Patent GB-716358-A (GB)
Title: Tray support for electric blasting initiator wires
IPC: F42B3/198
Filed: 1952-10-14
Abstract: 716,358. Inserting wires in resilient plugs. ATLAS POWDER CO. Oct. 14, 1952 [Oct. 31, 1951], No. 25687/52. Class 108(3) [Also in Group XXI] Wire tray for supporting a plurality of wires in a predetermined position in machines for assembling electric blasting detonators has an open frame 10 with a sheet metal base 14 to which are fastened dowel pins 15 to receive spools 16. Extending transversely beneath the base 14 are skids 17, 18 which hold the tray in position in the assembly machines. Each spool carries a pair of wires 16a the forward ends of which are led between resilient strips 21, 22 carried by cross-frame members 23, 24 respectively. The lower frame member 23 is fastened to the forward skid 17, while the upper frame member 24 is mounted on a spring clamp 25 pivotally attached to the side members 12, 13 of the tray frame 10, so that on raising the clamp the wires may be placed in position. The clamp is held in position by spring-presed latches 28, 29 pivoted on lugs 32, 33 extending from the skid 17. As the clamp is lowered it engages a cam surface 37 on each latch to force the latch aside and. when the clamp reaches its final position the latches are returned by their springs to lock the clamp. Immediately in front of the clamp, spring clips 38 are secured to the skid 17, a pair of wires being placed between each pair of clips and carried over a vertical guide plate 43 to an adjustable guide 44. The guide 44 has rearwardly extending arms 46, 47 slidably between upper and lower plates 48, 49 attached to the tray frame. Movement of the guide 44 is limited by stops 51 52 secured to the arms 46. 47 and carrying lugs 54, 55 extending through slots 56, 57 in the base 14. The forward position of the guide is determined by engagement of the lugs 54, 55 with the rear skid 18 and the guide is normally held in this position by springs 58, 58. The guide is provided with grooves 62 which receive the lower wire of each pair of wires. A dividing plate 63 is then placed on the guide and the upper wire of each pair is accommodated in grooves 65 in the lower surface of a locking plate 64. Recesses 66 in the rear surface of the locking plate permit easy insertion of the wires in the groves 65. The plates 63, 64 are held in position by dowel pins extending through openings 68, 69, and prevented from vertical movement on the dowel pins by latch pins 71, 71 slidably mounted in the guide and spring-pressed into engagement with the locking-plate 64. The locking-plate is released by operating a lever 74 secured to each latch pin 71, Fig. 8. During the assembly process various fixtures may be secured to the guide 44, e.g. a match holder, a shell barricade and a shell support. The Figures show a shell support 77 placed at the forward end of the tray. The support 77 has openings 78 to receive the shells as described in Specification 716,357, [Group XXI], and is held in position between guide plates 48, 49 by spring-pressed latches 81, 82 extending through openings in the tray frame. Specification 716,359 describes the tray holding wires for insertion into resilient plugs. Secured to the inner surfaces of the stops 51, 52 are spring clips 85 with their free ends biased inwardly so that they may engage lugs 32, 33 to limit movement of the guide 44 and hence prevent pressure on the rear surfaces of the plugs after attachment to the wires.