Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: first and second jaws axially advanceable toward and retractable from each other; when advanced toward each other, the first and second jaws firmly attaching an end connector to a cable, elements of the end connector being loosely attached to the cable when the cable and the elements are placed between the first and second jaws before firm attachment of the elements to said cable; the first jaw having a support movable between first and second positions; when the support is in the first position, a first surface to abut a proximal surface of the end connector; and when the support is in the second position, a second surface of the first jaw to abut the proximal surface. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to cable end connectors generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel end connector attachment tool and method of use thereof that can attach end connectors to a variety of cables. 
   2. Background Art 
   It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an end connector attachment tool and method of use thereof that can be used to attach end connectors to a variety of cables. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide such an end connector attachment tool that is easy to use. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide such an end connector attachment tool that can be economically manufactured using conventional fabrication techniques. 
   Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, comprising: first and second jaws axially advanceable toward and retractable from each other; when advanced toward each other, said first and second jaws firmly attaching an end connector to a cable, elements of said end connector being loosely attached to said cable when said cable and said elements are placed between said first and second jaws before firm attachment of said elements to said cable; said first jaw having a support movable between first and second positions; when said support is in said first position, a first surface of said support to abut a proximal surface of said end connector; and when said support is in said second position, a surface of said first jaw to abut said proximal surface. A method of using said apparatus is also provided. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top/front/right side isometric view of an end connector attachment tool constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the support thereof in a raised position. 
       FIG. 2  is a top/front/right side isometric view of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1  with the support thereof in a lowered position. 
       FIGS. 3-5  are side elevational views of various cables and end connectors that can be attached with the end connector tools of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the anvil installed in the tools of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the support of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, exploded, isometric view showing the means of attachment of the support to the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, taken along line “ 9 - 9 ” of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is an end elevational view of the support of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the support of the present invention, partially in cross-section, taken along line “ 11 - 11 ” of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary, end elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , with the support thereof in raised position. 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, end elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the end connector attachment tool of the tool of  FIG. 1 , with the support thereof in lowered position. 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , with the support thereof in raised position for attachment of an end connector to the cable of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , with the support thereof in raised position for attachment of the end connector to the cable of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , showing the insertion thereinto of the cable and end connector of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  are front elevational views of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , showing the insertion thereinto of the cable and end connector of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1 , showing the insertion thereinto of the cable and end connector of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the end connector attachment tool of  FIG. 1  in locked position. 
       FIG. 21  is a an exploded, fragmentary, top/front/right side isometric view of an end connector attachment tool constructed according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a fragmentary, top/front/right side isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 21 , with the support thereof in a raised position. 
       FIG. 23  is a fragmentary, top/front/right side isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 21 , with the support thereof in a lowered position. 
       FIG. 24  is a fragmentary, top/front/right side isometric view of an end connector attachment tool constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the support thereof in a first position. 
       FIG. 25  is a fragmentary, top/front/right side isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 24 , with the support thereof in a second position. 
       FIGS. 26-30  show details of the construction of the tool of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 31  is a fragmentary top/front/right side isometric view of an end connector attachment tool constructed according to an additional embodiment of the present invention, with the support thereof in a first, upright position. 
       FIG. 32  is a fragmentary top/front/right side isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 31 , with the support thereof in a first lowered position. 
       FIG. 33  is a fragmentary top/front/right side isometric view of the tool of  FIG. 31 , with the support thereof in a second lowered position. 
       FIGS. 34-36  show the details of the construction of the tool of  FIG. 31 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers, when used, direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an end connector attachment tool, constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  30 . End connector attachment tool  30  includes two, generally vertical, pliers-type handles  40  and  42 , which are preferably constructed of a suitable metallic material, the distal ends of which are covered, respectively, by an elastomeric material  44  and  46  and pivotally attached at  48 . Pivotally attached, at  54  and  56 , respectively, to the distal ends of handles  40  and  42  are first and second, generally vertical, jaws  50  and  52 , the first and second jaws being advanced and retracted axially toward and away from each other by pressing together and releasing handles  40  and  42 . Springs  60  and  62 , attached respectively, to handles  40  and  42  and to first and second jaws  50  and  52  bias tool  30  to the open position shown on  FIGS. 1 and 2 . First jaw  50  carries support  70 , while second jaw  52  bears anvil  72  inserted therein. A locking arm  80  is rotatably attached to handle  40 , the distal end of which locking arm is to engage a stud  82  defined in handle  42  (the locking arm being shown on  FIGS. 1 and 2  in unlocked position).  FIG. 1  shows support  70  in raised position, while  FIG. 2  shows the support in lowered position. 
     FIGS. 3-5  illustrates various types of end connectors that can be attached to their respective cables with tool  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and indicate whether support is in a raised ( FIG. 1 ) position or a lowered ( FIG. 2 ) position. As is well known by those skilled in the art, that the elements of the end connectors are loosely placed on the cables, the cable with the end connector elements loosely attached are placed in open tool  30  and handles  40  and  42  are pressed together to firmly attach the end connector elements to their respective cable. Such attachment action is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,091, issued Jun. 12, 1990, to Krzyzanski, titled END CONNECTOR ATTACHMENT TOOL, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which patent is incorporated by reference hereinto. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates the attachment of anvil  72  to second jaw  52 . Here, the proximal end of anvil  72  is screwed into a threaded horizontal hole  90  defined in second jaw  52  until a vertical shoulder  92  formed on the anvil bottoms out against the second jaw. This leaves inwardly facing opening  100  to accept therein the center conductor of the cable shown on  FIGS. 3-5 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates support  70  which includes a downwardly facing channel  110 , one leg of which has a threaded horizontal hole  112  defined therethrough and the other leg of which has vertically aligned detent dimples  114  and  116  defined in a vertical surface thereof. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the means of attachment of support  70  to first jaw  50 . Here, a screw  120  is threaded through hole  112  and into a vertical slot  122  defined in first jaw  50 . Thus attached, support  70  can move vertically with respect to first jaw  50 , but cannot leave the first jaw by virtue of screw  120  protruding into vertical slot  122 . Support  70  is held in a raised ( FIG. 1 ) or a lowered ( FIG. 2 ) position by a detent ball  130  engaging, respectively, either detent dimples  116  or  114  ( FIG. 7 ) on the support. Detent ball  130  is biased to such engagement by means of a spring  140  and a set screw  142  threadingly inserted into horizontal hole  144  defined through first jaw  50 . Also shown on  FIG. 9  are vertically aligned detent dimples  150  and  152 , horizontally opposite detent dimples  114  and  116 , respectively, the purpose of detent dimples  150  and  152  is described infra. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate more clearly the elements of support  70 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates that upper pocket  160  of support is angled inwardly (shown exaggerated on  FIG. 11 , the angle α actually being about one degree). This angle permits the top, unsupported part of a semi flexible RG 6/59 end connector to be over driven, thus making complete compression possible. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates support  70  in its raised position, with detent ball  130  engaging detent dimple  116 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates that support  70  has been moved to its lowered position, as indicated by the arrow, with detent ball  130  engaging detent dimple  114 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates support  70  in its raised position for the attachment of the end connector elements shown on  FIG. 4 , with the proximal end of the end connectors to abut angled surface  170 . 
     FIG. 15  illustrates support  70  reversed (and raised). This has been accomplished by removing screw  120 , rotating support  70  one hundred eighty degrees, and replacing the screw. In this position, detent ball  130  ( FIG. 8 ) engages detent dimple  152  and the end connector elements shown on  FIG. 5  can be attached, with the proximal end of the end connector to abut vertical surface  180 . 
     FIG. 16  illustrates the cable and end connector of  FIG. 5  being inserted in tool  30 , with the support being oriented as shown on  FIG. 15 . The center conductor of the cable is inserted into opening  100  and the cable and end connector rotated to a horizontal position. Then, handles  40  and  42  are pressed together to firmly attach the end connector to the cable. 
     FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate the insertion of the cable and end connector of  FIG. 4 . Here, the center conductor of the cable is too large in diameter to be placed at an angle into opening  100 . In this case, the cable and the end connector elements are placed horizontally into opening  100 , with support  70  in lowered position ( FIG. 17 ). Then, support  70  is raised to its raised position, and the end connector elements firmly attached, with the support being in the orientation shown on  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 19  illustrates the insertion of the cable and end connector of  FIG. 3  being rotatingly inserted into tool  30 , with support  70  in lowered position. 
     FIG. 20  illustrates tool  30  in locked position, with the distal end of locking arm  80  encircling stud  82 . 
     FIG. 21  illustrates an end connector attachment tool, constructed according to a further embodiment of the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  200 . Elements of end connector attachment tool  200  common to respective elements of tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) are not given reference numerals. Tool  200  includes a support  210  rotatably disposed in a first jaw  212  and held in a vertical slot  214  formed therein by means of a screw  216  threadingly inserted through a hole  218  defined in a leg of the support and inserted into slot  214 . Support  210  may be reversed as discussed with reference to  FIG. 15  above. 
     FIG. 22  illustrates tool  200  with support  210  in a raised position, while  FIG. 23  illustrates the tool with the support in a lowered position. 
     FIG. 24  illustrates an end connector attachment tool, constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  300 . Elements of end connector attachment tool  300  common to respective elements of tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) are not given reference numerals. Tool  300  includes a horizontally moveable support  310  held in a first jaw  312  in which is formed a slot  314 . On  FIG. 24 , support  310  is shown in a first position, while on  FIG. 25 , the support is shown moved horizontally to a second position, as indicated by the arrow on  FIG. 25 . 
     FIG. 26  illustrates two, horizontally aligned, detent dimples  320  and  322 , the function of which is similar to detent dimples  150  and  152  ( FIG. 8 ) on support  70 . 
     FIG. 27  illustrates horizontal slot  314  more clearly. 
     FIG. 28  illustrates detent ball  330  which engages one of detent dimples  320  and  322  ( FIG. 26 ) and is held in engaging position in opening  332  by means of a spring  334  and a set screw  336 . Also shown on  FIG. 28  is a screw  340  which is threadingly inserted through a horizontal hole  342  defined through first jaw  312  and into horizontal slot  314  ( FIG. 27 ). 
     FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate the insertion and holding of support  312  in first jaw  312 . 
     FIG. 31  illustrates an end connector attachment tool, constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  400 . Elements of end connector attachment tool  400  common to respective elements of tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) are not given reference numerals. Tool  400  includes a rotatably moveable support  410  held in a first jaw  412 . On  FIG. 31 , support  410  is shown in a first position, while on  FIG. 32 , the support is shown rotated ninety degrees to the left to a second position and, on  FIG. 33 , the support is shown rotated ninety degrees to the right to the second position, in both cases exposing the portion of jaw that can abut the proximal end of a connector. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 34 to 36 , there is illustrated a hole  420  into which a fastener  422  may be threadingly inserted to secure support  410  in place in jaw  412 . It will be understood that support  410  can be reversed in the manner described above with reference to  FIG. 15 . Shown on  FIG. 34 , detent dimples  430 ,  432 , and  434  are provided on support  410  and, shown on  FIG. 35 , detent dimples  436 ,  438 , and  440  are provided on the support, each of which is engagable by detent ball  450  ( FIG. 36 ) secured in hole  452  by means of spring  454  and set screw  456 , the function of which elements has been described above. 
   In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. 
   Spatially orienting terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
   It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.