Wire insertion apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means, and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for pivotal movement into insertion engagement with a connector supported on said connector carriage means and including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into said terminals of such a connector upon such engagement, said connector carriage means comprising first and second side members and a connector support member, all of said first and second side members and said connector support member being laterally translatable on said frame, generally parallel to the direction of and in response to said movement of said first member at insertion, within predetermined limits.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1 for use with a connector having terminals positioned on opposed sides thereof, wherein said first member is mounted for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means, and said insertion means further comprises a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, and including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into terminals of such a connector.

Claim 4

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector wherein said terminals are arranged parallel to each other on opposing faces of said connector, comprising support means having two movable side members for selectively engaging opposing sides of such a connector, means for positioning said two side members laterally at a plurality of positions relative to each other, in one of said positions said side members engaging such a connector, said means for positioning said side members locking the position of said side members relative to each other, and in another of said positions said side members being retracted from such a connector, first guide means for aligning wires with terminals on one of such opposing faces of a connector supported by said support means, and insertion means including a first movable arm having extending rams, for forcing wires aligned with terminals on such a face of such a connector by said first guide means into such terminals.

Claim 5

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector wherein said terminals are arranged parallel to each other on opposing faces of said connector, comprising support means having two movable side members for selectively engaging opposing sides of such a connector, means for positioning said two side members laterally at a plurality of positions relative to each other, in one of said positions said side members engaging such a connector, said means for positioning said side members locking the position of said side members relative to each other, and in another of said positions said side members being retracted from such a connector, first guide means for aligning wires with terminals on one of such opposing faces of a connector supported by said support means, and insertion means including a first movable arm having extending rams, for forcing wires aligned with terminals on such a face of such a connector by said first guide means into such terminals.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said first movable arm includes means for varying the extension of said rams from said first arm.

Claim 7

Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising a second guide means for aligning wires with terminals on the other of such opposing faces of such a connector, and wherein said insertion means includes a second movable arm having extending rams for forcing wires aligned with terminals on such other face of such a connector by said second guide means into such terminals.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said second movable arm includes means for varying the extension of said rams of said second movable arm from said second arm.

Claim 9

Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals of a connector, comprising means for supporting such a connector including a pair of side members, said side members each including guides for guiding said wires into alignment with terminals of such a connector, positioning means for establishing the relative positions of said side members, said positioning means including a toggle linkage comprising first and second toggle members, a toggle means connected to said toggle members to control the positioning of said toggle members, means for selectively positioning said toggle means, and connecting means for connecting each of said side members to a corresponding one of said toggle members, and means for forcing wires aligned by said guides into said terminals.

Claim 10

Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals of a connector, comprising means for supporting such a connector including a pair of side members, said side members each including guides for guiding said wires into alignment with terminals of such a connector, positioning means for establishing the relative positions of said side members, said positioning means including a toggle linkage comprising first and second toggle members, a toggle means connected to said toggle members to control the positioning of said toggle members, means for selectively positioning said toggle means, and connecting means for connecting each of said side members to a corresponding one of said toggle members, and means for forcing wires aligned by said guides into said terminals.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said positioning means includes guide members defining channels, said connecting means being slidably engaged in said channels for movement therealong in predetermined directions.

Claim 12

Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said means for selectively positioning said toggle means includes a drive link connected to said toggle means and a control means connected to said drive link to control the positioning of said drive link.

Claim 13

Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said means for selectively positioning said toggle means further comprises a spring means for urging said control means to a predetermined rest position.

Claim 14

Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein each of said guides comprises a comb having parallel ribs connected by bridging elements, said ribs sequentially varying in height and shape from one end of said comb to the other, and each of said bridging elements including a cutting edge positioned to cooperatively operate with said means for forcing wires into said terminals to trim said wires to a length appropriate for insertion into said terminals.

Claim 15

Apparatus for terminating a plurality of wires in a connector having a plurality of separate terminals, comprising means for supporting said connector, guide means for aligning said wires with said terminals of a connector supported by said support means, and insertion means for inserting wires aligned with said terminals by said guide means into said terminals, said insertion means including a first member supporting a first plurality of rams extending from said first member for forcing wires into terminals of such a connector, said first member being mounted for movement to a predetermined position relative to said support means when so forcing wires into such a connector, and means for selectively adjusting the extension of said first plurality of rams from said first member to any extension between predetermined limits.

Claim 16

Apparatus for terminating a plurality of wires in a connector having a plurality of separate terminals, comprising means for supporting said connector, guide means for aligning said wires with said terminals of a connector supported by said support means, and insertion means for inserting wires aligned with said terminals by said guide means into said terminals, said insertion means including a first member supporting a first plurality of rams extending from said first member for forcing wires into terminals of such a connector, said first member being mounted for movement to a predetermined position relative to said support means when so forcing wires into such a connector, and means for selectively adjusting the extension of said first plurality of rams from said first member to any extension between predetermined limits.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for adjusting the extension of said first plurality of rams comprises a first wedge member connected to said first plurality of rams and slidably engaging a support surface of said first member, and a control means connected to said first wedge member for adjusting said first wedge member relative to said first member to adjust the extension of said first plurality of rams therefrom.

Claim 18

Apparatus as in claim 12 for use with a connector having terminals arranged in first and second rows on opposing sides of said connector, wherein said guide means includes a first guide element for aligning wires with said terminals of said first row and a second guide element for aligning wires with said terminals of said second row, said first member being positioned for movement of said first plurality of rams thereon through said first guide element of said guide means into said first row of terminals, and wherein said insertion means further comprises a second member supporting a second plurality of rams extending from said second member, and said second member being mounted for movement of said second plurality of rams thereon through said second guide element of said guide means into said second row of terminals.

Claim 19

Apparatus as in claim 14 including means on said second member for varying the extension of said second plurality of rams therefrom.

Claim 20

Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said means for adjusting the extension of said second plurality of rams on said second member comprises a second wedge member connected to said second plurality of rams and slidably engaging a support surface of said second member and a control means connected to said second wedge member for adjusting said second wedge member relative to said second member to adjust the extension of said second plurality of rams therefrom.

Claim 21

Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said guide means comprises a first comb means for aligning said wires with said terminals, said comb means having a plurality of ribs interconnected by bridging elements, each of said bridging elements including a cutting surface positioned for cooperative operation with said first plurality of rams on said first member to trim said wires prior to insertion in said terminals.

Claim 22

Apparatus as in claim 17 for use with a connector having terminals arranged in first and second rows on opposing sides of said connector, wherein said first comb means aligns wires with said terminals of said first row, and said guide means further comprising a second comb means for aligning wires with said terminals of said second row, and said insertion means further including a second member supporting a second plurality of rams, said second member being mounted for movement to a predetermined position relative to said support means when forcing wires into such a connector, and said second comb means having a plurality of ribs interconnected by bridging elements, each of said bridging elements of said second comb means including a cutting surface positioned for cooperative operation with said second plurality of rams on said second member to trim said wires prior to insertion in said terminals of said second row.

Claim 23

Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for supporting said connector comprises first and second side members, and means for positioning said side members in first and second positions relative to each other.

Claim 24

Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said guide means comprises first and second comb means respectively connected to said first and second side members, said comb means comprising ribs of varying length interconnected by bridging elements, each of said bridging elements including a cutting surface positioned for cooperative operation with said insertion means to trim said wires prior to insertion in said terminals.

Claim 25

Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said insertion means further includes a second member supporting a second plurality of rams, said second member being mounted for movement to a predetermined position relative to said support means when so forcing wires into a connector.

Claim 26

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means comprising first and second side members and a connector support member, all of said first and second side members and said connector support member being laterally translatable on said frame, generally parallel to the direction of and in response to said movement of said members at insertion, within predetermined limits.

Claim 27

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means comprising first and second side members and a connector support member, all of said first and second side members and said connector support member being laterally translatable on said frame, generally parallel to the direction of and in response to said movement of said members at insertion, within predetermined limits.

Claim 28

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said connector carriage means including first and second side members and means for selectively translating said side members relative to each other or immobilizing said side members relative to one another at a predetermined mutual displacement.

Claim 29

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said connector carriage means including first and second side members and means for selectively translating said side members relative to each other or immobilizing said side members relative to one another at a predetermined mutual displacement.

Claim 30

Apparatus as in claim 23 wherein said means for aligning wires with such terminals comprises a plurality of ribs extending from said side members.

Claim 31

Apparatus as in claim 23 wherein said connector carriage means includes means for controlling the movement of said side members relative to one another.

Claim 32

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said insertion rams extending from said members and at least one of said members including means for varying the extension of the respective insertion rams from said member to any extension between predetermined limits.

Claim 33

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said insertion rams extending from said members and at least one of said members including means for varying the extension of the respective insertion rams from said member to any extension between predetermined limits.

Claim 34

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said connector carriage means including a support for a connector, a pair of side members movable relative to one another and to said support for engaging opposite sides of a connector on said support, and means for moving said side members relative to one another to engage and disengage a connector on said support, said carriage means being slidably mounted on said frame for free, lateral translational movement as said rams force such wires into a connector held thereon.

Claim 35

Apparatus for terminating wires in terminals of a connector, such terminals being positioned on opposed sides thereof, comprising a frame, connector carriage means on said frame for supporting such a connector, means for aligning wires with such terminals of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and insertion means comprising a first member mounted on said frame for movement toward a first of such opposed sides of a connector supported on said connector carriage means and a second member mounted on said frame for movement toward a second of such opposed sides of such a connector, said first and second members including insertion rams for forcing aligned wires from said aligning means into such terminals of such a connector, said connector carriage means being laterally translatable on said frame generally parallel to the direction of said movement of said members at insertion within predetermined limits, said connector carriage means including a support for a connector, a pair of side members movable relative to one another and to said support for engaging opposite sides of a connector on said support, and means for moving said side members relative to one another to engage and disengage a connector on said support, said carriage means being slidably mounted on said frame for free, lateral translational movement as said rams force such wires into a connector held thereon.