Wire processing apparatus having pushbar and conveyor mechanisms

Abstract

Wire processing apparatus comprises a wire selector/feed mechanism for feeding a selected one of a plurality of different wire strands lengthwise into a wire insertion mechanism which then presents a wire segment severed by a wire cutter mechanism laterally to the infeed ends of a pair of laterally spaced apart conveyor units of a conveyor mechanism. Each conveyor unit comprises a support frame on which a conveyor belt assembly is mounted. The conveyor belt assembly is adjustably positionable on the support frame to enable wire segment end portions of desired length to project from the conveyor belt assembly. The wire selector/feed mechanism comprises a wire selector device including a pair of spaced apart rotatable plates having pairs of aligned holes for releasably supporting the wire strands. The wire selector/feed mechanism further comprises a wire feed device located between the plates which receives and feeds a selected strand to a passage in the wire insertion mechanism defined by a pair of elongated resilient blades. Two (inboard and outboard) pushbars in the wire insertion mechanism, each independently operable by a separate pushbar actuator acting through a mechanical linkage, extend and retract to laterally move wire in the passage into the conveyor mechanism. The inboard pushbar also operates the wire cutter mechanism. The outboard pushbar actuator also operates a blade separator member. The pushbar actuator can operate in different modes to provide standard-length or extra-long wire segments.