Systems and methods for flat cable installation
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark E. Davidsz, Michael S. Baran, Shravan Rajmohan, Douglas J. Carpiaux, Scott H. Micoley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device is provided for aligning a ribbon cable relative to an electrical connector to crimp the electrical connector onto the ribbon cable with a tool. The device includes a side portion and a central piece. The side portion includes an upper end and a cable track having a width sized to receive the ribbon cable. The central piece is coupled to the side portion and includes an upper surface. The upper surface of the central piece and the upper end of the side portion at least partially define a connector retaining segment sized to receive the electrical connector.
Claims20
A method of installing a ribbon cable on a connector, the method comprising:
- placing the connector within a connector retaining segment of a central piece of a jig the central piece including a first side and a second side arranged opposite the first side;
- positioning the ribbon cable within a cable track of a side portion of the jig, the side portion being adjacent to the first side of the central piece;
- aligning the ribbon cable across an open top of the connector;
- closing a U-shaped cover of the jig, which is separate from a connector cover of the connector, over the ribbon cable to retain the ribbon cable within the cable track, wherein the cover comprises a first extension arranged alongside the first side of the central piece configured to retain the ribbon cable against the cable track when the cover is closed, a second extension arranged alongside the second side of the central piece, and a connector piece that extends across the central piece to connect the first extension and the second extension to form a “U-shape” that defines an open connector space therebetween arranged above the connector retaining segment when the cover is closed;
- and
- entrapping the ribbon cable within the connector.
A device for aligning a ribbon cable relative to an electrical connector to crimp the electrical connector onto the ribbon cable with a tool, the electrical connector including a connector cover, the device comprising:
- a side portion including a cable track having a width sized to receive the ribbon cable;
- a central piece adjacent to the side portion and including a connector retaining segment sized to receive the electrical connector, the central piece including a first side and a second side arranged opposite the first side, with the first side arranged alongside the side portion;
- and
- a “U-shaped” cover, separate from the connector cover, selectively movable between an open position to permit ribbon cable insertion onto the cable track and a closed position that retains the ribbon cable against the cable track, wherein the cover comprises:
- a first extension arranged alongside the first side of the central piece configured to retain the ribbon cable against the cable track when the cover is in the closed position,
- a second extension arranged alongside the second side of the central piece, and
- a connector piece that extends across the central piece to connect the first extension and the second extension to form a “U-shape” that defines an open connector space therebetween arranged above the connector retaining segment when the cover is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.