US4040167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and a machine for separating and fitting insulated conductors of multi-conductor ribbon cables to connectors in housings
Assignee: BREEDON PRESS Ltd
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Filing: 1975-12-29
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Automatic apparatus for fitting a multi-conductor ribbon cable with individual contacts or connectors in which the cable is passed endways between cutting or tearing elements to separate the conductors in the leading cable end, cutting the insulation of each conductor transversely and removing the unwanted terminal insulation portions from the stationary cable, placing a housing carrying suitably positioned contacts over the bare individual conductors, gang-crimping the contacts over the respective conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael John Jepson
- 👤 Bernard Kilbourne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/04; H01R43/048; H01R43/052; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5136; Y10T29/5137; Y10T29/5139; Y10T29/514; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/532; Y10T29/53209; Y10T29/53213; Y10T29/53222; Y10T29/5323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A machine for fitting insulated conductors of an elongated, multi-conductor ribbon, electric cable with contacts comprising: a. separator means for severing the individually insulated conductors at the leading end of said cable; b. guide means for guiding said cable lengthwise to said separator means; c. spreading means for transversely spreading the severed conductors; d. stripping means adapted to receive the spread conductors for baring the leading ends of the same; e. moving means for withdrawing said cable from said separator means and for locating the leading ends of the spread conductors in said stripping means while holding the conductors stationary; f. feeding means for feeding a housing containing a plurality of contacts to a position wherein said contacts are adjacent respetive ones of the leading ends of the conductors bared by said stripping means; g. engaging means for engaging the adjacent contacts with the bared leading ends of said conductors respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A machine for fitting insulated conductors of an elongated, multi-conductor ribbon, electric cable with contacts comprising: a. separator means for severing the individually insulated conductors at the leading end of said cable; b. guide means for guiding said cable lengthwise to said separator means; c. spreading means for transversely spreading the severed conductors; d. stripping means adapted to receive the spread conductors for baring the leading ends of the same; e. moving means for withdrawing said cable from said separator means and for locating the leading ends of the spread conductors in said stripping means while holding the conductors stationary; f. feeding means for feeding a housing containing a plurality of contacts to a position wherein said contacts are adjacent respetive ones of the leading ends of the conductors bared by said stripping means; g. engaging means for engaging the adjacent contacts with the bared leading ends of said conductors respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said separator means include two rollers having respective axes and formed with radial projections and recesses, shifting means for shifting said rollers toward and away from a position of interengagement of the projections on each roller with the recesses of the other roller, and drive means for rotating the rollers while in said position, said guide means including means for guiding said cable toward a position intermediate said rollers for simultaneous engagement by the projections of each roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive means include a coaxial pinion on one of said rollers, a rack meshing with said pinion, and fluid-operated ram means for reciprocating said rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spreading means define a plurality of channels diverging from said separator means toward said stripping means, and said moving means include means for moving said leading ends in said channels respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said moving means further include a clamping member and cam means responsive to the shifting of said rollers for clampingly engaging said clamping member with said conductors and for thereby holding the same stationary.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stripping means include a plurality of cutting blades, and operating means for moving said blades into cutting engagement with the spread and severed insulated conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engaging means include crimping means for crimping said contacts on the engaged bared ends of respective conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising electrically controlled, fluid-operated means for actuating said separator means, said spreading means, said stripping means, said moving means, said feeding means, and said engaging means in timed sequence.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |