Patent Publication Number: US-9413129-B2

Title: Locator and wire stop device, hand operated crimping tool, and system

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/721,347, filed on Nov. 1, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a locator and wire stop device for a hand operated crimping tool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART 
     When crimping, a connector i.e. a terminal, splice, contact or a similar device is mechanically secured to at least one cable—e.g to a conductor such as a wire—by deformation so that a solid joint having reliable mechanical and electrical connection is formed. The crimping operation resulting in a crimped joint is performed using crimping dies. Crimping tools may e.g. be hand operated. 
     In hand operated hand held crimping tools, the crimping tool is usually arranged with two proximally on the crimping tool arranged handles which are movable in relation to each other, where when the user brings the handles towards each other using hand force, usually using one hand only which when placed around both of the handles is squeezed together, the usually distally on the crimping tool arranged crimping dies are brought together in order to crimp at least one connector and cable between them. 
     In order to position the connector to be crimped in the crimping tool before the beginning of the crimping operation, a locator may be arranged in the crimping tool. Further, in order to position the cable in the connector to be crimped before the beginning of the crimping operation, a wire stop may be arranged in the crimping tool. 
     One problem that may occur when crimping is that the crimped connector expands, i.e. “floats”, in its axial direction when crimped. This can result in that the connector becomes somewhat deformed which may result in that the connector is jammed in the crimping tool. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,523,351 and 3,710,611 disclose a crimping tool with a locator and a wire stop. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved locator and wire stop device for a hand operated crimping tool, an improved hand operated crimping tool, an improved method for positioning and retaining a connector, and a system comprising a hand operated crimping tool comprising a locator and wire stop device. 
     The above mentioned object of providing an improved locator and wire stop device for a hand operated crimping tool is achieved for a locator and wire stop device for a hand operated crimping tool where positioning means on the locator and wire stop device comprise a pivotable connector and wire stop element, a first resilient locator element and a second locator element, where the first resilient locator element and the second locator element comprise respective through holes both arranged to receive the connection part of the connector, where the through holes at least in combination are arranged to radially retain the connection part of the connector, and where further during a crimping operation the first resilient locator element is arranged to abut against an axial end of a transversal protrusion of the connector body and the pivotable connector and wire stop element is arranged to axially block the other axial end of the transversal protrusion of the connector body, as stated in the characterizing portion of claim  1 , the locator and wire stop device thus being able to position and retain a connector having a transversal protrusion on the connector body while allowing for expansion of the connector during crimping. 
     The above mentioned objects of providing an improved hand operated crimping tool, and an improved method for positioning and retaining a connector, and a system comprising a hand operated crimping tool comprising a locator and wire stop device, are achieved for a tool and a method and a system as stated in the characterizing portions of claims  15  and  17  and  18 , respectively. 
     According to one embodiment, the locator and wire stop device comprises a spacing element arranged to create a distance between the first resilient locator element and the pivotable connector and wire stop element in order to allow for a transversal protrusion of the connector body to fit therebetween. 
     According to one embodiment, the through holes are at least in combination arranged to retain the connection part of the connector in the rotational direction around the axial direction of the connector. 
     According to one embodiment, a stop device is arranged on the pivotable connector and wire stop element in order to limit the return movement thereof. 
     According to one embodiment, the pivotable connector and wire stop element comprises a wire stop protrusion arranged to reach into the connector body during insertion of a cable into the connector thus creating a wire stop. 
     According to one embodiment, the first resilient locator element is arranged to be of a material that can be compressed and is arranged abut the second locator element. 
     According to one embodiment, the first resilient locator element and the second locator element ( 8 ) are arranged distanced apart from each other at the respective through holes. 
     According to one embodiment, the locator and wire stop device is to be mounted on the crimping tool using at least one threaded connection and/or at least one pin connection. 
     According to one embodiment, the connector comprises at least one crimpable connector part, an axially protruding connection part, and an intermediate connector body comprising a transversal protrusion. 
     According to one embodiment, the hand operated crimping tool comprises a tool head, a body and two handles which handles are movably arranged in relation to each other, and where crimping dies between which at least one connector is to be crimped to a cable form a die pair, and the relative movement of the tool handles is connected to the relative movement of crimping dies forming a die pair. 
     These and other advantageous features will be apparent from the detailed description below. 
     The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows schematically an exploded view of a locator and wire stop device according to a first embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows schematically a side view an example of a connector of the type used in connection with the inventive locator and wire stop device, 
         FIG. 3  shows schematically a view of a locator and wire stop device according to the first embodiment of the invention, shown in a connector insertion position, 
         FIG. 4  shows schematically a view of a locator and wire stop device according to the first embodiment of the invention, shown in a crimping position, and 
         FIG. 5  shows schematically a cross-section of a locator and wire stop device according to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in an intermediate crimping position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The same reference numerals are being used for similar features in the different drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows schematically an exploded view of a locator and wire stop device  2  arranged to be mounted on a hand operated crimping tool  100  outside of and adjacent to a crimp opening  102  defined by crimping dies  104 ,  106  on the hand operated crimping tool  100  and arranged to locate and retain at least one crimpable connector part  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  (for references to the connector, see  FIG. 2 ) between at least two crimping dies  104 ,  106  of the hand operated crimping tool  100 , where the locator and wire stop device  2  comprises positioning means  4 ,  6 ,  8  for cooperation with a connector  1  comprising said at least one crimpable connector part  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 , an axially protruding connection part  11 , and an intermediate connector body  13  comprising a transversal protrusion  15 . The positioning means  4 ,  6 ,  8  comprise a pivotable connector and wire stop element  4 , a first resilient locator element  6  and a second locator element  8 , where the first resilient locator element  6  and the second locator element  8  comprise respective through holes  10 ,  12  both arranged to receive the connection part  11  of the connector  1 , where the through holes  10 ,  12  at least in combination are arranged to radially r, i.e. in directions perpendicular to the axial direction A of the connector  1 , retain the connection part  11  of the connector  1 , and where further during a crimping operation the first resilient locator element  6  is arranged to abut against an axial end  17  of the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector body  13  and the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  is arranged to axially block the other axial end  19  of the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector body  13  thereby positioning and retaining the connector  1  in the crimping tool  100 . The first resilient locator element  6  allows for axial A expansion of the connector  1  during a crimping operation by that the first resilient locator element  6  is resilient and is thus arranged to be moved away by the possible axially A expanding connector  1  in the axial direction A of the connector  1  in order to avoid further deformation of the connector  1  other than that resulting directly from the crimping dies  104 ,  106  of the crimping tool  100  and thus preventing jamming of the connection part  11  of the connector  1  in the first and/or second locator elements. 
     Preferably, the through holes  10 ,  12  are at least in combination arranged to further retain the connection part  11  of the connector  1  in the rotational direction around the axial A direction of the connector  1 . 
     The respective through holes  10 ,  12  are arranged aligned with each other in order for the connector  1  to be able to be inserted in both through holes  10 ,  12 . 
     As can be seen in the figure, the locator and wire stop device  2  preferably comprises a spacing element  14  arranged to create a distance D between the first resilient locator element  6  and the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  in order to allow for the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector body  13  to fit therebetween. Preferably, the spacing element is arranged to be mounted on the crimping tool  100 , e.g. on the tool head  108  of the crimping tool  100 , and the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  is arranged to be mounted on the spacing element  14 , e.g. on a protrusion  16  using a pivot pin  18  which is kept in position by e.g. washers  20 ,  22 . The pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  is preferably prestressed using e.g a return spring  24  by which the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  is forced towards its position engaging the connector  1  unless pivoted therefrom by the operator operating a control device  26  arranged thereon. A stop device  28  is preferably arranged on the connector and wire stop element  4  in order to limit the return movement thereof. The stop device  28  is preferably arranged to engage the distal edge of the first resilient locator element  6  at the end of its return movement. The stop device  28  is preferably arranged as an axial A lip on the distal edge of the connector and wire stop element  4 . The connector and wire stop element  4  further preferably comprises a wire stop protrusion  30  arranged to reach into the connector body  13  during insertion of a cable  21  (see  FIG. 5 ) into the connector  1  thus creating a wire stop. 
     In order to allow for axial A expansion of the connector  1  during a crimping operation, the first resilient locator element  6  may be arranged to be of a material that can be compressed and to be arranged abut the second locator element  8 , or the first resilient locator element  6  and the second locator element  8  may be arranged distanced apart from each other at the respective through holes  10 ,  12  (as seen in the figure), i.e. a gap is arranged between the first resilient locator element  6  and the second locator element  8  at the respective through holes  10 ,  12 . Such a gap may be accomplished by arranging the first  6  and/or second  8  locator element with a protrusion  32  at a position distanced from the respective through holes  10 ,  12  (as seen in the figure). 
     The locator and wire stop device  2  may be mounted on the crimping tool  100  using e.g. a threaded connection  34  such as e.g. at least one screw  36  and at least one nut  38  where the screw  36  is e.g. arranged connected to the crimping tool  100  and further arranged to pass through at least one hole  40 ,  42 ,  44  arranged in the wire stop device  2  and where the nut  38  is arranged to lock the locator and wire stop device  2  to the crimping tool  100 . It is also, together with or without a threaded connection, possible to arrange at least one pin connection  46  such as e.g. at least one pin  48 ;  50  arranged e.g. connected to the crimping tool  100 , where the pin  48 ;  50  is arranged to pass through at least one hole  52 ,  54 ,  56 ;  58 ,  60 ,  62  arranged in the locator and wire stop device  2  in order to position the locator and wire stop device  2  on the crimping tool  100 . It is thus possible to combine a threaded connection and a pin connection as shown in the figure. The locator and wire stop device  2  is preferably to be mounted on the crimping tool  100  using at least one threaded connection  34  and also at least one pin connection  46 . Two connection points are preferred to prevent the locator and wire stop device  2  from pivoting on the hand operated crimping tool  100 , but blocking of such pivoting may also be arranged by using only one connection point e.g. a threaded connection  34  together with other means such as flanges preventing pivoting movement. 
     The hand operated crimping tool  100  may be of any kind, e.g. of the kind shown in the figure which comprises a tool head  108 , a body  110  and two handles  112 ,  114  which handles  112 ,  114  are movably arranged in relation to each other, and where the body  110  is arranged between the distal end  101  and the proximal end  103  of the crimping tool  100 , the tool head  108  is arranged distally  101  on the crimping tool  100 , and the two handles  112 ,  114  are arranged proximally  103  on the crimping tool  100 , and where crimping dies  104 ,  106  between which at least one connector  1  (see  FIG. 5 ) is to be crimped to a cable  21  (see  FIG. 5 ) when said crimping dies  104 ,  106  move towards each other form a die pair  116 , and where both handles  112 ,  114  are pivotally arranged to the body  110 , and the relative movement of the tool handles  112 ,  114  is connected to the relative movement of crimping dies  104 ,  106  forming a die pair  116 . 
     The invention has been discussed only in connection with two crimping dies  104 ,  106  arranged to crimp crimpable parts  3 ,  5 , of a connector  1 , but as can be seen in the figure, further crimping dies  118 ,  120  forming a further die pair  122  for the same connector  1  can be arranged if crimpable parts  3 ,  5 ;  7 ,  9  at another position on the connector  1  are also to be crimped. 
     Also, further through holes  64 ,  66  can be arranged in the first resilient locator element  6  and the second locator element  8 , e.g. if the crimping tool  100  is arranged with several crimp openings  102 ,  124  for connectors of more than one dimension. 
       FIG. 2  shows schematically a side view of an example of a connector  1  of the type used in connection with the inventive locator and wire stop device. The connector  1 , which is e.g. of the type called “Minifit Senior (rollcrimp)”, comprises at least one crimpable connector part  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 , an axially protruding connection part  11 , and an intermediate connector body  13  comprising a transversal protrusion  15  extending in a radial direction r from the connector body  13 . In the figure is also shown the axial A direction of the connector. 
       FIG. 3  shows schematically a view of a locator and wire stop device  2  according to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in a connector insertion position together with an inserted connector  1 . The embodiment of this figure differs from the embodiment in  FIG. 1  in that only one set of through holes  10 ,  12  is arranged in this embodiment compared to two sets in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The reference numerals used are the same as used for corresponding features in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows schematically a view of a locator and wire stop device  2  according to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in a crimping position together with an inserted connector  1 . The reference numerals used are the same as used for corresponding features in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  shows schematically a cross-section of a locator and wire stop device  2  according to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in an intermediate crimping position, i.e. in a position where the crimping dies  104 ,  106  have almost reached the connector  1  but not yet crimped it. 
     Now, the operation of the locator and wire stop device  2  will be described in connection with  FIG. 5 . 
     A connector  1  comprising at least one crimpable connector part  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 , an axially protruding connection part  11 , and an intermediate connector body  13  comprising a transversal protrusion  15  is positioned and retained according to the following steps using a locator and wire stop device  2  mounted on a hand operated crimping tool  100  outside of and adjacent to a crimp opening  102  defined by crimping dies  104 ,  106  on the hand operated crimping tool  100 , the locator and wire stop device  2  comprising positioning means  4 ,  6 ,  8  comprising a pivotable connector and wire stop element  4 , a first resilient locator element  6  and a second locator element  8 ), where the first resilient locator element  6  and the second locator element  8  comprise respective through holes  10 ,  12 . 
     The steps for positioning and retaining the connector  1  are as follows:
         pivoting the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  to a position away from the path of insertion B for the connector  1  into the locator and wire stop device  2 ,   inserting the connection part  11  of the connector  1  into the through hole  10  of the first resilient locator element  6 ,   further inserting the connection part  11  of the connector  1  into the through hole  12  of the second locator element  8 ,   inserting the connector  1  still further into the respective through holes  10 , 12  until an axial end  17  of the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector  1  abuts against the first resilient locator element  6 , the through holes  10 ,  12  at least in combination radially r thus retaining the connection part  11  of the connector  1 , and   pivoting the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  to a position in the path of insertion B for the connector  1  into the locator and wire stop device  2  whereby the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  is arranged to axially block the other axial end  19  of the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector body  13  thus axially A retaining the transversal protrusion  15  of the connector body  13  and thus the connector  1  between the first resilient locator element  6  and the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  thus positioning and retaining at least one crimpable connector part  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  between at least two crimping dies  104 ,  106  of the hand operated crimping tool  100 .       

     After the above positioning and retaining of the connector  1 , the following steps are taken in order to crimp the connector  1  with a cable  21 :
         inserting a cable  21  in the connector  1  until the cable end  23  abuts the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4 ,   crimping together the connector  1  and cable  21  by bringing together the tool handles (not shown) of the crimping tool  1 ,   pivoting away the pivotable connector and wire stop element  4  from its return position, and removing the crimped connector  1  and cable  21  from the locator and wire stop device  2 .       

     The invention also relates to a system comprising a hand operated crimping tool  100  comprising a locator and wire stop device  2 , the system also comprising a connector  1 , where the locator and wire stop device  2  is of the type discussed above, and where the connector  1  is of the type discussed above, and where the hand operated crimping tool  100  may be of any type, e.g. the type discussed above. 
     The invention has been shown arranged in a crimping tool having a closed head, but it is possible in other embodiments to arrange the invention in a crimping tool having an open head, or a head that may be adjusted between an open head position and a closed head position. 
     The connector and wire stop element  4  is preferably substantially rigid as seen in the axial direction A of the connector  1  during crimping, as the cable  21  will not normally expand significantly in the axial direction A of the connector  1  during crimping. However, it is possible to optionally arrange the connector and wire stop element  4  to be somewhat resilient as seen in the axial direction A of the connector  1  during crimping, this in order to allow for any possible axial A expansion of the cable  21  during crimping. 
     The features of the embodiments discussed above may be combined in further ways than those explicitly described in the embodiments above.