Electrical connector assembly apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for assembling an electrical connector housing (15) having an array of insulation piercing contact terminals and a conductor mounting comb (41) having a corresponding array of insulated electrical conductors (52) arranged therein, said apparatus including a press means (10) having a ram (11) and platform (26) for mounting a first and a second clamping mechanism (14, 27) therebetween for retaining said housing (15) and said comb (41), respectively, in alignment and for fitting said housing (15) about said comb (41), characterized in that said first clamping mechanism (14) is provided with a pair of jaws (16, 17) with means for clasping said housing (15), one of said jaws (16) being terminated in a conductor folding ramp (22) and a first conductor severing blade (21), said second clamping mechanism (27) is provided with a second pair of jaws (28, 29) and a pedestal (38) therebetween for supporting said comb (41), and in that one of said second pair of jaws (28) has a plurality of slots (54) corresponding to said array of conductors (52) for arranging the ends of said conductors (52) therein and is provided with a second conductor severing blade (33), and further in that said first and second blades (21, 33) cooperate to sever said conductors (52) and said ramp (22) is positioned to fold said conductors (52) about said comb (41) as said housing (15) is fitted about said comb (41).