US3884276A — Method and apparatus for forming paired leads hav…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 233 words

A method of forming a terminated pair of twisted leads from a source of twisted leads comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply of twisted pairs of leads having a free end; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads between the free end and the source of supply and engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to untwist the leads between the two intermediate portions; feeding the untwisted leads to a cutting zone; cutting the untwisted leads at the cutting zone to form cut trailing and leading ends, the leading ends still being interconnected with the source of supply; transferring the leading ends to an applicator station for the application of terminals thereto and then repositioning the leading ends in alignment with the cutting zone; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads between the untwisted portion and the source of supply and engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to form an additional untwisted portion; feeding an additional untwisted portion into the cutting zone while advancing the untwisted portion which has the terminals affixed to the leading ends through and past the cutting zone; severing the additional untwisted portion; and applying terminals or the like to the trailing ends of the severed additional untwisted portion.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 233 words

A method of forming a terminated pair of twisted leads from a source of twisted leads comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply of twisted pairs of leads having a free end; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads between the free end and the source of supply and engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to untwist the leads between the two intermediate portions; feeding the untwisted leads to a cutting zone; cutting the untwisted leads at the cutting zone to form cut trailing and leading ends, the leading ends still being interconnected with the source of supply; transferring the leading ends to an applicator station for the application of terminals thereto and then repositioning the leading ends in alignment with the cutting zone; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads between the untwisted portion and the source of supply and engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to form an additional untwisted portion; feeding an additional untwisted portion into the cutting zone while advancing the untwisted portion which has the terminals affixed to the leading ends through and past the cutting zone; severing the additional untwisted portion; and applying terminals or the like to the trailing ends of the severed additional untwisted portion.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of forming a pair of twisted leads from two untwisted leads and affixing terminals to the leading and trailing ends of the pair of twisted leads comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply for two leads in an untwisted state; twisting two short spaced apart lengths of the leads between their leading ends and their source of supply together while leaving an intermediate portion between the two twisted lengths untwisted; feeding a measured amount of twisted-untwisted wire to a cutting zone to present an untwisted portion to the cutting zone; cutting an untwisted portion at the cutting zone to form cut trailing and leading ends, the leading ends still being connected to the source of supply; transferring the leading ends to terminal applicators; applying terminals to the leading ends; repositioning the leading ends in line with the cutting zone; advancing another measured amount of the twisted-untwisted portion past the cutting zone until the next untwisted portion is disposed within the cutting zone; cutting the untwisted portion at the cutting zone to form new cut and trailing ends, the new leading ends still being connected to the source of supply; transferring the new leading ends to terminal applicators; applying terminals to the new leading ends; transferring the new trailing ends to additional terminal applicators; and applying terminals to the new trailing ends.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of forming a pair of twisted leads from two untwisted leads and affixing terminals to the leading and trailing ends of the pair of twisted leads comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply for two leads in an untwisted state; twisting two short spaced apart lengths of the leads between their leading ends and their source of supply together while leaving an intermediate portion between the two twisted lengths untwisted; feeding a measured amount of twisted-untwisted wire to a cutting zone to present an untwisted portion to the cutting zone; cutting an untwisted portion at the cutting zone to form cut trailing and leading ends, the leading ends still being connected to the source of supply; transferring the leading ends to terminal applicators; applying terminals to the leading ends; repositioning the leading ends in line with the cutting zone; advancing another measured amount of the twisted-untwisted portion past the cutting zone until the next untwisted portion is disposed within the cutting zone; cutting the untwisted portion at the cutting zone to form new cut and trailing ends, the new leading ends still being connected to the source of supply; transferring the new leading ends to terminal applicators; applying terminals to the new leading ends; transferring the new trailing ends to additional terminal applicators; and applying terminals to the new trailing ends.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 129 words

The method set forth in claim 2 in which the step of twisting two short spaced apart lengths of the leads between the leading ends and their source of supply together while leaving an intermediate portion between two twisted lengths untwisted comprises the following steps: engaging two spaced apart portions of untwisted wire and holding said portions from rotation; engaging two other spaced apart portions, said other spaced apart portions being disposed inwardly of those portions which are being held from rotation and spaced away from each other and the portions which are being held; and rotating said other portions in a common direction to twist the wire between the held portion and the other portion while leaving the leads between the two other portions in an untwisted state.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of forming twisted-untwisted paired leads from a source of supply of twisted leads so that subsequent automatic machine operations may be performed upon the untwisted portion of the twisted-untwisted pair of leads, said method comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply of twisted paired leads having a free end; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads from rotation between the free end and the source of supply; engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions relative to each other to untwist the twisted paired leads between the two intermediate portions to form an initial untwisted portion; holding two additional spaced apart portions of the twisted pair of leads between the untwisted portion and the source of supply; engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; and rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to untwist the leads between the two intermediate portions to form paired leads having twisted-untwisted portions suitable for subsequent automatic machine operation on the untwisted portions such as the application of terminals to severed untwisted portions.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of forming twisted-untwisted paired leads from a source of supply of twisted leads so that subsequent automatic machine operations may be performed upon the untwisted portion of the twisted-untwisted pair of leads, said method comprising the steps of: providing a source of supply of twisted paired leads having a free end; holding two spaced apart portions of the twisted paired leads from rotation between the free end and the source of supply; engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions relative to each other to untwist the twisted paired leads between the two intermediate portions to form an initial untwisted portion; holding two additional spaced apart portions of the twisted pair of leads between the untwisted portion and the source of supply; engaging two intermediate portions between the two held portions; and rotating the two intermediate portions in opposed directions to untwist the leads between the two intermediate portions to form paired leads having twisted-untwisted portions suitable for subsequent automatic machine operation on the untwisted portions such as the application of terminals to severed untwisted portions.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 269 words

In an apparatus adapted to apply terminals or the like to both ends of a pair of leads which are initially twisted about each other at a source of supply, said apparatus including: leAd cutting means operable to cut a pair of leads to form an additional pair of cut leads whose trailing ends are initially in register with the leading ends of the pair of leads which still extend away from the source of supply which is located to one side of the cutting means; applying means disposed to either side of said cutting means and operable to apply terminals or the like to one or more of the cut trailing and leading ends; transfer means operable to transfer the cut trailing and leading ends from a first position adjacent said cutting means to said applying means for the application of terminals or the like thereto, and to further transfer the cut leading ends back to their first position, and feeding means disposed to the same side of the cutting means so the source of supply and operable to feed the pair of leads which are still connected to the source of supply past the cutting means after terminals or the like have been applied to one or more of the leading ends and after they have been transferred back to their first position; the combination therewith of untwisting means operable to untwist a pair of twisted leads to expose individual leads for cutting and the application of terminals or the like thereto, said untwisting means being disposed between the lead cutting means and the source of supply.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 269 words

In an apparatus adapted to apply terminals or the like to both ends of a pair of leads which are initially twisted about each other at a source of supply, said apparatus including: leAd cutting means operable to cut a pair of leads to form an additional pair of cut leads whose trailing ends are initially in register with the leading ends of the pair of leads which still extend away from the source of supply which is located to one side of the cutting means; applying means disposed to either side of said cutting means and operable to apply terminals or the like to one or more of the cut trailing and leading ends; transfer means operable to transfer the cut trailing and leading ends from a first position adjacent said cutting means to said applying means for the application of terminals or the like thereto, and to further transfer the cut leading ends back to their first position, and feeding means disposed to the same side of the cutting means so the source of supply and operable to feed the pair of leads which are still connected to the source of supply past the cutting means after terminals or the like have been applied to one or more of the leading ends and after they have been transferred back to their first position; the combination therewith of untwisting means operable to untwist a pair of twisted leads to expose individual leads for cutting and the application of terminals or the like thereto, said untwisting means being disposed between the lead cutting means and the source of supply.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 83 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 5 in which said untwisting means includes first and second spaced apart lead holding means, first and second spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means located between the lead holding means and spaced away from each other and the lead holding means, and first and second rotating means operable to rotate said first and second rotatable lead engaging means, respectively, in opposed directions to untwist the pair of twisted leads between the spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 295 words

In an apparatus adapted to apply terminals or the like to both ends of a pair of leads which are initially not twisted about each other at a source of supply, said apparatus including: lead cutting means operable to cut a pair of leads to form an additional pair of cut leads whose trailing ends are initially in register with the leading ends of the pair of leads which still extend away from the source of supply which is located to one side of the cutting means; applying means disposed to either side of said cutting means and operable to apply terminals or the like to one or more of the cut trailing and leading ends; transfer means operable to transfer the cut trailing and leading ends from a first position adjacent said cutting means to said applying means for the application of terminals or the like thereto, and to further transfer the cut leading ends back to their first position; and feeding means disposed to the same side of the cutting means as the source of supply and operable to feed the pair of leads which are still connected to the source of supply past the cutting means after terminals or the like have been applied to one or more of the leading ends and after they have been transferred back to their first position; the combination therewith of twisting means operable to twist two short spaced apart lengths of a pair of untwisted leads, said twisting means being disposed between the cutting means and the source of supply, said twisting means forming a pair of leads having twisted and untwisted portions, said feed means feeding untwisted portions to said cutting means and said lead cutting means being operable to sever an untwisted portion.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 295 words

In an apparatus adapted to apply terminals or the like to both ends of a pair of leads which are initially not twisted about each other at a source of supply, said apparatus including: lead cutting means operable to cut a pair of leads to form an additional pair of cut leads whose trailing ends are initially in register with the leading ends of the pair of leads which still extend away from the source of supply which is located to one side of the cutting means; applying means disposed to either side of said cutting means and operable to apply terminals or the like to one or more of the cut trailing and leading ends; transfer means operable to transfer the cut trailing and leading ends from a first position adjacent said cutting means to said applying means for the application of terminals or the like thereto, and to further transfer the cut leading ends back to their first position; and feeding means disposed to the same side of the cutting means as the source of supply and operable to feed the pair of leads which are still connected to the source of supply past the cutting means after terminals or the like have been applied to one or more of the leading ends and after they have been transferred back to their first position; the combination therewith of twisting means operable to twist two short spaced apart lengths of a pair of untwisted leads, said twisting means being disposed between the cutting means and the source of supply, said twisting means forming a pair of leads having twisted and untwisted portions, said feed means feeding untwisted portions to said cutting means and said lead cutting means being operable to sever an untwisted portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 129 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 7 in which said twisting means includes first and second spaced apart lead holding means, first and second spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means located between the lead holding means and spaced away from each other and the lead holding means, and first and second rotating means operable to rotate said first and second rotatable lead engaging means, respectively, in a common direction to form a first tWisted length between the first lead holding means and the first rotatable lead engaging means and to form a second twisted length between the second lead holding means and the second rotatable lead engaging means, the portion of the leads between the first and second spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means remaining in an untwisted form.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 214 words

An apparatus suitable for either untwisting an intermediate portion of a pair of twisted leads or for twisting two intermediate portions of a pair of untwisted leads, said apparatus comprising: first and second spaced apart lead holding means; first and second spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means located between the lead holding means and spaced away from each other and the lead holding means; and first and second rotating means operable to rotate said first and second rotatable lead engaging means, respectively, said rotating means being selectively operable to rotate said rotatable lead engaging means in either a common direction or in opposed directions the parts being so arranged and constructed that when untwisting leads the first and second rotatable lead engaging means will rotate in opposed directions relative to each other and opposite to the twist of the leads to untwist the portion of the twisted leads between the rotatable lead engaging means and also so constructed and arranged that when twisting untwisted leads, the rotatable lead engaging means will rotate in a common direction relative to each other to form two twisted lengths between the rotatable lead engaging means and the holding means while leaving that portion of the leads between first and second rotatable lead engaging means in an untwisted state.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 214 words

An apparatus suitable for either untwisting an intermediate portion of a pair of twisted leads or for twisting two intermediate portions of a pair of untwisted leads, said apparatus comprising: first and second spaced apart lead holding means; first and second spaced apart rotatable lead engaging means located between the lead holding means and spaced away from each other and the lead holding means; and first and second rotating means operable to rotate said first and second rotatable lead engaging means, respectively, said rotating means being selectively operable to rotate said rotatable lead engaging means in either a common direction or in opposed directions the parts being so arranged and constructed that when untwisting leads the first and second rotatable lead engaging means will rotate in opposed directions relative to each other and opposite to the twist of the leads to untwist the portion of the twisted leads between the rotatable lead engaging means and also so constructed and arranged that when twisting untwisted leads, the rotatable lead engaging means will rotate in a common direction relative to each other to form two twisted lengths between the rotatable lead engaging means and the holding means while leaving that portion of the leads between first and second rotatable lead engaging means in an untwisted state.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 82 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said first and second rotating means includes a double acting cylinder assembly having reciprocal rod means, a rack interconnected with said rod means, gearing interconnecting said rack with said rotatable lead engaging means, and means interconnecting said cylinder assembly with high and low pressure lines, said interconnecting means including reversing means whereby one cylinder assembly may be operated in either the same manner as the other cylinder or in a reverse manner.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 110 words

An apparatus suitable for either untwisting an intermediate portion of a pair of twisted leads or for twisting two intermediate portions of a pair of untwisted leads, said apparatus comprising: mounting structure; first and second spaced apart sub-assemblies carried by said mounting structure, each of said sub-assemblies including a frame; lead holding means mounted on each of said frames and adapted to engage a plurality of leads; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on each of said frames in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means; and means mounted on each of said frames operative to rotate said rotatable lead engaging means selectively in either direction about its axis.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 110 words

An apparatus suitable for either untwisting an intermediate portion of a pair of twisted leads or for twisting two intermediate portions of a pair of untwisted leads, said apparatus comprising: mounting structure; first and second spaced apart sub-assemblies carried by said mounting structure, each of said sub-assemblies including a frame; lead holding means mounted on each of said frames and adapted to engage a plurality of leads; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on each of said frames in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means; and means mounted on each of said frames operative to rotate said rotatable lead engaging means selectively in either direction about its axis.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 211 words

Apparatus for forming a length of twisted-untwisted leads from a plurality of leads comprising; frame means; lead holding means mounted on said frame means and adapted to engage a plurality of leads; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on said frame means in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means, said rotatable lead engaging means including a rotatable support rotatable about an axis, said support having an aperture extending therethrough concentric with its axis for the reception of a plurality of leads, and a pair of lead clamping means mounted on said rotatable support on opposite sides of said aperture and movable between open inoperative and closed operative positions; a pair of shoes mounted on said frame means on opposite sides of said rotatable support for movement towards and away from said rotatable support between operative and inoperative positions, respectively, each of said pair of shoes having a semi-cylindrical concave surface engagable with said lead clamping means when said pair of shoes are in their operative position to cause said lead clamping means to be disposed in their operative position; means mounted on said frame means operative to rotate said rotatable support; and means mounted on said frame means operative to move said shoes between their operative and inoperative positions.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 211 words

Apparatus for forming a length of twisted-untwisted leads from a plurality of leads comprising; frame means; lead holding means mounted on said frame means and adapted to engage a plurality of leads; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on said frame means in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means, said rotatable lead engaging means including a rotatable support rotatable about an axis, said support having an aperture extending therethrough concentric with its axis for the reception of a plurality of leads, and a pair of lead clamping means mounted on said rotatable support on opposite sides of said aperture and movable between open inoperative and closed operative positions; a pair of shoes mounted on said frame means on opposite sides of said rotatable support for movement towards and away from said rotatable support between operative and inoperative positions, respectively, each of said pair of shoes having a semi-cylindrical concave surface engagable with said lead clamping means when said pair of shoes are in their operative position to cause said lead clamping means to be disposed in their operative position; means mounted on said frame means operative to rotate said rotatable support; and means mounted on said frame means operative to move said shoes between their operative and inoperative positions.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 12 in which each of said pair of lead clamping means includes a lead clamp assembly pivotally mounted on said rotatable support.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said pair of lead clamping means further includes a slide assembly movable toward and away from the aperture in said rotatable support between operative and inoperative positions, respectively; and means interconnecting each slide assembly with a lead clamp assembly.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein said means interconnecting includes pin means mounted on one of said slide assembly and lead clamp assembly and an elongated aperture mounted on the other of said slide assembly and lead clamp assembly, said pin means being received within said elongated aperture.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said pair of lead clamping means includes a roller engagable with the semi-cylindrical surface of said pair of shoes when they are in their operative position.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 12 wherein said rotatable support has a generally circular outer periphery, and wherein said pair of lead clamping means each have a portion biased beyond the circular outer periphery of the rotatable support when said pair of shoes are in their open inoperative position.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 116 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said pair of lead clamping means includes a lead clamp assembly, means pivotally securing said lead clamp assembly to said rotatable support, an elongated aperture within said lead clamp assembly remote from the means which pivotally secure the lead clamp assembly to the rotatable support, a slide assembly mounted on said rotatable support, pin means extending outwardly from said slide assembly and disposed within said elongated aperture, a roller mounted on said slide assembly and selectively engagable with said pair of shoes, and compression spring means normally biasing the lead clamping assembly and said roller to a location remote from the aperture within said rotatable support.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 53 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 18 further characterized by the provision of a cover secured to said rotatable support, one of said rotatable support and cover being provided with a channel within which said slide assembly is adapted to reciprocate, said cover and rotatable support maintaining the slide assembly within said channel.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 95 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 12 wherein said rotatable lead engaging means includes a gear, and said means mounted on said frame means operative to rotate said rotatable support includes a jack shaft spaced away from said rotatable support, a first relatively large diameter gear mounted on said jack shaft and engaged with said gear on said rotatable support, a second gear mounted on said jack shaft concentric with said first gear, said second gear having a relatively small diameter, a rack engagable with said second gear, and means operable to reciprocate said rack.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 311 words

An apparatus for forming a length of twisted-untwisted leads from a plurality of leads comprising: frame means; lead holding means mounted on said frame means and adapted to engage a plurality of leads, said lead holding means including an aperture through which said plurality of leads may extend; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on said frame means in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means, said rotatable lead engaging means including a rotatable support rotatable about an axis, said support having an aperture extending therethrough concentric with its axis for the reception of a plurality of leads, the aperture in the roTatable support being in concentric alignment with the aperture in the rotatable lead engaging means, a pair of lead clamping assemblies disposed on opposite sides of said aperture in said rotatable support, pivot means interconnecting said lead clamping assemblies with said rotatable support, a pair of opposed slide assemblies mounted on said rotatable support for reciprocal movement towards and away from said aperture on the rotatable support, each of said slide assemblies including a portion which extends outwardly of the periphery of the rotatable support when said slide assemblies are in their outer position, and means interconnecting the slide assembly with the lead clamping assembly; a pair of shoes mounted on said frame means on opposite sides of said rotatable support for movement towards and away from said rotatable support between operative and inoperative positions, respectively, each of said pair of shoes having a semi-cylindrical concave surface engagable with said portion of said slide assemblies when said pair of shoes are in their operative position to cause said lead clamping assemblies to be pivoted to their operative position; means mounted on said frame means operative to rotate said rotatable support; and means mounted on said frame means operative to move said shoes between their operative and inoperative positions.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 311 words

An apparatus for forming a length of twisted-untwisted leads from a plurality of leads comprising: frame means; lead holding means mounted on said frame means and adapted to engage a plurality of leads, said lead holding means including an aperture through which said plurality of leads may extend; rotatable lead engaging means mounted on said frame means in spaced apart relationship relative to said lead holding means, said rotatable lead engaging means including a rotatable support rotatable about an axis, said support having an aperture extending therethrough concentric with its axis for the reception of a plurality of leads, the aperture in the roTatable support being in concentric alignment with the aperture in the rotatable lead engaging means, a pair of lead clamping assemblies disposed on opposite sides of said aperture in said rotatable support, pivot means interconnecting said lead clamping assemblies with said rotatable support, a pair of opposed slide assemblies mounted on said rotatable support for reciprocal movement towards and away from said aperture on the rotatable support, each of said slide assemblies including a portion which extends outwardly of the periphery of the rotatable support when said slide assemblies are in their outer position, and means interconnecting the slide assembly with the lead clamping assembly; a pair of shoes mounted on said frame means on opposite sides of said rotatable support for movement towards and away from said rotatable support between operative and inoperative positions, respectively, each of said pair of shoes having a semi-cylindrical concave surface engagable with said portion of said slide assemblies when said pair of shoes are in their operative position to cause said lead clamping assemblies to be pivoted to their operative position; means mounted on said frame means operative to rotate said rotatable support; and means mounted on said frame means operative to move said shoes between their operative and inoperative positions.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 21 wherein said rotatable support is provided with a channel which receives said slide assembly, and further characterized by the provision of a cover mounted on said rotatable support, said cover serving to maintain said slide assembly within the channel in said rotatable support.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-05-19	1978-11-18	1979-05-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-05-19	1982-11-18	1983-05-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-05-19	1986-11-18	1987-05-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for forming paired leads having an intermediate twisted portion and untwisted end portions and for applying terminals or the like to the end portions

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