Methods of inserting pins into an apparatus and a pin supporting shuttle used therefor
AssigneeWestern Electric Company, Inc.
InventorWilliam M. Chisholm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of pins (20) are supported and held within a pin supporting shuttle (54) by wedging the shank portion (24) of each of the pins between a respective one of a plurality of spaced parallel channels (58) and a ramp (62). The shuttle (54) is then moved to place a free end of each of the pins (20) in a gripped position within an insertion apparatus (55). The shuttle (54) is manipulated so that the shank portion (24) is allowed to return to a normal axis of each respective pin (20). The shuttle (54) is then removed from about the pins (20).
Claims29
A pin supporting shuttle for supporting pins in a predetermined uniform spacing where each pin has a shank portion with a tip, which comprises:
- means for enclosing an intermediate section of each of the pins while maintaining the uniform spacing therebetween;
- means for locating the tip of each of the shank portions laterally of the normal axis of the pin to wedge the shank portion between the enclosing means and the locating means;
- and
- means for returning the tip of each of the pins to alignment with the normal axis of the pin to permit separation of the pins from the shuttle.
A pin-supportin shuttle for supporting pins in a predetermined uniform spacing where each pin has a shank portion with a tip, which comprises:
- means for enclosing an intermediate section of each of the pins while maintaining the uniform spacing therebetween;
- means for moving the tip of each of the shank portions from an initial alignment and laterally of the normal axis of the pin to wedge the shank portion between the enclsoing means and the locating means;
- and
- means for withdrawing the moving means to return the tip of each of the pins to the initial alignment and thereby permit separation of the pins from the shuttle.
A pin supporting shuttle for supporting pins in a predetermined uniform spacing where each pin has a shank portion with a tip, which comprises:
- a front member formed with a plurality of slots through and along one edge thereof and arranged in the uniform spacing;
- a back member formed with a plurality of parallel channels in one face thereof and arranged in the uniform spacing;
- enlarged rounded portions formed in the one face of the back member between a pin-entry end of the channels and an adjacent edge of the back member and arranged in the uniform spacing;
- means for securing the front member to the back member to facilitate the enclosure of the parallel channels and to align the slots of the front member with the rounded portions of the back member;
- a ramp integrally formed in the one face of the back member and having an incline which extends into the plane of the channels from a pin-exit end of the channels to an edge of the back member opposite the one edge thereof;
- a pin release bar;
- and
- means for securing for limited movement the pin release bar on the ramp.
A method of inserting pins, where each pin has a shank portion with a tip, into an apparatus, which comprises the steps of:
- enclosing an intermediate section of the shank portion of each of the pins within a pin supporting shuttle;
- locating the tip of each of the shank portions laterally of the normal axis of the pin to wedge the shank portion within the pin supporting shuttle;
- moving the shuttle to insert opposite ends of the pins into gripping portions of the apparatus;
- and
- returning the tip of each of the pins to alignment with the normal axis of the pin to permit separation of the pins from the shuttle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.