BANDOLIER FOR TWO-PART CONNECTORS

Abstract: A bandolier assembly is provided for use in an apparatus for assemblying a two-part electrical connector with an interposed cable. The bandolier, which is elongate, supports a plurality of pre-assembled connectors (13) in longitudinally spaced envelopes (40) in preparation for crimping of the connector (13) and an interposed cable.

Description: This application is divided out of application No. 85902227.9, publication no. EP-A-0 171 993, which relates to apparatus for assembling a two-part connector. The present invention relates to a bandolier assembly for use in apparatus such as is described in that application. It is known to provide a cable in the form of a flat strip or ribbon in which a plurality of insulated conductors are arranged in side by side configuration. A wide variety of multiple plug and socket connectors are known for use with such cables. Generally the connectors have a plurality of contacts, one positioned to correspond with each of the conductors in a strip cable, and connection to the strip is made by causing the contacts to move into connection with a respective conductor of the cable by displacing the insulating material surrounding the conductor. Such connectors are known as insulation displacement contact connectors or IDC connectors. Typically, IDC connectors have a lower body portion, that may, for example form a plug for cooperation with a socket, and an upper cap portion. In the assembly of such connectors with a ribbon cable, the cable is appropriately positioned between the upper and lower connector portions which are subsequently brought towards one another, this movement causing the contacts to make connection with the conductor of the cable, by displacing insulating material, and, in a final position, to grip the cable firmly within the connector. Assembly of such a connector/cable arrangement is typically an essentially manual operation which is time consuming and unreliable. Apparatus has been proposed to mechanise the final clamping of the connector to a cable, for example using a pneumatic press. The use of such presses still requires manual assembly of the connector in relation to a cable. It is an object of the invention to provide a bandolier for two-part connectors. Accordingly, the invention provides a bandolier assembly for use in an apparatus for assembling a two-part electrical connector with an interposed cable, comprising: a plurality of electrical connectors, each having a base and a cover, said base and said cover being pre-assembled in a manner defining a spacing therebetween for interposition of an electrical cable; an elongate bandolier supporting said plurality of pre-assembled connectors in longitudinally spaced locations, said bandolier comprising two longitudinally extending films, each film having transversely spaced, longitudinally extending marginal edges, said films at least at the location where each said pre-assembled connector is supported being transversely spaced and defining therebetween an envelope containing each pre-assembled connector, each envelope having openings at the marginal edges of said film for disposing said connectors therethrough, there being in registry with each envelope a projection extending inwardly of one of said films into said envelope and into said spacing between said cover and said base to maintain said spacing until said connector is assembled with said cable. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that features thereof may be appreciated, an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a bandolier in accordance with the invention. Figure 1A and 1B illustrate suitable magazines for retaining a store in connectors. As shown in Figure 1A and 1B the connectors may be contained in a flexible bandolier. Considering the bandolier arrangement of Figure 1, it will be seen that connectors 13 are spaced from each other in a semi-rigid plastics film, each connector being held in a distinct-envelope part 40 of the bandolier. The ends of each envelope part 40 are open to allow the connector 13 to be moved from the bandolier to the operative position of the apparatus by a sliding ram. A dimpled area 41 projects inwardly from each side of each envelope part and acts to retain the desired separation between the connector parts. The bandolier may conveniently be provided in short strips or in longer lengths, for example in a roll. Any suitable indexing means, associated with a control means may be used to sequentially bring connectors into alignment with the ram.

Claims: A bandolier assembly (40, 41) for use in an apparatus for assembling a two-part electrical connector (13) with an interposed cable, comprising: a plurality of electrical connectors (13), each having a base and a cover, said base and said cover being pre-assembled in a manner defining a spacing therebetween for interposition of an electrical cable; an elongate bandolier supporting said plurality of pre-assembled connectors in longitudinally spaced locations, said bandolier comprising two longitudinally extending films, each film having transversely spaced, longitudinally extending marginal edges, said films at least at the location where each said pre-assembled connector is supported being transversely spaced and defining therebetween an envelope (40) containing each pre-assembled connector (13), each envelope having openings at the marginal edges of said film for disposing said connectors therethrough, there being in registry with each envelope a projection (41) extending inwardly of one of said films into said envelope and into said spacing between said cover and said base to maintain said spacing until said connector is assembled with said cable. A bandolier assembly according to Claim 1, wherein each film is made of semirigid plastic. A bandolier assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said films contact each other at spaced intervals along their respective lengths thereby defining a plurality of distinct, separate envelopes (40) longitudinally along said bandolier. A bandolier assembly according to Claim 3, wherein a projection (41) extends inwardly into each envelope (40) from both films in an opposing manner.

Inventors: PEARCE, HOWARD R.
Applicants: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL INC.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: H01R43
IPC codes: H01R43