in one of the jaws. The centering pins are spaced at single or multiple intervals of holes of transport perforation provided in the component belts. The centering pins enter into corresponding holes in the other jaw when the two jaws are closed together. The jaws are also provided with a cutting device with knives by way of which the component belts can be cut to length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Henghuber
  • Publication number: 20040244188
    Abstract: A crimping block device comprised of a crimping base block and an upper crimping block constructed to mate with the base. The crimping block base is provided with a plurality of ribs that engage a plurality of crimping troughs on the surface of the crimping block. When the upper crimping block is placed on the base crimping block, the ribs are centered over the crimping troughs. Bolts on each end of the upper crimping block allow it to be screwed down tightly against the base crimping block with the ribs engaging a socket on a connector to securely and completely crush the socket around the cable. Each crimping trough is different in size to accommodate different sized cables. An alternate embodiment includes a handle to be attached to the crimping block device for ease of maneuverability which can be removed when space will not allow the use of a handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Harold D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6823581
    Abstract: A base plate and load beam for an HG assembly are formed in series, stacked, and transferred by a transfer system in the form of the stacked-layer series to undergo the necessary assembly processes such as layer joining, slider attachment, and electrical connections between the terminals thereon. When uncompleted HG assemblies are transferred for each of the manufacturing processes, the uncompleted HG assembly is mounted on the assembly jig such as a tray or a block for transference. For this reason, assembling jigs, the number of which is at least equal to the number of the uncompleted HG assemblies remaining at the respective assembly processes would be needed. Accordingly, the efficiency of work space is reduced, and a rise in manufacturing cost is brought about by the need for the assembling jigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Takao Kidachi, Tadaaki Tomiyama, Yoshio Uematsu, Hiromi Ishikawa Ishikawa, Tatsushi Yoshida, Hiroyoshi Yokome, Yukihiro Nakamura, Hisashi Ohyama, Tatsumi Tsuchiya
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6792675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus that proactively ensures alignment (parallelism) of the connectors on the circuit board during the solder assembly of the connectors to the circuit board. The apparatus includes an alignment fixture that has been specifically designed to ensure parallelism of straddle-mounted connectors during the solder reflow assembly process. The fixture has connector slots and a circuit board slot. The slots help to detect whether the connectors meet the X- and Y-axis alignment requirements after the insertion process (after the connectors have been placed onto the circuit board). That is, if the X- and Y-axis alignment specifications are met, the circuit board with its attached connectors can be completely fitted into the slots of the alignment fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Camnhung T. Tran
  • Publication number: 20040172810
    Abstract: There is described a crimping unit for joining electric connectors (2) to flat electric cables (3). The unit (1) has an anvil assembly (24) defining a seat (32; 32a) for housing a casing (8) of a connector (2); a pressure assembly (26) cooperating with the anvil assembly (24) to crimp the terminals (4) of the connector (2) to respective conducting tracks (5) of a flat electric cable (3); and an ejector (69) having a first push rod (72) housed in the anvil assembly (24) to expel the casing (8) from the seat (32; 32a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Luigi Aluffo
  • Publication number: 20040168308
    Abstract: There is described a unit (1) for crimping electric terminals (2) of a connector (3) to respective conducting tracks (4) of a flat cable (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Luigi Aluffo
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6782608
    Abstract: In a mold for pressing an electric-wire clamping portion of a terminal, a lower side-wall mold part and an upper side-wall mold part are provided for pressing side walls connected to the electric-wire clamping portion. A pressure face substantially continuously connected to a pressure face of an upper conductor mold part is provided on one end side of the upper side-wall mold part. A taper face is provided on the other end side of the upper side-wall mold part so as to be enlarged toward the other end. Accordingly, side walls pressed between the lower side-wall mold part and the upper side-wall mold part are deformed so that the quantity of deformation at one end is near the quantity of compressive deformation of the electric-wire clamping portion and so that the quantity of deformation is reduced gradually toward the other end side. Thus, local stress concentration is not caused in the side walls so that cracks are prevented from occurring in the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ohsumi, Yoshimi Wada
  • 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: 6769173
    Abstract: An electrical connector crimping die comprises a first section for removably connecting the die to an electrical connector compression tool. A second section of the die, which is connected to the first section, is provided for crimping a connector. The second section comprises a generally concave crimp projection of a given height which defines a primary crimp surface and at least one concave shaped secondary pre-crimp surface. The secondary pre-crimp surface is recessed relative to the primary crimp surface by the given height. The primary crimp surface and the secondary pre-crimp surface are arranged relative to the first section so that a major portion of a crimping force applied by the compression tool to the crimping die is applied to the primary crimp surface to crimp a first portion of the connector and so that a minor portion of the crimping force is applied to the secondary pre-crimp surface to pre-crimp a second portion of the connector. A hydraulic crimping tool employs such a crimping die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Chadbourne
  • 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: 20040029454
    Abstract: A method of connecting a terminal fitting and an electric wire, includes the steps of: providing a terminal fitting; providing an electric wire in which a core wire is covered with an insulating sheath; providing a conductive connecting member formed with an insertion hole; inserting the electric wire into the insertion hole of the connecting member; compressing the connecting member radially inwardly so as to caulk an inserted portion of the electric wire uniformly over a whole periphery thereof; and welding the connecting member and the terminal fitting by applying ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Onuma, Kei Fujimoto
  • 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: 6658725
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a crimped joint in an electrical wire terminal. The apparatus forms a crimped joint and substantially simultaneously bends and/or twists the terminal and electrical wire about their respective longitudinal axes, effective to reduce electrical contact resistance within the formed joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dangrong Ronald Liu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030172529
    Abstract: A crimp press has a positioning unit for lowering a grip arm supplying a cable end to a crimp device. The positioning unit is arranged on a handle firmly connected with a tool holder. Vertical movement of the handle with the positioning unit corresponds to the vertical movement of the tool holder during the crimping operation. Adjustment to different crimp devices and/or different crimping contact types is provided by a bar of the positioning unit being adjustable in vertical direction and automatically lockable and releasable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Alois Conte
  • Patent number: 6618932
    Abstract: On a turntable are disposed a plurality of applicators and their respective terminal reels holding strings of terminals. A rail and a shank holder guide are provided between a press for operating one of the applicators and a waiting position on the turntable. One of the applicators alone moves between a set position in the press and the waiting position on the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20030150105
    Abstract: A terminal-joining apparatus includes a lock member. A temporarily assembled unit of a terminal assembly is guided into a receiving space and a bent portion of the unit pushes up a releasing surface of the lock member. When the releasing surface is pushed up, the lock member is turned about a fixed axle and a lock-supporting portion is moved down. When a lever is released from the lock-supporting portion and is turned about an axle, the temporarily assembled unit of the terminal assembly is pressed between a pressing surface and a stop wall to permanently join the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Araki
  • Publication number: 20030150106
    Abstract: A press die assembly is provided for joining wires with connectors that hold insulation displacement contacts and for crimping the connector about the wire. The housing holds contacts that have insulation displacement portions and crimping portions constructed of a pair of barrels. A press die assembly arranged above the contacts has stuffers for pressing wires onto the insulation displacement portions, crimpers for crimping the barrels about the wires, and guide members placed between the stuffers and the crimpers. The guide members slide along partition walls of a housing ahead of the crimpers to ensure proper alignment. The crimpers are constructed of a single member having a depth that sufficiently covers both ends of the pair of barrels of the crimping portion along the axial direction of the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Shunichi Shoji