The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2000
Thomas E. Backenstoes, Harrisburg, PA (US);
Neil E. Deming, Harrisburg, PA (US);
Tyco Electronics Corporation, Middletown, PA (US);
Abstract
A machine ( ) for receiving a continuous strip ( ) of elongated products ( ) mutually attached end to end includes a frame ( ) and is arranged for incrementally feeding the strip of products and performing a manufacturing operation therewith. Each two adjacent products ( ) are attached at an indentation ( ). The machine include a feed mechanism ( ) for incrementally feeding the strip of products. The feed mechanism includes first and second feed fingers ( ) mutually opposed on opposite sides of a feed track ( ). The first and second feed fingers are movable toward the strip of product until in feeding engagement therewith without gripping the strip of products. The feed mechanism includes a drive carriage ( ) and a follower carriage ( ) arranged for independent sliding movement along the direction of feed and return. The feed track extends through both the drive carriage and follower carriage to guide the strip of product. The first and second feed fingers are carried by the drive carriage and coupled to the follower carriage so that relative motion of the drive carriage toward the follower carriage in the feed direction causes the feed fingers to mutually move into feeding engagement with the strip of products for effecting the incremental feeding thereof without gripping the strip of products.