Patent GB-638884-A (GB)
Title: Connecting and assembling electrical terminals
IPC: H01R43/052
Filed: 1947-08-07
Abstract: 638,884. Making telephone terminal banks. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO., Inc. Aug. 7, 1947, No. 21764. Convention date, Dec. 19, 1942. [Classes 83 (ii) and 83 (iv)] Jointing by stamping; twisting wires together.-Apparatus for connecting the corresponding terminals of groups of terminals comprises means for advancing a number of flexible elongated conductors towards a common zone, means for twisting the conductors together in pairs and for separating the conductors of each pair between adjacent twisted portions, means for successively positioning groups of terminals adjacent the separated portions, and means for attaching the terminals to the appropriate conductors. Telephone terminal cards 40 each having terminals 119 are connected by twisted pairs of wires for subsequent assembly into banks of terminals. Insulated wires 32 extend in pairs through twisting rotors 34, past vertically moving spreaders 36, between clamps 37 and between sets of dies and punches 31, 30 which serve to attach the wires to terminal cards 40. The cards are fed successively between the punches and dies by a table 27, and the twisted pairs of wires 32 are advanced towards the punches and dies by reciprocating slides 41 having fingers 42, 43 which pick the successive spread portions of the wire from the spreaders 36. A conveyer 28 delivers the assembled wires and cards. The sequence of operations of the various mechanisms is controlled by a motor-driven cam and gear-box and is shown in chart form in Fig. 6 (not shown), one rotor 34<SP>1</SP>, Figs. 5 and 10, having an annular series of teeth on its periphery is rotated through a rack 94<SP>1</SP> and shaft 98, the rotary motion being imparted to the other rotors 34 by coacting teeth 101 so that alternate rotors rotate in the same direction while the intermediate rotors rotate in the opposite direction. Each rotor rotates four times in one direction, twice during each cycle of operations. Spinner fingers 38 through which the wires are fed, normally sprung apart, are urged together to definitely space the wires apart at appropriate intervals, by clamps 39 operated by pins 78 carried on a vertically movable plate 77. Spreaders 36, which retain the wires of each pair in spaced condition, are carried on a vertically movable plate 85. Spring-loaded clamps 37 which limit the extent of twisting of the wire by the rotors 34, are operated by a vertically movable plate 89. The wire is intermittently advanced by cam-operated reciprocating slides 41, having feed fingers 42, 43 and carried on a vertically reciprocable platen 53 pivoted about a vertical shaft so that it may be swung away to allow ready access to the rotors &c., Fig. 3 (not shown). Each slide 41 includes a positioning bushing 122 co-operable with a pin 123 carried by the die supporting slide 113 (Fig. 10). Ten sets of co-operating punches 30 and dies 31, Fig. 25, are mounted on vertically-reciprocable slides 115, 113, Fig. 14, and crimp the wires to the terminals 119, teeth on the terminals making electrical connection with the conductors through the insulating covering. The slide 113 also carries positioning pins 125, Fig. 10, co-operable with the centre and two outer openings 126 in the cards 40 so as to lift them from the pins 127 by which they are carried on the feed-table 27 and accurately position the terminals 119 during crimping. The punches and dies are each adjustable by set-screws 128, 129 and each punch carries spring-loaded strippers 131 which force the wires along the fingers 42, 43 and into the terminals 119 before the punches operate. Terminal cards 40 are mounted on pins 127 on pads 141 carried by a rotating member 140 of the table 27, pivotally suspended from the main frame 25 so as to permit the table to be swung out of normal position, Fig. 2 (not shown). A horizontally and vertically movable plate 142 operated by a cam and link mechanism assists in transferring the cards from the pins 127 to the pins 125 carried by the die slide, and removing the completed wire and card assembly from the pins 125. The member 140 is intermittently rotated through the cam and gear-box and Geneva gearing. When a number of card and wire assemblies have been produced and the wires cut into suitable lengths, the corresponding cards of the several assemblages are grouped into stacks, which are then disposed laterally adjacent to each other.