US3891013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-20
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1993-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires are positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other by a wire separating mechanism which utilizes a template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of the wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from the primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of the secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein the leading portion of only one of the wires. A clamp on the mechanism located near one end of the primary groove holds the trailing portions of the wires within the primary groove in their bunched together condition. A roller element mounted on the mechanism and having a cylindrical surface is moved by the mechanism into engagement with the trailing portions of the wires so as to introduce compressive forces thereon. Alternatively, a slide element may be utilized in place of the roller element. The mechanism continues the application of the compressive forces simultaneously along the wires by rolling the roller element along the planar surface of the template such that the application of the compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of the wires from the trailing portion toward the leading portion of each of the wires whereby the leading portions of the wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves in the planar surface of the template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Foster Folk
- 👤 Milton Dean Ross
- 👤 Jr Walter Clifton Shatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00; H01B13/012; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/04; H01R43/048; H01R43/052; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194; Y10T29/49201; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/532; Y10T29/53209; Y10T29/53213; Y10T29/53217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: first surface means having a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves being capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; second surface means; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said second surface means and said primary groove of said first surface means into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said first surface means by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by moving at least one of said first surface means and said second surface means relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said first surface means and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: first surface means having a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves being capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; second surface means; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said second surface means and said primary groove of said first surface means into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said first surface means by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by moving at least one of said first surface means and said second surface means relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said first surface means and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said force-applying means being also for moving at least one of said first surface means and said second surface means relative to the other with the direction of movement being in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal extent of said trailing portions of said wires and said primary groove, simultaneously as said application of compressive forces is being introduced on said trailIng portions of said wires by said force-applying means, to thereby cause arrangement of said trailing portions of said wires in side-by-side dispositions with respect to each other within said primary groove and facilitate subsequent forcing of individual leading portions of said wires into respective secondary grooves by said continuation of said application of compressive forces simultaneously along said wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
272 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a slide element having a generally planar surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said planar surface of said slide element and said primary groove of said template into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said template by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by sliding at least one of said slide element and said template relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
272 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a slide element having a generally planar surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said planar surface of said slide element and said primary groove of said template into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said template by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by sliding at least one of said slide element and said template relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein: said force-applying means being also for moving at least one of said slide element and said template relative to the other with the direction of movement being in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal extent of said trailing portions of said wires and said primary groove, simultaneously as said application of compressive forces is being introduced on said trailing portions of said wires by said force-applying means, to thereby cause arrangement of said trailing portions of said wires in side-by-side dispositions with respect to each other within said primary groove and facilitate subsequent forcing of individual leading portions of said wires into respective secondary grooves by said continuation of said application of compressive forces simultaneously along said wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a stationarily-positioned template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a slide element having a generally planar surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof bY bringing said planar surface of said slide element into close proximity to said primary groove in said planar surface of said template while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by sliding said slide element along said planar surface of said template such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves in said planar surface of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a stationarily-positioned template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a slide element having a generally planar surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof bY bringing said planar surface of said slide element into close proximity to said primary groove in said planar surface of said template while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by sliding said slide element along said planar surface of said template such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves in said planar surface of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said force-applying means being also for moving said slide element relative to said template with the direction of movement being in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal extent of said trailing portions of said wires and said primary groove, simultaneously as said application of compressive forces is being introduced on said trailing portions of said wires by said force-applying means, to thereby cause arrangement of said trailing portions of said wires in side-by-side dispositions with respect to each other within said primary groove and facilitate subsequent forcing of individual leading portions of said wires into respective secondary grooves by said continuation of said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a roller element having a cylindrical surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said cylindrical surface of said roller element and said primary groove of said template into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said template by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires rolling said roller element relative to said template as caused by moving at least one of said roller element and said template relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a roller element having a cylindrical surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said cylindrical surface of said roller element and said primary groove of said template into close proximity to each other while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove of said template by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires rolling said roller element relative to said template as caused by moving at least one of said roller element and said template relative to the other such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said force-applying means being also for moving at least one of said roller element and said template relative to the other with the direction of movement being in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal extent of said trailing portions of said wires and said primary groove, simultaneously as said application of compressive forces is being introduced on said trailing portions of said wires by said force-applying means, to thereby cause arrangement of said trailing portions of said wires in side-by-side dispositions with respect to each other within said primary groove and facilitate subsequent forcing of individual leading portions of said wires into respective secondary grooves by said continuation of said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a stationarily-positioned template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a roller element having a cylindrical surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said cylindrical surface of said roller element into close proximity to said primary groove in said planar surface of said template while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by rolling said roller element along said planar surface of said template such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves in said planar surface of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual wires of a plurality of wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: a stationarily-positioned template having a generally planar surface with a primary groove defined therein capable of substantially accommodating a trailing portion of each of said wires in a bunched together condition and a plurality of secondary grooves defined therein which emanate from said primary groove along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said secondary grooves capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; holding means for positioning said trailing portions of said wires in said bunched together condition in said primary groove of said first surface means; a roller element having a cylindrical surface; and force-applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires at said trailing portions thereof by bringing said cylindrical surface of said roller element into close proximity to said primary groove in said planar surface of said template while said trailing portions of said wires are so positioned in said primary groove by said holding means and for continuing said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires by rolling said roller element along said planar surface of said template such that said application of said compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from said trailing portion toward said leading portion of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective secondary grooves in said planar surface of said template and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein: said force-applying means being also for moving said roller element relative to said template with the direction of movement being in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal extent of said trailing portions of said wires and said primary groove, simultaneously as said application of compressive forces is being introduced on said trailing portions of said wires by said force-applying means, to thereby cause arrangement of said trailing portions of said wires in side-by-side dispositions with respect to each other within said primary groove and facilitate subsequent forcing of individual leading portions of said wires into respective secondary grooves by said continuation of said application of said compressive forces simultaneously along said wires.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein: said movement of said roller element relative to said template in said transverse directional relationship occurs in a reciprocatory fashion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: surface means having a elongated of elongted grooves, each groove being capable of receiving only a single detached flexible wire, and one end of the grooves being in spaced apart relationships to each other; positioning means; and means operable to cause said positioning means to be moved relative to said surface means in a path generally parallel to the elongated grooves towards said one end of the grooves from the other end of the grooves to cause the positioning means to progressively force incremental lengths of the leading portion of each of said plurality of wires into position in said plurality of grooves whereby those portions of said relatively movable wires which are forced into said one end of the grooves are positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: surface means having a elongated of elongted grooves, each groove being capable of receiving only a single detached flexible wire, and one end of the grooves being in spaced apart relationships to each other; positioning means; and means operable to cause said positioning means to be moved relative to said surface means in a path generally parallel to the elongated grooves towards said one end of the grooves from the other end of the grooves to cause the positioning means to progressively force incremental lengths of the leading portion of each of said plurality of wires into position in said plurality of grooves whereby those portions of said relatively movable wires which are forced into said one end of the grooves are positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, each groove being capable of receiving only a single wire; means operable to hold a portion of a plurality of wires adjacent one end of said grooves from relative movement thereto; and positioning means operable to position leading portions of said plurality of wires into position in said plurality of grooves, said positioning means initially applying a compressive force on said wires adjacent said one end of said plurality of grooves, and said positioning means subsequently continuing the application of compressive force along each of the wires from those portions which are being held toward said leading portions of each of said wires, whereby said leading portions of said wires positioned in said grooves extend from one end of the grooves to the other end and are thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: template means having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, each groove being capable of receiving only a single wire; means operable to hold a portion of a plurality of wires adjacent one end of said grooves from relative movement thereto; and positioning means operable to position leading portions of said plurality of wires into position in said plurality of grooves, said positioning means initially applying a compressive force on said wires adjacent said one end of said plurality of grooves, and said positioning means subsequently continuing the application of compressive force along each of the wires from those portions which are being held toward said leading portions of each of said wires, whereby said leading portions of said wires positioned in said grooves extend from one end of the grooves to the other end and are thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: first surface means having a plurality of grooves defined therein which extend along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said grooves being capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; means operable to dispose portions of said wires adjacent one end of said plurality of grooves; second surface means; and force applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires by bringing said second surface means and said first surface means into close proximity to each other while portions of said wires are being disposed adjacent one end of said plurality of grooves and for continuing said application of compressive forces simultaneously along the length of said wires by moving at least one of said first surface means and said second surface means relative to each other such that said application of compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from those portions of said wires which are being held toward said leading portions of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective grooves of said first surface means and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for positioning leading portions of individual detached flexible wires of a plurality of relatively movable wires in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other, said apparatus comprising: first surface means having a plurality of grooves defined therein which extend along separate, spaced apart paths, each of said grooves being capable of substantially accommodating therein said leading portion of only one of said wires; means operable to dispose portions of said wires adjacent one end of said plurality of grooves; second surface means; and force applying means for introducing an application of compressive forces on said wires by bringing said second surface means and said first surface means into close proximity to each other while portions of said wires are being disposed adjacent one end of said plurality of grooves and for continuing said application of compressive forces simultaneously along the length of said wires by moving at least one of said first surface means and said second surface means relative to each other such that said application of compressive forces simultaneously progresses along each of said wires from those portions of said wires which are being held toward said leading portions of each of said wires whereby said leading portions of said wires are forced individually into respective grooves of said first surface means and thereby positioned in spaced apart relationships with respect to each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the positioning means includes a force applying means biased towards the surface means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |