US3710611A

US3710611A - Terminal locator for crimping tool

Info

Publication number: US3710611A
Application number: US00096052A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Filia
Original assignee: Sargent and Co
Current assignee: ROSTRA TOOL COMPANY A CORP OF CT
Priority date: 1970-12-08
Filing date: 1970-12-08
Publication date: 1973-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-16

Abstract

This specification discloses a crimping tool for attaching a terminal to an insulated conductor and which tool includes a terminal locator which accurately positions the terminal relative to the dies of the tool. A terminal with which the tool is intended for use includes a tubular end portion terminating in a pair of opposed notches spaced from the terminal end. A pair of flanges upstand from the terminal on the sides of the notches remote from the tubular portion. These notches are used in locating the terminal relative to the crimping dies. The locator consists of a slide that is mounted on the outer face of a jaw of the tool and has an inclined tongue that is adapted to be fitted in the notches in the terminal. The slide is maintained against the jaw face by a spring and is biased to an effective position by an expansion coil spring mounted at the lower edge of the jaw.

Description

United States i Patent n 1 11 3,710,611 Filia 1 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] TERMINAL LOCATOR FOR CRIMPING TOOL Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Michael J. Keenan 75 I t G F l Sh lt C rive. or eorge J I e mm Attorney-Schellin and Hoffman [73] Assignee: Sargent & Company, New Haven,

1 Com 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filedi' Dec-8,1970 This specification discloses a crimping tool for. at- 2 AppL 9 052 taching a terminal to an insulated conductor and i which tool includes a terminal locator which accurate- 1y positions the terminal relative to the dies of the [52] US. Cl ..72/410, 29/203 1-! tool A terminal with which the tool is intended for [51] Int. Cl. ..B2ld 9/08 use 'includes a tubular end a port on term-mating in a [5.8] new of Search pair of opposed notches spaced from the terminal end. A pair of flanges upstand from the terminal on the i Y sides of the notches remote from the tubular portion. [56] References C These notches are used in locating the terminal rela- UNITED STATES PATENTS tive to the crimping dies. The locator consists of a 3 523 351 8 1970 29 282 slide that is mounted on the outer face of a jaw of the 3:487:524 limo Fili: I: III29i2s2 m0] l has incliied'tongue. that i i 2 95 5 9/l960 Lazarm" 29,203 H fitted m the llOiCllOS 1n the terminal The Sll'Cle l'S mam- 3,315,337 4/1967 Stull 29/203 H tamed against the aw face by a spring and 1S biased to 2,411,838 11/1946 Swengel ..72/410 an effective position by an expansion coil spring 3,457,764 7/1969 McKee /410 mounted at the lower edge of the jaw.

3,504,417 4/1970 Filia ....72/4l0 5 3,420,086 1/1969 Long et a1. ..72/410 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FIG.

PATENTEDJAHB i973 3.710.611

SHEEI 1 [IF 3 I INVENTOR GEORGE J. FILIA ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 16 I973 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR GEORGE J. Fl Ll A ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJAH 16 I975 3.710.611

' SHEET 3 or 3 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR- GEORGE J. FILIA BY w g 5% ATTORNEYS The present invention relates to crimping tools of the type employed to crimp a terminal onto an insulated I conductor having a bared end portion and is concerned BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I A terminal now meeting with widespread usage comprises a tubular end portion that is slightly tapered toward its free end and has a bore that opens onto a trough. This trough is defined by a pair of flanges that are spaced from the tubular end portion by a pair of notches. These flanges are to be crimped' about the bared conductor which ispositioned in the trough. Between the ends of these flanges and the adjacent end of the terminal'are a pair of tabs in offset relation which are of a height greater than that of the flanges and which are clinched about the insulation in a wrapped condition. i I

A crimping tool of the type with whichlthe present invention is concerned includes an anvil jaw and a crimping jaw. Each of these jaws carries a conductor dieand an'insulation die. It is evident that if the crimp 7 ing operation is' to be achieved with a high degree of portion of the tool on which the terminal locator is using the notches in the terminal to accurately locate the terminal relative to the respective dies.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION gaging said notches.

3. To provide, in a tool of the kind described, a terminal locator in the form ofa slide together with means for maintaining the slide in operative position on a jaw face.

4. To provide, in a tool of the type used, spring means for biasing the slide in a direction which forces the'tongue on the slide into the notches in the terminal.

I Various other more detailed objects arid advantages 'of the invention such as arise in connection with carry,-

ing out the above noted 'ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent andin part be hereinafter stated as the description of theinvention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a slide having an inwardly directed spring retaining .flange' at its lower end and an outwardly directed'flange at its upper end. Adjacent to its upper end the slide is found with an inwardly and downwardly directed to'ngue as a continuation of said flange. Between its ends the slide is formed with a pair of slots which accommodate bolts. The slide is mounted on the outer face of the anvil jaw of the tool by a bracket'which is held assembled on the jaw by a pair of bolts extending through the slots. The bracket is formed with an inwardly opening recess in which is received an expansion coil spring that urges the slide against the jaw face. Another expansion coil spring is disposed between the lower edge of the anvil jaw and the spring retaining flange on the slide. This spring biases the slide downwardly in the direction in which the tongue is forced into the terminal notches.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description andaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a crimping tool including the terminal locator of this invention and dcpicting the jaws of the tool in closed position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary illustration of the tool of FIG. I but with the jaws opened.

FIG. 3is a perspective on an'enlarged scale of a terminal of the type with which the subject tool is used and illustrates the condition of the terminal before crimping. I

FIG. 4 is another perspective showing the terminal of F IG. 3 as crimped about an insulated conductor.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of an enlarged scale of that mounted.

- FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical section through that portion of the tool illustrated in FIG. 5, being taken on the plane of the line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the slide per se.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2 acrimping tool of the type in which the present invention is incorporated is shown as comprising handles 10 and ll which are pivotally connected at 12. A crimping jaw 13 is pivotally connected to handle 10 at 14 while ananvil jaw 15 is pivoted on handle 11 at 16.A pair of curved links 17, one on the fact at each side of jaws l3 and 15 have their ends pivotally connected to the jaws at l8 and 19. The latter are aligned by a pin 20. Crimping tools of this type are now well known in the art and a more detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary for thep'urposes of this specification.

' Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 anvil jaw 15 has an end portion 21 that constitutes a conductor anvil die, being formed integral with jaw 15. An insulation anvil die 22 is mounted on the inner face of end portion 21 in any preferred manner, as by welding; It also may be formed integrally with die 21.

.law 13 has an end portion 23 that is constituted a conductor crimping die. An insulation crimping die 24 Conductor anvil die 21 has an upstanding central portion 27 of an inverted V shape (FIG. the apex of which is formed with a rounded recess which receives a portion of a terminal as will be later described. Conductor crimping die 23 is formed on its lower edge with a recess 28 of inverted V shape complemental to the V shaped portion 27 which is received therein when the dies are in closed position.

Insulation anvil die 22 has an edge surface at'29 which cooperates with end edge surface 30 (FIG. 6) of insulation crimping die 24 in crimping portions of a terminal about the insulation.

Conductor anvil die 21 has an outer face 31 on which is mounted a bracket 32. The latter has flanges 33 (FIG. 5) which engage die 21 and a central portion 34 having an inclined face 35. Die 21 is formed with two threaded openings 36. Headed screw bolts 37 pass through

apertures

38 and 39 in central portion 34 of bracket 32 and are screwed into openings 36 to secure the bracket 32 in position on die 21. Opening 38 is counterbored to provide a recess 40 for a purpose to be later described. It is also formed with passage 41 the inner end of which is flared at 42 to facilitate the insertion of a terminal therein. Reception of a terminal in passage 41 prevents distortion of the terminal during a crimping operation.

Conductor crimping die 23 has an outer face 43 which is formed with a recess 44 which opens onto the crimping edge of the die and which recess has a bottom surface 45 which functions as a guide as will be later described.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a slide is designated generally as S. It comprises a main body portion 46 of rectangular shape. Body portion 46 is formed with two

slots

47 and 48 which receive bolts 37 when the slide is assembled within bracket 32 on die 21. At its lower end body portion 46 is formed with a spring retaining flange 49 terminating in an upturned lip 50.

Adjacent to its upper end slide S is formed with an opening 52. The upper end of slide S is bent outwardly, that is in a direction opposite to flange 49 to provide a flange 53 which is inclined as illustrated. Flange 53 is formed on its lower edge with a tongue 54 which projects from the inner face of slide S in a downwardly inclined direction.

Slide S is assembled on die 21 in sliding engagement with face 31. When so assembled the lower edge of tongue 54 rides on guide surface 45 of die 23. Slide S is positioned between face 31 of die 21 and bracket portion 34. It is urged against face 31 by an expansion coil spring 55 which is positioned about the bolt 37 in recess 40.

Another expansion coil spring 56 is interposed between the lower edge of die 21 and flange 49. Spring 56 biases slide S downwardly into a position in which tongue 54 partially enters the passage defined by the crimping surfaces of the die and therefore into the notches of a terminal that is positioned therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 a terminal with which the subject tool is intended to be used will be described. A terminal is identified in its entirety at T. It is of a metal conventionally used for electric terminals and includes a tubular portion 57 that has a slight taper towards its free end.

Terminal T is ordinarily fashioned from sheet metal seam 58. At each side of seam 58 at the inner end of tubular portion 57 is a notch 59. Adjacent to notches 59 is an open trough provided by flanges 60. It is these flanges that are to be crimped to a bared conductor. Spaced from the end of a flange 60 is a tab 61 and a second tab 62 is spaced from tab 61.

Prior to crimping, tabs 61 and 62 have the flared relation illustrated to facilitate the positioning of the in-,

sulation on a conductor therebetween. They are of greater height than flanges 60. FIG. 4 illustrates the condition of flanges 60 and tabs 61 and 62 aftercrimping to an insulated conductor.

OPERATION While the manner in which the subject terminal locator functions is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawings and description of parts set forth above it is briefly described as follows.

With handles 10 and l I spread in their open position slide S is depressed relative to the tool, that is, it is moved upwardly, by the operator by pressing against flange 49. This action is against the influence of spring 56. A terminal T is now inserted from the exposed side of insulation dies 22 and 24 through the passage defined by the crimping surfaces of the respective dies, opening 52in slide S, and opening 41 in bracket 32.

Slide S is now released and spring 56 moves it downwardly. As this action takes place the free edge of tongue 54 rides along guide surface 45 and enters notches 59 in terminal T.- Due to the inclination of tongue 54 a caming action takes place which accurately positions terminal T relative to the dies.

An insulated conductor is now inserted into terminal T with the bared portion of the conductor abutting tongue 54 of slide S and assuming a position in the trough between flanges 60. The end of the insulation assumes a position between tabs 61 and 62.

Handles 10 and 11 are now squeezed to perform the crimping operation. Slide S is again depressed and the crimped terminal and wire removed from the tool.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore' set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limitedto the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

' What is claimed is:

1. In a crimping tool for crimping a terminal having a tubular portion, a pair of notches adjacent to the tubular portion, a trough defined by a pair of flanges adjacent to the notches and a pair of tabs in offset relation next to said trough, said trough receiving a bared conductor with insulation on the conductor positioned between the tabs, said tool including:

a. a pair of pivotally connected handles,

b. an anvil jaw pivoted on one handle,

c. a crimping jaw pivoted on the other handle,

(I. mechanism assembling said jaws in pivoted relation,

e. a conductor anvil die on said anvil jaw having an outer face, 1 f. a conductor crimping die on said crimping jaw, g. an insulation anvil die on said anvil jaw,

h. an insulation crimping die on said crimping jaw, all of said dies having crimping surfaces which define a passage adapted to receive said terminal, the improvement consisting of:

I i. a slide slidably mounted on the outer face of said conductor anvil die, and having a cam tongue engageable with said notches in the terminal and constituting a stop for the bated conductor,

j. spring means normally biasing said slide into a position in which said tongue partially enters said passage whereby it engages said notches when-a terminal is positioned in said passage.

2. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the conductor crimping die is formed with a recess on its outer face which opens into said passage and provides a guide surface engaged by said tongue.

3. The crimping tool of claim 1 together with a bracket having a central portion spaced from the outer face of the conductor anvil die with the slide being interposed between said bracket and said conductor anvil die.

4. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the slide is formed with an opening in alignment with said passage and through which the terminal extends.

5. The crimping tool of claim.3 in which the slide and 'bracketare formed with openings in alignment with I said passage whereby positioning of a terminal in said aligned openings prevents distortion of the terminal during a crimping operation.

6. The crimping tool of claim 5 together with spring means carried by the bracket for maintaining the slide in engagement with said conductor anvil die.

7. The crimping tool of claim 5 in which the conductor anvil die is formed with a pair of threaded holes, the slide with a pair of slots, and the bracket with a pair of holes, said holes and slots being in alignment, and a pair of bolts passing through said aligned openings and slots and having threaded ends screwed into said threaded holes. Y

8. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the slide is formed with a spring retaining flange at its lower end and the spring means comprises an expansion coil spring interposed between said flange and said conductor anvil die.

9. The crimping tool of claim 6 in which the central portion of the bracket has an inner inclined face.

10. The crimping tool of claim 7 in which one of the holes in thebracket is counterbored to provide a recess and the spring means takes the form of an expansion coil spring in said recess and about the bolt passing therethrough.

Claims

1. In a crimping tool for crimping a terminal having a tubular portion, a pair of notches adjacent to the tubular portion, a trough defined by a pair of flanges adjacent to the notches and a pair of tabs in offset relation next to said trough, said trough receiving a bared conductor with insulation on the conductor positioned between the tabs, said tool including: a. a pair of pivotally connected handles, b. an anvil jaw pivoted on one handle, c. a crimping jaw pivoted on the other handle, d. mechanism assembling said jaws in pivoted relation, e. a conductor anvil die on said anvil jaw having an outer face, f. a conductor crimping die on said crimping jaw, g. an insulation anvil die on said anvil jaw, h. an insulation crimping die on said crimping jaw, all of said dies having crimping surfaces which define a passage adapted to receive said terminal, the improvement consisting of: i. a slide slidably mounted on the outer face of said conductor anvil die, and having a cam tongue engageable with said notches in the terminal and constituting a stop for the bared conductor, j. spring means normally biasing said slide into a position in which said tongue partially enters said passage whereby it engages said notches when a terminal is positioned in said passage.

5. The crimping tool of claim 3 in which the slide and bracket are formed with openings in alignment with said passage whereby positioning of a terminal in said aligned openings prevents distortion of the terminal during a crimping operation.

7. The crimping tool of claim 5 in which the conductor anvil die is formed with a pair of threaded holes, the slide with a pair of slots, and the bracket with a pair of holes, said holes and slots being in alignment, and a pair of bolts passing through said aligned openings and slots and having threaded ends screwed into said threaded holes.

10. The crimping tool of claim 7 in which one of the holes in the bracket is counterbored to provide a recess and the spring means takes the form of an expansion coil spring in said recess and about the bolt passing therethrough.