MXPA99003474A - Wiring harness breakout clip, wiring harness assembly apparatus and method of constructing wiring harnesses - Google Patents

Abstract

A wiring harness breakout clip for forming and supporting the trunk and branch portions of a wire bundle comprising a wiring harness is provided. The harness breakout clip is adapted to be mounted on a support surface and comprises:a substantially rigid plate for supporting the trunk portion of the wire bundle;locating posts joined to and projecting from the plate, the locating posts being spaced apart to form a locating space for a branch portion of the wire bundle;and flexible straps joined to the plate in adjacent relation to the locating posts for fastening the wire bundle to the plate. A wiring harness assembly apparatus comprising a wiring harness layout board, the wiring harness breakout clip and pins or pegs for removably mounting the harness breakout clip on the wiring harness layout board provides for constructing the trunk and branch portions of the harness. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible straps have internesting intermediate and proximal sections and distal sections. The intermediate sections nest within recesses in the proximal sections and the distal sections nest within recesses in the internested sections. Laterally extending interengageable points or barbs on each section fasten the sections together when the intermediate section is looped around a wire bundle and nested in the recess in the proximal section, and the distal section is looped around a second wire bundle and nested in the recess in the intermediate section. The plate may be divided into separate sections joined together by yieldable members which allow for variations in the width of the locating space.

Description

WIRING HARNESS UNLOCKING CLAMP, WIRING HARNESS MOUNTING DEVICE AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD WIRING HARNESSES FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with wiring harnesses and more particularly with a device useful for the manufacture of wiring harnesses. The wiring harnesses of the class of the invention are concerned with those that are used in electrical applications and in particular in the automotive, nautical and aeronautical fields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In applications of the type referred to herein, it is necessary that one or more wires be separated (to form a "branch") at several points of attachment ("unhooking") of a beam of wires (a "main line") to allow the channeling of branches at several sites along the length of the main line. Such harnesses are conventionally mounted on a wiring or distribution board that has bolts, nails or legs that are positioned at the release points to guide the operator in the proper mounting of the harness. Once the wires forming the main line and branches are properly mounted on the board, a tie-down tape is used to link the bundles of wires together. Then, the REF .: 29979 wires are removed from the distribution board, in such a way that another harness can be mounted. Such a configuration is shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 3,861,015, issued to Hooven on January 21, 1975. The knotted lanyard is shown in the x015 patent, but the current practice makes use of multiple strips of vinyl tape to link a bundle of wires together. The repetitive movement required to secure a beam in this way takes a long time and has the tendency to cause muscle or nerve injuries in the cuffs and hands of the wiring harness assembler. In addition, any such configuration fails to provide post-mounting support for the main line and branch connection. Such post-mounting support is of considerable importance when the harnesses will be used in conjunction with just-in-time production applications, in which the harnesses can be assembled in one location, installed in a final product in another location or location, and subject to vibration, in relation to movement or manipulation during transport between the locations or sites. The post-mounting support is also of considerable importance when the final product in which the harness is to be installed is in an airplane, boat, automobile or other object in which the harness can be subjected to vibration or relative movement.

In accordance with further developments in the art, flexible joining devices have been used to retain the portion of the main line and individual strands or wire strands of the branch. For example, such connecting devices used for communications wires of relatively small diameter are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,949,457, issued to Fortsch on April 13, 1976 and U.S. Patent No. 4,424,627, issued to Tarbox on October 10, 1976. January 1984. In addition, the? 627 patent discloses a reusable fascia support. This reusable device can be attached to the wiring board at appropriate locations to provide a temporary carrier for the joining device during the assembly of the harness. It is also known in the art how to accommodate a branch of a plurality of wires as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,352,855 issued to Potter on October 4, 1994. The "855" patent describes a flexible molded plastic attachment clamp that has flexible wire ties that can be used in conjunction with sleeves that enclose the wires to form mainline and branch connections in a general T-shape. A device for forming a branch of a main line of wires that is enclosed in a tube of corrugated cover is described in the North American patent No. ,367,126, issued to Kikuchi on November 22, 1994. Patent 126 teaches the use of a device that is attached with a ribbon to a cover tube containing the wire bundle of the main line to create an opening through the which a branch line is extracted from the main line. According to the teachings of the patent 126, the main line is then fastened with tape to a supporting pillar of the branch line projecting at a particular angle relative to the main line. Junction devices of the type hitherto known have failed to provide an integrated device that can simultaneously provide convenient formation of the main and branch line portions of a wiring harness, allow the proper location of a disengagement point in relation to a wiring board or the length of the main line, accommodate multiple portions of main line and branch, allow the mounting of a harness in multiple stages, provide support to the harness after assembly and allow proper placement of the harness during final installation in a product. In addition, the prior art devices fail to provide the desired level of versatility, manufacturing economy and ease of use.

Brief Description and Objects of the Invention Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile harness release clamp that can be used in conjunction with a distribution board for conveniently forming and locating the main line portions and branch of a wire bundle, comprising a wiring harness during the assembly of the harness. Another object of the present invention is to provide a harness release clamp that can be conveniently mounted on a support surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide post-mounting support for the joining of the main line and branch portions of the wiring harness during the transport of the harness between the harness mounting site and the location in which the harness goes to. be installed in a final product. Another object of the present invention is to provide post-mounting support for the joining of the main line and branch portions of the wiring harness after the harness has been installed in a final product. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wiring harness release bracket, wiring harness mounting apparatus and method for constructing wiring harnesses whereby a bundle of wires can be secured and a wiring harness can be formed while reducing the need for repetitive wrapping movements and the resulting muscle and nerve injuries to the harness assemblers. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a harness release clamp, wiring harness mounting apparatus and method by which the wiring harness assembly can be carried out in multiple stages in which multiple bundles of wires Main line and branches can be formed and retained in the same clamp. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a harness release clamp that lowers production costs and allows for rapid assembly of the wiring harness to meet the demands of just-in-time production applications, particularly production applications. automotive just in time. These and other objects can be obtained by providing a wire bundle harness release clamp, comprising a substantially rigid plate for holding the main line portion of a wire bundle; a pair of fastening or locating posts, attached to, and projecting from the plate, the locating or fastening posts are spaced apart to form a space for "a portion of wire bundle branch; and flexible wrapping means attached to the plate in relation adjacent to the positioning or fixing poles. These and other objects are additionally obtained by the provision of a wiring harness mounting apparatus comprising: a wiring harness distribution board, the wiring harness release bracket and means for removably mounting the release bracket from wiring harness to wiring harness distribution board. These and other objects are additionally obtained by a method for constructing main line and branch portions of a wire bundle comprising a wiring harness on a distribution board using a wiring harness release bracket having a plate substantially rigid to which are attached a pair of fixing posts projecting from the plate, the fixing posts are spaced apart to form a fixing space for a branch portion of the wire bundle, the plate is joined to a pair of flexible securing strips, each flexible strip is attached to the plate in relation adjacent to one of the fixing posts, each band comprises a plurality of fastening means of strip along the strip to hold the band, the band is fastened likewise in first and second fastening sites along the belt and To secure the bundle of wires to the plate, the method includes the steps of: (a) mounting the harness release clamp on the distribution board; (b) coupling. a bundle of wires with one side of the plate to form a main line portion of the bundle of wires, the main line portion is disposed adjacent, but not routed through the location or attachment space; (c) channeling a plurality of wires through the location space or attachment to form a branch portion of the wire bundle; (d) wrapping each of the flexible securing bands around the bundle of wires; (e) fastening each of the flexible securing strips and also a first fastening site along the fascia when using the fastening means of the fascia to secure the bundle of wires to the plate; and (f) removing the wiring harness thus constructed from the distribution board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a harness release clamp according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation view of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, after the wire bundles have been secured on both sides of the plate with the wire bundles removed for purposes of illustration; Figure 3 is an elevation view of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 after the wire bundles have been secured on both sides of the plate with the illustrated wire bundles; Figure 4 is a top view of a harness release clamp according to the invention, as mounted on a distribution board during the first stage of mounting the harness; Figure 5 is a top view of a harness release clamp according to the invention, as mounted on a distribution board during the second stage of the harness assembly; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a disengagement clamp of the harness according to the invention, showing spaces of location or fixation of different sizes; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a harness release clamp in accordance with the invention, showing a harness release clamp having expansion means for varying the size of the location or fixing space; Figure 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale with respect to Figure 8, showing the clamp of Figure 8 wrapped around two bundles of wires; Y Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the strips, as they are wrapped around two bundles of wire with the wire bundles illustrated only partially.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now in particular to Figures 1-3, a harness release clamp 14, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, comprises a substantially rigid plate 16, which has a first side 18 and a second side 20. The plate 16 is preferably made of a relatively rigid but deformable plastic material such as polyamide. The positioning or fixing posts 22, 22a extend from the plate and are attached thereto. The flexible, elongated belay plates 24 and 24a are secured to the plate 16, such as, for example, on the side 18 and are sized to allow the wrapping of each belt around a layer of wires, to secure the beam to the plate. In the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the positioning or fixing posts 22, 22a project from both sides of the plate, as best shown in Figure 1 and are preferably integrally attached to the plate., such as by molding, immediately adjacent to one of its edge surfaces. In addition, locating or fixing posts 22, 22a preferably have longitudinally extending through holes 26, 26a to allow the receipt of mounting bolts projecting from a mounting surface such as a distribution board. The positioning or fixing posts 22, 22a are separated to form location spaces (location) or fixation 28, to locate or fix the release points in relation to the first and second sides of the plate 16. As best shown in FIG. 1, one end 30, 30a of each flexible fastening strip 24, 24a is joined to the first side 18 of the plate in transverse relationship to the plate and preferably to the outside of the posts 22, 22a. The flexible securing strips can be joined to the plate by means of adhesive patches, 36, 36a to join the strip. Alternatively, the flexible securing strips can be molded integrally with the plate or attached to the plate by means of appropriate elements or means, such as by ultrasonic welding or by the use of hoop and hook fastening strips as sold under the Velero trademark. Each flexible securing strip further comprises fastening means or fastening elements, along the fascia for fastening the fascia itself at first fastening sites 32, 32a and second fastening sites 34, 34a longitudinally of the fascia and to ensure a bundle of wires to the plate. The fastening means or fastening elements consist of primary contact adhesive patches, one of which is shown at 38 and patches of secondary contact adhesives 39, 39a each having a corresponding cover sheet 40, 40a and 42, 42a. The term "fastening site" as used herein, refers to a site on a fascia to which fastening means such as an adhesive patch is attached. Adhesive patches are preferably located at the ends of the flexible securing strips. The primary contact adhesive patches 38, 38a are located on the same end 30, 30a of the flexible securing strips, such as patches of bonding adhesive 36, 36a, but on the opposite side thereof. The secondary contact adhesive patches 39, 39a are located on the same side of the securing strips flexible as adhesive patches 36, 36a to join the strip, but at the opposite end thereof, as shown in figure 1. All the cover sheets have ends bent upwards to form traction tabs 44, to facilitate the quick and easy separation of them. To further facilitate the assembly process, each pair of cover sheets 40, 40a and 42, 42a can be color coded to indicate which cover sheet should be removed and which adhesive patches should be used for each stage of the assembly process. Harness The assembly of a wiring harness according to the present invention begins by assembling the harness release bracket 14 on a distribution board shown schematically at 10 in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, the The clamp is mounted on the distribution board by adjusting the through holes or perforations 26, 26a of the locating posts on the mounting bolts 12, 12a projecting from the distribution board. The clamp is mounted first on the distribution board in such a way that the side 20 of the plate is exposed. A bundle 46 of wires comprising wires 48 is then brought into contact with the exposed side of the plate and the locating or fixing posts, such that the bundle of wires is adjacent to, but not channeled through, the locating space. 28. Then, a plurality of the wires are routed between the locating or fixing posts through the locating space 28 to form a branch portion 50. The remaining wires of the bundle of wires that are not routed through the locating space form a portion 52 of reduced main line, as shown in Figure 4. Then, the bundle of wires is attached to the plate as follows. First, the cover sheets 40, 40a are removed to expose the primary contact adhesive patches 38, 38a. Then, the flexible securing strip 24a is tightly wrapped once around the bundle of wires 46 (the main line portion) and the plate 16 and fastened thereto in a first fastening site 32 (figure 1) at the lake of the flexible securing strip or strip by the adhesive strip 38. Then, the flexible securing strip 24 is tightly wrapped once around the reduced main line portion 52 and the plate and is fastened to itself in a first place of fastening 32a (Figure 1) along the flexible fastening strip by the adhesive strip 38a. At this point, the first stage of the harness assembly is complete and the harness can be removed from the distribution board. An additional wire bundle 54 comprising wires 56 can be attached to the opposite side of the plate 16 during a second stage of the harness assembly. For do this, the clamp 14 is reassembled on the bolts that are on the distribution board 10 with the first side 18 of the plate exposed as shown in figure 5. In a manner similar to that described above, a plurality of the wires 56 of the additional wire bundle 54 are routed between the locating or fixing posts 22a through the location space 28a to form a branch portion 58 and a reduced main line portion 59. Then, the additional wire bundle is secured to the plate 16 by removing the cover sheets 42, 42a to expose the secondary contact adhesive strips 39, 39a and to wrap the flexible securing strips 24, 24a once around the wires and fasten them themselves in the second securing sites 34, 34a, as can be seen with reference to figure 1. At this point, the second stage of the harness assembly is complete and the clamp and the mounted harness can be removed from the harness. Switchboard. A side partial sectional view of a multiple beam harness mounted in this manner is shown in Figure 3. The same harness is shown in the side view of Figure 2 with the bundles of wires removed for purposes of illustration. The exact position of the securing sites 32, 32 and 34, 34a along the length of the flexible securing strips may, of course, vary according to with the proposed application for the harness release clamp. The exact position of the securing sites 32, 32a, 34, 34a along the length of the flexible securing strips for a particular harness release bracket depends on the combination of the length of the flexible securing strips, the width of the plate and the perimeter or size of the wire bundles, to be attached to the plate. Figure 2 shows first and second typical fastening sites 32 and 34. The complete harness can be assembled into a final product by adjusting the through-holes 26, 26a of the locating posts on bolts or mounting needles. (not shown) that are projected from the final product (not shown). A harness release clamp that has several location spaces of different sizes in a single clamp, allows beams of wires of substantially different diameters to be attached to a single clamp. In such a configuration, only one locating post needs to project from both sides of the plate. Figure 6 shows a configuration in which only one post and location, ie the locating post 22, projects from both sides of the plate 16. The second locating post 22a and an additional locating post 22b, project from opposite sides of the plate, in such a way that location spaces 28, 28a of unequal size are formed. The additional locating post 22b is also provided with a through hole 26b to allow mounting on a mounting bolt. Although only one locating post needs to be projected from both sides of the. plate, it is preferable that at least two spaced locating poles project from both sides of the plate to facilitate stable support of the clamp on a support surface. It is sometimes advantageous to include means or expansion elements to expand the length of the plate to vary the distance between a pair of locating posts and thereby vary the size of the location space. This arrangement advantageously allows the accommodation of a wider range of wire bundle diameters, which compensates for the variations in the spacing of the needle in the distribution board or sites of the mounting bolt in the finished product. In such arrangement, as shown in Figure 7, the plate 16 is subdivided into two planar sections 16a and 16b. Each flat section supports one of the locating poles 22, 22b and each planar section is integrally joined to the expansion means or elements. The expansion means preferably comprise a plurality of flexible elements 60 formed of deformable plastic, such as polyamide, formed by molding or stamping as an integral part of the plate 16. As shown in Figure 7, the flexible elements 60, comprise portions that diverge angularly from one edge of a section of the plate 16 and are halved between the two plate sections. By applying the tensile pressure of the two separate plate sections, the midpoints of elements 60 move toward each other, thereby increasing the distance between the posts 22, 22a. Conversely, the two plate sections can be driven together to cause the midpoints to separate, thereby decreasing the distance between the points. The strips 24, 24a illustrated in Figure 1 are respectively fixed to the plates 16a and 16b. In the embodiment of Figs. 8-10, in which like numbers are used to designate like parts, the bracket 14 comprises integrally formed fastening strips 24, 24a extending from the plate 16. As best illustrated in Fig. 8 , the strips 24, 24a are provided with a first series of prominent points or prongs 62, 62a, projecting laterally outwardly from both lateral edges of the distant end sections 64, 64a. A second series of tines 66, 66a project from the side edges of the intermediate sections 68, 68a of the strips 24, 24a. Preferably, the intermediate sections 68, 68a are formed with a shallow recess 70, 70a defined by the raised side edges 72, 72a as can be seen with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the intermediate sections, the prongs 66, 66a project inwardly and outwardly. of the raised side edges 72, 72a. Finally, the strips include sections 76, 76a next to, and that are joined to the plate 40 having raised side edges 78, 78a. A third series of tines 80, 80a project inward from the raised side edges 78, 78a. The distal, intermediate and proximal sections are all sized relatively in width such that the distal sections 64 are spliced into the recess 70 in the intermediate section 68 with the prongs 62 and 66 in interlocking or interlocking relationship and the intermediate section. 68 is spliced into the recess 80 in the adjacent sections 76 with the tines 74 and 82 in interlock relationship. To increase the resistance to separation, the prongs in each section can be arranged angularly in a direction away from the direction in which the tension is applied. Fig. 10 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the positioning of the belts on bundles of wires, secured on each side plate 16. According to Fig. 10, the proximal fascia section 66 is wrapped around of a bundle of wires, only a little of which are illustrated by purposes of clarity. The intermediate fascia section 68 is spliced into the recess formed by the raised side edges 78 and is fixed in place by the interlocking tines 66 and 82. Then, the proximal section 64 is wrapped around the upper bundle which is clamped in place. its place when the prongs extend from the sides of the proximal section 64 are interengaged with the whiskers in the intermediate section 68, it will be understood that the intermediate section 68 is spliced in a recess in the proximal section 76. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a new, versatile, non-expensive wire harness release clamp, which can be used to quickly and conveniently locate and secure, form and support multiple main and branch line wiring harnesses during assembly. multi-stage harness. A harness release clamp according to the present invention also provides post-mounting support for a wiring harness during transport of the harness from the mounting point to a site where the harness will be integrated with a final product. A harness release clamp in accordance with the present invention further provides post-mounting support for a wiring harness after the harness is installed in a final product. In addition, a wiring harness produced in accordance with the present invention reduces the need for repetitive wrapping movements and muscle and nerve injuries that result from them.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (14)

1. Claims Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A wiring harness release clamp for forming and supporting the main line and branch portions of a wire bundle, comprising a wire harness. wiring, the harness releasing clamp is adapted to be mounted on a support surface and wherein the harness release bracket comprises: a relatively rigid plate; a pair of locating poles attached to and projecting from the plate, the locating poles are spaced apart to form a locating or fixing space for a branch portion of the bundle of wires; and flexible wrapping means arranged to be secured in relation adjacent to the locating poles for securing the bundle of wires with respect to the plate, characterized in that: the locating posts are arranged with respect to the plate in such a way that the plate is arranged to support against it the main line portion of the bundle of wires from which the branch portion extends to the locating space; Y the flexible wrapping means are arranged to be secured to the plate adjacent to the locating poles to secure the bundle of wires to the plate. A harness release clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible wrapping means comprise a pair of elongated flexible securing strips, each flexible securing strip is attached to the plate in relation adjacent to one of the poles of location, each belt comprises a plurality of belt fastening means or elements along the belt to hold the belt itself at fastening sites spaced along the belt and to secure the bundle of wires to the plate. 3. A harness release clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible securing strips are joined to the plate on opposite sides of the location space. A harness release clamp according to claim 3, characterized in that each fastening means or fastening element comprises a patch of contact adhesive. 5. A harness release clamp according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each locating post has a through hole that extends through it. receiving a mounting bolt associated with the support surface. A harness release clamp according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the plate further comprises several plate sections and separation elements attached to the intermediate plate sections to the locating posts to selectively vary the size of the location space. A harness release clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate is subdivided into a pair of planar sections, each planar section supports one of the locating posts and further includes separation elements comprising flexible elements attached to each other. each of the flat sections, the flexible elements, provide the variation of the separation of the flat sections. A harness release clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that the flexible elements include each, first and second portions integrally joined to, and that are deviated angularly from each of the flat • sections, the portions are joined together. in a flexible manner together, substantially midway between the sections and are flexible in the application of the force applied in the plane of the flat sections to selectively vary the size of the location space. A detachment clamp according to claim 8, characterized in that the locating poles project from both sides of the plate. 10. A harness release clamp according to claim 2, characterized by a third locating post spaced from the pair of locating posts, the third post is joined to, and projected from the plate to form an additional locating space. A harness release clamp according to claim 5, characterized in that the locating posts project from both sides of the plate and the flexible wrapping elements comprise a pair of flexible securing strips, each flexible securing strip being attached to the plate in relation adjacent to one of the locating posts and comprises a plurality of fastening elements of the strip spaced in longitudinal relationship along the strip to hold the strip itself in first and second fastening sites, by which a plurality of rings are formed to secure a plurality of bundles of wires to the plate. 12. A harness release clamp according to claim 11, characterized in that the belts comprise distant, intermediate and close sections that each have a multiplicity of clamping projections extending therefrom, the projections of the intermediate sections are subdivided into a first movable section to a position of interlocking coupling with the projections of the adjacent sections to form a first casing for a first bundle of wires disposed on one side of the plate and a second movable section to an interfitting engagement position with the projections of the distal section to form a second envelope for a second bundle of wires, disposed on the opposite side of the license plate. The harness release clamp according to claim 12, characterized in that the proximal section of each belt has a longitudinally extending recess or recess thereof, the recess or recess being dimensioned to receive the intermediate section in a splice relationship. , the fastening projections of the proximal section and the first intermediate section are arranged to project laterally towards each other and to an interlocked engagement position, the intermediate section of each fascia having a longitudinally extending recess or recess thereof, the hollow or recess of the intermediate section is dimensioned to receive the proximal section in splice relation, the clamping projections of the second intermediate section and the distal section are arranged to projecting laterally towards each other to an interlocked coupling position. The harness release clamp according to claim 9 or claim 11, characterized in that the pair of locating posts are positioned along a surface of the edge of the plate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wiring harness release clamp is disclosed for forming and supporting the main and branch line portions of a bundle of wires comprising a wiring harness. The harness release clamp is adapted to be mounted on a support surface and comprises: a plate substantially rigid to hold the main line portion of the wire bundle; locating poles attached to and projecting from the plate, the locating poles are spaced apart to form a locating space for a branch portion of the wire bundle; and flexible bands attached to the plate in relation adjacent to the locating poles for securing the bundle of wires to the plate. A wiring harness mounting apparatus comprises a wiring harness distribution board, the wiring harness release bracket and bolts or legs for detachably mounting the harness release bracket on the harness distribution board of the wiring harness. Wiring provides the construction of portions of the main line and branch of the harness. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible belts have intermediate and close sections of interempalme and distant sections. Intermediate sections are spliced into holes or recesses in nearby sections and the distant sections are spliced into niiit mft m \ tim * Sffl & $ hollows or recesses in the interempalmated sections. Intercoupling prongs or prongs extending laterally over each section hold the sections together when the intermediate section is wrapped around a bundle of wire and spliced into the recess in the proximal section, and the distal section is formed into a rim or wrap around an second bundle of wires and spliced into the recess or recess in the middle section. The plate can be divided into separate sections, joined together by flexible elements that allow variations in the width of the location space.