Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to assemble electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-20
2001-10-09
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to assemble electrical device
C029S861000, C029S753000, C029S750000, C029S566300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298548
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to telecommunications equipment. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tool for use with wire connectors for completing connections between a plurality of wires.
2. Description of Related Art
Tools for use with wire connectors for completing the interconnection of a plurality of wires are necessary for in-field connection of telephone multi-wire cables and other telecommunications wires and multi-wire cables. In practice, a connector is placed in a wire connecting tool which is specifically designed for the particular type of connector, and the desired pairs of wires are aligned with the connector. After all the desired pairs of wires which are to be joined are aligned with the connector, the tool is then operated in order to complete the splicing of the pairs of wires using the tool and the connector. Once completed, the connector is simply removed from the tool and the pairs of wires are thus joined.
In the field of telecommunications, there are several standard wire connectors which are used to join, for example, 20 or 25 pairs of wires together. The first of such standard wire connectors can basically be categorized as a horizontal wire connector while the second type of connector is a vertical wire connector. One of the problems which has been associated with the use of these connectors is the need for a separate tool for each type of connector. Thus, a technician entering the field is oftentimes required to bring one tool for use with a horizontal connector and a separate tool for use in joining the vertical connectors.
Prior art tools for use in joining pairs of wires using the horizontal and vertical connectors are bulky, clamp-like devices which are heavy, complicated in construction, and suited for use with only one of the two identified types of connectors. These heavy and cumbersome tools, which are used on a daily basis by field technicians, oftentimes must be carried for long distances to awkward locations.
More specifically, prior art tools for joining horizontal wire connectors generally use a hydraulic mechanism to create the necessary pressing force for completing the connection between the two pieces of the horizontal wire connector. One problem associated with hydraulically operated devices is that such tools tend to be heavy and cumbersome. This increases the difficulty associated with using such devices in the field.
Prior art tools for joining vertical wire connectors generally include a cam mechanism disposed therein. The cam mechanism controls the range of movement of a T-bar assembly which travels downward in a clamping motion over a wire connector inserted into the tool. Since the typical wire connector is several inches long, it is necessary to apply even pressure along the length of the connector when making the splice.
However, the tools used to complete the splice with the connectors are often carried in the field and are subject to wear and tear associated with constant movement in a truck or being carried into the field by the technician. As a result, the cam mechanism often becomes misaligned, thereby providing unequal pressure between the T-bar assembly and the connector. Thus, more pressure may be applied at one end of the connector during the splicing operation than at the other end. This may result in inadequate splices or completely missed splices between various ones of the wire pairs. Accordingly, the cam mechanism must be adjusted by the technician in the field.
The operation for adjusting the cam mechanism in the typical prior art device basically requires the technician to disassemble the majority of the inner workings of the tool in order to complete the adjustment of the cam mechanism. This is a time-consuming and complicated process which takes up a large amount of the technician's time.
A further problem relates to the incompatibility of the tools for other than the single connector type for which they are designed. If the technician is utilizing both the horizontal and vertical wire connectors at a single job site, the technician may be required to carry two tools to a job site and complete adjustments for both tools, thus wasting a large amount of valuable time.
Accordingly, there is a need for a lightweight, simple, easy-to-use tool for joining wire connectors. There is also a need for reducing the number of components associated with such tools in order to reduce the associated complexity of the instrument thereby improving the tools' reliability. Such a tool must be easy to operate and maintain, and be capable of sustaining extended wear and tear upon being subjected to the rigorous conditions imposed upon field equipment used in the repair and installation of telecommunications and other such equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved tool for assembling wire connectors which provides advantages in adaptability and ease of use.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a tool for assembling a wire connector assembly including a housing, a wire connector holder disposed on the housing, a T-bar pivotally connected at a first end thereof with the housing, a force applicator disposed at a second end of the T-bar and force application means for causing the force applicator to apply a downward force against the wire connector holder. The present invention further includes a wire guide, connected to the wire connector holder, for guiding wires to be connected. The wire guide is movable relative to the wire connector holder in a manner to allow wires to be freed easily from the wire guide allowing the wires and the wire connector to be easily removed from the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the wire guide is pivotally mounted to the wire connector holder through spring loaded bolts. Pivoting the wire guide toward the holder allows the connected wires and wire connector to be easily removed after assembly.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a tool for assembling a wire connector, the tool including a housing, a wire connector holder, a T-bar, a force applicator, and force application means for causing the force applicator to apply a downward force against the wire connector holder. An adjustable gauge wire guide is provided, connected to the wire connector holder, for guiding wires to be connected. The adjustable wire guide has at least two different gauge wire guide portions. In a preferred embodiment, two helical springs having different spacing distances between coils of the spring are mounted to the wire connector holder and act as the separate wire guide portions. By simply switching the springs the gauge of the wire guide can be easily adjusted.
In a third aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for assembling a wire connector including a housing, a wire connector holder, a T-bar, a force applicator, and force application means for causing the force applicator to apply a downward force against the removable wire connector holder. A spacer member is removably coupled to the force applicator, for adjusting the effective stroke thereof of the force applicator. This allows a single connector assembly or a stack of assemblies to be accommodated by the tool with the force applicator stroke easily adjusted for the differing height of the connector assemblies.
The present invention preferably provides the above improved tool through the use of a generic tool in combination with removable wire connector holders and force applicators. In a presently preferred embodiment, the generic tool is provided with a set of removable wire connector holders and force applicators adapted for use with the two industry standard connectors (i.e., the horizontal and vertical connectors). With a minimum amount of adjustments, the tool can be quickly altered for use with the particular connector which is being employed at the technician's job site. Other wire connectors could be readily accommodated by the generic tool, however, with a suitably modified connector holder and force
3M Innovative Properties Company
Fonseca Darla P.
Trinh Minh
Young Lee
LandOfFree
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