US3881246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for facilitating the positioning of the free end sections of a plurality of leads in a plurality of grooves
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-12
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for facilitating the positioning the free end lead sections of a plurality of leads in a plurality of grooves in which the ends of the free end sections are moved toward a desired location prior to performing subsequent work operations upon the leads. A template is provided having a plurality of grooves, the grooves terminating at one edge of the template. Means suitable for shearing the ends of leads and/or means operable to affix terminals to the ends of the leads are disposed adjacent the edge of the template where the grooves terminate. A plurality of leads are held adjacent the other end of the grooves, the leads having free end lead sections which extend away from the portion of the leads being held. The leads are initially engaged by means operable to move the ends of the leads away from the portion of the leads which is being held, past the end of the template, and then past the shear means and/or terminal applying means. The free end lead sections are positioned into the groove means after the initial movement of the ends of the leads away from the end of the groove adjacent the portion of the leads which are being held. The leads are subsequently sheared and/or terminals applied to the ends of the leads after the ends of the leads move past the shear means and/or terminal applying means.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Foster Folk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/04; H01R43/048; H01R43/052; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49174; Y10T29/49181; Y10T29/49185; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/53261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of positioning leads having free ends comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus including a template having groove means; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from the free ends of the leads adjacent one end of said groove means; moving the free ends of the leads away from said one end of the groove means; and positioning the leads into the groove means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of positioning leads having free ends comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus including a template having groove means; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from the free ends of the leads adjacent one end of said groove means; moving the free ends of the leads away from said one end of the groove means; and positioning the leads into the groove means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method set forth in claim 1 in which the free ends of the leads are moved away from said one end of the groove means by combing the leads from a point adjacent said one end of the groove means to a location spaced away from said one end a distance at least sufficiently great to insure that the free ends of the leads have been moved away from said one end of the groove means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method set forth in claim 1 in which the leads are positioned into the groove means by progressively applying a compressive force to the leads to progressively force the leads into the groove means from said one end of the groove means to the other end.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of performing work operations upon a multi-lead cable having free end sections extending away from one end of the multi-lead cable comprising the steps of: providing a template having a plurality of grooves, each having one end adjacent one end of the template, and each groove being able to accommodate only one lead; holding said one end of the multi-lead cable adjacent the other end of the grooves with the portion of the free end sections adjacent the end of the multi-lead cable overlying said other end of the grooves; combing the free end sections toward said one end of the template; and applying a compressive force to said free end sections and moving the compressive force from said other end of the grooves to said one end of the grooves to progressively force the free end sections of the leads into said grooves.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of performing work operations upon a multi-lead cable having free end sections extending away from one end of the multi-lead cable comprising the steps of: providing a template having a plurality of grooves, each having one end adjacent one end of the template, and each groove being able to accommodate only one lead; holding said one end of the multi-lead cable adjacent the other end of the grooves with the portion of the free end sections adjacent the end of the multi-lead cable overlying said other end of the grooves; combing the free end sections toward said one end of the template; and applying a compressive force to said free end sections and moving the compressive force from said other end of the grooves to said one end of the grooves to progressively force the free end sections of the leads into said grooves.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of positioning a plurality of leads comprising the steps of: providing a template having a plurality of grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of said template and each groove being capable of receiving only a single lead; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from the free ends of the leads adjacent to the other end of the grooves; moving the free ends of the leads beyond said end of the template; and positioning the leads into said grooves.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of positioning a plurality of leads comprising the steps of: providing a template having a plurality of grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of said template and each groove being capable of receiving only a single lead; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from the free ends of the leads adjacent to the other end of the grooves; moving the free ends of the leads beyond said end of the template; and positioning the leads into said grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method set forth in claim 5 in which the free end of the leads are moved beyond the end of the template by initially engaging the leads at an initial location adjacent said other end of the grooves and moving the location of engagement of the leads toward said one end of the grooves to initially cause the free ends of the leads to be moved away from the other end of the grooves and to subsequently cause the free ends of the leads to be moved past the end of the template.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method set forth in claim 6 in which the leads are engaged by structure disposable about the leads, and in which the engaging structure is moved from its initial engaging locaTion adjacent the other ends of the grooves past the end of the template.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method set forth in claim 6 in which the leads are positioned into the grooves by progressively applying a compressive force to the leads to progressively force the leads into the grooves from said other end of the grooves to said one end, the application of the compressive force being initiated subsequent to the ends of the leads being pulled away from the other end of the grooves.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for initially positioning the free end sections of a plurality of leads in a predetermined spatial relationship to each other and subsequently performing simultaneous work operations upon the ends of the free end sections of the leads, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus including template means and shear means, the template means having a plurality of grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of the template means, and the shear means being disposed beyond said one end of the grooves adjacent said one end of the template means; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from said ends of the leads adjacent to the other end of the grooves; moving said ends of the leads beyond the shear means; positioning the leads into said grooves; and shearing said ends of the leads.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for initially positioning the free end sections of a plurality of leads in a predetermined spatial relationship to each other and subsequently performing simultaneous work operations upon the ends of the free end sections of the leads, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus including template means and shear means, the template means having a plurality of grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of the template means, and the shear means being disposed beyond said one end of the grooves adjacent said one end of the template means; holding a portion of a plurality of leads remote from said ends of the leads adjacent to the other end of the grooves; moving said ends of the leads beyond the shear means; positioning the leads into said grooves; and shearing said ends of the leads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 9 further characterized by the step of affixing terminals to said ends of the leads after they have been sheared.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
In combination: template means having groove means; lead positioning means disposed above said template means and operable to contact and progressively position leads into said groove means, the leads being initially contacted at a location spaced away from free ends of the leads, the lead positioning means moving toward the free ends of the leads as it progressively positions the leads into the groove means; the combination therewith of means operable to move the free ends of the leads away from said location where the leads are initially contacted prior to the initial engagement of the leads by the lead positioning means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
In combination: template means having groove means; lead positioning means disposed above said template means and operable to contact and progressively position leads into said groove means, the leads being initially contacted at a location spaced away from free ends of the leads, the lead positioning means moving toward the free ends of the leads as it progressively positions the leads into the groove means; the combination therewith of means operable to move the free ends of the leads away from said location where the leads are initially contacted prior to the initial engagement of the leads by the lead positioning means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the means operable to move the free ends of the leads includes structure operable to engage the leads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein the means operable to move the free ends of the leads further includes means operable to position the lead engaging structure in engagement with said leads adjacent said location and to move said structure away from said location a distance greater than one half the length of the leads between the free ends of the leads and the portion of the leads which are initially engaged by the lead positioning means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 further characterized by the provision of means operable to hold a portion of said leads adjacent one end of said groove means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the lead positioning means includes roller means, and means operable to bias the roller towards said template means until said roller engages said leads and to subsequently move said roller along the template means to progressively force said leads into said groove means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for positioning leads comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of said template means; holding means operable to hold a portion of a plurality of leads adjacent the other end of said plurality of grooves with free end sections of the leads extending away from the portions of the leads which are being held; lead engaging means operable to engage said plurality of leads adjacent said other end of said plurality of grooves and to move away from said other end while maintaining sliding engagement with the leads to cause the ends of the leads to be initially moved away from said other end of the grooves and subsequently to be disposed beyond said end of the template means; and lead pOsitioning means operable to initially contact the leads adjacent said other end of the grooves after the lead engaging means has moved the ends of the leads away from said other end of the grooves and to subsequently progressively position said leads into said grooves.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for positioning leads comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of said template means; holding means operable to hold a portion of a plurality of leads adjacent the other end of said plurality of grooves with free end sections of the leads extending away from the portions of the leads which are being held; lead engaging means operable to engage said plurality of leads adjacent said other end of said plurality of grooves and to move away from said other end while maintaining sliding engagement with the leads to cause the ends of the leads to be initially moved away from said other end of the grooves and subsequently to be disposed beyond said end of the template means; and lead pOsitioning means operable to initially contact the leads adjacent said other end of the grooves after the lead engaging means has moved the ends of the leads away from said other end of the grooves and to subsequently progressively position said leads into said grooves.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 16 in which the lead engaging means include upper and lower outwardly extending arms each having means adjacent the outer end which projects toward the other arm, and means operable to position the outer end of the arms in engagement with the leads adjacent said other end of said plurality of grooves and to move said outer end of the arms away from said other end of the plurality of grooves along the template toward said one end of the plurality of grooves.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 16 in which said lead engaging means includes arm means having upper and lower outwardly extending arms, first arm mounting means mounting the lower arm for movement between a lower inoperative position and a raised operative position, and second arm mounting means interconnected with the first arm mounting means and operable to move the upper arm between a raised inoperative position and a lower operative position and both of said arms between a first position spaced adjacent said other end of said plurality of grooves and a second position spaced away from said other end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 16 in which said lead positioning means includes roller means including a roller and a roller support, first roller mounting means mounting the roller means for rotational movement about an axis transverse to the axis of the roller and spaced away from one end of the roller and operative to move the roller between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, and second roller mounting means interconnected with the first roller mounting means and operative to move the roller means between a first position spaced adjacent said other end of said plurality of grooves and a second position spaced away from said other end.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for initially positioning the free end sections of a plurality of leads and subsequently performing simultaneous work operations upon the ends of the free end sections of the leads, said apparatus comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, one end of the grooves terminating adjacent one end of said template means, holding means operable to hold the plurality of leads adjacent the other end of the grooves with said free end sections extending away from said holding means; lead trimming means disposed adjacent said one end of the template means and operable upon actuation to trim the free end sections of the leads; lead engaging means operable to initially engage said plurality of leads and to move said ends of the leads past the lead trimming means prior to actuation of the lead trimming means; and lead positioning means operable to progressively position the leads into said grooves prior to the actuation of the lead trimming means and subsequent to the initial engagement of the leads by the lead engaging means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for initially positioning the free end sections of a plurality of leads and subsequently performing simultaneous work operations upon the ends of the free end sections of the leads, said apparatus comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, one end of the grooves terminating adjacent one end of said template means, holding means operable to hold the plurality of leads adjacent the other end of the grooves with said free end sections extending away from said holding means; lead trimming means disposed adjacent said one end of the template means and operable upon actuation to trim the free end sections of the leads; lead engaging means operable to initially engage said plurality of leads and to move said ends of the leads past the lead trimming means prior to actuation of the lead trimming means; and lead positioning means operable to progressively position the leads into said grooves prior to the actuation of the lead trimming means and subsequent to the initial engagement of the leads by the lead engaging means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 20 further characterized by the provision of terminal applying means disposed adjacent to said lead trimming means and operable to apply terminals to the ends of the leads subsequent to actuation of the lead trimming means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |