Bergen Cable Technologies, Inc.

Thomas E Carr

Michel L Plasse

Robert H Koehler

William E Koehler

The invention relates to a process for applying a ferrule to a lock wire and crimping the ferrule onto the lock wire. The process utilizes a lock wire having a ferrule applied to one end and which is placed through a plurality of threaded fasteners with a free end of a lock wire extending beyond the last of the threaded fasteners. The free end of the lock wire is inserted through a ferrule held in the apparatus and through a tensioning rod. Movement of the tensioning rod exerts a predetermined tension on the lock wire at which time the device crimps the ferrule onto the lock wire to retain it in place at the desired tension.

Lock wire securing method

A device and method for connecting together elements such as fasteners using a tension element such as wire or cable extending through the elements includes an installation tool having an elongated handle portion having at its distal end a retaining socket for a ferrule to be permanently crimped to a tensioning element that has been threaded through a series of elements or fasteners to be interconnected by the wire or cable. A tension element movable longitudinally along the tool axis grips the tension wire or cable and withdraws it generally along the axis of the tool handle after the tension element has been threaded through the objects to be connected together until a predetermined tension is applied to the wire or cable. Thereafter, the ferrule is permanently deformed by a punch element so that it is permanently secured to the tension wire or cable, following which the wire or cable outboard of the ferrule is cut to leave the tensioned wire in place with the elements fastened together. An hydraulic system is disclosed for applying the predetermined tension to the tension wire and for actuating a fluid operated piston to drive the punch for crimping the ferrule permanently to the tension element used to lock the objects together. The system has particular application for applying lock wires to threaded fasteners. A magazine holder for the ferrule elements is also described.

Lock wire securing tool

A device for connecting together elements such as fasteners using a tension element such as wire or cable extending through the elements includes an installation tool having an elongated handle portion having at its distal end a retaining socket for a ferrule to be permanently crimped to a tensioning element that has been threaded through a series of elements of fasteners to be interconnected by the wire or cable. A tension element movable longitudinally along the tool axis grips the tension wire or cable and withdraws it generally along the axis of the tool handle after the tension element has been threaded through the objects to be connected together until a predetermined tension is applied to the wire or cable. Thereafter, the ferrule is permanently deformed by a punch element so that it is permanently secured to the tension wire or cable, following which the wire or cable outboard of the ferrule is cut to leave the tensioned wire in place with the elements fastened together. An hydraulic system is disclosed for applying the predetermined tension to the tension wire and for actuating a fluid operated piston to drive the punch for crimping the ferrule permanently to the tension element used to lock the objects together. The system has particular application for applying lock wires to threaded fasteners. A magazine holder for the ferrule elements is also described.

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East Brunswick, NJ, United States of America

Thomas E Carr