GB1316483A - Wire-splicing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

1316483 Mating electrical connections MINNESOTA MINING & MFG CO 11 May 1970 [12 May 1969] 22712/70 Heading B3A [Also in Divisions B5 and H2] A modular splice connector 31, Fig. 8, for interconnecting corresponding wire pairs of two communications cables, comprises an elongate insulating base member 33, having a plurality of transverse channels 41, into each of which a wire 71 of a first cable is laid; an elongate insulating body member 34 having on its bottom surface transverse ridges 46, and in its top surface transverse channels 59, into each of which a wire 72 of a second cable is laid, a cranked contact element 69 of tin-plated brass having bifurcate ends extending beyond each ridge 46 and into each channel 59; and an elongate insulating cover 35 having transverse ridges 63. The connector and wires are assembled together, with ridges 46, 63 located above wires 71, 72 in channels 41, 59 respectively, and cover and base member are pressed towards one another by an hydraulic clamping member (Fig. 13, not shown), so that the bifurcate ends of contact elements 69 penetrate the insulation of wires 71, 72, and interconnect the wires. The free ends of the wires are cut off by stainless steel blades 39 fixed in base member 33 and body member 34. Alternate contact elements 69 are staggered along the length of the body member 34, which is provided with bores 52 to enable probe connections to be made to the conductive members. Fig. 2 depicts an arrangement wherein a tubular member 10, clamped at 12 between opposed cable ends 11, supports splicing stations 17. Each station 17 comprises two end pieces 20, Fig. 6, between which a base member 33 is secured by spring clips 21, 22. Each wire pair from a bundle 18 is led between guides 23, divided by a separator 24, laid in channels 41, and temporarily secured between turns of coil springs 28 during the splicing operation. Modular connectors 31 may be clamped together in subassemblies (Fig. 14, not shown), and then assembled to form tubular groups within a sealed housing (87, Fig. 11, not shown). Connectors may contain inductors or capacitors to be introduced into the wire circuits.