Patent GB-921223-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in tools for severing and crimping electrical connectors
IPC: H01R43/045
Filed: 1959-08-10
Abstract: 921,223. Jointing by stamping; shearing. AMP Inc. Aug. 10, 1959 [Aug. 18, 1958], No. 27255/59. Class 83 (4). A portable tool for severing an electrical connector from a strip of connectors and crimping the severed connector to an electrical conductor comprises a press having a reciprocable ram and an assembly which includes a die set for performing the severing and crimping and a strip feed mechanism for advancing the strip between the dies of the die set a connector length at a time, said assembly being mounted on the press so as to be readily detachable therefrom and so arranged that the ram operates the die set to sever and crimp on the closing stroke and also operates the feed mechanism to advance the strip on the opening stroke of the ram. The press 10 is clamped to a bench by a bracket 12 through which passes an operating lever 15 for supplying compressed air to the press ram 21. The press head 19 includes a yoke 20 for receiving the plate 25 of a housing 26 for the feed mechanism. A bolt 33 and a projection 32 on the plate 25 retains the housing in the press. A set of dies is mounted on the plate 25 so that the dies lie within the yoke above the ram. The set comprises stationary crimping dies 35, 36 and a severing blade 37 and movable co-operating dies 35<SP>1</SP>, 36<SP>1</SP> and 37<SP>1</SP>. The stationary dies are riveted together and carried by the bolt 33. The movable dies are also riveted together and are retained on the plate 25 by interlocking engagements with the plate and the stationary dies. The ram 21 engages the bottom of the movable dies 351 and 36<SP>1</SP> while the die 371 rests on a shoulder of the ram just below a pin 24 which passes through a hole in the die 37<SP>1</SP>. The housing 26 has a curved track 48 for the strip of connectors which at its lower end leads into a tube 49-a spring clip 64 presses the strip into the track. The strip feed mechanism includes a spring-loaded pivoted lever 51 accommodated within the housing 26 and an adjustable lever 53 also mounted on the pivot pin 52 of the lever 51. The lever 53 is actuated by the pin 24 on the press ram. A block 61 pivotally mounted between the bifurcated arms 50 of the lever 51 carries an adjustable spring-loaded feed pawl 58 which urges the strip towards the dies. A projection 45 prevents movement of the strip during the closing stroke of the dies but on the opening stroke a hole 72 in a projection 44 is uncovered to enable the strip to be advanced one connector length into the dies. At the same time as the connector is crimped to the conductor the projection 45 in co-operation with the projection 44 removes a connecting slug between the connector being crimped and the next connector in the strip and the slug falls out through a hole 76 in the die assembly. In a modification to prevent damage to the connectors when pressed against the projection 44 a bracket 80 (Fig. 10) is pivotally mounted on one side of the housing 26. The bracket carries a spring-loaded ball 83 which engages in an indentation in one of the arms 50 to hold the arm against the action of the spring 56 actuating the feed pawl.