US3423815A

US3423815A - Fluid-actuated crimping press

Info

Publication number: US3423815A
Application number: US586418A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul J Spangler; Alfred W Schmidt Jr
Original assignee: Etc Inc
Current assignee: Etc Inc; ITT Corp
Priority date: 1966-10-13
Filing date: 1966-10-13
Publication date: 1969-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-28
Also published as: GB1183861A

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 P. J. SPANGLER ETAl- 3,

FLUIDACTUATED CRIMPING' PRESS I Filed Oct. 13, 1966 Sheet of 6 INVENTORS PAUL J. SPANGLER ALFRED W'.SCHM|PT ATToRNEYs Jan. 28, 1969 P. .1. SPANGLER ET AL 3,423,815

FLUID-ACTUATED CRIMPING PRESS Filed Oct. 13, 1966 Sheet 2 of 6 INVENTORS PAUL J. SPANGLER ,0 ALFRED w. SCHMIDT ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 19 9 Shee t Filed Oct. 13. 1966 S RT w S mm w 55 mm m w P 8 m m 5w x w I J D g A L E wm W m A z 7 m 3 zav F Jan. 28, 1969 P. J. SPANGLER E L 3,423,815

FLUID-ACTUATED CR IMPING PRESS Filed Oct. 13. 1966 Sheet 4 of 6 I26 INVENTORS l4 I27 PAUL J. SPANGLER v ALFRED w. SCHMIDT F/G. 4 I ATZTORNEYS P. J. SPANGLER ET AL FLUID-ACTUATED CRIMPING'PRESS Jan. 28, 1969 Sheet Q of6 Filed Oct. 13. 1966 FIG. 6

INVENTORS mm; GM N w W A S J v1 J.W ,2. .D ,1 LE 4, AUHR ub m A A 2 Mr ATTORNEYS United States Patent 13 Claims This invention relates to a fluid-actuated crimping press and, more particularly, to a crimping press for applying electrical terminals or connectors to the bared end portions of conductors and wherein the supply of connectors or terminals is carried to the press by a flexible, perforated tape.

It is widespread practice to mount various types of electrical terminals or connectors on electrical conductors by inserting the bared end of the conductor wire into the connector and crimping the connector so that it is permanently mounted on the end of the wire and is provided with a good electrical connection therewith. Since the unmounted connectors are quite often small, they provide a handling problem, particularly when relatively large numbers of crimping operations must be performed.

To reduce the handling problem and provide rapid, uniform, and high quality crimping, the present invention provides a fluid-operated crimping press having means for feeding tape-mounted terminals or connectors between a fixed die and a movable die prior to each stroke of the movable die. According to the present invention, the machine operator inserts a bared end of a conductor into the open ferrule portion of a connector or terminal which has been advanced by the machine to a crimping position between the fixed die and the movable die. The machine is then actuated through one cycle of operation during which the terminal or connector is crimped onto the conductor and the subsequent connector is automatically positioned to receive the subsequent conductor for crimping.

The fluid-operated crimping machine according to this invention includes means to advance the movable die into engagement with the ferrule which is about to be crimped. This initial movement of the movable die is accomplished by means other than the main power source for applying crimping pressure to the ferrule. Thus, the movable die is moved into engagement with the ferrule prior to the application of crimping pressure to the movable die and the ferrule, and this movement minimizes the possibility of an operators inadvertently inserting his finger between the dies during the crimping stroke of the movable die. Moreover, since the movable die is in contact with the ferrule to be crimped prior to the power stroke, the amount of power necessary to operate the movable die is minimized.

The fluid-operated crimping press according to this invention has a cycle of operation which includes the sequential steps of retracting the movable die after a crimping operation, advancing the tape until an uncrimped terminal or connector is properly positioned adjacent the lower crimping die, advancing the movable die into contact with the ferrule to be crimped, and applying crimping force to the movable die to affix the ferrule to the bared end of a conductor which has been inserted into the open ferrule. According to this invention, all of the sequential operations are dependent upon the successful completion of the prior operation. According to this invention, pilot signals are employed to initiate the next operation at the completion of a prior operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluidoperated crimping press which will crimp tape-mounted terminals and connectors onto conductors and which has a timed sequence of operations which are each dependent upon the proper functioning of the prior operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a crimping press for attaching terminals and connectors onto conductors which has a minimum of moving parts, which will provide accurate crimps during its lifetime, and which includes easily replaceable components which are arranged to provide extreme simplicity, durability, and long life so that initial cost and maintenance problems are minimized.

These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a crimping press according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the crimping press illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the crimping press illustrated in FIG. 1, with portions broken away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fluid controls employed for the crimping press according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electrical controls employed for the crimping press according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conductor sensing-press cycling device in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the sensing device illustrated in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the sensing device illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, partly in section and with portions broken away for clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, the basic crimping machine includes a base plate 10 on which are mounted vertically extending side frame members 11 and 12. The upper and lower ends of the side frame members 11 and 12 are respectively joined by a top crosspiece 13 and a die breast 14. The side frame members 11 and 12 support a guide block 15 and the guide block 15 has a cylindrical bore 16 therethrough through which a bearing sleeve 17 is press-fitted. A cylindrical crimping ram 18 is slidably mounted in the bearing sleeve 17 and is provided at its upper end with a slot 19. The slot 19 is bridged by an axle 20 and a roller 21 is rotatably mounted on the axle 20.

A top die holder 22 having an upper die assembly 22a is mounted on the lower end of the crimping ram 18 and cooperates with a fixed lower die assembly 23 which is mounted on the die breast 14. The upper die assembly 22 includes an insulation crimping die 24 and a ferrule crimping die 25. The insulation crimping die 24 is intended to crimp an insulating sleeve portion 26 of an electrical connector 27 onto the insulation sleeve of an electrical conductor. The ferrule crimping die 25 is adjacent the die 24 and is intended to crimp a ferrule portion 28 of the connector 27 onto the bared end of an electrical conductor (not shown). The fixed lower die assembly 23 includes an insulation crimping die 29 which is intended to cooperate with the insulation crimping die 24 and an adjacent ferrule crimping die 30 which is intended to cooperate with the ferrule crimping die 25. The lower die assembly 23 further includes a base plate 31 which may be removed from the die breast 14 for convenient replacement of the lower die assembly 23. The upper member 13, the guide block 15, and the die breast 14 are all attached to the side plates 11 and 12 by machine screws 32 and by keys 33 which add vertical rigidity to the structure. The member 13 is provided with a recess 34 and the recess 34 is bridged by an axle 35. A roller 36 is mounted for rotation on the axle 35.

A cylinder 37 is fixed to an upper portion of the side frame member 12. The cylinder 37 includes a cylindrical body portion 38 having a cylindrical bore 39 therein. The bore 39 is closed at one end by a backing plate 40 and at-the other end by a front baflfle or web 41. The backing plate 40 is restrained against longitudinal movement in either direction by C-

rings

42 and 43, and the front web 41 is restrained against movement outwardly in one direction by a C-ring 44. Movement of the front web inwardly is prevented by frictional resistance and/ or fluid pressure, as will hereinafter become apparent. An intermediate baffle or web 45 is provided within the bore 39 and is restrained against longitudinal movement in one direction by a C-ring 46.

The intermediate web 45 and the front web 41 are respectively provided with

axial bores

47 and 48. Mounted for reciprocation within the

bores

47 and 48 are piston rods 49 and 50 respectively. The pistons 49 and 50 are respectively provided with

piston heads

51 and 52. The piston rod 49 is provided with an axial bore 49:: which provides fluid communication between a first pressure chamber 53 and a second pressure chamber 54. One end of the piston rod 50 is provided with a clevis 55. The clevis 55 is provided with a pin 56 which holds a wedge cam 57. The wedge cam 57 projects through an aperture 58 in the side frame member 12.

A conventional pilot-operated four-way valve 59 is mounted on the base plate and, as may be seen in FIG. 5, is operated in response to a solenoid-operated threeway valve 60. The solenoid-operated three-way valve 60 includes a solenoid coil 61 which may be actuated to operate the valve 60 in response to a manually operated or foot pedal switch 62 or by a conductor sensing switch 63 (FIG. 6) in a manner which will hereinafter become apparent.

When the solenoid 61 is energized, the valve 60 is shifted to the left as viewed in FIG. 5 to admit fluid pressure to a pilot section 64 through a conduit 65 and a conduit 66 from a fluid pressure source 67. Admission of fluid pressure to the pilot section 64 of the valve 59 shifts that valve to the left as viewed in FIG. 5. When the valve 59 is shifted to the left, the pressure chamber 53 in the cylinder 37 is pressurized through a conduit 68 and a conduit 69.

When the pressure chamber 53 is pressurized in this manner, the pressure chamber 54 is likewise pressurized through the bore 49a to thereby drive the

pistons

51 and 52 to the left in unison (FIG. 3). Fluid pressure in a chamber 70 in the cylinder 37 is exhausted through a vent passage 71 as the piston 51 is driven to the left and fluid in a chamber 72 is exhausted through a conduit 73 as the piston 52 is driven to the left. Movement of the

pistons

51 and 52 advances the piston rod 50 and its wedge cam to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, to thereby drive the wedge cam between the rollers 21 and 36.

The upper surface of the wedge cam 57 bears against the roller 36 and the cam 57 has a sloped lower surface 80 which drives the roller 21 and, therefore, the crimping ram 18 downwardly so that the connector 27 is forged onto the bared end portion of a conductor. The

die assemblies

22 and 23 define a proper crimping configuration when the wedge cam has reached the limits of its stroke and this limit is reached when the piston 52 butts against an annular projection 81 on the front web 41 and when the piston 51 butts against an annular projection 52 on the web 45. When the piston 51 thus achieves the limit of its stroke, an O-ring 83 on the piston 51 is positioned between the vent 71 and a port 84. Fluid from the pressure chamber 53 is thus directed through the port 84 and a conduit 85 to apply pressure to a pilot section 86 of a pilot-operated four-way valve 87. When the pilot section 86 is pressurized in response to the full stroke of the wedge cam 57, the valve 87 is shifted to the right to connect the source of fluid pressure 67 to a. conduit 88 through a line 89.

When the line 88 is pressurized in the previously described. manner, fluid pressure is admitted (1) to a pilot section 90 of the valve 59 through a conduit 91; (2) to a pressure chamber 93 in a cylinder 94 through a conduit 95; and (3) to a chamber 96 in a cylinder 97 through a conduit 98.

When the pilot section 90 is pressurized, the valve 59 is returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to thereby pressurize the conduit 73 and exhaust the conduit 69. Fluid pressure is thereby exhausted from the

chambers

53 and 54 through the conduit 69 and is applied to the chamber 72 through the conduit 73. The

pistons

51 and 52, and therefore the wedge cam 57, are returned to their retracted positions illustrated in the drawings.

The cylinder 94 is provided in a ram advance assembly 100 which further comprises a piston 101 which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 94 and which may be spring-biased downwardly, if desired, by a relatively weak spring 102. The cylinder 94 is vented to the atmosphere at its upper end by a port 103 and the piston 101 divides the cylinder 94 into the pressure chamber 93 and a chamber 104. A piston rod 105 is connected to the piston 101 and projects downwardly from the cylinder 94. One end of the piston rod 105 is attached to the axle 20. When fluid pressure is admitted to the chamber 93 through the conduit 95, the piston 101 and its piston rod 105 will be moved upwardly to retract the ram 18. The piston 101 reaches the upper limit of its stroke when the piston abuts a stop member 106. When the piston 101 abuts the stop member 106, an O-ring 107 is located above a pilot port 108 in the side wall of the cylinder 94 to connect the pilot port 108 to the fluid pressure in the chamber 93.

The admission of fluid pressure to the conduit 98 also pressurizes the chamber 96 in the cylinder 97. The chamber 96 and the cylinder 97 are located in a tape advance mechanism 110. The tape advance mechanism 110 further includes a piston 111 which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 96 and a piston rod 112 which is fixed to the piston 111 and which extends through one end of the cylinder. The piston 111 divides the cylinder into the chamber 96 and the chamber 113. The end of the piston rod 112 is pivotally attached to a hook member 114 which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 115 (FIG. 2).

When the chamber 93 is pressurized by the conduit 95 to thereby retract the ram 18, the chamber 96 in the tape advance mechanism 110 is likewise pressurized through the conduit 98 to drive the piston 111 and its piston rod 112 downwardly. The hook member 114 is suspended from the piston rod 112 so that a hook portion 116 of the member 114 will swing to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, to engage a ratchet tooth 117 on the ratchet wheel 115. During this downward travel of the member 114, the member114 is backed by a cam block 118. Thus, when the piston rod 105 is fully retracted within the cylinder 94, the piston rod 112 is fully extended from the cylinder 97.

As was previously explained, the pilot port 108 is in fluid communication with the chamber 93 when the piston 101 has reached the limit of its upward stroke. When the port 108 is exposed in this manner, fluid pressure is admitted from the chamber 93 to a pilot line 120. The pilot line 120 is connected to a pilot section 121 of the fourway valve 87 and the valve 87 is returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 when the pilot port 108 is exposed to the fluid pressure in the chamber 93. The pilot section 86 of the valve 87 is permitted to exhaust through the conduit 85, the chamber 70 of the cylinder 37, and the vent 71.

When the valve 87 is returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the conduit 89 is placed in fluid co'mrrnunication with a conduit 122 which is in turn in communication with the chamber 113 in the tape advance mechanism 110 to thereby drive the piston 111 and the rOd 112 upwardly. When the piston 111 moves upwardly, the ratchet wheel 115 is advanced in a counterclockwise direction and an uncrimped connector is advanced to the lower die assembly prior to the arrival of the ram 18 to its precrimping position in a manner which will now be explained.

When the valve 8-7 is returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the

conduits

95 and 98 are exhausted through the valve 87. When the conduit 95 is exhausted, the chamber 93 in the ram advance mechanism 100 is likewise exhausted and the piston 101 is moved downwardly under the weight of the ram 18 and the pressure of the relatively weak spring 102.

The ratchet wheel 115 is mounted on one end of a cylindrical shaft 123 which extends through a bearing sleeve 124. The bearing sleeve 124 is press-fitted into a bore 125 which extends through a mounting block 126. The other end of the shaft 123 is fixed to a sprocket wheel 127. As may be best seen in FIG. 3, the sprocket wheel 127 includes a plurality of teeth 128. The teeth 128 cooperate with a multiplicity of sprocket openings 129 in a flexible tape 130. The connectors 27 are mounted on the tape 130 in a semipermanent fashion so that they may be easily removed by pulling in an axial direction.

The tape 130 is guided so that the connectors 27 pass over the lower die assembly 23 by upper and lower

guide track members

131 and 132 respectively. The upper and lower

guide track members

131 and 132 are provided with longitudinal slots 133 and 134 (FIG. 4) so that the sprocket wheel 127 may extend through these slots. The upper guide track 131 comprises a leaf spring which is fixed at one end to a pin 135. The upper guide track 131 has an extension 136 which projects through an aperture 137 in the side frame member 11 so that the guide track 131 may be lifted upwardly for initially threading the tape 130 onto the sprocket wheel 127. To facilitate this initial threading step, a handle 137 is fixed to and extends from the sprocket wheel 127.

Each upward stroke of the piston 111 advances the tape 130 so that a connector 27 is properly positioned between the upper and

lower die asemblies

22 and 23. In order to ensure that the connectors are properly positioned on the lower die assembly 23, means are provided to ensure that there will be no under or overtravel of the sprocket wheel 127. To this end, a ball bearing 138- is biased between adjacent sprocket teeth 128 when a connector 27 is properly positioned on the lower die assembly 2.3. The ball bearing 13-8 is fixed to one end of a pin 139 which is mounted in a socket 140 in the block 126. A spring 141 urges the ball bearing 139 into contact with the sprocket wheel 127 and between adjacent teeth 128.

The previously described machine cycle is initiated by inserting the bared end of a conductor (not shown) into the connector positioned between the upper and

lower die assemblies

22a and 23. When the bared end of the conductor has passed through the ferrule portion 28 of the connector 27, the end of the conductor butts against the conductor sensing switch 63. The sensing switch 63 in cludes a non-conductive body portion 151 which is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket 152. The mounting bracket 152 is fixed to the side frame member 12 and may be adjusted axially relative to the axis of the connector 27. A plunger switch 153 having a head portion 154 and a stem portion 155 is mounted in a bore 156 in the body portion 151. The head portion 154 is biased outwardly by a relatively weak spring 157 and one end of the stern .155 is provided with a cross member 158. The cross member 158 is fixed to the stem 155 and rides on a pin 159 which is molded into the body 151. A projecting end of the stem is soldered to a conductor 160 which is fixed to a binding post 161. A second conductor 162 extends through the body portion 151 and contacts the head portion 154 only when the head portion 154 is pushed inwardly against the bias of the spring 157. Thus, when the head portion 154 is pushed inwardly, a circuit is completed between a conductor 163 which is fixed to the binding post 161 and the conductor 162.

With a connector positioned between the upper and

lower die assemblies

22a and 23, a conductor C (FIG. 7) is inserted into the open end of the conductor and strikes the head portion .154 of the sensing switch 150. The bared end of the conductor pushes the head portion 154 in until a circuit is completed between the

conductors

162 and 163. Completion of the circuit between these conductors energizes the coil 61 of the solenoid valve 60' to shift the valve to the left in the previously described manner so that the crimping press begins its previously described cycle.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, the solenoid 61 is energized in the following manner. The coil 61 is in series with a normally open switch 170. The switch is closed when a coil 171 is energized. The coil 171 is connected in series to a power source through a double pole, double throw switch 172 which places the coil 171 in series with either the sensing switch 63 or the foot switch 62. The circuit is further established through a microswitch 173, a transformer 174, and a rectifier network 175. The rectifier network 175 supplies DC. voltage to the coil 171 to close the switch 170 and energize the solenoid coil 61 when the bared end of a conductor C closes the circuit between the conductors 162 and 163 (with the double pole, double throw switch 172 connecting the

leads

162 and 163 to the circuit) or when the manually operated switch 62 is closed (with the double pole, double throw switch 172 connecting the lead 163 and a lead to the circuit).

Since the bared end of the conductor C is held tightly in position against the head portion 154 of the Sensing switch 150 during the crimping operation, there is provided means to de-energize the solenoid 61 even though a circuit remains established through the leads 162 and 163 (or between the leads 163 and 180). Such means may comprise a microswitch 173 which is normally closed against a contact 181. The microswitch 173 closes against a contact 182 during the movement of the wedge cam 57, which applies crimping pressure to the ram 18. Thus, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the wedge cam is provided with a pin 185 which moves the switch 173 from the contact 181 to the contact 182 during advancement of the wedge cam. When the switch 173 engages the contact 182, a capacitor 186 is discharged through the coil 171. The capacitance of the capacitor 186 is selected to maintain a DC. level which is suificient to keep the switch 170 closed, and therefore the solenoid .61 energized, until the wedge cam completes its crimping stroke.

As each connector 27 is crimped onto a conductor, and after the ram has been retracted, the operator pulls the conductor to separate the crimped connector from the tape 130. The spent tape is guided through an aper ture 190 in the frame member 12 and is directed toward the back of the machine by a deflector 191.

The invention is not restricted to the slavish imitation of each and every one of the details described above, which have been set forth merely by way of example. Obviously, devices may be provided which change, eliminate, or add certain specific details without departing from the invention.

We claim:

1. A crimping press for crimping ferrules carried by a perforated tape comprising a ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocation between first and second positions, dies on said frame and ram operable to crimp a ferrule at a crimping station when said ram reaches said first position, means to move said ram from a third position intermediate said first and second positions to said first position to thereby crimp said ferrule, first position responsive means to raise said ram to said second position when said ram reaches said first position, and second position responsive means to advance said tape and to move said ram to said third position when said ram reaches said second position.

2. A crimping press according to claim 1 wherein said means to move said ram from its third position to its second position comprises a cylinder having a fluid pressure chamber defined by the cylinder and by a piston mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder and wherein said piston has a rod portion which engages the ram when said ram is at its third position to drive said ram to its first position.

3. A crimping press according to claim 2 wherein said piston rod includes a wedge cam which engages a top portion of said ram when said ram is at its third position and which drives said ram to its first position.

4. A crimping press according to claim 1 wherein said first position responsive means includes fluid pressure responsive means which is responsive to the fluid pressure in said chamber when said piston has driven the ram to its first position.

5. A crimping press according to claim 4 wherein said fluid pressure responsive means includes a pilot port in said cylinder which is in fluid communication with said pressure chamber when said piston has driven the ram to its first position.

6. A fluid actuated crimping press for crimping ferrules carried by a perforated tape comprising a ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocation between first and second positions, dies on said mounting means and ram operable to crimp a ferrule at a crimping station when said ram reaches said first position, means to move said ram from a third position intermediate said first and second positions to said second position to thereby crimp said ferrule, said means for moving said ram comprising a first cylinder having first and second fluid pressure chambers defined by the cylinder and by a piston mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder and having a piston rod engaging said ram when said ram is at its third position to drive said ram to its first position, first fluid conduit means connected to said first pressure chamber to move said piston rod out of engagement with said ram, when the first conduit means is connected to a source of fluid pressure, second fluid conduit means connected to said second pressure chamber to move said piston rod into engagement with said ram, when the second conduit means is connected to the source of fluid pressure, first valve means for simultaneously connecting one of the first and second conduit means to the source of fluid pressure and for connecting the other conduit means to an exhaust port, first position responsive means responsive to raise said ram to said second position when said ram reaches said first position, said first position responsive means comprising fluid pressure responsive means having a pilot port in said cylinder which communicates with said second pressure chamber when said piston has driven the ram to its first position, third conduit means connecting said pilot port to a pilot section of said first valve means to cause said valve to connect said first conduit means to the source of fluid pressure and to connect said second conduit means to the exhaust port, said first position responsive means further comprising a second cylinder having a fluid pressure chamber defined by the cylinder and by a piston mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder and having a piston rod connected to said ram and operable to move said ram from its first position to its second position when said fluid pressure chamber is pressurized, fourth conduit means connected to said fluid pressure chamber to move said piston rod and the ram from the first ram position to its second position when the conduit is connected to a source of fluid pressure,

second valve means for alternately connecting said fourth conduit to the source of fluid pressure and to an exhaust port, fifth conduit means connecting said pilot port to a pilot section of said second valve to cause said second valve to connect said fourth conduit means to the source of fluid pressure.

7. A fluid actuated crimping press according to claim 6 wherein said press includes a second position responsive means responsive to advance said tape and to move said ram to said third position when said ram reaches its second position.

8. A fluid actuated crimping press according to claim 7 wherein said crimping press includes a tape advance mechanism which comprises a sprocket wheel which engages perforations on said tape, actuating means to incrementally move said sprocket wheel, said actuating means comprising a ratchet wheel connected to said sprocket wheel, hook means engaging said sprocket wheel, a piston rod connected to said hook means, a third cylinder having first and second fluid pressure chambers defined by the cylinder and by a piston which is mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder, said piston rod being connected to said piston for reciprocation therewith, sixth and seventh fluid conduit means respectively connected to said first and second pressure chambers, to incrementally rotate said sprocket wheel when said sixth conduit means is connected to said first pressure chamber.

9. A fluid actuated crimping press according to claim 8 wherein said second position responsive means includes a pilot port in said second cylinder which communicates with the pressure chamber in said second cylinder when said piston has moved the ram to its second position, eighth conduit means connecting said pilot port to the pilot section of said second valve means to cause said valve to connect said sixth conduit means to the source of fluid pressure and to connect said seventh and fourth conduit means to an exhaust port, whereby said tape is incrementally advanced and said ram is moved to its third position.

10. A fluid control system for operating a plurality of power cylinders in a predetermined sequence comprising first and second cylinders, each cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein and each piston dividing its cylinder into first and second chambers, first conduit means connected to said first chamber in said first cylinder, first valve means connected to said first conduit means for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first conduit means to a source of fluid pressure, second conduit means connected to said first chamber in said second cylinder, second valve means for alternately connecting and disconnecting said second conduit means to said source of fluid pressure, port means in said first power cylinder exposed to said first chamber when the piston reaches a predetermined position in said first cylinder, third conduit means connecting said port means to said first and second valve means to operate said first and second valve means to respectively disconnect the first conduit on said first cylinder from the source of fluid pressure and connect the conduit means on said second power cylinder to the source of fluid pressure.

11. A crimping press according to claim 1 wherein said means to move said ram from its third position to its first position includes means responsive to the insertion of a connector within said ferrule.

12. A crimping press according to claim 1 wherein said means to move said ram from its third position to its first position includes a manually operated switch.

13. A crimping press for crimping ferrules carried by a perforated tape comprising a ram, means mounting said ram for reciprocation between first and second positions, dies on said frame and ram operable to crimp a ferrule at a crimping station when said ram reaches said first position, normally open switch means axially adjacent said dies, said switch means being closed by a conductor 3,423,815 9 10 inserted Within said ferrule when said ram is in a third References Cited position intermediate said first and second positions, UNITED STATES PATENTS means responsive to the closure of said switch to move said ram from its third position to its first position to 3 2 5 2 thereby crimp sa1d ferrule, first position-responsive means 5 3,350,765 11/1967 Karl 29 203 to raise said ram to said second position when said ram reaches said first position, and second position-responsive THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examinen means to advance said tape and to move said ram to said third position When said ram reaches said second position. 10 72-307, 428; 29-211 3 3 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3423,315 Dated January 28, 1969 Inventor) P.J. Spangler and AM. Schmidt It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 72,after "comprising" insert a frame,--.

Column 8, line 70 after "comprising" insert a frame,--.

Column 7, line 21 change "1" to 2-.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A CRIMPING PRESS FOR CRIMPING FERRULES CARRIED BY A PERFORATED TAPE COMPRISING A RAM, MEANS MOUNTING SAID RAM FOR RECIPROCATION BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, DIES ON SAID FRAME AND RAM OPERABLE TO CRIMP A FERRULE AT A CRIMPING STATION WHEN SAID RAM REACHES SAID FIRST POSITION, MEANS TO MOVE SAID RAM FROM A THIRD POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITION TO SAID FIRST POSITION TO THEREBY CRIMP SAID FERRULE, FIRST POSITION RESPONSIVE MEANS TO RAISE SAID RAM TO SAID SECOND POSI-