Lucent Technologies Inc.

Alan Howard Kirchner

Ivan Pawlenko

Peter F Lilienthal, Ii

Lyndon D Ensz

Frederick Simchock

James Stephen Chapman

Clyde A Lawrence

Michael F Searle

Michael A Lemacks

William A Dvorak

Geri Estelle Smith

A machine (46) for attaching an Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) (10) to a cable (20) includes a fixture (76, 240) for engaging and arranging individual wires (18-18) in the cable in parallel, spaced-apart relationship. The machine also includes a press mechanism (51, 54, 101, 102)) for engaging a mandrel (12) of the IDC (10) and for pressing it against the wires (18-18) engaged by the fixture (76, 240) to seat each wire in a corresponding mandrel channel (14). The press mechanism (51, 54, 101 and 102) further functions to press the mandrel (12), with the wires (18-18) seated in the mandrel channels (14-14), against a IDC contact block (22) to engage each wire with an end (30) of a corresponding IDC contact (24) to accomplish attachment. As the wires (18-18) are pressed into the mandrel channels (14-14), a blade (106) severs the excess portion of each wire to facilitate attachment of the wires to the contacts.

Method and apparatus for attaching connectors

A tool (10) is provided for inserting a wire (12) into a wire-receiving slit (13) of an IDC (14) and for trimming the excess portion of the wire following insertion. The tool includes a prime mover (24) coupled to a guide member (36) having a wire-receiving notch (60) in one end, and a slot (64) coextensive with the notch. The guide member (36) has a blade (46) that is pivotally coupled to the guide member for movement across the wire-receiving notch (60). When the guide member (36) is positioned to partially envelop the IDC (14) in the slot (64), and the prime mover (24) is actuated, the guide member forces the wire (12) seated in the notch (62) into the slit (13) of the IDC. Simultaneously, the blade (46) pivots across the guide member (36) to sever any excess portion of the wire extending beyond the IDC (14).

Wire insertion and cut-off tool and method of use

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Mount Holly, NJ, United States of America

Alan Howard Kirchner