Electrical connector and wire assembly method

Claim 1

A method of assembling discrete wires of a series of wires into preselected individual passageways of a series of passageways arranged in a connector housing in closely spaced relation in a single row, such passageways receiving the wires in a sliding fit and communicating through a divergent, wire guiding throat with a common wire receiving mouth of increased size, the method comprising the steps of: loading discrete wires adjacent their free ends as a sliding fit in respective wire locating apertures of a series of apertures in a wire holder to form a subassembly, the wire holder being receivable as a sliding fit in the mouth and the apertures being at the same pitch as the passageways, inserting the subassembly, wire holder first, into and along the mouth initially to bring the wire holder into abutment with the throat and subsequently to advance the free ends of the discrete wires to project out of the wire holder guided into respective passageways by the throat.

Claim 2

A method of assembling discrete wires of a series of wires into preselected individual passageways of a series of passageways arranged in a connector housing in closely spaced relation in a single row, such passageways receiving the wires in a sliding fit and communicating through a divergent, wire guiding throat with a common wire receiving mouth of increased size, the method comprising the steps of: loading discrete wires adjacent their free ends as a sliding fit in respective wire locating apertures of a series of apertures in a wire holder to form a subassembly, the wire holder being receivable as a sliding fit in the mouth and the apertures being at the same pitch as the passageways, inserting the subassembly, wire holder first, into and along the mouth initially to bring the wire holder into abutment with the throat and subsequently to advance the free ends of the discrete wires to project out of the wire holder guided into respective passageways by the throat.

Claim 7

A method of assembling discrete wires of a series of wires into preselected individual passageways of a series of passageways arranged in a connector housing in closely spaced relation in a single row and communicating through a divergent wire guiding throat with a common wire receiving mouth of increased size, such passageways receiving the respective wires in a sliding fit, the method comprising the steps of: loading discrete wires at locations spaced from their free ends by a distance corresponding to axial lengths of the passageways and throat in respective wire locating apertures of a series of apertures in a wire holder to form a subassembly, the wire holder being receivable as a sliding fit in the mouth and the apertures being at the same pitch as the passageways but adjacent apertures being in different rows having centrelines on respective opposite sides of the centreline of the row of passageways, and inserting the subassembly into and along the mouth so that the free ends of the discrete wires are maintained at the same pitch as during their advance into respective passageways guided by the throat.

Claim 8

A method of assembling discrete wires of a series of wires into preselected individual passageways of a series of passageways arranged in a connector housing in closely spaced relation in a single row and communicating through a divergent wire guiding throat with a common wire receiving mouth of increased size, such passageways receiving the respective wires in a sliding fit, the method comprising the steps of: loading discrete wires at locations spaced from their free ends by a distance corresponding to axial lengths of the passageways and throat in respective wire locating apertures of a series of apertures in a wire holder to form a subassembly, the wire holder being receivable as a sliding fit in the mouth and the apertures being at the same pitch as the passageways but adjacent apertures being in different rows having centrelines on respective opposite sides of the centreline of the row of passageways, and inserting the subassembly into and along the mouth so that the free ends of the discrete wires are maintained at the same pitch as during their advance into respective passageways guided by the throat.

Claim 19

A method of assembling and terminating discrete wires extending from a bundle of wires in an electrical connector of the type comprising an insulating housing having a wire receiving duct extending rearwardly from a location adjacent a contact face and opening at a wire receiving mouth at a rear face; a row of closely spaced contact receiving cavities at the contact face communicating with the duct at the location; and, a row of contacts received in respective cavities, the method comprising the steps of providing a wire holder having a row of apertures at the same pitch as the cavities; loading the discrete wires into respective wire locating apertures to form a subassembly with a row of wires located at the same pitch as the row of cavities; inserting the subassembly through the mouth into and forwardly along the duct to bring the individual wires into alignment with respective contacts and drawing the contacts into terminating engagement with the wires.

Claim 20

A method of assembling and terminating discrete wires extending from a bundle of wires in an electrical connector of the type comprising an insulating housing having a wire receiving duct extending rearwardly from a location adjacent a contact face and opening at a wire receiving mouth at a rear face; a row of closely spaced contact receiving cavities at the contact face communicating with the duct at the location; and, a row of contacts received in respective cavities, the method comprising the steps of providing a wire holder having a row of apertures at the same pitch as the cavities; loading the discrete wires into respective wire locating apertures to form a subassembly with a row of wires located at the same pitch as the row of cavities; inserting the subassembly through the mouth into and forwardly along the duct to bring the individual wires into alignment with respective contacts and drawing the contacts into terminating engagement with the wires.