One step applicator tool

Claim 1

In an applicator tool for applying a connector having a plurality of insulating piercing electrical terminals onto a multi-conductor flat cable with each terminal engaging a respective conductor, said tool having a frame having integral spaced upper and lower arms, ram means mounted in said upper arm for vertical movement, an upper tooling member mounted on a free lower end of said ram means, means to actuate said ram means, guide rail means mounted on said lower arm extending from a point beneath said ram means in cantilever fashion, and a lower tooling assembly including a sliding base mounted on said guide rail means for sliding motion between a point remote from said ram to said point beneath said ram, a base plate assembly fixed to said sliding base and including a base plate, cable guide means mounted on the base plate, cable clamp means for securing a cable to said base plate, connector receiving means, and cable stop means selectively positionable to abut the free end of a cable and to allow through feed of said cable whereby a connector can be applied intermediate the ends of the cable, said cable clamp means comprising: a first fixture secured to one edge of said base plate, a locking fixture secured to the opposite edge of said base plate, a clamping arm having one end pivotally attached to said first fixture and locking means on the opposite free end engageable with said locking fixture, first cable engaging means supported on said clamping arm by first spring means so as to apply constant force to a cable, and second cable engaging means supported on said clamping arm by second spring means so as to apply increased force to a cable upon locking of said clamping arm in said locking feature.