A DEVICE FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IN A MULTIPLE CONNECTOR

Abstract: A device for making electrical connectors to conductors of multiconductor cables (15) or the like comprises means (4) for holding mating upper and lower parts of a multiple connector, a pressing beam (a) for pressing those parts together and a support frame (2) on which are supported guide elements (8) for guiding the pressing beam and fastening means (13, 14) for holding the in-going and out-going multiconductor cables. The device can be hand operated.

Description: Description A device for making electrical connections in a multiple connector The invention relates to a device for making electrical connections in a multiple connector especially for making connections between multi-conductor cables or bundles of cables, for example of main cable and /or branch networks, for example of a telecommunications network. A device for making electrical connections in a multiple connector between multiple conductor flat cables is described in EP-B-0149911. This describes means for holding upper and lower parts of the connector, and a pressing beam for pressing those parts together. The lower part of the multiple connector is placed in a holder which is adjustable in width (to accommodate different sized connectors) and, after insertion of the cable conductors to be contacted, the upper part is placed on top, (lateral guides being present to position the upper part), and subsequently the upper part is pressed into the lower part by means of a hydraulic ram in such a manner that the connection is produced and the cable conductors are cut. The multiple connector described is of the cutting/clamping type. It is an insulation displacement connector (IDC). The multiple connector of the present invention is preferably also of the cutting/ clamping type, preferably an IDC connector. A device with similar purpose, but having a separating comb and a clamping helix for organising and locating fixedly the individual cable conductors to be joined on the lower connector part, is known from DE-B- 2024537 and from its equivalent US patent, US-A-3708779. In these specification, the device is supported on the ends of the main cables themselves. Again pressing of the upper part of the connector against the lower part is effected by a pressing beam that can be operated by hydraulic double cylinders. A disadvantage common to both the known solutions is that they are technically comparatively complicated and constructionaliy complicated, and the pneumatic or hydraulic pressing cylinders are comparatively heavy, so that, overall, simple handling of such devices is possible only if they can be fastened, for example, to heavy and compartively rigid main cables. An object of the present invention is to provide a solution with which the connection to multiple connectors can be achieved for conductors of all cable types, regardless of the size and /or rigidity of the cables, e.g. the device cable can be used not only in main cable networks but also in branch networks. To these ends the device of the invention is light, easy to transport, easy to handle and of a mobile construction. The present invention provides a device for making electrical connections between the conductors of multi-conductor cables, or bundles of cables in a multiple connector having upper and lower cooperating parts, the device comprising means for holding the upper and lower parts of the multiple connector, and a pressing beam for pressing the upper and lower parts together, characterised in that the pressing beam can be hand operated to effect the conductor connections, and the device comprises a supporting frame on which are supported (i) one or more guide elements for guiding the pressing beam, and (ϋ) fastening means for fastening incoming and outgoing multi-conductor cables or cable bundles. When reference is made to elements (e.g. the guide elements) being supported on the supporting frame, this includes direct or indirect support, i.e. other members may be present between the "supported" element and the frame. It excludes the case where the elements are supported instead on the cable itself, as in US-A-3708779 referred to above. The invention provides a light-weight device that is quickly available at the particular site of use and that can also be used in the case of cables having a comparatively small number of conductors. The light-weight construction makes it possible for the user to lay the device on his lap, for example, in order to mount connectors. The device also allows the actual connection to be made by hand operation. Usually a single multiple connector is used in the device. However, instead two or more individual or multiple connectors can be arranged in the device, e.g. side by side, to form a "multiple connector" to achieve the same ♦ connections. The means for holding the upper and lower parts of the connector may be adjustable to adjust to connectors of different sizes. Adjustability is not, k however, an essential feature of the invention. In order to adjust to connectors of different length, clamping elements may be displaceably arranged on a sliding rail, for example when changing from connectors suitable for making twenty- paired connections (i.e. connections between twenty pairs of conductors) to ten- paired, to mention only one example. Preferred features will also be apparent from the sub-claims. It is advantageous to provide a hand operated (e.g. by a lever) feed screw that acts on the pressing means. In a similar manner to that described in US-A-3708779 cable conductor separating combs and, equally, cable conductor clamping helices can also be provided in the device according to the invention. The fixing elements for the incoming and outgoing cables, the holder for the connector, and the pressing beam are preferably mounted directly or indirectly on the supporting frame so that the pressing beam can be displaced relative to the fixing elements for the incoming and outgoing cables. The pressing beam may be operated by means of a hand-operated spanner. A pressure cross beam may be provided spanning between upright support posts from the support frame. The pressing beam may be operated through the pressure cross beam, and the guides for the pressing beam may extend from the pressure cross beam. For ease of handling the pressing beam and/or the pressure cross-beam can be equipped with a handle. The pressure cross beam is preferably provided with an internally threaded aperture through which an externally threaded feed screw for the pressing beam passes and with which it * cooperates. In certain embodiments according to the invention, the pressing beam comprises a first and a second beam pivotaliy connected together at a point away from the edges thereof. This pivoting action allows the second beam (which is preferably smaller than the first beam, and which also or additionally preferably acts against the upper part of the connector) to conform to the upper surface of the connector and adopt the correct orientation relative thereto. This is particularly preferred when the first beam is, as in one embodiment, pivotaily connected at one end to the connector holder and /or to the support frame, since it ensures that the second pressing beam face extends parallel to the connector surface. The guide elements may be pivotaily connected to the supporting frame. An embodiment of the invention is now described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a simplified view of a first device partly in section; Fig.2 is again a simplified section taken along the line π-H in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a simplified side view of a second device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a simplified bottom view of the device of Fig.3. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device is generally designated 1 and has a common supporting frame 2 for all the other elements of the device. The support frame 2 is shown in a highly simplified form. It may, for example, comprise a closed work panel made from plastics material or, equally, for example, a light¬ weight aluminium frame. Provided on the common supporting frame 2 is a holder 3 for connectors 4, of the cutting/ clamping IDC type. These connectors 4 are indicated schematically in the drawings, and are held between two adjustable damping elements 5. Because the clamping elements 5 are adjustable, connectors Provided on the cutting/ damping connector holder 3 are support posts 6 on which is attached a rigid pressing cross-beam 7. This is provided on its inner side, towards the connectors 4, with guides 8 for guiding the movement of a pressing beam designated 9. By means of a threaded spindle 10, passing through pressing cross beam 7, which can be operated by hand-held ratchet spanner, not shown, on the screw head 11 of spindle 10, the pressing beam 9 can be lowered and raised relative to frame 2. The pressing cross-beam 7 is also equipped with a handle 12 to make mounting easier. As will be seen (espedally for Fig.2) the supporting frame 2 is equipped with a rapid action gripping device 13 on each side of the frame, on cable holding supports 14. These devices 13 serve to fix the incoming and outgoing cable designated 15. As known p_er se, the device 1 also has a cable conductor separating comb 16 for organising the conductors of the cable, and a damping helix 17 for holding the free ends of the organised cable conductors on the opposite side of the connector 4. The holder 3 for the connectors 4 together with the associated supports 6 for the pressing beam 7 can be displaced laterally in the direction of the double arrow 19 in Fig. 1 in a longitudinal guide designated 18. This makes cable connection easier. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can, of course, still be modified in various respects without departing from the basic concept. For example, lowering of the pressing beam 9 can be effected by means of an eccentric lever. The pressure cross-beam 7 can be pivotaily mounted at one end and then fixed in the working position at the other end, and so on, Depending upon the size of the connectors 4, it is also possible in the device according to the invention for more than two such connectors to be positioned side by side, worked on together and pressed jointly by the pressing beam 7. 3/,65,0 - * - PCT/GB93 / 00 A second embodiment of device according to the invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this figure similarly functioning parts to those in Figures 1 and 2 are given like reference numerals but with a ' or " added. In this case again a common support frame 2' is indicated in highly simplified form. The connector (corresponding to 4 in Figs 1 and 2) is hidden in the drawings. It is hidden behind the cable conductor separating comb 16' in Figure 3 and the support frame 2' in Figure 4. In this case the pressing beam is provided by two cooperating parts 9' and 9" which together can be forced down to act on the connector 4 to make the connections. Part 9" is shorter than part 9' and is connected to part 9' by means of a pivot 21. This pivot 21 allows part 9" to rotate to adapt to the upper part of the connector. Part 9' is pivotaily connected at 22 to the holder 3' for the connector (not shown). The action of pressing beam 9' and 9" is guided by a guiding element 8' which are supported on frame 2' and which pivot about point 23. The guide 8' is externally screw threaded and acted on by a nut 25 which can be turned to urge pressing beam 9', and hence beam 9" against the connector. The drawings also illustrate damping helix 17 and cable holding supports 14' for the incoming cable (the latter only being shown in Figure 4 for simplidty. Figure 4 also shows a slider 24 allowing the entire connector assembly induding the separating comb 16' and spring element 17 to be moved laterally along frame 2', to allow ease of handling of the conductors. This embodiment is not adjustable to different sized connectors).

Claims: gaims 1. A device for making electrical connections between the conductors of multi-conductor cables (15), or bundles of cables in a multiple connector having upper and lower cooperating parts, the device comprising means (4) for holding the upper and lower parts of the multiple connector, and a pressing beam (9) for pressing the upper and lower parts together, characterised in that the pressing beam (9) can be hand operated to effect the conductor connections, and the device comprises a supporting frame (2) on which are supported (i) one or more guide elements (8) for guiding the pressing beam (9), and (ii) fastening means (13, 14) for fastening incoming and outgoing multi-conductor cables or cable bundles. Z A device according to daim 1, characterised in that the holder for the connector can be adjusted to accommodate different length connectors. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a threaded spindle (10) is provided which acts on the pressing beam, and which can be acted on by hand to move the pressing beam towards or away from the connector. 4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that a cross beam is also provided with an internally threaded aperture therethrough through which the threaded spindle passes and with which the threaded spindle cooperates. 5. A device according to any preceding daim, d aracterised in that damping elements (5) for holding the connector (4) are provided, which elements (5) are slidable on a sliding rail to adjust for different length connectors (4). 6. A device according to any preceding daims, characterised in that a cable conductor separating comb (16) is provided parallel to the connectors (4), preferably on the side of the supporting frame towards the incoming and outgoing cables (15). 7. A device according to any preceding daim, characterised in that, for holding the free ends of the cable conductors, a cable conductor damping helix (17) is provided on the side of the connector which is opposite to the separating comb (16). 8. A device according to any daim diaracterised in that the connector holder (3) and /or the pressing beam (9) are arranged on the supporting frame (2) so as to be displaceable relative to the fastening means (12, 14) for the incoming and outgoing cables (15). 9. A device according to any preceding daim, diaracterised in that the pressing beam (9) is equipped with a handle (12). 10. A device according to any preceding daim, diaracterised in that the pressing beam comprises a first and a second beam (9', 9") pivotaily connected together at a point away from the edges thereof. 11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the second beam (9") is smaller than the first beam (9') and acts against the upper part of the connector. 12. A device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first beam (9') has an aperture therethrough which passes over the or each guide element. 13. A device according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first beam (9') is pivotaily connected to the holder (3') for the connector (4'). 14. A device according to any preceding daim, where the or eadi guide element (8) is pivotaily connected to the supporting frame (2).

Inventors: GRZANNA ORTWIN, SPENNER WILHELM, GRZANNA, ORTWIN, SPENNER, WILHELM
Applicants: RAYCHEM LTD, ROSE WALTER GMBH & CO KG, RAYCHEM LIMITED, WALTER ROSE GMBH & CO KG
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H01R43
IPC codes: H01R43