US3289284A

US3289284A - Terminal fitting and insulating sleeve applicator

Info

Publication number: US3289284A
Application number: US441561A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clayton M Zent
Original assignee: Automatic Spot Taping Machine Co Inc
Current assignee: Automatic Spot Taping Machine Co Inc
Priority date: 1965-03-22
Filing date: 1965-03-22
Publication date: 1966-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-06

Description

Dec. 6, 1966 c. M. ZENT 3,289,284

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSUIAATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CLAYTON M. ZENT ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 c. M. ZENT 3,289,284

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLIGATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0m: mmumum 0 F! a 3 INVENTOR CLAYTON M ZENT ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 c. M. ZENT P171; 24

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I07 29 v E 46 41 I 27 CLAYTON M. ZENT ATTORNEYS 966 c. M. ZENT 389,28

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 C LAY Bfi i z E N T M JJ A K and ATTORNEYS C. M. ZENT Dec. 6, 1966 TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 22, 1965 INVENTOR.

M. ZENT CLAYTON JeAmwaf mam;

ATTORNEYS United htates mno ml'i i l d-tented Dec. 6, i966 The present invention relates generally to insulating sleeve applicators and particularly to an improved apparatus for applying terminal fittings and insulating sleeves to the ends of wires.

In general, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a standard terminating press means, a frame means adapted to be attached to the press means and a sleeve expanding means for expanding resilient insulating sleeves so a Wire may be inserted through the sleeve and into the crimping Zone of the press means.

A terminal is then crimped onto the end of the wire which is pulled back through the expanded sleeve and off of the sleeve expanding means. The sleeve then shrinks down around the terminal because of its natural resiliency.

A series of switch means automatically selectively control the operation whereby a sleeve is manually placed over the sleeve expanding means which is then expanded. A wire is inserted through the expanded sl eve and into the crimping zone of the terminal press where a terminal is automatically applied and the wire is merely pulled back into the expanded insulating sleeve.

In accordance with the terminal and sleeve applying apparatus of the present invention, the novel construction of the sleeve applicating means and associated switch means permits a reduction in operating costs while greatly increasing the output of a single worker.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of the sleeve and terminal applying apparatus eliminates the need to dialate the insulating sleeve with chemicals thereby providing a safer operational procedure.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of the sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits automatically the precise alignment of the terminal inside the insulating sleeve thereby eliminating the need of a trimming operation.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of the sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits even unskilled workers to operate the same as the procedure is both simple and safe.

As still another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of the sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits application of terminals and sleeves to the ends of wires semi-automatically in an economical and practical manner.

As a further aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of terminal and sleeve applying apparatus is relatively simple thereby permitting low manufacturing and fabrication costs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which greatly increases production while reducing operating costs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which eliminates the need for the use of chemicals to dialate the insulating sleeves thereby providing a safer, less expensive operation as compared to prior methods and means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which provides precise alignment between the sleeve and the terminal thereby eliminating a costly trimming operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus or" the type described which is simple in operation thereby permitting even unskilled workers to operate the apparatus with high efficiency.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which provides a semiautomatic operation for applying sleeves and termimale in a more economical manner than prior devices presently in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which may be manufactured and fabricated at low cost.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus for applying terminal fittings and insulating sleeves which is constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the sleeve applying and terminal applying portions of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the sleeve applying portion of the present invention as seen removed from the terminal applying press;

PK 4 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 2 but illustrating the sleeve expanding means in an open position wherein a resilient sleeve is expanded and a wire has been inserted through the sleeve and into the crimping zone of the press;

5 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 3 but illustrates the sleeve expanding means in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 4 but following wire after a terminal has been applied to the end thereof but before the terminal has been withdrawn into the expanded insulating sleeve;

HQ. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a typical electrical circuit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the present invention illustrating the sleeve applying portion including the terminal press activating means;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 8 but illustrating an insulating sleeve and sleeve expanding means in an open position;

P16. 10 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 9 but illustrates a wire inserted through the sleeve and into contact with the terminal press activating means; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 10 but illustrating a wire after a terminal has been applied to the end thereof but before the terminal has been withdrawn into the sleeve.

Referring specifically to the drawings, an apparatus for applying terminal fittings and insulating sleeves to the ends of the wires which is constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A standard commercial automatic terminating press is indicated genorally at and includes a roll of terminal fittings 22 which are automatically fed to a crimping zone 24 where a terminal fitting is automatically crimped on the end of a wire. An insulating sleeve applicator is indicated generally at 26 and includes a frame means 29 which is attached to press it) by bolts 28 through spacers 27, FIG. 2.

Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 through 11, sleeve applicator includes a pair of expanding fingers (all and $2.. Finger Ell is mounted on a stationary portion of frame means 29 and finger 32; is mounted on a movable portion of said frame means which forms an expander arm 34 that is pivotally mounted by bearing pin 36 and bearing housing 38.

A switch arm 49 is rotatably mounted on frame means 29 and is free to rotate a limited distance about pin 42, the distance being adjustable by means of adjustment screws 44.

It is important to point out that switch arm 41) is adjusted to be sensitive to the pressure of insulating sleeve 46 when it is slipped over the

fingers

30 and 32 and into contact with arm 40.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, expander arm 34 is moved to the left, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, by means of an air cylinder 47 and piston rod 48 which engages the lower portion of arm 34- through a roller bearing Stl bolted to a clevis 45 by bolt 52. A spring 54 connected to arm 34 and frame means 29 biases arm 34 in the closed position seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A solenoid air valve 55, FIG. 1, when energized activates air cylinder i7.

An expander arm adjustment screw 56 limits the degree of rotation of arm 34 to control the degree of spread between

fingers

30 and 32 when air cylinder 47 is energized. This permits a relatively simple manner in which to change to larger or smaller insulating sleeves and terminal fittings as required.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a solenoid 58 is shown in a de-energized position. A solenoid spring 60 holds a solenoid plunger 62 in the position shown in FIG. 3 when solenoid 58 is cle-energized. A link 61 is connected to plunger 62 and a solenoid lever 64 which, in turn, is connected to a solenoid pin assembly as through a shaft, not shown. A sensing wire pin assembly 68 is connected to terminal sensing wire 70 by a terminal sensing spring '72 which biases sensing wire 70 to rotate upwards between expander

fingers

30 and 32. When sensing wire 79 is between expander fingers 3t and 32;, sensing wire pin assembly 68 actuates sensing wire switch 74, but when solenoid 58 is energized, the previously described solenoid linkage holds sensing wire 70 outside of expander

fingers

30 and 32.

A solenoid switch 76 is activated by a washer 7 8 when solenoid 58 is energized. An expander arm switch 35) is closed when expander arm 34 is in the open position shown in FIG. 5.

Now referring to FIG. 7, a diagrammatic view of a typical electrical circuit for the present invention is illustrated and will be described in operation. The electrical components are preferably mounted in a control housing, not shown, and connected to the mechanical components through a cable and plug assembly. The plug connections are indicated at 81.

The sleeve applicator operates from a conventional 110 volt alternating current source and the line voltage is applied through an on-otf switch 82 which is connected to pilot 84 and then to the primary coil 86 of a step-down transformer. The secondary coil 83 of the transformer is connected through a fuse 90 to a full wave rectifier 92, the output of which is approximately 24 volts of direct current and is filtered by condenser 94.

All switches and relay contacts are illustrated with switch 82 in the off position. When switch 82 is turned on, sensing wire solenoid 58 is energized through contacts 95.

Now the operator slides an insulating sleeve over expander fingers 3t and 32 when said fingers are in the closed position shown in FIG. 8. When the sleeve moves switch arm 40, insulating sleeve switch 41 closes thus energizing relay 98 through contacts ltlll.

Holding contacts 102 are for relay coil 98. The air valve solenoid 55 is then energized through contacts 104 thus activating air cylinder 47 to cause expander arm 34 to rotate to expand insulating sleeve 46 to the position shown in FIG. 9. Contacts 108 are closed by relay 98 and switch 89 is closed when expander arm 34 is open to the position of FIG. 9.

A wire 107, FIG. 10, having the insulation trimmed off the end is now inserted by the operator through the expanded sleeve 46 toward crimping zone 24.

Right and left trip plates 1%, FIGS. 8-11, are connected to the press 29. The left trip plate is bolted to the right trip plate but insulated from it and plates 1% meet to form a V-shaped notch 110.

When the wire 1417 is inserted through sleeve 56 and strikes V-shaped notch 11 the circuit is closed to relay coil 106, which preferably is a sensitive relay requiring very little current to operate, practically eliminating an electric are between trip plates 18%. Contacts 1419 are holding contacts for relay 1%.

When relay coil 1416 is energized by the engagement of wire 107 with plates 1&8 the terminating press solenoid 112 is energized through contacts 51 to activate the press 2:). Contacts 91 also release sensing wire solenoid 58 and the associated linkage which releases sensing wire 70 permitting wire 70 to move in between

fingers

30 and 32 and into contact with wire 107. The terminating press solenoid 112 is preferably of the type that must be released before the press can operate again.

When the press is activated, it is important to point out that the wire 1%7 must be aligned in the V-notch 11% and also the crimping zone 24 where the terminal fitting 114 is applied. It is also important to point out that plates 1% act as a stop for the wire 142-7 so the terminal fitting will be applied to the correct position on the wire. Plates 168 further function to release the fitting 114 from the presss terminal crimper.

After terminal fitting 114 has been crimped onto the wire 1197, the operator Withdraw the wire from crimping zone 24 and through the expanded sleeve 48. As soon as the end of wire 1G7 and terminal 114 are withdrawn inside sleeve 45, sensing wire 70 will rotate and activate sensing wire switch 74 to close the circuit to relay coil 116. Contact 118 is a holding contact for relay 116. Now contact closes and activates sensing wire solenoid 58. Simultaneously contacts 1G0 open and solenoid switch 76 opens to de-energize relay coil @8. This opens contact 164 thus de-energizing air valve solenoid 55. The air cylinder 47 now operates to retract piston 48.

The operator pulls Wire 1107 to free terminal 114 and sleeve 46 from expanding fingers 3t and 32. When terminal 114 and sleeve 46 have been freed, expander arm 34 through the force exerted by spring 54 returns to the original closed position shown in FIG. 8 and expander arm switch 80 opens to break the circuit to relay 116. Another cycle may then be initiated.

It is important to note that terminating press 29 can only be activated when a sleeve is on

expander fingers

30 and 32.

For emergency circumstances, a push button switch 120 is provided to activate expander arm 34 to spread if terminal 114 should become lodged between expander fingers 3t and 32.. This occurs if sleeve 36 and terminal 114 are not pulled from fingers 3t) and 32 when air cylinder 4-7 releases.

When the resilient sleeve 46 is pulled free it will be understood that it shrinks tightly about terminal 114 because of its natural resiliency. It is important to point out that different types of terminating presses may be employed with the sleeve applicator portion 26 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closed position wherein each of said sleeves may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein each of said sleeves is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting pressed on an end of a wire by said terminal press means; power means operatively connected to said sleeve expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to said power means for automatically and selectively activating said power means; and press activating means operatively connected to said press means for automatically and selectively activating said press means to apply said terminal fitting to the end of said wire.

2. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, terminal fitting press means; frame means mounted on said press means and including sleeve ex pending means, said expanding means comprising a pair of fingers, one of said fingers being stationary and the other of said fingers being movable between a closed position adjacent said stationary finger and an open position spaced from said stationary finger; power means operatively connected to said sleeve expanding means for mov ing said expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to said power means for automatically and selectively activating said power means; press activating means operatively connected to said press means for automatically and selectively activating said press means to apply said terminal fitting to the end of said wire; and means for actuating the sleeve expanding means to assemble and secure each of said sleeves over an applied terminal fitting.

3. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closed position wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein sai sleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a fitting; power means operati-vely connected to said expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to said power means for automatically and selectively activating said power means; and press activating means operatively connected to said press means including a first switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to said first switch portion at such a distance that the end of said Wire may be inserted between said portion to make an electrical connection therewith for activating said press means.

ll. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein frame means includes a stationary portion and a movable portion; and said sleee expanding means includes a pair of fingers, one of said fingers being mounted to said station ary portion and the other of said fingers being mounted to said movable portion.

5. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of Wires comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closed position wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected to said expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means including a switch bar pivotally mounted to said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, said switch bar being activated by the pressure of said sleeve when said sleeve is slideably received by said expanding means for activating said power means to move said expanding means to said open position; and press activating means operatively connected to said press means for automaticease cally and selectively activating said press means to apply said terminal fitting to the end of said Wire.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein frame means includes a stationary portion and a movable portion; and said sleeve expanding means includes a pair of fingers, one of said fingers being mounted to said stationary portion and the other of said fingers being mounted to said movable portion.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 including terminal sensing means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said power means for tie-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

3. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires: comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closed position wherein one of sleeves may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected to said expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed and open positions; a switch means including a switch bar pivotally mounted to said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, said switch bar being activated by the pressure of said sleeve when said sleeve is slideably received by said expanding means for activating said power means to move said sleeve expanding means to said open position; and press activating means operatively connected to said press means including a first switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to said first switch portion at such a distance that the end of said wire may be inserted between said portion to make an electrical connection therewith for activating said press 9. The apparatus defined in claim 23 including terminal sensin means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said power means for tie-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

lfi. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; a frame means attached to said press means including a stationary portion and a movable arm portion; sleeve expanding means including a first finger mounted on said stationary portion and a second finger mounted on said movable arm portion, said second finger being biased in a closed position wherein said sleeve may be freely received thereon and also movable to an open position wherein one of said sleeves is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected to said movable arm portion of said frame means for moving said second finger to said open position; switch means including a switch bar pivotally mounted to said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, said switch bar being pivoted by the pressure of said sleeve when said sleeve is slideably received by said expanding means for activating said power means to move said expanding means to said open position; and press activating means operatively connected to said press means including a first switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to said first switch portion at such a distance that the end of said wire may be inserted between said portions to make an electrical connection therewith for activating said press means.

11. The apparatus defined in claim lfi including terminal sensing means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said power means for de-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

12. In an apparatus adapted to be attached to a terminal fitting press means for applying resilient insulating sleeves over terminal fittings the combination of frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means movably mounted on said frame mean between a closed position wherein said sleeve may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein one of said sleeves is stretched to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected to said sleeve expanding means for moving said sleeve expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to said power means for automatically and selectively activating said power means; press activating means operatively connected to said press means for automatically and selectively activating said press means to apply said terminal fitting to the end of said wire; and terminal sensing means mounted on said frame means and biased to move inbetween said sleeve expanding means when said sleeve expanding means is in said open position, said terminal sensing means being operatively connected to said power means and said press means for de-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

13. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminal fitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeve expanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closed position wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon and an open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a fitting; power means operatively connected to said expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to said power means for automatically and selectively activating said power means; press activating means operatively connected to said press means including a first switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to said first switch portion at such a distance that the end of said Wire may be inserted between said portions to make an electrical connection therewith for activating said press means; and terminal sensing means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said power means for tie-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

14. In an apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminal fittings on the ends of wires the combination of terminal fitting press means for sequentially delivering terminals to a crimping station and sequentially crimping each of the terminal fittings on a wire; frame means mounted on said press means and including a pair of fingers disposed adjacent to said crimping station and normally biased in a closed position for freely receiving each of said sleeves, at least one of said fingers being movable to an open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting; and pot er means operatively connected to said movable finger for moving said finger between said open and closed position to expand, assemble, and secure each of said sleeves over one of the crimped terminal fittings.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 including switch means for said power means, said switch means including a switch bar pivotably mounted to said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, said bar being actuated by said sleeve when said sleeve is slideably received by said fingers for activating said power means to move said movable finger to said open position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner.

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING RESILIENT INSULATING SLEEVES AND TERMINAL FITTINGS ON THE ENDS OF WIRES COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TERMINAL FITTING PRESS MEANS; FRAME MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID PRESS MEANS; SLEEVE EXPANDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN EACH OF SAID SLEEVES MAY BE FREELY RECEIVED THEREON AND AN OPEN POSITION WHEREIN EACH OF SAID SLEEVES IS EXPANDED TO RECEIVE A WIRE PROVIDED WITH A TERMINAL FITTING PRESSED ON AN END OF A WIRE BY SAID TERMINAL PRESS MEANS; POWER MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SLEEVE EXPANDING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID EXPANDING MEANS BETWEEN SAID CLOSED AND OPEN POSITION; SWITCH MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID POWER MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AND SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING SAID POWER MEANS; AND PRESS ACTIVATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID PRESS MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AND SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING SAID PRESS MEANS TO APPLY SAID TERMINAL FITTING TO THE END OF SAID WIRE.