Bending apparatus for multiple wire-like articles

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for arresting motion of the article is a member having projections thereon passing through bores in the initial bending means to engage the article.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means allowing movement of said arresting means is a first spring means and wherein said means allowing movement of said initial bending means is a second spring means which is stronger than said first spring means and does not flex until said first spring means is substantially collapsed.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means allowing movement of said arresting means is a first plurality of springs and wherein said means allowing movement of said initial bending means is a second plurality of springs greater in number than said first plurality of springs and not compressable until said first plurality has substantially collapsed.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said initial bending means is a bevelled ramp in a plate and wherein said final bending means is a punch initially spaced from said bevelled ramp and aligned with a bore adjacent to said bevelled ramp for relative movement through said bore.

Claim 7

Apparatus for bending simultaneously a plurality of wires projecting from an article, which comprises: means for advancing the article; means arresting motion of the article after the article has been advanced a predetermined distance; means on said advancing means for engaging said article after the motion of the article has been arrested to press said article against said motion arresting means and to clamp said article between said engaging means and said motion arresting means; means allowing movement of said motion arresting means in response to pressure from said article; means for initially bending the wires upon movement of said motion arresting means, said initial bending means being in the path of advancement of and being engagable by said article; means allowing movement of said initial bending means in response to engagement by and advancement of said article; and means exposed by movement of said initial bending means for finally bending the wires upon continued advancment of the article.

Claim 8

Apparatus for bending simultaneously a plurality of wires projecting from an article, which comprises: means for advancing the article; means arresting motion of the article after the article has been advanced a predetermined distance; means on said advancing means for engaging said article after the motion of the article has been arrested to press said article against said motion arresting means and to clamp said article between said engaging means and said motion arresting means; means allowing movement of said motion arresting means in response to pressure from said article; means for initially bending the wires upon movement of said motion arresting means, said initial bending means being in the path of advancement of and being engagable by said article; means allowing movement of said initial bending means in response to engagement by and advancement of said article; and means exposed by movement of said initial bending means for finally bending the wires upon continued advancment of the article.

Claim 9

Apparatus for bending simultaneously a plurality of wires extending through a printed circuit board from an array of diverse components mounted on the board, comprising: means for receiving the board to initially position the board; means for advancing the board after the board has been positioned; means for arresting motion of the board after the board has been advanced a predetermined distance; means on said advancing means for engaging the components after the motion of the board has been arrested to press said board against said motion arresting means and to clamp said board between said engaging means and said motion arresting means; means for allowing movement of said motion arresting means in response to pressure from said board; means for initially bending the wires upon movement of said motion arresting means, said initial bending means being in the path of advancement of and being enGagable by said board; means for allowing movement of said initial bending means in response to engagement by and advancement of said board; and means engagable upon movement of said initial bending means for finally bending the wires upon continued advancement of the board to secure and electrically connect the wires to the board.

Claim 10

Apparatus for bending simultaneously a plurality of wires extending through a printed circuit board from an array of diverse components mounted on the board, comprising: means for receiving the board to initially position the board; means for advancing the board after the board has been positioned; means for arresting motion of the board after the board has been advanced a predetermined distance; means on said advancing means for engaging the components after the motion of the board has been arrested to press said board against said motion arresting means and to clamp said board between said engaging means and said motion arresting means; means for allowing movement of said motion arresting means in response to pressure from said board; means for initially bending the wires upon movement of said motion arresting means, said initial bending means being in the path of advancement of and being enGagable by said board; means for allowing movement of said initial bending means in response to engagement by and advancement of said board; and means engagable upon movement of said initial bending means for finally bending the wires upon continued advancement of the board to secure and electrically connect the wires to the board.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for engaging the components after the motion of the board has been arrested includes a pad for each component wherein the pads are equally spaced from associated components prior to engaging the components to insure substantially uniform pressure over the board upon subsequent engagement of the components.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each pad has a resilient cushion mounted thereon for engaging the associated component.

Claim 13

In an apparatus for performing a sequence of bending operations on an elongated member, a sequencing mechanism including: three movable members arranged in tandem fashion; first spring means for urging the first of said members in a first direction; second spring means for independently urging the second of said members in the first direction; third spring means extending between the second and third of said members for urging the second member into engagement with the first member; and means for compressing said first spring means prior to compressing said second spring means and subsequent to compressing said third spring means when said third member moves in a direction opposite said first direction to sequentially move said members.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for performing a sequence of bending operations on an elongated member, a sequencing mechanism including: three movable members arranged in tandem fashion; first spring means for urging the first of said members in a first direction; second spring means for independently urging the second of said members in the first direction; third spring means extending between the second and third of said members for urging the second member into engagement with the first member; and means for compressing said first spring means prior to compressing said second spring means and subsequent to compressing said third spring means when said third member moves in a direction opposite said first direction to sequentially move said members.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second members are plates and wherein the first member has a projection thereon which passes through a bore in the second member and a bore therethrough which said second spring passes to abut said second member.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 further including means rigidly secured to the second member and slidably related to the first member for positively limiting movement of said first and second members in said first direction.