Amp LLC

John G Hatfield

Kenneth F Folk

Dean A Puerner

John K Daly

Robert Volinskie

An initially integral terminal useful for terminating to flat conductor cable includes upper and lower plate sections coextending from a hinge to define a cable-receiving region therebetween, with first and second portions of both plate sections defining opposed cooperative arrays of termination means for terminating to said flat cable upon said upper and lower plate sections being pressed toward each other and into the flat cable. Upstanding opposed side wall sections join the first and second portions which are otherwise separated by an aperture proximate the center of the flat cable, enabling easy severing of the side walls at the aperture to define separate electrical terminations after application of the assembly to the flat cable. One or two contact sections can extend from a free edge of one of the upper and lower plate sections for connection to another article, defining a mid-cable tap for either single- or dual-connector cable respectively.

Mid-cable electrical termination

A tool (10) and a jig (70) include intermating surfaces to facilitate mounting of the jig in reverse relationship to facilitate wiring of different sizes of connectors (160) having top and bottom rows of terminals (176, 177) with the jig having projections (100-114) precisely positioning terminals and connectors relative to index projections (74) which engage index means (60) on the tool and clamp means to hold cable (140) and wire in appropriate positions for different connectors and a wedge shaped adjustment (42) affixed to the tool to vary inserter movement for different size wires.

Cable terminating tool and jig

A battery powered portable crimping apparatus is provided for crimping a terminal onto a wire. The crimping mechanism imposes a substantially constant torque on the electric motor during the crimping cycle thereby conserving battery energy. A pair of anvil-die sets are provided for crimping two different size terminals. The two dies are arranged to reduce the hazard of inadvertently inserting a foreign object into one of the anvil-die set openings while the other anvil-die set is engaged in crimping a terminal.

Portable crimping apparatus

An apparatus for assembling a two part circular connector and terminating discrete wires to insulation displacement contacts within the connector. A two part die is used to position and secure the connector parts. The cable is inserted through an opening in the bottom of the die and the wires positioned in respective radial slots that correspond with the contacts. A punch is then brought into engagement with the die to sever the wires to length, fold the wires into wire receiving slots, terminate the wires to the contacts, and assemble the two parts of the connector.

Apparatus for terminating a cable to a two part circular connector

Multiple stroke ratchet tool for crimping, cutting or the like

A multiple stroke hand tool (2) comprises a ram (18) slidably mounted to a housing frame (44). A compact rotatable ratchet member (30) is connected to the ram (18) and pivotally mounted to the housing frame (44) such that as operating means (90) are moved, a drive pawl (32) engages the ratchet member (30) causing the ratchet member (30) to rotate, which in turn causes the ram (18) to move between an open position and a closed position. An automatic fast take-up member (60) is provided which cooperates with the operating means (90). This type of automatic fast take-up allows minimal operator input, enabling the operator to better perform the other operation required. This fast take-up member (60) also insures that terminals are properly positioned with respect to the ram (18), thereby providing a much more reliable operation of the hand tool (2).

Automatic fast take up for use with ratchet hand tool

A multiple stroke hand tool comprises a ram slidably mounted to a support member. A compact rotatable ratchet member is connected to the ram and pivotally mounted to the support member such that as a drive pawl engages the ratchet member, it is rotated causing the ram to move between an open position and a closed position. A resilient member is attached to the ratchet member and exerts a force on the ratchet member opposing rotation thereof. A latching means, pivotally mounted to the support member, cooperates with the ratchet member to prevent unwanted backward rotation of the ratchet member. The latching means disengages from the ratchet member at the end of a cycle which in turn causes the drive pawl to disengage from the ratchet member, allowing automatic return of the ram to the open position. A manual override is also provided such that the latching means may be disengaged as required. A fast take-up is also positioned on the hand tool such that quick, easy, one-handed operation is effected.

Multiple stroke ratchet hand tool

Apparatus comprises a clamp to fix flat cable against axial movement relative to a strip slide plate which is moved rearward relative to stripping blades by a pneumatic cylinder. This strips insulative jacket from free end of cable engaged by blades to expose foil shield. Another pneumatic cylinder causes blades to retreat from path of cable, and another pneumatic cylinder advances stripped end so that edges thereof closely enter mutually facing arcuate channels in laterally spaced guides. Channels have respective first portions profiled to receive edges of the jacket closely therein, second portions profiled to receive edges of the exposed shield therein, and respective shoulders between each first and second portion. A pair of opposed rotary cutting blades extend through slots in respective channels so that arcs of blades are initially exposed only in second portions of channels. Further advance of cable after jacket abuts shoulders moves guides relative to blades until arcs extend into first portions to cut shield to jacket.

Apparatus for preparing the end of a shielded flat cable

Method and apparatus for preparing shielded flat cable for termination employs blades which penetrate cable jacket and shield on opposed edges.

Method and apparatus for stripping shielded flat cable

A clamp is disclosed for use during connection of insulated wires into an electrical connector. The wires are collectively provided by an electrical cable which must be orientated by the clamp to project perpendicular to the connector when all the wires are connected.

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Camp Hill, PA, United States of America

John G Hatfield