US3737998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making electrical connector assemblies
Assignee: CARTER PRECISION ELECTRIC CO
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Filing: 1972-01-21
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1992-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An insulative block is molded having a plurality of pin receiving openings with wide diameter head portions, where the cross sectional size of terminal pins is less than these head portions but greater than the remaining portion of the openings. A terminal pin insert machine is used to assemble the terminal pins comprising a base plate having a plurality of vertical openings formed downwardly from its upper surface, rig means for holding and aligning said terminal block on said base plate such that said pin receiving openings are in direct alignment with said vertical openings, and a guide plate assembly having a plurality of vertical passageways between its upper and lower surface, which is supported directly above the terminal block with its vertical passageways in direct alignment with the pin receiving openings. The vertical passageways of the guide plate assembly have an intermediate portion of identical cross sectional shape and slightly larger size than said terminal pins to hold said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation to said terminal block when in the loading position. Press means are provided for engaging the tops of said terminal pins and driving them down into the pin receiving openings to provide an interference fit therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 L Byrd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R9/16; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/205; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49147; Y10T29/49151; Y10T29/49153; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/4921; Y10T29/49211; Y10T29/49213; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/532; Y10T29/53209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of making a terminal block assembly composed of a plurality of terminal pins inserted through preformed pin receiving openings in an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said terminal pins is greater than the smallest cross sectional dimensions of said preformed opening, comprising the steps of: a. positioning said terminal bLock on a base plate having a set of openings therethrough such that said pin receiving openings are in alignment with said set of openings, b. positioning a guide plate assembly having a plurality of passageways therethrough such that said passageways are in alignment with said pin receiving openings, c. inserting a plurality of terminal pins into said plurality of passageways, where at least a portion of each passageway has a cross sectional size slightly greater than that of said terminal pins to support said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation with said terminal block, and d. simultaneously applying a pressure to the upper end of said terminal pins of sufficient magnitude to drive the lower portion of said pins through said pin receiving openings and provide an interference fit between an intermediate portion of said pins and said preformed openings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of making a terminal block assembly composed of a plurality of terminal pins inserted through preformed pin receiving openings in an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said terminal pins is greater than the smallest cross sectional dimensions of said preformed opening, comprising the steps of: a. positioning said terminal bLock on a base plate having a set of openings therethrough such that said pin receiving openings are in alignment with said set of openings, b. positioning a guide plate assembly having a plurality of passageways therethrough such that said passageways are in alignment with said pin receiving openings, c. inserting a plurality of terminal pins into said plurality of passageways, where at least a portion of each passageway has a cross sectional size slightly greater than that of said terminal pins to support said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation with said terminal block, and d. simultaneously applying a pressure to the upper end of said terminal pins of sufficient magnitude to drive the lower portion of said pins through said pin receiving openings and provide an interference fit between an intermediate portion of said pins and said preformed openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of applying pressure on said terminal pins comprises moving a pressure plate larger than said insulative terminal block downwardly along a path perpendicular to said terminal pins into engagement with the upper ends of said terminal pins and driving said pins inwardly of said pin receiving openings until said pressure plate abuts against the upper surface of said guide plate assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of raising said pressure plate to its starting position and simultaneously lifting said guide plate assembly above said terminal block a sufficient distance to allow the terminal block assembly to be readily removed.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
175 words
The method of making an insulative terminal block having a plurality of spaced pin receiving openings for mounting a plurality of terminal pins, comprising the steps of a. placing an upper mold section having a shallow recess in its lower surface and a plurality of spaced vertical openings between said shallow recess and its upper surface on a lower mold section to define a mold cavity therein, said lower mold section having a plurality of complementary vertical passageways extending downwardly from its upper surface in direct alignment with said vertical openings, b. inserting a telescopic mold pin having a wide base portion and narrow end portion down into each of said vertical openings such that said base portion makes a snug fit with said vertical opening and extends a small distance into said mold cavity, and said narrow end portion extends through said mold cavity and projects through and beyond the entrance portion to said vertical passageway making a snug fit at said entrance portion, and c. filling said mold cavity with a thermosetting material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
175 words
The method of making an insulative terminal block having a plurality of spaced pin receiving openings for mounting a plurality of terminal pins, comprising the steps of a. placing an upper mold section having a shallow recess in its lower surface and a plurality of spaced vertical openings between said shallow recess and its upper surface on a lower mold section to define a mold cavity therein, said lower mold section having a plurality of complementary vertical passageways extending downwardly from its upper surface in direct alignment with said vertical openings, b. inserting a telescopic mold pin having a wide base portion and narrow end portion down into each of said vertical openings such that said base portion makes a snug fit with said vertical opening and extends a small distance into said mold cavity, and said narrow end portion extends through said mold cavity and projects through and beyond the entrance portion to said vertical passageway making a snug fit at said entrance portion, and c. filling said mold cavity with a thermosetting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the cross section of said vertical passageways increases inwardly of said entrance portion to provide a cleared-out area for collection and removal of the excess thermosetting material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
395 words
The method of making a terminal block assembly composed of an insulative terminal block having a plurality of spaced terminal pin receiving openings and a plurality of terminal pins inserted through said pin receiving openings, comprising the steps of a. placing an upper mold section having a shallow recess in its lower surface and a plurality of spaced vertical circular openings between said shallow recess and its upper surface on a lower mold section to define a mold cavity therein; said lower mold section having a plurality of complementary vertical passageways extending downwardly from its upper surface in direct alignment with said vertical openings, b. inserting a telescopic mold pin having a wide circular base portion and a narrow circular end portion down into each of said vertical circular openings where the diameter of said base portion is slightly less than said circular opening to make a snug fit with said vertical opening and extends a small distance into said mold cavity, and said narrow end portion extends through said mold cavity and projects through and beyond the entrance portion to saiD vertical passageway making snug fit at said entrance portion, c. filling said mold cavity with a thermosetting material, d. heating and curing the mold to form a rigid insulative terminal block with said pin receiving opening having a wide lead portion, e. positioning said terminal block on a base plate having a set of openings therethrough such that said pin receiving openings are in alignment with said set of openings, f. positioning a guide plate assembly having a plurality of passageways therethrough such that said passageways are in alignment with said pin receiving openings, g. inserting a plurality of terminal pins having a cross sectional size less than said wide lead portion but greater than the remaining portion of said pin receiving openings into said plurality of passageways where at least a portion of each passageway has a cross sectional size slightly greater than that of said terminal pins to support said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation with said terminal block, and h. simultaneously applying a pressure to the upper end of said terminal pins of sufficient magnitude to drive the lower portion of said pins through said pin receiving openings and provide an interference fit between an intermediate portion of said pins and said remaining portion of said pin receiving openings.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
395 words
The method of making a terminal block assembly composed of an insulative terminal block having a plurality of spaced terminal pin receiving openings and a plurality of terminal pins inserted through said pin receiving openings, comprising the steps of a. placing an upper mold section having a shallow recess in its lower surface and a plurality of spaced vertical circular openings between said shallow recess and its upper surface on a lower mold section to define a mold cavity therein; said lower mold section having a plurality of complementary vertical passageways extending downwardly from its upper surface in direct alignment with said vertical openings, b. inserting a telescopic mold pin having a wide circular base portion and a narrow circular end portion down into each of said vertical circular openings where the diameter of said base portion is slightly less than said circular opening to make a snug fit with said vertical opening and extends a small distance into said mold cavity, and said narrow end portion extends through said mold cavity and projects through and beyond the entrance portion to saiD vertical passageway making snug fit at said entrance portion, c. filling said mold cavity with a thermosetting material, d. heating and curing the mold to form a rigid insulative terminal block with said pin receiving opening having a wide lead portion, e. positioning said terminal block on a base plate having a set of openings therethrough such that said pin receiving openings are in alignment with said set of openings, f. positioning a guide plate assembly having a plurality of passageways therethrough such that said passageways are in alignment with said pin receiving openings, g. inserting a plurality of terminal pins having a cross sectional size less than said wide lead portion but greater than the remaining portion of said pin receiving openings into said plurality of passageways where at least a portion of each passageway has a cross sectional size slightly greater than that of said terminal pins to support said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation with said terminal block, and h. simultaneously applying a pressure to the upper end of said terminal pins of sufficient magnitude to drive the lower portion of said pins through said pin receiving openings and provide an interference fit between an intermediate portion of said pins and said remaining portion of said pin receiving openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of applying pressure on said terminal pins comprises moving a pressure plate larger than said insulative terminal block downwardly along a path perpendicular to said terminal pins into engagement with the upper ends of said terminal pins and driving said pins inwardly of said pin receiving openings until said pressure plate abuts against the upper surface of said guide plate assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of raising said pressure plate to its starting position and simultaneously lifting said guide plate assembly above said terminal block a sufficient distance to allow the terminal block assembly to be readily removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the diameter of said vertical passageways increases inwardly of said entrance portion to provide a cleared-out area for collection and removal of the excess thermosetting material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for inserting terminal pins into pin receiving openings preformed in a spaced relation through an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said pins is greater than the smallest cross sectional dimensions of said openings, comprising a base plate having a plurality of vertical openings formed downwardly from its upper surface, rig means for holding and aligning said terminal block on said base plate such that said pin receiving openings are in direct alignment with said vertical openings, guide plate assembly having a plurality of vertical passageways between its upper and lower surface, mount means carried by said base plate for supporting said guide plate assembly directly above said terminal block with said vertical passageways in direct alignment with said pin receiving openings, said vertical passageways having an intermediate portion of identical cross sectional shape and slightly larger size than said terminal pins to hold said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation to said terminal block when in the loading position, and press means for engaging the tops of said terminal pins and driving them down into said pin receiving openings to provide an interference fit between the intermediate portion of said terminal pins and said smallest cross sectional dimension of said pin receiving openings.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for inserting terminal pins into pin receiving openings preformed in a spaced relation through an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said pins is greater than the smallest cross sectional dimensions of said openings, comprising a base plate having a plurality of vertical openings formed downwardly from its upper surface, rig means for holding and aligning said terminal block on said base plate such that said pin receiving openings are in direct alignment with said vertical openings, guide plate assembly having a plurality of vertical passageways between its upper and lower surface, mount means carried by said base plate for supporting said guide plate assembly directly above said terminal block with said vertical passageways in direct alignment with said pin receiving openings, said vertical passageways having an intermediate portion of identical cross sectional shape and slightly larger size than said terminal pins to hold said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation to said terminal block when in the loading position, and press means for engaging the tops of said terminal pins and driving them down into said pin receiving openings to provide an interference fit between the intermediate portion of said terminal pins and said smallest cross sectional dimension of said pin receiving openings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the upper portion of said vertical passageways in said guide plate assembly has a substantially wider cross section than said terminal pins with an enlarged head area to guide said terminal pins into said vertical passageways.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the thickness of said guide plate assembly equals the desired length of said terminal Pins projecting above said terminal block.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said press means comprises a pressure plate disposed above said guide plate assembly of a size greater than the space array of said pin receiving openings and reciprocal drive means for moving said plate down into driving engagement with said terminal pins to force said terminal pins into an interference fit with said pin receiving openings and returning said plate to its starting position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprising pick-up means for lifting said plate guide assembly above said terminal block during the return stroke of said reciprocal drive means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for inserting terminal pins into circular pin receiving openings having a wide lead portion preformed in a spaced relation through an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said pins is less than said wide lead portion but greater than the remaining portion of said openings, comprising a base plate having a plurality of vertical openings formed downwardly from its upper surface, rig means for holding and aligning said terminal block on said base plate such that said pin receiving openings are in direct alignment with said vertical openings, guide plate assembly having a plurality of vertical passageways between its upper and lower surface, mount means carried by said base plate for supporting said guide plate assembly directly above said terminal block with said vertical passageways in direct alignment with said pin receiving openings, said vertical passageways having an intermediate portion of identical cross sectional shape and slightly larger size than said terminal pins to hold said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation to said terminal block when in the loading position, and press means for engaging the tops of said terminal pins and driving them down into said remaining portion of said pin receiving openings to provide an interference fit therewith.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for inserting terminal pins into circular pin receiving openings having a wide lead portion preformed in a spaced relation through an insulative terminal block where the cross sectional size of said pins is less than said wide lead portion but greater than the remaining portion of said openings, comprising a base plate having a plurality of vertical openings formed downwardly from its upper surface, rig means for holding and aligning said terminal block on said base plate such that said pin receiving openings are in direct alignment with said vertical openings, guide plate assembly having a plurality of vertical passageways between its upper and lower surface, mount means carried by said base plate for supporting said guide plate assembly directly above said terminal block with said vertical passageways in direct alignment with said pin receiving openings, said vertical passageways having an intermediate portion of identical cross sectional shape and slightly larger size than said terminal pins to hold said terminal pins in a perpendicular relation to said terminal block when in the loading position, and press means for engaging the tops of said terminal pins and driving them down into said remaining portion of said pin receiving openings to provide an interference fit therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the upper portion of said vertical passageway in said guide plate assembly is curcular of a substantially wider cross section than said terminal pins with an enlarged head to guide said terminal pins into said vertical passageways.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said press means comprises a pressure plate disposed above said guide plate assembly of a size greater than the space array of said pin receiving openings and reciprocal drive means for moving said plate down into driving engagement with said terminal pins to force said terminal pins into an interference fit with said pin receiving openings and returning said plate to its starting position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, further comprising pick-up means for lifting said plate guide assembly above said terminal block during the return stroke of said reciprocal drive means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said guide plate assembly comprises an upper guide plate, an intermediate alignment plate and a lower guide plate, where the portion of said vertical passageways extending through said upper guide plate comprises a beveled head blending into a circular body section having a cross section substantially larger than the cross section of said terminal pins.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the portion of said vertical passageways extending through said intermediate alignment plate comprises a conical head slightly larger at its upper end than the diameter of said circular body section and at its lower end blending into a body section having the same cross sectional shape of said terminal pins and a slightly larger cross sectional size.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the portion of said vertical passageway extending through said lower guide plate comprises a downwardly tapered head blending into a cylindrical body section of a cross sectional slightly greater than the cross section of said terminal pins.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the combined thickness of said upper guide plate, intermediate guide plate and lower guide plate is selected to equal the desired length of extension of said terminal pins above said insulative block after assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3412462A
Cited
US3668762A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |